WEBVTT

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 We're looking at the book of Ephesians tonight, Ephesians chapter 3.

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 If you are looking in a pew Bible, that is page 977, and we're going to look at chapter 3, verses 1 to 13.

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 So let me read this passage for us tonight.

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 This is the Apostle Paul writing to Christian believers in the city of Ephesus, and he writes this.

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 For this reason, I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,

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 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you,

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 how the mystery was made known to me, my revelation, as I have written briefly.

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 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,

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 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations,

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 as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

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 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body,

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 and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

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 Of this gospel, I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace,

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 which was given me by the working of his power.

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 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given

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 to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ

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 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages

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 in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God

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 might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

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 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

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 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

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 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

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 I wonder whether you have felt like giving up lately.

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 Maybe you just don't see a good way forward from a situation that you find yourself in.

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 Maybe that's a financial hardship or a family conflict or a friend who let you down

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 or a work situation or a housing situation,

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 and you're looking ahead and you just don't see a good way forward.

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 Or maybe you look back at the past.

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 Maybe you think about a time when you weren't coming to church

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 and you weren't really thinking about God and you weren't really praying

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 and you weren't really trying to follow God, and life just seems a lot easier way back then.

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 And you think, maybe I should just go back to that.

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 And go back to that mode.

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 Maybe you're just trying to survive one day at a time in the present,

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 and you just think, I don't know how much longer I'm going to make it.

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 Or maybe, maybe there's somebody that you really looked up to.

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 A spiritual leader or mentor, somebody who,

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 maybe the person who first invited you to church or told you about Christ.

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 Maybe a person who really came alongside you at a time in your life

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 and prayed with you and encouraged you.

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 Maybe a parent, if you had a parent who was a Christian, who was a believer.

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 And maybe that person has, for whatever reason,

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 maybe they've passed on.

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 Maybe they've gotten sick.

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 Maybe they fell on hard times themselves.

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 Maybe they're going through some things on their own.

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 And you think, I don't know how I'm going to do without this person by my side.

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 They're far away from me.

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 Or for whatever reason,

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 they're not right here with me anymore.

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 You know, there are a lot of things that can make us lose heart.

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 That can make us become discouraged and weary and weak and disheartened,

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 spiritually speaking.

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 And the passage we're looking at tonight,

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 it talks about a lot of things,

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 but the end of the passage, verse 13,

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 this is what Paul says.

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 Paul says, I ask you not to lose heart.

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 Now, I'll talk a little bit about why they might be tempted to lose heart.

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 But this is sort of the point.

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 This is what he's driving at.

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 He wants to encourage us not to lose heart,

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 but to keep on looking to Jesus and pressing on in him.

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 Now, why might these people have been tempted to lose heart?

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 Well, Paul was their spiritual leader,

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 their spiritual mentor, their spiritual father.

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 He was the one who had started their church.

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 He had come to Ephesus.

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 He had preached about Jesus.

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 He had led many of them to Christ.

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 But now, verse 1 tells us he was a prisoner far away from them.

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 A prisoner for Christ Jesus.

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 He begins and ends this section with a reference to his imprisonment and his suffering in verse 1 and verse 13.

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 And so you can sort of see, since it's right at the beginning and right at the end,

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 that's an important theme that makes sense of what's in the middle.

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 Now, just so you know a little bit about what happened,

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 you can read the book of Acts, chapters 19, 20, 21,

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 sort of tell you how this all happened.

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 But Paul was in Ephesus, and then he left and went some other places.

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 Then he came back through Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem.

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 And what he was doing is he was, the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem were going through some hard times,

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 financially speaking.

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 There were a lot of widows in their congregation.

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 There were a lot of people who had needs.

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 And so Paul took up a collection.

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 He collected some money from the churches, the Gentile churches in the other nations,

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 and he brought it to Jerusalem as a way of showing the unity that we're all in this together.

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 We're all one body together.

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 We're part of the same family in Christ Jesus.

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 We're sharing the same promise of blessing that's come to us in Christ Jesus.

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 And so he's told the people in these different churches,

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 you know, we need to help our brothers and sisters in Jerusalem.

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 We need to come alongside them.

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 They've been going through a hard time for years and years,

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 and we need to do something to help them.

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 They said, yes, we want to do that.

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 And so they got some people.

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 They collected a bunch of money.

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 And Paul and some other people, they sent a delegation to Jerusalem.

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 And they arrive in Jerusalem, and then guess what happens?

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 And Paul gives the gift to the Christians in Jerusalem, and then guess what happens?

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 He gets falsely accused by the religious leaders and by a mob, a violent mob.

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 He gets arrested, and he gets kept in custody.

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 They try to kill him.

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 The police sort of protect him from being killed.

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 But then they just keep him in custody.

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 And then it's sort of like he keeps going to court, and his case keeps getting continued.

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 He never gets convicted, but he doesn't get set free either.

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 So he's kept in Jerusalem for a while, and then he's transferred to Caesarea,

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 and he stays in Caesarea for two years in jail,

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 even though he still hasn't been convicted of anything.

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 And part of the reason was some of the Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem,

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 now some of them had misunderstandings of what Paul was trying to do,

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 but some of them were very against this idea that he was trying to promote.

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 He's saying, in Jesus Christ, the Jews and the Gentiles are now one body in Jesus Christ

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 and part of one family together.

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 And there were some people who really didn't like that,

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 and they're like, oh, no, that is not what we're for.

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 And so that's part of what got him arrested.

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 Paul wrote Ephesians probably while he was imprisoned in Caesarea during those two years.

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 And it seems like, I mean, just imagine yourself, right?

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 Imagine if you're in the church at Ephesus,

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 and the man who started your church, right,

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 or someone who was the pastor of your church got arrested,

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 you know, he, I mean, let's just take an example, right?

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 Let's just say one of the three pastors at Trinity, right,

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 Nick or Matt or myself,

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 let's say we were invited to go preach somewhere else in the United States,

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 and we travel there,

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 and while we're there,

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 just because we're preaching about Jesus

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 and talking about the gospel,

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 we get arrested.

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 And we don't,

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 and there's some charges,

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 but we're never convicted of anything,

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 but we just get held in custody for two years.

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 I mean, just imagine how you would,

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 you know,

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 how you'd feel about that.

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 You might feel,

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 well,

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 boy,

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 like,

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 you know,

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 did Pastor Greg go a little overboard there?

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 Or did Pastor Nick,

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 you know,

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 say something a little crazy?

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 You know,

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 I mean,

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 should we,

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 you know,

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 are we really behind these guys?

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 Like,

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 I don't know,

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 maybe,

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 maybe,

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 maybe,

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 maybe,

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 maybe we should just,

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 you know,

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 keep our distance.

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 Or what about us?

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 You know,

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 is somebody going to come after us?

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 Are we going to get arrested?

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 Right?

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 So there's all these,

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 all these questions that could have been going on

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 in the minds of the Ephesian Christians

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 when they realized that their spiritual mentor,

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 their spiritual leader,

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 Paul was arrested and imprisoned

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 for a,

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 and it,

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 and was lasting for a long time.

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 And they were discouraged.

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 And that's partly why Paul wrote them this letter,

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 is to encourage them.

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 You know,

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 it's actually,

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 Ephesians,

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 you know,

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 compared to some of the other letters,

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 it doesn't tell us a lot about the circumstances

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 that it was written in.

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 But I think,

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 from this passage,

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 at least,

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 and from some of the prayers Paul makes,

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 I think a big purpose of Ephesians

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 is simply to encourage

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 Christian believers

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 to keep looking to Christ

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 and just give them spiritual encouragement

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 in a time where they could have been discouraged

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 and lose heart.

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 And what we've seen so far,

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 if you've been coming,

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 going with us through Ephesians

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 over the last couple of months,

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 right?

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 Chapter one,

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 how does Paul start?

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 He starts with praise

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 and thanksgiving

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 and prayer.

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 Now let me tell you,

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 if you're discouraged,

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 if you're tempted to lose heart,

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 that's a good place to start.

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 Praise God

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 for all the spiritual blessings

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 you have in Jesus Christ.

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 Thank God

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 for the good things

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 that He has put in your life,

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 the people He's put alongside you,

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 the ways that you can look back

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 and see His faithfulness.

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 And pray.

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 Pray for yourself.

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 Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ,

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 for other people

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 who are going through difficulties.

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 Pray that you'd be able

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 to see Christ clearly.

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 That's what Paul prays in chapter one,

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 that they'd be able

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 to see Christ clearly.

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 And then chapter two,

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 another good thing to do

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 if you're discouraged

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 and disheartened

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 is remember who you are.

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 Remember your identity in Christ.

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 And that's what Paul talks about

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 in chapter two.

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 He talks about who you once were.

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 He said,

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 you used to be dead in sin

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 and following the world

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 and the flesh

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 and the devil

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 and slaves to those things.

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 But Paul says,

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 now you're alive in Christ.

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 And you've been raised up with Christ.

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 You've been saved by grace.

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 You're God's workmanship

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 created for good works.

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 And then in the end of chapter two,

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 he says,

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 you're part of God's family.

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 You're not a foreigner

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 and a stranger anymore.

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 You're not an outsider anymore.

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 You're part of God's family,

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 part of his household

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 and part of his new temple.

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 And he lives in you by his spirit.

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 And then Paul's going to go on

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 in the end of chapter three

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 to pray for them again.

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 But here he interrupts himself.

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 Now look at chapter three, verse one.

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 It's an incomplete sentence.

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 For this reason,

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 I, Paul,

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 a prisoner for Christ Jesus

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 on behalf of you Gentiles.

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 And he doesn't finish his sentence.

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 And then if you look down at verse 14,

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 he starts again.

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 For this reason,

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 I bow my knees before the Father.

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 So then he prays for them.

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 We'll look at the prayer next week, I think.

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 And then chapter four, verse one.

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 I therefore, a prisoner of the Lord,

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 urge you to walk in the manner

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 worthy of the calling

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 which you have been called.

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 So then he's going to go on

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 to exhort them

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 and sort of call them

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 to live up to the calling

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 that God has given them

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 and give them some practical instructions

00:12:52.860 --> 00:12:53.800
 and encouragements

00:12:53.800 --> 00:12:55.919
 about how to persevere

00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:57.740
 and how not to lose heart

00:12:57.740 --> 00:12:59.120
 but how to persevere

00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:00.879
 in Christian faithfulness.

00:13:01.340 --> 00:13:02.580
 And that's chapters four through six.

00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:05.700
 So what we're looking at today

00:13:05.700 --> 00:13:07.539
 is a little bit of Paul.

00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:09.259
 I mean, it almost seems like

00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:10.539
 he starts saying something

00:13:10.539 --> 00:13:11.480
 and then he gets distracted

00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:12.500
 and says something else.

00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:15.300
 Which is sort of interesting

00:13:15.300 --> 00:13:17.399
 that that's included in his letter

00:13:17.399 --> 00:13:18.639
 and he didn't cross it out.

00:13:18.720 --> 00:13:19.580
 He just left it there.

00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:21.159
 And I think,

00:13:21.300 --> 00:13:22.259
 but in God's providence,

00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:25.100
 that's what we have.

00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:27.559
 And that's part of God's purpose.

00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:29.960
 So anyway,

00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:33.480
 so looking at this section

00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:34.360
 we're looking at tonight,

00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:36.019
 there's sort of two major sections.

00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:37.039
 Chapter two,

00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:39.539
 verse two through seven

00:13:39.539 --> 00:13:41.919
 is actually one sentence

00:13:41.919 --> 00:13:43.179
 in the original Greek

00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:44.639
 and verses eight through 12

00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:45.759
 is another sentence

00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:46.659
 in the original Greek.

00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:49.079
 And so in verses two through seven,

00:13:49.579 --> 00:13:50.699
 what we see is

00:13:50.699 --> 00:13:52.319
 that God has revealed

00:13:52.319 --> 00:13:55.980
 the mystery of his grace

00:13:55.980 --> 00:13:57.079
 in Jesus Christ.

00:13:57.860 --> 00:13:58.740
 And then what we'll see

00:13:58.740 --> 00:13:59.740
 in verses eight through 12

00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:00.579
 is Paul is saying,

00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:02.240
 God has called me

00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:04.819
 to share this grace with you.

00:14:04.820 --> 00:14:08.120
 And so in verse 13,

00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:08.540
 Paul says,

00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:09.940
 so I want you not to be discouraged,

00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:11.740
 but not lose heart,

00:14:12.160 --> 00:14:13.500
 but press on.

00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:15.460
 So we'll look into those things

00:14:15.460 --> 00:14:17.020
 and see how that helps us

00:14:17.020 --> 00:14:18.000
 find encouragement.

00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:21.040
 So verses two through seven,

00:14:22.160 --> 00:14:24.600
 Paul talks about a few times here,

00:14:24.680 --> 00:14:25.520
 he refers to the,

00:14:25.640 --> 00:14:26.520
 he uses the word mystery.

00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:27.120
 mystery.

00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:28.559
 You might think,

00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:30.559
 what's the mystery

00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:32.319
 Paul's talking about here?

00:14:33.079 --> 00:14:33.240
 Okay,

00:14:33.299 --> 00:14:33.879
 verse three,

00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:34.960
 mystery,

00:14:35.319 --> 00:14:35.879
 verse four,

00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:36.980
 the mystery of Christ,

00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:37.960
 verse six,

00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:38.480
 the mystery.

00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:42.639
 Now,

00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:44.500
 Paul's used that word

00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:45.879
 once already in Ephesians.

00:14:45.960 --> 00:14:46.480
 If you look back

00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:47.340
 at chapter one,

00:14:47.419 --> 00:14:48.059
 verse nine,

00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:50.179
 Paul says,

00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:51.539
 God has made known to us

00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:53.139
 the mystery of his will

00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:55.100
 according to his purpose,

00:14:55.199 --> 00:14:56.399
 which he set forth in Christ

00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:58.360
 as a plan for the fullness of time

00:14:58.360 --> 00:15:00.980
 to unite all things in him.

00:15:01.059 --> 00:15:02.199
 That is in Christ,

00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:03.159
 things in heaven

00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:03.959
 and things on earth.

00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:05.299
 That is God's going to bring

00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:06.759
 all of creation

00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:07.879
 under the authority

00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:08.840
 of Jesus Christ.

00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:16.139
 Now,

00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:17.139
 why does he call it a mystery?

00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:17.419
 Well,

00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:18.519
 I think he calls it a mystery.

00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:20.199
 I think verse five helps with this.

00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:22.259
 Paul says,

00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:23.699
 this mystery was something

00:15:23.699 --> 00:15:24.519
 that was hidden.

00:15:24.699 --> 00:15:25.759
 It used to be hidden.

00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:26.720
 Okay,

00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:27.179
 it was,

00:15:27.439 --> 00:15:27.799
 verse five,

00:15:27.860 --> 00:15:29.019
 it was not made known

00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:29.740
 to the sons of men

00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:30.679
 in other generations,

00:15:30.679 --> 00:15:32.220
 but now,

00:15:32.459 --> 00:15:34.179
 it has been revealed

00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:35.699
 to his holy apostles

00:15:35.699 --> 00:15:36.179
 and prophets

00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:36.959
 by the Spirit.

00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:37.819
 So,

00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:38.740
 what Paul's saying

00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:39.600
 is that this mystery

00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.539
 that he's talking about,

00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:41.519
 we'll see what it is,

00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:42.860
 is something that

00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:44.819
 it wasn't clearly

00:15:44.819 --> 00:15:46.500
 set forth

00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:48.699
 before the coming of Christ,

00:15:48.699 --> 00:15:49.620
 but now,

00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:51.179
 since Christ has come,

00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:52.659
 now it's revealed.

00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:54.199
 Okay,

00:15:54.299 --> 00:15:55.279
 so Paul's not talking

00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:55.799
 about something

00:15:55.799 --> 00:15:57.539
 that's still completely hidden.

00:15:58.120 --> 00:15:59.159
 He's talking about something

00:15:59.159 --> 00:16:00.839
 that used to be hidden,

00:16:00.839 --> 00:16:02.039
 and now,

00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:04.219
 God's opened it up

00:16:04.219 --> 00:16:06.439
 so we can see

00:16:06.439 --> 00:16:07.360
 what it is.

00:16:07.439 --> 00:16:07.639
 Now,

00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:08.600
 what is this mystery?

00:16:08.719 --> 00:16:09.279
 Verse six,

00:16:09.719 --> 00:16:10.980
 this mystery is

00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:13.079
 that the Gentiles

00:16:13.079 --> 00:16:13.980
 are fellow heirs,

00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:16.039
 members of the same body,

00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:17.659
 and partakers

00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:18.299
 of the promise

00:16:18.299 --> 00:16:19.059
 in Christ Jesus

00:16:19.059 --> 00:16:20.740
 through the gospel.

00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:26.259
 And,

00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:28.659
 Paul's talking,

00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.539
 when he's writing

00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:30.399
 to the Ephesians,

00:16:31.099 --> 00:16:32.279
 he's writing primarily

00:16:32.279 --> 00:16:33.679
 to people who were Gentiles.

00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:33.879
 Now,

00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:34.539
 the word Gentiles

00:16:34.539 --> 00:16:35.980
 just means the nations.

00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:37.740
 It's just a,

00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:39.779
 it's a Hebrew word

00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.439
 or a Greek word

00:16:40.439 --> 00:16:41.699
 that simply means

00:16:41.699 --> 00:16:42.179
 the nations.

00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:42.599
 And,

00:16:42.959 --> 00:16:43.779
 a little bit

00:16:43.779 --> 00:16:44.679
 about what that means.

00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:45.639
 In the Old Testament,

00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:47.679
 God chose the people

00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:48.219
 of Israel

00:16:48.219 --> 00:16:50.360
 to be his holy nation,

00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:52.299
 his special people

00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:52.899
 in the world,

00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:54.439
 unlike any of the other

00:16:54.439 --> 00:16:55.339
 nations of the world.

00:16:56.319 --> 00:16:56.539
 And,

00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:57.360
 God said to the people

00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:57.740
 of Israel,

00:16:57.919 --> 00:16:59.559
 you are the lights

00:16:59.559 --> 00:17:00.399
 to the,

00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.259
 you are a light

00:17:01.259 --> 00:17:01.839
 to the world.

00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:03.379
 I'm going to put

00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.379
 my presence in you

00:17:04.379 --> 00:17:06.139
 and teach you my laws

00:17:06.139 --> 00:17:07.159
 and show you how

00:17:07.159 --> 00:17:07.879
 to obey me

00:17:07.879 --> 00:17:09.500
 and show you who I am,

00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.539
 the one true God,

00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:15.700
 in a way that's unlike

00:17:15.700 --> 00:17:16.640
 what I'm doing

00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.340
 in any other part

00:17:17.340 --> 00:17:17.779
 of the world.

00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:19.080
 And,

00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:19.779
 he put his temple

00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:20.340
 in Jerusalem

00:17:20.340 --> 00:17:20.819
 and he said,

00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:22.440
 I will dwell with you,

00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:23.720
 I will put my presence

00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:24.559
 here with you,

00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:25.660
 here,

00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:26.940
 in a unique

00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:27.860
 and special way,

00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:28.940
 unlike anywhere else

00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:29.420
 in the world.

00:17:30.660 --> 00:17:30.980
 And so,

00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:31.600
 in the Old Testament,

00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:32.440
 God said,

00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:34.160
 I've called you

00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:35.340
 to be my holy nation,

00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:36.420
 my special people.

00:17:38.080 --> 00:17:38.480
 So,

00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:38.960
 if you wanted

00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:41.480
 to join in,

00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:42.080
 now,

00:17:42.140 --> 00:17:42.740
 there were people

00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.360
 from other nations

00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:44.339
 who joined the people

00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:44.679
 of Israel

00:17:44.679 --> 00:17:45.379
 in the Old Testament.

00:17:46.959 --> 00:17:48.319
 There's several examples,

00:17:48.459 --> 00:17:48.740
 actually,

00:17:48.859 --> 00:17:49.459
 like Ruth,

00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:51.099
 the Moabite,

00:17:51.199 --> 00:17:52.439
 and there's many others,

00:17:53.679 --> 00:17:55.619
 some of the people

00:17:55.619 --> 00:17:56.279
 in David's court,

00:17:56.379 --> 00:17:57.240
 but they came,

00:17:57.339 --> 00:17:57.899
 they would come

00:17:57.899 --> 00:17:59.000
 and join the nation

00:17:59.000 --> 00:17:59.479
 of Israel.

00:18:00.379 --> 00:18:00.939
 And some,

00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:02.199
 they might actually move

00:18:02.199 --> 00:18:02.740
 to that part of,

00:18:02.859 --> 00:18:03.719
 that part of the world

00:18:03.719 --> 00:18:04.639
 and sort of settle there,

00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:05.879
 settle near Jerusalem

00:18:05.879 --> 00:18:08.219
 and come to the temple

00:18:08.219 --> 00:18:09.219
 and worship at the temple.

00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:11.259
 And that's how you would

00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:12.460
 sort of be part of God's

00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.400
 work in the world,

00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:13.920
 is you would,

00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:15.180
 you'd be there

00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:16.799
 as part of that nation.

00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:18.319
 But now,

00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:19.079
 Paul says,

00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:21.440
 there's been a big change.

00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:25.120
 That now,

00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:26.839
 Jesus Christ has broken down

00:18:26.839 --> 00:18:27.700
 the dividing wall

00:18:27.700 --> 00:18:29.539
 that Jews and Gentiles,

00:18:29.620 --> 00:18:30.500
 that is Jews and people

00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.360
 from every other nation

00:18:31.360 --> 00:18:31.779
 of the world,

00:18:31.860 --> 00:18:32.600
 can come to God

00:18:32.600 --> 00:18:33.799
 on the same basis,

00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:36.240
 simply through faith

00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:37.059
 in Jesus Christ.

00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:39.659
 And why does that make sense?

00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:40.339
 Well,

00:18:40.419 --> 00:18:41.460
 it's because Jesus Christ

00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:43.119
 is the promised Messiah

00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:43.919
 of Israel.

00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:44.819
 He's the one that God

00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:46.119
 had promised all along

00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:47.460
 who would be the king

00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.059
 of Israel

00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:49.819
 and the king

00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:50.839
 of the nations.

00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:52.859
 And so Jesus had,

00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:53.960
 and Jesus is now

00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:54.619
 the new temple,

00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:55.279
 right?

00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:55.879
 God had promised

00:18:55.879 --> 00:18:56.539
 he'd put his temple

00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.099
 in Jerusalem

00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:58.099
 where his presence

00:18:58.099 --> 00:18:58.579
 would dwell,

00:18:58.919 --> 00:19:00.179
 and now Jesus is the one

00:19:00.179 --> 00:19:01.119
 in whom the presence

00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:01.819
 of God dwells,

00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:02.379
 and so we can come

00:19:02.379 --> 00:19:03.259
 to God through Jesus,

00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:04.480
 not through the temple

00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:04.980
 in Jerusalem,

00:19:05.159 --> 00:19:05.339
 right?

00:19:05.399 --> 00:19:06.579
 So the coming of Jesus

00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:07.759
 changed everything.

00:19:08.859 --> 00:19:09.819
 And that's what Paul

00:19:09.819 --> 00:19:10.279
 is saying,

00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:11.059
 the coming of Jesus

00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:12.099
 has changed everything.

00:19:14.939 --> 00:19:15.980
 And so he's writing

00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:16.559
 to people

00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:17.699
 who would have been

00:19:17.699 --> 00:19:18.919
 on the outside before.

00:19:20.419 --> 00:19:21.399
 And he says to them,

00:19:21.439 --> 00:19:21.599
 you know,

00:19:21.659 --> 00:19:22.399
 you used to be,

00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:22.759
 you know,

00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:23.439
 he says to them,

00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:23.659
 you know,

00:19:23.659 --> 00:19:24.220
 just think about

00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:24.740
 what your life

00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:25.319
 used to be like

00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:25.939
 before you heard

00:19:25.939 --> 00:19:26.460
 about Jesus.

00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:28.339
 You had no real hope.

00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:31.659
 You were without hope

00:19:31.659 --> 00:19:32.399
 and without God

00:19:32.399 --> 00:19:32.980
 in the world,

00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:34.939
 wandering around

00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:35.660
 in the darkness,

00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:38.100
 following the course

00:19:38.100 --> 00:19:40.000
 of the ruler

00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.660
 of this world

00:19:40.660 --> 00:19:41.580
 and disobedience

00:19:41.580 --> 00:19:42.059
 to God

00:19:42.059 --> 00:19:43.180
 and all kinds

00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:43.680
 of things.

00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:44.680
 But Paul says,

00:19:44.820 --> 00:19:46.500
 now the light

00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:46.900
 of Christ

00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:47.759
 has shined on you.

00:19:48.620 --> 00:19:49.440
 Now you're part

00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:50.180
 of God's family.

00:19:50.320 --> 00:19:52.420
 Now you are fellow heirs.

00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:54.720
 That means you're in

00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.460
 on the promise.

00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:57.100
 You're part of the family.

00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:57.559
 You're members

00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:58.460
 of the same body.

00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:00.580
 The one new humanity

00:20:00.580 --> 00:20:01.380
 that he talked about

00:20:01.380 --> 00:20:02.019
 in chapter two,

00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:03.720
 and partakers

00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.319
 of the promise

00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:04.960
 in Christ Jesus

00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:05.680
 through the gospel.

00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:07.720
 So that's what Paul's

00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.440
 saying in verse six.

00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.039
 He's saying this

00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:09.599
 to the Ephesians.

00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:10.000
 He's saying,

00:20:10.119 --> 00:20:12.039
 you're in Jesus Christ.

00:20:13.139 --> 00:20:14.960
 You are now one

00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:18.839
 with God

00:20:18.839 --> 00:20:19.680
 through Jesus Christ

00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:22.220
 and one with one another.

00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:24.720
 And Paul says,

00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:26.220
 this is the message

00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.139
 that God has given me.

00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:28.099
 This is the mystery

00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:30.079
 that has been revealed

00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:31.039
 in Jesus Christ.

00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:32.319
 You know,

00:20:32.359 --> 00:20:32.779
 if you read

00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.500
 in the Old Testament,

00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:35.279
 the prophets promised

00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:36.200
 many times,

00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:37.000
 there's many examples

00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:37.299
 of this,

00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:38.039
 the prophets looked

00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:38.660
 forward to a day

00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:39.619
 when the Gentiles,

00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:40.579
 the nations,

00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.160
 would come and worship

00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:42.879
 the one true God

00:20:42.879 --> 00:20:43.319
 of Israel.

00:20:44.379 --> 00:20:45.099
 They looked forward

00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.720
 to that day,

00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:46.960
 but it didn't,

00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:49.200
 but it wasn't totally clear

00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:50.139
 how that would happen.

00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:50.720
 And Paul says,

00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:52.059
 now you can see

00:20:52.059 --> 00:20:52.859
 how it can happen.

00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.000
 You can see how

00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.480
 it's happened

00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.639
 because Jesus Christ

00:20:55.639 --> 00:20:56.079
 has come.

00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:57.139
 And he's come

00:20:57.139 --> 00:20:58.200
 for Israel

00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:59.599
 and for the whole world.

00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.579
 For everyone.

00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:04.200
 And he's come

00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:04.700
 to bring us

00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:05.400
 into God's family

00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:06.279
 by his grace.

00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:08.119
 Look at verse 2

00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:08.940
 and verse 7.

00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:12.019
 Paul talks about

00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:13.559
 God's grace

00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:14.799
 that was given

00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:15.799
 to me for you

00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:17.220
 in verse 2.

00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:17.980
 Verse 7,

00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:20.400
 the gift of God's grace

00:21:20.400 --> 00:21:21.079
 which was given

00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:21.619
 to me.

00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:23.339
 Verse 8,

00:21:23.420 --> 00:21:24.420
 this grace was given.

00:21:24.579 --> 00:21:24.720
 Right?

00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.759
 He repeats these words.

00:21:25.900 --> 00:21:26.259
 Grace,

00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:26.839
 gift,

00:21:27.160 --> 00:21:27.480
 given,

00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:29.559
 to emphasize

00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:31.920
 that this is all

00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:32.680
 a gift of God.

00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:34.480
 You know,

00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:35.360
 it's not like

00:21:35.360 --> 00:21:37.940
 it's something

00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:38.980
 that God has done

00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:41.880
 by his grace.

00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:42.480
 That word grace

00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.579
 just means generosity

00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:44.259
 or gift.

00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:45.480
 And Paul says,

00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:48.480
 it's a generous,

00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:49.960
 lavish gift

00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:50.779
 that God has poured

00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.559
 out upon us

00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:52.839
 in Jesus Christ.

00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:52.919
 Christ.

00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:55.599
 So this is what

00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:55.879
 he's saying

00:21:55.879 --> 00:21:56.619
 in verse 2 to 7.

00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:58.099
 God has revealed

00:21:58.099 --> 00:21:59.459
 this mystery,

00:21:59.579 --> 00:22:00.859
 the mystery of his grace

00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:02.399
 in Jesus Christ.

00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:04.240
 And,

00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:06.699
 and then

00:22:06.699 --> 00:22:07.959
 in verse 8 to 12,

00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:10.419
 Paul emphasizes

00:22:10.419 --> 00:22:11.939
 that God has called me,

00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.399
 Paul's referring

00:22:13.399 --> 00:22:13.839
 to himself,

00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.740
 God has called me

00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.659
 to make it known

00:22:15.659 --> 00:22:16.419
 to you.

00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:18.420
 So you can see

00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:19.460
 really throughout

00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:19.740
 this,

00:22:20.100 --> 00:22:20.580
 these verses,

00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:21.640
 it comes up some

00:22:21.640 --> 00:22:22.720
 in the first paragraph

00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.100
 to,

00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:25.240
 you know,

00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:25.700
 verse 2,

00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:26.160
 the stewardship

00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:26.720
 of God's grace

00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.519
 given to me

00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.259
 for you.

00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:29.340
 The mystery

00:22:29.340 --> 00:22:29.860
 is made known

00:22:29.860 --> 00:22:30.360
 to me.

00:22:31.060 --> 00:22:31.820
 My insight

00:22:31.820 --> 00:22:32.240
 of the mystery

00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:32.740
 of Christ

00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:33.300
 has been revealed

00:22:33.300 --> 00:22:34.100
 to his holy apostles

00:22:34.100 --> 00:22:34.720
 and prophets.

00:22:35.360 --> 00:22:35.680
 But then,

00:22:35.820 --> 00:22:36.519
 then especially

00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:37.160
 in verse 7,

00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:37.360
 8,

00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:37.800
 9,

00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:39.240
 Paul says,

00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:40.400
 I was made a minister

00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:41.420
 according to the gift

00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:42.080
 of God's grace.

00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:43.220
 Though I am the very least

00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:43.740
 of the saints,

00:22:43.820 --> 00:22:44.580
 this grace was given

00:22:44.580 --> 00:22:45.779
 to preach to the Gentiles

00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:47.000
 and to bring to life

00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:47.619
 for everyone

00:22:47.619 --> 00:22:49.000
 God's plan.

00:22:50.099 --> 00:22:50.940
 This mystery

00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:53.599
 that through Jesus Christ,

00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:55.759
 people from all nations

00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:57.220
 can be united

00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:58.460
 under the lordship

00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.240
 of Jesus Christ

00:22:59.240 --> 00:23:00.920
 as part of God's

00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:01.619
 eternal purpose.

00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:03.200
 And Paul says,

00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.460
 God has called me

00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:05.660
 to make this mystery

00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:07.200
 known to you.

00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:09.899
 So those are sort of

00:23:09.899 --> 00:23:11.500
 the two major parts

00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:12.399
 of this passage

00:23:12.399 --> 00:23:14.019
 that it's a mystery

00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:15.440
 or God has revealed

00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:15.940
 this mystery.

00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.680
 God has called me

00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:17.200
 to make it known

00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:17.580
 to you.

00:23:17.820 --> 00:23:18.279
 And so he wants

00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:19.120
 to encourage them.

00:23:19.940 --> 00:23:20.299
 And let me,

00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:20.880
 let me,

00:23:22.080 --> 00:23:24.860
 I want to apply

00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:25.640
 this message

00:23:25.640 --> 00:23:26.799
 to us in three ways

00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:28.400
 and spend the rest

00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:28.799
 of our time

00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:29.620
 just sort of applying

00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:30.720
 this message

00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:31.759
 to us

00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.880
 and how it can

00:23:32.880 --> 00:23:33.799
 give us encouragement

00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:34.700
 where we are

00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.460
 and looking at

00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.660
 some points here.

00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:38.320
 So first,

00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:40.019
 first way

00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:40.720
 it can encourage us

00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.900
 is that this is a message.

00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:42.380
 The message

00:23:42.380 --> 00:23:43.380
 Paul is talking about

00:23:43.380 --> 00:23:44.840
 gives us both humility

00:23:44.840 --> 00:23:46.000
 and confidence.

00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:48.860
 If you look at verse 8,

00:23:49.600 --> 00:23:50.560
 Paul describes himself

00:23:50.560 --> 00:23:52.680
 as the very least

00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.680
 of all the saints.

00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:55.520
 In another place

00:23:55.520 --> 00:23:56.140
 he calls himself

00:23:56.140 --> 00:23:56.580
 the worst,

00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.540
 the chief of sinners.

00:24:00.800 --> 00:24:02.240
 Paul saw that he was

00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.520
 completely unworthy

00:24:03.520 --> 00:24:04.880
 and undeserving

00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:06.000
 of God's favor

00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:06.640
 and blessing.

00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.920
 But then he says,

00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:10.040
 so he was,

00:24:10.380 --> 00:24:10.940
 in that sense

00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.620
 he was very humble.

00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:13.139
 I'm the least.

00:24:13.379 --> 00:24:13.679
 Like,

00:24:14.199 --> 00:24:15.979
 I'm not better

00:24:15.979 --> 00:24:16.739
 than anybody else.

00:24:17.699 --> 00:24:18.319
 But then,

00:24:18.419 --> 00:24:19.439
 he's also very confident.

00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:19.779
 He says,

00:24:19.859 --> 00:24:21.059
 this grace was given me

00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:22.459
 to preach to the Gentiles

00:24:22.459 --> 00:24:23.539
 the unsearchable riches

00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:23.959
 of Christ

00:24:23.959 --> 00:24:24.619
 to bring to light

00:24:24.619 --> 00:24:25.159
 for everyone

00:24:25.159 --> 00:24:26.179
 the plan

00:24:26.179 --> 00:24:26.739
 that was hidden

00:24:26.739 --> 00:24:27.819
 for ages in God.

00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.139
 He's saying,

00:24:30.199 --> 00:24:31.000
 God has sent me

00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:32.479
 to explain to you

00:24:32.479 --> 00:24:33.619
 this mystery

00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:34.419
 that for thousands

00:24:34.419 --> 00:24:35.079
 of years

00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:37.399
 wasn't made clear.

00:24:37.400 --> 00:24:39.380
 and God sent me

00:24:39.380 --> 00:24:40.360
 as the apostle

00:24:40.360 --> 00:24:40.920
 for you

00:24:40.920 --> 00:24:42.140
 to tell you

00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:42.780
 this truth

00:24:42.780 --> 00:24:44.040
 so that your eyes

00:24:44.040 --> 00:24:44.560
 can be opened

00:24:44.560 --> 00:24:45.160
 and you can come

00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:45.680
 from darkness

00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:46.220
 into light

00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:46.840
 and you can see

00:24:46.840 --> 00:24:48.120
 the glory of God.

00:24:50.840 --> 00:24:51.900
 It's interesting, right?

00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.560
 Paul has both

00:24:52.560 --> 00:24:54.040
 this humility

00:24:54.040 --> 00:24:54.860
 saying I'm the least

00:24:54.860 --> 00:24:55.500
 of all the saints

00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:57.780
 and this amazing confidence.

00:24:59.100 --> 00:24:59.980
 And that's

00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:01.080
 what the message

00:25:01.080 --> 00:25:01.980
 of God's grace does

00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:03.100
 when it gets inside us.

00:25:03.840 --> 00:25:04.240
 Right?

00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:05.120
 It humbles us.

00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:06.640
 It shows us

00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:07.480
 our sin

00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:09.740
 but it also

00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:13.339
 gives us confidence

00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:15.180
 because our confidence

00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:17.000
 and it's not a false confidence

00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:17.640
 in ourselves

00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:19.539
 but it's a true confidence

00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:20.519
 that comes from Christ

00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.759
 and knowing that

00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:23.019
 Christ's promises are true

00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:24.120
 and Christ has called us

00:25:24.120 --> 00:25:25.000
 and he's called us

00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.539
 by his grace.

00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:26.160
 He's saved us

00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:26.700
 by his grace

00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.660
 and he equips us

00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:28.120
 by his grace

00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:28.640
 to do everything

00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:29.279
 that we're doing

00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:31.099
 and so we can never

00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:32.519
 ultimately take the credit

00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:33.779
 for good things

00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:34.279
 that God does

00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:34.639
 through us

00:25:34.639 --> 00:25:35.599
 but we can go forward

00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:36.119
 confidently

00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:37.259
 because he's called us

00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:39.000
 and we can know

00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.700
 that we have a place

00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:41.160
 at his table

00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:43.099
 in the family of God

00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:45.420
 just because of his grace

00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:46.079
 and his mercy.

00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:47.619
 You know,

00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.099
 I think a lot,

00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:48.319
 right?

00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:48.579
 I mean,

00:25:49.399 --> 00:25:50.819
 isn't what a lot of us

00:25:50.819 --> 00:25:51.160
 tend to do?

00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:52.079
 We tend to sort of flip

00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:53.139
 back and forth

00:25:53.139 --> 00:25:54.619
 between false confidence

00:25:54.619 --> 00:25:55.259
 in ourselves

00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:58.519
 and then despair

00:25:58.519 --> 00:26:00.000
 which means losing

00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:01.099
 all confidence in God

00:26:01.099 --> 00:26:03.240
 and we sort of flip

00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:04.039
 from one to the other.

00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.200
 You know,

00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.980
 on our good days

00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:07.359
 we sort of build up

00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:07.920
 this confidence

00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.500
 in ourselves

00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:10.759
 and then on our bad days

00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:12.240
 we just realize

00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:13.120
 we shouldn't have confidence

00:26:13.120 --> 00:26:13.599
 in ourselves

00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:14.120
 and we feel like

00:26:14.120 --> 00:26:14.799
 we don't have any confidence

00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:15.220
 at all.

00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:17.660
 And Paul says,

00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:17.920
 no,

00:26:18.120 --> 00:26:18.720
 this is a message

00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.480
 of God's grace.

00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.140
 It's a message

00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:20.880
 that humbles us

00:26:20.880 --> 00:26:21.940
 and that gives us confidence.

00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:23.700
 And that's how Paul

00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:24.319
 describes himself.

00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:25.019
 He describes himself

00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:25.640
 as a minister

00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:27.460
 and that word

00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:28.460
 simply means a servant.

00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.660
 That was a word

00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:30.819
 used for someone

00:26:30.819 --> 00:26:31.960
 who worked in a household

00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:33.159
 who might have had

00:26:33.159 --> 00:26:33.819
 some authority

00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:35.059
 but you weren't

00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:35.859
 the owner of the house.

00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:37.279
 Right?

00:26:37.899 --> 00:26:39.220
 Or even the way

00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.039
 it's used in a government.

00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:40.359
 Right?

00:26:40.439 --> 00:26:41.960
 The minister of state.

00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:42.559
 We don't use it

00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:43.339
 in the United States

00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:44.159
 but some other countries

00:26:44.159 --> 00:26:44.859
 call it like

00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:45.819
 the minister of education.

00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:46.220
 Right?

00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:47.000
 We call it

00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:47.980
 the secretary of education.

00:26:49.139 --> 00:26:49.899
 It means

00:26:49.899 --> 00:26:50.980
 you're not the president.

00:26:51.659 --> 00:26:52.000
 Right?

00:26:52.159 --> 00:26:53.500
 You work for somebody else.

00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:54.700
 You have authority.

00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.019
 You know,

00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:56.839
 you have responsibility

00:26:56.839 --> 00:26:59.599
 but you don't own the place.

00:27:00.439 --> 00:27:01.099
 And that's how Paul

00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:02.579
 is speaking about himself.

00:27:02.699 --> 00:27:03.000
 He's saying

00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:04.059
 I'm in God's house

00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:05.779
 but I don't own the house.

00:27:06.459 --> 00:27:07.039
 God's given me

00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:08.000
 an important responsibility

00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.819
 in his house

00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:10.139
 but it's not my house.

00:27:11.419 --> 00:27:12.199
 And I can never

00:27:12.199 --> 00:27:12.959
 take credit for it

00:27:12.959 --> 00:27:13.379
 in the end.

00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.679
 And then Paul

00:27:15.679 --> 00:27:16.359
 talks about himself

00:27:16.359 --> 00:27:16.959
 as a steward.

00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:18.019
 That word stewardship

00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:18.839
 of God's grace

00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:19.559
 or administration

00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:20.659
 of God's grace.

00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:21.939
 A steward

00:27:21.939 --> 00:27:23.359
 is simply a manager.

00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:24.259
 Again,

00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:24.939
 Paul used another

00:27:24.939 --> 00:27:25.799
 one of these words

00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:27.000
 that would have been

00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.740
 common back then

00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.079
 for somebody

00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:28.579
 who worked

00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:30.039
 under someone else's authority

00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:31.139
 but also had

00:27:31.139 --> 00:27:32.059
 an important responsibility.

00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:33.720
 And that's how

00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:35.379
 Paul speaks about himself

00:27:35.379 --> 00:27:36.159
 and that's how we can

00:27:36.159 --> 00:27:36.819
 think about our

00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:38.960
 responsibility

00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:40.419
 as members

00:27:40.419 --> 00:27:41.299
 of God's household.

00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:42.519
 That we have

00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:43.200
 an important place

00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:43.799
 in God's family

00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:45.319
 but it's his.

00:27:47.599 --> 00:27:48.899
 So where do you need humility?

00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:50.139
 Where do you need confidence?

00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:52.859
 That's something

00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:53.240
 you can think

00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:53.720
 and pray about.

00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:55.839
 So first,

00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:56.740
 humility and confidence.

00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:58.740
 Second thing,

00:27:59.200 --> 00:28:00.319
 the mystery

00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:01.680
 that is revealed

00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:02.779
 but unsearchable.

00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.519
 Did you notice

00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.019
 how Paul

00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:05.779
 emphasized so much

00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.579
 God has revealed

00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:07.100
 this mystery?

00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:08.000
 He's made known

00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.700
 to you.

00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:09.940
 Verse

00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.539
 3,

00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:10.960
 4,

00:28:11.079 --> 00:28:11.579
 5,

00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:12.059
 9,

00:28:12.140 --> 00:28:12.460
 10

00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:13.480
 talks about

00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.240
 words like

00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:14.880
 made known

00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:15.559
 or insight

00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.480
 or revealed

00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.600
 or bring to light.

00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.160
 Paul's emphasizing

00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:20.819
 the gospel

00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:22.460
 it's been brought

00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:22.839
 to light.

00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:23.619
 Now you can see it.

00:28:23.699 --> 00:28:24.759
 You can see who Christ is.

00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:25.720
 You can see who God is

00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:26.439
 more and more clearly

00:28:26.439 --> 00:28:27.159
 but then

00:28:27.159 --> 00:28:28.899
 in verse 8 and 10

00:28:28.899 --> 00:28:30.679
 verse 8

00:28:30.679 --> 00:28:31.480
 he speaks about it

00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.559
 as unsearchable

00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:33.559
 the unsearchable

00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:34.299
 riches of Christ.

00:28:34.419 --> 00:28:35.279
 Now isn't that interesting?

00:28:36.959 --> 00:28:37.619
 Paul says

00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:40.099
 now you can see it.

00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:41.179
 It used to be hidden

00:28:41.179 --> 00:28:41.839
 but now it's brought

00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:42.379
 into the open.

00:28:42.579 --> 00:28:43.419
 But then Paul says

00:28:43.419 --> 00:28:44.379
 but it's unsearchable.

00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:46.179
 That means you can never

00:28:46.179 --> 00:28:47.579
 get to the bottom of it.

00:28:47.919 --> 00:28:48.579
 You can never

00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:49.220
 fully

00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:50.319
 grasp it.

00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:52.639
 It's like

00:28:52.639 --> 00:28:53.579
 exploring the ocean.

00:28:54.879 --> 00:28:55.319
 Right?

00:28:55.379 --> 00:28:56.119
 You can go to the beach

00:28:56.119 --> 00:28:58.319
 on a warm

00:28:58.319 --> 00:28:59.240
 summer day

00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:00.460
 splashing the water

00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:03.179
 enjoy the ocean

00:29:03.179 --> 00:29:05.379
 maybe you

00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:06.919
 learn to swim

00:29:06.919 --> 00:29:08.480
 you can swim out

00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:09.139
 a little further

00:29:09.139 --> 00:29:11.159
 explore a little more

00:29:11.159 --> 00:29:12.079
 maybe you get a boat

00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:13.720
 you know

00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:14.139
 go out

00:29:14.139 --> 00:29:15.179
 a little further

00:29:15.179 --> 00:29:15.960
 away from shore

00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:17.099
 maybe where you can't

00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:18.019
 see the land anymore

00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:20.220
 and maybe you do

00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:20.660
 a little fishing

00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:21.240
 whatever right?

00:29:21.400 --> 00:29:22.460
 You explore the ocean

00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:23.160
 more maybe you

00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:24.259
 do a little diving

00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:26.000
 and sort

00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.839
 maybe get some goggles

00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:28.079
 and look around

00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:30.079
 maybe you go all the way

00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:31.700
 maybe you do scuba diving

00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:33.539
 and go down even further

00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:35.099
 and see some things

00:29:35.099 --> 00:29:35.799
 that you could never see

00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.500
 from the surface

00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:38.359
 maybe you

00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:39.759
 find a way to get

00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:40.359
 into a submarine

00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:41.779
 right?

00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:42.940
 And go really far down.

00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:45.160
 Here's the point.

00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:47.259
 When you're getting

00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:48.120
 to know Jesus better

00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:49.380
 it's like exploring

00:29:49.380 --> 00:29:49.779
 the ocean

00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:50.300
 but you'll never

00:29:50.300 --> 00:29:50.920
 get to the bottom.

00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:53.700
 And you can splash

00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:54.180
 in the ocean

00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:54.640
 and it's

00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:56.820
 you can rejoice

00:29:56.820 --> 00:29:57.519
 like a child

00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:59.279
 in knowing your sins

00:29:59.279 --> 00:29:59.680
 are forgiven

00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:01.660
 and you have

00:30:01.660 --> 00:30:02.500
 and you have

00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:03.040
 the Holy Spirit

00:30:03.040 --> 00:30:04.040
 working in you

00:30:04.040 --> 00:30:05.040
 but you can go deep

00:30:05.040 --> 00:30:06.100
 you can keep going deeper

00:30:06.100 --> 00:30:07.640
 and that's partly

00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:08.259
 what God does

00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:08.900
 he just takes you

00:30:08.900 --> 00:30:09.560
 deeper and deeper.

00:30:10.540 --> 00:30:11.460
 He takes you out

00:30:11.460 --> 00:30:12.180
 further in the water

00:30:12.180 --> 00:30:12.640
 and you're like

00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:13.160
 you look around

00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:13.460
 and you're like

00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:14.460
 there ain't no land here.

00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:15.980
 Where are we going?

00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:18.019
 And God says

00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.860
 don't worry I'm with you

00:30:18.860 --> 00:30:20.620
 just like I was

00:30:20.620 --> 00:30:21.279
 with you on the beach.

00:30:21.880 --> 00:30:22.660
 I'm with you.

00:30:26.340 --> 00:30:27.040
 So that's the thing

00:30:27.040 --> 00:30:27.620
 about being a Christian.

00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:28.000
 Being a Christian

00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:28.680
 is never boring

00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:29.840
 because you never

00:30:29.840 --> 00:30:30.820
 get it all figured out.

00:30:32.040 --> 00:30:32.400
 Okay?

00:30:32.440 --> 00:30:33.540
 It's not like video games.

00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:35.019
 Right?

00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:36.519
 You play

00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:37.400
 Super Mario Brothers

00:30:37.400 --> 00:30:38.220
 or whatever

00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:38.800
 the more advanced

00:30:38.800 --> 00:30:39.720
 video games are today.

00:30:42.060 --> 00:30:42.420
 Right?

00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:43.060
 Most video games

00:30:43.060 --> 00:30:43.800
 are fun for a while.

00:30:43.800 --> 00:30:44.620
 You start at level one

00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:45.219
 go to level two

00:30:45.219 --> 00:30:46.000
 get to level three

00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:47.079
 you know

00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:48.539
 throw in the enhanced version

00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:50.259
 but eventually

00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:51.359
 you figure it out

00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:53.839
 and it's boring

00:30:53.839 --> 00:30:54.839
 because you know

00:30:54.839 --> 00:30:55.359
 all the levels

00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:56.299
 and you beat all the levels

00:30:56.299 --> 00:30:57.979
 and you know exactly

00:30:57.979 --> 00:30:59.379
 where all the secret

00:30:59.379 --> 00:31:00.159
 you know

00:31:00.159 --> 00:31:01.059
 prizes are.

00:31:02.119 --> 00:31:02.979
 You've got it.

00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:03.319
 Right?

00:31:03.399 --> 00:31:03.799
 Then you've got to

00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:04.619
 buy a new video game

00:31:04.619 --> 00:31:07.159
 because you get over it.

00:31:07.699 --> 00:31:08.659
 Sometimes you get over it

00:31:08.659 --> 00:31:09.059
 pretty quick.

00:31:10.399 --> 00:31:11.299
 But following Jesus

00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:12.039
 you never learn

00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:12.720
 all his tricks

00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:14.200
 because his ways

00:31:14.200 --> 00:31:15.680
 are unsearchably glorious.

00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:17.220
 Right?

00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:17.559
 And so

00:31:17.559 --> 00:31:18.440
 that's the thing

00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:19.480
 we can know God

00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:21.220
 but the more you know him

00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:23.440
 the more amazing he gets.

00:31:25.859 --> 00:31:27.119
 And that's a wonderful truth

00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:27.940
 and it's encouragement

00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:29.599
 to press on

00:31:29.599 --> 00:31:31.440
 and seek to know God better.

00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:33.000
 That's exactly what Paul prays

00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:34.720
 in the rest of chapter three

00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:35.200
 that the people

00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:36.159
 would know God better

00:31:36.159 --> 00:31:36.899
 and know his love

00:31:36.899 --> 00:31:37.420
 more deeply

00:31:37.420 --> 00:31:38.139
 in their hearts.

00:31:38.140 --> 00:31:41.540
 So keep going deeper.

00:31:44.280 --> 00:31:45.480
 Verse 10 describes it

00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.700
 as God's manifold wisdom.

00:31:46.860 --> 00:31:47.380
 That's a word

00:31:47.380 --> 00:31:49.440
 that means a many-sided thing.

00:31:49.560 --> 00:31:50.080
 It was used

00:31:50.080 --> 00:31:50.960
 for an intricately

00:31:50.960 --> 00:31:52.080
 embroidered pattern

00:31:52.080 --> 00:31:54.140
 or for the many colors

00:31:54.140 --> 00:31:55.360
 of a bouquet of flowers

00:31:55.360 --> 00:31:57.540
 or we might think

00:31:57.540 --> 00:31:58.060
 of a diamond

00:31:58.060 --> 00:31:58.880
 that sparkles

00:31:58.880 --> 00:31:59.880
 from all different angles.

00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.800
 And we can come to see

00:32:03.800 --> 00:32:05.380
 the manifold wisdom of God

00:32:05.380 --> 00:32:06.800
 the amazing wisdom of God

00:32:06.800 --> 00:32:07.360
 from sort of

00:32:07.360 --> 00:32:08.120
 from different angles.

00:32:08.140 --> 00:32:09.860
 And part of how we see that

00:32:09.860 --> 00:32:11.000
 is actually

00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:11.980
 through the different kinds

00:32:11.980 --> 00:32:13.040
 of people God brings

00:32:13.040 --> 00:32:13.800
 into the church.

00:32:15.400 --> 00:32:15.700
 You know,

00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:17.200
 if I just had only

00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:18.640
 my experience to go on

00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:20.000
 you know,

00:32:20.060 --> 00:32:21.280
 based on where I grew up

00:32:21.280 --> 00:32:22.520
 and how I first got

00:32:22.520 --> 00:32:23.180
 to know Christ

00:32:23.180 --> 00:32:24.380
 and you know,

00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:25.340
 how I naturally

00:32:25.340 --> 00:32:26.180
 understand the Bible

00:32:26.180 --> 00:32:27.860
 that's fine

00:32:27.860 --> 00:32:28.860
 but that's just one person.

00:32:29.080 --> 00:32:30.640
 But the more you

00:32:30.640 --> 00:32:32.240
 get to know other people

00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:33.440
 who come from

00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:34.200
 different backgrounds

00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:35.500
 and yet come to experience

00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:36.560
 the same Lord Jesus

00:32:36.559 --> 00:32:38.559
 it's sort of like

00:32:38.559 --> 00:32:39.940
 you can look at this diamond

00:32:39.940 --> 00:32:41.019
 from all different perspectives

00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:41.480
 and you realize

00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:42.079
 we're all coming

00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:42.819
 from different places

00:32:42.819 --> 00:32:43.419
 but we're coming

00:32:43.419 --> 00:32:45.200
 to the same treasure.

00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.039
 We're coming

00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:46.919
 to the same Savior.

00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:48.879
 And you can see

00:32:48.879 --> 00:32:49.859
 even more of his beauty

00:32:49.859 --> 00:32:51.720
 as we get to know

00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:52.119
 each other

00:32:52.119 --> 00:32:52.599
 and see

00:32:52.599 --> 00:32:54.179
 and listen to each other

00:32:54.179 --> 00:32:54.759
 talk about

00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.659
 the unsearchable riches

00:32:55.659 --> 00:32:56.220
 of Christ.

00:32:58.279 --> 00:32:59.419
 So get to know somebody

00:32:59.419 --> 00:33:00.839
 who's not like you

00:33:00.839 --> 00:33:02.960
 but who belongs to Christ

00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:04.819
 and who's looking to Christ.

00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:06.680
 I encourage you to do that

00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:07.420
 and learn to be

00:33:07.420 --> 00:33:08.500
 who you are in Christ

00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:09.680
 not be who somebody else

00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:10.380
 is in Christ.

00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:11.720
 Sometimes that takes

00:33:11.720 --> 00:33:12.259
 a little while.

00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:13.640
 You feel like

00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:14.579
 I have to be like them.

00:33:15.180 --> 00:33:16.079
 No, you have to be

00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:17.079
 who you are in Christ.

00:33:17.860 --> 00:33:19.240
 Not just who you naturally are

00:33:19.240 --> 00:33:20.700
 in your sinful nature

00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:23.360
 but not necessarily

00:33:23.360 --> 00:33:24.000
 like somebody else.

00:33:24.100 --> 00:33:24.799
 God's going to make you

00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:26.940
 He's going to make you

00:33:26.940 --> 00:33:27.980
 who He's going to make you.

00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:29.900
 And He's going to make you

00:33:29.900 --> 00:33:30.980
 part of the big picture.

00:33:31.380 --> 00:33:31.480
 Right?

00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:32.160
 Part of His family.

00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:35.600
 So humility and confidence

00:33:35.600 --> 00:33:38.279
 revealed but unsearchable

00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:39.360
 and third

00:33:39.360 --> 00:33:40.519
 suffering and victorious.

00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:42.240
 These are all paradoxes really.

00:33:42.820 --> 00:33:43.620
 Things that we don't think

00:33:43.620 --> 00:33:44.519
 go together naturally

00:33:44.519 --> 00:33:46.440
 but in Christ they do.

00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:47.860
 This is the last thing

00:33:47.860 --> 00:33:48.540
 verse 13

00:33:48.540 --> 00:33:50.519
 and this is where we start

00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:51.580
 and where we'll end.

00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:52.759
 So Paul says

00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:53.480
 so I ask you

00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:54.340
 not to lose heart

00:33:54.340 --> 00:33:55.500
 over what I am suffering

00:33:55.500 --> 00:33:56.000
 for you

00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:57.300
 which is your glory.

00:33:58.200 --> 00:33:58.420
 Now

00:33:58.420 --> 00:34:00.820
 suffering and glory.

00:34:02.160 --> 00:34:03.480
 We don't usually think

00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:04.040
 they go together.

00:34:06.100 --> 00:34:07.680
 And the Ephesian Christians

00:34:07.680 --> 00:34:08.480
 probably thought

00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:11.039
 Paul our leader

00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:12.680
 is thrown in prison

00:34:12.680 --> 00:34:14.180
 and we don't know

00:34:14.180 --> 00:34:15.200
 when he's ever getting out.

00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:18.559
 That's not good.

00:34:20.159 --> 00:34:20.980
 And maybe we

00:34:20.980 --> 00:34:22.840
 I don't know.

00:34:23.579 --> 00:34:24.039
 I mean

00:34:24.039 --> 00:34:25.500
 is this message really true?

00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:28.599
 Should we really hold on to it?

00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:30.059
 Should we really try

00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:30.739
 to live that way?

00:34:31.759 --> 00:34:33.119
 Or should we just do something

00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:33.860
 that's a little more

00:34:33.860 --> 00:34:36.339
 take an easier road?

00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:38.500
 Do something that

00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:40.279
 maybe is a little more acceptable.

00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:41.539
 A little more

00:34:41.539 --> 00:34:44.900
 according to the social norms.

00:34:46.679 --> 00:34:47.119
 But Paul says

00:34:47.119 --> 00:34:48.019
 no don't lose heart

00:34:48.019 --> 00:34:49.339
 over what I'm suffering for you.

00:34:49.599 --> 00:34:49.940
 Paul says

00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:51.039
 in the Christian life

00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:52.079
 suffering and glory

00:34:52.079 --> 00:34:53.099
 go together.

00:34:54.779 --> 00:34:55.119
 You know

00:34:55.119 --> 00:34:56.139
 and there's lots of Bible verses

00:34:56.139 --> 00:34:57.039
 that talk about this.

00:34:57.039 --> 00:34:58.059
 There's some that talk about

00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:59.239
 through suffering we're refined.

00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:00.920
 It's like a fire

00:35:00.920 --> 00:35:03.019
 that refines metal.

00:35:04.579 --> 00:35:04.779
 And it's

00:35:04.779 --> 00:35:05.320
 I mean

00:35:05.320 --> 00:35:06.619
 being in a fire is painful.

00:35:07.699 --> 00:35:08.179
 And if

00:35:08.179 --> 00:35:09.059
 you

00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:10.039
 have ever seen

00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:11.039
 a blacksmith

00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:12.119
 work on metal in the fire

00:35:12.119 --> 00:35:13.039
 they bang on it.

00:35:14.539 --> 00:35:14.940
 Right?

00:35:15.239 --> 00:35:15.900
 Sometimes that's what

00:35:15.900 --> 00:35:16.699
 suffering feels like.

00:35:16.759 --> 00:35:17.480
 You're put in a fire

00:35:17.480 --> 00:35:18.460
 and then you get banged on.

00:35:20.480 --> 00:35:21.059
 Paul says

00:35:21.059 --> 00:35:21.800
 that's how God

00:35:21.800 --> 00:35:22.820
 is preparing you

00:35:22.820 --> 00:35:23.579
 and making you

00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:24.300
 into something

00:35:24.300 --> 00:35:26.119
 amazingly glorious.

00:35:26.119 --> 00:35:29.839
 You know

00:35:29.839 --> 00:35:30.839
 even in this passage

00:35:30.839 --> 00:35:33.539
 you know

00:35:33.539 --> 00:35:34.440
 Paul reminds them

00:35:34.440 --> 00:35:35.380
 of what God is doing.

00:35:36.420 --> 00:35:37.079
 Paul's saying

00:35:37.079 --> 00:35:37.779
 in verse 10

00:35:37.779 --> 00:35:39.139
 the manifold wisdom of God

00:35:39.139 --> 00:35:40.359
 God is now

00:35:40.359 --> 00:35:41.059
 making it known

00:35:41.059 --> 00:35:41.579
 to the rulers

00:35:41.579 --> 00:35:42.159
 and authorities

00:35:42.159 --> 00:35:43.299
 in the heavenly places.

00:35:44.960 --> 00:35:45.259
 I mean

00:35:45.259 --> 00:35:45.859
 that's basically

00:35:45.859 --> 00:35:48.139
 it's basically saying

00:35:48.139 --> 00:35:49.440
 God is sort of

00:35:49.440 --> 00:35:50.739
 saying

00:35:50.739 --> 00:35:51.880
 look at what I'm doing.

00:35:53.000 --> 00:35:53.440
 He's saying

00:35:53.440 --> 00:35:53.799
 Satan

00:35:53.800 --> 00:35:55.240
 you see

00:35:55.240 --> 00:35:56.700
 you're not in charge.

00:35:57.820 --> 00:35:58.560
 Because look at

00:35:58.560 --> 00:35:58.980
 what I'm doing

00:35:58.980 --> 00:35:59.820
 I'm taking people

00:35:59.820 --> 00:36:00.480
 out of darkness

00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:01.140
 and bringing them

00:36:01.140 --> 00:36:01.720
 into the light.

00:36:03.120 --> 00:36:04.320
 I'm forgiving people's

00:36:04.320 --> 00:36:04.720
 sins through

00:36:04.720 --> 00:36:06.039
 the death of my son

00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:06.940
 Jesus on the cross.

00:36:08.420 --> 00:36:09.600
 God's making it known

00:36:09.600 --> 00:36:09.980
 it says

00:36:09.980 --> 00:36:10.680
 the wisdom of God

00:36:10.680 --> 00:36:11.260
 is being made known

00:36:11.260 --> 00:36:11.760
 to the rulers

00:36:11.760 --> 00:36:12.340
 and authorities

00:36:12.340 --> 00:36:13.240
 in the heavenly places

00:36:13.240 --> 00:36:14.360
 and most of the time

00:36:14.360 --> 00:36:15.060
 when Paul talks about

00:36:15.060 --> 00:36:15.800
 rulers and authorities

00:36:15.800 --> 00:36:16.519
 in the heavenly places

00:36:16.519 --> 00:36:17.519
 it's not the good ones

00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:18.840
 it's the evil ones.

00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:21.200
 And so Paul's saying

00:36:21.200 --> 00:36:22.160
 God is displaying

00:36:22.159 --> 00:36:23.119
 that he

00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:24.219
 that Jesus Christ

00:36:24.219 --> 00:36:24.799
 is going to win

00:36:24.799 --> 00:36:25.599
 the final victory

00:36:25.599 --> 00:36:26.679
 even by

00:36:26.679 --> 00:36:28.460
 the work that he's doing

00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:29.159
 in our lives.

00:36:30.099 --> 00:36:30.480
 I mean

00:36:30.480 --> 00:36:31.219
 that's pretty amazing.

00:36:31.639 --> 00:36:32.379
 Think about that.

00:36:33.859 --> 00:36:34.739
 It's a little bit

00:36:34.739 --> 00:36:35.559
 like what God did

00:36:35.559 --> 00:36:36.519
 with Job

00:36:36.519 --> 00:36:38.039
 back in the Old Testament.

00:36:39.139 --> 00:36:39.879
 When God said to Satan

00:36:39.879 --> 00:36:40.460
 have you considered

00:36:40.460 --> 00:36:41.179
 my servant Job?

00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:44.359
 And Satan's like

00:36:44.359 --> 00:36:44.879
 yeah yeah yeah

00:36:44.879 --> 00:36:45.819
 he just

00:36:45.819 --> 00:36:46.980
 he just likes you

00:36:46.980 --> 00:36:47.519
 because of the stuff

00:36:47.519 --> 00:36:48.000
 you give him.

00:36:48.440 --> 00:36:48.859
 Take away

00:36:48.859 --> 00:36:49.920
 his blessings

00:36:49.920 --> 00:36:51.139
 and he'll curse you

00:36:51.139 --> 00:36:51.519
 and die.

00:36:51.960 --> 00:36:52.539
 But he didn't.

00:36:55.839 --> 00:36:56.019
 You know

00:36:56.019 --> 00:36:57.039
 so it's a little bit

00:36:57.039 --> 00:36:57.480
 like that

00:36:57.480 --> 00:36:57.739
 and

00:36:57.739 --> 00:37:02.460
 and verse 12

00:37:02.460 --> 00:37:03.079
 Paul says

00:37:03.079 --> 00:37:03.819
 we have boldness

00:37:03.819 --> 00:37:04.339
 and access

00:37:04.339 --> 00:37:04.960
 with confidence.

00:37:05.460 --> 00:37:05.539
 Right?

00:37:05.579 --> 00:37:06.400
 We can come boldly

00:37:06.400 --> 00:37:06.819
 before God

00:37:06.819 --> 00:37:07.379
 in prayer.

00:37:08.699 --> 00:37:09.219
 And then that's

00:37:09.219 --> 00:37:09.900
 what he's going to do

00:37:09.900 --> 00:37:10.920
 at the end of chapter 3.

00:37:12.500 --> 00:37:12.960
 You know

00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:13.400
 Paul's saying

00:37:13.400 --> 00:37:14.019
 look yes

00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:15.099
 I'm suffering in prison

00:37:15.099 --> 00:37:15.940
 but think about

00:37:15.940 --> 00:37:16.799
 what God is doing.

00:37:17.239 --> 00:37:17.579
 Think about

00:37:17.579 --> 00:37:18.500
 how we can come boldly

00:37:18.500 --> 00:37:19.239
 before him in prayer

00:37:19.239 --> 00:37:20.299
 and bring our request

00:37:20.299 --> 00:37:21.099
 before him in prayer

00:37:21.099 --> 00:37:22.059
 and pray for one another

00:37:22.059 --> 00:37:22.599
 and at the end

00:37:22.599 --> 00:37:23.000
 Paul says

00:37:23.000 --> 00:37:23.659
 pray for me.

00:37:24.679 --> 00:37:25.539
 Put on the full armor

00:37:25.539 --> 00:37:25.979
 of God

00:37:25.979 --> 00:37:27.000
 and pray for me too.

00:37:30.379 --> 00:37:31.059
 And then he's

00:37:31.059 --> 00:37:31.599
 verse 13

00:37:31.599 --> 00:37:31.899
 he says

00:37:31.899 --> 00:37:32.479
 my suffering

00:37:32.479 --> 00:37:33.500
 is for your glory.

00:37:35.239 --> 00:37:35.679
 You know

00:37:35.679 --> 00:37:36.259
 sometimes

00:37:36.259 --> 00:37:37.399
 I have to say

00:37:37.399 --> 00:37:38.419
 I think sometimes

00:37:38.419 --> 00:37:40.579
 watching somebody else

00:37:40.579 --> 00:37:41.259
 suffer

00:37:41.259 --> 00:37:42.679
 whom you love

00:37:42.679 --> 00:37:44.799
 and not being able

00:37:44.799 --> 00:37:46.339
 to relieve their suffering

00:37:46.340 --> 00:37:48.360
 can sometimes be

00:37:48.360 --> 00:37:50.920
 I would almost say

00:37:50.920 --> 00:37:51.960
 even more difficult

00:37:51.960 --> 00:37:53.600
 than being the person

00:37:53.600 --> 00:37:54.140
 who's suffering.

00:37:57.260 --> 00:37:58.019
 And that's sort of

00:37:58.019 --> 00:37:58.780
 what Paul's saying here.

00:37:58.860 --> 00:37:59.280
 He's saying

00:37:59.280 --> 00:38:00.840
 don't be disheartened.

00:38:00.980 --> 00:38:01.820
 I'm suffering

00:38:01.820 --> 00:38:03.800
 but don't lose heart

00:38:03.800 --> 00:38:04.740
 over what I'm suffering.

00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:06.480
 I'm going to make it

00:38:06.480 --> 00:38:07.019
 because Christ

00:38:07.019 --> 00:38:07.640
 is going to bring me

00:38:07.640 --> 00:38:08.079
 through this

00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:09.320
 and you can make it too.

00:38:10.539 --> 00:38:11.280
 And in fact

00:38:11.280 --> 00:38:12.280
 all that I'm doing

00:38:12.280 --> 00:38:14.200
 is for your benefit

00:38:14.200 --> 00:38:14.900
 and for your

00:38:14.900 --> 00:38:16.099
 eternal glory

00:38:16.099 --> 00:38:16.619
 that you would

00:38:16.619 --> 00:38:18.660
 that we all

00:38:18.660 --> 00:38:20.019
 would come to the

00:38:20.019 --> 00:38:22.300
 great banquet of God

00:38:22.300 --> 00:38:23.320
 in the new heavens

00:38:23.320 --> 00:38:23.820
 and the new earth

00:38:23.820 --> 00:38:24.440
 that we'd be part

00:38:24.440 --> 00:38:25.300
 of his kingdom forever.

00:38:27.720 --> 00:38:28.539
 That God is

00:38:28.539 --> 00:38:30.599
 using Paul's suffering

00:38:30.599 --> 00:38:31.680
 even his imprisonment

00:38:31.680 --> 00:38:33.300
 and his faithful testimony

00:38:33.300 --> 00:38:33.980
 for the gospel

00:38:33.980 --> 00:38:34.840
 to encourage

00:38:34.840 --> 00:38:37.019
 the believers in Ephesus

00:38:37.019 --> 00:38:39.300
 and all kinds of places.

00:38:39.860 --> 00:38:40.059
 I mean

00:38:40.059 --> 00:38:40.800
 how many places

00:38:40.800 --> 00:38:41.420
 throughout the world

00:38:41.420 --> 00:38:42.139
 have Paul's letters

00:38:42.139 --> 00:38:42.559
 been written

00:38:42.559 --> 00:38:43.180
 and Christians

00:38:43.180 --> 00:38:43.800
 have been encouraged?

00:38:43.800 --> 00:38:44.519
 I mean

00:38:44.519 --> 00:38:45.500
 Paul even didn't realize

00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:46.680
 how God would use

00:38:46.680 --> 00:38:47.920
 his experience in prison

00:38:47.920 --> 00:38:48.920
 to experience

00:38:48.920 --> 00:38:49.800
 so many other people

00:38:49.800 --> 00:38:50.320
 who've gone through

00:38:50.320 --> 00:38:51.080
 so much hardship

00:38:51.080 --> 00:38:52.500
 right

00:38:52.500 --> 00:38:54.400
 to minister to people

00:38:54.400 --> 00:38:55.060
 in all kinds

00:38:55.060 --> 00:38:56.560
 of different situations

00:38:56.560 --> 00:38:57.060
 where they were

00:38:57.060 --> 00:38:58.039
 tempted to lose heart

00:38:58.039 --> 00:38:59.220
 and God's used

00:38:59.220 --> 00:38:59.880
 Paul's words

00:38:59.880 --> 00:39:00.640
 over the years

00:39:00.640 --> 00:39:01.600
 to encourage

00:39:01.600 --> 00:39:02.980
 so many Christian believers.

00:39:03.820 --> 00:39:03.920
 You know

00:39:03.920 --> 00:39:04.980
 Paul couldn't even see that.

00:39:06.340 --> 00:39:07.120
 But that's the thing

00:39:07.120 --> 00:39:08.500
 suffering

00:39:08.500 --> 00:39:09.980
 and victorious

00:39:09.980 --> 00:39:10.800
 suffering

00:39:10.800 --> 00:39:11.360
 and glory

00:39:11.360 --> 00:39:12.220
 they go together

00:39:12.219 --> 00:39:13.500
 and so be encouraged

00:39:13.500 --> 00:39:14.279
 if you're suffering

00:39:14.279 --> 00:39:14.959
 if you're under

00:39:14.959 --> 00:39:16.199
 if you're under

00:39:16.199 --> 00:39:16.980
 the weight

00:39:16.980 --> 00:39:17.639
 of an affliction

00:39:17.639 --> 00:39:19.719
 and you're looking

00:39:19.719 --> 00:39:20.299
 to Christ

00:39:20.299 --> 00:39:22.039
 God's going to use

00:39:22.039 --> 00:39:22.539
 this suffering

00:39:22.539 --> 00:39:23.839
 for your glory

00:39:23.839 --> 00:39:24.619
 and even

00:39:24.619 --> 00:39:25.259
 for the benefit

00:39:25.259 --> 00:39:25.759
 of others

00:39:25.759 --> 00:39:27.059
 and just look

00:39:27.059 --> 00:39:27.519
 for the ways

00:39:27.519 --> 00:39:28.219
 that he's doing that.

00:39:28.319 --> 00:39:29.000
 You may not be able

00:39:29.000 --> 00:39:29.519
 to see that now

00:39:29.519 --> 00:39:30.119
 you may not be able

00:39:30.119 --> 00:39:30.459
 to see that

00:39:30.459 --> 00:39:31.199
 until years later

00:39:31.199 --> 00:39:32.739
 you may not be able

00:39:32.739 --> 00:39:33.019
 to see that

00:39:33.019 --> 00:39:33.719
 until you get to heaven

00:39:33.719 --> 00:39:38.019
 but this is what Paul says

00:39:38.019 --> 00:39:39.199
 don't lose heart

00:39:39.199 --> 00:39:41.079
 don't lose heart

00:39:41.079 --> 00:39:41.779
 over your own suffering

00:39:41.779 --> 00:39:42.419
 and don't lose heart

00:39:42.419 --> 00:39:43.539
 over the suffering

00:39:43.539 --> 00:39:44.419
 of other believers

00:39:44.419 --> 00:39:46.519
 and the things

00:39:46.519 --> 00:39:48.279
 that they might be going through

00:39:48.279 --> 00:39:49.179
 pray for them

00:39:49.179 --> 00:39:49.980
 come alongside them

00:39:49.980 --> 00:39:50.519
 do what you can

00:39:50.519 --> 00:39:51.279
 to relieve them

00:39:51.279 --> 00:39:52.480
 but some things

00:39:52.480 --> 00:39:53.359
 are beyond our control

00:39:53.359 --> 00:39:53.619
 right?

00:39:53.699 --> 00:39:54.099
 The Ephesians

00:39:54.099 --> 00:39:54.719
 couldn't get Paul

00:39:54.719 --> 00:39:55.179
 out of prison

00:39:55.179 --> 00:39:56.559
 there's nothing

00:39:56.559 --> 00:39:57.539
 they could have done

00:39:57.539 --> 00:39:58.299
 back then for him

00:39:58.299 --> 00:40:00.139
 except pray for him

00:40:00.139 --> 00:40:01.759
 and entrust him

00:40:01.759 --> 00:40:02.199
 to the Lord

00:40:02.199 --> 00:40:03.839
 and Paul says

00:40:03.839 --> 00:40:04.319
 don't worry

00:40:04.320 --> 00:40:07.800
 it's going to be

00:40:07.800 --> 00:40:09.940
 for your glory

00:40:09.940 --> 00:40:10.400
 and the glory

00:40:10.400 --> 00:40:11.120
 of God in the end

00:40:11.120 --> 00:40:13.440
 let's pray

00:40:13.440 --> 00:40:17.160
 Lord we thank you

00:40:17.160 --> 00:40:18.320
 for the message

00:40:18.320 --> 00:40:18.880
 of the gospel

00:40:18.880 --> 00:40:20.280
 that Paul proclaimed

00:40:20.280 --> 00:40:22.519
 Lord we thank you

00:40:22.519 --> 00:40:23.260
 for how it gives us

00:40:23.260 --> 00:40:24.539
 humility and confidence

00:40:24.539 --> 00:40:26.200
 Lord we thank you

00:40:26.200 --> 00:40:27.340
 for how it

00:40:27.340 --> 00:40:31.140
 allows us to see you

00:40:31.140 --> 00:40:31.559
 clearly

00:40:31.559 --> 00:40:32.280
 because you've

00:40:32.280 --> 00:40:32.880
 revealed yourself

00:40:32.880 --> 00:40:33.900
 but also reminds us

00:40:33.900 --> 00:40:34.680
 of how much more

00:40:34.680 --> 00:40:35.260
 there is to know

00:40:35.260 --> 00:40:35.720
 about you

00:40:35.720 --> 00:40:36.820
 and encourages us

00:40:36.820 --> 00:40:38.519
 to keep going deeper

00:40:38.519 --> 00:40:40.519
 and Lord we thank you

00:40:40.519 --> 00:40:41.840
 for how it teaches us

00:40:41.840 --> 00:40:44.440
 that suffering

00:40:44.440 --> 00:40:45.180
 and glory

00:40:45.180 --> 00:40:45.820
 can go together

00:40:45.820 --> 00:40:46.460
 and we thank you

00:40:46.460 --> 00:40:47.880
 ultimately for Jesus Christ

00:40:47.880 --> 00:40:49.400
 who laid down his life

00:40:49.400 --> 00:40:49.920
 on the cross

00:40:49.920 --> 00:40:50.720
 and that was the way

00:40:50.720 --> 00:40:51.760
 to glory

00:40:51.760 --> 00:40:53.180
 for him

00:40:53.180 --> 00:40:53.860
 and for us

00:40:53.860 --> 00:40:55.019
 so we thank you

00:40:55.019 --> 00:40:55.800
 especially for him

00:40:55.800 --> 00:40:58.500
 and for his death

00:40:58.500 --> 00:40:59.019
 on the cross

00:40:59.019 --> 00:40:59.680
 Lord we just pray

00:40:59.680 --> 00:41:00.220
 that that would be

00:41:00.220 --> 00:41:00.780
 the foundation

00:41:00.780 --> 00:41:02.539
 and that you would

00:41:02.539 --> 00:41:03.280
 give us encouragement

00:41:03.280 --> 00:41:04.440
 give us encouragement

00:41:04.440 --> 00:41:04.980
 this week

00:41:04.980 --> 00:41:06.620
 Lord from this passage

00:41:06.620 --> 00:41:08.019
 to do what you've

00:41:08.019 --> 00:41:08.660
 called us to do

00:41:08.660 --> 00:41:10.460
 and to keep looking to you

00:41:10.460 --> 00:41:11.500
 in Jesus name we pray

00:41:11.500 --> 00:41:12.120
 amen