WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.540
 Good morning, everyone.

00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:03.720
 Morning, Mike.

00:00:04.660 --> 00:00:09.240
 So humbling and delightful to be here with you.

00:00:09.320 --> 00:00:12.179
 I've been a bit absent in recent weeks,

00:00:12.380 --> 00:00:16.420
 and I'm so glad to be back in my home church with you all.

00:00:19.059 --> 00:00:23.100
 I want to preach from the reading that John just read to us

00:00:23.100 --> 00:00:25.060
 on the verse,

00:00:25.060 --> 00:00:29.760
 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

00:00:30.940 --> 00:00:33.820
 So it's a little worrying when the vicar stands up

00:00:33.820 --> 00:00:35.960
 at the beginning of the service to introduce you

00:00:35.960 --> 00:00:38.000
 and says you're about to preach on a subject

00:00:38.000 --> 00:00:40.399
 that I've never heard of before.

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 And so what I'm going to talk to you about

00:00:44.719 --> 00:00:46.780
 is your identity in Christ

00:00:46.780 --> 00:00:49.900
 as disciples of the risen Christ.

00:00:50.179 --> 00:00:51.000
 Someone say amen.

00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:51.640
 Amen.

00:00:53.260 --> 00:00:56.079
 And what that means and what that looks like in your life,

00:00:56.200 --> 00:00:57.879
 but reflecting on it,

00:00:57.880 --> 00:01:02.640
 the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to the disciples

00:01:02.640 --> 00:01:06.060
 are not on the face of it that encouraging, are they?

00:01:06.200 --> 00:01:08.680
 John tells us in his Gospel

00:01:08.680 --> 00:01:11.640
 that when Jesus appeared to the disciples,

00:01:12.460 --> 00:01:14.240
 they were in a locked room.

00:01:15.280 --> 00:01:17.020
 And the reason they were in a locked room,

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 John tells us, is because they were fearful.

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 Luke tells us about the confusion of the disciples

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 on the road to Emmaus.

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 And how they only recognized the risen Jesus

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 when he broke bread with them

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 and had breakfast with them.

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 And then, of course, there's Peter

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 who denied Jesus three times

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 before Jesus' death on the cross.

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 And then you remember in that curious scenario,

00:01:50.679 --> 00:01:52.019
 again in John's Gospel,

00:01:53.280 --> 00:01:56.700
 Jesus asks Peter three times,

00:01:57.319 --> 00:01:58.060
 do you love me?

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 To the point where Peter, we're told,

00:02:02.039 --> 00:02:05.000
 was hurt by Jesus' repeated questioning of him

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 and was a little embarrassed, I guess,

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 because of his shame at his denial

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 and the upset that Jesus would ask him

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 not once but three times

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 for some kind of reassurance.

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 Now, on the face of it,

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 the experience of these disciples

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 in the very earliest days after the resurrection

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 is, I think you could describe,

00:02:30.500 --> 00:02:31.680
 just a little shaky.

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 These disciples who would become lions of the faith,

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 people who would take the Gospel

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 to the far-flung places of the known world

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 as it was then,

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 didn't make a particularly encouraging start.

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 Resurrection.

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 The resurrection of Jesus

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 is not just a happy ending to a story

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 which would otherwise be not very satisfying.

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 It is the essence of who we are in Christ,

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 our identity in Christ,

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 who we are.

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 Without it,

00:03:15.560 --> 00:03:18.780
 we would just be remembering a dead hero.

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 And you remember the words of Paul

00:03:22.260 --> 00:03:24.740
 in 1 Corinthians chapter 15.

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 He kind of nailed it there, good and proper,

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 when he wrote about the resurrection.

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 Let me remind you that 1 Corinthians

00:03:32.160 --> 00:03:34.660
 is one of the earliest epistles

00:03:34.659 --> 00:03:35.780
 in the New Testament.

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 This is what Paul thought about the resurrection.

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 He said,

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 if Christ has not been raised,

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 our preaching is useless

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 and so is your faith.

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 More than that,

00:03:47.539 --> 00:03:50.939
 we are then found to be false witnesses about God

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 for we have testified about God

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 that he raised Christ from the dead.

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 But he did not raise him

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 if in fact the dead are not raised.

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 For if the dead are not raised,

00:04:01.800 --> 00:04:04.080
 then Christ has not been raised either.

00:04:05.020 --> 00:04:06.960
 And if Christ has not been raised,

00:04:07.379 --> 00:04:09.280
 your faith is futile

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 and you are in your sins.

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 The message about the risen Christ

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 is for people who know what it is to be fearful.

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 For people who know what it is to be shamed.

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 For people who know what it is to be confused.

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 Which is just about all of us.

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 The risen Christ is here

00:04:38.460 --> 00:04:41.300
 in the power of his spirit right now.

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 Paul in Colossians,

00:04:45.500 --> 00:04:47.240
 twice in four verses,

00:04:47.240 --> 00:04:50.900
 tells us that we have been raised with Christ.

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 That's in the past tense.

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 And that we're also told, remarkably,

00:04:57.840 --> 00:04:59.340
 that when Jesus returns,

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 we will appear with him in glory.

00:05:05.000 --> 00:05:06.600
 Imagine that for a moment.

00:05:07.900 --> 00:05:11.500
 That you will not only know about the glory of God,

00:05:11.540 --> 00:05:12.560
 if indeed you do,

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 but you will share in that glory.

00:05:17.240 --> 00:05:19.300
 In your risen life.

00:05:20.840 --> 00:05:22.639
 Paul says two things here.

00:05:22.759 --> 00:05:24.800
 Set your minds on things above

00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:28.240
 and set your hearts on things above.

00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:30.060
 In other words,

00:05:30.480 --> 00:05:33.720
 emotionally set your hearts on the things that are above

00:05:33.720 --> 00:05:37.980
 and intellectually set your minds on the things that are above.

00:05:37.980 --> 00:05:39.300
 Not either or.

00:05:39.300 --> 00:05:41.680
 But both and.

00:05:42.939 --> 00:05:45.060
 Some scholars think that these verses

00:05:45.060 --> 00:05:47.460
 might have been part of an early hymn.

00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:49.319
 Or indeed,

00:05:49.420 --> 00:05:52.439
 might have been part of a baptismal liturgy.

00:05:53.319 --> 00:05:53.819
 That is,

00:05:53.920 --> 00:05:54.800
 the words you say

00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:55.860
 at a baptism.

00:05:55.860 --> 00:06:02.960
 I want to teach you two fundamental things this morning

00:06:02.960 --> 00:06:06.020
 about the risen life in Christ.

00:06:06.139 --> 00:06:07.500
 About your identity

00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:10.080
 as disciples of the risen Christ.

00:06:10.420 --> 00:06:10.819
 Firstly,

00:06:11.400 --> 00:06:13.699
 I want to tell you that resurrection means

00:06:13.699 --> 00:06:14.500
 that in Christ,

00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:16.920
 heaven is your destination.

00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:21.840
 Romans chapter 10 and verse 9.

00:06:21.840 --> 00:06:24.720
 If you confess that Jesus Christ is Lord

00:06:24.720 --> 00:06:27.379
 and believe that God raised him from the dead,

00:06:27.879 --> 00:06:29.560
 you will be saved.

00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:33.300
 The resurrection means

00:06:33.300 --> 00:06:36.060
 that heaven is your destination.

00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:38.020
 But I want to teach you also

00:06:38.020 --> 00:06:39.580
 that if you are in Christ,

00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:42.800
 the resurrection is your motivation.

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 For we are meant to live

00:06:46.180 --> 00:06:49.160
 the risen life of Christ today.

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 Back in the 19th century,

00:06:53.000 --> 00:06:56.199
 people criticized the Christian faith

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 because they said,

00:06:57.879 --> 00:06:59.840
 it's pie in the sky when you die.

00:07:00.920 --> 00:07:03.019
 They observed that a lot of Christians,

00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:04.920
 some missionaries in fact,

00:07:06.319 --> 00:07:08.259
 were preaching the gospel to people

00:07:08.259 --> 00:07:09.240
 who were starving.

00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:13.280
 No, said some of the reformers

00:07:13.280 --> 00:07:14.540
 of the 19th century,

00:07:15.019 --> 00:07:16.480
 what you need to do

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 is to feed hungry tummies

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 before you preach the gospel to them.

00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:26.699
 People like William Booth

00:07:26.699 --> 00:07:28.540
 and Charles Hadley Spurgeon

00:07:28.540 --> 00:07:31.660
 were giants in reminding the church

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 that we're not sitting around

00:07:34.280 --> 00:07:36.540
 just waiting to die to go to heaven.

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 But we're called to live

00:07:39.060 --> 00:07:41.300
 the risen life here and now.

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 Heaven is your destination.

00:07:45.740 --> 00:07:46.720
 I wonder if you have

00:07:46.720 --> 00:07:48.560
 any assurance of that

00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:50.040
 in your life.

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 I know a lot of people

00:07:54.700 --> 00:07:56.240
 might be sitting here this morning

00:07:56.240 --> 00:07:56.860
 thinking, well,

00:07:57.140 --> 00:07:59.680
 having assurance that I might go to heaven

00:07:59.680 --> 00:08:02.140
 sounds like a terrible arrogance to me

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 and it would be an arrogance

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 if it was based on what you've done.

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 But it's not an arrogance

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 because it's nothing to do

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 with what you've done.

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 It is to do entirely

00:08:16.680 --> 00:08:19.920
 what God has done in Jesus Christ

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 on the cross of Calvary

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 in the resurrection of Jesus

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 and His ascension into heaven

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 on your behalf.

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 The God of grace.

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 The God who loves you

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 even though you don't deserve it

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 sent His Son.

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 that we might have

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 eternal life.

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 Life everlasting.

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 And there's more in the New Testament

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 about heaven

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 and eternal life

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 than just about any other subject.

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 More about heaven

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 and eternal life in the Bible

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 than there is about Holy Communion

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 for instance.

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 writers of the New Testament

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 want to believe us to know

00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:08.139
 that in Christ

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 they would receive the gift

00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:12.159
 of eternal life.

00:09:13.620 --> 00:09:14.579
 Excuse me.

00:09:16.379 --> 00:09:17.519
 Eternal life

00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:21.419
 is not just an infinite extension

00:09:21.419 --> 00:09:23.579
 of life as we know it.

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 because for many of you

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 that would be

00:09:27.139 --> 00:09:28.639
 an intolerable thought.

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 No.

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 Eternal life

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 is life

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 of a different order.

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 The Bible teaches us

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 that we shall have

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 a new body

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 when we are resurrected.

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 That's partly why

00:09:43.700 --> 00:09:46.320
 Jesus in His resurrected body

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 wasn't immediately

00:09:47.740 --> 00:09:48.640
 recognizable

00:09:48.640 --> 00:09:50.400
 to those early disciples.

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 But reassuringly

00:09:53.480 --> 00:09:54.020
 eventually

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 the penny dropped for them

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 and they recognized Him.

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 People say to me

00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:01.780
 maybe you thought it

00:10:01.780 --> 00:10:02.840
 when I die

00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:04.180
 will I see my partner

00:10:04.180 --> 00:10:04.700
 in heaven?

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 That's a really tough question

00:10:06.540 --> 00:10:07.780
 especially if your partner

00:10:07.780 --> 00:10:08.560
 is not a believer.

00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:12.279
 But if your partner

00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:13.099
 is a believer

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 then I believe

00:10:14.539 --> 00:10:15.319
 ultimately

00:10:15.319 --> 00:10:17.299
 you might recognize them

00:10:17.299 --> 00:10:18.239
 in heaven.

00:10:19.719 --> 00:10:20.959
 I find that

00:10:20.959 --> 00:10:22.459
 very reassuring.

00:10:24.979 --> 00:10:25.699
 Imagine

00:10:25.699 --> 00:10:26.979
 you will have

00:10:26.979 --> 00:10:29.019
 a new resurrection body

00:10:29.019 --> 00:10:30.679
 not immediately

00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:31.539
 recognizable

00:10:31.539 --> 00:10:32.779
 as the body

00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:33.599
 you have now.

00:10:35.079 --> 00:10:36.099
 I don't know

00:10:36.099 --> 00:10:37.659
 whether there's anybody

00:10:37.659 --> 00:10:40.079
 who stalks the planet

00:10:40.079 --> 00:10:41.240
 who would rather

00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:42.279
 have the body

00:10:42.279 --> 00:10:43.360
 they've got at the moment

00:10:43.360 --> 00:10:44.899
 with the one

00:10:44.899 --> 00:10:45.799
 that they will have.

00:10:47.299 --> 00:10:48.259
 In my case

00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:49.299
 I just need to look

00:10:49.299 --> 00:10:49.759
 in a mirror.

00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:52.980
 Heaven

00:10:52.980 --> 00:10:53.879
 is your

00:10:53.879 --> 00:10:55.079
 destination.

00:10:56.039 --> 00:10:56.579
 You will get

00:10:56.579 --> 00:10:57.319
 a new body.

00:10:57.480 --> 00:10:57.899
 There will be

00:10:57.899 --> 00:10:58.679
 a continuity

00:10:58.679 --> 00:11:00.799
 between you today

00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:02.459
 and your resurrected body.

00:11:02.799 --> 00:11:03.439
 It will mean

00:11:03.439 --> 00:11:04.659
 the end of suffering.

00:11:06.159 --> 00:11:07.000
 Imagine that.

00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:09.219
 Imagine

00:11:09.219 --> 00:11:10.500
 a way of being

00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:11.639
 where there will be

00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:12.559
 no more tears

00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:13.679
 and no more crying.

00:11:14.039 --> 00:11:14.659
 In Revelation

00:11:14.659 --> 00:11:15.860
 chapter 21

00:11:15.860 --> 00:11:18.500
 the very last

00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:19.399
 book of the Bible

00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:20.199
 you can read

00:11:20.199 --> 00:11:20.839
 about that.

00:11:21.919 --> 00:11:23.219
 Amazing words

00:11:23.219 --> 00:11:24.480
 of John

00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:26.240
 as he wrote

00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:27.759
 that incredible book.

00:11:28.939 --> 00:11:29.459
 Revelation

00:11:29.459 --> 00:11:30.719
 chapter 21

00:11:30.719 --> 00:11:31.699
 and verse 3

00:11:31.699 --> 00:11:32.179
 onwards.

00:11:32.179 --> 00:11:34.199
 I heard a loud

00:11:34.199 --> 00:11:35.240
 voice from the throne

00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:35.879
 saying now

00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:37.059
 the dwelling of God

00:11:37.059 --> 00:11:38.419
 is with men

00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:39.120
 and women

00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:40.980
 and he will live

00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:41.360
 with them

00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:42.120
 they will be

00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:42.879
 his people

00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:44.240
 and God himself

00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:45.259
 will be with them

00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:46.539
 and be their God.

00:11:46.939 --> 00:11:47.639
 He will wipe

00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:48.320
 every tear

00:11:48.320 --> 00:11:49.200
 from their eyes

00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:49.939
 there will be

00:11:49.939 --> 00:11:50.740
 no more death

00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:51.379
 or mourning

00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:52.080
 or crying

00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:52.720
 or pain

00:11:52.720 --> 00:11:53.779
 for the old

00:11:53.779 --> 00:11:54.720
 order of things

00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:55.960
 has passed away.

00:11:55.960 --> 00:12:02.440
 if I was sitting

00:12:02.440 --> 00:12:03.220
 there this morning

00:12:03.220 --> 00:12:04.340
 without trusting God

00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:05.139
 without believing

00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:05.800
 in God

00:12:05.800 --> 00:12:06.980
 those verses

00:12:06.980 --> 00:12:08.139
 on their own

00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:08.800
 would change

00:12:08.800 --> 00:12:09.480
 my heart

00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:14.639
 because looking

00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:15.420
 at this world

00:12:15.420 --> 00:12:16.100
 right now

00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:18.100
 as Tim implied

00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:19.180
 in his prayers

00:12:19.180 --> 00:12:21.399
 is not the most

00:12:21.399 --> 00:12:22.500
 encouraging thing

00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:23.039
 to do

00:12:23.039 --> 00:12:24.220
 at the moment.

00:12:26.659 --> 00:12:27.740
 Heaven is your

00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:28.480
 destination

00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:29.620
 and in heaven

00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:33.539
 you will not need

00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:34.340
 hope anymore

00:12:34.340 --> 00:12:35.580
 because the kingdom

00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:36.100
 of God

00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:37.639
 will be manifest.

00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:38.840
 Tom Wright

00:12:38.840 --> 00:12:39.639
 wrote these words

00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:40.019
 he said

00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:41.220
 Jesus' resurrection

00:12:41.220 --> 00:12:42.679
 is the beginning

00:12:42.679 --> 00:12:44.419
 of God's new project

00:12:44.419 --> 00:12:46.139
 not to snatch people

00:12:46.139 --> 00:12:46.980
 away from earth

00:12:46.980 --> 00:12:47.539
 to heaven

00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:49.740
 but to colonize earth

00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:50.759
 with the life

00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:51.259
 of heaven.

00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:54.559
 This earth

00:12:54.559 --> 00:12:56.379
 all that God

00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:56.980
 created

00:12:56.980 --> 00:12:58.779
 the earth

00:12:58.779 --> 00:12:59.860
 the heavens

00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:00.659
 all that therein

00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:00.840
 is

00:13:00.840 --> 00:13:01.799
 will one day

00:13:01.799 --> 00:13:03.319
 one day

00:13:03.319 --> 00:13:04.580
 be redeemed.

00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:08.000
 and that's why

00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:10.740
 it's not pie

00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:11.440
 in the sky

00:13:11.440 --> 00:13:12.160
 when you die

00:13:12.160 --> 00:13:13.500
 because it begins

00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:14.000
 now

00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:15.960
 as the people

00:13:15.960 --> 00:13:16.340
 of God

00:13:16.340 --> 00:13:17.180
 seek the power

00:13:17.180 --> 00:13:17.800
 of spirit

00:13:17.800 --> 00:13:19.240
 to live the risen

00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:19.740
 life

00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:20.500
 that God

00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:21.379
 has in store

00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:21.960
 for them.

00:13:22.379 --> 00:13:23.100
 What a tragedy

00:13:23.100 --> 00:13:23.660
 friends

00:13:23.660 --> 00:13:26.100
 that there are

00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:26.759
 people who

00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:27.879
 warm the pews

00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:28.580
 or the business

00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:29.460
 class seats

00:13:29.460 --> 00:13:30.460
 of churches

00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:31.740
 Sunday by Sunday

00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:34.620
 and they have

00:13:34.620 --> 00:13:35.440
 no idea

00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:36.919
 what the risen

00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:37.680
 life is

00:13:37.680 --> 00:13:38.500
 or what it

00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:39.320
 might look like

00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:40.580
 in their lives.

00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:43.340
 Which brings me

00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:44.240
 to my second

00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:44.620
 point

00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:45.360
 in Christ

00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:46.440
 the resurrection

00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:48.100
 is our

00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:48.820
 motivation.

00:13:50.180 --> 00:13:51.259
 How are we

00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:52.419
 to live the risen

00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:53.159
 life now?

00:13:54.019 --> 00:13:55.039
 How are we

00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:56.019
 to rise above

00:13:56.019 --> 00:13:56.960
 that which Jesus

00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:57.919
 called the worries

00:13:57.919 --> 00:13:58.680
 of this life

00:13:58.680 --> 00:13:59.879
 the deceitfulness

00:13:59.879 --> 00:14:00.519
 of wealth

00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:01.799
 and the desire

00:14:01.799 --> 00:14:02.799
 for other things?

00:14:04.819 --> 00:14:05.539
 Ask yourself

00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:06.179
 this question

00:14:06.179 --> 00:14:07.120
 do you want

00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:08.059
 more of God

00:14:08.059 --> 00:14:09.079
 or do you want

00:14:09.079 --> 00:14:09.899
 more of money

00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:10.620
 and things?

00:14:13.319 --> 00:14:14.079
 I know

00:14:14.079 --> 00:14:14.600
 that's a little

00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:15.379
 below the belt

00:14:15.379 --> 00:14:17.899
 but it's something

00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:18.600
 you should think

00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:18.960
 about.

00:14:20.460 --> 00:14:20.899
 Are you

00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:21.639
 constantly

00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:22.720
 wanting what

00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:23.500
 others have

00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.439
 more than

00:14:24.439 --> 00:14:25.039
 what God

00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:26.139
 can give you?

00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:30.720
 if you are

00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:32.519
 I fear

00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:33.240
 you're a deluded

00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:33.899
 person

00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:36.639
 there is

00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:37.879
 another way

00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:38.539
 to live

00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:41.000
 and it's a way

00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:41.779
 that is

00:14:41.779 --> 00:14:42.539
 ushered in

00:14:42.539 --> 00:14:43.519
 by the resurrection

00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:44.699
 of Jesus Christ.

00:14:46.159 --> 00:14:47.139
 Let me say

00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:47.879
 very briefly

00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:48.539
 three things

00:14:48.539 --> 00:14:49.039
 about that.

00:14:49.159 --> 00:14:49.500
 Firstly

00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:50.819
 you can't live

00:14:50.819 --> 00:14:51.379
 the risen

00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:51.939
 life

00:14:51.939 --> 00:14:53.799
 if you want

00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:54.279
 to live

00:14:54.279 --> 00:14:54.879
 a hidden

00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.399
 life.

00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:56.919
 Let me say

00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:57.419
 that again.

00:14:57.899 --> 00:14:58.459
 You can't

00:14:58.459 --> 00:14:58.860
 live the

00:14:58.860 --> 00:14:59.179
 risen

00:14:59.179 --> 00:14:59.699
 life

00:14:59.699 --> 00:15:00.639
 if you

00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:01.079
 want to

00:15:01.079 --> 00:15:01.740
 live a

00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:02.039
 hidden

00:15:02.039 --> 00:15:02.579
 life.

00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:04.439
 1 John

00:15:04.439 --> 00:15:05.439
 chapter 1

00:15:05.439 --> 00:15:07.360
 John nails

00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:07.620
 it.

00:15:08.319 --> 00:15:08.699
 He says

00:15:08.699 --> 00:15:09.139
 this

00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:11.399
 this

00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:11.980
 is the

00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:12.379
 message

00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:12.720
 we have

00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:13.019
 heard

00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:13.519
 from him

00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:14.080
 and

00:15:14.080 --> 00:15:14.460
 declare

00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:15.039
 to you

00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:15.819
 God

00:15:15.819 --> 00:15:16.199
 is

00:15:16.199 --> 00:15:16.620
 light

00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:17.480
 in him

00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:17.879
 there is

00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:18.199
 no

00:15:18.199 --> 00:15:18.679
 darkness

00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:19.259
 at all

00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:20.159
 wait for

00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:20.360
 it

00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:21.500
 if we

00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:21.960
 claim to

00:15:21.960 --> 00:15:22.179
 have

00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:22.620
 fellowship

00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.319
 with him

00:15:23.319 --> 00:15:24.019
 yet

00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:24.539
 walk

00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:25.039
 in the

00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:25.480
 darkness

00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:27.360
 we

00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:27.819
 lie

00:15:27.819 --> 00:15:29.319
 and do

00:15:29.319 --> 00:15:29.659
 not

00:15:29.659 --> 00:15:30.019
 live

00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:30.539
 by the

00:15:30.539 --> 00:15:30.980
 truth

00:15:30.980 --> 00:15:31.980
 but if

00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:32.460
 we walk

00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:32.740
 in the

00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:33.000
 light

00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:33.439
 as he

00:15:33.439 --> 00:15:33.779
 is in

00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:33.939
 the

00:15:33.939 --> 00:15:34.259
 light

00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:35.340
 we have

00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:35.799
 fellowship

00:15:35.799 --> 00:15:36.419
 with one

00:15:36.419 --> 00:15:36.799
 another

00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:37.759
 and the

00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:38.179
 blood of

00:15:38.179 --> 00:15:38.879
 Jesus his

00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:39.240
 son

00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:40.819
 purifies us

00:15:40.819 --> 00:15:41.879
 from all

00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:42.240
 sin.

00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:48.440
 I'm not

00:15:48.440 --> 00:15:48.820
 going to ask

00:15:48.820 --> 00:15:49.159
 you to put

00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:49.659
 your hands

00:15:49.659 --> 00:15:50.120
 up but

00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:51.740
 I wonder

00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:52.480
 how many

00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:52.919
 of you

00:15:52.919 --> 00:15:53.600
 sitting in

00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:54.320
 church today

00:15:54.320 --> 00:15:55.259
 effectively

00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:56.060
 live a

00:15:56.060 --> 00:15:56.279
 hidden

00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:56.740
 life.

00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:58.840
 There are

00:15:58.840 --> 00:15:59.639
 aspects of

00:15:59.639 --> 00:16:00.100
 your life

00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:00.460
 that you

00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:01.259
 cannot talk

00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:01.879
 to anybody

00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:02.379
 about

00:16:02.379 --> 00:16:04.080
 because you

00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:04.659
 are so

00:16:04.659 --> 00:16:05.279
 ashamed

00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:06.060
 and you

00:16:06.060 --> 00:16:06.560
 would love

00:16:06.560 --> 00:16:06.940
 to give

00:16:06.940 --> 00:16:07.279
 it up

00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:07.779
 but you

00:16:07.779 --> 00:16:08.279
 don't know

00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:08.759
 how to

00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:09.060
 give it

00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:09.620
 up and

00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:09.980
 therefore

00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:10.580
 your life

00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:10.899
 is in

00:16:10.899 --> 00:16:12.159
 the dark

00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:12.379
ness

00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:12.579
 and

00:16:12.579 --> 00:16:12.819
 it's

00:16:12.819 --> 00:16:13.139
 hidden

00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:13.779
 and while

00:16:13.779 --> 00:16:14.059
 it's

00:16:14.059 --> 00:16:14.399
 hidden

00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:14.839
 you

00:16:14.839 --> 00:16:15.199
 cannot

00:16:15.199 --> 00:16:15.459
 live

00:16:15.459 --> 00:16:15.639
 the

00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:15.939
 risen.

00:16:23.199 --> 00:16:23.939
 Set

00:16:23.939 --> 00:16:24.199
 your

00:16:24.199 --> 00:16:24.719
 minds

00:16:24.719 --> 00:16:26.339
 and your

00:16:26.339 --> 00:16:26.879
 hearts

00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:28.439
 on things

00:16:28.439 --> 00:16:28.860
 that are

00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:29.339
 above

00:16:29.339 --> 00:16:30.339
 says Paul.

00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.299
 Second

00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:32.839
 you can't

00:16:32.839 --> 00:16:33.139
 live the

00:16:33.139 --> 00:16:33.860
 risen life

00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:34.980
 if wanting

00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:35.620
 what you

00:16:35.620 --> 00:16:36.139
 want

00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:37.360
 surpasses

00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:38.079
 what God

00:16:38.079 --> 00:16:38.559
 wants

00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:39.379
 for you.

00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:42.839
 I think

00:16:42.839 --> 00:16:43.360
 there are

00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:43.699
 a lot

00:16:43.699 --> 00:16:44.279
 of people

00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:46.039
 who deep

00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:46.860
 down inside

00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:47.279
 know

00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:49.039
 that actually

00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:49.559
 when it

00:16:49.559 --> 00:16:50.079
 comes to

00:16:50.079 --> 00:16:50.779
 talking about

00:16:50.779 --> 00:16:51.740
 their motivation

00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:53.199
 the idea

00:16:53.199 --> 00:16:53.959
 is not to

00:16:53.959 --> 00:16:54.439
 please God

00:16:54.439 --> 00:16:55.059
 but the idea

00:16:55.059 --> 00:16:55.620
 is to get

00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.100
 what they

00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:57.039
 want out

00:16:57.039 --> 00:16:57.600
 of life.

00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:01.139
 You wonder

00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:02.319
 why the world

00:17:02.319 --> 00:17:02.899
 is the way

00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:03.399
 it is?

00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:05.299
 The reason

00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:06.159
 is that

00:17:06.159 --> 00:17:06.920
 most people

00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:07.680
 ignorant of

00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:08.279
 God are

00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:08.839
 just living

00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:09.559
 for themselves.

00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:12.920
 Not

00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:13.440
 everyone

00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:15.100
 who calls

00:17:15.100 --> 00:17:15.820
 me Lord

00:17:15.820 --> 00:17:16.160
 Lord

00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:16.940
 said Jesus

00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:18.560
 will enter

00:17:18.560 --> 00:17:19.220
 the kingdom

00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:19.800
 of heaven

00:17:19.800 --> 00:17:21.560
 but only

00:17:21.560 --> 00:17:22.620
 only those

00:17:22.620 --> 00:17:23.340
 who do

00:17:23.340 --> 00:17:23.820
 the will

00:17:23.820 --> 00:17:24.660
 of my

00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:25.160
 father.

00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.340
 You can't

00:17:26.340 --> 00:17:26.640
 live the

00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:27.360
 risen life

00:17:27.360 --> 00:17:28.420
 if wanting

00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:29.019
 what you

00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:29.400
 want

00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:30.300
 surpasses

00:17:30.300 --> 00:17:30.840
 what God

00:17:30.840 --> 00:17:31.220
 wants

00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:31.820
 for you.

00:17:34.080 --> 00:17:34.800
 And

00:17:34.800 --> 00:17:35.279
 finally

00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:37.000
 I would

00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.340
 think it

00:17:37.340 --> 00:17:37.700
 would be

00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.420
 very

00:17:38.420 --> 00:17:38.740
 very

00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:39.240
 difficult

00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:39.700
 to live

00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.100
 the risen

00:17:40.100 --> 00:17:40.580
 life

00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:42.019
 if you

00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:42.519
 let the

00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:43.000
 hope

00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:43.319
 that

00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:43.919
 resurrection

00:17:43.919 --> 00:17:44.639
 brings

00:17:44.639 --> 00:17:45.599
 drain

00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:46.199
 from

00:17:46.199 --> 00:17:46.480
 your

00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:46.899
 soul.

00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:51.240
 There are

00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:51.439
 a lot

00:17:51.439 --> 00:17:52.019
 of things

00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:52.939
 that human

00:17:52.939 --> 00:17:53.799
 beings can

00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:54.419
 deal with

00:17:54.419 --> 00:17:54.799
 in their

00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:55.179
 lives.

00:17:55.619 --> 00:17:55.939
 We can

00:17:55.939 --> 00:17:56.500
 deal with

00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:56.859
 a lack

00:17:56.859 --> 00:17:57.460
 of dignity.

00:17:57.899 --> 00:17:58.179
 We can

00:17:58.179 --> 00:17:58.759
 deal with

00:17:58.759 --> 00:17:59.220
 a measure

00:17:59.220 --> 00:17:59.799
 of shame

00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:00.740
 but when

00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:01.319
 we lose

00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:01.779
 hope

00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:05.539
 it's our

00:18:05.539 --> 00:18:06.299
 last

00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:07.460
 resort.

00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:08.460
 hope

00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:10.900
 is our

00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:11.559
 resurrection

00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:12.360
 surely

00:18:12.360 --> 00:18:13.819
 means that

00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:14.600
 we are

00:18:14.600 --> 00:18:15.180
 a people

00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:16.180
 of hope

00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:18.460
 and for

00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:19.259
 those people

00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:20.120
 for those

00:18:20.120 --> 00:18:20.579
 of us who

00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:21.420
 trust Christ

00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.079
 and his

00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:22.519
 death and

00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:23.120
 resurrection

00:18:23.120 --> 00:18:23.920
 for those

00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:24.380
 of us who

00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:25.039
 trust that

00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:25.920
 hope

00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:27.279
 is not

00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:27.960
 an abstract

00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:28.660
 idea.

00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:29.360
 It's not

00:18:29.360 --> 00:18:30.100
 like put

00:18:30.100 --> 00:18:30.620
 your hands

00:18:30.620 --> 00:18:31.100
 behind your

00:18:31.100 --> 00:18:31.500
 back and

00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:31.980
 cross your

00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:32.420
 fingers.

00:18:33.900 --> 00:18:34.759
 It's a

00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:35.559
 historical

00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.700
 reality.

00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:37.980
 The

00:18:37.980 --> 00:18:38.600
 resurrection

00:18:38.600 --> 00:18:39.500
 of Jesus

00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:40.279
 Christ from

00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:40.779
 the dead.

00:18:45.360 --> 00:18:46.120
 We have

00:18:46.120 --> 00:18:46.740
 never met

00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:48.279
 Jesus in

00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:48.900
 the flesh.

00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:50.460
 We have

00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:51.180
 not had the

00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:52.120
 experience of

00:18:52.120 --> 00:18:53.039
 Thomas who

00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.420
 could put

00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:55.319
 his fingers

00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:55.900
 in Jesus'

00:18:56.120 --> 00:18:56.799
 hands and

00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:57.299
 his hand

00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:57.980
 into Jesus'

00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:58.920
 side to

00:18:58.920 --> 00:18:59.299
 have his

00:18:59.299 --> 00:19:00.000
 curiosity

00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:00.980
 satisfied.

00:19:02.100 --> 00:19:02.640
 No,

00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:03.299
 for us,

00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:04.600
 belief in the

00:19:04.600 --> 00:19:05.400
 resurrection is

00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:06.200
 likely to be a

00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:07.180
 gentle and

00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:07.920
 undramatic

00:19:07.920 --> 00:19:09.960
 realization that

00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:11.440
 he is

00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:12.440
 alive.

00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:16.500
 And all

00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:18.440
 this would

00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:19.560
 be impossible

00:19:19.560 --> 00:19:22.279
 if it wasn't

00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:23.320
 for this very

00:19:23.320 --> 00:19:24.960
 profound truth

00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:27.660
 that the same

00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:28.720
 spirit which

00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.940
 animated Jesus'

00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:31.240
 corpse and

00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:32.000
 allowed him to

00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.920
 walk out of the

00:19:32.920 --> 00:19:33.700
 tomb is the

00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.860
 same spirit that's

00:19:34.859 --> 00:19:35.500
 in this church

00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:36.159
 this morning.

00:19:37.719 --> 00:19:38.740
 It's the same

00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.639
 spirit that wants

00:19:39.639 --> 00:19:40.599
 to give you

00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:42.019
 real assistance

00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:43.119
 in living the

00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:44.439
 risen life.

00:19:45.959 --> 00:19:46.979
 It's the very

00:19:46.979 --> 00:19:48.579
 same spirit that

00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:49.559
 can convict you

00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.779
 of your sin and

00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:51.719
 make you repent

00:19:51.719 --> 00:19:52.459
 and come to

00:19:52.459 --> 00:19:53.399
 Christ afresh

00:19:53.399 --> 00:19:56.259
 and start to

00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:57.079
 live the life

00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:58.479
 that he has

00:19:58.479 --> 00:19:59.079
 for you.

00:19:59.079 --> 00:20:00.939
 not some

00:20:00.939 --> 00:20:02.480
 imaginary fantasy

00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:03.199
 of life which

00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:03.799
 is what you

00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:04.539
 want but

00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:04.859
 no,

00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:06.159
 the life that

00:20:06.159 --> 00:20:06.639
 he, the

00:20:06.639 --> 00:20:07.279
 maker of the

00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:08.139
 heavens and

00:20:08.139 --> 00:20:09.199
 the earth and

00:20:09.199 --> 00:20:10.159
 all that therein

00:20:10.159 --> 00:20:11.039
 is has for

00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:11.339
 you.

00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:15.379
 I want to

00:20:15.379 --> 00:20:17.799
 end with a

00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:18.379
 remarkable

00:20:18.379 --> 00:20:19.559
 encounter I

00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:20.679
 had about

00:20:20.679 --> 00:20:21.699
 six weeks ago

00:20:21.699 --> 00:20:22.599
 when I was in

00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:23.799
 Houston doing a

00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.619
 week of teaching

00:20:24.619 --> 00:20:25.599
 and preaching

00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:26.279
 out there.

00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:28.679
 The rector had

00:20:28.679 --> 00:20:29.459
 written to me in

00:20:29.459 --> 00:20:30.000
 advance, he

00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.419
 wasn't going to

00:20:30.419 --> 00:20:30.899
 be there and

00:20:30.899 --> 00:20:31.899
 said, would I

00:20:31.899 --> 00:20:32.859
 turn up at some

00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:33.759
 women's meeting?

00:20:36.199 --> 00:20:36.879
 He said, I

00:20:36.879 --> 00:20:37.519
 think it could be

00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.220
 quite good.

00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:39.079
 I'm like, well

00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:39.779
 that would be a

00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:40.639
 first for me.

00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:44.059
 So I went

00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:44.720
 along and

00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:46.879
 these upscale

00:20:46.879 --> 00:20:48.179
 wealthy

00:20:48.179 --> 00:20:49.939
 Houston women

00:20:49.939 --> 00:20:50.879
 in all their

00:20:50.879 --> 00:20:51.639
 glad racks

00:20:51.639 --> 00:20:52.500
 dressed to the

00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:54.399
 nines and

00:20:54.399 --> 00:20:57.299
 me and my

00:20:57.299 --> 00:20:58.220
 staff colleagues

00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:59.019
 at the church

00:20:59.019 --> 00:20:59.579
 in our

00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.799
 dog collars

00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:03.319
 and a lady

00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:03.980
 stood up.

00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:05.699
 Her name is

00:21:05.699 --> 00:21:06.759
 Jean Lakin.

00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.480
 She's a

00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:10.299
 Rwandan

00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:10.899
 national.

00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:13.579
 During the

00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:15.500
 troubles, she

00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:15.839
 was a

00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:17.099
 Tutsi and

00:21:17.099 --> 00:21:17.639
 you will know

00:21:17.639 --> 00:21:18.079
 that the

00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:19.839
 Hutus slaughtered

00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:21.000
 the Tutsis in

00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:21.899
 thousands.

00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:24.839
 She watched

00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:25.799
 while her own

00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.439
 mother and

00:21:26.439 --> 00:21:27.059
 father and

00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:27.659
 family were

00:21:27.659 --> 00:21:28.419
 butchered with

00:21:28.419 --> 00:21:31.039
 machetes, hid

00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:31.720
 in the bush,

00:21:32.119 --> 00:21:32.720
 was found,

00:21:32.879 --> 00:21:33.339
 was raped,

00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.000
 escaped,

00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:36.980
 was adopted by a

00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:37.839
 foster family who

00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:38.379
 took her to the

00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:39.940
 USA only to

00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:41.040
 discover that

00:21:41.040 --> 00:21:41.780
 the man in

00:21:41.780 --> 00:21:42.320
 the foster

00:21:42.320 --> 00:21:43.300
 home was a

00:21:43.300 --> 00:21:44.240
 sexual abuser.

00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:44.299
 father.

00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:58.559
 If I didn't know

00:21:58.559 --> 00:22:01.620
 Jesus Christ, I

00:22:01.620 --> 00:22:02.079
 could never

00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:02.740
 imagine how

00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.779
 anybody could get

00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.440
 past that.

00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:06.720
 And I'm

00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.420
 imagining that

00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:08.160
 sitting in church

00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:08.799
 this morning, a

00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:09.319
 number of you

00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:10.400
 thinking exactly the

00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:10.839
 same thing.

00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:11.939
 how does

00:22:11.939 --> 00:22:13.139
 anybody ever

00:22:13.139 --> 00:22:14.079
 get past that?

00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:18.379
 I have a book

00:22:18.379 --> 00:22:18.720
 here.

00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:21.919
 It's called A

00:22:21.919 --> 00:22:22.819
 Voice in the

00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.220
 Darkness.

00:22:25.139 --> 00:22:26.279
 This woman goes

00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:27.220
 around the world

00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:29.859
 and talks to

00:22:29.859 --> 00:22:31.740
 people about

00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.279
 forgiveness.

00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:35.720
 Let me ask you

00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:36.199
 a question.

00:22:38.199 --> 00:22:38.779
 Do you think

00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.220
 that's the

00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:39.939
 risen life?

00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:40.579
 Because I

00:22:40.579 --> 00:22:41.319
 sure as heck

00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:41.639
 do.

00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:44.460
 For those of

00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:44.860
 you sitting

00:22:44.860 --> 00:22:45.280
 there this

00:22:45.280 --> 00:22:45.720
 morning who

00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.280
 got stuff

00:22:46.280 --> 00:22:46.600
 that you

00:22:46.600 --> 00:22:47.060
 can't get

00:22:47.060 --> 00:22:47.920
 past, that

00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:48.660
 must surely

00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.060
 be an

00:22:49.060 --> 00:22:49.580
 encouragement.

00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:50.560
 Things could

00:22:50.560 --> 00:22:52.020
 not go much

00:22:52.020 --> 00:22:53.140
 worse in life

00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:53.880
 for any human

00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:54.700
 being than

00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.280
 they did for

00:22:55.280 --> 00:22:55.860
 poor Jean

00:22:55.860 --> 00:22:56.600
 Lakin.

00:23:00.540 --> 00:23:01.320
 You can get

00:23:01.320 --> 00:23:01.900
 this book.

00:23:02.300 --> 00:23:02.880
 You can read

00:23:02.880 --> 00:23:03.480
 about it.

00:23:05.820 --> 00:23:06.580
 She wrote

00:23:06.580 --> 00:23:07.200
 in the cover

00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.860
 to Mike and

00:23:08.860 --> 00:23:09.500
 Anthea,

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:11.180
 God is

00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:11.839
 your light

00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:12.640
 in the

00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:13.059
 darkness.

00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:15.359
 He is

00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:16.079
 your strength.

00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.480
 Listen to

00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:22.640
 me.

00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.079
 Some of you

00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:25.680
 are struggling

00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.579
 with fear.

00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:28.920
 Some of you

00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:29.839
 are struggling

00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.940
 with confusion.

00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:33.359
 Some of you

00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:33.680
 are just

00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:34.420
 struggling with

00:23:34.420 --> 00:23:35.079
 some basic

00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:35.640
 stuff like

00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:36.119
 paying the

00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:36.859
 bills in

00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:37.539
 your house.

00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:42.599
 some of you

00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:43.440
 are angry.

00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.480
 Some of you

00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:46.519
 feel shame.

00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:48.259
 And you

00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:48.879
 can't feel

00:23:48.879 --> 00:23:49.399
 any of that

00:23:49.399 --> 00:23:49.920
 stuff and

00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:50.339
 live the

00:23:50.339 --> 00:23:50.960
 risen life.

00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:51.619
 And this

00:23:51.619 --> 00:23:52.680
 morning, God

00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.240
 in the power

00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:53.740
 of His Holy

00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:56.440
 Spirit wants

00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.220
 to speak in

00:23:57.220 --> 00:24:01.319
 your ear and

00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:02.039
 think again.

00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:04.039
 God

00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:05.039
 will

00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:05.680
 be

00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:06.039
 alive.

00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:06.899
 And if you

00:24:06.899 --> 00:24:07.099
 ever struggle

00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:07.700
 believing some

00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.240
 of the stuff

00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:08.920
 in the Bible,

00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:11.480
 then here is

00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.519
 a historic,

00:24:12.920 --> 00:24:14.019
 concrete example

00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:15.319
 of the 21st

00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:15.759
 century.

00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:19.740
 She's alive.

00:24:20.859 --> 00:24:21.960
 Not just

00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:22.920
 physically alive,

00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:23.920
 but alive in

00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:24.819
 God and alive

00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:25.539
 in His Holy

00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:26.019
 Spirit.

00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:28.839
 I want to ask

00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:29.159
 you this

00:24:29.159 --> 00:24:29.639
 question.

00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:32.280
 who wouldn't

00:24:32.280 --> 00:24:32.960
 want that?

00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:35.620
 I cannot

00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:36.720
 believe that

00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.500
 any of you

00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.780
 would say

00:24:38.780 --> 00:24:39.140
 no.

00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:42.200
 Jack

00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:42.640
 Hayford,

00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:43.420
 that guy

00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:43.880
 that wrote

00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:44.500
 that worship

00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.080
 song we

00:24:45.080 --> 00:24:45.660
 used to sing

00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.580
 in the 90s,

00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.620
 Majesty,

00:24:47.800 --> 00:24:48.520
 anybody remember

00:24:48.520 --> 00:24:48.840
 that?

00:24:50.180 --> 00:24:50.540
 Jack

00:24:50.540 --> 00:24:51.200
 Hayford said

00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:51.600
 once,

00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:52.640
 I heard him

00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:53.320
 preach a sermon,

00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:53.680
 he said,

00:24:54.040 --> 00:24:55.320
 nothing messes

00:24:55.320 --> 00:24:56.240
 up a graveyard

00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:57.460
 like resurrections.

00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:02.780
 And nothing,

00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:05.920
 nothing messes

00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:06.720
 up your life

00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:07.380
 in Christ

00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:09.340
 if you're

00:25:09.340 --> 00:25:09.900
 trying to do

00:25:09.900 --> 00:25:12.000
 it without

00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:13.520
 believing that

00:25:13.520 --> 00:25:14.780
 Jesus is raised

00:25:14.780 --> 00:25:15.500
 from the dead.

00:25:16.580 --> 00:25:17.259
 And you need

00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:18.000
 to set your

00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:19.080
 minds on the

00:25:19.080 --> 00:25:19.720
 things above.

00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:20.520
 And you need

00:25:20.520 --> 00:25:21.220
 to set your

00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:22.060
 hearts on the

00:25:22.060 --> 00:25:22.720
 things above.

00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:22.779
 life.

00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:26.279
 Because there

00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.079
 is light

00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:28.059
 in the

00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:28.480
 darkness.

00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:30.620
 And it

00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:31.000
 can be

00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:31.460
 yours.

00:25:32.380 --> 00:25:32.720
 And it

00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:33.079
 can be

00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:33.460
 mine.

00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:34.819
 And we

00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:35.339
 need it.

00:25:36.100 --> 00:25:36.799
 In the name

00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:37.279
 of God,

00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:37.779
 Father,

00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:38.380
 Son,

00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:39.360
 and Holy

00:25:39.360 --> 00:25:39.819
 Spirit.

00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:41.299
 Amen.

00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:46.779
 I want to

00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.480
 invite you,

00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:48.960
 if you

00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:50.460
 feel

00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:52.159
 that God

00:25:52.159 --> 00:25:52.799
 has spoken

00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:53.399
 to you

00:25:53.399 --> 00:25:54.119
 this morning,

00:25:54.599 --> 00:25:55.139
 I would like

00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:55.680
 you just to

00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:56.359
 stand up now

00:25:56.359 --> 00:25:56.740
 please,

00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.279
 if you would.

00:25:58.039 --> 00:25:58.779
 Don't be shy,

00:25:58.899 --> 00:25:59.399
 just get up,

00:25:59.460 --> 00:25:59.740
 get up,

00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:00.180
 get up.

00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:01.500
 Thank you.

00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:02.740
 Thank you.

00:26:04.139 --> 00:26:04.859
 You want to

00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:05.359
 live that

00:26:05.359 --> 00:26:06.240
 risen life

00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:07.319
 that Christ

00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:07.839
 has for you,

00:26:07.899 --> 00:26:08.539
 get up now

00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.579
 and I'll

00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:10.220
 pray for you.

00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.539
 I'm not going

00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.220
 to humiliate

00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:11.779
 you in any

00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.400
 way whatsoever.

00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.380
 Let the

00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:17.079
 Holy Spirit

00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:17.900
 whisper in

00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:18.460
 your ear.

00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.360
 This is

00:26:25.360 --> 00:26:26.079
 such a big

00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:26.420
 deal,

00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:26.940
 friends.

00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:28.900
 Such a

00:26:28.900 --> 00:26:29.380
 big deal.

00:26:30.819 --> 00:26:31.579
 Father God,

00:26:31.640 --> 00:26:32.200
 I pray for

00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:32.799
 these people

00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.360
 who got up

00:26:33.360 --> 00:26:33.740
 on their

00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.500
 legs and

00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:37.380
 want to

00:26:37.380 --> 00:26:38.539
 commit

00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.059
 themselves

00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:39.680
 again to

00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.180
 that risen

00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:40.460
 life,

00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.039
 maybe some

00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:41.380
 for the

00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:42.100
 first time

00:26:42.100 --> 00:26:42.420
 Lord.

00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:45.900
 I want to

00:26:45.900 --> 00:26:46.220
 pay for

00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:46.740
 people in

00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:47.299
 the house

00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:48.700
 who are

00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.160
 fearful,

00:26:49.360 --> 00:26:49.580
 who are

00:26:49.580 --> 00:26:50.000
 angry,

00:26:50.120 --> 00:26:50.480
 who feel

00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.000
 shame,

00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:54.400
 who feel

00:26:54.400 --> 00:26:54.840
 all these

00:26:54.840 --> 00:26:55.400
 negative

00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:56.380
 emotions that

00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:57.000
 can get in

00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.440
 the way

00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:59.160
 of who we

00:26:59.160 --> 00:27:00.060
 are in

00:27:00.060 --> 00:27:00.539
 the risen

00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:01.100
 Christ.

00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:05.519
 Lord,

00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:07.160
 would you

00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:07.900
 open our

00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:08.519
 hearts in

00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.359
 new ways

00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:11.220
 to receive

00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.059
 your truth,

00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:13.980
 to know

00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.759
 your grace

00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.240
 and your

00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:15.779
 forgiveness.

00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.879
 But Lord,

00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.420
 help us

00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:19.799
 please to

00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.139
 know the

00:27:20.139 --> 00:27:20.619
 power of

00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:21.139
 your Holy

00:27:21.139 --> 00:27:21.579
 Spirit.

00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:24.099
 Lord,

00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:24.839
 because we

00:27:24.839 --> 00:27:25.400
 know that

00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:25.920
 you want to

00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:26.639
 change us

00:27:26.639 --> 00:27:27.119
 from the

00:27:27.119 --> 00:27:28.099
 inside out.

00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.440
 Come,

00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.119
 Holy Spirit,

00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:31.480
 now.

00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:33.599
 Fill your

00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:34.019
 people.

00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:35.319
 Heal your

00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:35.719
 people.

00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.000
 Lord,

00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:37.319
 that we

00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:38.059
 may be

00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:39.659
 followers of

00:27:39.659 --> 00:27:40.159
 the risen

00:27:40.159 --> 00:27:41.159
 Jesus Christ.

00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:41.879
 And the

00:27:41.879 --> 00:27:42.259
 people who

00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:42.859
 agreed said

00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:43.299
 together,

00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:44.759
 Amen.

00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.399
 Amen.

00:27:45.899 --> 00:27:46.419
 Amen.