WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.500 Father, Jesus tells us in this parable that there are four types of soil that we can be. 00:00:06.140 --> 00:00:07.400 The parable that was just read. 00:00:08.240 --> 00:00:11.859 And Father, you know the state of our hearts and our lives and our minds right now. 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:18.940 Father, we ask that your Holy Spirit would do a wonderful work in us and make us good soil. 00:00:19.660 --> 00:00:24.780 Father, make us good soil so that as your word comes into our hearts, 00:00:24.780 --> 00:00:31.220 as we listen with an honest heart, an open heart, that your word will come into the soil of our lives 00:00:31.220 --> 00:00:32.920 and bear much fruit for your glory. 00:00:33.079 --> 00:00:36.100 Father, make us good soil by your Holy Spirit. 00:00:36.500 --> 00:00:38.960 This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:39.719 --> 00:00:40.620 Please be seated. 00:00:48.060 --> 00:00:53.900 So, I don't know, it was I think a year or two ago, there was a picture. 00:00:53.899 --> 00:00:57.299 I think it was in almost all of the newspapers. 00:00:57.839 --> 00:01:06.099 It showed a Russian Orthodox priest, a bishop actually, in all of his spectacular liturgical finery. 00:01:06.560 --> 00:01:12.579 And it showed him blessing missiles that were going to be loaded on the planes 00:01:12.579 --> 00:01:18.359 and the planes were going to go to Syria and they were going to shoot the missiles down at the people in Syria. 00:01:18.859 --> 00:01:20.420 I don't know how many of you saw that picture. 00:01:20.420 --> 00:01:24.859 But if you're at all like me, it just seemed so wrong. 00:01:24.859 --> 00:01:26.780 It just seemed so wrong, right? 00:01:28.079 --> 00:01:34.680 Somebody, you know, very, very clearly trumpeting that they're a follower of Jesus 00:01:34.680 --> 00:01:40.439 or they claim to be a follower of Jesus to pronounce a blessing on missiles 00:01:40.439 --> 00:01:44.420 that are going to rain down upon people in Syria. 00:01:44.420 --> 00:01:49.859 You know, and the fact of the matter is that there's lots of odd things about blessings. 00:01:51.680 --> 00:01:53.680 You know, so that one might be a bad one. 00:01:53.719 --> 00:01:57.040 This one might be something that you like, although we could talk about it a little bit. 00:01:57.579 --> 00:02:02.540 I almost brought a picture in that a lot of churches, mainly Anglican churches, 00:02:03.079 --> 00:02:08.599 on St. Francis of the Assisi feast day, they have a service where people can bring animals. 00:02:08.599 --> 00:02:13.759 They can bring, like, dogs and cats and horses and camels, if you happen to have a camel, I suppose. 00:02:14.239 --> 00:02:15.479 And there's a blessing of the animals. 00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:17.259 Well, what on earth is going on with that, you know? 00:02:17.900 --> 00:02:21.840 And in a couple of weeks' time, because after this Sunday, God willing, 00:02:21.979 --> 00:02:25.500 I'm going to begin this series of sermons on Genesis chapter 1 to 11. 00:02:25.900 --> 00:02:29.919 It's going to require that we talk a little bit about what's going on with transsexual issues 00:02:29.919 --> 00:02:31.400 and same-sex marriages. 00:02:31.840 --> 00:02:35.620 And what's going on with blessing at marriages and blessing at same-sex marriages? 00:02:35.620 --> 00:02:37.840 And, like, what is going on with this? 00:02:38.060 --> 00:02:40.840 Like, are Christians just really confused about blessing? 00:02:41.400 --> 00:02:42.500 And here's another thing. 00:02:42.640 --> 00:02:47.539 When I was speaking at Parliament Hill on Friday, just, I asked the room, 00:02:47.599 --> 00:02:50.120 I don't know, there were about 15 people present, and I just asked them, 00:02:50.659 --> 00:02:55.439 those of you, how many of you still have churches where the minister pronounces a benediction 00:02:55.439 --> 00:02:57.319 at some point in time during the service? 00:02:57.960 --> 00:03:01.700 And, of course, there was an Anglican there, and it's part of the Anglican liturgy to do that. 00:03:01.759 --> 00:03:03.659 And in Roman Catholic liturgy, it's part. 00:03:03.659 --> 00:03:09.039 But for those who were in those non-churches, like, basically, most of the churches, 00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:15.500 they realized, Pentecostal, Baptist, they don't say blessings anymore in church services. 00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:18.599 There's no benediction of pronouncing of a blessing over the congregation. 00:03:19.639 --> 00:03:23.560 So, like, what's going on with churches, with Christians, with how they understand blessing? 00:03:23.740 --> 00:03:27.039 And the reason this is actually not just an academic thing, 00:03:27.139 --> 00:03:30.099 like how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, 00:03:30.099 --> 00:03:35.139 is because, you know, deeply, many, many people in our culture, 00:03:35.840 --> 00:03:40.159 they have a sense that there should be something like a blessing, 00:03:40.740 --> 00:03:42.060 or a blessing way, 00:03:42.500 --> 00:03:45.120 or the idea of being blessed, 00:03:45.400 --> 00:03:47.759 or being able to live in blessing, 00:03:47.759 --> 00:03:51.280 is something very, very, very attractive to us. 00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:54.759 Even if we have a very hazy sense of what it means, 00:03:54.860 --> 00:03:57.680 there's just this sense that there should be something like a blessing. 00:03:58.680 --> 00:04:00.199 And depending on how you are in our culture, 00:04:00.319 --> 00:04:01.620 if you're an optimistic type, 00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:03.659 maybe you believe that there is this spirituality, 00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:07.199 or, you know, this method will lead to blessing. 00:04:07.860 --> 00:04:10.039 If you're a more pessimistic type, 00:04:10.099 --> 00:04:10.819 you'll say, you know, 00:04:10.860 --> 00:04:12.300 it's just like believing in, you know, 00:04:12.340 --> 00:04:14.039 the Tooth Fairy, or Santa Claus, 00:04:14.099 --> 00:04:15.020 only it's for adults. 00:04:15.020 --> 00:04:18.280 And the reality is that there's just death and destruction, 00:04:18.639 --> 00:04:20.420 and people being mean, 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:22.759 and you just grab the little tiny bit of happiness you can. 00:04:23.579 --> 00:04:26.199 But, well, what's going on with blessing? 00:04:26.319 --> 00:04:29.639 So the Bible text that we read just a few minutes ago 00:04:29.639 --> 00:04:34.780 is one of the greatest texts on blessing and benedictions in the entire Bible. 00:04:35.259 --> 00:04:37.180 So I really would, it would be great 00:04:37.180 --> 00:04:40.019 if you turn to 2 Corinthians chapter 13, 00:04:40.660 --> 00:04:42.400 and verses 5 to 14. 00:04:42.399 --> 00:04:44.139 In fact, Andrew, while you're turning, 00:04:44.259 --> 00:04:46.239 2 Corinthians 13, 5 to 14. 00:04:47.060 --> 00:04:48.579 Andrew, while they're turning that, 00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:49.579 could you just put up the, 00:04:49.919 --> 00:04:51.199 this is verse 14. 00:04:52.659 --> 00:04:54.839 And it's verse 14, 00:04:55.319 --> 00:04:58.739 and it's how the 2 Corinthians ends, 00:04:58.879 --> 00:05:00.339 and in a lot of church services, 00:05:00.899 --> 00:05:02.419 it's, like that morning prayer, 00:05:02.500 --> 00:05:03.239 when we do morning prayer, 00:05:03.319 --> 00:05:04.319 that's how the service ends, 00:05:04.679 --> 00:05:07.219 with us speaking this over each other. 00:05:07.759 --> 00:05:09.359 Why don't we just say it out loud right now? 00:05:09.560 --> 00:05:12.319 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:05:12.399 --> 00:05:13.959 and the love of God, 00:05:14.379 --> 00:05:16.560 and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, 00:05:16.859 --> 00:05:17.699 be with you all. 00:05:17.799 --> 00:05:18.419 Say it again. 00:05:18.919 --> 00:05:21.359 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:05:21.599 --> 00:05:22.939 and the love of God, 00:05:23.359 --> 00:05:25.459 and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, 00:05:25.859 --> 00:05:26.719 be with you all. 00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:31.560 So, the 2 Corinthians ends with this very powerful benediction or blessing, 00:05:32.180 --> 00:05:34.580 and we're going to try to unpack that. 00:05:35.240 --> 00:05:37.400 But the whole passage that we read, 00:05:37.540 --> 00:05:39.760 it sort of begins in an odd way, 00:05:39.840 --> 00:05:40.240 doesn't it? 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:40.840 If you remember, 00:05:41.020 --> 00:05:43.320 you might not remember how I began the reading, 00:05:43.460 --> 00:05:46.020 but it begins with this idea of examining yourself. 00:05:46.720 --> 00:05:48.240 And the text just before this 00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:50.860 has a lot of things about command to do things. 00:05:51.540 --> 00:05:52.980 So, is the Bible text, 00:05:53.280 --> 00:05:54.480 like, you know, 00:05:54.560 --> 00:05:55.300 a lot of people, 00:05:56.160 --> 00:05:58.720 when they talk to me for any length of time about the Christian faith, 00:05:58.819 --> 00:05:59.580 like outsiders, 00:05:59.819 --> 00:06:02.139 who are trying to understand things about the Christian faith, 00:06:02.240 --> 00:06:04.540 they tell me they're often very confused 00:06:04.540 --> 00:06:06.520 by the Christian faith, 00:06:06.580 --> 00:06:08.500 that there seems to be all this rules 00:06:08.500 --> 00:06:10.000 that they have, 00:06:10.020 --> 00:06:12.840 and it seems as if we're fixated on certain things, 00:06:12.840 --> 00:06:13.920 and then at the same time, 00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:15.980 it seems to be that there's this grace thing 00:06:15.980 --> 00:06:17.200 and forgiveness of sins. 00:06:17.759 --> 00:06:21.040 And it's very hard for them to figure out from the outside 00:06:21.040 --> 00:06:22.860 how it is that all these commands, 00:06:23.020 --> 00:06:24.060 examine yourself, 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:26.140 be of the same mind, 00:06:26.460 --> 00:06:28.759 and then there's these commands of blessing being given. 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:31.379 Like, is it just some type of deal 00:06:31.379 --> 00:06:32.960 that if you do all of these things 00:06:32.960 --> 00:06:34.200 that God will do this, 00:06:34.220 --> 00:06:35.520 or what's going on? 00:06:35.540 --> 00:06:37.620 And it's not just people outside the church, 00:06:37.720 --> 00:06:40.420 that many people who have been in churches for a long time 00:06:40.420 --> 00:06:44.300 have a hard time understanding how commands 00:06:44.300 --> 00:06:47.040 and blessings go together. 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:49.660 Because in the world, 00:06:50.400 --> 00:06:52.439 the way the world seems to work 00:06:52.439 --> 00:06:55.100 is if you do the things you're supposed to do, 00:06:55.160 --> 00:06:56.379 then good things will happen, 00:06:56.580 --> 00:06:56.800 you know, 00:06:56.819 --> 00:06:57.939 or better things will happen. 00:06:58.420 --> 00:06:59.860 But if you do all of the studying, 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:01.000 if you take all the notes, 00:07:01.080 --> 00:07:02.240 then maybe you'll get the A. 00:07:03.160 --> 00:07:05.280 It's unlikely that you'll get such a good mark 00:07:05.280 --> 00:07:07.400 if you do no studying and no work or whatsoever, 00:07:07.520 --> 00:07:09.300 unless it's a math course and you're a math genius, 00:07:09.300 --> 00:07:11.120 but that's a separate category, you know? 00:07:11.639 --> 00:07:13.520 But, so, what's going on here? 00:07:13.579 --> 00:07:16.360 Well, let's look up at verse 5, 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:18.780 which is where the text begins, 00:07:18.879 --> 00:07:20.480 and all of this is really important 00:07:20.480 --> 00:07:22.580 for us to understanding what blessing is, 00:07:23.180 --> 00:07:27.379 and how commands and blessings all fit together. 00:07:28.180 --> 00:07:28.939 So it says, 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:31.879 examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. 00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:33.040 Test yourselves, 00:07:33.439 --> 00:07:35.620 or do you not realize this about yourselves, 00:07:35.720 --> 00:07:37.819 that Jesus Christ is in you, 00:07:37.819 --> 00:07:39.319 unless, indeed, 00:07:39.439 --> 00:07:42.300 you fail to meet the test. 00:07:43.319 --> 00:07:44.939 Now, isn't that a very, very odd way 00:07:44.939 --> 00:07:46.899 to try to start to lead up 00:07:46.899 --> 00:07:48.680 to a final benediction or blessing? 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:50.079 Like, you know, 00:07:50.120 --> 00:07:52.680 a lot of people from outside Christian circles, 00:07:52.839 --> 00:07:54.980 they believe that the Christian faith 00:07:54.980 --> 00:07:56.360 is a bit of a con game, 00:07:57.060 --> 00:07:58.219 that you promise, 00:07:58.539 --> 00:07:58.740 you know, 00:07:58.779 --> 00:07:59.939 it's like those people who, 00:08:00.899 --> 00:08:01.079 you know, 00:08:01.100 --> 00:08:02.180 they move things around, 00:08:02.259 --> 00:08:04.019 they put a pea or something 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:05.620 or a marble or something in a cup, 00:08:05.659 --> 00:08:07.240 and they move it around really, really quick, 00:08:07.299 --> 00:08:08.680 and then you have to try to pick what it is, 00:08:08.719 --> 00:08:10.740 and there's always this sleight of hand, 00:08:10.799 --> 00:08:12.039 and they promise these things, 00:08:12.139 --> 00:08:13.680 but then they're really getting you to do this, 00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:16.060 and just sort of way to get your money out of you, 00:08:16.139 --> 00:08:17.219 and get your time, 00:08:17.220 --> 00:08:19.860 and it allows people to stay powerful 00:08:19.860 --> 00:08:22.340 while you just end up really trying to figure out 00:08:22.340 --> 00:08:23.340 these shifting rules, 00:08:23.580 --> 00:08:25.800 and so that's what's going on here. 00:08:25.940 --> 00:08:26.060 Well, 00:08:27.460 --> 00:08:29.580 those of you who were here last week, 00:08:29.800 --> 00:08:32.320 you might remember what just went on a little bit before, 00:08:32.460 --> 00:08:33.060 so let's look, 00:08:33.200 --> 00:08:34.540 we're going to look at verse 5 again, 00:08:34.620 --> 00:08:36.340 but could you go back up to verse 3, 00:08:37.720 --> 00:08:40.580 and it's sort of finishing at the end of a sentence, 00:08:40.700 --> 00:08:40.980 it says, 00:08:41.180 --> 00:08:43.139 since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me, 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:44.759 but here's the important part, 00:08:44.759 --> 00:08:46.860 the second part of verse 3, 00:08:47.659 --> 00:08:50.360 he is not weak in dealing with you, 00:08:51.240 --> 00:08:54.740 but is powerful among you, 00:08:55.039 --> 00:08:57.539 he is not weak in dealing with you, 00:08:57.779 --> 00:09:00.379 but is powerful among you, 00:09:01.220 --> 00:09:03.799 and so just before we read, 00:09:04.259 --> 00:09:05.120 verse 4, 00:09:05.220 --> 00:09:06.759 for he was crucified in weakness, 00:09:06.840 --> 00:09:08.439 but lives by the power of God, 00:09:09.439 --> 00:09:11.299 for we also are weak in him, 00:09:11.779 --> 00:09:12.939 but in dealing with you, 00:09:13.019 --> 00:09:14.039 we will live with him 00:09:14.039 --> 00:09:15.139 by the power of God, 00:09:15.259 --> 00:09:17.240 examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith, 00:09:17.339 --> 00:09:17.480 okay, 00:09:17.579 --> 00:09:17.679 well, 00:09:17.719 --> 00:09:17.939 what's, 00:09:18.659 --> 00:09:18.799 what, 00:09:18.959 --> 00:09:21.639 why is that so important to understand 00:09:21.639 --> 00:09:22.599 what's going on with this, 00:09:22.740 --> 00:09:23.519 examine yourself, 00:09:24.419 --> 00:09:24.599 well, 00:09:24.620 --> 00:09:25.639 you might remember last week, 00:09:25.679 --> 00:09:27.899 we talked a little bit how that part in verse 3, 00:09:28.079 --> 00:09:29.659 he is not weak in dealing with you, 00:09:29.719 --> 00:09:31.039 but is powerful among you, 00:09:31.839 --> 00:09:32.179 I mean, 00:09:32.279 --> 00:09:32.719 I don't know, 00:09:33.319 --> 00:09:34.799 that's true of us right here, 00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:36.959 and in the eyes of the world, 00:09:37.099 --> 00:09:38.019 they wouldn't look at us, 00:09:38.059 --> 00:09:38.799 and say that we're very, 00:09:38.899 --> 00:09:39.559 very powerful, 00:09:39.559 --> 00:09:44.279 but what the text is talking about here 00:09:44.279 --> 00:09:45.779 is not worldly power, 00:09:46.579 --> 00:09:47.139 in fact, 00:09:47.539 --> 00:09:50.579 Paul is writing this to a group of people, 00:09:50.699 --> 00:09:53.000 most of them were pagans who had become Christians, 00:09:53.139 --> 00:09:55.119 a few of them were Jewish who had become Christians, 00:09:55.699 --> 00:09:58.059 it's only about five or six years, 00:09:58.899 --> 00:09:59.779 give or take, 00:09:59.859 --> 00:10:03.000 after Christianity had entered Europe, 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:07.679 and Christianity enters Europe, 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:08.720 not with armies, 00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:10.379 like Islam entered Europe, 00:10:10.759 --> 00:10:12.480 but Christianity enters Europe 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:15.320 by a group of four wandering teachers, 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:16.840 one of whom was Paul, 00:10:17.539 --> 00:10:19.100 who tell people about Jesus, 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:21.679 and so in Corinth, 00:10:22.360 --> 00:10:24.480 Christianity definitely isn't powerful, 00:10:25.200 --> 00:10:28.500 they don't hold important positions of prestige, 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:31.340 the culture isn't shaped to try to direct people 00:10:31.340 --> 00:10:32.340 to the Christian faith, 00:10:32.340 --> 00:10:34.680 so what does it mean when he says, 00:10:34.980 --> 00:10:36.560 he is not weak in dealing with you, 00:10:36.620 --> 00:10:37.920 but is powerful among you, 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:39.759 for he was crucified in weakness, 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:42.080 but lives by the power of God, 00:10:42.680 --> 00:10:44.420 well Paul explains this, 00:10:44.700 --> 00:10:48.860 that there's this mighty thing that God does 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:50.120 in the person of his son, 00:10:50.580 --> 00:10:51.399 that God, 00:10:51.540 --> 00:10:52.620 the son of God, 00:10:53.019 --> 00:10:54.560 sets aside his glory, 00:10:54.740 --> 00:10:55.879 and divine prerogatives, 00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:56.620 and splendor, 00:10:56.680 --> 00:10:58.360 and comes and lives amongst us, 00:10:58.840 --> 00:10:59.639 and he comes, 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:01.100 and he lives amongst us, 00:11:01.100 --> 00:11:04.200 all with the purpose of ultimately dying upon the cross, 00:11:04.920 --> 00:11:09.960 as the means by which God is going to make right, 00:11:10.080 --> 00:11:11.540 human beings with himself, 00:11:11.659 --> 00:11:13.220 who put their faith and trust in him, 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:16.120 and it's the complete opposite way, 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:18.960 of how the world understands how things should be made right, 00:11:19.040 --> 00:11:20.320 because generally speaking, 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:23.300 the way we in the world think that things should be made right, 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:24.840 is to give things more power, 00:11:24.840 --> 00:11:27.580 like if we want to make poverty right, 00:11:27.660 --> 00:11:30.220 well we feel like we have to give maybe governments more power, 00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:31.060 or something like that, 00:11:31.080 --> 00:11:32.320 or we want to make the economy right, 00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:34.960 we just naturally feel that there should be somebody, 00:11:35.399 --> 00:11:37.340 or some group that gets more power, 00:11:37.780 --> 00:11:38.639 but God, 00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:41.000 he understands, 00:11:41.680 --> 00:11:44.280 that at the very very center of the human problem, 00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:46.720 is this desire for more and more power, 00:11:47.460 --> 00:11:49.440 that the whole way, 00:11:49.440 --> 00:11:51.600 that the human race went wrong with God, 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:54.379 was because human beings wanted to be like God, 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:55.700 and by being like God, 00:11:55.779 --> 00:11:57.259 they would have power, 00:11:57.920 --> 00:12:02.560 and so in this very very very very powerful way, 00:12:02.899 --> 00:12:04.480 not just as an object lesson, 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:06.800 but to set things right, 00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:09.460 God, the son of God, 00:12:09.540 --> 00:12:10.440 becomes weak, 00:12:11.500 --> 00:12:14.159 he empties himself, 00:12:15.379 --> 00:12:17.480 and he becomes weak, 00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:18.399 he's born, 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:21.059 he's a tiny fertilized cell, 00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:22.899 that has to lodge on the womb, 00:12:23.139 --> 00:12:24.000 of his, 00:12:24.439 --> 00:12:26.379 that God creates this out of nothing, 00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:28.720 and it has to be lodged on the womb of, 00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:30.699 the wall of the womb of Mary, 00:12:30.919 --> 00:12:33.100 and he's completely and utterly weak, 00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:35.519 and he lives a humble life, 00:12:35.579 --> 00:12:37.179 but a life where he does nothing wrong, 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:39.720 and at the end of the day, 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:41.759 he pursues weakness even still, 00:12:41.899 --> 00:12:44.480 by allowing himself to go, 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:45.259 and to be put on, 00:12:45.399 --> 00:12:46.379 falsely accused, 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:47.620 and falsely condemned, 00:12:47.860 --> 00:12:48.919 and put on the cross, 00:12:49.700 --> 00:12:50.379 and mocked, 00:12:51.080 --> 00:12:52.439 and rejected by the people, 00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:55.580 and by the greatest civilization, 00:12:55.799 --> 00:12:57.039 that the world had ever seen, 00:12:57.179 --> 00:12:59.399 he's rejected by the greatest civilization, 00:13:00.039 --> 00:13:01.559 and the people who knew his ways, 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:03.419 and he dies upon the cross, 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:05.460 and as he dies upon the cross, 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:07.200 it looks from the eyes of the world, 00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:08.740 whether it's from the eyes of religion, 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:10.240 or from the eyes of spirituality, 00:13:11.059 --> 00:13:13.740 or from the eyes of culture, 00:13:13.740 --> 00:13:15.419 or the eyes of philosophy, 00:13:16.060 --> 00:13:17.379 or of economic power, 00:13:17.519 --> 00:13:18.779 or of military power, 00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:20.799 or of artistic and aesthetic power, 00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:22.120 from any sense, 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:25.960 it looks now as if his life has been a complete and utter failure, 00:13:25.960 --> 00:13:30.300 but Jesus describes himself as the Lamb of God, 00:13:30.400 --> 00:13:31.600 he accepts the description, 00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:33.259 that he is the Lamb of God, 00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:35.280 who will take away the sin of the world, 00:13:36.040 --> 00:13:36.879 he doesn't say, 00:13:37.160 --> 00:13:39.259 I am the mutant superhero, 00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:41.000 who will take away the sins of the world, 00:13:41.040 --> 00:13:44.300 but he accepts this description of him, 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:45.240 depiction of him, 00:13:45.280 --> 00:13:46.400 as the Lamb of God, 00:13:46.460 --> 00:13:48.060 who will take away the sin of the world, 00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:50.400 and the Lamb of God is slain, 00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:54.659 and when we see Jesus dying upon the cross, 00:13:55.179 --> 00:13:57.259 in complete and utter weakness, 00:13:58.100 --> 00:14:00.539 and it looks as if it's been a complete failure, 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:02.860 this in fact was God's plan, 00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:04.579 to provide a way, 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:05.879 and a power, 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:08.639 to make human beings right with himself, 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:10.240 when they put their faith and trust, 00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:12.439 in what God does, 00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:13.799 in the person of his son, 00:14:13.799 --> 00:14:19.479 because just as in sacrifices, 00:14:19.719 --> 00:14:21.279 whether they were pagan or Jewish, 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:24.599 there's this idea that there's going to be an animal, 00:14:24.599 --> 00:14:25.839 that dies in your place, 00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:28.179 and there's some type of a putting of a hand, 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:28.659 in a sense, 00:14:28.719 --> 00:14:30.179 or some type of transference, 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:30.819 or acceptance, 00:14:31.059 --> 00:14:33.419 that this will be in substitute for me, 00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:35.219 and in a sense, 00:14:35.319 --> 00:14:37.379 the punishment or the doom that I deserve, 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:40.539 will now fall on this helpless animal, 00:14:40.639 --> 00:14:41.539 where I go free, 00:14:41.539 --> 00:14:43.980 Jesus depicts himself as the Lamb of God, 00:14:44.079 --> 00:14:45.339 who takes away the sin of the world, 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:47.259 and because he is God, 00:14:47.339 --> 00:14:47.959 the Son of God, 00:14:48.039 --> 00:14:49.279 the second person of the Trinity, 00:14:49.779 --> 00:14:51.659 and even though he has stripped himself, 00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:53.759 not only of divine privileges, 00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:55.419 but as he lies upon the cross, 00:14:55.459 --> 00:14:56.639 as he is hung upon the cross, 00:14:56.699 --> 00:14:58.139 he's even stripped of his clothing, 00:14:58.699 --> 00:14:59.959 he is completely stripped, 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:01.759 but he never stops being God, 00:15:02.059 --> 00:15:03.019 and because of that, 00:15:03.339 --> 00:15:04.899 that when he dies, 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:08.000 it's not just him handling the sin, 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:10.539 and all my desire for power, 00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:13.120 all of the things that bend me out of shape, 00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:14.539 because I have rejected God, 00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:16.019 not just for me, 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:18.219 but he can stand for every human being, 00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:20.459 who puts their faith and trust in him, 00:15:21.099 --> 00:15:23.000 and so what Paul is saying here, 00:15:23.099 --> 00:15:23.759 to the Corinthians, 00:15:23.899 --> 00:15:24.879 what he's reminding them, 00:15:24.959 --> 00:15:25.939 is his letter becomes, 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:26.819 and it's so important, 00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:28.240 that he reminds them of this, 00:15:28.459 --> 00:15:29.959 just before he starts to tell them, 00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:31.179 to examine themselves, 00:15:31.579 --> 00:15:33.159 and to be of the same mind, 00:15:33.219 --> 00:15:33.959 and to do this, 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.559 and to do that, 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:36.139 he reminds them, 00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:38.159 that God's power, 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:41.319 has come upon these ordinary human beings, 00:15:41.659 --> 00:15:43.579 when they have put their faith, 00:15:43.619 --> 00:15:44.619 and trust in Jesus, 00:15:45.619 --> 00:15:47.759 in his first letter to Corinth, 00:15:47.859 --> 00:15:48.959 he tells them that, 00:15:49.059 --> 00:15:49.179 you know, 00:15:49.219 --> 00:15:50.500 not many of you are very wise, 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:51.859 and not many of you are very rich, 00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:53.439 and not many of you are very powerful, 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:56.619 but God takes ordinary people, 00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:57.299 like you and me, 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:58.199 jars of clay, 00:15:58.279 --> 00:15:59.079 like you and me, 00:15:59.479 --> 00:16:00.179 some people, 00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:02.399 terribly far from the kingdom, 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:04.159 if you go, 00:16:04.299 --> 00:16:05.480 and you read 1 Corinthians, 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:07.399 the letter before 2 Corinthians, 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:08.139 it's very, 00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:08.699 very clear, 00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:09.059 there's, 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:10.220 I mean, 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:10.519 there's, 00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:10.819 you know, 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:11.759 prostitutes, 00:16:11.919 --> 00:16:12.419 and it's, 00:16:12.659 --> 00:16:12.879 I mean, 00:16:12.899 --> 00:16:13.819 there's just, 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:17.220 like all the whole rank of society, 00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:18.220 from some people, 00:16:18.319 --> 00:16:19.059 who are quite rich, 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:19.740 to some people, 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:20.439 who would be at the very, 00:16:20.579 --> 00:16:21.139 very bottom, 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:22.860 that they have all put their faith, 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:23.699 and trust in Jesus, 00:16:23.819 --> 00:16:25.139 and they're now this one people, 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:26.360 that God's power, 00:16:27.899 --> 00:16:29.379 it's when we put our faith, 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:30.340 and trust in Jesus, 00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:32.319 it's when we hear this message, 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:35.639 and accept that it's God doing this, 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:39.100 it's not just my declaration, 00:16:39.539 --> 00:16:41.279 that now I'm going to live a new life, 00:16:41.319 --> 00:16:43.159 it's me putting my hands out, 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:45.100 whether literally or figuratively, 00:16:45.439 --> 00:16:47.159 and as I put my hands out, 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:48.539 whether literally or figuratively, 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:49.240 to Jesus, 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.299 and it touches him, 00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:51.039 it's as if now, 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:53.199 my sin, 00:16:53.340 --> 00:16:54.240 my life, 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:55.379 my past, 00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:56.079 my present, 00:16:56.079 --> 00:16:58.039 my future is now on him, 00:16:58.199 --> 00:17:00.799 and as he has died upon the cross, 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:02.179 he's died for me, 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:04.759 and it's not just my declaration, 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:06.000 that it's not like another, 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.139 new year's resolution, 00:17:07.139 --> 00:17:09.079 which is all about my power, 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:11.519 to try to accomplish my goals, 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:13.160 because I want to be slimmer, 00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:14.440 or I want to be more muscular, 00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:15.660 or I want to be richer, 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:17.119 or I want to look younger, 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:18.259 or I want to look older, 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:19.519 or whatever the heck it is, 00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:21.160 it's all about our power, 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:22.779 but when we put our hands out, 00:17:22.859 --> 00:17:24.279 to Jesus in weakness, 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:27.180 God's power comes into us, 00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:28.000 to make us his, 00:17:28.759 --> 00:17:31.860 and that's why Paul can say here, 00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:35.660 he is not weak in dealing with you, 00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:37.180 but is powerful among you, 00:17:38.180 --> 00:17:41.840 for he was crucified in weakness, 00:17:41.840 --> 00:17:43.660 but lives by the power of God, 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:46.000 for we also are weak in him, 00:17:46.620 --> 00:17:47.779 but in dealing with you, 00:17:47.820 --> 00:17:48.740 we will live with him, 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:49.680 by the power of God, 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.660 on Friday, 00:17:50.660 --> 00:17:52.039 I was trying to think of an analogy, 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:53.460 to speak on Parliament Hill, 00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:55.240 because I had the great privilege, 00:17:55.360 --> 00:17:56.840 to speak on Parliament Hill on Friday, 00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:58.000 to some of the staffers, 00:17:58.220 --> 00:18:01.200 and so I gave them a bit of an early version, 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:01.840 of this sermon, 00:18:02.299 --> 00:18:03.320 and I tried to say, 00:18:03.360 --> 00:18:03.519 you know, 00:18:03.640 --> 00:18:04.960 the whole Christian life, 00:18:05.080 --> 00:18:06.320 begins with weakness, 00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:08.720 because it's a type of surrender, 00:18:09.080 --> 00:18:10.279 and the analogy I gave them, 00:18:10.320 --> 00:18:11.840 is imagine if Justin Trudeau, 00:18:12.580 --> 00:18:14.620 came into Rona Ambrose's office, 00:18:15.560 --> 00:18:16.880 in full sight of people, 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:18.360 seeing him going into her office, 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:20.599 and he goes into her office, 00:18:20.699 --> 00:18:21.759 and sits down in front of her, 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:22.039 and says, 00:18:22.119 --> 00:18:22.259 you know, 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:22.500 Rona, 00:18:22.579 --> 00:18:24.019 on this particular policy, 00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:26.259 the Conservative Party, 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.240 is completely right, 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:29.519 like, 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:29.919 in fact, 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:31.359 I'd like you to write, 00:18:31.439 --> 00:18:33.619 all of the legislation for me, 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:35.879 and I'll move it, 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:37.219 because you're right, 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:39.759 well, 00:18:39.959 --> 00:18:41.419 can you imagine that happening, 00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:45.819 and I'm not picking on Trudeau, 00:18:45.879 --> 00:18:46.959 it could be the other way around, 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:47.899 imagine what would happen, 00:18:47.900 --> 00:18:49.980 if Rona Ambrose went into Trudeau's office, 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:50.340 and said, 00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:50.660 Justin, 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.720 you're completely right, 00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:53.900 could you just write this down, 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:55.080 because I'm going to completely, 00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:56.280 the Conservative Party is going to change, 00:18:56.360 --> 00:18:57.380 all of its policies, 00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:59.240 as you just write it down, 00:18:59.380 --> 00:18:59.900 what needs to, 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:01.120 what you can, 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:02.240 it's not going to happen either, 00:19:02.300 --> 00:19:02.500 right, 00:19:03.060 --> 00:19:04.500 but the Christian life, 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.300 begins, 00:19:05.860 --> 00:19:06.700 in a very, 00:19:06.800 --> 00:19:07.000 very, 00:19:07.100 --> 00:19:08.220 very real sense, 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:10.259 by us surrendering to Jesus, 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:15.259 by being weak, 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.019 before him, 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:18.680 and part of, 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:20.160 not only is that how it begins, 00:19:20.599 --> 00:19:21.519 but part of the growth, 00:19:21.640 --> 00:19:22.379 in our Christian life, 00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:22.779 in a very, 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:24.000 very ironic way, 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:24.980 is increasingly, 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:28.140 surrendering to Jesus, 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:28.720 I mean, 00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:30.200 once we surrender to Jesus, 00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:31.680 and he takes us, 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:33.619 then we're his forever, 00:19:33.619 --> 00:19:33.739 forever, 00:19:34.919 --> 00:19:35.159 you see, 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:36.379 just look down again here, 00:19:36.459 --> 00:19:36.839 look at it, 00:19:36.899 --> 00:19:37.979 like just listen to the whole flow, 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:38.739 of how it now goes, 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.819 look at verse three again, 00:19:39.879 --> 00:19:40.479 the second part, 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:42.159 he is not weak in dealing with you, 00:19:42.219 --> 00:19:43.519 but is powerful among you, 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:45.719 for he was crucified in weakness, 00:19:46.139 --> 00:19:46.879 but lives, 00:19:47.239 --> 00:19:48.139 by the power of God, 00:19:48.159 --> 00:19:49.000 that's the resurrection, 00:19:49.699 --> 00:19:51.159 for we also are weak in him, 00:19:51.239 --> 00:19:52.119 but in dealing with you, 00:19:52.179 --> 00:19:53.379 we will live with him, 00:19:53.399 --> 00:19:54.479 by the power of God, 00:19:54.619 --> 00:19:55.739 examine yourselves, 00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:57.199 to see whether you are in the faith, 00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:58.399 test yourselves, 00:19:58.399 --> 00:20:00.259 or do you not realize this, 00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:01.179 about yourselves, 00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:02.519 that Jesus Christ, 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:04.039 is in you, 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:06.039 Andrew, 00:20:06.099 --> 00:20:06.639 if you could put up, 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:07.700 the first point please, 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:10.160 a Christian, 00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:11.240 you know, 00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:11.920 I tried to figure out, 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:12.400 how to do this, 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.400 in inclusive language, 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.519 it just sucked, 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:16.619 so I've written it twice, 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:19.299 because it, 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:21.339 you have to do plurals, 00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:22.299 and it just, 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:24.019 it didn't make any sense, 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:25.200 it didn't make sense, 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:27.319 a Christian, 00:20:27.319 --> 00:20:28.379 is a person, 00:20:28.519 --> 00:20:29.740 who has let Jesus Christ, 00:20:29.859 --> 00:20:30.819 come into him, 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:32.879 and be his savior, 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:33.639 and Lord forever, 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:34.659 a Christian, 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:35.259 is a person, 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:36.279 who has let Jesus Christ, 00:20:36.399 --> 00:20:37.299 come into her, 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:39.480 and be her savior, 00:20:39.619 --> 00:20:40.759 and Lord forever, 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:43.159 that's what, 00:20:43.159 --> 00:20:44.859 Paul is talking about here, 00:20:45.179 --> 00:20:46.480 and you see, 00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:47.599 this completely, 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.220 and utterly, 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:49.839 changes the whole notion, 00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:50.399 of examination, 00:20:50.399 --> 00:20:51.399 we're going to talk about this, 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.039 a little bit more, 00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:52.720 towards the end, 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.839 as we look again, 00:20:53.879 --> 00:20:54.619 at this whole idea, 00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:55.179 of blessing, 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:56.900 but, 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:58.420 when we put our faith, 00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.340 and trust in Jesus, 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.900 it's, 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.960 not just, 00:21:02.140 --> 00:21:02.880 that we're made right, 00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:03.500 with God, 00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:05.960 but, 00:21:06.100 --> 00:21:07.620 Jesus Christ, 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:08.860 the savior, 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:09.360 and the Lord, 00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:10.140 of the universe, 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.519 actually comes, 00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:11.940 and lives, 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.500 and dwells, 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.080 within you, 00:21:13.080 --> 00:21:15.759 doesn't matter, 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.560 how messed up, 00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:17.200 your life has been, 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:17.900 or how powerful, 00:21:17.900 --> 00:21:18.880 your life has been, 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.759 doesn't matter, 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.720 if you've lived, 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.259 your life, 00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:23.119 in complete, 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:23.700 and utter, 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:25.299 rebellion against God, 00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:26.259 or if you've been, 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:27.539 superficially, 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.460 obedient to God, 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:29.500 by living, 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.400 a superficially, 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.079 moral life, 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:31.680 or maybe even, 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:32.839 a pretty moral life, 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:34.200 none of these things, 00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:34.539 matter, 00:21:34.619 --> 00:21:35.319 none of these things, 00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:36.960 actually put Jesus in us, 00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:38.119 that when we put our faith, 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:39.119 and trust in Jesus, 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:40.759 Jesus Christ, 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:42.200 actually comes, 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:42.920 and lives, 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:44.920 in, 00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:47.960 you and me, 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:50.660 and, 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:52.200 so part of the examination, 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:52.980 of ourselves, 00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:54.019 is just to think, 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:54.720 about the fact, 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:55.539 that Jesus Christ, 00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:56.279 lives in us, 00:21:59.279 --> 00:21:59.700 and, 00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:04.599 you know, 00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:05.539 the language of love, 00:22:05.660 --> 00:22:06.400 I saw this, 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.079 past week, 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:07.640 I think it was, 00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:08.259 it was actually, 00:22:08.359 --> 00:22:08.839 maybe it was even, 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.900 on Valentine's Day, 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.000 I don't know, 00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:11.920 if you get Netflix, 00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.660 there's a very, 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.839 very interesting movie, 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:14.920 called Calvary, 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.579 it's an Irish film, 00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:17.799 and, 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:19.039 it's a very, 00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:20.240 very powerful film, 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:20.740 actually, 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:21.720 and, 00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:23.620 it's all about, 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:25.620 it opens with, 00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:26.880 I'm not giving a spoiler alert, 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.599 because the first, 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:28.799 if you watch the movie, 00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:29.200 by the way, 00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:30.539 you can't miss the first minute, 00:22:30.640 --> 00:22:31.859 because if you miss the first minute, 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:32.980 of the film, 00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:33.740 nothing in the film, 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.940 will make any sense to you, 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:36.319 and in the first minute, 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:36.940 there's a priest, 00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:37.880 sitting in the confession, 00:22:37.880 --> 00:22:39.320 that this thing, 00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:40.960 this little door slides open, 00:22:41.540 --> 00:22:42.500 there's a person there, 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:44.760 and there's a very dramatic thing, 00:22:44.860 --> 00:22:45.780 that the man says, 00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:46.580 to the priest, 00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:47.560 and then at the end, 00:22:47.620 --> 00:22:48.360 of the thing, 00:22:48.580 --> 00:22:49.540 the man says, 00:22:49.600 --> 00:22:50.060 to the priest, 00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:51.420 that he's going to kill the priest, 00:22:51.520 --> 00:22:52.420 in a week's time, 00:22:53.160 --> 00:22:54.040 he's going to murder him, 00:22:55.040 --> 00:22:55.800 and, 00:22:55.880 --> 00:22:58.140 and he's going to murder him, 00:22:58.160 --> 00:23:00.020 because he hasn't been a bad priest, 00:23:00.020 --> 00:23:00.860 he's a good priest, 00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:02.380 and he says, 00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:03.180 I'm giving you a week, 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:04.680 so you can set your house in order, 00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.840 and the rest of the movie, 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.519 is the week, 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:08.620 including him dealing, 00:23:08.860 --> 00:23:09.460 with his daughter, 00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:11.740 and because he was, 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:12.740 he's a widower, 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:14.120 and after his wife died, 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:15.519 he joined the Catholic priesthood, 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:16.980 and there's a very, 00:23:17.080 --> 00:23:18.299 very powerful scene, 00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:19.759 no spoiler alert here, 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.500 where his daughter, 00:23:21.600 --> 00:23:22.320 and him who've been, 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:24.220 you know, 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:24.940 they have things, 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:26.320 like a lot of parents have, 00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:27.019 with their kids, 00:23:27.140 --> 00:23:28.240 and fathers with daughters, 00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:30.720 and mothers with their sons, 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:32.220 and fathers with sons, 00:23:32.340 --> 00:23:32.799 etc., 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:34.220 and there's a very, 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:35.299 very powerful scene, 00:23:35.360 --> 00:23:36.519 that would resonate with everybody, 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:37.140 because it's just, 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:38.240 we all understand it, 00:23:38.259 --> 00:23:39.100 at a fundamental level, 00:23:39.620 --> 00:23:41.740 and he says to his daughter, 00:23:41.860 --> 00:23:43.259 that he'll always be here, 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:45.700 and then he says, 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:47.079 I'll always be here, 00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:50.200 and he puts his finger in, 00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:51.360 on her chest, 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.860 and then he says, 00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:53.759 you'll always be here, 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:54.299 and he puts it, 00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:55.240 on his own chest, 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:57.500 and I don't think it matters, 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:58.400 whether you're a Christian, 00:23:58.579 --> 00:23:58.819 or not, 00:23:58.860 --> 00:23:59.480 at a very, 00:23:59.620 --> 00:24:00.500 very human level, 00:24:00.600 --> 00:24:01.700 we all understand that, 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:02.180 don't we? 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:04.100 that there's something, 00:24:04.100 --> 00:24:05.220 about the very nature, 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:05.920 of love, 00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:08.480 between two human beings, 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:10.320 that when we, 00:24:10.860 --> 00:24:12.140 that part of the whole thing, 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:13.420 about love, 00:24:13.560 --> 00:24:14.580 is that you're opening, 00:24:14.580 --> 00:24:15.360 your heart, 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.019 you're opening, 00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:16.880 the inside, 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.779 of who you are, 00:24:17.860 --> 00:24:19.100 in some small, 00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:19.880 or big way, 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.880 to the other person, 00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:23.140 hoping that they will start, 00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:25.340 to reciprocate, 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:26.519 by them opening, 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:27.860 something in themselves, 00:24:27.859 --> 00:24:29.199 so that something, 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:29.839 of you, 00:24:29.979 --> 00:24:30.779 starts to come, 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:31.740 into their life, 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.219 at the level, 00:24:32.299 --> 00:24:33.000 of personality, 00:24:33.219 --> 00:24:33.939 and imagination, 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:34.699 and emotion, 00:24:34.939 --> 00:24:35.879 and habits, 00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:37.939 and right and wrong, 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:38.699 and it just, 00:24:38.819 --> 00:24:39.179 it starts, 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:39.879 you start to get, 00:24:39.879 --> 00:24:40.599 into their lives, 00:24:40.639 --> 00:24:41.059 and they start, 00:24:41.099 --> 00:24:42.240 to get into your lives, 00:24:42.879 --> 00:24:44.500 and we all understand that, 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:45.179 and that's why, 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:45.459 you see, 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.339 the Bible is very, 00:24:46.479 --> 00:24:46.639 very, 00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:48.419 sometimes it confuses, 00:24:48.659 --> 00:24:49.079 Christians, 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:50.319 because there's language, 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:51.279 of Jesus coming, 00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:52.299 to live in us, 00:24:52.399 --> 00:24:53.219 and language, 00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:53.859 of us coming, 00:24:53.919 --> 00:24:54.619 to live in Christ, 00:24:54.619 --> 00:24:56.279 but that's exactly, 00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:57.099 how it works, 00:24:57.199 --> 00:24:58.099 for human beings, 00:24:58.099 --> 00:24:58.679 isn't it? 00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.799 Like the language, 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.459 of the Bible, 00:25:01.459 --> 00:25:02.759 is very wise, 00:25:03.459 --> 00:25:04.739 and what the text, 00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:05.619 is saying here, 00:25:05.739 --> 00:25:06.599 is that it's, 00:25:06.659 --> 00:25:08.399 Jesus actually comes, 00:25:10.119 --> 00:25:11.079 because of what, 00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:11.719 he's done for us, 00:25:11.739 --> 00:25:12.479 on the cross, 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:13.559 and his resurrection, 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.559 which vindicates, 00:25:14.619 --> 00:25:15.399 that he's from God, 00:25:15.439 --> 00:25:16.539 and when we put our faith, 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:17.479 and trust in him, 00:25:18.399 --> 00:25:18.739 in a sense, 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.839 when we reach out to him, 00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:20.879 and he reaches down, 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:21.399 to us, 00:25:21.659 --> 00:25:23.359 and we connect, 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:25.539 and as we connect, 00:25:25.779 --> 00:25:26.919 all of my sin, 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:27.579 and shame, 00:25:27.879 --> 00:25:28.539 and rebellion, 00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:29.959 and lust for power, 00:25:30.199 --> 00:25:31.659 and narcissism, 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:33.159 and the messes, 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.500 everything is transferred, 00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.019 to him, 00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:36.159 he has dealt with it, 00:25:36.179 --> 00:25:37.399 in his death upon the cross, 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:38.779 and there's not only, 00:25:38.959 --> 00:25:39.899 that transference, 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:41.519 but there's an entering in, 00:25:42.399 --> 00:25:43.659 that Jesus enters in, 00:25:43.719 --> 00:25:44.659 and I enter into him, 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:46.459 that's why it uses, 00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:47.459 the double language, 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:51.339 so mindful, 00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:51.959 of all of this, 00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:52.579 let's listen, 00:25:52.579 --> 00:25:53.279 to the rest of the, 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:54.119 of this passage, 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:54.699 going up, 00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:57.500 to verse 14, 00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.759 and verse 14, 00:25:58.879 --> 00:26:00.639 intensifies this image, 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:02.119 and then helps us, 00:26:02.119 --> 00:26:02.720 to understand, 00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:03.639 how commands, 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:04.839 and blessing go together, 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.079 listen to it again, 00:26:06.159 --> 00:26:06.779 verse 5, 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:08.699 examine yourselves, 00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:09.759 to see whether you are, 00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:10.519 in the faith, 00:26:11.399 --> 00:26:12.500 test yourselves, 00:26:13.099 --> 00:26:14.179 or do you not realize, 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:15.059 this about yourselves, 00:26:15.179 --> 00:26:15.960 that Jesus Christ, 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.619 is in you, 00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:17.759 unless indeed, 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:19.039 you fail to meet the test, 00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:21.059 he's been a bit jovial, 00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:21.940 here in the Greek, 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:22.460 he's, 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:24.720 he's not saying this, 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.359 because he thinks, 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:26.079 they're going to fail, 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.659 and by the way, 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:28.659 what he's really doing here, 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.099 another thing, 00:26:29.159 --> 00:26:29.559 is not only, 00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:30.960 all the way through the letter, 00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:32.240 they've been judging him, 00:26:32.899 --> 00:26:34.220 and what he's doing right here, 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:34.759 is he's saying, 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:35.619 the same type of thing, 00:26:35.679 --> 00:26:36.679 is what Jesus says, 00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:37.679 is you need to see, 00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:39.399 the log in your own eye, 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.779 before you see the speck, 00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:42.379 in the other person's eye, 00:26:42.380 --> 00:26:43.060 and you've been spending, 00:26:43.300 --> 00:26:43.860 all your time, 00:26:44.080 --> 00:26:45.280 examining and testing, 00:26:46.020 --> 00:26:46.460 me, 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.560 or other people, 00:26:48.080 --> 00:26:49.680 you need to examine yourself, 00:26:49.880 --> 00:26:51.040 it's just good wisdom, 00:26:52.120 --> 00:26:53.000 in verse 6, 00:26:53.080 --> 00:26:54.060 I hope you will find out, 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:55.720 that we have not failed the test, 00:26:56.260 --> 00:26:57.320 but we pray to God, 00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:58.780 that you may not go wrong, 00:26:59.080 --> 00:26:59.620 do wrong, 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.920 not that we may appear, 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:01.800 to have met the test, 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:02.140 in other words, 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:03.000 he's not concerned, 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:04.240 about how they view him, 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:05.820 but that you may do, 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:06.520 what is right, 00:27:06.760 --> 00:27:07.580 though we may seem, 00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:08.000 to have failed, 00:27:08.040 --> 00:27:08.380 once again, 00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:08.900 he doesn't care, 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.680 whether he's failed, 00:27:09.780 --> 00:27:11.080 he wants them to do right, 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:11.519 why, 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:13.220 for we cannot do anything, 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:13.980 against the truth, 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:14.919 but only for the truth, 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.839 you could do a whole sermon, 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.460 on that verse, 00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:16.859 couldn't you, 00:27:17.659 --> 00:27:18.639 for we cannot do anything, 00:27:18.639 --> 00:27:19.339 against the truth, 00:27:19.419 --> 00:27:20.339 but only for the truth, 00:27:20.879 --> 00:27:21.559 verse 9, 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:23.960 for we are glad, 00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:24.939 when we are weak, 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.839 and you are strong, 00:27:26.439 --> 00:27:28.019 your restoration, 00:27:28.859 --> 00:27:30.799 is what we pray for, 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:32.019 and the word there, 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.659 that's translated, 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.339 as restoration, 00:27:33.579 --> 00:27:34.960 in the original language, 00:27:35.159 --> 00:27:35.819 it could also be, 00:27:35.919 --> 00:27:37.339 translated as mending, 00:27:37.899 --> 00:27:39.939 it's the fixing, 00:27:39.939 --> 00:27:41.000 of a broken bone, 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:42.500 that's what the language is, 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.720 it's the language of medicine, 00:27:44.139 --> 00:27:45.460 somebody breaks their bone, 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:46.460 and they, 00:27:46.619 --> 00:27:47.859 you put it in a splint, 00:27:48.139 --> 00:27:48.199 and, 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:48.579 and, 00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:48.899 and, 00:27:49.199 --> 00:27:50.519 because you desire, 00:27:50.679 --> 00:27:51.059 and then you know, 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:51.599 you rest it, 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:51.919 and everything, 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:53.399 so that the bone will be, 00:27:53.399 --> 00:27:54.059 mended, 00:27:54.199 --> 00:27:55.359 it will be restored, 00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:55.419 restored, 00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:57.259 and that's, 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:58.659 what Paul's desire, 00:27:58.819 --> 00:27:59.359 has been, 00:27:59.419 --> 00:28:00.179 is that there seems, 00:28:00.179 --> 00:28:01.119 to have been a break, 00:28:01.159 --> 00:28:01.419 in his, 00:28:01.619 --> 00:28:02.379 their relationship, 00:28:02.379 --> 00:28:02.899 with him, 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:03.939 and there seems, 00:28:03.939 --> 00:28:05.399 to be a worrisome break, 00:28:05.399 --> 00:28:06.139 in the relationship, 00:28:06.139 --> 00:28:06.740 with Jesus, 00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:08.079 and all he wants, 00:28:08.199 --> 00:28:09.259 is for the bone, 00:28:09.339 --> 00:28:10.019 to be restored, 00:28:10.099 --> 00:28:10.619 he just wants, 00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:11.619 their restoration, 00:28:11.879 --> 00:28:12.299 he wants them, 00:28:12.379 --> 00:28:12.939 to be mended, 00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:14.539 that's what he prays for, 00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:15.220 verse 10, 00:28:15.600 --> 00:28:16.220 for this reason, 00:28:16.340 --> 00:28:17.180 I write these things, 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:18.320 while I am away from you, 00:28:18.360 --> 00:28:19.039 that when I come, 00:28:19.080 --> 00:28:20.500 I may not have to be severe, 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:22.580 in my use of the authority, 00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:23.940 that the Lord has given me, 00:28:24.100 --> 00:28:25.600 why has the Lord given him authority, 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:27.240 for building up, 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:28.680 and not for tearing down, 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:30.120 for growing things, 00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:32.840 not for sending missiles down, 00:28:32.920 --> 00:28:34.500 just to completely obliterate everything, 00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:35.640 but to grow things, 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:37.240 that's the fundamental goal, 00:28:37.880 --> 00:28:38.580 for health, 00:28:38.579 --> 00:28:42.000 finally brothers and sisters, 00:28:42.139 --> 00:28:42.539 verse 11, 00:28:42.679 --> 00:28:43.059 rejoice, 00:28:43.399 --> 00:28:44.319 five commands, 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:45.659 statical commands, 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:46.899 rejoice, 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:48.399 it's a present tense, 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:48.919 in other words, 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:50.599 it's as much as you can, 00:28:50.699 --> 00:28:51.460 choose joy, 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:53.179 too many of us, 00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:53.919 in our lives, 00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:56.179 we snatch, 00:28:56.539 --> 00:28:57.439 unhappiness, 00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:59.539 from the jaws of joy, 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:01.299 we have an opportunity, 00:29:01.419 --> 00:29:01.939 to be happy, 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.119 and then rather, 00:29:03.179 --> 00:29:03.819 than being happy, 00:29:03.939 --> 00:29:05.399 we think of the terrible thing, 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:06.500 the person said to us, 00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:08.019 or we think about, 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.639 you know, 00:29:09.679 --> 00:29:10.319 the wrong thing, 00:29:10.379 --> 00:29:10.919 that we've done, 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.960 or we think about, 00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:12.799 some other type of thing, 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:15.240 and the chance of joy is there, 00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:16.379 and we turn from joy, 00:29:16.679 --> 00:29:17.799 he says be in joy, 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:19.179 he says, 00:29:19.639 --> 00:29:21.679 aim for restoration, 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:24.079 that should always be your goal, 00:29:24.159 --> 00:29:24.939 to see things, 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.699 that have been broken, 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:26.339 or fractured, 00:29:26.399 --> 00:29:27.159 to see them mended, 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:28.079 that should be your goal, 00:29:28.159 --> 00:29:28.819 you should be known, 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:30.000 as healers, 00:29:30.220 --> 00:29:31.619 as wounded healers, 00:29:32.899 --> 00:29:34.000 that's how you should, 00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:34.939 try to understand, 00:29:35.099 --> 00:29:35.519 who you are, 00:29:35.619 --> 00:29:36.639 to be healers, 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:38.840 to live in, 00:29:39.060 --> 00:29:40.300 to agree with one another, 00:29:40.560 --> 00:29:40.720 sorry, 00:29:40.820 --> 00:29:41.560 comfort one another, 00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:42.960 and another way of translating it, 00:29:43.040 --> 00:29:44.160 is that you encourage, 00:29:44.600 --> 00:29:45.360 each other, 00:29:45.840 --> 00:29:47.000 to agree with one another, 00:29:47.080 --> 00:29:47.759 which really there, 00:29:47.840 --> 00:29:48.620 in the original language, 00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:49.880 the idea isn't that you agree, 00:29:50.100 --> 00:29:50.520 with each other, 00:29:50.560 --> 00:29:51.120 in terms of, 00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:51.360 you know, 00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:51.960 about Trump, 00:29:52.040 --> 00:29:52.920 or something like that, 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:53.380 but that, 00:29:53.860 --> 00:29:55.340 that the truths of the gospel, 00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:56.240 and truths of God, 00:29:56.300 --> 00:29:56.840 are the things, 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:58.160 that you both think upon, 00:29:58.160 --> 00:29:59.840 and, 00:29:59.840 --> 00:30:00.060 and, 00:30:00.060 --> 00:30:00.140 and, 00:30:00.140 --> 00:30:00.340 and, 00:30:00.340 --> 00:30:00.580 and, 00:30:00.580 --> 00:30:00.880 and, 00:30:00.880 --> 00:30:01.120 and, 00:30:01.120 --> 00:30:02.100 and live in peace, 00:30:02.180 --> 00:30:03.560 and the God of love and peace, 00:30:03.580 --> 00:30:04.380 will be with you, 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:06.019 and here it's very important, 00:30:06.300 --> 00:30:07.380 it isn't saying, 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:08.580 okay, 00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:08.940 if, 00:30:09.140 --> 00:30:10.180 if you're in joy, 00:30:10.300 --> 00:30:11.920 and if you aim for restoration, 00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:13.860 and if you comfort one another, 00:30:13.860 --> 00:30:15.700 and if you think about the right things, 00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:17.140 and if you live in peace, 00:30:17.740 --> 00:30:19.660 then the God of love and peace, 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:20.500 will be with you, 00:30:21.380 --> 00:30:22.120 he's saying, 00:30:22.300 --> 00:30:23.980 that as you're doing this, 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:24.940 in the original language, 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:26.320 it's not as clear here in the English, 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:27.339 but in the original language, 00:30:27.439 --> 00:30:28.339 as you do this, 00:30:28.399 --> 00:30:28.740 remember, 00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:29.879 what do you need to remember? 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:33.039 That the God of love and peace is with you, 00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:36.220 he has been with you, 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:37.819 he is with you, 00:30:37.879 --> 00:30:38.899 he will be with you, 00:30:41.119 --> 00:30:42.679 greet one another with a holy kiss, 00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:43.759 all the saints greet you, 00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:45.460 the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:30:45.559 --> 00:30:46.339 and the love of God, 00:30:46.399 --> 00:30:47.819 and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, 00:30:47.939 --> 00:30:48.659 be with you all, 00:30:49.399 --> 00:30:50.619 now it's a bit of an aside, 00:30:50.939 --> 00:30:51.960 I have to watch my time, 00:30:52.059 --> 00:30:53.240 I haven't looked at my time in a while, 00:30:53.379 --> 00:30:53.539 okay, 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:54.639 we, 00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:56.480 notice here, 00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.220 Andrew, 00:30:57.320 --> 00:30:58.240 put up the next thing please, 00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:00.780 the Trinity, 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:03.480 is inextricably connected to the gospel, 00:31:03.860 --> 00:31:04.000 just, 00:31:04.100 --> 00:31:05.360 it's one of those little small things, 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:05.600 you know, 00:31:05.700 --> 00:31:06.920 you're talking to a Jehovah Witness, 00:31:07.040 --> 00:31:07.980 or something like that, 00:31:08.780 --> 00:31:10.180 the Jehovah Witnesses, 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:11.580 try to rewrite the Bible, 00:31:11.820 --> 00:31:13.280 to get out things of the Trinity, 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:14.340 but they can't do it, 00:31:14.380 --> 00:31:15.680 because it's in there so often, 00:31:16.140 --> 00:31:17.520 but look at verse 11, 00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:19.160 the God, 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:19.900 singular, 00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:21.060 of love and peace, 00:31:21.100 --> 00:31:21.900 will be with you, 00:31:21.900 --> 00:31:23.040 and then, 00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:24.220 in verse 14, 00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:26.080 the three persons of the Trinity, 00:31:26.340 --> 00:31:30.360 the three persons of the Trinity, 00:31:30.540 --> 00:31:32.320 and we're going to just look at this verse 14, 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:33.660 and then how it affects our lives, 00:31:33.700 --> 00:31:35.000 but here's the first thing, 00:31:35.040 --> 00:31:35.700 if you could put it up, 00:31:35.840 --> 00:31:36.120 Andrew, 00:31:36.780 --> 00:31:38.040 a biblical blessing, 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:41.039 is a proclamation of the truth, 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:42.680 and a prayer, 00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:44.220 for that truth, 00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:45.379 to be real, 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.859 in our lived experience, 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.980 now I'm not just saying here, 00:31:49.420 --> 00:31:50.339 it's a proclamation, 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:52.059 that two plus two equals four, 00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:53.319 or that Ottawa, 00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:54.639 is the capital of Canada, 00:31:54.839 --> 00:31:55.259 it's not, 00:31:55.859 --> 00:31:57.619 but I want you to understand, 00:31:57.779 --> 00:31:58.079 is that, 00:31:58.519 --> 00:31:59.579 when Paul, 00:32:00.099 --> 00:32:02.099 when God causes this to be written, 00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:04.019 the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:32:04.099 --> 00:32:04.799 and the love of God, 00:32:04.839 --> 00:32:06.099 and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, 00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:07.319 be with you all, 00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:09.879 it's a proclamation of truth, 00:32:09.939 --> 00:32:12.179 just as true as two plus two equals four, 00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:15.460 or that Ottawa is the capital of Canada, 00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:18.460 it's true that Jesus is the Lord, 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:19.419 that he is the Christ, 00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:21.859 it's true that grace comes from him, 00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:23.679 it's true that God exists, 00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:26.399 it's true that the Holy Spirit exists, 00:32:26.399 --> 00:32:28.139 and that there's a type of fellowship, 00:32:28.279 --> 00:32:28.740 or koinonia, 00:32:28.899 --> 00:32:29.679 it's true, 00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:31.659 it's a proclamation of truth, 00:32:32.339 --> 00:32:33.399 over the person, 00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:35.159 or over the congregation, 00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:36.480 but at the same time, 00:32:36.480 --> 00:32:37.700 that it's a proclamation, 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:40.019 a declaration of the truth, 00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:41.400 it's also, 00:32:41.599 --> 00:32:42.000 in a sense, 00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:42.700 a prayer, 00:32:42.880 --> 00:32:44.200 a longing prayer, 00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:46.620 that that truth, 00:32:47.420 --> 00:32:49.940 will be what you live your life out of, 00:32:50.940 --> 00:32:52.519 and what shapes your day, 00:32:52.680 --> 00:32:53.960 what shapes your memories, 00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:55.559 what shapes your imagination, 00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:57.299 what shapes your longing, 00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:58.500 your business deals, 00:32:58.880 --> 00:33:00.579 your relationship with your husband, 00:33:00.660 --> 00:33:01.180 or your wife, 00:33:01.180 --> 00:33:02.259 or your best friend, 00:33:02.840 --> 00:33:04.519 it's a prayer, 00:33:04.680 --> 00:33:06.180 that that will shape you, 00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:07.680 that that truth will shape you, 00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:08.740 the next point, 00:33:08.840 --> 00:33:09.060 Andrew, 00:33:09.120 --> 00:33:09.900 all about blessings, 00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:13.680 God wants me to know what is real, 00:33:14.080 --> 00:33:15.600 so that I will live, 00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:16.480 in the real world, 00:33:16.560 --> 00:33:16.820 as his, 00:33:16.900 --> 00:33:18.820 God wants me to know what is real, 00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:19.759 so that I will live, 00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:20.519 in the real world, 00:33:20.580 --> 00:33:21.220 as his, 00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:22.200 you see, 00:33:23.140 --> 00:33:24.720 prayer is so weak, 00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:27.720 unless God really exists, 00:33:29.220 --> 00:33:34.000 if God doesn't exist, 00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:36.880 prayer is such a colossal waste of time, 00:33:38.059 --> 00:33:41.200 but if there is a God, 00:33:41.259 --> 00:33:42.220 who does exist, 00:33:42.680 --> 00:33:44.860 and because you have put your faith, 00:33:44.900 --> 00:33:45.819 and trust in Jesus, 00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:46.539 and he's now, 00:33:46.539 --> 00:33:47.920 not just God, 00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:49.519 but your father in heaven, 00:33:49.519 --> 00:33:53.139 than to talk to him, 00:33:53.139 --> 00:33:54.139 about your day, 00:33:54.599 --> 00:33:56.200 and about your fears, 00:33:57.059 --> 00:33:58.279 and about your shames, 00:33:58.720 --> 00:34:00.379 and your need for his wisdom, 00:34:00.460 --> 00:34:01.119 and guidance, 00:34:01.379 --> 00:34:02.220 in planning, 00:34:03.099 --> 00:34:04.139 then that's living, 00:34:04.379 --> 00:34:05.420 in the real world, 00:34:05.980 --> 00:34:08.019 and people who live, 00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:09.400 never talking to God, 00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:10.920 aren't living in the real world, 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:12.420 if God really exists, 00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:16.280 and so in this blessing, 00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:17.380 God wants me to know, 00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:18.159 what is real, 00:34:18.159 --> 00:34:19.539 so that I will live, 00:34:19.619 --> 00:34:20.480 in the real world, 00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:20.940 as his, 00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:21.819 and then the final thing, 00:34:21.899 --> 00:34:22.119 Andrew, 00:34:22.179 --> 00:34:22.839 if you could put it up, 00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:23.859 not the final thing, 00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:25.039 but for the blessings things, 00:34:25.679 --> 00:34:27.179 God wants me to pray, 00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:29.339 that you and I, 00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:30.639 will have a growing, 00:34:31.159 --> 00:34:31.699 walking, 00:34:32.319 --> 00:34:32.799 knowing, 00:34:33.359 --> 00:34:34.719 of what became, 00:34:34.779 --> 00:34:36.579 unshakably ours, 00:34:36.779 --> 00:34:38.359 when we receive, 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:39.579 the personate work, 00:34:39.819 --> 00:34:40.879 of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:41.519 by faith, 00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:43.599 God wants us to know that, 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:45.019 he wants us to remember it, 00:34:45.019 --> 00:34:45.780 and you know, 00:34:45.840 --> 00:34:46.519 I'm using the word, 00:34:46.659 --> 00:34:47.340 walking here, 00:34:47.380 --> 00:34:48.239 in the biblical way, 00:34:48.400 --> 00:34:49.820 that in both, 00:34:49.920 --> 00:34:50.980 the Old and the New Testament, 00:34:51.119 --> 00:34:52.460 often when they want to talk about, 00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:53.559 doing your day, 00:34:53.639 --> 00:34:54.599 or how your day works, 00:34:54.679 --> 00:34:56.079 they use the analogy of walking, 00:34:56.179 --> 00:34:56.880 it doesn't just mean, 00:34:56.980 --> 00:34:57.900 going out for a walk, 00:34:58.300 --> 00:34:59.440 but if you think about it, 00:34:59.480 --> 00:34:59.739 you know, 00:34:59.759 --> 00:35:00.619 you get up in the morning, 00:35:00.759 --> 00:35:00.960 and you, 00:35:01.039 --> 00:35:01.320 I don't know, 00:35:01.380 --> 00:35:02.300 you walk to the bathroom, 00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:03.280 you walk to the kitchen, 00:35:03.400 --> 00:35:04.500 and you walk to get dressed, 00:35:04.639 --> 00:35:05.840 you walk to get the paper, 00:35:05.920 --> 00:35:06.519 or whatever it is, 00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:06.679 you know, 00:35:06.759 --> 00:35:08.179 you walk to the bus, 00:35:08.259 --> 00:35:09.039 you walk to the car, 00:35:09.119 --> 00:35:09.840 even driving, 00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:10.699 is a type of walking, 00:35:10.800 --> 00:35:10.920 right, 00:35:10.920 --> 00:35:12.579 it's if you actually just traced, 00:35:12.579 --> 00:35:13.860 what you do throughout the day, 00:35:13.900 --> 00:35:14.480 and all the things, 00:35:14.519 --> 00:35:15.380 that you have to do, 00:35:15.820 --> 00:35:16.579 and that's what, 00:35:16.860 --> 00:35:18.659 this benediction is here, 00:35:18.720 --> 00:35:19.260 at the end of it, 00:35:19.300 --> 00:35:22.260 because God wants me to pray, 00:35:22.880 --> 00:35:23.800 and if you're writing that down, 00:35:23.880 --> 00:35:24.260 for yourself, 00:35:24.380 --> 00:35:24.720 then that's, 00:35:24.760 --> 00:35:25.400 you're writing that down, 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:26.340 for yourself as well, 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:28.420 and God wants me to pray, 00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.360 that you and I, 00:35:29.500 --> 00:35:30.420 not just myself, 00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:31.380 but for us, 00:35:31.860 --> 00:35:33.340 that we will have a growing, 00:35:34.280 --> 00:35:35.280 that's why we pronounce, 00:35:35.400 --> 00:35:36.440 benedictions over it, 00:35:36.480 --> 00:35:37.360 because on one hand, 00:35:37.400 --> 00:35:39.039 this is all objectively true, 00:35:39.139 --> 00:35:39.960 that Jesus Christ, 00:35:39.960 --> 00:35:41.440 doesn't just come to live within us, 00:35:41.480 --> 00:35:42.159 when we put our faith, 00:35:42.199 --> 00:35:43.019 and trust within him, 00:35:43.460 --> 00:35:44.940 Jesus isn't a tourist, 00:35:50.400 --> 00:35:52.820 he made us for himself, 00:35:53.240 --> 00:35:55.840 and when we invite him in, 00:35:56.000 --> 00:35:57.380 he takes residence, 00:35:57.619 --> 00:35:59.099 for all eternity, 00:36:00.179 --> 00:36:04.300 but he wants us, 00:36:04.420 --> 00:36:05.800 to have a growing, 00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:07.579 walking knowledge, 00:36:07.900 --> 00:36:09.420 in terms of our actual, 00:36:09.420 --> 00:36:10.139 experience, 00:36:10.139 --> 00:36:11.300 of how we do a day, 00:36:11.539 --> 00:36:12.380 of what became, 00:36:12.460 --> 00:36:13.780 unshakably ours, 00:36:13.860 --> 00:36:15.260 when we received him, 00:36:15.559 --> 00:36:16.559 by faith, 00:36:17.400 --> 00:36:19.139 that's why it's so important, 00:36:19.220 --> 00:36:19.840 if you're trying to think, 00:36:19.860 --> 00:36:21.380 of what to pray over a person, 00:36:21.820 --> 00:36:22.200 pray, 00:36:22.639 --> 00:36:23.619 the grace of our Lord, 00:36:23.700 --> 00:36:24.340 Jesus Christ, 00:36:24.420 --> 00:36:25.139 and the love of God, 00:36:25.180 --> 00:36:26.519 and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, 00:36:26.619 --> 00:36:27.539 be with you all, 00:36:28.659 --> 00:36:28.980 like, 00:36:29.340 --> 00:36:30.240 God wrote that, 00:36:30.320 --> 00:36:31.280 for us to pray it, 00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:32.760 like, 00:36:32.800 --> 00:36:33.260 if you don't know, 00:36:33.340 --> 00:36:33.700 what to pray, 00:36:33.820 --> 00:36:34.559 pray that, 00:36:34.559 --> 00:36:36.219 you know, 00:36:36.279 --> 00:36:37.460 you're praying what God wants, 00:36:37.559 --> 00:36:38.480 you can pray this, 00:36:38.659 --> 00:36:39.539 over non-Christians, 00:36:39.619 --> 00:36:39.820 why? 00:36:39.940 --> 00:36:41.000 Because this is what God, 00:36:41.000 --> 00:36:41.679 wants to be true, 00:36:41.719 --> 00:36:42.340 in the life of your, 00:36:42.340 --> 00:36:43.500 non-Christian friend, 00:36:45.079 --> 00:36:45.299 he, 00:36:45.659 --> 00:36:46.779 there's not going to be, 00:36:46.820 --> 00:36:47.719 a single person, 00:36:47.719 --> 00:36:48.719 that you ever meet, 00:36:48.759 --> 00:36:49.420 in your life, 00:36:50.239 --> 00:36:51.320 that it is not, 00:36:51.320 --> 00:36:52.340 God's desire, 00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:52.920 and heart, 00:36:53.400 --> 00:36:54.299 that they would accept, 00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:55.420 Jesus as their Savior, 00:36:55.559 --> 00:36:55.900 and Lord, 00:36:56.699 --> 00:36:57.559 doesn't matter, 00:36:57.659 --> 00:36:58.179 what they say, 00:36:58.179 --> 00:36:59.500 about how bad they are, 00:36:59.599 --> 00:37:01.019 or how broken they are, 00:37:01.019 --> 00:37:02.480 or how messed up they are, 00:37:02.480 --> 00:37:03.240 or whether or not, 00:37:03.340 --> 00:37:04.539 that God could ever love, 00:37:04.619 --> 00:37:05.420 somebody like them, 00:37:05.860 --> 00:37:07.539 you can know from the Bible, 00:37:07.699 --> 00:37:09.159 that God does love them, 00:37:09.400 --> 00:37:11.019 and that you can pray this, 00:37:11.059 --> 00:37:11.619 over them, 00:37:12.019 --> 00:37:13.420 that this would be the thing, 00:37:13.480 --> 00:37:14.900 that starts to shape their life, 00:37:14.960 --> 00:37:15.800 that they would accept, 00:37:15.920 --> 00:37:16.699 the grace of the Lord, 00:37:16.800 --> 00:37:17.400 Jesus Christ, 00:37:17.480 --> 00:37:18.179 and the love of God, 00:37:18.240 --> 00:37:19.460 and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, 00:37:19.780 --> 00:37:20.900 to be with them, 00:37:21.659 --> 00:37:22.199 forever, 00:37:25.719 --> 00:37:26.059 and, 00:37:26.059 --> 00:37:26.199 and, 00:37:31.320 --> 00:37:31.539 and, 00:37:31.619 --> 00:37:31.940 and, 00:37:32.480 --> 00:37:33.380 it's just, 00:37:33.480 --> 00:37:33.699 as you, 00:37:33.840 --> 00:37:35.260 as this grips us, 00:37:36.019 --> 00:37:36.179 Andrew, 00:37:36.219 --> 00:37:37.219 if you could put up the next point, 00:37:37.280 --> 00:37:38.079 I know this is going to sound, 00:37:38.119 --> 00:37:38.980 a little bit bold, 00:37:39.360 --> 00:37:40.500 because a lot of Christians, 00:37:40.500 --> 00:37:42.360 are terrible at self-examination, 00:37:42.500 --> 00:37:43.559 and a lot of people, 00:37:43.880 --> 00:37:44.820 who aren't Christians, 00:37:44.960 --> 00:37:46.639 are a billion times, 00:37:46.639 --> 00:37:48.219 better at self-examination, 00:37:48.619 --> 00:37:51.760 but as we're gripped by the gospel, 00:37:51.860 --> 00:37:52.559 only the gospel, 00:37:52.559 --> 00:37:54.800 makes real self-examination possible, 00:37:55.800 --> 00:37:58.039 you see, 00:37:58.099 --> 00:37:59.179 it's really hard, 00:37:59.179 --> 00:38:00.860 to examine yourself, 00:38:00.860 --> 00:38:02.740 if you feel under accusation, 00:38:04.599 --> 00:38:05.000 if there, 00:38:05.120 --> 00:38:06.840 if you think you have to sort of examine, 00:38:07.059 --> 00:38:07.099 what, 00:38:07.220 --> 00:38:07.360 you know, 00:38:07.440 --> 00:38:08.780 let's say you have to go and tie, 00:38:08.900 --> 00:38:09.360 you don't look, 00:38:09.559 --> 00:38:09.760 okay, 00:38:10.360 --> 00:38:11.700 you have to parallel park, 00:38:11.699 --> 00:38:15.879 and there's a group of people laughing at your attempt, 00:38:16.659 --> 00:38:19.259 it's so hard to figure out what you're doing wrong, 00:38:19.399 --> 00:38:19.679 right? 00:38:22.439 --> 00:38:22.879 Or, 00:38:23.119 --> 00:38:25.819 even if you have to do something like figuring out what you're doing wrong, 00:38:25.859 --> 00:38:26.939 and the people are rooting for you, 00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:27.839 it's still really hard, 00:38:27.879 --> 00:38:28.079 right? 00:38:28.079 --> 00:38:28.940 Like, 00:38:28.940 --> 00:38:30.239 it's really hard in a relationship, 00:38:30.239 --> 00:38:32.759 to really practice full self-examination, 00:38:32.759 --> 00:38:34.980 because you always have a lingering worry, 00:38:35.579 --> 00:38:38.119 that if that self-examination ever came out, 00:38:38.199 --> 00:38:38.380 and, 00:38:38.460 --> 00:38:42.639 and the other person found out really what was going on within you, 00:38:42.699 --> 00:38:44.420 they wouldn't want to love you anymore. 00:38:44.420 --> 00:38:47.240 But, 00:38:47.320 --> 00:38:47.559 you see, 00:38:47.780 --> 00:38:49.559 as the gospel grips us, 00:38:49.700 --> 00:38:51.780 as this blessing grips us, 00:38:53.039 --> 00:38:53.480 then it, 00:38:55.420 --> 00:38:55.760 and, 00:38:55.760 --> 00:38:56.639 and you see the other thing about it, 00:38:56.680 --> 00:38:57.019 is it really, 00:38:57.159 --> 00:39:01.519 religion and spirituality often work to undermine real self-examination, 00:39:01.519 --> 00:39:05.380 because religion and spirituality both work on accomplishing something. 00:39:07.400 --> 00:39:07.840 But, 00:39:08.039 --> 00:39:10.740 this whole gospel message is not about accomplishing something, 00:39:10.840 --> 00:39:11.559 it's not about, 00:39:12.659 --> 00:39:13.180 you do, 00:39:13.280 --> 00:39:14.400 you hope that you get enough good, 00:39:14.420 --> 00:39:15.500 good marks in university, 00:39:15.500 --> 00:39:16.240 so that you get, 00:39:16.340 --> 00:39:17.019 make the cut off, 00:39:17.099 --> 00:39:18.079 so you can go to law school, 00:39:18.139 --> 00:39:19.059 or medical school. 00:39:20.180 --> 00:39:21.300 It's not like that at all, 00:39:21.360 --> 00:39:23.180 because it's about us surrendering, 00:39:23.440 --> 00:39:24.700 like Rona Ambrose, 00:39:24.880 --> 00:39:26.159 going into Justin's office, 00:39:26.400 --> 00:39:26.639 it's, 00:39:26.659 --> 00:39:28.159 it's about surrendering, 00:39:28.280 --> 00:39:29.760 and then when God comes in, 00:39:29.820 --> 00:39:30.940 when Christ comes in, 00:39:32.460 --> 00:39:33.579 he actually comes in, 00:39:33.659 --> 00:39:34.880 and he lives there, 00:39:34.960 --> 00:39:35.079 that, 00:39:35.200 --> 00:39:35.400 you know, 00:39:35.599 --> 00:39:37.460 a woman can't be half pregnant, 00:39:38.559 --> 00:39:38.760 like, 00:39:38.780 --> 00:39:39.980 she's either pregnant or not, 00:39:40.000 --> 00:39:41.480 and you can't be a half Christian, 00:39:41.539 --> 00:39:42.480 or a quarter Christian, 00:39:42.480 --> 00:39:44.599 you might be a Christian, 00:39:44.599 --> 00:39:46.019 who's being choked with thorns, 00:39:46.519 --> 00:39:47.380 you might be a Christian, 00:39:47.380 --> 00:39:48.880 who has very shallow soil, 00:39:49.039 --> 00:39:49.280 but you, 00:39:49.360 --> 00:39:51.199 you can't be a half Christian, 00:39:51.280 --> 00:39:52.000 or a quarter Christian, 00:39:52.000 --> 00:39:52.280 because, 00:39:52.280 --> 00:39:54.000 Jesus actually comes, 00:39:54.099 --> 00:39:55.119 and lives within a person, 00:39:55.159 --> 00:39:56.539 who's given their life to Jesus, 00:39:56.539 --> 00:39:58.460 and here's the powerful thing, 00:39:58.460 --> 00:39:59.019 about the gospel, 00:39:59.139 --> 00:40:00.159 Jesus isn't a tourist, 00:40:00.259 --> 00:40:01.099 he's not going to leave, 00:40:01.179 --> 00:40:02.400 he now lives in you forever, 00:40:03.219 --> 00:40:03.759 and it, 00:40:03.759 --> 00:40:05.920 it only is the gospel grips us, 00:40:06.920 --> 00:40:07.940 that we can realize, 00:40:08.159 --> 00:40:10.679 that everything I have ever done in my life, 00:40:10.719 --> 00:40:12.579 and everything I ever will do in my life, 00:40:12.639 --> 00:40:13.659 was known by Jesus, 00:40:13.659 --> 00:40:15.739 when he died upon the cross for me, 00:40:16.380 --> 00:40:16.880 things, 00:40:17.159 --> 00:40:17.779 which maybe, 00:40:18.179 --> 00:40:18.259 I, 00:40:18.480 --> 00:40:20.579 maybe I'll see someday in five years, 00:40:20.619 --> 00:40:21.400 I'll see something, 00:40:21.519 --> 00:40:22.119 and all of a sudden, 00:40:22.159 --> 00:40:23.279 a memory will be triggered, 00:40:23.360 --> 00:40:24.279 of something terrible, 00:40:24.400 --> 00:40:25.279 that I happened to me, 00:40:25.280 --> 00:40:25.920 or that I did, 00:40:26.380 --> 00:40:27.280 you know when I was seven, 00:40:27.320 --> 00:40:28.000 or eight years old, 00:40:28.019 --> 00:40:28.500 or younger, 00:40:28.760 --> 00:40:29.960 and that will be a complete, 00:40:30.040 --> 00:40:30.960 and utter shock to me, 00:40:30.980 --> 00:40:31.920 it might be very hard, 00:40:32.000 --> 00:40:32.800 for me to live with, 00:40:32.880 --> 00:40:34.140 but Jesus knew about that, 00:40:34.140 --> 00:40:35.280 when he died upon the cross, 00:40:35.320 --> 00:40:36.400 and he took me as his own, 00:40:37.760 --> 00:40:39.880 and it's only when you have, 00:40:40.000 --> 00:40:40.740 the security, 00:40:41.420 --> 00:40:42.560 of the love, 00:40:43.060 --> 00:40:44.860 that we receive in the gospel, 00:40:45.600 --> 00:40:48.120 that this blessing speaks over us, 00:40:48.840 --> 00:40:50.180 that we start to realize, 00:40:50.320 --> 00:40:50.820 that you know what, 00:40:51.800 --> 00:40:52.940 my being accepted by God, 00:40:53.000 --> 00:40:53.760 doesn't depend upon, 00:40:53.840 --> 00:40:55.040 how well I do in this sermon, 00:40:55.280 --> 00:40:59.180 and my acceptance to God, 00:40:59.240 --> 00:41:00.160 does not depend upon, 00:41:00.260 --> 00:41:01.240 how good I am doing it, 00:41:01.320 --> 00:41:02.480 anything in particular, 00:41:03.140 --> 00:41:05.420 he's not going to turn his eye away, 00:41:05.420 --> 00:41:05.940 from me, 00:41:06.080 --> 00:41:07.380 and that type of, 00:41:07.380 --> 00:41:08.340 unbelievable, 00:41:08.920 --> 00:41:09.840 perfect knowledge, 00:41:10.019 --> 00:41:10.620 security, 00:41:11.140 --> 00:41:11.360 as, 00:41:11.540 --> 00:41:12.600 as the gospel, 00:41:12.840 --> 00:41:13.560 grips us, 00:41:13.880 --> 00:41:15.320 it starts to make, 00:41:15.560 --> 00:41:16.320 self-examination, 00:41:16.460 --> 00:41:17.380 really possible, 00:41:17.720 --> 00:41:19.240 and it starts to make, 00:41:19.300 --> 00:41:19.900 even possible, 00:41:19.900 --> 00:41:21.120 to attempt things, 00:41:21.119 --> 00:41:23.719 because, 00:41:23.719 --> 00:41:24.119 because, 00:41:24.119 --> 00:41:24.339 because, 00:41:24.639 --> 00:41:25.920 he's accepted me, 00:41:25.980 --> 00:41:26.859 he's accepted, 00:41:27.500 --> 00:41:27.880 me, 00:41:28.119 --> 00:41:29.900 in the cross, 00:41:29.900 --> 00:41:33.500 Andrew, 00:41:33.599 --> 00:41:34.119 could you put up, 00:41:34.200 --> 00:41:34.780 the final one, 00:41:35.619 --> 00:41:37.340 I'd like to invite you to stand, 00:41:37.340 --> 00:41:40.519 if you're here, 00:41:40.519 --> 00:41:41.660 as a guest this morning, 00:41:42.000 --> 00:41:43.019 what I really want to, 00:41:43.180 --> 00:41:43.340 you know, 00:41:43.400 --> 00:41:45.140 and you would describe yourself, 00:41:45.240 --> 00:41:46.380 as maybe a searcher, 00:41:46.480 --> 00:41:47.160 or a seeker, 00:41:47.840 --> 00:41:48.160 or, 00:41:48.280 --> 00:41:48.940 maybe you don't know, 00:41:49.019 --> 00:41:50.000 how to describe yourself, 00:41:50.100 --> 00:41:51.140 because maybe you had a, 00:41:51.140 --> 00:41:51.980 a period of time, 00:41:52.059 --> 00:41:52.660 when you were very, 00:41:52.800 --> 00:41:53.720 very full of belief, 00:41:53.800 --> 00:41:54.600 and then you've had a, 00:41:54.600 --> 00:41:55.320 period of time, 00:41:55.360 --> 00:41:55.940 where it seems like, 00:41:56.000 --> 00:41:56.420 you've been very, 00:41:56.559 --> 00:41:57.240 very far away, 00:41:57.919 --> 00:41:58.279 and you know, 00:41:58.319 --> 00:41:58.979 I would just say, 00:41:59.059 --> 00:42:00.099 you don't have to try to sort, 00:42:00.219 --> 00:42:00.399 like, 00:42:00.519 --> 00:42:01.259 here's the thing, 00:42:01.399 --> 00:42:02.599 this blessing's for you, 00:42:03.659 --> 00:42:06.199 when I said earlier, 00:42:06.339 --> 00:42:07.479 there's not a single person, 00:42:07.479 --> 00:42:08.399 that you can ever meet, 00:42:08.459 --> 00:42:09.379 that God doesn't want, 00:42:09.459 --> 00:42:10.099 that this blessing, 00:42:10.159 --> 00:42:10.939 to be true in their life, 00:42:10.959 --> 00:42:11.939 when they receive Jesus, 00:42:12.199 --> 00:42:12.779 he's talking, 00:42:12.919 --> 00:42:14.000 I'm talking about you, 00:42:14.099 --> 00:42:15.479 the Bible's talking about you, 00:42:16.319 --> 00:42:18.519 it really is, 00:42:19.679 --> 00:42:22.319 and so this is just a prayer, 00:42:22.319 --> 00:42:23.199 that I've written, 00:42:23.299 --> 00:42:24.039 to try to summarize, 00:42:24.359 --> 00:42:24.899 this whole thing, 00:42:24.959 --> 00:42:25.559 I'm going to invite you, 00:42:25.639 --> 00:42:26.319 to pray it with me, 00:42:26.320 --> 00:42:27.600 if the Lord has touched your heart, 00:42:28.260 --> 00:42:29.260 and I just want to say, 00:42:29.480 --> 00:42:29.780 once again, 00:42:29.920 --> 00:42:30.800 if you, 00:42:31.200 --> 00:42:32.200 this for some of us, 00:42:32.260 --> 00:42:33.720 can be our conversion prayer, 00:42:34.800 --> 00:42:37.760 knowing that Jesus, 00:42:37.760 --> 00:42:39.080 will come into our lives, 00:42:39.240 --> 00:42:40.300 and be our savior, 00:42:40.580 --> 00:42:40.820 you know, 00:42:40.860 --> 00:42:41.400 maybe just, 00:42:41.940 --> 00:42:42.980 just say Jesus, 00:42:43.160 --> 00:42:44.360 come in and be my savior, 00:42:44.500 --> 00:42:45.320 and never let me go, 00:42:45.380 --> 00:42:46.100 and never leave, 00:42:46.220 --> 00:42:47.220 and take me, 00:42:47.460 --> 00:42:47.640 just, 00:42:48.160 --> 00:42:48.460 you know, 00:42:48.539 --> 00:42:49.160 it doesn't have to be, 00:42:49.160 --> 00:42:50.600 fancy theological language, 00:42:50.600 --> 00:42:51.720 but there's no time better, 00:42:52.260 --> 00:42:53.059 than right now, 00:42:53.160 --> 00:42:54.420 right now today, 00:42:54.760 --> 00:42:55.980 to cry out to God, 00:42:57.300 --> 00:42:57.380 and, 00:42:57.480 --> 00:42:58.300 but for all of us, 00:42:58.539 --> 00:42:59.260 in light of this, 00:42:59.260 --> 00:43:00.200 beautiful text, 00:43:00.320 --> 00:43:01.039 the grace of the Lord, 00:43:01.140 --> 00:43:01.760 Jesus Christ, 00:43:01.840 --> 00:43:02.500 and the love of God, 00:43:02.539 --> 00:43:03.680 and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, 00:43:03.760 --> 00:43:04.320 be with you all, 00:43:04.360 --> 00:43:05.720 I invite you to pray with me, 00:43:06.380 --> 00:43:08.300 loving heavenly father, 00:43:08.980 --> 00:43:10.039 please make us, 00:43:10.140 --> 00:43:11.420 disciples of Jesus, 00:43:11.880 --> 00:43:12.980 gripped by the gospel, 00:43:13.500 --> 00:43:14.620 who have a growing, 00:43:14.920 --> 00:43:15.340 walking, 00:43:15.700 --> 00:43:16.000 knowing, 00:43:16.460 --> 00:43:17.640 of what you have, 00:43:17.720 --> 00:43:18.900 unshakably given, 00:43:19.340 --> 00:43:20.600 to all who receive, 00:43:20.600 --> 00:43:21.920 Jesus as savior, 00:43:21.920 --> 00:43:22.580 and Lord, 00:43:22.579 --> 00:43:23.920 help us, 00:43:24.000 --> 00:43:24.819 to then walk, 00:43:25.000 --> 00:43:25.699 in the fellowship, 00:43:25.900 --> 00:43:26.960 of the Holy Spirit, 00:43:27.400 --> 00:43:28.199 to your glory, 00:43:28.400 --> 00:43:29.000 and praise, 00:43:29.639 --> 00:43:29.940 amen, 00:43:30.440 --> 00:43:30.840 father, 00:43:30.920 --> 00:43:31.500 I just pray, 00:43:31.599 --> 00:43:32.299 over us all, 00:43:33.000 --> 00:43:34.000 that the grace, 00:43:34.059 --> 00:43:35.239 of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:43:35.340 --> 00:43:36.159 and the love of God, 00:43:36.239 --> 00:43:36.860 and the fellowship, 00:43:37.019 --> 00:43:37.840 of the Holy Spirit, 00:43:38.259 --> 00:43:39.279 be with you all, 00:43:39.639 --> 00:43:40.739 be with us all, 00:43:41.219 --> 00:43:42.380 in Jesus's name, 00:43:42.900 --> 00:43:43.299 amen, 00:43:43.300 --> 00:43:44.039 amen,