WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.300
 In his book, Hamlet's Blackberry, William Powers likens our digital age to a gigantic room.

00:00:11.419 --> 00:00:15.679
 And in the room, there are more than a billion people.

00:00:16.620 --> 00:00:24.300
 And despite its size, everyone is in close proximity to everyone else.

00:00:24.980 --> 00:00:29.339
 And at any moment, someone may come up to you and tap you on the shoulder.

00:00:30.500 --> 00:00:35.920
 A text, a hit, a comment, a tweet, a post, a message, a thread.

00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:45.179
 Some people come up to talk business, others to complain, others to tell secrets, others to flirt,

00:00:45.719 --> 00:00:48.760
 others to sell you things, others to give you information,

00:00:49.060 --> 00:00:55.600
 others just to tell you what they're thinking or doing, whether you want to or not know it.

00:00:56.219 --> 00:00:57.900
 It just never stops.

00:00:57.899 --> 00:01:04.120
 And for a while, you enjoy that room immensely.

00:01:05.459 --> 00:01:13.500
 Eventually, you go tired of the constant noise where you struggle to find a personal space.

00:01:14.700 --> 00:01:16.480
 Someone taps you while you're eating.

00:01:17.239 --> 00:01:19.140
 Someone taps you while you're sleeping.

00:01:19.319 --> 00:01:22.460
 Someone, for goodness sake, even taps you while you're sitting on the toilet.

00:01:22.459 --> 00:01:33.559
 And eventually, we decide we want to take a break, just a short one, just pause for 30 days or one week.

00:01:33.560 --> 00:01:37.439
 And we decide to exit.

00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:45.480
 But no one seems to know where the exit door is or even cares where the exit door is.

00:01:45.859 --> 00:01:50.500
 In fact, they all seem really annoyed that you might not want to stay in the room with them.

00:01:50.500 --> 00:02:01.000
 And when you eventually find the exit, you see the enchanting world through the opening,

00:02:01.560 --> 00:02:11.400
 but you're not sure what life is like on the other side, stepping out of the digital room.

00:02:11.400 --> 00:02:13.659
 It's a leap of faith.

00:02:13.659 --> 00:02:13.680
 It's a leap of faith.

00:02:13.740 --> 00:02:15.840
 You jump out and see what happens.

00:02:17.340 --> 00:02:20.140
 Now, the point of his parable is fairly self-evident.

00:02:20.920 --> 00:02:23.659
 We love the room, but we hate the room.

00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:32.300
 We want to breathe the undistracted air of digital freedom,

00:02:32.300 --> 00:02:37.120
 but increasingly, this room is all we know.

00:02:39.620 --> 00:02:43.920
 How can we walk out when everyone else is staying in?

00:02:44.820 --> 00:02:55.300
 How will we pass our time and occupy our thoughts without the incessant tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap?

00:02:55.300 --> 00:03:02.360
 For many of us, the digital age is like the Eagle song, Hotel California.

00:03:02.860 --> 00:03:05.960
 You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.

00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:14.680
 The scariest part is that we may not, in fact, want to leave the room.

00:03:16.880 --> 00:03:24.260
 What if we, in fact, prefer the endless noise to the deafening sound of silence?

00:03:25.300 --> 00:03:39.980
 What if the trivialities and the distractions of our day are not, in fact, forced upon us by busyness or not forced upon us at all?

00:03:41.260 --> 00:03:47.920
 What if we choose to be busy so that we can continue to live with trivia and distraction?

00:03:47.919 --> 00:03:59.679
 Power suggests that digital busyness is the enemy of depth.

00:04:00.839 --> 00:04:04.139
 Digital busyness is the enemy of depth.

00:04:05.919 --> 00:04:15.179
 And that we are bound to be stuck in the shallows of life as long as we are connected.

00:04:15.180 --> 00:04:21.939
 In our age of distracted busyness, there is the threat of Assyria.

00:04:23.280 --> 00:04:33.100
 The word Assyria had its origins in the 17th century and is roughly equivalent in meaning to the word sloth or listlessness.

00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:41.300
 And in particular, the word means a spiritual and a mental apathy.

00:04:41.300 --> 00:04:44.720
 Richard Newhouse explains,

00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:49.740
 Assyria is evenings without number, obliterated by television.

00:04:50.759 --> 00:04:59.519
 Evenings neither of entertainment nor of education, but of narcoticized defense against time and duty.

00:05:00.400 --> 00:05:09.220
 And above all, Assyria is apathy, the refusal to engage the tragedy of our lives and of God's life with them.

00:05:09.220 --> 00:05:22.540
 For too many of us, the hustle and bustle of electronic activity is a sad expression of a much deeper listlessness and apathy.

00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:27.900
 We are busy with busyness.

00:05:27.899 --> 00:05:40.399
 Rather than figure out what to do with our spare minutes and hours, we are content to swim in the shallows and pass our time with passing the time.

00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:56.519
 How many of us, growing too accustomed to the Assyria of our age, feel this strange mix in our hearts and of our emotions,

00:05:57.000 --> 00:06:03.179
 the strange mix of busyness and yet lifelessness at the same time?

00:06:03.180 --> 00:06:05.980
 I won't ask for a show of hands.

00:06:07.400 --> 00:06:10.400
 Busyness and yet lifelessness.

00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:19.199
 We are always engaged with our thumbs, but rarely engaged with our thoughts or our hearts.

00:06:19.819 --> 00:06:23.960
 We keep downloading information, but rarely get down into the depths of our hearts.

00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:27.079
 That is Assyria.

00:06:27.079 --> 00:06:31.259
 Purposeness disguised as constant commotion.

00:06:32.300 --> 00:06:34.859
 But then again, we want to be harried.

00:06:35.159 --> 00:06:36.399
 We want to be hassled.

00:06:36.740 --> 00:06:37.680
 We want to be busy.

00:06:38.479 --> 00:06:39.599
 We don't have to.

00:06:40.259 --> 00:06:41.120
 We want to.

00:06:45.120 --> 00:06:47.839
 Unconsciously, we in fact want the very things we complain about.

00:06:47.839 --> 00:06:59.579
 Because if we had a stillness, if we had a silence, if we had a rest, we would look at ourselves, we would listen to our hearts and see the gaping hole.

00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:02.419
 And we would be terrified.

00:07:04.299 --> 00:07:09.239
 Because that hole is so big that nothing but God himself can fill it.

00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:22.480
 The hyperactivity of today's contemporary society and our cultural attention deficit disorder makes slow reflection and meditation a lost art.

00:07:24.620 --> 00:07:26.560
 And it's the enemy of depth.

00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:38.339
 It's one of the biggest roadblocks of us deepening our prayer life, deepening our spiritual life, deepening in such a way that we might encounter God.

00:07:38.339 --> 00:07:39.920
 Because it requires time.

00:07:40.160 --> 00:07:41.480
 It requires attention.

00:07:42.139 --> 00:07:45.120
 It requires discipline to deepen our prayer life.

00:07:45.340 --> 00:07:53.060
 Because the doorway to a deeper prayer life is sustained, careful meditation on the word of God.

00:07:53.060 --> 00:08:04.639
 And way too many of us are just content to have a daily devotion pop up on our screen, read a Bible passage, cook a couple of notes, say the prayer.

00:08:05.780 --> 00:08:08.399
 A Bible a day keeps the devil away and I'm sorted.

00:08:13.019 --> 00:08:15.500
 So meditation is the doorway to deeper prayer.

00:08:17.399 --> 00:08:21.060
 The Psalms are the prayer book of the Bible.

00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:29.759
 But it is noteworthy that the first Psalm, and in fact the first and second Psalm, which scholars would argue are one Psalm,

00:08:31.800 --> 00:08:39.039
 is in fact not a prayer per se, but a meditation on meditation.

00:08:39.759 --> 00:08:43.019
 Psalm 1, if you get your Bibles, it would be good if you have it open in front of you.

00:08:43.019 --> 00:08:50.059
 Psalm 1 has the prime place at the beginning of the Psalms, and it's not an accident.

00:08:51.059 --> 00:08:57.979
 And yet the introduction to the book of prayers is not itself a prayer, but it is preparing us to pray instead.

00:08:59.379 --> 00:09:00.939
 It gets us ready to pray.

00:09:02.379 --> 00:09:11.299
 Two weeks ago, I defined prayer for the Christian as continuing the conversation that God has started with us through his word and by his grace,

00:09:11.299 --> 00:09:14.579
 which eventually becomes a full encounter with him.

00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:22.799
 But there is this middle ground between Bible study and prayer.

00:09:22.799 --> 00:09:27.039
 There is a middle ground between Bible study and prayer.

00:09:28.179 --> 00:09:31.519
 And it's a kind of, if you like, a bridge between the two.

00:09:31.519 --> 00:09:40.079
 While deep experiences of the presence and the power of God can happen in innumerable ways,

00:09:40.960 --> 00:09:54.379
 the ordinary way for encountering God according to the scriptures is going deeper spiritually into prayer through meditation on the word of God.

00:09:54.379 --> 00:10:01.939
 And according to Psalm 1, meditation on the word of God promises at least three things.

00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:04.240
 First of all, it promises stability.

00:10:05.360 --> 00:10:15.500
 The person experienced in meditation is like a tree rooted so that wind cannot blow it away.

00:10:15.500 --> 00:10:27.259
 Those who meditate on the word become people of substance, people who have thought things out and have deep convictions,

00:10:27.480 --> 00:10:34.120
 who can explain difficult concepts in simple language and who have good reasons behind everything that they do.

00:10:35.419 --> 00:10:39.960
 Now, notice in Psalm 1 that this tree is planted by streams of water.

00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:46.160
 Now, trees by streams of water go well even if there's little rain.

00:10:46.800 --> 00:10:51.480
 And you look at all the pictures of drought-stricken western New South Wales and Queensland,

00:10:52.060 --> 00:10:55.879
 and you will see barren paddocks except where the river courses.

00:10:56.740 --> 00:10:58.160
 And there's green trees still there.

00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:06.820
 This is an image in someone of someone who can keep going

00:11:06.820 --> 00:11:11.560
 and in fact even grow in hard and dry times.

00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:16.320
 Meditation on the word is how we get stability,

00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:22.560
 how we get peace and courage in times of great difficulty and adversity and upheaval.

00:11:22.560 --> 00:11:26.440
 By contrast, in Psalm 1, there's the chaff.

00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:28.620
 It's the husk.

00:11:28.760 --> 00:11:33.200
 It's the waste bit around the seed of the grain.

00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:35.620
 And it's lightweight.

00:11:36.560 --> 00:11:41.080
 It's a little puff and a breeze and it just blows away.

00:11:41.460 --> 00:11:42.560
 Anything can move it.

00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:48.740
 And the way to avoid being the chaff rather than being the tree

00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:52.040
 is through meditation on God's word.

00:11:53.320 --> 00:11:55.720
 Meditation also brings the promise of character.

00:11:56.280 --> 00:12:02.120
 Chaff cannot produce anything because it's not a growing thing.

00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:03.419
 It's in fact dead.

00:12:04.740 --> 00:12:09.399
 The tree can produce fruit because it is a growing thing.

00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:14.519
 Those who meditate on the word don't just have stability

00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:16.700
 and firm convictions about truth.

00:12:17.039 --> 00:12:20.220
 They in fact have the character to match it.

00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:23.279
 Meditation bears fruit,

00:12:23.679 --> 00:12:26.419
 which in the Bible means character traits.

00:12:26.419 --> 00:12:30.519
 Galatians 5, 22 and 23.

00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:37.259
 Character traits is love, joy, peace, patience, humility, self-control.

00:12:38.479 --> 00:12:44.159
 Biblical meditation then does not merely make us feel close to God.

00:12:45.159 --> 00:12:49.519
 It's not just about having an encounter with God.

00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:54.179
 It results in the transformation of our life.

00:12:54.799 --> 00:12:56.659
 It changes who we are.

00:12:58.740 --> 00:13:00.659
 Finally, meditation brings blessedness.

00:13:01.539 --> 00:13:05.399
 It means peace and well-being in every dimension.

00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:07.600
 It means character growth.

00:13:07.720 --> 00:13:08.399
 It means stability.

00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:12.500
 And according to verse 2, it means delight.

00:13:13.699 --> 00:13:14.360
 Delight.

00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:24.259
 See, biblical meditation moves us beyond a mere duty of reading to the word to joy

00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:27.220
 in encountering God and his word.

00:13:29.320 --> 00:13:32.659
 Which takes me to my next point, meditation and the mind.

00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:35.080
 Many forms of meditation,

00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:40.539
 such as particularly stuff from Eastern religions,

00:13:40.539 --> 00:13:41.839
 but not just Eastern religions,

00:13:42.599 --> 00:13:45.039
 such as transcendental meditation,

00:13:45.779 --> 00:13:52.019
 have the goal of emptying your mind of all consciousness.

00:13:53.219 --> 00:13:57.360
 You get every noise and every thought out of your head

00:13:57.360 --> 00:14:00.240
 so that you are an empty vessel

00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:06.659
 in order to discover meaning within yourself.

00:14:07.379 --> 00:14:09.839
 Empty yourself and then you'll find meaning within yourself.

00:14:10.539 --> 00:14:12.399
 Seems a little strange to me on one level,

00:14:12.599 --> 00:14:15.919
 but biblical meditation, on the other hand,

00:14:15.939 --> 00:14:17.139
 is the exact opposite.

00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:22.899
 Biblical meditation fully engages the mind.

00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:26.919
 When the first psalm calls us to meditate,

00:14:27.399 --> 00:14:30.719
 it uses a word that literally means to mutter.

00:14:32.299 --> 00:14:35.199
 It refers to the fact that,

00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:37.279
 particularly in ancient times,

00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:38.860
 the scriptures,

00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:41.959
 the word of God was recited aloud.

00:14:43.079 --> 00:14:45.899
 And it was recited aloud from memory.

00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:51.019
 And there is no better way to meditate on a passage of the Bible

00:14:51.019 --> 00:14:52.759
 and draw out all of its aspects,

00:14:53.199 --> 00:14:54.399
 all of its implications,

00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:55.720
 and all of its richness,

00:14:56.799 --> 00:14:58.459
 than in fact to memorize it

00:14:58.459 --> 00:15:02.519
 and to chew it over like a good piece of steak

00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:03.639
 or something like that.

00:15:04.579 --> 00:15:08.220
 Other words translated as meditate in the psalms

00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:11.559
 mean to ponder and to question thoroughly,

00:15:11.699 --> 00:15:14.399
 such as you've got Psalm 77 in front of you,

00:15:14.419 --> 00:15:16.840
 verses 3, 6, and 12.

00:15:16.840 --> 00:15:22.460
 The first stage of engaging the mind

00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:25.519
 is to study the passage.

00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:29.480
 It's to study and interpret the passage

00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:31.560
 so that we get to know something

00:15:31.560 --> 00:15:34.080
 about what the passage actually means.

00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:37.600
 You cannot reflect on or enjoy

00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:39.620
 what you do not understand.

00:15:40.200 --> 00:15:42.200
 And so to understand a section of scripture

00:15:42.200 --> 00:15:44.879
 means answering two really basic questions.

00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:46.519
 There's more questions to ask than this,

00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:48.799
 but two really basic questions about it.

00:15:49.179 --> 00:15:49.779
 First of all,

00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:53.899
 what did the original author intend to convey

00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:57.519
 to his original readers about in this passage?

00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:59.200
 That's the first question.

00:16:00.220 --> 00:16:02.320
 Not what does it say to me first,

00:16:02.519 --> 00:16:04.059
 what does it say to them,

00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:06.139
 the first recipients?

00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:07.919
 And secondly,

00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:12.080
 what role does this passage play

00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:14.600
 in the whole message of the Bible,

00:16:14.600 --> 00:16:17.779
 of God's unfolding plan of salvation?

00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:20.759
 How does it contribute to the gospel message

00:16:20.759 --> 00:16:26.360
 and a move along the main narrative arc of the Bible,

00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:29.379
 which climaxes in salvation in Christ Jesus?

00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:34.060
 Unless you first do that hard work

00:16:34.060 --> 00:16:36.440
 of answering those questions about a passage,

00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:40.440
 your meditations on the passage

00:16:40.440 --> 00:16:45.200
 won't be grounded in what God is actually saying

00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:46.400
 in the passage.

00:16:48.180 --> 00:16:51.940
 Let me say that one more time.

00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:54.620
 Unless you do the hard work

00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:56.900
 of studying the passage

00:16:56.900 --> 00:16:59.680
 in its original meaning

00:16:59.680 --> 00:17:02.040
 and where it fits in the Bible,

00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:05.960
 your meditation on the passage

00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:09.660
 will not be grounded in what God is actually saying.

00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.420
 When we do that,

00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:14.220
 what we are doing

00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:16.480
 is we are listening to our own heart

00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:19.480
 or the spirit of our culture

00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:23.660
 and imposing that on God's word

00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:27.579
 instead of listening to God's voice in the Bible.

00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:30.159
 Martin Luther said

00:17:30.159 --> 00:17:35.939
 that before he could turn a biblical text

00:17:35.939 --> 00:17:37.960
 into praise,

00:17:38.639 --> 00:17:43.279
 he first needed to understand it as instruction,

00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:47.059
 as truthful information.

00:17:48.659 --> 00:17:51.059
 So biblical meditation is founded

00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:55.220
 on the work of sound biblical interpretation

00:17:55.220 --> 00:17:56.299
 and study.

00:18:00.860 --> 00:18:02.019
 But secondly,

00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:05.339
 meditation and the heart.

00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:08.839
 Biblical meditation

00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:10.480
 is, however,

00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:12.600
 more than just intense thinking.

00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:15.980
 It's more than just Bible study.

00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:19.579
 The Bible contains information,

00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:22.140
 but it's so much more than just information.

00:18:22.140 --> 00:18:25.220
 It talks about itself

00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:27.380
 as living and an active agent

00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:29.040
 in Hebrews 4.12.

00:18:31.620 --> 00:18:33.980
 Biblical meditation involves

00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:35.720
 not just mind work,

00:18:36.140 --> 00:18:38.540
 but heart work as well.

00:18:40.320 --> 00:18:42.660
 When Paul talks about the word of God

00:18:42.660 --> 00:18:44.080
 dwelling in us richly

00:18:44.080 --> 00:18:45.920
 in Colossians 3.16,

00:18:46.300 --> 00:18:48.520
 he's clearly talking of something

00:18:48.520 --> 00:18:51.280
 which is beyond mere ascent to information.

00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:53.980
 He's talking about deep

00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:56.320
 and penetrating contemplation

00:18:56.320 --> 00:18:58.360
 that enables the Bible's message

00:18:58.360 --> 00:19:01.680
 to have transforming power in our life.

00:19:03.780 --> 00:19:06.280
 Biblical meditation is,

00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:07.420
 if you like,

00:19:07.600 --> 00:19:09.340
 tasting that the Lord is good.

00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:11.040
 It's tasting the scripture.

00:19:11.520 --> 00:19:12.680
 It is delighting in it.

00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:15.620
 It is sensing the sweetness of the teaching,

00:19:16.080 --> 00:19:16.980
 feeling the conviction

00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:18.840
 of what it tells us about ourselves,

00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:20.099
 and thanking God

00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:21.039
 and praising Him

00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:23.000
 for what it shows us about Him.

00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:25.240
 It's taking the truth

00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:27.759
 that we are engaging with our minds

00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:32.059
 and pushing it

00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:34.459
 into our hearts

00:19:34.459 --> 00:19:37.599
 until it catches fire

00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:41.740
 and begins to melt

00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:43.740
 and shape

00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:46.199
 and mould our lives

00:19:46.199 --> 00:19:49.619
 in such a way

00:19:49.619 --> 00:19:51.059
 that it shapes and moulds

00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:52.199
 our reactions to God

00:19:52.199 --> 00:19:53.859
 and reactions to ourselves

00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:56.480
 and reaction to the world around us.

00:19:56.939 --> 00:19:58.379
 It is taking the truth

00:19:58.379 --> 00:20:00.279
 into all of our relationships.

00:20:00.679 --> 00:20:01.899
 It's to ask the question,

00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:03.619
 what does this mean?

00:20:03.699 --> 00:20:04.719
 Now that I've understood

00:20:04.719 --> 00:20:06.039
 what this passage meant

00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:07.039
 for the first hearers

00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:07.959
 as God intended it,

00:20:08.219 --> 00:20:09.879
 what does this passage mean

00:20:09.879 --> 00:20:11.559
 for my relationship with God?

00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:13.799
 What does it mean

00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:15.079
 for my relationship to myself?

00:20:15.659 --> 00:20:16.459
 What does it mean

00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:18.519
 for this person,

00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.479
 my relationship with this person

00:20:19.479 --> 00:20:20.039
 and that person

00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:21.059
 and this group of people?

00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:25.519
 Is this or that behaviour

00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.359
 or habit,

00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:28.159
 what does it mean for that?

00:20:28.919 --> 00:20:30.179
 What does it mean for my friends?

00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:31.359
 What does it mean for my culture?

00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:32.359
 Is there something

00:20:32.359 --> 00:20:33.679
 that I need to stop

00:20:33.679 --> 00:20:37.539
 because of this passage?

00:20:37.699 --> 00:20:38.119
 Is there something

00:20:38.119 --> 00:20:39.079
 I should start

00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:40.819
 because of this passage?

00:20:41.459 --> 00:20:42.619
 Why might God

00:20:42.619 --> 00:20:44.740
 be showing me this passage

00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.899
 on this day

00:20:45.899 --> 00:20:46.719
 in this moment?

00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:48.099
 What is God doing

00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:50.299
 now in my life

00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:51.979
 would make this passage

00:20:51.979 --> 00:20:52.759
 relevant to me?

00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:55.679
 You know,

00:20:55.919 --> 00:20:57.659
 if I'm constantly

00:20:57.659 --> 00:20:59.839
 engaging in God's word

00:20:59.839 --> 00:21:01.599
 and he's constantly,

00:21:02.399 --> 00:21:03.059
 for instance,

00:21:03.179 --> 00:21:04.019
 bringing out passages

00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:04.980
 about prayer,

00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:06.500
 is he trying to tell me

00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:07.639
 something about that?

00:21:09.899 --> 00:21:11.039
 If it's sin,

00:21:11.139 --> 00:21:12.459
 is he trying to tell me

00:21:12.459 --> 00:21:13.519
 something about that?

00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:17.399
 These are questions

00:21:17.399 --> 00:21:18.500
 that are very searching.

00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:20.359
 And as you work

00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:21.919
 a truth in,

00:21:22.679 --> 00:21:23.899
 you may be convicted,

00:21:24.419 --> 00:21:25.439
 you may be humbled,

00:21:25.939 --> 00:21:27.000
 you may be troubled,

00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:28.680
 you may be calmed,

00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:30.059
 you may be comforted,

00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:31.339
 you may be excited,

00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:32.619
 you might be filled

00:21:32.619 --> 00:21:34.119
 with uncontainable joy.

00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:35.539
 And once you've worked

00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:36.819
 out the truth

00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:38.660
 and then worked it

00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:40.359
 in to your heart,

00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:41.960
 the immediate results

00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:43.079
 may, in fact,

00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:43.740
 vary.

00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:46.779
 Martin Luther was quite realistic

00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:48.460
 when he said that

00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:50.339
 sometimes the Holy Spirit

00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:52.519
 begins to immediately

00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.960
 preach to your heart

00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:55.100
 and sometimes

00:21:55.100 --> 00:21:55.740
 he does not.

00:21:57.819 --> 00:21:58.319
 Sometimes,

00:21:58.420 --> 00:21:59.480
 no matter what we do,

00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:00.880
 we simply cannot

00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:01.539
 concentrate

00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:03.380
 or we find our thoughts

00:22:03.380 --> 00:22:05.720
 to not become big

00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.700
 and we find our thoughts

00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:07.920
 not to become affecting

00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:09.480
 but rather we

00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:11.279
 sometimes will feel bored

00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:13.620
 and we will feel hard

00:22:13.620 --> 00:22:15.799
 and we will feel distracted.

00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:16.360
 In fact,

00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:17.860
 I even think Psalm 1

00:22:17.860 --> 00:22:19.259
 is a passage

00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:20.319
 that is

00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:22.740
 realistic.

00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:25.680
 it's a tree

00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:27.539
 by streams of water

00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:29.319
 sucking in the water

00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:30.680
 consistently.

00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.640
 It's a tree

00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:36.200
 that will always

00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:37.279
 be green

00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:40.779
 but it only bears

00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:41.680
 its fruit in season.

00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.599
 There are seasons

00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:45.299
 where the fruit's

00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:45.880
 just not coming.

00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:49.720
 And when that happens,

00:22:50.880 --> 00:22:51.819
 that's when we should

00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:53.179
 just simply turn to God.

00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:53.859
 Martin Luther said

00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:55.019
 we just simply turn to God

00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:55.980
 and ask for help.

00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:58.339
 And he says

00:22:58.339 --> 00:23:00.099
 that even if your meditation

00:23:00.099 --> 00:23:01.599
 give you only

00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:02.359
 a renewed

00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:03.960
 gracious sense

00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:05.480
 of your own dryness,

00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:07.039
 your own weakness,

00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:09.059
 your own insufficiency,

00:23:09.919 --> 00:23:11.119
 that's not a waste

00:23:11.119 --> 00:23:11.700
 of time.

00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:16.399
 This is hard work

00:23:16.400 --> 00:23:18.360
 and hard work

00:23:18.360 --> 00:23:19.280
 is always

00:23:19.280 --> 00:23:20.820
 hard work

00:23:20.820 --> 00:23:23.100
 and that is why

00:23:23.100 --> 00:23:24.720
 most prefer

00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:25.360
 the noise

00:23:25.360 --> 00:23:26.160
 of busyness

00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:27.740
 and distraction

00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:29.460
 and entertainment

00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:32.519
 to the deafening

00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.320
 silence

00:23:33.320 --> 00:23:35.100
 of being alone

00:23:35.100 --> 00:23:36.340
 and searching

00:23:36.340 --> 00:23:36.920
 the depths

00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:37.660
 of our hearts.

00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:47.720
 So how do we

00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:48.340
 get the energy

00:23:48.340 --> 00:23:50.000
 and the motivation

00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:50.680
 to do this

00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:51.240
 hard work?

00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:51.920
 Some of us

00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:52.360
 may have been

00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:53.200
 studying the Bible

00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:54.440
 for decades

00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:57.080
 but the hard work

00:23:57.080 --> 00:23:57.420
 thing,

00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.519
 we're being content

00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.180
 in our biblical

00:23:59.180 --> 00:23:59.800
 knowledge

00:23:59.800 --> 00:24:01.720
 but the hard work

00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.060
 thing,

00:24:03.820 --> 00:24:05.019
 that's even right

00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:05.560
 now to think

00:24:05.560 --> 00:24:06.060
 about it,

00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:07.399
 it's hard work.

00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:09.819
 How do we get

00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:10.339
 the energy

00:24:10.339 --> 00:24:11.099
 and the motivation

00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:12.379
 to do hard work

00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:13.619
 and especially

00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:14.359
 when we are

00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:15.299
 in a season

00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:16.500
 where it seems

00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:17.240
 there isn't much

00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:18.419
 fruit being produced

00:24:18.419 --> 00:24:19.819
 or in fact

00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:21.139
 we actually

00:24:21.139 --> 00:24:21.779
 don't like

00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.579
 what we see,

00:24:23.679 --> 00:24:24.740
 we don't like

00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:25.480
 what we see.

00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:31.399
 Someone tells us

00:24:31.399 --> 00:24:32.220
 that the godly man

00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:32.599
 or woman

00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:33.539
 meditates on the

00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.139
 law of the Lord

00:24:34.139 --> 00:24:34.779
 day and night

00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.579
 and delights

00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:36.220
 in it.

00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:39.220
 The answer

00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:39.759
 for us

00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.599
 in that moment

00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:41.839
 is to look

00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:42.920
 at the central

00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:43.859
 figure of the

00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:45.099
 entire written

00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:45.660
 word.

00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:48.059
 The one that

00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:48.799
 John 14

00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:49.559
 1 calls

00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:50.139
 the word

00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:51.180
 made flesh.

00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:53.920
 Jesus Christ,

00:24:54.379 --> 00:24:55.039
 the ultimate

00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:55.779
 expression

00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.399
 and communication

00:24:56.399 --> 00:24:57.240
 of God

00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.599
 and to find

00:24:58.599 --> 00:24:59.359
 our delight

00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:00.139
 in him

00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:01.600
 while we're

00:25:01.600 --> 00:25:01.960
 doing the

00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:02.540
 hard work.

00:25:07.620 --> 00:25:08.340
 Last week,

00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:08.940
 this is off

00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:09.500
 text,

00:25:09.580 --> 00:25:10.000
 sorry John,

00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.440
 just feel

00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:11.820
 late I should

00:25:11.820 --> 00:25:12.320
 say this,

00:25:13.620 --> 00:25:15.400
 James took us

00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:16.920
 through the

00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:17.520
 Lord's Prayer.

00:25:18.460 --> 00:25:18.860
 Let me tell you,

00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:19.320
 my general

00:25:19.320 --> 00:25:20.220
 experience when I

00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:20.759
 go through the

00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.300
 Lord's Prayer

00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:21.819
 prayer is I

00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:22.440
 don't get much

00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:23.119
 beyond our

00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:23.559
 Father.

00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:25.700
 And that

00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.579
 normally breaks

00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:26.879
 me,

00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:28.480
 our Father.

00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:30.319
 And all the

00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:31.299
 implications with

00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:31.579
 that.

00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:32.579
 And I have

00:25:32.579 --> 00:25:33.259
 moments where I

00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:33.659
 just want to

00:25:33.659 --> 00:25:34.159
 praise and

00:25:34.159 --> 00:25:34.720
 thank God

00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:35.419
 that I,

00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.339
 who I am,

00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:37.460
 minuscule as I

00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:37.779
 am,

00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:38.519
 get to call

00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.480
 the almighty

00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:40.180
 God of this

00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:40.519
 universe,

00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:41.419
 Father.

00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:42.700
 And I have

00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:43.480
 this image

00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.139
 of little

00:25:44.139 --> 00:25:47.319
 John Jr.

00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:49.759
 in the

00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.399
 White House

00:25:50.399 --> 00:25:50.899
 under the

00:25:50.899 --> 00:25:51.519
 desk as a

00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.279
 two-year-old

00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:54.919
 while JFK's

00:25:54.919 --> 00:25:55.299
 having a

00:25:55.299 --> 00:25:55.720
 meeting with

00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:55.980
 all the

00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:56.439
 heavies of

00:25:56.439 --> 00:25:56.899
 the world

00:25:56.899 --> 00:25:57.619
 and the

00:25:57.619 --> 00:25:58.000
 heavies of

00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:58.119
 his

00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:58.799
 administration.

00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.220
 No other

00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:00.859
 two-year-old

00:26:00.859 --> 00:26:01.460
 gets to go

00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:01.879
 into the

00:26:01.879 --> 00:26:02.319
 Father's

00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:02.960
 presence like

00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:03.220
 that.

00:26:04.899 --> 00:26:05.500
 And yet I

00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:05.720
 do.

00:26:07.159 --> 00:26:08.579
 But I've

00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:08.980
 gone through

00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:09.819
 this Lord's

00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.740
 Prayer a few

00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:12.119
 times recently

00:26:12.119 --> 00:26:13.339
 in the last

00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:13.839
 number of

00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.259
 months.

00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:15.839
 And it

00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:16.279
 happened to me

00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.919
 again last

00:26:16.919 --> 00:26:17.279
 Sunday.

00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:17.599
 As I was

00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:18.039
 sitting here

00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:18.659
 in church,

00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:19.679
 go through

00:26:19.679 --> 00:26:20.039
 the Lord's

00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:20.179
 Prayer.

00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:20.519
 Bang,

00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:20.799
 bang,

00:26:20.899 --> 00:26:21.099
 bang,

00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:21.359
 bang,

00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:21.720
 bang.

00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:23.679
 And I

00:26:23.679 --> 00:26:24.240
 got past

00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:24.759
 our Father

00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:25.679
 without tears.

00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.599
 But inside

00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:28.079
 of me what's

00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:28.539
 been happening

00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.759
 lately is I

00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.480
 get to the

00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:30.759
 bit,

00:26:31.419 --> 00:26:31.859
 forgive us

00:26:31.859 --> 00:26:32.599
 our sins

00:26:32.599 --> 00:26:33.319
 as we

00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:33.919
 forgive those

00:26:33.919 --> 00:26:34.359
 who sin

00:26:34.359 --> 00:26:35.200
 against us.

00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:36.200
 And it's

00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:36.859
 that second

00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:37.460
 statement,

00:26:37.679 --> 00:26:38.259
 those who

00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:38.779
 sin against

00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:39.220
 us,

00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.399
 that's right

00:26:40.399 --> 00:26:40.899
 now is where

00:26:40.899 --> 00:26:41.500
 my heart's

00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.000
 leaping.

00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:45.439
 And I

00:26:45.439 --> 00:26:45.619
 think,

00:26:45.859 --> 00:26:47.059
 hear what,

00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:48.799
 what God's

00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:49.079
 saying.

00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:50.119
 I just

00:26:50.119 --> 00:26:50.619
 prayed a

00:26:50.619 --> 00:26:50.859
 prayer,

00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:51.539
 forgive me

00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.679
 my sin

00:26:52.679 --> 00:26:53.839
 as I

00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:54.539
 forgive those

00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:54.940
 who sin

00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:55.859
 against us,

00:26:56.399 --> 00:26:56.799
 sin against

00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.179
 me.

00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.659
 In the

00:26:58.659 --> 00:26:59.559
 same way

00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.399
 that I

00:27:00.399 --> 00:27:01.220
 forgive others,

00:27:01.619 --> 00:27:02.200
 you forgive

00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:02.559
 me.

00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:04.299
 sin against

00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:04.559
 me.

00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:06.639
 And I

00:27:06.639 --> 00:27:07.379
 don't get

00:27:07.379 --> 00:27:07.980
 any further

00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:08.460
 than that.

00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.200
 No,

00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:10.720
 God,

00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:11.200
 don't do

00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:11.460
 that.

00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:12.700
 Don't

00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.339
 forgive my

00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:13.779
 sins like

00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:14.200
 I forgive

00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:14.879
 other sins.

00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:15.919
 And he's

00:27:15.919 --> 00:27:16.419
 been working

00:27:16.419 --> 00:27:16.919
 in my

00:27:16.919 --> 00:27:18.839
 heart about

00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:20.079
 unresolved

00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:22.159
 issues of

00:27:22.159 --> 00:27:22.539
 resentment

00:27:22.539 --> 00:27:23.299
 towards other

00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:23.700
 people.

00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:25.619
 God,

00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:27.119
 please don't

00:27:27.119 --> 00:27:27.899
 forgive my

00:27:27.899 --> 00:27:29.539
 sin like I

00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:30.339
 have forgiven

00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:30.899
 their sin

00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:31.200
 because I

00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:31.560
 haven't.

00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:35.339
 what's the

00:27:35.339 --> 00:27:36.480
 solution in

00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:37.039
 the moment

00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:37.700
 there?

00:27:39.419 --> 00:27:40.279
 The son.

00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:42.940
 Jesus,

00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:43.759
 dwell on

00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:47.179
 the word

00:27:47.179 --> 00:27:47.740
 who became

00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.319
 flesh.

00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:50.019
 Jesus delights

00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:50.579
 in doing

00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:51.319
 God's will.

00:27:51.919 --> 00:27:52.359
 He's the one

00:27:52.359 --> 00:27:53.500
 who prays day

00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:54.200
 and night,

00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:54.799
 who meditates

00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:55.359
 on his word

00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:55.940
 day and night.

00:27:56.179 --> 00:27:56.700
 He's the one

00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:57.559
 who, when he

00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:58.399
 looks to God,

00:27:58.559 --> 00:27:59.299
 experiences the

00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:00.000
 light in his

00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:00.379
 father.

00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:01.160
 he's the one

00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:01.940
 who meditated

00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:03.140
 so profoundly

00:28:03.140 --> 00:28:03.740
 on scripture

00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:04.380
 that he

00:28:04.380 --> 00:28:05.780
 literally bled

00:28:05.780 --> 00:28:06.480
 scripture,

00:28:07.300 --> 00:28:07.960
 quoting it

00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:09.040
 instinctively in

00:28:09.040 --> 00:28:10.040
 the most extreme

00:28:10.040 --> 00:28:10.740
 moments of his

00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:12.000
 life, using the

00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.760
 word of God,

00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:13.960
 even when enduring

00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:15.340
 the infinite agony

00:28:15.340 --> 00:28:16.180
 of the cross.

00:28:16.620 --> 00:28:17.220
 And yet Jesus

00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:18.200
 is not just

00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:18.960
 simply a good

00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:20.420
 example for us

00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:20.920
 to follow.

00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:21.960
 If that were

00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:23.380
 true, his life

00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:24.300
 would crush us.

00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:26.140
 If he was just

00:28:26.140 --> 00:28:26.840
 an example,

00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:28.020
 his life would

00:28:28.020 --> 00:28:29.080
 crush us with

00:28:29.080 --> 00:28:29.800
 guilt and with

00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:31.000
 failure, since

00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:32.359
 no one could

00:28:32.359 --> 00:28:33.379
 meditate on the

00:28:33.379 --> 00:28:34.159
 scripture as he

00:28:34.159 --> 00:28:35.659
 does or live up

00:28:35.659 --> 00:28:36.419
 to what it

00:28:36.419 --> 00:28:37.579
 reveals about God

00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:38.639
 and about us.

00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:41.279
 Jesus is not

00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:42.139
 just an example

00:28:42.139 --> 00:28:42.980
 within the Bible.

00:28:43.399 --> 00:28:44.319
 He is the one

00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:45.099
 to whom the

00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:46.039
 Bible points.

00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:47.659
 And the main

00:28:47.659 --> 00:28:48.639
 message of the

00:28:48.639 --> 00:28:49.759
 Bible is salvation

00:28:49.759 --> 00:28:51.419
 by grace through

00:28:51.419 --> 00:28:52.200
 Jesus.

00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.859
 He forgives me

00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:54.639
 my sin.

00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:58.320
 It's all about

00:28:58.320 --> 00:28:58.620
 him.

00:28:59.620 --> 00:29:00.140
 The written

00:29:00.140 --> 00:29:01.100
 word and its

00:29:01.100 --> 00:29:02.160
 law can be a

00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:02.980
 delight because

00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:04.220
 the incarnate

00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:05.940
 word came and

00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:07.560
 died for us,

00:29:08.860 --> 00:29:09.960
 securing pardon

00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:11.320
 for our sins

00:29:11.320 --> 00:29:12.400
 and shortcomings

00:29:12.400 --> 00:29:13.560
 for not living up

00:29:13.560 --> 00:29:14.440
 to God's law.

00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.820
 You cannot

00:29:15.820 --> 00:29:17.360
 delight in the

00:29:17.360 --> 00:29:18.300
 law of the

00:29:18.300 --> 00:29:19.480
 Lord without

00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.660
 understanding

00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:21.880
 Jesus' entire

00:29:21.880 --> 00:29:22.300
 mission.

00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:22.399
 conviction.

00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:24.220
 Without

00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:25.919
 Jesus, the

00:29:25.919 --> 00:29:26.799
 law of the

00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:27.419
 Lord is

00:29:27.419 --> 00:29:28.559
 nothing but a

00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:29.119
 curse.

00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.579
 It is a

00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:32.480
 condemnation.

00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:33.659
 It is a

00:29:33.659 --> 00:29:35.019
 witness against

00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:35.700
 us.

00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:37.980
 He obeyed

00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:39.079
 the law of

00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:39.599
 the Lord

00:29:39.599 --> 00:29:41.139
 fully, so

00:29:41.139 --> 00:29:42.059
 now it can

00:29:42.059 --> 00:29:42.539
 become a

00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:43.240
 delight to

00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:44.700
 us, even

00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:48.359
 when we've

00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:48.700
 been brought

00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:49.299
 to conviction.

00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:54.200
 Jesus is

00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:55.159
 supremely the

00:29:55.159 --> 00:29:57.279
 one on

00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:57.659
 whom we

00:29:57.659 --> 00:29:58.059
 meditate

00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:59.839
 because he

00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:00.839
 is the

00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:01.819
 meditation of

00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.159
 God.

00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:04.379
 He is God's

00:30:04.379 --> 00:30:05.220
 truth becoming

00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:05.759
 real.

00:30:06.059 --> 00:30:06.819
 He is God's

00:30:06.819 --> 00:30:07.559
 truth made

00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.639
 concrete and

00:30:08.639 --> 00:30:10.399
 applied.

00:30:11.639 --> 00:30:12.220
 Meditate on

00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:13.119
 Jesus who is

00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:14.200
 the ultimate

00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:15.259
 meditation of

00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:15.759
 God.

00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.019
 Look at him

00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.519
 loving you.

00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.059
 Look at him

00:30:18.059 --> 00:30:18.680
 dying for you.

00:30:18.680 --> 00:30:19.180
 Look at him

00:30:19.180 --> 00:30:19.960
 rejoicing in

00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:20.160
 you.

00:30:20.320 --> 00:30:21.060
 Look at all

00:30:21.060 --> 00:30:21.539
 of that.

00:30:23.140 --> 00:30:23.740
 And he will

00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:24.380
 be a delight

00:30:24.380 --> 00:30:24.880
 to you.

00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:26.920
 And the

00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:27.700
 law of the

00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:28.500
 Lord will be

00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.200
 a delight to

00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:29.500
 you.

00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:30.900
 And you

00:30:30.900 --> 00:30:31.299
 will be like

00:30:31.299 --> 00:30:31.660
 a tree

00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.380
 planted by

00:30:32.380 --> 00:30:33.039
 streams of

00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.320
 water.

00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:34.560
 And you'll

00:30:34.560 --> 00:30:35.039
 bear your

00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:35.640
 fruit in

00:30:35.640 --> 00:30:36.920
 season, no

00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:37.500
 matter what

00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:39.299
 happens, your

00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:40.840
 leaf will not

00:30:40.840 --> 00:30:41.240
 wither.

00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:45.500
 John Calvin

00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:48.559
 wrote, the

00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:49.059
 word of

00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:50.880
 God is

00:30:50.880 --> 00:30:51.779
 not received

00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.819
 by faith

00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:54.059
 as if it

00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:54.859
 flits about

00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:55.599
 in the top

00:30:55.599 --> 00:30:55.900
 of the

00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:58.059
 brain, but

00:30:58.059 --> 00:30:58.920
 when it

00:30:58.920 --> 00:30:59.700
 takes root

00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:00.740
 in the

00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:01.160
 depth of

00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:01.640
 the heart.

00:31:01.640 --> 00:31:01.740
 heart.

00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:06.220
 We must

00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:06.860
 not settle

00:31:06.860 --> 00:31:08.500
 for an

00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:09.040
 informed

00:31:09.040 --> 00:31:09.820
 mind

00:31:09.820 --> 00:31:11.600
 without an

00:31:11.600 --> 00:31:12.100
 engaged

00:31:12.100 --> 00:31:12.740
 heart.

00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:15.360
 If we

00:31:15.360 --> 00:31:17.240
 do, the

00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:17.720
 New Testament

00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:18.240
 calls it

00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:18.840
 Pharisee.

00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:22.559
 the great

00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:23.439
 prayer by

00:31:23.439 --> 00:31:23.959
 the Apostle

00:31:23.959 --> 00:31:24.519
 Paul in

00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:25.599
 Ephesians 3

00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:26.779
 suggests that

00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.599
 Christians have

00:31:27.599 --> 00:31:28.500
 blessings in

00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.539
 Christ that

00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.139
 we don't

00:31:30.139 --> 00:31:31.059
 experience.

00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:33.000
 Paul prays

00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:33.459
 for his

00:31:33.459 --> 00:31:35.220
 readers that

00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:37.500
 Christ may

00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:38.399
 dwell in

00:31:38.399 --> 00:31:39.039
 your hearts

00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:39.879
 through faith

00:31:39.879 --> 00:31:40.319
 in verse

00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:40.919
 17.

00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:43.359
 That they

00:31:43.359 --> 00:31:43.939
 would know

00:31:43.939 --> 00:31:44.980
 this love

00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.679
 of Christ

00:31:45.679 --> 00:31:46.259
 in verses

00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:47.279
 18 and

00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:47.879
 19.

00:31:48.839 --> 00:31:49.399
 And finally

00:31:49.399 --> 00:31:50.139
 he prays

00:31:50.139 --> 00:31:50.619
 that they

00:31:50.619 --> 00:31:50.959
 would be

00:31:50.959 --> 00:31:51.599
 filled with

00:31:51.599 --> 00:31:52.220
 all the

00:31:52.220 --> 00:31:52.759
 fullness of

00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:53.339
 God in

00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:54.379
 verse 19.

00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:55.439
 They are

00:31:55.439 --> 00:31:56.299
 his three

00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:57.740
 petitions for

00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.339
 the church

00:31:58.339 --> 00:31:59.220
 at Ephesus.

00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:00.879
 And yet

00:32:00.879 --> 00:32:02.299
 this church

00:32:02.299 --> 00:32:02.859
 at Ephesus,

00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:04.359
 these Ephesians,

00:32:04.879 --> 00:32:05.240
 were all

00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:06.119
 Christian believers.

00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:07.919
 In Ephesians 1

00:32:07.919 --> 00:32:08.639
 verses 22

00:32:08.639 --> 00:32:09.319
 and 23,

00:32:09.799 --> 00:32:10.379
 he teaches

00:32:10.379 --> 00:32:11.419
 that by being

00:32:11.419 --> 00:32:12.159
 united with

00:32:12.159 --> 00:32:12.659
 Christ,

00:32:12.839 --> 00:32:13.539
 they already

00:32:13.539 --> 00:32:14.500
 have the

00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:15.000
 fullness of

00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.579
 God in

00:32:15.579 --> 00:32:15.799
 them.

00:32:17.319 --> 00:32:18.079
 So why

00:32:18.079 --> 00:32:18.980
 is Paul

00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:21.259
 asking God

00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:22.159
 to give

00:32:22.159 --> 00:32:22.899
 Christians

00:32:22.899 --> 00:32:24.839
 things that

00:32:24.839 --> 00:32:25.279
 they must

00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:25.960
 surely already

00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:26.359
 have?

00:32:27.619 --> 00:32:28.240
 Why is he

00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.639
 doing that?

00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:31.839
 Well, at

00:32:31.839 --> 00:32:32.399
 one level,

00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:33.519
 Christians have

00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:34.240
 these things

00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:35.059
 and at

00:32:35.059 --> 00:32:35.699
 another level,

00:32:36.139 --> 00:32:36.699
 they haven't

00:32:36.699 --> 00:32:37.299
 experienced

00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:37.799
 them yet.

00:32:39.639 --> 00:32:40.759
 It is one

00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.379
 thing to

00:32:41.379 --> 00:32:42.220
 know of

00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:42.779
 the love

00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:43.579
 of Christ

00:32:43.579 --> 00:32:44.259
 and to

00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:44.500
 say,

00:32:44.639 --> 00:32:45.279
 yeah, I know

00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:45.720
 he did all

00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.220
 that for me.

00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:46.519
 I know he

00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:46.700
 went to

00:32:46.700 --> 00:32:47.059
 the cross,

00:32:47.100 --> 00:32:47.460
 he died,

00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:47.680
 and he's

00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:48.079
 forgiven my

00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:48.420
 sins.

00:32:49.740 --> 00:32:50.759
 It's another

00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.400
 thing to

00:32:51.400 --> 00:32:53.039
 grasp how

00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:54.460
 wide and

00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:55.839
 how long and

00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:57.200
 how high and

00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:58.799
 how deep is

00:32:58.799 --> 00:32:59.600
 the love of

00:32:59.600 --> 00:33:00.019
 Christ.

00:33:01.860 --> 00:33:02.720
 The difference

00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:03.319
 is this.

00:33:04.299 --> 00:33:05.160
 Right now,

00:33:05.620 --> 00:33:06.740
 I've got

00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:08.420
 three daughters

00:33:08.420 --> 00:33:09.240
 in kids'

00:33:09.360 --> 00:33:09.660
 church,

00:33:10.900 --> 00:33:12.100
 in somewhere

00:33:12.100 --> 00:33:12.600
 out there,

00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:13.379
 I'm

00:33:13.379 --> 00:33:13.679
 assuming.

00:33:15.599 --> 00:33:16.079
 They're my

00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:16.519
 girls.

00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.019
 They're my

00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:18.419
 children.

00:33:19.659 --> 00:33:20.299
 I'm their

00:33:20.299 --> 00:33:20.679
 father.

00:33:22.119 --> 00:33:22.740
 And that

00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:23.419
 is a status

00:33:23.419 --> 00:33:24.199
 that always

00:33:24.199 --> 00:33:24.719
 exists.

00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:25.500
 It will

00:33:25.500 --> 00:33:26.059
 always exist.

00:33:26.159 --> 00:33:26.500
 I'll always

00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:26.819
 be their

00:33:26.819 --> 00:33:27.139
 father.

00:33:28.159 --> 00:33:28.299
 They'll

00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:28.619
 always be

00:33:28.619 --> 00:33:29.079
 my girls.

00:33:32.679 --> 00:33:33.019
 If I

00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:33.399
 walked in

00:33:33.399 --> 00:33:33.779
 there right

00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:34.179
 now,

00:33:34.699 --> 00:33:35.279
 and if one

00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:35.679
 of the

00:33:35.679 --> 00:33:36.079
 leaders of

00:33:36.079 --> 00:33:36.240
 kids'

00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:36.519
 church said

00:33:36.519 --> 00:33:36.740
 to them,

00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:37.339
 ah,

00:33:37.799 --> 00:33:38.339
 Steve's your

00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:38.619
 dad,

00:33:39.679 --> 00:33:40.119
 they'd go,

00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:41.579
 yep.

00:33:42.599 --> 00:33:43.079
 That's

00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:43.299
 true.

00:33:44.919 --> 00:33:45.639
 But if I

00:33:45.639 --> 00:33:46.139
 walked into

00:33:46.139 --> 00:33:46.419
 kids'

00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:47.019
 church right

00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:47.419
 now,

00:33:48.359 --> 00:33:48.500
 said,

00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:48.939
 just excuse

00:33:48.939 --> 00:33:49.299
 me for a

00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:49.459
 minute,

00:33:50.599 --> 00:33:51.039
 walked in

00:33:51.039 --> 00:33:51.319
 and picked

00:33:51.319 --> 00:33:51.599
 up one

00:33:51.599 --> 00:33:51.839
 of my

00:33:51.839 --> 00:33:52.259
 girls,

00:33:53.139 --> 00:33:53.779
 and hugged

00:33:53.779 --> 00:33:54.119
 her,

00:33:54.599 --> 00:33:55.000
 and said

00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:55.240
 to her,

00:33:55.279 --> 00:33:55.659
 I'm proud

00:33:55.659 --> 00:33:55.859
 of you

00:33:55.859 --> 00:33:56.059
 and I

00:33:56.059 --> 00:33:56.480
 love you.

00:33:59.240 --> 00:33:59.679
 Don't

00:33:59.679 --> 00:34:00.039
 care what

00:34:00.039 --> 00:34:00.579
 anyone else

00:34:00.579 --> 00:34:01.219
 is doing

00:34:01.219 --> 00:34:01.899
 right now,

00:34:02.019 --> 00:34:02.459
 I just want

00:34:02.459 --> 00:34:02.859
 you to know

00:34:02.859 --> 00:34:03.199
 that.

00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:04.399
 Give them

00:34:04.399 --> 00:34:04.759
 a kiss

00:34:04.759 --> 00:34:05.199
 and put them

00:34:05.199 --> 00:34:05.819
 back down.

00:34:06.379 --> 00:34:07.000
 They would

00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:07.919
 know that I

00:34:07.919 --> 00:34:08.199
 am their

00:34:08.199 --> 00:34:09.159
 father in a

00:34:09.159 --> 00:34:09.559
 slightly

00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:10.460
 different way.

00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.980
 objectively

00:34:13.980 --> 00:34:14.960
 and legally,

00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:16.000
 there's no

00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:17.380
 difference in

00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:18.420
 my fatherhood,

00:34:18.759 --> 00:34:19.099
 in my

00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:19.819
 relationship,

00:34:20.799 --> 00:34:21.460
 whether I'm

00:34:21.460 --> 00:34:21.940
 here or

00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:22.400
 whether I'm

00:34:22.400 --> 00:34:22.599
 there.

00:34:22.739 --> 00:34:23.199
 It makes

00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:23.920
 no difference

00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:24.539
 objectively

00:34:24.539 --> 00:34:25.179
 or legally.

00:34:26.759 --> 00:34:27.259
 But in

00:34:27.259 --> 00:34:28.219
 my arms,

00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:29.039
 my daughters

00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:30.980
 experience that

00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:31.539
 they are my

00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:31.860
 children.

00:34:34.579 --> 00:34:35.380
 And what

00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:35.839
 Paul is

00:34:35.839 --> 00:34:36.519
 talking about

00:34:36.519 --> 00:34:37.000
 is the

00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:37.639
 difference

00:34:37.639 --> 00:34:38.739
 between having

00:34:38.739 --> 00:34:39.480
 something to

00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:40.259
 be true of

00:34:40.259 --> 00:34:40.579
 you in

00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:41.059
 principle,

00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:42.119
 all and

00:34:42.119 --> 00:34:42.659
 fully

00:34:42.659 --> 00:34:43.739
 appropriating

00:34:43.739 --> 00:34:43.980
 it,

00:34:44.239 --> 00:34:44.920
 using it

00:34:44.920 --> 00:34:45.539
 and living

00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.199
 in it.

00:34:47.559 --> 00:34:48.480
 In your

00:34:48.480 --> 00:34:49.440
 inner being,

00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:51.179
 in verse

00:34:51.179 --> 00:34:51.739
 16,

00:34:52.119 --> 00:34:52.699
 in your

00:34:52.699 --> 00:34:53.239
 heart,

00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:54.039
 in verse

00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:54.799
 17,

00:34:55.400 --> 00:34:55.860
 it is

00:34:55.860 --> 00:34:56.519
 possible for

00:34:56.519 --> 00:34:57.159
 Christians to

00:34:57.159 --> 00:34:58.059
 live their

00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:59.579
 lives with

00:34:59.579 --> 00:35:00.779
 a high

00:35:00.779 --> 00:35:01.619
 degree of

00:35:01.619 --> 00:35:02.299
 phoniness,

00:35:02.880 --> 00:35:03.179
 of

00:35:03.179 --> 00:35:04.380
 hollowness

00:35:04.380 --> 00:35:04.759
 and

00:35:04.759 --> 00:35:05.940
 inauthenticity.

00:35:05.940 --> 00:35:06.000
 reality.

00:35:08.280 --> 00:35:09.019
 And the

00:35:09.019 --> 00:35:09.840
 reason is

00:35:09.840 --> 00:35:11.820
 they have

00:35:11.820 --> 00:35:12.579
 failed to

00:35:12.579 --> 00:35:13.760
 move that

00:35:13.760 --> 00:35:14.980
 truth that

00:35:14.980 --> 00:35:15.559
 they know in

00:35:15.559 --> 00:35:16.300
 their mind

00:35:16.300 --> 00:35:17.240
 into their

00:35:17.240 --> 00:35:19.079
 hearts and

00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:19.619
 in such a

00:35:19.619 --> 00:35:20.079
 way that it's

00:35:20.079 --> 00:35:21.000
 not actually

00:35:21.000 --> 00:35:22.559
 changed who

00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:23.400
 they are and

00:35:23.400 --> 00:35:24.159
 how they live

00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:24.539
 from the

00:35:24.539 --> 00:35:25.280
 inside out.

00:35:26.780 --> 00:35:27.980
 It's not

00:35:27.980 --> 00:35:29.039
 until it

00:35:29.039 --> 00:35:32.079
 drops that

00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:32.940
 internal change

00:35:32.940 --> 00:35:33.420
 happens.

00:35:33.420 --> 00:35:36.280
 up here,

00:35:38.460 --> 00:35:39.180
 external

00:35:39.180 --> 00:35:40.200
 change of

00:35:40.200 --> 00:35:40.900
 behaviours may

00:35:40.900 --> 00:35:41.380
 happen,

00:35:42.860 --> 00:35:43.700
 but that's

00:35:43.700 --> 00:35:44.079
 just called

00:35:44.079 --> 00:35:44.680
 pharisaism.

00:35:44.679 --> 00:35:44.819
 pharisaism.

00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:48.079
 It's not

00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:48.379
 until the

00:35:48.379 --> 00:35:49.079
 affections are

00:35:49.079 --> 00:35:49.419
 moved from

00:35:49.419 --> 00:35:49.980
 the heart,

00:35:50.379 --> 00:35:50.879
 internal

00:35:50.879 --> 00:35:51.960
 change happens

00:35:51.960 --> 00:35:53.460
 and outward

00:35:53.460 --> 00:35:54.219
 change happens

00:35:54.219 --> 00:35:54.899
 as a result.

00:35:56.559 --> 00:35:56.839
 And in

00:35:56.839 --> 00:35:57.679
 Ephesians 3,

00:35:57.879 --> 00:35:58.379
 Paul is

00:35:58.379 --> 00:35:59.519
 praying that

00:35:59.519 --> 00:35:59.919
 by the

00:35:59.919 --> 00:36:00.500
 Spirit's

00:36:00.500 --> 00:36:00.879
 power,

00:36:01.599 --> 00:36:01.940
 we may

00:36:01.940 --> 00:36:02.759
 have our

00:36:02.759 --> 00:36:03.919
 hearts and

00:36:03.919 --> 00:36:04.819
 our affections

00:36:04.819 --> 00:36:06.359
 engaged and

00:36:06.359 --> 00:36:07.279
 shaped by the

00:36:07.279 --> 00:36:07.859
 truths of the

00:36:07.859 --> 00:36:08.419
 faith that we

00:36:08.419 --> 00:36:09.000
 hold in the

00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:09.379
 mind.

00:36:09.739 --> 00:36:10.219
 Paul says,

00:36:10.279 --> 00:36:11.259
 I pray that

00:36:11.259 --> 00:36:11.719
 out of his

00:36:11.719 --> 00:36:12.899
 glorious riches,

00:36:13.460 --> 00:36:13.799
 he may

00:36:13.799 --> 00:36:14.659
 strengthen you

00:36:14.659 --> 00:36:15.159
 with power

00:36:15.159 --> 00:36:15.739
 through his

00:36:15.739 --> 00:36:16.719
 Spirit in

00:36:16.719 --> 00:36:17.379
 your inner

00:36:17.379 --> 00:36:18.759
 being so

00:36:18.759 --> 00:36:19.159
 that you

00:36:19.159 --> 00:36:20.339
 may grasp

00:36:20.339 --> 00:36:22.059
 how wide

00:36:22.059 --> 00:36:22.839
 and long

00:36:22.839 --> 00:36:23.379
 and high

00:36:23.379 --> 00:36:24.059
 and deep

00:36:24.059 --> 00:36:24.559
 is the

00:36:24.559 --> 00:36:25.199
 love of

00:36:25.199 --> 00:36:25.679
 Christ.

00:36:25.819 --> 00:36:26.359
 The word

00:36:26.359 --> 00:36:27.259
 grasp there

00:36:27.259 --> 00:36:28.559
 is so

00:36:28.559 --> 00:36:29.440
 important.

00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:31.420
 It's

00:36:31.420 --> 00:36:32.319
 more than

00:36:32.319 --> 00:36:32.679
 just

00:36:32.679 --> 00:36:33.359
 believe.

00:36:34.960 --> 00:36:36.019
 It means

00:36:36.019 --> 00:36:36.739
 to get a

00:36:36.739 --> 00:36:37.940
 secure hold

00:36:37.940 --> 00:36:38.980
 on something.

00:36:39.639 --> 00:36:39.719
 And

00:36:39.719 --> 00:36:41.019
 Paul's

00:36:41.019 --> 00:36:41.379
 prayer

00:36:41.379 --> 00:36:42.379
 suggests that

00:36:42.379 --> 00:36:42.859
 Christians

00:36:42.859 --> 00:36:43.779
 need a

00:36:43.780 --> 00:36:45.180
 spiritual

00:36:45.180 --> 00:36:45.960
 grasping,

00:36:46.060 --> 00:36:46.740
 a spiritual

00:36:46.740 --> 00:36:48.019
 sensitizing,

00:36:48.340 --> 00:36:48.820
 all the

00:36:48.820 --> 00:36:49.420
 truths that

00:36:49.420 --> 00:36:49.980
 we mouth

00:36:49.980 --> 00:36:50.660
 and assent

00:36:50.660 --> 00:36:51.600
 to make

00:36:51.600 --> 00:36:52.420
 no difference

00:36:52.420 --> 00:36:53.060
 at all in

00:36:53.060 --> 00:36:53.400
 how we

00:36:53.400 --> 00:36:53.820
 live.

00:36:56.620 --> 00:36:57.400
 If you

00:36:57.400 --> 00:36:58.120
 are exposed

00:36:58.120 --> 00:36:58.880
 to the

00:36:58.880 --> 00:36:59.380
 light

00:36:59.380 --> 00:37:01.120
 of the

00:37:01.120 --> 00:37:01.540
 Christian

00:37:01.540 --> 00:37:02.260
 truth that

00:37:02.260 --> 00:37:02.920
 God is

00:37:02.920 --> 00:37:03.380
 holy,

00:37:04.380 --> 00:37:05.420
 and if the

00:37:05.420 --> 00:37:06.280
 Holy Spirit

00:37:06.280 --> 00:37:07.800
 has sensitized

00:37:07.800 --> 00:37:08.680
 your heart,

00:37:08.679 --> 00:37:09.839
 then you

00:37:09.839 --> 00:37:10.599
 not only

00:37:10.599 --> 00:37:11.519
 respond with

00:37:11.519 --> 00:37:12.099
 emotion,

00:37:12.879 --> 00:37:13.960
 with tears

00:37:13.960 --> 00:37:14.559
 or trembling

00:37:14.559 --> 00:37:15.339
 or joy,

00:37:16.619 --> 00:37:18.339
 but you

00:37:18.339 --> 00:37:18.839
 permanently

00:37:18.839 --> 00:37:19.440
 change the

00:37:19.440 --> 00:37:19.759
 way you

00:37:19.759 --> 00:37:20.139
 live and

00:37:20.139 --> 00:37:20.579
 behave in

00:37:20.579 --> 00:37:20.960
 the world.

00:37:23.960 --> 00:37:24.559
 Now,

00:37:24.659 --> 00:37:25.259
 no one

00:37:25.259 --> 00:37:27.239
 expressed

00:37:27.239 --> 00:37:28.079
 this better

00:37:28.079 --> 00:37:28.759
 than

00:37:28.759 --> 00:37:29.259
 Jonathan

00:37:29.259 --> 00:37:29.759
 Edwards.

00:37:32.899 --> 00:37:33.779
 In his

00:37:33.779 --> 00:37:34.259
 sermon,

00:37:35.419 --> 00:37:35.879
 some would

00:37:35.880 --> 00:37:36.260
 say the

00:37:36.260 --> 00:37:36.559
 great

00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:36.980
 sermon,

00:37:38.000 --> 00:37:38.940
 divine and

00:37:38.940 --> 00:37:39.400
 spiritual

00:37:39.400 --> 00:37:39.920
 light.

00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:41.119
 Now,

00:37:41.200 --> 00:37:41.519
 at the

00:37:41.519 --> 00:37:41.920
 heart of

00:37:41.920 --> 00:37:42.160
 his

00:37:42.160 --> 00:37:42.640
 sermon

00:37:42.640 --> 00:37:44.860
 was a

00:37:44.860 --> 00:37:45.840
 famous,

00:37:45.920 --> 00:37:46.300
 what is a

00:37:46.300 --> 00:37:46.539
 famous

00:37:46.539 --> 00:37:47.079
 illustration

00:37:47.079 --> 00:37:47.519
 about

00:37:47.519 --> 00:37:47.940
 honey.

00:37:49.559 --> 00:37:49.880
 And

00:37:49.880 --> 00:37:52.340
 he says

00:37:52.340 --> 00:37:52.720
 there's two

00:37:52.720 --> 00:37:53.260
 ways to

00:37:53.260 --> 00:37:53.640
 know that

00:37:53.640 --> 00:37:54.119
 honey is

00:37:54.119 --> 00:37:54.500
 sweet.

00:37:55.880 --> 00:37:56.480
 You can

00:37:56.480 --> 00:37:56.860
 read the

00:37:56.860 --> 00:37:57.380
 ingredients.

00:37:57.900 --> 00:37:58.160
 I can

00:37:58.160 --> 00:37:58.519
 tell you

00:37:58.519 --> 00:37:58.960
 it's sweet.

00:38:00.220 --> 00:38:00.660
 Probably

00:38:00.660 --> 00:38:01.079
 there's three

00:38:01.079 --> 00:38:01.440
 ways to

00:38:01.440 --> 00:38:01.559
 know.

00:38:02.559 --> 00:38:03.240
 One way

00:38:03.240 --> 00:38:03.619
 is the

00:38:03.619 --> 00:38:04.140
 ingredients.

00:38:05.880 --> 00:38:07.480
 which is

00:38:07.480 --> 00:38:07.640
 here

00:38:07.640 --> 00:38:07.980
 somewhere.

00:38:11.019 --> 00:38:11.500
 Ingredient.

00:38:12.119 --> 00:38:12.740
 100%

00:38:12.740 --> 00:38:12.980
 pure

00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:13.280
 honey.

00:38:14.860 --> 00:38:15.340
 That's

00:38:15.340 --> 00:38:15.680
 not telling

00:38:15.680 --> 00:38:15.940
 me a

00:38:15.940 --> 00:38:16.079
 lot.

00:38:16.840 --> 00:38:17.400
 What if

00:38:17.400 --> 00:38:17.700
 I said

00:38:17.700 --> 00:38:18.119
 to you

00:38:18.119 --> 00:38:19.099
 100%

00:38:19.099 --> 00:38:19.440
 bee

00:38:19.440 --> 00:38:19.880
 spit?

00:38:23.019 --> 00:38:23.480
 Not

00:38:23.480 --> 00:38:24.140
 compelling.

00:38:24.619 --> 00:38:24.880
 But I

00:38:24.880 --> 00:38:25.260
 could tell

00:38:25.260 --> 00:38:25.619
 you another

00:38:25.619 --> 00:38:26.559
 thing is

00:38:26.559 --> 00:38:27.320
 I replace

00:38:27.320 --> 00:38:27.680
 this stuff

00:38:27.680 --> 00:38:28.000
 with shoo.

00:38:28.059 --> 00:38:28.360
 This is

00:38:28.360 --> 00:38:28.720
 sweet.

00:38:28.920 --> 00:38:29.140
 This is

00:38:29.140 --> 00:38:29.300
 really

00:38:29.300 --> 00:38:29.579
 sweet.

00:38:30.360 --> 00:38:30.640
 And I

00:38:30.640 --> 00:38:30.920
 could go

00:38:30.920 --> 00:38:31.260
 through a

00:38:31.260 --> 00:38:31.519
 chemical

00:38:31.519 --> 00:38:32.140
 compound

00:38:32.140 --> 00:38:32.460
 of why

00:38:32.460 --> 00:38:32.880
 the bee

00:38:32.880 --> 00:38:33.880
 spit is

00:38:33.880 --> 00:38:34.260
 a lot

00:38:34.260 --> 00:38:34.440
 more

00:38:34.440 --> 00:38:34.780
 tasty

00:38:34.780 --> 00:38:35.019
 than

00:38:35.019 --> 00:38:35.380
 mine.

00:38:35.880 --> 00:38:36.280
 I could

00:38:36.280 --> 00:38:36.619
 talk to

00:38:36.619 --> 00:38:36.920
 you about

00:38:36.920 --> 00:38:37.440
 chemically

00:38:37.440 --> 00:38:37.820
 how it's

00:38:37.820 --> 00:38:38.280
 built up

00:38:38.280 --> 00:38:38.460
 and you

00:38:38.460 --> 00:38:38.740
 could sit

00:38:38.740 --> 00:38:38.980
 there and

00:38:38.980 --> 00:38:39.099
 go,

00:38:39.220 --> 00:38:39.320
 well, I

00:38:39.320 --> 00:38:39.700
 know that's

00:38:39.700 --> 00:38:40.039
 true.

00:38:40.320 --> 00:38:40.460
 It's

00:38:40.460 --> 00:38:40.980
 fantastic.

00:38:41.640 --> 00:38:42.160
 But what

00:38:42.160 --> 00:38:42.920
 Edwards said

00:38:42.920 --> 00:38:43.599
 to make it

00:38:43.599 --> 00:38:44.220
 absolutely

00:38:44.220 --> 00:38:45.380
 undisputable,

00:38:45.840 --> 00:38:46.260
 you take

00:38:46.260 --> 00:38:46.559
 the lid

00:38:46.559 --> 00:38:48.099
 off and

00:38:48.099 --> 00:38:48.400
 you get

00:38:48.400 --> 00:38:48.940
 a spoon

00:38:48.940 --> 00:38:50.039
 and you

00:38:50.039 --> 00:38:50.360
 put it

00:38:50.360 --> 00:38:50.599
 on your

00:38:50.599 --> 00:38:50.960
 mouth.

00:38:52.119 --> 00:38:52.440
 And he

00:38:52.440 --> 00:38:52.640
 said,

00:38:52.720 --> 00:38:52.980
 in that

00:38:52.980 --> 00:38:53.380
 moment,

00:38:53.780 --> 00:38:54.220
 if you

00:38:54.220 --> 00:38:54.640
 do not

00:38:54.640 --> 00:38:55.460
 sense that

00:38:55.460 --> 00:38:55.940
 honey is

00:38:55.940 --> 00:38:56.240
 sweet,

00:38:57.240 --> 00:38:57.760
 I can't

00:38:57.760 --> 00:38:58.059
 do anything

00:38:58.059 --> 00:38:58.539
 for you.

00:38:59.680 --> 00:39:00.380
 I can't

00:39:00.380 --> 00:39:00.700
 help you

00:39:00.700 --> 00:39:01.000
 in any

00:39:01.000 --> 00:39:01.519
 other way.

00:39:05.880 --> 00:39:08.340
 you

00:39:08.340 --> 00:39:08.480
 can

00:39:08.480 --> 00:39:08.840
 know that

00:39:08.840 --> 00:39:09.180
 honey is

00:39:09.180 --> 00:39:09.680
 sweet because

00:39:09.680 --> 00:39:10.380
 people tell

00:39:10.380 --> 00:39:10.740
 you about

00:39:10.740 --> 00:39:11.700
 it and

00:39:11.700 --> 00:39:12.200
 you believe

00:39:12.200 --> 00:39:12.539
 them,

00:39:13.220 --> 00:39:13.960
 but when

00:39:13.960 --> 00:39:14.780
 you actually

00:39:14.780 --> 00:39:15.559
 taste it,

00:39:16.920 --> 00:39:18.940
 you know

00:39:18.940 --> 00:39:19.400
 fully,

00:39:21.340 --> 00:39:22.280
 mentally as

00:39:22.280 --> 00:39:23.160
 well as

00:39:23.160 --> 00:39:24.119
 experientially.

00:39:24.119 --> 00:39:25.259
 when you

00:39:25.259 --> 00:39:25.799
 move from

00:39:25.799 --> 00:39:26.440
 just mentally

00:39:26.440 --> 00:39:27.119
 knowing about

00:39:27.119 --> 00:39:27.739
 the sweetness

00:39:27.739 --> 00:39:28.319
 of honey

00:39:28.319 --> 00:39:29.880
 to directly

00:39:29.880 --> 00:39:30.839
 tasting it,

00:39:32.279 --> 00:39:33.500
 you go,

00:39:34.500 --> 00:39:34.699
 oh,

00:39:34.819 --> 00:39:36.059
 now I

00:39:36.059 --> 00:39:36.500
 know.

00:39:37.880 --> 00:39:39.039
 Now I

00:39:39.039 --> 00:39:39.819
 know.

00:39:41.940 --> 00:39:42.659
 Honey is

00:39:42.659 --> 00:39:43.179
 one thing,

00:39:43.239 --> 00:39:43.819
 but God's

00:39:43.819 --> 00:39:44.339
 another.

00:39:45.279 --> 00:39:45.920
 There is a

00:39:45.920 --> 00:39:46.719
 difference between

00:39:46.719 --> 00:39:47.179
 having an

00:39:47.179 --> 00:39:47.859
 opinion that

00:39:47.859 --> 00:39:48.460
 God is holy

00:39:48.460 --> 00:39:49.019
 and gracious

00:39:49.019 --> 00:39:50.259
 and having a

00:39:50.259 --> 00:39:51.119
 sense of

00:39:51.119 --> 00:39:51.920
 the loveliness

00:39:51.920 --> 00:39:52.940
 and the

00:39:52.940 --> 00:39:53.679
 beauty of

00:39:53.679 --> 00:39:54.239
 that holiness

00:39:54.239 --> 00:39:55.199
 and graciousness

00:39:55.199 --> 00:39:55.699
 in the

00:39:55.699 --> 00:39:56.039
 heart.

00:39:57.119 --> 00:39:57.679
 And Paul

00:39:57.679 --> 00:39:58.159
 is asking

00:39:58.159 --> 00:39:58.500
 here in

00:39:58.500 --> 00:39:59.339
 Ephesians 3

00:39:59.339 --> 00:40:00.259
 that the

00:40:00.259 --> 00:40:01.119
 Holy Spirit

00:40:01.119 --> 00:40:02.679
 will sensitize

00:40:02.679 --> 00:40:03.460
 the hearts

00:40:03.460 --> 00:40:04.059
 of the

00:40:04.059 --> 00:40:04.759
 Ephesian

00:40:04.759 --> 00:40:06.179
 believers so

00:40:06.179 --> 00:40:06.639
 that they

00:40:06.639 --> 00:40:08.239
 taste the

00:40:08.239 --> 00:40:08.899
 truths,

00:40:09.659 --> 00:40:10.059
 spiritually

00:40:10.059 --> 00:40:10.699
 speaking,

00:40:11.319 --> 00:40:12.059
 and when

00:40:12.059 --> 00:40:12.839
 they taste

00:40:12.839 --> 00:40:13.519
 the truth,

00:40:14.259 --> 00:40:15.099
 they encounter

00:40:15.099 --> 00:40:16.299
 God

00:40:16.299 --> 00:40:18.179
 for who

00:40:18.179 --> 00:40:18.659
 he is.

00:40:19.859 --> 00:40:20.679
 And it's a

00:40:20.679 --> 00:40:21.259
 prayer for us

00:40:21.259 --> 00:40:21.539
 too.

00:40:23.679 --> 00:40:24.980
 this is a

00:40:24.980 --> 00:40:25.319
 prayer for

00:40:25.319 --> 00:40:25.699
 us,

00:40:26.619 --> 00:40:27.759
 that we

00:40:27.759 --> 00:40:28.219
 don't just

00:40:28.219 --> 00:40:28.739
 know,

00:40:29.619 --> 00:40:30.419
 but that we

00:40:30.419 --> 00:40:31.440
 really know,

00:40:32.179 --> 00:40:33.000
 we taste

00:40:33.000 --> 00:40:33.399
 that the

00:40:33.399 --> 00:40:34.099
 Lord is

00:40:34.099 --> 00:40:34.480
 good.

00:40:37.359 --> 00:40:38.099
 So I

00:40:38.099 --> 00:40:38.460
 want to ask

00:40:38.460 --> 00:40:38.659
 you,

00:40:39.659 --> 00:40:40.399
 have you

00:40:40.399 --> 00:40:41.000
 grown too

00:40:41.000 --> 00:40:41.859
 accustomed to

00:40:41.859 --> 00:40:42.039
 the

00:40:42.039 --> 00:40:43.039
 acedia of

00:40:43.039 --> 00:40:43.960
 our age,

00:40:45.000 --> 00:40:45.599
 where the

00:40:45.599 --> 00:40:47.899
 purposelessness

00:40:47.899 --> 00:40:49.460
 is disguised

00:40:49.460 --> 00:40:50.339
 as constant

00:40:50.340 --> 00:40:51.000
 commotion?

00:40:53.039 --> 00:40:53.720
 Maybe you,

00:40:54.160 --> 00:40:54.700
 in fact,

00:40:55.019 --> 00:40:55.660
 something happened

00:40:55.660 --> 00:40:56.360
 to you in

00:40:56.360 --> 00:40:56.920
 that moment

00:40:56.920 --> 00:40:57.340
 when I

00:40:57.340 --> 00:40:58.460
 said and

00:40:58.460 --> 00:40:58.920
 repeated,

00:40:59.880 --> 00:41:00.440
 do you

00:41:00.440 --> 00:41:00.920
 feel the

00:41:00.920 --> 00:41:02.120
 strange mix

00:41:02.120 --> 00:41:03.559
 of busyness

00:41:03.559 --> 00:41:04.760
 and yet

00:41:04.760 --> 00:41:05.700
 lifelessness?

00:41:07.140 --> 00:41:07.940
 The

00:41:07.940 --> 00:41:08.640
 hyperactivity

00:41:08.640 --> 00:41:09.300
 of today's

00:41:09.300 --> 00:41:09.720
 contemporary

00:41:09.720 --> 00:41:11.460
 society and

00:41:11.460 --> 00:41:12.620
 our cultural

00:41:12.620 --> 00:41:14.640
 attention

00:41:14.640 --> 00:41:15.200
 deficit

00:41:15.200 --> 00:41:15.880
 disorder

00:41:15.880 --> 00:41:17.340
 make slow

00:41:17.340 --> 00:41:18.260
 reflection and

00:41:18.260 --> 00:41:19.160
 meditation a

00:41:19.159 --> 00:41:19.980
 lost art.

00:41:21.179 --> 00:41:21.879
 Friends,

00:41:21.980 --> 00:41:22.839
 there is no

00:41:22.839 --> 00:41:24.139
 quick fix,

00:41:24.739 --> 00:41:25.639
 there is no

00:41:25.639 --> 00:41:26.960
 simple formula

00:41:26.960 --> 00:41:28.759
 to going

00:41:28.759 --> 00:41:29.579
 deeper in

00:41:29.579 --> 00:41:29.960
 prayer.

00:41:31.579 --> 00:41:32.759
 It takes

00:41:32.759 --> 00:41:33.299
 time,

00:41:34.259 --> 00:41:35.960
 it takes

00:41:35.960 --> 00:41:36.539
 planning,

00:41:37.359 --> 00:41:38.259
 and it

00:41:38.259 --> 00:41:39.259
 takes constant

00:41:39.259 --> 00:41:39.859
 attention.

00:41:43.920 --> 00:41:45.440
 And there

00:41:45.440 --> 00:41:45.940
 is little

00:41:45.940 --> 00:41:46.759
 more than I

00:41:46.759 --> 00:41:47.639
 can say

00:41:47.639 --> 00:41:47.759
 time.

00:41:47.759 --> 00:41:48.639
 If you

00:41:48.639 --> 00:41:48.739
 have a

00:41:48.739 --> 00:41:48.879
 time,

00:41:48.879 --> 00:41:50.079
 then stop

00:41:50.079 --> 00:41:50.299
 it.

00:41:51.779 --> 00:41:52.659
 Take back

00:41:52.659 --> 00:41:53.239
 the time.

00:41:54.119 --> 00:41:54.539
 Don't tell

00:41:54.539 --> 00:41:54.839
 me you

00:41:54.839 --> 00:41:55.339
 haven't got

00:41:55.339 --> 00:41:55.759
 time.

00:41:56.279 --> 00:41:57.199
 Take back

00:41:57.199 --> 00:41:58.019
 the time.

00:42:00.259 --> 00:42:01.079
 Turn off

00:42:01.079 --> 00:42:01.579
 the TV.

00:42:02.679 --> 00:42:03.199
 Put down

00:42:03.199 --> 00:42:03.779
 the phone.

00:42:05.420 --> 00:42:06.139
 Start saying

00:42:06.139 --> 00:42:06.779
 no to your

00:42:06.779 --> 00:42:07.159
 children.

00:42:08.619 --> 00:42:09.460
 Or whatever

00:42:09.460 --> 00:42:10.699
 it is that's

00:42:10.699 --> 00:42:11.139
 filling your

00:42:11.139 --> 00:42:11.559
 diaries.

00:42:12.059 --> 00:42:12.460
 Put down

00:42:12.460 --> 00:42:12.940
 the novels,

00:42:13.159 --> 00:42:13.500
 put down

00:42:13.500 --> 00:42:14.179
 the magazines,

00:42:14.359 --> 00:42:14.699
 put down

00:42:14.699 --> 00:42:15.319
 whatever it

00:42:15.320 --> 00:42:15.600
 is,

00:42:16.140 --> 00:42:17.000
 and seek

00:42:17.000 --> 00:42:17.640
 the face

00:42:17.640 --> 00:42:18.220
 of God.

00:42:20.920 --> 00:42:21.580
 There's no

00:42:21.580 --> 00:42:22.140
 other way

00:42:22.140 --> 00:42:24.260
 than to

00:42:24.260 --> 00:42:24.800
 take back

00:42:24.800 --> 00:42:25.340
 the time.

00:42:28.280 --> 00:42:29.180
 Only he

00:42:29.180 --> 00:42:29.660
 can fill

00:42:29.660 --> 00:42:30.200
 the hole.

00:42:31.980 --> 00:42:32.559
 Keep buying

00:42:32.559 --> 00:42:33.340
 new cars,

00:42:33.780 --> 00:42:35.120
 keep searching

00:42:35.120 --> 00:42:35.519
 for more

00:42:35.519 --> 00:42:36.500
 information on

00:42:36.500 --> 00:42:36.940
 Google,

00:42:38.880 --> 00:42:39.320
 look at,

00:42:39.519 --> 00:42:39.880
 see what's

00:42:39.880 --> 00:42:40.260
 happening with

00:42:40.260 --> 00:42:40.580
 the weather

00:42:40.580 --> 00:42:40.980
 for the

00:42:40.980 --> 00:42:41.660
 tenth time

00:42:41.660 --> 00:42:42.100
 today.

00:42:42.100 --> 00:42:42.240
 Today,

00:42:42.239 --> 00:42:46.399
 only he

00:42:46.399 --> 00:42:47.219
 can fill

00:42:47.219 --> 00:42:47.839
 the hole,

00:42:48.179 --> 00:42:48.919
 only he

00:42:48.919 --> 00:42:49.439
 can be the

00:42:49.439 --> 00:42:49.859
 delight of

00:42:49.859 --> 00:42:50.399
 your heart.

00:42:51.179 --> 00:42:51.859
 And you

00:42:51.859 --> 00:42:52.439
 will only

00:42:52.439 --> 00:42:53.059
 discover the

00:42:53.059 --> 00:42:53.500
 delight of

00:42:53.500 --> 00:42:54.000
 your heart

00:42:54.000 --> 00:42:54.659
 as you

00:42:54.659 --> 00:42:55.059
 meditate

00:42:55.059 --> 00:42:56.879
 on his

00:42:56.879 --> 00:42:57.299
 word to

00:42:57.299 --> 00:42:57.619
 you.

00:43:03.419 --> 00:43:04.179
 Only he

00:43:04.179 --> 00:43:04.519
 can fill

00:43:04.519 --> 00:43:04.959
 the hole.

00:43:07.419 --> 00:43:07.959
 That's

00:43:07.959 --> 00:43:08.459
 because in

00:43:08.459 --> 00:43:08.819
 the Garden

00:43:08.819 --> 00:43:09.219
 of Eden,

00:43:09.219 --> 00:43:11.959
 we

00:43:11.959 --> 00:43:12.799
 sinned

00:43:12.799 --> 00:43:13.959
 and we

00:43:13.959 --> 00:43:14.759
 lost the

00:43:14.759 --> 00:43:15.439
 face of

00:43:15.439 --> 00:43:15.799
 God.

00:43:18.439 --> 00:43:19.480
 This was

00:43:19.480 --> 00:43:20.459
 the greatest

00:43:20.459 --> 00:43:21.539
 disaster

00:43:21.539 --> 00:43:22.759
 possible for

00:43:22.759 --> 00:43:23.319
 humanity

00:43:23.319 --> 00:43:24.879
 because we

00:43:24.879 --> 00:43:25.779
 were designed

00:43:25.779 --> 00:43:27.039
 by God

00:43:27.039 --> 00:43:27.539
 in his

00:43:27.539 --> 00:43:28.239
 image to

00:43:28.239 --> 00:43:28.980
 live in a

00:43:28.980 --> 00:43:29.399
 unique,

00:43:29.679 --> 00:43:30.279
 perfect,

00:43:31.599 --> 00:43:32.319
 in the

00:43:32.319 --> 00:43:33.439
 marvelous light

00:43:33.439 --> 00:43:33.839
 of his

00:43:33.839 --> 00:43:34.599
 presence.

00:43:34.599 --> 00:43:34.679
 presence.

00:43:35.880 --> 00:43:36.799
 We were

00:43:36.799 --> 00:43:37.579
 designed to

00:43:37.579 --> 00:43:39.119
 exist in

00:43:39.119 --> 00:43:39.659
 his

00:43:39.659 --> 00:43:40.759
 presence.

00:43:41.420 --> 00:43:41.960
 We were

00:43:41.960 --> 00:43:42.759
 created to

00:43:42.759 --> 00:43:43.799
 be constantly

00:43:43.799 --> 00:43:45.279
 encountering

00:43:45.279 --> 00:43:45.599
 him.

00:43:47.779 --> 00:43:48.440
 And ever

00:43:48.440 --> 00:43:49.360
 since the

00:43:49.360 --> 00:43:49.819
 Garden of

00:43:49.819 --> 00:43:50.199
 Eden,

00:43:51.039 --> 00:43:51.639
 humanity

00:43:51.639 --> 00:43:52.759
 has wandered

00:43:52.759 --> 00:43:54.079
 empty and

00:43:54.079 --> 00:43:55.059
 destitute,

00:43:55.400 --> 00:43:56.239
 looking for

00:43:56.239 --> 00:43:57.279
 every kind

00:43:57.279 --> 00:43:58.119
 of substitute

00:43:58.119 --> 00:44:00.199
 to fill the

00:44:00.199 --> 00:44:00.860
 gaping hole

00:44:00.860 --> 00:44:01.179
 in our

00:44:01.179 --> 00:44:01.759
 hearts

00:44:01.760 --> 00:44:03.020
 because we

00:44:03.020 --> 00:44:03.440
 do not

00:44:03.440 --> 00:44:04.700
 have an

00:44:04.700 --> 00:44:04.980
 encounter

00:44:04.980 --> 00:44:05.440
 with God.

00:44:06.360 --> 00:44:06.920
 We do

00:44:06.920 --> 00:44:07.320
 not exist

00:44:07.320 --> 00:44:07.620
 in his

00:44:07.620 --> 00:44:08.020
 presence.

00:44:09.260 --> 00:44:09.720
 In

00:44:09.720 --> 00:44:10.700
 Exodus 32,

00:44:10.940 --> 00:44:11.280
 Moses

00:44:11.280 --> 00:44:12.740
 realized that

00:44:12.740 --> 00:44:13.340
 if I could

00:44:13.340 --> 00:44:14.020
 just get

00:44:14.020 --> 00:44:14.800
 once again

00:44:14.800 --> 00:44:15.460
 that encounter

00:44:15.460 --> 00:44:15.820
 with God,

00:44:15.880 --> 00:44:16.180
 if I could

00:44:16.180 --> 00:44:17.660
 just see

00:44:17.660 --> 00:44:19.160
 God face

00:44:19.160 --> 00:44:20.000
 to face,

00:44:20.620 --> 00:44:20.960
 he said

00:44:20.960 --> 00:44:21.740
 all of my

00:44:21.740 --> 00:44:22.380
 longings

00:44:22.380 --> 00:44:22.880
 would be

00:44:22.880 --> 00:44:23.400
 fulfilled.

00:44:24.680 --> 00:44:25.200
 And so

00:44:25.200 --> 00:44:26.000
 he asked

00:44:26.000 --> 00:44:26.540
 to see

00:44:26.540 --> 00:44:26.780
 it,

00:44:27.780 --> 00:44:28.800
 but he

00:44:28.800 --> 00:44:29.420
 couldn't

00:44:29.420 --> 00:44:30.500
 because sin

00:44:30.500 --> 00:44:30.900
 was a

00:44:30.900 --> 00:44:31.220
 barrier.

00:44:31.760 --> 00:44:33.720
 And in

00:44:33.720 --> 00:44:34.220
 Jesus,

00:44:34.780 --> 00:44:35.640
 that sin

00:44:35.640 --> 00:44:36.080
 has been

00:44:36.080 --> 00:44:36.900
 taken away

00:44:36.900 --> 00:44:38.400
 and we

00:44:38.400 --> 00:44:38.900
 can begin

00:44:38.900 --> 00:44:39.540
 to see

00:44:39.540 --> 00:44:40.180
 again.

00:44:42.620 --> 00:44:42.880
 Though

00:44:42.880 --> 00:44:43.200
 only

00:44:43.200 --> 00:44:43.800
 partially

00:44:43.800 --> 00:44:45.720
 this side

00:44:45.720 --> 00:44:46.140
 of heaven

00:44:46.140 --> 00:44:48.120
 and by

00:44:48.120 --> 00:44:48.680
 faith,

00:44:49.840 --> 00:44:50.580
 we can

00:44:50.580 --> 00:44:51.680
 see again

00:44:51.680 --> 00:44:52.260
 the light

00:44:52.260 --> 00:44:52.600
 of the

00:44:52.600 --> 00:44:53.120
 glory of

00:44:53.120 --> 00:44:53.500
 God in

00:44:53.500 --> 00:44:53.920
 the face

00:44:53.920 --> 00:44:54.520
 of Christ

00:44:54.520 --> 00:44:55.440
 and when

00:44:55.440 --> 00:44:56.080
 we meditate

00:44:56.080 --> 00:44:57.120
 and we

00:44:57.120 --> 00:44:57.900
 pray the

00:44:57.900 --> 00:44:58.380
 gospel

00:44:58.380 --> 00:44:59.500
 and its

00:44:59.500 --> 00:45:00.100
 auxiliary

00:45:00.100 --> 00:45:00.840
 truths

00:45:00.840 --> 00:45:01.700
 into our

00:45:01.700 --> 00:45:02.300
 hearts,

00:45:02.300 --> 00:45:04.640
 those longings

00:45:04.640 --> 00:45:05.059
 for the

00:45:05.059 --> 00:45:05.600
 face of

00:45:05.600 --> 00:45:06.039
 God

00:45:06.039 --> 00:45:07.480
 are slowly

00:45:07.480 --> 00:45:08.720
 satisfied

00:45:08.720 --> 00:45:10.019
 and other

00:45:10.019 --> 00:45:10.880
 things in

00:45:10.880 --> 00:45:11.440
 life

00:45:11.440 --> 00:45:13.220
 become

00:45:13.220 --> 00:45:13.780
 gifts

00:45:13.780 --> 00:45:15.420
 rather than

00:45:15.420 --> 00:45:15.980
 God's.

00:45:17.360 --> 00:45:17.760
 And we

00:45:17.760 --> 00:45:18.800
 slowly but

00:45:18.800 --> 00:45:19.680
 surely and

00:45:19.680 --> 00:45:20.980
 radically change

00:45:20.980 --> 00:45:21.260
 in our

00:45:21.260 --> 00:45:21.720
 character

00:45:21.720 --> 00:45:22.760
 and in

00:45:22.760 --> 00:45:23.559
 all of

00:45:23.559 --> 00:45:23.720
 our

00:45:23.720 --> 00:45:24.340
 relationships.

00:45:24.340 --> 00:45:24.500
 relationships.

00:45:26.280 --> 00:45:27.280
 So take

00:45:27.280 --> 00:45:27.660
 back the

00:45:27.660 --> 00:45:28.980
 time and

00:45:28.980 --> 00:45:29.400
 encounter

00:45:29.400 --> 00:45:30.500
 God by

00:45:30.500 --> 00:45:31.180
 meditating on

00:45:31.180 --> 00:45:31.820
 his word

00:45:31.820 --> 00:45:33.079
 and prayer.

00:45:33.079 --> 00:45:33.199
 prayer.