WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.640 Okay, our Bible reading this morning is from Colossians, reading chapter 1, verses 13 through to verse 20. 00:00:09.800 --> 00:00:12.280 This is Paul writing to the Christians in Colossae. 00:00:14.280 --> 00:00:20.600 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:24.260 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 00:00:24.260 --> 00:00:30.600 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 00:00:31.700 --> 00:00:36.900 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, 00:00:37.740 --> 00:00:40.620 whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. 00:00:41.620 --> 00:00:44.340 All things were created through him and for him. 00:00:45.820 --> 00:00:49.960 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 00:00:49.960 --> 00:00:53.040 And he is the head of the body, the church. 00:00:53.039 --> 00:00:59.299 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 00:01:00.560 --> 00:01:04.319 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 00:01:05.400 --> 00:01:10.500 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, 00:01:11.460 --> 00:01:13.239 making peace by the blood of his cross. 00:01:13.239 --> 00:01:26.479 Well, have you noticed a bit of a key word that's been buzzing around with the Manly Seven drama this week? 00:01:26.599 --> 00:01:32.299 So, for those who don't know the Manly Seven thing going on, 00:01:32.299 --> 00:01:42.739 so NRL club made a jersey with rainbow colours to celebrate LGBTQIA plus community. 00:01:43.479 --> 00:01:47.259 And seven of the players, out of moral conviction, 00:01:48.060 --> 00:01:53.900 decided they're not going to wear the jersey and therefore not going to play this round in the NRL. 00:01:53.900 --> 00:01:55.680 So that's what's going on. 00:01:55.820 --> 00:02:00.560 And there's a key word, and I think I picked it up in the Australian Rugby League boss, 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:04.000 Peter Vlandi's response in Nine News article. 00:02:04.340 --> 00:02:05.280 See if you can hear it. 00:02:06.160 --> 00:02:08.740 Rugby League is the greatest game for all. 00:02:10.080 --> 00:02:11.580 Now I want to pause at that point. 00:02:12.200 --> 00:02:16.980 And I love to debate that, but that's not my main point this morning. 00:02:16.979 --> 00:02:20.519 But he goes on to say, it's inclusive. 00:02:21.039 --> 00:02:22.179 I think there's the key word. 00:02:22.399 --> 00:02:23.199 It's inclusive. 00:02:24.239 --> 00:02:28.439 But at the same time, you have to respect people's religious and cultural beliefs. 00:02:29.019 --> 00:02:31.859 Those players are taking a stand and they've got every right to, 00:02:32.579 --> 00:02:35.019 they've got freedoms to do so. 00:02:35.179 --> 00:02:36.319 We live in a free country. 00:02:36.979 --> 00:02:41.239 But as far as the game is concerned, we pride ourselves on being inclusive. 00:02:41.240 --> 00:02:51.140 Here's how he goes at applying this inclusiveness to the seven players because of their moral convictions. 00:02:51.520 --> 00:02:57.040 If you don't want to be inclusive and you don't recognise that we're all human beings 00:02:57.040 --> 00:03:01.360 and we're all the same, then you've got the right to stand down and not play. 00:03:03.340 --> 00:03:10.420 Notice how he turned a moral conviction into a lack of affirming that we're all human beings. 00:03:11.240 --> 00:03:18.439 These players who had worked hard to be in the team and deserve a spot in the team 00:03:18.439 --> 00:03:23.800 not only needed to sit on the bench, they couldn't come to the stadium 00:03:23.800 --> 00:03:27.860 out of fear of violence and abuse. 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:31.400 That's our inclusive society. 00:03:31.400 --> 00:03:38.240 Where's the inclusion of people with moral convictions? 00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:41.200 Or absolute moral convictions? 00:03:41.480 --> 00:03:46.400 Like, everyone's got moral convictions, but people who believe that there's an absolute morality 00:03:47.159 --> 00:03:51.640 to the universe, where's the inclusivity for those cultures and people? 00:03:51.639 --> 00:04:00.759 I'm going to suggest an explanation for why this story of inclusion can't be equally applied 00:04:00.759 --> 00:04:01.459 to everyone. 00:04:02.279 --> 00:04:12.119 And I think I heard it in an interview back with the FINA swimming transgender decision. 00:04:12.120 --> 00:04:19.319 So a TV interview of Rikki Coughlin, I think you pronounced her name, she got really passionate 00:04:19.319 --> 00:04:22.439 and very articulate at this point in the interview. 00:04:22.439 --> 00:04:27.480 She said, we're talking about people's lives and identities and we're also talking about the kind 00:04:27.480 --> 00:04:29.800 of world we want to live in. 00:04:29.800 --> 00:04:37.639 If we want to live in a one dimensional world where we see ourselves as less diverse and as a place 00:04:37.639 --> 00:04:46.680 that's less welcoming of difference, or if we want a world that is more open and generous and inclusive. 00:04:50.120 --> 00:04:52.840 So she said, which world do we want to live in? 00:04:52.839 --> 00:05:03.159 Those outspoken in the media who are pushing for an inclusive society, it's a storyline. 00:05:03.159 --> 00:05:10.679 It's what we might call a worldview, that we are struggling against oppression and prejudice. 00:05:11.239 --> 00:05:19.879 We need to create a world where everyone is included on the basis of each individual has the right 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:22.279 to choose who they are and how they live. 00:05:23.719 --> 00:05:30.839 Underpinning this story is a belief that the material world, what you see, is what there is. 00:05:32.519 --> 00:05:41.559 There is no higher authority that imposes morality and therefore it's the individual who can create 00:05:41.559 --> 00:05:46.519 themselves and direct their lives and be the star of the story. 00:05:46.519 --> 00:05:52.759 This is how reality is, is what this narrative is saying. 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:54.759 This is what we're struggling for. 00:05:54.759 --> 00:05:57.479 This is the goal of an inclusive society. 00:05:57.479 --> 00:05:58.519 It's a story. 00:05:58.519 --> 00:05:59.719 It's a worldview. 00:06:02.039 --> 00:06:06.039 And there's two troubling ironies with this story. 00:06:06.039 --> 00:06:15.560 One is all the claims of being inclusive, as we saw this week in the media, it excludes anyone 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:23.479 who does believe there is a moral absolute authority, which if you think about the makeup of our world, 00:06:23.480 --> 00:06:27.400 with all the religions and cultures, that's excluding a lot of people. 00:06:29.080 --> 00:06:37.240 The second troubling thing about this story, this inclusive, what you see is what there is story, 00:06:37.240 --> 00:06:47.160 is that people talk about it as if it's self-evident fact, which is why the ARL boss can go, 00:06:47.160 --> 00:06:55.160 they're not treating as human beings. This is self-evident that you should treat someone this way if they're a human being. 00:06:56.760 --> 00:07:05.879 So for instance, if a Muslim and a Christian are having a debate, they both know that they have very different stories about reality. 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:06.760 They both know that. 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:13.960 It's a question of whether they're going to interact in a tolerant and healthy debate. 00:07:13.959 --> 00:07:23.399 I think the troubling thing with this story, this secular story, is people don't see it as a belief system. 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:25.799 They see it as just obvious. 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:33.799 And so if you don't believe it, you're out of touch with reality. 00:07:37.959 --> 00:07:39.479 Stepping to one side for a second. 00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:51.800 Besides these two ironies that it is actually very exclusive of people and just assuming that it's self-evident when many cultures don't see it as self-evident, 00:07:53.960 --> 00:08:00.600 I want to ask the question, do you really want to be the author and director and star of your own story? 00:08:00.600 --> 00:08:08.200 Like if we just stop and think about that, like we were talking the other day in staff meeting about being a parent 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:15.400 and looking after an infant and all this technology these days that can, like a baby monitor that can 00:08:15.960 --> 00:08:21.480 watch whether your baby is breathing properly and send an alert if their rhythm isn't right. 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:27.800 But this technology that makes us think we've got control of keeping our baby alive. 00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:37.399 Do you really want all the responsibility on you, on your shoulders, of whether that baby lives or not? 00:08:38.600 --> 00:08:39.560 That's a lot. 00:08:39.560 --> 00:08:41.720 If you think you've got all the control, 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:51.080 that I think increases our fear because we think it's totally up to us. 00:08:54.360 --> 00:09:00.600 With all this claim to control our lives, that's a lot of pressure. 00:09:01.960 --> 00:09:04.200 Do you really want that? 00:09:04.200 --> 00:09:11.160 Do you want to live in a workplace where everyone is trying to be the star? 00:09:13.080 --> 00:09:18.600 Do you really want everyone trying to be the star, trying to get as much credit as possible 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:21.720 and climbing over the top of each other to be the highest as possible? 00:09:22.600 --> 00:09:24.120 Do you really want to be in a workplace? 00:09:24.680 --> 00:09:29.320 I know that is the reality for a lot of workplaces, not all. 00:09:29.320 --> 00:09:34.280 Do you actually want to inhabit that kind of society? 00:09:36.360 --> 00:09:43.480 Do you actually want to create your identity based on fleeting things like work and sport 00:09:44.520 --> 00:09:51.560 and relationships where work you can lose so quickly and sport you can get an injury so quickly 00:09:51.559 --> 00:09:55.959 and relationships can break so they're fragile? 00:09:56.919 --> 00:10:00.759 Like if your identity is pinned in these things that can be here today and gone tomorrow, 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:03.719 do you really want to create your own identity? 00:10:03.719 --> 00:10:05.879 Because if they can be here today and gone tomorrow, 00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:08.599 can't you be here today and gone tomorrow? 00:10:09.479 --> 00:10:14.359 It just tosses you around depending on circumstances. 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:15.560 It's a great thing. 00:10:15.560 --> 00:10:16.759 It's a great thing. 00:10:17.720 --> 00:10:21.879 So I don't know about you, but the thought of being author and director 00:10:22.680 --> 00:10:28.279 and star of the story, if you think about it, I'm not sure I want that. 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:40.600 Instead, I think there's a longing in us to be part of something bigger than ourselves. 00:10:40.600 --> 00:10:44.040 Like even businesses talk about this. 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:49.960 We've got to create a culture where people want to be contributing to something bigger than themselves. 00:10:49.960 --> 00:10:51.000 That's when it's fulfilling. 00:10:52.200 --> 00:10:53.560 And I think there's a reason for that. 00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:56.920 We were made for something bigger than ourselves. 00:10:58.519 --> 00:11:02.759 That the satisfying and meaningful life is belonging to a greater story, 00:11:03.720 --> 00:11:06.519 one where we're not the author and director and star. 00:11:06.519 --> 00:11:16.679 Now, I found a quote by a pastor from World War II, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 00:11:17.079 --> 00:11:18.279 really challenging at this point. 00:11:21.720 --> 00:11:22.519 This is what he says. 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:26.919 It is in fact more important for us to know what God did to Israel 00:11:26.919 --> 00:11:36.599 and what God did in God's son, Jesus Christ, than to discover what God intends for us today. 00:11:38.439 --> 00:11:43.479 The fact that Jesus Christ died is more important than the fact that I will die. 00:11:45.959 --> 00:11:54.120 I found salvation, I find salvation not in my life story, but only in the story of Jesus Christ. 00:11:54.120 --> 00:11:59.480 It's kind of the paradox of it. 00:11:59.960 --> 00:12:06.039 We lose ourselves in the story of Jesus and that's when we find ourselves. 00:12:07.159 --> 00:12:18.680 In our passage today, some weeks I'm slightly aware of how poor my words in a sermon is going to get across the passage. 00:12:18.899 --> 00:12:22.159 Today is on another level, I think. 00:12:22.159 --> 00:12:25.759 This hymn is just, it's chock-a-boy. 00:12:26.319 --> 00:12:28.639 It's comforting in another way because it speaks for itself. 00:12:29.839 --> 00:12:31.759 You're all wishing I sat down right now. 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:37.000 But this story, though, isn't like the Greek myths. 00:12:37.519 --> 00:12:45.759 This is a story filled with flesh and blood and it has been demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt in real time and space 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:50.079 when Jesus walked and lived and died and rose again. 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:54.560 So let's just spend a bit of time losing ourselves in this story. 00:12:57.759 --> 00:13:02.180 First, Christ, he is the author of all that exists. 00:13:03.920 --> 00:13:11.960 I don't know if you, I don't know heaps about this, but I came across, do you know the monarch butterfly? 00:13:11.960 --> 00:13:16.360 It's this orange and black beautiful butterfly. 00:13:17.560 --> 00:13:25.720 And it's in lower parts of Canada and parts of America. 00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:35.180 And this butterfly for the mating season flies like over 4,000 kilometres south to Mexico for the mating season. 00:13:35.320 --> 00:13:41.779 Like, how on earth this butterfly can sustain such a journey and they know where they're going without a GPS? 00:13:42.200 --> 00:13:44.660 Like, it's incredible. 00:13:44.659 --> 00:13:50.579 Christ is the author, the creator of all things visible. 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:56.699 He created enough bread and fish to feed a stadium full of people. 00:13:57.139 --> 00:14:01.699 He was sleeping on a boat that was close to sinking because he had it sorted. 00:14:01.700 --> 00:14:09.560 He was the one before whom a grown man, after seeing the abundance of fish that the net caught, 00:14:10.259 --> 00:14:14.620 he fell at his face before such greatness, crying, 00:14:14.780 --> 00:14:17.740 Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man. 00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:22.980 He is the creator of all things visible. 00:14:22.980 --> 00:14:27.700 But this son of God is also the author, the creator of all things invisible. 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:34.539 The beings in heaven which we can't see, the angelic servants and also the hostile rulers and authorities. 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:37.940 And we saw that in the life of Christ as well, didn't we? 00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:39.740 The demons shuddered before him. 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:41.440 They were cast out with a word. 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:43.519 They had no right to refuse him. 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:53.240 Now, I know this raises the question of how Satan and his minions came to be hostile, 00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:56.299 and that's too big a question for us to answer this morning. 00:14:57.639 --> 00:15:01.120 And partly I'm not sure we have a full answer for that. 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:05.319 But the point here and the point in Scripture is very clear. 00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:06.799 Satan is on a leash. 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:09.259 He is on a leash. 00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:11.659 He is always, we see it in the book of Job, 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:17.379 He is always under the sovereign rule of the author of creation. 00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:21.519 Whatever your mind can think of, just try it for a second. 00:15:21.659 --> 00:15:25.279 Anything you can think of, any corner of the world, any human government, 00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:32.159 stretch your minds to the depths of space where we've got those awesome images of the James Webb telescope. 00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:36.220 That butterfly, that monarch butterfly. 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:40.439 As you consider the unseen realities, the hostile ones even, 00:15:40.440 --> 00:15:46.480 what reality is there in your life, in the life of the person sitting next to you, 00:15:46.520 --> 00:15:52.820 in anyone's life, any nook of the cosmos, that Christ is not the author of? 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:54.980 What's beyond his sight? 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:57.120 What's beyond his power, his purpose? 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:01.600 We can't find anything. 00:16:01.800 --> 00:16:03.200 It's all from him. 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:07.320 He is the image of the invisible God. 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:13.300 All that the father is, as author and director, all his character is expressed in his son. 00:16:13.540 --> 00:16:17.160 The father only wants to be known through his son. 00:16:17.280 --> 00:16:20.080 He is the image of the invisible God. 00:16:21.400 --> 00:16:22.600 He is the firstborn. 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:26.320 Now that title, that doesn't mean he was the first to be created. 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:30.320 Firstborn, and we see that clearly. 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:32.340 He is separate from creation. 00:16:32.660 --> 00:16:35.980 He is the one through whom all created things came to be. 00:16:36.700 --> 00:16:37.960 That's not what firstborn means. 00:16:38.140 --> 00:16:44.379 Firstborn is a title of authority, and we see it in Psalm 89, verse 27, 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:46.660 talking about the Messiah. 00:16:46.659 --> 00:16:55.360 And I will make him, the Messiah, the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. 00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:58.159 It is a title of authority. 00:16:58.539 --> 00:17:01.939 He occupies the highest place. 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:13.740 He is before all things in time, but that means he is above all things in authority. 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:17.740 So the son of God is the firstborn. 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:23.599 He has authority over all things by virtue of the fullness of God's character being on display in him, 00:17:24.359 --> 00:17:26.259 because he is the one who created it all. 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:29.099 He is the one who holds it together and carries it along. 00:17:29.420 --> 00:17:32.700 He is the one who directs it all towards its appointed end. 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:35.599 He is the firstborn. 00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:38.259 All things are created through him and for him. 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:44.740 Which if we pause and just reflect on our own lives for a second. 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:53.240 If there's anything in your life that you think you made happen by yourself, 00:17:54.019 --> 00:18:00.500 that you are finding meaning and purpose in and satisfaction in apart from Christ, 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:04.759 then whatever that is, you're living in a fantasy. 00:18:07.160 --> 00:18:08.779 It's not reality. 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:13.399 Because it's from him and through him and for him. 00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:18.099 You've lost the plot at that point. 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:26.660 All things are in respect to him and have their purpose and satisfaction in him. 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:32.240 You know, there's more to the story. 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:40.320 Adam, along with all human race, have tried to live in this fantasy. 00:18:41.380 --> 00:18:42.259 We've all tried. 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:48.720 As creatures who were made to know our God and be filled with his character, 00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:51.860 representing a ruling over the world. 00:18:53.580 --> 00:18:54.380 Under God. 00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:56.240 Instead, we've tried to be God. 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:59.640 We've tried to be that author, creator and star. 00:19:01.840 --> 00:19:05.360 As if this is expressed differently in our culture currently. 00:19:05.600 --> 00:19:07.320 We try and do this individually. 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:10.540 But in other cultures, we try and do it collectively. 00:19:10.780 --> 00:19:14.820 As if collectively, we can control the world and create the good life. 00:19:16.120 --> 00:19:17.500 But we just stuff it up. 00:19:17.860 --> 00:19:19.220 We just create disorder. 00:19:19.520 --> 00:19:20.780 There's just brokenness. 00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:25.879 And that's why it's such good news that the story doesn't end there. 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:29.519 Just as Christ is the firstborn over the first creation, 00:19:29.899 --> 00:19:33.180 he's the firstborn and he has authority over the new creation. 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:35.579 He's going to make everything new. 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:42.240 All things are going to be remade, or as this passage uses the term, 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:45.279 reconciled to himself under his authority. 00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:49.960 And he is the beginning of it. 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:56.339 He himself, his own body, him being the firstborn from the dead, 00:19:56.859 --> 00:20:04.419 it's his own resurrection that is the start of this new creation. 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:12.160 It's like all the heavens and earth were raised up with him when he was raised. 00:20:13.380 --> 00:20:18.640 It's just, in terms of time, it's coming bit by bit. 00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:21.300 He's the start of it. 00:20:21.840 --> 00:20:23.300 It all comes through him. 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:26.620 He's going to reconcile and recreate everything in himself. 00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:30.339 Which I think if we reflect on how we became a Christian, 00:20:30.459 --> 00:20:33.539 it's not so much that you handed your life over to Christ. 00:20:33.939 --> 00:20:39.819 It's that he grabbed you in your darkness and death and raised you up with him. 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:44.779 We were spiritually born again. 00:20:45.379 --> 00:20:50.599 We've entered that resurrected life of knowing God and living for him. 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:57.819 And our physical bodies, free from sin, and all heaven and earth will soon follow. 00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:09.719 He is the ruler and he is the source of all the new eternal life in knowing peace with God. 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:13.460 He is the source of all the new creation of God. 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.960 He is the source. 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:16.019 He is the source. 00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:18.140 He is the source. 00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:19.660 He is the source. 00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:21.059 He is the source. 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:23.220 He is the source. 00:21:25.360 --> 00:21:31.380 Any other spiritual experience is out of touch with reality. 00:21:31.380 --> 00:21:33.540 He is the author. 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:40.440 He is directing all things towards his goal, which we read in verse 20. 00:21:40.580 --> 00:21:46.240 Through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:50.080 making peace by the blood of his cross. 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:52.400 So he's the author. 00:21:52.520 --> 00:21:58.500 He's the director towards bringing everything under his good rule. 00:21:58.500 --> 00:22:02.000 And he's also the star of the story. 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:13.059 He's the one who has such majesty that angels cover their eyes in his presence before his heavenly throne. 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:19.119 And yet he was stripped naked on the cross and put to shame. 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:26.420 He's the star who eternally knew the intense pleasure of the father. 00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:27.700 He was abandoned. 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:32.619 Who deserved all praise and thanks. 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:35.039 Who was mocked and ridiculed. 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:43.279 Who dwells in pure light and yet treated as a criminal and took our sins upon himself. 00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:45.619 The source of life tasting death. 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.640 This is the greatest story there is. 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:52.339 It's the highest of glories coming down into the depths, 00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:59.939 into abandonment and injustice and in guilt and shame and death and conquering it 00:22:59.939 --> 00:23:05.899 and then raising it all up with himself to the highest place to be reunited with God. 00:23:05.899 --> 00:23:07.459 You can't get a better story. 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:10.099 And I think there's a reason. 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:12.179 That's why I'm a Christian. 00:23:12.399 --> 00:23:14.759 You can't get it because it is the true story. 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:17.379 It's the best story because it's the true story. 00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:25.340 It's at the cross that we see the fullness of God's character on display. 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:30.539 And it's through the blood of his cross that he reconciles all things, 00:23:30.599 --> 00:23:32.339 that he achieves the goal of history. 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:37.579 So there will be peace one way or another, 00:23:37.879 --> 00:23:41.779 whether through forgiveness and enjoying God 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:48.819 or whether people will personally experience the justice that he experienced on that cross. 00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:53.619 One way or another, he is creating peace. 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:59.399 He is the source of all eternal life. 00:24:02.439 --> 00:24:04.539 So do you see why Bonhoeffer said, 00:24:05.879 --> 00:24:11.939 the fact that Jesus Christ died is more important than the fact that I will die? 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:15.559 It's more important that we focus on that 00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:23.579 because that is at the very heart of the story of the universe, 00:24:23.899 --> 00:24:26.279 the story of our story. 00:24:28.399 --> 00:24:29.519 As Bonhoeffer said, 00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:31.919 I find salvation not in my life story, 00:24:32.399 --> 00:24:34.359 but only in the story of Jesus Christ. 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:40.079 So life is found in Christ, not you, 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:42.859 being the author and director and star. 00:24:42.859 --> 00:24:48.079 And Christ appeals to us in Matthew chapter 10. 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:52.299 Whoever finds his life will lose it. 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:57.839 And whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 00:24:58.459 --> 00:25:00.819 It's when we lose ourselves in his story, 00:25:00.959 --> 00:25:02.379 that's when we find it. 00:25:06.959 --> 00:25:10.379 And what's the fruit of believing this story, 00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:12.420 of inhabiting this story, 00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:16.160 of seeing everything about our lives in connection to this story? 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:17.040 What's the fruit of that? 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:20.380 I think the fruit would look something like this. 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:25.200 Imagine a society where people aren't proud of their own efforts, 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:29.940 but who are full of thanks for everything. 00:25:31.080 --> 00:25:32.540 Imagine that kind of society. 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:38.700 Imagine a society where people aren't dominated by their fears 00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:40.859 because they think they're in control, 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:43.399 but they're free to pray, 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:48.460 and they're free to trust the wisdom of the one who is in control. 00:25:50.619 --> 00:25:54.399 Imagine a society of people who know that their future is big. 00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:57.019 It is a huge future coming. 00:25:57.700 --> 00:26:00.280 And so they trust the one who bled for them 00:26:00.280 --> 00:26:03.480 and is directing all things towards that future. 00:26:03.800 --> 00:26:06.780 And so they can draw strength from that in every hardship 00:26:06.780 --> 00:26:11.700 rather than seeing their world as collapsing in. 00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:18.780 That would be a very stable, persevering society. 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:23.180 Imagine a society where people don't need to prove themselves 00:26:23.180 --> 00:26:24.740 to know that they are loved, 00:26:26.560 --> 00:26:30.700 but who have such a deep and constant love from Christ 00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:33.880 that they are free to think of others. 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:40.759 Imagine a society of people who are so inclusive of every person 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:45.140 because they see in every person that they bear the image of Christ, 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:50.440 where his blood alone is the basis for belonging. 00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:55.440 Imagine that kind of inclusive society 00:26:55.440 --> 00:27:01.840 where the society worships such sacrificial love 00:27:01.840 --> 00:27:04.059 that Jesus has for us 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:08.620 that they will imitate him and sacrifice for one another, 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:12.559 crossing all the differences that we have in this room. 00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:16.340 That would be a marvellous society. 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:24.059 Imagine a society of people so passionate about convincing others 00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:26.159 that life is only found in Christ, 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:28.799 that they won't do cancel culture, 00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:31.179 they won't exclude people who don't believe, 00:27:31.439 --> 00:27:33.699 they won't be violent in words and deeds, 00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:38.839 they will shed their own blood in following this saviour, 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:42.000 trying to convince, yeah, life is here. 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:48.680 We don't have to imagine such a society. 00:27:49.380 --> 00:27:50.920 It's called Christ's body. 00:27:51.079 --> 00:27:52.059 It's called the church. 00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:56.980 Now, I know we see it, 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:59.240 but the point of Colossians, 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:02.599 the point of us dwelling in this story 00:28:02.599 --> 00:28:06.180 is that we grow in this story 00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:08.440 and become more and more of that society. 00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:12.080 The church's witness of a better society 00:28:12.080 --> 00:28:16.680 will depend on the degree to which we inhabit this story 00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:19.259 and go deeper and deeper and deeper in it, 00:28:20.100 --> 00:28:22.620 where Christ is the author and director and star. 00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:27.200 To the degree that you and I are convinced 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:32.700 that life is, all of life is found and connected in Christ, 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:36.380 we won't be deceived to look for it elsewhere. 00:28:36.380 --> 00:28:41.620 That will create such a society 00:28:41.620 --> 00:28:44.900 and bring glory to the Lord Jesus. 00:28:49.140 --> 00:28:52.260 So I want to briefly finish by asking, 00:28:52.820 --> 00:28:55.100 what prevents us then? 00:28:55.860 --> 00:28:58.840 What is it that prevents us from experiencing this fullness 00:28:58.840 --> 00:29:02.580 by living in this awesome story? 00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:04.780 What holds us back? 00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:13.980 I think a large barrier is because this story exposes our darkness. 00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:17.680 If he is the author, 00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:21.420 the more I realise that, 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:25.120 the more I see how little I thank him. 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:29.420 If he is the director of all things, 00:29:30.220 --> 00:29:32.160 the more I realise that, 00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:35.320 the more I see how little I trust him 00:29:35.320 --> 00:29:40.120 and want to live in his ways. 00:29:40.340 --> 00:29:42.540 If he is the star of the story, 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:48.860 the more I am exposed in how much I'm competing for his glory. 00:29:49.860 --> 00:29:53.080 I think this story exposes us 00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:56.759 and that holds us back from going deeper in it. 00:29:58.039 --> 00:30:01.019 So it's not the smallness of this story that holds us back. 00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:04.059 I think it's the greatness of this story 00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:08.019 that holds us back from going deeper in it 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:13.220 because it exposes our guilt and shame 00:30:13.220 --> 00:30:16.299 in not treating this awesome Christ as he deserves. 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:20.099 And so I think we could be tempted to think 00:30:20.099 --> 00:30:22.039 that it's more loving and kind 00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:24.639 to treat ourselves and treat each other 00:30:24.639 --> 00:30:26.480 according to our society's narrative. 00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:29.619 Let's just treat each other on the basis of 00:30:29.619 --> 00:30:32.079 you're the author and director and star. 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:35.039 I think we hear it when we appeal to one another. 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:36.519 Do it for your sake. 00:30:36.579 --> 00:30:37.619 It will benefit you. 00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:40.359 We hear it when we downplay sin. 00:30:41.359 --> 00:30:44.979 We don't hold it to the light of Christ 00:30:44.979 --> 00:30:47.399 and see it and call it what it is. 00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:51.199 We just call it personal choice, personal freedom. 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:53.099 Why do we do that? 00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:57.879 I think we do it because we're hiding from this Christ. 00:30:59.239 --> 00:31:02.259 But to withdraw from him is not the solution. 00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:08.759 It's the blood of his cross that frees us, 00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:13.180 that invites us, that calls us to move towards his greatness. 00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:15.019 It's the blood of his cross. 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:20.779 The more we see how worthy he is for our thanks 00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:23.640 and our trust and our lives, 00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:28.319 and the more we see the gap of how we don't give him that, 00:31:28.319 --> 00:31:35.259 that very gap is what will help us go deeper and deeper 00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:38.919 in seeing how precious that blood of the cross is. 00:31:41.939 --> 00:31:45.000 That gap is not something we should be frightened of. 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:50.139 It actually will be what helps us love him more and more. 00:31:52.399 --> 00:31:55.679 As Christ himself said to the woman weeping at his feet, 00:31:55.680 --> 00:31:59.779 he who is forgiven much loves much. 00:32:02.360 --> 00:32:06.580 So let's not deny one another the true experience of peace 00:32:06.580 --> 00:32:11.120 and joy and power in knowing the fullness of God 00:32:11.120 --> 00:32:12.500 through the forgiveness of his blood. 00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:19.900 Let's show our society what a truly inclusive world looks like 00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:24.680 when we sacrifice for one another following our sacrificial law. 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:31.740 And we're only going to do that when we help one another 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:33.519 inhabit this great story, 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:37.580 not afraid of our darkness being exposed 00:32:37.580 --> 00:32:41.600 because it will actually help us delight in the blood of his cross. 00:32:44.860 --> 00:32:46.759 Let me finish with Christ's own words. 00:32:46.900 --> 00:32:49.120 Whoever finds his life will lose it, 00:32:50.620 --> 00:32:54.740 and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:58.880 Let's believe that and inhabit this great story 00:32:58.880 --> 00:33:01.080 as Christ's people here in this church. 00:33:01.860 --> 00:33:02.880 Will you pray with me? 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:03.360 Let's pray. 00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:23.379 Father, help us not to be afraid of your light that exposes 00:33:23.379 --> 00:33:26.619 whatever remaining darkness is in us. 00:33:26.619 --> 00:33:34.699 Lord, help us to believe that the blood of your cross 00:33:34.699 --> 00:33:38.319 has brought about peace with you, 00:33:38.719 --> 00:33:41.639 that we have full access to you, God, as our Father, 00:33:42.259 --> 00:33:46.339 and that you are inviting us deeper and deeper into yourself. 00:33:47.459 --> 00:33:53.500 Lord, convince us of this so that together we might dwell 00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:58.420 and connect all of our life individually in our families as a church 00:33:58.420 --> 00:34:01.460 connected into this great Christ 00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:05.980 so that we might honour you and be a witness for you. 00:34:06.299 --> 00:34:07.200 In Jesus' name I pray. 00:34:07.619 --> 00:34:07.900 Amen. 00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:08.000 Amen. 00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:08.059 Amen. 00:34:08.059 --> 00:34:08.079 Amen. 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:08.099 Amen. 00:34:08.099 --> 00:34:08.119 Amen. 00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:08.159 Amen. 00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:10.159 Amen. 00:34:10.159 --> 00:34:12.159 Amen. 00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:12.260 Amen. 00:34:12.260 --> 00:34:12.619 Amen. 00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:12.639 Amen. 00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:12.719 Amen. 00:34:12.719 --> 00:34:12.760 Amen.