WEBVTT

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 And so we're going to be looking at some big subjects that's in the media, in the news a lot, in our discussions about our sexual identity, things about life, the sanctity of life, abortion and euthanasia.

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 So these are some of the topics, issues that we'll be looking at under this title, Made in God's Image.

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 And the first one that we're looking at today is asking the question, simply, is God anti-gay?

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 What does the Bible have to teach about that?

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 Now, the title, I've stolen, and it comes from this little book by a guy called Sam Allerby, who's a pastor in an Anglican church in England.

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 And the subtitle is, Is God Anti-gay? And Other Questions About Homosexuality, the Bible and Same-Sex Attraction.

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 So I recommend it as a great little book.

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 Sam is somebody who struggles, he would say, he struggles with same-sex attraction.

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 That's how he would describe himself.

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 And I have a number of these copies available this morning, not enough for everybody, but if you would like one, you can buy it off me for a couple of euro if you like.

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 Also, by way of resources, if you're taking notes this morning, there's been sheets passed around with headings.

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 You can write this down, but two websites that you might like to look up.

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 One is truefreedomtrust.co.uk.

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 We had the director of that, Jonathan Berry, here a few years ago.

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 You can listen to his talk on our church website.

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 But there's a magazine called Ascend, which I get every month or two.

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 It's excellent.

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 Really helpful just in how we understand ourselves as human beings and how we relate to each other.

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 So I recommend that.

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 So that's True Freedom Trust.

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 And the other website is simply called Living Out.

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 All one word, livingout.org.

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 So have a look at them in your spare time.

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 You'll find some great stories, testimonies, and helpful things there.

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 So, with all of that said, we're going to pray and then look at God's word together.

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 We thank you that we come to a God who loves us, who made us, and who cares for us.

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 A God who understands us better than we could ever know ourselves.

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 A God who knows what's best for us.

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 And so we pray that you would give us hearts today that are open to you and to your truth, to your word.

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 So that we will understand ourselves better and how we should relate to one another.

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 Help us then, we ask in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 So the question we're looking at this morning is, is God anti-gay?

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 Now, sadly, many have the impression that God is against gay people.

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 And that's not surprising when you consider the attitude of the church.

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 The message the world has heard from the church is that being gay is detestable and unforgivable.

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 Gay people are unwelcome.

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 Caleb Kaltenbach, who wrote a book, which is also very good, called Messy Grace,

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 is now a pastor of a church, and he grew up with parents who were both gay.

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 And growing up as a child within the gay community, he attended gay pride marches.

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 And he describes one experience as a young person.

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 He says this,

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 He continues,

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 Now, these attitudes are extremely difficult.

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 They are wrong.

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 And they need to be repented of.

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 We all need to repent.

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 God is not anti-gay any more than God is anti-straight.

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 Looking back on his experience,

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 Caleb, who I just quoted, writes this,

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 Jesus' command to love your neighbour as yourself

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 does not have an exception clause for a gay neighbour,

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 or for that matter, any other neighbour we might find it hard to relate to.

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 To be anti-gay is unloving and ungracious

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 and does not represent the God of the Bible.

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 So, four things we're going to discover or look at together this morning.

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 And I want us to be all-inclusive.

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 So, there's an emphasis this morning on the word all.

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 Okay?

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 So, first, we are all uniquely created.

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 The story opens with this wonderful account of a loving God

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 who creates a good and beautiful world.

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 And the pinnacle of God's creation is the creation of human beings,

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 people like you and me.

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 We are first made in God's image.

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 Look at verse 26, chapter 1, Genesis, if you have it open there.

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 Then God said,

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 Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness,

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 so that they may rule over the fish of the sea,

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 the birds of the air, over the livestock and all the wild animals

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 and over all the creatures that move along the ground.

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 Now, to be made in God's image

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 means we are uniquely different from the rest of creation.

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 We're all uniquely different in terms of how we look

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 and our personalities and characters.

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 But as a race, as a human being,

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 we are different from the rest of creation.

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 We've been made differently to the animals and the plants.

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 For example, God has given us a command to rule over the animals

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 as an expression of God's rule over us.

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 But also, to be made in God's image

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 means we're not gods,

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 but that we are like God.

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 We're not the same as God,

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 but we're similar to God.

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 That means we have the capacity to relate to God.

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 God talks to us,

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 and, well, we can talk to Him.

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 God doesn't speak to the animals like He speaks to us.

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 God treats us differently to the rest of creation.

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 And God made us in this unique way

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 so that we could be in relationship with Him,

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 we could enjoy Him,

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 and know Him.

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 So we're uniquely created,

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 made in God's image,

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 and made male and female.

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 Look at verse 27.

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 So God created mankind in His own image.

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 In the image of God,

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 He created them.

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 Male and female,

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 He created them.

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 God made us different to each other.

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 Different in terms of our sex.

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 We are either male or we're female.

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 As male and female,

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 we're equal in value and worth in God's sight.

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 But we're different biologically.

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 And the primary point of our sexual difference

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 is reproduction.

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 So look at verse 28.

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 This is the first command God gives.

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 God blessed them and said to them,

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 Be fruitful and increase in number.

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 Have children.

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 Fill the earth and subdue it and rule over it.

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 So as a man and woman engage in sexual intercourse,

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 they produce either a baby male or a baby female.

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 And of course there's a context for this sexual union.

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 It is to be within an exclusive relationship,

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 what we call marriage,

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 between one man and one woman.

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 Verse, chapter 2, verse 24.

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 Chapter 2, verse 24.

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 That is why a man leaves his father and mother

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 and is united to his wife.

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 And they become one flesh.

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 So one flesh is that union,

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 that intimacy that they enjoy together.

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 So this is how God has made us and designed us.

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 And when God had finished all of creation,

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 back in chapter 1, verse 31,

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 God looked at his creation.

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 It's like he stepped back

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 and looked at all that he made

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 and he said it was very good.

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 Each one of us is God's unique creation.

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 Each person a representation,

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 a reflection of who God is.

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 We are wonderfully made.

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 So first, we are all uniquely created by God.

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 Second, we are all sexually flawed.

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 We are all sexually flawed.

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 You see, while God made a beautiful and good world,

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 it's no longer all good and beautiful.

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 The world and its people were all broken in different ways.

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 And Romans, the book of Romans,

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 explains to us what happened.

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 It kind of fleshes out a little bit more

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 what Genesis 3 would have to say.

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 So let's go to Romans chapter 1.

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 Romans 1, verse 21.

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 So what has happened?

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 Well, it explains verse 21.

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 For although they knew God,

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 so it's talking about all people,

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 although they knew God,

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 they neither glorified him as God

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 nor gave thanks to him.

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 But their thinking became futile

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 and their foolish hearts were darkened.

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 Although they claimed to be wise,

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 they became fools

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 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God

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 for images made to look like mortal human beings

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 and birds and animals and reptiles.

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 You see, just like the first man and woman,

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 Adam and Eve,

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 that we just read about in Genesis,

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 we're people who have pushed God out.

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 pushed God out from the centre

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 and put ourselves in the centre.

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 Rather than God tell us how we should live,

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 we decide how we should live.

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 It's a little bit like what happens

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 when I get something from Ikea.

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 It's an exciting thing for me.

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 Not many things excite me,

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 but something from Ikea.

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 Wow.

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 I open it up and there's a box full of goodies,

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 bits of wood,

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 bags of screws,

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 all kinds of little things,

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 and an instruction book.

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 But why would you ever read the instructions

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 when you can do it yourself?

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 Of course, sooner or later,

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 it has to be taken apart if I can

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 and read the instructions.

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 Well, in a sense,

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 that's what we've done.

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 We've ignored the creator,

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 the designer of our lives.

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 We've pushed him to one side.

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 We have tried to live life without God.

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 We think we're being wise,

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 but we're foolish, verse 22.

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 Sooner or later,

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 things become disastrous.

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 And it has.

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 The image that we were created in,

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 the image of God,

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 made to reflect him,

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 made to represent him,

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 has now been distorted.

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 It's broken.

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 We no longer reflect God

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 as we should.

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 Now, one of the consequences

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 of this brokenness is,

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 and there are many,

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 is that we are all now sexually flawed.

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 We no longer relate to each other

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 as human beings as we should.

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 We're all born where we are,

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 where our sexuality is confused

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 and mixed up.

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 All of us,

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 whoever we are,

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 experience fallen sexual desires,

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 whether those desires are heterosexual

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 or homosexual.

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 Very simply,

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 men and women,

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 we don't relate to each other

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 as we're meant to relate to each other.

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 Now, before we move on,

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 I think it would be good

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 just to define

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 a couple of terms.

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 Sometimes you hear the expression

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 homosexual or gay orientation.

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 That simply means

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 you are attracted to

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 someone of the same sex,

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 a gay or homosexual orientation.

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 The other is

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 a heterosexual orientation.

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 That simply means

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 you are attracted to someone

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 of the opposite sex.

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 Now,

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 I want to be very clear about this.

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 Neither orientation

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 is sinful

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 in itself.

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 If my orientation

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 is that I'm attracted

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 to the same sex

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 or the opposite sex,

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 that's not in itself

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 sinful.

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 It's what we do

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 with our attractions.

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 That's what's wrong.

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 It's the behaviour

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 that matters.

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 It's how we live our lives.

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 So, look at Romans 1,

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 verse 24.

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 Because we are fallen people,

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 it says,

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 God gave them over to,

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 in their sinful desires

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 of their hearts,

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 to sexual impurity.

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 for the degrading

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 of their bodies

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 with one another.

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 It's talking about

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 all of us,

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 whoever we are.

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 This is what happens.

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 Verse 25.

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 They exchanged the truth

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 about God for a lie

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 and worshipped

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 and served created things

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 rather than the Creator

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 who is forever praised.

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 Amen.

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 Rather than looking

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 to Christ

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 or to God

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 for fulfilment

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 and satisfaction,

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 we look to each other,

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 to relationships

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 with each other

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 and in all kinds

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 of different ways,

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 distorted relationships.

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 Because we have turned away

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 from God's design,

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 we now live

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 according to our

00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:37.659
 fallen sexual desires.

00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:39.560
 That's why some

00:16:39.560 --> 00:16:41.620
 with a homosexual orientation

00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:43.980
 engage in same-sex relationships.

00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:45.840
 And it's why those

00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:47.899
 with a homosexual orientation

00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:49.840
 engage in multiple

00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:51.300
 sexual relationships.

00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:53.460
 And even those

00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:55.080
 who seek to live

00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:56.480
 within God's design,

00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:56.960
 that is,

00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:58.259
 a lifelong marriage

00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:59.280
 between one man

00:16:59.280 --> 00:16:59.899
 and one woman,

00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:01.740
 even they don't relate

00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:02.399
 to each other

00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:03.080
 as they should.

00:17:04.360 --> 00:17:06.460
 We have all failed

00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.940
 and we all fall

00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:08.980
 in this area.

00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:12.079
 Now,

00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:12.840
 living according

00:17:13.579 --> 00:17:14.620
 to our fallen

00:17:14.620 --> 00:17:16.000
 sexual desire

00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:17.720
 is not just simply

00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:18.380
 a choice

00:17:18.380 --> 00:17:19.100
 that we make,

00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:19.980
 something that I

00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:21.059
 decide to do.

00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:23.640
 It's actually

00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:24.299
 judgment

00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:25.799
 from God.

00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:27.559
 Look at verse 24.

00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.440
 Look at the words

00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:28.980
 carefully.

00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:30.640
 You see,

00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:31.900
 we think at times

00:17:31.900 --> 00:17:32.759
 that we're

00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:34.059
 making all the choices,

00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:35.220
 but verse 24,

00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:37.279
 God gave them

00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.559
 over to the

00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:39.400
 sinful desires

00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:40.180
 of their hearts

00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:41.420
 to sexual impurity.

00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.460
 It's like God

00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:44.220
 removes his hand,

00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.720
 removes his hand

00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:46.200
 of restraint,

00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:46.480
 and says,

00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:47.559
 well, live however

00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:48.019
 you want,

00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:48.660
 do whatever

00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:49.279
 you like.

00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:52.220
 Verse 26,

00:17:52.420 --> 00:17:53.339
 because of this,

00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:54.400
 God gave them

00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:55.860
 over to shameful

00:17:55.860 --> 00:17:56.759
 lusts.

00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:57.740
 Even the women

00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:59.019
 exchanged natural

00:17:59.019 --> 00:18:00.319
 sexual relations

00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:01.799
 for unnatural ones.

00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:02.860
 In the same way,

00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.599
 the men also

00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:05.059
 abandoned natural

00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:06.180
 relations with women

00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:07.259
 and were inflamed

00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:08.360
 with lust for one

00:18:08.360 --> 00:18:08.720
 another.

00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:11.160
 You see,

00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:12.620
 God's judgment

00:18:12.620 --> 00:18:14.940
 is giving to us

00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:15.720
 what we want.

00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:17.080
 It's letting us

00:18:17.080 --> 00:18:17.799
 live without

00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:18.799
 any kind of

00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:19.400
 restriction,

00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:20.580
 any kind of

00:18:20.580 --> 00:18:21.080
 restraint.

00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.320
 And rather than

00:18:22.320 --> 00:18:23.279
 bring blessing,

00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:23.980
 it leads to

00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:24.940
 brokenness

00:18:24.940 --> 00:18:26.259
 and distorted

00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:26.960
 lives.

00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:29.420
 It leads to

00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:30.140
 an eternity

00:18:30.140 --> 00:18:31.039
 without God

00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:31.400
 and without

00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:32.580
 his good gifts.

00:18:33.080 --> 00:18:33.680
 And in case

00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:34.720
 anyone is reading

00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.299
 and thinking,

00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:36.039
 well, you know what,

00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:37.019
 I'm not like that.

00:18:37.080 --> 00:18:37.860
 I'm not twisted.

00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:38.920
 I'm not distorted.

00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:39.860
 I don't have

00:18:39.860 --> 00:18:40.620
 anything wrong.

00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.100
 I'm sexually

00:18:42.100 --> 00:18:42.680
 pure.

00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:45.259
 We'll have a look

00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.000
 at chapter 2,

00:18:46.080 --> 00:18:46.640
 verse 1.

00:18:48.800 --> 00:18:49.380
 You,

00:18:50.060 --> 00:18:50.560
 therefore,

00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:52.820
 have no excuse,

00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.539
 you who pass

00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.460
 judgment on

00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:56.420
 someone else.

00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.360
 For at whatever

00:18:58.360 --> 00:18:59.480
 point you judge

00:18:59.480 --> 00:18:59.940
 another,

00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:02.259
 you are condemning

00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:02.920
 yourself,

00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.820
 because you who

00:19:04.820 --> 00:19:05.700
 pass judgment

00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:07.400
 do the same

00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:08.000
 things.

00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:10.360
 let not one

00:19:10.360 --> 00:19:11.279
 of us go

00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:12.519
 pointing fingers

00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:13.380
 at other people

00:19:13.380 --> 00:19:15.140
 and saying

00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:16.039
 what an awful

00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:17.460
 life someone

00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:18.200
 may live.

00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:20.440
 All of us

00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:22.000
 are sexually

00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:22.600
 flawed,

00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:23.860
 men and

00:19:23.860 --> 00:19:24.140
 women,

00:19:24.320 --> 00:19:25.320
 whatever our

00:19:25.320 --> 00:19:27.120
 orientation may

00:19:27.120 --> 00:19:27.460
 be.

00:19:27.860 --> 00:19:28.880
 No one lives

00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:29.640
 according to

00:19:29.640 --> 00:19:30.420
 God's good

00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:31.740
 design.

00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:33.900
 So we are

00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:34.759
 all uniquely

00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:35.380
 created.

00:19:36.320 --> 00:19:37.840
 We are all

00:19:37.840 --> 00:19:38.900
 sexually flawed.

00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:39.279
 God.

00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:41.500
 Third,

00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.340
 but we are

00:19:42.340 --> 00:19:44.140
 all equally

00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:45.120
 loved.

00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:47.200
 We are all

00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:48.039
 equally loved.

00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:49.080
 God is our

00:19:49.080 --> 00:19:50.000
 loving creator.

00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:51.140
 He loves us

00:19:51.140 --> 00:19:51.700
 immensely.

00:19:52.600 --> 00:19:53.019
 And in fact,

00:19:53.100 --> 00:19:53.900
 the picture of the

00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:54.980
 Bible all the way

00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:55.640
 through is this,

00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:56.640
 that the more

00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:57.640
 human beings

00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:58.660
 turn away from

00:19:58.660 --> 00:19:59.080
 God,

00:19:59.840 --> 00:20:00.580
 the more we

00:20:00.580 --> 00:20:01.400
 rebel against

00:20:01.400 --> 00:20:01.660
 him,

00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:02.600
 the more he

00:20:02.600 --> 00:20:03.720
 pursues us

00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.380
 in love.

00:20:05.360 --> 00:20:06.180
 Have a look at

00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:07.460
 Romans chapter 5,

00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:08.740
 verse 6.

00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:12.019
 It's a wonderful

00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:13.920
 description of

00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:15.160
 God's love

00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:16.740
 for us.

00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:18.740
 Romans 5,

00:20:18.880 --> 00:20:19.860
 verse 6.

00:20:19.859 --> 00:20:27.299
 You see,

00:20:27.899 --> 00:20:29.839
 at just the

00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:30.559
 right time,

00:20:30.659 --> 00:20:31.319
 when we were

00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:33.159
 still powerless,

00:20:34.159 --> 00:20:35.279
 when we were

00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:36.259
 still powerless,

00:20:36.659 --> 00:20:37.240
 when we were

00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:38.119
 still living

00:20:38.119 --> 00:20:39.079
 according to our

00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:39.839
 sinful nature,

00:20:40.139 --> 00:20:40.639
 when we were

00:20:40.639 --> 00:20:41.699
 still acting out

00:20:41.699 --> 00:20:42.299
 our fallen

00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:43.359
 sexual desires,

00:20:43.659 --> 00:20:44.259
 when we were

00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:45.439
 unable to change

00:20:45.439 --> 00:20:46.099
 our behaviour

00:20:46.099 --> 00:20:46.779
 or attitudes

00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.719
 towards each

00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.059
 other,

00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:50.559
 at just the

00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:51.160
 right time,

00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:51.720
 when we were

00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:53.519
 still powerless,

00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:56.019
 Christ died

00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.779
 for the

00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:58.059
 ungodly.

00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:01.279
 God had

00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:02.039
 every right,

00:21:02.120 --> 00:21:02.740
 and he has

00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.400
 every right.

00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.200
 He would be

00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:05.559
 perfectly just

00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:06.860
 to condemn us,

00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:08.100
 but instead,

00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:11.079
 verse 7,

00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.559
 he dies

00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:14.120
 for us.

00:21:14.119 --> 00:21:15.879
 very rarely

00:21:15.879 --> 00:21:16.519
 will anyone

00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.500
 die for a

00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.299
 righteous person,

00:21:18.399 --> 00:21:19.019
 those who do

00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.439
 good,

00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:20.779
 though for a

00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:21.739
 good person,

00:21:21.899 --> 00:21:22.939
 someone might

00:21:22.939 --> 00:21:23.779
 possibly dare

00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:24.079
 to die.

00:21:24.139 --> 00:21:24.799
 It's possible

00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.419
 that someone

00:21:25.419 --> 00:21:26.039
 would die

00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.539
 for a good

00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.019
 person.

00:21:28.159 --> 00:21:28.639
 But,

00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.379
 verse 8,

00:21:30.399 --> 00:21:31.719
 God demonstrates

00:21:31.719 --> 00:21:32.759
 his own love

00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.639
 for us in this,

00:21:33.899 --> 00:21:34.619
 while we were

00:21:34.619 --> 00:21:35.939
 still sinners,

00:21:36.899 --> 00:21:37.419
 enemies,

00:21:37.739 --> 00:21:38.119
 rebels,

00:21:38.979 --> 00:21:39.739
 walking away

00:21:39.739 --> 00:21:40.219
 from God,

00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:40.859
 ignoring him,

00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:41.500
 pushing him

00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:41.899
 out.

00:21:41.900 --> 00:21:44.980
 Christ died

00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:46.120
 for us.

00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:46.780
 This is the

00:21:46.780 --> 00:21:47.519
 beauty of

00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:48.280
 God's love.

00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.200
 He doesn't

00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:49.620
 say,

00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.000
 now look,

00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:52.060
 stop behaving

00:21:52.060 --> 00:21:52.960
 like that,

00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.680
 and then I

00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:55.360
 will love you.

00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:57.120
 God doesn't

00:21:57.120 --> 00:21:57.440
 say,

00:21:57.900 --> 00:21:58.860
 change how you

00:21:58.860 --> 00:21:59.840
 think or how

00:21:59.840 --> 00:22:00.700
 you feel

00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:01.519
 towards other

00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:01.940
 people,

00:22:02.280 --> 00:22:03.220
 and then I

00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:03.920
 will love you.

00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:04.980
 No,

00:22:05.080 --> 00:22:06.060
 God sees us

00:22:06.060 --> 00:22:07.240
 in our sexually

00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:07.900
 flawed,

00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:08.940
 sinful mess,

00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:09.560
 and he says,

00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:11.880
 I love you.

00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:14.019
 In fact,

00:22:14.080 --> 00:22:14.460
 he doesn't

00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:15.420
 just say it,

00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:16.840
 he demonstrates

00:22:16.840 --> 00:22:17.460
 it,

00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.200
 verse 8.

00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.720
 He demonstrated,

00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:20.980
 he took action,

00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:22.440
 he came into

00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:22.960
 the world,

00:22:23.100 --> 00:22:24.220
 the God-man

00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:25.420
 came to us,

00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:29.080
 and he died

00:22:29.080 --> 00:22:30.480
 for us.

00:22:33.280 --> 00:22:34.280
 That is the

00:22:34.280 --> 00:22:35.019
 love of God

00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:36.400
 for all people.

00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:39.320
 And this love

00:22:39.320 --> 00:22:40.680
 can be experienced.

00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:41.920
 You see,

00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:42.740
 when Christ

00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.299
 died,

00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:44.500
 something wonderful

00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:44.960
 happened.

00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.279
 Look at just

00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:46.980
 the last few

00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:47.560
 words of

00:22:47.560 --> 00:22:48.100
 verse 8.

00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:49.940
 It said,

00:22:50.060 --> 00:22:51.100
 Christ died

00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:53.100
 for us.

00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:54.880
 That's in

00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.640
 our place.

00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:56.200
 That's the

00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:56.539
 meaning,

00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:58.259
 in our place.

00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:00.840
 Jesus Christ

00:23:00.840 --> 00:23:02.519
 came as

00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.100
 someone who

00:23:03.100 --> 00:23:04.279
 is absolutely

00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:04.880
 pure,

00:23:04.880 --> 00:23:06.460
 and he

00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:07.180
 came to

00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:08.020
 take all

00:23:08.020 --> 00:23:08.560
 our sin,

00:23:08.560 --> 00:23:09.800
 all our

00:23:09.800 --> 00:23:12.020
 flawed sexuality

00:23:12.020 --> 00:23:13.160
 on himself,

00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:14.240
 all our

00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:15.060
 past,

00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:15.940
 all our

00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:16.400
 struggles,

00:23:16.800 --> 00:23:17.780
 so that

00:23:17.780 --> 00:23:19.780
 we might be

00:23:19.780 --> 00:23:20.180
 forgiven,

00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.360
 and so that

00:23:21.360 --> 00:23:22.120
 we might be

00:23:22.120 --> 00:23:22.660
 treated

00:23:22.660 --> 00:23:24.180
 as a

00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:24.660
 sexually

00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:25.320
 pure

00:23:25.320 --> 00:23:26.320
 child of

00:23:26.320 --> 00:23:26.660
 God.

00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:28.400
 He takes

00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:29.240
 our sexually

00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:30.300
 flawed sin

00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:32.759
 and treats

00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:34.180
 us as

00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:34.659
 God's

00:23:34.659 --> 00:23:35.119
 sexually

00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:35.779
 pure

00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.619
 son.

00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:37.859
 Jesus is

00:23:37.859 --> 00:23:38.480
 condemned

00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.039
 in our

00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:39.460
 place.

00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:40.419
 He sets

00:23:40.419 --> 00:23:41.359
 us free

00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:41.960
 from our

00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.379
 past.

00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:43.119
 He sets

00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:43.940
 us free

00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:45.059
 from our

00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:45.339
 sin.

00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:47.279
 He takes

00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:48.039
 my life so

00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:48.559
 that I can

00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.539
 receive his

00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.180
 good and

00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:51.220
 perfect life.

00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:53.299
 You see,

00:23:53.359 --> 00:23:53.779
 one of the

00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:54.539
 things about

00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:55.619
 our sexual

00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:56.299
 immorality,

00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:57.680
 whether

00:23:57.680 --> 00:23:58.440
 homosexual

00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:59.839
 or heterosexual,

00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:00.940
 is it can

00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.460
 leave us

00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:02.940
 feeling unclean

00:24:02.940 --> 00:24:04.039
 and unacceptable.

00:24:04.659 --> 00:24:05.579
 We can engage

00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:06.419
 in a relationship

00:24:06.419 --> 00:24:07.200
 that's wrong.

00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.119
 We can act

00:24:08.119 --> 00:24:08.839
 out an image

00:24:08.839 --> 00:24:09.440
 or a thought

00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:10.539
 and we feel

00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:11.899
 dirty inside.

00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:13.220
 Well,

00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:13.759
 the good news

00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.639
 is that Jesus

00:24:14.639 --> 00:24:15.419
 has come to

00:24:15.419 --> 00:24:16.440
 take our

00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:17.799
 uncleanness

00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:18.659
 and to give

00:24:18.659 --> 00:24:19.259
 us his

00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:20.079
 cleanness.

00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.619
 Nothing that

00:24:21.619 --> 00:24:22.460
 we can do

00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:23.259
 can ever make

00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:24.359
 God unclean.

00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:25.579
 He comes to

00:24:25.579 --> 00:24:26.240
 us to make

00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:27.259
 us perfectly

00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:27.740
 clean.

00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:31.620
 Now,

00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:32.099
 if we're to

00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:33.420
 experience this

00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:33.779
 love,

00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:35.359
 it does require

00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:36.000
 a response.

00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:36.700
 We were singing

00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:37.579
 about it earlier.

00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:39.160
 It requires

00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:40.039
 repentance.

00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:41.680
 A turning

00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:42.480
 around from

00:24:42.480 --> 00:24:43.079
 going the way

00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:43.799
 we go to

00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:45.180
 turning towards

00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:46.099
 God.

00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:47.120
 Entrusting

00:24:47.120 --> 00:24:47.859
 our life to

00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:48.059
 him.

00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:48.940
 He owns

00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:49.380
 our life.

00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:49.960
 He made

00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:50.140
 us.

00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:50.819
 He creates

00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:51.079
 us.

00:24:51.359 --> 00:24:51.839
 He knows

00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:52.539
 what's best

00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:53.039
 for us.

00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:53.620
 And the

00:24:53.620 --> 00:24:54.299
 only right

00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:54.940
 thing to do

00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:55.680
 is to submit

00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.240
 to him

00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:57.560
 and to

00:24:57.560 --> 00:24:58.200
 follow him

00:24:58.200 --> 00:24:58.539
 as the

00:24:58.539 --> 00:24:59.220
 God who

00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:00.220
 loves us

00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:01.340
 more than

00:25:01.340 --> 00:25:01.660
 we could

00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:03.060
 ever imagine.

00:25:04.340 --> 00:25:04.880
 So,

00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.400
 we are all

00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:05.779
 uniquely

00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.420
 created.

00:25:07.100 --> 00:25:08.299
 We are all

00:25:08.299 --> 00:25:08.980
 sexually

00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:09.519
 flawed.

00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:11.560
 We are all

00:25:11.560 --> 00:25:12.480
 equally loved.

00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:15.000
 and we

00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:16.599
 can all

00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:16.900
 be

00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:17.640
 graciously

00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:18.660
 changed.

00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:20.680
 You see,

00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:21.400
 God loves

00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:22.099
 us so much

00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:22.579
 that he not

00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:23.079
 only just

00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:24.039
 dies for

00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.500
 us,

00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.839
 he loves

00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:26.440
 us enough

00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:27.339
 to change

00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:27.839
 us.

00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:28.960
 You see,

00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.920
 the image

00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:30.860
 that we

00:25:30.860 --> 00:25:31.380
 were made,

00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.220
 created in

00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:32.740
 the beginning,

00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:33.759
 made in

00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.539
 God's image,

00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:35.640
 has now

00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.440
 been broken

00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:38.599
 but can

00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.360
 once again

00:25:39.360 --> 00:25:40.400
 be restored.

00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:41.660
 You see,

00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.120
 when we

00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:42.820
 entrust our

00:25:42.820 --> 00:25:43.019
 life,

00:25:43.100 --> 00:25:43.540
 here's the

00:25:43.540 --> 00:25:43.860
 promise,

00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:44.560
 if I

00:25:44.560 --> 00:25:45.580
 entrust my

00:25:45.580 --> 00:25:46.200
 life to

00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:46.640
 God,

00:25:47.140 --> 00:25:48.420
 I can be

00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:49.140
 graciously

00:25:49.140 --> 00:25:50.240
 changed.

00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.620
 What will

00:25:51.620 --> 00:25:52.400
 that change

00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:53.400
 look like?

00:25:54.060 --> 00:25:54.460
 Well,

00:25:54.560 --> 00:25:55.360
 three things.

00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:57.480
 First,

00:25:58.600 --> 00:25:59.680
 I am

00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.620
 changed.

00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.040
 Look at

00:26:02.040 --> 00:26:02.860
 2 Corinthians

00:26:02.860 --> 00:26:04.540
 chapter 5

00:26:04.540 --> 00:26:05.300
 verse 17,

00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:05.839
 so just

00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:06.519
 go forward

00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:06.799
 a little

00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:06.980
 bit.

00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:07.680
 2 Corinthians

00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:08.899
 chapter 5

00:26:08.899 --> 00:26:10.539
 verse 17.

00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:18.159
 2 Corinthians

00:26:18.159 --> 00:26:19.559
 5 verse 17.

00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:22.399
 We read it

00:26:22.399 --> 00:26:23.119
 at the very

00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:23.559
 beginning.

00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:28.839
 Therefore,

00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:30.980
 if anyone

00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:32.019
 is in

00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:32.440
 Christ,

00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:32.960
 if anyone

00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:34.000
 has entrusted

00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:34.539
 their life

00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:35.180
 to Christ,

00:26:35.899 --> 00:26:36.740
 the new

00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.440
 creation

00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:38.119
 has come

00:26:38.119 --> 00:26:38.680
 or they

00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:39.420
 are a

00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:39.619
 new

00:26:39.619 --> 00:26:40.139
 creation,

00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:40.940
 the old

00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:41.579
 is gone,

00:26:42.339 --> 00:26:43.000
 the new

00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.659
 is here.

00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:45.180
 It's a

00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:45.779
 wonderful

00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.480
 picture of

00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:46.960
 what God

00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:47.319
 has done

00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:47.639
 for us.

00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:48.319
 We are

00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:49.000
 new

00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:49.700
 creations.

00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.339
 Just think

00:26:52.339 --> 00:26:52.720
 of that

00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:53.599
 image from

00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:54.579
 creation

00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:55.099
 itself,

00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:56.279
 that dirty

00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:56.759
 little

00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:57.799
 caterpillar

00:26:57.799 --> 00:26:58.379
 grub

00:26:58.379 --> 00:27:00.399
 that forms

00:27:00.399 --> 00:27:00.980
 into a

00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:01.480
 chrysalis

00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:01.779
 and then

00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.319
 all of a

00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:02.700
 sudden it

00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:03.420
 bursts from

00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:03.899
 its shell

00:27:03.900 --> 00:27:04.800
 into a

00:27:04.800 --> 00:27:05.380
 beautiful

00:27:05.380 --> 00:27:06.160
 colourful

00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.720
 butterfly.

00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:07.800
 The old

00:27:07.800 --> 00:27:08.240
 is gone,

00:27:08.340 --> 00:27:08.960
 the new

00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.580
 has come.

00:27:10.780 --> 00:27:11.540
 God now

00:27:11.540 --> 00:27:12.120
 looks at

00:27:12.120 --> 00:27:12.540
 us,

00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.600
 when we

00:27:13.600 --> 00:27:14.160
 trust in

00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:14.380
 him,

00:27:14.840 --> 00:27:15.320
 as a

00:27:15.320 --> 00:27:15.620
 new

00:27:15.620 --> 00:27:16.280
 creation.

00:27:17.420 --> 00:27:17.640
 He

00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:18.460
 transforms

00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:19.080
 us into

00:27:19.080 --> 00:27:19.840
 new

00:27:19.840 --> 00:27:20.240
 people.

00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:20.720
 He gives

00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.160
 us a

00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:22.100
 fresh start,

00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:22.600
 a new

00:27:22.600 --> 00:27:23.060
 beginning.

00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:24.820
 He gives

00:27:24.820 --> 00:27:25.400
 us new

00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:26.280
 desires to

00:27:26.280 --> 00:27:26.800
 live his

00:27:26.800 --> 00:27:27.120
 way.

00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:27.860
 He gives

00:27:27.860 --> 00:27:28.280
 us his

00:27:28.280 --> 00:27:29.019
 Holy Spirit

00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:29.640
 so that we

00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:30.840
 can live

00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.500
 and obey

00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:31.879
 him.

00:27:34.459 --> 00:27:35.079
 You see,

00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:35.939
 God now

00:27:35.939 --> 00:27:36.539
 sees us

00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:37.220
 differently

00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:38.879
 to how we

00:27:38.879 --> 00:27:39.559
 see ourselves.

00:27:39.899 --> 00:27:40.959
 We often

00:27:40.959 --> 00:27:41.559
 view each

00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:42.000
 other in

00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:42.439
 terms of

00:27:42.439 --> 00:27:42.639
 our

00:27:42.639 --> 00:27:43.379
 sexuality,

00:27:43.619 --> 00:27:44.359
 that person's

00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:44.599
 gay,

00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.500
 that person's

00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:45.779
 straight.

00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.659
 God

00:27:46.659 --> 00:27:47.319
 doesn't do

00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:47.779
 that.

00:27:49.199 --> 00:27:49.899
 He either

00:27:49.899 --> 00:27:50.839
 sees us as

00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:51.619
 one that

00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:52.259
 you are a

00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:52.559
 new

00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:53.220
 creation,

00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:55.459
 or he

00:27:55.459 --> 00:27:55.899
 looks at

00:27:55.899 --> 00:27:56.500
 people and

00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:56.779
 says,

00:27:57.199 --> 00:27:57.899
 you are a

00:27:57.899 --> 00:27:59.179
 potential new

00:27:59.180 --> 00:27:59.820
 creation.

00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:01.980
 Now,

00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.440
 wouldn't that

00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:03.519
 transform our

00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.200
 whole view

00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:04.680
 of one

00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:05.200
 another if

00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:05.500
 we could

00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.100
 see each

00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:06.480
 other in

00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:06.940
 that way?

00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:08.320
 We are

00:28:08.320 --> 00:28:08.779
 either a

00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:09.060
 new

00:28:09.060 --> 00:28:09.720
 creation,

00:28:10.320 --> 00:28:12.000
 or someone's

00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.600
 a potential

00:28:12.600 --> 00:28:13.060
 new

00:28:13.060 --> 00:28:13.620
 creation.

00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.539
 When we

00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.200
 entrust our

00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:17.660
 life to

00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:18.120
 Christ,

00:28:18.640 --> 00:28:19.460
 I am

00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:20.279
 changed.

00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:21.560
 I am a

00:28:21.560 --> 00:28:22.180
 brand new

00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:22.740
 person.

00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:26.539
 Second,

00:28:27.100 --> 00:28:28.380
 I am

00:28:28.380 --> 00:28:28.980
 being

00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:29.760
 changed.

00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:30.880
 Now,

00:28:31.100 --> 00:28:31.820
 just as

00:28:31.820 --> 00:28:33.680
 we receive

00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.580
 or are

00:28:34.580 --> 00:28:35.220
 given this

00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:35.740
 new

00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.400
 creation,

00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.620
 that does

00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:38.160
 not mean

00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:38.900
 perfection.

00:28:40.300 --> 00:28:40.900
 We will

00:28:40.900 --> 00:28:41.660
 continue to

00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:42.440
 struggle with

00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:43.220
 our sexual

00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:43.800
 desires.

00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.900
 We still

00:28:44.900 --> 00:28:45.600
 will face

00:28:45.600 --> 00:28:46.600
 temptation.

00:28:46.860 --> 00:28:47.160
 We will

00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:48.240
 fail and

00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:48.620
 we will

00:28:48.620 --> 00:28:49.200
 fall.

00:28:49.760 --> 00:28:50.460
 All these

00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:51.000
 things will

00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.520
 go on

00:28:51.520 --> 00:28:52.040
 through our

00:28:52.040 --> 00:28:52.400
 life.

00:28:53.280 --> 00:28:53.800
 But there

00:28:53.800 --> 00:28:54.180
 is a

00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:55.000
 process of

00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:55.800
 change going

00:28:55.800 --> 00:28:56.360
 on through

00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:57.260
 our life at

00:28:57.260 --> 00:28:57.700
 the same

00:28:57.700 --> 00:28:58.180
 time.

00:28:58.380 --> 00:29:00.400
 if you

00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:00.800
 just go

00:29:00.800 --> 00:29:01.300
 back a

00:29:01.300 --> 00:29:02.000
 page or

00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:02.420
 two or

00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:02.900
 a chapter

00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:03.220
 or two

00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:03.800
 to 2

00:29:03.800 --> 00:29:04.200
 Corinthians

00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:05.460
 chapter 3

00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:07.060
 verse 18.

00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.300
 2

00:29:10.300 --> 00:29:10.700
 Corinthians

00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.440
 3

00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:13.200
 verse 18.

00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:21.840
 It says

00:29:21.840 --> 00:29:22.120
 there,

00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:22.620
 because of

00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:23.360
 the change

00:29:23.360 --> 00:29:23.980
 God has

00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.299
 brought

00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:24.519
 about,

00:29:24.580 --> 00:29:24.680
 well,

00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:24.900
 let's

00:29:24.900 --> 00:29:25.480
 read verse

00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:26.220
 17,

00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:26.660
 actually.

00:29:27.100 --> 00:29:27.360
 Now,

00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:27.960
 the Lord

00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:28.440
 is the

00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:28.819
 Spirit,

00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:30.440
 and where

00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:31.059
 the Spirit

00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:31.420
 of the

00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:32.039
 Lord is,

00:29:32.600 --> 00:29:33.140
 there is

00:29:33.140 --> 00:29:33.620
 freedom.

00:29:35.360 --> 00:29:36.000
 So we

00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.440
 can come

00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:36.860
 to him,

00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:37.400
 and we

00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:39.000
 and we

00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:39.720
 all who

00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:40.900
 with unveiled

00:29:40.900 --> 00:29:41.759
 faces

00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.800
 contemplate

00:29:42.800 --> 00:29:44.100
 or reflect

00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:45.220
 the Lord's

00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:45.660
 glory,

00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.620
 so as we've

00:29:47.620 --> 00:29:48.300
 received this

00:29:48.300 --> 00:29:49.259
 new creation,

00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:50.759
 as we are

00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:51.800
 new people,

00:29:52.360 --> 00:29:53.440
 we are being

00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:54.500
 transformed

00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:55.940
 into his

00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:56.500
 image

00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:58.320
 with ever

00:29:58.320 --> 00:29:59.300
 increasing

00:29:59.300 --> 00:29:59.900
 glory,

00:30:00.360 --> 00:30:01.019
 which comes

00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:01.360
 from the

00:30:01.360 --> 00:30:01.800
 Lord who

00:30:01.800 --> 00:30:02.160
 is the

00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:02.440
 Spirit.

00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:04.160
 Did you

00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:04.539
 get that?

00:30:04.600 --> 00:30:04.920
 We are

00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:05.480
 being

00:30:05.480 --> 00:30:06.320
 transformed

00:30:06.320 --> 00:30:07.500
 into his

00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:07.920
 image.

00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:08.920
 God,

00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:09.420
 by his

00:30:09.420 --> 00:30:10.140
 Holy Spirit,

00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:11.059
 is changing

00:30:11.059 --> 00:30:11.600
 us and

00:30:11.600 --> 00:30:12.320
 transforming

00:30:12.320 --> 00:30:13.420
 us into

00:30:13.420 --> 00:30:14.299
 his image.

00:30:14.880 --> 00:30:15.400
 God's

00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:15.960
 desire

00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:18.240
 is to

00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:18.720
 make us

00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:19.380
 more like

00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:19.799
 the Lord

00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:20.240
 Jesus.

00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:20.860
 That's what

00:30:20.860 --> 00:30:21.320
 he's seeking

00:30:21.320 --> 00:30:21.820
 to do

00:30:21.820 --> 00:30:22.420
 in us

00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:22.779
 all.

00:30:24.820 --> 00:30:25.240
 You see,

00:30:25.340 --> 00:30:25.840
 we think

00:30:25.840 --> 00:30:26.240
 it's all

00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:27.000
 about changing

00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:28.000
 behaviours,

00:30:28.600 --> 00:30:29.420
 about changing

00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:29.940
 how I

00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:30.500
 feel.

00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:31.460
 Well,

00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.000
 the change

00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:32.619
 that God

00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:33.319
 is interested

00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:33.799
 in is

00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:34.519
 transforming

00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:35.119
 us into

00:30:35.119 --> 00:30:35.720
 the image

00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.279
 of Jesus.

00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:37.240
 The question

00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:37.819
 is not

00:30:37.819 --> 00:30:38.799
 what is my

00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.440
 orientation

00:30:39.440 --> 00:30:40.099
 and should

00:30:40.099 --> 00:30:40.859
 my orientation

00:30:40.859 --> 00:30:41.839
 change,

00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:44.059
 but am I

00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:44.960
 becoming more

00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:46.000
 like Jesus?

00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:48.839
 That's what

00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:49.519
 he's changing

00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.160
 us into.

00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:51.579
 So I am

00:30:51.579 --> 00:30:51.920
 a new

00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:52.559
 creation,

00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:54.200
 I am

00:30:54.200 --> 00:30:55.299
 being transformed

00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:56.119
 and changed

00:30:56.119 --> 00:30:57.279
 into the

00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:57.799
 image of

00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:58.160
 Jesus,

00:30:59.000 --> 00:30:59.960
 and third,

00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:01.680
 I will

00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:02.480
 be changed.

00:31:03.360 --> 00:31:04.160
 We need

00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:04.440
 to go

00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:05.460
 back a

00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:05.980
 couple more

00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:06.700
 pages to

00:31:06.700 --> 00:31:07.360
 the end

00:31:07.360 --> 00:31:08.980
 of 1 Corinthians

00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:10.700
 chapter 15

00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.799
 verse 49.

00:31:12.079 --> 00:31:13.480
 1 Corinthians

00:31:13.480 --> 00:31:14.340
 15

00:31:14.340 --> 00:31:15.920
 verse 49.

00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:30.279
 Here's a

00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:30.779
 wonderful

00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:33.039
 verse

00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:33.940
 about

00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:35.240
 who we

00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:35.580
 are

00:31:35.580 --> 00:31:36.940
 or rather

00:31:36.940 --> 00:31:37.500
 what we

00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:37.820
 will

00:31:37.820 --> 00:31:38.420
 become.

00:31:39.680 --> 00:31:40.800
 Verse 49,

00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:42.099
 and just

00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:42.539
 as we

00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:43.139
 have borne

00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:43.879
 the image

00:31:43.879 --> 00:31:44.259
 of the

00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:44.680
 earthly

00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:45.019
 man,

00:31:45.119 --> 00:31:45.819
 so just

00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:46.940
 as we

00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.319
 have been

00:31:47.319 --> 00:31:47.940
 like our

00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:48.919
 ancestor

00:31:48.919 --> 00:31:49.759
 Adam in

00:31:49.759 --> 00:31:50.539
 our fallen

00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:51.159
 nature,

00:31:51.919 --> 00:31:52.319
 broken

00:31:52.319 --> 00:31:52.919
 image,

00:31:53.940 --> 00:31:55.139
 so shall

00:31:55.139 --> 00:31:55.819
 we bear

00:31:55.819 --> 00:31:56.779
 the image

00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:57.379
 of the

00:31:57.379 --> 00:31:57.740
 heavenly

00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.159
 man,

00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:59.460
 talking about

00:31:59.460 --> 00:31:59.940
 Christ.

00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:01.879
 One day

00:32:01.879 --> 00:32:03.379
 we will

00:32:03.379 --> 00:32:04.259
 be like

00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:04.919
 Jesus.

00:32:06.139 --> 00:32:06.779
 We were

00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:07.319
 made in

00:32:07.319 --> 00:32:07.720
 the image

00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:08.240
 of God,

00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:09.240
 but that image

00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:09.620
 has been

00:32:09.620 --> 00:32:10.380
 broken and

00:32:10.380 --> 00:32:10.960
 distorted.

00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:11.940
 We are

00:32:11.940 --> 00:32:12.259
 in the

00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:13.140
 process of

00:32:13.140 --> 00:32:13.440
 being

00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:14.480
 transformed

00:32:14.480 --> 00:32:15.259
 bit by

00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:15.680
 bit,

00:32:16.099 --> 00:32:16.740
 shaped and

00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:17.440
 conformed

00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:17.720
 to be

00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:18.279
 more like

00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:19.039
 Christ each

00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:19.460
 and every

00:32:19.460 --> 00:32:19.819
 day,

00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:21.160
 but we

00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:21.700
 can also

00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:22.680
 look forward

00:32:22.680 --> 00:32:23.720
 to that

00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:24.720
 image being

00:32:24.720 --> 00:32:25.599
 completely

00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:26.460
 restored and

00:32:26.460 --> 00:32:26.980
 made right.

00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:29.440
 We will

00:32:29.440 --> 00:32:30.079
 bear the

00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:31.700
 image of

00:32:31.700 --> 00:32:32.259
 the heavenly

00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:32.660
 man,

00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:33.079
 the Lord

00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:33.480
 Jesus.

00:32:34.279 --> 00:32:34.900
 One day

00:32:34.900 --> 00:32:35.500
 we will

00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:36.519
 experience our

00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:37.279
 full and

00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:38.759
 final transformation

00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:40.000
 no more

00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:40.460
 sin,

00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.339
 no more

00:32:41.339 --> 00:32:41.980
 temptation,

00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:42.839
 no more

00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:43.359
 struggles,

00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:44.299
 no more

00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:44.940
 confused

00:32:44.940 --> 00:32:46.140
 sexual desires.

00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:47.240
 The broken

00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:48.059
 image will

00:32:48.059 --> 00:32:48.879
 be fully

00:32:48.879 --> 00:32:51.259
 restored and

00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:51.879
 we will

00:32:51.879 --> 00:32:52.660
 be like

00:32:52.660 --> 00:32:53.480
 Jesus.

00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:57.480
 You see,

00:32:57.579 --> 00:32:58.059
 the point

00:32:58.059 --> 00:32:58.599
 is,

00:33:00.099 --> 00:33:00.740
 God is

00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:01.079
 not

00:33:01.079 --> 00:33:01.900
 anti

00:33:01.900 --> 00:33:02.859
 any one

00:33:02.859 --> 00:33:03.500
 of us.

00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:05.660
 He longs

00:33:05.660 --> 00:33:06.220
 that people

00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:06.819
 like us

00:33:06.819 --> 00:33:07.960
 would run

00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:08.740
 to him

00:33:08.740 --> 00:33:10.340
 just as

00:33:10.340 --> 00:33:10.840
 we are,

00:33:11.120 --> 00:33:11.799
 however we

00:33:11.799 --> 00:33:12.340
 feel,

00:33:12.680 --> 00:33:13.319
 whatever we

00:33:13.319 --> 00:33:13.900
 have done,

00:33:14.380 --> 00:33:15.500
 that we

00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.279
 would run

00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:17.019
 to him

00:33:17.019 --> 00:33:18.640
 so that

00:33:18.640 --> 00:33:19.140
 we can

00:33:19.140 --> 00:33:19.779
 become

00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:20.940
 more like

00:33:20.940 --> 00:33:21.539
 Jesus,

00:33:22.019 --> 00:33:22.500
 forgiven

00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:23.100
 people,

00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:24.480
 that we

00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:24.799
 could be

00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:25.680
 changed to

00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:26.059
 be more

00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:26.640
 like him

00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:27.500
 bit by

00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:27.980
 bit,

00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:29.340
 with the

00:33:29.340 --> 00:33:30.220
 future hope

00:33:30.220 --> 00:33:30.559
 and the

00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:31.019
 assurance

00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:32.319
 of one

00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:32.640
 day,

00:33:33.579 --> 00:33:33.980
 I will

00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:34.660
 see him

00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:36.120
 and I

00:33:36.120 --> 00:33:36.740
 will be

00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:37.820
 like him.

00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:39.500
 That is

00:33:39.500 --> 00:33:40.120
 God's

00:33:40.120 --> 00:33:41.019
 plan for

00:33:41.019 --> 00:33:42.040
 every human

00:33:42.040 --> 00:33:42.380
 being.

00:33:42.720 --> 00:33:43.080
 That is

00:33:43.080 --> 00:33:44.120
 his desire.

00:33:46.100 --> 00:33:47.200
 Uniquely

00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:47.779
 created,

00:33:48.779 --> 00:33:49.940
 but sexually

00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:50.519
 flawed,

00:33:51.820 --> 00:33:52.400
 wonderfully,

00:33:52.820 --> 00:33:53.759
 equally loved,

00:33:54.560 --> 00:33:55.040
 and by

00:33:55.040 --> 00:33:55.900
 trusting in

00:33:55.900 --> 00:33:56.200
 him,

00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:57.620
 we can all

00:33:57.620 --> 00:33:58.460
 be graciously

00:33:58.460 --> 00:33:59.100
 changed.

00:33:59.099 --> 00:34:00.839
 let's pray

00:34:00.839 --> 00:34:01.519
 together.

00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:12.619
 Father,

00:34:12.739 --> 00:34:13.239
 thank you

00:34:13.239 --> 00:34:14.659
 for your

00:34:14.659 --> 00:34:15.139
 word,

00:34:15.239 --> 00:34:15.739
 for its

00:34:15.739 --> 00:34:16.239
 truth,

00:34:17.039 --> 00:34:18.659
 for its

00:34:18.659 --> 00:34:19.420
 clarity,

00:34:20.420 --> 00:34:21.980
 helping us

00:34:21.980 --> 00:34:22.799
 to see

00:34:22.799 --> 00:34:24.079
 that we

00:34:24.079 --> 00:34:24.579
 have been

00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:25.239
 made by

00:34:25.239 --> 00:34:25.559
 you.

00:34:27.179 --> 00:34:27.739
 Yes,

00:34:27.819 --> 00:34:28.480
 we confess

00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:29.039
 that we

00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:31.139
 have pushed

00:34:31.139 --> 00:34:31.719
 you out

00:34:31.719 --> 00:34:32.139
 and we

00:34:32.139 --> 00:34:32.800
 are sorry,

00:34:32.920 --> 00:34:33.539
 we repent

00:34:33.539 --> 00:34:34.219
 of that.

00:34:35.820 --> 00:34:36.480
 Thank you

00:34:36.480 --> 00:34:36.840
 that you

00:34:36.840 --> 00:34:37.599
 love us.

00:34:38.760 --> 00:34:39.500
 You love

00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:39.920
 us enough

00:34:39.920 --> 00:34:40.400
 to die

00:34:40.400 --> 00:34:40.940
 for us,

00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:41.460
 but love

00:34:41.460 --> 00:34:41.920
 us enough

00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:42.519
 to go

00:34:42.519 --> 00:34:43.460
 on changing

00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:43.960
 us.

00:34:45.179 --> 00:34:45.860
 And we

00:34:45.860 --> 00:34:46.380
 pray that

00:34:46.380 --> 00:34:46.820
 by your

00:34:46.820 --> 00:34:47.719
 Holy Spirit

00:34:47.719 --> 00:34:49.300
 that you

00:34:49.300 --> 00:34:50.099
 would continually

00:34:50.099 --> 00:34:51.340
 transform us

00:34:51.340 --> 00:34:52.119
 to be made

00:34:52.119 --> 00:34:52.820
 more like

00:34:52.820 --> 00:34:53.400
 the Lord

00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:53.820
 Jesus.

00:34:56.340 --> 00:34:57.119
 Do your

00:34:57.119 --> 00:34:57.519
 work.

00:34:58.480 --> 00:34:59.139
 and help

00:34:59.139 --> 00:34:59.440
 us to

00:34:59.440 --> 00:34:59.860
 have that

00:34:59.860 --> 00:35:00.240
 vision

00:35:00.240 --> 00:35:00.880
 before us

00:35:00.880 --> 00:35:01.320
 that one

00:35:01.320 --> 00:35:01.659
 day we

00:35:01.659 --> 00:35:02.240
 will see

00:35:02.240 --> 00:35:02.679
 Jesus

00:35:02.679 --> 00:35:04.320
 and we

00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:04.820
 will be

00:35:04.820 --> 00:35:05.340
 like him.

00:35:07.559 --> 00:35:08.240
 Thank you

00:35:08.240 --> 00:35:08.740
 in Jesus'

00:35:08.960 --> 00:35:09.179
 name.

00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:10.280
 Amen.

00:35:15.920 --> 00:35:16.760
 We're going

00:35:16.760 --> 00:35:17.659
 to sing

00:35:17.659 --> 00:35:20.420
 as we

00:35:20.420 --> 00:35:21.659
 reflect on

00:35:21.659 --> 00:35:22.099
 what we've

00:35:22.099 --> 00:35:22.239
 been

00:35:22.239 --> 00:35:22.339
 through.

00:35:22.339 --> 00:35:22.599
 Thank you.

00:35:22.599 --> 00:35:22.659
 Thank you.

00:35:22.659 --> 00:35:23.239
 Thank you.

00:35:23.239 --> 00:35:23.299
 Thank you.

00:35:23.299 --> 00:35:23.339
 Thank you.

00:35:23.339 --> 00:35:23.399
 Thank you.

00:35:23.399 --> 00:35:23.659
 Thank you.

00:35:23.659 --> 00:35:24.159
 Thank you.

00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:24.239
 Thank you.