WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.180 Welcome to Ontario Community Church Sermon Podcast. 00:00:03.760 --> 00:00:07.799 I'm Pastor Patrick Daly, and I'm glad that you are joining us today online. 00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:08.800 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.420 So no matter where or when you are listening to this, I would like to invite you to slow 00:00:38.420 --> 00:00:44.679 down, open your heart, and join us as we listen for what God is saying to us today. 00:00:45.120 --> 00:00:47.579 Let us open the Word of God together. 00:00:49.700 --> 00:00:50.620 All right. 00:00:51.019 --> 00:00:52.320 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:00:53.320 --> 00:00:56.579 It is great to be here on February 1st. 00:00:56.760 --> 00:00:58.260 Can you believe we're already in February? 00:00:58.260 --> 00:00:59.340 I can't. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:05.319 I feel like the new year just began, and things are already going, momentum's happening, 00:01:06.060 --> 00:01:08.659 and I guess that's just how every year goes. 00:01:09.060 --> 00:01:17.680 I remember as a kid how waiting for the weekend seemed like forever, or waiting for summer 00:01:17.680 --> 00:01:22.920 vacation, or waiting for summer vacation to be over, to go back to school. 00:01:23.500 --> 00:01:25.060 It seemed like an eternity. 00:01:25.060 --> 00:01:30.900 I mean, do you remember those days when it was just waiting for hours upon hours? 00:01:31.120 --> 00:01:36.900 You know, an hour is such a long time, and then as you get older, you're like, what week 00:01:36.900 --> 00:01:37.659 we had a weekend? 00:01:37.879 --> 00:01:39.159 What was that? 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:39.820 Right? 00:01:40.379 --> 00:01:45.379 And so, as the saying goes, time flies as you're having fun, and hopefully we're having a lot 00:01:45.379 --> 00:01:45.900 of fun here. 00:01:45.900 --> 00:01:56.300 Today, we are going, we are, the sermon for today is titled, How We Grow, Formed in Christ 00:01:56.300 --> 00:01:56.820 Together. 00:01:56.819 --> 00:02:08.299 And I want you to think as we begin here, the idea of, when was the last time you went for 00:02:08.299 --> 00:02:14.620 a hike, or you went on a path, and you're traveling, you have your backpack with you, 00:02:14.620 --> 00:02:19.960 and you can't wait to go see, you know, the top of a mountain, or you have a hill. 00:02:20.560 --> 00:02:24.200 Maybe you're going to see a specific lake. 00:02:24.980 --> 00:02:30.539 Maybe you're going to see a waterfall, and you're seeing all of these different sights and 00:02:30.539 --> 00:02:32.439 sounds that are happening. 00:02:33.480 --> 00:02:34.700 It's really remarkable. 00:02:34.699 --> 00:02:40.879 When you're on a trail, and you're hiking, or maybe, if you don't like hiking, maybe there's 00:02:40.879 --> 00:02:47.819 been a time where you have gone for a drive, and you just go, and you keep going, and you 00:02:47.819 --> 00:02:49.560 might lose cell phone service, right? 00:02:50.179 --> 00:02:54.560 You keep going into a new destination, and you may not know where exactly you're going. 00:02:55.539 --> 00:03:02.500 Well, when we embark on a new journey, we have to think that we follow the trail, and hopefully 00:03:02.500 --> 00:03:04.520 we know exactly where we're going. 00:03:05.159 --> 00:03:10.460 I know nowadays we have GPSs and cell phone services, but for the idea, for the sake of 00:03:10.460 --> 00:03:16.719 this, we think of the idea of a map, of going from one destination to the next, right? 00:03:16.979 --> 00:03:23.020 And hopefully not deviating from the path, and how important it is to stick to the plan, 00:03:23.099 --> 00:03:26.580 as it were, to get to the destination. 00:03:26.580 --> 00:03:34.620 And I have this image here of a guy who's hiking, and he's going to a specific destination. 00:03:35.220 --> 00:03:41.640 And I want you to think of this image, not only as hiking, or going to a new trail, or 00:03:41.640 --> 00:03:48.860 a new sight, or sound, but also how it refers to how this image is but a representation of 00:03:48.860 --> 00:03:51.300 our spiritual walk in Christ. 00:03:51.300 --> 00:03:56.140 You know, before we know Jesus Christ, we might be a wanderer. 00:03:56.900 --> 00:03:58.240 We might be a drifter. 00:03:58.400 --> 00:04:03.320 We might be someone who doesn't know Christ yet, and we're just going through the motions, 00:04:04.120 --> 00:04:07.400 searching the hills and valley, trying to get on some sort of trail. 00:04:07.939 --> 00:04:10.260 How many of you have been lost on a trail before, right? 00:04:10.600 --> 00:04:11.320 It's not fun. 00:04:11.540 --> 00:04:13.500 I don't recommend it anytime soon, right? 00:04:13.820 --> 00:04:15.860 You get lost, and you've got to find the trail. 00:04:15.860 --> 00:04:22.660 And how many, for many of us, before we know the Lord, we are journeying, we're drifting, 00:04:22.879 --> 00:04:28.300 we're going through life, and then eventually we get on to, hopefully, Lord willing, you end 00:04:28.300 --> 00:04:29.699 up on the appropriate trail. 00:04:30.040 --> 00:04:32.780 The one that leads to life everlasting. 00:04:33.520 --> 00:04:37.040 And that's the most important thing for us before we become a Christian. 00:04:37.040 --> 00:04:45.360 And when we receive salvation by believing in Jesus Christ, being born again, we begin on 00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:49.120 this spiritual journey in Christ and how important it is. 00:04:49.439 --> 00:04:53.780 We journey and we go with Christ. 00:04:55.140 --> 00:05:01.180 Now, for some times when you are on a trail, you might need someone to help guide you. 00:05:01.700 --> 00:05:03.700 Maybe you've been on a trail like that, right? 00:05:03.699 --> 00:05:08.860 You need a specific guide who knows the way and says, look, you've got to watch out for 00:05:08.860 --> 00:05:10.779 this section of the trail. 00:05:10.939 --> 00:05:15.519 It's very difficult to climb, or it's very difficult descent, or if you're not careful, 00:05:15.639 --> 00:05:17.120 you're going to slip and fall, right? 00:05:17.500 --> 00:05:22.519 I remember as a kid when my mother used to take me to the mountains, there was one trail 00:05:22.519 --> 00:05:29.360 that we would go on, and she would always say, don't be very careful when you're in this 00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:29.839 section. 00:05:29.839 --> 00:05:33.560 It's kind of like the road would kind of turn like a moon shape, right? 00:05:34.659 --> 00:05:36.759 And this one section would just drop. 00:05:37.639 --> 00:05:40.259 And it wasn't safe at all. 00:05:41.099 --> 00:05:43.860 And there was one time, silly old me, right? 00:05:43.879 --> 00:05:45.620 I thought, oh, maybe I'll walk towards that. 00:05:45.659 --> 00:05:47.779 My mom's like, no, you're not going there. 00:05:47.819 --> 00:05:49.420 I don't want you falling off that cliff. 00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:54.480 And we think about that, you know, with parents, but we also think about that in guides in our 00:05:54.480 --> 00:05:55.900 own life as we're journeying. 00:05:56.540 --> 00:06:04.759 But also when we think of Christ and how we have someone at the door, it looks like how 00:06:04.759 --> 00:06:06.640 the Lord guides us, right? 00:06:06.639 --> 00:06:08.539 To green pastures. 00:06:09.139 --> 00:06:14.000 And how we think of Christ as the shepherd leading us and guiding us, all of us, making 00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:19.639 sure, you know, the protection from ravenous wolves and also making sure we don't deviate 00:06:19.639 --> 00:06:20.360 from the path. 00:06:20.899 --> 00:06:25.099 And for some of us, we may think of the image that happens of what happens when a sheep gets 00:06:25.099 --> 00:06:25.740 lost, right? 00:06:25.779 --> 00:06:29.300 Where Christ leaves the 99 to find the one. 00:06:29.300 --> 00:06:32.800 So this is spiritual growth. 00:06:33.180 --> 00:06:34.780 This is part of the journey. 00:06:34.900 --> 00:06:39.879 As we journey with Christ, we are growing, we are being molded, we are being transformed, 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:40.420 essentially. 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:45.240 And it's important for us to know that spiritual growth then is not accidental. 00:06:45.519 --> 00:06:47.319 It is something that is intentional. 00:06:47.860 --> 00:06:52.759 When you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, when you're saved by grace through faith, that 00:06:52.759 --> 00:06:55.000 is the beginning of your new life in Christ. 00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:59.000 Essentially, you become born again and you become an infant. 00:06:59.300 --> 00:07:01.819 A baby Christian, as it were, right? 00:07:01.939 --> 00:07:07.699 And you want to learn and grow and follow in the ways of Christ to become transformed and 00:07:07.699 --> 00:07:09.400 to become more like him. 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:13.860 And that is the intentional design that Christ has for all of us. 00:07:14.199 --> 00:07:15.699 Now, it's not a competition. 00:07:15.699 --> 00:07:18.340 And it's important for us to note that from the get-go. 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:22.900 For many of us, there may be times where we think, well, isn't this person holier? 00:07:23.420 --> 00:07:25.280 Isn't this person got it all together? 00:07:25.400 --> 00:07:26.280 And I sure don't. 00:07:26.279 --> 00:07:29.379 But we should not compare ourselves to other people. 00:07:29.719 --> 00:07:35.859 What's important is that we are journeying from Christ where we are at specifically in 00:07:35.859 --> 00:07:37.839 our own situation and circumstance. 00:07:37.839 --> 00:07:42.879 Where you are at in the journey maybe will be different than the person next to you. 00:07:43.299 --> 00:07:48.519 And we have to think also how important it is that we live in this world that teaches 00:07:48.519 --> 00:07:50.779 that there are many different paths, right? 00:07:50.819 --> 00:07:52.759 There's many different paths to go up a mountain. 00:07:52.759 --> 00:07:54.439 And they would tell you these kind of things. 00:07:54.500 --> 00:08:00.699 But when we talk about Jesus Christ, we have to remember him as the way, the truth, and 00:08:00.699 --> 00:08:02.039 the life, right? 00:08:02.099 --> 00:08:04.099 To enter through the narrow gate, right? 00:08:04.139 --> 00:08:07.300 To follow the path that Christ has set before you. 00:08:07.399 --> 00:08:09.439 The one who shows us the narrow life. 00:08:09.699 --> 00:08:11.259 The path to life everlasting. 00:08:11.699 --> 00:08:12.639 And transformation. 00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:15.199 Not only salvation. 00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:16.959 Not only receiving eternal life. 00:08:17.039 --> 00:08:19.500 But transformation that happens here on earth. 00:08:20.259 --> 00:08:21.980 And how important that is for us. 00:08:21.980 --> 00:08:27.580 Let this be a reminder of how important it is for us to find Christ. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:30.800 And to begin our spiritual walk in our journey. 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:36.820 And now, when we think about this, our message today is how we grow. 00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:42.000 I've been doing this sermon series going over who we are as a church. 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:46.120 And how we belong into the body of Christ. 00:08:46.240 --> 00:08:49.779 And this message today is how we grow in Christ. 00:08:50.300 --> 00:08:51.840 And how important it is, right? 00:08:51.840 --> 00:08:56.720 Just as we are called to belong to Christ, we are called to journey with Christ. 00:08:56.940 --> 00:09:00.060 And to begin in spiritual growth and transformation. 00:09:00.840 --> 00:09:04.460 And so, before we go any further, I'd like for us to pray. 00:09:05.220 --> 00:09:08.820 And then we will go ahead and turn our Bibles. 00:09:08.820 --> 00:09:14.700 Father God, we thank you for this time and for this opportunity for us to gather here this morning. 00:09:14.700 --> 00:09:19.640 As we are going over Ephesians chapter 4, verses 11 through 16. 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:23.060 This idea about how we grow in you. 00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:28.760 And how important it is for us to make that decision to believe in you and to be saved. 00:09:28.759 --> 00:09:32.980 But also how important it is for us upon that salvation to grow in you. 00:09:32.980 --> 00:09:37.860 To become more mature and to not be spiritual infants forever. 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:43.779 But for us to be on this path of inward transformation for our lives. 00:09:43.899 --> 00:09:45.439 Changing the way that we think. 00:09:45.639 --> 00:09:46.620 The way that we speak. 00:09:46.779 --> 00:09:48.379 The way that we live our lives. 00:09:48.379 --> 00:09:52.340 So that we can bear fruit for the world to see. 00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:57.320 And what a wonderful transformation it is to become more like your son, Jesus Christ. 00:09:58.340 --> 00:10:01.860 And so, we just pray a special blessing on this time. 00:10:02.419 --> 00:10:06.039 And I pray for everyone here who is in the room this morning. 00:10:06.039 --> 00:10:08.360 And those who are attending online. 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:11.919 Whether it is TikTok, Facebook, or all the other places. 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:14.719 As we just pray for every single person. 00:10:14.719 --> 00:10:16.979 That they may have a curiosity. 00:10:17.799 --> 00:10:20.299 And the sense of awe and wonder for who you are. 00:10:20.500 --> 00:10:21.819 And your word as well. 00:10:22.039 --> 00:10:24.399 It is in the name of Jesus Christ that we pray. 00:10:24.519 --> 00:10:26.079 And we all say together, Amen church. 00:10:26.819 --> 00:10:29.059 And so last week, again, I was telling you. 00:10:29.179 --> 00:10:31.879 We were talking about how we belong. 00:10:32.819 --> 00:10:34.779 And so today we're asking a different question. 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:38.259 And that question is, well what happens after we belong, right? 00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:44.360 We think about how important it is for us to have Christ as the firm foundation in our lives. 00:10:44.659 --> 00:10:49.000 And how we build upon that foundation in our lives. 00:10:49.639 --> 00:10:53.240 And that many people belong. 00:10:53.740 --> 00:10:55.779 But we all are called to grow. 00:10:56.679 --> 00:10:56.860 Right? 00:10:56.939 --> 00:11:02.279 We have to think it's not just about believing in Christ is the most important. 00:11:02.700 --> 00:11:06.980 But being on a path for spiritual growth is also important for us. 00:11:06.980 --> 00:11:11.100 And as we are called to seek the higher things, we're called to grow. 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:13.720 And not to remain stagnant in our faith. 00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:18.960 So we have to think that growth is not just about becoming someone else. 00:11:19.060 --> 00:11:22.259 It's about becoming who Christ wants you specifically to be. 00:11:22.460 --> 00:11:25.600 And I want to make that extremely clear to all of you. 00:11:25.659 --> 00:11:28.300 That God has a plan for each and every one of you. 00:11:28.759 --> 00:11:33.440 For you to grow into what he wants you to be. 00:11:33.960 --> 00:11:35.200 And that's very important. 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:38.240 So we have, let's turn our Bibles. 00:11:38.420 --> 00:11:41.560 It's going to be on page 1161. 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:46.900 So it's going to be Ephesians chapter 4, verses 1 through 16. 00:11:49.300 --> 00:11:51.460 It's actually supposed to be 11 through 16. 00:11:51.560 --> 00:11:52.460 That was my mistake. 00:11:52.900 --> 00:11:53.520 But that's alright. 00:11:53.820 --> 00:11:58.080 It's still going to be page 1161 in your ESV Pew Bibles. 00:11:58.420 --> 00:12:01.960 Or you can turn to Ephesians in your Bible of choice. 00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:04.580 So let's just go ahead and turn there. 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:10.340 We'll start at verse 11, even though I know the slide says verse 1 here. 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:13.080 Are we all there, church? 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:17.660 Alright, so Ephesians 4, chapter 4, verse 11. 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:18.900 Let's read it together, church. 00:12:18.899 --> 00:12:25.459 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers. 00:12:26.059 --> 00:12:26.459 To what? 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:31.699 To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. 00:12:31.799 --> 00:12:32.600 Verse 13. 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:37.779 Until we attain to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:39.000 To mature. 00:12:39.179 --> 00:12:40.639 Some translations say manhood. 00:12:40.840 --> 00:12:41.319 Mature. 00:12:41.539 --> 00:12:41.980 Maturity. 00:12:41.980 --> 00:12:45.019 To the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. 00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:48.480 So that we may no longer be what? 00:12:49.080 --> 00:12:49.519 Children. 00:12:49.800 --> 00:12:49.960 Right? 00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:55.800 Tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine and human cunning. 00:12:55.920 --> 00:12:56.060 Right? 00:12:56.100 --> 00:12:58.000 You have to think of persuasion. 00:12:58.139 --> 00:12:58.259 Right? 00:12:58.300 --> 00:12:59.860 That kind of sneakiness that happens. 00:12:59.960 --> 00:13:00.139 Right? 00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:02.740 And by craftiness and deceitful schemes. 00:13:02.820 --> 00:13:06.980 Whenever I read schemes, I think of someone who's plotting and they have like that evil laugh 00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:07.659 from cartoons. 00:13:07.820 --> 00:13:07.980 Right? 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:08.940 Someone who's scheming. 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:09.180 Right? 00:13:09.179 --> 00:13:13.339 In verse 15 then, rather, speaking the truth in what? 00:13:13.819 --> 00:13:15.059 In love. 00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:21.379 We are to grow up in every way into him who is the head into whom? 00:13:21.839 --> 00:13:22.659 To Christ. 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:22.979 Right? 00:13:23.239 --> 00:13:24.279 And verse 16. 00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:32.019 From whom the whole body joined and held together by every joint with which it is eclipped. 00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:38.599 When each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds up itself in what? 00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:39.100 In love. 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:39.740 In love. 00:13:39.800 --> 00:13:40.000 Right? 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:42.480 So it's talking about the unity of the saints. 00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:42.700 Right? 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:46.639 The body of Christ being together and functioning properly. 00:13:46.779 --> 00:13:46.940 Right? 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:51.200 That's something that is extremely important for us to notice in here. 00:13:51.420 --> 00:13:54.960 And so in this, we see in verse 11. 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:55.259 Right? 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:57.899 We see the providing. 00:13:58.139 --> 00:13:58.399 Right? 00:13:58.399 --> 00:14:01.439 It talks about the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists. 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:01.579 Right? 00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:02.639 The shepherds and the teachers. 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:06.480 You have all of these positions that the Lord is providing. 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:08.899 And I want you to think about this. 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:14.939 That God provides for his church so that the church can grow and so that it can be equipped. 00:14:15.439 --> 00:14:15.779 Right? 00:14:15.779 --> 00:14:19.600 You have these examples in here and that Christ is providing. 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:22.500 He is giving people to the church. 00:14:22.919 --> 00:14:26.139 And how important it is for us to know that. 00:14:26.699 --> 00:14:28.679 That God provides what we need. 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:28.939 Right? 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:34.339 Not just in our own personal walk with the Lord, but when we're thinking of the building up of the church. 00:14:34.799 --> 00:14:35.199 Right? 00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:38.100 That we are better when we are together. 00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:44.580 And God's going to provide the right people at the appropriate time to build up the church. 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:46.600 How wonderful is that church? 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:47.759 Right? 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:54.420 We think that the Lord will send people specifically to help equip the saints is something that is remarkable. 00:14:54.420 --> 00:14:56.540 And it is something that is divine. 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:56.840 Right? 00:14:57.259 --> 00:14:58.220 Giving these things. 00:14:58.320 --> 00:14:58.440 Right? 00:14:58.600 --> 00:15:03.379 The saints for the work of ministry, to building up the body of Christ. 00:15:03.460 --> 00:15:03.620 Right? 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:07.399 It's talking about the congregation as well as churches. 00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:16.120 And so, we have to think that these gifts then, these people, these individuals are given meant for formation. 00:15:16.420 --> 00:15:16.620 Right? 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:23.019 For the church to be formed so that it can become more effective in its building up of the saints. 00:15:23.019 --> 00:15:26.200 But also when we think of how we reach out to other people. 00:15:26.420 --> 00:15:29.000 Sharing in the gospel message to others as well. 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:33.220 And it's important for us to know that God does not abandon his people. 00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:36.100 But he provides for his people. 00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:36.680 Right? 00:15:36.679 --> 00:15:39.019 God provides leader to build up his church. 00:15:39.079 --> 00:15:39.779 Amen on that? 00:15:40.099 --> 00:15:41.519 That's something that's very powerful. 00:15:41.739 --> 00:15:41.839 Right? 00:15:41.959 --> 00:15:43.679 We go then into verse 12. 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:43.919 Right? 00:15:44.059 --> 00:15:46.919 To equip the saints for the work of ministry. 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:48.019 And that's very interesting. 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:48.299 Right? 00:15:48.959 --> 00:15:54.919 Some of you may have heard the saying that the church is only for sinners. 00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:58.059 Some of you may have heard the church is only for saints. 00:15:58.719 --> 00:15:59.939 Well, you want to know something? 00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:01.000 The church is for both. 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:01.720 Right? 00:16:01.760 --> 00:16:03.060 It's for saints and sinners. 00:16:03.180 --> 00:16:03.400 Right? 00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:05.900 And none of us are perfect. 00:16:06.060 --> 00:16:09.640 We all need healing and restoration and guidance in our own life. 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:10.800 Can I get an amen on that? 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:11.020 Right? 00:16:11.140 --> 00:16:13.620 It's very important for us to recognize that. 00:16:13.880 --> 00:16:20.400 That every single person is invited into the doors of the church to know the Lord and to grow in him. 00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:26.199 And when we think of ministry then, it is a call for all of us to grow in Christ. 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:26.439 Right? 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:27.480 To be equipped. 00:16:27.819 --> 00:16:30.159 Every believer is called to be equipped. 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:30.959 Right? 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:36.620 And we have to also realize that leaders equip the saints. 00:16:37.320 --> 00:16:37.460 Right? 00:16:37.560 --> 00:16:38.879 To spiritually grow. 00:16:39.019 --> 00:16:40.860 To know in your spiritual gifting. 00:16:41.060 --> 00:16:44.480 And to be able to have the ability to discern. 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:46.500 That's one of the higher things I've mentioned before. 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:46.780 Right? 00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:49.519 The ability to know right from wrong, truth from lies. 00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:53.320 That's a really wonderful and incredible gift that we can think about. 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:58.660 Now, something that I will speak to recently online. 00:16:58.659 --> 00:17:02.480 I'm not going to mention the name of the organization. 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:10.159 But there was an organization the other day that said that it is more important for us to be equipped than to be called. 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:11.759 And I didn't like that at all. 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:15.559 We are all called by God so that we can be equipped. 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.399 It's not the other way around. 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.960 And we have to be very careful with that. 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:19.180 Right? 00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:23.339 God calls every single one of us to enter into a relationship with him. 00:17:23.379 --> 00:17:23.559 Right? 00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:25.420 That's very important for us. 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:33.340 Now, the equipping then is just as God is calling us, he is going to provide for us people who will equip us. 00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:33.539 Right? 00:17:33.620 --> 00:17:34.940 We have to be ready. 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:37.220 We have to be able to be equipped. 00:17:37.360 --> 00:17:41.019 It's not going and getting equipped first and then being called. 00:17:41.120 --> 00:17:43.840 I don't know where that was the most wild thing I've ever read. 00:17:43.940 --> 00:17:48.220 But in any case, it's important for us to know the calling comes first. 00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:48.660 First. 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:51.019 And we respond to that calling. 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:51.240 Right? 00:17:51.299 --> 00:17:55.120 Just as we respond to the call for Christ to receive salvation. 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:55.740 Right? 00:17:55.860 --> 00:18:05.200 We respond to the call for what the Lord has for us in where we are to go, what we are to do, what specifically does God have for your life. 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.839 That is what it's about. 00:18:07.900 --> 00:18:08.759 Not the other way around. 00:18:08.860 --> 00:18:10.100 I think it's very unfortunate. 00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:13.100 It's a very well-known organization to read something like that. 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:15.259 But again, I'm not criticizing the organization. 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.539 Maybe it was a misunderstanding. 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:19.399 But in any case, I wanted to make it very clear. 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:22.639 The calling comes before equipping. 00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:22.960 Right? 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:28.139 And so scripture shows us, like as I'm mentioning, that God calls for all of us to be saved. 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.460 And there's another call. 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:29.779 Right? 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:32.940 For us to grow by being equipped. 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:37.079 And so the church grows as everyone is being equipped. 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:41.420 We have to think that God provides leadership. 00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:48.860 And that the Lord will provide the resources necessary for us to be able to grow and to reach our God-given potential. 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:49.980 You have to think for a moment. 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:55.860 The Lord has a much better way for your life than what the world has to offer. 00:18:56.440 --> 00:18:59.920 I don't know about you, but some of you may have lived in the world before. 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:01.900 I admit, in the past, I did. 00:19:02.340 --> 00:19:02.519 Right? 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:05.660 And I didn't like where the world had me end up. 00:19:05.859 --> 00:19:07.839 In some very dark places. 00:19:07.940 --> 00:19:10.220 In places I don't ever want my children to know. 00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:12.599 In places I don't want any of you to know. 00:19:12.639 --> 00:19:14.639 And you can say very similar things. 00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:14.879 Right? 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:20.000 In other words, God has a much more divine way. 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:22.160 A way that is full of truth. 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:23.480 That is full of life. 00:19:23.599 --> 00:19:25.440 That is full of clarity and consistency. 00:19:25.900 --> 00:19:27.500 Not lies and hatred. 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:29.779 Not this sense of confusion. 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:37.339 How many of you have followed a path before and you ended up confused and lost and not knowing where in the world you're supposed to go? 00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:40.740 Our God is the God of clarity and consistency. 00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:44.799 And he provides newness of life and transformation to become more like him. 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:51.440 That is important for us to recognize as the difference between God's way and what the world has for us. 00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:53.319 We don't follow the ways in the world. 00:19:53.419 --> 00:19:54.759 We follow the ways of Christ. 00:19:55.659 --> 00:19:59.879 And so, in that, we go into verses 13 to 16. 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:00.159 Right? 00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:06.460 Where the Apostle Paul is explicitly mentioning the sense of, right, verse 12, 00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:11.919 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, building up the body, until we attain the unity of faith. 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:15.340 Do you notice how unity is something that we should strive for? 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:20.140 As we are being built up, we have to go towards unity and not away from it. 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:21.600 Isn't that interesting? 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:28.140 Unfortunately, there's many places out there where they're more focused on division as the goal rather than unity. 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:32.380 Or there's more places that are more focused on hatred rather than the love of Christ. 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:33.740 Isn't this very interesting? 00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:37.140 That we're to focus on the things that are higher, right? 00:20:37.180 --> 00:20:38.900 So, the unity of the faith, right? 00:20:38.920 --> 00:20:40.340 The knowledge of the Son of God. 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:45.339 Now, in the language here, it mentions mature manhood, right? 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:50.519 And I want to be very clear in this because the Greek does speak about mature adults, right? 00:20:50.699 --> 00:20:55.179 Now, in the English standard, it does have more of a leaning towards the masculine. 00:20:55.419 --> 00:20:55.980 That's all right. 00:20:55.980 --> 00:21:05.599 But if it was talking explicitly towards men, it would say, until we achieve mature manhood and we are no longer little boys. 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:12.440 So, I need to make that distinction very clear here because, unfortunately, sometimes in any translation, you can misread a translation. 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:17.480 It's important at times to go into the original language and to understand. 00:21:18.600 --> 00:21:20.420 And I'm not criticizing translations. 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:22.500 I'm just saying, let's just make that very clear. 00:21:22.580 --> 00:21:26.960 When it's talking about mature manhood, it is talking about mature adulthood, right? 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:30.220 Because the call is for everyone to mature in Christ. 00:21:30.320 --> 00:21:31.299 Can I get an amen on that? 00:21:31.340 --> 00:21:32.160 Does that make sense? 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:32.980 All right. 00:21:33.060 --> 00:21:39.700 So, it's important to note that in the text, the Greek speaks of mature adults and no longer being children, right? 00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:43.900 And so, Paul is speaking to all adults reaching maturity, right? 00:21:44.060 --> 00:21:45.480 No longer being children. 00:21:46.340 --> 00:21:47.380 We have to think about it. 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:53.380 How many of you, I mean, I know when we talk about our own children, they all grow up too fast, right? 00:21:53.620 --> 00:21:55.360 We all know that one for sure. 00:21:55.359 --> 00:22:05.059 And we think about the physical world where children, they're all cute and cuddly and they just move and they kick around and they spit up things, right? 00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:08.379 And then they begin to crawl on the floor and you don't want them to go there. 00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:11.659 And the next thing you know, they're standing and you hope they don't fall over. 00:22:12.179 --> 00:22:14.859 The next thing you know, they start walking and then they start running. 00:22:15.399 --> 00:22:16.919 And then they keep going, right? 00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:18.379 And they keep growing, right? 00:22:18.379 --> 00:22:21.539 The physical capabilities that happen within the physical world. 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:24.759 Well, we have to think about how it is with the spiritual world. 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:29.819 It's interesting that God calls for us to not remain as spiritual infants. 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:33.799 For us to be born again in the spiritual world, we are called to grow. 00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:37.200 It's no different than how we grow in the physical world. 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:39.039 That's something that's so important. 00:22:39.160 --> 00:22:41.200 So we cannot remain as infants. 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:43.079 We are to grow and to mature, right? 00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:46.980 To reach adolescence and to reach adulthood, right? 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:49.759 All of these different things are so important. 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:54.400 So in other words, when we think of verses 13 through 16, right? 00:22:54.440 --> 00:23:00.000 The sense of unity, speaking the truth in love, no longer being children, no longer being swayed, 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.200 right? 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:04.019 By people that can speak well. 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:06.460 We remain rooted in the word of God. 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:09.200 That's something that's very important for us, right? 00:23:09.900 --> 00:23:16.379 And in that, to grow in Christ then is to become mature and also united. 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:18.119 Isn't that interesting? 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:25.039 You think about that and how, well, I would never encourage for you to remain an infant 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:28.319 or immature in Christ, but to become mature. 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:35.619 And in the same way, I would not want you to become divided, but to be united in Christ, 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:39.059 to focus on the love of Christ rather than hatred. 00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:42.739 And it's unfortunate when that happens the other way. 00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:51.220 And so Christ gives leaders to equip all believers then so that the church grows together into 00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:53.460 mature unity in Christ. 00:23:53.579 --> 00:23:54.660 Let me say that one more time. 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:56.000 Christ provides. 00:23:56.500 --> 00:24:02.160 He gives us leaders to equip all believers so that the whole church, right? 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:07.579 The body of Christ grows together into mature unity in Christ. 00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:07.839 Amen? 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:09.799 That's so important for us, right? 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:13.200 And so in this then, what does this mean then, right? 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:14.839 So we had the observation. 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:17.419 We're now going into the interpretation, right? 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:20.720 And so that's going to be the next slide then here. 00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:22.480 The interpretation. 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:28.919 The first one is growth is formation for greater things, right? 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.940 That's the first thing. 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:34.220 We think of how Hebrews talks about milk from solid food, right? 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:35.880 It's that famous line, right? 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:41.799 You think about how children, they have their formula or they have milk as an infant. 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:47.079 And eventually, well, hopefully, they get to the point where they're having solid food. 00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:48.160 It could be mac and cheese. 00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:49.539 It could be crackers, right? 00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:52.440 And then as they get older, their palate's going to change. 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:55.299 I mean, maybe for teenagers, they just love pizza. 00:24:55.400 --> 00:24:56.240 I understand that. 00:24:56.500 --> 00:25:00.940 But the idea is that they eventually are no longer drinking milk, right? 00:25:01.160 --> 00:25:02.420 Or not just milk. 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:04.100 They have more of a palate, right? 00:25:04.100 --> 00:25:07.400 More different things that they're able to eat here, right? 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:14.220 And so in the Hebrews passage, it talks about how we grow into maturity, the ability to discern. 00:25:14.300 --> 00:25:15.200 We're not turning to Hebrews. 00:25:15.320 --> 00:25:16.560 I'm just referencing this here. 00:25:17.060 --> 00:25:20.840 And so maturity then is living out the faith, right? 00:25:20.860 --> 00:25:28.060 To seek the higher things as Colossians mentions or how we go from milk to solid food as Hebrews mentions. 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:35.519 And we have to think that when we're talking about Christianity, that it's not just in knowing Christ, right? 00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:36.879 That's the most important thing. 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:39.579 But upon knowing Christ, we are growing in him. 00:25:39.639 --> 00:25:46.299 We are being transformed from the inside out in the words that we speak and how we conduct our lives, right? 00:25:46.399 --> 00:25:49.759 In other words, we are saved by grace through faith. 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:52.740 And that grace, it keeps working in us. 00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:54.160 It keeps forming us. 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:55.539 It keeps growing us. 00:25:55.640 --> 00:26:01.180 It keeps transforming us and moving us to become more like Christ. 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.660 I don't know about you. 00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:07.000 How many of you had a favorite celebrity, right? 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:08.259 When you were a teenager, right? 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:12.180 You might have had, you know, Phil Collins. 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:12.539 I don't know. 00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:13.779 I'm just throwing out names here, right? 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:18.980 You might have had a famous actor or actress that you really liked the way they looked, right? 00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:21.620 And how many of you have met a celebrity before? 00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:26.019 And were they the way they appeared to be in the movies, right? 00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:27.839 Or usually no. 00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:30.599 Sometimes they might be legit. 00:26:30.660 --> 00:26:31.460 I get that, right? 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:39.259 But when we think about it, you're like, wait, I looked up to you as a child and you're nothing like the way that you put off to be. 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:42.759 Well, how important it is for us to know Christ. 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:46.920 Well, he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, right? 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.839 How important that is for us. 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:52.879 We have got to look up to Jesus Christ, not some random actor. 00:26:52.919 --> 00:26:57.720 And I'm not, I don't mean to bag on all the actors and bag on all the musicians and all the good work they do. 00:26:57.839 --> 00:27:02.819 But certainly, I'm not going to look up to them and follow in their footsteps, though. 00:27:03.299 --> 00:27:04.839 They are human, right? 00:27:05.059 --> 00:27:10.480 We follow Jesus Christ as the Word made flesh. 00:27:10.939 --> 00:27:13.879 Something that is much higher than everyday humans. 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:15.139 Let's be honest here. 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:24.540 And so in that, right, we continue to become more like Christ, right, who gives us new life, who gives us an abundance of gifts. 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:28.600 That we are moved to grow and to do good in his name. 00:27:29.100 --> 00:27:35.220 The second thing then in the interpretation is that growth is ongoing, right? 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:38.539 It's not instant, and it's not competitive. 00:27:39.600 --> 00:27:39.799 Right? 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:41.160 I'm growing more than you, bud. 00:27:41.600 --> 00:27:42.640 No, it's not like that. 00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:45.319 Calm down a little bit, right? 00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:46.059 We think about that. 00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:48.860 But it's also not instant either, right? 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:52.039 We think of plants and how they grow, right? 00:27:52.120 --> 00:27:53.920 Do they, I mean, yes, they sprout overnight. 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.480 I get that. 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:56.640 But are they in full maturity overnight? 00:27:56.900 --> 00:27:58.600 Well, the answer is no, right? 00:27:58.640 --> 00:28:02.960 I get you can go to Home Depot or go to Walmart and go get a completed plant. 00:28:03.040 --> 00:28:03.640 I get that. 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.700 But it's still not overnight. 00:28:04.860 --> 00:28:06.740 It takes time for these plants to grow. 00:28:07.280 --> 00:28:11.420 And especially if it's a fruit plant, for it to produce fruit, right? 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.380 It takes time. 00:28:12.520 --> 00:28:18.740 And in the same way, when we're thinking about spiritual maturity, about growing in Christ, it takes time. 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:19.680 Right? 00:28:20.100 --> 00:28:22.180 It's not like instant ramen noodles. 00:28:22.280 --> 00:28:24.300 And some of us may love instant ramen noodles. 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:30.200 I would know I cook ramen noodles for my kids when they're really hungry right now kind of thing. 00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:37.639 But when we think about it, when we think about preparation for food, sometimes it takes a long time to have a really good meal. 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:37.859 Amen? 00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:38.599 Right? 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:49.379 Sometimes it takes, and when it comes for us growing in the physical world, well, yes, I understand time flies by in the blink of an eye, but it's not instant, right? 00:28:49.399 --> 00:28:50.440 It seems like it's instant. 00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:51.139 I get that. 00:28:51.140 --> 00:28:55.140 But it takes time for us to mature and to grow in the physical world. 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:58.460 It takes time for trees to grow and to bear fruit. 00:28:58.900 --> 00:29:04.520 And in the same way, when we're talking about our spiritual growth, it is an ongoing process, right? 00:29:05.040 --> 00:29:11.040 In Colossians, it talks about being filled with knowledge, bearing fruit, and increasing. 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:14.119 And it's also important. 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:18.539 We think of fruit and crops and all these different things, right? 00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:25.740 We have to think of, do fruit trees ever go through cold seasons? 00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:27.899 Right? 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:28.980 They go through seasons. 00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:33.700 They go through times where there's maybe a really crazy thunderstorm, right? 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:36.559 Lightning and thunder just crashing everywhere, right? 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:40.700 Well, that's no different than how we grow. 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:48.179 That there are seasons where we are growing and we're doing fine, and seasons where it may be dark and cold. 00:29:48.579 --> 00:29:55.339 There may be times where there's a specific storm and things are just thunderous and crazy and wild and out of control. 00:29:55.339 --> 00:29:59.980 But these trees, they remain rooted in their position. 00:30:00.819 --> 00:30:07.539 And in the same way, we have to think when it comes to storms or things that happen in our own life, it doesn't mean failure. 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:15.559 It's part of the process of growth and maturity, even though it may be difficult for us to understand in the moment when a storm happens. 00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:23.460 And so, let us think for a moment that God grows us like trees, one season at a time. 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:25.299 Let's say that one more time, right? 00:30:25.559 --> 00:30:29.940 God grows us like trees, one season at a time, right? 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:32.399 How we are like trees. 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:35.940 How much in Scripture you see that kind of language, right? 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:39.299 The seed of the Word being planted into the soil, right? 00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:40.879 To grow and to bear fruit. 00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:46.680 There's a lot of that agricultural type of language that exists, but it's simple and it's easy for us to understand, right? 00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:47.840 You could teach a child this. 00:30:48.780 --> 00:30:51.040 Hey, be like this fruit tree. 00:30:51.380 --> 00:30:52.220 You should have a lot of fruit. 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.960 That's pretty easy to understand, right? 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:57.780 Don't be like this other tree that isn't producing any fruit, right? 00:30:58.100 --> 00:30:59.680 Very easy for us to understand. 00:30:59.760 --> 00:31:02.540 Very simplistic, but yet very powerful kind of language. 00:31:03.060 --> 00:31:09.980 The third thing, then, in our interpretation, then, is that growth is individual and communal. 00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:17.279 And what I mean by that is that not only do we grow as a person, right? 00:31:17.319 --> 00:31:20.860 We grow as an individual, but we collectively grow. 00:31:21.440 --> 00:31:23.160 And what a remarkable thing, right? 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:27.180 When you first believe in Christ, that is transformation. 00:31:27.480 --> 00:31:28.380 That is being saved. 00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:29.799 That is receiving salvation. 00:31:30.380 --> 00:31:33.740 As you are growing, so too does the body grow. 00:31:34.460 --> 00:31:38.420 We think about how we pray for one another, how we bear up one another's burdens. 00:31:38.420 --> 00:31:43.080 In Acts chapter 2, it talks about believers doing life together, right? 00:31:43.160 --> 00:31:45.880 Teaching fellowship, prayer, and shared life. 00:31:46.120 --> 00:31:51.840 And it's important for us to know that we grow as part of the body of Christ. 00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:56.360 In other words, I want you to think of, if anyone here goes to the gym all the time, right? 00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:58.019 You get strengthened, right? 00:31:58.060 --> 00:32:03.039 You strengthen your arms and your legs, or you're just simply walking to keep healthy, right? 00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:07.779 In the same way that, as the body of Christ, we are to grow and to strengthen. 00:32:09.399 --> 00:32:14.180 And so, in that, we grow as part of the body of Christ, united together. 00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:20.339 And I cannot emphasize enough, we are not to focus on the things that divide us and the things that separate us. 00:32:21.119 --> 00:32:22.259 We cannot focus on that. 00:32:22.339 --> 00:32:25.440 God calls us to things that are much higher, right? 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:27.660 To be united in Christ, right? 00:32:30.059 --> 00:32:35.860 And isn't it remarkable that for all of us, 00:32:37.860 --> 00:32:42.980 the call for us to focus on the love of Christ, 00:32:43.600 --> 00:32:46.220 and for all of us to be united together, 00:32:46.640 --> 00:32:47.880 not to be divided, 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:50.400 not to fight over silly things, 00:32:50.400 --> 00:32:54.900 but to seek God and transformation that comes from him, 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:57.860 to practice discernment, right? 00:32:57.900 --> 00:32:59.100 And to continue to grow. 00:32:59.220 --> 00:33:02.360 I've always been so encouraged when I meet someone, 00:33:02.600 --> 00:33:06.120 and they share what the Lord is doing in their life. 00:33:06.380 --> 00:33:08.340 It might be a key insight from Scripture. 00:33:08.519 --> 00:33:10.560 It might be an experience that they are going through. 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:14.280 And there's this sense of encouraging one another. 00:33:15.420 --> 00:33:17.120 Wow, that is amazing you learned that. 00:33:17.119 --> 00:33:22.279 Like, I want to, I want to, I want to, this is what God's doing in my life. 00:33:22.579 --> 00:33:24.399 Or this is what I've been learning in Scripture. 00:33:24.859 --> 00:33:27.979 All these different things are just so important for us. 00:33:28.419 --> 00:33:31.479 And so growth is spiritual formation, right? 00:33:32.219 --> 00:33:33.619 And it happens over time. 00:33:33.679 --> 00:33:35.000 I can't emphasize that enough, right? 00:33:35.500 --> 00:33:36.879 It's not instant ramen noodles, 00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:38.979 although some of you may like it, I get it. 00:33:39.379 --> 00:33:42.000 But it's, it happens over time with practice, 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:44.959 but also being within the body of Christ. 00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:48.779 And this leads us now to our application then, 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:50.539 our next slide, right? 00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:54.819 Which is how we grow, right? 00:33:54.840 --> 00:33:56.440 What do we do about this, right? 00:33:56.500 --> 00:33:59.940 So the first one is we, so you have these three grows. 00:34:00.960 --> 00:34:04.480 We grow by loving God and loving others, right? 00:34:04.920 --> 00:34:06.860 Just as it says in the Gospel of John 00:34:06.860 --> 00:34:09.740 that we are to remain in Christ, and Christ remains in us. 00:34:09.739 --> 00:34:14.059 Or how in the Gospel of Matthew, right, the Great Commandment. 00:34:14.739 --> 00:34:16.639 We think of all these different things 00:34:16.639 --> 00:34:21.039 and how important it is for us to have that relationship with the Lord, 00:34:21.079 --> 00:34:24.199 but also to have relationship with other people, right? 00:34:24.459 --> 00:34:27.379 And in doing that, that takes practice, right? 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:29.500 For some of us, you may identify, 00:34:29.679 --> 00:34:31.639 I'm not going to ask you to raise your hand here, 00:34:31.799 --> 00:34:36.259 but for some of us, it's so much easier to love God than to love others, right? 00:34:36.260 --> 00:34:38.700 For others, it might be the other way around. 00:34:39.520 --> 00:34:44.240 But in any case, that call is very important for us 00:34:44.240 --> 00:34:49.580 to practice love, loving God and loving others, 00:34:49.740 --> 00:34:52.720 loving others because God has loved us. 00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:56.100 Because the kind of love that God has for us 00:34:56.100 --> 00:35:00.040 is something that is beyond what the world has to offer 00:35:00.040 --> 00:35:03.500 or the capacity or our ability to love, 00:35:03.560 --> 00:35:05.360 and yet we're called to love like that. 00:35:05.360 --> 00:35:08.280 May we learn how to love like that from the Lord. 00:35:08.800 --> 00:35:09.980 Very important, right? 00:35:10.300 --> 00:35:13.440 And so in this, we have to think, 00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:15.140 ask yourself the question, 00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:17.720 are you growing in your capacity to love? 00:35:18.660 --> 00:35:23.300 And if not, ask the Lord to teach you how to love like he does. 00:35:24.420 --> 00:35:27.620 Because that is an amazing kind of love that the Lord has. 00:35:28.280 --> 00:35:30.019 Something that is transcendent, 00:35:30.120 --> 00:35:31.960 something that is beyond our understanding. 00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:33.460 There's so many things about the Lord 00:35:33.460 --> 00:35:34.820 that is beyond our understanding. 00:35:34.820 --> 00:35:35.900 And that's okay. 00:35:36.460 --> 00:35:38.340 We're supposed to be in awe and wonder 00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:40.200 of who the Lord is, right? 00:35:40.720 --> 00:35:45.420 The second thing then is grow by learning the word 00:35:45.420 --> 00:35:47.340 and what it means to be Christ-like. 00:35:48.120 --> 00:35:48.460 Right? 00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:51.440 Obviously, we have, we should all have a Bible, right? 00:35:51.480 --> 00:35:53.720 We should all get a Bible and open it and read it 00:35:53.720 --> 00:35:55.200 and study it, of course. 00:35:56.000 --> 00:35:58.780 And in that study, there should be transformation. 00:35:58.780 --> 00:36:02.900 We need to live out what the word teaches us. 00:36:03.620 --> 00:36:07.220 Are you being molded by God and his word? 00:36:08.200 --> 00:36:08.480 Right? 00:36:08.540 --> 00:36:10.820 You have to think about, I love, I mean, 00:36:10.860 --> 00:36:15.019 the famous 2 Timothy chapter 3, verses 16 through 17. 00:36:15.180 --> 00:36:17.560 All scripture is given by God, right? 00:36:17.620 --> 00:36:20.440 To mold us, to form us and to change us, right? 00:36:20.480 --> 00:36:22.720 We have all of that section, right? 00:36:22.719 --> 00:36:26.359 Or we talk about how the word is living and active. 00:36:27.179 --> 00:36:30.799 And this transformation then, transformation in the mind, 00:36:31.439 --> 00:36:32.539 in how we think. 00:36:33.219 --> 00:36:35.419 Some of us may know the word metanoia, right? 00:36:35.779 --> 00:36:37.039 To change your mind. 00:36:37.559 --> 00:36:41.059 Always remember, church, when you hear the word repentance 00:36:41.059 --> 00:36:44.359 or to repent, it is a changing of the mind. 00:36:44.699 --> 00:36:45.739 There's a lot of people that say, 00:36:45.839 --> 00:36:47.319 well, it's just confessing your sins. 00:36:47.539 --> 00:36:49.039 It's much more than that. 00:36:49.039 --> 00:36:52.300 It's to change the very way that you think about things. 00:36:52.960 --> 00:36:53.820 Very important. 00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:55.599 Changing the way we think. 00:36:56.259 --> 00:36:57.820 Changing our ability to love. 00:36:57.980 --> 00:36:59.719 I want to say it's in Ezekiel, 00:37:00.019 --> 00:37:05.420 where it talks about the heart going from a heart of stone 00:37:05.420 --> 00:37:07.500 into a heart of flesh. 00:37:08.219 --> 00:37:10.259 And what beautiful imagery that is, right? 00:37:10.719 --> 00:37:13.079 Now, I hope none of you have a heart of stone. 00:37:13.679 --> 00:37:17.360 If you do, you got to pray to the Lord to change that, right? 00:37:17.360 --> 00:37:18.639 Let's swap that out, right? 00:37:18.639 --> 00:37:20.859 With a heart of flesh, a beating heart. 00:37:21.199 --> 00:37:25.400 Or for some of you who enjoy the classic, the Grinch, right? 00:37:25.799 --> 00:37:29.579 The guy's heart is three sizes too small, right? 00:37:29.579 --> 00:37:31.059 And it grows and the guy's like, 00:37:31.139 --> 00:37:33.219 oh my gosh, my heart's getting so big, right? 00:37:33.480 --> 00:37:35.059 His capacity to love, right? 00:37:35.099 --> 00:37:38.199 That is a example we can see in movies. 00:37:38.679 --> 00:37:42.059 But at any rate, changing how we think, 00:37:42.259 --> 00:37:43.719 changing our capacity to love, 00:37:43.799 --> 00:37:46.099 but also we think of our hands and our ability 00:37:46.099 --> 00:37:49.500 to love people and how to serve others as well. 00:37:50.619 --> 00:37:53.360 And so at Ontario Community Church, 00:37:53.360 --> 00:37:55.960 we use what is known as the OIA method, 00:37:56.059 --> 00:37:58.139 observation, interpretation, and application. 00:37:58.559 --> 00:37:59.719 We observe the text. 00:37:59.860 --> 00:38:00.659 We read the text. 00:38:00.940 --> 00:38:03.420 We interpret, meaning what are the underlying lessons. 00:38:03.659 --> 00:38:05.539 And the third being the application, 00:38:05.539 --> 00:38:07.839 is what we do about this. 00:38:07.840 --> 00:38:11.200 That is why we focus so much on the Word 00:38:11.200 --> 00:38:12.920 and what it means to be Christ-like. 00:38:13.019 --> 00:38:15.380 I pray that for all of you, you are challenged 00:38:15.380 --> 00:38:17.640 and that you all learn at least one thing 00:38:17.640 --> 00:38:19.079 coming to church here, 00:38:19.340 --> 00:38:24.039 to be challenged and to grow in your faith. 00:38:24.880 --> 00:38:27.320 And so that's something that is so important for all of us. 00:38:27.400 --> 00:38:29.200 And in any sense, 00:38:29.700 --> 00:38:31.420 as we learn Scripture, 00:38:31.579 --> 00:38:33.320 as the Word is preached, 00:38:33.320 --> 00:38:35.640 as it is taught, 00:38:36.019 --> 00:38:39.160 it's about becoming more mature 00:38:39.160 --> 00:38:41.740 and to being transformed. 00:38:42.880 --> 00:38:44.100 Not about division. 00:38:44.860 --> 00:38:46.580 Not about waging war. 00:38:47.380 --> 00:38:50.420 Not about focusing and nitpicking people, right? 00:38:50.720 --> 00:38:52.559 How many of you had someone nitpick you? 00:38:54.160 --> 00:38:56.380 We are to steer away from that 00:38:56.380 --> 00:39:00.480 and focus on how is God working on us currently? 00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:02.320 I get it. 00:39:02.360 --> 00:39:03.380 I've met people who, 00:39:03.519 --> 00:39:06.380 they have all kinds of theology out there for sure. 00:39:07.440 --> 00:39:09.840 But are they being transformed by the Lord? 00:39:10.340 --> 00:39:11.940 That's what I'm more focused on 00:39:11.940 --> 00:39:13.760 than if you got wacky theology. 00:39:14.119 --> 00:39:15.980 It's important to have good theology, mind you. 00:39:16.780 --> 00:39:17.740 We also have to see, 00:39:18.000 --> 00:39:19.139 where are they progressing? 00:39:19.659 --> 00:39:22.780 Are they progressing towards the Lord 00:39:22.780 --> 00:39:24.940 and that relationship with Him, 00:39:25.000 --> 00:39:26.519 being transformed by Him? 00:39:27.019 --> 00:39:28.179 That is the question. 00:39:28.179 --> 00:39:31.299 And so the third thing then 00:39:31.299 --> 00:39:34.599 is to grow by leading through service 00:39:34.599 --> 00:39:36.419 in the church and in the community. 00:39:36.419 --> 00:39:39.000 It's something that's very near and dear to my heart 00:39:39.000 --> 00:39:41.179 that we are all called to serve in the church 00:39:41.179 --> 00:39:43.299 in some capacity, right? 00:39:43.319 --> 00:39:44.539 We give of our time, 00:39:44.659 --> 00:39:45.739 our talent, and our treasure. 00:39:45.879 --> 00:39:46.839 And quite frankly, 00:39:46.919 --> 00:39:47.899 when we're talking about, 00:39:48.239 --> 00:39:49.759 when my wife came up 00:39:49.759 --> 00:39:52.279 and told you guys about over 50 people 00:39:52.279 --> 00:39:54.859 for our STEAM Nights is a remarkable, 00:39:55.019 --> 00:39:56.379 and we praise God for that. 00:39:56.380 --> 00:39:59.880 I mean, every single time we have a STEAM Night, 00:40:00.240 --> 00:40:01.599 it's a different group of people. 00:40:02.140 --> 00:40:04.140 And that's something that's remarkable. 00:40:04.960 --> 00:40:07.180 And in doing these kind of things 00:40:07.180 --> 00:40:08.760 or the partnerships that we have 00:40:08.760 --> 00:40:10.400 with Building Healthy Families 00:40:10.400 --> 00:40:12.360 and all these different things that we do, 00:40:12.559 --> 00:40:14.480 it is the ministry of presence. 00:40:14.720 --> 00:40:16.700 It's being there with the people. 00:40:17.519 --> 00:40:19.380 Just as, I don't know, 00:40:19.720 --> 00:40:22.619 Christ was there with the people, 00:40:23.460 --> 00:40:24.480 dining with sinners. 00:40:24.480 --> 00:40:27.659 I mean, that was controversial back then. 00:40:27.740 --> 00:40:29.179 I mean, you can also think even now, 00:40:29.260 --> 00:40:30.179 what is this guy doing? 00:40:30.240 --> 00:40:31.199 What is this Christian doing, 00:40:31.300 --> 00:40:32.000 dining with sinners? 00:40:32.159 --> 00:40:33.360 It's the ministry of presence. 00:40:33.659 --> 00:40:35.519 It's being there with the people, 00:40:35.800 --> 00:40:36.699 being an example, 00:40:37.019 --> 00:40:38.599 being an ambassador for Christ, 00:40:38.699 --> 00:40:39.840 being that beacon of hope. 00:40:40.920 --> 00:40:41.679 Do you know how many, 00:40:41.820 --> 00:40:43.300 on a very personal note, 00:40:43.360 --> 00:40:45.019 do you know how many people I have met 00:40:45.019 --> 00:40:48.039 who have had life happen? 00:40:48.340 --> 00:40:49.960 They've had some sort of hurt 00:40:49.960 --> 00:40:51.420 that has happened. 00:40:51.420 --> 00:40:53.539 And just by being there, 00:40:53.639 --> 00:40:55.599 you have conversations with them. 00:40:56.599 --> 00:40:57.920 You hear their story. 00:40:58.440 --> 00:41:01.460 A lot of times it's insane 00:41:01.460 --> 00:41:03.539 in a bad way. 00:41:04.639 --> 00:41:07.300 But when they begin to ask questions 00:41:07.300 --> 00:41:08.220 and get to know you, 00:41:08.300 --> 00:41:09.059 you get to know them, 00:41:09.119 --> 00:41:09.840 you can share 00:41:09.840 --> 00:41:12.420 in who Christ is to you. 00:41:12.720 --> 00:41:14.220 And maybe they don't even respond. 00:41:15.019 --> 00:41:15.760 That's okay. 00:41:16.740 --> 00:41:17.560 We're still called 00:41:17.560 --> 00:41:19.060 to scatter the seed, right? 00:41:19.720 --> 00:41:21.740 Just as a farmer, right? 00:41:21.760 --> 00:41:23.180 When we talk of parabolic language, 00:41:23.360 --> 00:41:24.140 scattering the seed 00:41:24.140 --> 00:41:25.580 so that crops may grow, right? 00:41:25.680 --> 00:41:26.560 In the same way, 00:41:26.680 --> 00:41:28.020 that is what we are called to do. 00:41:28.520 --> 00:41:29.660 And we do that 00:41:29.660 --> 00:41:32.060 through service, right? 00:41:32.400 --> 00:41:33.380 So I put on here, 00:41:33.960 --> 00:41:34.880 service in the church 00:41:34.880 --> 00:41:35.840 and in the community. 00:41:36.380 --> 00:41:37.460 Ask yourself the question, 00:41:37.840 --> 00:41:38.940 how are you 00:41:38.940 --> 00:41:40.360 or are you serving in the church? 00:41:40.400 --> 00:41:41.620 Are you serving in the community? 00:41:41.740 --> 00:41:42.600 How you answer that 00:41:42.600 --> 00:41:45.400 is different from the person next to you. 00:41:45.760 --> 00:41:48.760 It's important for us to know that, 00:41:49.260 --> 00:41:50.720 and I mention this all the time 00:41:50.720 --> 00:41:51.740 in Ephesians. 00:41:52.200 --> 00:41:53.440 How many of you know this verse? 00:41:54.280 --> 00:41:55.220 For it is by grace 00:41:55.220 --> 00:41:56.520 that you are saved, right? 00:41:56.620 --> 00:41:57.260 Some of you guys 00:41:57.260 --> 00:41:58.300 are going to start saying it, right? 00:41:58.560 --> 00:41:59.600 Not by works 00:41:59.600 --> 00:42:00.920 so that no one may what? 00:42:01.720 --> 00:42:02.500 Boast, right? 00:42:02.740 --> 00:42:02.900 Right? 00:42:04.160 --> 00:42:06.160 But what about that following verse? 00:42:07.360 --> 00:42:07.760 Right? 00:42:08.360 --> 00:42:10.180 That we are created in, 00:42:10.300 --> 00:42:12.720 that we are made 00:42:12.720 --> 00:42:14.720 for good works. 00:42:14.719 --> 00:42:16.259 because when you have 00:42:16.259 --> 00:42:17.399 those first two verses, 00:42:17.519 --> 00:42:19.419 it's like it's set and done, right? 00:42:19.619 --> 00:42:21.099 It's by grace that I'm saved 00:42:21.099 --> 00:42:22.339 so that no one may boast. 00:42:22.439 --> 00:42:23.239 It's a done deal. 00:42:24.799 --> 00:42:25.199 Yes. 00:42:25.879 --> 00:42:26.639 Keep going. 00:42:27.379 --> 00:42:28.819 Keep going and realize 00:42:28.819 --> 00:42:29.500 and recognize 00:42:29.500 --> 00:42:31.500 that God is the master craftsman 00:42:31.500 --> 00:42:32.459 that made you 00:42:32.459 --> 00:42:33.619 and saved you 00:42:33.619 --> 00:42:35.259 so that you can grow, 00:42:35.599 --> 00:42:36.759 so that you can do good 00:42:36.759 --> 00:42:37.419 in his name. 00:42:38.199 --> 00:42:39.659 We can't miss that part. 00:42:39.699 --> 00:42:40.219 I don't know about you, 00:42:40.259 --> 00:42:41.459 that's a pretty important part. 00:42:41.559 --> 00:42:42.000 Now granted, 00:42:42.000 --> 00:42:43.440 those other two verses are, 00:42:43.579 --> 00:42:44.659 I'm not denying that 00:42:44.659 --> 00:42:46.300 they are important, 00:42:46.639 --> 00:42:48.000 but we've got to keep going in that. 00:42:48.619 --> 00:42:49.480 It's important for us 00:42:49.480 --> 00:42:50.320 to recognize that. 00:42:50.460 --> 00:42:51.820 Saved by grace through faith 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:53.159 so that we can do. 00:42:53.280 --> 00:42:54.380 We're not saved 00:42:54.380 --> 00:42:55.960 by what we do. 00:42:56.219 --> 00:42:56.900 We are saved 00:42:56.900 --> 00:42:58.059 by what has been done 00:42:58.059 --> 00:42:58.760 in Christ. 00:42:59.039 --> 00:43:00.260 And because of what 00:43:00.260 --> 00:43:01.380 has been done in Christ, 00:43:01.539 --> 00:43:02.380 we are to do. 00:43:03.159 --> 00:43:03.920 It's kind of, 00:43:03.980 --> 00:43:05.139 it's flipped on its head 00:43:05.139 --> 00:43:06.179 and it can get confusing, 00:43:06.320 --> 00:43:07.559 but it's one of those things 00:43:07.559 --> 00:43:08.960 that little nuance 00:43:08.960 --> 00:43:10.780 can make a great difference, 00:43:10.840 --> 00:43:11.099 right? 00:43:12.039 --> 00:43:12.880 And some people, 00:43:13.039 --> 00:43:14.500 they're raised to believe 00:43:14.500 --> 00:43:15.800 it's all about 00:43:15.800 --> 00:43:17.760 what you can do, 00:43:17.880 --> 00:43:18.119 right? 00:43:19.059 --> 00:43:20.000 It's not so 00:43:20.000 --> 00:43:21.220 when it comes to Christianity, 00:43:21.340 --> 00:43:22.340 when it comes to Christ. 00:43:23.039 --> 00:43:24.820 You're saved by what is done 00:43:24.820 --> 00:43:25.740 just like when Christ 00:43:25.740 --> 00:43:26.579 said on the cross, 00:43:26.760 --> 00:43:27.840 it is what? 00:43:28.519 --> 00:43:28.920 Finished. 00:43:29.880 --> 00:43:30.659 Proud of you guys, 00:43:30.820 --> 00:43:31.159 right? 00:43:31.340 --> 00:43:32.420 It is finished, 00:43:32.500 --> 00:43:32.760 right? 00:43:34.179 --> 00:43:34.960 He said that. 00:43:35.280 --> 00:43:36.820 Going from the old covenant 00:43:36.820 --> 00:43:37.640 to the new covenant, 00:43:37.780 --> 00:43:39.180 God providing a better way 00:43:39.180 --> 00:43:39.720 for us. 00:43:40.460 --> 00:43:41.240 It is done. 00:43:41.640 --> 00:43:42.840 And because it is done, 00:43:42.980 --> 00:43:43.960 we are called to do. 00:43:44.880 --> 00:43:46.640 We also think of John 15, 00:43:46.820 --> 00:43:48.120 chapter 15, 00:43:48.200 --> 00:43:48.660 verse 8, 00:43:48.780 --> 00:43:50.740 to bear much fruit for God 00:43:50.740 --> 00:43:52.360 for others to see. 00:43:53.400 --> 00:43:54.539 That those others 00:43:54.539 --> 00:43:56.039 benefit from the fruit. 00:43:56.780 --> 00:43:58.519 Not only do we glorify God 00:43:58.519 --> 00:43:59.860 by bearing fruit, 00:43:59.960 --> 00:44:01.700 but others benefit from it. 00:44:02.460 --> 00:44:03.000 Such a one, 00:44:03.059 --> 00:44:04.260 it testifies to God 00:44:04.260 --> 00:44:05.280 working in our life. 00:44:05.280 --> 00:44:07.000 And when we think of 00:44:07.000 --> 00:44:08.280 leadership, 00:44:08.840 --> 00:44:10.380 we have to think about 00:44:10.380 --> 00:44:12.580 this idea of service, 00:44:13.320 --> 00:44:14.760 about bearing fruit, 00:44:15.380 --> 00:44:16.460 and as our theme 00:44:16.460 --> 00:44:17.060 for the year 00:44:17.060 --> 00:44:18.340 is peacemaking. 00:44:19.400 --> 00:44:20.120 In other words, 00:44:20.220 --> 00:44:20.860 we grow 00:44:20.860 --> 00:44:22.519 so that we can live 00:44:22.519 --> 00:44:23.480 in love like Christ. 00:44:24.000 --> 00:44:24.860 And we grow 00:44:24.860 --> 00:44:26.920 so that we can serve God 00:44:26.920 --> 00:44:28.140 and serve others. 00:44:28.280 --> 00:44:29.540 This is part of 00:44:29.540 --> 00:44:30.880 servant leadership. 00:44:30.880 --> 00:44:33.599 And so in all of this, 00:44:34.220 --> 00:44:35.539 let's go to that next slide, 00:44:35.599 --> 00:44:35.780 right? 00:44:36.099 --> 00:44:37.220 I had in the beginning 00:44:37.220 --> 00:44:39.059 an image of a man 00:44:39.059 --> 00:44:39.940 who's journeying, 00:44:40.140 --> 00:44:41.700 but he has no guide. 00:44:42.880 --> 00:44:43.320 Right? 00:44:43.800 --> 00:44:45.280 And I pray that for all of us, 00:44:45.340 --> 00:44:46.280 we're not like that guy 00:44:46.280 --> 00:44:47.099 who's just hiking 00:44:47.099 --> 00:44:47.940 and he has no idea 00:44:47.940 --> 00:44:48.579 where he's going. 00:44:48.840 --> 00:44:49.800 Please don't feel like that. 00:44:50.480 --> 00:44:51.380 But instead, 00:44:51.480 --> 00:44:52.900 may you come to know Christ 00:44:52.900 --> 00:44:54.180 who is the great shepherd 00:44:54.180 --> 00:44:56.400 and this imagery of sheep. 00:44:56.400 --> 00:44:58.920 Do the sheep know 00:44:58.920 --> 00:45:01.000 where Christ has taken him? 00:45:01.039 --> 00:45:01.280 Maybe. 00:45:01.880 --> 00:45:02.639 Maybe not. 00:45:03.099 --> 00:45:04.000 But in any case, 00:45:04.079 --> 00:45:05.680 they're putting their trust 00:45:05.680 --> 00:45:06.660 in the shepherd 00:45:06.660 --> 00:45:08.860 to lead and to guide them 00:45:08.860 --> 00:45:11.740 to where Christ wants them to be. 00:45:11.780 --> 00:45:12.820 And I think of that image, 00:45:13.320 --> 00:45:15.000 such a beautiful image, right? 00:45:15.320 --> 00:45:17.380 That in belonging to Christ, 00:45:17.420 --> 00:45:18.820 we are safe from harm. 00:45:19.400 --> 00:45:20.960 We are safe to grow. 00:45:21.639 --> 00:45:21.780 Right? 00:45:22.039 --> 00:45:22.900 Belonging to Christ, 00:45:22.960 --> 00:45:24.099 we can journey with him 00:45:24.099 --> 00:45:25.039 as Christ, 00:45:25.179 --> 00:45:26.719 as the Savior, 00:45:26.940 --> 00:45:27.460 the Lord, 00:45:27.960 --> 00:45:28.559 the guide 00:45:28.559 --> 00:45:30.519 who will lead us. 00:45:31.299 --> 00:45:32.239 And we think about that, 00:45:32.299 --> 00:45:33.539 like what a wonderful 00:45:33.539 --> 00:45:34.299 kind of image 00:45:34.299 --> 00:45:35.619 because now, 00:45:36.400 --> 00:45:38.500 I understand sheep are dumb 00:45:38.500 --> 00:45:39.360 and I'm not going to call 00:45:39.360 --> 00:45:40.460 any of you guys dumb, 00:45:40.980 --> 00:45:42.099 but it goes to show 00:45:42.099 --> 00:45:42.920 that for us 00:45:42.920 --> 00:45:44.199 in our limited capacity, 00:45:44.319 --> 00:45:45.380 how much more God knows 00:45:45.380 --> 00:45:45.920 than we do. 00:45:46.759 --> 00:45:47.039 Right? 00:45:47.639 --> 00:45:49.179 If we are like sheep, 00:45:49.480 --> 00:45:52.159 think of how much more 00:45:52.159 --> 00:45:53.019 the shepherd knows 00:45:53.019 --> 00:45:54.059 and how much more 00:45:54.059 --> 00:45:56.239 the shepherd has power. 00:45:57.239 --> 00:45:57.539 Right? 00:45:58.239 --> 00:45:59.880 The rod and the staff, 00:46:00.340 --> 00:46:01.840 how it is used to comfort 00:46:01.840 --> 00:46:03.699 leading people 00:46:03.699 --> 00:46:04.980 to green pastures. 00:46:05.840 --> 00:46:06.780 And so in this, 00:46:08.380 --> 00:46:09.579 come to know the Lord. 00:46:10.840 --> 00:46:11.780 Belong to him 00:46:11.780 --> 00:46:13.960 and begin on that journey 00:46:13.960 --> 00:46:15.380 following with Christ. 00:46:15.900 --> 00:46:17.000 You'd be amazed 00:46:17.000 --> 00:46:17.840 by the journey, 00:46:18.440 --> 00:46:20.179 the journey that lies ahead. 00:46:20.179 --> 00:46:21.059 There will be times 00:46:21.059 --> 00:46:22.079 where you will go through 00:46:22.079 --> 00:46:23.839 rocky, you know, 00:46:23.899 --> 00:46:24.899 tons of rocks, 00:46:25.199 --> 00:46:26.259 tumbling rocks even. 00:46:27.000 --> 00:46:27.739 There will be times 00:46:27.739 --> 00:46:28.679 where it's just smooth, 00:46:28.859 --> 00:46:29.079 right? 00:46:29.139 --> 00:46:30.500 And it's completely fine. 00:46:31.639 --> 00:46:32.779 And through the journey, 00:46:32.899 --> 00:46:33.639 there will be times 00:46:33.639 --> 00:46:34.559 where there are storms. 00:46:34.739 --> 00:46:35.460 There will be times 00:46:35.460 --> 00:46:36.980 where there are ravenous wolves, 00:46:37.099 --> 00:46:37.219 right? 00:46:37.279 --> 00:46:38.219 Doesn't Scripture talk 00:46:38.219 --> 00:46:39.179 about that as well? 00:46:40.519 --> 00:46:41.159 And that Christ 00:46:41.159 --> 00:46:42.440 protects us from that. 00:46:43.399 --> 00:46:45.099 And how even in the moments 00:46:45.099 --> 00:46:47.000 where we run off 00:46:47.000 --> 00:46:48.800 or we feel like running off, 00:46:49.780 --> 00:46:50.800 the Lord will leave 00:46:50.800 --> 00:46:52.179 all of his sheep for us? 00:46:52.239 --> 00:46:52.940 That's remarkable. 00:46:53.659 --> 00:46:54.960 That's beautiful language 00:46:54.960 --> 00:46:55.500 and imagery. 00:46:56.500 --> 00:46:57.840 And so in this, 00:46:57.900 --> 00:46:59.940 this is important for us. 00:47:00.000 --> 00:47:01.159 I want to say these words 00:47:01.159 --> 00:47:03.619 that growth is necessary 00:47:03.619 --> 00:47:06.500 for us to become peacemakers, 00:47:06.940 --> 00:47:07.980 for us to live 00:47:07.980 --> 00:47:09.099 and love like Christ, 00:47:09.179 --> 00:47:10.940 and for us to transform community 00:47:10.940 --> 00:47:12.360 and to transform culture. 00:47:13.059 --> 00:47:14.079 For in Christ, 00:47:14.199 --> 00:47:16.099 there is nothing to fear. 00:47:16.099 --> 00:47:17.759 How often do we see 00:47:17.759 --> 00:47:18.819 in Scripture where it says, 00:47:19.059 --> 00:47:19.759 be not afraid, 00:47:19.900 --> 00:47:20.860 do not be afraid, 00:47:21.019 --> 00:47:21.400 fear not, 00:47:21.460 --> 00:47:22.599 depending on your translation 00:47:22.599 --> 00:47:24.380 that you are accustomed to, 00:47:25.179 --> 00:47:26.199 but to trust in him 00:47:26.199 --> 00:47:28.519 and to follow in his footsteps. 00:47:29.480 --> 00:47:31.839 May you place your trust 00:47:31.839 --> 00:47:32.839 in Jesus Christ 00:47:32.839 --> 00:47:34.360 and be saved 00:47:34.360 --> 00:47:36.159 by his amazing grace. 00:47:36.759 --> 00:47:37.739 May you grow 00:47:37.739 --> 00:47:40.099 with this ongoing grace, 00:47:40.860 --> 00:47:41.860 grace that heals 00:47:41.860 --> 00:47:44.279 and grace that changes lives. 00:47:44.659 --> 00:47:45.920 And may you be moved 00:47:45.920 --> 00:47:46.659 to respond 00:47:46.659 --> 00:47:47.680 and to act, 00:47:48.139 --> 00:47:49.440 extending the good news 00:47:49.440 --> 00:47:50.740 of Christ's grace 00:47:50.740 --> 00:47:51.380 to others. 00:47:52.220 --> 00:47:52.920 In other words, 00:47:53.420 --> 00:47:54.159 may you share 00:47:54.159 --> 00:47:54.780 in the good news 00:47:54.780 --> 00:47:56.059 of the gospel to others 00:47:56.059 --> 00:47:58.220 by sharing in your testimony, 00:47:58.360 --> 00:47:58.980 by sharing 00:47:58.980 --> 00:48:01.200 in 1 Corinthians 15, 00:48:01.200 --> 00:48:02.440 verses 1-4, 00:48:02.519 --> 00:48:03.420 whatever it may be. 00:48:04.159 --> 00:48:06.099 May you extend 00:48:06.099 --> 00:48:07.300 that good news to others. 00:48:07.659 --> 00:48:08.619 May you respond 00:48:08.619 --> 00:48:10.259 to God's call 00:48:10.259 --> 00:48:11.639 to receive, 00:48:12.179 --> 00:48:13.099 to be molded, 00:48:13.519 --> 00:48:14.460 and to be moved 00:48:14.460 --> 00:48:16.739 by his amazing grace. 00:48:17.239 --> 00:48:18.119 Let's pray together. 00:48:19.279 --> 00:48:20.199 Father God, 00:48:20.239 --> 00:48:20.980 we thank you 00:48:20.980 --> 00:48:23.719 for us gathering today, 00:48:24.099 --> 00:48:24.960 going through 00:48:24.960 --> 00:48:26.799 how we grow 00:48:26.799 --> 00:48:29.440 and how important it is 00:48:29.440 --> 00:48:31.319 as we've gone through Ephesians 00:48:31.319 --> 00:48:32.059 that you, God, 00:48:32.139 --> 00:48:33.039 provide people 00:48:33.039 --> 00:48:35.759 to help equip the saints, 00:48:35.760 --> 00:48:37.780 that you provide people 00:48:37.780 --> 00:48:38.500 to help grow 00:48:38.500 --> 00:48:39.460 the body of Christ 00:48:39.460 --> 00:48:40.580 and to also grow 00:48:40.580 --> 00:48:41.240 your church. 00:48:41.780 --> 00:48:43.120 I pray that everyone 00:48:43.120 --> 00:48:44.400 who is here present 00:48:44.400 --> 00:48:45.340 this morning 00:48:45.340 --> 00:48:45.800 and everyone 00:48:45.800 --> 00:48:47.080 who is tuning in online, 00:48:48.000 --> 00:48:49.500 that they may respond 00:48:49.500 --> 00:48:50.120 to your call 00:48:50.120 --> 00:48:50.920 to salvation, 00:48:51.240 --> 00:48:52.280 to be molded, 00:48:52.340 --> 00:48:53.040 to grow, 00:48:53.220 --> 00:48:54.220 to be transformed, 00:48:54.480 --> 00:48:55.360 and to be moved, 00:48:55.420 --> 00:48:56.440 to live and love 00:48:56.440 --> 00:48:57.160 like your Son, 00:48:57.280 --> 00:48:57.980 Jesus Christ, 00:48:58.100 --> 00:48:58.480 the way, 00:48:58.580 --> 00:48:58.960 the truth, 00:48:59.000 --> 00:48:59.620 and the life. 00:48:59.619 --> 00:49:02.119 You are the God 00:49:02.119 --> 00:49:02.940 of transformation. 00:49:03.339 --> 00:49:03.880 You are the God 00:49:03.880 --> 00:49:05.440 that has provided salvation 00:49:05.440 --> 00:49:06.380 in your Son. 00:49:07.119 --> 00:49:08.259 And we thank you 00:49:08.259 --> 00:49:09.639 for that. 00:49:10.380 --> 00:49:12.179 You are doing a new thing 00:49:12.179 --> 00:49:13.839 here in this place. 00:49:15.059 --> 00:49:16.099 May we respond, 00:49:16.259 --> 00:49:17.000 may we listen 00:49:17.000 --> 00:49:18.179 with intentionality, 00:49:18.839 --> 00:49:20.039 and you lead us 00:49:20.039 --> 00:49:21.339 as a community, 00:49:21.659 --> 00:49:23.139 but also individually 00:49:23.139 --> 00:49:25.179 on where you want us to go. 00:49:26.079 --> 00:49:27.039 We love you. 00:49:27.519 --> 00:49:28.500 We praise you. 00:49:28.599 --> 00:49:29.599 We glorify you. 00:49:29.659 --> 00:49:30.339 We honor you, 00:49:30.380 --> 00:49:31.259 and we thank you 00:49:31.259 --> 00:49:31.920 for your Son, 00:49:32.039 --> 00:49:32.739 Jesus Christ, 00:49:32.859 --> 00:49:34.119 who is the cornerstone 00:49:34.119 --> 00:49:34.880 of our faith. 00:49:36.519 --> 00:49:37.519 Be with us 00:49:37.519 --> 00:49:38.719 as we close 00:49:38.719 --> 00:49:40.039 in this final song. 00:49:41.779 --> 00:49:43.099 May we worship you. 00:49:43.880 --> 00:49:44.739 May we lift up 00:49:44.739 --> 00:49:45.819 a shout of praise. 00:49:46.619 --> 00:49:47.179 May we make 00:49:47.179 --> 00:49:48.339 that joyful noise, 00:49:48.559 --> 00:49:49.059 celebrating 00:49:49.059 --> 00:49:50.579 and being thankful 00:49:50.579 --> 00:49:51.859 for who you are. 00:49:52.559 --> 00:49:53.679 It is in the name 00:49:53.679 --> 00:49:54.539 of Jesus Christ 00:49:54.539 --> 00:49:55.179 that we pray, 00:49:55.259 --> 00:49:56.119 and we all say together, 00:49:56.179 --> 00:49:56.859 Amen, church. 00:49:57.139 --> 00:49:57.739 Amen. 00:49:57.739 --> 00:49:57.879 Amen. 00:49:58.379 --> 00:49:59.799 Thank you for listening 00:49:59.799 --> 00:50:01.059 to today's message 00:50:01.059 --> 00:50:02.859 from Ontario Community Church. 00:50:03.279 --> 00:50:04.379 As we reflect 00:50:04.379 --> 00:50:05.579 on what we have heard, 00:50:06.000 --> 00:50:07.159 my prayer is that 00:50:07.159 --> 00:50:08.119 you would continue 00:50:08.119 --> 00:50:10.159 to be shaped by Christ, 00:50:10.739 --> 00:50:11.959 rooted in his truth, 00:50:12.419 --> 00:50:13.919 formed by his love, 00:50:14.259 --> 00:50:16.039 and guided by his peace. 00:50:16.039 --> 00:50:18.800 Here at Ontario Community Church, 00:50:18.800 --> 00:50:20.159 we believe that faith, 00:50:20.500 --> 00:50:21.320 it is personal, 00:50:21.679 --> 00:50:22.820 it is a relationship 00:50:22.820 --> 00:50:23.619 with Christ, 00:50:23.840 --> 00:50:24.960 and it is never meant 00:50:24.960 --> 00:50:25.860 to be lived alone. 00:50:26.440 --> 00:50:27.559 We are a people 00:50:27.559 --> 00:50:29.000 being formed together, 00:50:29.480 --> 00:50:30.800 learning how to belong, 00:50:31.179 --> 00:50:31.960 how to grow, 00:50:32.219 --> 00:50:33.179 and how to live 00:50:33.179 --> 00:50:34.219 as peacemakers 00:50:34.219 --> 00:50:34.960 in the world. 00:50:34.960 --> 00:50:36.800 If today's message 00:50:36.800 --> 00:50:37.679 encouraged you 00:50:37.679 --> 00:50:39.139 or stirred something 00:50:39.139 --> 00:50:39.840 within you, 00:50:40.119 --> 00:50:41.280 I would like to invite you 00:50:41.280 --> 00:50:42.280 to take the next step, 00:50:42.699 --> 00:50:43.659 whether that's prayer, 00:50:44.199 --> 00:50:44.659 reflection, 00:50:45.139 --> 00:50:45.880 or connecting 00:50:45.880 --> 00:50:46.900 with the community 00:50:46.900 --> 00:50:47.460 of faith. 00:50:48.079 --> 00:50:49.280 You can visit our website 00:50:49.280 --> 00:50:51.780 at ontariocommunitychurch.org 00:50:51.780 --> 00:50:53.940 or find our sermon archive 00:50:53.940 --> 00:50:57.599 at sermons.ontariocommunitychurch.org. 00:50:57.960 --> 00:50:59.179 There, you can find 00:50:59.179 --> 00:51:00.019 sermon notes, 00:51:00.480 --> 00:51:00.980 slides, 00:51:01.420 --> 00:51:02.059 Bible studies, 00:51:02.240 --> 00:51:03.639 and additional resources. 00:51:03.639 --> 00:51:05.619 You can also connect 00:51:05.619 --> 00:51:06.579 with us online 00:51:06.579 --> 00:51:07.559 on YouTube, 00:51:08.039 --> 00:51:08.480 Facebook, 00:51:08.839 --> 00:51:09.219 Instagram, 00:51:09.539 --> 00:51:09.859 TikTok, 00:51:10.440 --> 00:51:10.739 Rumble, 00:51:10.940 --> 00:51:12.379 or wherever you listen 00:51:12.379 --> 00:51:13.239 to your podcasts. 00:51:14.119 --> 00:51:15.659 May the peace of Christ 00:51:15.659 --> 00:51:16.719 rule in your heart. 00:51:17.199 --> 00:51:17.980 May you know 00:51:17.980 --> 00:51:19.599 where your hope is anchored, 00:51:19.960 --> 00:51:20.679 and may you 00:51:20.679 --> 00:51:22.059 continue to walk 00:51:22.059 --> 00:51:22.759 in the way, 00:51:23.199 --> 00:51:23.719 the truth, 00:51:23.940 --> 00:51:24.920 and the life 00:51:24.920 --> 00:51:26.639 found in Jesus Christ. 00:51:27.099 --> 00:51:28.059 God bless you, 00:51:28.299 --> 00:51:29.119 and thank you 00:51:29.119 --> 00:51:29.819 for listening. 00:51:33.639 --> 00:52:03.619 God bless you, 00:52:03.639 --> 00:52:33.619 God bless you, 00:52:33.639 --> 00:52:36.039 God bless you, 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:36.039 00:52:36.039 --> 00:52:57.300 Oh goodness, you have me a home for me. 00:53:06.039 --> 00:53:19.699 Oh, God, in your goodness, you have me a home for me. 00:53:36.039 --> 00:54:06.019 Oh, God, in your goodness, you have me a home for me. 00:54:06.039 --> 00:54:36.019 Oh, God, in your goodness, you have me a home for me.