WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.300
 This reading comes from Romans chapter 5 and 8.

00:00:03.660 --> 00:00:07.360
 Please follow along on the screen, the bulletin, or your own Bible.

00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:10.960
 In Romans 5 verse 8 we read,

00:00:12.160 --> 00:00:17.460
 God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

00:00:18.179 --> 00:00:22.719
 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood,

00:00:23.260 --> 00:00:27.980
 much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

00:00:27.980 --> 00:00:35.859
 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son,

00:00:36.659 --> 00:00:41.420
 much more now that we are reconciled shall we be saved by his life.

00:00:42.399 --> 00:00:46.799
 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

00:00:47.340 --> 00:00:50.179
 for whom we have now received reconciliation.

00:00:51.439 --> 00:00:53.980
 Then in chapter 8 verse 14 we read,

00:00:53.979 --> 00:00:58.959
 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

00:00:59.959 --> 00:01:03.739
 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,

00:01:04.140 --> 00:01:07.420
 but you have received the spirit of adoption as sons,

00:01:07.979 --> 00:01:09.780
 by whom we cry, Abba, Father.

00:01:10.819 --> 00:01:15.640
 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

00:01:15.640 --> 00:01:21.359
 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,

00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:27.200
 provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

00:01:28.780 --> 00:01:30.900
 This is the word of God. Amen.

00:01:30.900 --> 00:01:37.520
 Great. Thank you so much, Justin, and good morning, everybody.

00:01:37.700 --> 00:01:40.580
 It is wonderful to be back with you this morning.

00:01:40.740 --> 00:01:43.500
 If you don't know me, my name is Kevin, one of the leaders here,

00:01:43.700 --> 00:01:47.380
 and it really is a joy to be able to speak to us this morning,

00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:48.340
 to bring us God's word.

00:01:48.760 --> 00:01:52.060
 I am very excited for what we're going to be looking at this morning.

00:01:52.240 --> 00:01:53.960
 I have been praying for us all week.

00:01:54.219 --> 00:01:57.300
 As Angie said, we prayed for us as a church this morning,

00:01:57.299 --> 00:02:02.439
 and I really am full of excitement and anticipation as we look at God's word today.

00:02:02.719 --> 00:02:05.159
 I wonder if you would just join me as we pray for a few minutes.

00:02:05.340 --> 00:02:06.459
 Let's come before our Father.

00:02:06.859 --> 00:02:08.800
 We don't need to hear my words or opinion.

00:02:09.099 --> 00:02:11.000
 We want to hear God speaking to us,

00:02:11.039 --> 00:02:12.979
 and let's ask him to speak to us from his word.

00:02:13.199 --> 00:02:13.780
 Let's pray together.

00:02:15.979 --> 00:02:16.979
 Heavenly Father.

00:02:18.659 --> 00:02:20.019
 Heavenly Father.

00:02:21.180 --> 00:02:25.060
 Thank you, God, that you, the creator of the universe,

00:02:25.060 --> 00:02:29.900
 you're the one who billions of years ago brought the universe into being,

00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:32.900
 who hung the stars in space, God,

00:02:32.960 --> 00:02:37.219
 the one who knows infinitely more about our universe and our galaxies,

00:02:37.460 --> 00:02:39.860
 the way the cosmos works than we ever will.

00:02:40.979 --> 00:02:43.099
 And yet, God, you come to us this morning,

00:02:43.099 --> 00:02:45.259
 and you invite us to call you Father.

00:02:46.819 --> 00:02:48.319
 God, we pray to you this morning.

00:02:48.520 --> 00:02:49.420
 We so need you.

00:02:49.900 --> 00:02:52.879
 Every one of us, God, needs you in a variety of ways.

00:02:52.879 --> 00:02:55.400
 We need you to minister to us, to speak to us,

00:02:55.460 --> 00:02:58.199
 to encourage us, to remind us of your love,

00:02:58.359 --> 00:03:01.479
 to build us up, to bring us back to you.

00:03:02.519 --> 00:03:05.299
 God, we come before you this morning because we need you.

00:03:05.939 --> 00:03:07.960
 We don't come to hear a prep talk.

00:03:08.079 --> 00:03:10.719
 We don't come to hear a motivational speech.

00:03:10.859 --> 00:03:15.680
 We don't come to listen, to go through a religious motion or activity.

00:03:15.859 --> 00:03:17.819
 We've come to encounter the living God

00:03:17.819 --> 00:03:20.479
 and to have you speak to us from your word.

00:03:20.479 --> 00:03:25.539
 And so, God, I pray, won't you send the Spirit of Jesus into our hearts today.

00:03:25.639 --> 00:03:29.939
 Won't you fill us and flood us with the love of God the Father,

00:03:30.099 --> 00:03:32.299
 Christ the Son, Holy Spirit.

00:03:33.620 --> 00:03:37.319
 Won't you open our eyes to see you and to see ourselves in you.

00:03:38.259 --> 00:03:40.299
 God, for those of us that don't know you this morning,

00:03:40.419 --> 00:03:41.839
 won't you draw us to yourself.

00:03:43.439 --> 00:03:46.000
 God, with so much going on in our world, in our city,

00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:50.879
 so much uncertainty, this morning we come and we find our rest in you.

00:03:50.979 --> 00:03:58.699
 As Angie said earlier, God, won't you arrest any sort of orphan mentality in our hearts

00:03:58.699 --> 00:04:01.879
 and bring us back into the heart of the Father, we pray.

00:04:02.639 --> 00:04:04.139
 God, come and have your way this morning.

00:04:05.159 --> 00:04:08.080
 We pray this in your wonderful and your gracious name.

00:04:08.900 --> 00:04:09.180
 Amen.

00:04:10.180 --> 00:04:10.500
 Amen.

00:04:10.500 --> 00:04:14.879
 Now, we are going through the series, Gospel Orthodoxy,

00:04:15.460 --> 00:04:18.439
 and we are using the imagery of the human body,

00:04:18.540 --> 00:04:22.040
 just as the human body needs a skeleton or framework

00:04:22.040 --> 00:04:26.420
 in order to bring strength and mobility and ability to it.

00:04:26.839 --> 00:04:29.879
 In the same way, for those of us that are followers of Jesus,

00:04:30.279 --> 00:04:32.939
 we need a theological framework, a skeleton,

00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:35.399
 a backbone that is strong,

00:04:35.800 --> 00:04:39.139
 in order for us to be spiritually healthy and vibrant.

00:04:39.139 --> 00:04:43.659
 A human body that has a brittle skeleton or backbone

00:04:43.659 --> 00:04:48.719
 is one that is not going to be very mobile or healthy in the long term.

00:04:49.339 --> 00:04:54.539
 And in the same way, when we neglect or are not strong in understanding the Gospel

00:04:54.539 --> 00:04:57.399
 and who we are in God, what Christ has done for us on the cross,

00:04:57.899 --> 00:05:01.120
 it can lead to a spiritual superficiality.

00:05:01.839 --> 00:05:07.279
 And so we're going through this series because we want to be those that are rooted and anchored

00:05:07.279 --> 00:05:10.379
 and are spiritually healthy for decades to come.

00:05:10.939 --> 00:05:14.379
 Now, as we start off, I want to ask us just two questions.

00:05:14.839 --> 00:05:17.479
 For those of us maybe that are not followers of Jesus,

00:05:17.599 --> 00:05:20.459
 maybe you consider yourself a spiritual seeker or a skeptic,

00:05:20.559 --> 00:05:22.779
 maybe you're still exploring the claims of Christ,

00:05:22.819 --> 00:05:23.739
 I want to ask you this question.

00:05:24.279 --> 00:05:26.779
 What do you think Christianity is all about?

00:05:27.759 --> 00:05:28.299
 If someone says,

00:05:28.679 --> 00:05:30.659
 Christianity, what comes to your mind?

00:05:31.399 --> 00:05:33.259
 Maybe for those of us that are followers of Jesus,

00:05:33.259 --> 00:05:34.360
 because I want to ask you this question.

00:05:34.959 --> 00:05:38.579
 How do you think God feels about you right now?

00:05:40.439 --> 00:05:42.379
 We'll come back to those questions in a bit.

00:05:43.019 --> 00:05:46.539
 Two weeks ago, Chris spoke to us about the great doctrine of justification,

00:05:47.019 --> 00:05:51.279
 which says that for those of us that have come to Christ in faith and repentance,

00:05:51.459 --> 00:05:52.079
 that's the key.

00:05:52.639 --> 00:05:55.899
 God, we are no longer in the category of sinners.

00:05:56.039 --> 00:05:58.240
 We are in the category of the righteous.

00:05:58.680 --> 00:06:00.899
 We are no longer in the category of guilty or condemned.

00:06:00.899 --> 00:06:06.319
 We are under God's grace and we are righteous because Christ's righteousness has been given to us,

00:06:06.439 --> 00:06:07.399
 credited to us.

00:06:07.919 --> 00:06:11.539
 God accepts us not on the basis of our spiritual or moral performance,

00:06:11.679 --> 00:06:13.879
 but on the basis of Christ's perfect performance,

00:06:14.479 --> 00:06:16.699
 which he accomplished for us on the cross.

00:06:17.379 --> 00:06:20.279
 And then last week, we looked at the great teaching of redemption.

00:06:20.859 --> 00:06:24.299
 The fact that we are no longer under slavery or bondage,

00:06:24.359 --> 00:06:28.319
 either to the penalty of sin or to the power of sin in our life,

00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:31.139
 either our own sin or those that have sinned against us,

00:06:31.219 --> 00:06:35.839
 but we have been set free and how Christ is going to return one day to set us free,

00:06:35.939 --> 00:06:40.339
 even from the very presence of all that is broken and defective in our hearts,

00:06:40.879 --> 00:06:43.360
 in our souls, in our bodies, even in this world.

00:06:43.480 --> 00:06:44.800
 Christ has redeemed us.

00:06:44.860 --> 00:06:46.139
 And as we sang earlier,

00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:50.480
 the curse of sin has been broken because Jesus died on the cross for us.

00:06:50.519 --> 00:06:52.819
 And this morning, we're going to look at this teaching,

00:06:52.819 --> 00:06:57.060
 the Bible's teaching regarding reconciliation and adoption.

00:06:57.779 --> 00:07:01.699
 So let's look again at our passage in Romans chapter 5.

00:07:01.800 --> 00:07:03.019
 And this is what Paul writes.

00:07:03.060 --> 00:07:03.319
 He says,

00:07:03.719 --> 00:07:05.779
 God shows his love for us in this,

00:07:06.379 --> 00:07:07.860
 that while we were still sinners,

00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:09.139
 Christ died for us.

00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:10.879
 Since therefore,

00:07:11.219 --> 00:07:13.699
 we have now been justified by his blood,

00:07:14.399 --> 00:07:17.399
 much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

00:07:17.959 --> 00:07:19.579
 For if while we were enemies,

00:07:19.579 --> 00:07:22.899
 we were reconciled to God by the death of his son,

00:07:23.319 --> 00:07:25.740
 much more now that we are reconciled,

00:07:25.879 --> 00:07:27.419
 shall we be saved by his life.

00:07:28.240 --> 00:07:29.120
 More than that,

00:07:29.560 --> 00:07:33.339
 we rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

00:07:33.419 --> 00:07:36.839
 through whom we have now received reconciliation.

00:07:38.799 --> 00:07:39.519
 This morning,

00:07:39.579 --> 00:07:42.299
 we're going to look at the Bible's teaching regarding reconciliation.

00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:44.719
 And the Bible teaches us this,

00:07:44.719 --> 00:07:49.479
 that prior to coming to Christ in faith and repentance,

00:07:50.279 --> 00:07:52.699
 the condition of natural mankind,

00:07:52.899 --> 00:07:53.699
 men and women,

00:07:54.060 --> 00:07:55.379
 our natural condition,

00:07:56.079 --> 00:07:57.699
 apart from justification,

00:07:58.039 --> 00:07:58.959
 apart from redemption,

00:07:59.459 --> 00:08:01.379
 is not one of neutrality,

00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:03.779
 but actually one of hostility,

00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:07.360
 one of enmity between us and God.

00:08:08.139 --> 00:08:10.099
 Now that may come as a surprise to us,

00:08:10.159 --> 00:08:12.139
 because we live in a time and an age

00:08:12.139 --> 00:08:16.060
 when we consider belief in God to be a very personal matter,

00:08:16.139 --> 00:08:17.199
 a very private matter,

00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:20.680
 something that is applicable to me if I want it,

00:08:20.680 --> 00:08:22.180
 but if I'm not interested in me,

00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:23.759
 then it has no relevance in my life.

00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:25.339
 It's completely irrelevant.

00:08:25.579 --> 00:08:27.699
 It's something that is maybe true for you,

00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:30.939
 but it's not universally irrelevant or applicable to others.

00:08:31.459 --> 00:08:32.960
 We may often hear people saying,

00:08:33.080 --> 00:08:33.139
 well,

00:08:33.179 --> 00:08:34.500
 if you want to be religious,

00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:35.639
 that's fine for you,

00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:37.679
 but that's got nothing to do with me.

00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:39.059
 In other words,

00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:42.860
 we tend to think that our lives are fairly neutral,

00:08:42.860 --> 00:08:47.519
 and that if you want to practice faith or have belief in God,

00:08:47.659 --> 00:08:47.799
 well,

00:08:47.879 --> 00:08:52.319
 that's an add and extra that you want to add onto your life to the extent that it benefits you.

00:08:52.819 --> 00:08:53.299
 And so we think,

00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:53.500
 you know,

00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:54.439
 some people do yoga,

00:08:54.679 --> 00:08:55.759
 some people go hiking,

00:08:56.059 --> 00:08:57.340
 some people eat yum cha,

00:08:57.340 --> 00:08:59.080
 some people go to church on Sundays.

00:08:59.080 --> 00:09:02.960
 That's kind of our version of extracurricular activities.

00:09:03.600 --> 00:09:03.960
 In other words,

00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:08.259
 we live in a time when we view life apart from relationship with Christ as neutral,

00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:12.680
 and faith in God is a kind of extracurricular activity,

00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:16.280
 something that we add onto our lives to the extent that it benefits us.

00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:18.680
 But that's not what the scriptures say.

00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:28.479
 Jesus would teach us actually the natural state of man and woman outside of relationship from him is rebellion against God and his authority.

00:09:28.979 --> 00:09:30.659
 We've rejected God's rule.

00:09:30.819 --> 00:09:33.000
 We've rejected his reign in our lives,

00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:35.399
 and we are now at enmity with God.

00:09:36.219 --> 00:09:38.620
 God is the creator of the whole universe,

00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:39.719
 the sovereign God,

00:09:39.859 --> 00:09:40.539
 and as such,

00:09:40.579 --> 00:09:42.439
 he has created rights over his universe,

00:09:42.599 --> 00:09:43.879
 created rights over our lives.

00:09:44.259 --> 00:09:46.899
 And he's made us to be in relationship with him,

00:09:46.959 --> 00:09:48.459
 to know him and to love him.

00:09:48.679 --> 00:09:50.259
 But as human beings,

00:09:50.319 --> 00:09:50.620
 as sinners,

00:09:50.719 --> 00:09:51.979
 we've rejected his rule.

00:09:52.120 --> 00:09:53.319
 We've rejected his authority.

00:09:53.519 --> 00:09:53.839
 We've said,

00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:55.899
 I don't want you to tell me what to do,

00:09:56.120 --> 00:09:56.799
 how to believe,

00:09:56.919 --> 00:09:57.679
 how to behave.

00:09:57.919 --> 00:09:59.679
 I want to be my own authority.

00:09:59.839 --> 00:10:01.979
 I want to have my own way in life.

00:10:02.059 --> 00:10:04.239
 And so we've rebelled against his authority.

00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:04.779
 In a sense,

00:10:04.859 --> 00:10:06.039
 we've committed mutiny,

00:10:06.039 --> 00:10:06.819
 and we've said,

00:10:06.939 --> 00:10:08.339
 I will be my own God.

00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:10.299
 I will determine who I am,

00:10:10.379 --> 00:10:11.159
 what I want to do,

00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:12.199
 how I want to behave.

00:10:12.599 --> 00:10:12.899
 You,

00:10:13.059 --> 00:10:13.199
 God,

00:10:13.279 --> 00:10:14.059
 take a back seat.

00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:15.459
 I don't want you in my life.

00:10:15.839 --> 00:10:17.539
 I want to be my own God.

00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:19.879
 And the result is,

00:10:19.939 --> 00:10:21.399
 not just in neutrality,

00:10:21.719 --> 00:10:22.759
 there's an enmity.

00:10:23.299 --> 00:10:24.599
 There's a hostility

00:10:24.599 --> 00:10:27.039
 in the relationship.

00:10:27.179 --> 00:10:27.899
 Look at verse 10.

00:10:28.039 --> 00:10:28.479
 Paul writes,

00:10:28.519 --> 00:10:28.879
 he says,

00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:29.299
 wow,

00:10:29.439 --> 00:10:30.699
 we were enemies

00:10:30.699 --> 00:10:33.079
 at enmity with God.

00:10:33.080 --> 00:10:35.320
 But that's not the way

00:10:35.320 --> 00:10:36.420
 that God has designed us.

00:10:36.460 --> 00:10:36.980
 That's not the way

00:10:36.980 --> 00:10:38.180
 that God wills

00:10:38.180 --> 00:10:39.000
 for things to happen.

00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:40.320
 God designed us

00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:41.100
 to know him

00:10:41.100 --> 00:10:42.020
 and to love him,

00:10:42.100 --> 00:10:42.960
 to be in deep

00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:44.120
 and meaningful relationship

00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:44.460
 with him,

00:10:44.540 --> 00:10:45.500
 to flourish

00:10:45.500 --> 00:10:47.200
 and to be alive in him,

00:10:47.340 --> 00:10:48.680
 to experience his love

00:10:48.680 --> 00:10:50.160
 and to be satisfied in him.

00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:51.639
 And so the great message

00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:52.259
 of the gospel,

00:10:52.400 --> 00:10:53.340
 the whole point

00:10:53.340 --> 00:10:53.940
 of the Bible

00:10:53.940 --> 00:10:54.620
 is that God

00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:56.100
 so loved the world

00:10:56.100 --> 00:10:57.340
 that he sent

00:10:57.340 --> 00:10:58.540
 his one and only son

00:10:58.540 --> 00:11:01.040
 to reconcile us to him.

00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:03.539
 Look at how Colossians says it.

00:11:03.620 --> 00:11:04.240
 Paul writes this

00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:04.579
 and says,

00:11:04.959 --> 00:11:05.379
 and you,

00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:05.799
 me,

00:11:05.939 --> 00:11:06.179
 us,

00:11:06.639 --> 00:11:07.699
 we who were once

00:11:07.699 --> 00:11:08.799
 alienated

00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:09.599
 and hostile

00:11:09.599 --> 00:11:10.759
 towards God.

00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:12.000
 He has now

00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:13.599
 reconciled us

00:11:13.599 --> 00:11:14.500
 in his body

00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:15.319
 by his dead

00:11:15.319 --> 00:11:16.860
 in order to present us

00:11:16.860 --> 00:11:18.159
 holy and blameless

00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:19.120
 and above reproach

00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:19.799
 before him.

00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:21.079
 Paul writes it

00:11:21.079 --> 00:11:22.059
 in 2 Corinthians.

00:11:22.219 --> 00:11:22.839
 He says this,

00:11:23.159 --> 00:11:24.679
 if anyone is in Christ,

00:11:25.099 --> 00:11:26.120
 he is a new creation.

00:11:26.679 --> 00:11:28.159
 The old has passed away.

00:11:28.519 --> 00:11:28.779
 Behold,

00:11:28.819 --> 00:11:29.639
 the new has come.

00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:31.539
 All this is from God

00:11:31.539 --> 00:11:32.840
 who through Christ

00:11:32.840 --> 00:11:34.399
 has reconciled us

00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:35.059
 to himself.

00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:36.100
 That is,

00:11:36.179 --> 00:11:36.679
 in Christ,

00:11:36.840 --> 00:11:38.539
 God is reconciling

00:11:38.539 --> 00:11:39.059
 the world

00:11:39.059 --> 00:11:39.860
 to himself,

00:11:40.120 --> 00:11:41.120
 not counting

00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:42.559
 our trespasses

00:11:42.559 --> 00:11:43.879
 against us.

00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:45.199
 And when we go back

00:11:45.199 --> 00:11:46.399
 to our Romans 5 passage,

00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:47.460
 we see the same thing.

00:11:47.679 --> 00:11:49.220
 Paul almost assumes

00:11:49.220 --> 00:11:50.419
 that the readers

00:11:50.419 --> 00:11:51.299
 understand that

00:11:51.299 --> 00:11:52.460
 this is what Christianity

00:11:52.460 --> 00:11:53.419
 is all about.

00:11:53.819 --> 00:11:55.460
 This is why Jesus came

00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:57.000
 to reconcile people

00:11:57.000 --> 00:11:57.939
 to God.

00:11:57.939 --> 00:11:58.939
 He says in verse 10,

00:11:58.940 --> 00:12:00.580
 since while we were

00:12:00.580 --> 00:12:01.520
 enemies of God,

00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:02.960
 we were reconciled

00:12:02.960 --> 00:12:04.000
 to him by the death

00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:04.540
 of his son.

00:12:05.300 --> 00:12:05.540
 Now,

00:12:05.660 --> 00:12:06.120
 much more,

00:12:06.300 --> 00:12:07.020
 much more now

00:12:07.020 --> 00:12:08.320
 that we are reconciled,

00:12:08.360 --> 00:12:08.940
 we will be saved

00:12:08.940 --> 00:12:09.540
 by his life.

00:12:09.700 --> 00:12:10.240
 Verse 11,

00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:11.740
 and we rejoice,

00:12:11.880 --> 00:12:12.960
 we delight in God

00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:14.880
 through our Lord Jesus Christ

00:12:14.880 --> 00:12:15.960
 through whom we have

00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:16.660
 received

00:12:16.660 --> 00:12:18.340
 reconciliation.

00:12:21.340 --> 00:12:21.780
 Prince,

00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:23.400
 notice who took

00:12:23.400 --> 00:12:24.260
 the initiative

00:12:24.259 --> 00:12:26.740
 in this reconciling

00:12:26.740 --> 00:12:27.439
 relationship.

00:12:28.539 --> 00:12:29.600
 I remember a few years ago,

00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:30.700
 I was talking to someone

00:12:30.700 --> 00:12:32.639
 in a church

00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:34.360
 and two people

00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:35.639
 were not getting along

00:12:35.639 --> 00:12:36.980
 and I said to the one person,

00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:37.919
 why don't you go

00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:38.860
 and have coffee

00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:39.319
 or lunch

00:12:39.319 --> 00:12:40.139
 with the other person

00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:41.620
 and talk things through?

00:12:41.860 --> 00:12:43.279
 And this person

00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:43.879
 said to me,

00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:45.200
 I've got no problem,

00:12:45.319 --> 00:12:45.939
 I'll talk through

00:12:45.939 --> 00:12:47.299
 things with them,

00:12:47.460 --> 00:12:48.360
 but they need to come

00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:49.039
 to me first.

00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:50.860
 If they take the initiative,

00:12:50.960 --> 00:12:51.799
 I'll sit down with them.

00:12:51.799 --> 00:12:53.319
 Friends,

00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:54.479
 in this hostile

00:12:54.479 --> 00:12:55.479
 relationship with God,

00:12:55.539 --> 00:12:56.519
 who took the initiative?

00:12:57.699 --> 00:12:57.879
 Well,

00:12:57.899 --> 00:12:59.019
 look at what Paul says here.

00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:01.379
 While we were still sinners,

00:13:01.599 --> 00:13:02.659
 Christ died for us.

00:13:03.699 --> 00:13:05.399
 While we were enemies,

00:13:05.919 --> 00:13:07.779
 we were reconciled to God

00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:08.719
 by the death of his son.

00:13:08.819 --> 00:13:09.019
 Friends,

00:13:09.079 --> 00:13:10.259
 while we were shaking

00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:11.359
 our fists at God

00:13:11.359 --> 00:13:12.879
 and pushing him away,

00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:14.859
 God sent his son

00:13:14.859 --> 00:13:16.759
 to die on the cross

00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:18.139
 to receive us

00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:19.199
 and to welcome us

00:13:19.199 --> 00:13:21.279
 as reconciled children.

00:13:21.799 --> 00:13:22.479
 of God.

00:13:22.579 --> 00:13:22.819
 Friends,

00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:24.259
 this is the great message

00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:25.179
 of the gospel.

00:13:25.359 --> 00:13:27.099
 This is what the Bible is about.

00:13:27.219 --> 00:13:28.099
 This is what Jesus

00:13:28.099 --> 00:13:28.939
 has come to do.

00:13:29.419 --> 00:13:29.579
 Friends,

00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:30.279
 the great point

00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:31.339
 of our justification,

00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:33.939
 Jesus has removed our guilt.

00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:35.259
 The point of the doctrine

00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:35.959
 of redemption

00:13:35.959 --> 00:13:37.620
 that Christ has liberated us

00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:38.379
 from the bondage

00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:39.419
 of slavery to sin

00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:42.259
 is so that we can be reconciled,

00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.479
 that our enmity

00:13:43.479 --> 00:13:44.559
 can be done away with,

00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:46.039
 that we can be reunited

00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:46.819
 with God.

00:13:47.339 --> 00:13:49.259
 This is the gospel.

00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:51.259
 This is the great hope

00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:52.319
 of the gospel.

00:13:55.139 --> 00:13:55.659
 Now,

00:13:55.860 --> 00:13:57.139
 as a side note,

00:13:57.860 --> 00:13:58.779
 it's important to see

00:13:58.779 --> 00:14:00.120
 this is why Christians

00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:01.620
 practice reconciliation

00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:03.460
 within our own relationships.

00:14:04.159 --> 00:14:04.720
 Certainly,

00:14:04.819 --> 00:14:05.679
 as followers of Jesus,

00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:06.460
 there's times

00:14:06.460 --> 00:14:07.539
 when there's misunderstanding,

00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:09.319
 there's miscommunication,

00:14:09.939 --> 00:14:10.700
 there's hurt,

00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:11.559
 there's offense.

00:14:12.419 --> 00:14:12.580
 Friends,

00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:13.580
 sometimes we experience

00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:14.580
 relationships that are

00:14:14.580 --> 00:14:16.059
 strained or even broken.

00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:17.599
 But as Christians,

00:14:17.839 --> 00:14:19.279
 we pursue reconciliation.

00:14:19.719 --> 00:14:20.779
 And the reason we do that

00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:21.539
 is because this is

00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:22.579
 the very foundation

00:14:22.579 --> 00:14:23.899
 of the gospel.

00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:25.119
 This is the foundation

00:14:25.119 --> 00:14:26.539
 of our identity in God,

00:14:26.599 --> 00:14:28.179
 that God has reconciled

00:14:28.179 --> 00:14:29.019
 himself to us.

00:14:29.439 --> 00:14:30.779
 And so Ephesians 4 says this,

00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:32.579
 Just as God in Christ

00:14:32.579 --> 00:14:33.259
 forgave you,

00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:35.419
 so forgive one another.

00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:37.459
 This is why we practice

00:14:37.459 --> 00:14:38.179
 reconciliation.

00:14:39.779 --> 00:14:40.299
 Now,

00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:42.139
 as wonderful as this is,

00:14:42.199 --> 00:14:42.799
 in many ways,

00:14:42.859 --> 00:14:44.279
 this is only half the story.

00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:45.759
 The good news,

00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:47.179
 as good as this is,

00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:48.759
 is that this is only

00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:49.919
 a small part of what

00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:51.039
 the Bible says

00:14:51.039 --> 00:14:51.939
 about our relationship

00:14:51.939 --> 00:14:52.860
 with God now.

00:14:53.159 --> 00:14:54.259
 Because two people

00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:55.360
 who previously were

00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:56.720
 at enmity with one another,

00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:57.500
 where there was once

00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:58.120
 hostility,

00:14:58.799 --> 00:15:00.419
 can be reconciled,

00:15:00.480 --> 00:15:01.299
 they can apologize

00:15:01.299 --> 00:15:02.500
 and say sorry,

00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:03.939
 but that doesn't say much

00:15:03.939 --> 00:15:04.600
 for the state

00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:05.720
 of their relationship now.

00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:07.720
 What is the state

00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:08.579
 of that relationship?

00:15:09.659 --> 00:15:09.919
 Well,

00:15:09.939 --> 00:15:10.319
 look at what

00:15:10.319 --> 00:15:11.240
 the New Testament says.

00:15:11.319 --> 00:15:11.879
 The New Testament

00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:13.120
 has very clear language

00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:14.659
 to describe the state

00:15:14.659 --> 00:15:16.320
 of this reconciled relationship.

00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:17.840
 Look at what he says.

00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:19.620
 Look at what the Apostle John says

00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:20.639
 in John chapter 1.

00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:20.940
 He says,

00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:23.560
 God so loved the world

00:15:23.560 --> 00:15:24.679
 that He sent His Son

00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:26.500
 to reconcile us to God.

00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:27.879
 John says,

00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:29.259
 To all who received

00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:29.759
 the Son,

00:15:29.919 --> 00:15:30.639
 Jesus Christ,

00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:31.799
 to those who believed

00:15:31.799 --> 00:15:32.360
 in His name,

00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:33.679
 He gave the right

00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:35.000
 to become children

00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:36.500
 of God.

00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:38.899
 Paul writes in Romans,

00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:39.440
 he says,

00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:40.259
 Romans chapter 8,

00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:41.799
 for you did not receive

00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:42.980
 the spirit of slavery

00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:44.360
 to fall back into fear.

00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:46.360
 God is not a taskmaster

00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:47.319
 or a judge

00:15:47.319 --> 00:15:48.080
 or a boss

00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:49.620
 cracking the whip over us.

00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:50.200
 No,

00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:50.860
 you have received

00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:52.480
 the spirit of adoption

00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:53.539
 as sons

00:15:53.539 --> 00:15:55.659
 by whom we cry,

00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:56.700
 Abba,

00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:58.080
 Father.

00:15:58.740 --> 00:15:59.600
 The spirit Himself

00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:00.159
 bears witness

00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:00.759
 to our spirit

00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:01.259
 that we are

00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:02.659
 children of God.

00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:03.740
 The word Abba

00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:05.259
 is the Aramaic word

00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:06.259
 for Daddy,

00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:07.659
 Dad.

00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:10.279
 Sometimes when I come home

00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:11.100
 in the evenings

00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:11.899
 after work

00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:12.459
 and get home

00:16:12.459 --> 00:16:13.719
 at 6.30 or so

00:16:13.719 --> 00:16:14.919
 and as I open

00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:15.699
 the front door

00:16:15.699 --> 00:16:16.819
 my two daughters

00:16:16.819 --> 00:16:18.199
 can hear that I'm home

00:16:18.199 --> 00:16:19.559
 and from time to time

00:16:19.559 --> 00:16:20.500
 they'll run

00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:21.339
 from the other side

00:16:21.339 --> 00:16:22.059
 of the apartment

00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:22.799
 crying,

00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:23.379
 Daddy!

00:16:23.819 --> 00:16:24.639
 And they'll run

00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:26.039
 and jump into my arms.

00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:27.860
 That's what this word is.

00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:29.219
 Daddy!

00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:30.339
 Abba!

00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:32.139
 Dad is home.

00:16:33.079 --> 00:16:34.319
 God has given us

00:16:34.319 --> 00:16:35.240
 the Holy Spirit

00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:36.279
 confirming that we are

00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:38.019
 not just reconciled,

00:16:38.079 --> 00:16:38.939
 not just neutral,

00:16:39.319 --> 00:16:41.000
 we are sons and daughters

00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:42.879
 of God.

00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:44.600
 We now get to call Him

00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:45.679
 Father.

00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:47.899
 Galatians says the same thing

00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:48.539
 when the fullness

00:16:48.539 --> 00:16:49.360
 of time came,

00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:50.419
 Jeremy read this to us

00:16:50.419 --> 00:16:51.199
 a few minutes ago,

00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:52.879
 God sent forth His Son

00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:54.159
 to redeem those

00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:55.179
 who are under the law

00:16:55.179 --> 00:16:56.539
 so that we might receive

00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:57.839
 adoption as sons.

00:16:58.279 --> 00:16:59.620
 And because you are His sons

00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.279
 and His daughters,

00:17:00.439 --> 00:17:02.019
 God has sent the Spirit

00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:02.439
 of His Son

00:17:02.439 --> 00:17:03.100
 into our hearts

00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:04.519
 that we may cry out,

00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:05.839
 Dad!

00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:07.039
 Abba!

00:17:07.859 --> 00:17:08.339
 Father!

00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:09.399
 Friends,

00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:10.599
 justification says

00:17:10.599 --> 00:17:11.319
 that we are no longer

00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:12.079
 under guilt

00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:13.539
 but under grace.

00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:14.579
 If redemption says

00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:15.119
 we are no longer

00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:16.160
 subject to slavery

00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:17.019
 but we are free,

00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:18.839
 reconciliation says

00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:19.660
 we are no longer

00:17:19.660 --> 00:17:20.960
 at enmity with God

00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:22.119
 but have been welcomed

00:17:22.119 --> 00:17:22.899
 into His family

00:17:22.899 --> 00:17:24.579
 as sons and daughters,

00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.559
 into His family

00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:26.720
 as children.

00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:27.619
 Friends,

00:17:27.660 --> 00:17:28.139
 the good news

00:17:28.139 --> 00:17:28.740
 of the Gospel

00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.279
 is that

00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.839
 it's not just that

00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:31.879
 in Christ God

00:17:31.879 --> 00:17:32.680
 has forgiven us

00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:33.220
 of our sins,

00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:34.720
 as wonderful as that is,

00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:35.940
 that my sin

00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:37.380
 which was as vast

00:17:37.380 --> 00:17:38.480
 and as deep

00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.460
 as the ocean

00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:41.100
 has been enveloped

00:17:41.100 --> 00:17:42.579
 by God's profound love

00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.079
 for me

00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:44.319
 in His forgiveness

00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.160
 and His mercy.

00:17:45.600 --> 00:17:46.759
 The great declaration

00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.400
 of the Gospel

00:17:47.400 --> 00:17:48.620
 is true as all that is

00:17:48.620 --> 00:17:49.660
 is that despite

00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:51.380
 my hostility to God,

00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:53.019
 despite my enmity

00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:53.640
 with God,

00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:55.160
 I who once was

00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:56.220
 at enmity with God

00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:57.140
 have been welcomed

00:17:57.140 --> 00:17:58.220
 into His family

00:17:58.220 --> 00:18:00.860
 as a beloved son

00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:02.099
 and now I get

00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:02.839
 to call Him

00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:04.119
 Father.

00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:05.599
 And friends,

00:18:05.679 --> 00:18:06.479
 if you are in Christ

00:18:06.479 --> 00:18:07.079
 that is true

00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:07.979
 for you as well.

00:18:08.919 --> 00:18:09.799
 John writes this

00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:11.179
 in 1 John chapter 3.

00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:12.599
 He says this incredible verse,

00:18:12.719 --> 00:18:14.679
 See what kind of love

00:18:14.679 --> 00:18:16.639
 the Father has given us

00:18:16.639 --> 00:18:19.199
 that we should be called

00:18:19.199 --> 00:18:20.859
 children of God

00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:23.719
 and this is what we are.

00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:25.759
 Friends,

00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:27.000
 this is one of the great points

00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:28.799
 in Jesus' parable

00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:30.399
 of the prodigal son.

00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:31.720
 He tells this amazing story

00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.360
 of a son

00:18:32.360 --> 00:18:35.759
 that doesn't have much regard

00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:36.660
 for his father.

00:18:36.820 --> 00:18:38.560
 He's at enmity

00:18:38.560 --> 00:18:39.200
 with his father

00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:40.519
 and he thinks to himself,

00:18:41.120 --> 00:18:41.420
 Actually,

00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:41.980
 it would be better

00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:43.080
 if my father were dead

00:18:43.080 --> 00:18:44.340
 because then I would inherit

00:18:44.340 --> 00:18:45.680
 some money

00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:46.560
 and I could go off

00:18:46.560 --> 00:18:47.440
 and live my own life,

00:18:47.560 --> 00:18:48.400
 do things that I want.

00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:50.340
 Well, I'm under my father's roof.

00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:51.220
 He tells me what to do.

00:18:51.300 --> 00:18:52.300
 He tells me how to behave.

00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:53.160
 Actually,

00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:54.340
 I wish he were dead.

00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:55.360
 I could get the money.

00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:56.360
 I can go and be free.

00:18:57.660 --> 00:18:58.140
 And so one day

00:18:58.140 --> 00:18:58.880
 he eventually says,

00:18:58.940 --> 00:18:59.540
 Listen, Dad,

00:18:59.539 --> 00:19:00.759
 you and I know

00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:01.960
 that I hate you.

00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:03.639
 Our relationship sucks.

00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:04.059
 Actually,

00:19:04.139 --> 00:19:04.980
 you are dead to me.

00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:06.180
 It would be better for me

00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:06.819
 if you were dead

00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:07.779
 then I could get the money

00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:08.759
 and go and do my own thing.

00:19:09.159 --> 00:19:10.159
 Why don't you just give me

00:19:10.159 --> 00:19:10.680
 my inheritance

00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:12.059
 so I can go off my own way,

00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:13.139
 live my own life?

00:19:14.180 --> 00:19:14.619
 The father,

00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.460
 for some reason,

00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:16.359
 says,

00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:16.720
 Okay,

00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:18.920
 I guess if that's your heart,

00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:19.759
 I can't change you.

00:19:19.859 --> 00:19:20.059
 Here,

00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:21.000
 take your inheritance.

00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:21.759
 And so the son

00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:23.200
 takes this inheritance

00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:24.900
 and skips off into the country

00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:25.859
 to go live free,

00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:27.220
 to go do what he wants to do.

00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:29.039
 And he's living it up

00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:29.900
 and he's partying it up

00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:30.900
 and he's buying friends

00:19:30.900 --> 00:19:32.380
 and all sorts of things.

00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.019
 But eventually,

00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:34.420
 he realizes

00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:35.279
 that the father

00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:35.980
 was actually right

00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:37.380
 and he gets to the end of himself

00:19:37.380 --> 00:19:39.579
 and he's begging for bread

00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:40.240
 on the street.

00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:42.339
 He can't get a job anywhere.

00:19:43.339 --> 00:19:45.000
 He's come to the very end of himself

00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.140
 and he thinks to himself,

00:19:46.860 --> 00:19:47.180
 Well,

00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:48.640
 I'm no longer a son.

00:19:49.300 --> 00:19:50.300
 I told my father

00:19:50.300 --> 00:19:51.240
 that he's dead to me.

00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.560
 But at least I know

00:19:52.560 --> 00:19:53.600
 that on that farm,

00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:55.340
 if anyone comes looking for work,

00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:56.759
 my father will never turn them away.

00:19:56.840 --> 00:19:57.640
 Let me go back

00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:59.620
 and sell myself as a slave.

00:20:01.280 --> 00:20:02.120
 And so he goes

00:20:02.120 --> 00:20:03.860
 and he makes his way back

00:20:03.860 --> 00:20:04.500
 to the farm

00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.340
 where he grew up.

00:20:06.080 --> 00:20:07.500
 And he's practicing the speech

00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:07.880
 saying,

00:20:08.320 --> 00:20:09.840
 I know that I said you're dead to me.

00:20:10.060 --> 00:20:10.900
 Will you take me in

00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:12.120
 as a servant on your farm?

00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:16.120
 And as he's walking home,

00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:18.460
 the father sees him

00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:19.200
 in a distance.

00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.360
 And the father's heart

00:20:21.360 --> 00:20:22.940
 is moved with compassion.

00:20:24.280 --> 00:20:26.140
 And he picks up his robes

00:20:26.800 --> 00:20:27.220
 and he,

00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:29.020
 in great shame to himself,

00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:30.740
 he runs down the road

00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:32.580
 and he throws his arm

00:20:32.580 --> 00:20:34.800
 around this prodigal son.

00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.020
 And he says,

00:20:36.100 --> 00:20:37.580
 My son, my son,

00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:39.300
 it is so good to see you again.

00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:41.140
 Welcome home.

00:20:41.820 --> 00:20:42.400
 And the son says,

00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:42.900
 No, no, no,

00:20:42.900 --> 00:20:44.120
 I'm not your son anymore.

00:20:44.120 --> 00:20:45.280
 I've come to sell myself

00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:46.139
 as a slave.

00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:47.259
 Is it possible

00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:48.500
 that I work on your farm

00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.099
 as a servant?

00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:50.039
 And the father says,

00:20:50.379 --> 00:20:50.700
 Shh!

00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:52.420
 My son,

00:20:53.180 --> 00:20:54.839
 my son whom I love,

00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:56.940
 welcome home.

00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:59.960
 And the father says to the servant,

00:21:00.140 --> 00:21:00.400
 quickly,

00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:01.980
 kill the fattened calf.

00:21:02.059 --> 00:21:03.500
 My son who was once dead

00:21:03.500 --> 00:21:04.920
 is alive.

00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:07.480
 The father welcomes home.

00:21:07.820 --> 00:21:08.039
 Friends,

00:21:08.120 --> 00:21:09.279
 see what kind of love

00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:10.620
 the father has given to us,

00:21:10.640 --> 00:21:12.200
 that we should be called

00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:13.799
 children of God.

00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:15.980
 And this is what we are.

00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:17.900
 Friends,

00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:19.259
 where once there was enmity

00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:20.180
 and hostility,

00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:22.880
 God has thrown his arms around

00:21:22.880 --> 00:21:23.500
 you and I

00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:24.380
 if you are in Christ.

00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:24.799
 And he said,

00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:25.480
 My son,

00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:26.579
 my daughter,

00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:27.759
 I love you.

00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:29.319
 Welcome home.

00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.759
 J.I. Packer

00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.740
 is one of the greatest

00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:36.579
 theologians

00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:37.359
 of the last century.

00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.920
 He died just a few months ago

00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:40.880
 in his early 90s

00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:42.500
 and he writes this.

00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.119
 He says,

00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:44.940
 What is a Christian?

00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:47.579
 The question can be answered

00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:48.259
 in many ways,

00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:49.380
 but the richest answer

00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:50.019
 that I know

00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:51.019
 is that a Christian

00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:52.519
 is one who has God

00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.220
 as father.

00:21:54.339 --> 00:21:55.400
 If you want to judge

00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:56.299
 how well a person

00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:57.680
 understands Christianity,

00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:59.019
 find out how much

00:21:59.019 --> 00:22:00.379
 he or she makes the thought

00:22:00.379 --> 00:22:02.500
 of being God's child,

00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:04.539
 of having God

00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:05.460
 as father.

00:22:06.639 --> 00:22:08.319
 If this is not the thought

00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:09.519
 that prompts and controls

00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:10.180
 your worship,

00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:10.799
 your prayers,

00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:12.299
 indeed your whole outlook

00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:12.900
 on life,

00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:14.759
 it means you do not understand

00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:16.000
 Christianity very well

00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.339
 at all.

00:22:17.379 --> 00:22:17.900
 Father

00:22:17.900 --> 00:22:19.420
 is the Christian name

00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:20.259
 for God.

00:22:21.840 --> 00:22:22.280
 Friends,

00:22:22.340 --> 00:22:22.920
 if you're a Christian

00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:23.519
 this morning,

00:22:24.540 --> 00:22:25.160
 how do you think

00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:26.360
 God feels about you?

00:22:28.620 --> 00:22:29.060
 Friends,

00:22:29.100 --> 00:22:29.700
 I know that

00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:31.820
 many of us

00:22:31.820 --> 00:22:32.500
 grew up

00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:33.780
 with difficult relationships

00:22:33.780 --> 00:22:34.640
 with our parents.

00:22:35.880 --> 00:22:36.300
 Friends,

00:22:36.320 --> 00:22:36.860
 you may not find

00:22:36.860 --> 00:22:37.540
 that description

00:22:37.540 --> 00:22:38.800
 that God is a father

00:22:38.800 --> 00:22:39.840
 or that comforting.

00:22:40.900 --> 00:22:41.519
 But consider

00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.160
 the longing

00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:42.960
 of your heart.

00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:44.360
 There's not the fact

00:22:44.360 --> 00:22:44.960
 that you long

00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:45.780
 to be approved

00:22:45.780 --> 00:22:46.440
 and affirmed.

00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.320
 There's not the fact

00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:48.240
 that we long

00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:49.639
 to hear our parents

00:22:49.639 --> 00:22:50.659
 speak those words

00:22:50.659 --> 00:22:51.139
 of us.

00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:52.319
 Tell us that they're

00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:53.059
 proud of us,

00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:54.200
 that they love us,

00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:55.240
 that they're for us.

00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:56.500
 Does that

00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:58.039
 longing to be accepted

00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.659
 and affirmed

00:22:58.659 --> 00:22:59.059
 and approved,

00:22:59.139 --> 00:23:00.079
 does that not suggest

00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:00.819
 that this is how

00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:01.779
 things ought to be?

00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.419
 Friends,

00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:04.279
 in God the Father

00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:04.679
 we have

00:23:04.679 --> 00:23:06.019
 the perfect Father

00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:07.500
 who is tender

00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:09.039
 and compassionate,

00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:11.259
 who is exceedingly

00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:11.819
 patient

00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:12.720
 and long-suffering,

00:23:13.179 --> 00:23:14.159
 who never loses

00:23:14.159 --> 00:23:14.779
 his temper,

00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:15.960
 who is never

00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:16.960
 disillusioned

00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:17.500
 with us.

00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:18.799
 A father

00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.519
 who knows us

00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.000
 better than

00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:21.000
 we know ourselves

00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:22.160
 and yet who

00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:22.840
 loves us

00:23:22.840 --> 00:23:23.620
 to the utmost.

00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.200
 This is who

00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:25.799
 God is.

00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:26.920
 This is what

00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:27.660
 he's done for us

00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:28.579
 in Christ's death

00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.200
 on the cross.

00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.240
 Now,

00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:32.720
 like all other

00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.200
 doctrines

00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:33.660
 that we've looked

00:23:33.660 --> 00:23:34.680
 at the last few weeks,

00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:35.440
 the Bible says

00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:36.059
 that in Christ

00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:36.700
 we have received

00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.200
 adoption

00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:38.840
 as children of God.

00:23:38.920 --> 00:23:39.579
 But this is both

00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:41.000
 a status that is given

00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:42.079
 as well as a lived

00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:42.920
 experience

00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:44.019
 for us to enjoy.

00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:45.559
 It's a status

00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:46.400
 that's conferred

00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:46.940
 upon you

00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:47.920
 the day that you

00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.599
 put your faith

00:23:48.599 --> 00:23:49.200
 in Christ.

00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.460
 You've been transferred

00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:51.379
 from the category

00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:52.299
 of hostility,

00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:52.940
 enmity,

00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:53.680
 to the category

00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:55.059
 of beloved son

00:23:55.059 --> 00:23:55.500
 or daughter,

00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:56.440
 child of God.

00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:58.160
 Being God's child

00:23:58.160 --> 00:23:59.119
 is not a relationship

00:23:59.119 --> 00:24:00.119
 you need to earn

00:24:00.119 --> 00:24:00.940
 or cultivate

00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.980
 through your good works.

00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:03.180
 It is a status

00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:04.420
 that is given to you.

00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:05.039
 Remember how

00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:06.000
 John said it

00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:06.639
 in chapter 1,

00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:08.139
 to all who receive him,

00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:09.180
 who believe in his name,

00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:10.639
 we are given

00:24:10.639 --> 00:24:11.299
 the right

00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:12.139
 to become children

00:24:12.139 --> 00:24:12.700
 of God.

00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:14.440
 It is put upon you.

00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:15.620
 You are God's child

00:24:15.620 --> 00:24:16.620
 if you are in Christ.

00:24:17.340 --> 00:24:18.279
 And yet like all the

00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:19.400
 great doctrines of Scripture,

00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:21.059
 this is not just meant

00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:21.539
 to be something

00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.440
 that we intellectually

00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:23.840
 understand in our head,

00:24:24.120 --> 00:24:25.259
 not just a theological

00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:26.740
 badge we can articulate.

00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:28.080
 This is meant to be

00:24:28.080 --> 00:24:29.019
 something that shapes

00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:29.640
 our lives,

00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:30.920
 that shapes our

00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:31.819
 lived experience.

00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:33.019
 As J.R. Packer said,

00:24:33.360 --> 00:24:34.620
 it's to shape our praise

00:24:34.620 --> 00:24:35.279
 and our worship,

00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.319
 indeed our whole

00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:37.279
 outlook of life.

00:24:38.100 --> 00:24:38.500
 In fact,

00:24:38.600 --> 00:24:39.580
 so important is it

00:24:39.580 --> 00:24:40.140
 that Christians

00:24:40.140 --> 00:24:41.519
 operate and live

00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.079
 from this place

00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:42.819
 of understanding

00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:44.039
 of being God's children,

00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.500
 that God says

00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.180
 he gives us

00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:47.059
 his Holy Spirit

00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:48.579
 almost expressly

00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:49.599
 for this purpose.

00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:50.579
 Look at how

00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:51.359
 Paul writes

00:24:51.359 --> 00:24:52.299
 in Galatians 4.

00:24:52.420 --> 00:24:52.740
 He says,

00:24:52.859 --> 00:24:53.720
 God sent forth

00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.759
 his Son

00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.980
 to redeem

00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:56.539
 those who are

00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.160
 under the law

00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:58.099
 that we might

00:24:58.099 --> 00:24:58.879
 receive adoption

00:24:58.879 --> 00:24:59.400
 of sons.

00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:00.980
 And because of your sons,

00:25:01.099 --> 00:25:01.619
 God has sent

00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:02.420
 his Spirit

00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:03.359
 into our hearts

00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:05.000
 so that we might

00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:05.680
 cry out,

00:25:05.900 --> 00:25:06.379
 Abba,

00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:06.920
 Father.

00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:08.079
 One of the reasons

00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:08.759
 God gives us

00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.519
 the Holy Spirit

00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.019
 is so that

00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:10.859
 in the day-to-day

00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:12.000
 reality of our life,

00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:13.480
 as we're in the marketplace

00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.279
 and at work

00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:15.180
 and at university,

00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:16.259
 as we're at home

00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:17.420
 looking after children,

00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:18.319
 God,

00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:18.900
 the Holy Spirit

00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:19.940
 who lives within us,

00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:21.480
 helps us to pray

00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:22.339
 and to cry out

00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:23.119
 and to call out

00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:23.579
 to God

00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:24.859
 as our Father.

00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:27.379
 Friends,

00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:28.500
 as you go to work tomorrow,

00:25:28.619 --> 00:25:30.359
 as you're making deals

00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:31.539
 and pricing deals,

00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:33.259
 as you're sitting

00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:33.960
 under a job

00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:35.740
 performance review,

00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.339
 as you're applying

00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:37.959
 for jobs.

00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:38.779
 Friends,

00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:39.299
 as you're looking

00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:40.799
 for a romantic relationship

00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:42.819
 and somebody to date.

00:25:43.639 --> 00:25:44.500
 Do you do so

00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:45.619
 knowing that God

00:25:45.619 --> 00:25:46.259
 is your Father?

00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:48.119
 Now,

00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.359
 similarly to what we said

00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:50.099
 about reconciliation,

00:25:50.899 --> 00:25:51.939
 the reason Christians

00:25:51.939 --> 00:25:53.039
 have always been

00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.699
 at the forefront

00:25:53.699 --> 00:25:54.579
 of fostering

00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:55.139
 and adoption

00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:55.879
 in our cities,

00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:56.439
 looking after

00:25:56.439 --> 00:25:57.379
 vulnerable children

00:25:57.379 --> 00:25:57.899
 of our city,

00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:59.240
 is because in many ways

00:25:59.240 --> 00:25:59.859
 this is one of the

00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:01.679
 foundational understandings

00:26:01.679 --> 00:26:02.319
 of what it means

00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:03.599
 to be God's children,

00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:04.419
 to be a Christian.

00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:05.799
 This is so central

00:26:05.799 --> 00:26:06.439
 to the Gospel.

00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:07.220
 So as we are

00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:08.340
 adopted by God

00:26:08.340 --> 00:26:09.100
 into His family

00:26:09.100 --> 00:26:09.600
 vertically,

00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:10.779
 so we live out

00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:12.400
 the Gospel horizontally.

00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.220
 And Christians

00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:13.799
 have always been

00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:14.440
 at the forefront

00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:15.660
 of fostering

00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:16.220
 and adopting

00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:17.160
 the vulnerable

00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:18.559
 children in our city.

00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.019
 Now,

00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:20.640
 at this point,

00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:21.200
 it's important

00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:21.759
 to clarify

00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:23.019
 a common misunderstanding.

00:26:23.860 --> 00:26:25.080
 This awesome truth

00:26:25.080 --> 00:26:26.400
 that God,

00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.120
 the eternal,

00:26:27.320 --> 00:26:27.660
 awesome,

00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:28.600
 merciful God

00:26:28.600 --> 00:26:29.220
 is our Father,

00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:30.700
 cannot be said

00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:32.039
 of every human being.

00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:33.480
 This is something

00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:33.980
 that is given

00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.820
 to those who are

00:26:34.820 --> 00:26:35.640
 in Christ

00:26:35.640 --> 00:26:36.380
 through faith

00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:37.060
 and repentance.

00:26:38.060 --> 00:26:39.180
 That those who have

00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:39.840
 put their faith

00:26:39.840 --> 00:26:40.460
 in Christ

00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:42.080
 and trusted Jesus

00:26:42.080 --> 00:26:42.880
 as their divine

00:26:42.880 --> 00:26:44.160
 sin bearer.

00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:45.700
 The idea that all people

00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:46.700
 are God's children

00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:47.520
 by birth

00:26:47.520 --> 00:26:48.360
 is actually not found

00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:48.840
 in the Scriptures

00:26:48.840 --> 00:26:49.300
 anyway.

00:26:49.820 --> 00:26:51.000
 Galatians 3 says this,

00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:52.480
 you are sons of God

00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:53.420
 through faith

00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:54.400
 in Jesus Christ.

00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:55.640
 Jesus said,

00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:57.420
 and no one comes

00:26:57.420 --> 00:26:58.080
 to the Father,

00:26:58.280 --> 00:26:58.820
 in other words,

00:26:59.140 --> 00:27:00.220
 no one gets to experience

00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:00.940
 God as Father

00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:02.559
 except through me.

00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:03.840
 To be declared

00:27:03.840 --> 00:27:04.640
 a child of God

00:27:04.640 --> 00:27:06.180
 is not a universal status

00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:07.220
 that is conferred upon

00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:08.160
 all people

00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:09.180
 by way of birth.

00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:10.360
 It is a gift

00:27:10.360 --> 00:27:11.140
 that is received

00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:12.600
 by being born again,

00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:14.500
 the supernatural gift

00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:15.200
 of God.

00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:17.200
 To all who receive Him,

00:27:17.360 --> 00:27:18.539
 who believe in His name,

00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:19.360
 He has given the right

00:27:19.360 --> 00:27:20.640
 to become children

00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:21.259
 of God.

00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:22.700
 Friends,

00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.940
 if you're not a Christian

00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:24.559
 this morning,

00:27:24.640 --> 00:27:25.680
 let me just speak to you

00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:26.440
 for a second.

00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:29.160
 At the heart of Christianity

00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:32.259
 is this declaration

00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:35.279
 that apart from Christ

00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:37.299
 we bear our transgressions

00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:37.960
 and our sins.

00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:39.820
 That we are,

00:27:40.080 --> 00:27:40.860
 there's a breakdown

00:27:40.860 --> 00:27:41.660
 in relationship

00:27:41.660 --> 00:27:42.840
 between us and the God

00:27:42.840 --> 00:27:43.559
 who made us

00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.140
 to know Him

00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:44.680
 and love Him

00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:45.519
 and experience Him.

00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:48.440
 But God so loved the world,

00:27:48.580 --> 00:27:49.660
 God so loved you,

00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:52.000
 that He sent His only Son

00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:53.380
 to end the hostility,

00:27:53.600 --> 00:27:55.080
 to reconcile us,

00:27:55.120 --> 00:27:56.360
 that we may know God

00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:57.139
 as our Father.

00:27:57.859 --> 00:27:58.139
 Friends,

00:27:58.219 --> 00:27:59.219
 the heart of Christianity

00:27:59.219 --> 00:28:00.839
 is that Jesus died

00:28:00.839 --> 00:28:01.359
 on the cross.

00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:02.559
 God became man

00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:04.379
 to die for you.

00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.500
 So that you will know Him

00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:08.659
 and experience the love of God.

00:28:08.719 --> 00:28:10.000
 That God the Father,

00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:11.199
 the one who knit you together

00:28:11.199 --> 00:28:11.979
 in your mother's womb,

00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:13.719
 the God who made the universe,

00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:15.439
 will be able to welcome you

00:28:15.439 --> 00:28:16.399
 into His family

00:28:16.399 --> 00:28:18.919
 as a son or a daughter

00:28:18.919 --> 00:28:21.199
 to pour His love upon you.

00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:22.839
 This is what Christianity

00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:24.459
 is all about.

00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:28.399
 A few weeks ago,

00:28:28.579 --> 00:28:30.399
 Chris shared this amazing quote

00:28:30.399 --> 00:28:31.259
 by Richard Lovelace.

00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:32.879
 We've shared this so many times

00:28:32.879 --> 00:28:33.279
 at Watermark.

00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:34.439
 I want to read it one more time.

00:28:34.559 --> 00:28:35.039
 It says this,

00:28:35.419 --> 00:28:36.319
 For most Christians,

00:28:36.859 --> 00:28:37.859
 we intellectually know

00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:38.899
 that God accepts us

00:28:38.899 --> 00:28:39.979
 because of what Jesus did

00:28:39.979 --> 00:28:40.579
 on the cross.

00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:42.000
 But in our actual

00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:43.119
 day-to-day existence,

00:28:43.399 --> 00:28:44.639
 most of us still rely

00:28:44.639 --> 00:28:45.419
 on our spiritual

00:28:45.419 --> 00:28:46.899
 or moral performance

00:28:46.899 --> 00:28:48.639
 to assure us

00:28:48.639 --> 00:28:49.399
 of God's love

00:28:49.399 --> 00:28:50.399
 and acceptance.

00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:51.379
 We know in our heads

00:28:51.379 --> 00:28:52.419
 that God loves us,

00:28:52.459 --> 00:28:53.000
 but actually,

00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:53.819
 we don't feel it

00:28:53.819 --> 00:28:54.539
 in our hearts.

00:28:55.579 --> 00:28:55.819
 Friends,

00:28:56.200 --> 00:28:57.039
 in the same way,

00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:57.779
 most Christians

00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.839
 intellectually know

00:28:58.839 --> 00:28:59.759
 that God loves us

00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:00.420
 and accepts us,

00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:01.420
 that God is our Father

00:29:01.420 --> 00:29:02.200
 and we as children.

00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:03.579
 But in our actual

00:29:03.579 --> 00:29:04.660
 day-to-day existence,

00:29:05.119 --> 00:29:06.839
 we live as spiritual orphans

00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:08.640
 because we do not understand

00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:10.200
 what the Scriptures say

00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:10.680
 when it says

00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:11.660
 God welcomes us

00:29:11.660 --> 00:29:12.720
 as fathers.

00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:13.980
 Again,

00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:14.819
 J.I. Packer

00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:16.000
 says this,

00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.940
 The most pressing question

00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:19.119
 one can ask of oneself

00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:19.679
 is this,

00:29:20.419 --> 00:29:22.419
 Do I as a Christian

00:29:22.419 --> 00:29:23.839
 know my real identity?

00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:25.759
 Do you know

00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.699
 that you are a loved

00:29:26.699 --> 00:29:27.599
 child of God,

00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:29.459
 that God is your Father,

00:29:30.239 --> 00:29:31.359
 that Heaven is your home?

00:29:32.339 --> 00:29:33.399
 Say it over and over

00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:33.899
 to yourself,

00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:34.899
 first thing in the morning,

00:29:35.339 --> 00:29:36.459
 last thing at night,

00:29:36.919 --> 00:29:38.299
 as you wait for the bus,

00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:39.439
 as you're on the MTR,

00:29:39.899 --> 00:29:40.959
 any time when your mind

00:29:40.959 --> 00:29:41.379
 is free,

00:29:41.739 --> 00:29:43.399
 and ask the Holy Spirit

00:29:43.399 --> 00:29:44.599
 that you may be enabled

00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:45.519
 to live as one

00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:46.119
 who knows

00:29:46.119 --> 00:29:46.879
 that it is utterly

00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:47.979
 and completely true.

00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:50.339
 This is the Christian secret

00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:51.860
 of a happy and a blessed life.

00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:52.839
 Even more so,

00:29:53.360 --> 00:29:54.240
 this is the secret

00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:55.860
 of living the Christian life.

00:29:56.620 --> 00:29:57.940
 This is the secret,

00:29:58.140 --> 00:29:59.000
 the Godward life.

00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:01.299
 Earlier this week,

00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:02.099
 I was talking to

00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:03.319
 a friend of mine

00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:05.079
 who grew up in Hong Kong.

00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.440
 He was born here,

00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:07.680
 and at the age of

00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.460
 two or three,

00:30:08.839 --> 00:30:09.839
 his parents moved

00:30:09.839 --> 00:30:10.579
 to the U.S.,

00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:11.920
 and he stayed behind.

00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:12.740
 He moved in

00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.660
 with his grandparents,

00:30:13.880 --> 00:30:14.680
 and he was raised

00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:15.940
 by his grandparents

00:30:15.940 --> 00:30:16.860
 here in Hong Kong.

00:30:16.859 --> 00:30:18.759
 Around the age

00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:19.819
 eight or nine,

00:30:19.979 --> 00:30:21.339
 he moved to America

00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:22.379
 to be reunited

00:30:22.379 --> 00:30:23.479
 with his parents,

00:30:23.599 --> 00:30:24.179
 but his parents,

00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:25.240
 being Chinese immigrants,

00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:27.459
 worked exceedingly hard

00:30:27.459 --> 00:30:28.819
 to provide for the family,

00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:30.599
 and so in many ways,

00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.359
 they weren't very present

00:30:32.359 --> 00:30:33.039
 in his life

00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.939
 as he grew up.

00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:35.359
 And so when he got

00:30:35.359 --> 00:30:36.139
 to college

00:30:36.139 --> 00:30:37.839
 and then started working,

00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:38.759
 he realized

00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.919
 he wasn't the smartest

00:30:39.919 --> 00:30:40.759
 kid in the class.

00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.139
 He didn't have the most

00:30:42.139 --> 00:30:43.539
 natural gifts and talents,

00:30:43.659 --> 00:30:44.259
 but the one thing

00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:45.000
 he did know

00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:46.059
 was being Chinese,

00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:47.379
 he could outwork

00:30:47.379 --> 00:30:48.240
 everybody else.

00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:50.740
 And so if his classmate

00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:52.059
 put in four hours

00:30:52.059 --> 00:30:52.700
 for an exam,

00:30:52.839 --> 00:30:53.679
 he would put in eight.

00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:55.000
 If a colleague

00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:56.019
 worked ten hours

00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:56.819
 for a presentation,

00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:58.200
 he would work twenty.

00:30:58.940 --> 00:30:59.899
 And so you achieve

00:30:59.899 --> 00:31:01.099
 great success

00:31:01.099 --> 00:31:02.940
 by just outworking

00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:03.980
 everybody else.

00:31:04.879 --> 00:31:05.240
 But he says

00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.980
 underneath this desire,

00:31:07.159 --> 00:31:08.379
 this drive

00:31:08.379 --> 00:31:09.899
 to be successful,

00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:10.940
 was this longing

00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:12.000
 to be affirmed,

00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:13.519
 to be approved,

00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:14.980
 to be accepted

00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:16.980
 by his superiors.

00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:18.759
 All his life,

00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:19.299
 he had wished

00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:20.200
 that his parents

00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:21.460
 had spoken

00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:22.019
 these words

00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:22.759
 of affirmation

00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.519
 and love over him.

00:31:23.559 --> 00:31:24.180
 And when he didn't

00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:25.139
 get it from his parents,

00:31:25.559 --> 00:31:26.559
 the next best place

00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:27.119
 was to get it

00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:27.859
 from his boss,

00:31:28.839 --> 00:31:29.559
 his colleagues,

00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:30.960
 his industry.

00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:33.160
 And so for fifteen years,

00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:33.879
 he just worked

00:31:33.879 --> 00:31:34.879
 extremely hard.

00:31:34.980 --> 00:31:36.980
 He was fairly successful.

00:31:37.619 --> 00:31:38.619
 He gained the approval

00:31:38.619 --> 00:31:39.460
 and the recognition,

00:31:39.660 --> 00:31:40.160
 the acceptance

00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:41.620
 that he so desperately

00:31:41.620 --> 00:31:42.400
 wanted of those

00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:42.940
 around him

00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:44.200
 that he had never

00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:45.060
 previously had.

00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:46.180
 And he transitioned

00:31:46.180 --> 00:31:47.440
 from the marketplace

00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:48.640
 into ministry

00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:49.840
 and even there

00:31:49.840 --> 00:31:50.440
 as a pastor,

00:31:50.600 --> 00:31:52.120
 he still lived

00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:53.120
 like an orphan,

00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:54.660
 always longing

00:31:54.660 --> 00:31:55.300
 to be loved

00:31:55.300 --> 00:31:56.000
 and accepted

00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.840
 and affirmed

00:31:56.840 --> 00:31:57.600
 and approved.

00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:00.380
 As I was speaking

00:32:00.380 --> 00:32:00.900
 to him this week

00:32:00.900 --> 00:32:01.300
 on the phone,

00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:01.920
 he didn't know

00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:02.560
 what I was talking

00:32:02.560 --> 00:32:03.240
 about this week

00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:03.960
 and he said

00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:05.060
 these words to me.

00:32:05.880 --> 00:32:06.340
 He said,

00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:29.539
 A few years ago,

00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:30.759
 he changed jobs

00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:31.359
 and worked for

00:32:31.359 --> 00:32:34.259
 a new boss employer

00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:36.500
 and this boss employer

00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:38.079
 isn't the most verbal person

00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:39.039
 full of communication.

00:32:39.940 --> 00:32:40.379
 And he said

00:32:40.379 --> 00:32:41.160
 that it absolutely

00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:41.779
 crushed him.

00:32:42.019 --> 00:32:42.460
 Though he was

00:32:42.460 --> 00:32:43.740
 exceedingly hardworking,

00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:44.660
 he just doubled down

00:32:44.660 --> 00:32:45.640
 and worked even harder.

00:32:46.180 --> 00:32:47.000
 All to hear

00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:48.039
 these elusive words

00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:48.259
 of,

00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:49.339
 You're doing so well.

00:32:49.779 --> 00:32:50.619
 You've done brilliantly.

00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:51.319
 But those words

00:32:51.319 --> 00:32:51.940
 never came.

00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:53.180
 Eventually,

00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:53.839
 he hit a wall

00:32:53.839 --> 00:32:55.299
 and absolutely burnt out

00:32:55.299 --> 00:32:56.319
 as he worked himself

00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:56.940
 to the bone

00:32:56.940 --> 00:32:57.720
 just to hear

00:32:57.720 --> 00:32:58.500
 these words,

00:32:59.140 --> 00:32:59.940
 You've done well.

00:33:00.140 --> 00:33:00.660
 Well done.

00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:03.279
 About two years ago,

00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:04.700
 he eventually

00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:05.500
 came to the place

00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:06.079
 where he realized

00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:06.899
 I'm an orphan

00:33:06.899 --> 00:33:08.879
 and I'm treating God

00:33:08.879 --> 00:33:09.799
 with an orphan mentality

00:33:09.799 --> 00:33:10.779
 and for the first time

00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:11.339
 in his life,

00:33:11.899 --> 00:33:13.139
 started to come to God

00:33:13.139 --> 00:33:14.440
 as Father.

00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:16.740
 Friends,

00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:17.759
 if you're a Christian

00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:18.259
 this morning,

00:33:18.319 --> 00:33:18.779
 are you living

00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.460
 like an orphan

00:33:19.460 --> 00:33:20.819
 and sure of God's

00:33:20.819 --> 00:33:21.660
 love and approval?

00:33:23.160 --> 00:33:24.399
 Jack Miller describes

00:33:24.399 --> 00:33:25.740
 the orphan mentality

00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.200
 like this.

00:33:26.259 --> 00:33:26.539
 He says,

00:33:26.639 --> 00:33:27.579
 Orphans always have

00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:28.619
 to look out for themselves

00:33:28.619 --> 00:33:29.859
 and can depend on no one.

00:33:31.079 --> 00:33:31.779
 Orphans must always

00:33:31.779 --> 00:33:32.399
 be strong

00:33:32.400 --> 00:33:33.340
 and protect themselves

00:33:33.340 --> 00:33:33.940
 from being taken

00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:34.800
 advantage of.

00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:36.640
 Orphans struggle

00:33:36.640 --> 00:33:37.460
 to feel weak

00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:38.480
 or to be weak

00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:39.080
 and vulnerable.

00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.500
 Always need to be

00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:41.019
 accepted,

00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:41.960
 belong,

00:33:42.620 --> 00:33:43.040
 understood.

00:33:44.519 --> 00:33:45.280
 Orphans crave

00:33:45.280 --> 00:33:45.940
 to be loved

00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:46.840
 but doubt they ever

00:33:46.840 --> 00:33:47.300
 will be.

00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:49.759
 Orphans always feel

00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:50.500
 on the outside

00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:51.280
 looking in.

00:33:52.340 --> 00:33:53.320
 Orphans never come

00:33:53.320 --> 00:33:53.940
 to a place

00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:54.920
 of rest.

00:33:57.780 --> 00:33:58.280
 Friends,

00:33:58.380 --> 00:33:59.180
 do you know that

00:33:59.180 --> 00:34:00.900
 God is a Father

00:34:00.900 --> 00:34:01.799
 who knows you.

00:34:02.840 --> 00:34:03.940
 He understands you

00:34:03.940 --> 00:34:05.480
 better than you know

00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:06.519
 and understand yourself.

00:34:07.660 --> 00:34:08.680
 And He loves you

00:34:08.680 --> 00:34:09.220
 and He accepts you.

00:34:09.260 --> 00:34:10.220
 He won't take advantage

00:34:10.220 --> 00:34:10.720
 of you.

00:34:11.300 --> 00:34:12.760
 He's gone out of His way

00:34:12.760 --> 00:34:13.980
 even sending Jesus

00:34:13.980 --> 00:34:14.880
 to the cross

00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:15.880
 so that you and I

00:34:15.880 --> 00:34:16.500
 don't need to be

00:34:16.500 --> 00:34:17.099
 on the outside

00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:17.740
 looking in

00:34:17.740 --> 00:34:19.079
 but can be brought

00:34:19.079 --> 00:34:19.780
 into His family

00:34:19.780 --> 00:34:21.900
 and experience His love.

00:34:22.840 --> 00:34:23.119
 Friends,

00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:24.119
 I know that many of us

00:34:24.119 --> 00:34:25.059
 today still carry

00:34:25.059 --> 00:34:26.500
 deep, deep wounds

00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:28.079
 from our past,

00:34:28.440 --> 00:34:29.279
 from our childhood,

00:34:29.759 --> 00:34:30.880
 from things that

00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:31.679
 our parents said

00:34:31.679 --> 00:34:32.519
 or didn't say.

00:34:33.960 --> 00:34:34.259
 Friends,

00:34:34.299 --> 00:34:34.880
 for some of us

00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:36.159
 you've never ever heard

00:34:36.159 --> 00:34:36.799
 your father

00:34:36.799 --> 00:34:37.739
 or your mother say

00:34:37.739 --> 00:34:38.539
 I love you.

00:34:39.259 --> 00:34:40.099
 Well done.

00:34:41.199 --> 00:34:41.420
 Friends,

00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:41.799
 some of us

00:34:41.799 --> 00:34:42.559
 most of the time

00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:43.059
 all the words

00:34:43.059 --> 00:34:44.019
 we heard from our parents

00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.900
 were just pointing out

00:34:44.900 --> 00:34:45.739
 where we'd gone wrong,

00:34:46.400 --> 00:34:47.500
 where we failed,

00:34:48.440 --> 00:34:49.059
 where we weren't

00:34:49.059 --> 00:34:49.639
 good enough.

00:34:50.579 --> 00:34:50.759
 Friends,

00:34:50.820 --> 00:34:51.039
 some of us

00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:51.599
 have never heard

00:34:51.599 --> 00:34:52.219
 our parents say

00:34:52.219 --> 00:34:53.119
 I'm proud of you.

00:34:53.360 --> 00:34:53.860
 You bring me

00:34:53.860 --> 00:34:55.200
 such joy to my heart.

00:34:59.180 --> 00:34:59.579
 Friends,

00:34:59.640 --> 00:35:00.280
 if you're in Christ

00:35:00.280 --> 00:35:00.840
 this morning,

00:35:02.079 --> 00:35:02.680
 if you've been,

00:35:02.840 --> 00:35:03.620
 if you've put your faith

00:35:03.620 --> 00:35:04.099
 in Christ,

00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:05.519
 God the Father

00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:07.039
 has welcomed you

00:35:07.039 --> 00:35:07.640
 into His family.

00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:09.240
 He's adopted you

00:35:09.240 --> 00:35:09.780
 as His son,

00:35:09.860 --> 00:35:10.079
 His daughter.

00:35:10.180 --> 00:35:10.620
 He's given you

00:35:10.620 --> 00:35:11.760
 full rights and status

00:35:11.760 --> 00:35:13.000
 as a child of God.

00:35:13.780 --> 00:35:14.720
 You're not a stepson.

00:35:15.740 --> 00:35:17.620
 You're not a halfson.

00:35:18.519 --> 00:35:19.519
 God the Father

00:35:19.519 --> 00:35:20.760
 throws His arms around you

00:35:20.760 --> 00:35:20.980
 and says,

00:35:21.120 --> 00:35:21.620
 my son,

00:35:22.039 --> 00:35:22.680
 my daughter,

00:35:22.920 --> 00:35:23.820
 I love you.

00:35:23.860 --> 00:35:24.420
 With you,

00:35:24.519 --> 00:35:25.640
 I am well pleased.

00:35:26.720 --> 00:35:27.120
 Now,

00:35:27.240 --> 00:35:27.480
 Father,

00:35:27.620 --> 00:35:28.840
 pours His love upon you.

00:35:29.280 --> 00:35:29.840
 Your failings

00:35:29.840 --> 00:35:30.720
 have been put on Jesus.

00:35:31.400 --> 00:35:32.340
 Rather than pointing out

00:35:32.340 --> 00:35:33.300
 where you've gone wrong,

00:35:33.440 --> 00:35:33.900
 God says,

00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:34.340
 my son,

00:35:34.400 --> 00:35:34.740
 my daughter,

00:35:34.800 --> 00:35:35.500
 I've loved you

00:35:35.500 --> 00:35:36.559
 with an everlasting love.

00:35:36.640 --> 00:35:37.860
 I'm so pleased with you.

00:35:38.740 --> 00:35:39.000
 Friends,

00:35:39.059 --> 00:35:39.400
 this morning,

00:35:39.480 --> 00:35:40.120
 if you're a Christian,

00:35:40.700 --> 00:35:42.500
 you have been reconciled

00:35:42.500 --> 00:35:42.880
 with God,

00:35:42.960 --> 00:35:43.539
 no longer

00:35:43.539 --> 00:35:44.900
 at enmity with God,

00:35:45.019 --> 00:35:45.800
 but a son,

00:35:46.160 --> 00:35:46.720
 a daughter,

00:35:47.099 --> 00:35:48.140
 with God as our Father,

00:35:48.320 --> 00:35:49.500
 Christ as our older brother,

00:35:49.599 --> 00:35:50.840
 the Holy Spirit in our hearts,

00:35:51.280 --> 00:35:52.900
 crying out with us,

00:35:52.900 --> 00:35:53.400
 Abba,

00:35:53.500 --> 00:35:53.840
 Father,

00:35:54.139 --> 00:35:55.400
 don't live as an orphan

00:35:55.400 --> 00:35:56.619
 anymore in this world.

00:35:56.740 --> 00:35:58.200
 Don't fight for an identity.

00:35:58.480 --> 00:35:59.780
 Strive to be at rest.

00:36:00.160 --> 00:36:01.019
 Come to your Father.

00:36:01.180 --> 00:36:02.460
 Come home to God.

00:36:03.220 --> 00:36:04.119
 See what love,

00:36:04.539 --> 00:36:05.240
 what kind of love

00:36:05.240 --> 00:36:06.500
 the Father has given us,

00:36:06.940 --> 00:36:08.220
 that we should be called

00:36:08.220 --> 00:36:09.240
 children of God,

00:36:09.940 --> 00:36:10.740
 and so we are.

00:36:10.739 --> 00:36:12.299
 let's pray together.

00:36:26.719 --> 00:36:27.159
 Oh,

00:36:27.219 --> 00:36:27.739
 Father God,

00:36:27.799 --> 00:36:29.179
 we come before you this morning

00:36:29.179 --> 00:36:32.500
 because we need you.

00:36:32.500 --> 00:36:35.559
 God,

00:36:35.599 --> 00:36:36.300
 we need you

00:36:36.300 --> 00:36:38.340
 through the personal

00:36:38.340 --> 00:36:38.880
 Holy Spirit

00:36:38.880 --> 00:36:39.880
 to pour your love

00:36:39.880 --> 00:36:40.519
 into our hearts

00:36:40.519 --> 00:36:41.199
 again freshly.

00:36:43.719 --> 00:36:44.179
 God,

00:36:44.260 --> 00:36:45.739
 we hear these words

00:36:45.739 --> 00:36:47.019
 and for some of us

00:36:47.019 --> 00:36:48.639
 we cannot believe them.

00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:50.320
 Automatically,

00:36:50.320 --> 00:36:51.480
 there are a thousand

00:36:51.480 --> 00:36:53.300
 defenses going on

00:36:53.300 --> 00:36:53.639
 in our mind

00:36:53.639 --> 00:36:54.179
 that says,

00:36:54.380 --> 00:36:55.599
 but not me.

00:36:55.739 --> 00:36:56.500
 Everybody else,

00:36:56.619 --> 00:36:56.780
 sure,

00:36:57.539 --> 00:36:58.659
 but surely not me.

00:36:58.800 --> 00:36:59.900
 The things that I've done,

00:36:59.900 --> 00:37:03.460
 not me.

00:37:05.000 --> 00:37:05.440
 God,

00:37:05.500 --> 00:37:06.160
 I pray

00:37:06.160 --> 00:37:06.880
 by the power

00:37:06.880 --> 00:37:07.300
 of His Word

00:37:07.300 --> 00:37:08.240
 won't you break

00:37:08.240 --> 00:37:09.019
 into our hearts

00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:10.180
 and flood our hearts

00:37:10.180 --> 00:37:11.800
 with the Father's love.

00:37:13.079 --> 00:37:13.460
 Christ,

00:37:13.559 --> 00:37:14.019
 won't you

00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:16.360
 minister to us deeply.

00:37:16.480 --> 00:37:16.619
 God,

00:37:16.619 --> 00:37:17.460
 for those that

00:37:17.460 --> 00:37:18.900
 have never heard

00:37:18.900 --> 00:37:20.059
 the words of the parents

00:37:20.059 --> 00:37:20.480
 saying,

00:37:20.619 --> 00:37:21.340
 I love you,

00:37:22.480 --> 00:37:23.559
 I'm proud of you,

00:37:24.360 --> 00:37:25.660
 I delight in you,

00:37:26.280 --> 00:37:26.539
 God,

00:37:26.619 --> 00:37:27.900
 I pray that you will

00:37:27.900 --> 00:37:28.840
 write those words

00:37:28.840 --> 00:37:29.400
 in our heart

00:37:29.400 --> 00:37:30.280
 in a deep,

00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:31.200
 deep way.

00:37:35.360 --> 00:37:35.860
 Christ,

00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:37.099
 for those of us

00:37:37.099 --> 00:37:38.500
 that feel

00:37:38.500 --> 00:37:39.280
 nothing but

00:37:39.280 --> 00:37:40.840
 disappointment

00:37:40.840 --> 00:37:42.180
 or even hatred

00:37:42.180 --> 00:37:43.200
 towards ourselves,

00:37:44.579 --> 00:37:45.619
 won't you set us free?

00:37:49.900 --> 00:37:50.380
 Christ,

00:37:50.460 --> 00:37:51.079
 won't you come

00:37:51.079 --> 00:37:51.960
 and show us

00:37:51.960 --> 00:37:52.680
 what does it mean

00:37:52.680 --> 00:37:54.559
 to be your children?

00:37:54.559 --> 00:37:58.900
 God,

00:37:58.940 --> 00:37:59.619
 we need you.

00:38:01.719 --> 00:38:02.119
 God,

00:38:02.179 --> 00:38:02.579
 and I pray

00:38:02.579 --> 00:38:03.259
 that as we,

00:38:03.679 --> 00:38:04.559
 that this won't just be

00:38:04.559 --> 00:38:05.559
 something we think about

00:38:05.559 --> 00:38:06.500
 and reflect on today.

00:38:07.279 --> 00:38:07.940
 I pray,

00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:08.199
 God,

00:38:08.239 --> 00:38:09.259
 that every day this week,

00:38:09.340 --> 00:38:09.659
 tomorrow,

00:38:09.759 --> 00:38:10.400
 as we wake up

00:38:10.400 --> 00:38:11.039
 and go to work,

00:38:11.159 --> 00:38:12.380
 I pray as the university

00:38:12.380 --> 00:38:13.259
 students go back

00:38:13.259 --> 00:38:14.139
 to class tomorrow,

00:38:14.139 --> 00:38:15.759
 as scholars go back

00:38:15.759 --> 00:38:16.360
 to school,

00:38:16.360 --> 00:38:19.099
 that God,

00:38:19.180 --> 00:38:19.880
 we will go

00:38:19.880 --> 00:38:21.220
 knowing absolutely

00:38:21.220 --> 00:38:22.420
 rooted and secure

00:38:22.420 --> 00:38:23.800
 in the love

00:38:23.800 --> 00:38:24.380
 of the Father,

00:38:25.579 --> 00:38:26.200
 knowing that we

00:38:26.200 --> 00:38:27.220
 wake up tomorrow

00:38:27.220 --> 00:38:28.660
 as your sons

00:38:28.660 --> 00:38:29.200
 and your daughters.

00:38:29.199 --> 00:38:35.199
 God,

00:38:35.279 --> 00:38:35.859
 come and minister

00:38:35.859 --> 00:38:36.219
 to us,

00:38:36.259 --> 00:38:36.599
 I pray.

00:38:40.159 --> 00:38:40.879
 Come and write

00:38:40.879 --> 00:38:41.339
 this truth

00:38:41.339 --> 00:38:41.960
 in our hearts.

00:38:51.039 --> 00:38:51.539
 Bernard's going

00:38:51.539 --> 00:38:52.659
 to come and lead us

00:38:52.659 --> 00:38:53.739
 in a time of communion

00:38:53.739 --> 00:38:54.099
 now.

00:38:55.199 --> 00:38:55.359
 Friends,

00:38:55.399 --> 00:38:55.919
 I want to just say

00:38:55.919 --> 00:38:57.519
 that I'm sure

00:38:57.519 --> 00:38:58.219
 many of us

00:38:58.219 --> 00:38:59.139
 could do

00:38:59.139 --> 00:38:59.719
 this and pray

00:38:59.719 --> 00:39:00.099
 afterwards.

00:39:01.559 --> 00:39:02.500
 Don't run off

00:39:02.500 --> 00:39:03.239
 after service.

00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:04.420
 Join a breakout room

00:39:04.420 --> 00:39:05.059
 and let's pray

00:39:05.059 --> 00:39:05.579
 for one another.

00:39:05.679 --> 00:39:06.519
 If anybody needs

00:39:06.519 --> 00:39:07.719
 or would like

00:39:07.719 --> 00:39:08.980
 prayer in particular,

00:39:09.920 --> 00:39:10.779
 please reach out

00:39:10.779 --> 00:39:11.179
 to us.

00:39:12.039 --> 00:39:12.779
 We would love

00:39:12.779 --> 00:39:13.519
 to connect with you.

00:39:13.739 --> 00:39:14.379
 If you want to pray

00:39:14.379 --> 00:39:14.819
 today,

00:39:14.980 --> 00:39:15.799
 we can meet up

00:39:15.799 --> 00:39:16.099
 with you,

00:39:16.179 --> 00:39:17.019
 we can minister to you,

00:39:17.179 --> 00:39:17.940
 we hear for you,

00:39:18.379 --> 00:39:19.019
 we're a family.

00:39:20.319 --> 00:39:21.139
 Let's make sure

00:39:21.139 --> 00:39:22.199
 that we let God

00:39:22.199 --> 00:39:23.259
 minister to us today.