WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.940 When we trusted the Lord for this church, we realized right away that I didn't want 00:00:05.940 --> 00:00:06.960 to be the only one preaching. 00:00:08.179 --> 00:00:14.380 And so in the history of Watermark, we've had 12 other men from within the congregation 00:00:14.380 --> 00:00:16.699 come to preach and to bring God's Word. 00:00:17.660 --> 00:00:22.320 We've had only two from the outside, which has been exciting to me because God keeps 00:00:22.320 --> 00:00:25.539 raising up people from within the church family to preach and bring God's Word. 00:00:25.539 --> 00:00:30.980 And so today we have Bernard Yee, Bernard and Angie. 00:00:33.320 --> 00:00:35.280 Bernard and Angie have been with us for a long time. 00:00:35.340 --> 00:00:38.759 When Christina and I were praying about the church, we didn't know a lot of people, but 00:00:38.759 --> 00:00:43.640 we knew Bernard and Angie and their kiddos, and we prayed that God would allow them to 00:00:43.640 --> 00:00:46.019 have the same heart and to join us to be a part of this journey. 00:00:46.500 --> 00:00:48.719 And it was really encouraging that he did. 00:00:49.000 --> 00:00:55.379 So if you turn in your bulletins, the passage today is from the first book of John. 00:00:55.539 --> 00:00:57.200 John chapter 2. 00:00:58.579 --> 00:01:00.039 Follow along in your bulletins. 00:01:01.320 --> 00:01:04.799 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you. 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:09.739 For when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 00:01:11.019 --> 00:01:17.280 For the world offers only a craving of physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, 00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:21.239 and a pride in our achievements and our possessions. 00:01:21.239 --> 00:01:24.299 But these are not from the Father. 00:01:25.439 --> 00:01:26.679 These are from the world. 00:01:27.899 --> 00:01:32.939 And this world is fading away along with everything that people crave. 00:01:34.039 --> 00:01:38.419 But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. 00:01:38.420 --> 00:01:41.340 This is the reading of God's Word. 00:01:51.340 --> 00:01:56.060 Good morning, everybody. 00:01:56.620 --> 00:01:57.240 Good morning. 00:01:57.239 --> 00:01:59.420 Thank you, Tobin, for the introduction. 00:02:00.339 --> 00:02:04.659 For those who are visiting us, please do come back next week. 00:02:04.719 --> 00:02:05.759 It does get better. 00:02:06.140 --> 00:02:06.199 Okay? 00:02:06.500 --> 00:02:10.879 So unfortunately, you have struck amateur night today. 00:02:11.579 --> 00:02:17.479 So we're in the middle of a three-part series titled Respectable Sins. 00:02:17.479 --> 00:02:17.959 Okay? 00:02:18.539 --> 00:02:25.899 So these are sins that we think are kind of lesser sins that somehow that we feel justified in committing. 00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:37.459 Chris started this series two weeks ago and shared with us that we are much like the Israelites that return from exile. 00:02:38.639 --> 00:02:42.000 And Chris's sermon was on apathy. 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:45.580 So like the Israelites, not that they didn't love God. 00:02:45.659 --> 00:02:46.419 They loved God. 00:02:47.080 --> 00:02:47.900 But they were busy. 00:02:48.060 --> 00:02:49.639 They were busy rebuilding their city. 00:02:49.819 --> 00:02:51.639 They were busy rebuilding their nations. 00:02:52.520 --> 00:02:55.039 So they thought, wow, you know what? 00:02:55.860 --> 00:03:00.979 The things that I know I'm supposed to do for God, I can do that when I'm a little less busy. 00:03:01.159 --> 00:03:03.099 Which sounds a lot like us in Hong Kong. 00:03:03.560 --> 00:03:10.240 Last week, Eric reminded us and talked to us about people-pleasing. 00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:24.840 And especially highlighted that in this day and age whereby every one of us has got a smartphone and we're kind of very connected and we're in every social media known, 00:03:25.360 --> 00:03:29.140 that it's very easy to live our lives for the likes. 00:03:29.480 --> 00:03:33.340 The likes in the Facebook, for your Twitter comments. 00:03:34.200 --> 00:03:39.160 And that it's very easy to fall into this world of people-pleasing. 00:03:40.240 --> 00:03:41.000 Hi. 00:03:42.420 --> 00:03:42.860 Okay. 00:03:44.340 --> 00:03:53.900 Today, I'm going to talk about, just spend a bit of time and talk to us about really a topic that none of us believe we have a problem with. 00:03:54.719 --> 00:03:54.980 Okay. 00:03:55.180 --> 00:03:58.980 And that's precisely why we need to take time to talk about it at church. 00:03:59.420 --> 00:04:01.640 And that's a topic of worldliness. 00:04:02.240 --> 00:04:02.500 Okay. 00:04:02.640 --> 00:04:07.140 And the most common manifestation of worldliness is greed. 00:04:07.139 --> 00:04:12.439 So I'm going to use the words worldliness, materialism, and greed interchangeably today. 00:04:12.959 --> 00:04:15.939 Now, I'm going to break the sermon into three parts. 00:04:16.680 --> 00:04:20.639 The titles may be a little strange to you, but just stay with me. 00:04:20.819 --> 00:04:23.379 You'll get to know, you'll get to understand it. 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:27.939 The first part I'm going to talk about is, has anyone seen the monster? 00:04:28.939 --> 00:04:31.519 The second part, the monster's under the bed. 00:04:31.519 --> 00:04:35.039 And the last part is, how do we tame the monster? 00:04:35.839 --> 00:04:35.979 Okay. 00:04:36.419 --> 00:04:41.659 So the opening line in verse 15, in 1 John 2, said, 00:04:41.939 --> 00:04:45.060 Do not love this world, nor the things it offers you. 00:04:45.740 --> 00:04:52.279 What John is warning us against here is the love of the things of this world. 00:04:52.680 --> 00:04:55.839 It's important to clear up what it's not saying. 00:04:56.419 --> 00:04:59.060 John is not telling us that we should hate the world. 00:04:59.060 --> 00:04:59.860 Okay. 00:05:00.519 --> 00:05:04.139 Because John, in John 3.16, said, 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:06.560 For this is how God loved the world. 00:05:06.860 --> 00:05:12.939 He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal lives. 00:05:13.280 --> 00:05:16.000 So John himself wrote in John 3.16, 00:05:16.579 --> 00:05:18.540 For this is how God loved the world. 00:05:18.540 --> 00:05:30.000 It's important for us to clear this up because, you know, the other major religions of our world do not have the same view of the world that we currently live in. 00:05:30.420 --> 00:05:31.800 Let me just share with you a few of them. 00:05:32.300 --> 00:05:34.439 Buddhism, for example, says, 00:05:34.740 --> 00:05:40.740 Your purpose in the world is to avoid suffering and gain enlightenment and release from a cycle of rebirth. 00:05:40.740 --> 00:05:46.540 Confucianism says the purpose in life is to fulfill one's role in society. 00:05:47.579 --> 00:05:48.860 Hinduism said, 00:05:49.180 --> 00:05:53.699 In the world, humans are in bondage to ignorance and illusions. 00:05:54.360 --> 00:05:58.000 Purpose is to gain release from rebirth, or at least a better rebirth. 00:05:58.579 --> 00:06:05.680 In Islam, in this world, humans must submit, and that's what the word Islam means, submit, 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:09.660 to the will of God to gain paradise after death. 00:06:10.720 --> 00:06:11.840 Do you see a common theme? 00:06:11.840 --> 00:06:15.259 When I did the research into these different world religions, 00:06:15.699 --> 00:06:19.040 basically, if I could sum it up in kind of layman's term today, 00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:23.560 is you're working very hard for parole so you can get out of jail. 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:33.560 So the view of this world we live in for much of the world is not a world that is good and we should love it, 00:06:33.560 --> 00:06:35.660 but one we should try to escape from. 00:06:36.639 --> 00:06:41.819 In contrast, the Bible tells us God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. 00:06:42.480 --> 00:06:46.220 In 1st Genesis 10, when God was creating the world, he said, 00:06:47.220 --> 00:06:52.639 God called the dry ground land and the water sea, and God saw it was good. 00:06:53.519 --> 00:06:54.860 God saw it was good. 00:06:55.740 --> 00:06:56.720 God loved the world. 00:06:56.720 --> 00:06:56.760 God loved the world. 00:06:57.400 --> 00:07:03.560 So what John is warning us in 1st John 2 is not love the world. 00:07:03.940 --> 00:07:06.700 Just do not love the world more than God. 00:07:06.840 --> 00:07:10.280 Do not love the things the world provide us more than God. 00:07:11.080 --> 00:07:14.640 You know, in all of us, we have things in our lives that we think, 00:07:14.760 --> 00:07:18.760 if we only have those things, our lives, we would be happy. 00:07:19.200 --> 00:07:20.600 That's all I want, okay? 00:07:20.600 --> 00:07:27.420 If I could only get that promotion, if I could get that spouse, okay? 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:32.260 If I could have that perfect family, if I could only get into that university, 00:07:32.920 --> 00:07:34.540 then my career would be set. 00:07:35.080 --> 00:07:38.420 Even in the Bible, Abraham. 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:40.640 For Abraham, it was Isaac. 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:45.820 For the Samaritan woman at the well, it was her relationships with men. 00:07:45.819 --> 00:07:50.620 And in Matthew 19, for the rich young ruler, 00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:58.139 when Jesus said that you should give away all that you own and come and follow me, 00:07:58.779 --> 00:08:00.699 it was his wealth that defined him. 00:08:01.699 --> 00:08:04.800 You know, for many years, when I read Matthew 19, 00:08:04.939 --> 00:08:06.740 it really kind of disturbed me a little bit, 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:09.920 because I read it as, if you want to be a Christian, 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:13.120 therefore you should give everything away and just follow Jesus. 00:08:13.120 --> 00:08:17.060 Then I actually dug into the verse and tried to understand it a bit better, 00:08:17.639 --> 00:08:20.019 and it became clear to me, 00:08:20.160 --> 00:08:23.879 nowhere else in the Bible that we are told as Christians 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:26.879 to give away everything we own and come and follow him. 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:29.600 Even with the extreme case of Zacchaeus, 00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:31.480 he only gave away half his wealth. 00:08:32.060 --> 00:08:34.580 So what Bible commentators have said, 00:08:34.740 --> 00:08:36.139 what this verse means is, 00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:41.259 Jesus looked, when the rich young ruler came to Jesus, 00:08:41.259 --> 00:08:48.159 Jesus looked into his heart and saw that his identity was in his wealth. 00:08:49.080 --> 00:08:49.100 Okay? 00:08:49.439 --> 00:08:56.000 So what God wants is to free us from the treasures that you think, 00:08:56.159 --> 00:08:57.080 that we think, 00:08:57.340 --> 00:09:01.460 that would give us a life of joy and happiness without God. 00:09:02.120 --> 00:09:03.340 So let me repeat that. 00:09:03.340 --> 00:09:07.879 What God wants is to free us from the treasures that we think, 00:09:07.879 --> 00:09:14.560 that would give us a life of joy and happiness without God. 00:09:15.160 --> 00:09:18.740 Our problem is not the desire to get into that college, 00:09:19.080 --> 00:09:20.019 or that next promotion, 00:09:20.420 --> 00:09:22.519 or that relationship with that special someone. 00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:27.420 Our problem comes about when we want those things more than God, 00:09:27.639 --> 00:09:28.800 more than we want God. 00:09:28.799 --> 00:09:32.139 This is not a new problem. 00:09:32.979 --> 00:09:33.759 Genesis 3. 00:09:33.959 --> 00:09:35.679 Let's go right back to creation. 00:09:36.559 --> 00:09:36.620 Okay? 00:09:36.799 --> 00:09:38.099 Genesis 3, 5, it says, 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:40.419 God knows that your eyes, 00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:42.819 this is the serpent talking to Eve, okay? 00:09:43.199 --> 00:09:46.459 God knows that your eyes will be open as soon as you eat it, 00:09:46.719 --> 00:09:48.500 and you will be like God. 00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:50.819 You will be like God. 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:56.700 Last week, I think Eric used a quote from St. Augustine, 00:09:56.820 --> 00:09:59.120 so I'm going to borrow that today. 00:09:59.580 --> 00:10:03.820 Augustine understood that desire itself is not the problem. 00:10:04.440 --> 00:10:05.780 It ain't wrong to want. 00:10:06.320 --> 00:10:07.540 It ain't wrong to want. 00:10:08.180 --> 00:10:10.420 Indeed, none of us can actually stop wanting. 00:10:11.260 --> 00:10:14.320 The real problem resides in our disordered loves, 00:10:14.440 --> 00:10:15.560 is what Augustine said. 00:10:15.559 --> 00:10:18.079 Either we love the wrong things, 00:10:18.559 --> 00:10:22.000 or we love the right things in a wrong way. 00:10:22.459 --> 00:10:25.000 We want things more than we want God. 00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:28.359 In other words, we want to be our own God. 00:10:29.059 --> 00:10:29.859 Augustine said, 00:10:30.239 --> 00:10:33.679 Without you, what am I to myself, 00:10:33.859 --> 00:10:36.500 but a guide to my own self-destruction? 00:10:37.619 --> 00:10:41.599 Augustine knew how easily we want things that bankrupt us, 00:10:41.919 --> 00:10:45.479 how diligently we will pursue success and pleasure. 00:10:46.419 --> 00:10:49.439 Which is only ever a promising note. 00:10:51.439 --> 00:10:55.199 An American author from the middle of last century, 00:10:56.079 --> 00:10:58.079 F. Scott Fitzgerald, you might have heard of him, 00:10:58.379 --> 00:11:01.099 in his book, This Side of Paradise. 00:11:01.339 --> 00:11:05.259 So please, get the image of Leonardo 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:08.619 in a white Ralph Lauren tuxedo out of your head now. 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:09.839 Different book. 00:11:09.939 --> 00:11:10.839 That was the Gatsby. 00:11:11.339 --> 00:11:14.099 This one is This Side of Paradise. 00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:16.360 And in his book, one of the characters, 00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:17.879 Emery Blaine said, 00:11:18.700 --> 00:11:20.420 I'm a slave to my emotions, 00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:22.159 to my likes, 00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:24.019 to my hatred of boredom, 00:11:24.460 --> 00:11:26.560 and to most of my desires. 00:11:26.779 --> 00:11:29.680 I'm a slave to my emotions, 00:11:30.060 --> 00:11:31.000 to my likes, 00:11:31.399 --> 00:11:32.720 to my hatred of boredom, 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:34.379 and to most of my desires. 00:11:34.980 --> 00:11:37.560 For us, we all know from experience 00:11:37.560 --> 00:11:39.620 that there are some things that we think, 00:11:39.620 --> 00:11:41.759 if we only have those things, 00:11:42.220 --> 00:11:43.659 we would be happy. 00:11:44.039 --> 00:11:46.019 But we also know from our own experience 00:11:46.019 --> 00:11:50.539 that those things never fulfill their promise. 00:11:51.039 --> 00:11:54.200 They are only ever a promissory note. 00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:57.340 The promotion that we worked so hard to get, 00:11:58.159 --> 00:11:59.879 that we thought would satisfy us, 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:01.399 just becomes another job. 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:03.899 That dream apartment, 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:05.159 suddenly, 00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:06.860 after you move in, 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:08.139 a few months after you move in, 00:12:08.179 --> 00:12:10.079 it feels just that little bit small. 00:12:10.179 --> 00:12:11.840 It could do with a little bit more room. 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:12.779 And you know what? 00:12:12.819 --> 00:12:15.100 If we bought just another five floors up, 00:12:15.319 --> 00:12:17.079 the view would be just so much better 00:12:17.079 --> 00:12:18.399 than what we have now. 00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:21.019 And I hate to say it, 00:12:21.199 --> 00:12:23.000 the spouse that we thought 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:24.720 was going to complete us, 00:12:25.319 --> 00:12:27.139 it's no longer the same person we married. 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:33.080 So, do you see the monster that's in our lives? 00:12:34.039 --> 00:12:35.419 Just to sum up this section, 00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:36.039 I want to say, 00:12:36.720 --> 00:12:40.480 the monster we have is not loving the world. 00:12:40.899 --> 00:12:43.360 The monster we have is loving the world 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:44.539 more than we love God. 00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:46.879 If Scott Fitzgerald reminds us, 00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:49.139 it's a small step from having desires, 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:53.139 from having desires to having those desires, 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:55.980 to being a slave to those desires. 00:12:55.980 --> 00:13:00.019 And we can't easily see the monster 00:13:00.019 --> 00:13:01.120 because it's hiding. 00:13:01.940 --> 00:13:04.840 So, the monster is under our bed. 00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:07.200 The problem with greed and williness 00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:09.500 is it hides itself in our lives. 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:12.000 Like the monster underneath our beds 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:12.980 when we were a child, 00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:14.899 we don't dare to go and look, 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:16.220 we don't dare to go and investigate, 00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:18.159 we don't dare to go and look under the bed. 00:13:18.720 --> 00:13:20.379 I think David Foster Wallace, 00:13:20.600 --> 00:13:21.879 the American novelist, 00:13:22.200 --> 00:13:24.240 puts it best in his commencement address 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:27.240 to the graduating class at Kenyon College in 2005. 00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:29.340 Let me just read this to you. 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:33.680 David Foster Wallace wasn't a Christian, 00:13:34.019 --> 00:13:36.759 so he was just a contemporary novelist. 00:13:36.759 --> 00:13:40.000 because there's nothing else that's weird, 00:13:40.399 --> 00:13:43.019 there's something else that is weird but true. 00:13:43.799 --> 00:13:46.539 In the day-to-day trenches of adult life, 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:49.639 there's actually no such thing as atheism. 00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:52.600 There's no such thing as not worshipping. 00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:54.600 Everybody worships. 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:57.939 The only choice we get is what to worship. 00:13:57.940 --> 00:14:00.260 If we worship money and things, 00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:04.240 if they are where you tap real meaning in life, 00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:06.240 then you will never have enough, 00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:08.160 never feel you have enough. 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:09.400 That's the truth. 00:14:10.460 --> 00:14:13.020 Worship your body, beauty and sexual allure, 00:14:13.540 --> 00:14:14.880 you will always feel ugly. 00:14:15.560 --> 00:14:17.800 And when time and age start showing, 00:14:18.300 --> 00:14:20.000 you will die a million deaths 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:21.820 before they finally grieve you. 00:14:23.020 --> 00:14:23.880 Worship power, 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:26.620 and you will end up feeling weak and afraid. 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:29.159 And you will never, ever, 00:14:29.860 --> 00:14:33.639 you will always need more power over others 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:35.600 to numb your own fears. 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:37.299 Worship intellect. 00:14:37.980 --> 00:14:39.100 Be seen as smart. 00:14:39.580 --> 00:14:41.120 You will end up feeling stupid, 00:14:41.820 --> 00:14:42.320 a fraud, 00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:44.879 always on the verge of being found out. 00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:48.539 But the insistent thing about these forms of worship 00:14:48.539 --> 00:14:51.000 is not that they're evil or sinful, 00:14:51.700 --> 00:14:53.519 it's that they're unconscious. 00:14:54.460 --> 00:14:56.039 They are our default settings. 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:58.039 Wallace warns us, 00:14:58.519 --> 00:15:00.320 there's no such thing as not worshipping. 00:15:00.539 --> 00:15:01.919 Everybody worships. 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:04.779 The only choice we get is what we worship. 00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:08.080 The only choice we get is what we worship. 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:08.840 He warns us. 00:15:09.320 --> 00:15:09.919 And you know what? 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:12.659 In the world of worshipping the world, 00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:16.019 we slip into that unconsciously. 00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:18.060 Tim Keller, in his book, 00:15:18.059 --> 00:15:18.899 The Counterfeit God, 00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:19.739 puts it this way. 00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:23.319 Nowhere is this slavery more evident 00:15:23.319 --> 00:15:25.500 than the blindness of greedy people 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:26.899 to their own materialism. 00:15:27.419 --> 00:15:28.799 Notice in Luke 12, 00:15:28.939 --> 00:15:29.579 Jesus says, 00:15:29.839 --> 00:15:30.399 watch out, 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:33.099 be on your guard against all kinds of greed. 00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:35.099 That's a remarkable statement. 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:37.459 Think of another tradition, 00:15:37.839 --> 00:15:40.359 a traditional sin that the Bible warns against, 00:15:40.919 --> 00:15:41.439 adultery. 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:42.960 Jesus doesn't say, 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:43.840 be careful, 00:15:44.300 --> 00:15:45.540 you are committing adultery. 00:15:46.260 --> 00:15:47.560 He doesn't need to. 00:15:48.260 --> 00:15:50.920 When you're in bed with somebody else's spouse, 00:15:51.260 --> 00:15:51.960 you know it. 00:15:52.300 --> 00:15:53.060 Halfway through, 00:15:53.180 --> 00:15:53.700 you don't say, 00:15:53.900 --> 00:15:54.560 oh, wait, 00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:56.340 I think this is adultery. 00:15:57.020 --> 00:15:58.000 You know it. 00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:59.899 But nobody thinks 00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:01.279 that we have a problem 00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:02.840 with spending too much on ourselves. 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:05.340 The monster that is greed 00:16:05.340 --> 00:16:06.480 is camouflaged 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:09.100 and has a cloaking technology, 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:10.580 to use an analogy, 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:12.220 from the Predator Trilogy, 00:16:12.539 --> 00:16:13.019 which is a, 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:13.820 I, 00:16:13.820 --> 00:16:16.220 it's a sore point 00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:18.820 that the Academy has always overlooked, 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:21.179 a great actor like Arnold Schwarzenegger. 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:24.340 But in the Predator Trilogy, 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:25.440 for those kind of, 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:27.240 in my era, 00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:29.419 know that he had this cloaking technology. 00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:30.180 It was on his arm, 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:30.759 he pushed it 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:31.659 and he became invisible. 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:34.419 The monster that is greed in our life 00:16:34.419 --> 00:16:36.120 also have this cloaking technology. 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:38.000 For the younger ones among you, 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:40.740 it's the Harry Potter invisibility cloak. 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:41.080 So, 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:42.639 so, 00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:43.379 okay, 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.659 personal confession time. 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:45.000 So, 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:45.399 just, 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:45.899 when, 00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:47.600 when Tobin asked me to share 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:48.799 on this topic, 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:49.980 I immediately thought, 00:16:50.180 --> 00:16:50.279 hey, 00:16:50.320 --> 00:16:51.000 I'm pretty good. 00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:52.039 I don't have a problem, 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:52.580 you know, 00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:52.960 with, 00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:54.180 with greed 00:16:54.180 --> 00:16:55.659 and spending too much on myself. 00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:57.579 And after much soul searching 00:16:57.579 --> 00:17:00.839 and some amateur repressed memory therapy, 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:03.339 I was able to identify, 00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:04.659 I did have a monster 00:17:04.659 --> 00:17:06.579 of materialism. 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:09.299 And it was right under my bed. 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:10.359 You see, 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:11.799 I have a problem. 00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:14.619 I can't walk away from bargains. 00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:15.619 Okay? 00:17:15.619 --> 00:17:18.119 I have a fear of missing out on a deal. 00:17:18.479 --> 00:17:19.559 And for those of you 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.719 who are from Hong Kong, 00:17:21.399 --> 00:17:21.699 okay, 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:23.439 there's a 00:17:23.439 --> 00:17:24.199 very 00:17:24.199 --> 00:17:25.199 at Hong Kong 00:17:25.199 --> 00:17:25.939 saying, 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:28.000 嗯相接住. 00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:28.959 Okay? 00:17:29.459 --> 00:17:29.639 So, 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:31.739 嗯相接住 is a technical term 00:17:31.739 --> 00:17:33.119 that basically saying 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:34.439 you have this fear 00:17:34.439 --> 00:17:35.359 of missing out 00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:36.139 on a deal. 00:17:36.679 --> 00:17:36.879 And, 00:17:36.939 --> 00:17:38.059 and I do have that. 00:17:38.479 --> 00:17:39.539 Just give you an example. 00:17:39.679 --> 00:17:40.159 The other day, 00:17:40.199 --> 00:17:41.419 I was walking in Wan Chai 00:17:41.420 --> 00:17:42.519 and I was walking past 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:43.980 298 Hennessy Road 00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:44.660 which is a 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:46.500 dingy computer mall, 00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:47.820 total fire trap. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:48.620 I don't expect, 00:17:48.820 --> 00:17:49.000 you know, 00:17:49.060 --> 00:17:50.480 I don't advise you to go in there. 00:17:50.840 --> 00:17:51.700 I walked in there 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:53.200 and I saw this 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:54.200 Bluetooth speaker. 00:17:55.320 --> 00:17:55.660 Okay? 00:17:55.880 --> 00:17:56.080 And, 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:57.880 and the shopkeeper said, 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:59.460 it sells for $3,000 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:00.700 at the Apple shop 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.920 but for you, 00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:02.980 $1,400. 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:04.259 Okay? 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.220 So, 00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:06.360 without a second thought, 00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:07.080 I just bought it. 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:07.500 Okay? 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:07.960 So, 00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:10.220 I took it home. 00:18:10.220 --> 00:18:11.460 Now, 00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:13.140 it doesn't seem like a big deal 00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:14.579 until you know the fact 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:15.799 that this is the fifth 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:17.339 Bluetooth speaker I've bought. 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:17.640 Okay? 00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:18.339 So, 00:18:19.100 --> 00:18:20.200 the point is, 00:18:20.620 --> 00:18:22.100 it's so easy for me 00:18:22.100 --> 00:18:23.360 just to go and buy that. 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:24.720 I don't even think. 00:18:25.100 --> 00:18:25.299 Okay? 00:18:25.360 --> 00:18:26.140 The speaker itself 00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:26.980 is not the problem. 00:18:27.100 --> 00:18:27.839 It's not the issue. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.779 But the fact that 00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:30.220 I didn't even think about it. 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:32.059 I didn't even want to pass up 00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:32.759 on this bargain. 00:18:33.059 --> 00:18:33.279 I mean, 00:18:33.640 --> 00:18:35.259 if I walked away, 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:35.799 I would have thought, 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:36.100 you know, 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:37.400 I could have got this $1,400. 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:38.660 For $1,400, 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:40.200 I could have got a $3,000. 00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:41.860 speaker that they're selling. 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:42.980 And every time I walked past 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:43.660 Apple Shoppe, 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:45.559 there would be a speaker 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:46.120 shouting to me, 00:18:46.180 --> 00:18:47.579 you missed out on this deal. 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:48.180 So, 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:50.079 I've asked Angie 00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:51.819 for permission to share 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:52.940 that, 00:18:53.120 --> 00:18:53.299 you know, 00:18:53.339 --> 00:18:54.019 what is the monster 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:54.720 in her life. 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.620 And she's not much 00:18:56.620 --> 00:18:57.319 of a shopper, 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:59.480 but she does love good food. 00:18:59.620 --> 00:19:00.480 She loves to cook. 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:00.960 Okay? 00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:01.400 So, 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:02.100 sometimes, 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:03.240 she asks that 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.039 we should go to 00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:05.339 a nice restaurant. 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.799 Nice and expensive. 00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:07.440 Okay? 00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:08.620 It's what nice means. 00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:09.319 Okay? 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:10.119 So, 00:19:11.399 --> 00:19:12.399 I'm sitting there, 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:13.639 I'm looking at the menu, 00:19:14.379 --> 00:19:16.159 and I am having, 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:16.839 you know, 00:19:16.919 --> 00:19:17.779 a heart attack 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:19.500 on just the appetizers. 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:20.720 So, 00:19:20.919 --> 00:19:21.899 I'm going through 00:19:21.899 --> 00:19:22.599 in my head, 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:23.139 okay? 00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:23.460 So, 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:25.379 I studied finance, 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:25.919 I'm going through 00:19:25.919 --> 00:19:26.460 in my head, 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:27.220 I'm calculating 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:28.179 how much this meal 00:19:28.179 --> 00:19:29.200 is going to cost me, 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.879 and Angie's like, 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:31.720 uh-huh-huh, 00:19:31.939 --> 00:19:33.240 enjoying the ambiance, 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:33.819 and, 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:34.259 you know, 00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:35.180 the next thing you hear 00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:35.339 is, 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:35.879 you know, 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:38.240 pass me that 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:40.039 pink Himalayan rock salt. 00:19:40.319 --> 00:19:40.440 Okay? 00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:41.140 Pink, 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:42.099 any restaurant 00:19:42.099 --> 00:19:44.200 that has pink Himalayan rock salt, 00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:47.099 it's a pretty good recipe 00:19:47.099 --> 00:19:47.480 that, 00:19:47.539 --> 00:19:47.720 you know, 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:48.839 you're going to get overcharged 00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:49.299 for the meal. 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:49.539 Okay? 00:19:49.539 --> 00:19:49.980 So, 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:52.059 what's the monster 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:52.980 in your life? 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.000 You know, 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:54.460 I mean, 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:55.359 if we are honest 00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:56.019 as to ourselves, 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:57.399 is it passing up 00:19:57.399 --> 00:19:58.000 on a bargain? 00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:58.659 Is it, 00:19:58.659 --> 00:19:59.059 is it, 00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:00.279 you know, 00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:01.379 is it good food? 00:20:01.639 --> 00:20:01.879 I mean, 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:02.460 there may be just 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:03.039 other things. 00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:03.279 So, 00:20:03.879 --> 00:20:04.139 but, 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.960 what is this thing 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:07.200 with just money 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:08.480 flying out of a wallet? 00:20:08.839 --> 00:20:09.059 Okay? 00:20:09.399 --> 00:20:09.639 Now, 00:20:09.899 --> 00:20:10.980 there's another danger 00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:13.099 with greed. 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.579 If you know anything 00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:17.539 about drug addiction, 00:20:18.399 --> 00:20:19.240 when you're addicted 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:19.980 to drugs, 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:22.680 to get that same high, 00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:23.599 you're going to have 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:24.779 to take more and more 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.339 of the drugs 00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:26.500 or a stronger and stronger 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.480 dose of that drug. 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.480 That's known as 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:29.539 the tolerance effect. 00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:30.019 Okay? 00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:32.160 That is the same problem 00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:33.980 with materialism 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.700 and greed. 00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:35.240 Okay? 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:35.859 So, 00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:37.220 I'll give you an example. 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:38.799 We all live 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:39.620 a certain way. 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:40.779 We all live within 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:41.059 our, 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.359 the means of the income 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:43.120 that we have. 00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:44.259 But if we come 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:44.940 into possession 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:46.160 with a little bit more money, 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.420 we go out 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:48.059 and we maybe 00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:49.079 buy that little 00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:49.799 extra thing 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:51.099 that we would 00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:52.159 consider as a luxury 00:20:52.159 --> 00:20:53.059 that we wanted. 00:20:53.679 --> 00:20:54.720 But very soon, 00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:56.000 those luxuries 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:57.419 becomes necessities. 00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:58.419 You may have heard 00:20:58.419 --> 00:20:59.059 of the saying 00:20:59.059 --> 00:21:00.299 that yesterday's luxuries 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:01.939 becomes tomorrow's necessities. 00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:04.119 That's the tolerance effect. 00:21:04.619 --> 00:21:04.779 Okay? 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:05.180 So, 00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:06.779 it's very easy for us 00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:07.639 with these little 00:21:07.639 --> 00:21:08.720 micro upgrades 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:10.920 that next minute 00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:12.079 all the things 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:12.839 that we used to 00:21:12.839 --> 00:21:13.879 consider as luxuries 00:21:13.879 --> 00:21:15.099 becomes necessities 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:16.480 and we always, 00:21:16.579 --> 00:21:17.819 we always don't have enough 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:19.139 because we're always 00:21:19.139 --> 00:21:19.839 looking at that 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:20.559 next upgrade. 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.160 But ultimately, 00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:23.039 we'll need 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:24.299 our worldliness 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:24.899 and the love 00:21:24.899 --> 00:21:25.339 of the things 00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:25.819 that are money, 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:27.200 the love of the things 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:27.680 that are will 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.940 can become monsters 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:29.539 in our life 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.259 and feel like 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:31.559 we deserve more. 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:33.099 I work hard. 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.299 We deserve more. 00:21:34.399 --> 00:21:35.259 Why isn't God 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:36.599 blessing me with more? 00:21:37.399 --> 00:21:37.500 Okay? 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:40.779 Two weeks ago, 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:42.059 Chris, 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:42.799 in his sermon, 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:43.460 referred to 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:44.659 an ancient philosopher. 00:21:45.659 --> 00:21:46.619 Her name is Madonna. 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:49.079 And in 1986, 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:49.960 her famous 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:51.279 vanity article quote 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:52.000 said, 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.519 because even though 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.740 I've become somebody, 00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:56.500 I still have to prove 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:57.440 I am somebody. 00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:59.039 My struggle 00:21:59.039 --> 00:22:00.000 has never ended 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:00.859 and it probably 00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:01.500 never will. 00:22:01.880 --> 00:22:02.039 Now, 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:03.579 1986 is a long, 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:04.500 long time ago, 00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:04.819 right? 00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:05.920 The world has changed. 00:22:06.180 --> 00:22:07.119 We've gotten smarter. 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:08.339 Eric reminds us. 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:09.460 We now have more 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:10.420 friends on Facebook. 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:11.220 We've got more 00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:12.099 followers on Twitter. 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:12.980 So, 00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:14.059 what has modern 00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:15.500 philosophers got to say 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.259 about 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:17.900 how 00:22:17.900 --> 00:22:20.259 this generation 00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:21.059 is interacting 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:21.619 with money? 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:22.319 So, 00:22:22.680 --> 00:22:23.519 two contemporary 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.019 philosophers 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:25.039 that I like to 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:26.220 use today 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:27.000 in my sermon 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:28.039 is 00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:29.299 Eminem 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:29.899 and Rihanna. 00:22:31.319 --> 00:22:32.720 Just an explanation 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:33.319 for those 00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:34.079 who were born 00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:35.720 before the 90s, 00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:36.399 Eminem 00:22:36.399 --> 00:22:37.379 is actually 00:22:37.379 --> 00:22:38.000 a rapper 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:39.099 from the United States. 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:39.899 It's not 00:22:39.899 --> 00:22:41.119 the color-coded 00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:41.680 candy 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:42.519 from Mars. 00:22:42.940 --> 00:22:43.220 So, 00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:44.759 don't think 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.220 of a big 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:45.680 yellow 00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:46.379 kind of 00:22:46.379 --> 00:22:47.220 with an M 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:47.740 on it. 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:48.720 Eminem 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:49.240 is actually 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:49.940 a legitimate 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:50.500 name 00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.680 of a rap artist. 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:52.759 So, 00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:53.559 in his 00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:54.819 2013, 00:22:55.139 --> 00:22:55.759 last year, 00:22:55.839 --> 00:22:56.220 hit song, 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:56.859 The Monster, 00:22:57.619 --> 00:22:58.059 Rihanna, 00:22:58.059 --> 00:22:58.679 in the opening 00:22:58.679 --> 00:22:59.119 line, 00:22:59.319 --> 00:22:59.599 sang, 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:00.079 and I won't 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:00.759 sing it to you, 00:23:00.879 --> 00:23:01.240 I'll just 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:01.679 quote it. 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:04.099 I'm friends 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:04.859 with the monster 00:23:04.859 --> 00:23:05.480 that's under 00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:06.039 my bed. 00:23:06.659 --> 00:23:07.279 Get along 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:08.000 with the voices 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:09.359 inside my head. 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:10.539 You're trying 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.319 to save me, 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:11.980 stop holding 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:12.579 your breath. 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:13.779 You think 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.519 I'm crazy, 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:15.299 yet you think 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:15.940 I'm crazy. 00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:17.480 I wanted 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.099 the fame, 00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:18.799 but not the 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.779 cover of Newsweek. 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:21.000 And the song 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:21.519 goes on 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:21.960 to tell 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:22.579 the anguish 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:23.919 Eminem 00:23:23.919 --> 00:23:24.339 has, 00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:25.899 or is having, 00:23:25.900 --> 00:23:26.860 coping with 00:23:26.860 --> 00:23:27.440 the fame 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:27.740 and the 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.220 attention 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:28.960 that came 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:29.800 with his 00:23:29.800 --> 00:23:31.860 global music 00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:32.400 success, 00:23:32.840 --> 00:23:33.420 and how 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:34.060 that has 00:23:34.060 --> 00:23:34.759 created a 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.160 monster 00:23:35.160 --> 00:23:35.580 that's 00:23:35.580 --> 00:23:36.220 killing him. 00:23:36.800 --> 00:23:37.120 He can 00:23:37.120 --> 00:23:37.540 no longer 00:23:37.540 --> 00:23:38.300 control it. 00:23:38.840 --> 00:23:39.480 His success 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:39.980 and fame 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.580 is controlling 00:23:40.580 --> 00:23:40.800 him. 00:23:40.860 --> 00:23:41.160 He needs 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:41.500 to keep 00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:42.100 writing new 00:23:42.100 --> 00:23:42.560 songs 00:23:42.560 --> 00:23:43.480 and performing 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:43.900 hits, 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.660 otherwise his 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:45.259 ego is going 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:45.920 to crush him. 00:23:46.900 --> 00:23:47.300 We'll come 00:23:47.300 --> 00:23:48.019 back to Eminem 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:48.460 a little bit 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:48.759 later. 00:23:49.300 --> 00:23:49.400 So, 00:23:49.540 --> 00:23:50.040 just to sum 00:23:50.040 --> 00:23:50.420 up this 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:50.860 section, 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:51.960 David Foster 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:52.540 Wallace said, 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.060 everybody 00:23:53.060 --> 00:23:53.820 worships. 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.939 The only 00:23:54.939 --> 00:23:55.460 choice we 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.419 have is 00:23:56.419 --> 00:23:56.859 what we 00:23:56.859 --> 00:23:57.179 worship. 00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.159 He also 00:23:58.159 --> 00:23:58.759 warned us 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.379 we will 00:23:59.379 --> 00:23:59.839 gradually 00:23:59.839 --> 00:24:00.839 slip into 00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:01.619 worshipping 00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:02.119 the world 00:24:02.119 --> 00:24:02.819 because that's 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.319 our default 00:24:03.319 --> 00:24:03.720 setting. 00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:04.819 Tim Keller 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:05.419 warns us 00:24:05.419 --> 00:24:06.099 that in his 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:06.799 40 years of 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:07.259 pastoring, 00:24:07.379 --> 00:24:07.839 nobody has 00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:08.279 ever come 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:08.579 to him 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:08.899 to say, 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:09.539 pastor, 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.299 help me, 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:11.379 I'm greedy 00:24:11.379 --> 00:24:12.439 and materialistic. 00:24:13.200 --> 00:24:13.759 We don't 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.559 think it's a 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:15.059 problem that 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.559 we have. 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:17.139 In Luke 00:24:17.139 --> 00:24:17.639 12, 00:24:17.939 --> 00:24:18.319 he said, 00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:19.139 watch out, 00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:20.039 be on your 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:20.619 guard against 00:24:20.619 --> 00:24:21.159 all kinds 00:24:21.159 --> 00:24:21.599 of greed. 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:23.119 There is a 00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:23.759 monster hiding 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.119 in our 00:24:24.119 --> 00:24:24.480 lives. 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.359 We know 00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:26.099 it's probably 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:26.700 under our 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:26.980 bed, 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.000 but do we 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.279 have the 00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:28.839 courage to 00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:29.119 go and 00:24:29.119 --> 00:24:30.119 look for 00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:30.319 it? 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:31.720 And can 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.240 we tame 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:32.440 it? 00:24:33.400 --> 00:24:33.680 So, 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:33.960 in my 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:34.660 final section, 00:24:35.619 --> 00:24:36.099 how do we 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:36.640 tame the 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:37.000 monster? 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.400 Remember 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:39.000 earlier we 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:39.259 said, 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:40.059 all of us 00:24:40.059 --> 00:24:40.440 have this 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:40.819 thing in 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.240 our life 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:41.539 that we 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:41.839 think if 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:42.220 we only 00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:42.680 have that 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:43.099 thing, 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:43.879 we would 00:24:43.879 --> 00:24:44.420 be happy. 00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:45.940 We refuse, 00:24:46.379 --> 00:24:47.140 sometimes we 00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:47.819 refuse to 00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:48.359 look for the 00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:48.740 monster, 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:49.579 to confront 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:49.920 it and 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.339 to tame 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:50.539 it. 00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:51.799 But if we 00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.279 do that, 00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:52.920 if we refuse 00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:53.500 to look for 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:53.700 it, 00:24:54.119 --> 00:24:54.640 it will 00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:55.160 one day 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:55.740 surface, 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:56.500 it will 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:57.279 overrun our 00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:58.420 lives and 00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:58.759 we won't 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.240 even know 00:24:59.240 --> 00:24:59.460 it. 00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:00.980 Anything that 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.539 we believe 00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:02.059 would allow 00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:02.799 us to 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:03.119 have a 00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:03.500 life of 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:03.980 joy and 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:04.359 power 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:04.819 without 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:05.359 God 00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:06.259 will not 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:06.599 only 00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:07.220 disappoint, 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.160 it will 00:25:08.160 --> 00:25:08.799 become the 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.160 monster. 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:10.920 That's why 00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:11.859 God had to 00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:12.579 bring Abraham 00:25:12.579 --> 00:25:13.299 to the point 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:13.980 of sacrificing 00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:14.380 Isaac. 00:25:15.339 --> 00:25:15.900 That's why 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:16.720 Jesus had to 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:17.380 reveal to the 00:25:17.380 --> 00:25:18.240 Samaritan woman 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:19.259 her issues 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:19.839 of men 00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:20.680 before she 00:25:20.680 --> 00:25:21.579 could understand 00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:22.359 her real 00:25:22.359 --> 00:25:23.359 spiritual thirst. 00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:25.019 And that's 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:25.740 why ultimately 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:26.319 the young 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.460 rich ruler 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:28.720 ultimately went 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:29.120 away 00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:30.120 downtrodden. 00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:31.599 Money, 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.279 and more 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:33.120 precisely the 00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:33.920 perception that 00:25:33.920 --> 00:25:34.579 money would 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.980 allow all of 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.400 us to have 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:37.160 total control 00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:37.880 of our lives 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:39.000 is often the 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.660 hidden monster 00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:40.319 in our lives 00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:40.940 in Hong Kong. 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:42.180 We love 00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:43.339 money because 00:25:43.339 --> 00:25:43.799 it gives us 00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:44.240 power, 00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:45.299 gives us 00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:45.819 status, 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:46.579 gives us 00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:47.120 recognition. 00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:49.000 But most 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.559 dangerously, 00:25:49.739 --> 00:25:50.159 we love 00:25:50.159 --> 00:25:50.879 money because 00:25:50.879 --> 00:25:51.439 it gives us 00:25:51.439 --> 00:25:52.059 control. 00:25:52.719 --> 00:25:53.339 We think 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:55.579 that what 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:56.179 money would 00:25:56.179 --> 00:25:56.919 do is free 00:25:56.919 --> 00:25:57.500 us from the 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.279 basic worries 00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:59.319 and anxieties 00:25:59.319 --> 00:26:00.199 of everyday 00:26:00.199 --> 00:26:00.679 life. 00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:02.039 If we have 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:02.619 lots and 00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:02.979 lots of 00:26:02.979 --> 00:26:03.239 money, 00:26:03.399 --> 00:26:03.739 we can 00:26:03.739 --> 00:26:04.319 weather any 00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:04.699 storm. 00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:05.459 We would 00:26:05.459 --> 00:26:06.119 be able to 00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:06.779 maintain our 00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:07.559 same style 00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:07.979 of living 00:26:07.979 --> 00:26:09.099 even if we 00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:09.500 lose our 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:09.919 job. 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:11.579 But ironically, 00:26:12.639 --> 00:26:13.079 the reason, 00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:15.599 but the irony 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:16.799 is the reason 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.359 our lives 00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:17.940 is out of 00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:18.619 control is 00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:19.639 because we 00:26:19.639 --> 00:26:20.159 are afraid 00:26:20.159 --> 00:26:20.680 of losing 00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:21.379 control to 00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:21.700 God. 00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:22.940 The reason 00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:23.619 our life 00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:24.500 is often 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.000 out of 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:26.019 control is 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:26.519 because we 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.000 are afraid 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.519 of losing 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.220 control to 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:28.559 God. 00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:31.419 Eminem had 00:26:31.419 --> 00:26:32.039 this to say 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:32.539 at the end 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.099 of his song, 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:33.700 The Monster. 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:34.819 He was 00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.399 talking about 00:26:35.399 --> 00:26:36.799 how fame and 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.299 his success, 00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:38.779 and he always 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:39.500 wanted that, 00:26:39.919 --> 00:26:41.139 but now he's 00:26:41.139 --> 00:26:41.619 got it. 00:26:42.339 --> 00:26:43.019 It didn't give 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:43.619 him fulfillment, 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.220 it didn't give 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:44.819 him happiness, 00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:45.379 and certainly 00:26:45.379 --> 00:26:46.599 didn't give 00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:47.220 him control. 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:48.579 He said in 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:49.019 the end of 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.480 his song, 00:26:50.099 --> 00:26:50.759 fame made 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.480 me a balloon 00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:52.159 because my 00:26:52.159 --> 00:26:53.059 ego inflated. 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:54.039 When I 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:54.939 blew, see, 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:55.759 but it was 00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:57.559 confusing because 00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:58.539 I needed an 00:26:58.539 --> 00:27:00.319 interventionist to 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:01.379 intervene between 00:27:01.379 --> 00:27:02.319 me and this 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:03.759 monster and 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.500 save me from 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.439 myself in all 00:27:05.439 --> 00:27:06.179 this conflict. 00:27:06.859 --> 00:27:07.339 Because the 00:27:07.339 --> 00:27:08.000 very thing that 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.639 I love is 00:27:08.639 --> 00:27:09.779 killing me and 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.639 I can't conquer 00:27:10.639 --> 00:27:10.879 it. 00:27:11.379 --> 00:27:12.259 My OCD is 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:13.160 conking in 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:13.720 my head. 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:14.900 Keep knocking, 00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:16.140 but nobody's 00:27:16.140 --> 00:27:16.400 home. 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:18.339 He said, 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:18.940 I needed 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:20.200 an interventionist 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:21.400 to intervene 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.400 between me and 00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:23.059 this monster. 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:24.720 And Eminem 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:26.299 knew he 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:26.779 wasn't going 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.420 to be able to 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:28.180 overcome this 00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:28.900 monster on his 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:29.140 own. 00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:30.140 He said he 00:27:30.140 --> 00:27:30.859 needed somebody 00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:31.420 to intervene 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:32.079 between him 00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:32.420 and his 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.740 monster to 00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:34.519 save him from 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.279 this conflict 00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:35.900 that's killing 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:36.200 him. 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:37.579 And he was 00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.059 looking for 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.879 help, and he 00:27:38.879 --> 00:27:39.700 said, keep 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:41.140 knocking, nobody's 00:27:41.140 --> 00:27:41.420 home. 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:42.600 keep knocking, 00:27:43.300 --> 00:27:43.759 nobody's 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.000 home. 00:27:44.600 --> 00:27:45.140 When I hear 00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:46.120 Eminem's cry 00:27:46.120 --> 00:27:47.460 out for help, 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:49.539 it just brings 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.380 me to Revelation 00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:52.120 3.20, where 00:27:52.120 --> 00:27:52.779 Jesus said, 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:54.320 look, I 00:27:54.320 --> 00:27:55.000 stand at the 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.460 door and 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:55.820 knock. 00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:57.000 If you hear 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:58.340 my voice, open 00:27:58.340 --> 00:27:59.400 the door, I 00:27:59.400 --> 00:28:00.060 will come in, 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.320 and we will 00:28:01.320 --> 00:28:01.980 share a meal 00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:02.680 together as 00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:03.140 friends. 00:28:04.600 --> 00:28:05.300 Christ is 00:28:05.300 --> 00:28:06.019 standing at our 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:07.320 door, knocking, 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:08.720 ready to come 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.440 in and have a 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.279 relationship with 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:10.500 us. 00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:11.619 the will 00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:12.299 needs to hear 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:12.779 the gospel 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.460 message, the 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:14.039 will needs to 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:15.259 hear Revelation 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:15.980 3.20. 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:17.440 Because success 00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:18.160 and money will 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:18.799 not give us 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:20.240 control, ultimately 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.140 it will control 00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:21.759 us. 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:23.279 In Eminem's 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:24.680 words, because 00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:25.400 the very thing 00:28:25.400 --> 00:28:26.160 that I love is 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:27.819 killing me, and 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:28.680 I can't conquer 00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:28.960 it. 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:31.339 Williness, the 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:32.660 love of money, and 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:34.019 worldly success is 00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:34.480 dangerous. 00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:35.799 It can kill us, 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:37.059 just like it was 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:38.259 killing Eminem. 00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:39.920 it's not only 00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:40.420 money and 00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:41.680 success per se, but 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:42.839 the desire for it, 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:44.319 the desire that 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:45.839 is greater than 00:28:45.839 --> 00:28:46.900 our desire for 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:47.220 God. 00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:49.319 God wants you to 00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:50.200 give up control 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:51.519 and hand it over 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:52.019 to Him. 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.480 Jesus wants us to 00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:54.799 give up trying to 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:55.700 control our lives 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.700 with money, and 00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:57.779 instead trust in 00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.539 control of Him. 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.460 But that's hard, 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:01.059 right? 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:02.440 Giving up control 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:04.160 to God, how do we 00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:04.920 fight the monster? 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:06.320 How do we give up 00:29:06.320 --> 00:29:06.820 control? 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:08.539 The last part of 00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:09.680 the verse, in 1 00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.880 John 2, 17, it 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:12.160 says, this will is 00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:14.660 fading away, along 00:29:14.660 --> 00:29:15.779 with everything that 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:16.560 people crave. 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:18.200 But anyone who 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:19.180 does what pleases 00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:20.080 God will live 00:29:20.080 --> 00:29:20.440 forever. 00:29:20.840 --> 00:29:22.220 We need to see and 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:23.180 understand what it 00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:24.019 means to live 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:25.060 forever with God. 00:29:25.820 --> 00:29:27.019 Do we see Christ 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:28.640 and what Christ has 00:29:28.640 --> 00:29:29.300 done for us? 00:29:29.600 --> 00:29:30.279 He has purchased 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:31.340 for us the 00:29:31.340 --> 00:29:32.200 eternal life through 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:33.060 dying on the cross 00:29:33.060 --> 00:29:33.519 for us. 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.900 The value of 00:29:34.900 --> 00:29:35.920 what that is worth 00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:36.980 far surpasses 00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:37.759 anything we can 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.500 amass in this 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:38.779 world. 00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:40.480 There, our 00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:41.319 treasure is in 00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:41.579 heaven. 00:29:42.619 --> 00:29:43.559 Beyond seeing the 00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:44.900 value of what is 00:29:44.900 --> 00:29:45.660 installed for us 00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:46.480 in heaven, we 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.460 also need to see 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:48.799 how we are 00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:49.819 valued in Jesus' 00:29:50.099 --> 00:29:50.460 eyes. 00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:52.099 He left His 00:29:52.099 --> 00:29:53.579 Father's side to 00:29:53.579 --> 00:29:55.039 come down, to 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:56.339 be broken into 00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:57.660 the world, and to 00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:58.379 die on the cross 00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:58.859 for us. 00:29:59.639 --> 00:30:00.440 He wasn't just 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:01.480 an interventionist 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:02.900 in the sense a 00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:03.700 lawyer, as an 00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:04.840 interventionist, arguing 00:30:04.840 --> 00:30:05.480 our case. 00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:06.880 He was the 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:08.200 ultimate interventionist. 00:30:09.040 --> 00:30:09.900 He took our 00:30:09.900 --> 00:30:10.320 monster. 00:30:11.100 --> 00:30:11.880 He died on the 00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:12.740 cross to free us 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.540 from our monster. 00:30:14.280 --> 00:30:15.400 He had to die on 00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:16.360 the cross because 00:30:16.360 --> 00:30:17.560 we chose the world 00:30:17.560 --> 00:30:18.560 and the things of 00:30:18.560 --> 00:30:19.740 the world more 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.680 than we chose 00:30:20.680 --> 00:30:21.060 God. 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.320 So if we let 00:30:23.320 --> 00:30:24.580 Christ and what 00:30:24.580 --> 00:30:25.440 Christ has done 00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:26.660 dwell deeply in our 00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:27.360 hearts and our 00:30:27.360 --> 00:30:28.240 minds every day, 00:30:28.580 --> 00:30:29.380 we will be able to 00:30:29.380 --> 00:30:30.660 see money is just 00:30:30.660 --> 00:30:32.320 a tool, a tool 00:30:32.320 --> 00:30:33.400 for social justice, 00:30:34.100 --> 00:30:34.860 a tool to heal 00:30:34.860 --> 00:30:36.660 Hong Kong, a tool 00:30:36.660 --> 00:30:37.580 to build community. 00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:39.300 We will not be a 00:30:39.300 --> 00:30:40.000 slave to this 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.440 monster. 00:30:41.580 --> 00:30:42.360 But how do we 00:30:42.360 --> 00:30:42.840 know if we are 00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:43.680 making progress? 00:30:44.360 --> 00:30:45.420 So just to sum up, 00:30:46.100 --> 00:30:46.660 I want to get 00:30:46.660 --> 00:30:48.480 practical, and some 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:48.960 of you are going to 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:49.840 hate me by the end 00:30:49.840 --> 00:30:50.220 of this. 00:30:51.580 --> 00:30:52.620 Because it's pretty 00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.480 easy to stay 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:55.019 theoretical and talk 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:56.300 about Augustine and 00:30:56.300 --> 00:30:56.920 Eminem. 00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:58.539 By the way, I 00:30:58.539 --> 00:30:59.080 think that's 00:30:59.080 --> 00:30:59.800 probably the first 00:30:59.800 --> 00:31:00.600 time ever those 00:31:00.600 --> 00:31:01.340 two guys have been 00:31:01.340 --> 00:31:02.060 referred to in the 00:31:02.060 --> 00:31:02.700 same sentence. 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:05.039 We need to ask 00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:05.759 ourselves just two 00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:06.580 simple questions. 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:07.420 Two simple 00:31:07.420 --> 00:31:07.920 questions. 00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:09.539 One is, are we 00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:10.279 spending too much 00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:10.840 on ourselves? 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:13.460 Second is, are we 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:14.380 giving back to God 00:31:14.380 --> 00:31:15.360 his share of what 00:31:15.360 --> 00:31:16.220 he has blessed us 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:16.500 with? 00:31:17.820 --> 00:31:19.340 Are we willing to 00:31:19.340 --> 00:31:20.700 be accountable to 00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:23.039 somebody about what 00:31:23.039 --> 00:31:23.740 we spend on 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.340 ourselves? 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:25.480 And are we 00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:26.360 willing to be 00:31:26.360 --> 00:31:26.860 accountable? 00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:28.200 accountable about 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:29.240 what we're giving 00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:30.660 back to what God 00:31:30.660 --> 00:31:31.700 has blessed us 00:31:31.700 --> 00:31:31.980 with? 00:31:32.800 --> 00:31:34.800 I mean, are we 00:31:34.800 --> 00:31:35.880 willing, I'm not 00:31:35.880 --> 00:31:37.539 asking you to 00:31:37.539 --> 00:31:39.620 provide a full gap 00:31:39.620 --> 00:31:40.980 compliant financial 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.600 statement. 00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:43.259 All I'm saying is, 00:31:43.820 --> 00:31:44.600 I mean, are we 00:31:44.600 --> 00:31:45.160 willing to be 00:31:45.160 --> 00:31:45.980 accountable for 00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:46.779 our discretionary 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:47.340 spending on 00:31:47.340 --> 00:31:47.800 ourselves? 00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:48.580 And are we 00:31:48.580 --> 00:31:49.100 willing to be 00:31:49.100 --> 00:31:50.039 accountable to 00:31:50.039 --> 00:31:51.300 somebody for 00:31:51.300 --> 00:31:52.340 tithing to the 00:31:52.340 --> 00:31:52.700 church? 00:31:53.320 --> 00:31:54.420 That's the 00:31:54.420 --> 00:31:55.300 monster x-ray. 00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:56.559 That's the 00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:57.319 monster x-ray. 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:58.799 And now that I've 00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:59.480 said it in the 00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:00.680 sermon, it's on 00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:01.980 record, so we'll 00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:02.700 make it into your 00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:03.720 discussion questions 00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.339 for your CG. 00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:06.279 So that's a good 00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:07.139 place to start. 00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:08.919 And don't even 00:32:08.919 --> 00:32:09.720 think about missing 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:10.559 next week's CG. 00:32:11.379 --> 00:32:12.419 Because, you know, 00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:13.799 it was just, you 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:14.319 were just pleading 00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:14.659 guilty. 00:32:14.660 --> 00:32:15.980 Okay? 00:32:16.800 --> 00:32:17.940 So, I told you 00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:18.620 you would hate me 00:32:18.620 --> 00:32:19.180 by the end of 00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:19.920 this, when we 00:32:19.920 --> 00:32:20.660 get down to 00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:21.080 where the rubber 00:32:21.080 --> 00:32:21.800 meets the road. 00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:23.019 But I think we 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:23.720 need to hear this 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:24.360 in Hong Kong. 00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:25.860 Some churches 00:32:25.860 --> 00:32:26.720 may skate around 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:27.279 it for the fear 00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:27.860 of offending, 00:32:28.259 --> 00:32:29.040 but this monster 00:32:29.040 --> 00:32:29.840 of greed and 00:32:29.840 --> 00:32:30.920 williness will 00:32:30.920 --> 00:32:31.980 eat us alive. 00:32:33.259 --> 00:32:34.160 And if we don't 00:32:34.160 --> 00:32:35.019 help one another 00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:38.540 here, we can 00:32:38.540 --> 00:32:39.060 tame it. 00:32:40.160 --> 00:32:40.880 And a good 00:32:40.880 --> 00:32:41.600 first step of 00:32:41.600 --> 00:32:42.700 breaking free from 00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:43.400 the grip of this 00:32:43.400 --> 00:32:44.700 monster, it's get 00:32:44.700 --> 00:32:45.580 accountable with 00:32:45.580 --> 00:32:47.019 one another about 00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:47.960 how we tithe and 00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:48.780 how we spend on 00:32:48.780 --> 00:32:49.220 ourselves. 00:32:50.660 --> 00:32:51.759 And given I'm 00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:52.500 not part of the 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:54.080 staff, nor part of 00:32:54.080 --> 00:32:55.220 the leadership, and 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:56.000 I'll probably never 00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:57.019 get asked to preach 00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:58.660 again, I want to 00:32:58.660 --> 00:32:59.420 lay down a challenge 00:32:59.420 --> 00:33:00.300 for all of us to 00:33:00.300 --> 00:33:01.300 get accountable with 00:33:01.300 --> 00:33:02.360 this tithing to the 00:33:02.360 --> 00:33:02.680 church. 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:04.340 Are we willing to 00:33:04.340 --> 00:33:04.840 do this? 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:06.220 Sure, the church 00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:07.280 needs our finances 00:33:07.280 --> 00:33:08.660 to keep the ministry 00:33:08.660 --> 00:33:09.720 going, and there's 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:10.540 serious needs. 00:33:11.060 --> 00:33:12.000 But even more 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:12.560 importantly, 00:33:13.400 --> 00:33:14.000 there's a real 00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:15.160 battle for our 00:33:15.160 --> 00:33:15.600 souls. 00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:17.180 It's fought on a 00:33:17.180 --> 00:33:18.540 battlefield of our 00:33:18.540 --> 00:33:19.320 bank accounts. 00:33:20.200 --> 00:33:21.160 C.S. Lewis said, 00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:23.200 enemy-occupied 00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:25.300 territories, that's 00:33:25.300 --> 00:33:26.560 what the world is. 00:33:27.380 --> 00:33:28.519 Christianity is the 00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:29.820 story of how the 00:33:29.820 --> 00:33:30.680 rightful king has 00:33:30.680 --> 00:33:32.360 landed, and you 00:33:32.360 --> 00:33:33.660 may say landed in 00:33:33.660 --> 00:33:34.920 disguise, and 00:33:34.920 --> 00:33:36.380 calling us to take 00:33:36.380 --> 00:33:37.660 part in a great 00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:38.740 campaign of 00:33:38.740 --> 00:33:39.460 sabotage. 00:33:40.360 --> 00:33:42.019 Are you going to 00:33:42.019 --> 00:33:42.860 join the revolution? 00:33:43.400 --> 00:33:45.280 Today, there's one 00:33:45.280 --> 00:33:46.420 out there in 00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:47.880 Aberlty, in 00:33:47.880 --> 00:33:49.360 Causeway Bay, in 00:33:49.360 --> 00:33:50.620 Mong Kok, but 00:33:50.620 --> 00:33:52.180 recognize there's 00:33:52.180 --> 00:33:53.160 another revolution. 00:33:53.900 --> 00:33:54.720 It's fought in our 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:56.060 hearts, and the 00:33:56.060 --> 00:33:57.040 barricades are not 00:33:57.040 --> 00:33:59.120 in Aberlty, but the 00:33:59.120 --> 00:34:00.420 barricades across our 00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:01.140 bank accounts. 00:34:02.100 --> 00:34:02.860 Are we going to 00:34:02.860 --> 00:34:03.960 make a stand against 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:04.840 this monster called 00:34:04.840 --> 00:34:05.180 greed? 00:34:05.180 --> 00:34:07.160 Are we going to help 00:34:07.160 --> 00:34:08.380 one another with this 00:34:08.380 --> 00:34:09.659 stand in our CGs? 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:12.220 Am I going to see you 00:34:12.220 --> 00:34:13.500 at the barricades? 00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:14.840 Let us pray. 00:34:18.180 --> 00:34:20.519 Father God, we want 00:34:20.519 --> 00:34:21.460 to live up to you. 00:34:21.740 --> 00:34:22.360 We want to give you 00:34:22.360 --> 00:34:24.920 thanks that you have 00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:25.680 promised that where 00:34:25.680 --> 00:34:26.460 two or three are 00:34:26.460 --> 00:34:27.700 gathered together, you 00:34:27.700 --> 00:34:28.680 are in our presence. 00:34:28.679 --> 00:34:30.739 Lord, we just pray that 00:34:30.739 --> 00:34:31.639 you would help us, 00:34:31.839 --> 00:34:33.299 Lord, to find our 00:34:33.299 --> 00:34:35.440 identity in you, not 00:34:35.440 --> 00:34:36.339 in the things of this 00:34:36.339 --> 00:34:36.639 world. 00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:38.539 Lord, we just ask you 00:34:38.539 --> 00:34:40.419 that we can't do it on 00:34:40.419 --> 00:34:41.460 our own strength, that 00:34:41.460 --> 00:34:42.460 we can come alongside 00:34:42.460 --> 00:34:43.559 one another in this 00:34:43.559 --> 00:34:45.359 community to overcome 00:34:45.359 --> 00:34:46.639 this monster that is 00:34:46.639 --> 00:34:48.739 williness and that's 00:34:48.739 --> 00:34:50.299 materialism and that's 00:34:50.299 --> 00:34:50.619 greed. 00:34:50.619 --> 00:34:53.579 Father, we just pray 00:34:53.579 --> 00:34:55.559 that for each one of 00:34:55.559 --> 00:34:56.719 us that we recognize 00:34:56.719 --> 00:34:59.239 that there is a fight, 00:34:59.400 --> 00:35:00.579 there is a war, there 00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:02.099 is a revolution and 00:35:02.099 --> 00:35:03.099 it's in our hearts. 00:35:03.900 --> 00:35:05.639 It's across our bank 00:35:05.639 --> 00:35:06.639 accounts, it's across 00:35:06.639 --> 00:35:07.839 our credit cards, it's 00:35:07.839 --> 00:35:08.960 across how we spend. 00:35:09.759 --> 00:35:10.739 Lord, we just ask you 00:35:10.739 --> 00:35:12.099 that you would come 00:35:12.099 --> 00:35:13.699 alongside us and help 00:35:13.699 --> 00:35:14.519 us in this battle. 00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:16.739 All this we pray in the 00:35:16.739 --> 00:35:17.739 name of our Lord Jesus. 00:35:18.500 --> 00:35:18.739 Amen. 00:35:20.619 --> 00:35:21.619 Amen.