WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.660
 It is wonderful to be with you this morning.

00:00:03.339 --> 00:00:07.419
 It is such a privilege to be able to bring God's Word to us,

00:00:07.560 --> 00:00:12.359
 and I'm excited to dive into the Scriptures with our family this morning.

00:00:12.480 --> 00:00:14.280
 So it really is wonderful to be here.

00:00:14.700 --> 00:00:19.900
 We have been looking forward to this time and moving to Hong Kong

00:00:19.900 --> 00:00:24.560
 and looking forward to this Sunday for so many weeks back in Cape Town.

00:00:25.019 --> 00:00:29.120
 For weeks I used to stay awake at night just thinking about joining this family,

00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:31.260
 and so it really is wonderful to be with you.

00:00:31.640 --> 00:00:34.020
 We've had a great week with the staff in the office.

00:00:34.359 --> 00:00:36.120
 Well, I've had fun. I don't know if they have.

00:00:36.179 --> 00:00:37.679
 I hope they've enjoyed it as well.

00:00:38.039 --> 00:00:41.200
 But it's been wonderful to dive into the Watermark family.

00:00:41.939 --> 00:00:44.620
 Now, I just want to give us a brief introduction.

00:00:45.240 --> 00:00:50.840
 This morning we are starting a four-part mini-series called The Church That Jesus Is Building.

00:00:51.760 --> 00:00:55.560
 And the things that we're going to be looking at over the next few weeks

00:00:55.560 --> 00:00:58.359
 are probably not going to be new to most of us.

00:00:58.359 --> 00:01:02.100
 They're probably things that many of us would have heard and would know.

00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:07.620
 But the goal for the next few weeks is for God to remind us in His Word

00:01:07.620 --> 00:01:11.500
 about the foundational truths upon which this church is built

00:01:11.500 --> 00:01:13.599
 and every church should be built.

00:01:14.280 --> 00:01:17.799
 And to once again bring clarity and sharpness,

00:01:17.840 --> 00:01:20.840
 when we think about Watermark Church and we think about the church,

00:01:21.180 --> 00:01:23.620
 what is it that God is calling us to be?

00:01:23.620 --> 00:01:28.280
 And what are the foundational truths upon which this church is built?

00:01:28.500 --> 00:01:30.719
 And so that's where we're going to go for the next four weeks.

00:01:31.340 --> 00:01:37.520
 Now, one quick disclaimer or caveat is that when we preach,

00:01:37.580 --> 00:01:42.659
 often the application or the implication of our preaching is very personal.

00:01:43.060 --> 00:01:45.860
 It's how does this relate to you and your workplace tomorrow?

00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:48.920
 How does this relate to you and your family or your home life?

00:01:48.920 --> 00:01:52.480
 For the next couple of weeks, we're going to be talking to us as a family.

00:01:53.099 --> 00:01:57.200
 How does God's Word speak to us as a family, as a gospel family called Watermark Church?

00:01:57.340 --> 00:02:02.359
 And so the implications are going to be far more communal than individualistic.

00:02:02.620 --> 00:02:04.439
 And then we'll get to that a little later.

00:02:04.840 --> 00:02:08.780
 So I want to ask you as we listen to God's Word over the next few weeks

00:02:08.780 --> 00:02:10.960
 to think about it in light of,

00:02:11.159 --> 00:02:15.920
 God, what are you saying to us as a gospel family called Watermark Community Church?

00:02:16.159 --> 00:02:16.379
 Okay?

00:02:16.819 --> 00:02:17.219
 Great.

00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:21.400
 So I want to invite Cynthia and Venus to come and read God's Word to us.

00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:24.400
 And so let's listen to God's Word this morning.

00:02:24.680 --> 00:02:25.740
 You guys want to come on up?

00:02:25.740 --> 00:02:35.260
 Today's reading comes from Psalm 127, 125.

00:02:36.040 --> 00:02:39.420
 Please follow along in your bulletin or screen.

00:02:41.020 --> 00:02:43.460
 Unless the Lord builds the house,

00:02:43.960 --> 00:02:46.240
 those who build it labor in vain.

00:02:46.800 --> 00:02:49.160
 Unless the Lord watches over the city,

00:02:49.800 --> 00:02:51.900
 the watchman stays awake in vain.

00:02:51.900 --> 00:02:57.240
 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,

00:02:57.780 --> 00:02:59.980
 eating the bread of anxious toil,

00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:02.680
 for he gives to his beloved sleep.

00:03:03.240 --> 00:03:06.240
 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord.

00:03:06.780 --> 00:03:08.840
 The fruit of the womb a reward.

00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:11.540
 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

00:03:11.540 --> 00:03:13.939
 are the children of one's youth.

00:03:15.140 --> 00:03:18.280
 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them.

00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:20.719
 He shall not be put to shame

00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:24.379
 when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

00:03:24.620 --> 00:03:26.039
 This is God's words.

00:03:29.780 --> 00:03:33.340
 Let's pray together as we consider God's Word this morning.

00:03:34.479 --> 00:03:36.939
 Heavenly Father, we come before you

00:03:36.939 --> 00:03:38.740
 and we come before your Word

00:03:38.740 --> 00:03:42.020
 because what we as a church and a family

00:03:42.020 --> 00:03:44.180
 desperately need to hear is you.

00:03:44.180 --> 00:03:47.900
 God, I pray that you will speak to us

00:03:47.900 --> 00:03:49.120
 from your Word this morning.

00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:52.800
 We're not here to listen to the opinions of man.

00:03:53.740 --> 00:03:56.240
 We're not here to find three quick ways

00:03:56.240 --> 00:03:58.360
 to make our lives more comfortable and convenient.

00:03:59.260 --> 00:04:01.540
 We're here to meet with the living God.

00:04:01.680 --> 00:04:03.540
 And so, Father, won't you speak to us?

00:04:04.340 --> 00:04:07.200
 Holy Spirit, won't you take the words of these pages

00:04:07.200 --> 00:04:10.140
 and apply them to our lives and our hearts?

00:04:11.040 --> 00:04:13.300
 Won't you soften our hearts to hear from you?

00:04:14.180 --> 00:04:16.960
 And I pray that we will encounter you today.

00:04:17.639 --> 00:04:18.699
 We invite you here.

00:04:18.900 --> 00:04:19.699
 We need you.

00:04:19.920 --> 00:04:21.160
 We're dependent upon you.

00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:24.460
 Come and have your way in our lives

00:04:24.460 --> 00:04:26.500
 and in our church, we pray.

00:04:27.660 --> 00:04:28.060
 Amen.

00:04:28.900 --> 00:04:29.280
 Amen.

00:04:31.019 --> 00:04:33.600
 Now, if you've got your Bible,

00:04:33.819 --> 00:04:35.240
 or I think it's in the bulletin,

00:04:35.759 --> 00:04:37.740
 two things I want to draw your attention to

00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:39.259
 before we get to verse 1.

00:04:39.259 --> 00:04:41.539
 Now, when you read the psalm,

00:04:41.599 --> 00:04:42.459
 right in the beginning,

00:04:42.719 --> 00:04:43.959
 you should notice two things.

00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:44.399
 It says,

00:04:44.740 --> 00:04:46.000
 A Song of Ascent.

00:04:46.459 --> 00:04:47.300
 And then secondly,

00:04:47.459 --> 00:04:47.860
 it says,

00:04:47.959 --> 00:04:48.560
 Of Solomon.

00:04:48.719 --> 00:04:49.819
 Do you see that in your Bible?

00:04:49.920 --> 00:04:50.779
 Is that in the bulletin?

00:04:51.159 --> 00:04:51.639
 In the scripture?

00:04:52.300 --> 00:04:54.639
 Two very important things to take note of

00:04:54.639 --> 00:04:57.019
 when we understand Psalm 127.

00:04:57.599 --> 00:04:59.899
 The first one is the Songs of Ascent.

00:04:59.899 --> 00:05:02.399
 So, in the Old Testament,

00:05:02.719 --> 00:05:03.539
 every year,

00:05:04.120 --> 00:05:06.019
 the Jewish men and women

00:05:06.019 --> 00:05:08.060
 would travel three times a year

00:05:08.060 --> 00:05:10.599
 from wherever they found themselves in Israel

00:05:10.599 --> 00:05:11.859
 towards Jerusalem

00:05:11.859 --> 00:05:13.079
 for the festivals.

00:05:13.279 --> 00:05:14.500
 And they would go to Jerusalem

00:05:14.500 --> 00:05:16.159
 to offer sacrifices

00:05:16.159 --> 00:05:17.659
 and to worship to God.

00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:19.719
 And as they went there,

00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:20.719
 the families,

00:05:20.879 --> 00:05:21.459
 the cousins,

00:05:21.719 --> 00:05:23.219
 the extended family would come.

00:05:23.319 --> 00:05:24.399
 They would journey together.

00:05:24.839 --> 00:05:27.099
 They would sing these Songs of Ascent.

00:05:27.799 --> 00:05:28.979
 And the Songs of Ascent

00:05:28.979 --> 00:05:30.399
 are 15 psalms

00:05:30.399 --> 00:05:33.139
 from Psalm 120 to Psalm 134

00:05:33.139 --> 00:05:35.479
 that would make up this collection of songs

00:05:35.479 --> 00:05:36.620
 that they would sing together.

00:05:37.319 --> 00:05:38.399
 And so these journeys

00:05:38.399 --> 00:05:39.819
 were like Chinese New Year

00:05:39.819 --> 00:05:41.060
 for us in Hong Kong, right?

00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:42.899
 They were like Thanksgiving for Americans.

00:05:43.339 --> 00:05:45.259
 All the family would come together.

00:05:45.620 --> 00:05:47.500
 It would be a time of family reunion.

00:05:48.019 --> 00:05:49.159
 They would sing together.

00:05:49.159 --> 00:05:50.639
 They would journey together.

00:05:50.859 --> 00:05:52.959
 They would go on these pilgrimages together.

00:05:52.959 --> 00:05:55.739
 And as they got towards Jerusalem,

00:05:55.979 --> 00:05:58.079
 as they started to ascend the hills,

00:05:58.199 --> 00:06:00.939
 the mountains which Jerusalem was built upon,

00:06:01.299 --> 00:06:02.519
 as they would ascend the hills,

00:06:02.599 --> 00:06:04.180
 they would sing these psalms

00:06:04.180 --> 00:06:06.259
 known as the Songs of Ascent.

00:06:06.620 --> 00:06:07.879
 These songs reminding them

00:06:07.879 --> 00:06:09.359
 about the faithfulness of God,

00:06:09.439 --> 00:06:11.240
 how God had led His people.

00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:13.500
 And Jerusalem was built up on a hill

00:06:13.500 --> 00:06:14.939
 and so they would ascend the hill

00:06:14.939 --> 00:06:15.919
 towards Jerusalem.

00:06:16.359 --> 00:06:17.919
 And as they saw the temple,

00:06:18.039 --> 00:06:19.740
 the high point in Jerusalem

00:06:19.740 --> 00:06:21.659
 where God's presence was said to dwell,

00:06:21.660 --> 00:06:23.100
 they would be reminded

00:06:23.100 --> 00:06:24.540
 and they would sing these songs

00:06:24.540 --> 00:06:26.800
 known as the Songs of Ascent.

00:06:26.939 --> 00:06:28.040
 And Psalm 127

00:06:28.040 --> 00:06:30.900
 that was read to us this morning

00:06:30.900 --> 00:06:31.920
 is one of these songs.

00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:33.720
 Second thing to notice,

00:06:33.840 --> 00:06:36.120
 this psalm is written by Solomon.

00:06:36.780 --> 00:06:38.879
 Now, many of the psalms

00:06:38.879 --> 00:06:39.960
 are written by King David,

00:06:40.300 --> 00:06:41.820
 some of them by the sons of Korah,

00:06:41.940 --> 00:06:43.100
 one or two of them by Moses,

00:06:43.540 --> 00:06:45.300
 but only two psalms are written

00:06:45.300 --> 00:06:47.500
 by King Solomon, David's son.

00:06:47.500 --> 00:06:50.439
 And this is significant

00:06:50.439 --> 00:06:53.100
 because Solomon was the one king

00:06:53.100 --> 00:06:55.399
 who oversaw the building project

00:06:55.399 --> 00:06:56.540
 of God's house.

00:06:56.959 --> 00:06:59.500
 Remember, David goes to God

00:06:59.500 --> 00:06:59.800
 and says,

00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:00.860
 I want to build you

00:07:00.860 --> 00:07:02.079
 a magnificent house

00:07:02.079 --> 00:07:02.879
 for your presence.

00:07:03.420 --> 00:07:04.019
 And God says,

00:07:04.079 --> 00:07:05.040
 you can't do that.

00:07:05.500 --> 00:07:07.079
 But your son, Solomon,

00:07:07.279 --> 00:07:09.079
 who will be on the throne after you,

00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:11.339
 he will build a house for me.

00:07:11.620 --> 00:07:12.720
 And so Solomon did.

00:07:12.720 --> 00:07:14.720
 He built the most magnificent temple,

00:07:15.700 --> 00:07:17.700
 which became the pride of Israel.

00:07:18.640 --> 00:07:21.320
 Now, look at what Solomon says.

00:07:22.020 --> 00:07:23.580
 Solomon, the one who oversaw

00:07:23.580 --> 00:07:25.140
 the building of God's house,

00:07:25.480 --> 00:07:27.540
 this magnificent temple, writes,

00:07:28.400 --> 00:07:30.160
 unless the Lord builds the house,

00:07:30.820 --> 00:07:32.740
 those that build it labor in vain.

00:07:33.720 --> 00:07:34.440
 And Solomon writes,

00:07:34.500 --> 00:07:36.480
 for those of you that are going to Jerusalem,

00:07:36.640 --> 00:07:37.780
 Jerusalem is Jerusalem,

00:07:38.160 --> 00:07:39.140
 the city of peace.

00:07:39.380 --> 00:07:40.220
 For those that have been

00:07:40.220 --> 00:07:42.160
 on the outlying areas of Israel,

00:07:42.160 --> 00:07:44.100
 and they're coming to the city of peace

00:07:44.100 --> 00:07:45.620
 where God's presence is,

00:07:45.920 --> 00:07:47.960
 unless the Lord watches over the city,

00:07:48.660 --> 00:07:50.220
 those that watch over it

00:07:50.220 --> 00:07:52.060
 stay awake in vain.

00:07:52.820 --> 00:07:54.440
 Friends, if there was one king

00:07:54.440 --> 00:07:56.520
 in the whole of Israel,

00:07:57.080 --> 00:07:57.700
 you could say,

00:07:57.860 --> 00:07:58.840
 I know what it takes

00:07:58.840 --> 00:08:00.420
 to build a great house for the Lord.

00:08:00.740 --> 00:08:01.820
 I know what it takes

00:08:01.820 --> 00:08:02.800
 to build a temple,

00:08:02.920 --> 00:08:03.800
 to build a church.

00:08:04.060 --> 00:08:05.060
 I've planned it.

00:08:05.240 --> 00:08:06.300
 I've organized it.

00:08:06.440 --> 00:08:07.780
 I've got the people in place.

00:08:07.980 --> 00:08:08.620
 Look to me.

00:08:08.700 --> 00:08:10.540
 I will build a great house for God.

00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:11.879
 It is Solomon.

00:08:12.980 --> 00:08:13.300
 And yet,

00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:14.300
 what does Solomon say?

00:08:15.220 --> 00:08:16.820
 Unless the Lord builds the house,

00:08:17.439 --> 00:08:18.540
 those that build it

00:08:18.540 --> 00:08:19.980
 labor in vain.

00:08:20.700 --> 00:08:21.220
 Now, of course,

00:08:21.820 --> 00:08:23.280
 Solomon is not saying

00:08:23.280 --> 00:08:25.780
 that you can't build a big house

00:08:25.780 --> 00:08:27.200
 or a big church for God

00:08:27.200 --> 00:08:29.379
 just based on human techniques

00:08:29.379 --> 00:08:30.560
 or humanistic thinking

00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:31.940
 or big branding

00:08:31.940 --> 00:08:33.000
 or the right marketing.

00:08:33.160 --> 00:08:34.379
 He says you can do that,

00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:36.320
 but it's all going to be in vain.

00:08:37.580 --> 00:08:37.840
 Friends,

00:08:38.740 --> 00:08:39.580
 shaky houses

00:08:39.580 --> 00:08:41.639
 built on shaky foundations,

00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:43.940
 no matter how beautiful they look,

00:08:44.040 --> 00:08:45.759
 no matter how expensive the finishes

00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:47.820
 or how wonderful the interior is,

00:08:48.540 --> 00:08:49.259
 shaky houses

00:08:49.259 --> 00:08:50.759
 built on shaky foundations

00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:52.259
 are a bad investment

00:08:52.259 --> 00:08:53.600
 and are dangerous

00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:54.780
 for those who live in them

00:08:54.780 --> 00:08:56.540
 or find refuge in them.

00:08:57.420 --> 00:08:59.220
 And so Solomon reminds us

00:08:59.220 --> 00:09:00.639
 there is one foundation

00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:02.340
 upon which God builds His church.

00:09:03.060 --> 00:09:03.820
 Unless I,

00:09:03.920 --> 00:09:04.420
 the Lord,

00:09:04.480 --> 00:09:05.920
 am building my church,

00:09:06.579 --> 00:09:07.879
 your efforts are all in vain.

00:09:08.299 --> 00:09:09.019
 And for those who are

00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:10.120
 on their way to Jerusalem,

00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:10.620
 as we said,

00:09:10.679 --> 00:09:11.699
 the city of peace,

00:09:12.319 --> 00:09:14.639
 cities were very important places

00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:17.019
 for business and entrepreneurs.

00:09:17.299 --> 00:09:17.979
 There's connections,

00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:19.519
 there's business opportunities,

00:09:19.979 --> 00:09:21.699
 but cities were also very important

00:09:21.699 --> 00:09:22.579
 for the marginalized

00:09:22.579 --> 00:09:23.439
 and the vulnerable.

00:09:23.939 --> 00:09:25.240
 There was safety in numbers.

00:09:25.339 --> 00:09:26.579
 In the outlying areas,

00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:27.939
 you were open prey.

00:09:28.059 --> 00:09:29.159
 Anybody could attack you.

00:09:29.199 --> 00:09:29.819
 But in cities,

00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:30.599
 there was refuge,

00:09:30.719 --> 00:09:31.319
 there was safety.

00:09:31.860 --> 00:09:32.699
 And so as the people

00:09:32.699 --> 00:09:33.639
 came to Jerusalem,

00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:35.259
 there was safety and security there.

00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:36.679
 And Solomon says,

00:09:36.799 --> 00:09:37.939
 you can do all you want

00:09:37.939 --> 00:09:38.700
 to secure it.

00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:39.919
 You can set up watchmen,

00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:40.519
 you can employ

00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:42.360
 the latest technological advances,

00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:44.100
 but unless Yahweh,

00:09:44.200 --> 00:09:45.159
 the one true God,

00:09:45.220 --> 00:09:46.919
 is watching over His people,

00:09:47.580 --> 00:09:48.819
 the house of God,

00:09:49.860 --> 00:09:51.439
 you watch it in vain.

00:09:52.299 --> 00:09:53.539
 And so notice what Solomon,

00:09:53.639 --> 00:09:55.220
 what God is calling us to see.

00:09:55.879 --> 00:09:57.600
 God is not just asking us

00:09:57.600 --> 00:09:59.399
 to invite God into our plans.

00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:01.360
 As we as a church family

00:10:01.360 --> 00:10:02.240
 look to the future

00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:03.819
 and look to where is God

00:10:03.819 --> 00:10:04.960
 leading us in 2018,

00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:06.080
 God is not just saying,

00:10:06.500 --> 00:10:07.780
 remember to include me

00:10:07.780 --> 00:10:08.460
 in your plans.

00:10:08.960 --> 00:10:09.840
 God is not asking us

00:10:09.840 --> 00:10:11.000
 just to invite Him

00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:12.720
 to bless our efforts.

00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:13.700
 God is saying,

00:10:13.840 --> 00:10:15.400
 unless I am the master builder,

00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:16.639
 unless I am at the helm,

00:10:16.759 --> 00:10:17.940
 and unless you give me

00:10:17.940 --> 00:10:18.759
 the controls,

00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:20.300
 all your efforts are in vain.

00:10:20.840 --> 00:10:21.820
 God is reminding us

00:10:21.820 --> 00:10:23.000
 of the binary nature

00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:23.780
 of His leadership.

00:10:24.340 --> 00:10:25.900
 Either Jesus is head

00:10:25.900 --> 00:10:26.500
 of His church

00:10:26.500 --> 00:10:27.580
 or He's not.

00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:29.259
 Either Jesus is the one

00:10:29.259 --> 00:10:30.200
 building His church

00:10:30.200 --> 00:10:31.320
 or not.

00:10:31.940 --> 00:10:33.300
 John Piper said it like this,

00:10:33.299 --> 00:10:35.500
 if we do not trust in God

00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:36.419
 with all our heart,

00:10:36.919 --> 00:10:37.959
 but instead rely

00:10:37.959 --> 00:10:39.039
 on our own insight,

00:10:39.599 --> 00:10:40.279
 we might,

00:10:40.459 --> 00:10:41.519
 if God allows it,

00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:43.339
 produce a great monument,

00:10:44.079 --> 00:10:44.799
 but in the end,

00:10:44.859 --> 00:10:46.059
 it will only be a monument

00:10:46.059 --> 00:10:47.659
 to our own futility.

00:10:49.359 --> 00:10:49.839
 Now,

00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:52.139
 look at what Solomon says

00:10:52.139 --> 00:10:53.459
 and look at verse 2 with me.

00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:54.579
 Solomon writes,

00:10:54.679 --> 00:10:56.000
 unless the Lord builds the house,

00:10:56.500 --> 00:10:57.359
 those that build it

00:10:57.359 --> 00:10:58.139
 labor in vain.

00:10:58.259 --> 00:10:59.139
 But look at verse 2.

00:10:59.839 --> 00:11:01.519
 Solomon then extrapolates this

00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:02.460
 and he gets a little bit

00:11:02.460 --> 00:11:03.199
 more specific.

00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:05.079
 And he gives us both

00:11:05.079 --> 00:11:05.759
 a warning

00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:07.220
 and an encouragement.

00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:08.259
 First,

00:11:08.360 --> 00:11:09.079
 he warns us

00:11:09.079 --> 00:11:09.679
 what happens

00:11:09.679 --> 00:11:11.139
 if we think that

00:11:11.139 --> 00:11:12.960
 the success of God's church

00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:14.579
 depends on human ability

00:11:14.579 --> 00:11:15.579
 or human strength

00:11:15.579 --> 00:11:17.259
 or human wisdom.

00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:18.419
 He says here,

00:11:18.799 --> 00:11:19.639
 it is in vain

00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:20.980
 that you rise up early

00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:23.059
 and go late to rest,

00:11:23.620 --> 00:11:24.679
 eating the bread

00:11:24.679 --> 00:11:25.980
 of anxious toil.

00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:27.899
 And I think there's two

00:11:27.899 --> 00:11:29.340
 warnings here for us

00:11:29.340 --> 00:11:30.659
 and really they're two sides

00:11:30.659 --> 00:11:32.080
 of the same coin.

00:11:32.580 --> 00:11:33.420
 The first warning,

00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:34.519
 the first danger is

00:11:34.519 --> 00:11:36.259
 we forget just who we are.

00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:38.320
 We forget who we are

00:11:38.320 --> 00:11:39.920
 and we overestimate

00:11:39.920 --> 00:11:40.800
 our own strengths

00:11:40.800 --> 00:11:41.740
 and our own abilities

00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:43.220
 and our own self-importance.

00:11:43.720 --> 00:11:44.940
 We tend to think sometimes

00:11:44.940 --> 00:11:46.379
 as church leaders

00:11:46.379 --> 00:11:47.779
 tend to sometimes think

00:11:47.779 --> 00:11:48.820
 we have the ability,

00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:50.259
 we have the wisdom,

00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:51.800
 we know what it takes

00:11:51.800 --> 00:11:53.360
 to produce a great church.

00:11:53.360 --> 00:11:55.899
 If you do this

00:11:55.899 --> 00:11:57.720
 and you put that program in place

00:11:57.720 --> 00:11:59.200
 and you get those leaders in place,

00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:01.259
 then surely we can guarantee the results.

00:12:01.680 --> 00:12:03.700
 This will be a magnificent church.

00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:05.419
 And God says,

00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:08.019
 have you forgotten just who you are?

00:12:08.560 --> 00:12:09.720
 That you're only human,

00:12:10.200 --> 00:12:11.259
 you're jars of clay

00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:12.940
 and I am the glory.

00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:14.879
 I remember a story

00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:18.240
 when I was about 18 or 19 years old,

00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:19.560
 so many years ago,

00:12:20.180 --> 00:12:21.620
 I was on a mission trip

00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:24.200
 and we went to the border

00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:25.759
 of Sudan and Kenya

00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:28.340
 to a UN base called Locky Chogyo.

00:12:28.980 --> 00:12:30.940
 And I was young and naive.

00:12:31.039 --> 00:12:31.820
 I was 19

00:12:31.820 --> 00:12:34.919
 and I was with a bunch of other men

00:12:34.919 --> 00:12:37.060
 and the man leading the group

00:12:37.060 --> 00:12:38.620
 was about 55 years old,

00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:40.100
 a very experienced man,

00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:41.460
 a wonderful man of God.

00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:42.779
 His name was Henny,

00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:44.980
 an Afrikaans man.

00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:46.799
 And the one night,

00:12:46.860 --> 00:12:48.419
 we're sitting in this bush camp,

00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:49.080
 we're talking,

00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:49.740
 having dinner,

00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:53.519
 and I've been talking a fair amount

00:12:53.519 --> 00:12:54.379
 and at one point,

00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:54.919
 Henny,

00:12:55.060 --> 00:12:55.879
 this older man,

00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:56.519
 says to me,

00:12:56.580 --> 00:12:56.840
 Kevin,

00:12:57.600 --> 00:13:00.340
 I pray that God will take the I out of you.

00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:02.680
 I wonder what he means.

00:13:03.659 --> 00:13:03.940
 He says,

00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:05.080
 when I hear you talk,

00:13:05.419 --> 00:13:06.500
 it's just I this,

00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:07.159
 I that.

00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:08.740
 I'm going to do this for God,

00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:09.840
 I'm going to do that.

00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:11.120
 I want to do this

00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:12.180
 and I'm going to do this.

00:13:12.700 --> 00:13:12.980
 He says,

00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:13.620
 when you talk,

00:13:13.659 --> 00:13:14.779
 you just talk about yourself.

00:13:14.779 --> 00:13:15.919
 I this and I that.

00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:18.759
 I pray that God will take the I out of you.

00:13:18.759 --> 00:13:20.639
 And then he picked up his plate

00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:21.919
 and he walked away.

00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:25.939
 And it was very quiet around the dinner table.

00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:29.439
 I remember that night,

00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:30.659
 I went to my tent

00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:32.840
 and I got on my knees

00:13:32.840 --> 00:13:33.279
 and I said,

00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:33.840
 oh God,

00:13:33.960 --> 00:13:35.439
 please take the I out of me.

00:13:36.840 --> 00:13:37.639
 And just recently,

00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:39.100
 I was on the website of a man

00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:40.580
 who was moving from one country

00:13:40.580 --> 00:13:41.519
 to another country

00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:43.439
 to go for ministry purposes,

00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:45.240
 to go and start a ministry.

00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:47.100
 And on the website,

00:13:47.320 --> 00:13:47.980
 he was saying,

00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:49.299
 I am going to this country

00:13:49.299 --> 00:13:51.220
 and I will bring the kingdom of God there

00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:53.840
 and I will bring a new realm of God's glory

00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:55.519
 and I'm going to bring the spirit of God

00:13:55.519 --> 00:13:56.320
 to these people.

00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:58.600
 I'm very excited for what God is going to do to me.

00:13:59.460 --> 00:14:00.060
 And I thought,

00:14:00.299 --> 00:14:02.440
 you need a friend like I had a friend.

00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:03.180
 You know,

00:14:03.220 --> 00:14:03.919
 the Bible says,

00:14:04.039 --> 00:14:05.060
 the wounds of a friend

00:14:05.060 --> 00:14:06.180
 are better than the kisses.

00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:07.340
 The wounds of a friend

00:14:07.340 --> 00:14:08.759
 are better than kisses of an enemy.

00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:09.879
 I thought,

00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:11.500
 you need a friend like I had a friend.

00:14:12.680 --> 00:14:13.180
 And Watermark,

00:14:13.179 --> 00:14:14.039
 I want to ask you,

00:14:14.079 --> 00:14:15.439
 will you pray for us as elders?

00:14:15.599 --> 00:14:17.419
 Will you pray for us as leaders and staff

00:14:17.419 --> 00:14:18.500
 that God will continue

00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:20.019
 to take the I out of us?

00:14:20.719 --> 00:14:22.159
 Because the greatest danger,

00:14:22.299 --> 00:14:23.819
 I think one of the greatest dangers

00:14:23.819 --> 00:14:24.479
 that the church,

00:14:24.579 --> 00:14:25.599
 the modern church has,

00:14:25.939 --> 00:14:27.379
 is we've forgotten who we are.

00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:29.679
 We've forgotten that the most significant

00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:31.239
 and foundational truth of scripture

00:14:31.239 --> 00:14:33.279
 is that the church belongs to Jesus.

00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:35.399
 There is one leader of the church

00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:36.639
 and his name is King Jesus.

00:14:37.699 --> 00:14:39.019
 And as a church,

00:14:39.079 --> 00:14:39.939
 we sometimes think

00:14:39.939 --> 00:14:41.519
 that the church has a business model.

00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:43.559
 And if we can just get the business model right,

00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:46.039
 we get some wealthy business people

00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:47.379
 and we make a board of elders

00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:48.840
 like we have a board of directors

00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:50.840
 and we get a very nice venue

00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:52.539
 and we get some fancy lights

00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.559
 and smoke machines

00:14:53.559 --> 00:14:55.139
 and amazing musicians

00:14:55.139 --> 00:14:56.879
 and we get a wonderful leader

00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.919
 that can speak well,

00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:58.759
 he's strong,

00:14:58.819 --> 00:14:59.799
 but also sensitive,

00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:01.019
 vulnerable,

00:15:01.340 --> 00:15:02.579
 and also full of vision,

00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:04.720
 then the church is going to be a success.

00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:06.879
 And yet Jesus says,

00:15:07.699 --> 00:15:09.259
 unless the Lord builds the house,

00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:11.039
 those who build it,

00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:12.539
 labor in vain.

00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:14.159
 And I think actually

00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:15.019
 at the heart of this

00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:15.879
 is a bigger problem

00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:16.840
 and that's that we forget

00:15:16.840 --> 00:15:17.819
 just who God is.

00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:19.860
 We forget that there's one head

00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:20.340
 of the church,

00:15:20.419 --> 00:15:21.120
 his name is Jesus.

00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:22.519
 We forget that God is God

00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:23.179
 and we are not.

00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:24.659
 And we forget that

00:15:24.659 --> 00:15:25.480
 at its essence,

00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:26.600
 the church is made up

00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:28.139
 of simple men and women,

00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:30.340
 sinners who have found grace,

00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:31.539
 men and women

00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:33.139
 whose lives have been turned around

00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:34.179
 by the living God,

00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:34.700
 men and women

00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:35.460
 who have encountered

00:15:35.460 --> 00:15:36.319
 the living God,

00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:37.379
 men and women

00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:39.640
 who were lost

00:15:39.640 --> 00:15:40.960
 and were found by Jesus,

00:15:41.520 --> 00:15:42.020
 that the church

00:15:42.020 --> 00:15:42.960
 is not in its essence

00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:43.720
 great music

00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:44.840
 or great kids ministry

00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:46.480
 or good leaders

00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.500
 that care for us.

00:15:48.020 --> 00:15:49.540
 And this is so easy to do

00:15:49.540 --> 00:15:50.640
 because Jesus,

00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:51.660
 in his humility,

00:15:52.180 --> 00:15:54.040
 he often shrouds his glory,

00:15:54.220 --> 00:15:55.600
 he restrains his power.

00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:57.600
 And sometimes like Job

00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:58.160
 or Joseph,

00:15:58.280 --> 00:15:58.580
 we say,

00:15:58.660 --> 00:15:59.680
 God, where are you?

00:16:00.180 --> 00:16:00.820
 And we forget

00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:02.060
 that behind the scenes,

00:16:02.200 --> 00:16:02.980
 God is at work

00:16:02.980 --> 00:16:03.640
 in his people.

00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:05.740
 And sometimes we forget

00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:06.699
 just who we are

00:16:06.699 --> 00:16:08.340
 and we forget who God is.

00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:09.179
 And the Apostle Paul

00:16:09.179 --> 00:16:09.840
 remembered this.

00:16:09.939 --> 00:16:11.019
 Remember the Apostle Paul

00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:12.500
 writes to the Corinthians

00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:14.699
 and he remembers his ministry

00:16:14.699 --> 00:16:16.539
 and there's a wonderful church

00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:17.399
 in the city of Corinth

00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:17.799
 and he says,

00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:18.600
 don't you remember

00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:20.519
 all I did was I sowed the seeds.

00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:22.279
 Yes, Apollos watered,

00:16:22.319 --> 00:16:23.419
 but God was the one

00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:24.439
 who brought the increase.

00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:25.539
 And he says,

00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:26.740
 so neither the one

00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:27.399
 who sows

00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:28.799
 nor he who waters

00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:29.519
 is anything,

00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:31.620
 but God who gives

00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:32.399
 the growth

00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:33.220
 is everything.

00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:34.699
 See friends,

00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:35.559
 when we forget

00:16:35.559 --> 00:16:37.120
 that just who it is

00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:38.159
 that stands at the helm

00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:39.419
 of this spiritual family

00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:40.419
 called Watermark Church,

00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:40.960
 when we forget

00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:42.679
 that Jesus establishes

00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:43.500
 and builds churches

00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:45.199
 on the rock of the gospel,

00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:46.899
 that he breathes life

00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:47.779
 into dead bones

00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:48.860
 as we sang this morning,

00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:50.480
 that he makes dead people

00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:52.100
 in their sin alive again,

00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:53.439
 that he takes sinners

00:16:53.439 --> 00:16:54.399
 far from God

00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:55.279
 and welcomes them

00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:56.080
 into our family,

00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:57.819
 when we forget this,

00:16:58.159 --> 00:16:58.700
 what will happen

00:16:58.700 --> 00:16:59.379
 is the leaders

00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:00.480
 will overwork

00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.700
 and overworry

00:17:01.700 --> 00:17:03.539
 and overorganize

00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:04.480
 and overstress

00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:05.779
 thinking that the success

00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:06.480
 of this church

00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:07.500
 is dependent

00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:08.319
 on our efforts.

00:17:09.360 --> 00:17:10.579
 And the cleverer we are

00:17:10.579 --> 00:17:11.339
 and the more gifted

00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:12.039
 our elders are

00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:13.059
 and the more professional

00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:13.880
 our marketing

00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:14.779
 and the grander

00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.420
 our branding,

00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.339
 we'll think that we can

00:17:16.339 --> 00:17:17.480
 guarantee a success.

00:17:18.599 --> 00:17:19.160
 And God says,

00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:20.019
 unless Christ

00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:21.180
 is front and central,

00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:22.680
 unless you give him

00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:23.720
 the reins of the church,

00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.660
 everything we do

00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:26.019
 is in vain.

00:17:26.839 --> 00:17:27.740
 And Jesus gave us

00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:28.379
 the same warning,

00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:29.019
 didn't he?

00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:30.339
 Remember Jesus,

00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.200
 the night before

00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:32.339
 he's about to be crucified

00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:33.220
 and he's having dinner

00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:34.180
 with his disciples

00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:35.720
 and he's told them,

00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:36.279
 he's warned them,

00:17:36.319 --> 00:17:36.599
 he says,

00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:38.000
 in a few hours time

00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:39.119
 they're going to crucify me.

00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:40.339
 They're going to hang me up,

00:17:40.359 --> 00:17:41.059
 I'm going to die.

00:17:41.639 --> 00:17:42.440
 And the disciples

00:17:42.440 --> 00:17:43.740
 who have given everything

00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:44.799
 to follow Jesus

00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.819
 must be wondering,

00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:47.639
 has it all been in vain?

00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:50.139
 We've given up family,

00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:51.460
 we've given up businesses,

00:17:51.879 --> 00:17:53.279
 we've given up our careers

00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.319
 to follow you

00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:55.440
 and now you're going to die.

00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:56.920
 Maybe this whole thing

00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:57.799
 has been in vain.

00:17:58.779 --> 00:18:00.420
 And Jesus says this to them,

00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:02.220
 remember I am the true vine,

00:18:02.340 --> 00:18:03.180
 you are the branches.

00:18:03.860 --> 00:18:05.019
 If you remain in me,

00:18:05.080 --> 00:18:06.160
 you will bear much fruit.

00:18:06.320 --> 00:18:07.660
 But apart from me,

00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:10.539
 you can do nothing.

00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:12.180
 And so what am I,

00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:13.620
 this morning Christ calls us

00:18:13.620 --> 00:18:14.440
 to heed this warning.

00:18:15.140 --> 00:18:16.840
 Unless the Lord builds his church,

00:18:17.420 --> 00:18:19.019
 unless Christ is front and central,

00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:20.019
 those who build it,

00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:20.960
 rise up early,

00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:21.900
 going late to bed,

00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.980
 eating the bread of anxious toil,

00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:26.700
 will do everything in vain.

00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:27.940
 But then,

00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:30.240
 look at the end of verse 2.

00:18:30.339 --> 00:18:31.900
 There's a contrasting encouragement.

00:18:32.140 --> 00:18:33.259
 Because Solomon says,

00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:35.079
 it is in vain that you rise up early,

00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:36.039
 go late to rest,

00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:37.839
 eating the bread of anxious toil,

00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:40.919
 but God gives his beloved sleep.

00:18:41.379 --> 00:18:41.819
 Now,

00:18:41.899 --> 00:18:42.619
 why is it,

00:18:43.179 --> 00:18:44.819
 in the midst of great transition,

00:18:45.339 --> 00:18:47.859
 when there's so many changes in God's house,

00:18:47.899 --> 00:18:48.579
 in God's family,

00:18:48.659 --> 00:18:49.179
 that God says,

00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:49.959
 you can rest?

00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:50.960
 Why is it,

00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:51.700
 when Israel,

00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:53.579
 are on the way to Jerusalem,

00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:54.819
 and they're bandits,

00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.140
 and there's armies,

00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:57.240
 and there's enemies,

00:18:57.360 --> 00:18:58.660
 that are maybe bigger than them,

00:18:58.860 --> 00:18:59.600
 and there's enemies,

00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:01.700
 that have got more military power than them,

00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:03.140
 and there's other armies,

00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:05.240
 that are more established than them,

00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.779
 why is it that God says,

00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:08.420
 I will give you rest?

00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:09.980
 How could these people,

00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:10.900
 be at rest,

00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:12.720
 when there's so many difficulties,

00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:14.420
 and challenges going around them?

00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:15.900
 Well remember,

00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:17.660
 they're walking to Jerusalem,

00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:19.380
 they're singing the songs of assent,

00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:21.860
 and before they get to Psalm 127,

00:19:22.300 --> 00:19:24.080
 they read Psalm 121,

00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:25.400
 which says this,

00:19:25.760 --> 00:19:27.180
 I lift my eyes to the heels,

00:19:27.280 --> 00:19:28.600
 from where does my help come?

00:19:29.040 --> 00:19:30.220
 My help comes from the Lord,

00:19:30.280 --> 00:19:31.760
 the maker of heaven and earth.

00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:33.940
 He will not let your foot be moved,

00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:36.460
 he who keeps you does not slumber,

00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:38.440
 he who keeps Israel,

00:19:38.820 --> 00:19:40.400
 he who keeps watermark church,

00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:42.480
 neither slumbers nor sleeps.

00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:43.420
 Friends,

00:19:43.520 --> 00:19:44.940
 the reason why we can be at rest,

00:19:45.040 --> 00:19:46.660
 and the reason why we can put our head,

00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.680
 on the pillow at night,

00:19:48.060 --> 00:19:48.980
 and rest secure,

00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:50.180
 is because the one,

00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:51.799
 who's really in charge of watermark,

00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:52.720
 and the one who's really,

00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:53.860
 on the throne of the universe,

00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:55.480
 and the one who holds this church,

00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:56.759
 so deeply in his heart,

00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:57.960
 never sleeps,

00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:59.380
 and never slumbers.

00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:01.500
 I know many of us here,

00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:02.299
 hold this church,

00:20:02.380 --> 00:20:03.480
 so deeply in our hearts,

00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:05.079
 some of us have invested,

00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:06.180
 so much time,

00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:07.420
 and relationship,

00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:08.620
 and energy,

00:20:08.620 --> 00:20:09.599
 and resources,

00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:10.460
 into this church.

00:20:10.920 --> 00:20:11.360
 Friends,

00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:12.380
 there is one who cares,

00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:13.039
 about this church,

00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:14.279
 even more deeply than you,

00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:15.940
 and he never rests,

00:20:16.339 --> 00:20:17.299
 and he never sleeps,

00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:18.700
 and he holds us,

00:20:18.899 --> 00:20:20.299
 in the center of his hands.

00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.299
 Friends,

00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:22.519
 this is what God is telling us,

00:20:23.099 --> 00:20:24.399
 that he is the head of his church,

00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.259
 he is in charge,

00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:26.440
 and that those,

00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:28.319
 unless the Lord builds his house,

00:20:28.839 --> 00:20:29.940
 those who build it,

00:20:30.139 --> 00:20:30.960
 labor in vain.

00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:32.119
 Now,

00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:34.099
 look at verse three with me.

00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:36.539
 The first two verses of the psalm,

00:20:36.579 --> 00:20:37.619
 are quite straightforward,

00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:39.180
 but then in verse three,

00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:40.380
 there is a big shift,

00:20:40.380 --> 00:20:41.340
 that takes place.

00:20:41.860 --> 00:20:42.200
 In fact,

00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.240
 it is such a big shift,

00:20:43.360 --> 00:20:43.980
 that sometimes,

00:20:44.080 --> 00:20:44.799
 some people think,

00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:46.660
 maybe these are two different psalms.

00:20:47.100 --> 00:20:47.400
 Because,

00:20:47.620 --> 00:20:48.240
 think about it,

00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:49.060
 in verse two,

00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:50.420
 God is talking about,

00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:51.940
 giving rest to his people,

00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:53.259
 and then in verse three,

00:20:53.340 --> 00:20:53.980
 he starts talking about,

00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:54.440
 children,

00:20:54.580 --> 00:20:55.180
 and babies,

00:20:55.340 --> 00:20:56.620
 and how can you have rest,

00:20:56.640 --> 00:20:57.960
 when there is new babies in the house?

00:20:58.060 --> 00:20:59.380
 Surely there is a mistake here,

00:20:59.460 --> 00:20:59.700
 right?

00:21:00.140 --> 00:21:01.580
 Somebody did not think about this,

00:21:01.600 --> 00:21:02.740
 when they wrote the psalm.

00:21:03.100 --> 00:21:03.900
 How can you talk about,

00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:04.640
 getting sleep,

00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:06.000
 and having new babies?

00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:06.940
 But,

00:21:07.600 --> 00:21:08.640
 in verse three,

00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:09.640
 actually,

00:21:09.800 --> 00:21:10.880
 God is giving us,

00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:12.620
 a profound promise.

00:21:13.380 --> 00:21:14.140
 And it's a promise,

00:21:14.300 --> 00:21:15.060
 it's another promise,

00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:16.040
 to encourage us.

00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:17.960
 Because we might ask the question,

00:21:18.520 --> 00:21:19.540
 well if God is the one,

00:21:19.580 --> 00:21:20.860
 who is in charge of his church,

00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:22.420
 if God is sovereign,

00:21:22.520 --> 00:21:23.280
 over his church,

00:21:23.860 --> 00:21:24.540
 how do we know,

00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:26.300
 that God is sovereignly choosing,

00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:27.540
 not to bless us?

00:21:28.040 --> 00:21:28.220
 You know,

00:21:28.280 --> 00:21:29.080
 if we are the ones,

00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:30.340
 that can't produce the fruit,

00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:31.280
 only God can,

00:21:31.800 --> 00:21:32.360
 how do we know,

00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:33.640
 that God is just going to choose,

00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:35.259
 not to produce any fruits,

00:21:35.320 --> 00:21:35.759
 in our church?

00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:37.460
 Maybe God is just choosing,

00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.380
 that we will just work,

00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:38.880
 and work,

00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:39.320
 and work,

00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:39.800
 and there will be,

00:21:39.880 --> 00:21:40.940
 no blessing,

00:21:41.040 --> 00:21:42.260
 no fruit from all our efforts.

00:21:42.360 --> 00:21:42.900
 How do we know,

00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:43.840
 that God is going to,

00:21:44.120 --> 00:21:45.460
 actually bless our efforts?

00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:46.920
 But verse three,

00:21:47.020 --> 00:21:48.100
 is a profound promise,

00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:49.760
 that if we will trust him,

00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:51.540
 our efforts won't be in vain.

00:21:52.040 --> 00:21:52.840
 God promises,

00:21:53.040 --> 00:21:53.500
 fruitfulness,

00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:54.680
 to those who look to him,

00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:55.280
 and trust him.

00:21:55.320 --> 00:21:56.080
 Look at what it says.

00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:56.780
 It says,

00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:57.160
 behold,

00:21:57.160 --> 00:21:57.240
 behold,

00:21:57.799 --> 00:21:59.339
 children are a heritage,

00:21:59.339 --> 00:22:00.099
 from the Lord,

00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:01.819
 the fruit of the womb,

00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:02.660
 a reward,

00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:04.539
 like arrows in the hands,

00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:05.240
 of a warrior,

00:22:05.399 --> 00:22:06.940
 are children of one's youth.

00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:08.519
 Blessed is the man,

00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:10.079
 who fills his quiver with them.

00:22:10.619 --> 00:22:12.339
 He shall not be put to shame,

00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:14.160
 when he speaks with his enemies,

00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.359
 at the gate.

00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.579
 What's going on here?

00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:17.519
 Well,

00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:18.899
 I think just as a side note,

00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:19.799
 a caveat here,

00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:21.879
 it's important to recognize,

00:22:21.879 --> 00:22:23.279
 just how important children,

00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:24.299
 and youth are,

00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:25.339
 to Christ our King.

00:22:25.899 --> 00:22:27.359
 Jesus is not just interested,

00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:28.259
 in the house,

00:22:28.359 --> 00:22:29.240
 he's not just interested,

00:22:29.399 --> 00:22:30.339
 in the city of Jerusalem,

00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:32.279
 he's interested in families as well.

00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.420
 It's almost as if,

00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.200
 the Psalm is saying,

00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:36.220
 unless the Lord builds the house,

00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:37.200
 those that build it,

00:22:37.319 --> 00:22:37.960
 labor in vain.

00:22:38.339 --> 00:22:39.099
 Unless the Lord,

00:22:39.139 --> 00:22:40.099
 watches over the city,

00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:41.819
 the watchman stays awake in vain.

00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:42.980
 Unless the Lord,

00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:44.240
 watches over your children,

00:22:44.379 --> 00:22:45.220
 and your family,

00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.720
 all your efforts,

00:22:46.879 --> 00:22:47.539
 are in vain.

00:22:48.139 --> 00:22:48.440
 And so,

00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:49.740
 as parents,

00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.700
 I want to encourage us,

00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:51.599
 we need to be praying,

00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.240
 for our children,

00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.220
 we need to be teaching,

00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:53.899
 in the gospel.

00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.259
 We can't just think,

00:22:55.339 --> 00:22:56.740
 we bring them to kids ministry,

00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:57.819
 for one hour a week,

00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:59.279
 and they're going to be discipled.

00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:00.240
 As parents,

00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:01.279
 we need to be,

00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:02.899
 applying the gospel,

00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:03.899
 to their hearts.

00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:05.359
 But at the same time,

00:23:05.399 --> 00:23:06.139
 I want to encourage us,

00:23:06.180 --> 00:23:07.000
 we need to be praying,

00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:08.420
 for our kids ministry leaders,

00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:09.399
 and our youth leaders.

00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.440
 We need to be praying,

00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.579
 for the children in our church.

00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:12.119
 Why?

00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:13.579
 Because children and youth,

00:23:13.619 --> 00:23:14.660
 are a vital makeup,

00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:16.079
 of God's household.

00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:17.519
 But notice,

00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:19.160
 one of the things that,

00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:20.619
 one of the things that I've noticed,

00:23:20.619 --> 00:23:21.399
 in Hong Kong,

00:23:21.879 --> 00:23:22.379
 is that,

00:23:22.380 --> 00:23:23.500
 we like to work,

00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.460
 our children hard.

00:23:24.700 --> 00:23:24.840
 Right?

00:23:25.320 --> 00:23:26.040
 We send our,

00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:27.100
 Pat,

00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:27.740
 is that right?

00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:28.320
 You agree?

00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:30.480
 We send our children,

00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:31.300
 to school,

00:23:31.540 --> 00:23:32.420
 for many hours.

00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.580
 We bring them home,

00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:34.120
 from school,

00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:34.640
 and we give them,

00:23:34.760 --> 00:23:35.580
 extra tuition.

00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.820
 And then on Saturday,

00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:37.740
 they go to extra,

00:23:37.840 --> 00:23:38.620
 extra tuition,

00:23:38.900 --> 00:23:39.880
 and they work hard,

00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:40.420
 with homework.

00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.060
 Is that right?

00:23:41.380 --> 00:23:42.120
 Does that sound right?

00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:43.860
 Friends,

00:23:44.340 --> 00:23:45.020
 we need to know,

00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:45.980
 that giving our children,

00:23:46.100 --> 00:23:46.960
 a good education,

00:23:47.120 --> 00:23:47.920
 is a good thing.

00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:49.120
 And giving them,

00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:50.160
 the best opportunities,

00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:50.940
 is a good thing.

00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:52.700
 But that's not going to guarantee,

00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:53.640
 that we will make them,

00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:54.120
 wise,

00:23:54.320 --> 00:23:54.800
 secure,

00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:55.759
 mature adults.

00:23:56.340 --> 00:23:56.700
 Ultimately,

00:23:56.840 --> 00:23:57.380
 we need God,

00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:58.360
 at work in their lives.

00:23:58.700 --> 00:23:59.220
 And the Psalm,

00:23:59.300 --> 00:23:59.820
 reminds us,

00:23:59.880 --> 00:24:00.420
 that children,

00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:02.220
 are important to God.

00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:03.400
 But note,

00:24:03.600 --> 00:24:04.480
 what actually is God,

00:24:04.600 --> 00:24:06.120
 what actually is going on here,

00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:07.820
 is that God is giving us a promise.

00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:09.820
 And it's a unique promise,

00:24:09.820 --> 00:24:11.440
 which is counterintuitive,

00:24:12.320 --> 00:24:13.100
 but it's a promise,

00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:13.779
 that we find,

00:24:13.880 --> 00:24:14.740
 throughout the Bible.

00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:16.920
 God is guaranteeing,

00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:18.440
 the fruitfulness of our church,

00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:19.180
 but he'll do it,

00:24:19.340 --> 00:24:20.039
 in his time,

00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:20.759
 and in his way.

00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:21.840
 Look at what he says here.

00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:22.680
 He says,

00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.120
 children,

00:24:23.600 --> 00:24:25.080
 are a heritage from the Lord.

00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:26.160
 The fruit of the womb,

00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:28.100
 is a reward from God.

00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.019
 Now,

00:24:29.320 --> 00:24:29.799
 obviously,

00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:31.299
 in Hebrew culture,

00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:33.740
 unlike our day,

00:24:33.860 --> 00:24:35.080
 people didn't get to choose,

00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:36.480
 how many children they had,

00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.880
 and when they had their children.

00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:38.240
 Right?

00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:39.539
 Everybody knew,

00:24:39.820 --> 00:24:41.100
 that children were,

00:24:41.099 --> 00:24:42.099
 your children,

00:24:42.179 --> 00:24:43.119
 were in God's hands.

00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:44.980
 God chose how many children you had,

00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:46.259
 and when you had children.

00:24:46.379 --> 00:24:47.079
 There wasn't,

00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:49.279
 contraceptives in those days.

00:24:49.399 --> 00:24:49.619
 Right?

00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:50.939
 But additionally,

00:24:51.659 --> 00:24:53.019
 in the biblical language,

00:24:53.219 --> 00:24:54.879
 children are considered a blessing,

00:24:55.399 --> 00:24:56.439
 when two people,

00:24:56.579 --> 00:24:57.959
 it's the blessing of the fruit,

00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:58.379
 that comes,

00:24:58.439 --> 00:24:59.919
 when two people come together,

00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:01.559
 and make a covenant,

00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:02.619
 or a commitment,

00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:04.459
 to permanently,

00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.559
 publicly,

00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:06.759
 and exclusively,

00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.839
 love each other,

00:25:07.899 --> 00:25:08.839
 for the rest of their days.

00:25:09.399 --> 00:25:10.639
 So when two people come together,

00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:12.320
 and commit,

00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:13.840
 or covenant to exclusively,

00:25:14.080 --> 00:25:14.960
 just the two of them,

00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:15.960
 permanently,

00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:16.880
 forever and ever,

00:25:17.300 --> 00:25:18.120
 love each other,

00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:19.220
 for the rest of the days,

00:25:19.600 --> 00:25:21.020
 the fruit of that covenant,

00:25:21.300 --> 00:25:21.980
 the blessing,

00:25:22.140 --> 00:25:23.720
 or the fruit of that commitment,

00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:24.920
 is children.

00:25:25.800 --> 00:25:27.720
 And so in the Bible,

00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:29.020
 children are a blessing,

00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:30.460
 or a fruit of two people,

00:25:30.540 --> 00:25:32.220
 giving themselves to each other,

00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:32.980
 forever.

00:25:33.820 --> 00:25:34.680
 Now these days,

00:25:34.680 --> 00:25:35.880
 we tend to think that,

00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.820
 having children,

00:25:37.020 --> 00:25:38.100
 is a matter of biology.

00:25:38.420 --> 00:25:38.500
 Right?

00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:39.420
 It's human will.

00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:40.700
 We get to choose,

00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.740
 when we want children,

00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:43.140
 how many children we want.

00:25:43.619 --> 00:25:44.319
 But actually,

00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:45.599
 the Bible says,

00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:46.480
 that even today,

00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:47.940
 every child given,

00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:49.279
 is a miracle of God.

00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:51.299
 Every child is knit together,

00:25:51.400 --> 00:25:52.380
 in their mother's womb.

00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:54.019
 On the day of conception,

00:25:54.119 --> 00:25:55.740
 every child is a miracle.

00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:56.839
 New life is a miracle.

00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:57.420
 If,

00:25:57.839 --> 00:25:58.779
 sometimes we think,

00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:01.099
 that we get to plan,

00:26:01.160 --> 00:26:01.900
 when we have children,

00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:03.079
 how many we're going to have,

00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:04.420
 we think it's a matter of biology,

00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.039
 and science,

00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:06.640
 until you have your first child.

00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:07.000
 Right?

00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.720
 When your first child,

00:26:08.800 --> 00:26:09.620
 comes out of the womb,

00:26:10.320 --> 00:26:11.280
 and you hold that baby,

00:26:11.360 --> 00:26:12.000
 in your hands,

00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:14.220
 tears streaming down your eyes,

00:26:14.780 --> 00:26:15.600
 and what do you say?

00:26:16.340 --> 00:26:16.700
 Jesus,

00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:18.180
 thank you for this new life.

00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:19.540
 You realize,

00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:21.160
 the miracle of new life.

00:26:21.860 --> 00:26:22.440
 And friends,

00:26:23.040 --> 00:26:24.720
 the church is exactly the same.

00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.400
 Sometimes in the church,

00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:27.240
 we tend to think,

00:26:27.360 --> 00:26:27.500
 oh,

00:26:27.520 --> 00:26:28.380
 it's a matter of science,

00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:29.320
 it's a matter of leadership.

00:26:29.780 --> 00:26:31.200
 If we just employ this person,

00:26:31.340 --> 00:26:32.580
 put that person in place,

00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:33.679
 if we just get,

00:26:33.899 --> 00:26:35.759
 a successful board together,

00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:37.480
 we get a dynamic speakers,

00:26:37.639 --> 00:26:39.000
 we get an amazing worship leader,

00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:39.659
 like Jeremy,

00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:41.439
 we just get some people together,

00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.619
 we get some fancy lights,

00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.720
 some smoke machines,

00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.919
 and some really,

00:26:45.199 --> 00:26:46.539
 some good lights,

00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:48.379
 that we can produce the results.

00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.139
 And it ultimately,

00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:52.299
 it's not as simple as that.

00:26:52.939 --> 00:26:53.240
 Friends,

00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:54.859
 God is making us a promise here.

00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:55.639
 He's saying,

00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:57.399
 just as when two people come together,

00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.960
 make a commitment to each other,

00:26:59.039 --> 00:26:59.779
 there is fruit,

00:26:59.899 --> 00:27:00.639
 there is a life.

00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:02.420
 I promise to bless that covenant.

00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:04.100
 In the same way God says,

00:27:04.600 --> 00:27:06.180
 when my people come to me,

00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:07.660
 and they make a commitment,

00:27:07.780 --> 00:27:08.440
 they make a covenant,

00:27:08.540 --> 00:27:09.460
 they trust in me,

00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:11.320
 they choose to give themselves to me,

00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:11.900
 permanently,

00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:13.080
 exclusively,

00:27:13.560 --> 00:27:15.280
 not relying on their own self-wisdom,

00:27:15.600 --> 00:27:16.860
 not relying on their own strengths,

00:27:17.120 --> 00:27:17.960
 they come to me and say,

00:27:18.060 --> 00:27:18.320
 Jesus,

00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:20.000
 have your way in our life and our church.

00:27:20.080 --> 00:27:21.220
 I promise to bless them

00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:22.160
 with the fruit of that covenant.

00:27:22.580 --> 00:27:24.120
 I will bless them with the fruit.

00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.080
 Friends,

00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:26.140
 Watermark,

00:27:26.280 --> 00:27:27.480
 God is making a promise

00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:28.600
 that if we as a church

00:27:28.600 --> 00:27:29.940
 will commit to come to Him,

00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:31.440
 to give ourselves to Him,

00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:32.700
 permanently and exclusively,

00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:34.320
 if we will trust Him,

00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:34.759
 Jesus,

00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:36.460
 to lead us and to guide us,

00:27:36.920 --> 00:27:37.960
 He will bless us,

00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:39.740
 miraculously and supernaturally,

00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.900
 with new life.

00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:42.380
 He will bless us with only,

00:27:42.600 --> 00:27:44.340
 with that which only He can bless us.

00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:45.960
 And Jesus makes this promise

00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.580
 in Mark 4,

00:27:46.660 --> 00:27:47.140
 doesn't He?

00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:48.820
 Remember in Mark chapter 4,

00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:50.960
 Jesus tells three parables.

00:27:51.600 --> 00:27:51.900
 He says,

00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:52.799
 the kingdom of God

00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:53.539
 is as if a man

00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:54.720
 was walking along,

00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:56.080
 sowing some seed.

00:27:56.679 --> 00:27:57.799
 And sometimes the seed

00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:59.220
 falls on hard ground

00:27:59.220 --> 00:28:00.480
 and the devil comes

00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:01.720
 and steals that seed up

00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:03.319
 and it never produces any life.

00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:05.019
 Sometimes the seed falls

00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:06.839
 and it sprouts a little bit

00:28:06.839 --> 00:28:07.819
 but there's no roots

00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:09.159
 and so it fades away.

00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.659
 Sometimes the seed,

00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:11.119
 the kingdom,

00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:11.899
 the word of God,

00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.299
 falls

00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:14.199
 and somebody's excited

00:28:14.199 --> 00:28:15.099
 for a few minutes,

00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:16.019
 a few months,

00:28:16.359 --> 00:28:17.240
 but then actually

00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:17.960
 other things

00:28:17.960 --> 00:28:18.799
 take their fancy

00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:20.419
 and they follow

00:28:20.419 --> 00:28:21.099
 those other things

00:28:21.099 --> 00:28:22.099
 and they stop trusting me.

00:28:22.659 --> 00:28:23.599
 And sometimes you think,

00:28:23.679 --> 00:28:23.859
 God,

00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:24.740
 is there ever going to be

00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.259
 any fruit?

00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:26.400
 We are sowing,

00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:27.140
 we are sowing,

00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:27.799
 we are sowing.

00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:29.740
 Is there ever going to be

00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.380
 any life?

00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:31.519
 And God says,

00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:32.259
 but don't worry.

00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:33.779
 The kingdom of God,

00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:34.720
 sometimes you sow

00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:36.380
 and there is a harvest

00:28:36.380 --> 00:28:37.279
 30 fold,

00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:38.460
 60 fold,

00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:39.759
 100 fold.

00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:41.180
 And then Jesus says,

00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:42.099
 don't you remember

00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:42.880
 the kingdom of God

00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:44.000
 is like a mustard seed.

00:28:44.180 --> 00:28:44.920
 It's small,

00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:45.660
 it's insignificant,

00:28:45.900 --> 00:28:47.120
 it looks not very fancy,

00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.299
 it doesn't look like

00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:49.319
 it's going to produce much.

00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:50.359
 It's so small

00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:51.039
 and insignificant

00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:52.099
 it's lying around.

00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:54.000
 But you sow that seed

00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:55.720
 and God will produce life.

00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:57.220
 It will produce one of the biggest

00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:58.200
 plants in the garden.

00:28:58.319 --> 00:28:59.119
 And then Jesus says,

00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.259
 don't you remember

00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:01.920
 the kingdom of God

00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:02.599
 is like a man

00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:03.759
 that scatters seed

00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.299
 on the ground

00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:05.660
 though he sleeps

00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.839
 and he rises.

00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:08.019
 Night and day

00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:09.299
 the seed sprouts

00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:09.819
 and it grows

00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.660
 all by itself

00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:11.960
 even though he knows

00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.700
 not how.

00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:13.859
 Friends,

00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:14.599
 watermark,

00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:15.839
 Psalm 127

00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:17.660
 contains a wonderful promise.

00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:19.299
 If we will trust the Lord,

00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:20.859
 if we will build

00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:21.880
 this church on Him,

00:29:21.880 --> 00:29:23.540
 if we will look to Him

00:29:23.540 --> 00:29:24.140
 and lead us

00:29:24.140 --> 00:29:24.640
 and guide us,

00:29:24.680 --> 00:29:25.460
 if we will build

00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:26.480
 upon His word,

00:29:26.760 --> 00:29:27.660
 not with tricks

00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:28.420
 and gimmicks

00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:29.200
 and shortcuts,

00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:31.260
 He will bless us abundantly

00:29:31.260 --> 00:29:32.460
 because He is the Lord

00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.020
 of His house

00:29:33.020 --> 00:29:34.140
 and this church

00:29:34.140 --> 00:29:35.760
 belongs to Him.

00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.060
 Now,

00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:38.440
 last thing

00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:39.420
 as we come to land.

00:29:40.300 --> 00:29:41.540
 There's one surprising

00:29:41.540 --> 00:29:43.280
 aspect to this promise.

00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:44.640
 There's something

00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:45.860
 unusual about it

00:29:45.860 --> 00:29:47.800
 because God says,

00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:50.220
 I will bless you.

00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:51.480
 Children are a heritage

00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:52.079
 from the Lord,

00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:53.220
 the fruit of the womb

00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:53.779
 a reward.

00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:54.600
 God promises

00:29:54.600 --> 00:29:56.200
 to bless our efforts

00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:57.480
 and children

00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:59.120
 have a unique ability

00:29:59.120 --> 00:30:00.579
 to be both the source

00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:01.660
 of your greatest joy

00:30:01.660 --> 00:30:04.259
 but also your deepest heartache.

00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:04.640
 Right?

00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:05.460
 Is that right?

00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:07.220
 When we first had our

00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:08.100
 Sierra,

00:30:08.279 --> 00:30:09.279
 she was one years old,

00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:10.880
 somebody came to us

00:30:10.880 --> 00:30:11.339
 and said,

00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:12.660
 little children,

00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:13.940
 little problems.

00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:15.200
 Big children,

00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.460
 bigger problems.

00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:16.799
 Right?

00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.319
 That when your children

00:30:18.319 --> 00:30:18.779
 are young,

00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.799
 the biggest problems

00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:20.879
 are smelly nappies

00:30:20.879 --> 00:30:22.099
 and waking up at night.

00:30:22.599 --> 00:30:23.579
 But as they get old

00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:24.240
 and they mature,

00:30:24.399 --> 00:30:25.259
 it takes a different

00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.240
 kind of parenting.

00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:29.519
 And children

00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:31.160
 are such a great joy

00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:32.839
 but part of the blessing

00:30:32.839 --> 00:30:33.339
 of children

00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:34.500
 is that they shape us.

00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:35.980
 They sharpen us.

00:30:36.379 --> 00:30:36.720
 Hopefully,

00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:37.339
 they make us

00:30:37.339 --> 00:30:38.279
 a better person

00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:39.059
 in the process.

00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:39.339
 Right?

00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.660
 Children have a way

00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:41.480
 about teaching us

00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:42.279
 about patience.

00:30:42.859 --> 00:30:43.599
 Children have a way

00:30:43.599 --> 00:30:44.759
 of exposing the sin

00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:45.660
 in our own hearts.

00:30:45.879 --> 00:30:46.000
 Right?

00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:47.139
 Children have a way

00:30:47.139 --> 00:30:47.779
 of exposing

00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:48.700
 our own idols.

00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:50.160
 And if we're honest,

00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.579
 sometimes children

00:30:51.579 --> 00:30:52.440
 are a challenge

00:30:52.440 --> 00:30:53.299
 before they are

00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:53.779
 a blessing.

00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.399
 Am I the only one

00:30:55.399 --> 00:30:56.339
 that that applies to?

00:30:56.680 --> 00:30:57.559
 If your child

00:30:57.559 --> 00:30:58.119
 is next to you,

00:30:58.139 --> 00:30:58.940
 you can keep quiet.

00:30:59.119 --> 00:30:59.240
 Okay?

00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.539
 Derek Kidner

00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:02.200
 said this,

00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:03.599
 It is not untypical

00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.639
 for God's gifts

00:31:04.639 --> 00:31:06.119
 that first they are

00:31:06.119 --> 00:31:06.839
 liabilities

00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:07.859
 or at least

00:31:07.859 --> 00:31:08.599
 responsibilities

00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.920
 before they become

00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:10.940
 obvious assets.

00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:12.680
 The greater the promise,

00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:13.720
 the more likely

00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:14.460
 that these sons

00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:15.359
 will be a handful

00:31:15.359 --> 00:31:16.579
 before they are

00:31:16.579 --> 00:31:17.339
 a quiver full.

00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:18.799
 But friends,

00:31:19.119 --> 00:31:20.099
 that is just like

00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:21.220
 God's gift of grace.

00:31:21.679 --> 00:31:22.460
 God promises

00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:23.500
 these gifts of grace,

00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:24.119
 but often,

00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:25.379
 they come wrapped up

00:31:25.379 --> 00:31:26.419
 in smelly nappies.

00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:27.819
 They come and they scream

00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:28.379
 and they cry

00:31:28.379 --> 00:31:29.319
 and they keep you awake

00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:29.679
 at night.

00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.919
 And sometimes you think,

00:31:31.019 --> 00:31:31.819
 what kind of blessing

00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:32.279
 is this?

00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:33.939
 Can't I just order in

00:31:33.939 --> 00:31:35.159
 a 21-year-old,

00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:35.779
 mature,

00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:36.879
 secure,

00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:38.379
 stable child?

00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:38.919
 You know,

00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:40.119
 Uber Eats or Akia,

00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:40.779
 don't you sell

00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:41.980
 21-year-old children

00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:42.439
 that just,

00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:43.659
 everything is sorted.

00:31:43.660 --> 00:31:44.600
 They know how

00:31:44.600 --> 00:31:45.680
 to dress themselves.

00:31:45.880 --> 00:31:46.380
 They know how

00:31:46.380 --> 00:31:47.380
 to feed themselves.

00:31:47.880 --> 00:31:48.779
 Sometimes you think,

00:31:49.100 --> 00:31:49.279
 God,

00:31:49.360 --> 00:31:50.160
 where is the blessing

00:31:50.160 --> 00:31:50.940
 in this?

00:31:52.019 --> 00:31:52.440
 Friends,

00:31:53.320 --> 00:31:54.180
 this is exactly

00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:54.860
 what God's grace

00:31:54.860 --> 00:31:55.300
 is like.

00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.800
 God blesses,

00:31:56.860 --> 00:31:57.519
 but sometimes

00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:58.480
 His gift of grace,

00:31:58.600 --> 00:31:59.300
 they shape us

00:31:59.300 --> 00:32:00.300
 and they sharpen us

00:32:00.300 --> 00:32:01.580
 and they bless us

00:32:01.580 --> 00:32:02.140
 in ways that

00:32:02.140 --> 00:32:03.000
 we don't expect.

00:32:03.800 --> 00:32:04.480
 And some people,

00:32:04.600 --> 00:32:05.120
 they write off

00:32:05.120 --> 00:32:05.720
 God's gift.

00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:06.880
 They disregard

00:32:06.880 --> 00:32:07.920
 God's blessing

00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:08.640
 because at first

00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:09.259
 they don't seem

00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:09.920
 like a blessing

00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:10.620
 or they don't think

00:32:10.620 --> 00:32:11.759
 what they're blessing

00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.519
 like we expect.

00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:13.579
 Remember,

00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:14.759
 Jesus tells the story.

00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:15.019
 He says,

00:32:15.099 --> 00:32:15.879
 the kingdom of God

00:32:15.879 --> 00:32:16.519
 is like a man

00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:17.500
 that found a treasure

00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:19.119
 buried in a field.

00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:20.619
 He sold everything

00:32:20.619 --> 00:32:21.940
 he had to buy that field.

00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:23.059
 And sometimes

00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:24.099
 the treasures of God

00:32:24.099 --> 00:32:25.079
 are buried in a field

00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:25.779
 of ordinariness.

00:32:26.460 --> 00:32:27.359
 Sometimes they're wrapped

00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:28.160
 up in nappies

00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:28.639
 and they come

00:32:28.639 --> 00:32:29.660
 and they keep you awake

00:32:29.660 --> 00:32:30.660
 at night.

00:32:31.480 --> 00:32:31.859
 But friends,

00:32:31.920 --> 00:32:32.660
 so often God

00:32:32.660 --> 00:32:33.440
 builds His church

00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:34.400
 the way that families

00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:35.299
 raise children.

00:32:35.859 --> 00:32:37.359
 Many hours of investment.

00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:38.039
 You sow

00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:38.720
 and you sow

00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:39.240
 and you sow

00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:40.180
 and sometimes you think,

00:32:40.519 --> 00:32:41.400
 is there any fruit?

00:32:41.780 --> 00:32:42.320
 Is there anything

00:32:42.320 --> 00:32:42.940
 happening here?

00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:44.140
 Sometimes you wonder

00:32:44.140 --> 00:32:45.220
 whether you're doing it right.

00:32:45.580 --> 00:32:46.280
 Sometimes you think

00:32:46.280 --> 00:32:46.900
 you're destroying

00:32:46.900 --> 00:32:47.400
 your children

00:32:47.400 --> 00:32:48.240
 in the process.

00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:49.400
 Sometimes you think,

00:32:49.680 --> 00:32:50.080
 God,

00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:51.200
 what is going on here?

00:32:51.960 --> 00:32:53.019
 And then all of a sudden,

00:32:53.820 --> 00:32:54.759
 one day you wake up

00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.360
 and your children

00:32:55.360 --> 00:32:56.380
 are mature adults

00:32:56.380 --> 00:32:57.920
 and they are strong

00:32:57.920 --> 00:32:59.340
 and they are like arrows

00:32:59.340 --> 00:33:00.500
 in the hand of a warrior,

00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:01.800
 strong and secure,

00:33:02.400 --> 00:33:03.540
 mature and resilient.

00:33:04.080 --> 00:33:05.280
 Children who make you proud

00:33:05.280 --> 00:33:05.940
 when they stand

00:33:05.940 --> 00:33:06.800
 at the city gates.

00:33:07.420 --> 00:33:07.740
 Friends,

00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:08.280
 this is the way

00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:09.059
 Jesus always

00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:09.920
 builds His church.

00:33:10.359 --> 00:33:10.960
 He takes that

00:33:10.960 --> 00:33:12.279
 which is insignificant

00:33:12.279 --> 00:33:13.500
 and He makes

00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.200
 something beautiful

00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:14.639
 out of it.

00:33:14.700 --> 00:33:15.319
 He takes something

00:33:15.319 --> 00:33:16.119
 unoppressive

00:33:16.119 --> 00:33:16.899
 and He makes

00:33:16.899 --> 00:33:17.740
 something significant

00:33:17.740 --> 00:33:18.339
 out of it.

00:33:18.599 --> 00:33:19.180
 He takes that

00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:20.339
 which is written off

00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:21.099
 by the elites

00:33:21.099 --> 00:33:21.920
 and the powerful

00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:23.079
 and the beautiful

00:33:23.079 --> 00:33:24.059
 and He builds

00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:24.480
 a kingdom

00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:25.740
 that cannot be shaken.

00:33:26.259 --> 00:33:27.000
 And this is the way

00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:28.000
 that Jesus always

00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:28.799
 builds His church.

00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:29.460
 Remember,

00:33:29.579 --> 00:33:30.700
 Jesus takes 12 men,

00:33:31.119 --> 00:33:31.960
 some of them fishermen,

00:33:32.420 --> 00:33:33.519
 some of them tax collectors,

00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:35.519
 some of them religious zealots,

00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:37.180
 and He brings them together

00:33:37.180 --> 00:33:38.440
 and through these 12 men

00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:39.599
 He fills them with His Spirit

00:33:39.599 --> 00:33:40.559
 and He turns the world

00:33:40.559 --> 00:33:41.160
 upside down.

00:33:41.799 --> 00:33:42.639
 This is the way

00:33:42.639 --> 00:33:43.879
 Jesus builds His church.

00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:44.779
 He says,

00:33:44.900 --> 00:33:45.859
 unless the Lord

00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:46.519
 builds the church,

00:33:46.619 --> 00:33:47.420
 those who build it,

00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:48.400
 build it in vain.

00:33:48.900 --> 00:33:49.779
 But He builds His church

00:33:49.779 --> 00:33:50.839
 not the way we expect you,

00:33:51.319 --> 00:33:52.119
 not with lights

00:33:52.119 --> 00:33:54.059
 and impressive leaders.

00:33:54.519 --> 00:33:55.039
 He builds it

00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:56.200
 with ordinary men and women,

00:33:56.440 --> 00:33:57.139
 sinners like you

00:33:57.139 --> 00:33:58.099
 and sinners like me.

00:33:58.539 --> 00:33:58.920
 And He says,

00:33:58.960 --> 00:34:00.059
 if you'll trust Me,

00:34:00.400 --> 00:34:01.759
 if you'll let Me lead you

00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:02.440
 and guide you,

00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:03.660
 I will do something

00:34:03.660 --> 00:34:05.440
 miraculous and wonderful

00:34:05.440 --> 00:34:06.380
 in your church.

00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:08.099
 And this shouldn't surprise us

00:34:08.099 --> 00:34:09.000
 because this is the way

00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:09.559
 of the gospel.

00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:10.639
 This is the way

00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:11.639
 God has always worked.

00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:12.920
 It's the way of Jesus

00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:14.139
 who though He was God,

00:34:14.659 --> 00:34:15.840
 did not count equality

00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:16.300
 with God

00:34:16.300 --> 00:34:17.599
 something to be grasped,

00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:19.099
 but He chose to be born

00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:21.019
 to an unwed teenage mom

00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:22.220
 in the backwaters

00:34:22.220 --> 00:34:23.019
 of Palestine,

00:34:23.519 --> 00:34:25.159
 born in an animal's stable,

00:34:25.659 --> 00:34:26.400
 laid to rest

00:34:26.400 --> 00:34:28.019
 in an animal's feeding trough.

00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:29.360
 Remember of Jesus,

00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:29.800
 they said,

00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:31.000
 can anything good

00:34:31.000 --> 00:34:32.119
 come out of Nazareth?

00:34:32.579 --> 00:34:33.019
 Nazareth?

00:34:33.260 --> 00:34:34.599
 What good comes out of there?

00:34:35.119 --> 00:34:35.579
 Bethlehem?

00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:36.539
 Where's Bethlehem?

00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:38.480
 What about the important cities?

00:34:39.279 --> 00:34:39.579
 And yet,

00:34:39.920 --> 00:34:40.860
 the gospel tells us

00:34:40.860 --> 00:34:41.699
 that that's exactly

00:34:41.699 --> 00:34:42.639
 how Jesus came.

00:34:43.139 --> 00:34:43.980
 It's the way of Jesus

00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:44.380
 who said,

00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:45.619
 I will build my church.

00:34:46.059 --> 00:34:46.400
 And yet,

00:34:46.420 --> 00:34:46.940
 He built it

00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:48.319
 in the most unlikely of ways.

00:34:48.799 --> 00:34:49.319
 He didn't do it

00:34:49.319 --> 00:34:50.360
 with beautiful venues

00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:51.500
 and impressive orators

00:34:51.500 --> 00:34:52.699
 and wonderful speakers

00:34:52.699 --> 00:34:54.420
 and good-looking men and women.

00:34:54.900 --> 00:34:55.480
 He didn't do it

00:34:55.480 --> 00:34:56.400
 with smoke machines

00:34:56.400 --> 00:34:57.839
 and beautiful music.

00:34:58.460 --> 00:34:58.900
 He did it

00:34:58.900 --> 00:34:59.659
 by offering Himself

00:34:59.659 --> 00:35:01.259
 as an atoning sacrifice

00:35:01.259 --> 00:35:02.359
 on the cross.

00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:04.059
 Jesus built His church

00:35:04.059 --> 00:35:05.099
 by being flogged

00:35:05.099 --> 00:35:06.259
 and mocked

00:35:06.259 --> 00:35:07.199
 and beaten

00:35:07.199 --> 00:35:09.000
 and scorned

00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:10.119
 and ultimately killed.

00:35:10.819 --> 00:35:11.839
 Jesus built His church

00:35:11.839 --> 00:35:13.059
 by going to Mount Calvary,

00:35:13.299 --> 00:35:13.839
 allowing Himself

00:35:13.839 --> 00:35:14.879
 to be nailed to the cross.

00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:16.440
 Jesus built His church

00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:17.379
 not just by telling

00:35:17.379 --> 00:35:18.019
 His disciples

00:35:18.019 --> 00:35:19.099
 to turn the other cheek

00:35:19.099 --> 00:35:20.359
 or to bless those

00:35:20.359 --> 00:35:21.000
 that curse you,

00:35:21.259 --> 00:35:21.699
 He did it

00:35:21.699 --> 00:35:23.059
 by actually doing those things.

00:35:23.699 --> 00:35:24.859
 Jesus built His church

00:35:24.859 --> 00:35:26.539
 by accomplishing for us

00:35:26.539 --> 00:35:27.379
 what we could not do

00:35:27.380 --> 00:35:27.960
 for ourselves,

00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:30.099
 taking our sin upon Himself

00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:31.480
 and giving us

00:35:31.480 --> 00:35:32.079
 a righteousness

00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:33.140
 which is not our own

00:35:33.140 --> 00:35:34.180
 and then welcoming us

00:35:34.180 --> 00:35:34.900
 into His family.

00:35:35.619 --> 00:35:36.400
 Jesus did it

00:35:36.400 --> 00:35:37.619
 by giving us for free

00:35:37.619 --> 00:35:38.559
 what we could not buy

00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:39.400
 with all the money

00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:40.579
 and all the gold in the world,

00:35:41.160 --> 00:35:42.200
 the unearned,

00:35:42.380 --> 00:35:44.880
 unmerited favor of God.

00:35:45.420 --> 00:35:45.840
 And friends,

00:35:45.940 --> 00:35:46.400
 still today,

00:35:46.519 --> 00:35:47.760
 Jesus is building His church.

00:35:48.260 --> 00:35:48.880
 But He does it

00:35:48.880 --> 00:35:50.360
 by taking simple men and women,

00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:51.440
 men and women

00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:52.000
 whose hearts

00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:52.640
 have been melted

00:35:52.640 --> 00:35:53.400
 by the gospel,

00:35:53.900 --> 00:35:54.420
 men and women

00:35:54.420 --> 00:35:55.140
 who once lived

00:35:55.140 --> 00:35:55.760
 for themselves

00:35:55.760 --> 00:35:56.680
 in their own glory

00:35:56.679 --> 00:35:57.679
 and now live for Him.

00:35:58.139 --> 00:35:58.719
 Men and women

00:35:58.719 --> 00:36:00.059
 who were once so self-focused

00:36:00.059 --> 00:36:01.319
 that they couldn't even see Him

00:36:01.319 --> 00:36:02.719
 and He went and found them

00:36:02.719 --> 00:36:03.259
 and He brought them

00:36:03.259 --> 00:36:03.859
 back to Himself.

00:36:04.319 --> 00:36:05.079
 Jesus did it

00:36:05.079 --> 00:36:06.159
 by taking people

00:36:06.159 --> 00:36:07.279
 who lived themselves

00:36:07.279 --> 00:36:07.819
 and now live

00:36:07.819 --> 00:36:08.579
 for His own glory.

00:36:08.779 --> 00:36:09.239
 Men and women

00:36:09.239 --> 00:36:10.339
 empowered with His Spirit

00:36:10.339 --> 00:36:11.339
 and He sends them out

00:36:11.339 --> 00:36:12.940
 to declare His wonder

00:36:12.940 --> 00:36:13.699
 of His love

00:36:13.699 --> 00:36:14.879
 and His holiness,

00:36:15.480 --> 00:36:16.239
 His perfection

00:36:16.239 --> 00:36:17.699
 and His grace.

00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:18.980
 Watermark,

00:36:19.379 --> 00:36:20.619
 whatever the future holds

00:36:20.619 --> 00:36:21.319
 for our church,

00:36:21.739 --> 00:36:22.379
 there will be ups,

00:36:22.460 --> 00:36:23.219
 there will be downs.

00:36:23.739 --> 00:36:24.619
 Let us remember

00:36:24.619 --> 00:36:25.319
 this warning

00:36:25.320 --> 00:36:26.860
 unless the Lord

00:36:26.860 --> 00:36:27.720
 builds the church,

00:36:28.120 --> 00:36:29.180
 those who build it

00:36:29.180 --> 00:36:30.360
 labor in vain.

00:36:30.840 --> 00:36:31.980
 But let us also remember

00:36:31.980 --> 00:36:33.340
 this wonderful encouragement.

00:36:34.160 --> 00:36:34.920
 Behold, children,

00:36:35.019 --> 00:36:36.000
 our heritage from the Lord.

00:36:36.600 --> 00:36:37.500
 God's fruitfulness

00:36:37.500 --> 00:36:38.160
 is guaranteed.

00:36:38.360 --> 00:36:39.680
 God promises to bless

00:36:39.680 --> 00:36:40.320
 those of us

00:36:40.320 --> 00:36:41.059
 who look to Him

00:36:41.059 --> 00:36:42.280
 for His leadership

00:36:42.280 --> 00:36:43.019
 and His guidance.

00:36:43.100 --> 00:36:43.720
 Unless the Lord

00:36:43.720 --> 00:36:44.460
 builds the house,

00:36:44.940 --> 00:36:45.660
 those who build it

00:36:45.660 --> 00:36:46.240
 labor in vain.

00:36:46.680 --> 00:36:47.400
 Unless the Lord

00:36:47.400 --> 00:36:48.300
 watches over the city,

00:36:48.420 --> 00:36:49.539
 the watchman stays awake

00:36:49.539 --> 00:36:49.840
 in vain.

00:36:49.840 --> 00:36:50.700
 It is in vain

00:36:50.700 --> 00:36:51.720
 that we rise up early,

00:36:52.200 --> 00:36:53.160
 going late to rest,

00:36:53.660 --> 00:36:54.300
 eating the bread

00:36:54.300 --> 00:36:55.060
 of anxious toil.

00:36:55.440 --> 00:36:56.680
 But God gives

00:36:56.680 --> 00:36:57.460
 to His beloved

00:36:57.460 --> 00:36:58.760
 sleep.

00:36:59.100 --> 00:37:00.260
 Let's pray together.

00:37:14.640 --> 00:37:15.680
 Heavenly Father,

00:37:15.680 --> 00:37:15.740
 Heavenly Father,

00:37:16.740 --> 00:37:19.280
 at the start

00:37:19.280 --> 00:37:20.340
 of this new year,

00:37:20.340 --> 00:37:24.100
 we come before you

00:37:24.100 --> 00:37:26.180
 in humility.

00:37:27.000 --> 00:37:28.059
 We come before you

00:37:28.059 --> 00:37:28.880
 with open hands.

00:37:29.840 --> 00:37:30.860
 We come before you

00:37:30.860 --> 00:37:31.539
 as a family,

00:37:32.059 --> 00:37:33.120
 a gospel family,

00:37:34.200 --> 00:37:35.160
 a family made up

00:37:35.160 --> 00:37:35.940
 of men and women

00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:36.559
 that have been,

00:37:37.120 --> 00:37:37.880
 that have encountered

00:37:37.880 --> 00:37:38.800
 the living God.

00:37:40.400 --> 00:37:41.800
 And we come before you

00:37:41.800 --> 00:37:42.280
 and we say,

00:37:42.440 --> 00:37:43.539
 God, come and lead us.

00:37:44.380 --> 00:37:45.940
 Jesus, this is your church.

00:37:46.640 --> 00:37:47.400
 You are the head

00:37:47.400 --> 00:37:48.140
 of your church.

00:37:48.139 --> 00:37:50.559
 And God,

00:37:50.619 --> 00:37:51.759
 we don't just invite you

00:37:51.759 --> 00:37:53.000
 to bless our works

00:37:53.000 --> 00:37:53.519
 or our efforts.

00:37:53.679 --> 00:37:54.759
 We don't just ask you

00:37:54.759 --> 00:37:55.739
 to come and be here.

00:37:56.519 --> 00:37:56.879
 We say,

00:37:56.960 --> 00:37:58.139
 Jesus, take the reins.

00:37:59.339 --> 00:38:00.279
 Jesus, come and be

00:38:00.279 --> 00:38:00.779
 at the helm.

00:38:02.119 --> 00:38:03.059
 God, we long

00:38:03.059 --> 00:38:03.879
 to be a church

00:38:03.879 --> 00:38:05.039
 that blesses each other

00:38:05.039 --> 00:38:06.000
 and blesses our city.

00:38:06.779 --> 00:38:08.079
 We long for Hong Kong

00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:09.039
 to be better off

00:38:09.039 --> 00:38:10.659
 because our church

00:38:10.659 --> 00:38:11.059
 is here.

00:38:14.699 --> 00:38:15.519
 God, we long

00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:16.440
 to see men and women

00:38:16.440 --> 00:38:17.360
 come to know you

00:38:17.360 --> 00:38:18.300
 and discover you

00:38:18.300 --> 00:38:19.639
 and their lives

00:38:19.639 --> 00:38:20.900
 turned around

00:38:20.900 --> 00:38:21.460
 by the power

00:38:21.460 --> 00:38:22.059
 of the gospel.

00:38:23.179 --> 00:38:24.019
 God, only you

00:38:24.019 --> 00:38:24.700
 can do that.

00:38:26.700 --> 00:38:27.800
 Father, this morning,

00:38:28.700 --> 00:38:29.639
 we ask you,

00:38:29.720 --> 00:38:30.340
 won't you take

00:38:30.340 --> 00:38:31.780
 the I out of us?

00:38:32.940 --> 00:38:33.700
 Won't you take

00:38:33.700 --> 00:38:34.800
 the self-sufficiency

00:38:34.800 --> 00:38:37.500
 and independence

00:38:37.500 --> 00:38:38.460
 away from us?

00:38:39.420 --> 00:38:40.380
 God, may we be

00:38:40.380 --> 00:38:41.340
 deeply rooted

00:38:41.340 --> 00:38:42.139
 and anchored

00:38:42.139 --> 00:38:42.639
 in you.

00:38:42.639 --> 00:38:46.039
 God, we confess

00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:48.119
 we need you.

00:38:49.159 --> 00:38:50.259
 We ask you, God,

00:38:50.279 --> 00:38:51.019
 to come and lead

00:38:51.019 --> 00:38:51.879
 and guide us

00:38:51.879 --> 00:38:55.099
 for your glory, God.

00:38:56.379 --> 00:38:57.480
 Put your magnificent

00:38:57.480 --> 00:38:58.480
 glory on display,

00:38:58.599 --> 00:38:59.159
 we pray,

00:39:02.159 --> 00:39:03.299
 in this church

00:39:03.299 --> 00:39:05.319
 and in our lives.

00:39:05.320 --> 00:39:35.300
 God, may we be