WEBVTT

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 Good morning, Watermark.

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 That was good. I'm impressed.

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 My name is Eric, for those of you who don't know me.

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 I'm one of the guys on staff here.

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 I'm the community director, which means that I oversee the kids' ministry,

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 youth ministry, some community group stuff, and some men's group stuff.

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 So I'm very excited to be sharing with you today from God's Word.

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 We're going to be wrapping up our study on faith and work today.

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 And if you've been with us all along, or if you haven't,

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 we've been defining work as anything you do that's not leisure,

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 which means even if you don't have a traditional job, you still have work.

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 If you're a stay-at-home mom, your work is running the house and taking care of the kids.

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 If you're a student, your work is going to school, because that is definitely not leisure, right?

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 And what we've seen throughout this study is that God created work,

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 and he created it good.

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 He gave it to us as a way of living in his image, because he is a God who works.

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 He gave it to us as a tool to be able to serve one another.

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 And yet we rebelled and sinned against him.

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 And as a result of our rebellion, work has become fruitless.

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 Work has become toil.

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 Work has become less than what it was supposed to be.

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 And yet we have a tendency to idolize our work and try to seek things from it

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 that we should only be getting from God and turn it into more than it was intended to be.

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 And so there's this picture of what work was supposed to be.

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 There's this problem with work.

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 And yet there's, in the story of the Bible, we find hope.

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 And we find this story of God coming and working to redeem all things, including work,

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 so that if we're Christians, we now have this opportunity to live in the midst of a broken world

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 and to work in a way that's distinctive, that seeks to serve others and love our city through our work,

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 even though we live in the midst of this broken world.

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 And today we're going to look at God's call for us to use our work

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 as a way of seeking the transformation of the city around us.

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 And what we're going to see is that God has called us to pursue the loving transformation of our city through our work,

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 but we can only do that through the transforming power of Jesus Christ in our lives.

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 And we're going to have sort of three steps to this process.

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 First, our command to love the city and seek its welfare.

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 Second, our problem, why we don't and can't do this.

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 And third, our solution, how Jesus empowers us to live this way through the gospel.

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 Everyone with me so far?

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 So we're starting off with our command to love the city and seek its welfare.

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 If you look at the passage today, the passage in Jeremiah 29 that Chris and Justin just read is a letter.

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 Now, I'm sure we all know with letters, the context of a letter is very important.

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 A letter that says, Dear John, usually means, uh-oh, something's gone wrong in a relationship, right?

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 And so understanding the background of what's going on is going to help us understand the message that's trying to be conveyed.

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 And what's going on in this passage is Israel is God's chosen people.

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 He's set them apart for a long time.

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 He's given them his special commandments and made them his special people.

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 He's promised to bless them, and yet they've disobeyed and rebelled over and over and over again.

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 And finally, God says, I need to get your attention.

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 I'm sending you into exile.

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 And the reigning world superpower of the day, a country called Babylon, comes in, lays siege to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel,

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 and then comes through, kills a bunch of the Israelites, destroys their homes, destroys their temple,

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 and then carries off the survivors to live in Babylon.

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 Not necessarily the people that you would choose as your neighbors if you had a choice,

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 and yet these people don't have a choice, so they are their neighbors now.

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 And the exiles in Babylon got a pretty lenient life as far as exiles go.

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 Basically, the rule was, come to our city, adopt our culture.

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 You can have any jobs that you want as long as you're qualified for them.

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 The two rules are, you have to adopt our culture, and you can't go back to your home.

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 But other than that, you can live freely, roam the city, interact with different people.

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 So, it's pretty lenient as far as exile goes.

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 And even a lot of the Israelite youth were given top-of-the-line education and great jobs within the government.

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 So, it could have been a lot worse, but still, you're away from home,

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 surrounded by the people who killed your family and tore down your house.

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 So, it could be better, too.

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 And God has this letter sent to the Israelites to tell them how they're supposed to live during this time of exile,

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 because a lot of them are just in denial.

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 They have these false prophets coming and saying,

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 Hey, guys, don't worry.

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 God's going to set you free in two years.

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 You're going to go back home.

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 Everything's going to be just like new.

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 And God sends this letter to say,

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 No, that's not true.

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 You're here for the long haul.

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 And here's what I want you to do in the meantime while you're here.

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 And what he says is,

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 I want you to live normal lives that seek the welfare of your city.

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 Pretty simple, right?

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 If you look at the letter, he says,

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 Build houses and live in them.

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 It's one of the most simple, basic things that we do in human life.

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 But, what are you doing when you build a house and live in it?

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 You're making a major financial investment that's tying you to the city.

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 And God's saying to Israel,

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 I want you to settle down in this city in such a way

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 that your financial future is tied to the financial future of this city of Babylon.

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 That also allows you to be hospitable to other strangers who come into this city.

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 He says,

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 Plant gardens and eat their produce.

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 Simple, everyday things of life.

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 You have to eat.

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 Do it so that you can stay alive.

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 Take wives and have sons and daughters.

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 Take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage

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 that they may bear sons and daughters.

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 Multiply there and do not decrease.

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 It's interesting.

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 They're in the midst of this land that is opposed to God,

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 that is torn down the temple where God is worshipped,

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 that's doing everything they can to turn the Israelites away from God.

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 And God says,

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 I want you to have kids there.

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 I don't know if you've ever had one of these conversations

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 where you're talking to someone and they're like,

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 the world is such a messed up place,

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 I can't imagine ever bringing kids into this world.

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 Their world was probably worse.

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 And God says,

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 I want you to bring kids into this world.

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 Why?

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 Because I have a plan for you in the future.

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 And I have a promise for you that I'm going to restore things.

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 But for you guys to be able to enjoy and appreciate this restoration that I'm bringing,

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 there has to be people still alive.

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 And so actually,

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 every kid that the Israelites had while they were in exile

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 was a sign of their faith,

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 that one day God would restore things to the way they were supposed to be.

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 One day God's going to come back and he's going to set things right.

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 Maybe not in my lifetime,

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 maybe not in my kid's lifetime,

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 maybe it's going to be my grandkids.

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 But someday God is going to come back

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 and he's going to set things right.

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 And so I'm going to have kids

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 and I'm going to have them get married

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 so that they can have kids

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 because we believe that one day God's going to come,

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 God's going to put an end to this exile

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 and God's going to restore us

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 to the life that he's promised to us all along.

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 He says,

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 seek the welfare of the city

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 where I have sent you into exile.

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 Interesting, God says he has sent them into exile.

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 This isn't an accident.

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 This isn't just karma coming back at them.

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 No, this is God's plan

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 for them to be in exile,

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 which I don't know about you,

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 but if I'm reading this letter

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 and I'm in that situation,

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 I'd be a little bit angry at God, I think.

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 Anyone else?

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 But he says,

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 seek the welfare of the city

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 where I have sent you into exile.

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 If I'm in that situation,

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 the last thing I want to do

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 is seek the welfare of that city.

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 They've killed my family and friends.

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 They have torn down my house.

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 They have dragged me

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 hundreds or thousands of miles away

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 from the area that I have known as home

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 my entire life.

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 I want to see them suffer.

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 I want to see them destroyed.

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 And yet God says,

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 seek their welfare.

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 Actually, interesting,

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 the word welfare here,

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 if anyone's ever done any study of Hebrew,

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 which I'm guessing is not most of you,

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 but this is a very famous Hebrew word

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 that a lot of you have probably heard,

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 the word shalom.

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 Anyone heard that word before?

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 Typically, it's translated as like peace,

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 but it means so much more

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 than what we think of as peace.

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 We think of peace and we think,

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 oh, no violence.

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 But shalom means,

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 yes, no violence,

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 but also this actual prosperity

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 and a presence of the good.

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 And that's the word

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 that's translated as welfare here.

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 And God says,

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 I want you to seek

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 this comprehensive well-being

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 of the city

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 that has murdered your families.

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 I want you to seek

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 this comprehensive well-being

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 of the city

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 that destroyed your homes

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 and dragged you away into exile.

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 And he tells them

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 that they should live

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 counter-cultural lives

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 that seek to transform

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 the city where they are living.

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 And not only should they live these lives,

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 but he says,

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 pray to God on their behalf.

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 Because in the city's welfare,

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 you will find their welfare.

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 You try and do your best

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 to make the city

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 a great place to live

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 and then beg God

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 to make the city

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 a great place to live.

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 And why?

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 Because in this city's welfare,

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 you will find your welfare.

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 God says,

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 for the next,

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 he tells them later,

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 70 years,

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 your future is tied

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 to the future of this city.

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 If it prospers,

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 you will prosper with it.

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 If it suffers,

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 you will suffer with it.

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 And so even though

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 in your heart,

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 you want revenge

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 at these guys,

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 you want to get them back

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 for all the pain

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 that they've caused to you,

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 you doing that

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 is just going to make

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 things worse for you

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 because your future

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 is tied to their future.

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 If you want to prosper

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 and grow as an individual,

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 you need to seek

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 the prosperity and growth

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 of the city

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 where you're living

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 right now.

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 And if Israel

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 obeyed God perfectly

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 in these commandments,

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 they would be living

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 counter-cultural lives

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 that couldn't help

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 but point the world

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 around them towards God.

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 Because the reality

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 is that most exiles

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 in Babylon

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 did one of two things.

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 One,

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 there's a group

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 that avoided

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 any interaction

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 with the city.

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 They said,

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 we can't let it corrupt us.

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 We have to stay away.

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 And they never had a voice

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 for speaking into the city

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 because they never

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 knew anyone in the city

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 or were involved

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 in the life of the city.

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 The other group

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 assimilated completely

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 into the life of the city.

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 They got involved.

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 They got the top jobs.

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 Everything's going good for them.

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 But in the process,

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 they lost anything

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 that was unique

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 or distinctive about them.

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 And so even though

00:11:52.959 --> 00:11:54.019
 they were very involved

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 in the life of the city,

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 they couldn't actually

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 speak into the life

00:11:57.740 --> 00:11:58.159
 of the city

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 because there was

00:11:58.699 --> 00:11:59.379
 nothing distinctive

00:11:59.379 --> 00:12:00.059
 about them

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 for them to share

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 that would change

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 or impact things.

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 And God says to Israel,

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 I want you

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 to be a third way.

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 I want you

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 to meaningfully

00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:11.959
 engage this city,

00:12:12.319 --> 00:12:13.079
 build relationships,

00:12:13.339 --> 00:12:14.479
 take important jobs,

00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:16.059
 do things that contribute

00:12:16.059 --> 00:12:16.679
 to the growth

00:12:16.679 --> 00:12:17.219
 of the city,

00:12:17.559 --> 00:12:19.679
 but do it in a way

00:12:19.679 --> 00:12:20.379
 so that you don't

00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:21.500
 lose your distinctiveness.

00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:23.459
 Do it in a way

00:12:23.459 --> 00:12:24.159
 that seeks

00:12:24.159 --> 00:12:25.299
 the welfare of the city

00:12:25.299 --> 00:12:26.039
 rather than just

00:12:26.039 --> 00:12:26.619
 the acceptance

00:12:26.619 --> 00:12:27.239
 of the city.

00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:29.219
 Do it in a way

00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:29.940
 that seeks

00:12:29.940 --> 00:12:31.220
 this comprehensive

00:12:31.220 --> 00:12:32.100
 well-being

00:12:32.100 --> 00:12:33.080
 of the place

00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:34.200
 where you are living?

00:12:35.759 --> 00:12:36.639
 And if we think about it,

00:12:36.680 --> 00:12:37.200
 this passage

00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:38.940
 has a lot to say

00:12:38.940 --> 00:12:39.940
 to us today

00:12:39.940 --> 00:12:40.980
 about the way

00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:41.740
 that we approach

00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:42.460
 our work.

00:12:43.779 --> 00:12:44.600
 Number one,

00:12:44.899 --> 00:12:46.060
 God wants our work

00:12:46.060 --> 00:12:46.840
 to be a blessing

00:12:46.840 --> 00:12:47.920
 to the world around us

00:12:47.920 --> 00:12:48.800
 even if that world

00:12:48.800 --> 00:12:50.100
 is violently opposed

00:12:50.100 --> 00:12:50.480
 to him.

00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:52.460
 Think about it.

00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:52.899
 The Israelites

00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:54.240
 are living in a world

00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:55.879
 that just murdered

00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:56.500
 their families

00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:57.399
 and tore down

00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:57.860
 the temple

00:12:57.860 --> 00:12:58.580
 where they worshipped

00:12:58.580 --> 00:12:58.879
 God.

00:12:59.460 --> 00:12:59.919
 And God says,

00:13:00.019 --> 00:13:00.759
 I want you to seek

00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:01.620
 their welfare.

00:13:02.800 --> 00:13:03.740
 If that's true

00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:04.300
 for Babylon,

00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:05.519
 how much more true

00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:06.519
 is it for Hong Kong?

00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:08.060
 I know some people

00:13:08.060 --> 00:13:08.860
 who are very opposed

00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:09.639
 to the gospel here.

00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:10.879
 I've never met

00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:11.759
 someone here,

00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:12.700
 as far as I know,

00:13:12.800 --> 00:13:13.740
 I could have met them

00:13:13.740 --> 00:13:14.720
 and they just didn't

00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:15.379
 share this with me,

00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:16.519
 who murdered someone

00:13:16.519 --> 00:13:17.460
 because of how opposed

00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:18.340
 they are to Christianity.

00:13:20.039 --> 00:13:20.740
 I've never,

00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:21.379
 again,

00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:22.180
 as far as I know,

00:13:22.300 --> 00:13:23.519
 met someone in Hong Kong

00:13:23.519 --> 00:13:24.700
 who like tore down

00:13:24.700 --> 00:13:25.220
 a church

00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:26.259
 because they were opposed

00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:26.899
 to what that church

00:13:26.899 --> 00:13:27.340
 was teaching.

00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:29.279
 The people in Babylon

00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:30.460
 had done those things

00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:31.860
 and God says,

00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:32.700
 I want you to seek

00:13:32.700 --> 00:13:34.139
 their welfare.

00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:36.220
 And if he wants them,

00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:36.659
 Israel,

00:13:36.779 --> 00:13:37.720
 to seek their welfare,

00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:38.340
 how much more

00:13:38.340 --> 00:13:39.039
 does he want us

00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:40.419
 to seek Hong Kong's welfare

00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:41.220
 through the work

00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:41.779
 that we do?

00:13:43.299 --> 00:13:43.919
 Number two,

00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:44.779
 we should pursue

00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:46.080
 excellence in our work,

00:13:46.299 --> 00:13:47.500
 not because the people

00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:48.259
 we work for

00:13:48.259 --> 00:13:48.860
 are worthy,

00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:50.100
 but because we work

00:13:50.100 --> 00:13:50.639
 for God

00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:51.539
 and he is worthy.

00:13:52.799 --> 00:13:53.220
 Again,

00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:54.240
 someone murders

00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:54.700
 your family,

00:13:54.820 --> 00:13:55.460
 you don't want

00:13:55.460 --> 00:13:55.940
 to work well

00:13:55.940 --> 00:13:56.299
 for them.

00:13:57.740 --> 00:13:58.680
 You want to

00:13:58.680 --> 00:14:00.100
 be slothful

00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:00.720
 and lazy

00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:01.759
 and maybe stab

00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:02.259
 them in the back

00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:02.980
 when they turn around.

00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:04.759
 And yet,

00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:05.740
 God tells Israel,

00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:06.919
 do your best

00:14:06.919 --> 00:14:08.019
 to work hard

00:14:08.019 --> 00:14:09.299
 and do a good job

00:14:09.299 --> 00:14:10.200
 so that your city

00:14:10.200 --> 00:14:11.159
 can prosper

00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:12.700
 because it's

00:14:12.700 --> 00:14:13.580
 God's worthiness,

00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:14.940
 not Babylon's worthiness

00:14:14.940 --> 00:14:16.220
 or Hong Kong's worthiness

00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:17.159
 that determines

00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:18.200
 how we should work.

00:14:19.820 --> 00:14:20.419
 Number three,

00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:21.740
 God has designed

00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:22.340
 the fabric

00:14:22.340 --> 00:14:22.980
 of the universe

00:14:22.980 --> 00:14:23.740
 in such a way

00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:24.700
 that his people

00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:25.200
 prosper

00:14:25.200 --> 00:14:26.300
 when they make

00:14:26.300 --> 00:14:27.080
 the world around

00:14:27.080 --> 00:14:27.759
 them prosper.

00:14:29.420 --> 00:14:29.940
 You know,

00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:31.200
 if I was in Babylon

00:14:31.200 --> 00:14:32.420
 and I received

00:14:32.420 --> 00:14:34.580
 this command from God

00:14:34.580 --> 00:14:35.480
 that he wants me

00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:36.080
 to make the city

00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:36.800
 around me prosper,

00:14:37.379 --> 00:14:38.600
 I would be angry

00:14:38.600 --> 00:14:39.180
 about that.

00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:40.960
 I would be plotting,

00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:42.139
 I'd have like a chart

00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:42.740
 in my mind

00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:44.100
 of like damage to me

00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:45.180
 versus damage to Babylon

00:14:45.180 --> 00:14:46.060
 and I would have

00:14:46.060 --> 00:14:47.039
 like a scatter plot

00:14:47.039 --> 00:14:48.600
 of how I can inflict

00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:49.360
 the most damage

00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:49.960
 on Babylon

00:14:49.960 --> 00:14:50.980
 with the least damage

00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:51.500
 to myself.

00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:53.240
 Most of the scenarios

00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:54.059
 probably end up

00:14:54.059 --> 00:14:55.080
 with me being killed

00:14:55.080 --> 00:14:55.700
 if I'm caught

00:14:55.700 --> 00:14:57.220
 but I would try

00:14:57.220 --> 00:14:57.820
 and find one

00:14:57.820 --> 00:14:58.399
 that can inflict

00:14:58.399 --> 00:14:59.259
 maximum damage

00:14:59.259 --> 00:14:59.980
 without resulting

00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:00.659
 in my death

00:15:00.659 --> 00:15:02.179
 so that I can do

00:15:02.179 --> 00:15:03.159
 more and more

00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:03.899
 of these things

00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:05.460
 because I would

00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:05.980
 hate them

00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:08.860
 because you hate

00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:09.500
 people who kill

00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:10.360
 your family typically.

00:15:13.139 --> 00:15:14.100
 And God says,

00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:14.940
 I want you

00:15:14.940 --> 00:15:16.120
 to seek

00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:17.080
 their welfare.

00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:18.540
 I want you

00:15:18.540 --> 00:15:19.520
 to make them

00:15:19.520 --> 00:15:20.320
 prosper.

00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:21.320
 Don't suffer

00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:21.759
 so that you

00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:22.460
 can get revenge.

00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.540
 Seek their prosperity

00:15:24.540 --> 00:15:25.840
 so that you can grow

00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:27.360
 and you can prosper

00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:29.320
 because as someone

00:15:29.320 --> 00:15:29.920
 who lives

00:15:29.920 --> 00:15:30.980
 inside this city,

00:15:31.340 --> 00:15:32.000
 your welfare

00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:32.759
 is tied

00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:33.360
 to the welfare

00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:33.980
 of the city

00:15:33.980 --> 00:15:35.620
 in every way.

00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:36.379
 Economically,

00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.420
 if the city prospers,

00:15:37.520 --> 00:15:38.280
 there's more jobs

00:15:38.280 --> 00:15:38.940
 so that you can

00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:40.000
 stay employed

00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:40.840
 and prosper.

00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:42.500
 Ecologically,

00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:43.720
 if the city

00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:44.660
 cleans up its pollution,

00:15:44.820 --> 00:15:45.560
 you have cleaner air

00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:46.000
 to breathe.

00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:47.199
 Culturally,

00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:47.819
 if the city

00:15:47.819 --> 00:15:48.439
 is thriving,

00:15:48.939 --> 00:15:49.939
 you are able

00:15:49.939 --> 00:15:50.759
 to be exposed

00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:51.439
 to more culture

00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:52.139
 and grow more

00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:53.319
 as an individual.

00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:54.699
 Spiritually,

00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:56.319
 imagine in Hong Kong

00:15:56.319 --> 00:15:57.339
 if 7 million people

00:15:57.339 --> 00:15:58.099
 became Christians,

00:15:58.179 --> 00:15:58.559
 how that would

00:15:58.559 --> 00:16:00.079
 impact your faith.

00:16:01.979 --> 00:16:03.139
 On every level,

00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:03.819
 emotionally,

00:16:04.839 --> 00:16:05.319
 if the city

00:16:05.319 --> 00:16:05.779
 is full of

00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:06.459
 depressed people,

00:16:06.899 --> 00:16:07.379
 that's going to

00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:08.239
 impact you one way.

00:16:08.339 --> 00:16:08.739
 If the city

00:16:08.739 --> 00:16:09.119
 is full of

00:16:09.119 --> 00:16:09.719
 joyful people,

00:16:09.799 --> 00:16:10.219
 that's going to

00:16:10.219 --> 00:16:11.119
 impact you another way.

00:16:11.459 --> 00:16:12.239
 And God says,

00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:14.039
 your future

00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:14.719
 is tied

00:16:14.719 --> 00:16:15.339
 to the future

00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:15.840
 of the city

00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:16.540
 that you live in.

00:16:16.800 --> 00:16:17.379
 And if you care

00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:18.320
 about your own future,

00:16:18.580 --> 00:16:18.899
 whether you're

00:16:18.899 --> 00:16:19.700
 a Christian or not,

00:16:20.320 --> 00:16:21.000
 you should seek

00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:21.700
 the prosperity

00:16:21.700 --> 00:16:22.840
 of the city

00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:23.879
 where you live.

00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:24.840
 You know,

00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:25.720
 I sometimes struggle

00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:26.440
 with this idea.

00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:29.300
 I have a news flash

00:16:29.300 --> 00:16:29.540
 for you

00:16:29.540 --> 00:16:30.060
 if you didn't know

00:16:30.060 --> 00:16:30.480
 this already.

00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.379
 Working in a church

00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:32.440
 is not the best way

00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:33.460
 to get rich

00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:34.180
 and make your millions.

00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.160
 Despite that,

00:16:37.220 --> 00:16:38.600
 I try and be good

00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:39.139
 with budgeting

00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:39.820
 and set aside

00:16:39.820 --> 00:16:40.460
 a little money

00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:40.800
 at the end

00:16:40.800 --> 00:16:41.340
 of every month,

00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:42.759
 but there's no way

00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:43.519
 I could ever dream

00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:44.420
 of buying a house

00:16:44.420 --> 00:16:45.040
 in Hong Kong.

00:16:46.300 --> 00:16:47.200
 But sometimes

00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:48.420
 I have this thought

00:16:48.420 --> 00:16:49.019
 that maybe

00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:50.100
 after a few years

00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:50.620
 of saving

00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.120
 and saving

00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:51.560
 and saving,

00:16:51.660 --> 00:16:51.940
 there will be

00:16:51.940 --> 00:16:52.820
 a housing crash

00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:53.500
 in Hong Kong.

00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:56.540
 And the property prices

00:16:56.540 --> 00:16:57.500
 will drop so low

00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:58.259
 that we could afford

00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:59.040
 a down payment

00:16:59.040 --> 00:17:00.340
 and this will be fantastic.

00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.080
 And I believe

00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:02.820
 this lie

00:17:02.820 --> 00:17:03.440
 in that moment

00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:04.940
 that my welfare

00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:06.680
 lies in the disaster

00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.220
 and destruction

00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:07.819
 of Hong Kong.

00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:10.839
 But again,

00:17:10.919 --> 00:17:11.579
 it's a lie

00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:12.700
 because what happens

00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:13.259
 if Hong Kong

00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:14.480
 has a housing crisis,

00:17:14.859 --> 00:17:15.500
 Hong Kong is going

00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:16.000
 to have a wider

00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:16.960
 financial crisis,

00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:17.799
 which means people

00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:18.919
 start losing their jobs,

00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:20.720
 which means donations

00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:21.399
 to the church

00:17:21.399 --> 00:17:22.599
 go way down,

00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:23.759
 which means

00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:25.579
 I might not have

00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:26.439
 a job anymore.

00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:28.439
 And so,

00:17:28.599 --> 00:17:29.500
 even if I can afford

00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.059
 a down payment

00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:30.500
 on a house,

00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:31.279
 I can't afford

00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:32.079
 any payments

00:17:32.079 --> 00:17:33.779
 after that down payment.

00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:34.879
 I'm just going

00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:35.599
 to lose the house

00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:36.599
 and the down payment.

00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:38.799
 And then on top of that,

00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:39.819
 people are going

00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:40.319
 to lose out

00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:40.980
 on opportunities

00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:42.279
 to hear the gospel

00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:43.920
 because the church

00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:44.639
 just won't be able

00:17:44.639 --> 00:17:45.559
 to do as much

00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:46.099
 to reach out

00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:46.960
 to the people around them.

00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:47.799
 And so,

00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:48.960
 even in those moments

00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:50.180
 when I believe this,

00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:50.859
 it's a lie.

00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:52.879
 The truth is

00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:53.940
 that my well-being

00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:55.359
 is tied to the well-being

00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:56.160
 of the city

00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:56.839
 that I live in.

00:17:57.779 --> 00:17:58.859
 And God has designed

00:17:58.859 --> 00:17:59.899
 the fabric of the universe

00:17:59.899 --> 00:18:00.599
 in that way

00:18:00.599 --> 00:18:01.460
 so that if we care

00:18:01.460 --> 00:18:02.480
 about our own futures,

00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.519
 we should be

00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.920
 seeking the well-being

00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:05.940
 of the city

00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:07.119
 that we are living in.

00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:09.579
 And fourth,

00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:10.299
 the way that this

00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:11.000
 should impact,

00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:12.099
 the way that we approach

00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:12.900
 our work right now

00:18:12.900 --> 00:18:13.680
 is especially,

00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:14.579
 this one is especially

00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:15.180
 for Christians,

00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:16.539
 we should engage

00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:17.759
 our city meaningfully

00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:20.299
 yet retain our distinctiveness

00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:21.259
 as Christians

00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:23.180
 so that we can

00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:24.079
 point the city

00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:25.440
 towards our unique God.

00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.220
 We shouldn't avoid

00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:27.660
 the city,

00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.920
 we should engage it,

00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:29.740
 but we shouldn't

00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:31.039
 assimilate to the city,

00:18:31.139 --> 00:18:32.420
 we should stay distinct

00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:33.800
 so that we have

00:18:33.800 --> 00:18:34.700
 something meaningful

00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:36.300
 and distinct

00:18:36.300 --> 00:18:37.660
 to contribute

00:18:37.660 --> 00:18:38.620
 to the city,

00:18:39.380 --> 00:18:40.080
 to contribute

00:18:40.080 --> 00:18:40.900
 to its well-being.

00:18:42.840 --> 00:18:43.400
 And so,

00:18:43.800 --> 00:18:45.039
 we see what the passage says,

00:18:45.120 --> 00:18:45.900
 we see what we should do

00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:46.800
 in response to that,

00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:47.720
 everything's good,

00:18:47.840 --> 00:18:48.340
 sermon's over,

00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:49.120
 we all understand it,

00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:49.940
 we can go home, right?

00:18:51.140 --> 00:18:51.840
 Not quite.

00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:53.720
 Because we have a problem.

00:18:54.600 --> 00:18:55.180
 Point number two,

00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:55.820
 our problem,

00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:57.880
 we don't do this,

00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:59.180
 or at least I don't do this,

00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:00.140
 and I think I'm normal.

00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:03.280
 On a daily basis,

00:19:03.560 --> 00:19:05.259
 I fail to do this.

00:19:05.340 --> 00:19:06.440
 And it's not just that,

00:19:06.520 --> 00:19:06.820
 like,

00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:08.220
 I don't put in enough effort,

00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:09.900
 it's that no matter

00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:11.580
 how much effort I put in,

00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:12.460
 I'm incapable

00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.880
 of loving my city

00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:14.460
 in this way.

00:19:16.060 --> 00:19:17.080
 And all of us

00:19:17.080 --> 00:19:17.600
 are true.

00:19:17.860 --> 00:19:18.640
 It's not just that

00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:19.580
 we don't do this,

00:19:19.800 --> 00:19:20.360
 it's that

00:19:20.360 --> 00:19:22.020
 we can't do this.

00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:23.840
 Because our hearts

00:19:23.840 --> 00:19:24.460
 are broken.

00:19:25.820 --> 00:19:26.360
 Last week,

00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:27.140
 Chris talked about

00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:28.259
 work as idolatry,

00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:29.440
 and said that work

00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:30.059
 has a tendency

00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:30.879
 to become an idol

00:19:30.879 --> 00:19:31.539
 in our lives.

00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:33.039
 Idol not in the sense

00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:33.720
 of like a statue

00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.799
 that we bow down to,

00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:36.339
 but an idol

00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:37.299
 in the sense of

00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.579
 we seek

00:19:38.579 --> 00:19:39.799
 our meaning

00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:40.440
 and purpose

00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:41.140
 in life

00:19:41.140 --> 00:19:43.119
 at an ultimate level

00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:44.299
 from our work.

00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:45.920
 And we elevate

00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:46.559
 our work

00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:47.180
 to a position

00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:47.799
 in our life

00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:48.779
 higher than God

00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.579
 because of what

00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:50.160
 we're seeking

00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:51.500
 from our work.

00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:53.779
 And so we'll seek

00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:54.940
 things like status,

00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:56.680
 power,

00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:58.220
 comfort,

00:19:59.180 --> 00:19:59.720
 security,

00:19:59.900 --> 00:20:00.480
 and believe

00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.140
 that we can find

00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:01.940
 those on an ultimate

00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:03.380
 level from our work

00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:04.119
 and what we do.

00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:05.700
 And because of that,

00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.779
 we're willing to exploit

00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:07.519
 others and take

00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:08.440
 advantage of others

00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:09.440
 in our work

00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.839
 to hold on

00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:11.539
 to our grasp

00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:12.319
 of those things.

00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.480
 And so,

00:20:14.660 --> 00:20:15.460
 what we do

00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:16.059
 is we seek

00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:16.859
 our own welfare

00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:17.720
 at the expense

00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.339
 of the welfare

00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.059
 of our city

00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:19.740
 around us.

00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:21.480
 on a practical basis.

00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:22.299
 What does this look like?

00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:23.819
 It means I give

00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:24.500
 an assignment

00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:25.039
 to someone

00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:25.579
 who's working

00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:26.480
 for me at the office

00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.859
 and I come in later

00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.700
 to check on them

00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:29.380
 and they haven't

00:20:29.380 --> 00:20:29.900
 done it yet.

00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:30.900
 And rather than

00:20:30.900 --> 00:20:31.740
 seeking to understand

00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.420
 why they haven't

00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:32.900
 done it yet,

00:20:33.099 --> 00:20:35.059
 I blow up at them

00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:35.880
 and get angry

00:20:35.880 --> 00:20:37.720
 because them

00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:38.299
 not doing

00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:39.039
 what I told them

00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:39.559
 to do

00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.660
 cuts into

00:20:40.660 --> 00:20:41.759
 my idol of power

00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:44.000
 and tears away

00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:44.700
 at my identity

00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:45.539
 and so I need

00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:46.680
 to lash out at them

00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:47.779
 rather than

00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:48.620
 seek to love them.

00:20:48.619 --> 00:20:50.419
 Maybe it looks

00:20:50.419 --> 00:20:51.139
 like a supervisor

00:20:51.139 --> 00:20:51.919
 in an office

00:20:51.919 --> 00:20:52.919
 making a mistake

00:20:52.919 --> 00:20:54.339
 and because they

00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:55.039
 care so much

00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:55.899
 about the prestige

00:20:55.899 --> 00:20:56.599
 of their position

00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:57.199
 and the comfort

00:20:57.199 --> 00:20:57.699
 they can get

00:20:57.699 --> 00:20:58.359
 from their paycheck

00:20:58.359 --> 00:21:00.119
 that they blame

00:21:00.119 --> 00:21:00.679
 a subordinate

00:21:00.679 --> 00:21:01.839
 for that mistake

00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:02.659
 and let the subordinate

00:21:02.659 --> 00:21:03.859
 get fired in their place

00:21:03.859 --> 00:21:06.199
 because they

00:21:06.199 --> 00:21:07.679
 hold on

00:21:07.679 --> 00:21:08.500
 to these idols

00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:10.639
 of status

00:21:10.639 --> 00:21:11.639
 and comfort.

00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:12.839
 They're willing

00:21:12.839 --> 00:21:13.939
 to exploit those

00:21:13.939 --> 00:21:14.699
 who work for them

00:21:14.699 --> 00:21:15.579
 in order to hold

00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:16.439
 on to those things.

00:21:16.959 --> 00:21:17.379
 Maybe it's

00:21:17.380 --> 00:21:18.180
 the new graduate.

00:21:18.860 --> 00:21:19.960
 We just celebrated

00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.700
 our new graduates

00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:21.720
 so we should

00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.300
 pick on them

00:21:22.300 --> 00:21:22.560
 a little.

00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:24.260
 The new graduate

00:21:24.260 --> 00:21:26.040
 who gets into

00:21:26.040 --> 00:21:26.680
 their first job

00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:27.340
 out of university

00:21:27.340 --> 00:21:27.940
 and realizes

00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:28.760
 no one appreciates

00:21:28.760 --> 00:21:29.140
 me here.

00:21:29.580 --> 00:21:29.840
 I'm going to

00:21:29.840 --> 00:21:30.580
 switch to a new job.

00:21:31.340 --> 00:21:32.080
 After a couple months

00:21:32.080 --> 00:21:32.700
 of the new job

00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:33.440
 realizes no one

00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:34.080
 appreciates them

00:21:34.080 --> 00:21:34.620
 there either

00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:35.560
 maybe because

00:21:35.560 --> 00:21:36.280
 they're 22

00:21:36.280 --> 00:21:36.960
 and have no work

00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:37.580
 experience in the

00:21:37.580 --> 00:21:37.940
 real world.

00:21:38.840 --> 00:21:39.640
 They say I need

00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:40.100
 to jump to

00:21:40.100 --> 00:21:40.840
 another new job

00:21:40.840 --> 00:21:41.960
 and another new job

00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:42.940
 and another new job

00:21:42.940 --> 00:21:43.840
 and they never

00:21:43.840 --> 00:21:44.840
 settle down

00:21:44.839 --> 00:21:45.639
 and plant

00:21:45.639 --> 00:21:46.119
 themselves

00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:47.059
 and develop

00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:47.659
 the relationship

00:21:47.659 --> 00:21:48.419
 somewhere so that

00:21:48.419 --> 00:21:49.000
 they can make

00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.399
 a difference

00:21:49.399 --> 00:21:50.159
 because they're

00:21:50.159 --> 00:21:50.919
 so concerned

00:21:50.919 --> 00:21:51.679
 about having

00:21:51.679 --> 00:21:52.199
 a status

00:21:52.199 --> 00:21:52.659
 and being

00:21:52.659 --> 00:21:53.240
 recognized

00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:54.000
 and appreciated

00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:55.939
 that they just

00:21:55.939 --> 00:21:56.439
 jump around

00:21:56.439 --> 00:21:56.980
 from place

00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:57.419
 to place

00:21:57.419 --> 00:21:57.899
 to place

00:21:57.899 --> 00:21:58.579
 because they

00:21:58.579 --> 00:21:59.259
 need to find

00:21:59.259 --> 00:21:59.899
 that place

00:21:59.899 --> 00:22:00.459
 that's going

00:22:00.459 --> 00:22:01.179
 to appreciate

00:22:01.179 --> 00:22:02.299
 them and give

00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:02.919
 them the status

00:22:02.919 --> 00:22:03.519
 they feel

00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:04.279
 they deserve.

00:22:06.179 --> 00:22:07.059
 Every single

00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:07.619
 one of us

00:22:07.619 --> 00:22:08.619
 in some way

00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:09.859
 idolizes

00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:10.740
 our work

00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:11.480
 and seeks

00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.259
 to get meaning

00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:12.980
 an identity

00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.799
 from it

00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:15.799
 and as long

00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:16.559
 as our hope

00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:17.559
 is built

00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:18.279
 on our own

00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:18.879
 advancement

00:22:18.879 --> 00:22:20.420
 on our own

00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:20.960
 promotion

00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:22.059
 on our own

00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:22.700
 status

00:22:22.700 --> 00:22:23.660
 power

00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:24.359
 security

00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:24.920
 comfort

00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:25.799
 fill in the blank

00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.279
 with whatever

00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:26.920
 it is for you

00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:29.119
 we will always

00:22:29.119 --> 00:22:30.160
 exploit others

00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:30.879
 to get these

00:22:30.879 --> 00:22:31.339
 things

00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:32.779
 rather than

00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.460
 love others

00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.200
 sacrificially

00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:35.180
 and seek to

00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:35.680
 work in a way

00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:36.359
 that transforms

00:22:36.359 --> 00:22:36.779
 the city

00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.240
 and seeks

00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:37.700
 its welfare.

00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:41.039
 As long

00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:41.819
 as our hearts

00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.259
 are set

00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:42.720
 on these

00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.200
 things

00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:43.939
 rather than

00:22:43.939 --> 00:22:44.399
 on God

00:22:44.399 --> 00:22:45.639
 we will

00:22:45.639 --> 00:22:46.359
 always

00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:47.500
 exploit others

00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:47.899
 through our

00:22:47.899 --> 00:22:48.220
 work

00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:49.659
 rather than

00:22:49.659 --> 00:22:50.220
 seeking to

00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:50.919
 transform the

00:22:50.919 --> 00:22:51.399
 city through

00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:51.819
 our work

00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:52.319
 and seeking

00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:52.759
 the welfare

00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:53.379
 of the city

00:22:53.379 --> 00:22:53.980
 through our

00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.319
 work.

00:22:57.879 --> 00:22:58.700
 All of our

00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.079
 hearts are

00:22:59.079 --> 00:22:59.359
 broken.

00:23:00.179 --> 00:23:00.859
 All of us

00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:01.599
 idolize our

00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:02.519
 work in

00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.099
 some way

00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:03.539
 shape or

00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:04.200
 form and

00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:04.619
 because of

00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:05.159
 that all

00:23:05.159 --> 00:23:06.000
 of us end

00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.799
 up exploiting

00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:07.679
 others rather

00:23:07.679 --> 00:23:08.279
 than seeking

00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:08.779
 the welfare

00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.500
 and transformation

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.799
 of our city

00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:11.500
 through our

00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:11.819
 work.

00:23:13.140 --> 00:23:13.519
 And the

00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:13.920
 harder we

00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:14.259
 try to

00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:14.660
 fix it

00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:15.220
 the more

00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:15.619
 messed up

00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.059
 it gets.

00:23:18.140 --> 00:23:18.799
 But there's

00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.339
 a solution.

00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:21.299
 The solution

00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:22.019
 is that Jesus

00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:23.160
 empowers us

00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:23.880
 to live the

00:23:23.880 --> 00:23:24.339
 way that we're

00:23:24.339 --> 00:23:24.859
 commanded to

00:23:24.859 --> 00:23:25.119
 in this

00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:25.480
 passage

00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.519
 through the

00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:26.839
 gospel.

00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.140
 See the

00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:29.940
 Bible is

00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:30.680
 in one

00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:30.980
 sense

00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:31.839
 a story

00:23:31.839 --> 00:23:32.779
 of two

00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.180
 cities.

00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.740
 The Bible

00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.319
 says that in

00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:36.740
 the beginning

00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.640
 God created

00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:38.059
 Adam and

00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:38.420
 Eve and he

00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:38.920
 placed them

00:23:38.920 --> 00:23:39.299
 in a garden

00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:39.900
 and he told

00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:40.259
 them to

00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:40.940
 cultivate it

00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.500
 to develop

00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:41.799
 it, to

00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:42.100
 make it

00:23:42.100 --> 00:23:42.600
 grow into

00:23:42.600 --> 00:23:43.140
 something more

00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:43.380
 than a

00:23:43.380 --> 00:23:43.940
 garden, maybe

00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:45.180
 a city.

00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:46.820
 And for a

00:23:46.820 --> 00:23:47.460
 time Adam

00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:47.860
 and Eve

00:23:47.860 --> 00:23:48.320
 lived in

00:23:48.320 --> 00:23:48.799
 this garden

00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.140
 and it

00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:49.820
 was wonderful,

00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:50.220
 it was

00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:51.259
 peaceful and

00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:51.620
 they had

00:23:51.620 --> 00:23:52.039
 all these

00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:52.340
 things that

00:23:52.340 --> 00:23:52.799
 we crave,

00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:53.460
 that power,

00:23:53.640 --> 00:23:53.940
 status,

00:23:54.100 --> 00:23:54.500
 security,

00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.000
 comfort,

00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:55.720
 they had

00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.279
 it perfectly

00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:56.820
 because they

00:23:56.820 --> 00:23:57.080
 were in

00:23:57.080 --> 00:23:57.600
 this perfect

00:23:57.600 --> 00:23:58.120
 relationship

00:23:58.120 --> 00:23:58.740
 with God

00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.320
 where they

00:23:59.320 --> 00:23:59.840
 were designed

00:23:59.840 --> 00:24:00.259
 to get

00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:00.700
 all these

00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:01.200
 things.

00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:02.720
 But then

00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:03.320
 they rebelled,

00:24:04.320 --> 00:24:05.380
 they disobeyed,

00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:05.840
 they ate the

00:24:05.840 --> 00:24:06.420
 fruit that God

00:24:06.420 --> 00:24:06.980
 told them not

00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:08.360
 to, and

00:24:08.360 --> 00:24:09.000
 brokenness

00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:09.720
 into the

00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:09.960
 world.

00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:10.980
 They were

00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:11.660
 kicked out

00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:12.880
 of this

00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:13.539
 garden that

00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:13.900
 was going to

00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:14.359
 become a

00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:15.579
 city of God

00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:17.000
 and moved

00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.940
 into this

00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:18.480
 fallen,

00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:19.680
 broken world.

00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.339
 And in this

00:24:22.339 --> 00:24:22.940
 fallen,

00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:23.940
 broken world,

00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:26.200
 we still have

00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:27.059
 this desire to

00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:27.960
 get back to

00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:28.599
 that original

00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:29.299
 city that we

00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:29.799
 were created

00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.099
 for.

00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:32.220
 That's the

00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:32.799
 source of our

00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:33.299
 idolatry.

00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:34.619
 we crave that

00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:35.339
 security that

00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:35.960
 we were created

00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:37.200
 to have in

00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:37.579
 God.

00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:39.440
 But because

00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:40.379
 we're broken,

00:24:40.879 --> 00:24:41.539
 we seek it in

00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:42.019
 other places.

00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:43.579
 We crave that

00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:44.319
 comfort that's

00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:44.919
 supposed to come

00:24:44.919 --> 00:24:45.419
 from God's

00:24:45.419 --> 00:24:46.200
 presence alone,

00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.960
 but because our

00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:48.599
 hearts are broken,

00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.220
 we seek it

00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:49.559
 through the

00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:50.019
 things we can

00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.480
 buy with our

00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:50.740
 paycheck.

00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.839
 We crave all

00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:55.440
 these things,

00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:57.559
 we pursue them

00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.200
 through our

00:24:58.200 --> 00:24:58.839
 jobs and

00:24:58.839 --> 00:24:59.200
 through our

00:24:59.200 --> 00:24:59.480
 idols.

00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.059
 And every

00:25:01.059 --> 00:25:02.119
 time we turn

00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:02.500
 to these

00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.140
 idols, rather

00:25:03.140 --> 00:25:03.740
 than fulfilling

00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.420
 our desires,

00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:05.299
 they make

00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:05.880
 life worse

00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:06.839
 for us by

00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:07.339
 pulling us

00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:07.920
 further and

00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:08.440
 further from

00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:08.980
 who we were

00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:09.720
 created to be.

00:25:11.420 --> 00:25:12.220
 Think about it.

00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:13.480
 We pursue this

00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.140
 comfort through

00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:14.819
 the things that

00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:15.460
 we can have.

00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.640
 So we buy

00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:17.319
 more stuff and

00:25:17.319 --> 00:25:18.099
 we save more

00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:18.380
 money.

00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:19.599
 And the more

00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:20.839
 stuff we buy and

00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.559
 the more money

00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.259
 we have, the

00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:22.920
 more aware we

00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.500
 are of how

00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:24.140
 easily we can

00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:24.660
 lose it all.

00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.900
 So we become

00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:29.000
 stressed and

00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.720
 anxious about

00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:30.359
 what if I do

00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:30.819
 lose it?

00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:33.440
 We believe

00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:35.259
 that security

00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.980
 and status

00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.539
 come from

00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:37.180
 having a higher

00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:37.880
 position in the

00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:38.519
 company, so we

00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.700
 work our way up

00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:40.140
 the corporate

00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:40.839
 ladder, but the

00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:41.779
 higher we get, the

00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:42.579
 more concerned we

00:25:42.579 --> 00:25:43.920
 are of who will I

00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:44.559
 be if I don't

00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:45.339
 have this job

00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:45.700
 anymore?

00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:48.000
 So we feel this

00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.920
 need to defend

00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:49.799
 ourselves and it's

00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.500
 us against the

00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.039
 world and we

00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:51.759
 become more and

00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.920
 more isolated from

00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:53.599
 the people around

00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:53.980
 us.

00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:56.140
 Our idols promise

00:25:56.140 --> 00:25:57.220
 us life and they

00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:58.220
 give us nothing

00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:59.500
 but anxiety,

00:26:00.119 --> 00:26:00.559
 stress,

00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:02.019
 isolation, and

00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:02.379
 death.

00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:05.339
 And our best

00:26:05.339 --> 00:26:06.200
 desires leave us

00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:06.759
 further and

00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:07.519
 further from where

00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.099
 we're trying to

00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:08.319
 get.

00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:11.220
 But the good

00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:12.039
 news is that

00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.980
 when Adam and

00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:13.539
 Eve sinned and

00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:14.119
 were kicked out of

00:26:14.119 --> 00:26:14.740
 the garden, God

00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.700
 did not abandon

00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:17.099
 this city.

00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.359
 No, the story of

00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:21.220
 the Bible says in

00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:21.759
 the last two

00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:22.500
 chapters of the

00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:23.139
 last book, the

00:26:23.139 --> 00:26:23.759
 book of Revelation,

00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:25.559
 that God has been

00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:26.299
 working on this

00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:26.940
 city, that one

00:26:26.940 --> 00:26:27.559
 day God's going

00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:29.099
 to send this city

00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:30.259
 back to his

00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:30.579
 people.

00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.899
 It's called the

00:26:31.899 --> 00:26:32.859
 new Jerusalem, the

00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:33.439
 new heavens and

00:26:33.439 --> 00:26:34.019
 the new earth.

00:26:35.179 --> 00:26:35.839
 And the last two

00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:36.419
 chapters of the

00:26:36.419 --> 00:26:37.299
 Bible describe this

00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:38.500
 incredible beauty and

00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:40.119
 incredible joy that's

00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:41.399
 going to exist in this

00:26:41.399 --> 00:26:41.679
 city.

00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:45.779
 And it's promised to

00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:47.159
 his people and yet we

00:26:47.159 --> 00:26:47.939
 still have this problem

00:26:47.939 --> 00:26:48.980
 of sin that keeps us

00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.759
 from getting in there.

00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:52.459
 And so the amazing

00:26:52.459 --> 00:26:53.639
 news of the gospel is

00:26:53.639 --> 00:26:55.000
 that in Jesus, God

00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:56.439
 himself steps down to

00:26:56.439 --> 00:26:56.719
 earth.

00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:58.400
 He becomes an exile

00:26:58.400 --> 00:26:59.279
 for us.

00:27:01.160 --> 00:27:02.740
 That in Jesus, God

00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:04.360
 suffers and pays the

00:27:04.360 --> 00:27:05.140
 punishment that each

00:27:05.140 --> 00:27:06.200
 of us deserves for

00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:06.759
 our sin.

00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:08.140
 He bears our

00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:10.299
 punishment himself so

00:27:10.299 --> 00:27:11.839
 that we can be given

00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:14.200
 access to this new

00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:15.000
 city of God.

00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:19.019
 Jesus perfectly

00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:20.200
 embodies every

00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:21.860
 command in Jeremiah

00:27:21.860 --> 00:27:23.880
 chapter 29 on our

00:27:23.880 --> 00:27:24.339
 behalf.

00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:25.339
 God bless.

00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:26.779
 He is the ultimate

00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.919
 one who seeks the

00:27:27.919 --> 00:27:29.220
 welfare of his city

00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:30.740
 and his people through

00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:32.919
 great sacrificial loss

00:27:32.919 --> 00:27:33.879
 to himself.

00:27:35.439 --> 00:27:36.699
 And it's only when we

00:27:36.699 --> 00:27:39.339
 properly understand the

00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:40.339
 amazing gift that we've

00:27:40.339 --> 00:27:40.959
 been given through

00:27:40.959 --> 00:27:42.579
 Jesus and the way that

00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.919
 he loved us sacrificially

00:27:43.919 --> 00:27:45.199
 that we will ever start

00:27:45.199 --> 00:27:46.980
 to love our city in the

00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:47.819
 way that we are called

00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:48.879
 to in this passage.

00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:50.619
 You know, if anyone here

00:27:50.619 --> 00:27:51.319
 is a fan of Les

00:27:51.319 --> 00:27:53.839
 Miserables, you know that

00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:55.720
 John Valjean was a

00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:56.819
 terrible man until he

00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:58.159
 received grace when he

00:27:58.159 --> 00:27:58.579
 was given the

00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.259
 candlesticks.

00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.539
 And yet after that,

00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:02.000
 that receiving grace

00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:03.480
 totally transformed his

00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.299
 life and turned him

00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:05.439
 into someone who sought

00:28:05.439 --> 00:28:06.819
 to transform the cities

00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:08.199
 where he lived and make

00:28:08.199 --> 00:28:09.119
 them better places for

00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:09.459
 everyone.

00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:11.419
 That's a picture of what

00:28:11.419 --> 00:28:13.459
 happens to us when we

00:28:13.459 --> 00:28:14.599
 understand the amazing

00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:15.459
 gift that we've been

00:28:15.459 --> 00:28:16.399
 given through Jesus.

00:28:17.599 --> 00:28:18.459
 And so if you continue

00:28:18.459 --> 00:28:19.339
 down in this passage,

00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.639
 verse 11, God tells

00:28:20.639 --> 00:28:21.799
 Israel, I know the plans

00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:22.919
 I have for you, declares

00:28:22.919 --> 00:28:24.200
 the Lord, plans for

00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:25.240
 welfare and not for

00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:26.099
 evil, to give you a

00:28:26.099 --> 00:28:26.980
 future and a hope.

00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:28.839
 That promise was true

00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:29.859
 for Israel and it was

00:28:29.859 --> 00:28:32.919
 intended to inspire them

00:28:32.919 --> 00:28:34.159
 to love the city where

00:28:34.159 --> 00:28:36.059
 they were living, knowing

00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:36.980
 that in the future God

00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:37.919
 would restore them to

00:28:37.919 --> 00:28:38.379
 their home.

00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:40.659
 And this promise is also

00:28:40.659 --> 00:28:42.879
 true for us, that God

00:28:42.879 --> 00:28:44.720
 has plans to give us a

00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:45.579
 future and a hope.

00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:47.019
 And that promise from

00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:49.440
 him is intended to give

00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:50.380
 us the strength that we

00:28:50.380 --> 00:28:52.039
 need to love the city

00:28:52.039 --> 00:28:53.380
 around us today.

00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:56.220
 And it doesn't start by

00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:57.500
 us trying harder to do

00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.920
 better, pulling ourselves

00:28:58.920 --> 00:29:00.320
 up by our own bootstraps.

00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:02.420
 It starts with turning to

00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:02.660
 him.

00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:04.539
 He says in verse 13, you

00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:05.860
 will seek me and find me

00:29:05.860 --> 00:29:07.580
 when you seek me with all

00:29:07.580 --> 00:29:08.100
 your heart.

00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:10.640
 That's where this process

00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:11.140
 starts.

00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:13.240
 So I want to take a couple

00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:14.580
 minutes to dream with you

00:29:14.580 --> 00:29:15.820
 about what this can look

00:29:15.820 --> 00:29:17.000
 like sort of at an on-the-

00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:19.019
 ground level in our real-life

00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:20.240
 world in Hong Kong.

00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:23.039
 There's a pastor in New

00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:23.799
 York, Timothy Keller.

00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.740
 He has a book called

00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.839
 Every Good Endeavor about

00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:26.359
 faith and work.

00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:26.940
 I think we have some

00:29:26.940 --> 00:29:28.559
 copies for it, copies of

00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:29.559
 it for sale outside.

00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:31.339
 In the intro to that book,

00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:32.379
 he goes through a number

00:29:32.379 --> 00:29:34.500
 of ways that we can seek

00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:35.359
 to transform the world

00:29:35.359 --> 00:29:36.180
 around us through our

00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:36.319
 work.

00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:37.180
 I want to just share a

00:29:37.180 --> 00:29:38.039
 couple of these with you

00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:39.480
 and then we'll look more

00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:41.279
 like practically to

00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.379
 specific situations.

00:29:43.660 --> 00:29:44.420
 This is going to be a

00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:45.420
 quick list, so if you're

00:29:45.420 --> 00:29:46.339
 taking notes, jot down

00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:46.619
 quick.

00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:48.440
 He says we can use our

00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:49.500
 work to further social

00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.400
 justice in the world.

00:29:53.340 --> 00:29:54.480
 In our jobs, we can

00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:55.440
 support others in the

00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:56.160
 Christian community

00:29:56.160 --> 00:29:57.180
 through the trials they

00:29:57.180 --> 00:29:58.220
 face at work and by

00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:59.259
 doing this, stick out as

00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:00.559
 a countercultural community

00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:01.720
 for the world around us to

00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:01.920
 see.

00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.700
 We can use the

00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.860
 relationships we build

00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:06.799
 through our work as

00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:08.059
 opportunities to share the

00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:09.299
 gospel with non-Christians.

00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:12.759
 we can recognize the

00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:14.180
 dignity of all work and do

00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:15.639
 any job, even the ones that

00:30:15.639 --> 00:30:17.000
 society would label as

00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:18.759
 menial, with an attitude of

00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:20.359
 joy because we know that we

00:30:20.359 --> 00:30:21.899
 are being used by God to

00:30:21.899 --> 00:30:23.039
 provide for the needs of the

00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:24.500
 others in our world.

00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:27.519
 We can use our work to help

00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:28.960
 shape and create a culture

00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:30.419
 that honors God and enables

00:30:30.419 --> 00:30:31.259
 people to thrive.

00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:33.859
 We can work to make lots of

00:30:33.859 --> 00:30:34.879
 money so that we can be really

00:30:34.879 --> 00:30:37.240
 generous and give it away, not

00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:38.180
 just to build our own big

00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:39.740
 houses, but for generosity's

00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:39.940
 sake.

00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:42.640
 And on a tangible level, what

00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:43.599
 do these things look like?

00:30:44.400 --> 00:30:46.579
 Let's say you're a manager or

00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:47.700
 a boss in an office.

00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.740
 How can you use your

00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:53.339
 influence to shape a culture

00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:54.620
 of welfare and thriving

00:30:54.620 --> 00:30:55.579
 within your office?

00:30:57.900 --> 00:30:59.900
 Here's one idea, possibility,

00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.620
 that hopefully can help you

00:31:01.620 --> 00:31:02.359
 dream a little bit.

00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:05.299
 Hong Kong is not known for

00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.279
 having a good work-life

00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:06.759
 balance.

00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:09.079
 I think that might be an

00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:09.839
 understatement a bit.

00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:13.019
 But there's this society and

00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:14.859
 expectation of constant work,

00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:15.940
 and if the boss is sending

00:31:15.940 --> 00:31:17.160
 emails at 3 a.m., there's an

00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:18.440
 expectation that the employees

00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:19.940
 are checking emails at 3 a.m.

00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:23.700
 How is the culture that you as

00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:26.000
 a manager or a boss are setting

00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:28.519
 for your people, enabling

00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:30.339
 them to thrive when it comes to

00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:32.220
 adequate amounts of rest and a

00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:33.079
 good work-life balance?

00:31:33.079 --> 00:31:36.379
 And how can you use your position

00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:37.859
 of influence in the company to

00:31:37.859 --> 00:31:40.779
 help shape that into a healthier

00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:42.839
 work-life balance so that your

00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:43.679
 people can thrive?

00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:47.620
 Maybe you're new in the office, and you're

00:31:47.620 --> 00:31:49.160
 like, well, I don't have that power.

00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:51.519
 That's true.

00:31:51.600 --> 00:31:52.980
 At this point in your career, you don't.

00:31:53.180 --> 00:31:55.940
 But one of the things I've seen is that the

00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:57.799
 further up the corporate ladder you get, the

00:31:57.799 --> 00:31:59.320
 more and more isolated it can feel.

00:31:59.319 --> 00:32:02.220
 And the new people, the entry-level jobs

00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:04.139
 and companies oftentimes are the ones who

00:32:04.139 --> 00:32:05.700
 are more likely to just go out for drinks

00:32:05.700 --> 00:32:07.859
 together after work to socialize

00:32:07.859 --> 00:32:09.139
 for a number of reasons.

00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:11.379
 Less responsibility at work and

00:32:11.379 --> 00:32:14.599
 probably no kids, less responsibility in

00:32:14.599 --> 00:32:15.639
 other areas in life.

00:32:18.599 --> 00:32:20.659
 Having that group around you that's

00:32:20.659 --> 00:32:22.559
 willing to actually spend time together

00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:24.859
 gives you amazing opportunities to get

00:32:24.859 --> 00:32:25.960
 to know the people you work with,

00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:29.940
 to build relationships, and to impact

00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:31.559
 people's lives on an individual level.

00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:34.240
 You know, when we think of culture, we

00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:36.120
 typically think of this big thing, but

00:32:36.120 --> 00:32:38.880
 in reality, there's not necessarily one

00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:40.140
 big thing called culture.

00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:42.539
 There's a number of micro-cultures in

00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:42.900
 the world.

00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:46.660
 And we each have an opportunity to

00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:48.640
 impact the micro-cultures that God has

00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:49.319
 placed us in.

00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:51.440
 So as an entry-level person in your

00:32:51.440 --> 00:32:53.120
 office, maybe your micro-culture that

00:32:53.120 --> 00:32:55.759
 you can impact is with other entry-level

00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:56.099
 people.

00:32:56.940 --> 00:32:58.539
 Or maybe it's in the way that you

00:32:58.539 --> 00:32:59.460
 treat your boss.

00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:02.279
 What if we're students and we're not

00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:03.460
 even in the workplace yet?

00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:07.240
 You know, again, Hong Kong is a very

00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:09.019
 me-centered place, especially when it

00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:10.460
 comes to school, because I'm in school

00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:11.680
 so that I can get the best grades, so

00:33:11.680 --> 00:33:13.299
 I can go to the top university and or

00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:15.259
 grad school and then get the top job,

00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:17.240
 hopefully in investment banking, maybe

00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:19.460
 as a doctor or a lawyer, but I need to

00:33:19.460 --> 00:33:21.220
 make my millions and school is my way

00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:21.660
 to do it.

00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:26.000
 But what if we learn to see our

00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:27.680
 studies as not just a way of impacting

00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:29.880
 our own futures, but of impacting the

00:33:29.880 --> 00:33:30.680
 world around us?

00:33:31.920 --> 00:33:33.880
 What if algebra isn't just something to

00:33:33.880 --> 00:33:35.799
 learn for a test, but a tool that God

00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:38.079
 gives you that you could use to tutor an

00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:40.900
 inner-city student who needs to learn for

00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:41.299
 their future?

00:33:42.960 --> 00:33:45.160
 What if poetry isn't just something to

00:33:45.160 --> 00:33:47.940
 analyze and memorize for exams, but it's a

00:33:47.940 --> 00:33:50.640
 tool that God gives to you to create

00:33:50.640 --> 00:33:52.700
 beauty and bring hope to a broken world

00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:53.200
 around you?

00:33:54.840 --> 00:33:56.759
 What if studying history isn't just

00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:58.740
 something we do because we have to at

00:33:58.740 --> 00:34:01.220
 school, but what if we learn to see it as

00:34:01.220 --> 00:34:04.100
 an invitation from God to step into the

00:34:04.100 --> 00:34:07.279
 story of history and impact the future to

00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:09.380
 create a better city for the people around

00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:11.320
 us, especially those who are typically

00:34:11.320 --> 00:34:12.740
 overlooked by society?

00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:16.880
 No matter where you are, whether you're

00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:19.539
 in a management position, entry level, a

00:34:19.539 --> 00:34:22.140
 student, a homemaker, unemployed, anywhere

00:34:22.140 --> 00:34:26.160
 else, God has placed each of us in the

00:34:26.160 --> 00:34:28.960
 exact place that he has us now because he

00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:31.519
 has a contribution that he wants us to

00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:33.840
 make for the transformation and welfare of

00:34:33.840 --> 00:34:36.320
 our city that we are uniquely equipped to

00:34:36.320 --> 00:34:38.680
 make based on where we are right now.

00:34:41.500 --> 00:34:43.599
 And even the small things we do can make a

00:34:43.599 --> 00:34:44.260
 huge difference.

00:34:44.260 --> 00:34:46.420
 Something like learning the name of the

00:34:46.420 --> 00:34:48.220
 security guard in your building or talking

00:34:48.220 --> 00:34:50.680
 to the secretary at your office gives

00:34:50.680 --> 00:34:52.680
 dignity to people who are normally overlooked

00:34:52.680 --> 00:34:55.880
 by society and can go a huge long way

00:34:55.880 --> 00:34:58.360
 towards transforming and impacting the

00:34:58.360 --> 00:34:58.640
 culture.

00:34:59.800 --> 00:35:02.680
 And I know me as a church worker standing up

00:35:02.680 --> 00:35:05.480
 here and just brainstorming is one thing, but

00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:07.760
 seeing it at work in everyday life is

00:35:07.760 --> 00:35:08.280
 something different.

00:35:08.780 --> 00:35:10.360
 So I have my friend Edmund Lee.

00:35:10.360 --> 00:35:11.940
 He's somewhere back there.

00:35:12.280 --> 00:35:14.320
 He's going to come up and share with us

00:35:14.320 --> 00:35:17.260
 briefly about what this has looked like in

00:35:17.260 --> 00:35:20.559
 his life and how God has used him to seek

00:35:20.559 --> 00:35:22.180
 the welfare and transformation of the city

00:35:22.180 --> 00:35:22.940
 through his job.

00:35:23.740 --> 00:35:24.700
 So welcome Edmund.

00:35:27.200 --> 00:35:29.260
 No chair today.

00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:29.599
 Sorry.

00:35:29.700 --> 00:35:30.920
 You can sit on the stage if you want.

00:35:32.099 --> 00:35:32.620
 Okay.

00:35:32.619 --> 00:35:36.400
 So can you introduce yourself to us and just

00:35:36.400 --> 00:35:37.960
 tell us what your job is?

00:35:39.679 --> 00:35:40.539
 Can you guys hear me?

00:35:41.599 --> 00:35:41.779
 Yeah?

00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:42.119
 Okay.

00:35:42.279 --> 00:35:43.920
 Well, it won't be recorded if you don't talk

00:35:43.920 --> 00:35:44.339
 into the mic.

00:35:44.859 --> 00:35:45.099
 Okay.

00:35:46.159 --> 00:35:46.699
 Hello, testing.

00:35:47.460 --> 00:35:48.880
 So I work in...

00:35:48.880 --> 00:35:49.519
 My name's Edmund.

00:35:49.940 --> 00:35:52.019
 I work in education, which is really just a

00:35:52.019 --> 00:35:54.440
 more pretentious way of saying I'm a teacher.

00:35:55.259 --> 00:35:55.619
 Yeah.

00:35:55.619 --> 00:35:56.019
 Yeah.

00:35:56.239 --> 00:35:58.179
 And so what is your job involved or what will

00:35:58.179 --> 00:35:59.779
 you be doing tomorrow morning when you go into

00:35:59.780 --> 00:36:00.240
 the office?

00:36:01.260 --> 00:36:02.120
 Hopefully teaching.

00:36:02.880 --> 00:36:03.920
 Hopefully we'll do some teaching.

00:36:04.440 --> 00:36:06.460
 It does include a lot of lesson planning.

00:36:06.720 --> 00:36:07.700
 We have to mark homework.

00:36:07.940 --> 00:36:11.380
 We have to make the kids engage and have fun in

00:36:11.380 --> 00:36:13.880
 their education and wants to learn.

00:36:14.060 --> 00:36:17.660
 But really it's about creating a safe place to

00:36:17.660 --> 00:36:23.019
 steward God's children and hopefully turn

00:36:23.019 --> 00:36:29.180
 underdeveloped, well, underdeveloped people into

00:36:29.179 --> 00:36:30.480
 hopefully people sometime.

00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:32.879
 Yeah.

00:36:33.000 --> 00:36:33.980
 That's essentially what it is.

00:36:34.219 --> 00:36:34.519
 All right.

00:36:35.179 --> 00:36:37.119
 And you weren't always a teacher, right?

00:36:37.159 --> 00:36:38.579
 So what made you get into teaching?

00:36:40.079 --> 00:36:41.639
 So, yes, I wasn't always a teacher.

00:36:42.219 --> 00:36:45.599
 I guess what got me into teaching was talking to

00:36:45.599 --> 00:36:47.219
 students and talking to people in Hong Kong.

00:36:47.879 --> 00:36:50.000
 We tell people that they're important.

00:36:50.279 --> 00:36:54.259
 We tell people that they're loved, that what they

00:36:54.259 --> 00:36:55.219
 have to say is important.

00:36:55.219 --> 00:36:56.339
 We say that people have dignity.

00:36:56.480 --> 00:37:00.319
 We say that people have, well, they're valued.

00:37:00.759 --> 00:37:05.299
 But essentially we put them in a system where if they

00:37:05.299 --> 00:37:07.379
 don't get good academic grades, they're not important.

00:37:08.139 --> 00:37:12.639
 Where if they don't have certain skill sets, people

00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:14.059
 won't care about what they have to say.

00:37:14.179 --> 00:37:16.799
 If they're not successful academically, they're going

00:37:16.799 --> 00:37:17.579
 to fail in life.

00:37:18.139 --> 00:37:21.559
 We put kids in a system in Hong Kong especially where we say

00:37:21.559 --> 00:37:24.820
 education is so important to you and then we fail 82% of them

00:37:24.820 --> 00:37:26.980
 because only 18% will get to university.

00:37:27.239 --> 00:37:30.460
 And we read things like why is Hong Kong the most unhappy place

00:37:30.460 --> 00:37:32.820
 in Asia really.

00:37:32.980 --> 00:37:34.259
 And it's not surprising.

00:37:34.360 --> 00:37:39.119
 So for me, when I got into education, it was about what does

00:37:39.119 --> 00:37:42.279
 it look like to show people that they have dignity, that they're

00:37:42.279 --> 00:37:43.960
 dearly loved by God, that they're valued.

00:37:43.960 --> 00:37:50.380
 What does it look like to become a steward of people that helps them

00:37:50.380 --> 00:37:53.579
 go into community thinking that everyone is valuable?

00:37:54.659 --> 00:37:58.119
 And so how does your faith change the way that you view your job?

00:37:59.860 --> 00:38:00.659
 Sorry, I lost my place.

00:38:04.420 --> 00:38:07.260
 Well, oh, there we go.

00:38:07.599 --> 00:38:07.820
 Okay.

00:38:07.820 --> 00:38:10.840
 It's actually really difficult.

00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:14.660
 I think the hardest part about being a teacher is actually working

00:38:14.660 --> 00:38:16.519
 with kids when they don't want to be helped.

00:38:17.420 --> 00:38:20.840
 They look at you like you're the monster chasing after them for their

00:38:20.840 --> 00:38:22.019
 homework, for their tests.

00:38:22.940 --> 00:38:24.420
 You tell them to do the homework.

00:38:24.500 --> 00:38:25.140
 They don't do it.

00:38:25.220 --> 00:38:27.760
 And then you give them a C and then they ask why they don't have an A.

00:38:28.440 --> 00:38:30.960
 And these are conversations you have every single day.

00:38:31.120 --> 00:38:34.039
 But being Christian gives me perspective.

00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:41.920
 It helps remind me that, well, that they're sinners, really.

00:38:42.159 --> 00:38:47.179
 It helps remind me that I myself am a sinner that was chosen by God,

00:38:47.219 --> 00:38:48.079
 that was used by God.

00:38:48.300 --> 00:38:52.900
 And at the same time, students are people who just don't know Christ yet.

00:38:53.320 --> 00:38:56.679
 They're people who are learning what their value is.

00:38:57.000 --> 00:38:59.059
 They're trying to figure out life, and we all know that it's difficult.

00:38:59.179 --> 00:39:01.840
 They're trying to figure out where their value is,

00:39:01.840 --> 00:39:05.600
 and then they're being told by teachers and parents that it's in academics.

00:39:06.180 --> 00:39:12.400
 So when I look at them, I see people who need to learn what their value is.

00:39:12.440 --> 00:39:13.300
 And it gives me perspective.

00:39:13.440 --> 00:39:16.820
 It gives me a little more patience, a little more grace in how I deal with them

00:39:16.820 --> 00:39:20.539
 and a little more compassion, hopefully, because it's pretty important.

00:39:20.800 --> 00:39:20.980
 Yeah.

00:39:21.220 --> 00:39:21.400
 Yeah.

00:39:21.960 --> 00:39:22.320
 Yeah.

00:39:22.579 --> 00:39:23.079
 All right.

00:39:23.079 --> 00:39:26.360
 And can you share a story of a way that God has used your work

00:39:26.360 --> 00:39:30.159
 to bring about the welfare or transformation of Hong Kong in a big or small way?

00:39:32.440 --> 00:39:32.840
 Yes.

00:39:34.039 --> 00:39:34.579
 That's good.

00:39:35.340 --> 00:39:36.779
 Be in trouble if he said no.

00:39:37.159 --> 00:39:37.579
 I hope so.

00:39:37.579 --> 00:39:43.659
 Well, like I said, the way I see teaching, it's about giving people value.

00:39:44.159 --> 00:39:49.099
 To be honest, it's really, really difficult as a teacher to see the impact of your work

00:39:49.099 --> 00:39:51.799
 because you never know how your students are going to turn out.

00:39:52.019 --> 00:39:54.759
 You never know if what you see is getting through to them,

00:39:54.880 --> 00:39:56.880
 and most of the time it feels like it does,

00:39:56.960 --> 00:39:59.400
 and then the next day it's just completely the opposite.

00:39:59.400 --> 00:40:05.340
 So when I look at teaching, I don't know how much I'm impacting them,

00:40:06.160 --> 00:40:10.340
 but I can tell you what my students have done for me, myself.

00:40:11.039 --> 00:40:14.019
 How, when I see them, how excited I am and how blessed I feel

00:40:14.019 --> 00:40:17.160
 to know that they love people.

00:40:17.860 --> 00:40:21.240
 How amazing it is to see students who are top students

00:40:21.240 --> 00:40:23.539
 who are willing to cut timeouts to help others.

00:40:24.400 --> 00:40:27.860
 How amazing it is to see people learn empathy

00:40:27.860 --> 00:40:29.519
 and help people who are in need.

00:40:30.079 --> 00:40:33.380
 They see a friend who is alone, sitting by themselves,

00:40:33.860 --> 00:40:39.620
 feeling undervalued, I guess, and talking to them.

00:40:39.720 --> 00:40:40.980
 So for me, when I look at that,

00:40:41.579 --> 00:40:44.000
 I get excited to see how some of these students

00:40:44.000 --> 00:40:48.120
 who are able to see a model of what it means to be loved and Christian,

00:40:48.880 --> 00:40:49.620
 what they would do.

00:40:49.620 --> 00:40:51.740
 So I don't know if I have impact right now,

00:40:52.180 --> 00:40:54.780
 but hopefully long term I can see my students

00:40:54.780 --> 00:40:57.059
 having a much greater impact than I could ever have.

00:40:57.860 --> 00:40:59.240
 All right.

00:40:59.860 --> 00:41:01.400
 I kind of want to try and experiment.

00:41:01.599 --> 00:41:03.960
 It could go terribly wrong, and we didn't plan this.

00:41:04.780 --> 00:41:07.840
 But I know that there are people here who are here today

00:41:07.840 --> 00:41:11.960
 because they or someone close to them had Edmund as a teacher.

00:41:12.980 --> 00:41:15.420
 And I think it would be cool if the church could see a little picture

00:41:15.420 --> 00:41:18.800
 of how God has worked through Edmund to transform even this church.

00:41:19.280 --> 00:41:22.220
 So if you're here today because you had Edmund as a teacher,

00:41:22.219 --> 00:41:25.219
 could you stand up or someone close to you?

00:41:28.819 --> 00:41:29.259
 Okay.

00:41:29.679 --> 00:41:31.559
 And then one more step.

00:41:32.019 --> 00:41:34.419
 If you're here today because of them

00:41:34.419 --> 00:41:36.439
 and the influence that they've had on your life,

00:41:36.659 --> 00:41:38.019
 can you also stand up?

00:41:38.019 --> 00:41:38.500
 Thank you.

00:41:38.500 --> 00:41:39.019
 Thank you.

00:41:46.199 --> 00:41:48.679
 So I think these guys are an awesome reminder to us

00:41:48.679 --> 00:41:51.079
 that even when we don't see necessarily the difference

00:41:51.079 --> 00:41:52.039
 that our work is making,

00:41:52.599 --> 00:41:54.559
 that God is definitely working through us

00:41:54.559 --> 00:41:56.940
 and using us for the transformation of our city.

00:41:57.739 --> 00:41:59.759
 And that, again, like we discussed today,

00:42:00.300 --> 00:42:03.079
 it doesn't start with us just trying harder and doing better,

00:42:03.179 --> 00:42:04.759
 but with us—yeah, sorry, you can sit down.

00:42:04.760 --> 00:42:09.140
 It doesn't start with us just trying harder to do better,

00:42:09.540 --> 00:42:12.160
 but with us learning to trust in God,

00:42:12.260 --> 00:42:13.540
 learning to rely on the gospel,

00:42:13.700 --> 00:42:16.300
 learning to understand how he's loved us through Jesus,

00:42:16.680 --> 00:42:19.080
 and then living out of that understanding

00:42:19.080 --> 00:42:22.220
 and seeking to love our city in that way.

00:42:22.860 --> 00:42:24.500
 So one last question for you.

00:42:24.760 --> 00:42:25.600
 How can we pray for you?

00:42:26.880 --> 00:42:29.840
 Well, one of the verses you mentioned earlier really hit me.

00:42:29.840 --> 00:42:35.440
 I've always thought about what does it mean to continue to be like David,

00:42:35.579 --> 00:42:37.100
 to be a man after God's own hearts.

00:42:38.180 --> 00:42:40.280
 And so I guess for me it's always keeping perspective

00:42:40.280 --> 00:42:43.300
 to be a man after God's own hearts.

00:42:43.460 --> 00:42:47.120
 What does it look like to be undignified so that God can be magnified?

00:42:47.720 --> 00:42:51.440
 And what does it mean to expect great things from God

00:42:51.440 --> 00:42:53.500
 and attempt great things for God?

00:42:53.500 --> 00:42:57.599
 So for me it's just to be faithful to all three of those things,

00:42:58.099 --> 00:43:03.719
 to be a man after God's own hearts in a system that may overlook it,

00:43:03.760 --> 00:43:04.880
 to continue to rely on him.

00:43:05.579 --> 00:43:06.139
 All right.

00:43:06.519 --> 00:43:08.760
 So if you're here and you're an educator,

00:43:09.300 --> 00:43:11.519
 we also want to pray for you so you can stand up.

00:43:11.619 --> 00:43:14.360
 Or if you're a student also in that education field

00:43:14.360 --> 00:43:16.360
 or someone who works with students,

00:43:16.820 --> 00:43:19.159
 can we get you to stand up so we can also pray for you?

00:43:19.159 --> 00:43:23.099
 So teachers, students, educators,

00:43:24.259 --> 00:43:26.619
 the youth should all be standing now.

00:43:29.579 --> 00:43:31.440
 Yes, Sunday school teachers, that too.

00:43:36.559 --> 00:43:39.940
 All right.

00:43:40.039 --> 00:43:40.599
 Let's pray.

00:43:41.500 --> 00:43:44.679
 God, we thank you for all the people that you've brought to us

00:43:44.679 --> 00:43:47.039
 who are somehow connected to this field of education

00:43:47.039 --> 00:43:49.039
 or impacting the next generation

00:43:49.039 --> 00:43:51.619
 or being impacted by those who have gone before us.

00:43:52.219 --> 00:43:53.960
 And we thank you for the opportunities

00:43:53.960 --> 00:43:56.860
 that you've given to all of us to impact our city

00:43:56.860 --> 00:44:00.300
 and to seek the welfare and transformation of the world around us.

00:44:01.019 --> 00:44:04.460
 I pray that we would be a people who seek you,

00:44:05.519 --> 00:44:07.320
 who, like Edmund says,

00:44:07.420 --> 00:44:08.679
 seek to be people of integrity,

00:44:08.880 --> 00:44:10.480
 to be people after your own heart,

00:44:10.920 --> 00:44:13.320
 who love you, who desire to love the city

00:44:13.320 --> 00:44:15.360
 because we've been loved by you first.

00:44:15.360 --> 00:44:18.400
 I pray that we would be a church

00:44:18.400 --> 00:44:22.280
 that is known as a people who love the people around us,

00:44:22.340 --> 00:44:24.000
 who seek the welfare of our city,

00:44:24.820 --> 00:44:27.860
 who seek for your name to be honored through our lives.

00:44:29.200 --> 00:44:30.120
 God, you're awesome.

00:44:30.720 --> 00:44:31.079
 You're great.

00:44:31.140 --> 00:44:32.539
 We thank you for the gospel.

00:44:33.140 --> 00:44:35.500
 We pray that you'd be with each of us as we go to work tomorrow,

00:44:36.079 --> 00:44:38.800
 that you'd empower us to love the people around us,

00:44:39.120 --> 00:44:40.240
 to seek their welfare,

00:44:40.239 --> 00:44:42.959
 and to work not just for our human bosses,

00:44:43.219 --> 00:44:45.519
 but mostly, first and foremost, for you.

00:44:46.419 --> 00:44:48.059
 And in Jesus' name, amen.

00:44:48.059 --> 00:44:48.199
 Amen.

00:44:48.199 --> 00:44:48.259
 Amen.

00:44:48.259 --> 00:44:48.279
 Amen.

00:44:48.279 --> 00:44:48.339
 Amen.

00:44:48.339 --> 00:44:48.359
 Amen.

00:44:48.359 --> 00:44:48.379
 Amen.

00:44:48.379 --> 00:44:48.419
 Amen.

00:44:48.419 --> 00:44:48.500
 Amen.

00:44:48.500 --> 00:44:48.519
 Amen.

00:44:48.519 --> 00:44:48.559
 Amen.

00:44:48.559 --> 00:44:48.599
 Amen.

00:44:48.599 --> 00:44:48.619
 Amen.

00:44:48.619 --> 00:44:48.699
 Amen.

00:44:48.699 --> 00:44:49.000
 Amen.