WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.780 we just say, well, whoever shows up, we'll just worship with them. 00:00:04.160 --> 00:00:05.860 As we think about the Chinese New Year, 00:00:06.219 --> 00:00:11.200 one of the themes that comes in often is this idea of blessings and being blessed. 00:00:11.759 --> 00:00:15.280 And so what we thought we would do is we would change the service around a little, 00:00:15.919 --> 00:00:20.879 and we'd spend the focus and the majority of our time with you worshiping before the Lord. 00:00:21.620 --> 00:00:25.400 But you would spend this time thinking about how God has blessed you this last year, 00:00:25.900 --> 00:00:27.719 the blessings that he's brought into your life. 00:00:27.719 --> 00:00:34.460 I think if you're like me, often the people who are the most blessed are the ones who are the biggest whiners, 00:00:34.759 --> 00:00:38.100 because we just take those things for granted. 00:00:38.799 --> 00:00:42.700 And so our hope and our prayer this time is that you would put aside some of your whining 00:00:42.700 --> 00:00:48.939 and that you would focus as we sing and we worship and we would focus on the Lord and his goodness in our life. 00:00:49.579 --> 00:00:52.120 Also, this Wednesday begins Lent. 00:00:52.599 --> 00:00:55.019 Lent is an English word. 00:00:55.020 --> 00:00:59.000 The Greek word and Latin word actually means 40 or 40 days or length. 00:00:59.740 --> 00:01:02.800 And it's the beginning of 40 days before Easter. 00:01:03.500 --> 00:01:06.700 It's one of the oldest celebrations in the Christian calendar. 00:01:07.240 --> 00:01:10.400 And it's traditionally a time when Christians come together starting on Wednesday 00:01:10.400 --> 00:01:14.159 and they start to reflect on what Christ has done for them. 00:01:14.500 --> 00:01:15.780 They think about their life. 00:01:16.280 --> 00:01:19.020 They think about things they should be doing differently. 00:01:19.019 --> 00:01:22.179 And it's a time of repentance and worship. 00:01:22.640 --> 00:01:26.280 And so we felt like as these two holidays collide, 00:01:26.479 --> 00:01:31.859 it offers us the perfect opportunity to worship the only one who is worthy of our worship. 00:01:32.519 --> 00:01:33.179 It's Jesus. 00:01:34.319 --> 00:01:35.199 So let me pray for us. 00:01:35.299 --> 00:01:38.899 Father, we thank you for this day as we come and we think of blessings. 00:01:39.379 --> 00:01:43.199 And we know that the ultimate blessing is your son hanging on a cross. 00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:47.420 And so we come before you this moment and we beg you to meet us. 00:01:48.140 --> 00:01:50.379 We need you to meet us. 00:01:50.540 --> 00:01:51.540 We need to be different. 00:01:51.719 --> 00:01:52.760 We need to hear from you. 00:01:53.219 --> 00:01:54.680 We need to know you. 00:01:55.420 --> 00:01:59.359 Lord, we pray as we come before our hearts, we just surrender them to you. 00:02:00.099 --> 00:02:01.480 Convict us of evil. 00:02:02.600 --> 00:02:03.780 Convict us of sin. 00:02:04.040 --> 00:02:05.180 Convict us of sloth. 00:02:05.939 --> 00:02:07.700 Convict us of all the things that we should have done, 00:02:07.760 --> 00:02:11.740 but we didn't do them because we were just too busy doing other things. 00:02:11.740 --> 00:02:16.159 And as we surrender and we repent these things to you, 00:02:16.300 --> 00:02:18.920 we just fall on your mercy and your grace. 00:02:19.520 --> 00:02:24.439 And we know that you've promised to forgive us and to change us. 00:02:25.040 --> 00:02:29.240 And so we come today, this morning, in these precious few minutes, 00:02:29.879 --> 00:02:33.640 and we ask you to change us, to meet with us. 00:02:34.420 --> 00:02:35.439 We love you. 00:02:35.860 --> 00:02:37.200 We praise you in Jesus' name. 00:02:37.500 --> 00:02:37.760 Amen. 00:02:41.740 --> 00:02:47.140 Before you're seated, would you just turn around and welcome someone to the house of the Lord? 00:02:47.300 --> 00:02:48.200 Wish them a happy new year. 00:02:49.379 --> 00:02:49.780 Okay. 00:02:50.379 --> 00:02:51.780 Everybody got a chance to greet somebody? 00:02:52.860 --> 00:02:54.439 So hopefully everybody got a chance to greet somebody. 00:02:54.920 --> 00:02:55.159 Okay. 00:02:55.320 --> 00:02:58.340 So since it's Chinese New Year, 00:02:58.879 --> 00:03:00.879 what I'd like to do is really quickly, 00:03:01.219 --> 00:03:02.580 just have all the kids stand up. 00:03:03.420 --> 00:03:04.840 All the kiddos stand up. 00:03:05.360 --> 00:03:07.420 Don't stay right where you are, right by your parents. 00:03:07.640 --> 00:03:08.320 Stay right where you are. 00:03:08.319 --> 00:03:09.919 All the kiddos stand up. 00:03:10.719 --> 00:03:10.959 Okay. 00:03:10.979 --> 00:03:11.879 Come on. 00:03:12.439 --> 00:03:12.799 Okay. 00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:16.560 So I have 200 Hongbaos here. 00:03:17.959 --> 00:03:18.579 200. 00:03:19.859 --> 00:03:25.819 And they are filled with the most precious thing I think in the world besides Diet Coke. 00:03:26.919 --> 00:03:28.939 And that's chocolate. 00:03:30.359 --> 00:03:36.919 So, but I'm told that you have to say something to me before I give these things to you. 00:03:36.919 --> 00:03:39.399 So can you guys say that out loud for me? 00:03:43.899 --> 00:03:45.079 I can't hear you. 00:03:47.639 --> 00:03:48.000 Okay. 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:49.000 Okay. 00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:53.479 So this is what we're going to do. 00:03:54.879 --> 00:03:58.099 I'm going to pray for you and we're going to dismiss you. 00:03:58.719 --> 00:04:03.300 And Miss Auntie Sherman or one of the teachers is going to help hand these out to you. 00:04:03.639 --> 00:04:03.979 Okay. 00:04:03.979 --> 00:04:08.579 So now they're nut free and gluten free and fun free. 00:04:08.780 --> 00:04:08.959 Okay. 00:04:09.139 --> 00:04:12.539 So your parents should have no reservations about this. 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:13.179 Okay. 00:04:13.259 --> 00:04:14.199 So let me pray for us. 00:04:14.699 --> 00:04:16.279 Father, we thank you for this day. 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:18.779 We thank you for this family. 00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:24.639 We thank you that we're not just one group of people or one nationality, but we are multiple, 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:25.980 multiple nationalities. 00:04:26.860 --> 00:04:35.280 We're marrieds and newly marrieds and older marrieds and we're singles and we're kids. 00:04:35.759 --> 00:04:38.400 And all of these things bring us together as your family. 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:42.700 And to lose any of these groups, we would be, we'd be less. 00:04:42.800 --> 00:04:43.680 We wouldn't be a family. 00:04:43.680 --> 00:04:48.020 And so we thank you, Lord, for all that you brought to your church here. 00:04:48.640 --> 00:04:51.280 We pray for these little kids right now as they're about to head out. 00:04:51.420 --> 00:04:52.460 Lord, we pray for their teachers. 00:04:52.599 --> 00:04:53.339 We pray for mercy. 00:04:53.479 --> 00:04:54.339 We pray for grace. 00:04:55.159 --> 00:04:56.419 We pray for patience. 00:04:57.419 --> 00:04:59.859 We pray that the kids would fall in love with you. 00:05:00.879 --> 00:05:06.560 They'd see Jesus taught in the words and in the videos and in the lives of the people 00:05:06.560 --> 00:05:12.099 who teach them and sacrifice their time to raise our kids for these couple of moments. 00:05:12.099 --> 00:05:18.620 So they would see your son and they would see how beautiful he is and they would love him. 00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:21.299 They'd walk a lifetime with him. 00:05:21.300 --> 00:05:23.980 And they would do mighty things for your kingdom. 00:05:24.780 --> 00:05:30.120 So we thank you for these blessings that you've given us and these children and these teachers 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:31.079 and these servants. 00:05:31.960 --> 00:05:33.360 We lift up all these things. 00:05:33.439 --> 00:05:34.800 Your son, Jesus, holy name. 00:05:35.600 --> 00:05:35.879 Amen. 00:05:36.360 --> 00:05:38.019 Watermark kids are dismissed. 00:05:38.160 --> 00:05:39.720 Youth are dismissed with Eric. 00:05:40.080 --> 00:05:40.819 Yes, youth. 00:05:40.860 --> 00:05:41.639 You get some too. 00:05:41.780 --> 00:05:42.960 And Mil and I have one for you. 00:05:43.019 --> 00:05:43.580 So don't worry. 00:05:44.120 --> 00:05:44.519 Okay. 00:05:44.519 --> 00:05:44.660 Okay. 00:05:44.660 --> 00:05:44.680 Okay. 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:44.699 Okay. 00:05:44.699 --> 00:05:44.759 Okay. 00:05:51.300 --> 00:06:06.439 Just going to come now to a time to pray at this New Year time. 00:06:06.439 --> 00:06:12.500 It's great to actually think of how God has blessed us and then how we can be a blessing 00:06:12.500 --> 00:06:13.300 to the city. 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:16.600 So if you'd like to just bow your heads and pray with me. 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:21.259 I'm going to start praying, thanking God for the blessings he's given us. 00:06:21.259 --> 00:06:25.560 And then we're going to go to move in to pray for families and our city. 00:06:25.899 --> 00:06:26.519 Let's pray. 00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:34.740 Father, we thank you that you have blessed us with every spiritual blessing. 00:06:35.839 --> 00:06:37.579 Thank you that we are forgiven. 00:06:38.159 --> 00:06:41.139 Thank you that we are adopted as your children. 00:06:41.860 --> 00:06:44.339 Thank you that we are so loved by you. 00:06:44.339 --> 00:06:50.859 Thank you that you have poured out your son and your blood on that cross, Lord, which means 00:06:50.859 --> 00:06:53.939 we don't have to live in fear any longer. 00:06:54.099 --> 00:06:56.719 We don't have to live proving ourselves any longer. 00:06:57.179 --> 00:07:04.399 We don't have to live, Father, as slaves any longer because your grace is enough for us. 00:07:05.419 --> 00:07:11.299 Lord, please help us to remember your blessings as we are in this new year, Father. 00:07:11.300 --> 00:07:17.860 Father, and let's just have a moment where each of you can think of the way that God has 00:07:17.860 --> 00:07:18.819 blessed you. 00:07:19.639 --> 00:07:26.819 And just kind of under your breath, just thank God for the many blessings that he's poured 00:07:26.819 --> 00:07:27.580 out in your life. 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:31.199 Let's just stop and pause and thank him for the things he's blessed you with. 00:07:33.600 --> 00:07:37.080 Father, we're so grateful that you are a God who loves to bless. 00:07:37.680 --> 00:07:39.160 You're a God who loves to give. 00:07:39.160 --> 00:07:42.280 You're a God who is so faithful to us. 00:07:42.720 --> 00:07:43.480 Thank you. 00:07:46.760 --> 00:07:53.780 Let's now turn to pray for, particularly for families in Hong Kong at this new year time. 00:07:55.800 --> 00:08:00.780 Father, I just want to thank you that you have called us to be a blessing into our families, 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:01.140 Lord. 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:06.520 And I pray that as watermark, as people are going out today to be with their families, 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:12.259 where there may be tension, where there may be brokenness, where there are hurts, Lord, 00:08:12.259 --> 00:08:19.079 I pray that we as your people would be a people of blessing, a people who do not hold grudges, 00:08:19.219 --> 00:08:24.579 a people who do not hold on to the things that have happened in the past, but a people who are 00:08:24.579 --> 00:08:30.799 demonstrating, even as we eat today, as people visit their relatives today, that they would 00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:35.100 see and they would hear something of your blessing, Lord, in their lives. 00:08:35.419 --> 00:08:42.659 I pray, Lord, that you would make us a people who are concerned that people might come to know 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:46.000 your blessing, the blessing of being in Christ, Lord. 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:52.179 Please, as watermark, I pray that we would not just be a church which is here for ourselves, 00:08:52.679 --> 00:08:59.639 not just here to kind of get and take from this city, but we'd be a people who are here 00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:06.220 to pour out our lives, Lord, into our families, into the relationships that we have around us, 00:09:06.379 --> 00:09:11.600 so that they might know you and know the wonderful grace of Christ. 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:13.000 Amen. 00:09:14.740 --> 00:09:18.139 Let's just come to pray now for this city that we're in. 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:27.860 Father, I thank you for the many blessings that we can see in this city, Lord, for the 00:09:27.860 --> 00:09:31.360 wonderful food, the great culture that there is here, Lord. 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:36.160 But Lord, we also recognize there is much brokenness in this place. 00:09:37.160 --> 00:09:41.580 We pray, Lord, that as a church, we will be a people who reach out to the 00:09:41.580 --> 00:09:42.900 marginalized and the broken. 00:09:43.700 --> 00:09:51.340 We pray, Lord, your blessing upon the elderly, the people who are lonely at this New Year's time. 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:56.820 We pray for those who are homeless, those who are refugees, those who are struggling, 00:09:57.060 --> 00:09:59.000 Lord Jesus, just to make ends meet. 00:09:59.139 --> 00:10:05.600 Lord, we pray that as a church, we might be a people who are reaching out to these people, 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:05.980 Father. 00:10:05.980 --> 00:10:14.019 We pray for churches across Hong Kong, that we would be known to be a people who are pouring 00:10:14.019 --> 00:10:18.920 out our lives to see the broken healed, to see lives transformed. 00:10:19.560 --> 00:10:25.379 We pray that your gospel would go through this city, Lord, that people would come to know 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:27.279 you wherever they are. 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:33.019 We pray, Father, for those who are consumed by money and materialism. 00:10:33.019 --> 00:10:40.579 We pray that we as your people might live radically different lives, where the blessing we seek 00:10:40.579 --> 00:10:46.319 is not just a material blessing, but it's that peace and that joy and that relationship 00:10:46.319 --> 00:10:49.439 with you, which is far beyond anything else, Lord. 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:54.299 And I pray that that will make a difference as we go into our offices, in our workplaces, 00:10:54.299 --> 00:11:01.019 in our homes, in our schools, that we would be so different that people would want to know 00:11:01.019 --> 00:11:04.039 who is the God who has blessed you so much. 00:11:04.579 --> 00:11:06.719 Lord, I pray, make us this people. 00:11:07.299 --> 00:11:08.199 Bless this city. 00:11:08.740 --> 00:11:09.799 Bless our families. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:12.199 Would you get all the glory, Lord Jesus? 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:13.240 Amen. 00:11:14.179 --> 00:11:18.659 The scripture reading today comes from the book of Genesis, chapter 12. 00:11:19.199 --> 00:11:21.019 Please follow along in your bulletins. 00:11:24.299 --> 00:11:31.659 Now the Lord said to Abram, Go forth from your country and from your relatives and from your 00:11:31.659 --> 00:11:39.639 father's house to the land which I will show you, and I will make you a great nation, and 00:11:39.639 --> 00:11:43.240 I will bless you and make your name great. 00:11:43.839 --> 00:11:45.899 And so you shall be a blessing. 00:11:46.479 --> 00:11:49.199 And I will bless those who bless you. 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:53.220 And the one who curse you, I will curse. 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:58.500 And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed. 00:11:59.680 --> 00:12:05.440 So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. 00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:10.360 Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:19.500 Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, 00:12:20.320 --> 00:12:26.320 and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan. 00:12:27.700 --> 00:12:30.139 Thus they came to the land of Canaan. 00:12:31.220 --> 00:12:36.340 Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem to the oak of Moreh. 00:12:36.340 --> 00:12:40.560 Now the Canaanite was then in the land. 00:12:41.560 --> 00:12:44.160 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, 00:12:44.920 --> 00:12:47.879 To your descendants I will give this land. 00:12:48.300 --> 00:12:52.300 So he put an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him. 00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:57.320 Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel. 00:12:58.180 --> 00:13:03.519 And he pitched his tent with Bethel to the west and I to the east. 00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:10.620 And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord. 00:13:11.559 --> 00:13:12.919 This is God's word. 00:13:12.919 --> 00:13:19.679 Okay, well I debated whether we should even do a sermon today. 00:13:20.679 --> 00:13:23.519 Maybe you will after you hear the sermon also. 00:13:24.339 --> 00:13:31.240 As we think about coming together before the Lord and what does it mean to be blessed by him. 00:13:32.139 --> 00:13:38.099 One of the questions I've been thinking about a lot is what does it mean to live within God's blessing? 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:42.460 What does it mean to have God's blessing upon you today? 00:13:42.800 --> 00:13:44.639 We talked about may God bless you. 00:13:44.659 --> 00:13:47.259 What does that really mean to you sitting here? 00:13:48.060 --> 00:13:49.759 What does that mean to you as you walk out of here? 00:13:49.800 --> 00:13:53.399 What does that mean to you when you go to your families today to eat meals with them? 00:13:53.460 --> 00:13:57.759 I've had friends tell me sometimes that that's the worst part of their day going to their families. 00:13:57.940 --> 00:13:59.779 And they're compared with their relatives of how they, 00:13:59.920 --> 00:14:01.180 Why haven't you had this done yet? 00:14:01.220 --> 00:14:02.300 Why aren't you at this place yet? 00:14:02.340 --> 00:14:03.139 Why aren't you married yet? 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:04.740 Why don't you have kids yet? 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:08.199 And instead of a blessing, it becomes a curse. 00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:11.840 But I think that we all want to be blessed. 00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:14.179 A friend showed me this today. 00:14:14.319 --> 00:14:18.159 This is in the, this week, this is in the local parking shop. 00:14:18.899 --> 00:14:20.899 And so this is the sign for the blessing there. 00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:23.360 And as a guy, you can't see it, but you go in there today. 00:14:23.419 --> 00:14:23.960 It's still there. 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:26.000 And as a guy pushing a cart and he says, 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:30.700 Wishing you a blessing, a year of earning more and more and more. 00:14:30.700 --> 00:14:35.900 And so for him, that's what, or for parking shop, that's what blessings mean. 00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:41.840 I guess maybe that means that they want you to buy more and more and more. 00:14:45.520 --> 00:14:46.740 We all want to be blessed. 00:14:48.460 --> 00:14:50.240 About a year ago, I tried an experiment. 00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:52.020 I'm not making this up. 00:14:52.680 --> 00:14:55.480 Something inside of me said, okay, I need to start blessing people. 00:14:55.480 --> 00:15:00.759 And so at the end of every time I had this conversation, 00:15:00.920 --> 00:15:02.980 especially with people who weren't churchgoers, 00:15:03.460 --> 00:15:06.639 I would say something to the idea of, God bless you. 00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:09.360 Or the Lord bless you. 00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:15.759 And I have to admit, at first it was very awkward and very weird and very difficult. 00:15:16.420 --> 00:15:18.379 It sounded kind of archaic saying those words. 00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:21.220 Because we don't talk about being blessed very much or blessing people. 00:15:21.220 --> 00:15:28.879 But what I saw was that everybody perked up when I said that to them. 00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:31.259 And often they would say, thank you. 00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:32.779 I really appreciate that. 00:15:32.800 --> 00:15:37.000 Even after we had talked about God and Scripture and they weren't Christ's followers, 00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:40.700 everybody was always encouraged. 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:42.840 Until last week. 00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:47.259 I got in this conversation with this guy for about two hours. 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:50.460 Christina was laughing because we were talking and she was doing some things. 00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:52.820 And she was, you know, and we were talking. 00:15:53.440 --> 00:15:55.280 And at the end of this time, he was Jewish. 00:15:57.180 --> 00:15:59.899 And at the end of the time, I said, I was just trying to think of, 00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:00.860 should I say it or shouldn't I say it? 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:01.800 Should I say it or shouldn't I say it? 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:03.019 I said, I'm going to say it. 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:05.860 And I said, you know, may the Lord bless you. 00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:10.379 And he looked at me with a frown on his face. 00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:13.179 He said, I can't take your blessing. 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:19.299 And I'm like, is it because I'm a Gentile? 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:21.179 He goes, no. 00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:28.340 It's because I'm angry with God. 00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:32.899 And I don't even know if God exists. 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:37.860 And I know that if I take your blessing, 00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:40.720 I have a responsibility. 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:45.039 And that responsibility is to pass that blessing to somebody else. 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:47.899 And I don't want to do that. 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.340 I'm too busy. 00:16:51.460 --> 00:16:53.820 I'm too busy to receive God's blessing. 00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:56.580 I'm too busy to be involved in other people's lives. 00:16:56.840 --> 00:17:01.019 In fact, I would rather just make my own blessings. 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:05.339 I thought about that. 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:13.660 And I realized, you know, that's probably how most of the people in the world are today. 00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:17.160 They don't want God's blessing. 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:21.500 They want to make their own blessings. 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:27.420 And the passage today, I think, is like the seminal passage about blessings. 00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:29.980 And it's going to teach us two things. 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:31.039 It's going to teach us a ton of things. 00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:32.539 This isn't the first time we've looked at it. 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:34.299 It's not going to be the last time we've looked at it. 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:36.579 We're going to come back to this over and over and over again. 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:37.980 We looked at this two years ago. 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:40.180 We're not going to talk about the same things two years ago. 00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:42.200 But this is what I want us to see. 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:46.160 I learned two things about blessings in the passage in the book of them. 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:51.620 The first thing is, is that all blessings come from God. 00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:54.380 We see it in Scripture. 00:17:55.400 --> 00:17:57.580 In Genesis 1 and 2, God creates. 00:17:57.900 --> 00:18:02.019 And if you read the creation story, three times he blesses his creation. 00:18:03.080 --> 00:18:04.840 He blesses the animals and the plants. 00:18:05.600 --> 00:18:06.500 He blesses the man. 00:18:07.160 --> 00:18:08.360 And he blesses the Sabbath. 00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:14.160 The idea of that blessing was a relationship with God. 00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:18.040 The blessing flowed from a relationship with God. 00:18:18.300 --> 00:18:22.680 Blessing flowed from you and I having a relationship with God 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:28.220 and being obedient to him. 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:33.080 That's a word we don't use often today because it's not sexy and it's not fun. 00:18:33.540 --> 00:18:37.019 But Scripture says our blessings flowed from God 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:40.920 in our relationship with him as we obeyed him. 00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:46.420 In fact, the Bible says, Genesis 1 and 2, that God created you. 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:48.840 I know this is going to sound weird because we don't talk about this 00:18:48.840 --> 00:18:52.380 and we're kind of anti this here because we don't talk about sexy things. 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:56.019 But God created you to bless you. 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.759 Did you know that? 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:05.880 Genesis 1 and 2 says God created you to bless you. 00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:10.800 And that blessing primarily comes from a relationship that he wants with you. 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:16.400 Well, in Genesis 2 and 3, the fall happens and the blessing is broken. 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:21.580 And for the next 10 chapters of the book of the Bible, Genesis, the very first book, 00:19:22.120 --> 00:19:26.980 you and I, our father fathers, we all try to produce our own blessings. 00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:30.640 Some of them try to build a big city. 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:32.059 Some of them try to build a big tower. 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:33.799 Some of them try to make their name great. 00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:37.559 Some of them try to become powerful hunters before the Lord, Nimrod. 00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:40.120 Great and mighty men. 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:44.279 Just like many people in Hong Kong today. 00:19:46.360 --> 00:19:51.460 They produce, they make, they want a big name, they want to be great before men. 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:57.640 But the scripture says that every one of these things that people try to get their own blessing failed. 00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:05.440 And finally in the passage in Genesis 12, we're told that God comes to Abraham, 00:20:05.600 --> 00:20:11.340 a man who is a pagan, he isn't seeking God, he's probably a Canaanite, he's far, far away from God. 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:15.920 And God renews that blessing to Abraham again. 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:17.600 God starts the blessing. 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:19.000 All blessings come from God. 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:20.640 All blessings flow through God. 00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:23.420 All blessings come in a relationship with God. 00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:25.940 In obedience. 00:20:30.280 --> 00:20:32.560 So Abraham obeys. 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:36.040 And he forsakes everything and he follows the Lord. 00:20:36.360 --> 00:20:39.520 And this passage is really amazing because Abraham had a choice. 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:42.060 Just like you and I have a choice. 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:44.520 Am I really going to trust God? 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:50.020 Is God really good enough for me? 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:53.980 Does God really care about my life? 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:55.759 Does he really have his act together? 00:20:56.060 --> 00:20:58.420 Does he know where I need and what I need and when I need it? 00:20:58.440 --> 00:20:59.800 And will he be there every time? 00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:01.000 Or will he let me down? 00:21:01.280 --> 00:21:03.820 And probably it's better that I just produce my own blessings. 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:08.560 Abraham had a choice. 00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:10.299 And we all have a choice. 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:18.899 But the passage says that as Abraham obeyed God and trusted him, God took him into this amazing journey and land. 00:21:18.900 --> 00:21:22.980 The second thing we see from this passage. 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:27.720 All blessings flow from God in a relationship with God when we're obedient. 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:36.040 The second thing we see is that blessings are never meant to be kept with us. 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:44.539 God blesses Abraham so that he can bless everyone around him. 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:45.539 God blesses Abraham. 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:48.480 Some of us, I think, we forget that. 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:51.079 Some of us are like the Dead Sea. 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:53.740 The Dead Sea, if you go to Israel with us in May, it's there. 00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:54.200 It's amazing. 00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:55.399 You can float in this much water. 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:57.720 There's no way you can drown in the Dead Sea because it's so buoyant. 00:21:58.059 --> 00:22:02.200 The Dead Sea has all these fertile rivers flowing into it, the Jordan and everything. 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:06.240 But the difference about the Dead Sea is that it receives all these blessings from all over Israel, 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:08.639 all over the good land flowing with milk and honey. 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:09.859 It has no outlet. 00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:10.000 It's dead. 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:13.159 And so it's dead. 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:22.279 A lot like many people in church today. 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:26.679 They receive God's blessings. 00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:27.839 They receive God's goodness. 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:29.079 They receive God's mercy. 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:30.879 And they keep it to themselves. 00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:36.899 And ultimately what happens when a church does that is it dies. 00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:39.359 It becomes stagnant. 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:40.279 It becomes dirty. 00:22:40.939 --> 00:22:41.879 It becomes filthy. 00:22:42.959 --> 00:22:44.379 It becomes unattractive. 00:22:44.479 --> 00:22:46.979 And the grace and the gospel lose its meaning. 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:51.240 And so Abraham had a choice. 00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:53.839 And you and I have a choice. 00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:57.639 Are we going to trust the Lord? 00:22:59.159 --> 00:23:01.000 Are we going to be in a relationship with Him? 00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:03.179 Are we going to obey Him? 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:09.279 And as He pours these blessings on us, primarily these blessings are a relationship with Him. 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:13.840 It's interesting when you look at the passage, Abraham realized very few of these blessings. 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:14.759 Do you understand that? 00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:18.460 I mean, God promised Abraham this amazing land. 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:26.220 And when Abraham died, the only piece of land that he has is this little tomb in Hebron where he buried his wife, Sarah. 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:29.140 Ten feet by ten feet. 00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:36.020 So as he was alive and he walked in faith towards the blessing, all he received was ten feet by ten feet. 00:23:37.580 --> 00:23:47.100 But generations after him, his children's children's children's received amazing blessings because of his faithfulness and his obedience. 00:23:47.099 --> 00:23:53.679 And so the question comes to us today, are we living for that ten feet? 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:58.279 We're trying to produce it on our own. 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:01.559 Or are we going to walk with the Lord? 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:07.099 Allow His blessings to flow through us as we obey and walk with Him. 00:24:08.199 --> 00:24:10.799 And bless those people around us today. 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:21.639 What does that look like as you go out to your lunch today with the people who cause your life to be miserable as they compare you to your relatives and the cars and the degrees and all these things? 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:23.700 I don't know what that looks like for you. 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:29.539 It might look like just going there and being present and taking the hit. 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:35.399 It might mean be praying for them as all those things are happening. 00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:40.420 What it meant for Abraham in this passage was, 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:43.660 Kerem Bashem Yahweh. 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:47.300 That wherever he went, he built an altar. 00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:49.860 And he called on God's name. 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:54.720 And he told everybody around him how great God is. 00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:59.440 If God is great, no matter where you're at, 00:25:00.040 --> 00:25:01.280 no matter what you're facing, 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.900 you can trust Him. 00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:07.560 You can trust Him. 00:25:10.140 --> 00:25:11.820 All blessings flow from God. 00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:15.759 They flow primarily from a relationship we have with Him. 00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:23.160 This relationship often is controlled and works through our obedience and walking in faith with Him. 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:26.440 Blessings aren't meant to be kept by us. 00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:30.120 But blessings are meant to be spread out to those around us. 00:25:30.119 --> 00:25:35.619 The main way we do that is by telling people about Christ in us. 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:39.859 How wonderful and beautiful He is. 00:25:39.859 --> 00:25:44.039 In your chairs, there's a little card. 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:46.019 We wrote it out for you. 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:49.759 What we would like for you to do as the worship team comes up is just basically this. 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:53.359 We want you to sign your name and your address here. 00:25:53.899 --> 00:25:55.299 No one else is going to see this. 00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:55.899 I promise. 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:57.959 As your pastor, no one's going to see this. 00:25:58.719 --> 00:25:59.879 Just you and God. 00:26:00.439 --> 00:26:02.519 Write your name and your address here. 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:06.339 In one year's time, we'll mail this back to you. 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:09.139 If it gets returned to us, we'll just bring it to church. 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:10.900 And you can pick it up one Sunday at church. 00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:12.660 Your name and address here. 00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:17.400 On this card, it's a Chinese saying. 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:20.119 My heart's desire for the new year is. 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:22.279 We would like for you just to write down. 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:25.099 What is your heart's desire for this year? 00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:31.039 What are the things that you're hoping that God will do in your life? 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:37.059 What are the things you're hoping that God will change in you? 00:26:39.199 --> 00:26:46.259 What are you hoping that God will bless you with as you walk in obedience to Him? 00:26:49.459 --> 00:26:53.619 As the worship team prays, write these out. 00:26:53.619 --> 00:26:59.639 On the back, if you're really, really daring, you might write. 00:27:00.879 --> 00:27:03.019 And this is what I hope I do with those blessings. 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:08.500 As God pours out His relationship and life into me, 00:27:09.619 --> 00:27:14.519 this is what I pray that I would be able to do for those around me 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:22.079 that work in my apartment place, at home, in my family. 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:24.980 When you're done, just seal it up. 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.779 Make sure you write something. 00:27:26.899 --> 00:27:29.879 Write sure you get your address, your name, and everything in there perfectly. 00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:33.319 And there'll be little baskets on each other corner right here 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:36.119 and right there and on the way out. 00:27:37.079 --> 00:27:39.779 And when the service is over, we want you just to drop those out 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:43.299 in those baskets as an act of worship. 00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:49.059 And trust in the Lord to use the blessings that He gives you 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:51.779 to reach those who don't know. 00:27:53.139 --> 00:27:54.700 Father, we thank You for this day. 00:27:54.879 --> 00:27:57.039 We thank You for Abraham, Abram, 00:27:57.559 --> 00:28:00.839 who walked in faith and received very little 00:28:00.839 --> 00:28:04.759 to confirm at that time. 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:08.200 And now we can look back 4,000 years 00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:09.859 and we can see so much more. 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:11.960 We can see the cross and we can see the resurrection 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:12.859 and we can see Easter 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:15.900 and we can see all these things that continue to show you 00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:18.000 to be true to Your Word and to Your blessing 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:18.940 and to Your promise. 00:28:19.619 --> 00:28:22.180 And it's so much easier, I think, for us to have faith 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:24.740 than it was for Him. 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:28.559 We thank You for His life that's put before us, 00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:30.440 the good and the bad and the ugly, 00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:33.980 so that we might learn what it means to walk in a life 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:35.240 that is obedient to You. 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:38.980 So Father, I pray for us, I pray for this church 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:41.360 that we would never become stagnant like the Dead Sea, 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:43.279 that we never would become dead 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:45.740 as we hoard the blessings, 00:28:45.860 --> 00:28:48.200 because Your Word says that if we do that, 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:49.360 You'll just take them away. 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:53.640 But that You've given us everything we need. 00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:57.940 You've given us everything we need 00:28:57.940 --> 00:29:01.059 to walk with You. 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:04.059 Lord, help us to be different. 00:29:04.320 --> 00:29:06.019 Help Hong Kong to be different 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:07.960 as we do that 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:10.440 and bless those around us. 00:29:11.360 --> 00:29:13.160 We pray these things in Your Son Jesus' name. 00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:14.259 Amen. 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:20.880 Amen. 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.180 Amen. 00:29:21.180 --> 00:29:21.320 Amen. 00:29:22.600 --> 00:29:23.620 Hey, thank you. 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:26.720 I'm so humbled to be able to worship with you guys 00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:29.039 on this Chinese New Year as a family. 00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:30.860 Realize that this doesn't end. 00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:32.140 We'll do this in heaven 00:29:32.140 --> 00:29:34.620 as a family of God. 00:29:35.400 --> 00:29:36.759 So it's amazing that you're here 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:37.839 worshiping with us today. 00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:38.900 You know, in your bulletins, 00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:40.180 there are a couple of announcements. 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:41.759 Just want you to look at those really quickly. 00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:43.319 There's a men's gathering on Monday. 00:29:43.819 --> 00:29:44.940 Monday, a week from now, 00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:46.960 women are doing an amazing outreach. 00:29:47.140 --> 00:29:48.200 There's going to be some studying 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:49.160 of the Old Testament. 00:29:49.900 --> 00:29:51.220 We want to take people through the Scriptures 00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:53.039 and give them foundationally. 00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:55.039 And as we build into people this year, 00:29:55.119 --> 00:29:56.019 the year of equipping, 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:59.420 and some other opportunities, 00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:00.779 we put together, 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:02.099 the pastors of Hong Kong 00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:04.920 put together a devotion book for Lent. 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:07.440 So each day, starting on Wednesday, 00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.139 Ash Wednesday, 00:30:08.379 --> 00:30:09.339 there's a devotion written 00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:10.659 by some of the pastors in here. 00:30:11.599 --> 00:30:14.460 So the one per individual 00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:16.099 available on the table out there, 00:30:16.139 --> 00:30:17.500 just take it on your way out 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:20.359 and pray that you would be blessed by that. 00:30:20.359 --> 00:30:22.240 Make sure you put your letters 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:24.719 with your names and your addresses 00:30:24.719 --> 00:30:25.919 in the boxes 00:30:25.919 --> 00:30:27.240 because we want to hold over those. 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:29.059 We want to pray on those as a staff team. 00:30:29.439 --> 00:30:31.199 And then we want to mail those back to you 00:30:31.199 --> 00:30:33.979 in a year and see what God has done 00:30:33.979 --> 00:30:35.779 and how He has blessed you. 00:30:37.459 --> 00:30:38.639 May God bless you. 00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:47.919 Father, I realize even as I say that, 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:50.320 that there are some in here 00:30:50.320 --> 00:30:53.300 who are angry like David 00:30:53.300 --> 00:30:56.560 and do not want your blessing. 00:30:57.880 --> 00:30:59.620 They want to produce their own blessings. 00:30:59.800 --> 00:31:00.840 They don't know if you're good 00:31:00.840 --> 00:31:01.740 or if you're true 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:02.600 or you're faithful 00:31:02.600 --> 00:31:03.960 or you're strong enough 00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:05.860 or if you're wise enough 00:31:05.860 --> 00:31:08.240 to control their lives, 00:31:08.560 --> 00:31:09.420 our lives. 00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:12.660 Lord, I pray for my brothers and sisters here 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:14.380 who are in that place. 00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:16.700 I pray that you would meet them, 00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:18.799 that you'd open their eyes, 00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:20.240 that you would heal their hearts, 00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:22.740 change their minds, 00:31:22.880 --> 00:31:23.640 help them to realize 00:31:23.640 --> 00:31:24.519 that true blessing 00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:27.460 isn't a 10 by 10 foot piece of land 00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:28.279 that they purchased, 00:31:28.860 --> 00:31:30.720 but it's a relationship with you 00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:33.279 which is so much greater and wonderful. 00:31:34.920 --> 00:31:36.940 Father, I realize that as I share these words 00:31:36.940 --> 00:31:38.680 that there's some of us like myself in here 00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:40.319 who have the blessings, 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:43.259 but often we trade them for a bowl of soup 00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:45.879 because we're so hungry or thirsty 00:31:45.879 --> 00:31:48.240 and we don't know if you're going to really 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.200 come through for us 00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:50.519 and Lord, we repent of that. 00:31:50.619 --> 00:31:54.200 We confess just not thinking great thoughts about you. 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:57.379 We confess of not viewing you as you truly are, 00:31:57.420 --> 00:31:58.819 that you're wonderful and you're beautiful 00:31:58.819 --> 00:32:01.019 and that you control the universe 00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:03.420 and surely you can control our lives. 00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:05.720 As a parent, Lord, 00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:09.259 I just confess trying to bless my kids 00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:11.759 in ways that probably are curses to them. 00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:15.599 Pray that we would come before you 00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:17.720 and allow you to bless these kids 00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:19.539 and our families and our friends 00:32:19.539 --> 00:32:21.579 and our workmates 00:32:21.579 --> 00:32:23.920 as we walk with you. 00:32:25.180 --> 00:32:28.160 Lord, help us to be a river that flows from you 00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:29.500 to those around us 00:32:29.500 --> 00:32:30.440 and as we do that, 00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:31.960 you are blessed 00:32:31.960 --> 00:32:34.339 and you are praised. 00:32:36.859 --> 00:32:37.900 Lord, we need you. 00:32:37.900 --> 00:32:41.320 Just like Joshua said, 00:32:41.380 --> 00:32:42.820 if you don't go into the land with us 00:32:42.820 --> 00:32:43.680 then we're not going 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:44.980 because we'll fail 00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:45.759 so we need you. 00:32:45.840 --> 00:32:46.800 We know that you promise 00:32:46.800 --> 00:32:47.960 to always be with us. 00:32:49.519 --> 00:32:51.120 So we worship you this now, 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:51.759 this moment, 00:32:51.900 --> 00:32:52.660 this time 00:32:52.660 --> 00:32:54.660 and as we go forth, 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:56.660 may our lives this week 00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:58.820 be continual blessings 00:32:58.820 --> 00:32:59.920 and praise and worship 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:00.940 to those around us. 00:33:02.540 --> 00:33:03.560 Lord, we love you. 00:33:04.680 --> 00:33:05.500 We pray all these things 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:06.900 in your Son, Jesus' holy name. 00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:07.780 Amen. 00:33:08.380 --> 00:33:09.160 God bless you. 00:33:09.320 --> 00:33:10.960 We'll see you back here next Sunday. 00:33:11.720 --> 00:33:12.600 Happy Chinese New Year. 00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:31.439 Jesus' Lord of the 00:33:31.439 --> 00:33:32.059 בא� de master, 00:33:32.059 --> 00:33:34.000 His name is the Lord of the stars and sisters. 00:33:34.000 --> 00:33:35.480 I think it's 53 الس in the group. 00:33:35.480 --> 00:33:36.259 HappyLook in Your Toy 00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:37.659 of the distractors. 00:33:37.659 --> 00:33:38.259 HappyIC snow.