WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.260 Good evening, everyone. It's great to be in church with you tonight. If you haven't met 00:00:03.260 --> 00:00:09.160 before, my name's Steve, a senior pastor here. And one of the highlights for me in our church 00:00:09.160 --> 00:00:14.880 year is Vision Sunday. And the whole Vision series, in fact, this is my ninth one I've 00:00:14.880 --> 00:00:22.140 led us through as a church. And for me, it just gets better and better. So we're almost 00:00:22.140 --> 00:00:26.660 at the end of this one, but this is a crucial one for us tonight on our Vision Sunday. And 00:00:26.660 --> 00:00:33.480 I want to begin our time together reflecting on the life of one of the greatest philosophical 00:00:33.480 --> 00:00:40.820 thinkers, one of the sharpest political minds, most gifted artists, and I suspect most quoted 00:00:40.820 --> 00:00:49.820 individuals of the past 100 years. Arnold Schwarzenegger was born the son of a low-ranking Austrian 00:00:49.820 --> 00:00:57.280 police officer and was destined for a life of just total obscurity until his hands wrapped 00:00:57.280 --> 00:01:03.920 around a barbell for the very first time at the age of 14. By 18, he was living in London 00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:09.620 and traveling the world competing in bodybuilding championships. And at one point, his coach, 00:01:09.680 --> 00:01:16.159 a guy named Wag Bennett, asked him, Arnie, what is it that you want to do with your life? 00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:24.259 And Wag said that the response of this 18-year-old was remarkable. He said, 00:01:24.340 --> 00:01:29.159 I want to be the richest and the greatest bodybuilder of all time. I want to live in the United States. 00:01:29.420 --> 00:01:34.120 I want to be an actor, a movie director, own an apartment block, and dabble in politics. 00:01:35.539 --> 00:01:42.019 As an 18-year-old, he saw the future, what he wanted, he just went for it. And Wag, as well 00:01:42.019 --> 00:01:49.060 as those who trained with Arnie and competed with Arnie, said that they had never met anyone 00:01:49.060 --> 00:01:55.280 who was so focused on what they want to achieve in the future. His training partner said that if 00:01:55.280 --> 00:01:59.599 you ever beat him at anything, he would look at you and say, you will never, ever do that again. 00:02:00.399 --> 00:02:03.840 And he said, doesn't matter how hard you're trying to man, what sort of training you put in, 00:02:03.879 --> 00:02:08.939 you could never beat Arnie at it again. He was so, so focused. 00:02:08.939 --> 00:02:16.159 And Jesus, in that passage that was just read out to us, tells a story, a similar story about a man 00:02:16.159 --> 00:02:22.859 who saw the future, saw what he needed to do. He just went for it. Just went for it. 00:02:23.560 --> 00:02:30.800 Have a look at it. You've got your service sheets there in front of you. Luke 16, verses 1 to 15. 00:02:31.199 --> 00:02:37.400 Look at verse 1. Jesus told his disciples there was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting 00:02:37.400 --> 00:02:42.240 his possessions. And so he called him in and asked him, what is this that I hear about you? 00:02:42.460 --> 00:02:47.319 Give an account of your management because you cannot be manager any longer. And the manager said 00:02:47.319 --> 00:02:53.520 to himself, well, what am I going to do now? My master has taken away my job. I'm not strong 00:02:53.520 --> 00:02:58.879 enough to dig and I'm ashamed to beg. I know what I'll do so that when I lose my job here, 00:02:58.879 --> 00:03:06.819 people will welcome me into their houses. Now in Jesus' time, this manager person here was like a 00:03:06.819 --> 00:03:13.979 chief operating officer and a chief financial officer rolled into the one. That is, they ran 00:03:13.979 --> 00:03:20.680 the entire estate of the wealthy owner. And what they also did was that they would get the owner's 00:03:20.680 --> 00:03:25.780 money and invest the owner's money as well. So they had a very, very high responsibility. 00:03:25.780 --> 00:03:32.379 And this manager, as it says, has been a bit dishonest and he hasn't been doing such a great 00:03:32.379 --> 00:03:40.639 job. And so he gets a termination notice. You're fired is his notice. And he knows now that he's in 00:03:40.639 --> 00:03:48.580 trouble. You see, when word gets around, he's not likely to get another manager's job. He's not likely 00:03:48.580 --> 00:03:54.479 to be in this kind of position again. And he's been sitting in an office for too long. His hands are 00:03:54.479 --> 00:04:02.659 beautiful. And he's thinking, I can't dig trenches for a living. I haven't got a strong enough back 00:04:02.659 --> 00:04:08.959 for that sort of stuff. And I'm not going to lie on myself. I can't go from this role down to begging. 00:04:09.519 --> 00:04:16.300 And what's more, there's no social services. There's no Centrelink to fall back on. And so for this man, 00:04:16.819 --> 00:04:21.699 this is a life and death decision. How's he going to live? How am I going to feed myself? Where's my food 00:04:21.699 --> 00:04:28.879 coming from? I'm going to get my housing. And so what he does is he makes a decision now that will 00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:36.120 pay benefits for the future. And that is the point of this whole parable. That's what it's all about. 00:04:37.300 --> 00:04:42.860 And what he does next though, is the bit of the parable that can be a little distracting. 00:04:43.759 --> 00:04:44.480 Verse five. 00:04:44.480 --> 00:05:12.120 Notice what the outcome is from his decision. 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:17.000 It creates friendships that didn't exist before. 00:05:19.199 --> 00:05:24.740 In acting for the future, he won the favor and obligation of his master's debtors. 00:05:25.060 --> 00:05:28.519 And the really strange thing here is the master's response in verse eight says, 00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:32.860 the master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. 00:05:35.199 --> 00:05:36.680 It's an incredible response. 00:05:37.500 --> 00:05:41.720 Why would the owner commend the manager for his action here? 00:05:42.120 --> 00:05:44.519 I mean, it appears that he's ripped him off. 00:05:46.560 --> 00:05:52.420 But one of the best theories is that the manager here was doing what the tax collectors used to do 00:05:52.420 --> 00:05:58.199 in first century Palestine. And they would get the cut that the Romans required, and then they would add 00:05:58.199 --> 00:06:03.780 their percentage on top. And it's most likely that that's what this manager is doing here is part of 00:06:03.779 --> 00:06:08.259 his investment portfolio. He's investing his bosses. 00:06:08.259 --> 00:06:11.759 He's the owner of the estate's investments. 00:06:12.799 --> 00:06:15.359 And he's adding his percentage on top of it as well. 00:06:16.699 --> 00:06:19.559 He's getting his interest out of the investment. 00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:24.060 And so what he's doing here would appear that he's taking his investments off. 00:06:24.120 --> 00:06:25.680 He's removing his fees. 00:06:27.280 --> 00:06:31.980 And it makes his master's debtors happy. 00:06:33.300 --> 00:06:35.540 They're paying a much smaller bill. 00:06:35.540 --> 00:06:41.439 But he's also giving his master a great name in town at exactly the same time. 00:06:42.660 --> 00:06:45.100 So it's like he's getting nothing out of this deal now. 00:06:46.520 --> 00:06:49.920 Now, whether that's exactly how it worked is really, it doesn't matter. 00:06:49.960 --> 00:06:51.000 It's not the point of the parable. 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:59.980 But Jesus' point here is that this man is using his opportunity, his wealth, with an eye on the future. 00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:04.420 And the master commends him because he acted shrewdly. 00:07:04.480 --> 00:07:06.019 You made a great decision there. 00:07:07.000 --> 00:07:08.839 A wise decision, a smart judgment. 00:07:08.980 --> 00:07:09.860 You're astute. 00:07:12.459 --> 00:07:16.860 But see the rebuke of the second half of verse 8. 00:07:16.860 --> 00:07:22.900 This shrewd, wise, astute action is one that Christians fail in. 00:07:22.980 --> 00:07:23.340 It says, 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:30.340 For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are people of the light. 00:07:32.840 --> 00:07:38.259 Jesus is saying that this manager's actions, he's wiser. 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:45.699 He's wiser in the youths of his wealth than his disciples are in theirs. 00:07:47.819 --> 00:07:52.379 So what we're going to do is we're going to take a moment here to learn a couple of lessons from this parable 00:07:52.379 --> 00:07:55.480 about what it might look like to be wise. 00:07:57.580 --> 00:08:02.759 The first thing we learn here is that Jesus likens us, his disciples, 00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:06.280 to a manager of someone else's estate. 00:08:07.580 --> 00:08:08.759 Someone else's money. 00:08:09.800 --> 00:08:14.720 The word manager here can also be easily translated as steward. 00:08:14.720 --> 00:08:17.320 So this man is a steward. 00:08:17.480 --> 00:08:19.440 He's a manager of someone else's money. 00:08:19.560 --> 00:08:21.420 He's a fund manager. 00:08:22.580 --> 00:08:24.360 When you manage someone else's money, 00:08:25.080 --> 00:08:29.640 you can't do whatever you want with that money because it isn't your money. 00:08:29.760 --> 00:08:32.840 You have to do it according to the terms of the person who owns the money. 00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:38.680 And so first up, Jesus is reminding his disciples that if you understand anything, 00:08:38.679 --> 00:08:44.000 if you understand that there is a God, then you'll know that whatever you have is in fact not yours. 00:08:45.359 --> 00:08:48.779 We are stewards of God's money, of his resources. 00:08:49.479 --> 00:08:52.779 And so the first thing is we've got to stop acting as if it's ours. 00:08:52.779 --> 00:08:55.459 That's pretty hard hitting. 00:08:57.459 --> 00:08:59.079 Because particularly in the Western world, 00:08:59.199 --> 00:09:03.720 we have a strong attachment to wealth and possessions 00:09:03.720 --> 00:09:07.259 because we've worked for it. 00:09:07.539 --> 00:09:10.639 We love the idea of the so-called self-made man. 00:09:12.120 --> 00:09:13.199 It's my money. 00:09:13.459 --> 00:09:14.339 I've worked hard for this. 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:15.699 I've sacrificed for this. 00:09:16.819 --> 00:09:18.720 And Jesus says, no, it's not. 00:09:19.059 --> 00:09:19.699 It's not your money. 00:09:19.700 --> 00:09:25.640 If you're a Christian, there is a much bigger, broader theological context 00:09:25.640 --> 00:09:29.320 that you put this truth into. 00:09:30.320 --> 00:09:33.120 As Christians, we believe that God made everything, 00:09:33.300 --> 00:09:34.640 that he sustains everything. 00:09:35.400 --> 00:09:38.160 We have life and we have skills and we have opportunities 00:09:38.160 --> 00:09:41.120 that he has gifted each one of us with. 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:43.980 They are gifts from him to us. 00:09:43.980 --> 00:09:52.240 And without those things, we would not make any money at all. 00:09:53.220 --> 00:09:56.240 Without the life that he gives us every day, 00:09:56.480 --> 00:09:59.680 and the Bible says he puts the breath in our lungs moment by moment, 00:10:01.060 --> 00:10:02.980 with that breath that he gives us, 00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:05.500 he gives us the ability to make money. 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:08.759 And if he chooses not to give that to us, 00:10:08.820 --> 00:10:10.480 we have no ability to make money. 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:15.180 Without life, it's extremely difficult to do anything. 00:10:19.159 --> 00:10:22.200 If you're healthy and you're able to work, that's a gift. 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:26.860 The fact that you were born in this time and this place 00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:30.620 with its many opportunities, that's a gift. 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:36.379 If you were born in the 12th century on a mountaintop in Tibet, 00:10:36.940 --> 00:10:41.320 you would think very differently about the resources that you have. 00:10:49.019 --> 00:10:53.759 And so we work hard for what we have with the life, 00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:57.899 the circumstances, the talents that God has given us. 00:10:57.899 --> 00:11:01.620 We are stewards of every gift from him. 00:11:02.340 --> 00:11:06.759 Listen to the prayer of the fabulously wealthy and powerful King David 00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:08.240 from 1 Chronicles 29. 00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:11.199 Everything in heaven and earth is yours. 00:11:11.959 --> 00:11:13.600 Wealth and honor come from you. 00:11:14.319 --> 00:11:15.579 You are the ruler of all things. 00:11:15.679 --> 00:11:18.659 Who am I and who are my people that we should be able to give 00:11:18.659 --> 00:11:19.779 as generously as this? 00:11:20.340 --> 00:11:21.799 Everything comes from you, 00:11:22.079 --> 00:11:25.819 and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 00:11:25.820 --> 00:11:30.520 All this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple 00:11:30.520 --> 00:11:34.340 for your holy name comes from your hand, 00:11:34.560 --> 00:11:36.640 and all of it belongs to you. 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:41.980 So if we're stewards, it's not ours, 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:44.860 and God calls us to be radically generous. 00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:48.620 And if we're not radically generous with the gifts that he's given us, 00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:52.279 that includes time, emotions, and everything else, 00:11:53.320 --> 00:11:55.560 then it's not called stinginess. 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:57.519 It's called robbery. 00:11:59.419 --> 00:12:03.340 It's not a lack of compassion for the poor and the needy, 00:12:03.440 --> 00:12:06.700 and it's actually a lack of integrity in our hearts. 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:09.820 Malachi 3.8 is pretty clear in this. 00:12:09.940 --> 00:12:10.179 It says, 00:12:10.179 --> 00:12:22.639 That is, the people in the Old Testament were told 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:27.539 that 10% of their income needed to be given away as the starting point. 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:29.039 That was the starting point. 00:12:30.379 --> 00:12:33.239 And I'm not convinced that the standards of the people in the New Testament 00:12:33.239 --> 00:12:34.299 are any lower, 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:36.859 especially when we have a greater hope, 00:12:36.859 --> 00:12:39.899 a greater revelation, a greater grace, and greater benefits. 00:12:40.179 --> 00:12:47.519 However, if we do think that 10% as a starting point is a lot of money, 00:12:47.779 --> 00:12:50.179 then maybe we're thinking about it totally the wrong way. 00:12:50.219 --> 00:12:51.620 We've got this whole thing upside down. 00:12:53.059 --> 00:12:55.739 Don't forget we're stewards of someone else's money. 00:12:56.899 --> 00:12:58.959 So imagine someone comes to you. 00:12:59.599 --> 00:13:00.479 They're a billionaire. 00:13:01.639 --> 00:13:02.759 They come to you, 00:13:03.019 --> 00:13:04.179 and they say to you, 00:13:04.179 --> 00:13:07.559 Please manage my wealth for me, 00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:08.959 and here's the terms. 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:09.740 The terms are this. 00:13:10.620 --> 00:13:11.519 Every year, 00:13:11.799 --> 00:13:16.639 you get to keep 90% of the returns from the investment, 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:19.559 and you've got to give me 10% of the returns from the investment. 00:13:20.359 --> 00:13:21.479 Would you want that job? 00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:25.659 Come on. 00:13:25.739 --> 00:13:26.679 Would you want that job? 00:13:27.339 --> 00:13:28.899 Who wouldn't want that job? 00:13:29.699 --> 00:13:33.219 Every fund manager would kill someone else to get that job. 00:13:33.220 --> 00:13:34.840 In all seriousness. 00:13:37.420 --> 00:13:39.820 And that is exactly how generous God is. 00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:42.879 That is what God is offering us. 00:13:44.139 --> 00:13:46.279 But if we love money more than we love God, 00:13:46.660 --> 00:13:47.500 then those terms, 00:13:47.660 --> 00:13:48.580 even those terms, 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:49.740 will not be good enough for us. 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:52.820 We won't be generous. 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:54.240 We won't give. 00:13:54.560 --> 00:13:56.440 And it's not called stinginess. 00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:57.760 It's called robbery. 00:13:59.200 --> 00:14:01.420 We are stewards of money that is not ours. 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:03.160 That's the first thing we learn from this parable. 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:07.780 But there is something even more incredible that is being taught here. 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:13.520 Verse 9 is the goal that Jesus has in mind with our stewardship of his resources. 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:17.240 And the goal is our happiness, 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:18.000 our love, 00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:19.679 our security forever. 00:14:20.319 --> 00:14:21.059 I tell you, 00:14:21.419 --> 00:14:23.860 use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourself 00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:25.079 so that when it is gone, 00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:27.220 you'll be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:29.939 So what this manager does here 00:14:29.939 --> 00:14:34.740 is he puts aside some short-term financial gain 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:36.659 for the sake of gaining something 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:41.360 that is long-term and infinitely more valuable. 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:45.419 And that's what a wise investment is. 00:14:45.559 --> 00:14:49.139 A wise investment is where you put your money 00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:52.779 into something that is going to increase in value over time. 00:14:54.319 --> 00:14:56.939 So what can you put your money into 00:14:56.939 --> 00:15:00.319 that will really last? 00:15:01.879 --> 00:15:02.980 Not this world. 00:15:04.439 --> 00:15:06.960 Because Jesus gives a really helpful perspective in verse 9. 00:15:07.059 --> 00:15:07.679 He says, 00:15:08.679 --> 00:15:11.399 so that when it is gone, 00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:14.639 what Jesus is saying there is, 00:15:15.199 --> 00:15:16.379 there is no investment 00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:19.939 that is in this world 00:15:19.939 --> 00:15:21.620 that will last. 00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:23.039 Not one. 00:15:23.319 --> 00:15:24.480 There's no material thing. 00:15:24.559 --> 00:15:25.299 There's no asset. 00:15:25.459 --> 00:15:26.459 There's no place 00:15:26.459 --> 00:15:28.459 where you can put your money 00:15:28.459 --> 00:15:30.319 that will really, 00:15:30.439 --> 00:15:32.240 really last. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:35.480 And he's calling his disciples here 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:36.500 to make a wise investment 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.039 to put their money 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:37.419 into something 00:15:37.419 --> 00:15:38.919 that will literally last forever. 00:15:39.820 --> 00:15:40.440 Put your money, 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:41.120 he says, 00:15:41.180 --> 00:15:43.159 into building the kingdom of God. 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:45.139 Use your money in such a way 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:46.940 that there is glory in heaven. 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:48.080 Put your money 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:48.620 into something 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.620 that will last forever. 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:51.320 Now, 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:52.080 what I love 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:52.639 about the way 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:54.000 that Jesus puts it here 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:55.600 is that he doesn't just stay 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:56.740 at that abstract level. 00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:59.139 Because I'm the sort of person 00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:00.620 who's logically convinced 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:01.980 for the argument 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:03.279 for long-term investment. 00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:04.179 You know, 00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:05.039 immediate pain 00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:06.060 for long-term gain. 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:08.019 I'm totally, 00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:09.879 totally in for that, 00:16:10.060 --> 00:16:10.460 logically. 00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:13.419 But what Jesus says next 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:16.480 is what moves my heart 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:18.440 and causes me 00:16:18.440 --> 00:16:19.500 to open my wallet. 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:22.539 This is what moves my heart. 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:23.740 And I hope it does for you too. 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:27.379 Look at how Jesus describes 00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:29.120 eternal dwellings 00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:30.419 in verse 9. 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:32.960 This is how he describes heaven. 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:36.100 Friends. 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:41.779 Use your money now 00:16:41.779 --> 00:16:43.700 to gain friends 00:16:43.700 --> 00:16:44.879 who will welcome you 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:46.139 into eternal dwellings. 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:46.860 In other words, 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:49.659 to get eternal friends. 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:51.879 Let me quote one commentator 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:54.220 who wrote on this verse, 00:16:54.440 --> 00:16:55.340 and it's the main point 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:56.139 of this whole parable. 00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:57.440 He wrote, 00:16:57.440 --> 00:16:58.720 although these things, 00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.400 your property, 00:16:59.540 --> 00:16:59.880 your ability, 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:00.440 your time, 00:17:00.560 --> 00:17:03.360 belong to this life only. 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:05.680 Jesus says, 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:08.299 yet what will happen to you 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:08.759 when, 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:09.440 then, 00:17:09.560 --> 00:17:11.519 when you pass into that life 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:13.980 will depend on what you are doing 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:15.680 with them here and now. 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:18.460 Make sure that your use of them 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:20.160 brings you into a fellowship 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:21.299 of friends 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:24.019 which will survive beyond death. 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:28.700 That is definitely what Jesus is saying here. 00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:31.019 We look to money 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:32.700 to give us security, 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:33.480 significance. 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:34.579 As I said last week, 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:37.180 it's the identity scorecard for us 00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:38.539 and the possessions that we have. 00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:41.160 But genuine security and significance 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:43.119 is not material. 00:17:43.119 --> 00:17:45.059 It's actually relational. 00:17:46.619 --> 00:17:48.139 In the end, 00:17:48.959 --> 00:17:50.759 the most important thing 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:51.979 that everyone needs 00:17:51.979 --> 00:17:52.799 is love. 00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:56.919 We feel truly wealthy 00:17:56.919 --> 00:17:59.299 when we are loving people 00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:00.959 and are surrounded 00:18:00.959 --> 00:18:02.459 by people loving us back. 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:03.959 You can get someone 00:18:03.959 --> 00:18:06.699 who is an absolute pauper 00:18:06.699 --> 00:18:09.139 and yet they feel so rich, 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:11.119 feel so rich 00:18:11.119 --> 00:18:13.379 when they are surrounded by people 00:18:13.379 --> 00:18:14.699 who love them 00:18:14.699 --> 00:18:16.039 and who they love. 00:18:19.459 --> 00:18:22.119 That's because wealth is relational, 00:18:22.699 --> 00:18:23.819 not material. 00:18:26.439 --> 00:18:28.819 That's when you feel really alive 00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:31.559 and yet 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:35.519 the love that we really need 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:38.679 is out of reach for us 00:18:38.679 --> 00:18:39.559 in this life. 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:42.099 We get a taste of it now. 00:18:42.179 --> 00:18:43.319 We get a foretaste of it 00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:44.259 but the best 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:45.659 is yet to come. 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.819 The thinking that heaven 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:49.240 is a place of harps 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:51.039 and halos 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:52.079 and crowns 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:53.299 and gold streets 00:18:53.299 --> 00:18:55.379 doesn't kind of move me 00:18:55.379 --> 00:18:57.319 in the same kind of way 00:18:57.319 --> 00:18:59.039 as heaven being 00:18:59.039 --> 00:19:00.980 a world of friendships 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:01.940 and relationships 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:03.579 and perfect love. 00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:05.779 That moves me. 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:09.200 A place of deep relationships. 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:11.460 A place of real love. 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.940 A place where we love 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:15.019 and are loved 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:16.700 without any barriers 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:17.519 at all. 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:19.919 That is a place 00:19:19.919 --> 00:19:20.759 to really hope for 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:21.679 and invest in now 00:19:21.679 --> 00:19:22.519 because 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:25.039 the love that we experience 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:25.919 in this world, 00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:26.539 the friendships, 00:19:26.679 --> 00:19:27.779 the relationships we experience 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.619 in this world 00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:30.200 are a foretaste 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:31.179 of what is to come 00:19:31.179 --> 00:19:33.279 but they fall 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:35.099 so far short 00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:36.460 of what will be in heaven. 00:19:36.460 --> 00:19:40.640 love in this world 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:42.660 both the receiving of it 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:43.740 and the expressing of it 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:47.759 is often a source of pain. 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:51.039 There are barriers 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:52.319 to loving 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:53.220 and being loved 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:53.920 in this world 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:55.880 that will not exist in heaven 00:19:55.880 --> 00:19:57.360 and that's what makes heaven 00:19:57.360 --> 00:19:58.799 such an incredible prospect. 00:19:58.799 --> 00:20:00.319 that's why 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:01.059 if you can make 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:03.359 investments now 00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:04.619 to increase 00:20:04.619 --> 00:20:05.319 your experience 00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:05.819 of that 00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:08.299 that's a wise investment. 00:20:09.359 --> 00:20:10.259 See one of the barriers 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:11.279 we face now 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:12.740 that won't be there 00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:15.119 is that we are often 00:20:15.119 --> 00:20:16.019 as individuals 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:16.960 not loved 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:17.859 for our own sake. 00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:18.599 It's painful 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:19.440 when we discover 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:20.200 that people 00:20:20.200 --> 00:20:21.779 are not loving us 00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:22.740 for our own sake 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:23.480 but actually 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.559 using us 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:25.579 to get something else. 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:28.859 it's very rare 00:20:28.859 --> 00:20:29.579 for any of us 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.419 to love 00:20:30.419 --> 00:20:31.539 another person 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.159 totally 00:20:32.159 --> 00:20:33.339 for their own sake. 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:37.179 Most love 00:20:37.179 --> 00:20:37.980 is a love 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:39.599 in order to receive love 00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:42.319 and in heaven 00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:44.439 we will be loved 00:20:44.439 --> 00:20:45.399 absolutely 00:20:45.399 --> 00:20:46.699 completely 00:20:46.699 --> 00:20:47.919 fully 00:20:47.919 --> 00:20:49.639 for who we are. 00:20:50.879 --> 00:20:51.839 Another barrier 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:53.319 for loving this world 00:20:53.319 --> 00:20:53.740 which is 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:54.799 just a foretaste 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:55.480 of what we become 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.259 is the inability 00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:57.720 for us to express 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:58.819 our love 00:20:58.819 --> 00:20:59.559 for others 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:01.000 without any hindrance 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:01.500 whatsoever. 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.480 Things like pride 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:04.120 selfishness 00:21:04.120 --> 00:21:04.940 defensiveness 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:06.380 pettiness 00:21:06.380 --> 00:21:07.319 coldness 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:08.940 means that we cannot 00:21:08.940 --> 00:21:10.099 fully completely 00:21:10.099 --> 00:21:10.980 express our love 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:12.039 for another person 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:13.180 even those 00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:13.640 who are the 00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:15.860 closest to us 00:21:15.860 --> 00:21:16.819 in this world. 00:21:19.220 --> 00:21:20.299 Even for me 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:20.559 I mean 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.860 I said this morning 00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:22.980 for me 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.700 for Natalie 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.740 I get to the end 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:25.259 of each day 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:25.720 and I realise 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.539 how much 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.400 I've failed 00:21:27.400 --> 00:21:27.980 to express 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:28.420 the love 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:28.880 that I've got 00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:29.759 deep down 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.220 there somewhere 00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:30.500 it's like 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.160 there's this ocean 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:31.759 of love 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.440 it's got it 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:32.880 coming up 00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:33.779 through a straw 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:34.200 you know 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:34.799 like it's just 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:36.700 just not coming 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:37.120 out the way 00:21:37.120 --> 00:21:37.779 it's meant to. 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:40.380 So much failure 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:44.300 we can't even 00:21:44.300 --> 00:21:44.900 get close 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:45.480 to expressing 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:45.940 our love 00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:46.200 fully 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:46.960 without some 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:47.400 kind of 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:47.960 hindrance 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:50.780 but in heaven 00:21:50.780 --> 00:21:51.980 there'll be love 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:52.640 without any 00:21:52.640 --> 00:21:53.160 impediment 00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:54.500 all sin 00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:55.100 pride 00:21:55.100 --> 00:21:55.880 selfishness 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:56.420 pettiness 00:21:56.420 --> 00:21:57.020 coldness 00:21:57.020 --> 00:21:57.560 defensiveness 00:21:57.560 --> 00:21:58.140 it's going to 00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:58.860 be all gone. 00:22:01.060 --> 00:22:01.720 We also 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.420 struggle in this 00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:02.760 world to have 00:22:02.760 --> 00:22:03.600 a mutual love 00:22:03.600 --> 00:22:05.460 is there anything 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:06.080 more painful 00:22:06.080 --> 00:22:06.600 than to love 00:22:06.600 --> 00:22:07.320 someone more 00:22:07.320 --> 00:22:07.840 than they love 00:22:07.840 --> 00:22:08.300 you back? 00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:11.200 It's very rare 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:11.940 to have a 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:12.919 mutual love 00:22:12.919 --> 00:22:13.619 at the same 00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:14.079 time. 00:22:15.659 --> 00:22:16.419 In this place 00:22:16.419 --> 00:22:17.240 this world 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:17.839 many of the 00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:18.379 people that we 00:22:18.379 --> 00:22:18.680 love 00:22:18.680 --> 00:22:19.059 we love 00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:19.500 more 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.359 than they 00:22:20.359 --> 00:22:20.680 love us 00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:21.039 back 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:21.639 and that 00:22:21.639 --> 00:22:22.259 is nothing 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:23.119 but pain 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:24.259 but heaven 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:25.339 everyone 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:25.960 will love 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:26.500 everyone 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.039 mutually 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:27.839 and fully. 00:22:29.119 --> 00:22:29.599 There's also 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:30.460 the barrier 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:31.440 of another 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:32.119 barrier of 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:32.539 love in this 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:32.839 world and 00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:33.139 that's the 00:22:33.139 --> 00:22:33.659 unhappiness 00:22:33.659 --> 00:22:34.059 of those 00:22:34.059 --> 00:22:34.579 we love. 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:35.879 Think about 00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:36.259 this for a 00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:36.419 minute. 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:40.119 This is for 00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:40.700 everyone here 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:41.680 because you've 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:42.240 all been kids 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:42.579 and still 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:42.819 are. 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:45.079 Once you 00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:45.859 start having 00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:46.759 children 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:48.339 once you 00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:48.619 start 00:22:48.619 --> 00:22:48.919 if you're 00:22:48.919 --> 00:22:49.480 a couple 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:49.740 and you 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.240 start having 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:50.680 children 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.440 for the 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:51.899 rest of 00:22:51.899 --> 00:22:52.700 your life 00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:54.119 your happiness 00:22:54.119 --> 00:22:56.440 level never 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:57.599 increases more 00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:57.960 than the 00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:58.680 unhappiness of 00:22:58.680 --> 00:22:59.200 one of your 00:22:59.200 --> 00:22:59.500 children 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.799 or of your 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:01.159 unhappiest 00:23:01.159 --> 00:23:01.519 child. 00:23:03.399 --> 00:23:04.220 Once you 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:04.700 start having 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.059 children 00:23:05.059 --> 00:23:05.680 your happiness 00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:06.419 level never 00:23:06.419 --> 00:23:07.379 increases more 00:23:07.380 --> 00:23:09.200 than your 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:09.740 unhappiest 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.780 child. 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.420 Your unhappiest 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:11.700 child. 00:23:12.580 --> 00:23:12.940 See what 00:23:12.940 --> 00:23:13.180 you've done 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:13.380 to your 00:23:13.380 --> 00:23:13.680 parents? 00:23:15.540 --> 00:23:15.860 You know 00:23:15.860 --> 00:23:18.400 we can 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:19.260 never be 00:23:19.260 --> 00:23:19.780 happier 00:23:19.780 --> 00:23:21.400 we can 00:23:21.400 --> 00:23:21.880 never be 00:23:21.880 --> 00:23:22.340 happier than 00:23:22.340 --> 00:23:22.700 the people 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.360 we love 00:23:23.360 --> 00:23:25.040 because their 00:23:25.040 --> 00:23:25.680 heart becomes 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.480 our heart 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.580 and if you 00:23:27.580 --> 00:23:28.140 love more 00:23:28.140 --> 00:23:28.560 than five 00:23:28.560 --> 00:23:29.120 people any 00:23:29.120 --> 00:23:29.660 one time 00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:29.940 in this 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:30.400 world you're 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:30.920 always going 00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:31.080 to be 00:23:31.080 --> 00:23:31.420 unhappy. 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:32.860 That's just 00:23:32.860 --> 00:23:33.440 a fact. 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:34.520 C.S. 00:23:34.580 --> 00:23:35.180 Lewis said 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:35.840 that if you 00:23:35.840 --> 00:23:36.700 don't want 00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.700 your heart 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.039 to be 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:38.640 broken then 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:39.240 just stop 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:39.519 loving 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.039 people. 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:43.700 Love is 00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:44.660 such a 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:45.100 source of 00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:45.559 pain but 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:45.819 of course 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:46.120 if that's 00:23:46.120 --> 00:23:46.440 what you're 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:46.559 going to 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:46.940 do then 00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:47.700 you become 00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:48.039 a hard 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:48.580 person and 00:23:48.580 --> 00:23:49.140 you're right 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:49.360 on your 00:23:49.360 --> 00:23:49.600 way to 00:23:49.600 --> 00:23:49.840 hell. 00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:51.740 Love is 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.259 such a 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:52.620 source of 00:23:52.620 --> 00:23:52.960 pain but 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.440 in heaven 00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:54.500 everyone 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.240 will be 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:55.880 perfectly 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:57.299 happy filled 00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:57.660 with a 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.080 never 00:23:58.080 --> 00:23:58.460 ceasing 00:23:58.460 --> 00:23:58.940 joy. 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.400 But the 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:01.759 greatest 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:02.420 barrier to 00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:03.019 love in 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:03.559 this world 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:05.879 is the 00:24:05.879 --> 00:24:06.339 separation 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:06.899 of love. 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:09.759 We want 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.399 a love 00:24:10.399 --> 00:24:11.539 where we 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.159 will never 00:24:12.159 --> 00:24:13.279 be separated 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:13.700 from the 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:14.179 people that 00:24:14.179 --> 00:24:14.659 we love. 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:16.379 It is 00:24:16.379 --> 00:24:17.019 painful knowing 00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:17.339 that when 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:17.759 you marry 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:19.139 someone it 00:24:19.139 --> 00:24:19.679 is highly 00:24:19.679 --> 00:24:20.419 likely that 00:24:20.419 --> 00:24:21.039 one of you 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:21.539 will bury 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.039 the other. 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.119 Highly 00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:23.639 likely unless 00:24:23.639 --> 00:24:24.019 of course you 00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:24.579 both go down 00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:24.839 the plane 00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:25.159 crash or 00:24:25.159 --> 00:24:25.480 something like 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:25.639 that. 00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:27.720 In my 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.399 case I've 00:24:28.399 --> 00:24:28.839 got five 00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:29.460 people sitting 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.019 around my 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.460 dining room 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:32.059 table and 00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:32.500 it's highly 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.180 likely that 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:33.900 one of us 00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:35.059 will be 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:36.240 sitting at 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:36.980 that table 00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:38.220 will see 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:39.240 everyone else 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:39.700 dead. 00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:42.099 Highly likely 00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:43.059 that one of 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:43.559 us will see 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:43.920 the rest 00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:44.180 dead. 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:46.980 My mother 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.579 experienced 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:48.160 that in the 00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:48.680 last two 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.819 weeks where 00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:51.000 she is now 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:51.920 the only one 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:53.240 left of 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:53.920 two parents 00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:54.460 and four 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:54.819 sisters. 00:24:57.759 --> 00:24:58.700 This is the 00:24:58.700 --> 00:24:59.259 way our 00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:00.319 relationships are 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:00.880 in this 00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:01.319 world. 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:02.960 But not 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:03.319 there. 00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:05.380 Not there. 00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.019 We are 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:07.480 made to 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.099 desire the 00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:08.420 kind of 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:09.000 relationships, 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:09.400 the kind 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:09.900 of friendships, 00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:10.359 the kind 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:10.819 of love 00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:11.640 that is in 00:25:11.640 --> 00:25:12.119 the kingdom 00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:12.759 of God. 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:14.759 We have 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.700 been designed 00:25:15.700 --> 00:25:16.160 for what 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:16.859 Jesus says 00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:17.359 heaven is 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:17.700 going to be 00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:18.079 like. 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.539 And knowing 00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:20.279 and experiencing 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:20.839 the pain of 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.279 relation to 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:21.759 this world, 00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:23.140 it is so 00:25:23.140 --> 00:25:24.220 hard for us 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:24.759 to imagine 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:26.119 what perfect 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:27.519 relationships and 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.279 perfect love 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.299 actually looks 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:29.660 like. 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:31.519 what the 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:32.440 experience of 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:32.840 that is going 00:25:32.840 --> 00:25:33.480 to be like. 00:25:35.320 --> 00:25:35.960 Knowing and 00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:36.720 experiencing the 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.259 pain of this 00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:38.200 world, it's 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:39.160 hard to know 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:39.480 what it's 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:39.920 going to be 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.340 like. 00:25:42.340 --> 00:25:42.920 Hard to 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.420 believe in 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:43.620 fact. 00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:44.320 Just imagine 00:25:44.320 --> 00:25:44.680 what it would 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.140 be like to 00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:45.640 completely 00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:46.180 believe it 00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:46.400 though. 00:25:46.800 --> 00:25:47.180 That what 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:48.180 Jesus says 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:49.400 about heaven 00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:50.160 is actually 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:50.540 going to be 00:25:50.540 --> 00:25:50.960 true. 00:25:53.120 --> 00:25:53.860 Imagine what 00:25:53.860 --> 00:25:54.240 it would be 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:55.680 to be completely 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:56.460 sure of the 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.180 future because 00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:58.100 of Jesus 00:25:58.100 --> 00:25:58.720 Christ and 00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.019 what he's 00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.420 done for 00:25:59.420 --> 00:25:59.759 us. 00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:03.380 Imagine that 00:26:03.380 --> 00:26:03.900 to believe in 00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:04.539 Jesus is to 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.019 be able to 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:05.420 live with 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:06.500 God and 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.420 friends in 00:26:07.420 --> 00:26:08.060 absolute 00:26:08.060 --> 00:26:09.460 perfect love 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:10.400 forever. 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:11.920 No barriers, 00:26:13.160 --> 00:26:14.100 no hindrance 00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:16.220 to joy and 00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:16.660 love. 00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:18.180 Just imagine 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:20.320 what that 00:26:20.320 --> 00:26:21.400 would do to 00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:21.880 the way that 00:26:21.880 --> 00:26:22.180 you would 00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:22.539 live your 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.460 life now. 00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:26.579 would we 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:27.259 not use 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:27.900 our worldly 00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:29.840 wealth now 00:26:29.840 --> 00:26:31.340 knowing that 00:26:31.340 --> 00:26:32.000 what really 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:33.480 lasts is 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:33.920 people, 00:26:34.100 --> 00:26:34.600 relationships, 00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:35.360 friends, 00:26:37.400 --> 00:26:37.819 something 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.640 significant that 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:39.059 we all have 00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:39.360 something to 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:39.720 look forward 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.059 to. 00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:44.160 And so 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:44.500 don't put 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:44.920 your money 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:47.759 before people. 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:50.299 Don't put 00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:50.740 your money 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.539 before people. 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:54.220 Don't put 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:54.900 things before 00:26:54.900 --> 00:26:55.340 people. 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:56.620 Put your 00:26:56.620 --> 00:26:57.200 money into 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:58.299 solving people's 00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:59.000 needs in this 00:26:59.000 --> 00:26:59.559 world, the 00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.100 poor and the 00:27:00.100 --> 00:27:00.519 needy. 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.059 Use your 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:03.299 money, as it 00:27:03.299 --> 00:27:04.140 says here, to 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:04.980 create a 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:06.000 fellowship of 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:08.340 friends that 00:27:08.340 --> 00:27:09.380 will survive 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:10.940 beyond death. 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:11.920 Friends who 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:12.579 you don't even 00:27:12.579 --> 00:27:13.059 know. 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:14.980 You won't even 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.579 know that they're 00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:16.160 your friends until 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:16.620 you get to 00:27:16.620 --> 00:27:16.900 heaven. 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:16.980 And 00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:21.559 when people 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:22.720 find hope and 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.660 faith and 00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:24.279 love in 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:24.980 Jesus, they 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.600 will be your 00:27:25.600 --> 00:27:26.779 friends and 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.279 they will be 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:27.839 your friends 00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:28.319 forever. 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:28.940 They will 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:29.779 welcome you 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:30.200 to heaven. 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.039 They will 00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:34.819 love you and 00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:35.600 be loved by 00:27:35.600 --> 00:27:36.120 you without 00:27:36.120 --> 00:27:37.000 any barrier. 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:39.259 And so 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:39.900 this radical 00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:40.740 investment is 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.259 to put the 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:41.880 money you're 00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:42.880 a steward of, 00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:43.240 which you've 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:43.640 been given 00:27:43.640 --> 00:27:44.380 by, by 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:45.799 God, into 00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:46.380 connecting 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:47.279 people with 00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:48.160 their God who 00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:48.960 loves them like 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:49.600 this without 00:27:49.600 --> 00:27:50.500 any barriers. 00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:52.119 that's the 00:27:52.119 --> 00:27:52.880 wise investment. 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:54.559 Put your 00:27:54.559 --> 00:27:56.359 money into 00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:56.920 connecting 00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:58.859 people with 00:27:58.859 --> 00:27:59.619 their God 00:27:59.619 --> 00:28:01.420 who loves 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:01.859 them like 00:28:01.859 --> 00:28:02.339 this. 00:28:03.880 --> 00:28:04.660 Because all 00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:05.299 of this hope 00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:05.819 and all this 00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:06.460 joy is 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.819 possible because 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:09.039 we are 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.839 recipients of 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.339 the ultimate 00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:11.019 love and 00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:11.460 friendship. 00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:12.960 2 Corinthians 00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:13.559 8, the 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:14.480 Apostle Paul is 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:15.740 encouraging the 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.200 church in 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:17.059 Corinth to give 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:18.000 generously to a 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:19.079 great need in 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:19.579 the same way 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:19.960 that other 00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.460 churches are 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:20.659 done. 00:28:22.159 --> 00:28:22.659 And he 00:28:22.659 --> 00:28:23.339 doesn't order 00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:23.879 them to do 00:28:23.879 --> 00:28:23.980 it. 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.460 He says, I'm 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:24.779 not going to 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:25.339 order you to 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:25.879 do this. 00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:27.500 I want you to 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.079 be compelled 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:28.879 by love. 00:28:30.119 --> 00:28:30.599 And he 00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:31.079 shows them how 00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:31.539 to do it. 00:28:32.679 --> 00:28:32.980 He says, 00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:33.419 think about 00:28:33.419 --> 00:28:33.779 this. 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.199 Think about 00:28:35.199 --> 00:28:36.179 Jesus Christ. 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.399 Though he 00:28:37.399 --> 00:28:37.960 was rich, 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:38.779 yet for your 00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.299 sake he 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:40.319 became poor 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:42.039 so that you 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:42.740 through his 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:44.139 poverty might 00:28:44.139 --> 00:28:45.119 become filthy 00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:45.599 rich. 00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:47.319 Relationally 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:47.659 rich. 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:49.019 experiencing 00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:51.480 love like 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:51.800 you have 00:28:51.800 --> 00:28:52.279 never 00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:52.900 experienced 00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:53.340 before. 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:54.500 You see, 00:28:54.600 --> 00:28:55.180 Jesus is 00:28:55.180 --> 00:28:55.580 the one 00:28:55.580 --> 00:28:56.580 friend who 00:28:56.580 --> 00:28:57.040 emptied 00:28:57.040 --> 00:28:57.980 himself of 00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:59.340 everything to 00:28:59.340 --> 00:28:59.860 turn his 00:28:59.860 --> 00:29:00.660 enemies into 00:29:00.660 --> 00:29:01.259 his eternal 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:01.800 friends. 00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:04.940 Jesus is, 00:29:05.120 --> 00:29:05.300 in fact, 00:29:05.360 --> 00:29:05.700 the true 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.400 steward here. 00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:08.800 As recipients 00:29:08.800 --> 00:29:09.740 of the ultimate 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.460 friendship, we 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:11.019 get to live 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:11.340 with him 00:29:11.340 --> 00:29:12.019 forever in 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.700 perfect love. 00:29:13.040 --> 00:29:14.080 And so use 00:29:14.080 --> 00:29:15.320 your money in 00:29:15.320 --> 00:29:16.160 a way that's 00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:17.360 controlled by 00:29:17.360 --> 00:29:18.300 that reality. 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.660 Guess what? 00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:23.220 You and I, 00:29:23.640 --> 00:29:24.360 here today, 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:25.180 we're in 00:29:25.180 --> 00:29:26.100 exactly the 00:29:26.100 --> 00:29:26.960 same boat as 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:27.480 the shrewd 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:27.840 manager. 00:29:29.820 --> 00:29:30.440 I'm not 00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:30.920 sure how 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:31.460 long he's, 00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:32.540 how much 00:29:32.540 --> 00:29:33.100 notice he 00:29:33.100 --> 00:29:33.460 was given, 00:29:33.560 --> 00:29:33.840 how many 00:29:33.840 --> 00:29:34.580 days or 00:29:34.580 --> 00:29:34.940 weeks he 00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:35.480 had before 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:35.820 he had to 00:29:35.820 --> 00:29:36.360 fold up the 00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:36.560 books, 00:29:36.680 --> 00:29:36.980 but in 00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:37.540 this moment 00:29:37.540 --> 00:29:37.900 the books 00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:38.240 were still 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:38.519 open, 00:29:38.580 --> 00:29:38.920 he still 00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:39.300 had a 00:29:39.300 --> 00:29:39.580 pen, 00:29:39.820 --> 00:29:40.080 and he 00:29:40.080 --> 00:29:40.420 was still 00:29:40.420 --> 00:29:40.980 in control. 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:42.740 And he 00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:43.160 acted. 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:44.799 He had a 00:29:44.799 --> 00:29:45.279 chance to 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:45.900 act in view 00:29:45.900 --> 00:29:46.079 of the 00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:46.319 future, 00:29:46.380 --> 00:29:46.660 and he 00:29:46.660 --> 00:29:47.079 did it. 00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:47.799 And I've 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:48.360 been calling 00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:49.299 two previous 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:49.900 congregations, 00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:50.339 I'm doing the 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:50.779 same here, 00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:51.339 across St. 00:29:51.380 --> 00:29:52.059 Paul's today, 00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:54.579 calling us 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:55.099 all to make 00:29:55.099 --> 00:29:55.720 a radical 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.559 investment. 00:29:57.579 --> 00:29:58.140 That's our 00:29:58.140 --> 00:29:58.420 vision. 00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.480 Our vision 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:00.279 says we are 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:01.339 desperate for 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:01.960 the world 00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.500 around us 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:03.079 to encounter 00:30:03.079 --> 00:30:03.539 Jesus. 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:06.120 We are 00:30:06.120 --> 00:30:07.000 desperate to 00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:07.980 make eternal 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:08.720 friends. 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:11.440 who will 00:30:11.440 --> 00:30:11.980 love us 00:30:11.980 --> 00:30:12.880 and whom 00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:13.200 we will 00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:14.339 love for 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:14.819 eternity. 00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:16.680 Now, 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:17.180 following on 00:30:17.180 --> 00:30:17.559 from 1 00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:18.539 Chronicles 29, 00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:19.880 the process 00:30:19.880 --> 00:30:20.380 that King 00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:21.100 David led 00:30:21.100 --> 00:30:21.759 Israel in 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.059 there, 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:22.700 for the 00:30:22.700 --> 00:30:23.100 last, 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:23.940 this is our 00:30:23.940 --> 00:30:24.579 ninth time 00:30:24.579 --> 00:30:25.079 doing it, 00:30:25.180 --> 00:30:25.880 in my time 00:30:25.880 --> 00:30:26.140 here, 00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:27.720 we have 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:28.140 followed a 00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:28.480 process. 00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:29.220 The process 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:30.299 is I 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:32.819 pledge what 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:33.880 my giving 00:30:33.880 --> 00:30:34.460 is, 00:30:35.140 --> 00:30:35.759 because I 00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:36.240 believe if 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:36.539 you've read 00:30:36.539 --> 00:30:37.240 what I wrote 00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:38.039 and have 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:38.600 distributed to 00:30:38.599 --> 00:30:39.000 the parish 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.599 in the last 00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:40.079 week, 00:30:40.699 --> 00:30:41.819 is that 00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:42.879 giving is a 00:30:42.879 --> 00:30:43.679 spiritual matter, 00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:44.159 it's not a 00:30:44.159 --> 00:30:44.939 financial matter, 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:46.240 and so there's 00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:47.179 financial accountability 00:30:47.179 --> 00:30:47.919 for the top 00:30:47.919 --> 00:30:48.639 right down. 00:30:49.679 --> 00:30:50.279 So Natalie and 00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:51.500 I, each year, 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.500 we declare what 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:52.939 we're giving, 00:30:53.519 --> 00:30:54.059 we're the only 00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:54.699 ones who do 00:30:54.699 --> 00:30:55.740 it, parish 00:30:55.740 --> 00:30:56.419 council then 00:30:56.419 --> 00:30:57.099 follow suit, 00:30:57.959 --> 00:30:58.519 and staff 00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:59.079 follow suit. 00:30:59.179 --> 00:30:59.639 So Natalie and 00:30:59.639 --> 00:31:00.240 I are seeking to 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:00.719 increase our 00:31:00.719 --> 00:31:01.399 giving for next 00:31:01.399 --> 00:31:03.399 year, and 00:31:03.399 --> 00:31:04.000 we're committing 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:05.119 $1,400 a 00:31:05.119 --> 00:31:06.259 month for our 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:06.759 vision, this 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.459 church's vision, 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:09.740 for people to 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:10.900 encounter Jesus. 00:31:12.240 --> 00:31:12.779 We've also 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:13.640 contributed $1,000 00:31:13.640 --> 00:31:15.840 to the $70,000 00:31:15.840 --> 00:31:16.460 target. 00:31:17.100 --> 00:31:18.039 So far, parish 00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:18.600 council and 00:31:18.600 --> 00:31:19.340 staff together 00:31:19.340 --> 00:31:19.880 have pledged 00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:21.400 $3,500 a 00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:22.640 week, and 00:31:22.640 --> 00:31:23.920 $18,200 00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:24.700 towards the 00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:25.400 $70,000 00:31:25.400 --> 00:31:25.960 target. 00:31:26.500 --> 00:31:27.240 That is a 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.319 significant lead 00:31:28.319 --> 00:31:28.880 from your 00:31:28.880 --> 00:31:29.240 leaders. 00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:30.759 That is, 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:32.500 parish council 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.220 and staff make 00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:34.700 up 10% of the 00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:35.559 parish in 00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:36.080 terms of 00:31:36.080 --> 00:31:36.799 numbers. 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:38.420 And so 00:31:38.420 --> 00:31:39.620 far, they 00:31:39.620 --> 00:31:41.240 are giving 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:42.559 one-third of 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:43.799 our 2018 00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:47.460 budget, and 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:48.080 a quarter of 00:31:48.080 --> 00:31:48.559 the project 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:49.000 target. 00:31:50.039 --> 00:31:51.580 10%, one-third 00:31:51.580 --> 00:31:52.160 and a quarter. 00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:54.980 They're leading 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:55.720 us in this, and 00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:56.180 so I would 00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:57.480 invite you, in 00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:57.920 fact, I would 00:31:57.920 --> 00:31:58.759 implore you to 00:31:58.759 --> 00:32:00.480 follow us and 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:01.039 to make an 00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:01.840 investment in 00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:02.240 eternal 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:02.799 friends. 00:32:05.139 --> 00:32:06.220 We have 00:32:06.220 --> 00:32:07.399 got enormous 00:32:07.399 --> 00:32:08.079 opportunities. 00:32:09.059 --> 00:32:09.379 I would 00:32:09.379 --> 00:32:10.599 encourage you to 00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:11.419 see this project 00:32:11.419 --> 00:32:12.119 of employing 00:32:12.119 --> 00:32:12.599 someone for 00:32:12.599 --> 00:32:13.039 children's 00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:13.439 ministry. 00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:14.539 There are 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.439 children coming 00:32:15.439 --> 00:32:15.779 into our 00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:16.939 neighbourhood all 00:32:16.939 --> 00:32:17.359 over the 00:32:17.359 --> 00:32:17.799 place. 00:32:18.639 --> 00:32:19.500 Invest in 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:20.319 making friends 00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:20.859 from the next 00:32:20.859 --> 00:32:21.599 generation to 00:32:21.599 --> 00:32:21.959 employ a 00:32:21.959 --> 00:32:22.299 children's 00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:22.639 pastor. 00:32:24.159 --> 00:32:25.159 Takeshi, who 00:32:25.159 --> 00:32:25.679 was here this 00:32:25.679 --> 00:32:26.759 morning from 00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:28.419 Japan, he is 00:32:28.419 --> 00:32:29.359 a native of 00:32:29.359 --> 00:32:30.000 the largest 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:30.579 unreached 00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:31.240 people group 00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:31.839 in the world, 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.319 and we've 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:32.539 got an 00:32:32.539 --> 00:32:33.059 opportunity to 00:32:33.059 --> 00:32:33.599 invest in 00:32:33.599 --> 00:32:33.859 him. 00:32:37.799 --> 00:32:38.519 Invest in 00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:40.200 making eternal 00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:41.180 friends on 00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:41.819 another part of 00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:42.220 the world who 00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:42.539 will never 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:44.279 meet till we 00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:44.839 get to heaven. 00:32:45.259 --> 00:32:45.500 And he goes, 00:32:45.579 --> 00:32:46.539 you are the 00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:46.980 guys who 00:32:46.980 --> 00:32:47.880 funded Takeshi. 00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:49.859 I'm here 00:32:49.859 --> 00:32:50.380 because of 00:32:50.380 --> 00:32:50.620 him. 00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:53.880 Make your 00:32:53.880 --> 00:32:54.579 eternal joy 00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:55.400 complete and 00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:56.120 invest in 00:32:56.120 --> 00:32:56.460 eternal 00:32:56.460 --> 00:32:56.759 friends. 00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:56.960 I'm going 00:32:56.960 --> 00:32:57.279 to invite 00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:57.779 Nick up. 00:32:58.460 --> 00:32:58.700 What I'm 00:32:58.700 --> 00:32:59.059 going to do 00:32:59.059 --> 00:32:59.579 is Nick's 00:32:59.579 --> 00:32:59.960 going to lead 00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:00.380 us in a 00:33:00.380 --> 00:33:00.700 song. 00:33:01.819 --> 00:33:02.359 And as 00:33:02.359 --> 00:33:02.740 he does 00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:03.880 that, we 00:33:03.880 --> 00:33:04.339 are going 00:33:04.339 --> 00:33:05.059 to take 00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:05.359 an opportunity 00:33:05.359 --> 00:33:05.960 to sit and 00:33:05.960 --> 00:33:06.380 reflect. 00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:06.740 Because some 00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:07.380 of us may 00:33:07.380 --> 00:33:07.680 have come 00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:08.220 prepared, some 00:33:08.220 --> 00:33:08.380 of us are 00:33:08.380 --> 00:33:08.799 not prepared 00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:09.200 at all. 00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:10.980 But if you've 00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:11.420 come prepared, 00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:12.039 you might go, 00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:13.299 I need to 00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:13.799 rethink what 00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:14.259 I've just 00:33:14.259 --> 00:33:14.859 done because 00:33:14.859 --> 00:33:15.200 there's not 00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:15.720 enough gold 00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:16.220 factor on it, 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:16.460 there's not 00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:17.039 enough sacrifice 00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:17.500 in it. 00:33:18.660 --> 00:33:19.420 For those of you 00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:19.720 who haven't 00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:20.339 prepared, this is 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:20.660 an opportunity 00:33:20.660 --> 00:33:21.160 for you to get 00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:21.940 these cards out, 00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:22.339 take the 00:33:22.339 --> 00:33:23.160 project card out 00:33:23.160 --> 00:33:23.640 and take the 00:33:23.640 --> 00:33:24.359 pledge card out. 00:33:25.019 --> 00:33:25.380 We've already 00:33:25.380 --> 00:33:25.700 looked at 00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:26.259 serve, take the 00:33:26.259 --> 00:33:26.880 project card, 00:33:26.960 --> 00:33:27.620 the pledge card 00:33:27.620 --> 00:33:27.799 out. 00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:28.120 This is an 00:33:28.120 --> 00:33:28.579 opportunity for you 00:33:31.240 --> 00:33:32.059 and what the 00:33:32.059 --> 00:33:32.680 gold factor is 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:33.279 going to be for 00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:34.079 you in your 00:33:34.079 --> 00:33:35.120 financial commitment 00:33:35.120 --> 00:33:36.420 to this church. 00:33:37.079 --> 00:33:37.839 And I'll come 00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:38.539 back up in a 00:33:38.539 --> 00:33:38.740 moment.