WEBVTT

00:00:00.380 --> 00:00:02.980
 Sorry, I forgot my Bible at home, of all things.

00:00:03.100 --> 00:00:04.780
 As a pastor, you're not supposed to forget your Bible,

00:00:04.900 --> 00:00:06.679
 so I'm going to be reading out of the bulletin

00:00:06.679 --> 00:00:07.700
 our scripture today.

00:00:08.980 --> 00:00:12.439
 But I do want to extend a thank you to Matthew

00:00:12.439 --> 00:00:14.179
 and the elders of this church for having me.

00:00:14.620 --> 00:00:17.140
 It is an honor to be here this morning and to be with you.

00:00:17.339 --> 00:00:23.359
 And as Matthew said, you know, I grew up, in a sense,

00:00:23.440 --> 00:00:25.839
 in this church for several years during junior high.

00:00:26.219 --> 00:00:28.060
 And it was in this church that I attended

00:00:28.059 --> 00:00:31.259
 my first communicants class, that I became a church member,

00:00:31.419 --> 00:00:33.140
 that I took my first communion.

00:00:33.799 --> 00:00:36.439
 And so it's great to be back with you guys this morning,

00:00:36.799 --> 00:00:39.339
 worshiping 20-plus years later.

00:00:39.879 --> 00:00:41.640
 It is a wonderful thing.

00:00:42.739 --> 00:00:46.579
 Before we dig into this psalm, let me pray for our time.

00:00:48.140 --> 00:00:51.519
 Heavenly Father, we do thank you and praise you

00:00:51.519 --> 00:00:55.200
 that you are the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

00:00:55.200 --> 00:00:58.800
 Father, we thank you that your word stands.

00:00:59.220 --> 00:01:03.500
 Even as we fail and fade away, your word stands forever.

00:01:03.960 --> 00:01:07.100
 And in it we find hope, that we have life in you,

00:01:07.480 --> 00:01:09.180
 that we have resurrection in your Son,

00:01:09.340 --> 00:01:10.560
 and we have hope eternally.

00:01:11.140 --> 00:01:13.140
 Lord, I pray that you would open our hearts and minds

00:01:13.140 --> 00:01:15.920
 this morning to be able to see you clearly again,

00:01:16.359 --> 00:01:18.600
 to be able to worship you in the splendor of your truth.

00:01:19.060 --> 00:01:19.740
 In your name we pray.

00:01:20.280 --> 00:01:20.560
 Amen.

00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:25.000
 Our psalm this morning is Psalm 87,

00:01:25.640 --> 00:01:28.579
 and I will be reading it to us from the ESV.

00:01:50.560 --> 00:01:52.519
 This one was born there, they say.

00:01:53.019 --> 00:01:54.980
 And of Zion it shall be said,

00:01:55.540 --> 00:01:57.420
 This one and that one were born in her,

00:01:57.960 --> 00:02:00.820
 for the Most High himself will establish her.

00:02:01.420 --> 00:02:03.859
 The Lord records as he registers the peoples.

00:02:04.579 --> 00:02:05.700
 This one is born there.

00:02:06.840 --> 00:02:09.219
 Singers and dancers alike say,

00:02:09.340 --> 00:02:11.860
 All my springs are in you.

00:02:11.860 --> 00:02:17.500
 Well, I love the fact that you are spending your summer in the psalms.

00:02:18.080 --> 00:02:21.900
 The psalms have always been, to me, so rich and so deep.

00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:26.760
 They meet our souls in the joys and the turmoils of life.

00:02:27.480 --> 00:02:28.320
 They feed us.

00:02:28.820 --> 00:02:30.200
 They teach us how to praise,

00:02:30.660 --> 00:02:32.660
 how to voice protest and complaint,

00:02:33.200 --> 00:02:34.640
 how to plead and yearn,

00:02:34.700 --> 00:02:36.460
 how to trust, give thanks,

00:02:36.940 --> 00:02:39.600
 have hope, weep, and mourn.

00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:41.140
 And the list goes on.

00:02:41.939 --> 00:02:45.959
 The psalms wrestle through the spectrum of the human experience,

00:02:46.479 --> 00:02:50.599
 focusing our hearts upon the God who upholds and governs all things

00:02:50.599 --> 00:02:52.579
 and who loves his people.

00:02:53.839 --> 00:02:56.959
 Our psalm this morning is a beautiful psalm about the church.

00:02:57.679 --> 00:03:01.919
 Psalm 87 reminds us of the reality of the kingdom of God.

00:03:03.019 --> 00:03:05.639
 Too often, we forget who we are.

00:03:06.199 --> 00:03:08.739
 We forget that we are citizens of the kingdom of heaven.

00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:11.039
 We are a forgetful people.

00:03:11.599 --> 00:03:13.839
 I am a forgetful person.

00:03:14.899 --> 00:03:19.059
 I constantly fail to recall the truth that I am a child of God,

00:03:19.519 --> 00:03:21.779
 freed from condemnation, declared righteous.

00:03:22.439 --> 00:03:23.839
 I am being made holy.

00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:29.060
 I own an inheritance greater than anything I can dream or imagine.

00:03:29.180 --> 00:03:34.039
 Too often, we all forget that we are the sons and daughters of the king.

00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:37.800
 And we need to hear this message over and over again.

00:03:37.800 --> 00:03:42.100
 We do not have to fear in this life or in the life to come.

00:03:42.620 --> 00:03:44.580
 We are a people loved by God.

00:03:45.060 --> 00:03:47.540
 Our identity is rooted in his grace.

00:03:47.539 --> 00:03:51.979
 And when I was thinking about this psalm in the context of the kingdom,

00:03:51.979 --> 00:03:55.759
 I thought of Handel's Messiah and my dad.

00:03:55.759 --> 00:03:59.399
 You see, after our time here while I was in junior high,

00:03:59.519 --> 00:04:00.899
 my family moved to Village 7.

00:04:00.900 --> 00:04:04.960
 And I soon found out that every Easter Sunday morning,

00:04:05.080 --> 00:04:05.960
 at the end of the service,

00:04:06.099 --> 00:04:08.680
 they would invite the congregation up, whoever wanted to sing,

00:04:09.080 --> 00:04:13.680
 to join the choir and Handel's Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah.

00:04:13.680 --> 00:04:16.720
 And every Easter Sunday, without fail,

00:04:17.180 --> 00:04:19.360
 my dad would enthusiastically jump to his feet

00:04:19.360 --> 00:04:22.680
 and run to the front to be a part of that great chorus.

00:04:23.579 --> 00:04:26.540
 And as a teenager growing up,

00:04:27.379 --> 00:04:30.280
 you know, I think every teenager has the same experience with their parents

00:04:30.280 --> 00:04:33.139
 of just being embarrassed that they belong to their parents.

00:04:33.300 --> 00:04:35.139
 So every year, I put my hand on my face and said,

00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:36.280
 oh no, there goes dad again.

00:04:36.660 --> 00:04:40.500
 Singing off key to Hallelujah Chorus in front of everybody.

00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:44.459
 But the reason I thought of my dad in the context of this chorus,

00:04:45.040 --> 00:04:46.240
 or in this psalm,

00:04:46.600 --> 00:04:49.019
 is that as he was singing the chorus and belting it out,

00:04:49.079 --> 00:04:52.399
 often with the wrong words or in the wrong tune,

00:04:53.060 --> 00:04:53.959
 he would sing out,

00:04:54.139 --> 00:04:58.439
 the kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord

00:04:58.439 --> 00:05:02.060
 and of his Christ and he shall reign forever and ever.

00:05:02.899 --> 00:05:04.560
 And that line has always stood out to me.

00:05:05.259 --> 00:05:10.079
 The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord.

00:05:11.279 --> 00:05:12.800
 You see, at the heart of the gospel message,

00:05:13.279 --> 00:05:13.939
 there is a kingdom.

00:05:14.740 --> 00:05:20.259
 A king and his people united in joy, purpose, life, and love.

00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:23.920
 The Bible opens with God creating everything,

00:05:24.279 --> 00:05:26.060
 calling into existence all things,

00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:29.319
 ordering, separating, bringing purpose and life.

00:05:29.959 --> 00:05:30.800
 And on the sixth day,

00:05:30.899 --> 00:05:34.779
 he created humanity as the crowning jewel of his creation.

00:05:34.779 --> 00:05:37.239
 He created human beings,

00:05:37.339 --> 00:05:37.919
 you and me,

00:05:38.419 --> 00:05:39.579
 made in his image,

00:05:39.699 --> 00:05:41.539
 who were to have deep relationship with himself,

00:05:42.099 --> 00:05:44.000
 who were to rule his created order.

00:05:45.119 --> 00:05:48.159
 Adam and Eve were created as king and queen,

00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:51.539
 created to rule as vice regents of the universe,

00:05:51.839 --> 00:05:53.459
 image bearers of the eternal God,

00:05:53.899 --> 00:05:56.579
 who were to expand the order and purpose of his kingdom

00:05:56.579 --> 00:05:59.000
 into all the earth and beyond.

00:05:59.000 --> 00:06:01.100
 As we know,

00:06:01.220 --> 00:06:01.759
 tragically,

00:06:02.439 --> 00:06:05.060
 Adam and Eve ushered a fallen kingdom of this world

00:06:05.060 --> 00:06:07.279
 when they entered into sin.

00:06:08.199 --> 00:06:09.860
 And before they ate of the forbidden tree,

00:06:10.500 --> 00:06:13.579
 the kingdom of God was united to this world perfectly.

00:06:14.300 --> 00:06:15.759
 There was communion and fellowship,

00:06:16.319 --> 00:06:18.860
 beautiful relationship between God and man,

00:06:18.980 --> 00:06:20.920
 between man and the created order.

00:06:21.720 --> 00:06:23.399
 Humanity walked with their Lord,

00:06:23.399 --> 00:06:25.179
 unashamed with all dignity,

00:06:25.819 --> 00:06:26.079
 wisdom,

00:06:26.479 --> 00:06:26.859
 happiness,

00:06:27.560 --> 00:06:28.219
 and peace.

00:06:29.539 --> 00:06:30.759
 When Adam and Eve sinned,

00:06:31.039 --> 00:06:32.500
 they tore apart that relationship.

00:06:33.479 --> 00:06:34.979
 Evil, disease, and death

00:06:34.979 --> 00:06:36.719
 spread to everything we see around us

00:06:36.719 --> 00:06:38.099
 and everyone we know.

00:06:39.060 --> 00:06:41.659
 The world was plunged into the kingdom of brokenness,

00:06:42.159 --> 00:06:42.739
 futility,

00:06:43.379 --> 00:06:44.039
 and death.

00:06:46.219 --> 00:06:47.079
 But yet,

00:06:47.079 --> 00:06:49.779
 even at that moment of our parents' first sin,

00:06:49.919 --> 00:06:51.099
 we see the grace

00:06:51.099 --> 00:06:52.659
 and the plan of God.

00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:54.260
 In Genesis 3,

00:06:54.340 --> 00:06:56.700
 Adam and Eve were given a covering for their guilt

00:06:56.700 --> 00:06:57.820
 and their shame.

00:06:58.460 --> 00:06:59.680
 They were also given a promise.

00:07:00.580 --> 00:07:02.400
 It is a promise in seed form

00:07:02.400 --> 00:07:04.600
 that one day God would provide

00:07:04.600 --> 00:07:05.840
 from the seed of the woman

00:07:05.840 --> 00:07:07.600
 a Messiah to crush

00:07:07.600 --> 00:07:10.340
 and destroy the works of sin and Satan.

00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:12.520
 That one day there would be once again

00:07:12.520 --> 00:07:13.660
 perfect communion,

00:07:13.940 --> 00:07:14.300
 fellowship,

00:07:14.820 --> 00:07:17.600
 and relationship between God and man.

00:07:18.800 --> 00:07:20.340
 What man had broken,

00:07:20.540 --> 00:07:21.580
 God would remake

00:07:21.579 --> 00:07:22.680
 a restoration

00:07:22.680 --> 00:07:23.919
 of the kingdom.

00:07:24.839 --> 00:07:26.439
 And we see throughout the Old Testament

00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:27.399
 the seed

00:07:27.399 --> 00:07:28.240
 takes root.

00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:29.899
 We see the family of Israel

00:07:29.899 --> 00:07:30.839
 chosen to proclaim

00:07:30.839 --> 00:07:32.039
 the promises of God.

00:07:32.539 --> 00:07:33.459
 We see King David

00:07:33.459 --> 00:07:34.180
 given the promise

00:07:34.180 --> 00:07:34.879
 that one day

00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:35.719
 one of his sons

00:07:35.719 --> 00:07:36.360
 would reign,

00:07:36.479 --> 00:07:37.319
 and not for a lifetime,

00:07:37.979 --> 00:07:38.919
 but for an eternity.

00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:40.759
 We see,

00:07:41.079 --> 00:07:42.159
 even in the exile,

00:07:42.740 --> 00:07:43.319
 a remnant

00:07:43.319 --> 00:07:43.939
 that remembers

00:07:43.939 --> 00:07:44.740
 and hopes

00:07:44.740 --> 00:07:45.919
 in the king to come.

00:07:46.819 --> 00:07:47.479
 The gospel

00:07:47.479 --> 00:07:48.919
 is the good news

00:07:48.920 --> 00:07:50.100
 because it's the message

00:07:50.100 --> 00:07:50.640
 that the world

00:07:50.640 --> 00:07:51.379
 has been groaning

00:07:51.379 --> 00:07:52.580
 and longing to hear

00:07:52.580 --> 00:07:53.980
 all of its life.

00:07:55.080 --> 00:07:56.040
 And in Matthew 4,

00:07:56.140 --> 00:07:57.680
 Jesus begins his public ministry

00:07:57.680 --> 00:07:58.620
 with these words,

00:07:59.100 --> 00:07:59.640
 Repent,

00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:01.860
 for the kingdom of heaven

00:08:01.860 --> 00:08:03.280
 is at hand.

00:08:04.140 --> 00:08:05.240
 All the promises,

00:08:05.819 --> 00:08:06.680
 all the longings,

00:08:06.780 --> 00:08:07.920
 all the anticipations

00:08:07.920 --> 00:08:09.980
 found their culmination

00:08:09.980 --> 00:08:10.600
 in the person

00:08:10.600 --> 00:08:11.360
 and work

00:08:11.360 --> 00:08:12.400
 of Christ.

00:08:12.399 --> 00:08:14.079
 What was seed

00:08:14.079 --> 00:08:14.639
 in Genesis,

00:08:15.299 --> 00:08:15.819
 a sapling

00:08:15.819 --> 00:08:16.879
 in the people of Israel,

00:08:17.359 --> 00:08:18.179
 a young tree

00:08:18.179 --> 00:08:19.299
 in the kingdom of David,

00:08:19.500 --> 00:08:20.479
 a stump cut off

00:08:20.479 --> 00:08:21.159
 in the exile,

00:08:21.779 --> 00:08:22.419
 in Christ

00:08:22.419 --> 00:08:23.519
 is the promised shoot

00:08:23.519 --> 00:08:24.259
 that flourishes

00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:25.079
 into the tree

00:08:25.079 --> 00:08:26.639
 of everlasting life.

00:08:27.519 --> 00:08:28.599
 The message of the gospel

00:08:28.599 --> 00:08:29.799
 is one of kingdom.

00:08:30.459 --> 00:08:31.639
 The kingdom of this world

00:08:31.639 --> 00:08:32.699
 has become

00:08:32.699 --> 00:08:33.980
 the kingdom of our God.

00:08:34.659 --> 00:08:35.620
 Christ has joined

00:08:35.620 --> 00:08:36.879
 what was previously separated.

00:08:37.659 --> 00:08:38.740
 He left the glories

00:08:38.740 --> 00:08:40.159
 of his heavenly throne

00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:40.939
 to restore,

00:08:41.579 --> 00:08:41.939
 renew,

00:08:41.940 --> 00:08:42.740
 and bind up

00:08:42.740 --> 00:08:43.660
 the brokenness

00:08:43.660 --> 00:08:44.900
 of this world.

00:08:46.160 --> 00:08:47.120
 This is the good news

00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:47.660
 that we celebrate

00:08:47.660 --> 00:08:48.280
 this morning

00:08:48.280 --> 00:08:49.460
 and every morning

00:08:49.460 --> 00:08:51.260
 that Christ has purchased us

00:08:51.260 --> 00:08:52.080
 by his blood

00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:53.880
 and given us a place

00:08:53.880 --> 00:08:54.960
 and a purpose

00:08:54.960 --> 00:08:55.960
 in that kingdom.

00:08:57.420 --> 00:08:57.920
 Psalm 87

00:08:57.920 --> 00:09:00.320
 is a kingdom psalm.

00:09:00.940 --> 00:09:01.700
 The psalmist here

00:09:01.700 --> 00:09:02.980
 foresees a day

00:09:02.980 --> 00:09:04.340
 when not only Israel

00:09:04.340 --> 00:09:05.660
 but all of the nations

00:09:05.660 --> 00:09:06.340
 of the world

00:09:06.340 --> 00:09:07.900
 will find a home

00:09:07.900 --> 00:09:08.520
 in Zion.

00:09:09.180 --> 00:09:10.360
 A day when the shalom

00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:11.100
 of God,

00:09:11.100 --> 00:09:12.759
 the universal flourishing

00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:13.840
 of all things

00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:14.700
 is realized

00:09:14.700 --> 00:09:15.720
 in time

00:09:15.720 --> 00:09:16.300
 and space

00:09:16.300 --> 00:09:16.820
 history.

00:09:17.820 --> 00:09:18.540
 Through this psalm

00:09:18.540 --> 00:09:19.580
 we see first of all

00:09:19.580 --> 00:09:20.680
 that the kingdom

00:09:20.680 --> 00:09:21.779
 focused church

00:09:21.779 --> 00:09:23.019
 is a people

00:09:23.019 --> 00:09:24.580
 loved by God.

00:09:25.460 --> 00:09:26.440
 Look at verse 1.

00:09:26.440 --> 00:09:28.020
 On the holy mountain

00:09:28.020 --> 00:09:28.760
 stands the city

00:09:28.760 --> 00:09:29.320
 he founded.

00:09:30.120 --> 00:09:31.060
 The Lord loves

00:09:31.060 --> 00:09:31.900
 the gates of Zion

00:09:31.900 --> 00:09:32.540
 more than all

00:09:32.540 --> 00:09:33.360
 the dwelling places

00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:33.900
 of Jacob.

00:09:34.600 --> 00:09:35.420
 Glorious things

00:09:35.420 --> 00:09:36.480
 of you are spoken,

00:09:36.900 --> 00:09:37.840
 O city of God.

00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:40.320
 God has chosen

00:09:40.320 --> 00:09:41.580
 and established Zion.

00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:43.040
 He has chosen

00:09:43.040 --> 00:09:43.760
 and established

00:09:43.760 --> 00:09:44.460
 his church

00:09:44.460 --> 00:09:45.460
 for himself.

00:09:46.160 --> 00:09:46.960
 He has built

00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:47.620
 this city

00:09:47.620 --> 00:09:49.100
 on an unshakable foundation.

00:09:49.920 --> 00:09:50.700
 He is the author

00:09:50.700 --> 00:09:51.960
 who loves his work.

00:09:53.140 --> 00:09:53.980
 This is an interesting

00:09:53.980 --> 00:09:54.300
 statement.

00:09:54.299 --> 00:09:55.339
 It's a strange

00:09:55.339 --> 00:09:55.699
 statement.

00:09:56.359 --> 00:09:57.199
 The Lord loves

00:09:57.199 --> 00:09:58.079
 the gates of Zion

00:09:58.079 --> 00:09:58.759
 more than all

00:09:58.759 --> 00:09:59.639
 the dwelling places

00:09:59.639 --> 00:10:00.240
 of Jacob.

00:10:01.079 --> 00:10:02.019
 Why would God

00:10:02.019 --> 00:10:03.639
 love this place,

00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:05.519
 this physical place

00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:06.319
 more than all

00:10:06.319 --> 00:10:07.179
 the other places

00:10:07.179 --> 00:10:08.240
 where his people dwell?

00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:09.620
 What is so special

00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:10.319
 and unique

00:10:10.319 --> 00:10:12.019
 about the gates

00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:12.519
 of Zion?

00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:14.439
 Yes,

00:10:15.099 --> 00:10:16.279
 Zion was a beautiful city

00:10:16.279 --> 00:10:16.819
 and its gates

00:10:16.819 --> 00:10:17.500
 and architecture

00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:18.279
 were magnificent.

00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:19.939
 But there's something

00:10:19.939 --> 00:10:21.039
 deeper going on here

00:10:21.039 --> 00:10:21.519
 that caused

00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:22.219
 the Lord of glory

00:10:22.220 --> 00:10:23.000
 to love this

00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:24.000
 particular place.

00:10:24.840 --> 00:10:25.600
 In the context

00:10:25.600 --> 00:10:26.379
 of the Old Testament,

00:10:26.560 --> 00:10:27.639
 Zion was the city

00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:28.139
 of David.

00:10:28.680 --> 00:10:29.139
 Jerusalem,

00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:30.340
 where God's presence

00:10:30.340 --> 00:10:31.680
 dwelt in the tabernacle

00:10:31.680 --> 00:10:33.040
 and later the temple.

00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:34.480
 It was the place

00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:35.160
 where his people

00:10:35.160 --> 00:10:35.820
 could know

00:10:35.820 --> 00:10:36.820
 and experience

00:10:36.820 --> 00:10:37.840
 communion

00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:38.960
 and relationship

00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:39.580
 with him.

00:10:40.279 --> 00:10:40.980
 The worship

00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:41.779
 and reconciliation

00:10:41.779 --> 00:10:42.580
 of Israel

00:10:42.580 --> 00:10:43.940
 took place here.

00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:45.580
 It was the touch point

00:10:45.580 --> 00:10:46.399
 between God

00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:47.000
 and man.

00:10:47.920 --> 00:10:48.560
 So you see,

00:10:48.560 --> 00:10:49.759
 God loves this city

00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:51.179
 because it is where

00:10:51.179 --> 00:10:51.740
 he meets

00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:52.340
 with his people.

00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:54.480
 For the entire time

00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:55.159
 that my wife,

00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:55.539
 Callie,

00:10:55.600 --> 00:10:56.340
 and I were dating

00:10:56.340 --> 00:10:57.659
 and engaged,

00:10:57.799 --> 00:10:59.080
 we lived long distance,

00:10:59.519 --> 00:11:00.720
 1,000 miles apart

00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:01.340
 from each other.

00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:02.960
 And during that time,

00:11:03.039 --> 00:11:04.419
 I loved the gates

00:11:04.419 --> 00:11:05.059
 of the airport.

00:11:06.139 --> 00:11:07.379
 I was always excited

00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:08.240
 to go to the airport.

00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:09.679
 And it wasn't that

00:11:09.679 --> 00:11:11.120
 the airport was amazing.

00:11:11.259 --> 00:11:12.319
 I don't know any of you

00:11:12.319 --> 00:11:13.500
 who actually go to the airport

00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:14.600
 just to hang out

00:11:14.600 --> 00:11:15.860
 or have a good time.

00:11:15.860 --> 00:11:17.800
 But I loved that place

00:11:17.800 --> 00:11:18.440
 because that's where

00:11:18.440 --> 00:11:20.019
 I got to meet her again.

00:11:20.740 --> 00:11:21.240
 We would have

00:11:21.240 --> 00:11:23.019
 face-to-face relationship

00:11:23.019 --> 00:11:24.019
 again.

00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:25.879
 I loved that place

00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:27.340
 because it brought us near.

00:11:28.460 --> 00:11:29.519
 And God loves Zion

00:11:29.519 --> 00:11:30.779
 in much the same way

00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:32.120
 because it is a place

00:11:32.120 --> 00:11:32.820
 he built

00:11:32.820 --> 00:11:34.519
 to be with his people.

00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:36.080
 His bride

00:11:36.080 --> 00:11:36.980
 that he has chosen

00:11:36.980 --> 00:11:37.860
 and purified

00:11:37.860 --> 00:11:38.740
 for himself.

00:11:39.980 --> 00:11:41.000
 We see in the book

00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:41.560
 of Hebrews

00:11:41.560 --> 00:11:42.800
 that the old

00:11:42.800 --> 00:11:43.820
 sacrificial system

00:11:43.820 --> 00:11:45.000
 and the physical temple

00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:46.840
 itself pointed to

00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:48.000
 and had their fulfillment

00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:49.679
 in the person of Christ.

00:11:50.600 --> 00:11:51.500
 God loved us

00:11:51.500 --> 00:11:52.279
 so much

00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:53.120
 that he offered up

00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:53.659
 Christ,

00:11:54.100 --> 00:11:55.659
 his own perfect son,

00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:56.580
 his temple

00:11:56.580 --> 00:11:58.539
 as our perfect sacrifice.

00:11:59.360 --> 00:12:00.120
 Through the mediation

00:12:00.120 --> 00:12:00.980
 of his blood,

00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:02.360
 we are set free

00:12:02.360 --> 00:12:03.259
 from slavery

00:12:03.259 --> 00:12:04.679
 to sin and death

00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:05.720
 and are made righteous

00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:06.600
 before the king.

00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:08.080
 As Christians,

00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:09.159
 we now have access

00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:09.980
 to the throne room

00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:10.539
 of grace.

00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:11.679
 And it's not through

00:12:11.679 --> 00:12:12.879
 the blood of lambs

00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:13.720
 or bulls

00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:14.720
 or our curtains

00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:15.620
 that separate us.

00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:16.500
 We have direct

00:12:16.500 --> 00:12:17.980
 communion with God

00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:19.200
 through Christ.

00:12:20.220 --> 00:12:20.980
 We ourselves

00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:21.779
 are the temple

00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:22.300
 of God.

00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:24.379
 In 1 Corinthians 3.16,

00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:25.019
 Paul writes,

00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:26.120
 Do you not know

00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:27.420
 that you are God's temple

00:12:27.420 --> 00:12:29.160
 and that God's spirit

00:12:29.160 --> 00:12:30.259
 dwells in you?

00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:32.540
 God has established

00:12:32.540 --> 00:12:33.519
 himself in our hearts

00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:34.540
 and brought us

00:12:34.540 --> 00:12:35.399
 out of the darkness

00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:36.840
 into the light

00:12:36.840 --> 00:12:37.899
 of his true community.

00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:39.460
 God has chosen

00:12:39.460 --> 00:12:40.240
 to give power

00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:41.080
 to his children

00:12:41.080 --> 00:12:41.980
 in the church.

00:12:41.980 --> 00:12:43.779
 It is his institution

00:12:43.779 --> 00:12:45.279
 and as backward

00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:46.019
 and broken

00:12:46.019 --> 00:12:47.159
 as we often are

00:12:47.159 --> 00:12:47.879
 in the church,

00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:49.019
 he has promised

00:12:49.019 --> 00:12:50.440
 to prepare his bride

00:12:50.440 --> 00:12:51.480
 and purify her

00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:52.539
 to present her

00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:53.279
 to himself

00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:54.480
 as faithful

00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:55.379
 and faultless.

00:12:56.100 --> 00:12:56.659
 The church

00:12:56.659 --> 00:12:57.460
 is the betrothed

00:12:57.460 --> 00:12:57.940
 of God.

00:12:58.480 --> 00:12:59.120
 He has chosen

00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:00.360
 to spend eternity

00:13:00.360 --> 00:13:02.080
 with you and me.

00:13:03.060 --> 00:13:03.920
 I was in college

00:13:03.920 --> 00:13:04.940
 when the reality

00:13:04.940 --> 00:13:05.820
 finally struck me

00:13:05.820 --> 00:13:06.879
 that God didn't

00:13:06.879 --> 00:13:07.560
 just love me

00:13:07.560 --> 00:13:08.460
 in this theoretical

00:13:08.460 --> 00:13:10.680
 out there type of way,

00:13:10.679 --> 00:13:11.659
 but he actually

00:13:11.659 --> 00:13:12.599
 liked me.

00:13:13.539 --> 00:13:14.899
 I had this view

00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:15.599
 in my mind

00:13:15.599 --> 00:13:16.759
 that God was somehow

00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:17.659
 a grandfather

00:13:17.659 --> 00:13:18.779
 who kind of

00:13:18.779 --> 00:13:19.659
 had to love you.

00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:19.919
 You know,

00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:21.339
 your grandkid,

00:13:21.779 --> 00:13:22.620
 you have to be loved

00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:23.239
 by your grandpa.

00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:24.639
 It's his job

00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:25.199
 to do that.

00:13:25.559 --> 00:13:26.519
 He sends you presents

00:13:26.519 --> 00:13:27.439
 but really

00:13:27.439 --> 00:13:29.559
 there's no liking

00:13:29.559 --> 00:13:30.959
 in the relationship

00:13:30.959 --> 00:13:32.219
 that we would long for.

00:13:33.059 --> 00:13:33.739
 But one of my

00:13:33.739 --> 00:13:34.359
 campus ministers

00:13:34.359 --> 00:13:35.120
 in college

00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:35.939
 at Colorado State

00:13:35.939 --> 00:13:36.899
 told me one time,

00:13:37.559 --> 00:13:37.819
 he said,

00:13:37.820 --> 00:13:38.140
 Matt,

00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:39.280
 you know,

00:13:39.420 --> 00:13:40.960
 God chose you

00:13:40.960 --> 00:13:41.700
 for himself

00:13:41.700 --> 00:13:42.540
 from the foundation

00:13:42.540 --> 00:13:43.220
 of the world

00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:44.379
 not because

00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:45.980
 he had to

00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:47.140
 but because he wanted

00:13:47.140 --> 00:13:48.200
 to spend eternity

00:13:48.200 --> 00:13:49.000
 with you.

00:13:49.580 --> 00:13:50.560
 He chose

00:13:50.560 --> 00:13:52.360
 to sacrifice himself

00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:53.440
 for you

00:13:53.440 --> 00:13:54.760
 because he likes you.

00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:56.860
 God delights

00:13:56.860 --> 00:13:57.820
 in you.

00:13:58.920 --> 00:13:59.980
 That struck me

00:13:59.980 --> 00:14:01.220
 and has never

00:14:01.220 --> 00:14:02.060
 left me since.

00:14:02.800 --> 00:14:03.920
 God loves his church.

00:14:04.040 --> 00:14:04.740
 He delights

00:14:04.740 --> 00:14:05.560
 in you,

00:14:05.680 --> 00:14:06.260
 his people,

00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:07.559
 and his kingdom

00:14:07.559 --> 00:14:08.500
 purposes will never

00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:09.399
 fail because

00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:10.580
 he is faithful

00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:11.779
 to his promise

00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:12.360
 of love

00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:13.039
 to his people.

00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:14.819
 And there is an

00:14:14.819 --> 00:14:15.840
 already not yet

00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:17.200
 aspect of this kingdom.

00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:19.120
 Jesus has ushered

00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:19.860
 in his kingdom

00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:21.319
 but right now

00:14:21.319 --> 00:14:22.779
 it is mostly hidden,

00:14:23.319 --> 00:14:23.879
 small,

00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:25.240
 like a mustard seed

00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:27.139
 and can only be seen

00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:28.000
 in and through

00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:28.700
 his people.

00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:30.179
 We catch glimpses

00:14:30.179 --> 00:14:30.679
 of the kingdom

00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:32.240
 when we love each other,

00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:33.659
 when we worship God

00:14:33.659 --> 00:14:34.379
 and find joy

00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:35.439
 and peace in him,

00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:36.560
 when we serve

00:14:36.560 --> 00:14:37.040
 one another.

00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:38.560
 The kingdom

00:14:38.560 --> 00:14:39.380
 is already,

00:14:39.460 --> 00:14:40.460
 we taste of its goodness

00:14:40.460 --> 00:14:41.740
 but one day

00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:43.080
 Christ will return

00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:43.800
 and his kingdom

00:14:43.800 --> 00:14:45.040
 will arrive in full.

00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:46.480
 We can take comfort

00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:47.020
 that this life

00:14:47.020 --> 00:14:47.820
 is not as good

00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:48.500
 as it gets

00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:49.600
 and we can have

00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:50.340
 assurance that

00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:51.220
 whatever good

00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:52.380
 we have now in part

00:14:52.380 --> 00:14:53.620
 we will one day soon

00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:54.460
 have in fullness

00:14:54.460 --> 00:14:55.220
 of joy

00:14:55.220 --> 00:14:56.600
 and perfect satisfaction.

00:14:57.560 --> 00:14:58.240
 The realities

00:14:58.240 --> 00:14:59.180
 of the kingdom of God

00:14:59.180 --> 00:14:59.800
 give us hope

00:14:59.800 --> 00:15:00.600
 for both now

00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:01.920
 and for the future.

00:15:01.919 --> 00:15:03.679
 this kingdom

00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:04.699
 confronts our fear

00:15:04.699 --> 00:15:05.240
 and doubt

00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.059
 with love

00:15:06.059 --> 00:15:06.779
 and peace

00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:08.000
 and these are

00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:08.799
 the glorious things

00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:09.639
 spoken of the city

00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.059
 of God

00:15:10.059 --> 00:15:10.839
 in verse 3

00:15:10.839 --> 00:15:11.779
 the grace

00:15:11.779 --> 00:15:12.539
 that we have been given.

00:15:13.839 --> 00:15:14.459
 Spurgeon said

00:15:14.459 --> 00:15:14.860
 that although

00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:15.740
 the glorious things

00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:16.259
 were taught

00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:16.759
 in the streets

00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:17.299
 of Jerusalem

00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:18.379
 and seen in her temple

00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:20.120
 yet this is more

00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:21.099
 true of the church.

00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:22.620
 She is founded

00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.219
 in grace

00:15:23.219 --> 00:15:24.179
 but her pinnacles

00:15:24.179 --> 00:15:25.379
 glow with glory.

00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:27.000
 Whatever glorious things

00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:27.899
 the saints may say

00:15:27.899 --> 00:15:28.399
 of the church

00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:29.199
 in their eulogies

00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:30.700
 they cannot exceed

00:15:30.700 --> 00:15:31.500
 what the prophets

00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:32.280
 have foretold

00:15:32.280 --> 00:15:33.360
 what the angels

00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:33.960
 have sung

00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:34.920
 or what God himself

00:15:34.920 --> 00:15:35.700
 has decreed.

00:15:36.520 --> 00:15:37.560
 Happy are the tongues

00:15:37.560 --> 00:15:38.100
 which learn

00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:39.400
 to occupy themselves

00:15:39.400 --> 00:15:40.920
 with so excellent

00:15:40.920 --> 00:15:41.700
 a subject.

00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:43.460
 Glorious things

00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:44.400
 of you are spoken

00:15:44.400 --> 00:15:45.379
 O city of God.

00:15:46.460 --> 00:15:47.140
 As Christians

00:15:47.140 --> 00:15:48.259
 we will be

00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:48.900
 in the great

00:15:48.900 --> 00:15:49.520
 and glorious

00:15:49.520 --> 00:15:50.060
 congregation

00:15:50.060 --> 00:15:50.879
 of those

00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:52.280
 of whom God says

00:15:52.280 --> 00:15:53.540
 I love you

00:15:53.540 --> 00:15:54.920
 and you are mine.

00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:57.340
 I love seeing

00:15:57.340 --> 00:15:59.300
 the receiving

00:15:59.300 --> 00:15:59.980
 of new members

00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:00.500
 this morning.

00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:01.899
 It's such a wonderful

00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:03.100
 thing hearing

00:16:03.100 --> 00:16:04.220
 the vows of membership

00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:04.980
 the proclamation

00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:05.800
 of belonging

00:16:05.800 --> 00:16:06.560
 to Christ

00:16:06.560 --> 00:16:07.820
 and his church.

00:16:09.160 --> 00:16:09.980
 And during the receiving

00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:10.600
 of new members

00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:11.840
 I always think about

00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:12.700
 the words of Jesus

00:16:12.700 --> 00:16:13.879
 in Luke 12 8

00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:15.019
 he said this

00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:15.680
 to his disciples

00:16:15.680 --> 00:16:17.220
 and I tell you

00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:18.060
 everyone who

00:16:18.060 --> 00:16:19.139
 acknowledges me

00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:20.040
 before men

00:16:20.040 --> 00:16:21.440
 the son of man

00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:22.639
 will also acknowledge

00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:23.639
 before the angels

00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:24.340
 of God.

00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:26.840
 What an amazing promise.

00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:28.540
 Just as we

00:16:28.540 --> 00:16:29.120
 as members

00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:30.460
 acknowledge

00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:31.259
 our trust

00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:32.160
 in Christ

00:16:32.160 --> 00:16:33.980
 before these witnesses

00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:35.920
 Jesus will one day

00:16:35.920 --> 00:16:37.259
 acknowledge you

00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:37.960
 and me

00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:39.060
 before his father

00:16:39.060 --> 00:16:40.620
 and the watching world.

00:16:41.800 --> 00:16:42.139
 The Westminster

00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:43.259
 Shorter Catechism

00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:44.600
 question 38

00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:45.840
 which since you guys

00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:46.740
 are in 37 today

00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:47.720
 this might be a spoiler

00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.519
 for next week

00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:50.060
 asks

00:16:50.060 --> 00:16:51.160
 what benefits

00:16:51.160 --> 00:16:52.240
 do believers receive

00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:52.879
 from Christ

00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:53.700
 at the resurrection?

00:16:54.660 --> 00:16:55.259
 And the answer

00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:55.800
 is this

00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:57.439
 at the resurrection

00:16:57.439 --> 00:16:58.740
 believers

00:16:58.740 --> 00:16:59.759
 being raised up

00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:00.379
 in glory

00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.559
 shall be openly

00:17:01.559 --> 00:17:02.679
 acknowledged

00:17:02.679 --> 00:17:03.779
 and acquitted

00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:04.759
 in the day of judgment

00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:06.379
 and made perfectly

00:17:06.379 --> 00:17:06.839
 blessed

00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:07.919
 in the full

00:17:07.919 --> 00:17:08.819
 enjoying of God

00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.799
 to all eternity.

00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:12.299
 See in the judgment

00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:13.779
 believers will be

00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:15.339
 revealed in splendor.

00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:16.460
 You and I

00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.000
 will stand

00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.839
 before the throne

00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:18.960
 of the Lord of hosts

00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:20.379
 and he will openly

00:17:20.379 --> 00:17:21.319
 declare us

00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:22.460
 his sons and daughters

00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:23.980
 to the entire

00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:25.220
 assembled universe.

00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:26.500
 He will place

00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.159
 his joy

00:17:27.159 --> 00:17:27.659
 and power

00:17:27.659 --> 00:17:28.299
 upon us

00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:29.500
 and we will reign

00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.039
 with him

00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:30.899
 in his kingdom

00:17:30.899 --> 00:17:31.440
 forever.

00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:33.759
 We are the sons

00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.859
 and the daughters

00:17:34.859 --> 00:17:35.559
 of God.

00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:38.119
 Too often

00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:38.879
 the cares

00:17:38.879 --> 00:17:40.159
 of this world

00:17:40.159 --> 00:17:41.599
 the pains

00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:42.419
 of this life

00:17:42.419 --> 00:17:43.159
 rob me

00:17:43.159 --> 00:17:44.039
 of this joy

00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:45.259
 and this hope.

00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:46.919
 Too often

00:17:46.919 --> 00:17:47.960
 I fall into

00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:48.879
 the traps

00:17:48.879 --> 00:17:50.379
 of self-pity

00:17:50.379 --> 00:17:51.879
 and self-worship.

00:17:51.880 --> 00:17:54.000
 We must all

00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:54.920
 cling to the love

00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:55.620
 that is ours

00:17:55.620 --> 00:17:56.300
 in Christ.

00:17:57.080 --> 00:17:57.820
 We are all

00:17:57.820 --> 00:17:58.760
 called to remember

00:17:58.760 --> 00:17:59.480
 the blessings

00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:00.260
 that we have

00:18:00.260 --> 00:18:00.820
 in him.

00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:01.860
 Remember

00:18:01.860 --> 00:18:02.980
 whose you are.

00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:04.080
 Your identity

00:18:04.080 --> 00:18:05.240
 is in him.

00:18:06.840 --> 00:18:08.020
 Our son Mark

00:18:08.020 --> 00:18:09.440
 is 20 months old

00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:10.380
 and every night

00:18:10.380 --> 00:18:11.580
 Callie and I sing

00:18:11.580 --> 00:18:12.480
 Jesus loves me

00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:13.000
 to him.

00:18:14.100 --> 00:18:14.960
 Jesus loves me

00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:15.720
 this I know

00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:16.720
 for the Bible

00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:18.160
 tells me so.

00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:20.279
 We hope to instill

00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:21.600
 him through many ways

00:18:21.600 --> 00:18:22.620
 and part of that

00:18:22.620 --> 00:18:23.980
 is through singing

00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:26.240
 that he is known

00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:27.620
 and loved by God.

00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:29.940
 Jesus loves you son

00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:30.800
 and do you know

00:18:30.800 --> 00:18:31.540
 how I know this?

00:18:31.840 --> 00:18:32.980
 He has told me so

00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.880
 in his word.

00:18:34.620 --> 00:18:35.200
 The Bible

00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:36.640
 is true.

00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:38.240
 Jesus loves you.

00:18:39.100 --> 00:18:40.180
 Because of the love

00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:40.580
 of Jesus

00:18:40.580 --> 00:18:42.240
 which was lost

00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:42.860
 in the garden

00:18:42.860 --> 00:18:43.560
 of Eden

00:18:43.560 --> 00:18:45.840
 it has been found

00:18:45.840 --> 00:18:46.840
 in Christ.

00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.939
 the barrier

00:18:47.939 --> 00:18:48.839
 between God

00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:49.359
 and man

00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:50.379
 introduced by the fall

00:18:50.379 --> 00:18:51.019
 was shattered

00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:52.439
 on the cross.

00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.199
 We are once again

00:18:54.199 --> 00:18:55.059
 enabled to worship

00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:56.199
 God without a priest

00:18:56.199 --> 00:18:58.059
 without a human mediator

00:18:58.059 --> 00:18:58.919
 without fear

00:18:58.919 --> 00:18:59.919
 of our own blood.

00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:02.259
 The kingdom focused church

00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:03.579
 should never be driven

00:19:03.579 --> 00:19:04.119
 by fear.

00:19:04.699 --> 00:19:05.439
 The perfect love

00:19:05.439 --> 00:19:05.939
 of the Father

00:19:05.939 --> 00:19:07.419
 casts out that fear.

00:19:08.159 --> 00:19:08.720
 We can have hope

00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.459
 even in the midst

00:19:09.459 --> 00:19:10.059
 of pain.

00:19:10.619 --> 00:19:11.299
 We can trust him

00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:12.119
 even when life

00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:13.059
 is falling apart

00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:14.379
 around us.

00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:15.879
 And we can have

00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:16.220
 this hope

00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:16.779
 because we know

00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:17.339
 the end.

00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:18.319
 Here's another

00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:19.200
 spoiler alert.

00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.880
 Christ is coming back

00:19:20.880 --> 00:19:21.759
 to claim us

00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.640
 as his bride

00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:23.900
 to fully reveal

00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:24.960
 his kingdom of joy

00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:26.000
 to you and me.

00:19:26.600 --> 00:19:27.660
 The blood of the Lamb

00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:28.680
 the perfect mediator

00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:29.880
 stands triumphant

00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:31.140
 for you.

00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:33.240
 In our opening hymn

00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:34.539
 John Newton wrote this

00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.440
 Savior

00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:35.460
 Savior

00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:37.680
 if of Zion's city

00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:38.700
 I through grace

00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.559
 a member am

00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:40.899
 let the world

00:19:40.899 --> 00:19:42.039
 deride or pity

00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:43.559
 I will glory

00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:44.539
 in thy name.

00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.619
 Fading is the worldling's

00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:46.980
 pleasure

00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:48.399
 all his boasted

00:19:48.399 --> 00:19:49.440
 pomp and show

00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:51.019
 solid joys

00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:52.159
 and lasting treasure

00:19:52.159 --> 00:19:53.920
 none but Zion's

00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.599
 children know.

00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:56.319
 Is there anything

00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:57.059
 more glorious

00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:57.659
 than knowing

00:19:57.659 --> 00:19:58.379
 the love

00:19:58.379 --> 00:19:59.539
 of God?

00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:01.659
 The kingdom

00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:02.940
 focused church

00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:03.720
 is a people

00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.720
 loved by God

00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.599
 and the kingdom

00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:06.440
 focused church

00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:07.420
 lives out of

00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:08.099
 the reality

00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:09.659
 of that grace.

00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.099
 The rest of

00:20:11.099 --> 00:20:11.740
 Psalm 87

00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:12.920
 is a divine

00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:13.720
 pronouncement

00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.659
 where God

00:20:14.659 --> 00:20:15.480
 incorporates the

00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:16.240
 foreign nation

00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:17.539
 into his holy

00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.000
 city.

00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:19.599
 We as the church

00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:20.000
 of God

00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:20.579
 are founded

00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:21.259
 in grace

00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:21.920
 and we are

00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:22.940
 called to live

00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:24.359
 lives in that grace

00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:25.059
 and reach out

00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:25.940
 with that grace

00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:27.059
 to the nations

00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:27.539
 and peoples

00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.339
 around us.

00:20:29.059 --> 00:20:29.960
 Look at verse 4.

00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.139
 Among those

00:20:32.139 --> 00:20:32.659
 who know me

00:20:32.659 --> 00:20:33.940
 I mention Rahab

00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:34.799
 and Babylon.

00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:36.019
 Behold

00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:36.740
 Philistia

00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.460
 and Tyre

00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:38.619
 with Cush.

00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:39.659
 This one

00:20:39.659 --> 00:20:40.480
 was born there

00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:41.139
 they say.

00:20:42.059 --> 00:20:42.779
 This list

00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:43.279
 of nations

00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:44.019
 in verse 4

00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:45.259
 is not your

00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:45.839
 A team.

00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.039
 These are not

00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:47.899
 even your misfits

00:20:47.899 --> 00:20:49.399
 or class clowns.

00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:50.240
 These were

00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:51.279
 the very enemies

00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:52.220
 of God.

00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:53.619
 They hated him

00:20:53.619 --> 00:20:55.000
 and hated his people.

00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:56.460
 Rahab

00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:57.139
 in this context

00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:57.860
 is another name

00:20:57.860 --> 00:20:58.300
 for the nation

00:20:58.300 --> 00:20:58.920
 of Egypt

00:20:58.920 --> 00:21:00.240
 south of Israel

00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:01.080
 who enslaved

00:21:01.080 --> 00:21:02.000
 the people of God

00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:03.200
 for hundreds of years.

00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:04.160
 Babylon

00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:04.960
 the great empire

00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:05.580
 to the east

00:21:05.580 --> 00:21:06.160
 were the ones

00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:07.240
 to destroy Judah

00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:08.620
 and carry the people

00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:09.340
 into exile.

00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:10.660
 Philistia

00:21:10.660 --> 00:21:11.340
 the close neighbor

00:21:11.340 --> 00:21:11.820
 to the west

00:21:11.820 --> 00:21:12.580
 was constantly

00:21:12.580 --> 00:21:13.400
 at war

00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:14.440
 with Israel.

00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:15.460
 Tyre

00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:16.100
 to the north

00:21:16.100 --> 00:21:16.980
 was always seeking

00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:17.860
 to lead the people

00:21:17.860 --> 00:21:18.360
 astray

00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:19.500
 into idol worship.

00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:20.740
 Cush

00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.980
 is the distant land

00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:22.620
 of Ethiopia

00:21:22.620 --> 00:21:23.840
 and represented

00:21:23.840 --> 00:21:25.060
 all the far-flung

00:21:25.060 --> 00:21:26.320
 pagan nations.

00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:26.500
 nations.

00:21:27.159 --> 00:21:28.159
 And all of these nations

00:21:28.159 --> 00:21:30.039
 north, south, east, and west

00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:32.139
 and every far-flung land

00:21:32.139 --> 00:21:33.839
 is here represented

00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:35.079
 as knowing

00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:36.319
 and being known

00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:37.639
 by the God of Israel.

00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:40.159
 Though they were born apart

00:21:40.159 --> 00:21:41.659
 God has brought them

00:21:41.659 --> 00:21:42.460
 into the kingdom

00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:44.200
 into his family.

00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:46.000
 In Psalm 86

00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:46.740
 immediately

00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:48.099
 preceding our psalm

00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:49.039
 we read this prophecy

00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:49.859
 in verse 9.

00:21:49.859 --> 00:21:51.240
 All the nations

00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:52.019
 you have made

00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:52.559
 shall come

00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:52.959
 and worship

00:21:52.959 --> 00:21:53.659
 before you

00:21:53.659 --> 00:21:54.319
 O Lord

00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:55.679
 and shall glorify

00:21:55.679 --> 00:21:56.500
 your name.

00:21:57.859 --> 00:21:58.639
 We see this

00:21:58.639 --> 00:22:00.079
 fulfilled in the New Testament

00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:02.199
 and in the book

00:22:02.199 --> 00:22:02.779
 of Revelation

00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:04.079
 we see the culmination

00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:04.579
 of this.

00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:05.699
 Even future

00:22:05.699 --> 00:22:06.799
 we see

00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:08.019
 the final

00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:09.439
 instance of this.

00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:10.359
 At the end

00:22:10.359 --> 00:22:11.559
 of all things present

00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:12.079
 and the beginning

00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:13.019
 of all things new

00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:14.000
 John saw

00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.959
 the new Jerusalem.

00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:15.959
 Zion

00:22:15.959 --> 00:22:17.079
 the city of the king.

00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:19.659
 the kings of the earth

00:22:19.659 --> 00:22:20.799
 you and I

00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:21.319
 and the people

00:22:21.319 --> 00:22:22.500
 from every tribe

00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.879
 tongue and people

00:22:23.879 --> 00:22:25.039
 will bring their glory

00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:25.899
 into that city

00:22:25.899 --> 00:22:26.859
 and the honor

00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:27.480
 of the nations

00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.639
 will be there

00:22:28.639 --> 00:22:29.579
 in the light of Christ.

00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:31.059
 Nothing unclean

00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.799
 will enter it

00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:33.419
 and in this

00:22:33.419 --> 00:22:34.379
 we see the mighty glory

00:22:34.379 --> 00:22:34.899
 of God

00:22:34.899 --> 00:22:36.819
 that he pursues

00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:38.099
 even his enemies

00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:39.539
 with love

00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:41.480
 and we too

00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:43.039
 along with these nations

00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.899
 were at one time

00:22:43.899 --> 00:22:44.980
 enemies of God.

00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:46.599
 We are these people

00:22:46.599 --> 00:22:48.459
 I doubt many of you

00:22:48.459 --> 00:22:49.039
 in here

00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:50.059
 are ethnically

00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:51.179
 the people of Israel.

00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:53.039
 Most all of us

00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:53.859
 are Gentiles

00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:55.439
 who have been grafted in

00:22:55.439 --> 00:22:56.799
 and given a place

00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:57.819
 and identity

00:22:57.819 --> 00:22:58.480
 in Zion.

00:22:59.699 --> 00:23:00.699
 Verse 5

00:23:00.699 --> 00:23:01.839
 And of Zion

00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:02.659
 it shall be said

00:23:02.659 --> 00:23:03.719
 this one

00:23:03.719 --> 00:23:04.219
 and that one

00:23:04.219 --> 00:23:04.980
 were born in her

00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:05.959
 for the most high

00:23:05.959 --> 00:23:06.519
 himself

00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:08.299
 will establish her.

00:23:09.219 --> 00:23:10.000
 The vision of

00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:10.619
 Psalm 87

00:23:10.619 --> 00:23:11.480
 is achieved

00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:13.119
 in the church.

00:23:13.639 --> 00:23:14.439
 As Paul writes

00:23:14.439 --> 00:23:15.359
 in Galatians 3

00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:16.839
 in Christ Jesus

00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:17.779
 you are all

00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.579
 sons of God

00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:19.259
 through faith.

00:23:19.879 --> 00:23:20.659
 For as many of you

00:23:20.659 --> 00:23:21.139
 were baptized

00:23:21.139 --> 00:23:21.919
 into Christ

00:23:21.919 --> 00:23:22.959
 have put on Christ.

00:23:23.479 --> 00:23:24.099
 There is neither

00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:25.279
 Jew nor Greek.

00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:26.259
 There is neither

00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:27.339
 slave nor free.

00:23:27.459 --> 00:23:28.439
 There is no male

00:23:28.439 --> 00:23:29.099
 and female

00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:30.019
 for you are all

00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:31.339
 one in Christ Jesus.

00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:32.719
 And if you are

00:23:32.719 --> 00:23:33.559
 Christ's

00:23:33.559 --> 00:23:34.179
 then you are

00:23:34.179 --> 00:23:35.219
 Abraham's offspring

00:23:35.219 --> 00:23:36.619
 and heirs

00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:38.139
 according to the promise.

00:23:39.459 --> 00:23:40.379
 The most high

00:23:40.379 --> 00:23:41.479
 God has established

00:23:41.479 --> 00:23:42.599
 us in Christ.

00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:43.699
 in him

00:23:43.699 --> 00:23:45.079
 we are born again

00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:45.699
 from death

00:23:45.699 --> 00:23:46.379
 to life.

00:23:47.399 --> 00:23:47.879
 Verse 6

00:23:47.879 --> 00:23:48.859
 The Lord records

00:23:48.859 --> 00:23:49.639
 as he registers

00:23:49.639 --> 00:23:50.259
 the people

00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.379
 this one

00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:52.419
 was born there.

00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:53.559
 God

00:23:53.559 --> 00:23:54.539
 gathers us

00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:55.039
 individually

00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:55.899
 from our various

00:23:55.899 --> 00:23:56.619
 backgrounds

00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:58.019
 and circumstances

00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:59.299
 and gives us

00:23:59.299 --> 00:23:59.779
 citizenship

00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.599
 in his kingdom.

00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:01.879
 He takes our

00:24:01.879 --> 00:24:02.480
 brokenness

00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:03.319
 and forms us

00:24:03.319 --> 00:24:04.439
 into his church.

00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:05.980
 In Christ

00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:07.000
 there is new birth.

00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.079
 There is new

00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:08.619
 identity

00:24:08.619 --> 00:24:09.879
 and new

00:24:09.879 --> 00:24:10.639
 names.

00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.940
 We are forever

00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:12.880
 recorded in the

00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:13.860
 registry of God's

00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:14.259
 family.

00:24:15.620 --> 00:24:16.620
 Adoption has always

00:24:16.620 --> 00:24:17.660
 been a part of my

00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.000
 story.

00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.700
 I was adopted on

00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:20.940
 March 19th

00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:21.400
 1985

00:24:21.400 --> 00:24:22.300
 when I was

00:24:22.300 --> 00:24:23.140
 two months old

00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:24.520
 and on that day

00:24:24.520 --> 00:24:25.759
 my gotcha day

00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:27.340
 my parents left

00:24:27.340 --> 00:24:27.759
 their house

00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:28.259
 with an empty

00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:28.680
 car

00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.820
 and drove home

00:24:29.820 --> 00:24:30.940
 with a

00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:31.800
 fat

00:24:31.800 --> 00:24:32.840
 blue eyed

00:24:32.840 --> 00:24:33.200
 baby

00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:33.720
 who had no

00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.100
 idea

00:24:34.100 --> 00:24:34.820
 what was happening

00:24:34.820 --> 00:24:35.320
 to him.

00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:37.160
 From that moment

00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:37.540
 on

00:24:37.540 --> 00:24:38.060
 I was a

00:24:38.060 --> 00:24:38.480
 Bostrom

00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:39.540
 the son

00:24:39.540 --> 00:24:40.240
 of Gary

00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:41.160
 and Sarah

00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:42.579
 and several

00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:43.099
 years ago

00:24:43.099 --> 00:24:43.940
 I called my

00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:44.740
 mom because

00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.319
 I was curious

00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:45.819
 about my

00:24:45.819 --> 00:24:46.400
 original birth

00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:46.799
 certificate

00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.380
 which I'd

00:24:47.380 --> 00:24:47.900
 never seen.

00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:49.480
 She told me

00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.039
 that on the

00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:50.500
 day that my

00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.220
 adoption was

00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:52.099
 finalized

00:24:52.099 --> 00:24:52.539
 I was given

00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:52.920
 a new

00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:53.599
 birth certificate

00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:54.819
 a new

00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:55.500
 identity

00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.480
 my new

00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:57.200
 name on it.

00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:57.940
 The old

00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:58.680
 certificate was

00:24:58.680 --> 00:24:59.400
 destroyed

00:24:59.400 --> 00:25:00.539
 and forgotten.

00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:01.940
 I was

00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:02.900
 made new.

00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:03.339
 I was

00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:03.700
 Matthew

00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.160
 Joseph

00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:04.759
 Bostrom

00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:06.000
 their son

00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:08.079
 and my

00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:08.500
 earthly

00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.240
 adoption has

00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:09.759
 been for me

00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.059
 but a

00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.720
 small taste

00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:11.099
 of the

00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:11.539
 joy

00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:12.640
 and majesty

00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:13.339
 of being

00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:14.240
 a son

00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:14.839
 of God.

00:25:15.619 --> 00:25:16.220
 Christ has

00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:16.759
 given all

00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.140
 of us

00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:17.740
 a new

00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.200
 identity.

00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:19.319
 We are

00:25:19.319 --> 00:25:19.839
 his

00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:20.759
 and he has

00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.299
 even given

00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:21.799
 us a new

00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:22.539
 birth certificate.

00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:23.839
 Revelation

00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:24.879
 13.8 tells

00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:25.359
 us that there

00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:25.940
 is a book

00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:26.879
 the book

00:25:26.879 --> 00:25:27.460
 of life

00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:27.799
 of the

00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:28.140
 lamb

00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:28.559
 who was

00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:29.099
 slain.

00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.339
 All

00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:30.920
 those who

00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:31.359
 belong to

00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:31.779
 God have

00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:32.160
 their names

00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:32.599
 written in

00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:32.960
 that book

00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.519
 of life

00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.259
 and our

00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:34.879
 names have

00:25:34.879 --> 00:25:35.339
 been written

00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:36.140
 before the

00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:36.900
 foundation of

00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:37.400
 the world

00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:37.980
 by the will

00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:38.500
 of God.

00:25:39.640 --> 00:25:39.940
 And if

00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:40.140
 you have

00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:40.660
 trusted in

00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.200
 Christ then

00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:41.700
 your name

00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:42.160
 is in that

00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:42.640
 book right

00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:43.839
 now never

00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.240
 to be

00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:44.720
 erased.

00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:45.819
 The blood

00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:46.299
 of Christ

00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:46.819
 the lamb

00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:47.200
 who is

00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:47.740
 slain

00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.519
 guarantees

00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.700
 your place

00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:50.480
 as a

00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:50.920
 son or

00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:51.240
 daughter.

00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:52.799
 His blood

00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:53.299
 is the

00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:53.860
 ink that

00:25:53.860 --> 00:25:54.519
 seals your

00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:54.920
 status.

00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:56.180
 We have

00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:56.779
 been indelibly

00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.559
 grafted into

00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.059
 the family

00:25:58.059 --> 00:25:58.640
 of God

00:25:58.640 --> 00:25:59.599
 and share

00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:00.000
 in his

00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.319
 kingdom.

00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:01.900
 As we

00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:02.579
 realized this

00:26:02.579 --> 00:26:03.420
 we were

00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:03.940
 able to

00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:04.460
 proclaim

00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.240
 with the

00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:05.700
 singers and

00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.259
 dancers in

00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:06.740
 verse 7

00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.279
 all my

00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:07.799
 springs are

00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.240
 in you.

00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:10.039
 As we

00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:10.799
 know the

00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:11.759
 realities of

00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.579
 our adoption

00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:13.200
 by God

00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:13.660
 as we

00:26:13.660 --> 00:26:14.160
 know our

00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:14.619
 identity

00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:16.140
 all our

00:26:16.140 --> 00:26:16.559
 joy

00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.500
 all our

00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:17.879
 hope

00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:18.900
 comes from

00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:19.319
 Christ.

00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:20.640
 To the

00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:21.099
 Israelites

00:26:21.099 --> 00:26:21.519
 the people

00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.039
 living in

00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:22.460
 an errant

00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.019
 environment

00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:24.019
 springs and

00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.660
 fountains were

00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.059
 precious

00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:26.160
 the source

00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:26.799
 of life

00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.920
 and joy

00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:29.000
 and as

00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:29.460
 Christians we

00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:29.940
 know that

00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:30.519
 every good

00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:31.000
 and perfect

00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.680
 gift comes

00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.220
 from God

00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:33.119
 and all our

00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:33.660
 trust should be

00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:34.420
 placed in him.

00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:35.599
 The Messiah

00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:36.219
 has come

00:26:36.219 --> 00:26:36.759
 bringing his

00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.240
 kingdom of

00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:38.039
 joy for

00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:38.459
 us.

00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:40.240
 So we

00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:40.439
 have to

00:26:40.439 --> 00:26:40.759
 ask what

00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.079
 does this

00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:41.500
 mean for

00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.099
 us today?

00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:43.179
 How do we

00:26:43.179 --> 00:26:43.719
 live in

00:26:43.719 --> 00:26:44.779
 light of

00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:45.279
 this kingdom?

00:26:46.399 --> 00:26:47.079
 It is often

00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:47.980
 hard for us

00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.679
 to find our

00:26:48.679 --> 00:26:49.139
 joy in

00:26:49.139 --> 00:26:49.480
 God.

00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:50.699
 We are not

00:26:50.699 --> 00:26:51.379
 yet in that

00:26:51.379 --> 00:26:52.279
 perfected city

00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:52.859
 of Zion.

00:26:53.439 --> 00:26:53.879
 We are

00:26:53.879 --> 00:26:54.919
 often times

00:26:54.919 --> 00:26:55.399
 in a land

00:26:55.399 --> 00:26:55.679
 that is

00:26:55.679 --> 00:26:56.299
 hostile to

00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:56.659
 God.

00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:57.659
 We have

00:26:57.659 --> 00:26:58.579
 been reconciled

00:26:58.579 --> 00:26:59.199
 to God

00:26:59.199 --> 00:26:59.699
 but still

00:26:59.699 --> 00:27:00.419
 live in a

00:27:00.419 --> 00:27:00.879
 world of

00:27:00.879 --> 00:27:01.379
 pain,

00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.259
 misery,

00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:03.279
 and death.

00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:04.959
 We await

00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:05.539
 the new

00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.100
 heavens and

00:27:06.100 --> 00:27:06.360
 the new

00:27:06.360 --> 00:27:07.299
 earth where

00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:08.200
 we will be

00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:09.039
 fully restored

00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:09.660
 but we live

00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:11.000
 here and

00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:11.460
 now.

00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:12.920
 But we do

00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:13.440
 not wait

00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:14.340
 idly as we

00:27:14.340 --> 00:27:14.840
 live here.

00:27:15.600 --> 00:27:16.319
 We have the

00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:17.039
 promise that we

00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.400
 are the

00:27:17.400 --> 00:27:17.720
 temples,

00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:18.779
 that the

00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.299
 spirit of

00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:19.799
 God is

00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.579
 now even

00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.100
 at work

00:27:21.100 --> 00:27:21.779
 in our

00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:22.500
 hearts and

00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:23.440
 lives and

00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:23.660
 we are

00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:24.759
 tasked with

00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.380
 bringing in

00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:25.920
 the harvest.

00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:26.920
 We are

00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:27.319
 called to

00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:28.160
 live faithfully

00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:29.259
 as stewards

00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:29.759
 of what God

00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.100
 has given

00:27:30.100 --> 00:27:31.299
 to us and

00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:31.819
 one day when

00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.180
 the master

00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:32.819
 returns he

00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.400
 will reward

00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:34.019
 us for that

00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:35.599
 faithfulness and

00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:36.519
 multiply blessings

00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:37.139
 to us.

00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.200
 Think about all

00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:39.960
 those people who

00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:40.599
 are enemies of

00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.559
 God in verse

00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:41.920
 four.

00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.420
 How in the

00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:44.200
 world were they

00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:44.839
 brought into the

00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:45.059
 kingdom?

00:27:45.859 --> 00:27:46.799
 How were they

00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.480
 made righteous

00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:48.400
 before a holy

00:27:48.400 --> 00:27:48.900
 God?

00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:49.740
 They were

00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.079
 enemies.

00:27:51.379 --> 00:27:52.079
 I have to

00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:52.680
 think that even

00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.240
 in the midst of

00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:54.279
 Israel's slavery,

00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:56.000
 exile, and

00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:57.139
 failures again and

00:27:57.139 --> 00:27:58.400
 again, there were

00:27:58.400 --> 00:27:59.359
 faithful people

00:27:59.359 --> 00:28:00.039
 reaching the

00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.500
 lost.

00:28:01.139 --> 00:28:01.920
 Men, women,

00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.619
 and children who

00:28:02.619 --> 00:28:03.519
 shared the hope

00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.160
 of the God of

00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:05.160
 Israel with

00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:05.660
 any who

00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:05.980
 would listen

00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:06.379
 to them.

00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:07.680
 And just

00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.400
 because we

00:28:08.400 --> 00:28:09.240
 are in exile

00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:10.059
 and longing for

00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.579
 our glorious

00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:11.700
 home does not

00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.579
 mean that we do

00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:13.480
 not share our

00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.759
 hope with our

00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.319
 captors.

00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:16.339
 We are to go

00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:16.920
 forth and

00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:18.500
 proclaim to the

00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:19.180
 watching world,

00:28:19.299 --> 00:28:19.900
 to enemies of

00:28:19.900 --> 00:28:21.400
 God, the joy

00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:22.019
 and life of

00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:22.339
 God.

00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:23.519
 In Jeremiah

00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:25.299
 29, when the

00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:25.900
 people have been

00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:26.639
 conquered and

00:28:26.639 --> 00:28:27.099
 taken to

00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:28.319
 Babylon, when

00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:29.000
 Jerusalem was

00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.960
 destroyed and the

00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:30.819
 temple itself

00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:32.319
 torn down, when

00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:33.460
 all hope seemed

00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:34.799
 lost, the Lord

00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.579
 gave these words

00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:36.139
 to the people.

00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:38.599
 He says this,

00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.439
 Thus says the

00:28:40.439 --> 00:28:41.179
 Lord of hosts, the

00:28:41.179 --> 00:28:42.179
 God of Israel, to

00:28:42.179 --> 00:28:43.460
 all the exiles whom

00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:44.500
 I have sent into

00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:46.099
 exile from Jerusalem

00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:46.779
 to Babylon.

00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:48.480
 Build houses and

00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:49.299
 live in them, plant

00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:50.039
 gardens and eat

00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:51.359
 their produce, take

00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:52.099
 wives and have

00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:52.899
 sons and daughters,

00:28:53.099 --> 00:28:53.819
 take wives for

00:28:53.819 --> 00:28:54.559
 your sons and give

00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.139
 your daughters in

00:28:55.139 --> 00:28:56.099
 marriage, that they

00:28:56.099 --> 00:28:56.939
 may bear sons and

00:28:56.939 --> 00:28:57.299
 daughters.

00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:58.720
 Multiply there

00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.179
 and do not

00:28:59.179 --> 00:29:00.579
 decrease, but seek

00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:01.199
 the welfare of

00:29:01.199 --> 00:29:01.960
 the city where

00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:02.439
 I have sent

00:29:02.439 --> 00:29:03.179
 you into exile.

00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.639
 Pray to the

00:29:04.639 --> 00:29:05.179
 Lord on its

00:29:05.179 --> 00:29:06.339
 behalf, for in

00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:07.639
 its welfare you

00:29:07.639 --> 00:29:08.299
 will find your

00:29:08.299 --> 00:29:08.659
 welfare.

00:29:10.139 --> 00:29:11.139
 Our calling is to

00:29:11.139 --> 00:29:11.759
 be a light to

00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.659
 those around us,

00:29:13.139 --> 00:29:13.839
 for God has

00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:14.819
 promised that he

00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:15.619
 has a people from

00:29:15.619 --> 00:29:17.019
 every tribe, tongue

00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:17.619
 and nation.

00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:19.339
 We can be bold.

00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:21.419
 In Acts 15, Paul

00:29:21.419 --> 00:29:22.439
 is afraid to preach

00:29:22.439 --> 00:29:22.980
 to the Corinthians

00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:24.179
 who opposed him,

00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.299
 but the Lord said

00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:26.059
 to him at night,

00:29:26.639 --> 00:29:27.500
 Do not be afraid,

00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:28.519
 but go on speaking

00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:29.180
 and do not be

00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:30.200
 silent, for I am

00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:31.639
 with you, and no

00:29:31.639 --> 00:29:32.500
 one will attack you

00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.579
 to harm you, for I

00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:35.220
 have many in this

00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:36.379
 city who are my

00:29:36.379 --> 00:29:36.819
 people.

00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:39.000
 God had called

00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:40.299
 Paul to this place

00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:41.019
 because he had

00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:42.720
 people there whose

00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.619
 names were in his

00:29:43.619 --> 00:29:44.920
 book, but had yet

00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:47.019
 not heard the voice

00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:48.339
 of Christ.

00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:50.359
 Do not be afraid,

00:29:50.599 --> 00:29:51.519
 but go on speaking.

00:29:51.660 --> 00:29:52.480
 Do not be silent.

00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:54.400
 Paul was called

00:29:54.400 --> 00:29:55.379
 into Corinth and we

00:29:55.379 --> 00:29:56.720
 are called to

00:29:56.720 --> 00:29:57.420
 Colorado Springs.

00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:58.720
 We are called

00:29:58.720 --> 00:29:59.600
 wherever we are

00:29:59.600 --> 00:30:00.279
 to be a witness

00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:01.779
 to the light of

00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:02.200
 God.

00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:03.800
 J. Gresham

00:30:03.800 --> 00:30:04.779
 Maycham says

00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:05.440
 something powerful

00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:06.039
 about faithful

00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:06.700
 kingdom living.

00:30:07.400 --> 00:30:08.120
 He writes this,

00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:09.340
 Instead of

00:30:09.340 --> 00:30:10.039
 obliterating the

00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:10.800
 distinction between

00:30:10.800 --> 00:30:11.420
 the kingdom and

00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:12.580
 the world, or on

00:30:12.580 --> 00:30:13.080
 the other hand

00:30:13.080 --> 00:30:13.980
 withdrawing from

00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:14.600
 the world into

00:30:14.600 --> 00:30:15.380
 some sort of

00:30:15.380 --> 00:30:16.600
 modernized intellectual

00:30:16.600 --> 00:30:18.220
 monasticism, let

00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:19.259
 us go joyfully,

00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:21.120
 enthusiastically to

00:30:21.120 --> 00:30:22.400
 make the world

00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:23.440
 the subject of

00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:23.900
 God.

00:30:24.620 --> 00:30:25.420
 To the Christian,

00:30:26.360 --> 00:30:26.960
 he cannot be

00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:27.340
 indifferent,

00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:28.100
 to any branch

00:30:28.100 --> 00:30:28.500
 of earnest

00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.120
 human endeavor.

00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.300
 It must all be

00:30:30.300 --> 00:30:30.940
 brought into some

00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:31.900
 relation into the

00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:32.259
 gospel.

00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:33.720
 The kingdom must

00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:34.960
 be advanced, not

00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:35.860
 merely extensively,

00:30:36.600 --> 00:30:37.160
 but also

00:30:37.160 --> 00:30:38.060
 intensively.

00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:39.220
 The church must

00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:39.900
 seek to conquer

00:30:39.900 --> 00:30:40.640
 not merely every

00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:41.539
 man for Christ,

00:30:41.940 --> 00:30:42.580
 but also the

00:30:42.580 --> 00:30:43.259
 whole of man.

00:30:44.420 --> 00:30:46.100
 The gospel is a

00:30:46.100 --> 00:30:46.960
 worldview-shaping

00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.460
 reality.

00:30:48.100 --> 00:30:48.779
 The kingdom of

00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:49.779
 Christ infiltrates

00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:51.080
 every area of our

00:30:51.080 --> 00:30:52.620
 lives and impacts

00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.580
 everything we do.

00:30:54.300 --> 00:30:55.440
 We are called to be

00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:56.920
 faithful in the

00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.960
 small things that we

00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:58.920
 have before us as

00:30:58.920 --> 00:30:59.779
 well as the large.

00:31:00.360 --> 00:31:01.019
 We are called to be

00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:01.940
 a people focused on

00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:02.660
 the grace that is

00:31:02.660 --> 00:31:04.019
 ours, seeking to

00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:05.220
 expand the kingdom of

00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:06.500
 God wherever he has

00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:07.120
 placed us.

00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:08.860
 We have been given a

00:31:08.860 --> 00:31:10.259
 great commission to go

00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:11.519
 boldly into this world

00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:12.680
 knowing that the

00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:14.080
 kingdom of God is at

00:31:14.080 --> 00:31:14.460
 hand.

00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:16.720
 God loves you.

00:31:17.360 --> 00:31:18.240
 He loves us.

00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:20.100
 He has and will

00:31:20.100 --> 00:31:20.900
 continue to be

00:31:20.900 --> 00:31:21.880
 gracious to us.

00:31:21.880 --> 00:31:23.320
 He has given us a

00:31:23.320 --> 00:31:25.140
 name and a family and

00:31:25.140 --> 00:31:26.460
 he is coming in power

00:31:26.460 --> 00:31:28.100
 bringing his peace.

00:31:29.320 --> 00:31:30.340
 We are about to sing

00:31:30.340 --> 00:31:31.380
 the hymn, I love thy

00:31:31.380 --> 00:31:32.100
 kingdom, Lord.

00:31:32.580 --> 00:31:33.140
 And listen to the

00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:33.900
 words of this first

00:31:33.900 --> 00:31:34.300
 verse.

00:31:35.340 --> 00:31:36.560
 I love thy kingdom,

00:31:36.800 --> 00:31:38.540
 Lord, the house of

00:31:38.540 --> 00:31:40.320
 thine abode, the church

00:31:40.320 --> 00:31:41.180
 our blessed redeemer

00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:42.480
 saved with his own

00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.260
 precious blood.

00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:45.720
 And I pray that those

00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.600
 words would be true of

00:31:46.600 --> 00:31:48.080
 your heart, that you

00:31:48.080 --> 00:31:49.520
 would love the bride of

00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:51.779
 Christ who is bought

00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:53.139
 with his blood, that

00:31:53.139 --> 00:31:54.579
 this church would seek

00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:55.799
 to expand the kingdom

00:31:55.799 --> 00:31:58.000
 of God, that you

00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:59.500
 would long to see your

00:31:59.500 --> 00:32:01.139
 king in his splendor.

00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:04.079
 May your joy, your hope

00:32:04.079 --> 00:32:05.519
 and your delight ever

00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.720
 be that the kingdom of

00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:09.299
 God is come, that it

00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:10.400
 has become the kingdom

00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:12.700
 of this world, has

00:32:12.700 --> 00:32:13.639
 become the kingdom of

00:32:13.639 --> 00:32:15.099
 our God and of his

00:32:15.099 --> 00:32:16.619
 Christ and he shall reign

00:32:16.619 --> 00:32:18.440
 forever and ever as the

00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:19.840
 king of kings and the

00:32:19.840 --> 00:32:20.840
 Lord of lords.

00:32:21.600 --> 00:32:22.460
 Forever and ever.

00:32:22.660 --> 00:32:23.019
 Hallelujah.

00:32:23.700 --> 00:32:24.200
 Let us pray.

00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:28.400
 Father, we thank you

00:32:28.400 --> 00:32:29.980
 that in you glorious

00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:31.519
 things are spoken of us.

00:32:32.100 --> 00:32:33.220
 In you there is

00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:35.519
 graciousness to us, that

00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:37.380
 you have condescended to

00:32:37.380 --> 00:32:38.400
 us.

00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:39.840
 Lord, we were your

00:32:39.840 --> 00:32:41.019
 enemies, we were far

00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:42.480
 off, we were these

00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:43.559
 foreign nations that you

00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:44.259
 have brought.

00:32:45.160 --> 00:32:46.640
 Lord, I pray that this

00:32:46.640 --> 00:32:48.740
 joy, this reality, this

00:32:48.740 --> 00:32:49.900
 identity would permeate

00:32:49.900 --> 00:32:51.640
 our lives, that we would

00:32:51.640 --> 00:32:52.280
 be faithful.

00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:54.600
 Lord, that the light that

00:32:54.600 --> 00:32:55.420
 you have given to us in

00:32:55.420 --> 00:32:56.480
 Christ would shine from

00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:57.500
 us, that it would exude

00:32:57.500 --> 00:32:58.640
 from our pores and touch

00:32:58.640 --> 00:32:59.740
 everything that we come

00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:00.580
 in contact with.

00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:01.980
 Lord, I pray that you

00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:02.680
 would make us into

00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:05.060
 kingdom individuals, but

00:33:05.060 --> 00:33:06.640
 not leave us alone as

00:33:06.640 --> 00:33:07.080
 individuals.

00:33:07.460 --> 00:33:08.240
 I pray that we would

00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:09.820
 unite in this, your

00:33:09.820 --> 00:33:11.360
 church, that we would be

00:33:11.360 --> 00:33:12.960
 missional as we see the

00:33:12.960 --> 00:33:14.759
 world around us lost and

00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:15.039
 broken.

00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:16.779
 We have hope and

00:33:16.779 --> 00:33:17.960
 truth and life in you.

00:33:18.640 --> 00:33:19.420
 Lord, I thank you.

00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:20.180
 In your name we pray.

00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:20.720
 Amen.