WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.820 I get so much joy from my kids, especially when I see them working together. 00:00:07.219 --> 00:00:12.179 There's nothing like seeing Isaac playing with Micah, building a tower that they then 00:00:12.179 --> 00:00:16.379 smash together, seeing Tamara make Micah laugh. 00:00:17.260 --> 00:00:22.440 My children have this amazing ability to bring so much pleasure to me. 00:00:23.400 --> 00:00:29.920 There is something profound when all the guidance, all the teaching, all the no, don't hit 00:00:29.920 --> 00:00:34.800 her, use gentle hands, something profound when it all comes together. 00:00:35.940 --> 00:00:42.179 I suppose because I know how beautiful they can play and share and love each other, it 00:00:42.179 --> 00:00:45.560 makes me so frustrated when it's not ideal. 00:00:46.420 --> 00:00:51.780 When they are as good as they can sometimes be, it's amazing, but when they're not, it's 00:00:51.780 --> 00:00:59.299 tough when they don't obey and hurt each other, when all it seems to be is conflict and self-centeredness. 00:00:59.920 --> 00:01:03.020 I wonder what God thinks when he looks at us. 00:01:04.240 --> 00:01:06.500 Do you think he finds joy in us? 00:01:07.280 --> 00:01:08.500 Do we please him? 00:01:09.260 --> 00:01:14.859 Or is he just as frustrated that we are not living as we should, angry that we can't play 00:01:14.859 --> 00:01:15.980 together nicely? 00:01:16.859 --> 00:01:18.180 Is that all God sees? 00:01:18.180 --> 00:01:41.860 Christians believe that they are justified and forgiven by God's grace in Jesus' death and 00:01:41.860 --> 00:01:42.360 resurrection. 00:01:42.359 --> 00:01:47.000 But is that all that it is to the Christian relationship with God? 00:01:47.620 --> 00:01:50.519 Is he just a judge who forgives our crimes? 00:01:51.539 --> 00:01:57.980 We're saved by his grace and sanctified and he sanctifies us to fit his heaven and now we 00:01:57.980 --> 00:01:59.060 work hard to obey? 00:02:00.060 --> 00:02:02.840 Is that all the relationship with God is? 00:02:03.539 --> 00:02:06.299 It seems a bit transactional. 00:02:06.799 --> 00:02:07.680 God loves us. 00:02:07.680 --> 00:02:10.319 He gives us his grace and we obey him. 00:02:11.520 --> 00:02:14.980 Is there anything that we do to please God? 00:02:15.540 --> 00:02:19.099 Is there anything we can do to please him? 00:02:20.379 --> 00:02:26.920 Today we're continuing looking at the book of 1 Thessalonians, standing firm in faith, hope 00:02:26.920 --> 00:02:27.400 and love. 00:02:27.960 --> 00:02:29.700 And today we're looking at issues of holiness. 00:02:30.120 --> 00:02:33.640 We're looking at issues of sexual purity and loving one another. 00:02:33.639 --> 00:02:36.839 key issues for the church and for the Christian. 00:02:37.819 --> 00:02:41.439 And in light of these issues of obedience, we're going to see whether there is anything 00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:45.500 we can do to bring joy and to please our Heavenly Father. 00:02:45.819 --> 00:02:48.459 So as we have a look at this passage, I'm going to pray for us. 00:02:50.379 --> 00:02:55.060 Heavenly Father, we thank you that we can indeed call you Father. 00:02:55.060 --> 00:03:02.599 Father, and as we look at your word this morning, help us to know you better and to know how 00:03:02.599 --> 00:03:03.740 we can please you. 00:03:04.219 --> 00:03:04.659 Amen. 00:03:05.939 --> 00:03:11.840 So as we've seen over the last couple of weeks, Paul and Silas were in Thessalonica, likely 00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:16.740 for a couple of months before they were chased out by a mob of Jews. 00:03:17.640 --> 00:03:21.120 And Paul has received word about how this new church was going. 00:03:21.120 --> 00:03:28.460 And he spent the first half of the letter celebrating the church and what God was doing in them 00:03:28.460 --> 00:03:29.439 and through them. 00:03:29.819 --> 00:03:33.280 And he's explaining and defending his motivations for coming. 00:03:33.960 --> 00:03:37.140 But now Paul turns to issues within the church. 00:03:38.080 --> 00:03:43.599 Everything seems to have been going well, but Paul still needs to address a couple of issues. 00:03:44.480 --> 00:03:49.920 And so he begins this with a section of prayer that shows us what he is going to talk about 00:03:49.919 --> 00:03:51.559 over the next couple of chapters. 00:03:52.179 --> 00:03:54.519 From verse 11 of chapter 3. 00:03:55.199 --> 00:04:02.039 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 00:04:02.719 --> 00:04:08.299 May the Lord make your love increase and flow for each other and for everyone else, just 00:04:08.299 --> 00:04:09.819 as ours does for you. 00:04:10.639 --> 00:04:15.359 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our 00:04:15.359 --> 00:04:19.120 God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. 00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:21.399 So he mentions three things in particular. 00:04:22.060 --> 00:04:24.180 I want you to increase in love. 00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:28.939 I want you to strengthen your hearts, particularly in view of holiness. 00:04:29.819 --> 00:04:34.519 And I want you to hope, keep hoping that Jesus will return. 00:04:35.660 --> 00:04:37.420 Faith, hope and love. 00:04:37.459 --> 00:04:38.840 It's the three themes of the letter. 00:04:39.100 --> 00:04:40.060 We saw it at the start. 00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:42.120 It's here again in the very middle of the letter. 00:04:42.360 --> 00:04:45.139 And now it's the themes for the last couple of chapters of the book. 00:04:45.139 --> 00:04:52.759 They have heard the message of adoption, of acceptance, forgiveness, all by God's radical 00:04:52.759 --> 00:04:53.399 generosity. 00:04:54.079 --> 00:04:59.639 They've heard the message of faith in Jesus, of hoping in his return and loving one another, 00:05:00.120 --> 00:05:01.899 which he reminds them of. 00:05:02.860 --> 00:05:09.039 Not only does Paul remind them of how they are to live, Paul has some amazing news for 00:05:09.039 --> 00:05:09.180 them. 00:05:09.180 --> 00:05:10.800 Chapter 4, verse 1. 00:05:10.800 --> 00:05:18.300 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please 00:05:18.300 --> 00:05:20.980 God, as in fact you are now living. 00:05:21.920 --> 00:05:26.000 Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:31.000 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:36.759 The church was instructed how to live, how to live in order to please God. 00:05:37.540 --> 00:05:43.139 And not only have these people been saved by Jesus, they're being sanctified, they're taking 00:05:43.139 --> 00:05:51.259 off their old way of life, being changed, but it actually pleases God. 00:05:51.259 --> 00:05:57.879 And it's not some impossibility, as it says, we instructed you how to live in order to please 00:05:57.879 --> 00:06:01.680 God, as in fact you are now living. 00:06:02.740 --> 00:06:04.399 They were pleasing God. 00:06:05.120 --> 00:06:08.680 The lives that they were living were amazingly pleasing to God. 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:16.659 This is not legalism or a works-based theology that makes God have to forgive us if we obey 00:06:16.659 --> 00:06:17.120 Him. 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:20.699 Not at all, but it's a reminder that God is a person. 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:30.660 He thinks, He feels, we please Him and we displease Him moment by moment within His loving, 00:06:31.060 --> 00:06:35.819 forgiving hands, inside His fatherly care for all of us. 00:06:37.079 --> 00:06:43.420 Through the finished work of Jesus on the cross, the way we are living our lives, the obedience 00:06:43.420 --> 00:06:48.900 we do, we have to God, the good deeds we do, it is actually delightful to God. 00:06:50.920 --> 00:06:56.759 Maybe you're feeling unsure at this point, because you don't really have a relationship 00:06:56.759 --> 00:06:57.660 with God as Father. 00:06:57.780 --> 00:06:59.580 Maybe you relate to God as Lord. 00:07:01.080 --> 00:07:03.520 He's a God who is very far off. 00:07:03.600 --> 00:07:04.259 He is distant. 00:07:05.200 --> 00:07:08.639 He's a distant master who doesn't take joy in His servant. 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:10.959 He just expects His servant to obey. 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:17.919 Is God a judge that doesn't find happiness in the fact that the criminal has gotten away 00:07:17.919 --> 00:07:20.120 with murder when they're found innocent? 00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:23.300 But God is our Father. 00:07:25.240 --> 00:07:31.919 Have you ever thought about how your actions, your obedience, could see the infinite God who 00:07:31.920 --> 00:07:36.100 made the universe, could actually bring Him joy? 00:07:37.699 --> 00:07:44.900 That He sees everything at once, and He sees you, and He takes delight in you, when you choose 00:07:44.900 --> 00:07:49.120 to continue to follow Him over other things, over yourself. 00:07:50.360 --> 00:07:51.540 What would you do? 00:07:52.200 --> 00:07:56.900 How far would you go to please God, to bring God joy? 00:07:56.899 --> 00:08:00.179 This made me think of marriage. 00:08:01.079 --> 00:08:06.219 When two people get together, their best thoughts are often of trying to make the other person 00:08:06.219 --> 00:08:06.639 happy. 00:08:07.379 --> 00:08:09.799 You can probably imagine a newlywed couple. 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:11.039 Think of a newlywed couple. 00:08:11.500 --> 00:08:14.299 I'm not sure if we have any newlywed couples here. 00:08:14.799 --> 00:08:16.060 Is there any newlywed couples here? 00:08:17.279 --> 00:08:19.259 Anybody that wants me to use an example of them? 00:08:21.719 --> 00:08:25.959 Doran, when you get married, brother, that would be a wonderful thing. 00:08:25.959 --> 00:08:28.500 Let's just use two people. 00:08:28.719 --> 00:08:29.539 Who can we imagine? 00:08:30.159 --> 00:08:33.340 Should we just use Stephen that? 00:08:34.759 --> 00:08:35.740 Maybe, maybe not. 00:08:35.819 --> 00:08:38.079 Let's just imagine this young married couple. 00:08:39.179 --> 00:08:40.699 They're just like puppy dogs. 00:08:40.919 --> 00:08:42.159 They're really sweet. 00:08:42.639 --> 00:08:45.720 They're so keen and eager to make the other person happy. 00:08:46.059 --> 00:08:47.579 They'll do anything for them. 00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:49.860 Maybe this was you when you first got married. 00:08:50.439 --> 00:08:51.439 Maybe this is still you. 00:08:51.500 --> 00:08:52.019 I'm not sure. 00:08:52.019 --> 00:08:58.159 One of the things that I do, that I continue to do to bring Alyssa joy, is to deal with 00:08:58.159 --> 00:08:59.620 the spiders in our house. 00:09:00.620 --> 00:09:04.539 I've never really been a kill spiders kind of guy. 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:06.059 I prefer to take them outside. 00:09:07.139 --> 00:09:10.539 I used to be okay that there were spiders because spiders eat flies. 00:09:11.240 --> 00:09:12.579 And I don't like flies. 00:09:12.819 --> 00:09:14.639 And spiders, they just kind of hang out in the corner. 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:18.659 But Alyssa, she's not a fan of any kind of spider. 00:09:20.039 --> 00:09:21.379 And so I had to change. 00:09:21.879 --> 00:09:24.679 I changed so I could bring her joy. 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:28.259 Well, less fear, more joy, I suppose. 00:09:28.779 --> 00:09:30.240 I changed who I am. 00:09:30.299 --> 00:09:33.159 So I became the Spider-Man of the household. 00:09:34.179 --> 00:09:35.340 I'll take them out. 00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:36.379 I'll gas them. 00:09:36.480 --> 00:09:37.360 I'll squash them. 00:09:37.639 --> 00:09:38.939 I'll set them on fire. 00:09:38.940 --> 00:09:42.800 Whatever it takes to get our house free of spiders. 00:09:44.160 --> 00:09:45.320 But there is a truth to this. 00:09:45.420 --> 00:09:48.900 We change who we are to bring people joy. 00:09:49.820 --> 00:09:54.060 If Alyssa didn't like me having a beard, well, I probably wouldn't have it. 00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:58.380 My preference is to have a beard and to have my head bald. 00:09:58.379 --> 00:10:03.439 But I don't like having these locks of questionable color. 00:10:04.179 --> 00:10:06.820 Somewhere between blonde, brown and red. 00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:08.860 But Alyssa likes me having hair. 00:10:09.340 --> 00:10:12.600 And so I keep doing that to bring her joy. 00:10:13.559 --> 00:10:15.460 Now, we are not married to God. 00:10:16.039 --> 00:10:18.600 But we do have a relationship with Him. 00:10:19.019 --> 00:10:22.820 The Bible actually describes the church as the bride of Jesus. 00:10:24.440 --> 00:10:26.740 Our God has shown His radical love to us. 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:28.500 And so He has the right to say, 00:10:29.060 --> 00:10:30.480 This pleases me. 00:10:31.019 --> 00:10:32.419 And this doesn't. 00:10:33.320 --> 00:10:34.980 I don't like this behavior. 00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:37.080 But this is wonderful. 00:10:38.620 --> 00:10:42.080 The God who accepts and loves and delights in us, 00:10:43.019 --> 00:10:45.120 He is also capable of saying, 00:10:45.580 --> 00:10:47.779 We need to sit down and have a talk. 00:10:48.220 --> 00:10:51.720 It's time for some serious changes in your life. 00:10:51.720 --> 00:10:58.019 And so Paul encourages and urges the church in Thessalonica 00:10:58.019 --> 00:11:00.920 to continue to please God more and more. 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:05.480 Particularly, he urges them in faith, hope and love. 00:11:05.580 --> 00:11:07.980 And we're going to look at the first two of those, 00:11:08.399 --> 00:11:09.580 faith and love. 00:11:09.820 --> 00:11:11.720 And next week we'll be looking at hope. 00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:14.980 So Paul, when he was with them, 00:11:15.460 --> 00:11:18.120 he gave them instructions on sexual purity. 00:11:19.040 --> 00:11:20.899 But because it is so important, 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:23.340 he writes to them again. 00:11:23.800 --> 00:11:25.040 Chapter 4, verse 3. 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:46.360 Living in this way is both God's will for our life 00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:49.039 and it pleases God when we do it. 00:11:49.039 --> 00:11:52.480 The kind of, not a little bit of change from, 00:11:52.719 --> 00:11:54.559 you know, leaving the dirty clothes on the floor 00:11:54.559 --> 00:11:55.759 to putting them in the basket. 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:59.959 This is massive change in the lives of the Thessalonian church. 00:12:01.199 --> 00:12:05.079 Paul calls on them to avoid sexual immorality, 00:12:05.319 --> 00:12:06.860 not to reduce it, 00:12:06.939 --> 00:12:10.679 not to keep a small part of sexual immorality in their lives, 00:12:10.740 --> 00:12:15.419 not to keep some hidden deep in our hearts and homes 00:12:15.419 --> 00:12:16.699 where no one else sees, 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:20.159 but to avoid sexual immorality, 00:12:20.699 --> 00:12:22.000 to abstain from it, 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:24.979 to have control over each of our bodies 00:12:24.979 --> 00:12:28.459 in a way that honors and brings pleasure to God, 00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:30.159 to show that we are set apart, 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:32.019 that we are holy for Him. 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:36.299 Controlled by our desire to please God 00:12:36.299 --> 00:12:37.579 and not please ourselves, 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:40.379 not in passionate lust like the pagans 00:12:40.379 --> 00:12:41.360 who don't know God. 00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:45.139 Instead, for people that do know God, 00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:49.240 that we would have self-control and self-mastery. 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:52.079 The Gentile, the non-Jew, 00:12:52.179 --> 00:12:54.279 the members of the Thessalonian church, 00:12:54.699 --> 00:12:57.620 would have found it incredibly difficult 00:12:57.620 --> 00:13:00.620 to understand how their conversion 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:02.159 to the Christian God 00:13:02.159 --> 00:13:04.019 meant that they had to change their behavior 00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:05.639 and abandon their pleasures. 00:13:06.199 --> 00:13:08.039 You see, the other religions in the area, 00:13:08.459 --> 00:13:10.459 with the exception of Judaism, 00:13:11.079 --> 00:13:12.199 all of the other religions, 00:13:12.500 --> 00:13:14.819 promoted sexual immorality. 00:13:15.419 --> 00:13:18.079 The cults of the gods, Dionysus, 00:13:18.459 --> 00:13:22.539 Aphrodite, Osiris, and Isis, 00:13:22.939 --> 00:13:26.319 they all encouraged sexual license. 00:13:27.319 --> 00:13:30.240 Female slaves could be used to satisfy desires. 00:13:30.799 --> 00:13:33.719 Prostitutes were at the service of any person. 00:13:34.899 --> 00:13:37.899 Sexual immorality on view here 00:13:37.899 --> 00:13:39.719 is anything outside of marriage, 00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:43.899 and it was easy to access for people in Thessalonica. 00:13:44.420 --> 00:13:47.940 And so if you moved from one religion to another religion, 00:13:48.440 --> 00:13:50.320 you would continue in those practices. 00:13:51.180 --> 00:13:53.840 But moving to Christianity meant radical change. 00:13:55.060 --> 00:13:59.100 And Paul gives four motivations to seek sexual purity 00:13:59.100 --> 00:14:01.540 on top of seeking to please God. 00:14:01.700 --> 00:14:03.440 From verse 6, have a look with me. 00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:07.260 And that in this matter, 00:14:07.380 --> 00:14:10.580 no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. 00:14:11.280 --> 00:14:14.040 The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, 00:14:14.400 --> 00:14:16.340 as we told you and warned you before. 00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:19.240 For God did not call us to be impure, 00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:21.000 but to live a holy life. 00:14:21.320 --> 00:14:23.920 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction 00:14:23.920 --> 00:14:26.120 does not reject a human being, 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:27.160 but God, 00:14:27.640 --> 00:14:30.040 the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit. 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:31.539 So firstly, 00:14:32.319 --> 00:14:34.579 sexual purity is desired 00:14:34.579 --> 00:14:37.819 so that no one wrongs a brother or a sister. 00:14:38.959 --> 00:14:41.539 Sexual sin was not just a sinful liaison 00:14:41.539 --> 00:14:44.299 between two people or alone. 00:14:44.599 --> 00:14:47.899 It actually damaged relationship between people 00:14:47.899 --> 00:14:50.179 and relationships with God. 00:14:51.199 --> 00:14:53.399 It damages existing relationships 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:55.000 between husbands and wives. 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:58.019 It steals what should be kept for marriage 00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:59.740 from the marriage bed. 00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:03.539 Sexual immorality corrupts the eye 00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:05.039 and the heart of the viewer, 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:08.519 leading to damage in later relationships. 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.659 And so Paul says, 00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:12.779 don't wrong someone else 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:14.659 by sinning sexually. 00:15:15.840 --> 00:15:16.360 Secondly, 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:20.080 Paul says that the Lord will punish those 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:21.759 who commit such sins. 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:24.620 Now, this warning wasn't new for the church 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:27.120 because sexual sin 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:28.340 doesn't just damage the community, 00:15:28.340 --> 00:15:30.759 it damages the relationship with God. 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:33.800 And God says that he will punish those 00:15:33.800 --> 00:15:34.780 who sin. 00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:37.200 The third thing, 00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:39.720 God called us to be pure. 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:42.120 He called us to himself 00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:43.540 to be pure, 00:15:43.660 --> 00:15:44.860 to live a holy life. 00:15:44.920 --> 00:15:46.259 He didn't call us to himself 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:47.560 to be corrupted. 00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:51.019 The question of sexual immorality 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:52.679 is not a question of 00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:54.799 what little things can I do, 00:15:54.899 --> 00:15:56.459 how far can I go, 00:15:56.939 --> 00:15:57.919 what is permissible, 00:15:58.919 --> 00:16:00.379 or what can I get away with. 00:16:00.619 --> 00:16:01.939 It is purity. 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:04.000 How pure can I be? 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:07.019 And fourthly, 00:16:07.119 --> 00:16:09.079 it's not Paul being rejected. 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:12.560 Paul motivates them by saying, 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:13.820 this is the word of God. 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:15.920 If you reject what I say here, 00:16:15.980 --> 00:16:17.540 you are rejecting God himself. 00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:20.540 These are not man-made words. 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:22.320 These are not words of a culture. 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:24.860 They are not words of a particular time. 00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:26.400 It is God 00:16:26.400 --> 00:16:28.480 who calls us to be pure. 00:16:30.020 --> 00:16:32.160 God's will is that we are to be pure 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:33.639 and holy 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:35.579 and blameless before him. 00:16:36.079 --> 00:16:37.519 And when we are, 00:16:38.219 --> 00:16:39.600 it pleases God. 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:41.419 Living pure lives 00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:43.819 is actually a delight to God. 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:47.699 Have you ever made an omelette before? 00:16:49.079 --> 00:16:50.000 Anybody made an omelette? 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:51.339 Did anybody have an omelette for breakfast? 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:52.899 No? 00:16:53.079 --> 00:16:53.279 Okay. 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:55.480 I've occasionally made an omelette. 00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:57.439 Imagine you're going to make an omelette 00:16:57.439 --> 00:17:00.279 for the person you love most in the world. 00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:02.539 Let's say I'm making it for James Cason 00:17:02.539 --> 00:17:03.779 just because he's right in front of me. 00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:06.359 And so I'm making an omelette for James. 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:09.700 And I've got the bacon already chopped. 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.579 I've got the cheese, 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.180 the chives, 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:12.940 the mushrooms. 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:13.839 James, 00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:14.980 anything else you need in there? 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:18.720 Egg. 00:17:18.879 --> 00:17:19.079 Okay. 00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:20.000 We'll get to the egg. 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:20.619 We'll get there. 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:21.839 Anything else? 00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:22.519 Anything else? 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:23.000 Tomato? 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:25.599 Peppers? 00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:26.960 Capsicum? 00:17:27.200 --> 00:17:27.339 Okay. 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:28.519 Salt and pepper. 00:17:28.859 --> 00:17:29.059 Okay. 00:17:29.139 --> 00:17:29.500 And of eggs. 00:17:29.559 --> 00:17:29.720 Eggs. 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:29.960 Okay. 00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:30.680 So I've got the eggs. 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.259 I've got six. 00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:31.819 Don't worry. 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:33.039 I don't really have eggs. 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:34.759 This is all hypothetical. 00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:37.600 And the recipe calls for six eggs. 00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:39.400 And so I go to my fridge 00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:40.680 and I've only got six eggs left. 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.440 This is really good. 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:42.200 This is good. 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:43.779 This is just going to feed James. 00:17:44.100 --> 00:17:45.059 James is a very hungry, 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:45.680 growing boy, 00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:46.039 isn't he, 00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:46.220 mum? 00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:47.460 And so, 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:47.680 you know, 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:49.240 six eggs is just going to be good for him. 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:50.980 And this omelette is going to bring 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:53.720 so much joy to James. 00:17:54.600 --> 00:17:57.660 And so I crack the first egg 00:17:57.660 --> 00:17:58.680 and the second egg 00:17:58.680 --> 00:17:59.340 and the third egg 00:17:59.340 --> 00:17:59.940 and the fourth egg 00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:00.519 and the fifth egg. 00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:02.560 And I crack the sixth egg. 00:18:03.100 --> 00:18:03.420 Remember, 00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:04.600 I need six eggs 00:18:04.600 --> 00:18:05.380 or he's going to be hungry 00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:06.200 and he's not going to be satisfied. 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:08.259 And it stinks. 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:09.820 It's rotten. 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:10.620 Now, 00:18:10.660 --> 00:18:12.019 we don't get too many rotten eggs 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.580 these days. 00:18:12.820 --> 00:18:13.920 I can't remember the last time 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:14.680 I got a rotten egg was, 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.720 but I got it today. 00:18:16.600 --> 00:18:18.340 But this recipe calls for six eggs. 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:19.759 So what do I do? 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:24.379 Do I put it in anyway? 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:26.000 Let's put it in anyway. 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:28.480 Because I really want to please James. 00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:29.619 I need six eggs. 00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:31.980 How much do you think 00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:34.160 that little bit of rotten egg 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:35.440 is going to influence the whole? 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.940 And so I cook it up. 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:40.559 I present it to James. 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:43.980 And before he can even get his fork into it, 00:18:44.200 --> 00:18:45.379 the smell hits him. 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:46.740 It's just awful. 00:18:47.059 --> 00:18:47.879 He goes green. 00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:50.280 What is this disgusting mess 00:18:50.280 --> 00:18:51.280 you've put before me? 00:18:51.300 --> 00:18:51.820 He shouts. 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.360 Impure. 00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:55.000 And he tosses it on the floor. 00:18:57.860 --> 00:18:58.960 He's an angry guy. 00:18:59.260 --> 00:18:59.700 He's not. 00:18:59.780 --> 00:19:00.020 He's not. 00:19:00.060 --> 00:19:00.380 He's lovely. 00:19:01.180 --> 00:19:03.620 We wouldn't present something like that 00:19:03.620 --> 00:19:04.660 to someone we love 00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:05.740 to consume, 00:19:05.840 --> 00:19:06.180 would we? 00:19:07.520 --> 00:19:10.200 And yet we bring bodies and minds 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:13.120 that are far more rotten than an omelette. 00:19:14.180 --> 00:19:16.060 And yet we offer them in marriage. 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:18.319 We say, 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:18.679 God, 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:19.740 this is enough for you. 00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:23.419 We've been loved by God so much, 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:27.240 and yet we respond by giving him the good parts 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:28.579 mixed with bad, 00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:29.659 and we think it's enough. 00:19:30.919 --> 00:19:31.859 Brothers and sisters, 00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:34.359 God calls you. 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.379 God chooses, 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:38.039 and he's called us not to live a life 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:40.440 mixed with good and bad. 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:41.440 God loves you. 00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:43.740 Not the good eggs with the rotten eggs, 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:46.860 but to one of purity and holiness, 00:19:46.860 --> 00:19:49.320 to be a delight to him. 00:19:50.820 --> 00:19:51.940 Now let me encourage you, 00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:54.759 even though we have all sinned in many ways, 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:57.620 we have all sinned sexually, 00:19:58.080 --> 00:20:00.279 there is no time better 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:02.799 to change our lives, 00:20:02.860 --> 00:20:05.420 to live a life pleasing to God. 00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:05.500 God, 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:08.279 if you are struggling in this area, 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.920 come and talk to me after church. 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:14.400 We can have a good chat over a coffee. 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:15.320 Come and, 00:20:16.340 --> 00:20:18.080 if you're a woman and don't want to talk to me, 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:19.100 come and speak to Deb. 00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:21.259 Speak with your community group leader. 00:20:22.340 --> 00:20:24.000 It is good and right 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:26.279 for God to command us 00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:28.120 to obey him with our lives, 00:20:28.420 --> 00:20:30.820 to live lives of purity, 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.899 and when we do, 00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:34.299 they are a delight to God. 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:36.679 And so, 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.759 in very similar language 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:40.159 to Paul's encouragement to sexual purity, 00:20:40.679 --> 00:20:41.899 he encourages them 00:20:41.899 --> 00:20:44.200 to continue to live lives of love. 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:45.639 So, 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:47.259 have a look with me at verse 9, 00:20:47.399 --> 00:20:48.960 as we start to have a look 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:50.539 at Paul's call to love. 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.240 Verse 9. 00:20:53.099 --> 00:20:53.500 Now, 00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:55.359 about your love for one another, 00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:57.139 we do not need to write to you. 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.839 For you yourselves 00:20:58.839 --> 00:21:00.139 have been taught by God 00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:01.159 to love each other. 00:21:01.959 --> 00:21:02.599 And in fact, 00:21:02.939 --> 00:21:04.079 you do love 00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:05.259 all of God's family 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.379 throughout Macedonia. 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:07.359 Yet, 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:08.579 we urge you, 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.559 brothers and sisters, 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:11.500 to do so more and more. 00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:13.299 And to make it your ambition 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:15.039 to lead a quiet life. 00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:16.659 You should mind your own business 00:21:16.659 --> 00:21:18.019 and work with your hands, 00:21:18.439 --> 00:21:19.679 just as we told you. 00:21:20.099 --> 00:21:21.259 So that your daily life 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:23.059 may win the respect of outsiders. 00:21:23.659 --> 00:21:25.059 And so that you will not be 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:26.419 dependent on anyone. 00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:27.559 So, 00:21:27.679 --> 00:21:28.339 Paul encourages 00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:29.539 the Thessalonian church 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.980 to love, 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:32.179 to love one another. 00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:34.240 Not just the people around them, 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:35.139 as they've been doing, 00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:36.199 but their love 00:21:36.199 --> 00:21:37.259 has actually gone out 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:38.659 into the whole of Macedonia. 00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:40.779 And he urges them 00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:41.839 to do so more 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:42.799 and more. 00:21:44.399 --> 00:21:44.579 Here, 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:46.099 Paul speaks about those 00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:46.480 who 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:48.779 should mind their own business 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:50.439 and work with their hands. 00:21:51.179 --> 00:21:52.099 Because it appears 00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:53.019 that there are those 00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:54.339 who had become lazy. 00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:56.339 They'd become lazy 00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:58.579 for one reason 00:21:58.579 --> 00:21:59.139 or another. 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:00.579 And so they'd become 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:01.159 a burden 00:22:01.159 --> 00:22:02.319 on their brothers and sisters. 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:03.099 Now remember, 00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:04.079 this was a time 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:04.919 before 00:22:04.919 --> 00:22:06.500 there was social systems 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.199 like ours. 00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:08.240 And so, 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:10.099 they didn't have a government 00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:11.240 who would 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:12.639 hand out assistance. 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:14.159 There wasn't 00:22:14.159 --> 00:22:15.839 a dull system 00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:16.779 in those days. 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.779 What you had 00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:18.899 was family. 00:22:19.639 --> 00:22:20.259 You had 00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:22.459 your brothers and sisters 00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:23.240 in the church. 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:24.920 The burden 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:25.559 would have been 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:26.120 on the family 00:22:26.120 --> 00:22:26.799 to provide 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.400 for someone 00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:28.460 who wasn't working. 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:30.220 The burden 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:30.720 would have been 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:32.000 on the new church family. 00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:33.360 And so, 00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:34.100 Christians should 00:22:34.100 --> 00:22:34.920 either work 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:36.120 or be seeking work. 00:22:36.920 --> 00:22:37.039 Now, 00:22:37.100 --> 00:22:37.400 Christians, 00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:39.279 you're all usually 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:40.700 a nice bunch. 00:22:41.100 --> 00:22:41.700 You're a good bunch 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:42.100 of people. 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:44.420 But Paul encourages 00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:45.180 everyone 00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:46.380 to keep working 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:47.559 with their hands. 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.380 Because it would be 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:49.299 very easy 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.700 to become a burden 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:52.740 from someone 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.480 in the church 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.799 to other people. 00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:56.940 It's similar 00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:57.680 to Paul's comments 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.519 on sexual purity. 00:22:58.880 --> 00:22:59.840 Brotherly love, 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.380 loving others, 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.660 is good for the community. 00:23:03.600 --> 00:23:04.680 It wins the respect 00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.420 of outsiders. 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:07.180 And instead of being 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:08.480 dependent on other people, 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:09.900 working means 00:23:09.900 --> 00:23:10.680 that they could love 00:23:10.680 --> 00:23:11.160 one another. 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:12.000 They could love 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.960 those in their church 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:14.019 and they could love 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:14.960 those outside 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:15.519 of the church 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:16.580 throughout Macedonia 00:23:16.580 --> 00:23:17.460 as they had been. 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:19.000 It creates a view 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.660 that says, 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:21.799 I want to please God 00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:22.460 and so I'm not 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:23.059 going to be selfish. 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:25.359 I'm going to please God 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:26.420 with my body 00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:27.839 pursuing sexual purity 00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:29.019 and I'm not going 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.819 to be a burden 00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:31.299 on those around me. 00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:32.500 Instead, 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.680 I want to work 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:34.380 and provide 00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:35.279 for those people 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:35.799 around me 00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:36.400 because God 00:23:36.400 --> 00:23:37.440 has provided for me. 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:39.619 These 00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:41.480 are really important 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.099 words 00:23:42.099 --> 00:23:43.279 for a young 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:43.839 church 00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:45.339 in Thessalonica. 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:47.039 He wants 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.519 this church 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:48.119 to continue 00:23:48.119 --> 00:23:48.980 on for many 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.460 years, 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.539 to continue 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.619 to share 00:23:51.619 --> 00:23:52.059 the gospel 00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:52.539 of God, 00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:53.279 to continue 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:53.879 to grow 00:23:53.879 --> 00:23:54.900 and spread, 00:23:55.160 --> 00:23:55.940 to continue 00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:56.539 to share 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.279 the good news 00:23:57.279 --> 00:23:57.900 of Jesus. 00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.519 Now these 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.160 are messages 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:01.039 that are important 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:01.700 for a young 00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:02.480 church to hear, 00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:03.960 to be sexually 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:04.680 pure 00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.599 and to love, 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:07.779 not being a burden. 00:24:08.619 --> 00:24:09.539 Because unfortunately, 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:11.079 I've heard 00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:12.220 too many horror stories 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:12.819 of churches 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.900 falling apart 00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:14.960 because of 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:16.099 sexual immorality. 00:24:16.099 --> 00:24:17.599 you may have 00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:18.079 heard of 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:19.079 similar stories 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:20.980 where the devil 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:22.459 has dangled 00:24:22.459 --> 00:24:23.139 temptation 00:24:23.139 --> 00:24:23.839 in front of 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.339 the leader's 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:24.719 eyes, 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.319 hoping to 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:27.240 destabilize 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:27.859 a church. 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.699 Imagine this 00:24:29.699 --> 00:24:30.299 church in 00:24:30.299 --> 00:24:30.959 Thessalonica. 00:24:31.159 --> 00:24:31.679 They are 00:24:31.679 --> 00:24:32.519 influencing the 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.240 country and 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:33.799 the region 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:34.619 around them. 00:24:35.219 --> 00:24:36.019 How easy 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:37.039 would it be 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:38.599 for temptation 00:24:38.599 --> 00:24:39.519 at the top, 00:24:39.859 --> 00:24:40.819 those who are 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.659 leading the 00:24:41.659 --> 00:24:42.059 church, 00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:43.179 so that 00:24:43.179 --> 00:24:43.819 they sin 00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:44.379 sexually 00:24:44.379 --> 00:24:45.240 and the 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:45.960 church falls 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.299 apart? 00:24:46.419 --> 00:24:47.240 How easy 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:47.659 would that 00:24:47.659 --> 00:24:48.019 be to 00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:48.299 happen? 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:51.259 When people's 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:51.859 eyes slip 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:52.399 from seeking 00:24:52.399 --> 00:24:53.819 God to 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.319 seeking their 00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:54.899 own pleasure, 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:56.919 it destroys 00:24:56.919 --> 00:24:57.399 churches, 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.240 it destroys 00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:59.220 people's lives. 00:25:00.779 --> 00:25:01.220 And loving 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:01.859 brothers and 00:25:01.859 --> 00:25:02.559 sisters more 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:02.940 and more, 00:25:03.139 --> 00:25:03.819 it will combat 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:04.639 against all 00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:05.899 kinds of sins 00:25:05.899 --> 00:25:06.819 and personal 00:25:06.819 --> 00:25:07.740 agendas in 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.339 the church. 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:10.839 staying pure, 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:12.019 staying blameless, 00:25:12.199 --> 00:25:13.359 loving more 00:25:13.359 --> 00:25:14.019 and more, 00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:15.139 it effectively 00:25:15.139 --> 00:25:16.279 future-proofs a 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:17.399 church against 00:25:17.399 --> 00:25:18.059 attacks from 00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:19.039 outside and 00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:19.639 inside. 00:25:21.619 --> 00:25:22.220 And so we 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:23.000 should be 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:24.000 praying, 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:26.079 we should be 00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:26.519 praying that 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:27.379 this church 00:25:27.379 --> 00:25:28.399 here would 00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:29.199 continue to 00:25:29.199 --> 00:25:30.339 love more 00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:30.919 and more. 00:25:31.939 --> 00:25:32.539 We should be 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:33.000 praying for 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:33.480 one another, 00:25:33.959 --> 00:25:34.579 we should be 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.059 praying for 00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:35.599 our leaders, 00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:36.559 you should be 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:37.159 praying for 00:25:37.159 --> 00:25:37.619 me, 00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:38.479 that we 00:25:38.479 --> 00:25:39.039 would please 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.759 God with 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.439 our lives, 00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:41.679 that we 00:25:41.679 --> 00:25:43.359 would avoid 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:44.859 sexual immorality. 00:25:46.139 --> 00:25:47.039 We should be 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:47.559 praying so 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:48.219 that our 00:25:48.219 --> 00:25:49.439 families continue 00:25:49.439 --> 00:25:50.399 strong in 00:25:50.399 --> 00:25:50.979 the Lord, 00:25:51.579 --> 00:25:52.339 so that our 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:53.239 daily lives 00:25:53.239 --> 00:25:53.759 would win the 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.759 respect of 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:56.339 outsiders and 00:25:56.339 --> 00:25:58.199 ring out into 00:25:58.199 --> 00:25:59.159 the area around 00:25:59.159 --> 00:25:59.500 us. 00:26:01.099 --> 00:26:01.819 God has 00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.439 saved us, 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:02.819 he has 00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:03.519 forgiven us, 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:04.279 he has loved 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:04.739 us, 00:26:04.919 --> 00:26:05.839 and he 00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:06.959 delights in 00:26:06.959 --> 00:26:07.339 us. 00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:09.139 Obeying 00:26:09.139 --> 00:26:10.659 God actually 00:26:10.659 --> 00:26:11.599 pleases 00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:11.939 him. 00:26:13.099 --> 00:26:13.699 We can 00:26:13.699 --> 00:26:14.959 please the 00:26:14.959 --> 00:26:15.859 God of 00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:16.419 the universe. 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.099 How can 00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:18.579 we not 00:26:18.579 --> 00:26:19.939 change and 00:26:19.939 --> 00:26:20.459 seek to 00:26:20.459 --> 00:26:21.199 live lives 00:26:21.199 --> 00:26:22.319 to bring 00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:23.139 delight and 00:26:23.139 --> 00:26:24.079 joy to 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:24.459 the God 00:26:24.459 --> 00:26:24.899 who loves 00:26:24.899 --> 00:26:25.199 us and 00:26:25.199 --> 00:26:25.559 made us? 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:26.500 Let me 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:26.779 pray. 00:26:29.979 --> 00:26:30.559 Heavenly 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:30.979 Father, 00:26:31.659 --> 00:26:32.359 you have 00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:33.519 indeed loved 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:35.139 us so much, 00:26:35.179 --> 00:26:35.699 so much that 00:26:35.699 --> 00:26:36.779 we can't even 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.500 imagine it. 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:39.720 Heavenly 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.200 Father, 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:41.779 thank you that 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:42.059 you have 00:26:42.059 --> 00:26:42.859 brought us 00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:43.220 into your 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:43.539 family, 00:26:43.639 --> 00:26:43.899 that we 00:26:43.899 --> 00:26:44.379 can indeed 00:26:44.379 --> 00:26:44.839 call you 00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:45.200 Father. 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.180 And Lord, 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:46.720 we thank you 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.440 that when we 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:48.220 obey you, 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:48.740 when we 00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:50.099 live lives 00:26:50.099 --> 00:26:51.720 that bring you 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:52.000 honor, 00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:52.379 that it 00:26:52.379 --> 00:26:52.859 actually 00:26:52.859 --> 00:26:53.920 pleases you. 00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:55.859 God, 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:56.559 we seek to 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:57.139 do that 00:26:57.139 --> 00:26:57.940 with our 00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.379 bodies. 00:26:59.379 --> 00:27:00.180 Help us to 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:00.759 do that in 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.139 purity. 00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:03.620 God, 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:04.460 we ask 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:04.660 that you 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:05.000 would help 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:05.380 us to 00:27:05.380 --> 00:27:05.840 do that 00:27:05.840 --> 00:27:06.460 with love 00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:06.900 to one 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:07.200 another, 00:27:07.880 --> 00:27:08.400 so that 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:09.020 our church 00:27:09.020 --> 00:27:09.600 would stand 00:27:09.600 --> 00:27:10.140 firm, 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.280 so that 00:27:11.280 --> 00:27:12.100 our lives 00:27:12.100 --> 00:27:12.400 and our 00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:12.800 families 00:27:12.800 --> 00:27:13.340 would stand 00:27:13.340 --> 00:27:14.220 firm in 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:14.960 faith and 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.580 hope and 00:27:15.580 --> 00:27:15.960 love, 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.800 so that we 00:27:17.800 --> 00:27:18.400 can please 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:18.880 you and 00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:19.360 bring you 00:27:19.360 --> 00:27:19.780 all the 00:27:19.780 --> 00:27:20.100 glory. 00:27:21.100 --> 00:27:21.680 We ask 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.120 this in 00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:22.560 your son's 00:27:22.560 --> 00:27:22.800 name. 00:27:23.620 --> 00:27:23.940 Amen. 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:24.080 Amen. 00:27:24.080 --> 00:27:24.140 Amen. 00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:24.160 Amen. 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:24.180 Amen. 00:27:24.180 --> 00:27:24.200 Amen. 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:24.259 Amen. 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:24.280 Amen. 00:27:24.280 --> 00:27:24.320 Amen. 00:27:24.320 --> 00:27:24.360 Amen. 00:27:24.360 --> 00:27:24.380 Amen. 00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:26.200 Amen. 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:26.259 Amen. 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:26.320 Amen. 00:27:26.320 --> 00:27:28.259 Amen. 00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:28.320 Amen. 00:27:28.320 --> 00:27:28.380 Amen. 00:27:28.380 --> 00:27:28.400 Amen. 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:29.320 Amen. 00:27:29.320 --> 00:27:30.259 Amen. 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:31.120 Amen.