WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.839
 Father, this is your word, and in many ways, your word to us this morning is a great offense to us.

00:00:06.740 --> 00:00:12.080
 And so, Father, we ask that the Holy Spirit would move deeply in our hearts

00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:16.980
 to pause us in our offense or dismissing of your word.

00:00:17.640 --> 00:00:23.699
 And, Father, we ask that the Holy Spirit would bring your word very deep into our hearts,

00:00:23.699 --> 00:00:30.559
 the center of whom we are, that we might, Father, understand and be gripped by the gospel,

00:00:31.820 --> 00:00:39.679
 this almost unimaginable good news that you offer to people like us.

00:00:40.379 --> 00:00:44.179
 And all this we ask in the name of Jesus, your Son and our Savior. Amen.

00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:45.960
 Please be seated.

00:00:45.960 --> 00:00:46.079
 Amen.

00:00:50.200 --> 00:00:54.120
 So, in morning prayer, we get to begin the sermon with the sound of children singing,

00:00:54.240 --> 00:00:55.600
 which is sort of an interesting thing.

00:00:56.539 --> 00:01:04.180
 I don't know how many of you paid attention to Matt when he was reading the text at the beginning of the service,

00:01:04.299 --> 00:01:07.939
 but if you were listening, it's a very, very offensive text.

00:01:08.599 --> 00:01:12.859
 It's a text of the Bible that says you're all dead, you're by nature children of wrath,

00:01:12.859 --> 00:01:19.980
 by nature you follow hostile spiritual forces, and you follow a spirit of rebellion,

00:01:20.120 --> 00:01:26.359
 and it's a very, very hard text, a text that people often turn away from.

00:01:27.319 --> 00:01:29.599
 And I don't like offending people.

00:01:29.700 --> 00:01:32.739
 I'm very Canadian, so I don't like offending people.

00:01:33.239 --> 00:01:35.900
 But one of the things we do here in this church is we preach through the Bible.

00:01:36.060 --> 00:01:40.200
 We preach through whole books of the Bible, and we don't try to hide things or avoid things

00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:42.340
 or pretend that certain things aren't here.

00:01:42.859 --> 00:01:45.920
 And so, what we're going to do is we're going to walk towards this problem,

00:01:46.120 --> 00:01:49.219
 and what you have to understand is that this is, in a sense,

00:01:49.780 --> 00:01:52.739
 a red pill and a blue pill moment for each of us.

00:01:54.019 --> 00:01:56.099
 Many of you instantly get the analogy.

00:01:56.260 --> 00:02:00.460
 There's a famous movie from some 20 years ago or whatever called The Matrix,

00:02:01.060 --> 00:02:05.680
 and in it, early on in the movie, there's this moment where a man named Morpheus

00:02:05.680 --> 00:02:08.180
 speaks to a man named Neo, and he holds out his hands,

00:02:08.180 --> 00:02:10.740
 and he said there's a red pill and a blue pill.

00:02:10.740 --> 00:02:12.540
 The choice is yours.

00:02:13.180 --> 00:02:17.680
 If you take the blue pill, you just continue to live your life the way it is right now,

00:02:17.740 --> 00:02:22.860
 and you just live thinking the things that are thought and going the way that things go.

00:02:22.939 --> 00:02:26.439
 But if you take the red pill, if you take the red pill, you'll know the truth,

00:02:26.500 --> 00:02:28.140
 and your life will be completely changed.

00:02:28.840 --> 00:02:32.180
 And as those of us know, this isn't a spoiler or anything like that in the movie

00:02:32.180 --> 00:02:38.060
 for those who haven't actually seen it, the red pill reveals a very, very harsh and uncomfortable truth

00:02:38.060 --> 00:02:41.620
 that everybody in the world is living a delusion.

00:02:42.040 --> 00:02:46.500
 They're, in fact, in real life, they're hooked up to a machine,

00:02:46.500 --> 00:02:52.479
 and basically a world of machines is sucking the energy out of them to fuel the machines,

00:02:53.280 --> 00:02:57.919
 and to stop human beings from disconnecting themselves to the machines.

00:02:58.139 --> 00:03:02.680
 They basically work in the brains of human beings to create an illusory world

00:03:02.680 --> 00:03:05.879
 where they're all happy and going about and free.

00:03:06.979 --> 00:03:10.099
 And Neo, in the movie, chooses the red pill, not the blue pill.

00:03:10.099 --> 00:03:14.599
 He chooses the pill that's going to be uncomfortable, but it's true.

00:03:15.859 --> 00:03:18.340
 And that's what the Bible is doing for us here today.

00:03:18.519 --> 00:03:21.280
 The last two weeks, as we've been looking through chapter 1,

00:03:22.139 --> 00:03:28.319
 it's told us spectacular promises and truths about what it means to be in Christ.

00:03:28.459 --> 00:03:31.740
 And now the text is going to take a step back and says,

00:03:31.900 --> 00:03:35.439
 I want you to understand what's going on, what's really going on,

00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:39.959
 what the choice is, what the before story is before these wonderful promises.

00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:41.879
 And that's what we're going to look at right now.

00:03:42.039 --> 00:03:43.840
 So here's how we begin.

00:03:44.699 --> 00:03:47.359
 If you have your Bibles, you can follow along.

00:03:48.299 --> 00:03:50.719
 And I'll also have the text up there on the screen.

00:03:51.400 --> 00:03:55.439
 In a couple of cases, you'll notice that the translation,

00:03:55.680 --> 00:03:57.799
 I'm basically using the ESV a couple of times.

00:03:58.259 --> 00:04:00.219
 There's going to be a slight difference in some of the wording,

00:04:00.219 --> 00:04:05.539
 and that's just you can thank a man whose last name is Baugh, B-A-U-G-H,

00:04:05.699 --> 00:04:07.000
 who's a Greek scholar.

00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:10.960
 And sometimes I've changed it to be a little bit less grammatical,

00:04:11.460 --> 00:04:14.120
 but to actually bring home the underlying language better.

00:04:14.740 --> 00:04:17.259
 And here's how the text begins.

00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:26.019
 And you were dead in the transgressions and sins in which you once walked.

00:04:26.660 --> 00:04:28.579
 Remember, this is a red pill moment.

00:04:28.579 --> 00:04:36.659
 And you were dead in the transgressions and sins in which you once walked.

00:04:37.919 --> 00:04:41.599
 Think if you're using the ESV, it says trespasses.

00:04:42.279 --> 00:04:47.180
 The word transgressions means that there's a sense of the rightness of the world,

00:04:47.919 --> 00:04:52.099
 and there's the sense of moral laws and rightness of the world,

00:04:52.100 --> 00:04:58.320
 and that at different times in your life, you specifically go against what you know is the right thing to do.

00:04:58.400 --> 00:05:04.840
 You fail to do the good that you should, or you do something that you know is wrong.

00:05:05.540 --> 00:05:07.660
 And that's this idea behind transgression.

00:05:08.200 --> 00:05:13.120
 It's consciously going against things which you know are right.

00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:18.680
 And sins is a more personal word, in a sense, getting right in God's face

00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:21.560
 or saying something to God about how you're going to turn your back on him.

00:05:21.819 --> 00:05:23.120
 You don't like him.

00:05:23.199 --> 00:05:24.259
 You don't want him present.

00:05:24.780 --> 00:05:26.560
 It's a very God-centered word.

00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:27.500
 But here's the thing.

00:05:27.840 --> 00:05:29.480
 The word dead actually means dead.

00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:35.579
 In fact, here's my point connected with it.

00:05:36.560 --> 00:05:39.000
 By nature, you are dead.

00:05:40.040 --> 00:05:41.240
 That's what the Bible is saying.

00:05:41.240 --> 00:05:42.360
 By nature, you are dead.

00:05:44.120 --> 00:05:49.939
 Now, the things which are going on in these first three verses of the text,

00:05:50.220 --> 00:05:54.759
 it deeply offends, especially contemporary Canadians,

00:05:54.959 --> 00:05:57.160
 where we believe that fundamentally we're good,

00:05:57.819 --> 00:06:01.079
 and we don't like to think about death or talk about death

00:06:01.079 --> 00:06:02.800
 or think about death's finality.

00:06:02.920 --> 00:06:06.860
 We like to amuse ourselves and think about anything other than death.

00:06:08.699 --> 00:06:11.000
 But this text, when it says dead,

00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:13.180
 it really means if you go to a funeral home

00:06:13.180 --> 00:06:15.180
 and you see the bodies in the caskets,

00:06:15.699 --> 00:06:16.519
 that's us.

00:06:18.279 --> 00:06:23.319
 And that's a bit of a shocking thing to say about human beings.

00:06:24.319 --> 00:06:26.060
 Now, actually, interestingly enough,

00:06:26.339 --> 00:06:28.519
 it's actually empirically true.

00:06:28.899 --> 00:06:30.139
 If you think about it for a second,

00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:32.220
 it's actually empirically true.

00:06:32.220 --> 00:06:37.020
 From the moment that you're conceived in your mother's womb,

00:06:37.100 --> 00:06:38.380
 when you become a zygote,

00:06:38.660 --> 00:06:40.200
 if I'm pronouncing that word correctly,

00:06:40.880 --> 00:06:41.840
 from that moment,

00:06:41.940 --> 00:06:43.000
 and you become, in a sense,

00:06:43.440 --> 00:06:44.480
 you, in a real sense,

00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:46.080
 you become you at that moment.

00:06:46.740 --> 00:06:48.180
 Your DNA is all there.

00:06:48.180 --> 00:06:51.560
 The basic things as to whether you'll have certain illnesses,

00:06:51.900 --> 00:06:52.819
 whether, like,

00:06:52.920 --> 00:06:55.439
 I have my mother's father's hairline,

00:06:55.660 --> 00:06:56.259
 for instance.

00:06:57.500 --> 00:06:58.560
 You know, I have,

00:06:58.620 --> 00:06:59.040
 if you know,

00:06:59.220 --> 00:06:59.800
 I have, like,

00:06:59.879 --> 00:07:01.699
 I have a true nose.

00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:02.639
 I mean,

00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:04.019
 it's a real nose.

00:07:04.460 --> 00:07:06.500
 My mother's maiden name was True,

00:07:06.660 --> 00:07:07.560
 T-R-E-W.

00:07:07.720 --> 00:07:08.759
 I have a true nose.

00:07:08.860 --> 00:07:11.699
 I have the same type of nose as my mother's dad.

00:07:12.060 --> 00:07:14.220
 All those things are sort of programmed into you

00:07:14.220 --> 00:07:15.699
 right from the moment you become a zygote.

00:07:15.699 --> 00:07:18.300
 You know what else is also true from the moment you become a zygote?

00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:19.180
 You'll die.

00:07:20.719 --> 00:07:21.379
 You'll die.

00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:23.979
 Like, isn't that true?

00:07:25.779 --> 00:07:26.920
 That's empirically true.

00:07:28.300 --> 00:07:28.599
 You know,

00:07:28.659 --> 00:07:29.779
 death isn't something that

00:07:29.779 --> 00:07:31.139
 you're going to live forever,

00:07:31.259 --> 00:07:31.680
 live forever,

00:07:31.779 --> 00:07:32.159
 live forever.

00:07:32.419 --> 00:07:33.719
 Dang, you made a mistake.

00:07:34.719 --> 00:07:35.000
 You know,

00:07:35.039 --> 00:07:35.599
 it's not like

00:07:35.599 --> 00:07:36.459
 you live forever,

00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:36.980
 live forever,

00:07:37.099 --> 00:07:37.519
 live forever,

00:07:38.279 --> 00:07:38.480
 you know,

00:07:38.500 --> 00:07:39.419
 you eat the wrong food,

00:07:39.519 --> 00:07:40.300
 now you're going to die.

00:07:40.419 --> 00:07:40.680
 No.

00:07:41.360 --> 00:07:42.800
 From the moment you're a zygote,

00:07:43.219 --> 00:07:44.819
 the moment you become you,

00:07:45.699 --> 00:07:47.979
 you're also going to die.

00:07:48.159 --> 00:07:49.339
 It's actually empirically true.

00:07:51.120 --> 00:07:51.379
 There's,

00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:52.599
 you might notice that there's

00:07:52.599 --> 00:07:54.800
 three dozen roses

00:07:54.800 --> 00:07:55.860
 at the front of the church,

00:07:55.979 --> 00:07:57.079
 and they're here today

00:07:57.079 --> 00:07:59.279
 as a symbol

00:07:59.279 --> 00:08:00.920
 or as a sort of an illustration.

00:08:02.379 --> 00:08:03.360
 After the service,

00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:05.240
 I invite every adult

00:08:05.240 --> 00:08:06.240
 in the room

00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:06.939
 who wants one

00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:07.759
 to take a rose.

00:08:08.659 --> 00:08:09.480
 You bring it home,

00:08:09.519 --> 00:08:10.899
 it's just our gift to you this morning.

00:08:11.779 --> 00:08:12.899
 But here's the thing.

00:08:14.419 --> 00:08:15.279
 This, in a sense,

00:08:15.359 --> 00:08:16.079
 is a symbol

00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:17.479
 and a metaphor

00:08:17.479 --> 00:08:18.179
 and image

00:08:18.179 --> 00:08:19.159
 of what every human being

00:08:19.159 --> 00:08:20.000
 here is in the room.

00:08:21.419 --> 00:08:22.679
 This rose is beautiful,

00:08:22.779 --> 00:08:23.099
 isn't it?

00:08:23.179 --> 00:08:23.959
 I mean, many of us,

00:08:24.239 --> 00:08:25.159
 some of us are as beautiful

00:08:25.159 --> 00:08:25.799
 as the rose.

00:08:26.219 --> 00:08:27.439
 All of us wish we could be

00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:28.459
 as beautiful as the rose.

00:08:30.039 --> 00:08:31.019
 But this rose

00:08:31.019 --> 00:08:32.059
 is a cut flower.

00:08:33.819 --> 00:08:34.860
 It's a cut flower.

00:08:34.860 --> 00:08:39.019
 And the biblical message is

00:08:39.019 --> 00:08:40.100
 that we were designed

00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:40.940
 to be connected

00:08:40.940 --> 00:08:41.840
 to God forever.

00:08:43.560 --> 00:08:45.180
 But we've separated ourselves

00:08:45.180 --> 00:08:45.779
 from God.

00:08:45.899 --> 00:08:46.580
 We've, in a sense,

00:08:47.180 --> 00:08:48.600
 cut ourselves off

00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:50.899
 from the ground,

00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:52.580
 from the source of nutrients,

00:08:53.019 --> 00:08:54.440
 from ongoing life.

00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:56.279
 And every human being

00:08:56.279 --> 00:08:56.820
 that's born

00:08:56.820 --> 00:08:57.480
 is born

00:08:57.480 --> 00:08:59.200
 a cut rose.

00:08:59.200 --> 00:09:07.700
 And, um,

00:09:08.440 --> 00:09:09.460
 it must be true

00:09:09.460 --> 00:09:10.400
 because I looked it up

00:09:10.400 --> 00:09:11.020
 on the internet.

00:09:11.780 --> 00:09:12.300
 Um,

00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:15.140
 but once that rose is cut,

00:09:15.220 --> 00:09:16.400
 you can't do anything.

00:09:16.500 --> 00:09:17.100
 Like, it's,

00:09:17.100 --> 00:09:18.080
 it's doomed.

00:09:18.379 --> 00:09:20.100
 You can't reconnect it

00:09:20.100 --> 00:09:20.740
 to a plant

00:09:20.740 --> 00:09:21.580
 so that it'll live

00:09:21.580 --> 00:09:23.780
 because it's a cut plant.

00:09:23.920 --> 00:09:25.040
 And that's what the Bible

00:09:25.040 --> 00:09:25.700
 is saying here.

00:09:26.300 --> 00:09:27.080
 We are

00:09:27.080 --> 00:09:29.160
 a cut flower.

00:09:29.200 --> 00:09:33.400
 It gets worse.

00:09:35.080 --> 00:09:36.460
 Look at the next text.

00:09:37.620 --> 00:09:38.580
 It's the, uh,

00:09:38.580 --> 00:09:40.259
 second part of verse 2.

00:09:40.540 --> 00:09:41.200
 Chapter 2.

00:09:41.280 --> 00:09:41.920
 So we began with

00:09:41.920 --> 00:09:42.980
 chapter 2, verse 1.

00:09:43.080 --> 00:09:43.700
 And you were dead

00:09:43.700 --> 00:09:44.660
 in the transgressions

00:09:44.660 --> 00:09:45.120
 and sins

00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:46.140
 in which you once walked.

00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:47.920
 Now the rest of the verse 2

00:09:47.920 --> 00:09:48.560
 goes like this.

00:09:48.740 --> 00:09:49.560
 Following the course

00:09:49.560 --> 00:09:50.300
 of this world,

00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:51.840
 following the prince

00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:52.960
 of the power of the air,

00:09:53.900 --> 00:09:54.640
 the spirit

00:09:54.640 --> 00:09:56.200
 that is now at work

00:09:56.200 --> 00:09:57.220
 in the sons

00:09:57.220 --> 00:09:58.180
 of disobedience.

00:09:58.179 --> 00:10:00.559
 And, um,

00:10:01.459 --> 00:10:02.559
 it's saying something else.

00:10:02.639 --> 00:10:03.399
 It's saying now,

00:10:03.739 --> 00:10:04.879
 it's getting even deeper

00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:05.879
 into our problem.

00:10:06.319 --> 00:10:06.979
 By nature,

00:10:07.859 --> 00:10:09.379
 you love acts of rebellion

00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:11.359
 against the living God.

00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:12.719
 See, that's,

00:10:12.779 --> 00:10:13.500
 that's what the text

00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:14.339
 is trying to say.

00:10:14.559 --> 00:10:14.839
 Um,

00:10:14.839 --> 00:10:16.239
 the first analogy

00:10:16.239 --> 00:10:17.019
 is that we're all

00:10:17.019 --> 00:10:18.019
 walking a life

00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:19.799
 and the natural,

00:10:20.439 --> 00:10:21.139
 the, the, the, the sense,

00:10:21.299 --> 00:10:22.699
 the natural way

00:10:22.699 --> 00:10:23.600
 we're bent

00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:25.720
 is to, in a sense,

00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:27.360
 be on the same side

00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:28.720
 as any human being

00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:30.139
 or any spiritual being

00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:31.159
 that also rebels

00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:31.860
 against God

00:10:31.860 --> 00:10:32.399
 and desires

00:10:32.399 --> 00:10:33.600
 to be a God themselves

00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:36.100
 and chart their own path

00:10:36.100 --> 00:10:37.159
 and their own way forward.

00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:38.600
 And so,

00:10:38.659 --> 00:10:39.199
 this image

00:10:39.199 --> 00:10:39.759
 of the ruler

00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:40.459
 of the spirit

00:10:40.459 --> 00:10:41.299
 of the air

00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:42.579
 is this,

00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:43.379
 this image

00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:43.659
 of,

00:10:43.719 --> 00:10:45.019
 of demons,

00:10:45.139 --> 00:10:45.659
 of hostile

00:10:45.659 --> 00:10:46.719
 spiritual forces.

00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:47.620
 And then the other one

00:10:47.620 --> 00:10:48.500
 isn't a spirit thing.

00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:49.379
 It's, it's saying that,

00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:49.719
 in fact,

00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:50.579
 if we think about it,

00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:52.000
 human life is organized,

00:10:52.419 --> 00:10:53.799
 not always in rebellion

00:10:53.799 --> 00:10:54.459
 against God,

00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:54.980
 but there's always

00:10:54.980 --> 00:10:55.839
 a bit of a flavor

00:10:55.839 --> 00:10:56.399
 of it

00:10:56.399 --> 00:10:57.419
 against the presence

00:10:57.419 --> 00:10:58.379
 of the living God.

00:10:58.959 --> 00:10:59.500
 And that that's,

00:10:59.559 --> 00:10:59.959
 in a sense,

00:11:00.059 --> 00:11:01.159
 what animates

00:11:01.159 --> 00:11:02.720
 social life

00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:04.159
 and social institutions.

00:11:04.360 --> 00:11:04.919
 That there's always

00:11:04.919 --> 00:11:06.399
 just something in there

00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:07.439
 which likes to be

00:11:07.439 --> 00:11:07.959
 in rebellion

00:11:07.959 --> 00:11:08.639
 against God.

00:11:08.699 --> 00:11:09.959
 And that's the side

00:11:09.959 --> 00:11:10.679
 that we naturally

00:11:10.679 --> 00:11:11.579
 side with

00:11:11.579 --> 00:11:13.059
 as human beings.

00:11:13.720 --> 00:11:14.480
 Once again,

00:11:15.019 --> 00:11:15.879
 this is actually

00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:17.459
 offensive to us

00:11:17.459 --> 00:11:18.699
 because we believe

00:11:18.699 --> 00:11:20.419
 that we're basically good.

00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:22.179
 But once again,

00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:22.679
 it's actually

00:11:22.679 --> 00:11:23.720
 empirically true

00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:24.600
 if you think about it

00:11:24.600 --> 00:11:25.059
 for a second.

00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:26.319
 It's empirically true.

00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:28.720
 I've used this analogy

00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:29.279
 before.

00:11:29.819 --> 00:11:30.460
 Some of you

00:11:30.460 --> 00:11:31.240
 might remember it.

00:11:31.419 --> 00:11:32.699
 But when you watch a movie

00:11:32.699 --> 00:11:34.019
 or you read a story

00:11:34.019 --> 00:11:35.419
 and in the movie

00:11:35.419 --> 00:11:36.159
 or in the story

00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:36.899
 it looks as if

00:11:36.899 --> 00:11:38.419
 there's a perfect society,

00:11:38.559 --> 00:11:39.360
 a perfect place,

00:11:39.459 --> 00:11:40.179
 a utopia.

00:11:40.899 --> 00:11:41.860
 What do we all

00:11:41.860 --> 00:11:42.939
 instantly know?

00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:44.759
 At root,

00:11:44.860 --> 00:11:45.759
 there's something evil.

00:11:47.839 --> 00:11:48.719
 That's what we all know.

00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:50.179
 It's just obvious.

00:11:50.299 --> 00:11:51.120
 Nobody goes and says,

00:11:51.259 --> 00:11:52.259
 oh, look at that.

00:11:52.339 --> 00:11:53.059
 This is a betrayal

00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:54.299
 of a perfect society,

00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:55.000
 a perfect world.

00:11:55.079 --> 00:11:55.299
 No.

00:11:55.860 --> 00:11:56.559
 We know there's

00:11:56.559 --> 00:11:57.319
 something going on.

00:11:57.419 --> 00:11:58.100
 We know there's

00:11:58.100 --> 00:11:59.240
 some powerful force

00:11:59.240 --> 00:12:00.439
 manipulating people.

00:12:00.519 --> 00:12:01.279
 We know that somehow

00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:01.559
 or another

00:12:01.559 --> 00:12:02.339
 they might be food.

00:12:02.419 --> 00:12:03.120
 We know that something

00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:03.860
 else is going on.

00:12:03.860 --> 00:12:05.360
 We instinctively

00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:07.159
 both long for utopias

00:12:07.159 --> 00:12:08.940
 and often many people

00:12:08.940 --> 00:12:10.120
 are suckers for them.

00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:10.899
 But at the same time

00:12:10.899 --> 00:12:11.460
 when we see it

00:12:11.460 --> 00:12:12.940
 very plainly put forward,

00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:13.460
 we know,

00:12:13.539 --> 00:12:13.980
 we know,

00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:14.440
 we know,

00:12:14.539 --> 00:12:14.840
 we know,

00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:15.200
 we know

00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:16.039
 that there's something

00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:17.980
 not right going on there.

00:12:20.180 --> 00:12:20.399
 See,

00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:21.919
 it's a very interesting thing

00:12:21.919 --> 00:12:22.899
 that in this text,

00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:23.560
 on one hand,

00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:24.460
 when we think about it

00:12:24.460 --> 00:12:25.340
 and reflect upon it,

00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:25.940
 it offends us.

00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:26.419
 On the other hand,

00:12:26.440 --> 00:12:27.480
 if we actually think about it

00:12:27.480 --> 00:12:28.019
 a bit more,

00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:30.060
 we realize that what offends us

00:12:30.060 --> 00:12:31.060
 is that which is actually

00:12:31.059 --> 00:12:31.959
 empirically known

00:12:31.959 --> 00:12:33.019
 to be true.

00:12:33.479 --> 00:12:35.319
 And it gets worse.

00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:37.959
 Look at verse 3,

00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:39.619
 chapter 2,

00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:40.199
 verse 3.

00:12:42.159 --> 00:12:43.000
 So it just said

00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:43.619
 how we follow

00:12:43.619 --> 00:12:44.839
 basically the devil

00:12:44.839 --> 00:12:45.819
 and we follow up

00:12:45.819 --> 00:12:47.059
 and we naturally

00:12:47.059 --> 00:12:47.619
 are aligned

00:12:47.619 --> 00:12:48.399
 with the spirit

00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:49.859
 that is work in society.

00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:51.079
 In verse 3,

00:12:51.179 --> 00:12:51.879
 among whom

00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:53.319
 we all once lived

00:12:53.319 --> 00:12:54.959
 in the passions,

00:12:55.059 --> 00:12:55.899
 or another way to put it

00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:57.279
 would be lusts,

00:12:57.279 --> 00:12:58.199
 of our flesh.

00:12:58.679 --> 00:12:59.359
 That doesn't mean

00:12:59.359 --> 00:12:59.839
 our body.

00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:00.759
 it means that there's

00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:01.480
 a part of us

00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:02.280
 that likes to rebel

00:13:02.280 --> 00:13:03.080
 against God,

00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:05.180
 carrying out the desires

00:13:05.180 --> 00:13:06.000
 of the body

00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:07.660
 and the mind

00:13:07.660 --> 00:13:09.780
 and we're by nature

00:13:09.780 --> 00:13:11.740
 children of wrath

00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:13.139
 like the rest

00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:14.540
 of the human race.

00:13:15.300 --> 00:13:16.399
 By nature,

00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:18.780
 children of wrath

00:13:18.780 --> 00:13:19.960
 like the rest

00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:21.180
 of the human race.

00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:25.540
 You know,

00:13:25.580 --> 00:13:26.000
 once again,

00:13:26.060 --> 00:13:26.660
 this is something

00:13:26.660 --> 00:13:27.680
 which is empirically

00:13:27.680 --> 00:13:28.720
 true.

00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:30.639
 if we think about it.

00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:32.100
 Can you just imagine

00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:32.779
 for a second

00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:34.680
 if one of your friends

00:13:34.680 --> 00:13:37.480
 or one of your nephews

00:13:37.480 --> 00:13:39.060
 or your own child

00:13:39.060 --> 00:13:39.840
 had a baby

00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:41.340
 and as they're holding

00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:41.860
 the baby

00:13:41.860 --> 00:13:42.740
 and looking at it

00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:43.220
 and if they were

00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:44.120
 to say to you,

00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:45.300
 do you know,

00:13:45.779 --> 00:13:46.180
 do you think

00:13:46.180 --> 00:13:46.620
 this will be

00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:47.580
 the first child

00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:48.240
 that never does

00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:49.120
 anything wrong

00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:50.200
 in their entire life?

00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:51.540
 I think this is the child.

00:13:51.660 --> 00:13:52.580
 I think this child,

00:13:52.980 --> 00:13:54.220
 just like my previous one,

00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:54.740
 will never,

00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:55.040
 ever,

00:13:55.040 --> 00:13:55.240
 ever,

00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:55.519
 ever,

00:13:55.519 --> 00:13:55.960
 ever,

00:13:56.080 --> 00:13:56.320
 ever,

00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:56.700
 ever,

00:13:56.799 --> 00:13:57.919
 do anything wrong

00:13:57.919 --> 00:13:59.519
 and if you watch

00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:00.460
 that person say that,

00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:01.419
 you'd think they were joking.

00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:02.480
 If it became obvious

00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:03.600
 that they were serious,

00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:03.980
 you'd go,

00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:07.399
 that's what you do,

00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:07.820
 isn't it?

00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:08.539
 Oh,

00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:09.840
 good grief.

00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:11.799
 How stupid

00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:12.680
 is this person?

00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:13.419
 How,

00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:15.299
 isn't that what we all do?

00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:16.340
 Like empirically,

00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:17.200
 that's what we do.

00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:18.299
 Nobody believes that

00:14:18.299 --> 00:14:19.439
 even though we also

00:14:19.439 --> 00:14:20.219
 at the same time

00:14:20.219 --> 00:14:20.879
 believe that we're all

00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:22.559
 basically fundamentally good.

00:14:23.859 --> 00:14:24.659
 Like why is it

00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:25.699
 that that goes on

00:14:25.699 --> 00:14:26.319
 within us?

00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:27.179
 Why are we offended

00:14:27.179 --> 00:14:28.240
 by the word of God?

00:14:29.819 --> 00:14:30.159
 You see,

00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:30.859
 by nature,

00:14:31.079 --> 00:14:31.819
 do I have the right thing?

00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:32.359
 Here's my,

00:14:32.939 --> 00:14:34.500
 here's my third point.

00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:35.159
 By nature,

00:14:35.479 --> 00:14:36.419
 with middle finger

00:14:36.419 --> 00:14:37.459
 raised at him,

00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:39.599
 you stay the course

00:14:39.599 --> 00:14:41.699
 away from the living God.

00:14:44.199 --> 00:14:45.199
 I tried to pick

00:14:45.199 --> 00:14:46.439
 a very graphic image.

00:14:48.299 --> 00:14:49.740
 This description covers

00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:50.279
 the religious

00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:51.139
 and the irreligious.

00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:52.439
 It covers the spiritual

00:14:52.439 --> 00:14:53.500
 and those who want to have

00:14:53.500 --> 00:14:54.859
 nothing to do with spirituality.

00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:56.839
 It covers me and you.

00:14:56.939 --> 00:14:58.019
 It covers Bill Gates

00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:59.279
 and it covers

00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:01.099
 the most broken

00:15:01.099 --> 00:15:02.099
 street person

00:15:02.099 --> 00:15:03.439
 that you could ever meet.

00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:06.819
 And why does the text say wrath

00:15:06.819 --> 00:15:07.959
 but I don't use wrath

00:15:07.959 --> 00:15:08.699
 in my text?

00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:10.679
 Well,

00:15:10.939 --> 00:15:11.779
 if you think about it

00:15:11.779 --> 00:15:12.359
 for a second,

00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:14.039
 imagine that you did

00:15:14.039 --> 00:15:15.019
 come across somebody

00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:15.240
 that,

00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:15.699
 they're really,

00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:16.679
 a really great person.

00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:17.479
 Let's say you,

00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:18.940
 you grew up with somebody

00:15:18.940 --> 00:15:19.840
 and,

00:15:19.920 --> 00:15:20.420
 okay,

00:15:20.539 --> 00:15:22.019
 your mom wasn't very good.

00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:22.600
 I don't know,

00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:23.659
 your mom was terrible

00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:26.180
 and this person's mom

00:15:26.180 --> 00:15:27.180
 was fantastic.

00:15:27.680 --> 00:15:27.899
 Like,

00:15:27.940 --> 00:15:28.620
 just fantastic.

00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:29.060
 You know,

00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:29.980
 she made cookies,

00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:31.560
 she made your lunch,

00:15:31.680 --> 00:15:32.759
 she was a good listener,

00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:34.120
 she was always kind,

00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:34.820
 she always gave you

00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:35.500
 good advice,

00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:36.300
 she was all,

00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:37.399
 she was just great.

00:15:37.480 --> 00:15:37.720
 In fact,

00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:39.560
 you and all your friends

00:15:39.560 --> 00:15:39.960
 would say,

00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:41.200
 I wish that mom,

00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:42.159
 I wish your mom

00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:43.060
 was my mom.

00:15:43.560 --> 00:15:43.920
 Like,

00:15:43.920 --> 00:15:45.220
 you have such a great mom.

00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:46.340
 But then,

00:15:46.420 --> 00:15:47.279
 if you have this person

00:15:47.279 --> 00:15:47.440
 who,

00:15:47.540 --> 00:15:47.660
 you know,

00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:48.379
 humanly speaking,

00:15:48.420 --> 00:15:49.899
 is just a spectacular mom,

00:15:50.100 --> 00:15:51.320
 but all of the time,

00:15:51.920 --> 00:15:52.680
 your friend,

00:15:53.560 --> 00:15:54.620
 we'll call him Bob,

00:15:54.800 --> 00:15:56.200
 every time Bob

00:15:56.200 --> 00:15:57.940
 is at his mom's,

00:15:58.200 --> 00:15:58.980
 where his mom wants

00:15:58.980 --> 00:16:00.300
 to come and talk to Bob,

00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:01.300
 Bob yells,

00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:03.220
 Bob turns his back on her,

00:16:03.300 --> 00:16:04.220
 he hangs up on her,

00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:05.740
 he never answers her texts.

00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:08.040
 When she starts to speak to him

00:16:08.040 --> 00:16:08.759
 or give him a gift,

00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:09.920
 he rolls his eyes,

00:16:09.920 --> 00:16:10.620
 he just,

00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:12.379
 it just visually shows

00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:13.019
 he doesn't want to have

00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:14.000
 anything to do with her,

00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:14.980
 that doesn't like her,

00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:16.600
 that he hates her,

00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:17.820
 that he just wants

00:16:17.820 --> 00:16:18.720
 to live his own life

00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:19.580
 and have her nowhere.

00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:20.659
 And everybody else,

00:16:20.720 --> 00:16:21.500
 all of Bob's friends

00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:21.779
 is saying,

00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:22.740
 your mom is great.

00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:22.960
 Like,

00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:23.639
 she just,

00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:24.519
 she just wants to,

00:16:24.820 --> 00:16:25.440
 she's just great.

00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:25.639
 Like,

00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:27.019
 what's going on?

00:16:27.060 --> 00:16:27.500
 Why are you always

00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.680
 giving her the finger?

00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:29.340
 The finger.

00:16:29.420 --> 00:16:30.019
 And then finally,

00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:31.100
 the mom says,

00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:32.960
 gets mad at Bob,

00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:34.580
 and then Bob goes around

00:16:34.580 --> 00:16:35.039
 everywhere.

00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:35.720
 Why on earth

00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:37.139
 is my mom mad at me?

00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:38.700
 That's why I don't like my mom.

00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:40.000
 She's always getting mad at me.

00:16:40.039 --> 00:16:41.060
 And what will you say to Bob?

00:16:41.159 --> 00:16:41.440
 You'll say,

00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:42.539
 but Bob,

00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:43.560
 like,

00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:45.099
 your mom's unbelievably patient

00:16:45.099 --> 00:16:45.719
 with you.

00:16:47.219 --> 00:16:48.500
 You're basically giving her

00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:50.079
 the finger all the time.

00:16:50.579 --> 00:16:52.179
 And she turns the other cheek.

00:16:52.479 --> 00:16:53.439
 Why are you surprised

00:16:53.439 --> 00:16:54.759
 that she's mad at you?

00:16:56.599 --> 00:16:57.459
 That's what's going on

00:16:57.459 --> 00:16:58.019
 in the text.

00:16:58.019 --> 00:17:01.500
 God is unfailingly good.

00:17:01.579 --> 00:17:02.659
 He's unfailingly kind.

00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:03.899
 He's unfailingly loving.

00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.440
 Unfailingly merciful.

00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.839
 And we don't want him

00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:07.779
 in our lives

00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:09.079
 unless we're stuck.

00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:09.920
 And then we'd like him

00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:11.019
 to be like a genie

00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:12.299
 that we rub the bottle,

00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:13.119
 we make our wish,

00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:14.180
 he fixes the problem,

00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:15.700
 then he goes back in the bottle

00:17:15.700 --> 00:17:17.379
 and lets me live

00:17:17.379 --> 00:17:18.379
 my own life

00:17:18.379 --> 00:17:19.420
 on my terms.

00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.740
 And whether that is

00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:21.759
 saying the rosary

00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:22.619
 and going to church,

00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.019
 whether it's

00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:24.859
 doing yoga,

00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:25.440
 you know,

00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:26.320
 whether it's just

00:17:26.320 --> 00:17:27.880
 singing praise courses

00:17:27.880 --> 00:17:29.100
 or something like that

00:17:29.100 --> 00:17:29.860
 just because it's

00:17:29.860 --> 00:17:30.620
 something spiritual

00:17:30.620 --> 00:17:31.340
 that we happen to like,

00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:31.960
 whether it's drinking

00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:32.820
 Jack Daniels,

00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:33.600
 whatever it is,

00:17:33.880 --> 00:17:35.460
 it can have a religious form

00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:36.480
 and irreligious form.

00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:37.680
 It can have a secular form

00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:38.600
 and a spiritual form.

00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:39.640
 But bottom line

00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:41.140
 is what we don't want

00:17:41.140 --> 00:17:42.620
 is we want what we want

00:17:42.620 --> 00:17:43.559
 when we want it

00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:44.920
 in the way that we want it.

00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:46.559
 And we don't want God

00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:47.420
 getting in there,

00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:48.500
 the true and living God

00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:49.480
 messing things up.

00:17:49.840 --> 00:17:51.759
 Thank you very much.

00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:53.720
 Finger extended

00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:55.059
 back to him.

00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:59.200
 That is what we are

00:17:59.200 --> 00:18:01.079
 by nature.

00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:03.819
 It is what we are

00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:04.799
 by nature.

00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:06.680
 This is the red pill.

00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:11.039
 Religion or spirituality

00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:12.079
 that says

00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:14.120
 you just follow these rules

00:18:14.120 --> 00:18:15.279
 and then God will

00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:16.920
 be your God

00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:17.980
 and he'll accept you.

00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:19.360
 How does that work?

00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:20.880
 Well, it works exactly the same

00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:22.360
 as going into the funeral home

00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:23.799
 and speaking to all the bodies

00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:24.619
 in the caskets

00:18:24.619 --> 00:18:25.500
 and say just start

00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:26.859
 improving your diet

00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:28.659
 and you will live longer.

00:18:28.899 --> 00:18:29.719
 How does that work?

00:18:29.859 --> 00:18:30.859
 It doesn't work at all.

00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:36.179
 This is very, very, very,

00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:37.439
 very tough and bad news.

00:18:37.559 --> 00:18:38.659
 It's very counter-cultural

00:18:38.659 --> 00:18:39.219
 bad news.

00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:40.179
 But I would suggest

00:18:40.179 --> 00:18:41.039
 it's the red pill.

00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:43.219
 It's the red pill.

00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:44.879
 But

00:18:44.879 --> 00:18:47.199
 it reveals to us

00:18:47.199 --> 00:18:49.159
 that we need

00:18:49.159 --> 00:18:50.619
 a true and greater Morpheus.

00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:51.339
 We need a true

00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:52.099
 and greater Neo.

00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:53.379
 It reveals to us

00:18:53.379 --> 00:18:54.699
 that you are not the hero

00:18:54.699 --> 00:18:57.000
 that you have been waiting for.

00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:57.859
 You are not the hero

00:18:57.859 --> 00:18:59.179
 the world has been waiting for.

00:18:59.279 --> 00:18:59.799
 There is nothing

00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:00.779
 in this world

00:19:00.779 --> 00:19:01.859
 that is the hero

00:19:01.859 --> 00:19:04.119
 that you have been waiting for.

00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:04.939
 This is me.

00:19:05.159 --> 00:19:06.000
 This is us.

00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:11.839
 But this very, very stark

00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:12.919
 bad news

00:19:12.919 --> 00:19:14.459
 is a way to introduce

00:19:14.459 --> 00:19:17.839
 spectacular good news.

00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:19.220
 Look at how

00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:20.819
 the very next verse begins.

00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:22.899
 Notice how it begins

00:19:22.899 --> 00:19:23.599
 with the word

00:19:23.599 --> 00:19:24.299
 but.

00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:26.179
 It's going to tell us

00:19:26.179 --> 00:19:27.579
 that there is a true

00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:28.759
 and greater hero.

00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:30.079
 That there is, in fact,

00:19:30.179 --> 00:19:30.799
 a longing

00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:32.199
 and a dream

00:19:32.199 --> 00:19:34.399
 made flesh.

00:19:35.959 --> 00:19:36.740
 Let's read it.

00:19:37.099 --> 00:19:37.720
 But God,

00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:39.799
 this is where my translation

00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:40.359
 is just going to be

00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:41.039
 a little bit different

00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:41.559
 to bring out

00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:42.959
 the original force

00:19:42.959 --> 00:19:43.980
 of the original language.

00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:44.579
 But God,

00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:45.779
 being rich in mercy

00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:48.220
 because of the great love

00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:49.599
 with which he loved us.

00:19:49.620 --> 00:19:50.420
 This is verse 4.

00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:51.039
 But God,

00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:51.980
 being rich in mercy

00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:53.259
 because of the great love

00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:54.360
 with which he loved us,

00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:56.519
 even when we were dead

00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:58.480
 in our transgressions,

00:19:59.099 --> 00:20:01.160
 co-made us alive

00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:01.920
 with Christ.

00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:03.400
 By grace,

00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.759
 you have been saved.

00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:07.900
 And co-raised us

00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:08.680
 with him.

00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:10.980
 And co-seated us

00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:12.519
 with him

00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:14.420
 in the heavenly places

00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:16.039
 in Christ Jesus.

00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:18.420
 Look at verse 4 again.

00:20:19.360 --> 00:20:20.039
 Verse 4 goes,

00:20:20.140 --> 00:20:20.640
 but God,

00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:21.720
 being rich in mercy

00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:23.279
 because of the great love

00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:24.579
 with which he loved us.

00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:26.319
 Here's the beginning

00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:27.500
 of the good news.

00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.700
 God is rich in mercy

00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:30.319
 and he's rich in love.

00:20:33.360 --> 00:20:34.440
 Our hope

00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:35.819
 doesn't flow

00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:36.539
 from anything

00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.519
 within ourselves

00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.799
 or anything

00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:39.819
 within our world.

00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.500
 Our hope

00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:42.839
 has to come

00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:44.279
 from God

00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.579
 being rich in mercy

00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.839
 and rich in love.

00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.599
 Our hope

00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:49.019
 comes in a sense

00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:50.400
 from outside of the world

00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:51.839
 but present in the world.

00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:53.980
 There might be

00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:54.779
 some of you here

00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.380
 this morning

00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:56.039
 who are feeling

00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:57.059
 deeply unloved.

00:20:58.099 --> 00:20:59.460
 What this Bible text

00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:00.240
 is telling you,

00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:02.000
 this isn't just me

00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:04.279
 having a Maya Angelou moment.

00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:06.099
 What the text

00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:06.799
 is telling you

00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:07.440
 is there has never

00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:07.960
 been a time

00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:08.539
 in your life

00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.519
 that you have been unloved.

00:21:10.360 --> 00:21:10.880
 Never.

00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:12.680
 And if you're sitting here

00:21:12.680 --> 00:21:13.819
 right now feeling unloved,

00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.880
 you are not unloved.

00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:16.339
 There is a God

00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:17.099
 who does exist

00:21:17.099 --> 00:21:18.120
 who right now

00:21:18.120 --> 00:21:18.980
 loves you

00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:20.519
 and has always loved you.

00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:22.720
 And whatever good news

00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.640
 is going to emerge

00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:24.660
 is going to originate

00:21:24.660 --> 00:21:25.660
 out of God

00:21:25.660 --> 00:21:27.019
 who really does exist,

00:21:27.120 --> 00:21:27.940
 the living God,

00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:29.039
 the true and living God.

00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:30.400
 It is going to come

00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:31.960
 not out of the fact

00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:32.559
 that you were able

00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.640
 to wink

00:21:33.640 --> 00:21:35.500
 or accomplish something

00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.599
 or learn how to say

00:21:36.599 --> 00:21:37.279
 the rosary

00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.500
 or learn how to be good

00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.700
 or learn how to do yoga

00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:40.720
 or learn how to do

00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:41.279
 or, you know,

00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:43.359
 do all the Islamic prayers

00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:45.640
 or just be very successful

00:21:45.640 --> 00:21:45.980
 in life.

00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:48.000
 Whatever hope you have

00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:49.160
 is not going to emerge

00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:50.160
 out of anything you do

00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:51.259
 or anything you can accomplish.

00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:52.099
 It's going to emerge

00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:53.839
 out of God himself

00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:55.839
 being unfailingly loving

00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:57.359
 and unfailingly merciful.

00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.500
 That is where hope

00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:01.039
 is going to emerge out of.

00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:04.119
 But you might say,

00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:05.039
 but how can he help

00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:05.799
 a cut flower?

00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.899
 How can he help

00:22:07.899 --> 00:22:08.680
 a cut rose?

00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:10.819
 Look at what he says

00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:12.759
 in verse 5 and 6.

00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.339
 Look at what he says there

00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:14.980
 again.

00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.960
 Remember, he loves us.

00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:19.039
 He loves us not

00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:20.279
 when we've accomplished things,

00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:21.839
 but he loves us,

00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:22.500
 verse 5,

00:22:22.639 --> 00:22:24.379
 even when we were dead

00:22:24.379 --> 00:22:25.799
 in our transgressions.

00:22:26.339 --> 00:22:27.379
 And what does he do?

00:22:27.380 --> 00:22:30.520
 He co-made us alive

00:22:30.520 --> 00:22:31.360
 with Christ.

00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:32.980
 By grace,

00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:34.680
 you have been saved.

00:22:35.140 --> 00:22:37.980
 And co-raised us with him.

00:22:38.320 --> 00:22:41.240
 And co-seated us with him

00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.940
 in the heavenly places

00:22:42.940 --> 00:22:44.600
 in Christ Jesus.

00:22:46.040 --> 00:22:49.020
 Co-made, co-raised, co-seated.

00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:51.800
 Here's what the text

00:22:51.800 --> 00:22:52.800
 is trying to bring out.

00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:56.520
 The living God,

00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:58.220
 united you to Jesus,

00:22:58.900 --> 00:22:59.680
 and in him,

00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:02.299
 you have been co-made alive,

00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.579
 co-raised,

00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:05.579
 and co-seated

00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:07.819
 in the highest heaven.

00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:10.359
 You see, what happens is

00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:12.859
 Jesus is described

00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:13.559
 as Emmanuel,

00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.819
 as God with us.

00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:16.839
 God, the Son of God,

00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:18.680
 sets aside his glory

00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.660
 and his splendor

00:23:19.660 --> 00:23:20.879
 and his divine prerogatives

00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:22.119
 in appearance as God.

00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:25.299
 And remaining God

00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:26.839
 comes and is born

00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:28.419
 amongst us

00:23:28.419 --> 00:23:30.319
 and lives amongst us.

00:23:30.379 --> 00:23:31.139
 We have a hard time

00:23:31.139 --> 00:23:31.759
 thinking about that.

00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:33.019
 Just think a little bit more

00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:34.099
 about being a zygote.

00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:36.639
 Remember I told you

00:23:36.639 --> 00:23:37.539
 that if you see me,

00:23:37.619 --> 00:23:39.299
 you're seeing my grandfather's nose.

00:23:39.419 --> 00:23:40.479
 You're seeing a true nose.

00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:42.159
 See my hairline?

00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:44.019
 That's my grandfather's hairline.

00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:45.500
 You know,

00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:46.479
 I have asthma.

00:23:46.599 --> 00:23:47.779
 That's my mom's asthma.

00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:49.759
 You know,

00:23:49.940 --> 00:23:50.799
 my eyesight

00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:53.059
 didn't get that from my mom,

00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:54.279
 got that from my dad.

00:23:54.399 --> 00:23:54.559
 You know,

00:23:54.639 --> 00:23:55.059
 you can go on.

00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:55.740
 Then there's other things

00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.740
 that people wonder

00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.539
 where it comes from.

00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.160
 That's what happens

00:23:58.160 --> 00:23:59.200
 when you just, you know,

00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:00.740
 bang all those things together,

00:24:01.139 --> 00:24:02.240
 the DNA of two people

00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.779
 into a blender.

00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:05.819
 But here's the point.

00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.940
 If you went and saw

00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:10.740
 a baby picture of me at one,

00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.200
 you might say,

00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:11.539
 look at that,

00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:12.119
 that's George.

00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:12.940
 I can look at that.

00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:13.940
 I can see his nose

00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:14.960
 is cuter then,

00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:16.299
 but that's George.

00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:17.579
 I can tell from his eyes

00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:18.699
 just the way he looks, right?

00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:20.220
 But you look at a zygote,

00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:20.960
 if there was able

00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:21.960
 to go back in time

00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:22.500
 and there was able

00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.259
 to be a camera

00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:24.259
 that could take a picture

00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:25.240
 of you as a zygote,

00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:26.319
 you don't look like that at all.

00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:28.919
 Zygots don't have noses.

00:24:30.939 --> 00:24:32.720
 But everything that makes you you

00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:33.639
 is right there

00:24:33.639 --> 00:24:34.460
 in that second,

00:24:34.699 --> 00:24:35.399
 that moment

00:24:35.399 --> 00:24:37.859
 when you become a zygote,

00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:39.119
 when you become you.

00:24:39.919 --> 00:24:41.099
 Doesn't look like you.

00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:42.299
 Doesn't have your power.

00:24:42.419 --> 00:24:43.119
 Doesn't have your intellect.

00:24:43.339 --> 00:24:44.240
 Doesn't have your charm.

00:24:44.379 --> 00:24:44.980
 Doesn't have your wit.

00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:45.639
 But it's you

00:24:45.639 --> 00:24:46.980
 with nothing left.

00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.880
 It's you.

00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.860
 And if we understand that

00:24:50.860 --> 00:24:51.640
 as a human level,

00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.160
 then we understand

00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:53.059
 that God does something

00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:53.819
 the very same thing

00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.299
 with his son.

00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:54.880
 That God,

00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:55.799
 the son of God,

00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:58.279
 sets aside his divine prerogatives,

00:24:58.400 --> 00:24:59.579
 his appearance as God,

00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:00.960
 but remaining still

00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.799
 by nature,

00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:03.759
 God takes into himself

00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.640
 our human nature

00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.120
 and lives

00:25:05.120 --> 00:25:06.339
 and walks amongst us.

00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:08.019
 And he lives a life

00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:09.319
 where he is not

00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:10.500
 in rebellion against God.

00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:11.079
 He is not

00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:12.440
 in separation from God.

00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.380
 He is in complete

00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:14.819
 harmony and obedience

00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:15.619
 to God

00:25:15.619 --> 00:25:16.799
 in love of God

00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.599
 and in love of us.

00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:19.059
 He came and dwelt among us

00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.879
 out of love.

00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:21.159
 He dwelt among us.

00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:22.139
 And in time

00:25:22.139 --> 00:25:22.799
 and in history,

00:25:22.939 --> 00:25:23.740
 he is betrayed.

00:25:23.899 --> 00:25:24.619
 He is condemned

00:25:24.619 --> 00:25:26.519
 and he dies upon the cross

00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:27.879
 and there is a charge

00:25:27.879 --> 00:25:28.779
 put about him

00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:30.419
 as he dies on the cross.

00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.480
 And his death

00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:32.159
 upon the cross

00:25:32.159 --> 00:25:33.200
 happens in history

00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:34.319
 just as he spends

00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:35.559
 three days in the grave

00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:37.099
 and then on the third day,

00:25:37.439 --> 00:25:38.539
 the grave is empty.

00:25:39.119 --> 00:25:40.359
 The body is gone.

00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:41.879
 He is risen.

00:25:42.600 --> 00:25:43.780
 He has defeated death

00:25:43.780 --> 00:25:45.100
 and he appears

00:25:45.100 --> 00:25:46.340
 to prove

00:25:46.340 --> 00:25:48.120
 that he is physically alive

00:25:48.120 --> 00:25:49.380
 and has defeated death

00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:50.900
 in a wide range

00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:52.180
 of resurrection appearances

00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:53.380
 over 40 days

00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.640
 in many different locations

00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:55.580
 to very, very many

00:25:55.580 --> 00:25:56.300
 different people

00:25:56.300 --> 00:25:57.520
 privately in groups,

00:25:57.860 --> 00:25:58.600
 different locations.

00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.860
 He is alive.

00:26:01.360 --> 00:26:02.100
 But that death

00:26:02.100 --> 00:26:02.800
 upon the cross

00:26:02.800 --> 00:26:03.820
 happened in history.

00:26:04.880 --> 00:26:05.940
 But because

00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:07.160
 he is not just

00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:07.800
 the man,

00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.600
 Jesus Christ,

00:26:08.680 --> 00:26:09.800
 but also God,

00:26:09.900 --> 00:26:10.660
 the Son of God

00:26:10.660 --> 00:26:11.520
 made flesh,

00:26:11.880 --> 00:26:12.640
 his death

00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:13.460
 upon the cross

00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:14.480
 is not just

00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:15.480
 something that happens

00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.200
 in time,

00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.920
 but something that happens

00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:19.300
 outside of time

00:26:19.300 --> 00:26:21.700
 in eternity.

00:26:21.860 --> 00:26:22.980
 Outside of time,

00:26:23.040 --> 00:26:23.520
 which means

00:26:23.520 --> 00:26:24.420
 it can be present

00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:25.040
 and available

00:26:25.040 --> 00:26:26.300
 at any time

00:26:26.300 --> 00:26:27.420
 to any person.

00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:29.260
 And what this text

00:26:29.260 --> 00:26:29.660
 is saying

00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:30.600
 so powerfully

00:26:30.600 --> 00:26:31.240
 is this.

00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:33.660
 God,

00:26:33.820 --> 00:26:34.800
 by the Holy Spirit,

00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:36.080
 moves and works in you.

00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:37.060
 We'll see this

00:26:37.060 --> 00:26:37.500
 in a moment,

00:26:37.600 --> 00:26:38.240
 by which

00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:40.080
 you come to realize

00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:41.179
 that God the Father

00:26:41.179 --> 00:26:42.460
 is calling to you

00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:43.519
 in your state of rebellion

00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.699
 and calling to you

00:26:44.699 --> 00:26:45.659
 in your state of death

00:26:45.659 --> 00:26:46.399
 and saying,

00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:47.319
 come to me.

00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.879
 I long to have you

00:26:48.879 --> 00:26:49.539
 as mine.

00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:51.279
 And as you,

00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:52.099
 with the help

00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:52.859
 of the Holy Spirit,

00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.519
 say, yes,

00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:54.559
 Jesus,

00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.559
 be my Savior

00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.039
 and Lord.

00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:57.759
 What actually happens

00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:59.179
 is that,

00:26:59.240 --> 00:27:00.099
 is as if

00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:01.019
 God,

00:27:01.119 --> 00:27:01.819
 the Son of God,

00:27:01.939 --> 00:27:02.220
 Jesus,

00:27:02.399 --> 00:27:02.939
 who has died

00:27:02.939 --> 00:27:03.879
 upon the cross

00:27:03.879 --> 00:27:05.099
 to take your place,

00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:07.119
 He has identified

00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:08.039
 so completely

00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:08.579
 and utterly

00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.079
 with you

00:27:09.079 --> 00:27:09.779
 and He is

00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:11.119
 your substitute,

00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:11.740
 He is your act

00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:12.359
 of exchange

00:27:12.359 --> 00:27:13.399
 and He comes

00:27:13.399 --> 00:27:14.139
 and He unites

00:27:14.139 --> 00:27:14.819
 with you,

00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.119
 with you.

00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.039
 And so,

00:27:19.139 --> 00:27:20.019
 by this profound

00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:21.519
 act of identification,

00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:22.500
 substitution,

00:27:22.699 --> 00:27:23.539
 and exchange

00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:25.139
 that both

00:27:25.139 --> 00:27:26.019
 happened in history

00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:26.679
 but because

00:27:26.679 --> 00:27:27.279
 He is God,

00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:28.039
 the Son of God

00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:29.019
 is also outside

00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:29.779
 of history,

00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.740
 that even though

00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.719
 I live

00:27:32.719 --> 00:27:33.619
 1900,

00:27:33.619 --> 00:27:36.079
 22,000

00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:36.539
 some years

00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:37.239
 after He died

00:27:37.239 --> 00:27:38.059
 and rose from the dead

00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.979
 but because

00:27:38.979 --> 00:27:39.839
 it's outside of time

00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.759
 when I put my faith

00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:41.639
 and trust in Jesus,

00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:42.219
 God,

00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.239
 Jesus,

00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:44.939
 embraces me

00:27:44.939 --> 00:27:45.899
 and unites with me

00:27:45.899 --> 00:27:47.179
 so that on the cross

00:27:47.179 --> 00:27:50.279
 He died with me

00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:51.199
 and I died with Him.

00:27:53.879 --> 00:27:55.159
 And on Easter Sunday

00:27:55.159 --> 00:27:57.159
 He is still so united

00:27:57.159 --> 00:27:57.579
 with me

00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.339
 and is so united

00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:58.879
 with you

00:27:58.879 --> 00:28:00.599
 that He rose

00:28:00.599 --> 00:28:01.299
 from the dead

00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:02.639
 and you rose

00:28:02.639 --> 00:28:03.219
 from the dead.

00:28:03.619 --> 00:28:05.839
 and just as He

00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:06.359
 has ascended

00:28:06.359 --> 00:28:06.959
 into heaven

00:28:06.959 --> 00:28:07.479
 and is seated

00:28:07.479 --> 00:28:08.119
 at the right hand

00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:08.659
 of God,

00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:11.479
 so are you

00:28:11.479 --> 00:28:14.059
 because you are

00:28:14.059 --> 00:28:14.799
 united with Him.

00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.039
 Profound

00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:18.379
 act,

00:28:19.479 --> 00:28:19.899
 miracle

00:28:19.899 --> 00:28:21.459
 that only

00:28:21.459 --> 00:28:22.379
 God

00:28:22.379 --> 00:28:23.239
 can do

00:28:23.239 --> 00:28:24.659
 and He did it

00:28:24.659 --> 00:28:25.959
 for you

00:28:25.959 --> 00:28:27.199
 and for me.

00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:35.200
 It's all grace.

00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:38.039
 All grace.

00:28:40.120 --> 00:28:40.860
 This image

00:28:40.860 --> 00:28:41.620
 of the seated

00:28:41.620 --> 00:28:43.299
 in a sense

00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:44.240
 that's already true

00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.000
 but in another sense

00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:45.559
 it's not true.

00:28:45.620 --> 00:28:46.380
 I live in the already

00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:46.920
 not yet

00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:47.559
 because obviously

00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.539
 I'm not sitting there

00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:49.120
 right now.

00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.180
 But I wonder

00:28:51.180 --> 00:28:53.340
 just 15 years ago

00:28:53.340 --> 00:28:54.360
 I tried to do the math

00:28:54.359 --> 00:28:55.240
 15 years ago

00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:56.559
 there was a man

00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:57.500
 that Louise and I knew

00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.459
 and he wanted to do

00:28:58.459 --> 00:28:59.259
 a fundraiser

00:28:59.259 --> 00:29:00.759
 at the National Arts Center

00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:02.539
 and this is 15 years ago

00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.539
 we had a $500

00:29:03.539 --> 00:29:04.500
 a seat

00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:06.399
 $500 a plate meal.

00:29:07.679 --> 00:29:08.119
 $500

00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:09.259
 15 years ago

00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:09.959
 I don't know what that is

00:29:09.959 --> 00:29:10.459
 like what's that

00:29:10.459 --> 00:29:10.839
 like that

00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.579
 $2,000

00:29:11.579 --> 00:29:12.839
 like going to a $2,000

00:29:12.839 --> 00:29:13.979
 a plate meal today.

00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:15.240
 Let me just tell you

00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:16.119
 Louise and I

00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:16.979
 don't normally go

00:29:16.979 --> 00:29:18.240
 to meals like that.

00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:19.019
 In fact we would never

00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:20.059
 go to a meal like that.

00:29:20.139 --> 00:29:21.000
 We wouldn't spend the money

00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.740
 we don't have the money

00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:23.920
 but this fellow

00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:25.380
 we'll call him Bob

00:29:25.380 --> 00:29:26.680
 he said I'd like you

00:29:26.680 --> 00:29:27.339
 to come to this

00:29:27.339 --> 00:29:28.000
 and we were actually

00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:28.579
 a bit nervous

00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:30.119
 because I don't know

00:29:30.119 --> 00:29:31.180
 like how exactly

00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:32.000
 like we just think

00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:32.880
 we don't hang out

00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:33.859
 with a crowd like that

00:29:33.859 --> 00:29:34.279
 like how do you

00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:35.039
 hold the wine glass

00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:35.660
 how do you do this

00:29:35.660 --> 00:29:36.279
 how do you do that

00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:37.000
 we don't really have

00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.900
 the clothes for it

00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:38.720
 we got some clothes

00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.920
 not nearly at their level

00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:41.099
 or anything like that

00:29:41.099 --> 00:29:41.740
 we go to this

00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.920
 but here's the thing

00:29:42.920 --> 00:29:43.460
 we go there

00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:44.440
 we know nobody

00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:45.500
 we don't know people

00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:47.000
 who go to $2,000

00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:47.900
 a plate meals

00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:50.400
 unless one of you folks

00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:50.859
 go to them

00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:51.740
 and I just don't realize

00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.699
 you go to meals like that

00:29:52.699 --> 00:29:53.959
 then I guess I do know somebody

00:29:53.959 --> 00:29:54.379
 and it would have been

00:29:54.379 --> 00:29:55.119
 a bit of a shock

00:29:55.119 --> 00:29:55.500
 you know

00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:57.159
 almost as big of a shock

00:29:57.159 --> 00:29:57.939
 as the first time

00:29:57.939 --> 00:29:59.379
 I ever went to jail

00:29:59.379 --> 00:30:00.139
 the very first time

00:30:00.139 --> 00:30:00.879
 I ever went to jail

00:30:00.879 --> 00:30:01.759
 to visit somebody

00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:03.179
 to my shock

00:30:03.179 --> 00:30:03.979
 and another person's

00:30:03.979 --> 00:30:04.740
 was another person

00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:05.579
 from my church

00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:09.599
 he was really shocked

00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:10.679
 when I walked in the door

00:30:10.679 --> 00:30:11.919
 and I was pretty shocked

00:30:11.919 --> 00:30:12.599
 to see him

00:30:12.599 --> 00:30:13.559
 and I would be

00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:14.519
 almost as shocked

00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:15.339
 if I walked into

00:30:15.339 --> 00:30:17.019
 a $2,000 plate meal

00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:18.119
 and one of you were there

00:30:18.119 --> 00:30:19.599
 I'd go wow

00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:20.740
 but here's the thing

00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.079
 here's the thing

00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:21.859
 about the co-seated

00:30:21.859 --> 00:30:22.200
 right

00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:27.019
 Bob paid for the plates

00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:29.099
 Bob paid for Louise and me

00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:30.559
 he gave us the tickets

00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:32.220
 and what's more

00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:34.359
 he also said

00:30:34.359 --> 00:30:35.779
 don't worry about

00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:36.700
 where you're sitting

00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:38.140
 you're sitting

00:30:38.140 --> 00:30:39.400
 at the head table

00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:40.460
 with me

00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:45.500
 we didn't have to find our seat

00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:47.960
 and we went into

00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:48.680
 that reception

00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:49.680
 what did we know

00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:51.319
 we'd be sitting

00:30:51.319 --> 00:30:52.279
 with

00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:53.900
 actually I'll say his name

00:30:53.900 --> 00:30:55.059
 he's with the Lord

00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:56.440
 we were sitting with Tom

00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:59.420
 as his guests

00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:01.180
 at the head table

00:31:01.180 --> 00:31:06.799
 united with Christ

00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:09.099
 that is you

00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:14.079
 that is what awaits you

00:31:14.079 --> 00:31:14.639
 when you die

00:31:14.639 --> 00:31:15.699
 and it's no longer

00:31:15.699 --> 00:31:16.179
 the already

00:31:16.179 --> 00:31:16.679
 not yet

00:31:16.679 --> 00:31:17.779
 it is the already

00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:25.379
 you feel unloved

00:31:25.379 --> 00:31:26.919
 you feel no hope

00:31:26.919 --> 00:31:28.119
 you feel rejected

00:31:28.119 --> 00:31:30.719
 listen to what God says

00:31:30.719 --> 00:31:31.879
 listen to what the text

00:31:31.879 --> 00:31:32.919
 of scripture continues

00:31:32.919 --> 00:31:33.399
 to teach

00:31:33.399 --> 00:31:34.019
 look at verses

00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:35.099
 7 through 9

00:31:35.099 --> 00:31:38.000
 remember he said

00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:39.139
 he seated us with Christ

00:31:39.139 --> 00:31:39.819
 in the heavenly places

00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:40.399
 verse 7

00:31:40.399 --> 00:31:41.819
 so that in the coming ages

00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:42.899
 why does God do this

00:31:42.899 --> 00:31:44.199
 why does God unite us

00:31:44.199 --> 00:31:44.779
 with Jesus

00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:46.279
 in the power of the Holy Spirit

00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:47.899
 why does he do this miracle

00:31:47.899 --> 00:31:48.559
 within us

00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:49.579
 that we cannot do

00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:50.359
 by our own power

00:31:50.359 --> 00:31:52.779
 so that in the coming ages

00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:54.539
 any age that might come

00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:56.159
 he might show

00:31:56.159 --> 00:31:57.959
 the immeasurable riches

00:31:57.959 --> 00:31:59.099
 of his grace

00:31:59.099 --> 00:32:00.279
 in kindness

00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:01.719
 toward us

00:32:01.719 --> 00:32:02.980
 toward us

00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:04.559
 in Christ

00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:05.740
 Jesus

00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:10.019
 look at that verse again

00:32:10.019 --> 00:32:12.539
 so that in the coming ages

00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:14.319
 any age that you will face

00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:16.579
 he might show

00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:18.319
 the immeasurable riches

00:32:18.319 --> 00:32:19.139
 of his grace

00:32:19.139 --> 00:32:19.819
 and kindness

00:32:19.819 --> 00:32:20.659
 towards us

00:32:20.659 --> 00:32:21.619
 in Christ

00:32:21.619 --> 00:32:22.619
 Jesus

00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:25.919
 and it continues

00:32:25.919 --> 00:32:27.119
 he just wants to drive

00:32:27.119 --> 00:32:28.339
 the point home

00:32:28.339 --> 00:32:29.819
 for by grace

00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:31.440
 you have been saved

00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:32.659
 through faith

00:32:32.660 --> 00:32:34.380
 and this is not

00:32:34.380 --> 00:32:35.240
 your own doing

00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:37.040
 it is the gift of God

00:32:37.040 --> 00:32:38.620
 not a result of works

00:32:38.620 --> 00:32:40.100
 so that no one

00:32:40.100 --> 00:32:41.200
 may boast

00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:43.000
 look how he brings it home

00:32:43.000 --> 00:32:44.019
 he reminds us again

00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:44.880
 how has this happened

00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:45.400
 has it happened

00:32:45.400 --> 00:32:46.720
 because George is white

00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:47.220
 has it happened

00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:48.480
 because he's well educated

00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:48.940
 has it happened

00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:50.000
 because he's a Canadian

00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:50.759
 does it happen

00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.740
 because he's a priest

00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:52.480
 no

00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:54.059
 by grace

00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:55.660
 I have been saved

00:32:55.660 --> 00:32:56.519
 by grace

00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:57.900
 you are saved

00:32:57.900 --> 00:32:59.059
 saved means

00:32:59.059 --> 00:33:00.019
 we were lost

00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:01.620
 by grace

00:33:01.620 --> 00:33:02.779
 you have been saved

00:33:02.779 --> 00:33:03.960
 how does this happen

00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:05.460
 only by faith

00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:07.200
 only by accepting

00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:09.259
 only by accepting

00:33:09.259 --> 00:33:10.160
 what God

00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:11.059
 has completely

00:33:11.059 --> 00:33:11.660
 and utterly

00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:12.620
 done for you

00:33:12.620 --> 00:33:14.000
 with nothing else

00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:14.400
 it isn't

00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:15.259
 you have to be good

00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:16.140
 until you can have faith

00:33:16.140 --> 00:33:16.480
 it isn't

00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:17.420
 you have to go to church

00:33:17.420 --> 00:33:18.220
 before you have faith

00:33:18.220 --> 00:33:18.700
 it isn't

00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:19.859
 you have to become successful

00:33:19.859 --> 00:33:20.120
 it isn't

00:33:20.120 --> 00:33:21.099
 you have to become married

00:33:21.099 --> 00:33:22.359
 it doesn't have to have children

00:33:22.359 --> 00:33:23.559
 it doesn't have to have

00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:25.019
 your sexuality dealt with

00:33:25.019 --> 00:33:25.879
 or anything like that

00:33:25.879 --> 00:33:27.000
 it has nothing to do

00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:28.399
 with what you have to do

00:33:28.399 --> 00:33:29.439
 or what you can accomplish

00:33:29.439 --> 00:33:29.879
 because

00:33:29.879 --> 00:33:31.419
 you are

00:33:31.419 --> 00:33:32.939
 a cut rose

00:33:32.939 --> 00:33:34.799
 and so am I

00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:35.659
 so was I

00:33:35.659 --> 00:33:37.879
 you are saved

00:33:37.879 --> 00:33:39.639
 by God's action

00:33:39.639 --> 00:33:41.139
 received by faith

00:33:41.139 --> 00:33:42.299
 and to make it clear

00:33:42.299 --> 00:33:43.919
 it's not your own doing

00:33:43.919 --> 00:33:46.199
 is it become

00:33:46.199 --> 00:33:47.599
 because I've worked hard

00:33:47.599 --> 00:33:48.719
 and it's like my wages

00:33:48.719 --> 00:33:49.159
 no

00:33:49.159 --> 00:33:50.879
 it is the gift of God

00:33:50.880 --> 00:33:52.300
 to remind us again

00:33:52.300 --> 00:33:54.060
 not a result of works

00:33:54.060 --> 00:33:54.620
 why

00:33:54.620 --> 00:33:56.160
 so no one

00:33:56.160 --> 00:33:57.680
 no one

00:33:57.680 --> 00:33:59.160
 no one

00:33:59.160 --> 00:34:00.560
 may boast

00:34:00.560 --> 00:34:02.700
 look at me

00:34:02.700 --> 00:34:04.720
 look how successful I am

00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.360
 look at me

00:34:05.360 --> 00:34:06.580
 I can say the liturgy

00:34:06.580 --> 00:34:07.140
 really well

00:34:07.140 --> 00:34:08.599
 I can sing praises well

00:34:08.599 --> 00:34:09.820
 I know bible verses

00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:11.000
 I have things memorized

00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:12.260
 no boasting

00:34:12.260 --> 00:34:14.260
 none

00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:21.040
 it is a foolish

00:34:21.040 --> 00:34:21.840
 delusion

00:34:21.840 --> 00:34:22.620
 to boast

00:34:22.620 --> 00:34:23.600
 before the Lord

00:34:23.600 --> 00:34:26.600
 it is wisdom

00:34:26.600 --> 00:34:27.400
 to learn

00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:28.840
 to humbly boast

00:34:28.840 --> 00:34:30.000
 in

00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:30.880
 the Lord

00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:32.960
 there is an obvious

00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:33.520
 problem

00:34:33.520 --> 00:34:34.640
 of proud Christians

00:34:34.640 --> 00:34:36.080
 of which I am one

00:34:36.079 --> 00:34:41.840
 one of the things

00:34:41.840 --> 00:34:42.539
 for us to take

00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:43.139
 from this

00:34:43.139 --> 00:34:45.559
 when we

00:34:45.559 --> 00:34:47.719
 get bent out

00:34:47.719 --> 00:34:48.079
 of shape

00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:49.199
 because of our pride

00:34:49.199 --> 00:34:51.639
 it is

00:34:51.639 --> 00:34:52.440
 all grace

00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:53.340
 it is all

00:34:53.340 --> 00:34:53.799
 a gift

00:34:53.799 --> 00:34:55.679
 so it is a foolish

00:34:55.679 --> 00:34:56.619
 delusion

00:34:56.619 --> 00:34:57.199
 to boast

00:34:57.199 --> 00:34:57.940
 about anything

00:34:57.940 --> 00:34:58.880
 that I have done

00:34:58.880 --> 00:34:59.980
 when the Lord

00:34:59.980 --> 00:35:00.619
 is present

00:35:00.619 --> 00:35:02.279
 it is wisdom

00:35:02.279 --> 00:35:02.759
 to learn

00:35:02.759 --> 00:35:03.440
 to humbly

00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:03.860
 boast

00:35:03.860 --> 00:35:04.500
 in him

00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:07.120
 it is all

00:35:07.120 --> 00:35:07.800
 his doing

00:35:07.800 --> 00:35:10.700
 it is none

00:35:10.700 --> 00:35:11.160
 of mine

00:35:11.160 --> 00:35:14.680
 we will just

00:35:14.680 --> 00:35:15.480
 finish the text

00:35:15.480 --> 00:35:15.940
 in verse

00:35:15.940 --> 00:35:17.740
 10

00:35:17.740 --> 00:35:18.620
 oh by the way

00:35:18.620 --> 00:35:19.120
 just one other

00:35:19.120 --> 00:35:19.559
 thing here

00:35:19.559 --> 00:35:19.880
 just

00:35:19.880 --> 00:35:21.780
 almost finished

00:35:21.780 --> 00:35:23.099
 you see one of

00:35:23.099 --> 00:35:23.579
 the things here

00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:24.620
 which is so important

00:35:24.620 --> 00:35:26.019
 this is just like

00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:27.180
 a bit of a time

00:35:27.180 --> 00:35:27.740
 thing

00:35:27.740 --> 00:35:30.340
 for a Christian

00:35:30.340 --> 00:35:32.120
 we need to get

00:35:32.120 --> 00:35:32.940
 our identity

00:35:32.940 --> 00:35:34.700
 from this text

00:35:34.700 --> 00:35:35.659
 and not

00:35:35.659 --> 00:35:36.619
 from nature

00:35:36.619 --> 00:35:39.740
 I'm not a white

00:35:39.740 --> 00:35:40.220
 Christian

00:35:40.220 --> 00:35:46.200
 there's no black

00:35:46.200 --> 00:35:46.639
 Christians

00:35:46.639 --> 00:35:47.860
 there's no white

00:35:47.860 --> 00:35:48.320
 Christians

00:35:48.320 --> 00:35:49.240
 there's no gay

00:35:49.240 --> 00:35:49.679
 Christians

00:35:49.679 --> 00:35:50.900
 there's no heterosexual

00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:51.679
 Christians

00:35:51.679 --> 00:35:53.179
 if you're a Christian

00:35:53.179 --> 00:35:54.039
 your identity

00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:54.880
 comes from Christ

00:35:54.880 --> 00:35:55.920
 not from your nature

00:35:55.920 --> 00:35:58.980
 you're not a conservative

00:35:58.980 --> 00:35:59.639
 Christian

00:35:59.639 --> 00:36:01.320
 you're not a liberal

00:36:01.320 --> 00:36:01.940
 Christian

00:36:01.940 --> 00:36:03.320
 if you're a Christian

00:36:03.320 --> 00:36:04.019
 your identity

00:36:04.019 --> 00:36:04.920
 my identity

00:36:04.920 --> 00:36:06.079
 has to come

00:36:06.079 --> 00:36:07.280
 not from nature

00:36:07.280 --> 00:36:11.079
 but from this new reality

00:36:11.079 --> 00:36:13.019
 that God

00:36:13.019 --> 00:36:14.280
 has won for me

00:36:14.280 --> 00:36:15.280
 and given me

00:36:15.280 --> 00:36:16.179
 in Christ

00:36:16.179 --> 00:36:18.500
 just bringing it to a close

00:36:18.500 --> 00:36:19.679
 did I put verse 10 up there

00:36:19.679 --> 00:36:20.400
 no I haven't

00:36:20.400 --> 00:36:21.280
 let's put it up here

00:36:21.280 --> 00:36:22.760
 just to bring it to a close

00:36:22.760 --> 00:36:23.860
 how shall we then live

00:36:23.860 --> 00:36:25.280
 this is really interesting

00:36:25.280 --> 00:36:26.099
 how shall we then live

00:36:26.099 --> 00:36:27.059
 if this is all true

00:36:27.059 --> 00:36:28.500
 does this mean

00:36:28.500 --> 00:36:29.519
 that we've been raised

00:36:29.519 --> 00:36:30.619
 and co-seated with Christ

00:36:30.619 --> 00:36:31.420
 so we rule

00:36:31.420 --> 00:36:32.820
 so that we think

00:36:32.820 --> 00:36:33.820
 we're better than others

00:36:33.820 --> 00:36:34.980
 so that we become

00:36:34.980 --> 00:36:35.659
 the elite

00:36:35.659 --> 00:36:37.099
 would the true

00:36:37.099 --> 00:36:37.599
 Christian

00:36:37.599 --> 00:36:38.440
 would the true

00:36:38.440 --> 00:36:39.239
 best society

00:36:39.239 --> 00:36:39.719
 be one

00:36:39.719 --> 00:36:40.860
 where only Christians

00:36:40.860 --> 00:36:41.519
 are elected

00:36:41.519 --> 00:36:43.039
 so that we can have power

00:36:43.039 --> 00:36:43.800
 because we are

00:36:43.800 --> 00:36:44.440
 the elite

00:36:44.440 --> 00:36:45.440
 no

00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:47.800
 no

00:36:47.800 --> 00:36:50.559
 look at verse 10

00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:51.980
 for we are

00:36:51.980 --> 00:36:52.659
 his workmanship

00:36:52.659 --> 00:36:56.899
 created in Christ Jesus

00:36:56.899 --> 00:36:58.559
 for good works

00:36:58.559 --> 00:37:00.379
 which God prepared

00:37:00.379 --> 00:37:01.019
 beforehand

00:37:01.019 --> 00:37:02.699
 that we should walk in

00:37:02.699 --> 00:37:06.119
 not that we rule

00:37:06.119 --> 00:37:09.319
 but that as the gospel

00:37:09.319 --> 00:37:10.319
 grabs us

00:37:10.319 --> 00:37:11.399
 as it becomes

00:37:11.399 --> 00:37:12.839
 the way that we understand

00:37:12.839 --> 00:37:13.659
 our identity

00:37:13.659 --> 00:37:15.299
 as it becomes

00:37:15.299 --> 00:37:16.899
 the place on which we stand

00:37:16.899 --> 00:37:18.460
 the air with which

00:37:18.460 --> 00:37:19.139
 we breathe

00:37:19.139 --> 00:37:20.960
 the food with which we eat

00:37:20.960 --> 00:37:22.519
 the covering over our head

00:37:22.519 --> 00:37:23.639
 the center of our identity

00:37:23.639 --> 00:37:24.360
 of who we are

00:37:24.360 --> 00:37:26.320
 it starts to push us

00:37:26.320 --> 00:37:27.639
 and ground us

00:37:27.639 --> 00:37:28.980
 to show compassion

00:37:28.980 --> 00:37:30.360
 to be generous

00:37:30.360 --> 00:37:31.480
 to forgive

00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:33.360
 to seek to serve

00:37:33.360 --> 00:37:35.179
 to seek the common good

00:37:35.179 --> 00:37:36.559
 to not care

00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:37.599
 if we rule

00:37:37.599 --> 00:37:38.659
 as we seek

00:37:38.659 --> 00:37:39.800
 the common good

00:37:39.800 --> 00:37:40.960
 to be faithful

00:37:40.960 --> 00:37:41.940
 in our marriages

00:37:41.940 --> 00:37:43.699
 to treat people

00:37:43.699 --> 00:37:44.480
 with dignity

00:37:44.480 --> 00:37:45.739
 and respect

00:37:45.739 --> 00:37:47.219
 and integrity

00:37:47.219 --> 00:37:48.639
 as the gospel

00:37:48.639 --> 00:37:49.759
 grips us

00:37:49.759 --> 00:37:51.179
 as it grounds us

00:37:51.179 --> 00:37:52.259
 as we breathe it

00:37:52.260 --> 00:37:53.380
 as we eat it

00:37:53.380 --> 00:37:54.900
 as it surrounds us

00:37:54.900 --> 00:37:56.060
 as it covers us

00:37:56.060 --> 00:37:57.200
 as we live in it

00:37:57.200 --> 00:37:58.020
 as we see

00:37:58.020 --> 00:37:59.100
 that the story

00:37:59.100 --> 00:37:59.960
 of our lives

00:37:59.960 --> 00:38:00.940
 is the story

00:38:00.940 --> 00:38:01.680
 of the gospel

00:38:01.680 --> 00:38:03.380
 as that grounds us

00:38:03.380 --> 00:38:06.440
 then we learn

00:38:06.440 --> 00:38:07.260
 to face adversity

00:38:07.260 --> 00:38:07.860
 in a different way

00:38:07.860 --> 00:38:09.300
 we learn to show compassion

00:38:09.300 --> 00:38:10.220
 we learn to seek

00:38:10.220 --> 00:38:10.960
 the good

00:38:10.960 --> 00:38:12.000
 of our city

00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:12.540
 and the good

00:38:12.540 --> 00:38:13.280
 of our workplace

00:38:13.280 --> 00:38:14.120
 and the good

00:38:14.120 --> 00:38:15.380
 of the world

00:38:15.380 --> 00:38:17.960
 we learn to be generous

00:38:17.960 --> 00:38:19.960
 we learn to be generous

00:38:19.960 --> 00:38:20.960
 we learn to be generous

00:38:20.960 --> 00:38:22.480
 just want to wrap it all up

00:38:22.480 --> 00:38:26.599
 with a challenge

00:38:26.599 --> 00:38:27.960
 here's the first one

00:38:27.960 --> 00:38:28.599
 if you are here

00:38:28.599 --> 00:38:29.300
 and you have not yet

00:38:29.300 --> 00:38:29.840
 given your life

00:38:29.840 --> 00:38:30.420
 to Jesus

00:38:30.420 --> 00:38:32.139
 the Bible

00:38:32.139 --> 00:38:33.179
 is not proposing

00:38:33.179 --> 00:38:34.019
 an hypothesis

00:38:34.019 --> 00:38:37.380
 the living God

00:38:37.380 --> 00:38:38.500
 is making a proposal

00:38:38.500 --> 00:38:39.220
 to you

00:38:39.220 --> 00:38:39.940
 this morning

00:38:39.940 --> 00:38:41.400
 he's making a proposal

00:38:41.400 --> 00:38:41.820
 to you

00:38:41.820 --> 00:38:42.380
 and here's what

00:38:42.380 --> 00:38:42.980
 he's proposing

00:38:42.980 --> 00:38:43.500
 to you

00:38:43.500 --> 00:38:44.519
 it's a proposal

00:38:44.519 --> 00:38:46.420
 will you let me

00:38:46.420 --> 00:38:47.139
 come to you

00:38:47.139 --> 00:38:48.239
 with grace and mercy

00:38:48.239 --> 00:38:53.800
 unite you with Christ

00:38:53.800 --> 00:38:56.400
 and make you alive

00:38:56.400 --> 00:38:59.860
 the Bible here

00:38:59.860 --> 00:39:00.380
 isn't something

00:39:00.380 --> 00:39:01.079
 that we can win

00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:02.320
 debates with Dawkins

00:39:02.320 --> 00:39:03.099
 or we can win

00:39:03.099 --> 00:39:04.259
 debates with a Hindu

00:39:04.259 --> 00:39:04.980
 or a Muslim

00:39:04.980 --> 00:39:05.960
 it's not about that

00:39:05.960 --> 00:39:09.380
 if the Bible

00:39:09.380 --> 00:39:10.079
 and the gospel

00:39:10.079 --> 00:39:10.800
 doesn't grip us

00:39:10.800 --> 00:39:11.759
 so we have compassion

00:39:11.759 --> 00:39:12.199
 and love

00:39:12.199 --> 00:39:13.079
 for real people

00:39:13.079 --> 00:39:15.239
 if it just becomes

00:39:15.239 --> 00:39:16.039
 debating points

00:39:16.039 --> 00:39:16.699
 we haven't actually

00:39:16.699 --> 00:39:17.119
 heard it

00:39:17.119 --> 00:39:17.840
 God himself

00:39:17.840 --> 00:39:18.460
 this morning

00:39:18.460 --> 00:39:19.000
 if you have not

00:39:19.000 --> 00:39:19.460
 given your life

00:39:19.460 --> 00:39:19.779
 to Christ

00:39:19.779 --> 00:39:20.759
 God himself

00:39:20.759 --> 00:39:21.860
 is saying to you

00:39:21.860 --> 00:39:25.460
 will you let me

00:39:25.460 --> 00:39:26.079
 come to you

00:39:26.079 --> 00:39:27.039
 with grace and mercy

00:39:27.039 --> 00:39:28.480
 will you let me

00:39:28.480 --> 00:39:29.579
 unite you with Christ

00:39:29.579 --> 00:39:30.920
 will you let me

00:39:30.920 --> 00:39:31.819
 make you alive

00:39:31.819 --> 00:39:34.340
 for those of us

00:39:34.340 --> 00:39:35.099
 who are in Christ

00:39:35.099 --> 00:39:37.340
 the Bible

00:39:37.340 --> 00:39:38.099
 is not proposing

00:39:38.099 --> 00:39:38.860
 an hypothesis

00:39:38.860 --> 00:39:41.539
 Jesus is asking you

00:39:41.539 --> 00:39:42.639
 and he's asking me

00:39:42.639 --> 00:39:44.659
 have you forgotten

00:39:44.659 --> 00:39:46.039
 that you are

00:39:46.039 --> 00:39:46.879
 united to me

00:39:46.879 --> 00:39:49.019
 that you have

00:39:49.019 --> 00:39:49.980
 been made alive

00:39:49.980 --> 00:39:51.299
 raised and seated

00:39:51.299 --> 00:39:51.799
 with me

00:39:51.799 --> 00:39:53.679
 it's the proposition

00:39:53.679 --> 00:39:54.779
 that Jesus is saying

00:39:54.779 --> 00:39:55.559
 to each one of us

00:39:55.559 --> 00:39:55.940
 this morning

00:39:55.940 --> 00:39:56.719
 have you forgotten

00:39:56.719 --> 00:39:58.039
 have you forgotten

00:39:58.039 --> 00:39:59.279
 that you are united

00:39:59.279 --> 00:39:59.719
 with me

00:39:59.719 --> 00:40:00.480
 have you forgotten

00:40:00.480 --> 00:40:02.159
 that you've been

00:40:02.159 --> 00:40:03.500
 made alive with me

00:40:03.500 --> 00:40:04.179
 have you forgotten

00:40:04.179 --> 00:40:04.619
 that you've been

00:40:04.619 --> 00:40:05.179
 raised with me

00:40:05.179 --> 00:40:06.000
 have you forgotten

00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:08.199
 that you're co-seated

00:40:08.199 --> 00:40:08.619
 with me

00:40:08.619 --> 00:40:09.619
 in the high heavens

00:40:09.619 --> 00:40:13.599
 is this truth becoming your identity

00:40:13.599 --> 00:40:14.920
 in the way you see the world

00:40:14.920 --> 00:40:16.719
 in the way you understand who you are

00:40:16.719 --> 00:40:18.900
 is this helping you understand

00:40:18.900 --> 00:40:21.000
 your failures and your successes

00:40:21.000 --> 00:40:22.920
 your trials and your successes

00:40:22.920 --> 00:40:23.859
 and your tribulations

00:40:23.859 --> 00:40:25.539
 have you forgotten this

00:40:25.539 --> 00:40:27.960
 please stand

00:40:27.960 --> 00:40:40.840
 if you are here

00:40:40.840 --> 00:40:42.579
 and you do not

00:40:42.579 --> 00:40:44.420
 have not given your life to Christ

00:40:44.420 --> 00:40:46.260
 that proposal was very serious

00:40:46.260 --> 00:40:47.159
 that's what

00:40:47.159 --> 00:40:49.360
 that's what God's word

00:40:49.360 --> 00:40:50.559
 is saying to you

00:40:50.559 --> 00:40:51.139
 not George

00:40:51.139 --> 00:40:52.320
 God's word is saying to you

00:40:52.320 --> 00:40:54.220
 and I encourage you to take the moment

00:40:54.220 --> 00:40:57.059
 to ignore the rest of my words

00:40:57.059 --> 00:40:58.679
 and just call out to Jesus

00:40:58.679 --> 00:40:59.420
 and say yes

00:40:59.420 --> 00:41:01.119
 I would like to accept that proposal

00:41:01.119 --> 00:41:05.840
 I'd like to have Jesus united with me

00:41:05.840 --> 00:41:09.719
 I would like that

00:41:09.719 --> 00:41:11.239
 I say yes

00:41:11.239 --> 00:41:13.420
 take the time to do it

00:41:13.420 --> 00:41:14.519
 like just do it now

00:41:14.519 --> 00:41:17.519
 but for the rest of us

00:41:17.519 --> 00:41:19.739
 and then after you've said that prayer

00:41:19.739 --> 00:41:20.420
 you join with this

00:41:20.420 --> 00:41:21.119
 Father

00:41:21.119 --> 00:41:23.779
 thank you that

00:41:23.779 --> 00:41:25.480
 that your word isn't just

00:41:25.480 --> 00:41:27.159
 so we can be clever in arguments

00:41:27.159 --> 00:41:29.159
 or witty in conversation

00:41:29.159 --> 00:41:30.039
 but that Father

00:41:30.039 --> 00:41:32.679
 you make this proposal to us

00:41:32.679 --> 00:41:32.940
 that you

00:41:32.940 --> 00:41:34.340
 that Jesus himself

00:41:34.340 --> 00:41:35.240
 is asking us

00:41:35.240 --> 00:41:36.039
 if we remember

00:41:36.039 --> 00:41:37.199
 who we are in him

00:41:37.199 --> 00:41:38.800
 and what he has done for us

00:41:38.800 --> 00:41:40.500
 and so Father

00:41:40.500 --> 00:41:41.599
 you know how easy it is

00:41:41.599 --> 00:41:42.380
 for us to forget

00:41:42.380 --> 00:41:43.679
 you know how easy it is

00:41:43.679 --> 00:41:44.880
 for us to get sidetracked

00:41:44.880 --> 00:41:46.280
 and still you love us

00:41:46.280 --> 00:41:48.480
 and we thank you Father

00:41:48.480 --> 00:41:49.340
 for this time

00:41:49.340 --> 00:41:50.300
 when your words

00:41:50.300 --> 00:41:52.199
 directly speak to us

00:41:52.199 --> 00:41:52.619
 and Father

00:41:52.619 --> 00:41:53.760
 we ask that you help us

00:41:53.760 --> 00:41:54.280
 to remember

00:41:54.280 --> 00:41:55.160
 and that you help us

00:41:55.160 --> 00:41:56.700
 to live out of this

00:41:56.700 --> 00:41:59.040
 true and real identity

00:41:59.040 --> 00:42:00.720
 that has been one in history

00:42:00.720 --> 00:42:02.160
 and is true for all eternity

00:42:02.160 --> 00:42:03.420
 for every age

00:42:03.420 --> 00:42:04.340
 that we might face

00:42:04.340 --> 00:42:05.880
 that we might live

00:42:05.880 --> 00:42:07.320
 out of this identity

00:42:07.320 --> 00:42:07.960
 in Christ

00:42:07.960 --> 00:42:09.400
 knowing we are united

00:42:09.400 --> 00:42:09.860
 with him

00:42:09.860 --> 00:42:10.720
 made alive

00:42:10.720 --> 00:42:12.020
 co-made alive

00:42:12.020 --> 00:42:12.380
 with him

00:42:12.380 --> 00:42:13.460
 co-raised with him

00:42:13.460 --> 00:42:14.440
 and will one day

00:42:14.440 --> 00:42:15.960
 see face to face

00:42:15.960 --> 00:42:17.420
 what is now only true

00:42:17.420 --> 00:42:19.380
 in longing and hoping

00:42:19.380 --> 00:42:20.880
 that we will be seated with him

00:42:20.880 --> 00:42:22.060
 that that is the final word

00:42:22.059 --> 00:42:22.539
 about us

00:42:22.539 --> 00:42:23.299
 and help us Father

00:42:23.299 --> 00:42:24.779
 to live generous

00:42:24.779 --> 00:42:25.599
 compassionate

00:42:25.599 --> 00:42:26.279
 forgiving

00:42:26.279 --> 00:42:28.480
 lives

00:42:28.480 --> 00:42:31.039
 ground in that truth

00:42:31.039 --> 00:42:32.920
 and all God's people said

00:42:32.920 --> 00:42:34.059
 Amen