WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.719 It was my daughter, actually, who helped me figure out where to start this sermon. 00:00:04.719 --> 00:00:14.460 This week, when I picked her up from preschool, she presented me with a hand fistful of yellow autumn leaves. 00:00:15.179 --> 00:00:21.500 She saw something so special in them, but I saw work. 00:00:22.719 --> 00:00:23.500 And I'll tell you why. 00:00:23.580 --> 00:00:27.260 Because we live in a townhouse surrounded by deciduous trees. 00:00:27.260 --> 00:00:36.000 Because every April marks this perpetual leave tide, and it just rains down into our backyard. 00:00:36.920 --> 00:00:43.060 And the leaves go brown and die quickly, and they stink unless we're consistently cleaning them up quickly. 00:00:43.620 --> 00:00:50.859 And even if we keep up with the mess, the leaves still clog the downpipes and drains. 00:00:50.859 --> 00:01:01.200 And it feels like whenever I see autumn leaves on the ground, it just reminds me that they serve no good purpose anymore. 00:01:01.200 --> 00:01:08.760 But up on the trees above our house, they're beautiful. 00:01:09.859 --> 00:01:13.000 The colors changing from green to yellow to orange to red. 00:01:13.439 --> 00:01:15.740 They're also giving life to their tree. 00:01:16.180 --> 00:01:20.600 They're way better up there, serving their purpose. 00:01:21.200 --> 00:01:23.219 Leaves are better on a tree. 00:01:23.219 --> 00:01:28.420 But then they fall down, and they're blown about by the wind. 00:01:29.340 --> 00:01:32.760 They're dead, and you can see as their colors fade day by day. 00:01:34.019 --> 00:01:38.640 I mean, even by the time we got home, that little fistful of leaves that had gone into the bag, 00:01:38.680 --> 00:01:41.780 when we pulled it out to chuck them in the bin, they were brown already. 00:01:41.780 --> 00:01:50.799 It's the wind that makes them look alive and move about like they've got somewhere to be. 00:01:51.460 --> 00:01:54.240 And I can tell you that somewhere is my backyard. 00:01:55.060 --> 00:02:00.900 All the leaves in Sydney have got somewhere to be, and that's in our little courtyard in Marsfield. 00:02:00.900 --> 00:02:07.540 So as I sweep my yard this autumn, or I watch my kids do it for me, 00:02:07.900 --> 00:02:14.159 I wish the leaves were back on their trees, better serving their purpose. 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:18.900 But as I sweep, I'm going to consider my own purpose, 00:02:19.000 --> 00:02:23.420 and consider what I should be doing to better serve my purpose. 00:02:23.419 --> 00:02:34.199 Because before I knew God, I was just like an autumn leaf blowing about in the breeze. 00:02:35.139 --> 00:02:37.339 I had purpose for my life. 00:02:39.259 --> 00:02:41.119 Purposes which I thought were good. 00:02:42.419 --> 00:02:46.139 Work to do, people to see, places to be. 00:02:48.359 --> 00:02:51.319 But then God showed up in my life, and by grace, 00:02:51.319 --> 00:02:54.979 He took me, this dead little useless leaf, 00:02:55.319 --> 00:02:58.419 and He breathed life back into me. 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:02.239 Now I've got an eternal future because of God. 00:03:02.519 --> 00:03:07.379 No breeze can bring an old dead leaf back to life. 00:03:07.439 --> 00:03:11.459 And the world or myself couldn't breathe life back into myself. 00:03:13.359 --> 00:03:16.719 God acted in love to save me. 00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:19.699 And God wishes that all would be saved, 00:03:19.699 --> 00:03:22.819 and be led and guided on the journey back to Him, 00:03:22.919 --> 00:03:23.699 through confession, 00:03:24.839 --> 00:03:25.459 of sin, 00:03:26.539 --> 00:03:27.339 through the Bible, 00:03:28.019 --> 00:03:28.659 through prayer. 00:03:31.119 --> 00:03:35.199 These gifts of the Christian life that we've been talking about for the last three weeks. 00:03:36.299 --> 00:03:40.039 And the great and glorious news in our passage today 00:03:40.039 --> 00:03:45.919 is that God has another gift to help us on this journey. 00:03:46.560 --> 00:03:49.699 And the gift is each other. 00:03:51.699 --> 00:03:54.899 He gathers up these living leaves, 00:03:55.039 --> 00:03:58.039 people who He has breathed life back into, 00:03:58.259 --> 00:04:02.859 and He grafts them back into the lifeblood of a tree, 00:04:03.180 --> 00:04:05.759 altogether beautiful again, 00:04:05.759 --> 00:04:09.199 contributing to the mission and the purpose 00:04:09.199 --> 00:04:12.539 of what God has saved us to do, 00:04:13.079 --> 00:04:13.519 together. 00:04:14.959 --> 00:04:16.659 And when we're together, we're better, 00:04:16.939 --> 00:04:18.379 because we serve that purpose. 00:04:18.800 --> 00:04:21.120 And just like the beautiful trees above my house, 00:04:21.539 --> 00:04:23.360 before those leaves come down, 00:04:24.480 --> 00:04:26.599 God's people, 00:04:27.060 --> 00:04:27.620 these people, 00:04:27.740 --> 00:04:28.219 look around, 00:04:28.220 --> 00:04:31.060 these tired Sunday morning people, 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:33.820 are your gift 00:04:33.820 --> 00:04:35.680 for the journey home. 00:04:38.380 --> 00:04:40.740 A Christian's purpose 00:04:40.740 --> 00:04:44.140 is to glorify God. 00:04:44.880 --> 00:04:46.820 And we discover that purpose 00:04:46.820 --> 00:04:48.400 through what Jesus did 00:04:48.400 --> 00:04:49.440 on the cross. 00:04:49.540 --> 00:04:50.340 And to see that, 00:04:50.800 --> 00:04:52.680 and to find out more about this gift 00:04:52.680 --> 00:04:53.720 that I'm talking about, 00:04:55.220 --> 00:04:57.700 this gift that we are from God, 00:04:58.220 --> 00:05:01.720 open up Hebrews 10. 00:05:03.360 --> 00:05:04.480 If you don't have a Bible, 00:05:05.260 --> 00:05:07.200 people in red vests can frisbee one to you. 00:05:08.220 --> 00:05:08.720 This one, 00:05:09.660 --> 00:05:11.600 most of the New Testament is falling apart, 00:05:11.660 --> 00:05:13.040 so I won't frisbee this one to you. 00:05:13.480 --> 00:05:15.060 It will fly over the room 00:05:15.060 --> 00:05:16.660 like autumn leaves. 00:05:18.420 --> 00:05:20.080 Open up to Hebrews 10, 00:05:20.080 --> 00:05:21.200 verse 19. 00:05:25.500 --> 00:05:27.400 Therefore, brothers and sisters, 00:05:28.220 --> 00:05:30.120 since we have confidence 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:31.900 to enter the most holy place 00:05:31.900 --> 00:05:32.880 by the blood of Jesus, 00:05:33.540 --> 00:05:34.840 by a new and living way 00:05:34.840 --> 00:05:35.940 open to us 00:05:35.940 --> 00:05:38.240 for us through the curtain, 00:05:38.680 --> 00:05:39.180 that is, 00:05:39.740 --> 00:05:40.340 his body. 00:05:41.020 --> 00:05:42.500 Since we have a great high priest 00:05:42.500 --> 00:05:43.440 over the house of God, 00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:44.660 let us draw near to God 00:05:44.660 --> 00:05:45.820 with a sincere heart 00:05:45.820 --> 00:05:46.940 and a full assurance 00:05:46.940 --> 00:05:47.720 that faith brings, 00:05:47.820 --> 00:05:49.260 having our hearts sprinkled 00:05:49.260 --> 00:05:50.260 to cleanse us 00:05:50.260 --> 00:05:51.580 from a guilty conscience 00:05:51.580 --> 00:05:52.960 and having our bodies 00:05:52.960 --> 00:05:53.740 washed 00:05:53.740 --> 00:05:55.880 with pure water. 00:05:55.879 --> 00:05:55.959 father. 00:05:59.639 --> 00:06:01.420 When I hear that 00:06:01.420 --> 00:06:03.439 and hear what Jesus 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:04.139 has achieved 00:06:04.139 --> 00:06:05.000 on the cross, 00:06:05.360 --> 00:06:06.560 I imagine 00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:09.339 myself as that little leaf 00:06:09.339 --> 00:06:10.019 being grafted 00:06:10.019 --> 00:06:10.740 into a tree 00:06:10.740 --> 00:06:14.199 like the cross. 00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:17.939 The gift 00:06:17.939 --> 00:06:18.800 of faith 00:06:18.800 --> 00:06:19.740 and peace 00:06:19.740 --> 00:06:21.199 comes through 00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:22.519 the cross 00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:23.639 of Jesus. 00:06:23.639 --> 00:06:29.219 And that brings with us 00:06:29.219 --> 00:06:30.079 a desire 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:31.800 toward God. 00:06:33.180 --> 00:06:34.779 Let us draw near 00:06:34.779 --> 00:06:35.839 to God. 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:38.680 We no longer rely 00:06:38.680 --> 00:06:39.539 on the world 00:06:39.539 --> 00:06:41.699 or ourselves 00:06:41.699 --> 00:06:43.240 glorifying the wind 00:06:43.240 --> 00:06:44.120 for blowing us about. 00:06:44.259 --> 00:06:44.399 No. 00:06:44.719 --> 00:06:46.539 We now glorify God. 00:06:47.180 --> 00:06:48.639 The Christian purpose is 00:06:48.639 --> 00:06:50.819 to do whatever it is 00:06:50.819 --> 00:06:53.219 that glorifies God. 00:06:53.220 --> 00:06:53.260 God. 00:06:54.580 --> 00:06:56.220 So the one key way 00:06:56.220 --> 00:06:57.580 we can pursue that purpose 00:06:57.580 --> 00:06:58.600 is gather together 00:06:58.600 --> 00:07:00.000 and like this passage 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:00.720 says, 00:07:01.260 --> 00:07:02.520 spur one another on 00:07:02.520 --> 00:07:03.240 toward love 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:05.080 and good deeds. 00:07:05.880 --> 00:07:06.640 So gathering together 00:07:06.640 --> 00:07:07.880 is a key thing 00:07:07.880 --> 00:07:08.840 for Christians 00:07:08.840 --> 00:07:09.520 and that's why 00:07:09.520 --> 00:07:10.340 we're here right now. 00:07:10.580 --> 00:07:11.120 That's why we do 00:07:11.120 --> 00:07:11.800 community groups. 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:13.060 That's why you catch up 00:07:13.060 --> 00:07:13.460 for coffee 00:07:13.460 --> 00:07:14.560 and actually connect 00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:15.600 with one another 00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:16.500 and hear about 00:07:16.500 --> 00:07:17.120 what's going on 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:18.040 in each other's lives. 00:07:18.520 --> 00:07:19.260 It's through 00:07:19.260 --> 00:07:20.280 gathering together 00:07:20.279 --> 00:07:21.479 that helps 00:07:21.479 --> 00:07:22.519 this purpose 00:07:22.519 --> 00:07:23.939 of glorifying God 00:07:23.939 --> 00:07:25.039 thrive. 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:27.979 So let me say 00:07:27.979 --> 00:07:29.179 four things 00:07:29.179 --> 00:07:30.679 from our passage 00:07:30.679 --> 00:07:31.239 today 00:07:31.239 --> 00:07:32.759 about gathering. 00:07:33.599 --> 00:07:34.699 First thing, 00:07:35.839 --> 00:07:36.519 take note 00:07:36.519 --> 00:07:37.719 that in verse 25 00:07:37.719 --> 00:07:41.139 the Bible commands 00:07:41.139 --> 00:07:42.859 that we not 00:07:42.859 --> 00:07:44.019 give up meeting 00:07:44.019 --> 00:07:44.619 together 00:07:44.619 --> 00:07:46.159 on this journey. 00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:48.240 while we might 00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:48.939 be saved 00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:49.580 individually 00:07:49.580 --> 00:07:50.980 we confess 00:07:50.980 --> 00:07:51.580 to God 00:07:51.580 --> 00:07:52.200 and we read 00:07:52.200 --> 00:07:52.980 and we pray 00:07:52.980 --> 00:07:54.520 and we can do 00:07:54.520 --> 00:07:55.320 that on our own 00:07:55.320 --> 00:07:56.800 we're told 00:07:56.800 --> 00:07:57.860 to do the journey 00:07:57.860 --> 00:07:58.620 home 00:07:58.620 --> 00:07:59.600 together. 00:08:00.640 --> 00:08:01.680 We need to read 00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:02.060 this 00:08:02.060 --> 00:08:02.879 and obey it 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:05.240 and here's why. 00:08:06.580 --> 00:08:07.640 I can't read 00:08:07.640 --> 00:08:07.940 this 00:08:07.940 --> 00:08:08.940 and obey it 00:08:08.940 --> 00:08:10.120 and show up 00:08:10.120 --> 00:08:10.680 to church 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:12.960 and gather 00:08:12.960 --> 00:08:13.460 together 00:08:13.460 --> 00:08:14.480 on my own. 00:08:14.980 --> 00:08:15.640 I need you. 00:08:16.900 --> 00:08:17.680 You can't 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:18.180 show up 00:08:18.180 --> 00:08:18.780 to a community 00:08:18.780 --> 00:08:19.200 group 00:08:19.200 --> 00:08:19.939 excited 00:08:19.939 --> 00:08:20.460 to gather 00:08:20.460 --> 00:08:20.880 together 00:08:20.880 --> 00:08:21.260 and pray 00:08:21.260 --> 00:08:21.700 with one 00:08:21.700 --> 00:08:21.980 another 00:08:21.980 --> 00:08:22.300 and hear 00:08:22.300 --> 00:08:22.800 God speak 00:08:22.800 --> 00:08:23.060 and do 00:08:23.060 --> 00:08:23.700 life together 00:08:23.700 --> 00:08:25.080 and be the 00:08:25.080 --> 00:08:25.340 only one 00:08:25.340 --> 00:08:25.660 who shows 00:08:25.660 --> 00:08:25.939 up. 00:08:27.500 --> 00:08:28.460 We can't 00:08:28.460 --> 00:08:29.140 obey this 00:08:29.140 --> 00:08:29.660 passage 00:08:29.660 --> 00:08:30.760 without each 00:08:30.760 --> 00:08:30.960 other. 00:08:32.160 --> 00:08:32.600 We need 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:33.600 to obediently 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:34.000 commit 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:34.899 to meeting 00:08:34.899 --> 00:08:35.399 together 00:08:35.399 --> 00:08:36.740 together. 00:08:38.680 --> 00:08:39.200 Second, 00:08:39.379 --> 00:08:39.800 take note 00:08:39.800 --> 00:08:40.120 of that 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:41.220 scary word 00:08:41.220 --> 00:08:41.680 there in 00:08:41.680 --> 00:08:42.700 verse 25 00:08:42.700 --> 00:08:43.460 straight after 00:08:43.460 --> 00:08:44.580 as some 00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:45.200 are in the 00:08:45.200 --> 00:08:45.660 habit 00:08:45.659 --> 00:08:47.100 of doing. 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:50.659 People have 00:08:50.659 --> 00:08:52.519 in this 00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:53.240 passage here 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:53.779 it says 00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:54.379 people have 00:08:54.379 --> 00:08:55.459 habitually 00:08:55.459 --> 00:08:56.819 given up 00:08:56.819 --> 00:08:58.120 meeting 00:08:58.120 --> 00:08:58.620 together. 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:00.639 Now habits 00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:01.179 are really 00:09:01.179 --> 00:09:01.639 hard to 00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:02.000 break. 00:09:02.980 --> 00:09:03.459 They are 00:09:03.459 --> 00:09:04.699 a dependability 00:09:04.699 --> 00:09:05.799 pattern 00:09:05.799 --> 00:09:07.179 in our 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:07.659 lives. 00:09:08.199 --> 00:09:08.620 But God 00:09:08.620 --> 00:09:09.199 can break 00:09:09.199 --> 00:09:11.039 bad habits. 00:09:11.220 --> 00:09:11.639 He has the 00:09:11.639 --> 00:09:12.319 power to break 00:09:12.319 --> 00:09:12.879 any habit. 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:14.100 But note 00:09:14.100 --> 00:09:14.379 here in 00:09:14.379 --> 00:09:14.539 this 00:09:14.539 --> 00:09:14.980 passage 00:09:14.980 --> 00:09:16.620 that there 00:09:16.620 --> 00:09:16.980 is no 00:09:16.980 --> 00:09:17.759 space 00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:19.100 for 00:09:19.100 --> 00:09:21.080 personality 00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:22.039 or 00:09:22.039 --> 00:09:23.220 preference 00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:24.299 to get 00:09:24.299 --> 00:09:24.519 in the 00:09:24.519 --> 00:09:24.840 way of 00:09:24.840 --> 00:09:25.240 obeying 00:09:25.240 --> 00:09:25.559 God 00:09:25.559 --> 00:09:25.939 here 00:09:25.939 --> 00:09:27.240 in his 00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:27.580 call 00:09:27.580 --> 00:09:28.379 for us 00:09:28.379 --> 00:09:28.659 to meet 00:09:28.659 --> 00:09:29.100 together. 00:09:30.500 --> 00:09:31.179 Whatever 00:09:31.179 --> 00:09:31.820 our 00:09:31.820 --> 00:09:32.559 habitual 00:09:32.559 --> 00:09:33.279 rebellion 00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:33.720 against 00:09:33.720 --> 00:09:34.059 meeting 00:09:34.059 --> 00:09:34.519 together 00:09:34.519 --> 00:09:35.159 is 00:09:35.159 --> 00:09:36.579 then it's 00:09:36.579 --> 00:09:37.219 unhelpful 00:09:37.219 --> 00:09:38.879 and a 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:39.279 spurning 00:09:39.279 --> 00:09:39.600 of a 00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:39.959 critical 00:09:39.959 --> 00:09:40.500 gift 00:09:40.500 --> 00:09:41.600 that God 00:09:41.600 --> 00:09:42.419 gives us 00:09:42.419 --> 00:09:43.039 for the 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:43.299 journey. 00:09:43.559 --> 00:09:44.419 Now I've 00:09:44.419 --> 00:09:45.360 spoken to 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:46.879 Christians 00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:48.799 professing 00:09:48.799 --> 00:09:49.279 Christians 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:50.120 people who I 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:50.819 love and care 00:09:50.819 --> 00:09:51.779 for who have 00:09:51.779 --> 00:09:52.980 literally said to 00:09:52.980 --> 00:09:53.799 me and I'm 00:09:53.799 --> 00:09:54.259 quoting them 00:09:54.259 --> 00:09:55.360 here they've 00:09:55.360 --> 00:09:55.779 said that 00:09:55.779 --> 00:09:56.679 they're not 00:09:56.679 --> 00:09:57.399 Bible study 00:09:57.399 --> 00:09:58.000 people. 00:09:58.000 --> 00:10:01.139 And another 00:10:01.139 --> 00:10:02.899 I'm just not 00:10:02.899 --> 00:10:03.620 suited to 00:10:03.620 --> 00:10:04.240 church going. 00:10:06.539 --> 00:10:07.399 I've even 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:08.039 heard Christians 00:10:08.039 --> 00:10:09.159 explain themselves 00:10:09.159 --> 00:10:09.779 by saying 00:10:09.779 --> 00:10:11.159 we prefer 00:10:11.159 --> 00:10:13.059 doing church 00:10:13.059 --> 00:10:14.059 on our 00:10:14.059 --> 00:10:14.360 own. 00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:17.379 How is 00:10:17.379 --> 00:10:17.919 there room 00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:18.860 for those 00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:19.360 attitudes 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:20.980 to stand 00:10:20.980 --> 00:10:22.200 if we want 00:10:22.200 --> 00:10:22.639 to bother 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:23.279 reading this 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:23.720 verse and 00:10:23.720 --> 00:10:24.139 obey it? 00:10:24.139 --> 00:10:26.159 if that's 00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:26.580 you or 00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:26.980 you know a 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:28.279 Christian who 00:10:28.279 --> 00:10:29.519 habitually avoids 00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:30.159 gathering with 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:30.779 God's people 00:10:30.779 --> 00:10:31.639 in whatever way 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:32.220 that is 00:10:32.220 --> 00:10:33.919 then you 00:10:33.919 --> 00:10:34.559 or they 00:10:34.559 --> 00:10:35.620 are really 00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:36.240 missing out. 00:10:37.759 --> 00:10:38.840 Be ready to 00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:39.460 be wrong 00:10:39.460 --> 00:10:40.819 about how you 00:10:40.819 --> 00:10:41.340 approach 00:10:41.340 --> 00:10:42.860 meeting together 00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:44.240 and just 00:10:44.240 --> 00:10:44.919 because it's 00:10:44.919 --> 00:10:45.360 a habit 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:47.080 doesn't mean 00:10:47.080 --> 00:10:47.759 that habit 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:48.179 is a good 00:10:48.179 --> 00:10:48.580 thing. 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:52.120 So here's 00:10:52.120 --> 00:10:53.240 why obedience 00:10:53.240 --> 00:10:53.899 and breaking 00:10:53.899 --> 00:10:54.480 that bad 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:55.019 habit of 00:10:55.019 --> 00:10:55.360 avoiding 00:10:55.360 --> 00:10:55.659 meeting 00:10:55.659 --> 00:10:56.079 together 00:10:56.079 --> 00:10:56.679 are 00:10:56.679 --> 00:10:57.299 important 00:10:57.299 --> 00:10:58.319 because 00:10:58.319 --> 00:11:00.480 the day 00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:01.699 is 00:11:01.699 --> 00:11:02.240 approaching. 00:11:03.059 --> 00:11:03.519 Look at 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:03.819 the end of 00:11:03.819 --> 00:11:04.539 verse 25 00:11:04.539 --> 00:11:04.879 there. 00:11:05.039 --> 00:11:05.220 It says 00:11:05.220 --> 00:11:05.860 meet together 00:11:05.860 --> 00:11:06.799 and then 00:11:06.799 --> 00:11:07.899 all the 00:11:07.899 --> 00:11:08.340 more 00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:09.259 as you 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:09.720 see 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:10.720 the day 00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:11.779 approaching. 00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:13.659 This is 00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:14.220 point three. 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:15.539 God wants 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:16.240 us to be 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:17.000 meeting together 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:18.399 more frequently 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:20.620 as the 00:11:20.620 --> 00:11:21.039 day 00:11:21.039 --> 00:11:21.720 approaches. 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:22.360 Now that 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:22.819 day 00:11:22.820 --> 00:11:23.680 is 00:11:23.680 --> 00:11:24.560 Christ's 00:11:24.560 --> 00:11:25.080 second 00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:25.980 coming. 00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:27.820 That day 00:11:27.820 --> 00:11:28.500 is drawing 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:29.240 near. 00:11:29.340 --> 00:11:29.600 But how 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:29.820 do we 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:30.060 know? 00:11:30.900 --> 00:11:31.240 How do 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:31.540 we know 00:11:31.540 --> 00:11:31.900 that we're 00:11:31.900 --> 00:11:32.280 nearing 00:11:32.280 --> 00:11:33.540 the day? 00:11:34.940 --> 00:11:35.580 It's a pretty 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:36.160 good question 00:11:36.160 --> 00:11:38.580 because I 00:11:38.580 --> 00:11:39.080 needed help 00:11:39.080 --> 00:11:39.760 answering that 00:11:39.760 --> 00:11:40.600 and I got 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:41.020 some help 00:11:41.020 --> 00:11:41.420 from John 00:11:41.420 --> 00:11:41.940 Piper this 00:11:41.940 --> 00:11:42.260 week that 00:11:42.260 --> 00:11:42.620 was really 00:11:42.620 --> 00:11:43.160 helpful and 00:11:43.160 --> 00:11:43.640 he would 00:11:43.640 --> 00:11:44.460 send us 00:11:44.460 --> 00:11:45.800 to Matthew 00:11:45.799 --> 00:11:46.579 24 00:11:46.579 --> 00:11:48.039 verse 12 00:11:48.039 --> 00:11:49.399 where Jesus 00:11:49.399 --> 00:11:50.259 is describing 00:11:50.259 --> 00:11:51.019 in that 00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:51.459 chapter 00:11:51.459 --> 00:11:52.359 what is 00:11:52.359 --> 00:11:52.819 going to 00:11:52.819 --> 00:11:53.120 happen 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:53.659 before he 00:11:53.659 --> 00:11:54.299 comes again. 00:11:55.199 --> 00:11:56.120 What the 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:57.000 coming age 00:11:57.000 --> 00:11:58.759 that before 00:11:58.759 --> 00:11:59.779 his coming 00:11:59.779 --> 00:12:00.299 is going to 00:12:00.299 --> 00:12:00.859 look like. 00:12:04.019 --> 00:12:04.819 And it 00:12:04.819 --> 00:12:05.419 says there 00:12:05.419 --> 00:12:06.139 in the 00:12:06.139 --> 00:12:06.659 second half 00:12:06.659 --> 00:12:07.259 of verse 00:12:07.259 --> 00:12:07.899 12. 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:09.759 The love 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:10.460 of most 00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:12.220 will grow 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:12.899 cold. 00:12:15.700 --> 00:12:16.379 Do you 00:12:16.379 --> 00:12:17.100 look around? 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:19.919 Maybe around 00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:20.399 this room? 00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:21.980 Do you look 00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:22.500 at Christians 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:23.539 around the 00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:23.840 place? 00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:24.279 Do you look 00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:24.779 in your own 00:12:24.779 --> 00:12:25.679 life and see 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:26.840 love for God 00:12:26.840 --> 00:12:27.399 and love for 00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:28.120 people growing 00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:28.580 cold? 00:12:28.580 --> 00:12:31.440 I look 00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:31.920 at when 00:12:31.920 --> 00:12:33.400 I was first 00:12:33.400 --> 00:12:34.500 saved and I 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:35.060 first knew 00:12:35.060 --> 00:12:36.160 Jesus and I 00:12:36.160 --> 00:12:37.040 wonder where 00:12:37.040 --> 00:12:37.940 that excitement 00:12:37.940 --> 00:12:39.240 and love for 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:40.180 other people 00:12:40.180 --> 00:12:41.000 has gone 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:42.220 in my life. 00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:43.660 I'm really 00:12:43.660 --> 00:12:44.280 challenged 00:12:44.280 --> 00:12:45.139 because I feel 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:45.759 like my love 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:46.460 is cooling 00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:47.160 off. 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:50.360 And to add 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:50.780 to that 00:12:50.780 --> 00:12:51.940 I'm over 00:12:51.940 --> 00:12:52.700 30 now so 00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:53.220 I feel like 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:54.259 I'm able 00:12:54.259 --> 00:12:55.140 and old 00:12:55.140 --> 00:12:56.440 enough to 00:12:56.440 --> 00:12:57.180 kind of look 00:12:57.180 --> 00:12:57.660 at the friends 00:12:57.660 --> 00:12:58.340 around me and 00:12:58.340 --> 00:12:59.440 see a trend. 00:13:00.460 --> 00:13:01.120 And the 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:01.780 friends of 00:13:01.780 --> 00:13:02.280 mine who I 00:13:02.280 --> 00:13:02.560 knew who 00:13:02.560 --> 00:13:03.040 were gunning 00:13:03.040 --> 00:13:03.600 for God 00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:03.899 when they 00:13:03.899 --> 00:13:04.379 were 20 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:07.300 have a 00:13:07.300 --> 00:13:08.080 frozen love 00:13:08.080 --> 00:13:08.480 of God 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:08.840 when they're 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:09.160 30. 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:11.940 Not all 00:13:11.940 --> 00:13:12.280 of them 00:13:12.280 --> 00:13:13.480 but some 00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:13.840 of them. 00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:14.560 And I see 00:13:14.560 --> 00:13:15.040 the cooling 00:13:15.040 --> 00:13:15.600 of Christian 00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:16.780 hearts all 00:13:16.780 --> 00:13:17.180 over the 00:13:17.180 --> 00:13:17.680 world around 00:13:17.680 --> 00:13:17.920 me. 00:13:19.100 --> 00:13:19.820 And I see 00:13:19.820 --> 00:13:20.180 it in some 00:13:20.180 --> 00:13:20.540 of the members 00:13:20.540 --> 00:13:20.840 of this 00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:21.259 church. 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:22.120 I've got to 00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:22.500 be honest. 00:13:22.820 --> 00:13:23.420 I think the 00:13:23.420 --> 00:13:24.000 day is drawing 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:24.340 near. 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:25.320 I read 00:13:25.320 --> 00:13:27.440 Matthew 24 00:13:27.440 --> 00:13:28.460 verse 12 00:13:28.460 --> 00:13:29.520 and I 00:13:29.520 --> 00:13:29.860 agree. 00:13:31.640 --> 00:13:33.460 So we 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:33.880 need to be 00:13:33.880 --> 00:13:34.460 meeting together 00:13:34.460 --> 00:13:35.160 more frequently. 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:36.560 As the 00:13:36.560 --> 00:13:37.440 passage implies 00:13:37.440 --> 00:13:39.640 it's the 00:13:39.640 --> 00:13:40.580 benefit of 00:13:40.580 --> 00:13:41.340 meeting together 00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:41.760 that we 00:13:41.760 --> 00:13:43.020 actually need 00:13:43.020 --> 00:13:44.360 as the 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:44.720 day is 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:45.380 drawing near. 00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:46.420 And the 00:13:46.420 --> 00:13:47.000 benefit is 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:47.380 this. 00:13:47.380 --> 00:13:48.240 Have a look 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:49.280 back in our 00:13:49.280 --> 00:13:49.800 passage at 00:13:49.800 --> 00:13:50.560 verse 24. 00:13:50.559 --> 00:13:52.619 the culmination 00:13:52.619 --> 00:13:53.000 of meeting 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:54.299 together will 00:13:54.299 --> 00:13:56.879 be our 00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:57.379 collective 00:13:57.379 --> 00:13:58.959 growth in 00:13:58.959 --> 00:14:00.319 love and 00:14:00.319 --> 00:14:01.039 good deeds. 00:14:02.059 --> 00:14:02.759 That's why we 00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:03.519 meet together. 00:14:03.859 --> 00:14:04.439 That's why we 00:14:04.439 --> 00:14:04.939 need to meet 00:14:04.939 --> 00:14:05.500 together more 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:06.019 frequently. 00:14:06.519 --> 00:14:06.959 We need to 00:14:06.959 --> 00:14:08.279 heat up our 00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:09.679 cooling love 00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:11.059 for God 00:14:11.059 --> 00:14:12.179 and for each 00:14:12.179 --> 00:14:12.399 other. 00:14:14.659 --> 00:14:15.439 How does 00:14:15.439 --> 00:14:15.979 gathering with 00:14:15.979 --> 00:14:16.559 other Christians 00:14:16.559 --> 00:14:17.159 grow this 00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:17.919 active visible 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:18.719 love for God 00:14:18.719 --> 00:14:19.179 and for each 00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:19.379 other? 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:22.439 Let me 00:14:22.439 --> 00:14:22.859 explain. 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:27.299 We 00:14:27.299 --> 00:14:29.799 fight 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:31.699 unbelief 00:14:31.699 --> 00:14:33.239 together. 00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:34.579 Beneath 00:14:34.579 --> 00:14:35.419 that target 00:14:35.419 --> 00:14:37.059 of love 00:14:37.059 --> 00:14:37.399 that we 00:14:37.399 --> 00:14:37.679 want to 00:14:37.679 --> 00:14:38.339 grow in, 00:14:38.439 --> 00:14:38.639 that we 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:38.919 want to 00:14:38.919 --> 00:14:39.500 continue 00:14:39.500 --> 00:14:40.039 in, 00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:41.939 is the 00:14:41.939 --> 00:14:42.459 target 00:14:42.459 --> 00:14:44.219 of faith. 00:14:45.979 --> 00:14:46.399 And the 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:46.959 opposite of 00:14:46.959 --> 00:14:48.459 faith is 00:14:48.459 --> 00:14:49.399 unbelief. 00:14:49.839 --> 00:14:50.399 Unbelief 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:51.860 infests our 00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:52.639 heart and 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:53.480 chokes our 00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:53.779 faith. 00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:54.539 Without faith 00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:55.139 we have no 00:14:55.139 --> 00:14:56.100 reason to 00:14:56.100 --> 00:14:57.039 desire to 00:14:57.039 --> 00:14:57.500 love one 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:59.199 another or 00:14:59.199 --> 00:14:59.639 love our 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:00.120 saviour. 00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:02.159 Creeping 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:03.480 unbelief turns 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:04.179 our love 00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:04.959 cold. 00:15:05.959 --> 00:15:06.500 But out of 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:06.959 faith, 00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:08.939 love grows. 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:10.360 Our faith 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:11.519 fuels courage 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:12.340 for good deeds, 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:12.819 to serve, 00:15:12.899 --> 00:15:13.220 to act, 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:13.980 to be selfless, 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:14.480 to love 00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:15.000 others. 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:16.000 love our 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.639 faith. 00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:16.799 We must 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:17.460 help each 00:15:17.460 --> 00:15:19.100 other fight 00:15:19.100 --> 00:15:20.559 unbelief. 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:22.279 It's the 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:22.899 one-on-one, 00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:23.799 it's the 00:15:23.799 --> 00:15:24.440 small group, 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:25.159 or it's the 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:25.820 big gathering, 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:26.580 where we get 00:15:26.580 --> 00:15:27.220 to eyeball 00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:27.919 one another 00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:29.019 and remind 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:29.580 one another 00:15:29.580 --> 00:15:30.279 of God's 00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:31.480 good gospel 00:15:31.480 --> 00:15:31.940 and his 00:15:31.940 --> 00:15:32.379 promises 00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:33.279 toward us, 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:34.379 strengthening 00:15:34.379 --> 00:15:35.080 one another 00:15:35.080 --> 00:15:35.440 in our 00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:35.899 faith. 00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:37.539 Look back 00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:37.799 at the 00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:38.320 passage, 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:39.679 verse before 00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:40.179 what Jimmy 00:15:40.179 --> 00:15:40.500 read. 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:40.940 Have a look 00:15:40.940 --> 00:15:41.200 what it 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:41.460 says. 00:15:41.760 --> 00:15:42.040 It says, 00:15:42.300 --> 00:15:42.760 let us 00:15:42.760 --> 00:15:43.900 together, 00:15:44.180 --> 00:15:44.500 let's get 00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:45.540 together and 00:15:45.540 --> 00:15:47.780 hold unswervingly 00:15:47.780 --> 00:15:48.540 to the hope 00:15:48.540 --> 00:15:49.500 that we 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.180 profess. 00:15:51.760 --> 00:15:52.360 It's 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:53.440 together that 00:15:53.440 --> 00:15:55.500 unbelief can 00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:56.220 be defeated 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.480 and so our 00:15:57.480 --> 00:15:58.000 love can 00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:58.380 grow. 00:15:59.900 --> 00:16:00.660 And ultimately, 00:16:01.020 --> 00:16:01.680 so that God 00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:02.560 is glorified. 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:05.340 We want to 00:16:05.340 --> 00:16:06.000 obey God. 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:06.960 We want to 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:08.220 defeat and 00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:09.280 denounce the 00:16:09.280 --> 00:16:10.380 habitual sin of 00:16:10.380 --> 00:16:10.920 not wanting 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:11.259 to meet 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:12.819 together and 00:16:12.819 --> 00:16:13.539 meet more 00:16:13.539 --> 00:16:13.879 and more 00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:14.439 frequently 00:16:14.439 --> 00:16:16.219 together and 00:16:16.219 --> 00:16:17.360 fight against 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:18.620 our love 00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:19.599 growing cold. 00:16:19.699 --> 00:16:20.019 This is the 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:20.599 last point I 00:16:20.599 --> 00:16:21.000 want to share 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:21.399 from this 00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:22.259 passage. 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:24.779 We need 00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:25.219 to be 00:16:25.219 --> 00:16:26.159 intentional 00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:28.379 to gather 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:28.879 together. 00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:29.679 I can tell 00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:30.099 you we 00:16:30.099 --> 00:16:30.719 cannot 00:16:30.719 --> 00:16:32.079 accidentally 00:16:32.079 --> 00:16:32.899 meet up 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:33.399 enough. 00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:34.519 Just, 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:34.799 oh, 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:35.099 hi, 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:36.059 hi, 00:16:36.439 --> 00:16:36.860 just meet 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:37.139 up at 00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:37.620 the shops. 00:16:38.539 --> 00:16:39.059 Enough, 00:16:39.539 --> 00:16:40.599 as Christians, 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:42.500 for this 00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:43.180 to work. 00:16:44.740 --> 00:16:44.960 So, 00:16:45.040 --> 00:16:45.740 more frequently 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.519 means 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:47.379 planning, 00:16:47.580 --> 00:16:47.980 effort and 00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:48.460 time and 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:49.259 shared commitment 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:49.800 to meeting 00:16:49.800 --> 00:16:50.279 together, 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:51.440 for love to 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:52.700 flourish amongst 00:16:52.700 --> 00:16:53.139 us. 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:53.580 Now, 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:54.940 I just want to 00:16:54.940 --> 00:16:55.639 pause here 00:16:55.639 --> 00:16:57.220 and say that 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:58.000 I'm not 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:59.080 someone who 00:16:59.080 --> 00:17:01.240 is good 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:01.920 at this 00:17:01.920 --> 00:17:02.540 intentional 00:17:02.540 --> 00:17:02.899 bit. 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:02.939 moment. 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:04.039 I once 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:04.519 had a 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:05.000 friend of 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:06.440 mine who 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:07.359 came to 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:07.879 me at 00:17:07.879 --> 00:17:08.660 this point 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:09.220 where their 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:10.420 love was 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:11.000 growing so 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:12.039 cold that 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:12.819 anxiety and 00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.559 depression and 00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:14.039 doubt, 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:16.879 they felt like 00:17:16.879 --> 00:17:17.940 their faith was 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:18.539 being pulled 00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:19.180 away from 00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:19.440 them. 00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:21.900 And I said 00:17:21.900 --> 00:17:22.339 some helpful 00:17:22.339 --> 00:17:22.920 things. 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.319 I said, 00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:26.440 go to God's 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:26.960 word and 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:27.619 build your 00:17:27.619 --> 00:17:28.440 confidence in 00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:28.779 God. 00:17:29.860 --> 00:17:30.640 I said, 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.559 invest time 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:32.299 in prayer 00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:33.240 that will 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:33.620 help you 00:17:33.620 --> 00:17:34.360 assure you 00:17:34.360 --> 00:17:34.900 of God's 00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:35.320 love for 00:17:35.320 --> 00:17:35.460 you. 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:35.799 He will 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:36.320 meet you 00:17:36.320 --> 00:17:36.640 there. 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:38.880 You go do 00:17:38.880 --> 00:17:39.140 that. 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:41.460 That's pretty 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:41.940 much what I 00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:42.140 said. 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:44.680 And they 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:45.160 probably 00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:45.980 tried. 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:47.880 But boy, 00:17:48.080 --> 00:17:48.980 did I miss 00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:50.299 the encouragement 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:50.980 of this 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:51.460 passage. 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:52.880 You see, 00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:54.299 while I 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:54.740 said good 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:55.400 things, 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:56.840 I could 00:17:56.840 --> 00:17:58.100 have prayed 00:17:58.100 --> 00:17:58.860 with them. 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:01.000 I could 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:01.480 have opened 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:02.000 the Bible 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:03.220 with them. 00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:05.620 I could 00:18:05.620 --> 00:18:05.880 have offered 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:06.600 reminders of 00:18:06.600 --> 00:18:07.039 the promises 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:07.620 of God 00:18:07.620 --> 00:18:08.360 with them. 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:09.620 Gone with 00:18:09.620 --> 00:18:10.220 them to 00:18:10.220 --> 00:18:10.640 community 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:11.000 group. 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:11.960 Gone with 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:12.620 them to 00:18:12.620 --> 00:18:13.100 counselling. 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:14.120 Gone with 00:18:14.120 --> 00:18:16.000 them to 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:17.240 help build 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.160 peace in a 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:18.460 broken 00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:19.480 relationship. 00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:22.079 If I'd 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:22.660 been with 00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:24.120 them, it 00:18:24.120 --> 00:18:24.360 would have 00:18:24.360 --> 00:18:24.880 been better. 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:26.720 We're 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:27.420 better off 00:18:27.420 --> 00:18:28.579 when we're 00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:28.960 together. 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:31.880 We're 00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:32.319 better off 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:32.680 when we get 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:33.160 together and 00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:34.160 sing, when 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:34.660 we pray 00:18:34.660 --> 00:18:35.360 together in 00:18:35.360 --> 00:18:37.019 song, to 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:38.140 proclaim the 00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:38.660 good news 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.799 loudly together 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:40.819 for all to 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:42.019 hear, for 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:42.539 people out 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:42.940 there and 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:44.180 for us to 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:46.079 hear, encouraging 00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:46.740 our hearts with 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:47.340 the sounds of 00:18:47.340 --> 00:18:47.940 many others in 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:49.079 agreement that 00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:49.840 God is worthy 00:18:49.840 --> 00:18:50.480 of our praise 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:50.960 above all 00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:51.420 things. 00:18:52.180 --> 00:18:52.559 We're 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.120 better off 00:18:53.120 --> 00:18:54.079 when we get 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:54.720 together and 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.340 pray and we 00:18:55.340 --> 00:18:55.720 bring our 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.059 needs and 00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:56.680 our petitions 00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:57.200 and our 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:57.980 unbridled 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:58.799 hearts cry 00:18:58.799 --> 00:18:59.519 together to 00:18:59.519 --> 00:18:59.819 God. 00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:00.980 We're 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:01.819 better when 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:02.100 we get 00:19:02.100 --> 00:19:02.620 together to 00:19:02.620 --> 00:19:03.240 hear God's 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:05.420 word, discovering 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:07.480 God in the 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:08.900 Bible, discussing 00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:09.960 truths that 00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:11.600 unwind the 00:19:11.600 --> 00:19:12.519 deceptions of 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:14.259 this world, and 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:15.059 working together 00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:16.480 to read this 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:17.039 road map. 00:19:17.360 --> 00:19:17.819 I don't know 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:18.420 about you, but 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:19.500 I often need 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:20.299 help figuring out 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:20.620 a map. 00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:21.759 I'm pretty 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.739 good, pretty 00:19:22.739 --> 00:19:23.299 good, but I 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:23.619 don't know 00:19:23.619 --> 00:19:24.139 Sydney very 00:19:24.139 --> 00:19:25.039 well, and I 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:25.500 need a lot 00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:25.879 of help. 00:19:26.399 --> 00:19:26.979 We need 00:19:26.979 --> 00:19:28.459 help to 00:19:28.459 --> 00:19:28.979 figure out 00:19:28.979 --> 00:19:29.379 the journey 00:19:29.379 --> 00:19:29.839 home. 00:19:32.719 --> 00:19:33.319 And at 00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:33.939 St. Paul's, 00:19:33.939 --> 00:19:34.500 our gatherings 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.219 look like this. 00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:37.000 That's one way 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:37.399 of gathering 00:19:37.399 --> 00:19:37.879 together. 00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:39.479 We're every 00:19:39.479 --> 00:19:40.119 age group, 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.459 including the 00:19:41.459 --> 00:19:42.039 youngest this 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:42.339 week. 00:19:43.459 --> 00:19:44.519 Every generation, 00:19:44.679 --> 00:19:45.179 every language, 00:19:45.339 --> 00:19:45.859 every culture, 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:46.539 every gender, 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.480 anyone can 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.599 come together 00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:49.319 and celebrate 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:49.859 God. 00:19:50.639 --> 00:19:51.000 In our 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:51.440 community 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:52.079 groups, which 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:52.559 are even 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.339 more than 00:19:53.339 --> 00:19:53.899 just Bible 00:19:53.899 --> 00:19:54.819 study for us 00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:55.240 here at St. 00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:55.839 Paul's, where 00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:56.599 we live it 00:19:56.599 --> 00:19:57.779 out together, 00:19:57.859 --> 00:19:58.440 where we live 00:19:58.440 --> 00:19:59.099 the Bible out 00:19:59.099 --> 00:19:59.659 together and 00:19:59.659 --> 00:20:01.180 pray and carry 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:01.799 one another's 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:02.159 burdens. 00:20:03.159 --> 00:20:03.799 And the list 00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:04.359 goes on. 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.460 Whether it be 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:07.180 catch-ups or 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:07.659 dinners or 00:20:07.659 --> 00:20:08.180 coffees or 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:08.940 funerals or 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:09.740 lunch breaks, 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:12.099 in the battle 00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:13.099 against unbelief, 00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:14.819 doing that 00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:16.059 together. 00:20:16.159 --> 00:20:16.819 Whatever that 00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:17.939 looks like at 00:20:17.939 --> 00:20:18.519 St. Paul's, 00:20:18.659 --> 00:20:19.599 we do that. 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:20.219 We meet 00:20:20.219 --> 00:20:20.859 together in 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:21.419 whatever way 00:20:21.419 --> 00:20:21.959 that is. 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:23.959 And we call 00:20:23.959 --> 00:20:25.559 this treasuring 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:27.299 Jesus together. 00:20:28.199 --> 00:20:28.679 If you've been 00:20:28.679 --> 00:20:29.119 around St. 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:29.519 Paul's long 00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:31.359 enough, or 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:32.699 even more than 00:20:32.699 --> 00:20:33.359 one week, you've 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:33.980 probably heard 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.819 treasuring Jesus 00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:35.679 together, you 00:20:35.679 --> 00:20:36.259 might be tired 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:36.919 of hearing it. 00:20:37.659 --> 00:20:38.159 This is what it 00:20:38.159 --> 00:20:38.579 says on our 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:39.019 website. 00:20:41.179 --> 00:20:41.539 In St. 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:42.099 Paul's, we 00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:43.079 believe that 00:20:43.079 --> 00:20:43.519 the people 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.119 whom Jesus 00:20:44.119 --> 00:20:44.819 has called 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:46.000 into relationship 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.779 with himself 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:48.240 are his 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:48.859 church and 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:49.179 not an 00:20:49.179 --> 00:20:49.679 institutional 00:20:49.679 --> 00:20:50.240 building. 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.259 For in an 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:51.839 age of 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:53.000 individualism, 00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:55.099 we value 00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:56.119 vigilance and 00:20:56.119 --> 00:20:56.919 accountability 00:20:56.919 --> 00:20:58.539 in treasuring 00:20:58.539 --> 00:21:00.339 Jesus together. 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:03.279 We are 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:04.240 convinced as 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:04.919 a church that 00:21:04.919 --> 00:21:05.819 in this time, 00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:08.240 we need 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:09.119 each other 00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:10.099 all the more, 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:10.919 like Hebrews 00:21:10.919 --> 00:21:12.539 10 says. 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:13.519 So let me 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.179 encourage you 00:21:14.179 --> 00:21:15.819 to go find 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.819 that core value 00:21:16.819 --> 00:21:18.859 outside, to go 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:19.480 read it on our 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:21.579 website, pursue 00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:22.639 love and good 00:21:22.639 --> 00:21:23.419 deeds, pursue 00:21:23.419 --> 00:21:25.699 love that's 00:21:25.699 --> 00:21:27.519 active together 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.799 as we encourage 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.439 each other in 00:21:29.439 --> 00:21:30.539 faith and foster a 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:31.439 community of love 00:21:31.439 --> 00:21:33.919 that we can see 00:21:33.919 --> 00:21:36.879 and that the 00:21:36.879 --> 00:21:38.439 world around us 00:21:38.439 --> 00:21:39.699 can see. 00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:41.480 guys, gathering 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:41.960 in this way 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:43.080 glorifies God. 00:21:43.080 --> 00:21:44.720 Matthew 5, 16 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.039 says, 00:21:45.539 --> 00:21:45.980 let your light 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.720 shine before 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.620 others that 00:21:47.620 --> 00:21:48.259 they may see 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:48.900 your good 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:51.039 deeds and 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:51.940 glorify your 00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:52.580 Father in 00:21:52.580 --> 00:21:52.860 heaven. 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:55.279 Can you see 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:55.680 that the 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:56.660 gathering together 00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:57.759 to fight this 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:59.299 unbelief serves 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:00.140 the purpose of 00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:01.019 bringing glory to 00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:01.340 God? 00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:03.139 God, the 00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:04.039 light of our 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:07.259 gathering, whatever 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:10.000 way that is, helps 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.240 us fulfill our 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:11.959 purpose as 00:22:11.959 --> 00:22:13.179 Christians as we 00:22:13.179 --> 00:22:14.000 encourage one 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:15.740 another in faith and 00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:16.959 grow in our 00:22:16.959 --> 00:22:18.500 dependence and our 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.659 glorying in our 00:22:19.659 --> 00:22:20.639 God who has saved 00:22:20.639 --> 00:22:21.500 us together. 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:23.899 As we do that, we 00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:25.099 are a light to our 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:26.259 community and they 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:27.599 see God and glorify 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:28.559 him too. 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:31.839 I think that's a 00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:33.339 picture of a 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:35.019 tree in full 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:36.919 bloom in autumn 00:22:36.919 --> 00:22:37.480 as the leaves 00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:38.319 change that makes 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:39.519 people go, oh, 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:40.599 wow. 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.759 So that's why we 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.480 gather as Christians 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:45.419 at St. Paul's and 00:22:45.419 --> 00:22:47.559 ultimately that we 00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:49.960 grow in faith and 00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:50.980 glorify God and 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:51.740 that many more 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.220 would too. 00:22:54.419 --> 00:22:55.399 As we grow in 00:22:55.399 --> 00:22:56.139 faith, let me say 00:22:56.139 --> 00:22:57.359 also that three 00:22:57.359 --> 00:22:59.019 incredible things 00:22:59.019 --> 00:22:59.459 are going to 00:22:59.459 --> 00:23:00.859 increase in your 00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:02.240 life if we're 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:03.000 treasuring Jesus 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:04.199 together more and 00:23:04.199 --> 00:23:04.399 more. 00:23:05.439 --> 00:23:06.559 I can promise you 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.240 these. 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:11.059 First, you are 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:12.079 going to encounter 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:14.539 God himself 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:17.519 regularly in ways 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.659 that you can see 00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:20.619 as easily as the 00:23:20.619 --> 00:23:21.479 people sitting 00:23:21.479 --> 00:23:22.179 right next to you 00:23:22.179 --> 00:23:22.539 today. 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:27.480 God's Spirit is 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:30.539 given and stays 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:31.420 with you when you 00:23:31.420 --> 00:23:32.220 become a Christian 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:33.180 and that will 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:33.960 never change. 00:23:34.899 --> 00:23:36.000 Jesus promised that 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.879 he will never leave 00:23:36.879 --> 00:23:37.819 you an orphan in 00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:38.899 John 14, one of my 00:23:38.899 --> 00:23:39.839 favorite chapters of 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:41.019 the Bible, that his 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.960 Spirit would stay 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.960 with us. 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:44.240 Christian, he is 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:44.920 with you. 00:23:47.159 --> 00:23:48.139 Look at verses 00:23:48.139 --> 00:23:49.339 19 and 20. 00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:52.779 We are welcomed 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.859 into God's 00:23:53.859 --> 00:23:56.259 presence through 00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:57.019 the death and 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.959 resurrection of his 00:23:57.959 --> 00:23:59.000 Son in our place 00:23:59.000 --> 00:24:01.359 and we enjoy that 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:02.539 presence of power in 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:04.099 the person of his 00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:04.619 Spirit. 00:24:05.899 --> 00:24:06.579 And that's 00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:07.079 incredible. 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:11.319 And, and 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:12.079 there's a mysterious 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:13.039 problem in Matthew 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:14.099 18, 20 and 00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:14.819 elsewhere in the 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.519 Bible that says, 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:17.440 when two or more 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:18.599 are gathered in my 00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:19.799 name, there will I 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:20.420 be with them. 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.859 Two or three or 00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:24.160 small or large 00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:25.279 number, there 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:27.619 Jesus will be. 00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:29.519 This is mysterious 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:31.720 considering God 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.579 has already promised 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:34.940 that with every 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:36.400 Christian he will be 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:36.859 in them. 00:24:37.379 --> 00:24:38.099 So what is this 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:39.000 extra thing? 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.339 What is it? 00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:43.420 On the simplest 00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:44.859 reading of it, and 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.459 I'm good at 00:24:45.459 --> 00:24:45.899 simple. 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:48.059 And the simplest 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:49.119 reading that I can 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:50.319 understand from that 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:51.539 extra promise that 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:52.619 when people meet 00:24:52.619 --> 00:24:53.519 together, Jesus 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:56.619 would be there, I 00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:57.419 think Jesus is 00:24:57.419 --> 00:24:57.959 saying something 00:24:57.959 --> 00:24:58.599 like this. 00:24:59.899 --> 00:25:00.799 I might be putting 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.699 words in his mouth, 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:04.339 but I think these 00:25:04.339 --> 00:25:04.839 would be true. 00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:08.479 I think Jesus is 00:25:08.479 --> 00:25:10.079 saying, I am 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:10.919 living and working 00:25:10.919 --> 00:25:11.599 in each of your 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:13.759 lives, and when 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.459 you were together, 00:25:14.859 --> 00:25:17.019 you will see me in 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.479 each other. 00:25:18.479 --> 00:25:19.419 When your brother 00:25:19.419 --> 00:25:20.599 shows up and hugs 00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:22.339 you, when he hears 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:23.119 your nan has passed 00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:25.139 away, I am there. 00:25:26.179 --> 00:25:27.179 When your sister 00:25:27.179 --> 00:25:28.599 forces you to take a 00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:29.679 home-cooked meal 00:25:29.679 --> 00:25:31.459 because she wants to 00:25:31.459 --> 00:25:32.539 take one thing off 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:33.659 your infinite list 00:25:33.659 --> 00:25:34.659 because your husband's 00:25:34.659 --> 00:25:35.259 away and you've got 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:36.319 three kids at home on 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:38.279 your own, I am there. 00:25:38.279 --> 00:25:41.460 Whenever you see the 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:43.240 love of God displayed 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:45.799 in each other, I am 00:25:45.799 --> 00:25:46.079 there. 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:49.160 Guys, when we fight 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:51.279 sin together, fail 00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:52.460 and grow together, 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:54.099 rebuke and restore 00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:57.059 one another, as Jesus 00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:59.379 shapes us and we 00:25:59.379 --> 00:26:01.000 gather, then we see 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:02.899 him in each other. 00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:04.780 Jesus isn't 00:26:04.780 --> 00:26:06.740 promising some 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:08.800 second level, a 00:26:08.800 --> 00:26:10.720 second phase of 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.360 the presence of 00:26:11.360 --> 00:26:11.700 God. 00:26:13.540 --> 00:26:15.120 Rather, we see the 00:26:15.120 --> 00:26:15.759 evidence of his 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:17.040 work in each other 00:26:17.040 --> 00:26:18.340 and he is more 00:26:18.340 --> 00:26:20.019 present and more 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:22.300 visible in each 00:26:22.300 --> 00:26:22.540 other. 00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:24.140 We encounter God 00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:24.600 when we get 00:26:24.600 --> 00:26:25.320 together, when we 00:26:25.320 --> 00:26:27.160 gather, as we see 00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:28.380 Jesus' work in each 00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:29.940 of our lives, in a 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:31.940 way that we can't if 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.759 we're on our own. 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:37.000 The second 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.940 incredible thing that 00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:38.539 I want to promise 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.680 you guys is that 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.840 when we gather, we're 00:26:40.840 --> 00:26:42.000 going to be stronger 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:44.860 and sharper together. 00:26:46.580 --> 00:26:47.620 Ecclesiastes 4, 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:50.240 verse 10 to 12, 00:26:50.380 --> 00:26:50.720 says, 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.100 two are better than 00:26:52.100 --> 00:26:52.980 one because they 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.779 have a good return 00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.440 for their labour. 00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:55.900 If either of them 00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:57.420 falls down, one can 00:26:57.420 --> 00:26:58.140 help the other up. 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.799 But pity anyone who 00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.920 falls down and has no 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:01.680 one to help him up. 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:04.340 Also, if two lie 00:27:04.340 --> 00:27:05.140 down together, they'll 00:27:05.140 --> 00:27:05.640 keep warm. 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:08.820 But how can one 00:27:08.820 --> 00:27:09.980 keep warm alone? 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.420 Though one may be 00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:13.360 overpowered, two can 00:27:13.360 --> 00:27:14.460 defend themselves and 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:15.279 a cord of three 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:16.740 strands is not 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.600 easily broken. 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:21.960 We are stronger 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:23.660 together because when 00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:27.340 you, when you are 00:27:27.340 --> 00:27:29.320 doing well as a 00:27:29.320 --> 00:27:30.799 Christian and full of 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:32.879 faith, you are able 00:27:32.879 --> 00:27:34.519 to extend your hand 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.480 to someone who is 00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:37.220 not and together 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:40.119 fight unbelief. 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:43.299 And you, you are 00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:45.559 stronger because in 00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:46.639 your darkest hour, 00:27:47.139 --> 00:27:48.259 you're not alone. 00:27:49.919 --> 00:27:50.980 And you can rely on 00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.519 your brothers and 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.559 sisters who will step 00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:54.460 into your mess with 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:55.700 you and be there 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:58.100 and remind you of 00:27:58.100 --> 00:27:59.240 God's promises and 00:27:59.240 --> 00:28:01.440 call you to keep the 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:03.019 faith with them. 00:28:04.340 --> 00:28:05.180 We're stronger 00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:05.940 together and we're 00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:07.600 sharper together. 00:28:08.400 --> 00:28:10.360 Proverbs 27, 17. 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:12.059 As iron sharpens 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:14.420 iron, so one person 00:28:14.420 --> 00:28:16.519 sharpens another. 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:19.740 consider Sam Lowe, 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:20.559 right? 00:28:20.879 --> 00:28:21.759 He's not here, so 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.339 this is easy. 00:28:25.839 --> 00:28:27.279 He has an incredible 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:29.720 gift for getting to 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:31.259 the heart of a big 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:32.539 chunk of a complicated 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.680 section of this. 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:37.759 And this way of 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.720 gently explaining it, 00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.160 there's never 00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:40.059 condescending or 00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:40.859 arrogant or self 00:28:40.859 --> 00:28:41.460 glorifying. 00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:43.759 He invites joy in the 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.700 complicated passages 00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:46.640 and fosters our 00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:48.259 excitement in the 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.900 Word of God. 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:51.220 So that the next 00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:52.099 time that I read my 00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:53.039 Bible, I have this 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:54.279 renewed zeal and 00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:55.420 understanding in it. 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.740 Now I can tell you 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:58.579 that unlike him, I'm 00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:59.440 not good at that. 00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:01.940 I can tell you what I 00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:03.119 think, but I'm not 00:29:03.119 --> 00:29:05.000 sharp like Sam is. 00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.960 Because Sam's care 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:08.779 for me, for you, 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:10.500 for us, to know the 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:12.140 God behind the words 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:16.480 makes me want to do 00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:16.980 the same. 00:29:18.360 --> 00:29:19.440 It sharpens me. 00:29:19.540 --> 00:29:20.120 When I get the 00:29:20.120 --> 00:29:20.920 chance to lead and 00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:22.920 encourage people in 00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:26.200 the Word, I want to 00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:26.780 do the same. 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:31.360 When Sam explains the 00:29:31.360 --> 00:29:32.120 Bible to me, I'm 00:29:32.120 --> 00:29:33.180 rebuked and encouraged, 00:29:33.380 --> 00:29:35.000 but I'm learning and 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:36.360 I'm glorifying God for 00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:37.940 him and I'm being 00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:39.740 sharpened so that when 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:43.980 I do the same, his 00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:44.940 iron sharpens me. 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:47.559 We're stronger and 00:29:47.559 --> 00:29:48.539 we're sharper together. 00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:49.839 And lastly, I think 00:29:49.839 --> 00:29:50.380 this is the most 00:29:50.380 --> 00:29:51.220 exciting thing. 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:52.880 I can promise all of 00:29:52.880 --> 00:29:53.819 you that when you 00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:55.200 gather together, you 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:55.900 are going to get a 00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:57.660 glimpse of heaven 00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:58.900 itself. 00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:03.380 We're headed home up 00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:05.099 this mountain pass where 00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:06.120 it looks like it snows 00:30:06.120 --> 00:30:06.980 because it's got a 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:08.099 yellow dotted line. 00:30:08.099 --> 00:30:09.339 But we're headed home 00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:12.399 to heaven where we're 00:30:12.399 --> 00:30:13.199 going to be together 00:30:13.199 --> 00:30:14.679 with God. 00:30:14.959 --> 00:30:16.879 Now, this is an 00:30:16.879 --> 00:30:17.879 amazing passage to 00:30:17.879 --> 00:30:19.559 read on a day like 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.159 Palm Sunday. 00:30:20.419 --> 00:30:21.839 Revelation chapter 00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:24.599 7 from verse 9. 00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:43.559 We're going to be 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.399 gathered around his 00:30:44.399 --> 00:30:45.899 throne, singing and 00:30:45.899 --> 00:30:46.439 praising and 00:30:46.439 --> 00:30:47.219 worshipping and 00:30:47.219 --> 00:30:48.359 sharing our eternal 00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:50.219 joy and closeness to 00:30:50.219 --> 00:30:51.899 God, beholding his 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:53.600 perfection, holiness and 00:30:53.600 --> 00:30:55.780 majesty together. 00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:58.380 All peoples together, 00:30:58.560 --> 00:31:00.380 all preferences of 00:31:00.380 --> 00:31:01.640 worship, all together. 00:31:03.660 --> 00:31:05.240 I really do find it 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.019 beautiful and humbling 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:07.000 that I get to read that 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:08.180 passage on Palm Sunday 00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:09.400 when we remember, like 00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:10.340 Jeevi said, that 00:31:10.340 --> 00:31:12.060 foreshadowing that one 00:31:12.060 --> 00:31:14.000 day Jesus, like when he 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:16.019 rode into Jerusalem, is 00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:18.740 going to save and unite 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:20.200 all the people as 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:20.759 their king. 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:22.940 And while today we 00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:23.779 might not have palm 00:31:23.779 --> 00:31:26.779 branches, it's an 00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.880 amazing thing to look 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:28.740 forward to. 00:31:29.859 --> 00:31:30.779 If we're going to 00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:35.259 gather together in 00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:37.980 heaven like that, that 00:31:37.980 --> 00:31:39.120 makes our little 00:31:39.120 --> 00:31:40.779 imperfect gatherings like 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:42.200 right now an 00:31:42.200 --> 00:31:43.420 opportunity to get a 00:31:43.420 --> 00:31:44.559 glimpse, a sketch, a 00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:47.120 brief little flash of the 00:31:47.119 --> 00:31:48.659 gloriously bright future 00:31:48.659 --> 00:31:49.719 that's in store for us. 00:31:49.859 --> 00:31:50.759 Now, I've got to say, 00:31:50.819 --> 00:31:51.539 our gatherings are not 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:54.579 perfect and not 00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:57.000 anywhere near the hope 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:58.939 we have in store for 00:31:58.939 --> 00:31:59.500 us in heaven. 00:32:01.379 --> 00:32:02.559 But I've got to say that 00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:04.459 everyone together singing 00:32:04.459 --> 00:32:06.519 wholeheartedly to God of 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:08.259 his wondrous grace toward 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:09.459 us, you can't tell me 00:32:09.459 --> 00:32:11.119 that's not a little 00:32:11.119 --> 00:32:11.959 picture of heaven, a 00:32:11.959 --> 00:32:12.519 little glimpse. 00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:16.119 The last few times we've 00:32:16.119 --> 00:32:17.219 had heartbeat and people 00:32:17.219 --> 00:32:18.139 have been praying, it's 00:32:18.139 --> 00:32:19.939 been impossible to stop 00:32:19.939 --> 00:32:21.819 you from praying. 00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:23.599 The night just goes on 00:32:23.599 --> 00:32:24.579 and on and on and on. 00:32:25.819 --> 00:32:27.379 Those prayers are like an 00:32:27.379 --> 00:32:29.099 echo that bounce down this 00:32:29.099 --> 00:32:31.159 road, calling us on, 00:32:31.559 --> 00:32:32.739 showing us what's going to 00:32:32.739 --> 00:32:35.579 happen soon, reminding us 00:32:35.579 --> 00:32:36.479 of where we're going to go. 00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:39.199 And finally, let me just 00:32:39.199 --> 00:32:40.459 encourage you in this. 00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:51.600 Hebrews 3, verse 12, 00:32:51.600 --> 00:32:54.160 see to it, brothers and 00:32:54.160 --> 00:32:55.579 sisters, that none of you 00:32:55.579 --> 00:32:57.079 has a sinful, unbelieving 00:32:57.079 --> 00:32:59.019 heart that turns away from 00:32:59.019 --> 00:32:59.799 the living God. 00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:02.460 But encourage one another 00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:06.019 daily, as long as it is 00:33:06.019 --> 00:33:09.059 called today, that none of 00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:10.299 you may be hardened by 00:33:10.299 --> 00:33:11.879 sin's deceitfulness. 00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:14.899 Unbelief is fought 00:33:14.899 --> 00:33:17.799 together, daily. 00:33:19.440 --> 00:33:21.079 Christian gatherings of 00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:24.519 all kinds is our daily 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:25.079 encouragement. 00:33:25.379 --> 00:33:26.319 It's our daily goal. 00:33:26.440 --> 00:33:27.399 It's what gets us out of 00:33:27.399 --> 00:33:29.319 bed in the morning, in the 00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:30.799 pursuit of glorifying God 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:33.139 and loving him, each other 00:33:33.139 --> 00:33:34.359 and loving the world around 00:33:34.359 --> 00:33:34.679 us. 00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:38.700 So here, Hebrews 10, obey, 00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:41.279 meet together, get out of 00:33:41.279 --> 00:33:42.340 the habit of going through 00:33:42.340 --> 00:33:43.840 life and doing it alone. 00:33:45.259 --> 00:33:47.220 Chase more time together, 00:33:47.299 --> 00:33:48.480 because we desperately need 00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:48.700 it. 00:33:49.259 --> 00:33:50.720 Getting up every day with 00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:52.880 your purpose in mind and 00:33:52.880 --> 00:33:55.220 intentionally building one 00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:56.100 another up in faith. 00:33:56.299 --> 00:33:58.140 Fight your own unbelief with 00:34:00.039 --> 00:34:00.400 others. 00:34:00.400 --> 00:34:02.920 We're given this beautiful 00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:04.900 gift, guys, this mess of 00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:06.740 random, beautiful, purposeful 00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:08.180 people that I see here this 00:34:08.180 --> 00:34:08.440 morning. 00:34:09.760 --> 00:34:11.660 We see God in these people. 00:34:11.820 --> 00:34:12.700 We're strengthened and 00:34:12.700 --> 00:34:13.639 sharpened by them. 00:34:14.160 --> 00:34:15.420 And we get a glimpse of 00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:16.519 heaven when we get together 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:16.920 with them. 00:34:18.260 --> 00:34:20.180 So this week, every day, go 00:34:20.180 --> 00:34:21.420 and do one of all of these 00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:21.840 together. 00:34:23.639 --> 00:34:24.079 Together. 00:34:25.579 --> 00:34:26.000 Celebrate. 00:34:26.200 --> 00:34:26.599 Proclaim. 00:34:26.740 --> 00:34:27.039 Praise. 00:34:27.180 --> 00:34:27.380 Pray. 00:34:27.539 --> 00:34:27.800 Preach. 00:34:27.900 --> 00:34:28.280 Confess. 00:34:28.380 --> 00:34:28.780 Change. 00:34:28.780 --> 00:34:29.960 Love. 00:34:30.080 --> 00:34:30.280 Serve. 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:30.560 Grow. 00:34:30.680 --> 00:34:30.860 Enjoy. 00:34:31.000 --> 00:34:31.160 Feel. 00:34:31.280 --> 00:34:32.000 Share. 00:34:32.200 --> 00:34:32.640 Support. 00:34:32.900 --> 00:34:33.400 Disciple. 00:34:33.500 --> 00:34:33.920 Baptize. 00:34:34.060 --> 00:34:34.340 Sing. 00:34:35.060 --> 00:34:35.500 Give. 00:34:35.820 --> 00:34:36.080 Honor. 00:34:36.320 --> 00:34:37.340 Sweat. 00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:37.960 Struggle. 00:34:39.019 --> 00:34:39.340 Weep. 00:34:39.460 --> 00:34:39.740 Care. 00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:40.320 Carry. 00:34:40.740 --> 00:34:41.060 Bow. 00:34:41.420 --> 00:34:41.880 Gasp. 00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:42.280 Laugh. 00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:42.700 Turn. 00:34:43.200 --> 00:34:43.540 Marry. 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.380 Welcome. 00:34:45.200 --> 00:34:45.560 Commission. 00:34:46.340 --> 00:34:46.680 Hug. 00:34:46.960 --> 00:34:47.360 Dance. 00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:47.740 Eat. 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:48.080 Drink. 00:34:48.200 --> 00:34:48.400 Cook. 00:34:48.480 --> 00:34:48.700 Clean. 00:34:48.820 --> 00:34:49.000 Build. 00:34:49.100 --> 00:34:49.320 Study. 00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:49.800 Discuss. 00:34:49.920 --> 00:34:50.260 Discover. 00:34:50.420 --> 00:34:50.960 Rebuke. 00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:51.940 Restore. 00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:53.280 Light. 00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:54.600 Amplify. 00:34:55.260 --> 00:34:55.640 Paint. 00:34:55.920 --> 00:34:56.340 Design. 00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:57.360 Record. 00:34:57.700 --> 00:34:58.200 Retell. 00:34:59.260 --> 00:34:59.660 Treasure. 00:35:00.080 --> 00:35:00.420 Jesus. 00:35:01.260 --> 00:35:01.700 Together. 00:35:03.000 --> 00:35:11.000 And maybe as you see the autumn leaves changing colour or as you sweep them up this autumn and shake your head. 00:35:12.100 --> 00:35:14.000 Remember that we're on this journey home together. 00:35:16.380 --> 00:35:21.380 And we hold unswervingly together to the hope that we profess. 00:35:22.240 --> 00:35:24.820 For he who promised is faithful to us. 00:35:25.040 --> 00:35:25.220 Amen. 00:35:26.160 --> 00:35:26.460 Amen.