WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.459 to preach this morning as we continue in our series from 2 Corinthians. 00:00:05.459 --> 00:00:06.600 ! Thanks Sam. 00:00:06.600 --> 00:00:22.280 Good morning everybody. 00:00:22.280 --> 00:00:29.400 If you could turn please, in God's word, to 2 Corinthians chapter 4. 00:00:32.120 --> 00:00:34.799 And we're going to read from verses 1 to 6. 00:00:35.140 --> 00:00:38.380 That's 2 Corinthians chapter 4. 00:00:39.320 --> 00:00:44.500 If you're using a church Bible, that's on page 1161. 00:00:52.280 --> 00:01:02.579 As we come to read God's word, let's pray and ask for his help to really hear it. 00:01:03.439 --> 00:01:04.159 Let's pray. 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:14.000 Our Heavenly Father, as we come now to read your word, 00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:18.960 help us by your Spirit to really listen. 00:01:18.959 --> 00:01:25.859 We don't want your word to just go in one ear and out the other. 00:01:27.500 --> 00:01:31.359 We want to hear what you have to say to us this morning. 00:01:33.959 --> 00:01:37.060 We pray this, Lord, so that we may not lose heart, 00:01:38.399 --> 00:01:43.899 but that we will be encouraged in the ministry that you have given to us all. 00:01:45.519 --> 00:01:45.879 Amen. 00:01:45.879 --> 00:01:48.959 Mary's going to read our passage. 00:01:49.199 --> 00:01:49.519 Thank you, Mary. 00:01:58.420 --> 00:02:02.659 Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, 00:02:03.039 --> 00:02:04.640 we do not lose heart. 00:02:05.079 --> 00:02:09.180 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. 00:02:09.180 --> 00:02:14.840 We do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. 00:02:15.439 --> 00:02:19.520 On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly, 00:02:19.740 --> 00:02:24.180 we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 00:02:24.780 --> 00:02:30.439 And even if our gospel is veiled, it's veiled to those who are perishing. 00:02:30.439 --> 00:02:39.079 The God of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel 00:02:39.079 --> 00:02:43.340 that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 00:02:43.340 --> 00:02:49.400 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, 00:02:49.780 --> 00:02:53.539 and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 00:02:54.199 --> 00:02:55.780 For God, who said, 00:02:56.240 --> 00:02:58.580 Let light shine out of darkness, 00:02:59.180 --> 00:03:01.740 made his light shine in our hearts 00:03:01.740 --> 00:03:05.860 to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory 00:03:05.860 --> 00:03:08.580 displayed in the face of Christ. 00:03:08.580 --> 00:03:09.860 Amen. 00:03:18.360 --> 00:03:21.040 Well, I wonder, what do you see? 00:03:23.140 --> 00:03:27.680 I don't know if you've ever seen this picture of Ruben's vase before. 00:03:29.020 --> 00:03:30.660 Half the room will look at this, 00:03:31.439 --> 00:03:33.140 and they will see a vase. 00:03:33.139 --> 00:03:39.539 The other half of the room will look and see two faces looking at each other. 00:03:39.659 --> 00:03:41.119 I wonder which one did you see first. 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:43.899 I saw the vase first, not the two faces looking at each other. 00:03:44.479 --> 00:03:45.299 Isn't it funny, though, 00:03:46.739 --> 00:03:50.279 how two people can be looking at exactly the same thing 00:03:50.279 --> 00:03:54.159 and yet see something completely different? 00:03:57.639 --> 00:03:59.319 I have another example of this. 00:03:59.319 --> 00:04:01.699 When I was 16 years old, 00:04:02.019 --> 00:04:07.079 I became convinced that I had a future as a singer-songwriter. 00:04:08.599 --> 00:04:11.299 I got recording software for my Christmas present. 00:04:11.699 --> 00:04:13.840 I began writing and recording my own songs 00:04:13.840 --> 00:04:16.620 and sharing them out to the world. 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:20.659 My older, wiser brother, he was coy about the whole idea. 00:04:21.459 --> 00:04:23.000 He didn't want to crush my spirits, 00:04:23.000 --> 00:04:28.180 but he was gently trying to help me see that singing wasn't my main gift 00:04:28.180 --> 00:04:29.519 that the Lord had given to me. 00:04:30.899 --> 00:04:33.339 But when I told him that I had got my first gig, 00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:34.839 he nearly collapsed. 00:04:36.300 --> 00:04:38.819 And he did sit me down at that point and said, 00:04:38.920 --> 00:04:41.259 Sambo, you can't sing. 00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:46.459 Of course, I completely ignored his advice. 00:04:47.279 --> 00:04:49.079 And I went and I played that gig anyway. 00:04:49.079 --> 00:04:53.120 It took me years to actually see the reality that he saw, 00:04:54.339 --> 00:04:55.839 which is that singing isn't my main gift. 00:04:56.199 --> 00:05:00.199 And I should leave that to others more so in a solo capacity. 00:05:01.300 --> 00:05:02.919 We were looking at the same thing 00:05:02.919 --> 00:05:05.779 and saw something completely different. 00:05:07.159 --> 00:05:08.479 Have you ever had that experience? 00:05:10.860 --> 00:05:14.599 Well, the text today tells us that the same thing happens 00:05:14.600 --> 00:05:16.540 when we look at Jesus. 00:05:18.360 --> 00:05:20.640 We could all be looking at Jesus 00:05:20.640 --> 00:05:24.000 and see totally different things. 00:05:26.320 --> 00:05:29.700 And we're going to learn today why that is. 00:05:31.580 --> 00:05:34.660 So that's our first theme in this text. 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:36.480 It's seeing Jesus. 00:05:36.560 --> 00:05:37.560 But here's the second thing. 00:05:37.660 --> 00:05:39.400 It's sharing Jesus. 00:05:39.399 --> 00:05:43.859 Now, all those who truly seen Jesus 00:05:43.859 --> 00:05:47.899 and received him as God, as Savior, 00:05:49.279 --> 00:05:53.500 they're given the ministry of sharing Jesus with others. 00:05:53.579 --> 00:05:54.919 And it's really natural. 00:05:55.259 --> 00:05:58.919 We want to share the good news of the Savior 00:05:58.919 --> 00:06:00.239 who we have seen. 00:06:01.500 --> 00:06:07.500 We share the gospel of his life, his death, his resurrection. 00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:10.939 Now, that's the ministry we've been given. 00:06:11.439 --> 00:06:14.639 Paul has already been talking about this ministry in chapter 3. 00:06:14.740 --> 00:06:17.399 And now in chapter 4, he tells us this. 00:06:17.740 --> 00:06:18.600 In verse 1, he says, 00:06:19.120 --> 00:06:23.300 Don't lose heart in your ministry. 00:06:24.339 --> 00:06:26.319 Don't lose heart. 00:06:28.079 --> 00:06:30.420 Why did he feel it necessary to say that? 00:06:30.420 --> 00:06:35.480 Why is it so important to tell us not to lose heart 00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:37.699 when we share Jesus with others? 00:06:37.840 --> 00:06:38.759 Well, here's what I think. 00:06:40.980 --> 00:06:44.319 As believers, whenever we look at Jesus, 00:06:45.280 --> 00:06:47.819 we see God the Son from eternity 00:06:47.819 --> 00:06:50.420 who became a human being. 00:06:50.780 --> 00:06:53.420 We see the second Adam who never failed. 00:06:54.620 --> 00:06:57.680 We see the humble servant who made himself nothing. 00:06:57.680 --> 00:07:01.879 We see the only substitute who could ever pay for our sin. 00:07:02.139 --> 00:07:03.680 We see the unstoppable victor 00:07:04.480 --> 00:07:08.000 who crushed our death when he rose from the dead. 00:07:08.199 --> 00:07:11.699 We see the reigning king who is interceding for us, 00:07:11.780 --> 00:07:13.639 a God's right hand in heaven right now. 00:07:14.120 --> 00:07:15.139 We see the good shepherd, 00:07:16.040 --> 00:07:17.100 the sovereign ruler, 00:07:17.759 --> 00:07:18.819 the head of the church, 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:20.180 the king of kings, 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:21.660 the lord of lords, 00:07:21.800 --> 00:07:24.180 who one day will ride out with heaven's armies, 00:07:24.819 --> 00:07:26.800 eyes ablaze with fire. 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:29.920 To judge the living and the dead. 00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:32.579 That's who we see when we see Jesus. 00:07:33.379 --> 00:07:35.720 But they can't see him. 00:07:38.840 --> 00:07:42.060 They can't see Jesus 00:07:42.060 --> 00:07:45.699 for who he really is. 00:07:47.500 --> 00:07:49.480 That's why we get disheartened. 00:07:49.480 --> 00:07:52.840 All they see is a dead, 00:07:53.439 --> 00:07:53.939 distant, 00:07:54.080 --> 00:07:55.140 historical figure 00:07:55.140 --> 00:07:56.800 with no relevance to their lives. 00:07:58.240 --> 00:07:59.840 Or a religious joke 00:07:59.840 --> 00:08:03.520 whose name they thrash around. 00:08:04.660 --> 00:08:07.439 Or a cold condemner 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:09.900 who's just waiting for them to fail. 00:08:09.899 --> 00:08:13.319 It's heartbreaking. 00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:16.799 And when this happens, 00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:19.219 we so easily lose heart 00:08:19.219 --> 00:08:21.819 because we know they desperately need Jesus, 00:08:22.019 --> 00:08:24.060 but they can't see him. 00:08:27.339 --> 00:08:29.939 But look at what Paul says in verse 1. 00:08:30.019 --> 00:08:30.299 He says, 00:08:30.419 --> 00:08:32.480 Therefore, since through God's mercy 00:08:32.480 --> 00:08:33.679 we have this ministry, 00:08:34.039 --> 00:08:36.539 we do not lose heart. 00:08:36.539 --> 00:08:37.679 Now how so, Paul? 00:08:38.779 --> 00:08:40.299 How are we not to lose heart 00:08:40.299 --> 00:08:41.939 when most people in Cargoline 00:08:41.939 --> 00:08:43.240 just can't see Jesus? 00:08:46.319 --> 00:08:48.039 And Paul's going to answer that question 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:48.819 in our text today. 00:08:52.319 --> 00:08:53.199 But first, 00:08:53.719 --> 00:08:54.740 he wants to talk about 00:08:54.740 --> 00:08:56.319 what happens when we get disheartened. 00:08:57.799 --> 00:08:58.740 In verse 2, 00:08:58.919 --> 00:09:00.939 he shows us two different ways 00:09:00.939 --> 00:09:02.500 that we can respond 00:09:02.500 --> 00:09:04.139 whenever we lose heart. 00:09:04.139 --> 00:09:06.399 Now here's the first response we can have. 00:09:06.439 --> 00:09:08.659 We can distort the gospel. 00:09:09.919 --> 00:09:12.159 We do this whenever the results aren't coming in. 00:09:13.919 --> 00:09:15.500 Paul talks about it in verse 2. 00:09:15.699 --> 00:09:15.980 It's like, 00:09:16.360 --> 00:09:19.419 if we change the message about Christ slightly, 00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:20.720 right, 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:23.480 presenting a less offensive, 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:26.659 more culturally acceptable Jesus, 00:09:26.939 --> 00:09:28.279 more people will believe in him. 00:09:28.539 --> 00:09:28.879 Right? 00:09:28.879 --> 00:09:33.559 In verse 2, 00:09:33.639 --> 00:09:34.439 Paul calls it 00:09:34.439 --> 00:09:35.740 deception. 00:09:37.759 --> 00:09:38.539 Often we do this 00:09:38.539 --> 00:09:39.679 by overemphasizing 00:09:39.679 --> 00:09:41.759 one truth about Jesus 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:44.419 at the expense of others. 00:09:45.159 --> 00:09:45.820 Some examples. 00:09:47.320 --> 00:09:48.700 We might deceive people 00:09:48.700 --> 00:09:50.899 by presenting Jesus as life coach. 00:09:52.559 --> 00:09:53.200 Okay? 00:09:53.519 --> 00:09:54.580 Jesus will help you 00:09:54.580 --> 00:09:56.480 to make big decisions, 00:09:56.720 --> 00:09:57.840 guide you on your journey, 00:09:57.840 --> 00:10:00.240 support you in hard times, 00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:00.680 you know, 00:10:00.899 --> 00:10:02.100 footsteps in the sand, 00:10:02.259 --> 00:10:03.080 all of that. 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:05.080 And it's true. 00:10:06.200 --> 00:10:06.980 God is 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:09.180 intimately interested in our lives, 00:10:09.180 --> 00:10:10.720 but it's not the main truth 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:11.200 of the gospel, 00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:11.620 is it? 00:10:12.379 --> 00:10:14.200 If that's all we're telling people, 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:15.080 it's a deception. 00:10:16.180 --> 00:10:17.060 Do we share 00:10:17.060 --> 00:10:19.379 how Jesus confronted us 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:20.160 in our sin 00:10:20.160 --> 00:10:23.100 and commanded us to repent? 00:10:23.100 --> 00:10:25.680 How about his demand 00:10:25.680 --> 00:10:26.519 that we would take up 00:10:26.519 --> 00:10:27.320 our cross 00:10:27.320 --> 00:10:28.399 and follow him? 00:10:31.700 --> 00:10:33.000 We could present Jesus 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:34.320 just as a spiritual help 00:10:34.320 --> 00:10:36.060 along your journey, 00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:36.899 that he affirms 00:10:36.899 --> 00:10:38.080 your choices as such, 00:10:38.180 --> 00:10:38.639 but no, 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:40.019 the gospel presents Jesus 00:10:40.019 --> 00:10:41.420 first and foremost 00:10:41.420 --> 00:10:42.600 as our rescuer 00:10:42.600 --> 00:10:44.440 from our hopeless, 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:45.899 sinful state, 00:10:45.980 --> 00:10:46.879 not a life coach 00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:48.560 who affirms our choices. 00:10:48.559 --> 00:10:51.279 But that's not popular today, 00:10:51.359 --> 00:10:51.619 is it? 00:10:55.219 --> 00:10:56.839 We're tempted to distort 00:10:56.839 --> 00:10:58.859 the message of Christ 00:10:58.859 --> 00:11:00.099 so people will listen. 00:11:01.239 --> 00:11:02.339 Here's another example. 00:11:02.699 --> 00:11:03.979 Maybe we might distort the gospel 00:11:03.979 --> 00:11:04.939 by presenting Jesus 00:11:04.939 --> 00:11:06.119 as the ticket to heaven. 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:07.199 Okay? 00:11:07.979 --> 00:11:08.379 Yes, 00:11:08.559 --> 00:11:09.439 you should repent. 00:11:10.259 --> 00:11:11.279 Say sorry for your sin, 00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:12.459 accept Jesus 00:11:12.459 --> 00:11:13.519 as your savior, 00:11:13.519 --> 00:11:15.699 and then you'll go to heaven. 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:18.159 With the emphasis 00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:19.579 all the way through being on 00:11:19.579 --> 00:11:21.659 you'll go to heaven. 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:26.059 And really, 00:11:26.199 --> 00:11:26.740 Jesus is just 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:27.419 the ticket machine, 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:27.819 right? 00:11:27.919 --> 00:11:29.340 You insert a prayer, 00:11:30.740 --> 00:11:32.079 out pops the ticket to heaven. 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:32.899 You know, 00:11:33.299 --> 00:11:34.039 off you go. 00:11:34.220 --> 00:11:36.039 Get back to your ordinary life 00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:36.960 that you were living. 00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:38.120 No change. 00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:39.519 You just got the ticket 00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:40.399 in your back pocket now. 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:43.539 And it's true, 00:11:43.720 --> 00:11:44.139 of course, 00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:44.740 that Christ 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:46.379 does give us heaven. 00:11:47.679 --> 00:11:48.639 But that's only because 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:50.039 heaven is to be 00:11:50.039 --> 00:11:51.139 with Christ. 00:11:52.340 --> 00:11:52.980 Heaven is when 00:11:52.980 --> 00:11:53.980 Christ is truly 00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:55.039 and fully united 00:11:55.039 --> 00:11:55.819 to her bride, 00:11:55.939 --> 00:11:56.480 the church, 00:11:57.079 --> 00:11:58.319 betrothed to her 00:11:58.319 --> 00:11:59.179 forever. 00:11:59.639 --> 00:11:59.899 But 00:11:59.899 --> 00:12:01.600 my colleagues in work 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:02.299 don't really want to know 00:12:02.299 --> 00:12:02.860 about that. 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:06.460 Or the classmates, 00:12:07.079 --> 00:12:07.699 or family, 00:12:07.939 --> 00:12:08.340 or neighbors. 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:09.500 They want heaven 00:12:09.500 --> 00:12:10.559 without Christ. 00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:16.100 So we begin 00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:16.879 to subtly change 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:17.360 the message. 00:12:21.720 --> 00:12:22.200 You know, 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:22.960 when I think about it, 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:23.720 I presented both 00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:24.360 of those deceptions 00:12:24.360 --> 00:12:24.860 before, 00:12:25.299 --> 00:12:25.740 in sharing 00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:26.799 what I thought 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:27.240 was Jesus 00:12:27.240 --> 00:12:28.820 with other people. 00:12:28.919 --> 00:12:29.139 I don't know 00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:29.919 what it is for you. 00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:31.240 How do you try 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:32.620 and dress Jesus up 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:32.980 or something 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:33.840 to make him easier 00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:34.559 to believe in? 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:36.899 People will probably 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:37.539 be more keen 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:38.080 to listen, 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:38.419 yeah. 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:39.179 I might be more 00:12:39.179 --> 00:12:39.759 acceptable. 00:12:43.379 --> 00:12:44.500 But it's shameful 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:45.019 deception. 00:12:47.019 --> 00:12:47.959 And it's preaching 00:12:47.959 --> 00:12:48.779 a false Jesus. 00:12:48.959 --> 00:12:49.559 Think about it. 00:12:49.799 --> 00:12:50.699 He can never save. 00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:52.599 It's not the real Jesus. 00:12:53.659 --> 00:12:55.019 Look at what Paul says 00:12:55.019 --> 00:12:56.099 in verse 2. 00:12:57.099 --> 00:12:57.639 Rather, 00:12:57.639 --> 00:13:00.620 we have renounced 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:02.299 secret and shameful 00:13:02.299 --> 00:13:02.759 ways. 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:04.319 We do not 00:13:04.319 --> 00:13:05.699 use deception. 00:13:06.879 --> 00:13:08.360 Nor do we 00:13:08.360 --> 00:13:09.000 distort 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:10.319 the word of God. 00:13:11.919 --> 00:13:13.100 On the contrary, 00:13:14.059 --> 00:13:15.500 by setting forth 00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:16.860 the truth plainly, 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:18.960 we commend ourselves 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:20.559 to everyone's conscience 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:22.159 in the sight 00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:23.080 of God. 00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:23.100 God, 00:13:23.460 --> 00:13:24.220 that's 00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:25.660 the second response. 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:26.240 That's our only 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:27.120 right response 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:28.120 when we are 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:28.800 disheartened 00:13:28.800 --> 00:13:29.720 in ministry. 00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:30.940 We keep 00:13:30.940 --> 00:13:31.780 declaring 00:13:31.780 --> 00:13:32.940 the gospel 00:13:32.940 --> 00:13:33.800 anyway. 00:13:35.300 --> 00:13:36.480 The true message 00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:36.960 of Christ, 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:38.100 the way the Bible 00:13:38.100 --> 00:13:38.759 presents it, 00:13:38.920 --> 00:13:39.759 we don't gloss 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:41.300 over the awkward 00:13:41.300 --> 00:13:42.759 or offensive bits. 00:13:43.420 --> 00:13:44.700 We set it forth 00:13:44.700 --> 00:13:45.460 plainly, 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:46.259 genuinely, 00:13:47.440 --> 00:13:48.600 whatever the response. 00:13:50.140 --> 00:13:50.759 Here's a quote 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:51.460 from an author 00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:52.320 called Dean Ortlund. 00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:52.840 He says this, 00:13:52.900 --> 00:13:53.460 the gospel 00:13:53.460 --> 00:13:55.340 is a message 00:13:55.340 --> 00:13:56.220 of truth, 00:13:57.340 --> 00:13:58.200 an honest 00:13:58.200 --> 00:13:58.760 assessment 00:13:58.760 --> 00:13:59.560 of our sinful 00:13:59.560 --> 00:14:00.080 condition, 00:14:00.760 --> 00:14:01.820 and a clear 00:14:01.820 --> 00:14:03.080 and forthright 00:14:03.080 --> 00:14:03.800 declaration 00:14:03.800 --> 00:14:05.720 of how freely 00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:06.920 to be put 00:14:06.920 --> 00:14:07.760 right with God. 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.040 That's what it 00:14:09.040 --> 00:14:10.360 means to share 00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:10.760 the gospel. 00:14:10.920 --> 00:14:11.080 You know, 00:14:12.140 --> 00:14:13.000 so when we are 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:13.580 disheartened 00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:14.960 that people don't 00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:15.460 listen to our 00:14:15.460 --> 00:14:16.320 message about Jesus, 00:14:16.920 --> 00:14:18.020 we don't distort 00:14:18.020 --> 00:14:18.920 the message to try 00:14:18.920 --> 00:14:19.380 and get them to 00:14:19.380 --> 00:14:19.660 listen. 00:14:21.260 --> 00:14:21.560 No, 00:14:21.559 --> 00:14:22.119 we must keep 00:14:22.119 --> 00:14:23.159 sharing the truth 00:14:23.159 --> 00:14:24.579 regardless 00:14:24.579 --> 00:14:25.739 of the response. 00:14:29.459 --> 00:14:30.219 Paul now 00:14:30.219 --> 00:14:30.519 turns, 00:14:30.579 --> 00:14:30.699 though, 00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:31.239 in the next 00:14:31.239 --> 00:14:31.839 verse to 00:14:31.839 --> 00:14:32.419 address a 00:14:32.419 --> 00:14:33.039 really important 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:33.539 question, 00:14:34.219 --> 00:14:35.199 and it's 00:14:35.199 --> 00:14:37.099 why do people 00:14:37.099 --> 00:14:38.719 reject the 00:14:38.719 --> 00:14:39.419 gospel truth? 00:14:39.539 --> 00:14:39.859 Why do they 00:14:39.859 --> 00:14:40.439 reject the good 00:14:40.439 --> 00:14:41.139 news about Jesus? 00:14:43.219 --> 00:14:44.219 Why do so 00:14:44.219 --> 00:14:45.439 many not see 00:14:45.439 --> 00:14:46.219 Jesus as God 00:14:46.219 --> 00:14:46.719 and Savior 00:14:46.719 --> 00:14:48.079 whenever we 00:14:48.079 --> 00:14:48.539 tell them 00:14:48.539 --> 00:14:49.120 about him? 00:14:49.959 --> 00:14:50.360 Why can't 00:14:50.360 --> 00:14:50.819 they see 00:14:50.819 --> 00:14:51.439 what we 00:14:51.439 --> 00:14:51.679 see? 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:51.919 Well, 00:14:52.079 --> 00:14:52.719 let's read 00:14:52.719 --> 00:14:53.179 from verse 00:14:53.179 --> 00:14:53.759 three and 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.319 find out 00:14:54.319 --> 00:14:55.439 the reason 00:14:55.439 --> 00:14:55.819 why. 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.299 Verse 00:14:57.299 --> 00:14:57.579 three, 00:14:59.360 --> 00:14:59.719 and even 00:14:59.719 --> 00:15:00.039 if our 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:01.199 gospel is 00:15:01.199 --> 00:15:01.620 veiled, 00:15:01.980 --> 00:15:03.059 it is 00:15:03.059 --> 00:15:03.799 veiled to 00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:05.019 those who 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:05.759 are perishing. 00:15:07.839 --> 00:15:08.339 Okay, 00:15:08.439 --> 00:15:10.019 so we 00:15:10.019 --> 00:15:10.279 hear that 00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:10.799 the good 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:11.120 news of 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:11.459 the gospel 00:15:11.459 --> 00:15:12.299 is veiled 00:15:12.299 --> 00:15:12.919 or hidden 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:15.599 from those 00:15:15.599 --> 00:15:16.379 who don't 00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:17.079 see Jesus 00:15:17.079 --> 00:15:18.079 as God. 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:21.199 The true 00:15:21.199 --> 00:15:22.199 Christ is 00:15:22.199 --> 00:15:22.839 veiled. 00:15:24.039 --> 00:15:24.559 He's hidden 00:15:24.559 --> 00:15:25.039 from them. 00:15:27.339 --> 00:15:28.039 Why is 00:15:28.039 --> 00:15:28.459 Jesus hidden 00:15:28.459 --> 00:15:28.839 from them? 00:15:29.199 --> 00:15:29.559 Verse four 00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:30.139 tells us. 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:30.819 Read with 00:15:30.819 --> 00:15:31.019 me. 00:15:32.679 --> 00:15:33.679 The God 00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:34.259 of this 00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:34.639 age, 00:15:34.979 --> 00:15:35.399 that is 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:35.879 Satan, 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:38.219 has blinded 00:15:38.219 --> 00:15:38.779 the minds 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:39.699 of unbelievers 00:15:39.699 --> 00:15:41.620 so that they 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:42.639 cannot see 00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:43.659 the light 00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:43.919 of the 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:44.299 gospel 00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:45.620 that displays 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.319 the glory 00:15:46.319 --> 00:15:46.919 of Christ 00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:47.840 who is 00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:48.439 the image 00:15:48.439 --> 00:15:49.679 of God. 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:50.620 Well, 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:50.960 there's our 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:51.259 reason. 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:53.840 This is why 00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:54.399 people don't 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:55.059 see Christ 00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:55.519 as God 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:55.899 and all 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:56.340 his glory. 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:56.639 It's 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:57.179 Satan 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:58.500 has blinded 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:58.720 them. 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:01.000 They can't 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:02.220 see the 00:16:02.220 --> 00:16:03.159 light of 00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:03.740 the gospel. 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:05.159 The gospel 00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:07.299 shines light 00:16:07.299 --> 00:16:08.600 on Jesus, 00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:10.379 his glory. 00:16:10.799 --> 00:16:11.299 The gospel 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:12.259 illuminates 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:13.480 his glory 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:14.919 as God. 00:16:15.419 --> 00:16:15.639 Satan 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:16.240 blinds them 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:16.620 from seeing 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:17.080 that light. 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:21.759 That's what's 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:22.039 happening 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:23.100 whenever your 00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:23.799 colleague or 00:16:23.799 --> 00:16:24.559 classmate or 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:25.659 family member 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:27.220 doesn't respond. 00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:28.700 Whenever you 00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:29.259 tell them 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:30.580 about Jesus 00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:31.899 or whenever 00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:32.559 they hear 00:16:32.559 --> 00:16:33.039 about him 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:33.799 in some 00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:34.899 other place, 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.240 they can't 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:36.819 see the glory 00:16:36.819 --> 00:16:37.299 of Christ 00:16:37.299 --> 00:16:37.679 when they've 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:38.339 been blinded. 00:16:42.719 --> 00:16:43.359 Whenever I 00:16:43.359 --> 00:16:43.799 was 18 00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:44.179 years old, 00:16:44.219 --> 00:16:44.519 I went to 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:44.939 my sixth 00:16:44.939 --> 00:16:45.120 year, 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:45.559 Deb's 00:16:45.559 --> 00:16:45.819 Ball, 00:16:46.359 --> 00:16:46.719 with a 00:16:46.719 --> 00:16:47.039 friend of 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:47.359 mine from 00:16:47.359 --> 00:16:47.740 school. 00:16:50.479 --> 00:16:51.120 She was 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:51.500 visually 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:51.919 impaired. 00:16:52.079 --> 00:16:52.299 She could 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:52.819 only see 00:16:52.819 --> 00:16:54.379 shadows of 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:54.719 light. 00:16:55.839 --> 00:16:56.159 At this 00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:56.319 point, 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:56.579 she was 00:16:56.579 --> 00:16:58.219 almost 100% 00:16:58.219 --> 00:16:58.620 blind. 00:16:58.620 --> 00:17:02.000 when we 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:02.740 arrived at 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.179 the venue, 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:04.220 I was 00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:04.660 amazed at 00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:05.039 the glory 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:05.339 of the 00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:05.799 hotel. 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:06.799 It was 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.539 just 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.000 wonderful. 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:08.500 There was 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:08.839 a red 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:10.259 carpet laid 00:17:10.259 --> 00:17:10.480 out, 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:10.700 this 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.180 Georgian 00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:11.759 architecture, 00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:14.000 the grand 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:14.819 staircase, 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:16.700 the ornately 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:17.859 decorated 00:17:17.859 --> 00:17:18.480 tables. 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:21.400 I was 00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:21.740 sad that 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:22.240 my friend, 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:23.660 she couldn't 00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:24.019 see the 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.539 glory of 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:25.099 that place 00:17:25.099 --> 00:17:25.799 for herself. 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:29.680 She could 00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:30.339 never express 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:30.860 her praise 00:17:30.860 --> 00:17:31.279 of it as 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:32.039 I could. 00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:34.339 She was 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:34.660 physically 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.380 blinded from 00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:37.519 seeing that 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.059 glory. 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.380 And this 00:17:42.380 --> 00:17:42.779 is a picture 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:43.180 of what is 00:17:43.180 --> 00:17:43.500 happening 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.559 spiritually. 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:46.960 When people 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:47.460 we know 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:48.019 cannot see 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:48.960 the surpassing 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:49.619 glory of 00:17:49.619 --> 00:17:50.240 Christ. 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:52.299 Satan has 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:53.019 blinded them 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:53.980 from seeing 00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:54.639 Christ as 00:17:54.639 --> 00:17:55.400 God and 00:17:55.400 --> 00:17:55.940 the only 00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:56.759 savior from 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:56.980 sin. 00:17:57.099 --> 00:17:57.740 At best, 00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:58.059 what they 00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:58.339 see is 00:17:58.339 --> 00:17:58.940 this blurry 00:17:58.940 --> 00:17:59.579 or false 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:01.279 picture of 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:01.619 who he 00:18:01.619 --> 00:18:01.779 is, 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.079 like a 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:02.599 life coach 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:03.119 or like a 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:03.559 ticket to 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:03.799 heaven. 00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:06.700 They can't 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:06.980 see. 00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:11.339 Now, 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:11.639 if that 00:18:11.639 --> 00:18:12.779 was where 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:13.519 Paul left 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:13.799 us, 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:14.200 this would 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:14.500 be a 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:14.819 really 00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:15.279 hopeless 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:15.960 text and 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:16.240 sermon, 00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:16.460 wouldn't 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:16.639 it? 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:18.940 We might 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:19.259 ask, 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:19.980 how then, 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:20.240 Paul, 00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:20.759 can anyone 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:21.500 believe if 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:21.940 Satan has 00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:22.519 blinded 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:22.920 everyone? 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:26.240 We might 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:26.980 completely lose 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:27.460 heart and 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.000 just give up 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.579 sharing Jesus 00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:29.019 with anyone. 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:29.299 I mean, 00:18:29.400 --> 00:18:29.859 do you guys, 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:31.160 do you feel 00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:32.519 the blindness 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:34.579 here in 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:35.420 Caracoline and 00:18:35.420 --> 00:18:35.720 around? 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:37.920 Does it 00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:38.779 weigh on 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.000 you? 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:40.240 Do you feel 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:41.019 disheartened 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:41.900 because so 00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:43.039 many people 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:43.960 just can't 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.539 see Jesus 00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:45.180 as you can? 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:46.580 do you 00:18:46.580 --> 00:18:47.120 feel that? 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:49.519 Where is 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:50.860 the hope 00:18:50.860 --> 00:18:51.519 in this 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.160 situation? 00:18:54.840 --> 00:18:56.039 Paul begins 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:56.880 to give us 00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:57.360 the answer 00:18:57.360 --> 00:18:57.779 in verse 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.160 five. 00:18:58.279 --> 00:18:58.600 He says 00:18:58.600 --> 00:18:59.039 this, 00:19:01.100 --> 00:19:01.880 for what 00:19:01.880 --> 00:19:02.400 we preach 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:03.140 is not 00:19:03.140 --> 00:19:03.759 ourselves, 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:05.960 but Jesus 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:07.240 Christ as 00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:08.080 Lord and 00:19:08.080 --> 00:19:09.480 ourselves as 00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:10.200 your servants 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:11.019 for Jesus' 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:11.360 sake. 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:11.640 So he's 00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:12.200 basically saying 00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:12.380 here, 00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:12.540 look, 00:19:13.020 --> 00:19:13.680 all I'm 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:14.020 ever going 00:19:14.020 --> 00:19:14.360 to share 00:19:14.360 --> 00:19:14.720 with you 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.260 is Jesus. 00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:18.200 Jesus as 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:18.520 Lord, 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.360 no other 00:19:19.360 --> 00:19:20.120 message matters. 00:19:20.560 --> 00:19:20.880 Why? 00:19:21.080 --> 00:19:21.500 Here's the 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:22.120 glorious hope. 00:19:22.280 --> 00:19:22.640 Here it is 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:22.920 in verse 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:23.240 six. 00:19:25.160 --> 00:19:25.940 For God, 00:19:26.520 --> 00:19:27.100 who said, 00:19:27.100 --> 00:19:28.020 let light 00:19:28.020 --> 00:19:28.660 shine out 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.260 of darkness, 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:30.960 made his 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:32.220 light shine 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:32.820 in our 00:19:32.820 --> 00:19:34.640 hearts to 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:35.440 give us 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:36.360 the light 00:19:36.360 --> 00:19:37.020 of the 00:19:37.020 --> 00:19:37.920 knowledge of 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:38.440 God's 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:40.020 glory displayed 00:19:40.020 --> 00:19:41.460 in the face 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:42.140 of Christ. 00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:42.820 light. 00:19:43.820 --> 00:19:44.860 Yes, 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:46.680 thank God 00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:47.940 there is 00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:48.960 hope for 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:49.500 those who 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:50.540 cannot yet 00:19:50.540 --> 00:19:51.000 see, 00:19:51.620 --> 00:19:52.820 because God 00:19:52.820 --> 00:19:53.860 gives 00:19:53.860 --> 00:19:54.920 spiritual 00:19:54.920 --> 00:19:56.320 sight to 00:19:56.320 --> 00:19:57.560 see Christ. 00:19:59.520 --> 00:20:00.820 And here's 00:20:00.820 --> 00:20:01.260 how he does 00:20:01.260 --> 00:20:01.500 it. 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:04.240 As we 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:04.940 speak his 00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:05.240 word, 00:20:06.600 --> 00:20:07.780 he calls 00:20:07.780 --> 00:20:08.600 forth 00:20:08.600 --> 00:20:09.320 light. 00:20:10.300 --> 00:20:10.540 Okay, 00:20:10.620 --> 00:20:11.140 just as in 00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:11.640 creation, 00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:12.680 God 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:13.120 commanded 00:20:13.120 --> 00:20:13.660 light to 00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:13.920 come out 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.340 of darkness 00:20:14.340 --> 00:20:14.620 and it 00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:14.800 came 00:20:14.800 --> 00:20:15.520 flooding 00:20:15.520 --> 00:20:15.920 out, 00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:18.540 so also 00:20:18.540 --> 00:20:18.840 God 00:20:18.840 --> 00:20:19.660 calls new 00:20:19.660 --> 00:20:20.700 spiritual 00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:21.560 light out 00:20:21.560 --> 00:20:22.240 of spiritual 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:22.880 darkness in 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:23.300 people's 00:20:23.300 --> 00:20:23.680 lives and 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:23.980 they can 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:24.400 see. 00:20:26.080 --> 00:20:26.940 How does 00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:27.240 he do 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:27.480 that? 00:20:27.540 --> 00:20:27.620 Well, 00:20:27.620 --> 00:20:27.900 he does 00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:28.160 it as 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:30.080 we speak 00:20:30.080 --> 00:20:30.759 God's 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.600 word into 00:20:31.600 --> 00:20:32.240 their lives. 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:35.720 God makes 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.519 the light 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:37.380 to shine 00:20:37.380 --> 00:20:38.380 on Christ. 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:39.240 That's why 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:39.680 it's so 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.339 important to 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:41.380 keep sharing 00:20:41.380 --> 00:20:42.440 God's 00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:42.900 word 00:20:42.900 --> 00:20:43.779 faithfully. 00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:44.460 Isn't that 00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:44.799 amazing? 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:47.319 God's 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:47.839 word 00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:48.599 creates 00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:48.919 new 00:20:48.919 --> 00:20:49.399 spiritual 00:20:49.399 --> 00:20:49.859 light 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:50.519 in 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.039 people's 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:51.379 hearts. 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:53.539 You know 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:53.759 what? 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:54.819 Where people 00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:55.279 could never 00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:55.899 before see 00:20:55.899 --> 00:20:56.379 Jesus as 00:20:56.379 --> 00:20:56.740 God and 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.019 Savior, 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.259 now with 00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:58.659 new 00:20:58.659 --> 00:20:59.139 spiritual 00:20:59.139 --> 00:20:59.659 eyes, 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:01.039 they can 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:01.519 see him. 00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:03.039 It's a 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:03.440 miraculous 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.019 transformation. 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:04.720 It's not 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.240 something anybody 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:05.759 can do for 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:06.200 themselves. 00:21:07.159 --> 00:21:07.460 There's no 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:07.879 spiritual 00:21:07.879 --> 00:21:08.619 formula to 00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:09.539 manufacture it. 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:09.859 No, 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:10.899 only God 00:21:10.899 --> 00:21:11.899 can remove 00:21:11.899 --> 00:21:12.839 the blindness 00:21:12.839 --> 00:21:14.000 Satan has 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.500 cast on 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:14.639 them. 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:15.179 Now, 00:21:15.379 --> 00:21:15.980 turn with 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.179 me, 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:16.379 if you 00:21:16.379 --> 00:21:16.519 could, 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:16.799 please, 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:17.439 to Matthew 00:21:17.439 --> 00:21:18.619 chapter 16. 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:21.419 Matthew 00:21:21.419 --> 00:21:22.879 chapter 16. 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:30.919 And 00:21:30.919 --> 00:21:31.539 verse 13. 00:21:33.139 --> 00:21:33.399 And 00:21:33.399 --> 00:21:33.779 here's another 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:35.619 example in 00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:37.199 scripture of 00:21:37.199 --> 00:21:37.819 how God 00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:38.659 removes 00:21:38.659 --> 00:21:39.740 spiritual 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:40.119 blindness. 00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:43.139 It's 00:21:43.139 --> 00:21:43.419 Matthew 00:21:43.419 --> 00:21:44.099 chapter 16 00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:45.079 verse 13. 00:21:45.639 --> 00:21:46.259 When Jesus 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:46.859 came to the 00:21:46.859 --> 00:21:47.319 region of 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:47.679 Caesarea 00:21:47.679 --> 00:21:48.139 Philippi, 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:48.740 he asked 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.339 his disciples, 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:50.720 who do 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:51.259 people say 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:51.699 the Son of 00:21:51.699 --> 00:21:52.119 Man is? 00:21:52.939 --> 00:21:53.579 They replied, 00:21:53.939 --> 00:21:54.299 some say 00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:54.579 John the 00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:54.859 Baptist, 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:56.439 others say 00:21:56.439 --> 00:21:56.859 Elijah, 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:57.959 and still 00:21:57.959 --> 00:21:58.319 others, 00:21:58.619 --> 00:21:59.039 Jeremiah, 00:21:59.259 --> 00:21:59.659 or one of 00:21:59.659 --> 00:22:00.059 the prophets. 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:01.899 But what 00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:02.379 about you? 00:22:02.679 --> 00:22:03.039 He asked. 00:22:04.199 --> 00:22:04.799 Who do 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:05.139 you say 00:22:05.139 --> 00:22:05.439 I am? 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:07.959 Simon 00:22:07.959 --> 00:22:08.599 Peter answered, 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:11.000 you are the 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:11.459 Messiah, 00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:12.799 the Son 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.779 of the 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.220 living 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:15.140 God. 00:22:15.840 --> 00:22:16.600 Peter saw, 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:16.860 right? 00:22:18.140 --> 00:22:18.720 He saw 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.120 who Jesus 00:22:19.120 --> 00:22:19.640 really was. 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:20.039 Now what 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:20.380 does Jesus 00:22:20.380 --> 00:22:20.660 do in 00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:21.079 response? 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:23.660 Does Jesus 00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:24.019 give him a 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:24.440 pat on the 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:24.779 back and 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.000 say, 00:22:25.100 --> 00:22:25.240 hey, 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:25.860 Peter, 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.500 you're the 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:26.880 man. 00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:29.220 Knew 00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:29.720 you'd be the 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:30.319 first one to 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:30.640 see who 00:22:30.640 --> 00:22:30.980 he truly 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:31.420 was. 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:32.940 Top 00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:33.799 class 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.299 disciple 00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:34.779 right here. 00:22:34.840 --> 00:22:35.059 Everyone 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:35.660 give this 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.019 man a round 00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:36.480 of applause. 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:37.579 Is that 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:37.940 what Jesus 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:38.360 says? 00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:39.500 No. 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:40.799 No. 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:41.840 The answer 00:22:41.840 --> 00:22:42.860 might surprise 00:22:42.860 --> 00:22:43.120 us. 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:43.860 Verse 17, 00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:44.299 he says 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:44.720 this. 00:22:46.860 --> 00:22:47.400 Blessed 00:22:47.400 --> 00:22:48.100 are you, 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:48.900 Simon, 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:49.600 son of 00:22:49.600 --> 00:22:49.840 Jonah, 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.140 for this 00:22:51.140 --> 00:22:51.840 was not 00:22:51.840 --> 00:22:52.559 revealed to 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:53.380 you by 00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:53.980 flesh and 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.539 blood, 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:55.920 but by 00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:56.980 my Father 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:58.660 in heaven. 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:00.480 Our 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.220 sight is a 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:01.480 gift. 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.680 Peter 00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:06.180 isn't given 00:23:06.180 --> 00:23:06.779 an ounce of 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:07.500 credit for 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:08.000 seeing who 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:08.620 Jesus really 00:23:08.620 --> 00:23:08.980 is. 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:10.579 God 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:11.400 removed 00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:11.980 your 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:12.480 blindness, 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:13.480 Peter. 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.180 It was a 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:14.420 gift. 00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:14.880 You had 00:23:14.880 --> 00:23:15.720 nothing to 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:16.099 do with 00:23:16.099 --> 00:23:16.319 it, 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:16.700 Jesus 00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:17.099 says. 00:23:17.900 --> 00:23:18.360 Now think 00:23:18.360 --> 00:23:19.019 about your 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.640 story for 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:20.059 a second. 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.019 If you're a 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:25.480 believer in 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.120 Christ today, 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:28.259 there was a 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:28.839 time in your 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:30.140 life when you 00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:30.700 couldn't see 00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:31.160 your need of 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:31.559 Jesus, 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.000 right? 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:33.900 Just think 00:23:33.900 --> 00:23:35.000 back to that 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:35.920 time now. 00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:36.000 God. 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:38.860 And maybe 00:23:38.860 --> 00:23:39.279 like me, 00:23:39.340 --> 00:23:39.580 you had 00:23:39.580 --> 00:23:39.880 heard the 00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:40.800 message of 00:23:40.800 --> 00:23:41.900 Jesus spoken 00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:42.640 to you many, 00:23:42.820 --> 00:23:43.300 many times 00:23:43.300 --> 00:23:43.700 before, 00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:44.940 maybe over 00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.500 years. 00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:49.140 But you 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:49.640 still couldn't 00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:50.360 see Jesus as 00:23:50.360 --> 00:23:50.700 God and 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:50.960 Savior. 00:23:52.800 --> 00:23:53.460 You didn't 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.019 see your need 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.300 of him. 00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:55.380 You didn't 00:23:55.380 --> 00:23:55.860 want him. 00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.519 But then, 00:23:59.100 --> 00:23:59.600 over the 00:23:59.600 --> 00:24:00.060 course of 00:24:00.060 --> 00:24:00.480 time, 00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:01.920 something 00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:02.360 changed. 00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.120 You found 00:24:03.120 --> 00:24:04.200 yourself deeply 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:04.840 convicted of 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:05.179 your sin. 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:05.619 And you 00:24:05.619 --> 00:24:06.319 saw Jesus 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:07.419 as dying 00:24:07.419 --> 00:24:07.679 on the 00:24:07.679 --> 00:24:08.139 cross for 00:24:08.139 --> 00:24:09.000 your sin 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:09.659 personally. 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.119 And you 00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:11.839 repented of 00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:12.299 your sin and 00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:12.839 you turned 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.339 to him in 00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:14.099 wholehearted 00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:14.980 trust. 00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:16.099 You believed 00:24:16.099 --> 00:24:17.019 that he 00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:17.639 rose from 00:24:17.639 --> 00:24:17.959 the dead 00:24:17.959 --> 00:24:18.379 crushing 00:24:18.379 --> 00:24:19.980 your death. 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:21.119 Is it to 00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:21.779 your credit 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.619 or to 00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:23.399 mine that 00:24:23.399 --> 00:24:24.679 we saw 00:24:24.679 --> 00:24:25.039 him? 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:28.959 No. 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:31.899 We never 00:24:31.899 --> 00:24:32.659 wanted Jesus 00:24:32.659 --> 00:24:33.579 until God 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:34.939 removed our 00:24:34.939 --> 00:24:35.339 blindness. 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:39.639 And then 00:24:39.639 --> 00:24:40.139 we saw 00:24:40.139 --> 00:24:40.759 his glory 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:42.240 and believed. 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:43.639 Isn't that 00:24:43.639 --> 00:24:44.000 amazing? 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:45.500 Reminds me 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.159 of those 00:24:46.159 --> 00:24:46.919 famous words. 00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:48.539 Amazing 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:49.159 grace, 00:24:49.899 --> 00:24:50.579 how sweet 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:51.240 the sound 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:53.119 that saved 00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:53.859 a wretch 00:24:53.859 --> 00:24:54.699 like me. 00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.339 I once 00:24:56.339 --> 00:24:57.439 was lost, 00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:59.159 but now 00:24:59.159 --> 00:24:59.740 am found, 00:25:00.419 --> 00:25:00.859 was 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:02.599 blind. 00:25:04.219 --> 00:25:05.199 But now 00:25:05.199 --> 00:25:05.779 I see. 00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:07.240 That's 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:07.500 true. 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:14.799 People who 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:15.240 are physically 00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:16.319 blind cannot 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:17.159 do anything 00:25:17.159 --> 00:25:18.240 to give 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:18.539 themselves 00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:19.039 sight. 00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:21.319 So also, 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.479 people who 00:25:22.479 --> 00:25:23.079 are spiritually 00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:24.599 blind can 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.019 never make 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:25.619 themselves see 00:25:25.619 --> 00:25:25.979 Christ. 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:28.219 There really 00:25:28.219 --> 00:25:28.719 is all a 00:25:28.719 --> 00:25:29.059 gift of 00:25:29.059 --> 00:25:29.460 amazing 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:29.839 grace. 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:33.960 How does 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:34.659 this help 00:25:34.659 --> 00:25:35.379 us not 00:25:35.379 --> 00:25:36.419 lose heart 00:25:36.419 --> 00:25:37.299 in our 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:37.740 ministry? 00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:39.379 Of sharing 00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:39.919 Jesus with 00:25:39.919 --> 00:25:40.139 others? 00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:40.779 How does 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.220 this help 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:42.099 us not 00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:42.899 lose 00:25:42.899 --> 00:25:43.480 heart? 00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:43.740 Well, 00:25:44.379 --> 00:25:44.799 here so, 00:25:46.139 --> 00:25:46.759 we now 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.179 have hope. 00:25:50.399 --> 00:25:50.779 Satan 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.379 may blind 00:25:51.379 --> 00:25:51.940 people from 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:52.700 seeing Christ, 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.579 but God 00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:54.079 can remove 00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:54.559 the blindness. 00:25:56.099 --> 00:25:56.879 God can 00:25:56.879 --> 00:25:57.679 shine his 00:25:57.679 --> 00:25:58.200 light in 00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:58.900 their hearts 00:25:58.900 --> 00:25:59.500 just as 00:25:59.500 --> 00:25:59.860 he shone 00:25:59.860 --> 00:26:00.140 it in 00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:00.539 ours. 00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:03.140 Just as 00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:03.799 he removed 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.559 our blindness 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:05.500 making us 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.059 see Christ, 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.259 he's going 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:07.740 to do the 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:08.080 same for 00:26:08.080 --> 00:26:08.559 other people 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:08.920 as well. 00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:09.440 That is 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:10.180 our hope. 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:10.759 There are 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.259 neighbors, 00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:12.059 colleagues, 00:26:12.580 --> 00:26:13.059 classmates, 00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:14.580 family members 00:26:14.580 --> 00:26:15.860 who will 00:26:15.860 --> 00:26:16.680 see him 00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:18.039 as glorious 00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:19.200 God and 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:19.600 Savior. 00:26:19.600 --> 00:26:20.080 It just 00:26:20.080 --> 00:26:20.559 hasn't 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.240 happened yet. 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.279 God. 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:23.880 Now, 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:24.160 if it 00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:24.559 were up 00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:25.299 to us 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:26.099 to change 00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:26.839 people's 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:27.099 hearts, 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:27.599 we would 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:27.920 have every 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:28.480 reason to 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:28.900 lose heart 00:26:28.900 --> 00:26:29.380 in ministry. 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:31.839 But no, 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:33.000 because God 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:33.799 is in the 00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:34.279 business of 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:34.579 removing 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.000 blindness, 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.859 we don't 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:37.740 lose 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.339 heart. 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.240 That is 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:40.680 our hope. 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:43.539 Now, 00:26:43.620 --> 00:26:43.819 as we 00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.140 finish, 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:45.519 how does 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.460 knowing all 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:46.940 this change 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:47.160 the way 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:47.339 that we 00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:48.000 live as 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.380 Christians? 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:48.700 I've got 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.980 three brief 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:50.460 things for 00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:50.700 you to 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:51.039 consider. 00:26:53.180 --> 00:26:53.799 Here's the 00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:54.220 first one. 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:55.299 Keep sharing 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:56.559 the true 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:57.079 gospel. 00:26:57.240 --> 00:26:57.779 Remember how 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.500 in creation 00:26:58.500 --> 00:27:00.140 God spoke 00:27:00.140 --> 00:27:00.559 his word 00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:01.180 into darkness 00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:01.680 and the 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:02.220 light shone? 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:04.319 So when 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:04.680 people are 00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:04.980 saved, 00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:05.420 it's actually 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:06.680 we get 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.019 to speak 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:07.519 God's 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.319 word into 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:08.819 people's 00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:10.079 lives and 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:10.960 God makes 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:11.480 the light 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.420 shine on 00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:12.740 Christ. 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:13.039 Isn't that 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.460 incredible? 00:27:16.120 --> 00:27:16.559 And it 00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:17.299 means very 00:27:17.299 --> 00:27:19.259 simply that 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:19.559 we have 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:19.980 to keep 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:21.000 on declaring 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.799 the gospel. 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.720 We don't 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.519 distort it. 00:27:24.419 --> 00:27:25.139 We don't 00:27:25.139 --> 00:27:25.839 change it. 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.579 To try and 00:27:27.579 --> 00:27:28.259 make people 00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:28.940 believe him? 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:29.279 No. 00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:30.339 To do so 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:30.859 is shameful 00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:31.940 and damaging 00:27:31.940 --> 00:27:32.419 because it 00:27:32.419 --> 00:27:32.839 only leads 00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:33.299 people to 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:34.200 a Jesus 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:34.539 of our 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:34.919 imagining, 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:36.720 not the 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.879 true Jesus 00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:38.839 of the 00:27:38.839 --> 00:27:39.159 gospel. 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:41.039 So that's 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:41.359 our first 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:41.519 thing. 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:42.919 We share 00:27:42.919 --> 00:27:43.279 the true 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:43.720 message of 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:43.960 Christ. 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.419 And I've 00:27:44.419 --> 00:27:44.839 been challenged 00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:45.279 quite recently 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:45.619 to think 00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:46.079 about this. 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:46.980 I mean, 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:47.359 how am I 00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:47.980 actually sharing 00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:48.379 the gospel? 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:51.859 I find 00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:52.220 it's very 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:52.919 easy to, 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:53.379 you know, 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:53.759 when I'm 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.200 chatting to 00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:54.700 someone here 00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.419 in town 00:27:55.419 --> 00:27:55.700 or wherever, 00:27:56.139 --> 00:27:56.599 it's very 00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:57.000 easy to 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.399 chat about 00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:58.099 my church 00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:59.779 and I 00:27:59.779 --> 00:28:00.500 can tell 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:00.859 them lots 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:01.299 of great 00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:01.539 things. 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:01.799 Oh, yeah, 00:28:01.819 --> 00:28:02.159 we meet in 00:28:02.159 --> 00:28:02.500 the community 00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:02.839 center, 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:03.279 we sing 00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:03.599 songs, 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:03.899 we've got 00:28:03.899 --> 00:28:04.220 tea and 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:04.799 coffee after. 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.440 It's great. 00:28:07.159 --> 00:28:07.480 A kids 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:08.000 program, 00:28:08.419 --> 00:28:09.099 all of 00:28:09.099 --> 00:28:09.359 that. 00:28:11.639 --> 00:28:12.179 That's good, 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:13.440 but if that's 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.119 all I share, 00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:15.899 they're not 00:28:15.899 --> 00:28:16.379 hearing about 00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:16.860 Jesus at 00:28:16.860 --> 00:28:17.120 all. 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:21.000 How can 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:21.260 they know 00:28:21.260 --> 00:28:21.780 about Jesus 00:28:21.780 --> 00:28:22.260 if we don't 00:28:22.260 --> 00:28:22.820 actually tell 00:28:22.820 --> 00:28:24.120 them the 00:28:24.120 --> 00:28:24.480 gospel, 00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:25.640 what he's 00:28:25.640 --> 00:28:25.880 done? 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.360 I think we 00:28:29.360 --> 00:28:29.580 need to 00:28:29.580 --> 00:28:29.860 challenge 00:28:29.860 --> 00:28:30.340 ourselves to 00:28:30.340 --> 00:28:30.620 just go 00:28:30.620 --> 00:28:31.000 for it. 00:28:32.760 --> 00:28:33.420 Be open 00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:33.700 with the 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:34.000 gospel, 00:28:34.280 --> 00:28:34.660 not in a 00:28:34.660 --> 00:28:35.060 loud, 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:35.860 in-your-face 00:28:35.860 --> 00:28:36.220 way that 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:36.740 clearly does 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:37.220 not work 00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:37.860 in contexts 00:28:37.860 --> 00:28:38.080 like 00:28:38.080 --> 00:28:38.580 Carragiline, 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:40.220 but if we 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:40.700 do open 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.160 up our 00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:41.880 lives to 00:28:41.880 --> 00:28:42.260 people, 00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:45.039 no one 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:46.220 can contest 00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:46.500 that. 00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:47.339 Everyone is 00:28:47.339 --> 00:28:47.720 willing to 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:48.519 listen to 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:49.379 your life 00:28:49.379 --> 00:28:49.879 story, 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:51.200 your experience, 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:53.720 and through 00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:54.279 our story, 00:28:54.379 --> 00:28:54.839 we tell of 00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:55.519 our sinfulness 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.000 and we tell 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:56.319 of the 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:56.779 Savior who 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.480 rescued us 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:57.920 and who 00:28:57.920 --> 00:28:58.299 can rescue 00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:58.799 them too. 00:28:59.140 --> 00:28:59.680 We open 00:28:59.680 --> 00:29:00.279 up God's 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:00.400 word, 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:00.980 we show 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:01.279 them just 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:01.619 what it 00:29:01.619 --> 00:29:02.019 says. 00:29:04.879 --> 00:29:05.700 We keep 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.339 sharing the 00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:07.619 true message 00:29:07.619 --> 00:29:08.160 of the 00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:08.460 gospel. 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:08.879 Here's a 00:29:08.879 --> 00:29:09.400 second thing 00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:09.700 I was thinking 00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:09.900 about. 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:13.240 We should 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:14.779 pray more 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.119 than we 00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:15.379 share. 00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:18.640 If God 00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:19.140 is the 00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:19.879 only one 00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:20.599 who is 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:21.259 able to 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:21.539 remove 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:21.920 blindness 00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:22.480 from hearts, 00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:23.000 as Paul 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.339 has just 00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:23.980 told us, 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:25.339 prayer should 00:29:25.339 --> 00:29:25.720 be on the 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:26.180 top of our 00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:26.920 priority list. 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:29.879 Because when 00:29:29.879 --> 00:29:30.339 we don't 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:31.140 pray, it 00:29:31.140 --> 00:29:31.740 implies that 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:32.440 we think 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:32.740 we're the 00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:33.099 ones who 00:29:33.099 --> 00:29:33.379 can make 00:29:33.379 --> 00:29:33.940 people believe 00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:34.420 in Jesus. 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:35.140 You know? 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.720 How good I 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:37.319 am at sharing 00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:37.779 the gospel 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.200 or something. 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:39.920 It's like 00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:40.299 it's up to 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:40.640 us. 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:43.940 Prayer 00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:44.359 changes 00:29:44.359 --> 00:29:44.779 things because 00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:45.460 in prayer, 00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:46.920 we call 00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:47.400 upon the 00:29:47.400 --> 00:29:48.220 only one 00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:48.799 who is 00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:49.160 able to 00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:49.480 remove 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:49.859 blindness 00:29:49.859 --> 00:29:50.740 and give 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.140 spiritual 00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:51.480 sight. 00:29:53.140 --> 00:29:53.579 Now, 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:53.900 you might 00:29:53.900 --> 00:29:54.259 say, 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:55.539 well, 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.740 God can 00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:58.000 remove 00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:58.319 blindness 00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:58.559 without 00:29:58.559 --> 00:29:58.839 anyone 00:29:58.839 --> 00:29:59.099 praying 00:29:59.099 --> 00:29:59.480 for it. 00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:03.019 And it's 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:03.160 true. 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:03.359 I mean, 00:30:03.420 --> 00:30:04.099 it's not 00:30:04.099 --> 00:30:04.500 beyond him 00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:04.799 at all. 00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:05.759 God can 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:05.980 remove 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:06.240 blindness 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.740 of anyone 00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:07.779 that he 00:30:07.779 --> 00:30:08.259 chooses 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:09.460 anywhere 00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:10.400 in this 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:10.720 world, 00:30:10.839 --> 00:30:11.200 and he 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.539 has done. 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:13.440 But here's 00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:13.759 the mystery 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.000 of it 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:14.180 all. 00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:16.099 He wants 00:30:16.099 --> 00:30:17.299 us to 00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:17.660 pray for 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:17.900 people. 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:18.940 He actually 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.420 asks us 00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:19.579 to. 00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:21.039 He says 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:21.259 in Luke 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:21.619 13, 00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:22.200 ask, 00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:23.339 and it 00:30:23.339 --> 00:30:23.599 will be 00:30:23.599 --> 00:30:23.980 given to 00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:24.180 you. 00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:25.059 Seek, 00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:25.519 and you 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:25.900 will find. 00:30:26.140 --> 00:30:26.440 Knock, 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:26.920 and the 00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:27.279 door will 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:27.640 be opened 00:30:27.640 --> 00:30:27.920 to you. 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:28.539 He wants 00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:29.420 us to 00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:30.480 ask him 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:32.299 to save 00:30:32.299 --> 00:30:33.039 other people 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.599 from their 00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:33.920 blindness. 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:35.539 There are 00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:36.180 things that 00:30:36.180 --> 00:30:36.960 God is not 00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:37.339 going to 00:30:37.339 --> 00:30:37.700 do in 00:30:37.700 --> 00:30:38.279 this world 00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:39.900 until people 00:30:39.900 --> 00:30:40.400 have called 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:40.859 on him in 00:30:40.859 --> 00:30:41.180 prayer to 00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:41.519 do it. 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:42.099 Isn't 00:30:42.099 --> 00:30:42.559 that crazy? 00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:43.700 I don't 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.420 understand that 00:30:44.420 --> 00:30:44.920 fully. 00:30:47.359 --> 00:30:48.039 It's a 00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:49.000 mystery why 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.460 God does 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:49.940 it in this 00:30:49.940 --> 00:30:50.240 way, but 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:50.720 it's amazing, 00:30:50.799 --> 00:30:51.099 isn't it? 00:30:51.700 --> 00:30:52.619 He involves 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:54.759 us in 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.220 his work 00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:55.819 of saving 00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:56.339 people. 00:30:58.819 --> 00:30:59.579 He sure 00:30:59.579 --> 00:31:00.039 doesn't need 00:31:00.039 --> 00:31:00.480 our prayers, 00:31:00.579 --> 00:31:00.879 but how 00:31:00.879 --> 00:31:01.400 amazing that 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:02.099 he chooses 00:31:02.099 --> 00:31:03.180 to use 00:31:03.180 --> 00:31:03.720 our prayers 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:05.460 to involve 00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:06.359 us in 00:31:06.359 --> 00:31:06.960 his saving 00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:07.599 of people. 00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:07.940 So here's 00:31:07.940 --> 00:31:08.420 what we do. 00:31:08.420 --> 00:31:08.880 here's 00:31:08.880 --> 00:31:09.200 the model. 00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:10.980 We pray 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:11.940 for people 00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:12.380 who are 00:31:12.380 --> 00:31:12.600 on our 00:31:12.600 --> 00:31:12.880 hearts. 00:31:14.560 --> 00:31:15.600 We share 00:31:15.600 --> 00:31:16.140 the gospel 00:31:16.140 --> 00:31:16.640 with them 00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:18.740 and then 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.200 we pray 00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:20.840 and pray 00:31:20.840 --> 00:31:22.440 and pray 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:23.400 and we 00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:23.840 don't give 00:31:23.840 --> 00:31:24.960 up because 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:25.320 we know 00:31:25.320 --> 00:31:25.900 that God 00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:26.820 opens 00:31:26.820 --> 00:31:27.519 eyes. 00:31:29.039 --> 00:31:29.680 If you 00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:29.980 aren't doing 00:31:29.980 --> 00:31:30.519 so already, 00:31:31.060 --> 00:31:31.500 write some 00:31:31.500 --> 00:31:31.920 names down 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:32.360 on the list. 00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:33.680 Just get 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:35.060 praying for 00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:35.879 God to 00:31:35.879 --> 00:31:36.440 open their 00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:36.980 eyes and 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:37.480 see what 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:37.859 he does. 00:31:38.119 --> 00:31:38.419 Ask him 00:31:38.419 --> 00:31:38.700 for those 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:39.200 opportunities 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:39.639 to share 00:31:39.639 --> 00:31:40.079 the gospel 00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:40.740 and pray 00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:41.659 and pray 00:31:41.659 --> 00:31:42.119 for them 00:31:42.119 --> 00:31:43.079 and just 00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:44.240 watch what 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:44.679 he does 00:31:44.679 --> 00:31:44.940 in their 00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:45.339 lives. 00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:50.899 One last 00:31:50.899 --> 00:31:51.099 thing. 00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.139 Maybe you've 00:31:53.139 --> 00:31:53.500 been sitting 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:53.919 listening 00:31:53.919 --> 00:31:56.559 and you 00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:56.940 just don't 00:31:56.940 --> 00:31:57.259 see your 00:31:57.259 --> 00:31:57.500 need of 00:31:57.500 --> 00:31:57.759 Jesus. 00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:00.859 You don't 00:32:00.859 --> 00:32:01.179 see him 00:32:01.179 --> 00:32:01.599 as God, 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:02.899 as the 00:32:02.899 --> 00:32:03.220 king of 00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:03.679 your life. 00:32:03.680 --> 00:32:04.600 your heart 00:32:04.600 --> 00:32:04.920 is not 00:32:04.920 --> 00:32:05.380 warmed 00:32:05.380 --> 00:32:06.900 when you 00:32:06.900 --> 00:32:07.299 hear of 00:32:07.299 --> 00:32:07.440 him. 00:32:07.600 --> 00:32:07.980 The songs 00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:08.240 that we 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:09.080 were singing 00:32:09.080 --> 00:32:09.900 earlier 00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:10.860 don't really 00:32:10.860 --> 00:32:11.539 mean anything 00:32:11.539 --> 00:32:12.019 to you. 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:16.660 We've just 00:32:16.660 --> 00:32:17.039 read that 00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:17.519 you are 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.860 still blind 00:32:18.860 --> 00:32:20.820 to the 00:32:20.820 --> 00:32:21.420 glory of 00:32:21.420 --> 00:32:21.840 Jesus. 00:32:25.180 --> 00:32:25.920 But here's 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:26.160 the good 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:26.400 news. 00:32:27.420 --> 00:32:28.539 You can 00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:29.039 see. 00:32:29.840 --> 00:32:30.220 You can 00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:30.700 see today. 00:32:32.600 --> 00:32:33.420 Here's how 00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:35.420 God's 00:32:35.420 --> 00:32:38.380 word about 00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:38.880 Christ. 00:32:39.580 --> 00:32:39.980 As you 00:32:39.980 --> 00:32:40.880 read it, 00:32:41.100 --> 00:32:41.519 hear it, 00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:42.640 ask God 00:32:42.640 --> 00:32:43.660 to remove 00:32:43.660 --> 00:32:44.460 the blindness 00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:45.539 from your 00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:45.720 eyes. 00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:46.200 Just try 00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:46.420 him. 00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:49.420 Ask him 00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:50.120 that you 00:32:50.120 --> 00:32:50.720 would see 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.360 who Jesus 00:32:51.360 --> 00:32:52.440 really is, 00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:53.220 both God 00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:54.539 and Savior. 00:32:55.900 --> 00:32:56.300 And God 00:32:56.300 --> 00:32:56.840 says in his 00:32:56.840 --> 00:32:57.279 word that if 00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:57.880 you seek him 00:32:57.880 --> 00:32:58.600 with all 00:32:58.600 --> 00:32:59.200 your heart, 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:00.519 you will 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.000 find him. 00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:04.220 today is 00:33:04.220 --> 00:33:04.500 the day 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:04.779 that you 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:05.160 can see 00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:06.519 Christ for 00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:07.619 the first 00:33:07.619 --> 00:33:09.599 time and 00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:10.059 be changed 00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:10.400 forever. 00:33:13.519 --> 00:33:14.220 Let's take 00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:14.579 all that we 00:33:14.579 --> 00:33:15.119 have heard 00:33:15.119 --> 00:33:15.619 from God's 00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:16.980 word and 00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:17.380 turn to 00:33:17.380 --> 00:33:17.880 prayer now. 00:33:18.359 --> 00:33:18.759 Let's pray. 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:33.619 thank you, 00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:33.940 Lord, that 00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:34.480 because we 00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:35.079 have this 00:33:35.079 --> 00:33:35.660 ministry, 00:33:36.319 --> 00:33:37.759 we do 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:39.180 not lose 00:33:39.180 --> 00:33:39.559 heart. 00:33:41.059 --> 00:33:42.039 We believe 00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:42.539 your word. 00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:44.740 You will 00:33:44.740 --> 00:33:45.599 save people 00:33:45.599 --> 00:33:46.559 in this 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.680 town as 00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.220 we speak 00:33:48.220 --> 00:33:48.700 your word. 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:49.960 the message 00:33:49.960 --> 00:33:50.960 of Christ. 00:33:53.660 --> 00:33:54.839 We call 00:33:54.839 --> 00:33:55.539 on you 00:33:55.539 --> 00:33:56.720 now for 00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:57.460 a fresh 00:33:57.460 --> 00:33:58.359 move of 00:33:58.359 --> 00:33:58.839 your Holy 00:33:58.839 --> 00:33:59.359 Spirit, 00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:00.539 removing 00:34:00.539 --> 00:34:01.660 blindness 00:34:01.660 --> 00:34:03.980 and causing 00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:05.279 light to 00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:06.240 shine in 00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:06.759 people's 00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:07.160 hearts. 00:34:09.219 --> 00:34:10.420 Save us 00:34:10.420 --> 00:34:11.239 from 00:34:11.239 --> 00:34:12.039 distorting 00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:12.619 that message 00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:14.480 to try 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.260 and garner 00:34:15.260 --> 00:34:16.039 some fake 00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:16.480 results. 00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:17.980 Help us 00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:18.599 to speak 00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:19.500 the true 00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:20.800 message of 00:34:20.800 --> 00:34:21.300 Christ 00:34:21.300 --> 00:34:22.099 clearly, 00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.760 plainly. 00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:26.039 Burgeon us 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:27.880 to pray 00:34:27.880 --> 00:34:28.360 for our 00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:29.039 friends, 00:34:29.260 --> 00:34:30.519 family members, 00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:31.780 colleagues, 00:34:31.980 --> 00:34:32.519 classmates, 00:34:32.900 --> 00:34:34.260 that they 00:34:34.260 --> 00:34:34.800 too will be 00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:36.179 granted sight 00:34:36.179 --> 00:34:36.679 to see 00:34:36.679 --> 00:34:37.780 Jesus just 00:34:37.780 --> 00:34:38.539 as you 00:34:38.539 --> 00:34:39.659 did for 00:34:39.659 --> 00:34:39.960 us. 00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:40.320 And Lord, 00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:40.659 we are 00:34:40.659 --> 00:34:42.440 amazed at 00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:43.519 your amazing 00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:44.240 grace, 00:34:44.239 --> 00:34:45.319 how you 00:34:45.319 --> 00:34:45.739 made us 00:34:45.739 --> 00:34:45.979 see. 00:34:49.439 --> 00:34:50.479 Let your 00:34:50.479 --> 00:34:50.979 glory be 00:34:50.979 --> 00:34:51.979 seen and 00:34:51.979 --> 00:34:52.899 savored by 00:34:52.899 --> 00:34:53.599 more and 00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:54.419 more people 00:34:54.419 --> 00:34:55.079 in 00:34:55.079 --> 00:34:55.719 Caracaline. 00:34:55.719 --> 00:34:56.779 we pray 00:34:56.779 --> 00:34:57.619 this for 00:34:57.619 --> 00:34:58.439 your great 00:34:58.439 --> 00:34:59.119 namesake. 00:34:59.639 --> 00:34:59.919 Amen.