WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.240 This summer we're enjoying the parables of Jesus. 00:00:07.500 --> 00:00:11.179 And if you've been around this summer, you may remember what a parable is. 00:00:11.220 --> 00:00:16.260 A parable is an earthly story which illustrates a spiritual reality. 00:00:17.679 --> 00:00:23.460 And a spiritual reality that Jesus often wanted to illustrate was that of the kingdom, 00:00:23.879 --> 00:00:25.719 the kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven. 00:00:26.300 --> 00:00:28.740 And so the parables often begin with the formula, 00:00:28.739 --> 00:00:32.320 the kingdom of heaven is like, or in the book of Mark, 00:00:33.199 --> 00:00:35.339 with what can we compare the kingdom of God? 00:00:35.420 --> 00:00:37.239 Or what parable shall we use for it? 00:00:37.259 --> 00:00:39.420 It is like blah, blah, blah. 00:00:40.079 --> 00:00:43.399 So let's remind ourselves what the kingdom of God is. 00:00:43.859 --> 00:00:46.879 It's not just where God reigns supreme, 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:50.859 because we know that God's been reigning supreme at all times, 00:00:51.539 --> 00:00:54.459 in all places, and in all circumstances. 00:00:54.460 --> 00:00:58.939 The kingdom of God is also where God brings that supremacy, 00:00:59.480 --> 00:01:03.480 that reign, where he carries it through against all opposing powers. 00:01:04.780 --> 00:01:07.240 And when he brings people in recognition of this, 00:01:07.340 --> 00:01:08.680 willing recognition of this, 00:01:09.240 --> 00:01:10.500 that's the kingdom. 00:01:12.659 --> 00:01:14.640 Although we don't find that definition in the Bible. 00:01:15.280 --> 00:01:16.740 Jesus doesn't give us a definition. 00:01:16.739 --> 00:01:20.060 What he actually gives us is art, 00:01:20.199 --> 00:01:22.099 which is elusive, 00:01:22.939 --> 00:01:23.819 it's nuanced, 00:01:24.259 --> 00:01:25.479 it's multifaceted. 00:01:26.679 --> 00:01:30.579 A story or a picture can say so much more than a simple definition, 00:01:30.839 --> 00:01:31.839 and so he gives us parables. 00:01:34.079 --> 00:01:35.619 The parables are very earthy, 00:01:35.679 --> 00:01:37.359 using images we can all relate to, 00:01:37.399 --> 00:01:38.060 and for that reason, 00:01:38.199 --> 00:01:40.959 you may remember me saying a few weeks back 00:01:40.959 --> 00:01:42.679 that there's a German pastor 00:01:42.680 --> 00:01:45.360 that called the parables God's picture book. 00:01:47.040 --> 00:01:49.080 So today we're going to look at two pictures, 00:01:50.140 --> 00:01:52.140 and we're going to ask the questions, 00:01:53.300 --> 00:01:55.020 how is the kingdom like a mustard seed? 00:01:55.160 --> 00:01:56.560 That's the first image. 00:01:57.720 --> 00:01:58.860 The second question is, 00:01:58.920 --> 00:02:00.780 how is the kingdom like leaven? 00:02:00.980 --> 00:02:02.219 That was the second image. 00:02:03.640 --> 00:02:05.280 And third, we're going to ask how 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:07.240 these parables affect 00:02:07.240 --> 00:02:09.900 our participation in the kingdom. 00:02:09.900 --> 00:02:12.819 Before we do that, let's pray. 00:02:20.700 --> 00:02:22.640 Lord, we need your help to see clearly, 00:02:22.819 --> 00:02:23.560 to understand. 00:02:23.900 --> 00:02:26.939 We have all kinds of prejudices 00:02:26.939 --> 00:02:30.599 that we come with to your word. 00:02:33.700 --> 00:02:35.360 And there's a certain amount of blindness 00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:36.500 and deafness that we have 00:02:36.500 --> 00:02:37.860 that we need you to remove. 00:02:39.900 --> 00:02:45.080 And we need you to soften our hearts. 00:02:48.500 --> 00:02:51.080 We need you to bring comfort and hope 00:02:51.080 --> 00:02:52.360 for those of us who need that. 00:02:55.800 --> 00:02:57.240 So we're asking you to do a lot. 00:02:57.340 --> 00:02:58.259 You can do that. 00:02:59.099 --> 00:03:01.219 Because in your word is power. 00:03:03.520 --> 00:03:05.700 Help us to experience that right now, 00:03:05.699 --> 00:03:08.759 that we would not leave this place unchanged. 00:03:10.299 --> 00:03:11.959 For the glory of your name. 00:03:12.659 --> 00:03:13.000 Amen. 00:03:17.079 --> 00:03:19.879 In Jesus' day, many Jews were expecting 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:22.079 the kingdom of God to come. 00:03:22.139 --> 00:03:24.139 And they too expected God 00:03:24.139 --> 00:03:26.259 to carry through this supremacy 00:03:26.259 --> 00:03:28.539 against all opposing powers. 00:03:28.539 --> 00:03:30.439 The opposing power they were thinking of 00:03:30.439 --> 00:03:31.979 was mainly the Roman Empire. 00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:35.919 And this carrying through of God's supremacy 00:03:35.919 --> 00:03:40.399 was to be a great, glorious day of the Lord. 00:03:41.639 --> 00:03:43.780 And many in Palestine had wondered 00:03:43.780 --> 00:03:46.319 if this Jesus would be the one to do it. 00:03:46.359 --> 00:03:48.079 And it started off exciting enough 00:03:48.079 --> 00:03:49.639 in chapter 9 of Matthew. 00:03:50.159 --> 00:03:50.879 Matthew writes, 00:03:50.879 --> 00:04:12.280 Great. 00:04:12.579 --> 00:04:14.199 I mean, that kind of sounds like 00:04:14.199 --> 00:04:18.000 gathering up an army, doesn't it? 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:21.160 But it doesn't go right. 00:04:21.240 --> 00:04:22.319 It doesn't go at all 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:23.939 according to anyone's expectations. 00:04:24.300 --> 00:04:25.019 In chapter 10, 00:04:25.860 --> 00:04:26.740 Jesus says, 00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:27.500 By the way, 00:04:27.639 --> 00:04:29.639 you can expect suffering, 00:04:30.339 --> 00:04:30.800 persecution, 00:04:31.399 --> 00:04:32.360 and death. 00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:35.279 That doesn't sound like 00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:37.920 an overwhelming, glorious day of the Lord to me. 00:04:39.600 --> 00:04:40.699 In chapter 11, 00:04:40.860 --> 00:04:42.100 Jesus faces opposition. 00:04:42.399 --> 00:04:43.819 He's accused of being possessed. 00:04:44.220 --> 00:04:46.220 He's called a drunkard 00:04:46.220 --> 00:04:47.240 and a glutton. 00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:49.360 What kind of king is that? 00:04:51.220 --> 00:04:52.339 The upper classes, 00:04:52.579 --> 00:04:54.019 both intellectual and political, 00:04:54.160 --> 00:04:54.920 reject him. 00:04:54.959 --> 00:04:55.699 Or what is worse, 00:04:55.800 --> 00:04:57.019 they simply ignore him. 00:04:57.459 --> 00:04:58.720 The capital city acts 00:04:58.720 --> 00:05:00.279 as if he doesn't even exist. 00:05:00.980 --> 00:05:03.079 And the Greek and Roman centers of culture 00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:04.839 pay absolutely no attention 00:05:04.839 --> 00:05:05.779 to what's going on 00:05:05.779 --> 00:05:08.540 in the backwoods of Palestine. 00:05:10.459 --> 00:05:11.839 Even John the Baptist, 00:05:12.839 --> 00:05:14.639 a man of profound faith, 00:05:14.639 --> 00:05:17.060 the one who would herald the king 00:05:17.060 --> 00:05:18.560 and his kingdom, 00:05:19.180 --> 00:05:20.800 seemingly loses all faith. 00:05:20.800 --> 00:05:23.159 And he sends to Jesus 00:05:23.159 --> 00:05:25.139 a word from jail. 00:05:26.800 --> 00:05:27.779 He asks Jesus, 00:05:27.919 --> 00:05:29.240 Are you the one who is to come? 00:05:29.479 --> 00:05:30.839 Or shall we look for another? 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:34.519 Are you the one who is to come? 00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:36.639 Or shall we look for another? 00:05:36.639 --> 00:05:37.839 Can you hear the sadness 00:05:37.839 --> 00:05:39.199 and the despair 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:40.919 and the disillusionment 00:05:40.919 --> 00:05:41.719 in that voice? 00:05:42.860 --> 00:05:44.019 Shall we look for another? 00:05:46.539 --> 00:05:47.740 Every one of us, though, 00:05:47.860 --> 00:05:49.279 who calls ourselves a Christian 00:05:49.279 --> 00:05:50.740 eventually asks that question, 00:05:50.819 --> 00:05:51.259 I think, 00:05:51.300 --> 00:05:52.579 or something very much like it. 00:05:54.459 --> 00:05:55.539 For me personally, 00:05:56.240 --> 00:05:59.839 when the Arab Spring started, 00:05:59.839 --> 00:06:02.379 there were things happening 00:06:02.379 --> 00:06:03.399 all over North Africa 00:06:03.399 --> 00:06:04.419 and in the Middle East, 00:06:04.479 --> 00:06:05.560 and I decided 00:06:05.560 --> 00:06:07.699 I would focus on one area. 00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:09.319 I'd focus on Syria. 00:06:09.500 --> 00:06:11.319 Things seemed especially bad, 00:06:11.359 --> 00:06:11.919 and the church 00:06:11.919 --> 00:06:14.639 had such an historical presence there. 00:06:14.879 --> 00:06:17.019 And I took a few words of advice 00:06:17.019 --> 00:06:17.679 that I had heard. 00:06:17.759 --> 00:06:18.799 The first was, 00:06:20.199 --> 00:06:20.579 pray 00:06:20.579 --> 00:06:23.919 and don't bore the angels 00:06:23.919 --> 00:06:24.839 while you pray. 00:06:25.219 --> 00:06:25.939 Pray in such a way 00:06:25.939 --> 00:06:27.339 as to not bore the angels. 00:06:27.779 --> 00:06:28.179 Like, okay, 00:06:28.259 --> 00:06:29.359 so I'm going to pray something bold. 00:06:29.840 --> 00:06:31.220 And the second bit of advice 00:06:31.220 --> 00:06:33.060 I took to heart 00:06:33.060 --> 00:06:33.639 was, 00:06:34.120 --> 00:06:36.319 pray in such a way 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:37.639 that if your prayers 00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:38.340 were answered, 00:06:38.520 --> 00:06:39.699 like, the world would notice. 00:06:39.819 --> 00:06:41.000 The whole world would notice. 00:06:41.080 --> 00:06:41.520 Like, great, 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:42.480 that's what I'm going to do. 00:06:43.960 --> 00:06:45.680 I started praying for Syria. 00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:48.600 But as you know, 00:06:49.220 --> 00:06:50.780 as bad as things were, 00:06:51.160 --> 00:06:52.240 things got worse. 00:06:52.400 --> 00:06:52.980 And it seems like 00:06:52.980 --> 00:06:53.780 the more I prayed, 00:06:53.879 --> 00:06:54.900 the worse things got. 00:06:57.379 --> 00:06:58.580 And so my question, 00:06:58.579 --> 00:07:00.099 similar to John the Baptist, 00:07:00.439 --> 00:07:01.019 is like, 00:07:01.079 --> 00:07:01.279 God, 00:07:01.339 --> 00:07:02.479 what is the use of praying? 00:07:03.439 --> 00:07:04.779 What is the use of praying for Syria 00:07:04.779 --> 00:07:05.319 when my prayers 00:07:05.319 --> 00:07:06.199 don't seem to make 00:07:06.199 --> 00:07:07.639 a bit of difference? 00:07:11.060 --> 00:07:11.939 Are you the king 00:07:11.939 --> 00:07:13.039 or should I wait for another? 00:07:14.680 --> 00:07:15.079 You know, 00:07:15.120 --> 00:07:15.839 I think back to 00:07:15.839 --> 00:07:16.779 some friends of mine 00:07:16.779 --> 00:07:18.459 who decided to be foster parents. 00:07:19.659 --> 00:07:20.459 They believed 00:07:20.459 --> 00:07:21.939 what they had learned in church 00:07:21.939 --> 00:07:22.959 and in the Bible study 00:07:22.959 --> 00:07:23.719 that I taught 00:07:23.720 --> 00:07:24.860 that God's kingdom 00:07:24.860 --> 00:07:26.000 will one day renew 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:27.320 and restore all things. 00:07:27.780 --> 00:07:30.000 And God is already doing that 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:30.740 through his church. 00:07:30.860 --> 00:07:32.480 He's bringing to the world 00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:33.220 through his church 00:07:33.220 --> 00:07:34.180 hope and restoration. 00:07:36.180 --> 00:07:37.040 So my friends 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:38.180 served as foster parents 00:07:38.180 --> 00:07:39.400 to a beautiful little girl 00:07:39.400 --> 00:07:40.660 whose mother was in prison 00:07:40.660 --> 00:07:41.440 and whose father 00:07:41.440 --> 00:07:42.120 had abandoned her 00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:43.360 and every single one 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:44.380 of her other relatives. 00:07:46.040 --> 00:07:46.640 And so they were, 00:07:46.780 --> 00:07:47.600 my friends were able 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:48.660 to begin the process 00:07:48.660 --> 00:07:49.220 of adoption. 00:07:50.380 --> 00:07:51.340 The little girl 00:07:51.340 --> 00:07:52.420 began to call them 00:07:52.420 --> 00:07:53.000 mom and dad 00:07:53.000 --> 00:07:53.980 and really did think of 00:07:53.980 --> 00:07:55.000 my friends 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:56.100 as her mom and dad. 00:07:56.840 --> 00:07:57.879 And they thought of her 00:07:57.879 --> 00:07:58.900 as their own daughter. 00:07:59.640 --> 00:08:02.340 She was so sweet 00:08:02.340 --> 00:08:02.840 and beautiful. 00:08:04.620 --> 00:08:07.300 And as soon as the adoption 00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:08.580 was about to be finalized, 00:08:08.660 --> 00:08:09.660 the little girl's father 00:08:09.660 --> 00:08:11.000 swooped in at the last minute 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:11.379 and says, 00:08:11.460 --> 00:08:11.960 I'll take her. 00:08:14.220 --> 00:08:15.020 And there's nothing 00:08:15.020 --> 00:08:16.240 my friends could do about it. 00:08:19.020 --> 00:08:19.720 Yes, the girl 00:08:19.720 --> 00:08:20.340 was with her father 00:08:20.340 --> 00:08:21.060 but this is the girl 00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:21.480 who they loved 00:08:21.480 --> 00:08:22.460 as their daughter 00:08:22.460 --> 00:08:23.480 and she was taken away 00:08:23.480 --> 00:08:24.960 and they haven't seen her since. 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:28.200 And my friend, 00:08:28.460 --> 00:08:29.819 the would-be mother, 00:08:30.939 --> 00:08:32.659 wrote on her Facebook page 00:08:32.659 --> 00:08:33.159 simply, 00:08:33.779 --> 00:08:34.960 wondering where the promised 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:36.180 hope and restoration are. 00:08:37.399 --> 00:08:38.180 And it hit me 00:08:38.180 --> 00:08:39.000 like really square 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:39.360 in the stomach 00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:40.019 because I'm pretty sure 00:08:40.019 --> 00:08:40.539 I said something 00:08:40.539 --> 00:08:41.440 exactly like that 00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:42.100 in Bible study. 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:46.860 Wondering where the promised 00:08:46.860 --> 00:08:47.960 hope and restoration are. 00:08:49.460 --> 00:08:50.200 I think about 00:08:50.200 --> 00:08:51.220 another good friend of mine 00:08:51.220 --> 00:08:53.120 from when we lived 00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:53.660 in Florida. 00:08:54.759 --> 00:08:55.540 He had never met 00:08:55.540 --> 00:08:56.180 his grandfather. 00:08:56.300 --> 00:08:56.900 His grandfather 00:08:56.900 --> 00:08:57.620 and four other men 00:08:57.620 --> 00:08:58.000 had traveled 00:08:58.000 --> 00:08:58.940 to a remote part 00:08:58.940 --> 00:08:59.759 of South America 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:01.520 to make contact 00:09:01.520 --> 00:09:03.920 with a remote tribe 00:09:03.920 --> 00:09:05.200 who was completely isolated. 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:06.440 They did that 00:09:06.440 --> 00:09:07.960 to tell them about Jesus. 00:09:08.220 --> 00:09:09.340 They took very seriously 00:09:09.340 --> 00:09:10.740 the Great Commission. 00:09:10.920 --> 00:09:12.480 Go to all the world 00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:13.100 and make disciples 00:09:13.100 --> 00:09:13.780 of all nations. 00:09:15.379 --> 00:09:16.620 The tribe turned on them 00:09:16.620 --> 00:09:17.460 and killed all of them. 00:09:17.460 --> 00:09:19.440 My friend's dad 00:09:19.440 --> 00:09:20.200 was just a little boy 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:21.200 when he lost his father. 00:09:21.820 --> 00:09:23.040 Where was King Jesus then? 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:28.400 And I could go on and on, right? 00:09:28.540 --> 00:09:29.740 And I'm sure you could too. 00:09:29.800 --> 00:09:30.879 You've had questions like this. 00:09:30.940 --> 00:09:32.120 You've been treated unjustly 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:32.700 in your job. 00:09:32.780 --> 00:09:33.580 You watch helplessly 00:09:33.580 --> 00:09:34.560 as a loved one struggles 00:09:34.560 --> 00:09:35.840 and succumbs to addiction. 00:09:36.560 --> 00:09:37.220 You have a marriage 00:09:37.220 --> 00:09:38.080 that seems to never be 00:09:38.080 --> 00:09:38.680 anything more 00:09:38.680 --> 00:09:39.720 than a total disaster. 00:09:40.259 --> 00:09:41.360 You personally struggle 00:09:41.360 --> 00:09:42.100 and seem to lose 00:09:42.100 --> 00:09:42.920 against institutional 00:09:42.920 --> 00:09:43.920 and political injustice 00:09:43.920 --> 00:09:45.400 that tramples on the poor 00:09:45.400 --> 00:09:46.019 and less fortunate 00:09:46.019 --> 00:09:47.400 who you care very much about. 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:49.040 Those you love 00:09:49.040 --> 00:09:50.500 succumb to cancer. 00:09:51.900 --> 00:09:53.900 You too ask, 00:09:54.800 --> 00:09:56.580 where is this promised hope 00:09:56.580 --> 00:09:57.379 and restoration? 00:09:57.900 --> 00:09:58.200 Jesus, 00:09:58.379 --> 00:09:59.519 are you really a king? 00:10:02.519 --> 00:10:03.620 You know, oftentimes, 00:10:04.200 --> 00:10:05.940 it's not direct opposition 00:10:05.940 --> 00:10:07.540 that discourages us. 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:09.519 It's the mundane. 00:10:10.660 --> 00:10:11.480 It's the mundane 00:10:11.480 --> 00:10:12.560 that discourages us. 00:10:12.820 --> 00:10:13.340 Being a Christian 00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:14.320 can often feel like 00:10:14.320 --> 00:10:15.180 such a downer, 00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:16.360 especially in D.C. 00:10:16.360 --> 00:10:18.379 we feel uncool, 00:10:18.600 --> 00:10:19.000 small, 00:10:19.700 --> 00:10:20.240 insignificant. 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:24.659 Sometimes the work 00:10:24.659 --> 00:10:25.539 that he gives us 00:10:25.539 --> 00:10:28.019 feels really mundane. 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:30.060 Tommy and I met 00:10:30.060 --> 00:10:30.879 a pastor 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:32.840 in the Anglican Church 00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:33.800 back in October. 00:10:34.580 --> 00:10:35.360 His name is Buzz. 00:10:36.060 --> 00:10:38.840 And for a large portion 00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:39.600 of his career, 00:10:39.700 --> 00:10:40.259 on Sundays, 00:10:40.720 --> 00:10:41.420 he would just do 00:10:41.420 --> 00:10:43.120 the 78-mile loop, 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:43.860 driving around 00:10:43.860 --> 00:10:44.720 from church to church, 00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:45.600 preaching as he goes. 00:10:45.700 --> 00:10:46.480 These little, 00:10:46.620 --> 00:10:48.360 tiny congregations, 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:49.460 old, 00:10:49.860 --> 00:10:51.019 seemingly insignificant, 00:10:51.279 --> 00:10:52.320 isolated in backwater. 00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:57.300 How is that world changing? 00:10:57.399 --> 00:10:57.519 Like, 00:10:57.519 --> 00:10:58.539 I know the right answer, 00:10:58.720 --> 00:10:59.159 but right? 00:10:59.220 --> 00:11:01.000 How is that world changing? 00:11:02.940 --> 00:11:04.180 And the church itself, 00:11:04.259 --> 00:11:04.440 I mean, 00:11:04.460 --> 00:11:05.419 you know the feeling. 00:11:05.419 --> 00:11:06.319 like, 00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:06.779 there's, 00:11:06.779 --> 00:11:08.919 there's like really odd people 00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:09.959 here, 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:10.740 right? 00:11:11.299 --> 00:11:12.139 Not just here, 00:11:12.219 --> 00:11:13.579 but like go to any church. 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:16.360 And Christians are generally 00:11:16.360 --> 00:11:17.159 an assembly of 00:11:17.159 --> 00:11:18.699 strangeness. 00:11:23.439 --> 00:11:24.500 So this is the kingdom. 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:26.659 These people, 00:11:26.919 --> 00:11:27.059 you know, 00:11:27.079 --> 00:11:28.319 C.S. Lewis touched on this 00:11:28.319 --> 00:11:29.199 in the Screwtape letters, 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:30.279 this point about the church. 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:31.439 It's really cute. 00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:34.260 Screwtape, 00:11:34.300 --> 00:11:35.440 he's an experienced demon. 00:11:36.140 --> 00:11:37.380 And he's mentoring his nephew 00:11:37.380 --> 00:11:39.360 on how to tempt 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:41.300 and entrap his patient. 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:43.200 In one letter, 00:11:43.260 --> 00:11:44.080 he tells his nephew, 00:11:44.200 --> 00:11:45.400 one of our great allies 00:11:45.400 --> 00:11:46.040 at present 00:11:46.040 --> 00:11:47.260 is the church itself. 00:11:49.320 --> 00:11:49.760 Sure, 00:11:49.860 --> 00:11:51.040 it's organized religion. 00:11:51.740 --> 00:11:52.740 The organized religion 00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:54.300 is full of misguided liturgies 00:11:54.300 --> 00:11:55.420 and bad preachers. 00:11:56.140 --> 00:11:56.980 We can be surrounded 00:11:56.980 --> 00:11:58.600 by people who sing off key, 00:11:59.140 --> 00:12:00.540 really bad breath, 00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:01.779 like they project 00:12:01.779 --> 00:12:02.819 dimly lit lyrics 00:12:02.819 --> 00:12:03.399 and liturgy 00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:04.879 onto this old-looking screen 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:05.620 that sits atop 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:06.839 two circular tables 00:12:06.839 --> 00:12:07.480 with like these weird 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:08.199 black cloths. 00:12:08.219 --> 00:12:08.719 What is that? 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:09.339 That's the kingdom? 00:12:09.719 --> 00:12:10.799 The church triumphant? 00:12:11.059 --> 00:12:11.439 What? 00:12:15.099 --> 00:12:16.399 And if we're really, 00:12:16.659 --> 00:12:17.059 really honest, 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:17.759 we will admit 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:19.000 that most often 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:20.059 the biggest obstacle 00:12:20.059 --> 00:12:20.899 to the kingdom 00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:22.379 is ourselves, 00:12:22.899 --> 00:12:23.179 right? 00:12:23.819 --> 00:12:24.419 I mean, 00:12:24.459 --> 00:12:25.740 I just heard you admit it. 00:12:25.819 --> 00:12:26.699 You just prayed it. 00:12:27.419 --> 00:12:28.159 You confessed 00:12:28.159 --> 00:12:29.799 that you sinned against God 00:12:29.799 --> 00:12:31.319 in thought, word, and deed 00:12:31.319 --> 00:12:32.219 by what you've done 00:12:32.219 --> 00:12:33.620 and by what you've left undone. 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:36.439 And that's pretty extreme. 00:12:36.819 --> 00:12:37.719 And I was confessing 00:12:37.719 --> 00:12:38.439 the same stuff. 00:12:38.519 --> 00:12:39.439 And if you knew 00:12:39.439 --> 00:12:42.099 what goes on in my heart, 00:12:42.179 --> 00:12:43.500 the darkness that's there, 00:12:43.740 --> 00:12:44.799 like the pride, 00:12:45.079 --> 00:12:45.779 the selfishness, 00:12:45.879 --> 00:12:46.319 the arrogance, 00:12:46.579 --> 00:12:47.000 the anger, 00:12:47.199 --> 00:12:49.079 you would probably give up. 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:49.759 Like, 00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:50.740 what is this kingdom? 00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:51.740 That's my ally? 00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:55.139 And so the whole 00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:55.820 Christian enterprise 00:12:55.820 --> 00:12:56.759 can feel just 00:12:56.759 --> 00:12:58.639 extremely futile, 00:12:58.840 --> 00:12:59.480 whether it's because 00:12:59.480 --> 00:13:00.240 of opposition 00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:01.460 or the brokenness 00:13:01.460 --> 00:13:02.580 and evil of the world 00:13:02.580 --> 00:13:03.759 or the mundaneness 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:04.360 of it all, 00:13:04.680 --> 00:13:05.580 by the failings 00:13:05.580 --> 00:13:06.460 of those around us 00:13:06.460 --> 00:13:07.919 or our own brokenness 00:13:07.919 --> 00:13:08.460 and rebellion. 00:13:09.680 --> 00:13:10.580 And we ask, 00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:11.600 like my friend asked, 00:13:11.700 --> 00:13:12.580 where is this kingdom 00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:13.159 that is supposed 00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:13.799 to bring hope 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:14.580 and restoration? 00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:18.600 Those closest to Jesus 00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:19.340 must have been 00:13:19.340 --> 00:13:20.060 asking themselves 00:13:20.059 --> 00:13:20.759 the same thing. 00:13:21.839 --> 00:13:22.939 They left everything 00:13:22.939 --> 00:13:23.759 to follow Jesus. 00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:25.159 Nothing went as planned 00:13:25.159 --> 00:13:26.679 and they must have been 00:13:26.679 --> 00:13:28.279 having deep doubts 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:28.899 about Jesus 00:13:28.899 --> 00:13:29.500 and the kingdom. 00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:33.019 And in the midst 00:13:33.019 --> 00:13:33.759 of these doubts, 00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:35.319 Jesus doesn't get on a horse 00:13:35.319 --> 00:13:36.359 and give some 00:13:36.359 --> 00:13:37.559 rousing speech 00:13:37.559 --> 00:13:38.639 about freedom 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:40.519 or glory 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:42.099 or even Middle Earth. 00:13:43.459 --> 00:13:44.359 Jesus gives them 00:13:44.359 --> 00:13:44.799 a picture. 00:13:46.419 --> 00:13:47.639 He holds up a picture. 00:13:48.039 --> 00:13:48.559 This is what 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:49.379 the kingdom is. 00:13:50.059 --> 00:13:51.779 It's a tiny seed 00:13:51.779 --> 00:13:54.619 and it's so small 00:13:54.619 --> 00:13:56.339 and it looks insignificant 00:13:56.339 --> 00:13:58.699 but it becomes 00:13:58.699 --> 00:14:00.039 this big tree 00:14:00.039 --> 00:14:02.979 and in the branches 00:14:02.979 --> 00:14:03.979 of this tree, 00:14:04.079 --> 00:14:04.839 the birds 00:14:04.839 --> 00:14:05.859 make their nests. 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.759 The kingdom brings 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:09.699 healing and rest 00:14:09.699 --> 00:14:10.439 and life 00:14:10.439 --> 00:14:11.139 and sanctuary. 00:14:12.419 --> 00:14:13.179 Jesus is drawing 00:14:13.179 --> 00:14:13.799 on an image 00:14:13.799 --> 00:14:14.479 found in the book 00:14:14.479 --> 00:14:14.979 of Ezekiel 00:14:14.979 --> 00:14:15.819 which we heard 00:14:15.819 --> 00:14:16.979 earlier. 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:18.639 God would establish 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:19.200 a kingdom 00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:20.320 and Gentiles 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:21.139 from every nation 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:21.539 of the earth 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:23.240 would find rest there 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:24.320 and come under 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:25.279 God's good, 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:26.560 just, 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:27.940 and perfect rule. 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:29.779 And so one of the last 00:14:29.779 --> 00:14:30.639 things Jesus did 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:32.039 was to give his disciples 00:14:32.039 --> 00:14:32.960 the great commission. 00:14:33.580 --> 00:14:34.300 All authority 00:14:34.300 --> 00:14:35.300 in heaven and earth 00:14:35.300 --> 00:14:36.220 has been given to me. 00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:37.180 Therefore, 00:14:37.379 --> 00:14:38.340 go and make disciples 00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:39.019 of all nations. 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:41.899 And if you look 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:42.439 at the history 00:14:42.439 --> 00:14:43.159 of the church, 00:14:43.699 --> 00:14:44.960 even to the present day, 00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:46.079 you can see 00:14:46.079 --> 00:14:46.980 this is what the Lord 00:14:46.980 --> 00:14:47.519 has done 00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:48.360 and is doing. 00:14:49.439 --> 00:14:50.439 Just in the present day, 00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:51.059 in 1900, 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:52.659 only 1% of Korea 00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:53.379 was Christian. 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:54.819 In 2012, 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:56.579 according to the Pew Research Center, 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:58.159 roughly 3 of every 10 00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:58.919 South Koreans 00:14:58.919 --> 00:15:00.539 called themselves Christians. 00:15:00.539 --> 00:15:03.319 The Gambian scholar 00:15:03.319 --> 00:15:04.399 Laman Sana 00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:05.719 of Yale University 00:15:05.719 --> 00:15:07.039 reports how in 1900, 00:15:07.559 --> 00:15:08.360 Christians comprised 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:10.399 9% of the African population. 00:15:12.139 --> 00:15:12.459 Today, 00:15:12.579 --> 00:15:13.339 Christians comprise 00:15:13.339 --> 00:15:14.639 44% 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:16.559 of the 00:15:16.559 --> 00:15:17.839 continent's 00:15:17.839 --> 00:15:18.539 population. 00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:21.219 Just on Thursday, 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:22.339 I don't know if you read this, 00:15:22.399 --> 00:15:23.319 The Guardian reported 00:15:23.319 --> 00:15:23.939 how in China 00:15:23.939 --> 00:15:24.559 there are more 00:15:24.559 --> 00:15:25.259 who belong to the 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:26.059 Christian church, 00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:27.500 100 million, 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:29.580 than there are 00:15:29.580 --> 00:15:31.179 who belong 00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:31.580 to the 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:32.539 Communist Party, 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:34.379 which is roughly 00:15:34.379 --> 00:15:35.240 70 million, 00:15:35.659 --> 00:15:36.039 I think. 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:37.460 The Guardian also 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:38.340 stated that China 00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:39.200 is on course 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:40.759 over the next 15 years 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:41.639 to become the world's 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:42.379 most populous 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:43.259 Christian nation. 00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:44.580 Not too shabby, 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:45.580 considering the church 00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:46.860 started as just a handful 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:49.100 of semi-literate 00:15:49.100 --> 00:15:50.279 Galilean 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:51.419 hillbillies 00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:52.639 from the backwoods 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:53.379 of the Roman Empire. 00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:56.519 So we see the kingdom 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:58.139 geographically 00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:59.620 and numerically 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.259 expanding. 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:03.980 But Jesus doesn't 00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:04.679 want us to think 00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:05.559 of this in terms 00:16:05.559 --> 00:16:06.460 of conquest 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:08.399 or domination. 00:16:09.439 --> 00:16:10.279 Not at all. 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.319 That's why he gives us 00:16:11.319 --> 00:16:12.100 the next parable, 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:12.879 the next picture 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:13.759 that he holds up 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.500 to his disciples, 00:16:15.199 --> 00:16:15.819 that the kingdom 00:16:15.819 --> 00:16:16.319 of heaven 00:16:16.319 --> 00:16:17.279 is like leaven. 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:20.519 As the dough 00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:21.240 is slowly 00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:21.980 and thoroughly 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:22.639 leavened, 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:24.139 so do Christians 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:25.679 slowly over time 00:16:25.679 --> 00:16:27.359 leavened the societies 00:16:27.359 --> 00:16:27.959 in which they 00:16:27.959 --> 00:16:28.699 find themselves. 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:31.299 Consider how it was 00:16:31.299 --> 00:16:32.079 Christians who led 00:16:32.079 --> 00:16:33.879 the dismantling 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:34.599 of the institution 00:16:34.599 --> 00:16:35.259 of slavery. 00:16:36.099 --> 00:16:37.379 It took way too long, 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.139 but it was Christians 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:38.839 who led that 00:16:38.839 --> 00:16:39.779 dismantling. 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:42.159 It was Christians 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:42.839 who were the first 00:16:42.839 --> 00:16:43.699 to organize care 00:16:43.699 --> 00:16:44.359 for widows, 00:16:44.599 --> 00:16:44.959 orphans, 00:16:45.099 --> 00:16:45.899 and the poor 00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:46.379 generally. 00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:48.819 The hospital 00:16:48.819 --> 00:16:49.819 is a Christian invention. 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.339 That Christians 00:16:52.339 --> 00:16:53.159 very often cared 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:53.620 for victims 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:54.240 of plagues 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:54.679 at the risk 00:16:54.679 --> 00:16:55.620 of their own lives, 00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:57.139 and so on. 00:16:58.320 --> 00:16:58.679 I mean, 00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.340 look at virtues 00:16:59.340 --> 00:16:59.879 that we take 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.299 for granted, 00:17:00.440 --> 00:17:01.240 like humility. 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:02.080 That would have been 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:03.899 immoral 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:05.920 and backwards 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:07.480 and cowardly 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.380 to be humble 00:17:08.380 --> 00:17:09.619 in the Roman Empire. 00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:12.819 But the church 00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.619 has leavened 00:17:13.619 --> 00:17:14.920 society. 00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:15.200 Now, 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:15.680 humility 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:17.420 is a chief virtue. 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:23.259 Christians have 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:24.240 leavened the dough. 00:17:25.080 --> 00:17:25.920 They've done this 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:27.100 by being faithfully 00:17:27.100 --> 00:17:27.480 present. 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:30.160 The parable of the yeast 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:31.019 allows us to think 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:32.259 more expansively 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.259 about the Great Commission. 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.279 Jesus said 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:37.039 to go into all 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:37.519 the world. 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:38.960 When we consider 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:39.880 what the leaven does 00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:40.340 to dough, 00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:41.240 we can understand 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:42.539 Christ to say 00:17:42.539 --> 00:17:43.560 to not just 00:17:43.560 --> 00:17:44.840 to go to every nation, 00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:46.199 but also to go 00:17:46.199 --> 00:17:47.019 into every sphere 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:47.519 of life 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:48.539 with the good news 00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:49.039 of the gospel. 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:51.159 Go into every place 00:17:51.159 --> 00:17:52.019 and every neighborhood 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:52.879 and every life 00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:53.879 and every relationship 00:17:53.879 --> 00:17:55.019 that has been bruised 00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:55.939 and broken 00:17:55.939 --> 00:17:57.059 by sin. 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.159 Enter the mess. 00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.599 Hold out Jesus Christ. 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:01.459 Go into every vocation, 00:18:01.879 --> 00:18:02.439 business, 00:18:02.659 --> 00:18:02.899 law, 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:03.459 the arts, 00:18:03.659 --> 00:18:04.199 education, 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:04.939 homemaking, 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:05.539 the sciences, 00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:06.179 government, 00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:07.839 and be like salt 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:09.379 which seasons 00:18:09.379 --> 00:18:10.459 and preserves. 00:18:10.919 --> 00:18:11.740 Be like light 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:13.099 shining in dark places. 00:18:14.839 --> 00:18:16.579 Now how do we be 00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:18.399 faithfully present 00:18:18.399 --> 00:18:19.859 in our vocations? 00:18:21.619 --> 00:18:23.240 We can be faithfully present 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:24.039 in our vocations 00:18:24.039 --> 00:18:24.839 by displaying 00:18:24.839 --> 00:18:26.639 a contemplative calmness 00:18:26.639 --> 00:18:27.899 that comes from 00:18:27.899 --> 00:18:28.980 being intimate 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:30.839 with 00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:32.139 and submissive 00:18:32.139 --> 00:18:32.639 to 00:18:32.639 --> 00:18:33.740 the Father 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:35.139 much like Jesus was. 00:18:36.819 --> 00:18:38.679 We can be faithfully present 00:18:38.679 --> 00:18:39.839 by not idolizing 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:41.039 reputation and status. 00:18:42.199 --> 00:18:43.899 We can be faithfully present 00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:45.500 by displaying radical compassion 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:46.560 for those around us. 00:18:47.420 --> 00:18:48.380 The kind of compassion 00:18:48.380 --> 00:18:48.960 that comes from 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.560 understanding 00:18:49.560 --> 00:18:50.759 our own brokenness 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:52.120 and our own need 00:18:52.120 --> 00:18:52.680 of compassion. 00:18:53.800 --> 00:18:55.400 We can be faithfully present 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:56.200 by understanding 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:56.800 and living out 00:18:56.800 --> 00:18:57.820 our union with Christ. 00:18:58.140 --> 00:18:59.280 We died with Christ 00:18:59.280 --> 00:19:00.240 and so we die 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:01.240 to our own selfish 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:02.460 sinful inclinations 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.820 and we're raised 00:19:03.820 --> 00:19:04.880 to new life 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:06.280 in his resurrection 00:19:06.280 --> 00:19:07.800 with a new understanding 00:19:07.800 --> 00:19:08.500 of morality 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.120 and virtue 00:19:09.120 --> 00:19:09.880 that is defined 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:10.980 by what God says 00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:11.420 in the Bible. 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:14.420 We can be faithfully present 00:19:14.420 --> 00:19:16.200 by using whatever power 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:17.060 and influence 00:19:17.060 --> 00:19:18.460 we do have 00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:19.820 to serve others 00:19:19.820 --> 00:19:20.880 not ourselves. 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:24.580 We can be faithfully present 00:19:24.580 --> 00:19:25.380 by understanding 00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:26.240 our vocations 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:27.820 as sacred callings 00:19:27.820 --> 00:19:29.120 and by simply doing 00:19:29.120 --> 00:19:30.300 a good job. 00:19:30.340 --> 00:19:31.160 I believe it was 00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:32.400 Dorothy Sayers 00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:33.519 who said 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:34.900 the only Christian work 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:36.700 is good work 00:19:36.700 --> 00:19:37.560 done well 00:19:37.560 --> 00:19:38.279 unto God. 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:41.220 And in doing 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:41.920 these things 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:43.579 and being faithfully present 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:45.039 in these ways 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:46.420 Christians 00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:48.119 leaven culture. 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:49.299 But it takes time, 00:19:49.639 --> 00:19:49.799 right? 00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:50.339 These parables 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:52.299 are about waiting. 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.480 We don't see results 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:54.399 overnight. 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:57.059 We're American, 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:57.859 we want results 00:19:57.859 --> 00:19:58.740 but if we're a farmer 00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.500 we just can't go 00:19:59.500 --> 00:19:59.839 voila, 00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:00.980 here's a tree 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:02.920 and you have to wait 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:03.440 for leaven 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:04.279 to work through 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:04.819 the dough. 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:08.179 God give us patience. 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:09.639 Well, 00:20:09.679 --> 00:20:10.019 what are some 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:11.019 concrete examples 00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:12.779 of faithful presence 00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:16.119 within vocation? 00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:17.659 Well, 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:18.500 consider the Washington 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:19.039 Arts Group 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:20.119 which back in the 90s 00:20:20.119 --> 00:20:21.740 sponsored 30 local artists 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:23.019 to paint and sculpt 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:24.279 scenes from Anacostia. 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:26.119 The show was previewed 00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:26.619 on the streets 00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:27.439 of Anacostia 00:20:27.439 --> 00:20:29.439 which was a very 00:20:29.439 --> 00:20:30.339 forgotten neighborhood 00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:31.119 in the 90s. 00:20:31.119 --> 00:20:33.799 The show was later 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:35.119 exhibited in Union Station. 00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:36.219 Officials claimed 00:20:36.219 --> 00:20:36.859 that it was the most 00:20:36.859 --> 00:20:37.879 successful exhibit 00:20:37.879 --> 00:20:39.399 ever held in the station 00:20:39.399 --> 00:20:40.879 with over one and a half 00:20:40.879 --> 00:20:41.879 million viewers 00:20:41.879 --> 00:20:42.519 of the collection. 00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:44.139 The beauty, 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:44.619 history, 00:20:44.739 --> 00:20:45.399 and humanness 00:20:45.399 --> 00:20:46.619 of those long forgotten 00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:47.539 was honored 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:48.199 and celebrated. 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:50.019 Consider a good friend 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.399 of mine 00:20:50.399 --> 00:20:51.119 who went to MIT 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:51.899 and studied 00:20:51.899 --> 00:20:53.279 nuclear engineering 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:55.099 not to make money 00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:56.379 but because he wants 00:20:56.379 --> 00:20:57.579 to disarm the world. 00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.699 His whole focus 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.700 was to join 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:01.299 the International 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:02.700 Atomic Energy Agency 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.680 and that's where 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:04.640 he's serving right now 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:05.539 as a nuclear weapons 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:05.980 inspector. 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.360 He has done such 00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:07.860 good work 00:21:07.860 --> 00:21:08.519 and his character 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.120 and virtues 00:21:09.120 --> 00:21:10.180 have been so upright 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:11.080 that he is on track 00:21:11.080 --> 00:21:12.940 to get a lifelong extension 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:14.980 something that rarely 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:16.460 happens to their inspectors. 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:19.200 He likens himself 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:20.220 to Joshua 00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:21.580 and Caleb 00:21:21.580 --> 00:21:23.519 who viewed 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:27.079 he views 00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:29.299 nuclear weaponry 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:29.960 as the giants 00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:30.519 in the land 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.339 and like Joshua 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:31.920 and Caleb 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:33.859 he reports that 00:21:33.859 --> 00:21:34.900 yes there are giants 00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:35.960 but God can do this. 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:37.319 God can do this. 00:21:39.079 --> 00:21:39.940 And lastly 00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:41.339 consider yourselves. 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:43.599 You're deeply embedded 00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:44.240 in the government 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.519 and the arts 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.460 and education 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:47.379 and non-profits 00:21:47.379 --> 00:21:48.279 and the sciences 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:49.000 and the media 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:50.799 and from all the conversations 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:51.819 I've had with you 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:52.679 you're committed 00:21:52.679 --> 00:21:53.319 to being leaven. 00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:55.779 Doing your work 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:56.579 with excellence 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:57.859 caring for those 00:21:57.859 --> 00:21:58.559 around you 00:21:58.559 --> 00:22:00.779 caring about justice 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:02.119 holding out Christ 00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:02.960 to people 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:04.019 being salt 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:04.599 and light. 00:22:06.059 --> 00:22:06.799 In a moment 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.460 we'll get to hear 00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:08.379 from one of our own 00:22:08.379 --> 00:22:09.159 Lauren Porter 00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:09.919 about what it means 00:22:09.919 --> 00:22:10.759 to follow Christ 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:11.500 in the sciences. 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:14.899 So we've seen 00:22:14.899 --> 00:22:15.439 how the kingdom 00:22:15.439 --> 00:22:16.740 is like a mustard seed 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:19.759 and how it's like leaven. 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:22.440 what 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.579 oh not 00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:24.160 not quite yet 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:25.059 I have like two hours 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:25.519 still 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.059 it's fine. 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:30.759 What other ways 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.599 can we participate 00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:32.259 in the life 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:32.819 of the kingdom? 00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:35.339 How can we participate 00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:35.940 in God 00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:36.819 carrying through 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:37.359 his rule 00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:38.779 against all opposing powers? 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:39.700 Well first 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.140 I think 00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:41.039 we need to see 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:41.660 that the kingdom 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:42.240 is to come 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:43.379 into our hearts 00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:44.319 as well 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:45.440 as into all the world. 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:47.119 To use the illustration 00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:47.819 of the tree 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:50.000 a person is both quiet 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:51.720 and he's public 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.879 or she. 00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:55.359 A person is both 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:56.460 quiet 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:56.899 and that would be 00:22:56.899 --> 00:22:57.379 the roots 00:22:57.379 --> 00:22:59.179 and public 00:22:59.179 --> 00:22:59.960 and that would be 00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:00.859 the branches. 00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:03.720 To you 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.299 and to me 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:05.119 has been entrusted 00:23:05.119 --> 00:23:05.759 the seed 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.700 from which one day 00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:07.799 are to grow branches 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:09.439 which are to spread 00:23:09.439 --> 00:23:10.240 over the earth 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:11.480 and give shelter 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.079 to the birds 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:12.519 of the air. 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:15.379 Don't seek 00:23:15.379 --> 00:23:16.220 these branches 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:17.480 but rather 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.559 nurse the seed. 00:23:20.660 --> 00:23:21.620 The seed 00:23:21.620 --> 00:23:22.360 is nursed 00:23:22.360 --> 00:23:23.200 in quietness 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:25.319 in contemplation 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:26.079 of God's word 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:26.640 and his love 00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:27.180 for us. 00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:29.140 It's nurtured 00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:29.860 in regular 00:23:29.860 --> 00:23:31.180 rhythmic prayer. 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:33.259 That's what it means 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:34.400 to seek first 00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:35.319 the kingdom of God. 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:37.860 Without that 00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:38.319 we would be 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:39.180 rootless trees. 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:41.920 And then we ought 00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:42.380 to sometime 00:23:42.380 --> 00:23:44.019 look at our household 00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:44.779 or the neighborhood 00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:45.619 we live in 00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:46.119 or the place 00:23:46.119 --> 00:23:46.779 where we work 00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:47.420 and see whether 00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:48.059 there are even 00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:49.000 one or two persons 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:49.660 who are privileged 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:50.200 to dwell 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:50.879 under the boughs 00:23:50.879 --> 00:23:51.559 of that tree 00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:52.859 which was planted 00:23:52.859 --> 00:23:53.500 in your heart 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:53.960 and mine 00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:56.180 and whether 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:56.759 they are being 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.279 refreshed 00:23:57.279 --> 00:23:58.079 and strengthened 00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:58.980 in its shadow. 00:24:02.139 --> 00:24:02.579 Second, 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.200 participating 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:03.839 in the kingdom 00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:05.039 means some kind 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:05.779 of death. 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:06.220 Right? 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:07.099 Jesus said, 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:07.480 truly, 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.059 truly, 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:08.700 I say to you, 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:09.559 unless a grain 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:09.839 of wheat 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:11.500 falls into the earth 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.359 and dies, 00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:13.759 it remains alone. 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:16.000 But if it dies, 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.740 it bears much fruit. 00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:19.759 Whoever loves his life 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.339 loses it. 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:22.319 And whoever hates 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:22.920 his life 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:23.660 in this world 00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:24.559 will keep it 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.519 for eternal life. 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.680 Dying means 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.519 we put to death 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:30.460 our sins 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:31.220 through confession 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:31.839 and repentance. 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:33.519 It means we die 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.559 to our own desires 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:35.200 and ambitions 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:36.339 and prefer those 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:37.359 of the people around us. 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:38.539 For some of our brothers 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.740 and sisters around the world, 00:24:39.879 --> 00:24:41.299 this literally means dying. 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:42.660 It means getting your head 00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:43.660 chopped off 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:44.740 for the sake 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.300 of the gospel. 00:24:48.300 --> 00:24:49.300 And our brothers 00:24:49.300 --> 00:24:49.920 and sisters 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.580 around the world 00:24:50.580 --> 00:24:51.300 need our prayers. 00:24:54.540 --> 00:24:55.500 So we participate 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.060 in the kingdom 00:24:56.060 --> 00:24:56.680 by seeing it 00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:58.060 move into our own hearts. 00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:00.200 By dying, 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:01.640 requires a death. 00:25:02.640 --> 00:25:03.440 And third, 00:25:03.820 --> 00:25:05.279 by not losing hope. 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:07.560 We don't lose hope 00:25:07.560 --> 00:25:08.240 because we know 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.100 the end of the story. 00:25:09.099 --> 00:25:11.519 We know the end 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.159 of the story. 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:13.219 The end of the story 00:25:13.219 --> 00:25:14.139 is the tree. 00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:15.319 What we see 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.679 as a mustard seed 00:25:16.679 --> 00:25:17.379 now 00:25:17.379 --> 00:25:19.159 becomes a mustard, 00:25:19.959 --> 00:25:21.159 becomes a mighty tree. 00:25:21.939 --> 00:25:22.519 As for me 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.099 and my prayers 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:23.939 for Syria, 00:25:24.359 --> 00:25:24.679 yes, 00:25:24.899 --> 00:25:26.039 it looks awful now. 00:25:28.719 --> 00:25:30.099 And I'm not the first person 00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:30.919 to pray for Syria. 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.159 You know, 00:25:32.199 --> 00:25:33.099 St. Augustine said 00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:33.939 that the prayers 00:25:33.939 --> 00:25:34.480 of the church 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:34.899 are the prayers 00:25:34.899 --> 00:25:35.839 of one single man 00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:37.000 across time and space. 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:39.640 people have been 00:25:39.640 --> 00:25:40.380 praying for Syria 00:25:40.380 --> 00:25:42.019 for almost 2,000 years now. 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.500 I'm not alone. 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:46.299 God loves the people 00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:47.420 of Syria more than I do. 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:49.960 So I won't lose hope. 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:51.200 I know the rest 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:51.740 of the story. 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:54.319 My friend 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:55.579 who posted on Facebook 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:58.200 where's the promised 00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:59.299 hope and restoration? 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:01.200 That's not the only thing 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:01.859 she posted. 00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:03.640 I edited that. 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:05.259 The full post was 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.519 wondering where 00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:07.319 the promised hope 00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:08.379 and restoration are, 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:10.440 praying unceasingly. 00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:13.839 Even she hasn't lost hope. 00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:15.779 She knows the rest 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.379 of the story. 00:26:18.680 --> 00:26:19.740 The rest of the story 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:20.980 about my friend's grandfather? 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:21.819 Well, his grandmother 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:22.680 and the wives 00:26:22.680 --> 00:26:23.559 of the other men 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:24.119 who died 00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:25.740 took their families. 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.460 The women 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:29.099 and their young children 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:31.900 went into the jungle 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:33.359 and made contact 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:34.119 with that tribe 00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:36.339 and they forgave them, 00:26:36.919 --> 00:26:38.099 the murderers 00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:38.899 of their husbands 00:26:38.899 --> 00:26:40.159 and fathers. 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:42.500 And then they told them 00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:43.439 about God's forgiveness. 00:26:44.979 --> 00:26:46.279 They had never heard 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:46.919 about forgiveness. 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:47.939 They didn't know 00:26:47.939 --> 00:26:48.659 what it was. 00:26:49.239 --> 00:26:50.099 It sounded strange 00:26:50.099 --> 00:26:50.539 to them. 00:26:52.439 --> 00:26:53.219 All they knew 00:26:53.219 --> 00:26:54.139 was killing and revenge. 00:26:54.239 --> 00:26:54.779 That's it. 00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:56.299 But they accepted 00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:57.379 Christ's forgiveness 00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:57.520 forgiveness. 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:59.060 And they stopped 00:26:59.060 --> 00:26:59.560 killing, 00:27:00.620 --> 00:27:01.480 started forgiving. 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:04.360 And my friend's father 00:27:04.360 --> 00:27:06.140 eventually became 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:06.860 best friends 00:27:06.860 --> 00:27:07.400 with the man 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:07.840 who had killed 00:27:07.840 --> 00:27:08.420 his father. 00:27:13.060 --> 00:27:14.360 Let's be specific 00:27:14.360 --> 00:27:15.620 about what the rest 00:27:15.620 --> 00:27:17.000 of the big story is. 00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:19.920 I mean, for you, 00:27:20.020 --> 00:27:20.960 like, can you see 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:22.820 the end of the story? 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.720 Or do you just see 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.399 the mustard seed? 00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:27.500 Perhaps we need 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.339 to see the whole story 00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:29.179 beginning to end. 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.700 To rescue and restore 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.559 a broken world, 00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:33.000 God sent his son 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:34.299 to save a people 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:35.379 for himself. 00:27:35.839 --> 00:27:36.220 Jesus, 00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:38.159 Jesus was the seed 00:27:38.159 --> 00:27:38.839 that fell 00:27:38.839 --> 00:27:40.000 and died 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:41.480 and bore much fruit, 00:27:41.639 --> 00:27:42.299 you and me. 00:27:43.119 --> 00:27:43.740 He willingly 00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.720 took upon himself 00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:45.480 our own sin 00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.099 and the punishment 00:27:46.099 --> 00:27:46.759 it deserved 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:47.759 and we became 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:48.659 God's sons 00:27:48.659 --> 00:27:49.200 and daughters. 00:27:50.139 --> 00:27:51.319 We became united 00:27:51.319 --> 00:27:51.859 to Jesus 00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:53.339 and because he 00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:54.159 rose from the dead, 00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:55.719 we too look forward 00:27:55.719 --> 00:27:56.959 to when we will 00:27:56.959 --> 00:27:57.559 rise again 00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:58.079 and be given 00:27:58.079 --> 00:27:59.479 new resurrection bodies, 00:27:59.939 --> 00:28:01.039 feasting together 00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:02.219 with our Lord 00:28:02.219 --> 00:28:03.439 in the new heavens 00:28:03.439 --> 00:28:04.839 and the new earth. 00:28:05.419 --> 00:28:06.159 That feast 00:28:06.159 --> 00:28:07.079 is what we look forward 00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:07.839 to right here 00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:09.099 when we do this feast. 00:28:09.339 --> 00:28:10.559 So as you eat the bread 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:12.079 and drink the wine, 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:14.259 experience God's love 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:14.699 for you. 00:28:15.699 --> 00:28:16.159 Experience 00:28:16.159 --> 00:28:18.019 the rest of the story. 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:19.399 Let's pray. 00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:26.859 Lord, 00:28:26.919 --> 00:28:27.959 we now need 00:28:27.959 --> 00:28:28.819 you to speak 00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:29.740 into our lives 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:31.039 to affirm 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:32.199 the rest 00:28:32.199 --> 00:28:33.039 of the story, 00:28:33.159 --> 00:28:33.839 the end 00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:35.279 of the story, 00:28:35.719 --> 00:28:35.959 Lord, 00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:37.319 in the midst 00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:38.139 of our brokenness 00:28:38.139 --> 00:28:38.740 and our weakness, 00:28:39.139 --> 00:28:39.659 in the midst 00:28:39.659 --> 00:28:40.339 of our communities 00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:40.759 and neighborhoods 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.500 and families 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:42.339 that are experiencing 00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:43.079 brokenness, 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:45.019 in the midst 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:45.619 of our nation 00:28:45.619 --> 00:28:47.059 that's experiencing 00:28:47.059 --> 00:28:47.759 brokenness. 00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:50.960 We need you 00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:51.899 to give us hope. 00:28:53.179 --> 00:28:54.240 Help us keep in mind 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:55.059 the end of the story. 00:28:59.179 --> 00:29:00.079 God, we look forward 00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:00.599 to celebrating 00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:01.259 with you one day 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:02.940 with our new 00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:03.859 resurrection bodies 00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:05.059 in the new heavens 00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:05.960 and the new earth. 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:08.119 Give us faith 00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:08.839 and hope 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:09.460 and love 00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:10.059 and patience 00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:10.619 and endurance 00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:11.639 until that day. 00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:14.380 Even now, 00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:15.080 as we participate 00:29:15.080 --> 00:29:15.720 in this meal, 00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:16.720 strengthen us. 00:29:16.900 --> 00:29:17.920 Communicate to your love 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:18.480 and your grace 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.380 and give us hope. 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:21.080 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:21.920 Amen.