WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.060 I need a refill, so just one minute. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 I need a refill, so I need a refill, so I need a refill, so I need a refill. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:12.099 There we go, we've all got tickly throats today. 00:01:13.439 --> 00:01:16.180 Let's read Genesis 17. 00:01:16.400 --> 00:01:20.219 We're going to read the first 14 verses today. 00:01:20.960 --> 00:01:22.519 Let's hear God's word. 00:01:24.200 --> 00:01:29.000 When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, 00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:31.420 I am God Almighty. 00:01:32.700 --> 00:01:36.760 Walk before me faithfully and be blameless. 00:01:37.700 --> 00:01:42.859 Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers. 00:01:44.340 --> 00:01:48.159 Abram fell face down and God said to him, 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:51.399 As for me, this is my covenant with you. 00:01:51.780 --> 00:01:54.319 You will be the father of many nations. 00:01:55.420 --> 00:01:57.579 No longer will you be called Abram. 00:01:58.280 --> 00:02:00.479 Your name will be called Abraham. 00:02:01.579 --> 00:02:04.920 For I have made you a father of many nations. 00:02:04.920 --> 00:02:07.739 I will make you very fruitful. 00:02:08.340 --> 00:02:11.420 I will make nations of you and kings will come from you. 00:02:12.020 --> 00:02:20.420 I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. 00:02:20.419 --> 00:02:24.599 To be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 00:02:24.599 --> 00:02:28.979 The whole land of Canaan where you now reside as a foreigner. 00:02:29.299 --> 00:02:34.919 I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you. 00:02:35.459 --> 00:02:37.840 And I will be their God. 00:02:38.840 --> 00:02:40.699 Then God said to Abraham, 00:02:41.379 --> 00:02:43.740 As for you, you must keep my covenant. 00:02:44.259 --> 00:02:47.840 You and your descendants after you for the generations to come. 00:02:47.840 --> 00:02:52.219 This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you. 00:02:52.219 --> 00:02:54.240 The covenant you are to keep. 00:02:55.159 --> 00:02:57.900 Every male among you shall be circumcised. 00:02:58.719 --> 00:03:00.780 You are to undergo circumcision. 00:03:01.620 --> 00:03:04.699 And it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. 00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:07.480 For the generations to come, 00:03:08.060 --> 00:03:11.719 every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, 00:03:12.219 --> 00:03:16.219 including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner. 00:03:16.219 --> 00:03:18.840 Those who are not of your household, 00:03:19.120 --> 00:03:20.099 not of your offspring. 00:03:21.139 --> 00:03:24.259 Whether born in your household or bought with your money, 00:03:24.840 --> 00:03:26.620 they must be circumcised. 00:03:27.379 --> 00:03:32.180 My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. 00:03:33.419 --> 00:03:37.879 Any uncircumcised male who has not been circumcised in the flesh 00:03:37.879 --> 00:03:40.520 will be cut off from his people. 00:03:41.360 --> 00:03:43.360 He has broken my covenant. 00:03:46.219 --> 00:03:47.359 Well, let's pray. 00:03:47.359 --> 00:03:47.460 Amen. 00:03:58.120 --> 00:04:01.840 We come to you, God Almighty, 00:04:03.379 --> 00:04:05.360 creator of our life 00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:08.360 and giver of life. 00:04:08.360 --> 00:04:12.420 Would you, by your spirit, 00:04:12.640 --> 00:04:16.240 speak words to us afresh today? 00:04:18.379 --> 00:04:22.100 Words that lead to a transformation of our hearts, 00:04:22.780 --> 00:04:26.160 changing our minds and our thinking, 00:04:27.980 --> 00:04:29.540 reorientating us 00:04:29.540 --> 00:04:31.560 to love you 00:04:31.560 --> 00:04:33.699 and worship you. 00:04:33.699 --> 00:04:36.819 Help us 00:04:36.819 --> 00:04:38.779 in Jesus' name. 00:04:39.420 --> 00:04:39.920 Amen. 00:04:45.920 --> 00:04:46.579 Thanks. 00:04:54.579 --> 00:04:55.219 No. 00:04:55.219 --> 00:04:55.279 No. 00:04:55.279 --> 00:05:02.799 So, how do you respond to failure? 00:05:04.239 --> 00:05:06.099 If someone lets you down 00:05:06.099 --> 00:05:09.000 or they break a promise to you, 00:05:09.559 --> 00:05:12.500 how do you respond inside? 00:05:12.619 --> 00:05:13.399 What do you feel? 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:16.339 Well, we might let the first one go, 00:05:16.479 --> 00:05:16.979 mightn't we? 00:05:17.339 --> 00:05:18.599 But the second time, 00:05:19.399 --> 00:05:20.399 well, that's it. 00:05:21.039 --> 00:05:21.899 It's over. 00:05:22.599 --> 00:05:23.379 It's finished. 00:05:24.459 --> 00:05:26.000 We're not very patient 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:27.399 with each other's failures, 00:05:27.579 --> 00:05:27.959 are we? 00:05:29.779 --> 00:05:31.399 Well, how does God deal 00:05:31.399 --> 00:05:32.279 with our failures? 00:05:33.199 --> 00:05:35.120 How do you think God responds 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:36.679 to our daily, 00:05:37.500 --> 00:05:37.979 hourly, 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:41.019 minute-by-minute failures? 00:05:42.199 --> 00:05:43.539 Well, look at verse 1. 00:05:45.019 --> 00:05:45.719 When Abraham, 00:05:45.959 --> 00:05:47.759 we're going to use the name Abraham 00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:48.500 through this, 00:05:48.579 --> 00:05:49.539 I'm not going to try and 00:05:49.540 --> 00:05:52.439 say Abraham and Abraham, 00:05:52.540 --> 00:05:53.379 I'll get mixed up, 00:05:53.439 --> 00:05:54.620 so we'll just call him Abraham 00:05:54.620 --> 00:05:55.840 through this chapter. 00:05:56.319 --> 00:05:59.040 When Abraham was 99 years old. 00:05:59.640 --> 00:06:01.879 Now, that's not a reminder 00:06:01.879 --> 00:06:03.360 to get the invites out 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:05.540 for Abraham's big, big birthday. 00:06:06.740 --> 00:06:07.820 No, it's a reminder 00:06:07.820 --> 00:06:10.080 that 13 years have passed 00:06:10.080 --> 00:06:14.100 since Abraham's big, big failure. 00:06:15.100 --> 00:06:16.960 Just look back one verse 00:06:16.960 --> 00:06:18.840 to the end of chapter 16. 00:06:20.340 --> 00:06:23.379 Abraham was 86 years old 00:06:23.379 --> 00:06:26.319 when Hagar bore him Ishmael. 00:06:26.900 --> 00:06:28.360 Remember, God had promised 00:06:28.360 --> 00:06:29.319 Abraham a son, 00:06:29.600 --> 00:06:31.000 but since his wife Sarah 00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:32.340 had borne him no children, 00:06:32.820 --> 00:06:34.860 he took matters into his own hands 00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:36.700 and had a son with Hagar 00:06:36.700 --> 00:06:38.020 who was not his wife. 00:06:39.360 --> 00:06:41.180 And the son of that relationship, 00:06:41.840 --> 00:06:42.520 Ishmael, 00:06:42.700 --> 00:06:44.939 was now 13 years old. 00:06:44.939 --> 00:06:47.219 So every passing year, 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:49.579 every birthday of Ishmael 00:06:49.579 --> 00:06:51.839 was only a reminder to Abraham 00:06:51.839 --> 00:06:56.240 of how he had disobeyed God. 00:06:57.839 --> 00:07:00.779 How does God respond to failures 00:07:00.779 --> 00:07:02.579 like Abraham? 00:07:03.860 --> 00:07:06.079 Failures like us? 00:07:06.079 --> 00:07:13.099 Well, he responds in one word. 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:14.899 Covenant. 00:07:15.899 --> 00:07:16.500 Covenant. 00:07:17.500 --> 00:07:18.519 Look at verse 2. 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:19.839 He says, 00:07:19.839 --> 00:07:22.799 Then I will make my covenant 00:07:22.799 --> 00:07:25.759 between me and you. 00:07:26.619 --> 00:07:29.219 Now, we've come across covenant before, 00:07:29.359 --> 00:07:31.139 back in chapter 15. 00:07:31.319 --> 00:07:33.479 So this is not a new covenant. 00:07:33.679 --> 00:07:36.620 It's a continuation of the first one, 00:07:36.620 --> 00:07:38.519 but with new detail. 00:07:38.519 --> 00:07:42.500 Now, a covenant is like a promise 00:07:42.500 --> 00:07:44.099 or a pledge. 00:07:44.339 --> 00:07:46.279 It's a formal relationship 00:07:46.279 --> 00:07:48.379 between two people 00:07:48.379 --> 00:07:50.680 who agree to a set of promises. 00:07:50.919 --> 00:07:52.779 It's a bit like a marriage. 00:07:53.799 --> 00:07:56.539 A husband and wife make promises. 00:07:56.799 --> 00:07:58.299 They vow to be loyal 00:07:58.299 --> 00:07:59.859 and faithful and committed. 00:07:59.859 --> 00:08:02.439 And when God makes a covenant, 00:08:03.479 --> 00:08:05.759 it's to be long term. 00:08:06.719 --> 00:08:10.300 God doesn't do short term relationships. 00:08:10.620 --> 00:08:12.319 He's in it for the long haul. 00:08:13.480 --> 00:08:16.019 Now, to get that long termness 00:08:16.019 --> 00:08:17.399 into our heads 00:08:17.399 --> 00:08:19.300 and allow it to sink in, 00:08:19.740 --> 00:08:22.099 get your yellow highlighter out 00:08:22.099 --> 00:08:24.319 and mark the word covenant 00:08:24.319 --> 00:08:26.939 all the way through chapter 17. 00:08:28.759 --> 00:08:30.980 Well, 13 ticks later, 00:08:31.599 --> 00:08:32.939 you will get the point. 00:08:32.940 --> 00:08:36.060 God responds to failures 00:08:36.060 --> 00:08:38.980 with covenant faithfulness. 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:43.520 Better still, read aloud verse 7. 00:08:44.900 --> 00:08:47.060 I will establish my covenant 00:08:47.060 --> 00:08:50.120 as an everlasting covenant 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:51.380 between me and you. 00:08:52.500 --> 00:08:53.740 Or verse 13, 00:08:54.100 --> 00:08:55.360 the end of verse 13. 00:08:56.020 --> 00:08:57.960 My covenant in your flesh 00:08:57.960 --> 00:09:01.100 is to be an everlasting covenant. 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:03.740 And this would go on 00:09:03.740 --> 00:09:04.879 down through the family, 00:09:05.320 --> 00:09:07.340 the middle of verse 19. 00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:11.519 I will establish my covenant with him 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:14.759 as an everlasting covenant. 00:09:16.279 --> 00:09:19.500 God responds to failures like us 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:23.060 with everlasting faithfulness. 00:09:23.059 --> 00:09:28.639 So let's see what this everlasting covenant is 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:30.379 in more detail. 00:09:33.439 --> 00:09:34.119 First, 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:36.779 covenant reminds us 00:09:36.779 --> 00:09:39.719 of an everlasting relationship with God. 00:09:40.179 --> 00:09:41.819 There's a lot of repetition 00:09:41.819 --> 00:09:43.359 through chapter 17. 00:09:44.119 --> 00:09:45.699 We get continual reminders 00:09:45.699 --> 00:09:47.599 of God's promise to Abraham 00:09:47.599 --> 00:09:50.000 that he's going to be a great nation. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:52.100 But here in chapter 17, 00:09:52.100 --> 00:09:53.840 we get to see the purpose 00:09:53.840 --> 00:09:56.600 of why God is going to make him 00:09:56.600 --> 00:09:57.779 into a great nation. 00:09:58.620 --> 00:10:02.919 Look how God introduced himself to us. 00:10:03.460 --> 00:10:04.179 Verse 1. 00:10:04.860 --> 00:10:07.600 When Abraham was 99 years old, 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:09.840 the Lord appeared to him and said, 00:10:10.399 --> 00:10:13.259 I am God Almighty. 00:10:13.259 --> 00:10:15.340 Once more, 00:10:15.460 --> 00:10:16.779 God takes the initiative 00:10:16.779 --> 00:10:19.620 and intervenes into Abraham's 00:10:19.620 --> 00:10:20.819 helpless life. 00:10:21.399 --> 00:10:22.860 God Almighty, 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:26.259 the creator of the universe, 00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:27.899 the one that spoke everything 00:10:28.580 --> 00:10:29.600 into existence, 00:10:30.179 --> 00:10:32.100 the one who owns all things, 00:10:32.539 --> 00:10:33.939 rules over all things, 00:10:34.220 --> 00:10:35.919 has power over all things, 00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:37.799 who sees all things, 00:10:38.179 --> 00:10:40.080 comes and speaks. 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:44.340 I am God Almighty. 00:10:45.500 --> 00:10:47.860 Walk before me faithfully 00:10:47.860 --> 00:10:48.920 and be blameless. 00:10:49.540 --> 00:10:51.280 Then I will make my covenant 00:10:51.280 --> 00:10:53.080 between me and you 00:10:53.080 --> 00:10:55.879 and you will greatly increase 00:10:55.879 --> 00:10:57.139 in numbers. 00:10:58.840 --> 00:10:59.280 You see, 00:10:59.400 --> 00:11:00.780 God doesn't give up 00:11:00.780 --> 00:11:02.259 on failures. 00:11:03.100 --> 00:11:06.040 He moves towards failures. 00:11:06.940 --> 00:11:08.100 God Almighty 00:11:08.100 --> 00:11:09.180 is concerned 00:11:09.180 --> 00:11:10.480 for insignificant, 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:11.779 weak, 00:11:12.300 --> 00:11:14.240 nobodies like us. 00:11:15.420 --> 00:11:17.139 Now this intervention 00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:18.940 by God Almighty 00:11:18.940 --> 00:11:20.659 is filled 00:11:20.659 --> 00:11:21.840 with purpose. 00:11:22.920 --> 00:11:23.960 Look at verse 7. 00:11:25.700 --> 00:11:26.820 God speaks 00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:27.420 and he says, 00:11:27.519 --> 00:11:28.440 I will establish 00:11:28.440 --> 00:11:29.240 my covenant 00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:31.620 as an everlasting covenant 00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:32.700 between me 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:33.480 and you 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:34.940 and your descendants 00:11:34.940 --> 00:11:35.720 after you 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:36.680 for the generations 00:11:36.679 --> 00:11:37.399 to come. 00:11:37.959 --> 00:11:39.219 And here's the addition 00:11:39.219 --> 00:11:40.039 to the covenant. 00:11:40.719 --> 00:11:41.419 To be 00:11:41.419 --> 00:11:43.019 your God 00:11:43.019 --> 00:11:44.479 and the God 00:11:44.479 --> 00:11:45.379 of your descendants 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:46.239 after you. 00:11:47.339 --> 00:11:47.899 It's an 00:11:47.899 --> 00:11:48.979 I will be 00:11:48.979 --> 00:11:49.899 your God 00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:51.379 and you will be 00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:52.279 my people 00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:53.459 kind of promise. 00:11:54.599 --> 00:11:54.959 You see, 00:11:55.059 --> 00:11:55.739 the purpose 00:11:55.739 --> 00:11:57.339 of making Abraham 00:11:57.339 --> 00:11:58.739 into a great nation 00:11:58.739 --> 00:12:00.000 is that God 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:00.799 is going to be 00:12:00.799 --> 00:12:01.359 God 00:12:01.359 --> 00:12:02.620 to this nation. 00:12:03.099 --> 00:12:03.919 God is making 00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:05.379 an everlasting promise 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:06.000 that is going 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:07.059 to reach out 00:12:07.059 --> 00:12:08.459 into all the world 00:12:08.459 --> 00:12:09.860 down through this history 00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:10.679 in the centuries 00:12:10.679 --> 00:12:11.299 of time 00:12:11.299 --> 00:12:13.000 and reaching forward 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:14.279 into all history. 00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:15.899 I will be 00:12:15.899 --> 00:12:16.439 God 00:12:16.439 --> 00:12:17.539 to you 00:12:17.539 --> 00:12:18.719 forever. 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:21.979 This is the kind 00:12:21.979 --> 00:12:23.000 of relationship 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:25.419 God calls us into. 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:27.539 You see, 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:28.459 we tend to look 00:12:28.459 --> 00:12:29.379 at our relationships 00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:30.299 with God 00:12:30.299 --> 00:12:32.139 through different eyes. 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:33.939 we imagine 00:12:33.939 --> 00:12:35.080 that it's us 00:12:35.080 --> 00:12:36.559 who moves out 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:37.899 towards God. 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:39.659 It's almost 00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:40.819 that God 00:12:40.819 --> 00:12:41.340 is there 00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:42.360 as an invitation 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:43.299 if we like it 00:12:43.299 --> 00:12:44.080 or whatever. 00:12:44.679 --> 00:12:46.120 If you're interested 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:47.199 in a relationship, 00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:48.259 well, 00:12:48.419 --> 00:12:49.179 here I am 00:12:49.179 --> 00:12:49.740 for you. 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:52.139 When you're ready 00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:53.220 in your time, 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:54.779 just let me know. 00:12:56.460 --> 00:12:56.799 Well, 00:12:56.860 --> 00:12:57.639 Abraham isn't 00:12:57.639 --> 00:12:58.639 given that choice, 00:12:58.720 --> 00:12:59.059 is he? 00:12:59.960 --> 00:13:01.259 God intervenes 00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:01.819 and says, 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:02.580 verse 7, 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:06.559 I will establish 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:07.340 my covenant 00:13:07.340 --> 00:13:08.319 as an everlasting 00:13:08.319 --> 00:13:08.919 covenant 00:13:08.919 --> 00:13:09.840 between me 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:10.899 and you. 00:13:11.259 --> 00:13:12.419 This is what's 00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:12.860 happening, 00:13:13.059 --> 00:13:13.399 Abraham. 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:15.259 This is how 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:16.279 it's going to be. 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:17.600 I am 00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:19.019 going to be 00:13:19.019 --> 00:13:20.240 your God. 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:23.240 Now, 00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:23.740 I know that 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:24.799 begins to grate 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:25.840 with our pride 00:13:25.840 --> 00:13:27.660 because we love 00:13:27.660 --> 00:13:28.300 to be able 00:13:28.300 --> 00:13:28.920 to sing, 00:13:29.600 --> 00:13:30.820 I decided 00:13:30.820 --> 00:13:31.820 to follow 00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:32.300 Jesus. 00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:33.840 Well, 00:13:33.879 --> 00:13:34.420 that's not 00:13:34.420 --> 00:13:35.460 how it works. 00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:37.220 If you follow 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:38.200 Jesus today, 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:39.139 it's because 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:40.220 God Almighty 00:13:40.220 --> 00:13:41.600 intervened 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:42.259 in your life, 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:43.460 not at your 00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:44.240 invitation, 00:13:44.740 --> 00:13:45.420 but because 00:13:45.420 --> 00:13:46.460 God said, 00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:47.660 I will be 00:13:47.660 --> 00:13:48.560 your God. 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:49.559 God, 00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:52.059 now that might 00:13:52.059 --> 00:13:52.619 cause a bit 00:13:52.619 --> 00:13:53.099 of upset 00:13:53.099 --> 00:13:53.839 for you. 00:13:54.739 --> 00:13:55.519 It might even 00:13:55.519 --> 00:13:56.459 keep you awake 00:13:56.459 --> 00:13:57.139 at night. 00:13:58.019 --> 00:13:58.739 But doesn't 00:13:58.739 --> 00:13:59.439 that help us 00:13:59.439 --> 00:14:00.139 see what a 00:14:00.139 --> 00:14:00.939 gracious and 00:14:00.939 --> 00:14:01.579 good God 00:14:01.579 --> 00:14:02.099 we have? 00:14:02.619 --> 00:14:03.799 God Almighty 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:05.639 is interested 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:06.219 in you. 00:14:07.219 --> 00:14:08.199 He desires 00:14:08.199 --> 00:14:09.019 to be 00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:09.939 your 00:14:09.939 --> 00:14:10.979 God. 00:14:13.219 --> 00:14:13.819 When 00:14:13.819 --> 00:14:14.599 Kirsty and I 00:14:14.599 --> 00:14:15.199 stood at the 00:14:15.199 --> 00:14:15.739 front of a 00:14:15.739 --> 00:14:16.179 church 00:14:16.179 --> 00:14:18.019 25 years 00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:18.399 ago, 00:14:19.439 --> 00:14:20.139 I made 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:21.039 a promise. 00:14:22.419 --> 00:14:23.319 I will 00:14:23.319 --> 00:14:24.099 be husband 00:14:24.099 --> 00:14:25.559 to you. 00:14:26.319 --> 00:14:27.179 That means 00:14:27.179 --> 00:14:28.359 I am for 00:14:28.359 --> 00:14:28.639 you. 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:29.639 I am in 00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:30.500 this marriage 00:14:30.500 --> 00:14:31.419 for your 00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:31.879 good. 00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:32.879 I will be 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:33.919 everything you 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:34.739 need and 00:14:34.739 --> 00:14:35.299 desire. 00:14:35.719 --> 00:14:36.139 Now when 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:36.879 God comes 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.500 to us and 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:38.059 takes us 00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:38.479 by the 00:14:38.479 --> 00:14:38.939 hand and 00:14:38.939 --> 00:14:39.239 says, 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:40.279 I will be 00:14:40.279 --> 00:14:40.799 God to 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:41.059 you, 00:14:41.359 --> 00:14:41.899 God is 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:42.259 saying, 00:14:42.479 --> 00:14:42.839 I am 00:14:42.839 --> 00:14:43.839 for you. 00:14:44.839 --> 00:14:45.339 I am 00:14:45.339 --> 00:14:45.799 in this 00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:46.259 for your 00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:46.639 good. 00:14:46.959 --> 00:14:47.500 I will 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:48.419 be everything 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:49.620 you need 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:50.819 every single 00:14:50.819 --> 00:14:51.279 day. 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:52.219 All that 00:14:52.219 --> 00:14:53.019 you desire, 00:14:53.299 --> 00:14:53.899 I will 00:14:53.899 --> 00:14:54.659 be for 00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:55.120 you. 00:14:58.079 --> 00:14:58.839 Shamefully, 00:14:59.819 --> 00:15:00.879 unlike me, 00:15:01.979 --> 00:15:02.659 God is 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:03.219 loyal, 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:04.859 committed, 00:15:06.059 --> 00:15:07.059 steadfast, 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:08.620 faithful. 00:15:09.819 --> 00:15:10.379 As one 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:11.059 writer put 00:15:11.059 --> 00:15:11.279 it, 00:15:11.679 --> 00:15:12.620 this is a 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:13.319 relationship 00:15:13.320 --> 00:15:14.400 no time 00:15:14.400 --> 00:15:14.700 can 00:15:14.700 --> 00:15:15.320 exhaust, 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:16.860 no circumstance 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:18.020 can change, 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:19.379 no disaster 00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:20.379 can destroy, 00:15:20.900 --> 00:15:21.760 no catastrophe 00:15:21.760 --> 00:15:22.760 can crush, 00:15:23.180 --> 00:15:23.820 no human 00:15:23.820 --> 00:15:24.700 failure can 00:15:24.700 --> 00:15:25.100 alter, 00:15:25.560 --> 00:15:26.000 and that 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:26.940 no death 00:15:26.940 --> 00:15:28.440 can break. 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:30.800 In fact, 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:31.840 to drive the 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:32.640 point home, 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:33.860 God gives 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:34.740 Abraham a new 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:35.080 name. 00:15:35.420 --> 00:15:35.740 Look at 00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:36.520 verse 5. 00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:38.380 No longer 00:15:38.380 --> 00:15:39.020 will you be 00:15:39.020 --> 00:15:40.200 called Abram, 00:15:40.200 --> 00:15:41.540 your name 00:15:41.540 --> 00:15:42.080 will be 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:43.020 Abraham. 00:15:44.300 --> 00:15:45.520 Every time 00:15:45.520 --> 00:15:46.320 Sarah would 00:15:46.320 --> 00:15:46.980 call him, 00:15:47.220 --> 00:15:47.660 or his 00:15:47.660 --> 00:15:48.379 buddies would 00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:48.860 call him 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:49.720 Abraham, 00:15:50.660 --> 00:15:51.060 there would 00:15:51.060 --> 00:15:51.560 be an 00:15:51.560 --> 00:15:52.440 echo within 00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:53.100 his heart 00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:53.560 and within 00:15:53.560 --> 00:15:54.259 his life, 00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:55.660 God saying 00:15:55.660 --> 00:15:56.040 to him 00:15:56.040 --> 00:15:56.440 again, 00:15:56.920 --> 00:15:57.940 I am 00:15:57.940 --> 00:15:58.879 God Almighty 00:15:58.879 --> 00:16:00.140 and I 00:16:00.140 --> 00:16:01.040 will be 00:16:01.040 --> 00:16:01.860 your God. 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:05.340 So first, 00:16:06.899 --> 00:16:07.440 God's 00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:07.820 covenant 00:16:07.820 --> 00:16:09.180 is all 00:16:09.180 --> 00:16:09.899 about an 00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:10.759 everlasting 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:12.320 relationship 00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:13.180 with God. 00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:16.779 But also, 00:16:19.180 --> 00:16:21.419 come on, 00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:26.480 covenant 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:27.100 is all 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:27.740 about an 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:28.340 everlasting 00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:29.279 commitment 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:30.320 to God. 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:31.720 You see, 00:16:31.820 --> 00:16:32.220 God's 00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:32.900 relationships, 00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:33.720 just like 00:16:33.720 --> 00:16:34.360 a marriage, 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:35.240 is not 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:35.920 just one 00:16:35.920 --> 00:16:36.560 way traffic, 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.320 it works 00:16:37.320 --> 00:16:38.220 both ways. 00:16:38.940 --> 00:16:39.420 Something 00:16:39.420 --> 00:16:40.220 God made 00:16:40.220 --> 00:16:41.080 sure Abraham 00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:41.680 understood. 00:16:42.780 --> 00:16:43.340 Look at the 00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:43.660 middle of 00:16:43.660 --> 00:16:44.180 verse 1. 00:16:45.140 --> 00:16:45.760 God says, 00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:46.520 I am God 00:16:46.520 --> 00:16:47.060 Almighty, 00:16:47.420 --> 00:16:48.260 walk before 00:16:48.260 --> 00:16:49.500 me faithfully 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:51.320 and be 00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:52.440 blameless. 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:53.920 There's a 00:16:53.920 --> 00:16:54.840 way for you 00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:55.480 to live in 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:56.120 relationship 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:56.740 with me, 00:16:56.840 --> 00:16:57.160 Abraham, 00:16:57.640 --> 00:16:58.140 and it's 00:16:58.140 --> 00:16:58.460 to be 00:16:58.460 --> 00:16:59.140 faithful 00:16:59.139 --> 00:17:00.439 and 00:17:00.439 --> 00:17:01.199 blameless. 00:17:03.460 --> 00:17:03.720 Now, 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:04.279 how do you 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:05.160 show such 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:05.799 commitment 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:07.079 to God 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:07.639 Almighty? 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.119 Well, 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:09.779 God gave 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:10.420 Abraham 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:11.839 a sign. 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:13.259 He gave 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:13.960 him a sign. 00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:14.960 Look at 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:15.619 verse 10. 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:17.379 This is 00:17:17.379 --> 00:17:18.099 my covenant 00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:18.900 with you 00:17:18.900 --> 00:17:19.440 and your 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:19.960 descendants 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:20.759 after you, 00:17:21.139 --> 00:17:21.859 the covenant 00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:22.639 you are to 00:17:22.639 --> 00:17:23.059 keep. 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:24.980 Every male 00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:25.779 among you 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.799 shall be 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:27.940 circumcised. 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:29.519 Now, 00:17:29.600 --> 00:17:30.380 this painful 00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:31.160 action 00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:32.900 was a sign 00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:33.279 of a 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:33.779 promised 00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:34.559 action. 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:36.440 The cutting 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:37.220 off with a 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:38.140 knife of 00:17:38.140 --> 00:17:39.000 the foreskin 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.559 from the 00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:39.920 penis 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:41.039 was an 00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:41.600 everlasting 00:17:41.600 --> 00:17:43.220 mark of 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:44.200 commitment. 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:46.559 In two 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:47.200 ways it 00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:47.840 demonstrated 00:17:47.840 --> 00:17:48.299 commitment. 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.140 First, 00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:49.660 it was a 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:50.420 reminder to 00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:51.539 Abraham that 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.120 God was 00:17:52.120 --> 00:17:52.759 committed to 00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:53.039 him. 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:53.860 God 00:17:53.860 --> 00:17:54.460 Almighty 00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:55.140 will be 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:56.000 his God. 00:17:56.380 --> 00:17:56.980 God is 00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:58.200 for him. 00:18:00.120 --> 00:18:00.920 But second, 00:18:01.100 --> 00:18:01.520 it was a 00:18:01.520 --> 00:18:02.200 reminder to 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:03.420 Abraham that 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:04.520 he was 00:18:04.520 --> 00:18:05.280 committed to 00:18:05.280 --> 00:18:05.680 God. 00:18:05.920 --> 00:18:06.980 He belongs 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:07.660 to God 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:08.160 Almighty. 00:18:08.600 --> 00:18:09.100 He is 00:18:09.100 --> 00:18:10.280 for God, 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:11.620 devoted to 00:18:11.620 --> 00:18:12.020 God, 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.120 loyal to 00:18:13.120 --> 00:18:13.440 God. 00:18:13.840 --> 00:18:14.680 My life 00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:15.380 is now 00:18:15.380 --> 00:18:16.740 cut off 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:18.000 for 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:19.160 God. 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:20.940 God 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:21.620 is now 00:18:21.620 --> 00:18:22.160 to 00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:22.720 God. 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:22.960 You see, 00:18:23.040 --> 00:18:23.400 it was all 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:24.300 very practical, 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:25.040 wasn't it? 00:18:25.580 --> 00:18:26.480 Every time 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:27.259 Abraham got 00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:27.720 up in the 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:28.080 morning, 00:18:29.080 --> 00:18:29.540 went to 00:18:29.540 --> 00:18:29.920 bed at 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:30.300 night, 00:18:31.100 --> 00:18:31.720 every time 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.120 he went 00:18:32.120 --> 00:18:32.519 to the 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:32.960 loo or 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:33.400 put on 00:18:33.400 --> 00:18:33.600 his 00:18:33.600 --> 00:18:34.140 pajamas, 00:18:35.380 --> 00:18:35.740 it would 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.100 be a 00:18:36.100 --> 00:18:36.620 reminder, 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:37.820 Abraham, 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:40.320 you belong 00:18:40.320 --> 00:18:40.960 to God. 00:18:42.360 --> 00:18:42.920 Abraham, 00:18:44.120 --> 00:18:44.640 you're 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:45.500 for God. 00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:46.900 That's 00:18:46.900 --> 00:18:47.320 why it 00:18:47.320 --> 00:18:47.900 says in 00:18:47.900 --> 00:18:48.640 the end 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:49.019 of verse 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:49.620 13, 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:50.480 my 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.120 covenant 00:18:51.120 --> 00:18:52.100 in your 00:18:52.100 --> 00:18:52.880 flesh 00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:54.120 is to 00:18:54.120 --> 00:18:54.660 be an 00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:55.500 everlasting 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.600 covenant. 00:18:58.360 --> 00:18:58.840 It was 00:18:58.840 --> 00:18:59.740 an everlasting 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:01.960 sign that 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:02.400 he was 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:02.960 committed 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:03.980 to the 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:04.640 God who 00:19:04.640 --> 00:19:05.259 was committed 00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:06.400 to him. 00:19:08.540 --> 00:19:09.259 So, 00:19:09.360 --> 00:19:09.720 question, 00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:11.820 why do 00:19:11.820 --> 00:19:12.380 we now 00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:13.000 go and 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:13.259 make 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:14.160 disciples of 00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:15.080 all nations, 00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:16.780 circumcising 00:19:16.780 --> 00:19:17.620 them in 00:19:17.619 --> 00:19:17.939 the name 00:19:17.939 --> 00:19:18.279 of the 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:18.599 Father 00:19:18.599 --> 00:19:19.039 and the 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:19.399 Son and 00:19:19.399 --> 00:19:19.759 the Holy 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:20.199 Spirit? 00:19:21.979 --> 00:19:22.439 Good 00:19:22.439 --> 00:19:22.919 question, 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:23.519 isn't it? 00:19:24.439 --> 00:19:24.879 Well, 00:19:24.919 --> 00:19:25.159 we're going 00:19:25.159 --> 00:19:25.439 to come 00:19:25.439 --> 00:19:25.879 back to 00:19:25.879 --> 00:19:26.259 that in 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:26.579 a minute, 00:19:26.719 --> 00:19:27.119 but let's 00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:27.659 not lose 00:19:27.659 --> 00:19:28.379 our focus. 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:30.239 You see, 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:30.979 a relationship 00:19:30.979 --> 00:19:31.859 with God 00:19:31.859 --> 00:19:33.619 is always 00:19:33.619 --> 00:19:34.959 two ways. 00:19:38.379 --> 00:19:39.059 God has 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:39.539 promised 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:40.279 himself to 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:40.719 us, 00:19:41.239 --> 00:19:41.859 and we 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:42.439 promise 00:19:42.439 --> 00:19:43.239 ourselves to 00:19:43.239 --> 00:19:43.500 him. 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:44.359 It's not 00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:45.099 an optional 00:19:45.099 --> 00:19:45.679 extra. 00:19:46.399 --> 00:19:46.919 Obedience 00:19:46.919 --> 00:19:47.559 isn't just 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:47.859 for the 00:19:47.859 --> 00:19:48.539 very keen, 00:19:48.659 --> 00:19:49.039 it's for 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:50.179 every 00:19:50.179 --> 00:19:51.139 follower 00:19:51.139 --> 00:19:52.240 of Christ. 00:19:53.419 --> 00:19:53.759 So, 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:54.079 look at 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:54.679 verse 2. 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:56.299 God 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:56.839 says, 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:58.539 I will 00:19:58.539 --> 00:19:59.819 make my 00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:00.159 covenant 00:20:00.159 --> 00:20:00.959 between me 00:20:00.959 --> 00:20:01.359 and you. 00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:01.980 This is 00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:02.399 what I'm 00:20:02.399 --> 00:20:02.619 going to 00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:02.759 do, 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:03.099 I'm going 00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:04.019 to establish 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:04.899 this covenant. 00:20:06.139 --> 00:20:06.919 Verse 9, 00:20:07.919 --> 00:20:08.919 then God 00:20:08.919 --> 00:20:09.419 said to 00:20:09.419 --> 00:20:09.859 Abraham, 00:20:10.319 --> 00:20:10.859 as for 00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:11.199 you, 00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:12.339 you must 00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:13.519 keep 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:14.379 my 00:20:14.379 --> 00:20:14.799 covenant. 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:16.579 I'll 00:20:16.579 --> 00:20:17.159 make it, 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:18.559 you've 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:18.859 got to 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:19.559 keep it. 00:20:22.159 --> 00:20:23.399 Verse 23, 00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:24.919 on that 00:20:24.919 --> 00:20:25.559 very day 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:25.980 Abraham 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.599 took his 00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:27.339 son Ishmael 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:27.740 and all 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.339 those born 00:20:28.339 --> 00:20:28.720 in his 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:29.279 household, 00:20:29.699 --> 00:20:30.199 or bought 00:20:30.199 --> 00:20:30.579 with his 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:31.159 money every 00:20:31.159 --> 00:20:31.699 male in 00:20:31.699 --> 00:20:32.399 his household, 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:34.039 and circumcised 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:35.059 them as 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:36.799 God told 00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:37.159 him. 00:20:37.879 --> 00:20:38.259 You see, 00:20:38.379 --> 00:20:39.019 when God 00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:39.579 Almighty 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:40.619 speaks, 00:20:40.619 --> 00:20:42.199 God's 00:20:42.199 --> 00:20:42.659 people 00:20:42.659 --> 00:20:43.659 always 00:20:43.659 --> 00:20:44.679 obey. 00:20:45.639 --> 00:20:45.939 In 00:20:45.939 --> 00:20:46.219 fact, 00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:47.159 failure to 00:20:47.159 --> 00:20:47.759 commit to 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.399 God would 00:20:48.399 --> 00:20:48.759 have 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.799 everlasting 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:50.979 consequences. 00:20:51.219 --> 00:20:52.000 Verse 14, 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.039 any 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:55.139 uncircumcised 00:20:55.139 --> 00:20:56.000 male who 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.500 has not 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:56.759 been 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.579 circumcised 00:20:57.579 --> 00:20:57.939 in the 00:20:57.939 --> 00:20:59.099 flesh will 00:20:59.099 --> 00:20:59.799 be cut 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.419 off from 00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:01.039 his people. 00:21:01.399 --> 00:21:01.819 He has 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:02.799 broken my 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:03.259 covenant. 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:04.199 God is 00:21:04.199 --> 00:21:04.479 saying, 00:21:04.619 --> 00:21:04.859 if you 00:21:04.859 --> 00:21:05.299 are not 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:05.899 cut off 00:21:05.899 --> 00:21:06.519 for me, 00:21:07.619 --> 00:21:08.059 you will 00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:08.519 be cut 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.679 off from 00:21:09.679 --> 00:21:10.019 me. 00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:11.959 You see, 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.519 we can't 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:13.379 mess about 00:21:13.379 --> 00:21:14.299 with God. 00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:15.859 When God 00:21:15.859 --> 00:21:16.379 speaks, 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.039 we listen, 00:21:17.179 --> 00:21:17.619 we do. 00:21:17.919 --> 00:21:18.419 It's not 00:21:18.419 --> 00:21:19.619 an invitation 00:21:19.619 --> 00:21:20.500 to raise 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.239 objections. 00:21:22.679 --> 00:21:23.139 Of course, 00:21:23.239 --> 00:21:23.899 this implies 00:21:23.899 --> 00:21:24.679 that we are 00:21:24.679 --> 00:21:25.779 intentionally 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:27.299 listening to 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:28.000 God's voice. 00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:28.559 We want to 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:28.959 know what 00:21:28.959 --> 00:21:29.899 pleases God. 00:21:30.199 --> 00:21:30.719 We want to 00:21:30.719 --> 00:21:31.119 know what 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:31.639 is good 00:21:31.639 --> 00:21:32.159 for us. 00:21:32.399 --> 00:21:32.879 So we 00:21:32.879 --> 00:21:33.459 read his 00:21:33.459 --> 00:21:33.759 word, 00:21:33.859 --> 00:21:34.419 we listen 00:21:34.419 --> 00:21:34.819 to his 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:35.239 voice, 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:36.719 we obey. 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:40.000 I have 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.519 a wedding 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:43.019 ring and 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.660 it provides 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:44.579 a similar 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:45.420 purpose. 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:47.100 Every time 00:21:47.100 --> 00:21:48.079 I look at 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:48.579 my ring, 00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:49.420 every time 00:21:49.420 --> 00:21:50.059 I fiddle 00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:50.420 with it 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:50.900 and turn 00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:51.380 it around 00:21:51.380 --> 00:21:51.799 in my 00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:52.400 finger, 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:53.700 it reminds 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:54.220 me of 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:55.200 promises 00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:56.240 Kirsty 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:56.940 made to 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.279 me. 00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.180 But it's 00:21:59.180 --> 00:21:59.759 much more 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.240 than just 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:00.720 one-way 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.220 traffic. 00:22:01.620 --> 00:22:02.460 It reminds 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:03.480 me of my 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:04.079 commitment 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:04.740 to Kirsty. 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:06.160 this ring 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:08.059 tells me 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:08.880 I am no 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:09.640 longer my 00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:10.000 own. 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:11.039 I live 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:12.120 for another. 00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:13.720 Well, 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.299 if God 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.059 is my 00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:15.620 God, 00:22:15.859 --> 00:22:16.519 I am 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:17.039 his. 00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:18.140 I belong 00:22:18.140 --> 00:22:18.620 to him. 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:19.400 I'm no 00:22:19.400 --> 00:22:20.319 longer my 00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:20.660 own. 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:21.440 I now 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:21.980 live in 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:22.599 the service 00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:23.299 of God 00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:23.839 Almighty 00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:24.700 and there 00:22:24.700 --> 00:22:25.339 is nothing 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:26.000 that God 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:26.859 cannot ask 00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:27.319 of me 00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:28.059 to which 00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:28.500 I can 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.039 turn around 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:29.579 and say 00:22:29.579 --> 00:22:30.420 no. 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.759 My life 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.140 doesn't 00:22:34.140 --> 00:22:34.780 belong to 00:22:34.780 --> 00:22:35.600 me anymore. 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.720 So second, 00:22:41.520 --> 00:22:41.860 covenant 00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:42.420 is all 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:43.060 about an 00:22:43.060 --> 00:22:43.660 everlasting 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:44.500 commitment 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:45.600 to God. 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:51.620 Third, 00:22:52.620 --> 00:22:52.980 an 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:53.540 everlasting 00:22:53.540 --> 00:22:55.060 need 00:22:55.060 --> 00:22:55.759 for God. 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:56.560 Covenant 00:22:56.560 --> 00:22:57.220 means an 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:57.720 everlasting 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:58.580 need for 00:22:58.580 --> 00:22:58.920 God. 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.720 Every year, 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:01.280 I'm sure 00:23:01.280 --> 00:23:01.900 you've seen 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:02.580 this on the 00:23:02.580 --> 00:23:03.040 television, 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.879 the state 00:23:03.879 --> 00:23:05.180 holds a 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:05.819 citizenship 00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:06.319 day. 00:23:07.139 --> 00:23:07.619 To become 00:23:07.619 --> 00:23:08.119 an Irish 00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:08.700 citizen, 00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:09.940 you must 00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:11.039 make a 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:11.379 promise. 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:12.980 And here's 00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:13.319 how the 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:14.180 promise goes. 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:15.720 I solemnly 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:16.599 declare my 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:17.599 fidelity to 00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:18.299 the Irish 00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:19.639 nation and 00:23:19.639 --> 00:23:20.420 my loyalty 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:20.920 to the 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:21.379 state. 00:23:21.379 --> 00:23:22.879 I undertake 00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:23.720 to faithfully 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:24.539 observe the 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.220 laws of the 00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:26.279 state and 00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:26.920 to respect 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:27.819 its democratic 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:28.680 values. 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.680 God's 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:30.680 promise. 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.240 For Abraham 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:31.700 and his 00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.160 family, 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.440 circumcision 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:34.580 day was 00:23:34.580 --> 00:23:34.920 like 00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:35.700 citizenship 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.279 day. 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.060 It was a 00:23:38.060 --> 00:23:39.160 declaration to 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:40.220 say we 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:41.259 belong to 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:41.600 God. 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.120 It was a 00:23:42.120 --> 00:23:42.759 promise to 00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:43.779 say we're 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:44.560 committed to 00:23:44.560 --> 00:23:44.900 God. 00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:46.019 I undertake 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.799 to faithfully 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:48.180 observe all 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:49.000 the laws of 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:49.440 God 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.019 Almighty. 00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:50.160 honesty. 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.480 However, 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.139 instead of 00:23:54.139 --> 00:23:54.700 it being a 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.240 mark of 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:56.139 being devoted 00:23:56.139 --> 00:23:56.819 to God, 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:59.019 it actually 00:23:59.019 --> 00:23:59.680 became a 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.460 reminder of 00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:01.180 their failure 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:02.099 to obey 00:24:02.099 --> 00:24:03.480 all that 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:03.940 God had 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.379 said. 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:06.680 You see, 00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:07.619 circumcision 00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:09.339 marked you 00:24:09.339 --> 00:24:10.839 out as 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:11.660 belonging to 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:12.039 God. 00:24:12.920 --> 00:24:13.480 It was an 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.680 external sign 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.059 of your 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.879 commitment to 00:24:15.879 --> 00:24:16.319 keep the 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:16.619 covenant. 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:17.859 But just 00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:18.660 because you 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.240 had the 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:19.799 mark, 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:21.519 just because 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:21.859 you had 00:24:21.859 --> 00:24:22.359 had that 00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:23.000 little cup 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:23.359 with a 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:23.700 knife, 00:24:24.119 --> 00:24:24.859 didn't mean 00:24:24.859 --> 00:24:25.299 that you 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:25.619 were an 00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.059 obedient 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:26.819 person. 00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:29.019 Circumcision 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:30.619 didn't make 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:31.759 you keep 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.619 the promise. 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:34.519 Just the 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:34.920 same as 00:24:34.920 --> 00:24:35.359 those who 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:35.779 attend 00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.519 citizenship 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:36.980 day. 00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:37.980 Just because 00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:38.599 you promised 00:24:38.599 --> 00:24:39.920 to faithfully 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:40.720 observe all 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:41.299 the laws of 00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:41.799 the state 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.099 and to 00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:42.720 respect its 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.259 democratic 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:43.779 values, 00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:44.859 just because 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.359 you might 00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:46.059 sign a 00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:46.480 piece of 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:46.839 paper, 00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:47.900 doesn't 00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:49.799 mean that 00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:50.159 you will 00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:51.000 obey all 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:51.460 the laws 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:51.740 of the 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.240 land. 00:24:54.099 --> 00:24:54.519 Well, 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:55.159 Abraham and 00:24:55.159 --> 00:24:55.700 his family 00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:56.639 soon realised 00:24:56.639 --> 00:24:57.039 that the 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:57.480 act of 00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:58.200 circumcision, 00:24:58.639 --> 00:24:59.279 painful as 00:24:59.279 --> 00:24:59.740 it was, 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.720 was actually 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.339 a whole lot 00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:02.099 easier than 00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:02.740 the act of 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.220 obedience. 00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:07.819 And we're 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:08.500 no different 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:11.079 because we 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:11.680 can stand 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:12.440 before God 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:12.859 and make 00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:13.599 our promises. 00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:13.799 others. 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:15.559 I will 00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:16.059 love the 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:16.619 Lord my 00:25:16.619 --> 00:25:17.240 God with 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:17.679 all my 00:25:17.679 --> 00:25:18.079 heart, 00:25:18.219 --> 00:25:18.519 with all 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:19.099 my soul 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:19.439 and with 00:25:19.439 --> 00:25:19.859 all my 00:25:19.859 --> 00:25:20.439 strength. 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:21.919 Oh, 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:22.500 and just 00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:22.939 one other 00:25:22.939 --> 00:25:23.299 thing. 00:25:23.959 --> 00:25:24.359 I will 00:25:24.359 --> 00:25:24.980 love my 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:25.579 neighbour as 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.159 myself. 00:25:29.059 --> 00:25:29.919 It seems 00:25:29.919 --> 00:25:30.619 we too 00:25:30.619 --> 00:25:31.459 fail to 00:25:31.459 --> 00:25:31.859 obey. 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.759 We need 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:36.099 a change 00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:36.799 of heart. 00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:38.719 You see, 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:39.399 the physical 00:25:39.399 --> 00:25:40.199 act of 00:25:40.199 --> 00:25:41.099 circumcision 00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:42.099 circumcision 00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:43.179 pointed to 00:25:43.179 --> 00:25:43.980 the need 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.939 for a 00:25:44.939 --> 00:25:45.459 spiritual 00:25:45.459 --> 00:25:46.339 act of 00:25:46.339 --> 00:25:47.419 transformation. 00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:49.240 External 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:50.000 signs were 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:50.579 good, 00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:51.899 but what 00:25:51.899 --> 00:25:52.559 was actually 00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:53.259 needed was 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:54.339 an internal 00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:55.879 change of 00:25:55.879 --> 00:25:56.459 people's 00:25:56.459 --> 00:25:57.000 hearts. 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:58.959 Follow 00:25:58.959 --> 00:25:59.559 with me as 00:25:59.559 --> 00:25:59.939 we go 00:25:59.939 --> 00:26:00.319 forward. 00:26:00.419 --> 00:26:00.779 Go to 00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:01.579 Deuteronomy 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:02.980 chapter 10. 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:04.859 Deuteronomy 00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:05.799 chapter 10. 00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:09.139 The context 00:26:09.139 --> 00:26:09.939 here is 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:11.120 Abraham's 00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:12.279 small family 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:13.120 have now 00:26:13.120 --> 00:26:13.960 become a 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:15.240 great big 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:16.180 nation. 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:19.279 They've all 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:19.799 made the 00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:21.080 commitment to 00:26:21.080 --> 00:26:21.779 be devoted 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.440 to God, 00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:23.420 but, 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:25.019 as Deuteronomy 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:25.820 chapter 9 00:26:25.820 --> 00:26:26.539 tells us, 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:27.500 they are a 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.220 nation that 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:29.019 have failed 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:30.080 terribly. 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:30.720 They've just 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:31.440 set up the 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.420 golden calf 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:33.519 and they've 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:33.920 pledged 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:34.799 allegiance to 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:35.180 it. 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:37.680 And now 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.299 this is what 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:39.180 God says in 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:39.759 response. 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.759 this, he 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.860 says, is 00:26:41.860 --> 00:26:42.440 what must 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:42.799 happen. 00:26:42.920 --> 00:26:43.519 Deuteronomy 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.240 10, verse 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:44.860 14. 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.580 To the 00:26:49.580 --> 00:26:50.200 Lord your 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:50.840 God 00:26:50.840 --> 00:26:52.900 belong the 00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:53.519 heavens, 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.840 even the 00:26:54.840 --> 00:26:55.740 highest heavens, 00:26:56.660 --> 00:26:57.340 the earth 00:26:57.340 --> 00:26:58.600 and everything 00:26:58.600 --> 00:26:59.200 in it. 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:01.320 This is God 00:27:01.320 --> 00:27:02.400 Almighty who 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:02.880 we're dealing 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:03.299 with. 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:05.539 Yet the 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.320 Lord set 00:27:06.320 --> 00:27:07.200 his affection 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:07.820 on your 00:27:07.820 --> 00:27:08.960 ancestors and 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.580 loved them. 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:10.759 and he 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.799 chose you, 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:12.840 their 00:27:12.840 --> 00:27:13.480 descendants, 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:14.460 above all 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:15.100 the nations 00:27:15.100 --> 00:27:15.940 as it is 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:16.400 today. 00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:18.920 Circumcise 00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:19.960 your hearts, 00:27:20.320 --> 00:27:20.740 therefore, 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:22.700 and do not 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.700 be stiff-necked 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.580 any longer. 00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:26.160 Stop your 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:26.940 stubborn 00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:27.900 behaviour. 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:30.960 Circumcise 00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:32.420 your hearts. 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.420 God's 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:34.420 love. 00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:34.500 You see, 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.180 the heart 00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:36.080 represents 00:27:36.080 --> 00:27:37.019 where our 00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:37.460 true 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:38.259 loves are, 00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:39.019 what our 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:40.100 true desires 00:27:40.100 --> 00:27:40.920 actually are. 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.940 So you 00:27:41.940 --> 00:27:42.480 need to 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.340 cut off 00:27:43.340 --> 00:27:43.940 the 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:44.640 disordered 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:45.240 loves and 00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:46.080 the unhealthy 00:27:46.080 --> 00:27:46.759 desires. 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:47.960 You need to 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:48.660 change your 00:27:48.660 --> 00:27:49.240 heart. 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:52.420 Well, 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:52.980 how's that 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:53.320 going to 00:27:53.320 --> 00:27:53.620 happen? 00:27:54.720 --> 00:27:55.560 Make more 00:27:55.560 --> 00:27:56.440 promises to 00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:56.820 God? 00:27:57.640 --> 00:27:58.320 Ratchet up 00:27:58.320 --> 00:27:59.000 the commitment 00:27:59.000 --> 00:27:59.560 levels? 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:01.639 Go to 00:28:01.639 --> 00:28:02.639 rededication 00:28:02.639 --> 00:28:03.240 services? 00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:04.119 Please, 00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:04.440 Lord, 00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:04.759 would you 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.200 come into 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:05.700 my life 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:05.960 again? 00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:06.339 I mean, 00:28:06.399 --> 00:28:06.779 I didn't 00:28:06.779 --> 00:28:07.059 do it 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.480 quite right 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:07.759 the first 00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:07.919 time, 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.279 but this 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:08.659 time I 00:28:08.659 --> 00:28:09.859 really mean 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:10.079 it, 00:28:10.179 --> 00:28:10.639 come into 00:28:10.639 --> 00:28:11.240 my life. 00:28:12.519 --> 00:28:12.819 No, 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:13.679 we need 00:28:13.679 --> 00:28:14.460 something much 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:15.119 bigger and 00:28:15.119 --> 00:28:15.879 greater than 00:28:15.879 --> 00:28:16.319 our own 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:16.759 failed 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.440 attempts. 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:19.759 Listen to 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:20.319 what God 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:20.919 would say 00:28:20.919 --> 00:28:22.139 to his 00:28:22.139 --> 00:28:22.639 people. 00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:23.819 Go to 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:24.500 Deuteronomy 00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:25.599 chapter 30. 00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:30.759 Deuteronomy 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.740 chapter 30 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.959 verse 6. 00:28:38.399 --> 00:28:39.359 God says, 00:28:39.719 --> 00:28:40.159 circumcise 00:28:40.159 --> 00:28:40.779 your hearts. 00:28:40.879 --> 00:28:41.039 Well, 00:28:41.099 --> 00:28:41.559 how's that 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:41.859 going to 00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.159 happen? 00:28:44.419 --> 00:28:45.000 Well, 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:45.779 God steps 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:46.139 in. 00:28:46.459 --> 00:28:47.099 Deuteronomy 00:28:47.099 --> 00:28:48.240 30 verse 6. 00:28:48.899 --> 00:28:49.839 The Lord, 00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:51.199 your God, 00:28:51.319 --> 00:28:51.839 will circumcise 00:28:52.439 --> 00:28:53.199 your hearts 00:28:53.199 --> 00:28:54.619 and the 00:28:54.619 --> 00:28:55.159 hearts of 00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:55.360 your 00:28:55.360 --> 00:28:55.940 descendants. 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.320 Why? 00:28:58.540 --> 00:28:59.340 So that 00:28:59.340 --> 00:28:59.900 you may 00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:00.840 love him 00:29:00.840 --> 00:29:02.080 with all 00:29:02.080 --> 00:29:02.779 your heart 00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:03.680 and with 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:04.140 all your 00:29:04.140 --> 00:29:04.660 soul 00:29:04.660 --> 00:29:05.940 and live. 00:29:07.840 --> 00:29:08.500 You see, 00:29:08.600 --> 00:29:09.200 you and I 00:29:09.200 --> 00:29:10.200 can't make 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:10.860 ourselves 00:29:10.860 --> 00:29:11.820 love God 00:29:11.820 --> 00:29:12.320 more. 00:29:13.300 --> 00:29:14.000 Our hearts 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.740 are desperately 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.600 broken and 00:29:15.600 --> 00:29:15.900 sinful. 00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:17.060 We can't 00:29:17.060 --> 00:29:17.720 help but 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.220 love other 00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:18.840 things and 00:29:18.840 --> 00:29:19.400 other people 00:29:19.400 --> 00:29:20.019 instead of 00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:20.420 God. 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:22.480 So, 00:29:22.640 --> 00:29:23.640 how is this 00:29:23.640 --> 00:29:24.240 going to 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:24.560 happen? 00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:25.720 how are 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:26.379 our hearts 00:29:26.379 --> 00:29:26.859 going to 00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:27.619 be changed? 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:29.639 Well, 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.379 God does 00:29:30.379 --> 00:29:30.759 what he 00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:31.240 said he 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:31.619 is going 00:29:31.619 --> 00:29:32.119 to do. 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:32.960 God 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:33.339 will 00:29:33.339 --> 00:29:34.099 promise 00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:35.539 or has 00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:36.019 promised 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.319 to 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:37.079 circumcise 00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:37.619 our hearts 00:29:37.619 --> 00:29:38.399 and he 00:29:38.399 --> 00:29:39.039 does that 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:40.019 by establishing 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:40.799 a new 00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:41.299 covenant 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:42.859 through 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:43.539 Christ. 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:45.940 God 00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:47.119 circumcised 00:29:47.119 --> 00:29:48.179 our hearts 00:29:48.179 --> 00:29:49.819 through 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:50.759 or by 00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:51.579 Christ. 00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:53.339 Christ 00:29:53.339 --> 00:29:53.839 must be 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.200 the one 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:55.039 who performs 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:56.539 internal 00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:57.839 spiritual 00:29:57.839 --> 00:29:58.839 surgery on 00:29:58.839 --> 00:29:59.200 us. 00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:00.460 Now, 00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:01.019 this is all 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:01.579 helpfully 00:30:01.579 --> 00:30:02.579 explained for 00:30:02.579 --> 00:30:03.759 us if you 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.299 go to the 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:05.039 New Testament 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:06.139 to Colossians 00:30:06.139 --> 00:30:07.559 chapter 2. 00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:10.139 So, 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:10.500 you've got 00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:11.119 Galatians, 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:11.899 Ephesians, 00:30:12.139 --> 00:30:12.859 Philippians, 00:30:13.679 --> 00:30:14.319 Colossians. 00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:17.079 Maybe if you've 00:30:17.079 --> 00:30:17.659 got a page 00:30:17.659 --> 00:30:18.000 number, 00:30:18.139 --> 00:30:18.619 someone you 00:30:18.619 --> 00:30:19.119 can shout 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:19.659 it out for 00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:19.839 us. 00:30:19.879 --> 00:30:20.379 Colossians 00:30:20.379 --> 00:30:21.259 chapter 2. 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:26.799 1183. 00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:37.980 So, 00:30:38.140 --> 00:30:38.879 Christ must 00:30:38.879 --> 00:30:39.500 be the one 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.359 who performs 00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:41.500 internal 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.920 spiritual 00:30:42.920 --> 00:30:43.740 surgery 00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:45.039 on us. 00:30:46.359 --> 00:30:46.779 And here 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.319 we see it 00:30:47.319 --> 00:30:48.079 explained. 00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:49.160 Colossians 00:30:49.160 --> 00:30:49.819 chapter 2 00:30:49.819 --> 00:30:50.559 verse 11. 00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:53.700 In him, 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:55.119 in Christ, 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:55.640 or because 00:30:55.640 --> 00:30:56.240 of your 00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:57.220 faith or 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:57.799 your being 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:58.920 united to 00:30:58.920 --> 00:30:59.440 Christ, 00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:01.339 in him 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:02.420 you are 00:31:02.420 --> 00:31:02.940 also 00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:04.180 circumcised 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:04.680 with a 00:31:04.680 --> 00:31:05.480 circumcision 00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:07.220 not performed 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:07.980 by human 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:08.480 hands. 00:31:09.299 --> 00:31:09.559 No 00:31:09.559 --> 00:31:10.799 outward 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:11.799 external 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:12.640 act is 00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:13.319 ever going 00:31:13.319 --> 00:31:13.879 to change 00:31:13.879 --> 00:31:14.299 your heart. 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:15.119 You can't 00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:15.940 perform your 00:31:15.940 --> 00:31:16.779 own heart 00:31:16.779 --> 00:31:17.440 surgery. 00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.099 So, 00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:19.619 how are we 00:31:19.619 --> 00:31:20.099 going to be 00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:20.460 changed? 00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:20.720 Well, 00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:21.319 read on. 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:22.759 Your 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.259 whole 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:23.940 self 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:24.880 ruled 00:31:24.880 --> 00:31:25.440 by the 00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:26.039 flesh, 00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:27.519 that is, 00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:27.759 your 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.180 whole 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:28.779 self 00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:29.700 ruled 00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:30.319 by your 00:31:30.319 --> 00:31:30.940 sinful 00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:31.759 desires 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.279 of your 00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:32.860 heart, 00:31:33.400 --> 00:31:35.140 was put 00:31:35.140 --> 00:31:35.720 off or 00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:37.079 cut off 00:31:37.079 --> 00:31:38.559 when you 00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:38.740 were 00:31:38.740 --> 00:31:39.880 circumcised 00:31:39.880 --> 00:31:40.580 God 00:31:40.580 --> 00:31:41.320 by Christ. 00:31:43.160 --> 00:31:43.720 You say, 00:31:43.800 --> 00:31:43.900 well, 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:44.920 how does 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.320 that 00:31:45.320 --> 00:31:45.720 happen? 00:31:46.520 --> 00:31:46.960 How does 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:47.860 he cut 00:31:47.860 --> 00:31:48.440 off our 00:31:48.440 --> 00:31:49.420 sinful 00:31:49.420 --> 00:31:50.200 desires of 00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:50.360 our 00:31:50.360 --> 00:31:50.560 heart? 00:31:50.620 --> 00:31:50.980 How does 00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:51.980 he deal 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:52.580 with us? 00:31:52.680 --> 00:31:52.840 Well, 00:31:52.880 --> 00:31:53.140 look at 00:31:53.140 --> 00:31:53.960 verse 13. 00:31:55.080 --> 00:31:55.920 When you 00:31:55.920 --> 00:31:56.700 were dead 00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:57.100 in your 00:31:57.100 --> 00:31:57.820 sins and 00:31:57.820 --> 00:31:58.320 in the 00:31:58.320 --> 00:31:59.480 uncircumcision 00:31:59.480 --> 00:31:59.920 of your 00:31:59.920 --> 00:32:00.360 flesh, 00:32:00.900 --> 00:32:02.180 God made 00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:03.020 you alive 00:32:03.020 --> 00:32:03.740 with Christ. 00:32:03.880 --> 00:32:04.580 He forgave 00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:05.559 us all 00:32:05.559 --> 00:32:06.359 our sins. 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:08.419 You see, 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:09.039 two things 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:09.579 are happening 00:32:09.579 --> 00:32:09.939 here. 00:32:10.359 --> 00:32:10.779 First, 00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:11.980 our sinful 00:32:11.980 --> 00:32:12.759 hearts are 00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.419 dealt with. 00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:14.419 As Christ 00:32:14.419 --> 00:32:14.939 went to 00:32:14.939 --> 00:32:15.460 the cross, 00:32:15.859 --> 00:32:16.319 he took 00:32:16.319 --> 00:32:17.039 on himself 00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:17.679 our 00:32:17.679 --> 00:32:18.639 disobedience, 00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:19.220 our 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:19.720 failures, 00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:20.199 so when 00:32:20.199 --> 00:32:20.839 the knife 00:32:20.839 --> 00:32:21.480 of judgment 00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.000 fell, 00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:23.319 Christ was 00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:24.059 being cut 00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:24.619 off from 00:32:24.619 --> 00:32:25.799 God for 00:32:25.799 --> 00:32:26.279 us. 00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:27.699 The only 00:32:27.699 --> 00:32:28.419 true 00:32:28.419 --> 00:32:29.199 obedient 00:32:29.199 --> 00:32:30.199 son who 00:32:30.199 --> 00:32:30.679 walked 00:32:30.679 --> 00:32:31.659 faithfully 00:32:31.659 --> 00:32:33.099 and blamelessly 00:32:33.099 --> 00:32:34.000 before God 00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:34.799 was punished 00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:35.700 for you 00:32:35.700 --> 00:32:36.240 and for 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:36.660 I. 00:32:38.900 --> 00:32:39.440 And not 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:39.900 only were 00:32:39.900 --> 00:32:40.559 our sins 00:32:40.559 --> 00:32:41.259 dealt with, 00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:42.220 but second, 00:32:42.400 --> 00:32:42.680 we were 00:32:42.680 --> 00:32:43.180 given a 00:32:43.180 --> 00:32:43.740 new heart. 00:32:43.859 --> 00:32:44.160 Look what 00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:44.640 it says 00:32:44.640 --> 00:32:45.079 in verse 00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:45.660 13. 00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:46.640 You were 00:32:46.640 --> 00:32:47.420 dead 00:32:47.420 --> 00:32:48.779 in your 00:32:48.779 --> 00:32:49.400 sins, 00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:51.339 but now 00:32:51.339 --> 00:32:51.940 God has 00:32:51.940 --> 00:32:52.640 made you 00:32:52.640 --> 00:32:54.039 alive 00:32:54.039 --> 00:32:55.240 with Christ. 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:56.160 Your heart 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:56.660 was so 00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:57.200 broken, 00:32:57.660 --> 00:32:58.079 you were 00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:58.640 dead. 00:32:58.900 --> 00:32:59.220 There was 00:32:59.220 --> 00:33:00.200 no spiritual 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:00.980 life to 00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:01.279 you, 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:02.160 but now 00:33:02.160 --> 00:33:02.640 you've been 00:33:02.640 --> 00:33:03.319 made alive, 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:03.819 you've been 00:33:03.819 --> 00:33:04.379 given a 00:33:04.379 --> 00:33:05.299 new heart 00:33:05.299 --> 00:33:06.139 so that 00:33:06.139 --> 00:33:06.539 you can 00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:07.099 now live 00:33:07.099 --> 00:33:07.859 a new 00:33:07.859 --> 00:33:08.819 life. 00:33:09.740 --> 00:33:10.379 A life 00:33:10.379 --> 00:33:11.259 filled with 00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:11.700 the Holy 00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:12.799 Spirit who 00:33:12.799 --> 00:33:13.500 gives us 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.619 God desires 00:33:14.619 --> 00:33:15.480 and God 00:33:15.480 --> 00:33:16.039 loves. 00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:17.960 You see, 00:33:18.079 --> 00:33:18.740 Christ has 00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:19.799 been cut 00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:20.399 off for 00:33:20.399 --> 00:33:22.039 us so 00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:22.599 that we 00:33:22.599 --> 00:33:23.139 can be 00:33:23.139 --> 00:33:23.659 committed 00:33:23.659 --> 00:33:24.879 to him. 00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:26.679 Now 00:33:26.679 --> 00:33:27.119 all of 00:33:27.119 --> 00:33:27.539 this 00:33:27.539 --> 00:33:29.539 has been 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:30.359 demonstrated 00:33:30.359 --> 00:33:31.639 in the 00:33:31.639 --> 00:33:32.019 new 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:32.619 covenant 00:33:32.619 --> 00:33:33.379 sign. 00:33:34.379 --> 00:33:34.919 You see, 00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:35.419 the old 00:33:35.419 --> 00:33:35.799 covenant 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:36.379 failed, 00:33:36.919 --> 00:33:37.679 not because 00:33:37.679 --> 00:33:38.439 of God, 00:33:40.359 --> 00:33:40.959 he was 00:33:40.959 --> 00:33:41.519 faithful, 00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:43.519 but because 00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:43.979 of our 00:33:43.979 --> 00:33:44.459 failure. 00:33:45.699 --> 00:33:46.559 We needed 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.019 a new 00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:47.379 covenant, 00:33:47.579 --> 00:33:48.019 one that 00:33:48.019 --> 00:33:48.379 doesn't 00:33:48.379 --> 00:33:49.099 depend on 00:33:49.099 --> 00:33:49.339 us, 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:50.119 but one 00:33:50.119 --> 00:33:50.919 that depends 00:33:50.919 --> 00:33:51.579 solely 00:33:51.579 --> 00:33:53.139 on God. 00:33:53.140 --> 00:33:54.500 and we 00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:55.180 enter that 00:33:55.180 --> 00:33:55.660 new 00:33:55.660 --> 00:33:56.540 covenant 00:33:56.540 --> 00:33:57.700 everlasting 00:33:57.700 --> 00:33:58.620 relationship 00:33:58.620 --> 00:34:00.520 by faith, 00:34:01.540 --> 00:34:02.000 which is 00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:02.759 demonstrated 00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:03.680 in baptism. 00:34:04.140 --> 00:34:04.520 Again, 00:34:04.620 --> 00:34:05.100 let's read 00:34:05.100 --> 00:34:05.820 verse 11. 00:34:05.819 --> 00:34:07.119 in him 00:34:07.119 --> 00:34:08.059 you were 00:34:08.059 --> 00:34:08.420 also 00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:09.299 circumcised 00:34:09.299 --> 00:34:09.699 with a 00:34:09.699 --> 00:34:10.420 circumcision 00:34:10.420 --> 00:34:11.159 not 00:34:11.159 --> 00:34:11.659 performed 00:34:11.659 --> 00:34:12.259 by human 00:34:12.259 --> 00:34:12.799 hands. 00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:13.719 Your 00:34:13.719 --> 00:34:14.079 whole 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:14.500 self 00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:14.779 was 00:34:14.779 --> 00:34:15.179 ruled 00:34:15.179 --> 00:34:15.480 by 00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:15.699 the 00:34:15.699 --> 00:34:16.139 flesh, 00:34:16.799 --> 00:34:17.000 was 00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:17.380 put 00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:17.699 off 00:34:17.699 --> 00:34:17.920 when 00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:18.059 you 00:34:18.059 --> 00:34:18.219 were 00:34:18.219 --> 00:34:18.980 circumcised 00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:19.239 by 00:34:19.239 --> 00:34:19.699 Christ, 00:34:20.139 --> 00:34:20.420 having 00:34:20.420 --> 00:34:20.759 been 00:34:20.759 --> 00:34:21.239 buried 00:34:21.239 --> 00:34:21.659 with 00:34:21.659 --> 00:34:21.799 him 00:34:21.799 --> 00:34:22.019 in 00:34:22.019 --> 00:34:22.699 baptism, 00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:23.739 in 00:34:23.739 --> 00:34:24.000 which 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:24.139 you 00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:24.279 were 00:34:24.279 --> 00:34:24.659 also 00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:25.299 raised 00:34:25.299 --> 00:34:25.599 with 00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:25.759 him 00:34:25.759 --> 00:34:25.980 through 00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:26.199 your 00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:26.739 faith 00:34:26.739 --> 00:34:27.259 in 00:34:27.259 --> 00:34:27.380 the 00:34:27.380 --> 00:34:27.679 working 00:34:27.679 --> 00:34:27.900 of 00:34:27.900 --> 00:34:28.139 God 00:34:28.139 --> 00:34:28.360 who 00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:28.819 raised 00:34:28.819 --> 00:34:29.000 him 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.239 from 00:34:29.239 --> 00:34:29.440 the 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:29.860 dead. 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:31.360 You 00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:31.559 see, 00:34:31.679 --> 00:34:31.799 the 00:34:31.799 --> 00:34:32.219 act 00:34:32.219 --> 00:34:32.440 of 00:34:32.440 --> 00:34:33.099 baptism, 00:34:33.940 --> 00:34:34.039 the 00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:34.360 going 00:34:34.360 --> 00:34:34.840 down 00:34:34.840 --> 00:34:35.119 into 00:34:35.119 --> 00:34:35.319 the 00:34:35.319 --> 00:34:35.619 water 00:34:35.619 --> 00:34:35.799 and 00:34:35.799 --> 00:34:35.940 the 00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:36.219 coming 00:34:36.219 --> 00:34:36.500 up 00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:36.759 out 00:34:36.759 --> 00:34:36.859 of 00:34:36.859 --> 00:34:36.980 the 00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:37.299 water 00:34:37.299 --> 00:34:37.859 is 00:34:37.859 --> 00:34:38.079 a 00:34:38.079 --> 00:34:38.420 sign 00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:38.619 of 00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:38.900 your 00:34:38.900 --> 00:34:40.000 faith 00:34:40.000 --> 00:34:40.679 in 00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:41.259 Christ. 00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:42.319 When 00:34:42.319 --> 00:34:42.539 you're 00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:42.819 getting 00:34:42.819 --> 00:34:43.299 baptized 00:34:43.299 --> 00:34:43.799 you're 00:34:43.799 --> 00:34:44.079 saying 00:34:44.079 --> 00:34:45.039 Christ 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:46.059 died 00:34:46.059 --> 00:34:46.359 for 00:34:46.359 --> 00:34:46.859 all 00:34:46.859 --> 00:34:47.039 of 00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:47.319 my 00:34:47.319 --> 00:34:47.880 failures, 00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:48.400 every 00:34:48.400 --> 00:34:48.699 one 00:34:48.699 --> 00:34:48.839 of 00:34:48.839 --> 00:34:48.980 them, 00:34:49.139 --> 00:34:49.559 future 00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:50.000 ones, 00:34:50.139 --> 00:34:50.539 past 00:34:50.539 --> 00:34:51.079 ones, 00:34:51.739 --> 00:34:52.099 and 00:34:52.099 --> 00:34:52.480 Christ 00:34:52.480 --> 00:34:52.719 was 00:34:52.719 --> 00:34:53.259 raised 00:34:53.259 --> 00:34:53.779 so 00:34:53.779 --> 00:34:53.980 that 00:34:53.980 --> 00:34:54.139 I 00:34:54.139 --> 00:34:54.359 might 00:34:54.359 --> 00:34:54.539 have 00:34:54.539 --> 00:34:54.699 a 00:34:54.699 --> 00:34:54.940 new 00:34:54.940 --> 00:34:55.339 life 00:34:55.339 --> 00:34:55.799 to 00:34:55.799 --> 00:34:56.000 live 00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:56.179 a 00:34:56.179 --> 00:34:56.440 new 00:34:56.440 --> 00:34:56.759 way. 00:34:57.900 --> 00:34:58.420 Through 00:34:58.420 --> 00:34:58.799 our 00:34:58.799 --> 00:34:59.539 baptism 00:34:59.539 --> 00:34:59.920 we 00:34:59.920 --> 00:35:00.099 are 00:35:00.099 --> 00:35:00.759 expressing 00:35:00.759 --> 00:35:01.500 our 00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:02.440 absolute 00:35:02.440 --> 00:35:03.420 need 00:35:03.420 --> 00:35:04.279 for 00:35:04.279 --> 00:35:04.940 God. 00:35:05.619 --> 00:35:08.339 Now if 00:35:08.339 --> 00:35:08.779 this is 00:35:08.779 --> 00:35:09.279 the kind 00:35:09.279 --> 00:35:09.779 of God 00:35:09.779 --> 00:35:10.159 who can 00:35:10.159 --> 00:35:10.519 deal 00:35:10.519 --> 00:35:10.759 with 00:35:10.759 --> 00:35:11.380 all of 00:35:11.380 --> 00:35:11.519 your 00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:12.059 failure 00:35:12.059 --> 00:35:12.639 forever, 00:35:13.079 --> 00:35:13.639 if this 00:35:13.639 --> 00:35:13.980 is the 00:35:13.980 --> 00:35:14.299 kind 00:35:14.299 --> 00:35:14.799 of God 00:35:14.799 --> 00:35:15.119 who is 00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:15.539 committed 00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:16.420 to an 00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:17.179 everlasting 00:35:17.179 --> 00:35:18.059 relationship 00:35:18.059 --> 00:35:18.619 with you, 00:35:18.940 --> 00:35:19.420 if this 00:35:19.420 --> 00:35:19.719 is the 00:35:19.719 --> 00:35:19.980 kind 00:35:19.980 --> 00:35:20.400 of God 00:35:20.400 --> 00:35:20.759 who is 00:35:20.759 --> 00:35:21.460 for you 00:35:21.460 --> 00:35:22.239 and never 00:35:22.239 --> 00:35:22.839 gives up 00:35:22.839 --> 00:35:23.239 on you, 00:35:23.239 --> 00:35:24.319 who dies 00:35:24.319 --> 00:35:24.739 for you, 00:35:25.000 --> 00:35:25.420 who gives 00:35:25.420 --> 00:35:26.059 his life 00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:26.480 for you, 00:35:26.799 --> 00:35:27.119 who is 00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:27.619 committed 00:35:27.619 --> 00:35:28.239 to you, 00:35:28.460 --> 00:35:29.199 how can 00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:30.079 we not 00:35:30.079 --> 00:35:31.019 be devoted 00:35:31.019 --> 00:35:31.799 to him 00:35:31.799 --> 00:35:32.699 and love 00:35:32.699 --> 00:35:33.219 him with 00:35:33.219 --> 00:35:33.679 all our 00:35:33.679 --> 00:35:34.219 hearts? 00:35:34.219 --> 00:35:41.039 You see, 00:35:41.159 --> 00:35:41.980 baptism is 00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:43.019 important to 00:35:43.019 --> 00:35:43.480 us. 00:35:45.319 --> 00:35:45.779 God 00:35:45.779 --> 00:35:46.699 commands it. 00:35:47.239 --> 00:35:47.719 God 00:35:47.719 --> 00:35:48.839 Almighty 00:35:48.839 --> 00:35:50.059 says, 00:35:50.719 --> 00:35:50.939 my 00:35:50.939 --> 00:35:51.699 disciples, 00:35:52.419 --> 00:35:52.619 my 00:35:52.619 --> 00:35:53.259 followers 00:35:53.259 --> 00:35:55.119 should be 00:35:55.119 --> 00:35:55.539 baptized. 00:35:58.179 --> 00:35:58.839 You see, 00:35:58.899 --> 00:35:59.439 every time 00:35:59.439 --> 00:36:00.119 I sin 00:36:00.119 --> 00:36:01.899 and every 00:36:01.899 --> 00:36:02.539 time I 00:36:02.539 --> 00:36:03.000 fail, 00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:04.559 I can 00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:05.300 look back 00:36:05.300 --> 00:36:05.880 at my 00:36:05.880 --> 00:36:06.519 baptism 00:36:06.519 --> 00:36:08.159 and it 00:36:08.159 --> 00:36:09.019 reminds me 00:36:09.019 --> 00:36:09.940 of God's 00:36:09.940 --> 00:36:10.380 covenant 00:36:10.380 --> 00:36:11.320 faithfulness 00:36:11.320 --> 00:36:11.820 to me, 00:36:12.739 --> 00:36:13.059 that he 00:36:13.059 --> 00:36:13.579 has dealt 00:36:13.579 --> 00:36:14.260 with all 00:36:14.260 --> 00:36:14.639 of my 00:36:14.639 --> 00:36:15.099 failure. 00:36:15.800 --> 00:36:16.179 It will 00:36:16.179 --> 00:36:16.840 never be 00:36:16.840 --> 00:36:17.559 held against 00:36:17.559 --> 00:36:17.820 me. 00:36:18.119 --> 00:36:18.460 It will 00:36:18.460 --> 00:36:19.219 never break 00:36:19.219 --> 00:36:20.059 my relationship 00:36:20.059 --> 00:36:20.739 with God 00:36:20.739 --> 00:36:21.780 ever. 00:36:24.119 --> 00:36:25.019 But when I 00:36:25.019 --> 00:36:25.500 look back 00:36:25.500 --> 00:36:25.840 at my 00:36:25.840 --> 00:36:26.420 baptism, 00:36:26.639 --> 00:36:27.179 it reminds 00:36:27.179 --> 00:36:27.840 me of my 00:36:27.840 --> 00:36:28.239 covenant 00:36:28.239 --> 00:36:28.800 commitment 00:36:28.800 --> 00:36:29.360 to him. 00:36:30.400 --> 00:36:30.840 Johnny, 00:36:30.960 --> 00:36:31.320 you're no 00:36:31.320 --> 00:36:31.940 longer your 00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:32.220 own. 00:36:33.460 --> 00:36:34.300 You belong 00:36:34.300 --> 00:36:35.000 to God. 00:36:36.100 --> 00:36:36.640 You're 00:36:36.640 --> 00:36:37.559 devoted to 00:36:37.559 --> 00:36:37.940 God. 00:36:40.300 --> 00:36:41.160 So how 00:36:41.160 --> 00:36:41.740 does God 00:36:41.740 --> 00:36:42.400 deal with 00:36:42.400 --> 00:36:43.360 failures like 00:36:43.360 --> 00:36:43.780 Abraham? 00:36:43.780 --> 00:36:46.019 How does 00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:46.700 God deal 00:36:46.700 --> 00:36:47.559 with failures 00:36:47.559 --> 00:36:48.160 like you 00:36:48.160 --> 00:36:48.559 and me? 00:36:50.019 --> 00:36:51.160 One word, 00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:52.840 covenant. 00:36:52.840 --> 00:36:56.180 let's pray. 00:36:56.180 --> 00:36:56.200 Let's pray.