WEBVTT

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 Please take your Bibles and open them up this morning to the book of 2 Corinthians.

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 2 Corinthians.

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 And as we look forward to officially constituting as a church family,

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 we are walking through our mission and vision for the church.

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 And so two weeks ago we sought to understand our mission as a church,

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 which is we exist to magnify the glory of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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 And the vision, the how, how do we plan to go about that great mission is threefold.

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 So we saw last week from Psalm 34, 3, the first way we plan to magnify the glory of God is to enjoy Him together.

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 Lord willing, next week we'll gather and we'll hear the third part, which is that we plan to evangelize the lost.

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 And this morning from 2 Corinthians, we'll see that we plan to magnify the glory of God by equipping the saints,

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 by equipping the saints to reflect God's glory together.

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 So if you would, your Bibles open to 2 Corinthians chapter 3.

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 We're going to be just in verse 18 this morning.

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 2 Corinthians 3 verse 18.

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 Bible's open if you just follow along with me as I read.

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 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,

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 are being transformed into the same image, from one degree of glory to another.

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 For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

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 Amen. This is the word of the Lord.

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 Would you please pray with me?

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 Father, we thank you for this word.

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 We thank you for your power of transformation at work in those who believe.

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 We pray even now as we open up this word that you would do that in us.

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 We pray this in Christ's name.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Well, it has come to my attention that I have failed you in a very important area.

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 Of your discipleship.

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 During the past week, we had a couple from the church over for dinner.

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 I won't tell you who.

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 And they mentioned that they were in their 23rd year of marriage.

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 To which I responded, was their Jordan year.

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 And I thought that this was an obvious reference.

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 But my reference was met with a confused look.

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 And so I had to explain.

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 I was, of course, referring to Michael Jordan.

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 The undisputable greatest basketball player of all time.

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 Who wore number 23 in his tenure with the Chicago Bulls.

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 And then later with the Washington Wizards.

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 Although we don't need to talk as much about those years.

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 You all, I'm sure, are at least somewhat familiar with the legend of Michael Jordan.

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 When I say that name, I know that you know at least who I'm talking about.

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 14-time All-Star.

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 5-time MVP.

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 Defensive Player of the Year.

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 And, of course, 6 for 6 in the NBA Finals.

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 6 championship rings.

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 But, in my opinion, one of Michael Jordan's greatest accomplishments is that he is listed at 6 feet 6 inches tall.

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 You may not know this.

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 You can fact check me later.

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 Nobody in his immediate family was taller than 6 feet tall.

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 Michael Jordan's father, James Jordan, was 5 foot 9.

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 Dolores, his mother, was only 5 foot 5.

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 Even his brother, Larry, who Michael himself said could have been a better basketball player than him,

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 only grew to be 5 foot 8.

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 But, Michael Jordan, 6 foot 6.

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 He was determined to grow.

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 So, legend has it that he would come home every day after school,

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 hang up his arms from the monkey bars every day,

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 just try to let gravity do its work to stretch him out and grow as much as he possibly could.

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 His mother, Dolores, would tell him to pour salt in his shoes every single night

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 and say a prayer over them that he might grow.

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 And so he did, every night, pour salt in his shoes.

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 And I can't say exactly what made it happen,

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 but sure enough, inch by inch,

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 Michael began to grow.

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 By his sophomore year of high school,

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 he had grown to 5 foot 11.

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 By the next summer, he had grown 4 more inches to 6 foot 3,

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 and then ultimately growing 3 more inches to an NBA-worthy height of 6 foot 6 inches tall.

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 This morning, we are considering again

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 how we plan to magnify the glory of God together.

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 And what Paul tells us here in 2 Corinthians is that

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 we magnify his glory by growing up into him

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 so that we might reflect his glory.

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 And this is the type of growth that we're aiming for together as a church.

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 Of course, we want to grow numerically.

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 We want more people gathering here to worship alongside us,

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 but that's not our primary target.

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 Our primary target is growth in maturity.

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 It is growth in Christ-likeness.

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 It's growth that each of us individually and all of us corporately

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 would grow to reflect the glory of God.

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 And this is, I believe, the charge that Paul gives to pastors

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 in Ephesians chapter 4.

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 This, I hope, is a familiar passage to you by now,

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 but Paul says,

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 He, Christ, gave the shepherds and teachers, that is the pastors,

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 to equip the saints, that's you, for the work of ministry.

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 What's that?

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 For building up the body of Christ

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 until we all attain to the unity of the faith

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 and of the knowledge of the Son of God

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 to mature manhood

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 to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

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 That's the target.

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 That's what we're aiming for.

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 And so the question that I want to ask this morning is,

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 how do we get there?

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 How do we grow up together to reflect the glory of God?

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 So here in our passage, 2 Corinthians 3, verse 18,

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 this morning,

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 Paul gives us three essential truths for spiritual growth.

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 Three essential truths for spiritual growth.

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 If you're a note taker,

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 this is our outline this morning.

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 It'll help you to follow along

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 three essential truths for spiritual growth.

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 First, is that spiritual growth requires spiritual sight.

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 Spiritual growth requires spiritual sight.

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 This is the prerequisite for spiritual growth.

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 Look here to our verse again.

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 Paul says in verse 18,

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 he says,

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 We all with unveiled face,

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 beholding the glory of the Lord,

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 are being transformed.

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 So not we all, period.

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 Everyone, everywhere.

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 Not we all who regularly attend church

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 and come and sit in the same place

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 and sing the same songs.

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 Not we all who look the same

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 and act the same

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 and think the same

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 and vote the same.

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 What does he say?

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 We all with unveiled face.

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 The prerequisite for you to grow spiritually,

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 to be transformed,

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 to reflect the glory of God,

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 is that you have had the veil removed

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 from over your face

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 so that you can see the glory of God

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 in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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 Look there to verse 13.

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 Verse 13.

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 To better understand what he's saying here,

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 we need to understand the context of this passage.

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 So Paul says here in verse 13,

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 he says,

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 Moses would put a veil over his face

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 so that the Israelites might not gaze

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 at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.

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 But their minds were hardened.

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 For to this day,

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 when they read the old covenant,

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 that same veil remains unlifted

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 because only through Christ is it taken away.

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 Yes, to this day,

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 whenever Moses is read,

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 a veil lies over their hearts.

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 Paul is referring to the passage

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 that was read here earlier this morning

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 from Exodus chapter 34.

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 And this was a passage

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 that would have been familiar

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 from the Old Testament

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 to anyone who was familiar,

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 had a working knowledge of the scriptures

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 there in Corinth.

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 Moses went up to the top of the mountain

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 on Mount Sinai

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 to meet with the Lord.

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 He received the words of the Old Covenant,

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 the Ten Commandments on the tablet.

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 And when he came out of the presence of the Lord,

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 you remember what happened to his face?

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 It shone.

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 It glowed.

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 He had been in the presence of the glory of God.

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 And his face radiated,

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 so much so that he had to put a veil

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 over his face

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 so that the people could look at him

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 and hear and receive and listen

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 to the words of the covenant.

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 He had to veil it

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 because it was too much for them to behold.

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 But here in 2 Corinthians,

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 Paul gives another reason

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 why Moses wore that veil.

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 Look there again.

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 So verse 13,

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 he says,

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 Moses put a veil over his face

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 so that the Israelites

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 might not gaze at the outcome

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 of what was being brought to an end.

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 In other words,

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 that shining, radiant face of Moses,

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 it didn't stay that way forever.

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 It was going away.

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 It faded with time.

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 It had momentary glory,

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 but then it was normal again.

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 Paul's primary point here

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 is to say that this is the outcome

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 of the old covenant.

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 It had a type of glory for a time.

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 It had a type of purpose.

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 It served its purpose,

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 but it was fading.

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 It was going away.

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 Its purpose was coming to an end.

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 And so Paul says there in verse 11,

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 if what was being brought to an end

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 came with glory,

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 much more will what is permanent

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 have glory,

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 namely the new covenant,

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 the work of God

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 and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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 But there's a problem.

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 There's a problem.

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 This new covenant is far greater,

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 far more glorious,

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 far better,

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 but the problem here for the Jews

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 was they can't see it.

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 Verse 14,

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 he says,

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 their minds were hardened

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 for to this day

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 in Paul's day,

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 hundreds and hundreds of years later,

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 to this day,

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 when they read the old covenant,

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 that same veil

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 remains unlifted.

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 They cannot see

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 the glory of God

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 in the gospel of Christ.

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 They can't behold it.

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 Their minds are hardened

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 and their hearts are veiled.

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 See, this veil,

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 we need to see,

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 is a metaphor

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 for spiritual blindness.

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 This veil is a metaphor

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 for spiritual blindness.

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 But that's not just a problem

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 for the Jews, is it?

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 This should sober us,

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 church,

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 that the Jews

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 who were so close

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 to the presence

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 of God,

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 so familiar

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 with His acts

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 in history,

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 so culturally

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 and traditionally

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 and very intimately

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 rooted in Him

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 and in His Word,

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 were blind

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 to the glory

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 of God.

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 How can this be?

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 We would be wise

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 to note

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 here this morning

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 that spiritual sight

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 is not an issue

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 of familiarity.

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 Spiritual sight

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 is not an issue

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 of familiarity.

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 Who is more familiar

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 with the Word of God

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 than the people

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 of God?

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 Yet a veil

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 lay over their hearts

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 to keep them

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 from seeing.

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 And you

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 may know the Scriptures

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 inside and out,

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 frontwards and back,

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 may have studied it

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 time and time again,

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 sat under a million sermons

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 and yet are blind.

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 Do not mistake

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 familiarity

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 with the Scriptures,

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 with faith

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 in Christ.

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 We would be wise

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 to note that

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 spiritual sight

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 is not an issue

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 of heritage

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 or of physical lineage.

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 The Jews believed

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 that because

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 they were physical

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 descendants

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 of Abraham,

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 they were in the line

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 of Abraham,

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 that they were right

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 with God.

00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:44.840
 They belonged to Him.

00:13:44.919 --> 00:13:46.340
 They were in the covenant.

00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:47.079
 But Paul says

00:13:47.079 --> 00:13:47.819
 that covenant

00:13:47.819 --> 00:13:49.220
 has been fulfilled,

00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:51.199
 swallowed up

00:13:51.199 --> 00:13:53.220
 by a greater covenant,

00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:54.539
 a new covenant,

00:13:54.759 --> 00:13:56.519
 but they can't see it.

00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:57.799
 They were blind.

00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:00.360
 Maybe it is that

00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:02.559
 you have a believing

00:14:02.559 --> 00:14:03.379
 mother,

00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:05.480
 believing father,

00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:06.139
 grandmother,

00:14:06.340 --> 00:14:06.919
 grandfather,

00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:08.600
 who raised you

00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:09.220
 in the word,

00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:10.139
 shared the gospel

00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:10.700
 with you,

00:14:10.820 --> 00:14:11.879
 brought you to church,

00:14:12.060 --> 00:14:12.639
 loved you,

00:14:12.779 --> 00:14:14.379
 was a man or woman

00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:15.100
 of the faith.

00:14:15.180 --> 00:14:15.920
 If that's you,

00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:17.379
 then praise God,

00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:18.320
 but take note,

00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:20.899
 spiritual sight

00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:22.120
 cannot be inherited

00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:24.080
 by blood.

00:14:25.700 --> 00:14:26.779
 Do not mistake

00:14:26.779 --> 00:14:28.259
 physical lineage

00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:30.399
 for spiritual life.

00:14:30.920 --> 00:14:32.460
 You must be born again

00:14:32.460 --> 00:14:33.639
 of the Spirit.

00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:36.879
 We would be wise

00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.700
 to note

00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:39.860
 that spiritual sight

00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:40.620
 is not an issue

00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:41.539
 of proximity

00:14:41.539 --> 00:14:43.179
 to the truth.

00:14:45.439 --> 00:14:45.980
 Do you ever wonder

00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:47.439
 what it was like

00:14:47.439 --> 00:14:47.960
 for the Jews

00:14:47.960 --> 00:14:48.740
 to be there

00:14:48.740 --> 00:14:49.439
 at the foot

00:14:49.439 --> 00:14:50.259
 of the mountain

00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:50.980
 and to know

00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:52.159
 that right up there

00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:52.860
 at the top

00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:54.220
 was the presence

00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:55.379
 of the glory of God?

00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:56.840
 And to know

00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:58.000
 that if I so much

00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:58.879
 as come near

00:14:58.879 --> 00:14:59.860
 the foot of that mountain

00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:00.539
 and touch it

00:15:00.539 --> 00:15:01.200
 with the point

00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:02.059
 of my finger,

00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:02.879
 I would be

00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:04.460
 just obliterated.

00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:06.960
 They were so near

00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:08.120
 to the presence

00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:08.700
 of God,

00:15:08.820 --> 00:15:09.840
 but yet they were

00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:12.300
 blind to His glory

00:15:12.300 --> 00:15:13.200
 for all of their

00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:14.360
 practices,

00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:15.400
 all of their

00:15:15.400 --> 00:15:16.259
 obedience,

00:15:16.560 --> 00:15:16.960
 all of their

00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:18.060
 religious culture.

00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:18.680
 Sadly,

00:15:19.180 --> 00:15:20.280
 so many of them

00:15:20.280 --> 00:15:21.940
 did not know

00:15:21.940 --> 00:15:22.980
 the Lord,

00:15:23.080 --> 00:15:23.860
 and so it is,

00:15:23.920 --> 00:15:24.280
 I fear,

00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:24.920
 with many

00:15:24.920 --> 00:15:26.160
 self-professed

00:15:26.160 --> 00:15:26.840
 Christians.

00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:27.139
 Christians.

00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:29.780
 It's good

00:15:29.780 --> 00:15:30.940
 for us

00:15:30.940 --> 00:15:31.840
 to go to church.

00:15:33.080 --> 00:15:33.720
 It's good

00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:34.200
 for us

00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:34.800
 to be

00:15:34.800 --> 00:15:36.240
 in a community

00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:37.320
 of believers.

00:15:37.560 --> 00:15:38.160
 It's good

00:15:38.160 --> 00:15:38.560
 for us

00:15:38.560 --> 00:15:39.560
 to surround

00:15:39.560 --> 00:15:40.259
 ourselves

00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:41.519
 with Christian

00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:42.420
 influence,

00:15:42.580 --> 00:15:43.399
 surround ourselves

00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:44.280
 with the truth,

00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:45.399
 to be around

00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.080
 the faith,

00:15:46.680 --> 00:15:48.060
 but do not

00:15:48.060 --> 00:15:48.740
 mistake

00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:49.940
 spiritual

00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:50.720
 proximity

00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:52.060
 to spiritual

00:15:52.060 --> 00:15:53.100
 perception.

00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:55.540
 in order

00:15:55.540 --> 00:15:56.000
 for us

00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:56.820
 to grow

00:15:56.820 --> 00:15:57.639
 in the

00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:58.040
 Lord,

00:15:58.180 --> 00:15:58.800
 we must

00:15:58.800 --> 00:15:59.899
 behold

00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:01.060
 the Lord,

00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.379
 and in order

00:16:02.379 --> 00:16:02.700
 for us

00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:03.460
 to behold

00:16:03.460 --> 00:16:04.060
 Him,

00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:04.759
 the veil

00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:05.420
 must

00:16:05.420 --> 00:16:06.139
 come

00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:07.279
 off.

00:16:09.040 --> 00:16:09.879
 Those of us

00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:11.060
 who know

00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:11.639
 the Lord

00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:12.720
 know exactly

00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:13.360
 what I'm talking

00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:13.580
 about,

00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:13.980
 don't you?

00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:15.420
 You know

00:16:15.420 --> 00:16:16.019
 exactly what

00:16:16.019 --> 00:16:16.420
 I'm talking

00:16:16.420 --> 00:16:16.600
 about.

00:16:16.659 --> 00:16:17.040
 I've heard

00:16:17.040 --> 00:16:17.360
 so many

00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:17.600
 of your

00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:18.220
 testimonies

00:16:18.220 --> 00:16:18.500
 over the

00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:19.399
 past few

00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:19.899
 weeks

00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:20.600
 and months,

00:16:20.680 --> 00:16:20.899
 and for

00:16:20.899 --> 00:16:21.580
 many of you

00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:22.000
 there was

00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:23.160
 this clear

00:16:23.160 --> 00:16:23.800
 moment

00:16:23.800 --> 00:16:24.020
 when,

00:16:24.160 --> 00:16:24.440
 for lack

00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:25.400
 of a better

00:16:25.400 --> 00:16:25.860
 phrase,

00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:26.360
 you just,

00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.400
 you got it.

00:16:28.020 --> 00:16:28.639
 The lights

00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.820
 just came on.

00:16:29.920 --> 00:16:30.440
 Somebody shared

00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:30.940
 the gospel

00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:31.540
 with you,

00:16:31.680 --> 00:16:32.460
 you read

00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:33.020
 your Bible,

00:16:33.160 --> 00:16:33.580
 you heard

00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:34.220
 a message,

00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:35.000
 maybe you

00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:35.520
 were familiar

00:16:35.520 --> 00:16:36.160
 with the truth

00:16:36.160 --> 00:16:36.800
 for a long

00:16:36.800 --> 00:16:37.180
 time,

00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:37.520
 maybe you

00:16:37.520 --> 00:16:37.800
 had gone

00:16:37.800 --> 00:16:38.280
 to church

00:16:38.280 --> 00:16:38.600
 for your

00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:39.440
 whole life,

00:16:39.540 --> 00:16:40.100
 but something

00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:40.800
 different

00:16:40.800 --> 00:16:41.560
 happened

00:16:41.560 --> 00:16:42.340
 inside of

00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:42.500
 you,

00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:43.600
 and you

00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:44.600
 saw the

00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:45.160
 worth of

00:16:45.160 --> 00:16:45.620
 Christ.

00:16:46.680 --> 00:16:47.259
 All of a

00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:47.420
 sudden,

00:16:47.580 --> 00:16:48.360
 you saw

00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:49.040
 the goodness

00:16:49.040 --> 00:16:49.879
 of God,

00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:50.620
 you saw

00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.440
 your need

00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:52.679
 for salvation,

00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:53.419
 you saw

00:16:53.419 --> 00:16:54.240
 the sufficiency

00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:55.200
 of Christ

00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:56.279
 to save

00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:56.740
 you from

00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:57.179
 your sin.

00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:58.000
 What happened

00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:59.139
 was God

00:16:59.139 --> 00:17:00.340
 took off

00:17:00.340 --> 00:17:01.120
 the veil.

00:17:02.279 --> 00:17:03.379
 He removed

00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.240
 the veil

00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:05.279
 to allow

00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:06.180
 you to

00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:07.319
 see the

00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:07.920
 glory of

00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:08.480
 God in

00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:09.039
 the gospel

00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:10.319
 of Jesus

00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:10.900
 Christ.

00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:11.359
 As Paul

00:17:11.359 --> 00:17:12.720
 says later,

00:17:12.880 --> 00:17:13.440
 God who

00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:13.839
 said,

00:17:14.119 --> 00:17:14.539
 let light

00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:15.559
 shine out

00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:16.299
 of darkness,

00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:17.220
 has shown

00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:17.700
 in our

00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:18.339
 hearts to

00:17:18.339 --> 00:17:19.319
 give the

00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:20.299
 light of

00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:20.500
 the

00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.119
 knowledge

00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:21.779
 of the

00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:22.259
 glory

00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:23.099
 of God

00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:23.939
 in the

00:17:23.939 --> 00:17:24.439
 face

00:17:24.439 --> 00:17:24.779
 of

00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:25.099
 Jesus

00:17:25.099 --> 00:17:25.859
 Christ.

00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:26.579
 He opened

00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:27.419
 your eyes

00:17:27.419 --> 00:17:28.859
 to see,

00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:29.240
 and with

00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:29.720
 your eyes

00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:30.500
 now open,

00:17:30.659 --> 00:17:32.059
 you began

00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:33.579
 to grow.

00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:36.559
 You know,

00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:36.839
 the most

00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:37.339
 important

00:17:37.339 --> 00:17:38.059
 question you

00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:38.500
 can ask

00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:38.939
 yourself

00:17:38.939 --> 00:17:40.159
 this morning

00:17:40.159 --> 00:17:41.759
 is,

00:17:41.919 --> 00:17:42.279
 do you

00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:42.859
 see the

00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:43.399
 glory of

00:17:43.399 --> 00:17:43.799
 God

00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:44.859
 in the

00:17:44.859 --> 00:17:45.220
 gospel?

00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:47.779
 do you

00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:48.380
 see it?

00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:50.360
 Can you

00:17:50.360 --> 00:17:50.980
 see the

00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:51.500
 worth

00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:53.000
 of Christ?

00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:53.360
 Not

00:17:53.360 --> 00:17:54.120
 physically,

00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:54.519
 with your

00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:54.839
 physical

00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:55.339
 eyes,

00:17:55.380 --> 00:17:55.700
 of course

00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:56.000
 not,

00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:56.940
 but spiritually,

00:17:57.180 --> 00:17:57.400
 truly,

00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:58.480
 do you

00:17:58.480 --> 00:17:59.779
 behold the

00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:00.480
 glory of

00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.039
 God and

00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:02.140
 love Him

00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:02.640
 and see

00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:03.460
 Him as

00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:04.140
 worthy of

00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:04.680
 your time,

00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:05.900
 worthy of

00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:06.779
 your worship,

00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:07.519
 worthy of

00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:08.559
 your life,

00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.100
 worthy of

00:18:09.100 --> 00:18:09.720
 your devotion?

00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:10.360
 We have

00:18:10.360 --> 00:18:10.940
 to start

00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:11.759
 here.

00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:12.559
 Can you

00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.299
 see it?

00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:15.079
 that's the

00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:16.359
 beginning of

00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:17.059
 spiritual

00:18:17.059 --> 00:18:18.119
 growth,

00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:19.159
 but what's

00:18:19.159 --> 00:18:19.960
 the end

00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:20.980
 of spiritual

00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:21.539
 growth?

00:18:22.379 --> 00:18:23.159
 What are we

00:18:23.159 --> 00:18:24.220
 growing towards?

00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:24.980
 What's the

00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:25.839
 end goal

00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:26.500
 here?

00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:27.039
 This is the

00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:27.940
 second essential

00:18:27.940 --> 00:18:28.559
 truth for

00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:29.440
 spiritual growth,

00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.720
 and it's that

00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:31.299
 second,

00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:32.720
 spiritual

00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.659
 growth

00:18:33.659 --> 00:18:34.960
 restores

00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:36.119
 the image

00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:37.299
 of God.

00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:41.099
 Spiritual

00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:41.759
 growth

00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:43.859
 restores

00:18:43.859 --> 00:18:45.379
 the image

00:18:45.379 --> 00:18:46.920
 of God.

00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:47.220
 Look there

00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:47.519
 to verse

00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.779
 18 again.

00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:50.299
 Paul says,

00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:50.839
 we all

00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:51.599
 with unveiled

00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:52.140
 face,

00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:53.079
 beholding the

00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:53.720
 glory of

00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.200
 the Lord,

00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:55.259
 are being

00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.099
 transformed

00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:56.960
 into

00:18:56.960 --> 00:18:58.539
 the same

00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:59.200
 image,

00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:00.400
 from one

00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:00.900
 degree of

00:19:00.900 --> 00:19:01.379
 glory

00:19:01.379 --> 00:19:02.839
 to another.

00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.019
 This

00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:05.019
 tells us

00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:05.720
 the goal,

00:19:05.859 --> 00:19:06.240
 the end

00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:06.799
 goal of

00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:07.240
 spiritual

00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:07.640
 growth,

00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.140
 doesn't it?

00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:08.599
 What is it?

00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:09.640
 It's to be

00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:10.379
 transformed

00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:12.300
 into the

00:19:12.300 --> 00:19:12.840
 same

00:19:12.840 --> 00:19:13.720
 image,

00:19:13.800 --> 00:19:14.220
 that is,

00:19:14.280 --> 00:19:14.900
 the image

00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:15.640
 of the

00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:16.060
 Lord.

00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:17.700
 Every

00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:18.860
 man,

00:19:19.100 --> 00:19:19.460
 every

00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:20.060
 woman,

00:19:20.260 --> 00:19:21.000
 every boy,

00:19:21.140 --> 00:19:21.640
 every girl,

00:19:21.760 --> 00:19:22.520
 every child,

00:19:22.520 --> 00:19:23.420
 from the

00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:24.180
 moment of

00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:24.920
 conception,

00:19:25.600 --> 00:19:26.440
 bears the

00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:27.760
 image of

00:19:27.760 --> 00:19:28.220
 God.

00:19:28.820 --> 00:19:29.420
 This is how we

00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:29.820
 were made.

00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:30.780
 This is what we

00:19:30.780 --> 00:19:31.180
 see in the

00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:31.700
 account of our

00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.480
 creation in

00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:33.240
 Genesis chapter

00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:33.660
 1.

00:19:33.820 --> 00:19:34.420
 God said,

00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:35.200
 let us make

00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:36.160
 man in

00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:37.580
 our own

00:19:37.580 --> 00:19:38.600
 image,

00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:40.519
 after our

00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.660
 likeness,

00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:43.500
 meaning we

00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.220
 were created

00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:45.560
 to mirror

00:19:45.560 --> 00:19:46.740
 or to

00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:48.200
 reflect the

00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:49.480
 glory of

00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:49.980
 God.

00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:51.600
 And so they

00:19:51.600 --> 00:19:52.380
 were instructed,

00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.420
 we were instructed

00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:54.360
 to fill the

00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:54.860
 earth and

00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:55.460
 subdue it,

00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:56.300
 to be fruitful

00:19:56.300 --> 00:19:57.360
 and multiply,

00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.300
 to fill the

00:19:58.300 --> 00:19:58.860
 earth with

00:19:58.860 --> 00:19:59.779
 little image

00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:00.420
 bearers,

00:20:01.100 --> 00:20:01.720
 which again

00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.860
 is on the

00:20:02.860 --> 00:20:03.560
 sanctity of

00:20:03.560 --> 00:20:04.120
 human life

00:20:04.120 --> 00:20:05.279
 Sunday is the

00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:06.559
 primary reason

00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:07.059
 that we

00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:07.839
 denounce the

00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:08.660
 horrors of

00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:09.160
 abortion.

00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:11.420
 We were made

00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:12.720
 to reflect

00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:13.660
 and to show

00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:14.259
 the world

00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.000
 what God

00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:15.700
 is like

00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:16.039
 in His

00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:17.200
 character,

00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.359
 in His

00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:18.799
 goodness,

00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:19.319
 in His

00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:20.319
 holiness,

00:20:20.639 --> 00:20:20.839
 in His

00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:22.539
 creativity,

00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:24.319
 in His reign

00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:25.119
 and His rule

00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:26.059
 over all

00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:26.639
 things.

00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:27.220
 We were made

00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:28.240
 to be like

00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:28.940
 God,

00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:30.339
 which is what

00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:30.899
 makes the

00:20:30.899 --> 00:20:31.700
 devil's

00:20:31.700 --> 00:20:32.399
 temptation

00:20:32.399 --> 00:20:33.200
 to Adam

00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:33.539
 and Eve

00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.339
 that much

00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:35.220
 more absurd.

00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:36.000
 doesn't it?

00:20:36.879 --> 00:20:37.200
 You remember

00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:37.420
 what He

00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:37.660
 said?

00:20:39.879 --> 00:20:40.759
 Eat this

00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:42.039
 fruit and

00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:42.440
 your eyes

00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:42.759
 will be

00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:45.000
 opened and

00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:45.480
 you will be

00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:46.119
 made like

00:20:46.119 --> 00:20:46.799
 God.

00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:48.779
 What

00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.180
 happened?

00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:51.139
 They ate

00:20:51.139 --> 00:20:52.899
 and their

00:20:52.899 --> 00:20:53.279
 eyes were

00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:53.720
 veiled.

00:20:55.160 --> 00:20:55.539
 And the

00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:56.079
 image of

00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:56.420
 God,

00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:56.779
 which they

00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:58.279
 already had,

00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:58.859
 though it

00:20:58.859 --> 00:20:59.599
 remained,

00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.460
 was now

00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:03.220
 marred and

00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:04.839
 broken and

00:21:04.839 --> 00:21:05.439
 tarnished

00:21:05.439 --> 00:21:07.099
 by sin.

00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:08.079
 All of us

00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:08.720
 come into

00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.299
 the world

00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:10.419
 with this

00:21:10.419 --> 00:21:11.480
 messed up,

00:21:11.699 --> 00:21:12.559
 sin-stained

00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:13.119
 image.

00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:14.179
 But here's the

00:21:14.179 --> 00:21:14.519
 thing,

00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:15.419
 when you are

00:21:15.419 --> 00:21:16.720
 reborn from

00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.819
 the Spirit,

00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:18.899
 reborn by the

00:21:18.899 --> 00:21:19.839
 grace of God,

00:21:19.919 --> 00:21:20.559
 the veil has

00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.359
 been removed,

00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:22.139
 the Spirit

00:21:22.139 --> 00:21:23.279
 gets to work

00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:24.179
 in you,

00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:25.839
 restoring the

00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:26.939
 image of

00:21:26.939 --> 00:21:27.419
 God.

00:21:27.420 --> 00:21:27.460
 God.

00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:29.080
 I want to

00:21:29.080 --> 00:21:30.519
 try to

00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.420
 reframe how

00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:31.860
 you think

00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:32.700
 about spiritual

00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:33.259
 growth.

00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:33.860
 If I can

00:21:33.860 --> 00:21:34.600
 try to do

00:21:34.600 --> 00:21:35.160
 that in our

00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:35.759
 time together

00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:36.240
 this morning,

00:21:36.320 --> 00:21:36.900
 I want you to

00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:37.460
 listen here.

00:21:37.900 --> 00:21:38.560
 Because some

00:21:38.560 --> 00:21:38.940
 of you,

00:21:39.060 --> 00:21:39.620
 when you hear

00:21:39.620 --> 00:21:41.220
 spiritual growth,

00:21:41.580 --> 00:21:42.080
 your mind

00:21:42.080 --> 00:21:43.200
 automatically goes

00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:44.519
 towards self-improvement.

00:21:45.840 --> 00:21:47.019
 Just being a

00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:47.840
 better version

00:21:47.840 --> 00:21:48.820
 of you.

00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:50.660
 It goes to

00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:51.860
 growing step

00:21:51.860 --> 00:21:52.580
 by step,

00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:54.080
 being improved,

00:21:54.320 --> 00:21:54.860
 being the better

00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:55.519
 version of

00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:55.980
 yourself.

00:21:56.139 --> 00:21:57.099
 You hear that

00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:57.480
 we want to

00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:58.559
 equip you to

00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.180
 do the work

00:21:59.180 --> 00:21:59.720
 of ministry,

00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:01.039
 and you hear

00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.900
 that we want

00:22:01.900 --> 00:22:02.379
 you just to

00:22:02.379 --> 00:22:03.019
 be your most

00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:04.660
 productive self.

00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:06.420
 If you go to

00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:07.180
 any bookstore,

00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:07.819
 just about any

00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:08.200
 bookstore,

00:22:08.359 --> 00:22:08.660
 go to the

00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:09.579
 Christian section,

00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:11.460
 which I strongly

00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:12.200
 advise you not

00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:12.680
 to do,

00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.279
 and you look

00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:15.200
 for a section

00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:16.000
 on spiritual

00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.519
 growth,

00:22:16.599 --> 00:22:16.980
 you'll probably

00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.680
 find a lot of

00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:18.480
 this same sort

00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.000
 of talk.

00:22:19.099 --> 00:22:19.879
 That's not

00:22:19.879 --> 00:22:20.900
 what we're

00:22:20.900 --> 00:22:21.599
 aiming for

00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:22.059
 here.

00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:23.759
 That's not

00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.480
 what this is.

00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.099
 I hope that

00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:26.920
 we see here,

00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.700
 Paul is showing

00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:28.139
 us there's

00:22:28.139 --> 00:22:29.319
 something much,

00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:30.240
 much bigger

00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:31.099
 at play

00:22:31.099 --> 00:22:32.519
 than merely

00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:33.299
 bettering

00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:34.079
 yourself,

00:22:35.139 --> 00:22:35.879
 than merely

00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:37.460
 self-improvement,

00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:38.240
 than merely

00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:39.500
 just working

00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.559
 on your flaws

00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:41.160
 and fixing

00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:42.700
 your mistakes.

00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:44.839
 Spiritual

00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:45.519
 growth

00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:47.900
 is transformation

00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:50.180
 into the

00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:51.359
 image of God.

00:22:51.359 --> 00:22:54.519
 spiritual growth

00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:56.519
 is transformation

00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:58.759
 into the

00:22:58.759 --> 00:23:00.639
 image of God.

00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.279
 It is the

00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:02.500
 work of God

00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.619
 in you

00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:04.659
 by His

00:23:04.659 --> 00:23:05.599
 Spirit to

00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:07.039
 restore the

00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:08.019
 image of God

00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:09.079
 that was dragged

00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:10.159
 through the mud

00:23:10.159 --> 00:23:11.719
 in the fall.

00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:13.979
 And this is the

00:23:13.979 --> 00:23:14.719
 plan of God

00:23:14.719 --> 00:23:16.219
 for all of us,

00:23:16.339 --> 00:23:17.219
 we all with

00:23:17.219 --> 00:23:18.279
 unveiled face,

00:23:18.399 --> 00:23:19.240
 all of us who

00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:20.200
 are in Christ.

00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:20.799
 Romans 8,

00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:21.740
 29 says,

00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:22.940
 for those whom

00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:23.759
 He foreknew,

00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:24.620
 He also

00:23:24.620 --> 00:23:26.140
 predestined to

00:23:26.140 --> 00:23:27.120
 be conformed

00:23:27.120 --> 00:23:27.779
 to the

00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:29.279
 image

00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:30.700
 of His

00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:31.579
 Son in order

00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:32.200
 that He might

00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:33.259
 be the firstborn

00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:34.240
 among many

00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:34.859
 brothers.

00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:36.140
 This is the

00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:36.940
 hope of all

00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:37.640
 of us who are

00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:38.539
 in Christ.

00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.440
 1 Corinthians

00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:40.220
 15,

00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:41.440
 49 says,

00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:42.920
 just as we

00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:43.480
 have borne

00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:43.960
 the image

00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:44.539
 of the man

00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:45.279
 of dust,

00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:46.240
 that's Adam,

00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.759
 we shall

00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:48.740
 also bear

00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.480
 the image

00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.440
 of the man

00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:51.580
 of heaven.

00:23:52.380 --> 00:23:52.799
 That's our

00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:53.240
 hope.

00:23:54.600 --> 00:23:54.740
 See,

00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:55.180
 doesn't that

00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:56.940
 reset the

00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:57.400
 standard,

00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.200
 doesn't it?

00:23:58.299 --> 00:23:59.320
 It resets

00:23:59.320 --> 00:24:00.180
 the paradigm.

00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:00.840
 We aren't just

00:24:00.840 --> 00:24:01.220
 trying to be

00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:02.000
 the best version

00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:02.759
 of ourselves,

00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.820
 we are aiming

00:24:03.820 --> 00:24:05.180
 to reflect

00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:06.180
 the glory

00:24:06.180 --> 00:24:07.340
 of God.

00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:07.640
 What does

00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:07.980
 He say?

00:24:08.080 --> 00:24:08.779
 Be holy

00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.519
 for what?

00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.019
 Help me.

00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:11.379
 For I am

00:24:11.379 --> 00:24:11.799
 holy.

00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:12.819
 What did

00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.500
 Jesus say

00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:13.859
 to His

00:24:13.859 --> 00:24:14.279
 followers?

00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:14.740
 You must

00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:16.160
 be perfect

00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:17.440
 as my

00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:17.720
 heavenly

00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.740
 Father is

00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.160
 perfect.

00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:19.680
 That's a

00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:21.039
 high standard

00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:22.119
 Christian.

00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:24.339
 But take

00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:25.079
 heart because

00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:25.900
 believer,

00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:26.480
 the power

00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:27.000
 for this

00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.579
 transformation

00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:28.980
 does not

00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:30.059
 come from

00:24:30.059 --> 00:24:30.759
 us.

00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.559
 It can't.

00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:34.180
 We can't

00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:34.619
 do it.

00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.259
 Paul says

00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.339
 this comes

00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:38.200
 from the

00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:38.660
 Lord

00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:40.200
 who is

00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:41.080
 the

00:24:41.080 --> 00:24:41.480
 Spirit.

00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:41.820
 You know,

00:24:41.860 --> 00:24:42.140
 there's a

00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:42.640
 word for

00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:43.100
 this,

00:24:43.560 --> 00:24:44.960
 big theological

00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.800
 word called

00:24:45.800 --> 00:24:47.040
 sanctification.

00:24:48.800 --> 00:24:49.519
 Sanctification.

00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.740
 Our statement

00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.340
 of faith

00:24:52.340 --> 00:24:53.800
 concerning

00:24:53.800 --> 00:24:54.860
 sanctification

00:24:54.860 --> 00:24:55.620
 says,

00:24:55.880 --> 00:24:57.340
 we believe

00:24:57.340 --> 00:24:58.300
 that sanctification

00:24:58.300 --> 00:24:59.240
 is the

00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:00.259
 process

00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:01.240
 by which

00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:01.800
 according to

00:25:01.800 --> 00:25:02.140
 the will

00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:02.680
 of God

00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:03.080
 and through

00:25:03.080 --> 00:25:03.519
 the power

00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:03.820
 of the

00:25:03.820 --> 00:25:04.200
 indwelling

00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.019
 Holy Spirit,

00:25:05.600 --> 00:25:06.300
 we are made

00:25:06.300 --> 00:25:07.060
 partakers

00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:07.700
 of His

00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:08.259
 holiness.

00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:10.059
 It is a

00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.980
 progressive

00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.960
 transformation

00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:13.359
 into the

00:25:13.359 --> 00:25:13.960
 image of

00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:14.440
 Christ

00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:15.419
 that has

00:25:15.419 --> 00:25:16.139
 begun in

00:25:16.139 --> 00:25:16.659
 regeneration

00:25:16.659 --> 00:25:17.419
 and is

00:25:17.419 --> 00:25:18.399
 carried on

00:25:18.399 --> 00:25:18.639
 in the

00:25:18.639 --> 00:25:19.059
 hearts of

00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.440
 believers

00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:19.859
 by the

00:25:19.859 --> 00:25:20.299
 work of

00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:20.679
 the Holy

00:25:20.679 --> 00:25:21.240
 Spirit

00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:22.119
 and the

00:25:22.119 --> 00:25:22.659
 continual

00:25:22.659 --> 00:25:23.159
 use of

00:25:23.159 --> 00:25:23.599
 spiritual

00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:24.279
 disciplines

00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:24.839
 including

00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:25.440
 especially

00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:27.139
 reading and

00:25:27.139 --> 00:25:27.599
 hearing the

00:25:27.599 --> 00:25:27.960
 word of

00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:28.339
 God,

00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.539
 the communion

00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:30.019
 of the

00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:30.460
 saints,

00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:32.399
 self-examination

00:25:32.399 --> 00:25:33.700
 and self-denial,

00:25:34.159 --> 00:25:34.659
 watchfulness,

00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:36.440
 and prayer.

00:25:36.580 --> 00:25:36.720
 Now,

00:25:37.800 --> 00:25:38.300
 did you hear

00:25:38.300 --> 00:25:38.600
 the same

00:25:38.600 --> 00:25:39.120
 key words

00:25:39.120 --> 00:25:39.380
 that I

00:25:39.380 --> 00:25:40.080
 heard when

00:25:40.080 --> 00:25:40.360
 I read

00:25:40.360 --> 00:25:40.600
 that?

00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:42.080
 Did you

00:25:42.080 --> 00:25:42.380
 hear those

00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:42.759
 same key

00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:43.120
 words?

00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:45.000
 Sanctification

00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:46.120
 is a

00:25:46.120 --> 00:25:47.360
 process.

00:25:48.300 --> 00:25:49.320
 It is a

00:25:49.320 --> 00:25:50.279
 progressive

00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:51.360
 transformation

00:25:51.360 --> 00:25:52.259
 into the

00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:52.580
 word,

00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:53.259
 into the

00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:54.200
 image of

00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:54.580
 Christ.

00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:54.980
 It is

00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.860
 begun in

00:25:55.860 --> 00:25:56.400
 regeneration

00:25:56.400 --> 00:25:57.180
 and is

00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:58.300
 carried on.

00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:58.580
 You hear

00:25:58.580 --> 00:25:59.140
 that language,

00:25:59.279 --> 00:25:59.600
 don't you?

00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:00.759
 In other

00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.200
 words,

00:26:01.300 --> 00:26:01.980
 it does

00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:03.080
 not happen

00:26:03.080 --> 00:26:03.840
 all at

00:26:03.840 --> 00:26:04.420
 once.

00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:06.300
 I'll tell

00:26:06.300 --> 00:26:06.600
 you what,

00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:07.040
 one of the

00:26:07.040 --> 00:26:08.540
 most frustrating

00:26:08.540 --> 00:26:09.519
 things about

00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:10.080
 the Christian

00:26:10.080 --> 00:26:10.480
 life,

00:26:10.560 --> 00:26:10.880
 some of the

00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:11.880
 most discouraging

00:26:11.880 --> 00:26:12.460
 at times

00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.259
 moments of

00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:14.380
 this spiritual

00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:14.980
 transformation

00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:15.860
 is that it

00:26:15.860 --> 00:26:16.620
 is not

00:26:16.620 --> 00:26:17.660
 instantaneous.

00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.420
 It's a

00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:19.920
 process.

00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:22.140
 We are,

00:26:22.340 --> 00:26:23.060
 as Paul

00:26:23.060 --> 00:26:23.480
 says,

00:26:23.800 --> 00:26:24.519
 being

00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:25.860
 transformed

00:26:25.860 --> 00:26:27.279
 from one

00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:27.779
 degree of

00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:29.000
 glory to

00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:30.240
 another.

00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:32.560
 I remember

00:26:32.560 --> 00:26:34.180
 growing up

00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:35.259
 we had

00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:35.960
 heating and

00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:36.799
 air conditioning,

00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.440
 I promise,

00:26:37.620 --> 00:26:38.100
 but you

00:26:38.100 --> 00:26:38.740
 might not

00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.299
 ever know

00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:39.500
 it.

00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:41.560
 My parents

00:26:41.560 --> 00:26:42.380
 were so

00:26:42.380 --> 00:26:43.340
 tight with

00:26:43.340 --> 00:26:44.019
 the thermostat.

00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:44.539
 We weren't

00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:44.980
 poor,

00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:45.600
 I promise

00:26:45.600 --> 00:26:45.860
 you,

00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:46.320
 but they

00:26:46.320 --> 00:26:47.299
 would say

00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:47.560
 that they

00:26:47.560 --> 00:26:47.840
 were just

00:26:47.840 --> 00:26:48.720
 being frugal,

00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:49.480
 and I just

00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:49.840
 knew that I

00:26:49.840 --> 00:26:50.480
 was cold.

00:26:52.060 --> 00:26:52.660
 Clark

00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:53.259
 Howard made

00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:53.900
 some recommendation

00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:54.440
 about the

00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:55.620
 ideal thermostat

00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:56.680
 reading,

00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:57.539
 and it became

00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:58.539
 law in my

00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:58.960
 house.

00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.900
 If I had

00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:00.519
 an opportunity

00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:01.100
 just to

00:27:01.100 --> 00:27:02.019
 sneak over

00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:02.600
 to the

00:27:02.600 --> 00:27:03.460
 thermostat and

00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.380
 adjust the

00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:04.980
 temperature,

00:27:05.620 --> 00:27:06.799
 even by just

00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.500
 a couple of

00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:07.880
 degrees,

00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:08.620
 I would take

00:27:08.620 --> 00:27:08.819
 it.

00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:10.660
 Maybe an

00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:11.380
 hour would

00:27:11.380 --> 00:27:11.920
 go by,

00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:12.340
 and I'd

00:27:12.340 --> 00:27:12.900
 sneak back

00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:13.620
 again if

00:27:13.620 --> 00:27:14.579
 the plan was

00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:14.960
 working,

00:27:15.120 --> 00:27:15.940
 and bump it

00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:16.440
 up another

00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:17.120
 degree,

00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:17.920
 maybe another

00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.620
 two degrees,

00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.480
 and eventually,

00:27:20.360 --> 00:27:21.299
 without them

00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:22.579
 noticing from

00:27:22.579 --> 00:27:23.640
 one degree of

00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:25.400
 temperature to

00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:25.860
 another,

00:27:25.859 --> 00:27:27.759
 the temperature

00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.299
 in the room

00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.119
 would change.

00:27:29.439 --> 00:27:30.159
 It had to be

00:27:30.159 --> 00:27:30.759
 degree by

00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.139
 degree,

00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:31.539
 otherwise,

00:27:31.859 --> 00:27:32.119
 if there's

00:27:32.119 --> 00:27:32.839
 just a sudden

00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:33.839
 fluctuation of

00:27:33.839 --> 00:27:34.240
 temperature,

00:27:34.399 --> 00:27:34.979
 the whole plan

00:27:34.979 --> 00:27:35.439
 would go out

00:27:35.439 --> 00:27:35.879
 the window,

00:27:36.099 --> 00:27:36.559
 and we'd be

00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:37.119
 right back

00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:38.159
 where we

00:27:38.159 --> 00:27:38.639
 started.

00:27:41.639 --> 00:27:42.159
 See,

00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:42.599
 if you are

00:27:42.599 --> 00:27:43.500
 in Christ,

00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.679
 if you have

00:27:45.679 --> 00:27:47.299
 had that veil

00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:48.559
 removed from

00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:49.500
 over your

00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:49.859
 heart,

00:27:49.939 --> 00:27:50.419
 then you can

00:27:50.419 --> 00:27:51.719
 be certain,

00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:53.259
 this is what

00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:54.240
 Paul tells us,

00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:55.279
 that the

00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:56.619
 Lord is at

00:27:56.619 --> 00:27:57.639
 work in

00:27:57.639 --> 00:27:58.359
 you.

00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:00.279
 You may not

00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:01.160
 notice a sudden

00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:01.980
 swing in

00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:02.500
 temperature,

00:28:03.339 --> 00:28:04.039
 but as you

00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:04.819
 look back

00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:05.480
 over your

00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:05.799
 life,

00:28:05.879 --> 00:28:06.279
 you should

00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.960
 notice the

00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:08.420
 work of

00:28:08.420 --> 00:28:08.879
 God,

00:28:09.899 --> 00:28:10.500
 that from

00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:11.680
 one degree

00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:13.059
 to another,

00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:13.700
 from one

00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:14.299
 degree of

00:28:14.299 --> 00:28:14.960
 glory to

00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.299
 another,

00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:15.700
 you have

00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:16.920
 grown more

00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:18.039
 and more

00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:19.019
 and more

00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:20.119
 to reflect

00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:21.099
 the image

00:28:21.099 --> 00:28:21.519
 of the

00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.759
 glory of

00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:23.259
 God.

00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:23.299
 God.

00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:25.619
 Some of

00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:25.819
 you,

00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:26.079
 though,

00:28:26.140 --> 00:28:26.579
 I know,

00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.539
 are in the

00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:27.819
 middle of

00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:28.279
 a season

00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:29.000
 of just

00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:30.059
 noticeable

00:28:30.059 --> 00:28:30.680
 growth.

00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.180
 Maybe you've

00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:31.500
 come to

00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.359
 faith recently

00:28:32.359 --> 00:28:32.879
 over the

00:28:32.879 --> 00:28:33.960
 past several

00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.339
 months,

00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:35.160
 several years,

00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:35.779
 and you just

00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.279
 feel like you're

00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:37.200
 growing leaps

00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:37.920
 and bounds,

00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:38.839
 and you see

00:28:38.839 --> 00:28:39.460
 his work

00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:40.099
 everywhere,

00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:40.599
 you have

00:28:40.599 --> 00:28:41.339
 passion for

00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:41.799
 the Lord,

00:28:41.879 --> 00:28:42.420
 you desire

00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:42.920
 to grow,

00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:43.400
 you want to

00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:43.879
 know him

00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:44.240
 more.

00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:45.379
 I just want

00:28:45.379 --> 00:28:45.819
 to encourage

00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.900
 you to hold

00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:47.799
 on to that

00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:48.799
 as long as

00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:49.480
 you can.

00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:51.680
 Press as

00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:53.019
 deep into

00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:53.740
 that as

00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:54.559
 you possibly

00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.359
 can,

00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:55.940
 but know

00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:57.039
 this also,

00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:58.119
 that our

00:28:58.119 --> 00:28:58.899
 journey to

00:28:58.899 --> 00:28:59.759
 glory is

00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:00.460
 not a

00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:00.940
 sprint,

00:29:01.139 --> 00:29:02.159
 it is a

00:29:02.159 --> 00:29:02.559
 marathon.

00:29:05.079 --> 00:29:05.519
 There will

00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.259
 be seasons

00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:07.940
 of noticeable

00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:08.539
 growth,

00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.099
 tremendous

00:29:10.099 --> 00:29:11.039
 growth,

00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:11.700
 seasons of

00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:12.399
 hunger for

00:29:12.399 --> 00:29:12.879
 the Lord,

00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:13.519
 seasons of

00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:14.659
 noticing his

00:29:14.659 --> 00:29:15.399
 hand in

00:29:15.399 --> 00:29:16.119
 everything,

00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:17.879
 and there

00:29:17.879 --> 00:29:18.379
 will be

00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:19.519
 seasons where

00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.799
 it feels

00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:21.199
 like you're

00:29:21.199 --> 00:29:21.599
 running through

00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:22.019
 the mud.

00:29:23.679 --> 00:29:24.599
 You barely

00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:25.199
 notice his

00:29:25.199 --> 00:29:25.579
 work at

00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:25.959
 all.

00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:28.719
 Take heart,

00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:29.419
 believer.

00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:31.519
 Through it

00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:32.079
 all, the

00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:33.139
 Lord is at

00:29:33.139 --> 00:29:33.979
 work from

00:29:33.979 --> 00:29:34.859
 one degree

00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:35.919
 of glory to

00:29:35.919 --> 00:29:37.319
 another in

00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:38.139
 all who

00:29:38.139 --> 00:29:39.219
 belong to

00:29:39.219 --> 00:29:39.599
 him.

00:29:39.879 --> 00:29:40.319
 He who

00:29:40.319 --> 00:29:40.879
 began a

00:29:40.879 --> 00:29:41.339
 good work

00:29:41.339 --> 00:29:41.839
 in you,

00:29:42.119 --> 00:29:42.959
 I'm sure

00:29:42.959 --> 00:29:43.239
 of it,

00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:43.919
 Paul says,

00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:45.419
 will bring

00:29:45.419 --> 00:29:45.739
 it to

00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.620
 completion at

00:29:46.620 --> 00:29:47.940
 the day of

00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:48.819
 Jesus Christ.

00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:49.240
 You are

00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:50.440
 being transformed

00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:52.039
 from one

00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.940
 degree of

00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:54.400
 glory to

00:29:54.400 --> 00:29:54.799
 another.

00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:57.880
 But how

00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:58.759
 does that

00:29:58.759 --> 00:29:59.299
 transformation

00:29:59.299 --> 00:30:00.120
 happen?

00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:02.120
 Practically,

00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:03.519
 how does this

00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.039
 transformation

00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:05.620
 take place?

00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:06.359
 This is the

00:30:06.359 --> 00:30:07.180
 third and

00:30:07.180 --> 00:30:08.140
 final essential

00:30:08.140 --> 00:30:08.980
 truth for

00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:10.240
 spiritual growth.

00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:10.799
 It answers the

00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:11.579
 question for us,

00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:12.460
 how do we

00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:13.220
 get there?

00:30:13.880 --> 00:30:14.400
 Third,

00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:16.900
 spiritual growth

00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:18.420
 comes from

00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:20.580
 regarding and

00:30:20.580 --> 00:30:22.320
 relishing the

00:30:22.320 --> 00:30:22.759
 gospel.

00:30:24.140 --> 00:30:25.259
 Spiritual growth

00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.000
 comes from

00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:27.759
 regarding and

00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:29.519
 relishing the

00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:29.920
 gospel.

00:30:30.080 --> 00:30:30.480
 You get a

00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:31.140
 twofer here.

00:30:31.340 --> 00:30:31.700
 You get a

00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.120
 bonus.

00:30:32.440 --> 00:30:33.660
 Regarding and

00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:34.580
 relishing.

00:30:34.820 --> 00:30:35.140
 You might have

00:30:35.140 --> 00:30:35.540
 heard John

00:30:35.540 --> 00:30:36.660
 Piper call this

00:30:36.660 --> 00:30:37.740
 seeing and

00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.480
 savoring.

00:30:38.600 --> 00:30:39.120
 It's the same

00:30:39.120 --> 00:30:39.700
 thing.

00:30:39.800 --> 00:30:40.380
 You get the

00:30:40.380 --> 00:30:40.880
 point here.

00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:41.340
 You will

00:30:41.340 --> 00:30:42.460
 grow into

00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:43.220
 the image

00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:43.880
 of God.

00:30:44.340 --> 00:30:44.860
 You will

00:30:44.860 --> 00:30:45.560
 grow to

00:30:45.560 --> 00:30:46.700
 reflect his

00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:48.340
 glory as

00:30:48.340 --> 00:30:50.160
 you regard

00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:51.380
 and relish,

00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.620
 as you see

00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.780
 and you savor,

00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:55.280
 as you look

00:30:55.280 --> 00:30:56.180
 to and you

00:30:56.180 --> 00:30:57.360
 love the

00:30:57.360 --> 00:30:58.380
 glory of

00:30:58.380 --> 00:30:59.460
 God in

00:30:59.460 --> 00:31:00.340
 the gospel

00:31:00.340 --> 00:31:01.700
 of Jesus

00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:02.280
 Christ.

00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.020
 Look there

00:31:04.020 --> 00:31:04.860
 one more time

00:31:04.860 --> 00:31:05.300
 to verse

00:31:05.300 --> 00:31:05.900
 18.

00:31:07.540 --> 00:31:08.220
 He says,

00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:09.140
 we all with

00:31:09.140 --> 00:31:10.420
 unveiled face

00:31:10.420 --> 00:31:12.279
 beholding the

00:31:12.279 --> 00:31:13.740
 glory of the

00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:15.480
 Lord are

00:31:15.480 --> 00:31:16.460
 being transformed

00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:17.319
 into the same

00:31:17.319 --> 00:31:18.299
 image from one

00:31:18.299 --> 00:31:19.279
 degree of glory

00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:20.759
 to another.

00:31:21.579 --> 00:31:22.360
 For this comes

00:31:22.360 --> 00:31:23.079
 from the Lord

00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:24.559
 who is the

00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:24.880
 Spirit.

00:31:25.079 --> 00:31:25.720
 So how are we

00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:26.620
 being transformed?

00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:28.019
 It's by

00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:28.860
 beholding.

00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:30.460
 Beholding the

00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:31.360
 glory of the

00:31:31.360 --> 00:31:31.640
 Lord.

00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:32.299
 See there's a

00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:33.259
 principle here

00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:34.039
 that we need to

00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:34.259
 know.

00:31:34.380 --> 00:31:34.799
 The English

00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:36.059
 poet William

00:31:36.059 --> 00:31:36.900
 Blake I think

00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:37.779
 said this first.

00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:38.399
 He got this

00:31:38.399 --> 00:31:38.779
 right.

00:31:39.139 --> 00:31:39.579
 He said,

00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:40.220
 you become

00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:40.859
 what you

00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:41.279
 behold.

00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:43.759
 You become

00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:44.639
 what you

00:31:44.639 --> 00:31:45.680
 behold.

00:31:45.879 --> 00:31:46.500
 This is true

00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:46.839
 of our

00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:47.420
 idols,

00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:48.240
 church.

00:31:49.559 --> 00:31:50.200
 Psalm 115

00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:50.779
 says,

00:31:51.059 --> 00:31:51.259
 those who

00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:51.960
 make them

00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:53.200
 become like

00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:53.839
 them.

00:31:54.639 --> 00:31:55.399
 So do all

00:31:55.399 --> 00:31:56.579
 who trust

00:31:56.579 --> 00:31:56.940
 them.

00:31:57.059 --> 00:31:57.779
 So when you

00:31:57.779 --> 00:31:58.460
 behold your

00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:58.819
 idols,

00:31:58.920 --> 00:31:59.379
 you give them

00:31:59.379 --> 00:32:00.420
 your attention,

00:32:00.619 --> 00:32:01.079
 you give them

00:32:01.079 --> 00:32:01.619
 your heart's

00:32:01.619 --> 00:32:02.079
 desire,

00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:02.619
 your heart's

00:32:02.619 --> 00:32:03.139
 devotion,

00:32:03.839 --> 00:32:04.420
 whether that's

00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:05.639
 money or

00:32:05.639 --> 00:32:06.899
 approval or

00:32:06.899 --> 00:32:07.559
 comfort.

00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:08.740
 sex or

00:32:08.740 --> 00:32:09.639
 pleasure or

00:32:09.639 --> 00:32:10.339
 entertainment,

00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:12.200
 you will become

00:32:12.200 --> 00:32:13.579
 whatever it is

00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:14.019
 that you

00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:14.519
 behold.

00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:15.619
 If you fill

00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:16.379
 your mind with

00:32:16.379 --> 00:32:17.240
 political talk

00:32:17.240 --> 00:32:18.440
 radio week in

00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:19.220
 and week out,

00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:20.559
 guess what is

00:32:20.559 --> 00:32:20.980
 going to come

00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:21.980
 out of your

00:32:21.980 --> 00:32:23.119
 heart eventually,

00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:24.059
 out of your

00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:24.480
 mind?

00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:25.099
 It'll be

00:32:25.099 --> 00:32:25.819
 anger,

00:32:26.859 --> 00:32:27.740
 discontent,

00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:29.279
 anxiety,

00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:30.660
 frustration about

00:32:30.660 --> 00:32:32.000
 the world around

00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:32.299
 you.

00:32:32.399 --> 00:32:33.519
 See we become

00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:35.019
 what we behold.

00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:35.599
 when I grew

00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:36.359
 up watching as

00:32:36.359 --> 00:32:36.940
 many Chicago

00:32:36.940 --> 00:32:37.759
 Bulls games as

00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:38.279
 I possibly

00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:38.740
 could,

00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:40.079
 putting Michael

00:32:40.079 --> 00:32:40.819
 Jordan's posters

00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:41.480
 up on my

00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:42.039
 wall and then

00:32:42.039 --> 00:32:42.639
 went out in my

00:32:42.639 --> 00:32:43.500
 driveway with my

00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:44.000
 tongue out.

00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:45.319
 I know I

00:32:45.319 --> 00:32:46.000
 looked exactly

00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:46.599
 like Michael

00:32:46.599 --> 00:32:46.940
 Jordan.

00:32:47.400 --> 00:32:48.200
 Can't tell me

00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.680
 otherwise.

00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:51.359
 Maybe not.

00:32:53.859 --> 00:32:54.539
 Church, if

00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:56.819
 you're hearing

00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:57.859
 this and you

00:32:57.859 --> 00:32:59.299
 wonder why your

00:32:59.299 --> 00:33:00.379
 growth spiritually

00:33:00.380 --> 00:33:02.320
 has stagnated,

00:33:03.400 --> 00:33:04.020
 why it feels

00:33:04.020 --> 00:33:04.680
 like you're not

00:33:04.680 --> 00:33:05.960
 growing at all,

00:33:06.060 --> 00:33:07.000
 you may need to

00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:08.640
 take a step back

00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:09.760
 and ask yourself,

00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:11.080
 what are you

00:33:11.080 --> 00:33:11.720
 beholding?

00:33:13.620 --> 00:33:15.120
 What is it that

00:33:15.120 --> 00:33:16.380
 you're giving most

00:33:16.380 --> 00:33:17.460
 of your heart's

00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:19.180
 attention to?

00:33:19.300 --> 00:33:20.340
 If it's not the

00:33:20.340 --> 00:33:21.960
 glory of God in

00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:22.820
 the gospel of

00:33:22.820 --> 00:33:23.700
 Jesus Christ,

00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:26.060
 turn your eyes

00:33:26.060 --> 00:33:27.020
 upon Jesus.

00:33:28.320 --> 00:33:28.760
 What does the

00:33:28.760 --> 00:33:29.480
 old hymn say?

00:33:29.480 --> 00:33:30.839
 Look full in

00:33:30.839 --> 00:33:31.480
 his wonderful

00:33:31.480 --> 00:33:32.160
 face.

00:33:33.120 --> 00:33:34.319
 The things of

00:33:34.319 --> 00:33:35.059
 earth will grow

00:33:35.059 --> 00:33:36.480
 strangely dim in

00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:38.000
 the light of his

00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:40.200
 glory and grace.

00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:41.220
 We become what

00:33:41.220 --> 00:33:42.140
 we behold.

00:33:42.319 --> 00:33:43.079
 It's true of our

00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:44.720
 idols, but church,

00:33:44.819 --> 00:33:45.660
 what a promise we

00:33:45.660 --> 00:33:46.500
 have here from

00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:47.420
 Paul in 2nd

00:33:47.420 --> 00:33:48.180
 Corinthians that

00:33:48.180 --> 00:33:49.799
 this is also true

00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:51.279
 of God.

00:33:52.339 --> 00:33:53.819
 When we behold

00:33:53.819 --> 00:33:56.259
 him, we become

00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:57.700
 like him.

00:33:57.700 --> 00:33:59.920
 John says,

00:34:00.019 --> 00:34:01.120
 we are God's

00:34:01.120 --> 00:34:02.319
 children now and

00:34:02.319 --> 00:34:03.180
 what we will be

00:34:03.180 --> 00:34:03.960
 has not yet

00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:04.740
 appeared, but we

00:34:04.740 --> 00:34:05.880
 know that when

00:34:05.880 --> 00:34:06.759
 he appears, we

00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:07.720
 shall be like

00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:09.780
 him because we

00:34:09.780 --> 00:34:11.119
 shall see him

00:34:11.119 --> 00:34:12.920
 as he is.

00:34:12.980 --> 00:34:13.920
 See, there's a

00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:15.079
 connection here

00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:16.900
 between sight and

00:34:16.900 --> 00:34:18.039
 sanctification.

00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:18.239
 salvation.

00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:21.099
 But right now, we

00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:22.420
 can't see him

00:34:22.420 --> 00:34:23.619
 perfectly as we

00:34:23.619 --> 00:34:25.019
 one day will.

00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:25.759
 So where do we

00:34:25.759 --> 00:34:26.119
 look?

00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:29.300
 We look to the

00:34:29.300 --> 00:34:31.279
 glory of God in

00:34:31.279 --> 00:34:32.900
 the gospel of

00:34:32.900 --> 00:34:34.460
 Jesus Christ.

00:34:34.460 --> 00:34:39.840
 God's glory is

00:34:39.840 --> 00:34:41.659
 displayed for us

00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:43.519
 to see and to

00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:44.760
 savor, to

00:34:44.760 --> 00:34:45.940
 regard and to

00:34:45.940 --> 00:34:47.559
 relish in the

00:34:47.559 --> 00:34:48.619
 sending of his

00:34:48.619 --> 00:34:51.119
 son to live and

00:34:51.119 --> 00:34:52.900
 to die and to

00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:54.900
 rise, to rescue

00:34:54.900 --> 00:34:56.500
 sinners like me

00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:57.480
 and you from the

00:34:57.480 --> 00:34:58.619
 depths of our sin,

00:34:58.920 --> 00:34:59.539
 and then to

00:34:59.539 --> 00:35:01.039
 transform us that

00:35:01.039 --> 00:35:02.800
 we might reflect the

00:35:02.800 --> 00:35:04.120
 image of the glory

00:35:04.120 --> 00:35:05.580
 of God.

00:35:05.980 --> 00:35:06.620
 Do you need to

00:35:06.620 --> 00:35:07.280
 have the veil

00:35:07.280 --> 00:35:08.360
 removed from over

00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:08.940
 your heart?

00:35:10.120 --> 00:35:11.140
 Look to Christ.

00:35:12.760 --> 00:35:13.640
 Only through

00:35:13.640 --> 00:35:14.440
 Christ is it

00:35:14.440 --> 00:35:15.340
 taken away, but

00:35:15.340 --> 00:35:16.440
 when one turns to

00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:17.740
 the Lord, the veil

00:35:17.740 --> 00:35:18.820
 is removed.

00:35:20.320 --> 00:35:21.560
 Do you want to

00:35:21.560 --> 00:35:22.480
 grow into the

00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:23.300
 image of God?

00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:24.080
 I hope you do.

00:35:24.800 --> 00:35:25.980
 Look to Christ,

00:35:26.140 --> 00:35:27.380
 who is himself

00:35:27.380 --> 00:35:28.840
 the very image

00:35:28.840 --> 00:35:30.120
 of God.

00:35:30.240 --> 00:35:31.200
 Do you want to

00:35:31.200 --> 00:35:32.480
 look more like

00:35:32.480 --> 00:35:33.280
 God in the way

00:35:33.280 --> 00:35:34.059
 that you think,

00:35:34.179 --> 00:35:34.619
 in the way that

00:35:34.619 --> 00:35:35.880
 you act, in the

00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:36.400
 way that you

00:35:36.400 --> 00:35:37.480
 speak, in just

00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:38.260
 the way that you

00:35:38.260 --> 00:35:38.860
 are?

00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:40.539
 Look to Christ.

00:35:40.880 --> 00:35:41.880
 Behold the

00:35:41.880 --> 00:35:43.039
 glory of God

00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:44.039
 in the gospel

00:35:44.039 --> 00:35:45.599
 of Jesus Christ.

00:35:45.840 --> 00:35:46.659
 And Christ

00:35:46.659 --> 00:35:47.840
 promises you

00:35:47.840 --> 00:35:48.740
 from one degree

00:35:48.740 --> 00:35:49.380
 to another,

00:35:49.579 --> 00:35:50.800
 you will be

00:35:50.800 --> 00:35:51.980
 changed.

00:35:52.460 --> 00:35:52.619
 So,

00:35:53.719 --> 00:35:55.940
 very practically

00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:56.740
 for us here

00:35:56.740 --> 00:35:57.519
 as we close,

00:35:57.519 --> 00:35:59.420
 God

00:35:59.420 --> 00:35:59.519
 and

00:35:59.519 --> 00:36:00.079
 I just want to

00:36:00.079 --> 00:36:01.179
 end this

00:36:01.179 --> 00:36:01.739
 morning by

00:36:01.739 --> 00:36:02.800
 sharing with

00:36:02.800 --> 00:36:03.440
 you some of

00:36:03.440 --> 00:36:04.960
 the opportunities

00:36:04.960 --> 00:36:06.219
 that we have

00:36:06.219 --> 00:36:07.239
 here as we've

00:36:07.239 --> 00:36:07.780
 thought and

00:36:07.780 --> 00:36:08.739
 prayed for how

00:36:08.739 --> 00:36:09.500
 we might equip

00:36:09.500 --> 00:36:10.679
 you to reflect

00:36:10.679 --> 00:36:12.119
 the glory of

00:36:12.119 --> 00:36:12.599
 God.

00:36:13.320 --> 00:36:14.079
 It doesn't have

00:36:14.079 --> 00:36:14.639
 to be limited

00:36:14.639 --> 00:36:15.300
 to this, of

00:36:15.300 --> 00:36:15.780
 course, but

00:36:15.780 --> 00:36:16.420
 this is

00:36:16.420 --> 00:36:18.019
 frameworks for

00:36:18.019 --> 00:36:19.219
 how we aim

00:36:19.219 --> 00:36:20.000
 to equip you.

00:36:20.079 --> 00:36:20.420
 I want you to

00:36:20.420 --> 00:36:20.800
 think of these

00:36:20.800 --> 00:36:21.199
 as just

00:36:21.199 --> 00:36:22.320
 opportunities for

00:36:22.320 --> 00:36:23.239
 us as a

00:36:23.239 --> 00:36:23.739
 church to

00:36:23.739 --> 00:36:24.780
 behold him

00:36:24.780 --> 00:36:25.640
 together.

00:36:26.000 --> 00:36:26.540
 This is not

00:36:26.540 --> 00:36:27.040
 everything.

00:36:27.260 --> 00:36:27.620
 I just want to

00:36:27.620 --> 00:36:27.980
 draw your

00:36:27.980 --> 00:36:28.660
 attention to

00:36:28.660 --> 00:36:29.480
 a few ways

00:36:29.480 --> 00:36:30.800
 here as we

00:36:30.800 --> 00:36:31.180
 close.

00:36:31.320 --> 00:36:31.720
 One,

00:36:32.519 --> 00:36:33.220
 Sunday evening

00:36:33.220 --> 00:36:33.620
 prayer.

00:36:35.640 --> 00:36:36.540
 Sunday evening

00:36:36.540 --> 00:36:36.900
 prayer.

00:36:37.920 --> 00:36:38.900
 We plan this

00:36:38.900 --> 00:36:39.700
 year to gather

00:36:39.700 --> 00:36:41.040
 Sunday evenings

00:36:41.040 --> 00:36:41.800
 on the first

00:36:41.800 --> 00:36:42.480
 and the third

00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:43.480
 Sunday of

00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:44.660
 every month

00:36:44.660 --> 00:36:45.400
 for a time

00:36:45.400 --> 00:36:46.480
 of worship

00:36:46.480 --> 00:36:47.620
 and corporate

00:36:47.620 --> 00:36:48.200
 prayer.

00:36:48.360 --> 00:36:48.680
 We had our

00:36:48.680 --> 00:36:49.480
 first one last

00:36:49.480 --> 00:36:50.280
 Sunday evening

00:36:50.280 --> 00:36:50.980
 and I just

00:36:50.980 --> 00:36:51.220
 want to

00:36:51.220 --> 00:36:51.880
 encourage you

00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:52.820
 make this a

00:36:52.820 --> 00:36:53.340
 priority.

00:36:54.780 --> 00:36:55.420
 Make this

00:36:55.420 --> 00:36:55.760
 time a

00:36:55.760 --> 00:36:56.280
 priority.

00:36:57.280 --> 00:36:58.060
 If you feel

00:36:58.060 --> 00:36:58.480
 a need to

00:36:58.480 --> 00:36:59.100
 grow in your

00:36:59.100 --> 00:36:59.980
 love for the

00:36:59.980 --> 00:37:01.100
 Lord, to

00:37:01.100 --> 00:37:01.780
 grow in your

00:37:01.780 --> 00:37:02.420
 devotion to

00:37:02.420 --> 00:37:02.920
 him through

00:37:02.920 --> 00:37:03.500
 prayer, I

00:37:03.500 --> 00:37:04.140
 got good news

00:37:04.140 --> 00:37:04.480
 for you.

00:37:04.560 --> 00:37:04.740
 We're going

00:37:04.740 --> 00:37:05.080
 to do it

00:37:05.080 --> 00:37:05.560
 twice a

00:37:05.560 --> 00:37:06.540
 month right

00:37:06.540 --> 00:37:07.720
 here Sunday

00:37:07.720 --> 00:37:08.380
 evening, so

00:37:08.380 --> 00:37:08.740
 come.

00:37:10.100 --> 00:37:10.420
 Another

00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:11.200
 opportunity is

00:37:11.200 --> 00:37:12.000
 Sunday school.

00:37:12.140 --> 00:37:12.660
 I like to

00:37:12.660 --> 00:37:12.940
 call these

00:37:12.940 --> 00:37:13.940
 grow classes.

00:37:14.140 --> 00:37:14.280
 You know

00:37:14.280 --> 00:37:14.620
 why?

00:37:16.019 --> 00:37:16.380
 Bet you

00:37:16.380 --> 00:37:16.740
 can't figure

00:37:16.740 --> 00:37:17.140
 it out.

00:37:18.220 --> 00:37:19.000
 Because that's

00:37:19.000 --> 00:37:20.019
 our goal for

00:37:20.019 --> 00:37:20.720
 that time

00:37:20.720 --> 00:37:21.200
 together.

00:37:21.360 --> 00:37:21.780
 It's that we

00:37:21.780 --> 00:37:22.340
 might be

00:37:22.340 --> 00:37:23.240
 growing to

00:37:23.240 --> 00:37:24.140
 reflect the

00:37:24.140 --> 00:37:24.760
 image of

00:37:24.760 --> 00:37:25.700
 the glory

00:37:25.700 --> 00:37:26.480
 of God.

00:37:26.600 --> 00:37:27.040
 I'll just

00:37:27.040 --> 00:37:27.620
 say this, if

00:37:27.620 --> 00:37:28.160
 you want to

00:37:28.160 --> 00:37:28.780
 know if that

00:37:28.780 --> 00:37:29.600
 is worth your

00:37:29.600 --> 00:37:30.700
 time, if you

00:37:30.700 --> 00:37:31.080
 haven't been

00:37:31.080 --> 00:37:31.640
 going, just

00:37:31.640 --> 00:37:32.740
 talk to anybody

00:37:32.740 --> 00:37:33.260
 that's been

00:37:33.260 --> 00:37:33.780
 going there.

00:37:34.880 --> 00:37:35.360
 Ask them if

00:37:35.360 --> 00:37:35.740
 it's worth

00:37:35.740 --> 00:37:36.220
 their time.

00:37:37.240 --> 00:37:37.720
 Ask them if

00:37:37.720 --> 00:37:38.220
 they've grown

00:37:38.220 --> 00:37:39.600
 at all over

00:37:39.600 --> 00:37:40.880
 the past few

00:37:40.880 --> 00:37:41.660
 months in

00:37:41.660 --> 00:37:42.160
 their time

00:37:42.160 --> 00:37:42.540
 there in

00:37:42.540 --> 00:37:43.120
 those grow

00:37:43.120 --> 00:37:43.580
 classes.

00:37:43.740 --> 00:37:44.200
 The children

00:37:44.200 --> 00:37:45.340
 are learning

00:37:45.340 --> 00:37:46.080
 so much in

00:37:46.080 --> 00:37:46.460
 their time

00:37:46.460 --> 00:37:46.780
 during that

00:37:46.780 --> 00:37:47.260
 hour as

00:37:47.260 --> 00:37:47.660
 well in

00:37:47.660 --> 00:37:48.000
 that grow

00:37:48.000 --> 00:37:48.720
 class time.

00:37:49.060 --> 00:37:49.480
 One of the

00:37:49.480 --> 00:37:50.160
 best ways that

00:37:50.160 --> 00:37:51.020
 you can grow

00:37:51.020 --> 00:37:51.900
 to delight in

00:37:51.900 --> 00:37:52.540
 the glory of

00:37:52.540 --> 00:37:53.200
 God is to

00:37:53.200 --> 00:37:53.980
 serve.

00:37:53.980 --> 00:37:55.119
 Miss Regina,

00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:56.119
 Miss Becky,

00:37:56.539 --> 00:37:57.480
 Amanda, serve

00:37:57.480 --> 00:37:57.920
 back there

00:37:57.920 --> 00:37:58.840
 faithfully.

00:38:00.159 --> 00:38:00.900
 I'll just say

00:38:00.900 --> 00:38:01.659
 this, you don't

00:38:01.659 --> 00:38:02.400
 understand anything

00:38:02.400 --> 00:38:02.980
 until you can

00:38:02.980 --> 00:38:03.619
 explain it to a

00:38:03.619 --> 00:38:03.920
 child.

00:38:04.800 --> 00:38:05.360
 Okay?

00:38:06.260 --> 00:38:06.760
 And you don't

00:38:06.760 --> 00:38:07.559
 know patience

00:38:07.559 --> 00:38:08.420
 until you can

00:38:08.420 --> 00:38:09.400
 spend time

00:38:09.400 --> 00:38:10.820
 explaining the

00:38:10.820 --> 00:38:11.900
 gospel week in

00:38:11.900 --> 00:38:12.740
 and week out

00:38:12.740 --> 00:38:13.800
 to children.

00:38:13.960 --> 00:38:14.280
 And what an

00:38:14.280 --> 00:38:15.059
 opportunity that

00:38:15.059 --> 00:38:16.500
 is to shape

00:38:16.500 --> 00:38:17.599
 and to mold

00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:18.139
 this next

00:38:18.139 --> 00:38:19.219
 generation to

00:38:19.219 --> 00:38:20.559
 delight in the

00:38:20.559 --> 00:38:21.440
 glory of God.

00:38:21.440 --> 00:38:21.480
 God.

00:38:21.539 --> 00:38:22.079
 So I invite

00:38:22.079 --> 00:38:23.039
 you to

00:38:23.039 --> 00:38:23.639
 serve.

00:38:23.840 --> 00:38:24.200
 The men

00:38:24.200 --> 00:38:24.460
 and the

00:38:24.460 --> 00:38:24.980
 women are

00:38:24.980 --> 00:38:25.920
 now gathering

00:38:25.920 --> 00:38:26.539
 weekly.

00:38:26.539 --> 00:38:27.139
 Men on

00:38:27.139 --> 00:38:27.840
 Wednesdays,

00:38:27.880 --> 00:38:28.320
 women on

00:38:28.320 --> 00:38:29.079
 Thursdays.

00:38:29.119 --> 00:38:30.119
 They're gathering

00:38:30.119 --> 00:38:30.760
 in community

00:38:30.760 --> 00:38:31.500
 that we pray.

00:38:31.679 --> 00:38:32.780
 They're studying

00:38:32.780 --> 00:38:33.940
 resources that we

00:38:33.940 --> 00:38:34.860
 pray will help

00:38:34.860 --> 00:38:35.519
 them, enable

00:38:35.519 --> 00:38:36.300
 them to grow

00:38:36.300 --> 00:38:37.220
 in delighting

00:38:37.220 --> 00:38:38.200
 in the Lord.

00:38:38.280 --> 00:38:38.920
 If you are a

00:38:38.920 --> 00:38:39.820
 man or if you

00:38:39.820 --> 00:38:40.440
 are a woman

00:38:40.440 --> 00:38:41.159
 in this room,

00:38:41.220 --> 00:38:41.599
 which is

00:38:41.599 --> 00:38:42.840
 everybody here,

00:38:43.340 --> 00:38:44.480
 you're invited.

00:38:45.200 --> 00:38:46.099
 You're invited

00:38:46.099 --> 00:38:46.700
 to come.

00:38:46.900 --> 00:38:48.099
 Take part in

00:38:48.099 --> 00:38:48.980
 these opportunities.

00:38:48.980 --> 00:38:49.659
 And if those

00:38:49.659 --> 00:38:50.480
 times don't

00:38:50.480 --> 00:38:51.340
 work for you,

00:38:51.460 --> 00:38:52.119
 let us know

00:38:52.119 --> 00:38:52.760
 what works

00:38:52.760 --> 00:38:53.559
 better so we

00:38:53.559 --> 00:38:54.000
 can start

00:38:54.000 --> 00:38:54.639
 another group

00:38:54.639 --> 00:38:55.079
 where you

00:38:55.079 --> 00:38:55.559
 can grow.

00:38:57.740 --> 00:38:58.260
 Church,

00:38:58.340 --> 00:38:58.719
 here's the

00:38:58.719 --> 00:38:59.039
 point.

00:39:00.079 --> 00:39:01.440
 If you hear

00:39:01.440 --> 00:39:02.000
 this and you

00:39:02.000 --> 00:39:03.099
 just hear a

00:39:03.099 --> 00:39:03.980
 list of events

00:39:03.980 --> 00:39:04.719
 on a calendar

00:39:04.719 --> 00:39:05.519
 to keep you

00:39:05.519 --> 00:39:06.159
 busy, you

00:39:06.159 --> 00:39:07.219
 have missed

00:39:07.219 --> 00:39:07.539
 it.

00:39:08.679 --> 00:39:08.980
 And these

00:39:08.980 --> 00:39:10.139
 are not just

00:39:10.139 --> 00:39:11.159
 things to do

00:39:11.159 --> 00:39:11.679
 because we

00:39:11.679 --> 00:39:12.280
 had nothing

00:39:12.280 --> 00:39:12.980
 else to do

00:39:12.980 --> 00:39:13.440
 and we want

00:39:13.440 --> 00:39:13.960
 to just put

00:39:13.960 --> 00:39:14.519
 something on

00:39:14.519 --> 00:39:15.079
 the calendar.

00:39:15.280 --> 00:39:15.699
 This is,

00:39:16.699 --> 00:39:17.340
 we want to

00:39:17.340 --> 00:39:18.340
 equip you.

00:39:18.980 --> 00:39:20.340
 to magnify

00:39:20.340 --> 00:39:21.099
 the glory

00:39:21.099 --> 00:39:21.900
 of God

00:39:21.900 --> 00:39:22.800
 by growing

00:39:22.800 --> 00:39:24.019
 up into

00:39:24.019 --> 00:39:25.579
 him and

00:39:25.579 --> 00:39:26.900
 reflecting his

00:39:26.900 --> 00:39:28.420
 glory together.

00:39:30.000 --> 00:39:31.179
 So church,

00:39:31.679 --> 00:39:33.599
 let's look

00:39:33.599 --> 00:39:34.179
 to Christ.

00:39:36.079 --> 00:39:37.420
 Let's behold

00:39:37.420 --> 00:39:38.780
 the man upon

00:39:38.780 --> 00:39:39.420
 the cross.

00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:41.599
 Behold the

00:39:41.599 --> 00:39:42.460
 Lamb of God

00:39:42.460 --> 00:39:43.000
 who takes

00:39:43.000 --> 00:39:43.599
 away the

00:39:43.599 --> 00:39:44.900
 sins of

00:39:44.900 --> 00:39:45.460
 the world.

00:39:45.619 --> 00:39:45.820
 Would you

00:39:45.820 --> 00:39:47.000
 behold our

00:39:47.000 --> 00:39:47.880
 God?

00:39:47.880 --> 00:39:49.640
 regard and

00:39:49.640 --> 00:39:50.559
 relish the

00:39:50.559 --> 00:39:51.200
 glory of

00:39:51.200 --> 00:39:51.640
 God and

00:39:51.640 --> 00:39:52.220
 the gospel

00:39:52.220 --> 00:39:52.800
 of Jesus

00:39:52.800 --> 00:39:53.519
 Christ and

00:39:53.519 --> 00:39:54.059
 I promise

00:39:54.059 --> 00:39:54.800
 you this

00:39:54.800 --> 00:39:56.280
 year will

00:39:56.280 --> 00:39:56.700
 grow.

00:39:57.980 --> 00:39:58.800
 Will grow.

00:40:00.099 --> 00:40:00.420
 Would you

00:40:00.420 --> 00:40:00.720
 pray with

00:40:00.720 --> 00:40:00.900
 me?

00:40:09.519 --> 00:40:10.039
 Lord,

00:40:10.320 --> 00:40:11.220
 what we

00:40:11.220 --> 00:40:11.920
 are aiming

00:40:11.920 --> 00:40:12.640
 to do is

00:40:12.640 --> 00:40:13.980
 impossible apart

00:40:13.980 --> 00:40:14.440
 from you.

00:40:14.440 --> 00:40:17.460
 I can't

00:40:17.460 --> 00:40:17.940
 do it.

00:40:18.579 --> 00:40:19.900
 Treg can't

00:40:19.900 --> 00:40:20.260
 do it.

00:40:20.400 --> 00:40:20.860
 Nobody,

00:40:21.119 --> 00:40:22.000
 nobody can

00:40:22.000 --> 00:40:22.860
 produce this

00:40:22.860 --> 00:40:24.059
 growth only

00:40:24.059 --> 00:40:24.740
 through the

00:40:24.740 --> 00:40:25.240
 Lord who

00:40:25.240 --> 00:40:25.679
 is the

00:40:25.679 --> 00:40:26.039
 spirit.

00:40:26.320 --> 00:40:26.579
 And so

00:40:26.579 --> 00:40:27.300
 we pray

00:40:27.300 --> 00:40:28.599
 as we

00:40:28.599 --> 00:40:29.000
 devote

00:40:29.000 --> 00:40:29.720
 ourselves

00:40:29.720 --> 00:40:31.119
 to these

00:40:31.119 --> 00:40:31.760
 means of

00:40:31.760 --> 00:40:32.599
 grace for

00:40:32.599 --> 00:40:32.800
 our

00:40:32.800 --> 00:40:33.679
 sanctification,

00:40:33.679 --> 00:40:34.220
 as we

00:40:34.220 --> 00:40:34.960
 devote ourselves

00:40:34.960 --> 00:40:35.440
 to your

00:40:35.440 --> 00:40:35.840
 word,

00:40:36.000 --> 00:40:36.220
 as we

00:40:36.220 --> 00:40:36.480
 devote

00:40:36.480 --> 00:40:36.920
 ourselves

00:40:36.920 --> 00:40:37.780
 to prayer,

00:40:37.960 --> 00:40:38.179
 as we

00:40:38.179 --> 00:40:38.460
 devote

00:40:38.460 --> 00:40:38.840
 ourselves

00:40:38.840 --> 00:40:39.099
 to

00:40:39.099 --> 00:40:39.700
 fellowship,

00:40:40.700 --> 00:40:41.139
 Lord,

00:40:41.200 --> 00:40:41.760
 would we

00:40:41.760 --> 00:40:42.600
 be given

00:40:42.600 --> 00:40:43.560
 eyes to

00:40:43.560 --> 00:40:44.360
 see your

00:40:44.360 --> 00:40:45.020
 glory in

00:40:45.020 --> 00:40:45.520
 the gospel?

00:40:46.700 --> 00:40:46.960
 If there

00:40:46.960 --> 00:40:47.380
 are any

00:40:47.380 --> 00:40:47.740
 here,

00:40:47.920 --> 00:40:48.140
 Lord,

00:40:48.280 --> 00:40:49.660
 who remain

00:40:49.660 --> 00:40:50.620
 hardened in

00:40:50.620 --> 00:40:51.280
 their sin

00:40:51.280 --> 00:40:51.660
 and their

00:40:51.660 --> 00:40:52.600
 minds are

00:40:52.600 --> 00:40:53.760
 blind to

00:40:53.760 --> 00:40:54.420
 your glory,

00:40:54.700 --> 00:40:55.220
 I pray

00:40:55.220 --> 00:40:55.820
 now that

00:40:55.820 --> 00:40:56.080
 you would

00:40:56.080 --> 00:40:56.760
 remove the

00:40:56.760 --> 00:40:57.240
 veil from

00:40:57.240 --> 00:40:57.680
 their heart.

00:40:59.580 --> 00:41:00.020
 And for

00:41:00.020 --> 00:41:00.500
 the rest of

00:41:00.500 --> 00:41:00.680
 us,

00:41:00.740 --> 00:41:00.920
 Lord,

00:41:01.020 --> 00:41:01.400
 would you

00:41:01.400 --> 00:41:02.720
 just give us

00:41:02.720 --> 00:41:03.280
 the grace to

00:41:03.280 --> 00:41:04.020
 notice from

00:41:04.020 --> 00:41:04.920
 one degree of

00:41:04.920 --> 00:41:05.440
 glory to

00:41:05.440 --> 00:41:06.120
 another how

00:41:06.120 --> 00:41:06.740
 you are at

00:41:06.740 --> 00:41:07.480
 work in

00:41:07.480 --> 00:41:08.140
 growing us

00:41:08.140 --> 00:41:08.700
 to reflect

00:41:08.700 --> 00:41:09.180
 your image.

00:41:09.280 --> 00:41:09.560
 We pray

00:41:09.560 --> 00:41:10.160
 this all in

00:41:10.160 --> 00:41:10.540
 the name of

00:41:10.539 --> 00:41:10.920
 Christ.

00:41:11.659 --> 00:41:11.920
 Amen.