WEBVTT 00:00:00.960 --> 00:00:04.940 It's my joy to introduce to you Pastor Curtis Cook. 00:00:05.360 --> 00:00:10.800 You guys are familiar with his name because we've been praying for him and for Brandy 00:00:10.800 --> 00:00:16.140 and for Hope Fellowship Church for, I guess, seven years now in rotation, ever since we 00:00:16.140 --> 00:00:17.320 started out as a church plant. 00:00:17.760 --> 00:00:21.039 And there's a lot of connection points here. 00:00:21.559 --> 00:00:22.740 You guys know Craig. 00:00:22.900 --> 00:00:27.980 Craig, one of our church members, the church that he came from in Oklahoma City, Eagle 00:00:27.980 --> 00:00:32.420 Heights Churches, the church actually sent Curtis and Brandy out. 00:00:32.799 --> 00:00:33.859 And they planted Hope. 00:00:34.219 --> 00:00:39.000 I just found this out this morning that it was 20 years ago in September. 00:00:39.240 --> 00:00:42.079 So they're celebrating a 20th anniversary, which is amazing. 00:00:42.179 --> 00:00:45.620 I hope I get to be a part of that to celebrate with them. 00:00:46.179 --> 00:00:52.400 And Hope's been, I think this is, Curtis will never say this, but I think it's fair to say 00:00:52.400 --> 00:00:57.960 one of the most important, significant, strategic churches in the Boston area for the last 00:00:57.960 --> 00:00:58.800 two decades. 00:00:59.399 --> 00:01:04.099 And it started when there weren't many, many gospel preaching churches in the area. 00:01:04.239 --> 00:01:07.840 And they've been instrumental in sending out a lot of church plants, including some churches 00:01:07.840 --> 00:01:15.980 that we pray for regularly, including the Beacon Church in Belmont, and as well as the Beacon 00:01:15.980 --> 00:01:20.379 Community Church with Dane Helsing, as well as Trinity Church Bedford with Scott Cope. 00:01:20.439 --> 00:01:22.760 These are all churches that Hope has been part of. 00:01:22.760 --> 00:01:28.439 And you guys might not, some of you might not know this, but when we were sent out from 00:01:28.439 --> 00:01:33.600 King of Grace Church in Haverhill to plant, for the first year, when we only had five or 00:01:33.600 --> 00:01:38.140 six people at the beginning, we weren't having public services. 00:01:38.140 --> 00:01:39.460 We were just meeting at my home. 00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:44.060 And during that time, we wanted our church to benefit from a fully functioning church. 00:01:44.100 --> 00:01:46.219 So we actually joined Hope for a year. 00:01:46.219 --> 00:01:48.340 And we were part of Hope for a year. 00:01:49.120 --> 00:01:51.679 And Curtis pastored us during that time. 00:01:51.959 --> 00:01:56.480 And after that, in Sunday morning worship, we'll have our own service in the evening in 00:01:56.480 --> 00:01:57.439 my living room. 00:01:57.579 --> 00:02:00.539 And that's when we were evangelizing and building up the core team. 00:02:00.659 --> 00:02:06.000 And so I'm really profoundly grateful to Curtis and to Hope and Brandy. 00:02:06.140 --> 00:02:09.079 Obviously, Curtis could not be doing what he's doing without you. 00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:12.599 So thank you for the work that you do to support and to help. 00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:17.319 And so I want to introduce to you, Curtis, please come preach God's word to us. 00:02:17.680 --> 00:02:18.079 Let's welcome. 00:02:19.840 --> 00:02:25.680 It is a great joy to be with you. 00:02:25.840 --> 00:02:30.139 Like you pray for us, we pray often for Trinity Cambridge, and we're grateful for that. 00:02:30.419 --> 00:02:32.000 I love and appreciate Sean and Hannah. 00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:36.819 When I am with Sean, there are numerous things that I admire about him. 00:02:38.379 --> 00:02:41.439 Some of the things are just an evident love for Jesus. 00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:47.300 So in conversations with Sean, it's obvious that he loves Jesus, that he loves his family, 00:02:47.419 --> 00:02:52.879 that he loves his wife and kids, but also that he loves you as a church. 00:02:53.359 --> 00:03:00.719 And so often it's evident just the weight of both responsibility and joy that he feels 00:03:00.719 --> 00:03:02.439 as a shepherd of this flock. 00:03:03.039 --> 00:03:08.120 And so he's often speaking of what God is doing in you and encouraging things, but also, 00:03:08.120 --> 00:03:11.800 you know, feeling the weight of what it means to pastor a church. 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:16.599 And so just know that that's one of the many things that encourages me when I'm with Sean. 00:03:16.960 --> 00:03:21.240 And then just as a pastor who once had young kids, it does our heart good to see a pastor 00:03:21.240 --> 00:03:22.080 and family on the front row. 00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:24.759 That's where we used to drag our kids to the front row and they sat on the front row with 00:03:24.759 --> 00:03:28.080 and now our kids are gone and grown up, but they came up there with us, right? 00:03:28.099 --> 00:03:30.819 And sat on the front row with us and trained them up in that way. 00:03:30.860 --> 00:03:33.860 I think they forever sit on the back row now after having grown up on the front row, 00:03:33.860 --> 00:03:36.960 but they did their time growing up there as well. 00:03:38.320 --> 00:03:41.600 I'd love to pray for us and then we will begin to look at the text. 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:44.200 Father, we're grateful for your grace. 00:03:45.220 --> 00:03:47.980 Lord, that you shower us in grace in so many ways. 00:03:48.480 --> 00:03:54.620 And one of those graces is the establishment and the continuation of local congregations. 00:03:55.380 --> 00:03:59.500 Father, we're grateful for this church, Trinity Church, for the way you've sustained them 00:03:59.500 --> 00:04:04.860 and kept them, but you are at work in them for the good future you have for them. 00:04:05.960 --> 00:04:08.500 Father, we thank for these moments as we look to your word. 00:04:08.680 --> 00:04:13.280 We ask, Father, you would give us open hearts to hear and receive, 00:04:13.479 --> 00:04:19.540 or you would work through your word by the Spirit to grow us to be more and more like Christ. 00:04:20.199 --> 00:04:24.060 So would you help me now to be clear and helpful in the preaching of the word? 00:04:24.100 --> 00:04:25.519 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:25.639 Amen. 00:04:26.379 --> 00:04:28.379 If you're able and willing, if you would, let's stand together. 00:04:29.120 --> 00:04:31.779 So we read our passage for this morning, Psalm 127. 00:04:33.019 --> 00:04:37.159 If you don't have a copy of the Bible at the table back there, there's some free Bibles there. 00:04:37.219 --> 00:04:39.279 You can grab one now or following the service. 00:04:39.539 --> 00:04:42.680 So please grab one of those as a gift from Trinity Cambridge. 00:04:42.819 --> 00:04:44.560 So Psalm 127. 00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:51.120 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. 00:04:51.939 --> 00:04:55.879 Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stay awake in vain. 00:04:56.579 --> 00:05:01.639 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil. 00:05:02.500 --> 00:05:04.759 For he gives to his beloved sleep. 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:10.639 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb of reward. 00:05:10.639 --> 00:05:14.539 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. 00:05:15.399 --> 00:05:17.919 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them. 00:05:18.659 --> 00:05:22.560 He shall not be put to shame when he speaks to his enemies in the gate. 00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:24.039 Amen. 00:05:24.240 --> 00:05:24.680 You can be seated. 00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:34.319 If you travel much around our country, you'll notice a number of differences from region to region. 00:05:34.920 --> 00:05:38.759 How fast they talk or how slowly they talk. 00:05:39.220 --> 00:05:43.939 How fast they walk or they don't walk anywhere at all. 00:05:44.780 --> 00:05:50.060 How laid back they may be or how tightly wound the culture seems to be. 00:05:50.060 --> 00:05:59.259 Of course, Boston is known for fast talking, fast walking, driven, aggressive, fast driving people. 00:06:00.180 --> 00:06:03.360 And we say, well, of course, why wouldn't you be? 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:07.420 Of course, anyone who wants to get anything done has to be those things. 00:06:08.560 --> 00:06:14.000 So Bostonians, we look at people in the South and the West and we wonder, how do those people live? 00:06:14.899 --> 00:06:17.560 How do they get anything done moving so slowly? 00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:22.000 Personally, I'm intrigued at times about living in a place like San Diego. 00:06:22.120 --> 00:06:23.060 I've never lived there. 00:06:23.120 --> 00:06:24.019 I've only been there once. 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:25.819 But it seems to me nearly paradise. 00:06:26.780 --> 00:06:28.680 The sun is out, I think, every day. 00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:30.560 75, no humidity. 00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:33.220 And I can imagine to myself, I could live there. 00:06:33.300 --> 00:06:34.459 They need churches there. 00:06:34.540 --> 00:06:36.500 Maybe I'm supposed to go pastor in San Diego. 00:06:36.840 --> 00:06:40.959 And yet, as I've thought about it at times, I would think to myself, I think I would go crazy. 00:06:41.879 --> 00:06:46.220 Because at least my sense of what it's like on the West Coast is that life is just slower paced. 00:06:46.220 --> 00:06:52.360 And I think I would be too tightly wound to actually thrive and survive in San Diego. 00:06:52.460 --> 00:06:56.400 So I stay in cold, gloomy Boston as it is today. 00:06:57.440 --> 00:07:02.320 Our fast-paced, aggressive lives do allow us to get much done. 00:07:03.880 --> 00:07:08.820 In fact, allow us to do much good in our city and in the world. 00:07:08.819 --> 00:07:14.719 But our fast-paced, aggressive lives also easily consume us. 00:07:15.740 --> 00:07:21.300 Consuming our hearts, our souls, grinding us up to the point of exhaustion. 00:07:22.420 --> 00:07:25.339 And an exhaustion often deeper than even physical exhaustion. 00:07:26.920 --> 00:07:30.300 I wonder if you've ever felt yourself worn down. 00:07:30.300 --> 00:07:37.480 Exhausted by the pace of life and work and study. 00:07:39.040 --> 00:07:42.120 Have you ever wondered, is this really what God intends for me? 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:44.879 Or is there another way? 00:07:46.379 --> 00:07:52.400 So it's worthwhile for us to consider, you know, are we investing our lives wisely and well? 00:07:52.399 --> 00:07:57.779 Is there a way to work hard, but in a way that's sustainable? 00:07:58.859 --> 00:08:00.139 A way that matters? 00:08:01.219 --> 00:08:03.219 That's what we're going to consider today from Psalm 127. 00:08:03.519 --> 00:08:05.379 And we'll see this emphasis in our text. 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:10.839 Trust the Lord who builds fruitful lives. 00:08:11.699 --> 00:08:13.359 Trust the Lord who builds fruitful lives. 00:08:13.399 --> 00:08:15.519 And look at our short psalm in only these two parts. 00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:20.779 First, unless the Lord, vanity. 00:08:22.399 --> 00:08:25.899 And second, from the Lord, heritage. 00:08:26.680 --> 00:08:28.399 So unless the Lord, vanity. 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:30.139 From the Lord, heritage. 00:08:30.259 --> 00:08:33.460 So first, unless the Lord, vanity. 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:35.480 See this in verses 1 and 2. 00:08:36.720 --> 00:08:40.659 The Israelites at the time of the psalm's writing had the same challenges that we face today. 00:08:41.159 --> 00:08:43.000 The temptation to busy themselves. 00:08:43.199 --> 00:08:44.519 The construction of a house. 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:45.679 The protection of a city. 00:08:46.500 --> 00:08:50.720 And the idea of building a house would include certainly the physical building of a home. 00:08:50.840 --> 00:08:53.159 But even beyond that, the building of a family. 00:08:53.279 --> 00:08:54.240 Their life together. 00:08:55.879 --> 00:08:57.460 The psalmist writes of the protection of the city. 00:08:57.519 --> 00:09:01.399 In ancient Israel, the cities would normally be built up with a wall around them. 00:09:01.439 --> 00:09:04.079 Protecting them from attackers who would come from outside. 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:07.919 It could easily become the focus of any Israelite of that day. 00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:09.799 To focus on the building of their home. 00:09:09.899 --> 00:09:10.500 Their life. 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:12.379 The protection of the city they're in. 00:09:12.379 --> 00:09:20.700 And we see in this the danger of building our lives through what we could call self-reliance. 00:09:20.700 --> 00:09:22.640 And we see this repeatedly. 00:09:22.640 --> 00:09:27.180 The alternative or the warning is unless the Lord builds it. 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:30.580 Unless the Lord watches. 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:36.860 So if we try to build our physical homes or the broader home of our lives. 00:09:37.080 --> 00:09:41.840 Or try to build our life on anything other than the resources that God would give us. 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:45.180 The psalmist says it's in vain. 00:09:46.480 --> 00:09:49.139 The self-reliant house, it's vanity. 00:09:50.100 --> 00:09:53.720 The very best that I can produce on my own, it's not enough. 00:09:54.780 --> 00:09:56.360 The very best that you can produce. 00:09:56.480 --> 00:10:00.500 If it's from self-reliance, friends, it will ultimately be shown to be vain. 00:10:01.800 --> 00:10:03.200 Same goes for the security of the city. 00:10:03.300 --> 00:10:04.240 Security of our families. 00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:06.300 The security of anything that we have. 00:10:06.299 --> 00:10:12.139 We certainly also apply this to your education, to your career. 00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:18.240 If it's grounded primarily in your self-reliant efforts. 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:20.819 However great those efforts are. 00:10:22.059 --> 00:10:24.879 In time, it will eventually be shown to be empty. 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:26.659 In vain. 00:10:28.099 --> 00:10:29.299 Destined to fail. 00:10:29.299 --> 00:10:35.319 I wonder how often you find yourself struggling with self-reliance. 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:37.859 I know that I do. 00:10:37.979 --> 00:10:40.459 That I so easily fall into this. 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:45.079 My heart tends to lean so easily, so naturally. 00:10:45.199 --> 00:10:47.799 That self-reliance actually feels comfortable. 00:10:49.439 --> 00:10:50.299 It actually feels natural. 00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:52.379 When I'm not living that way. 00:10:52.459 --> 00:10:55.099 That's what actually feels strange to me. 00:10:55.100 --> 00:11:00.560 Over the years, I've tried to have a day off as a pastor because of our sort of strange schedule. 00:11:00.779 --> 00:11:05.440 But I've found it profoundly difficult across the years to have a day off. 00:11:06.220 --> 00:11:07.399 To keep it. 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:10.460 And not because of the church members. 00:11:10.700 --> 00:11:12.920 Not because of anyone sort of watching me. 00:11:12.980 --> 00:11:17.240 But simply my inability to step back. 00:11:17.680 --> 00:11:19.920 And not feel like I need to do something. 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:24.879 To believe that God can work even if I'm not working. 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:28.019 And so it's fueled by my own fear. 00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:29.180 My own self-reliance. 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:31.720 My own lack of trust in God. 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:35.060 And every Monday, which is the day I typically take off. 00:11:35.139 --> 00:11:36.340 I face that struggle again. 00:11:36.420 --> 00:11:38.259 So tomorrow, I'll face that same struggle. 00:11:39.480 --> 00:11:42.000 Will I really step back and trust God? 00:11:43.180 --> 00:11:44.620 Or will I somehow convince myself? 00:11:44.700 --> 00:11:48.200 No, today, I just need to do this work or that. 00:11:50.720 --> 00:11:52.600 What's the result of our self-reliant living? 00:11:52.700 --> 00:11:53.180 Verse 2. 00:11:53.179 --> 00:11:57.419 It leads to this vicious cycle of rising early and staying up late. 00:11:57.879 --> 00:12:00.639 So we rise up early because the work must be done. 00:12:01.179 --> 00:12:03.199 And we believe that the work depends on us. 00:12:03.979 --> 00:12:05.039 And so we work all day. 00:12:05.179 --> 00:12:06.099 Then we stay up late. 00:12:06.559 --> 00:12:08.120 And because we must come through. 00:12:08.279 --> 00:12:09.839 We stay up through the night often. 00:12:09.959 --> 00:12:11.939 And when we do finally fall asleep. 00:12:12.059 --> 00:12:14.179 It's unsatisfying sleep that doesn't refresh. 00:12:14.979 --> 00:12:16.819 And often we have sleepless nights throughout. 00:12:16.820 --> 00:12:23.640 So we're either working and worrying about what we're working on. 00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:27.220 Or worrying that we're not working enough. 00:12:27.220 --> 00:12:30.240 And so we lose sleep. 00:12:30.779 --> 00:12:33.300 So we throw ourselves into more self-reliant work. 00:12:33.800 --> 00:12:35.180 And we work and we work. 00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:36.300 But we aren't satisfied. 00:12:36.660 --> 00:12:39.980 And we are never truly at rest. 00:12:39.980 --> 00:12:43.460 I wonder if you know this experience. 00:12:44.800 --> 00:12:47.159 Of grinding so hard. 00:12:48.259 --> 00:12:49.700 And then even when you lie in bed. 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:52.720 Your mind is racing with worry. 00:12:55.539 --> 00:12:56.019 Projects. 00:12:56.580 --> 00:12:57.740 The to-do list. 00:12:57.740 --> 00:13:02.960 So then you face the exhaustion of anxious, sleepless nights. 00:13:04.180 --> 00:13:10.340 And we're cautioned that we shouldn't be satisfied to eat what's called this bread of anxious labor. 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:11.180 In verse 2. 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:16.379 So we have a choice of whether it will work and eat anxiously and nervously. 00:13:17.320 --> 00:13:19.580 And notice we see that we will receive some bread. 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:22.720 But it's this bread of anxious toil. 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:26.399 It's a bread that cannot truly satisfy. 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:34.360 But unfortunately the dangerous part is that because some bread is produced, it can convince us we're making real progress. 00:13:35.679 --> 00:13:40.539 But in fact it's a treadmill that we never step off of. 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:43.720 It's an all-consuming treadmill. 00:13:45.559 --> 00:13:51.779 And self-reliant work is so dangerous because it can produce progress for a time. 00:13:51.779 --> 00:13:58.379 So the fruit of extra hours of work and worry can appear to be substantial for a while. 00:13:59.100 --> 00:14:01.659 So we worry and we work and we make a pair of progress. 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:03.279 It looks like we're getting ahead. 00:14:05.079 --> 00:14:11.939 And this self-reliance is doubly dangerous and tempting in our culture, in our city, because it looks so respectable. 00:14:11.940 --> 00:14:17.680 If you live like this, you'll accumulate accomplishments and degrees. 00:14:18.900 --> 00:14:21.800 If you live like this, you'll actually climb the ladder of success. 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:23.200 You'll get lots of affirmation. 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:29.160 If you rise early and stay up late and self-reliant work, you will likely be applauded. 00:14:29.340 --> 00:14:30.980 You will certainly never get fired. 00:14:32.280 --> 00:14:33.620 You may get promoted. 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:39.279 So it actually just fuels this self-reliant working. 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:44.940 It will not initially lessen your success as a student. 00:14:45.960 --> 00:14:48.100 It may help you rise to the top. 00:14:49.560 --> 00:14:53.200 And almost no one in our city will caution you about this. 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:58.180 Your employer, your supervisor will likely not pull you aside and say, 00:14:58.360 --> 00:15:01.120 I'm just worried you're working too much. 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:03.440 You're working way more than we're paying you for. 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:04.460 Please slow down. 00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:06.060 They're not going to do that. 00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:07.399 They're going to give you more projects. 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.899 They'll give them extra things to do. 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:17.259 If we live like this, we'll actually fit in very well in Cambridge and Boston. 00:15:18.580 --> 00:15:24.879 If we don't live like this, we will feel strange in Cambridge and Boston. 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:31.360 Now, an important question is, is the psalmist, is God against building a house? 00:15:32.500 --> 00:15:36.460 Is he against hard work to protect the city? 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:37.679 And the answer is no. 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:43.980 God himself created work before sin entered the world. 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:49.460 So if you're hoping I was going to tell you today, never work again, that's actually the other side. 00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:53.400 The way we don't have that option, work is good. 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:56.940 There's a rightness to it in all these various forms. 00:15:57.900 --> 00:15:59.280 So work is from God. 00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:04.200 But as a result of sin entering into the world, work has become difficult. 00:16:05.540 --> 00:16:09.340 It is so often weighty and feels like toil. 00:16:09.340 --> 00:16:15.180 But it is good and God-glorifying for God's people to work. 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:20.899 To work in any number of areas, in the home, outside of the home, in the life of the church, in the community. 00:16:22.300 --> 00:16:25.759 And good can be done through your work. 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:29.759 And there are times in life when one may have to work extra hard. 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:34.639 That there is a season when it may mean rising early, staying up late, 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:39.160 missing some things because of a particular weighty aspect of your life. 00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:46.379 And Christians, since we're working to glorify God, we should be extra diligent workers. 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:49.060 We should be reliable. 00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:57.860 Our supervisors, our employers, those who we work under, should think it's a great thing to have a Christian. 00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:02.639 Because they're so reliable, so trustworthy, so diligent. 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:07.600 So God doesn't say to us, don't stay up early, or don't get up early for work. 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:12.500 He doesn't say, don't stay up late, but he does give us this significant principle for life. 00:17:12.719 --> 00:17:19.059 He says, don't rise early, or don't stay up late out of fear. 00:17:20.339 --> 00:17:21.659 Out of anxiety. 00:17:23.379 --> 00:17:25.119 Fueled by self-reliance. 00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:30.759 So our text holds out a caution of the danger of self-reliant living. 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:34.779 But it also holds out the potential for a transformed outlook. 00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:39.759 So we should see the potential of work and rest that relies on God. 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:48.460 So this text is both a daunting warning, but also a great promise marked by hope. 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:51.460 There's good news for the beloved. 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:53.500 Referred to in verse 2. 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:57.319 Now a relevant question is, who are these who are called the beloved? 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:57.439 Beloved. 00:17:57.679 --> 00:17:58.819 The beloved of God. 00:17:58.899 --> 00:18:00.740 And it is those who trust in him. 00:18:02.439 --> 00:18:05.599 And by beloved, it means those who are loved by God. 00:18:05.659 --> 00:18:07.000 It is an identity. 00:18:08.419 --> 00:18:11.480 It is not those who are loved by God because of what we do, 00:18:12.179 --> 00:18:14.939 what we have done, or what we will do. 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:17.359 But it is who we are. 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:22.779 And for the good news is, we are the beloved of God. 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:24.939 Those who trust in Jesus. 00:18:24.940 --> 00:18:28.480 And how did God bring us in to be known as his beloved? 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:32.380 It is through the perfect sacrificial work of Jesus Christ. 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:36.140 God the Son who died in our place so that we wouldn't have to. 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:40.580 He came to take the place of sinners and rebels for our lives of running from him, 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.700 of rejecting him. 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:43.980 Christ died through his death and resurrection, 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:48.039 purchasing, providing this free gift of salvation, 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:52.740 which includes reconciliation with God, adoption by God, 00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:55.440 forgiveness of all of our sins, 00:18:55.940 --> 00:18:59.659 brought in and now known as the beloved of God. 00:18:59.940 --> 00:19:01.059 So, friend, if you're a Christian, 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:03.299 this is who you are. 00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:06.099 One of the beloved of God. 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:09.720 And because it's grounded in what Christ has done, 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:12.879 it is not grounded in what you have done or will do. 00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:17.380 And, friends, this is tremendously freeing for us. 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.780 And if you're not a Christian, 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:26.060 I wonder, do you see what this says in 1 John 3? 00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:27.760 It speaks this way of the beloved of God. 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:32.280 See what kind of love the Father has given to us 00:19:32.280 --> 00:19:36.980 that we should be called children of God. 00:19:37.800 --> 00:19:38.820 And so we are. 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:41.480 If you're new to Christianity, 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:45.960 the center of Christianity is not people trying to become good 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:47.279 through our own work, 00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:50.099 but a glorious God 00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:54.319 who out of great love sent forth God the Son 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:58.119 to rescue, to redeem, to bring back 00:19:58.119 --> 00:20:00.460 rebels and sinners like us, 00:20:01.179 --> 00:20:03.139 all grounded in his love, 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:04.460 not in our goodness, 00:20:04.639 --> 00:20:06.039 not in our merit, 00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:07.579 not in our devotion. 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:10.519 So the God of the universe loves. 00:20:12.199 --> 00:20:14.980 And he makes sinners into sons and daughters. 00:20:16.619 --> 00:20:18.359 And I realize this may be very new to you, 00:20:18.379 --> 00:20:19.599 but we would love for you to know 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:22.220 this God who loves in this way. 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.919 For those who are Christians, 00:20:26.859 --> 00:20:27.359 I wonder, 00:20:28.679 --> 00:20:32.720 whose significant approval do you long for most? 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:37.819 And how often does that lead to our working? 00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:42.019 Because we so want someone to say, 00:20:42.360 --> 00:20:42.740 well done. 00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:46.039 To say, I'm proud of you. 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:48.900 To say that you did it. 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:50.799 So maybe a family member, 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:53.660 maybe a boss, 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.819 a supervisor, 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:55.720 a professor, 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:57.079 but you long for that. 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:59.019 And so you run and you run and you run. 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:00.039 And one day, 00:21:00.099 --> 00:21:01.519 maybe there is some affirmation, 00:21:02.119 --> 00:21:03.339 but it's never quite enough. 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:06.399 And sometimes there's no affirmation at all. 00:21:06.439 --> 00:21:08.599 Or sometimes the one we're running for the affirmation, 00:21:09.139 --> 00:21:11.460 there's someone we don't even have a relationship with, 00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:12.939 perhaps a broken relationship with a parent 00:21:12.939 --> 00:21:16.000 or someone who's passed on from this life even. 00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:18.480 And so we run and we run 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:20.079 and we can never quite find satisfaction. 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:23.259 But we're trying to please someone else. 00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:23.539 So friends, 00:21:23.659 --> 00:21:26.859 the fact of being brought in as a beloved of God, 00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:29.799 God is the one who says to you, 00:21:30.379 --> 00:21:32.779 I approve you through Christ. 00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:34.740 So friends, 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:36.059 that can free us 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:40.619 from this treadmill of running and running and running 00:21:40.619 --> 00:21:41.980 for the approval of others 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:44.460 because God himself approves you, friend. 00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:47.599 That is freeing 00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:50.559 when we live from that. 00:21:52.119 --> 00:21:53.639 We see that God loves us, 00:21:53.719 --> 00:21:54.559 but he also gives. 00:21:54.639 --> 00:21:55.240 Look at verse two. 00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:55.500 It says, 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:56.519 God gives, 00:21:56.599 --> 00:21:58.219 which is the very nature of our God. 00:21:59.059 --> 00:21:59.859 He is the giver. 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.439 And the God of grace 00:22:01.439 --> 00:22:03.299 pours out gifts on his children. 00:22:03.899 --> 00:22:05.079 And notice what he gives to his beloved, 00:22:05.219 --> 00:22:05.599 verse two, 00:22:05.679 --> 00:22:08.179 for he gives to his beloved sleep. 00:22:09.959 --> 00:22:12.079 He gives sleep, rest, refreshment. 00:22:12.139 --> 00:22:13.159 And I wonder if you were to, 00:22:13.159 --> 00:22:14.319 this morning before this, 00:22:14.419 --> 00:22:14.759 just nailed, 00:22:15.099 --> 00:22:15.399 wrote down, 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:17.579 what are 50 things that God gives to his people 00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:21.179 I doubt sleep would have been in the top 50. 00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:25.099 Perhaps depending on life circumstance, 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:26.519 maybe it'd be really near the top. 00:22:26.659 --> 00:22:27.279 But in general, 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:28.579 we don't think of that as a gift. 00:22:28.659 --> 00:22:29.379 And yet here, 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:31.539 in light of these needs that we have, 00:22:33.159 --> 00:22:35.460 here's this picture of God giving to his children sleep, 00:22:35.619 --> 00:22:36.720 restful sleep, 00:22:36.879 --> 00:22:38.519 restoring sleep. 00:22:39.879 --> 00:22:43.339 And what must we do to experience this gift? 00:22:43.339 --> 00:22:45.959 We must humbly receive it. 00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:48.559 For it takes humility 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:51.679 to cease work 00:22:51.679 --> 00:22:54.279 and to try to go to sleep. 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:57.819 And God created us with these bodies 00:22:57.819 --> 00:22:59.980 that need to rest. 00:23:00.959 --> 00:23:04.019 When we try to maximize the hours, 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:06.379 to see how little sleep we can get by on. 00:23:07.060 --> 00:23:08.760 We are thoroughly caffeinated, 00:23:09.360 --> 00:23:10.460 myself included at times. 00:23:11.260 --> 00:23:13.580 But also try to squeeze more out of the day. 00:23:13.660 --> 00:23:13.900 But friend, 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:17.300 God made us so that our bodies need to stop, 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:19.300 which should be a daily reminder 00:23:19.300 --> 00:23:20.360 that would humble us. 00:23:21.320 --> 00:23:21.440 Say, 00:23:21.520 --> 00:23:23.280 however many great things you can do 00:23:23.280 --> 00:23:23.920 throughout the day, 00:23:24.060 --> 00:23:26.560 you must cease and rest 00:23:26.560 --> 00:23:28.300 and sleep. 00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:31.279 So sleep helps us then 00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:32.919 to potentially fight pride 00:23:32.919 --> 00:23:34.379 and cultivate humility. 00:23:36.039 --> 00:23:37.759 Now I understand that for many people, 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:39.839 sleep can be a great struggle. 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:43.059 That you try, 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:45.419 but it's often sleepless nights. 00:23:46.180 --> 00:23:47.539 So this is not a promise 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:49.000 where you should feel guilty 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:50.720 if you struggle with sleep. 00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:53.460 That's worth always considering. 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:55.720 Are there particular things 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.680 that are making you worry, 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:58.119 that are impacting your sleep? 00:23:58.599 --> 00:23:58.859 But friend, 00:23:58.899 --> 00:24:00.159 don't let this be an extra burden 00:24:00.159 --> 00:24:01.819 if you already have a hard time sleeping. 00:24:02.419 --> 00:24:05.180 Don't feel condemned by this text. 00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:07.960 But know that it is God's desire 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:09.980 to give to us rest 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.899 and to sustain, 00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:11.899 even though our bodies 00:24:11.899 --> 00:24:13.480 are often impacted by the fall 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.299 in so many ways 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:16.059 and things that cause us 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:17.059 not to be able to sleep well. 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:19.419 There's something interesting 00:24:19.419 --> 00:24:20.639 when we think about the translation here 00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:21.639 at the end of verse two. 00:24:22.379 --> 00:24:23.159 It can be translated, 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.500 as our text has, 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:26.059 he gives to his beloved sleep. 00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:27.700 It can also be translated, 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.720 that he gives to his beloved 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:30.799 even in his sleep. 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:32.340 New American Standard 00:24:32.340 --> 00:24:33.100 has it that way. 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:34.039 Both are good, 00:24:34.340 --> 00:24:35.200 faithful translations. 00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:36.860 So when we think about it, 00:24:36.860 --> 00:24:37.580 at the very least, 00:24:37.640 --> 00:24:39.160 he's telling us God gives sleep, 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:40.840 which is a tremendous gift. 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:43.679 But likely also, 00:24:44.579 --> 00:24:45.759 based on what we know of God, 00:24:45.939 --> 00:24:47.839 not only does God give us rest, 00:24:48.939 --> 00:24:49.220 but friends, 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:50.359 while we rest, 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.539 while we sleep, 00:24:51.639 --> 00:24:53.879 God works on our behalf 00:24:53.879 --> 00:24:56.019 while we're sleeping. 00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:59.019 God can accomplish more 00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:00.399 on our behalf while we sleep 00:25:00.399 --> 00:25:02.599 than we can while we're awake. 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:05.179 Imagine with me 00:25:05.179 --> 00:25:06.859 a wheat farmer. 00:25:06.859 --> 00:25:09.539 So the farmer works hard. 00:25:10.719 --> 00:25:11.219 He and his family, 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:12.219 they spend all day 00:25:12.219 --> 00:25:13.240 out in the field 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.659 preparing, 00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:15.599 sowing, 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:17.159 doing all that they can. 00:25:17.319 --> 00:25:17.759 But eventually, 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:18.339 at the end of the day, 00:25:18.459 --> 00:25:20.099 the farmer has to go to bed 00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:21.079 and rest. 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:22.959 And while he rests, 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:23.659 what happens? 00:25:24.399 --> 00:25:26.199 The wheat grows. 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:28.180 God is the one 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:30.019 who gives the growth to that. 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:30.700 And friends, 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.779 in so many areas of our life, 00:25:31.840 --> 00:25:32.500 that's what we do 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:33.279 when we go to sleep. 00:25:33.360 --> 00:25:33.539 We say, 00:25:33.600 --> 00:25:33.700 God, 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:33.960 yeah, 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:34.680 I worked hard today. 00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:36.279 I can't do anything else 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:37.380 on this problem 00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:38.660 or this situation 00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:39.920 or this weighty thing. 00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:40.860 So I'm going to sleep 00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:41.059 and saying, 00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:41.500 God, 00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:42.840 would you work? 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:44.539 And I trust that you will work 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:46.860 even while I sleep. 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:50.900 So friend, 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:52.080 might that change the way 00:25:52.080 --> 00:25:53.460 that we close our eyes at night? 00:25:54.840 --> 00:25:55.000 Say, 00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:55.140 God, 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:56.059 I don't know the answer. 00:25:56.200 --> 00:25:58.920 But I turn it over to you, 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:01.620 trusting you are not asleep 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:03.539 even while I sleep. 00:26:05.640 --> 00:26:05.900 Friends, 00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:06.799 we should also consider 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:07.900 the other side 00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:08.720 of these cautions, 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.440 which is hope. 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:10.500 So the caution is, 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:12.140 unless the Lord builds it, 00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:13.660 the builder labors in vain. 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.200 But the flip side would be, 00:26:15.340 --> 00:26:16.700 but if the Lord builds it, 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:19.620 then the building isn't in vain. 00:26:21.080 --> 00:26:22.220 Unless the Lord watches, 00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:23.380 the watchman labors in vain. 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.960 But if the Lord does guard, 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:25.620 then the watchman 00:26:25.620 --> 00:26:27.279 doesn't stay awake in vain. 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.140 So friend, 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:28.799 there is a way 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.660 that as we work 00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:30.500 with the strength 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.720 that God gives to us, 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:34.000 that He works through your work. 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:35.779 The Lord will build. 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.900 He will empower your efforts. 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:39.240 He will give you rest. 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:41.620 And He will work while you rest. 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:44.319 So how might we begin 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:45.160 to seek to embrace 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:45.940 and grow 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:47.500 in this transformed view 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.519 of work? 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:50.200 One, friends, 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:50.660 I would encourage you, 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:53.240 pray that God would enable us 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:54.139 to feel the weight 00:26:54.139 --> 00:26:55.279 of this caution. 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:58.579 Because it's a sobering word. 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:00.759 It's easy to ignore, 00:27:00.859 --> 00:27:01.099 but say, 00:27:01.139 --> 00:27:02.799 I need to really feel the weight 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:04.200 and the warning 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:05.660 about self-reliance. 00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:07.519 Second, friend, 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.980 I would encourage you today, 00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:10.480 repent of self-reliant living. 00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:12.700 Where this marks your life, 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.920 as it does for me so often, 00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:14.879 repent of that. 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.660 God, would you forgive me? 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:17.240 Would you help me also 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:17.940 to turn? 00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:19.240 Would you change my mind? 00:27:21.359 --> 00:27:22.359 Third, pray that God 00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:22.680 would help us 00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:23.880 to discern our own hearts. 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.420 You might ask yourself 00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:26.319 questions like this. 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:31.480 Why do you stay up late working? 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:35.059 Why do you rise early? 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:38.140 What's driving you 00:27:38.140 --> 00:27:39.339 to work so long 00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:40.140 and so hard? 00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:43.279 Whose applause or approval 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:46.200 do you chase after? 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:48.779 Is it fear 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.920 that fuels that 00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:50.759 or insecurity 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:52.779 or pride? 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:56.039 You might also consider 00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:57.640 who could help you? 00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:59.779 In a city like Boston, 00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:00.200 Cambridge, 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:01.200 where everyone else 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:01.559 is going to say, 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.740 do more, do more, 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:03.400 in order to try 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:04.059 to live differently, 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:05.200 you will likely need 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:06.140 someone to help you. 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:08.099 So is there a brother 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:08.740 or sister who'd say, 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:10.279 I actually would like 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:11.000 for you to ask me 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:11.519 a question 00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:13.299 once a month, 00:28:13.620 --> 00:28:14.620 once a week, 00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:16.819 because I want to try 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.639 to live differently 00:28:17.639 --> 00:28:19.819 so you might invite 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.500 someone to help you. 00:28:22.739 --> 00:28:23.639 Also consider this, 00:28:23.719 --> 00:28:23.859 friends, 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:25.759 we want to be a light 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.699 in our city, 00:28:27.239 --> 00:28:28.599 in our neighborhoods, 00:28:29.159 --> 00:28:30.299 on the campus, 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.479 and our workplace. 00:28:31.639 --> 00:28:31.739 Friends, 00:28:31.779 --> 00:28:32.419 how distinctive 00:28:32.419 --> 00:28:33.079 would it be 00:28:33.079 --> 00:28:35.439 that if you worked hard, 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:36.899 diligently, 00:28:36.900 --> 00:28:39.800 sometimes long hours, 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:42.160 but you weren't always 00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:43.000 frazzled 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:44.880 when everyone else is? 00:28:46.320 --> 00:28:47.380 When you weren't always 00:28:47.380 --> 00:28:48.880 overwhelmed with anxiety 00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:51.220 when everyone else is? 00:28:52.320 --> 00:28:53.300 Not because you're perfect, 00:28:54.080 --> 00:28:55.240 because by God's grace, 00:28:55.340 --> 00:28:55.900 you're thinking 00:28:55.900 --> 00:28:57.040 and living differently. 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.280 How compelling 00:28:58.280 --> 00:28:59.160 would that be? 00:29:00.800 --> 00:29:01.080 I mean, 00:29:01.100 --> 00:29:01.620 in a lab 00:29:01.620 --> 00:29:02.740 where everyone else 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.519 is frazzled, 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:06.319 if you showed up 00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:07.359 with hope 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:08.000 and diligence 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:08.920 and excellence, 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:12.299 wouldn't that be curious 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:13.759 to those who don't know Christ? 00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:17.480 The last thing 00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.119 would be this. 00:29:19.400 --> 00:29:19.599 Friend, 00:29:19.639 --> 00:29:20.240 when possible, 00:29:21.180 --> 00:29:22.639 receive rest from God. 00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:25.160 Receive sleep from God. 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:27.240 So here's my recommendation. 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:27.879 Today, 00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:30.379 go take a nap. 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:33.319 That's the take home for you. 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:33.819 This afternoon. 00:29:33.939 --> 00:29:34.720 Go find some time 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:35.639 and take a nap. 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.700 I'm going to try my best 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.079 to do that. 00:29:37.179 --> 00:29:38.039 It's a pretty good rhythm. 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:39.259 That's one thing I'm good at 00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:39.720 is napping. 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:42.000 That's a good thing 00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:42.339 to say, 00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:44.000 there's work you could do 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.539 this afternoon. 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:45.700 I'm going to slow 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.460 and sleep. 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:48.700 Or at the very least, 00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:49.700 just lay down. 00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:52.899 Put electronic devices down. 00:29:54.399 --> 00:29:55.220 Just be still. 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.179 So we see, 00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:57.899 unless the Lord, 00:29:58.500 --> 00:29:58.819 vanity. 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.619 Then second and more briefly, 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:02.019 we see from the Lord, 00:30:02.179 --> 00:30:02.639 heritage. 00:30:03.040 --> 00:30:03.640 We see this in verses 00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:04.920 three through five. 00:30:06.120 --> 00:30:06.900 The psalmist tells us 00:30:06.900 --> 00:30:08.460 that children are a heritage 00:30:08.460 --> 00:30:09.620 and a reward. 00:30:11.340 --> 00:30:12.540 Just based on the way 00:30:12.540 --> 00:30:13.520 that the verses turn here, 00:30:13.600 --> 00:30:13.900 you may, 00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:15.720 if you're not married 00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.640 or if you don't have children, 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:17.360 may immediately think, 00:30:17.520 --> 00:30:18.660 this part's not for me, 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:20.060 so I'm going to tune that out. 00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:20.759 I would encourage you 00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:21.259 to stay with us 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:22.020 because I think there's more 00:30:22.020 --> 00:30:22.980 here for all of us 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:23.740 than we might think. 00:30:24.580 --> 00:30:25.280 So it begins by saying 00:30:25.280 --> 00:30:26.580 that children are a heritage 00:30:26.580 --> 00:30:27.120 from the Lord. 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:28.640 They're a gift from God. 00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.460 All children, 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:30.480 every child 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:32.019 is a gift from God. 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:34.240 This is not saying, 00:30:34.340 --> 00:30:34.579 importantly, 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.220 this is not saying 00:30:35.220 --> 00:30:36.720 that children are earned. 00:30:37.819 --> 00:30:38.480 He's not saying 00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:39.759 that if you are good enough, 00:30:39.860 --> 00:30:41.480 God will give you children. 00:30:42.220 --> 00:30:43.680 That's not what the text is saying. 00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:45.380 Friend, 00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:46.840 if you don't have children 00:30:46.840 --> 00:30:48.440 and you long for children, 00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:49.559 it is not 00:30:49.559 --> 00:30:50.100 that somehow 00:30:50.100 --> 00:30:51.940 you have not measured up 00:30:51.940 --> 00:30:54.380 to receive the gift of children. 00:30:54.380 --> 00:30:55.380 That's not the sense 00:30:55.380 --> 00:30:56.060 of what it's saying here. 00:30:57.040 --> 00:30:57.920 But it is saying 00:30:57.920 --> 00:30:59.600 for all who have children, 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:01.520 they are a gift from God 00:31:01.520 --> 00:31:04.440 and they must be seen as such. 00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:05.640 And so friend, 00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.360 if you are a parent, 00:31:06.760 --> 00:31:07.940 do you think of your children 00:31:07.940 --> 00:31:09.360 most often as a gift? 00:31:11.320 --> 00:31:12.280 Or do you find yourself often 00:31:12.280 --> 00:31:12.740 thinking of them 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:14.200 as something that takes from you? 00:31:15.640 --> 00:31:17.160 For parenting is a weighty thing 00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:20.660 and an exhausting hobby. 00:31:20.660 --> 00:31:23.500 But do you mainly think of 00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:25.100 they take my time, 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:25.980 they take my money, 00:31:26.120 --> 00:31:27.040 they take my energy. 00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:28.340 Friend, 00:31:28.440 --> 00:31:30.460 children are a gift from God. 00:31:31.620 --> 00:31:32.920 Both for families 00:31:32.920 --> 00:31:33.940 and for churches. 00:31:35.400 --> 00:31:36.980 And children are a gift 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:38.840 to this church. 00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:40.560 Also, 00:31:40.620 --> 00:31:41.080 we see that children 00:31:41.080 --> 00:31:42.720 are strategic like arrows. 00:31:43.320 --> 00:31:43.960 Verse four and five, 00:31:44.040 --> 00:31:44.980 like arrows in the hand 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.580 of a warrior 00:31:45.580 --> 00:31:46.580 are the children 00:31:46.580 --> 00:31:47.400 of one's youth. 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:48.600 Blessed is the man 00:31:48.600 --> 00:31:49.740 who fills his quiver 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.460 with them. 00:31:51.380 --> 00:31:52.540 So God intends for children 00:31:52.540 --> 00:31:54.759 to be like a well-honed weapon, 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:56.200 like an arrow 00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:57.600 in the hands of an expert warrior 00:31:57.600 --> 00:31:59.560 sent out to accomplish 00:31:59.560 --> 00:32:00.460 significant purposes. 00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:01.560 So the psalmist says, 00:32:01.640 --> 00:32:02.040 parents, 00:32:02.660 --> 00:32:03.560 children are like that. 00:32:03.640 --> 00:32:05.140 They can be invested in, 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:05.560 equipped, 00:32:05.820 --> 00:32:06.220 prepared, 00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:07.380 and then sent out 00:32:07.380 --> 00:32:08.140 into the world 00:32:08.140 --> 00:32:09.040 to Lord willing 00:32:09.040 --> 00:32:10.019 to do significant good. 00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:12.080 So parents, 00:32:12.100 --> 00:32:13.279 do you think and pray 00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:14.759 in that way for your kids? 00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:17.880 And what are the prayers 00:32:17.880 --> 00:32:18.980 for your kids? 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:22.120 Is it that they would 00:32:22.120 --> 00:32:23.620 achieve the most? 00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:27.279 Or is it that most of all, 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:28.259 they would glorify God 00:32:28.259 --> 00:32:29.740 in whatever they do? 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:32.079 Friends, 00:32:32.099 --> 00:32:32.640 as so many of you 00:32:32.640 --> 00:32:33.480 feel the weight 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:34.559 who've come into our city, 00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:36.400 from our city, 00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:37.220 feel the weight 00:32:37.220 --> 00:32:38.680 of parental expectations, 00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:39.920 which are well-intentioned, 00:32:39.920 --> 00:32:43.320 but often are a weight 00:32:43.320 --> 00:32:44.360 that's too much to bear, 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:44.820 aren't they? 00:32:46.840 --> 00:32:47.500 And so parents, 00:32:47.600 --> 00:32:48.480 may we be those 00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:49.600 who love our kids, 00:32:50.100 --> 00:32:51.840 but they hear much from us, 00:32:51.980 --> 00:32:52.680 well done, 00:32:52.800 --> 00:32:54.019 I'm proud of you. 00:32:55.380 --> 00:32:56.220 Most of all, 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:57.440 that you would love Jesus, 00:32:57.620 --> 00:32:58.340 not that you would get 00:32:58.340 --> 00:32:59.019 into this school, 00:32:59.140 --> 00:32:59.900 or that school, 00:32:59.980 --> 00:33:01.019 or climb this ladder, 00:33:01.140 --> 00:33:02.240 or that. 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:06.400 Now parents, 00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:07.019 the promise here 00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:07.819 is not that if we 00:33:07.819 --> 00:33:09.099 do certain things, 00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:10.240 our kids are guaranteed 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:11.279 to follow Jesus. 00:33:11.359 --> 00:33:12.420 That's not the promise. 00:33:13.420 --> 00:33:13.859 But, 00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:15.559 we are called 00:33:15.559 --> 00:33:17.620 to this intentional devotion, 00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:19.480 to training up, 00:33:19.539 --> 00:33:20.160 pointing our children 00:33:20.160 --> 00:33:21.200 to Christ, 00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:22.420 with the desire, 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:22.859 the hope, 00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:23.180 the prayer, 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:23.559 that one day 00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:24.259 they would come 00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:25.039 to a saving faith 00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:26.099 in Christ. 00:33:27.539 --> 00:33:28.500 So we want to be wise 00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:29.259 and strategic, 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:30.700 persevering. 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:31.819 So parents, 00:33:31.900 --> 00:33:32.840 we must think 00:33:32.840 --> 00:33:34.019 about our parenting. 00:33:34.340 --> 00:33:35.380 It is hard. 00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:37.819 Life is busy. 00:33:38.620 --> 00:33:39.340 So many things 00:33:39.340 --> 00:33:40.140 grab our time 00:33:40.140 --> 00:33:40.640 and attention. 00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:44.100 Let me encourage you parents, 00:33:45.080 --> 00:33:46.819 let your kids see 00:33:46.819 --> 00:33:48.319 you love Jesus. 00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:51.299 Not in a fake way. 00:33:52.380 --> 00:33:53.380 Not in a perfect way, 00:33:53.420 --> 00:33:53.900 but let them see 00:33:53.900 --> 00:33:54.759 you love Jesus. 00:33:55.920 --> 00:33:56.519 Let them see you 00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:57.480 love the church. 00:33:58.779 --> 00:34:00.460 Studies consistently show 00:34:00.460 --> 00:34:02.059 that the greatest 00:34:02.059 --> 00:34:02.880 likelihood of children 00:34:02.880 --> 00:34:03.720 having the faith 00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:04.220 of their parents 00:34:04.220 --> 00:34:04.940 is do they see 00:34:04.940 --> 00:34:06.340 their parents love Jesus? 00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:08.119 Do they see their parents 00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:08.780 love the local church? 00:34:08.820 --> 00:34:10.360 It's really that fundamental. 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:13.099 It's a huge part of it. 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.920 I know that life is busy, 00:34:16.800 --> 00:34:17.860 but it's worth thinking through 00:34:17.860 --> 00:34:18.900 like what shapes 00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:19.500 the calendar 00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:20.679 of your family? 00:34:22.320 --> 00:34:23.079 Is it the things 00:34:23.079 --> 00:34:24.179 that you want to prioritize 00:34:24.179 --> 00:34:25.500 or is it 00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:27.119 your children's schedule? 00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:31.139 I know. 00:34:31.880 --> 00:34:32.900 I'm treading on thin ice 00:34:32.900 --> 00:34:33.420 here, I suppose. 00:34:34.380 --> 00:34:35.179 It's not my church, 00:34:35.279 --> 00:34:36.880 so I'll tread. 00:34:37.679 --> 00:34:38.380 But especially 00:34:38.380 --> 00:34:39.679 with younger kids, 00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:43.179 there's a great temptation 00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:44.420 and I felt it well 00:34:44.420 --> 00:34:45.239 when our kids were younger 00:34:45.239 --> 00:34:46.719 to kind of maintain 00:34:46.719 --> 00:34:47.880 an order of life, 00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:48.960 which often felt like 00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:49.619 we have to do 00:34:49.619 --> 00:34:50.400 these certain things 00:34:50.400 --> 00:34:51.359 schedule-wise 00:34:51.359 --> 00:34:51.940 for our kids 00:34:51.940 --> 00:34:53.000 to keep life together, 00:34:53.000 --> 00:34:54.159 which led to, 00:34:54.159 --> 00:34:54.739 in time, 00:34:55.139 --> 00:34:56.279 withdraw from 00:34:56.279 --> 00:34:57.859 the life of the church. 00:34:58.500 --> 00:34:59.379 We can't ever 00:34:59.379 --> 00:35:00.420 have someone over 00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:01.579 or go to their house 00:35:01.579 --> 00:35:02.879 or be a part of a group 00:35:02.879 --> 00:35:04.719 because of our kids' schedule. 00:35:04.980 --> 00:35:05.440 Just let me say, 00:35:05.639 --> 00:35:05.799 friends, 00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:08.960 your kids need to see 00:35:08.960 --> 00:35:09.719 you love Jesus 00:35:09.719 --> 00:35:12.099 and love the church. 00:35:13.139 --> 00:35:13.519 And sometimes 00:35:13.519 --> 00:35:14.139 that may mean 00:35:14.139 --> 00:35:14.739 them staying up 00:35:14.739 --> 00:35:15.539 a little bit later, 00:35:16.239 --> 00:35:17.719 but I think it's worth it. 00:35:17.719 --> 00:35:19.139 Even if it messes up life 00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:19.839 for a couple of days, 00:35:19.920 --> 00:35:20.819 that they'll bounce back. 00:35:22.019 --> 00:35:23.500 And people across generations 00:35:23.500 --> 00:35:24.539 have been raising kids 00:35:24.539 --> 00:35:26.159 long before us. 00:35:26.699 --> 00:35:27.719 It can be done. 00:35:28.980 --> 00:35:29.599 And so I would just say, 00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:31.420 make tweaks here and there. 00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:33.059 Stretch them out 00:35:33.059 --> 00:35:33.679 a little bit more, 00:35:33.739 --> 00:35:34.460 but it will serve 00:35:34.460 --> 00:35:35.760 your kids well too 00:35:35.760 --> 00:35:36.880 because your kids love 00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:37.599 being with other people 00:35:37.599 --> 00:35:39.039 from the church as well. 00:35:41.780 --> 00:35:42.980 Build in things 00:35:42.980 --> 00:35:44.059 like the Sunday gathering 00:35:44.059 --> 00:35:45.019 into the rhythm 00:35:45.019 --> 00:35:46.239 of your family. 00:35:46.360 --> 00:35:47.079 And as the kids get older, 00:35:47.239 --> 00:35:48.039 they won't ask, 00:35:48.119 --> 00:35:48.780 are we going to church? 00:35:48.800 --> 00:35:49.320 Because they just understand, 00:35:49.400 --> 00:35:50.219 well, that's just what we do. 00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:52.239 Just what our family does. 00:35:52.239 --> 00:35:54.039 We gather with the church. 00:35:55.519 --> 00:35:56.039 And for those of you 00:35:56.039 --> 00:35:56.879 who are single parents, 00:35:56.979 --> 00:35:57.439 we understand 00:35:57.439 --> 00:35:59.819 it's a weighty gift you have. 00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:02.939 So let this church love you 00:36:02.939 --> 00:36:03.799 and serve you 00:36:03.799 --> 00:36:04.559 and help you 00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:05.819 in that parenting. 00:36:08.079 --> 00:36:09.719 Are we sufficient for the task? 00:36:10.559 --> 00:36:11.319 No, we're not. 00:36:12.579 --> 00:36:13.679 Parenting is daunting, 00:36:14.159 --> 00:36:14.719 weighty. 00:36:15.439 --> 00:36:16.979 But God will give us grace. 00:36:17.739 --> 00:36:18.639 He will empower you. 00:36:18.679 --> 00:36:19.579 He will help you 00:36:19.579 --> 00:36:20.539 in the parenting. 00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:23.139 As I mentioned, 00:36:23.259 --> 00:36:24.199 if you don't have children, 00:36:24.320 --> 00:36:24.699 you're thinking, 00:36:24.820 --> 00:36:25.659 well, this isn't for me, 00:36:25.719 --> 00:36:26.199 but that's actually 00:36:26.199 --> 00:36:27.219 not true at all 00:36:27.219 --> 00:36:29.059 because we see 00:36:29.059 --> 00:36:30.380 in the ministry of Jesus 00:36:30.380 --> 00:36:32.239 a new view of family. 00:36:33.699 --> 00:36:34.699 Matthew chapter 12, 00:36:34.759 --> 00:36:35.199 we see a time 00:36:35.199 --> 00:36:36.579 when Jesus was teaching 00:36:36.579 --> 00:36:37.719 and his mother 00:36:37.719 --> 00:36:38.420 and his brothers 00:36:38.420 --> 00:36:39.279 come to him. 00:36:39.699 --> 00:36:40.420 They wanted to speak 00:36:40.420 --> 00:36:40.980 to Jesus 00:36:40.980 --> 00:36:41.960 and Jesus replies 00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:42.360 and says, 00:36:43.039 --> 00:36:44.179 who is my mother 00:36:44.179 --> 00:36:45.900 and who are my brothers? 00:36:46.759 --> 00:36:47.500 He stretched out his hand 00:36:47.500 --> 00:36:48.320 toward his disciples 00:36:48.320 --> 00:36:48.680 and he said, 00:36:49.039 --> 00:36:50.280 here are my mother 00:36:50.280 --> 00:36:51.420 and my brothers 00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:52.320 for whoever does 00:36:52.320 --> 00:36:53.160 the will of my father 00:36:53.160 --> 00:36:53.539 in heaven 00:36:53.539 --> 00:36:54.559 is my brother 00:36:54.559 --> 00:36:55.240 and sister 00:36:55.240 --> 00:36:56.200 and mother. 00:36:57.420 --> 00:36:58.360 And so Jesus helps us 00:36:58.360 --> 00:36:58.920 see that there's 00:36:58.920 --> 00:37:00.539 a new view of family. 00:37:01.640 --> 00:37:02.180 Now that's not 00:37:02.180 --> 00:37:03.300 to downplay 00:37:03.300 --> 00:37:03.860 or say that 00:37:03.860 --> 00:37:05.280 our earthly families 00:37:05.280 --> 00:37:06.120 are unimportant 00:37:06.120 --> 00:37:06.840 or that we aren't 00:37:06.840 --> 00:37:07.180 to love them. 00:37:07.220 --> 00:37:07.980 That's not what Jesus 00:37:07.980 --> 00:37:08.320 was saying, 00:37:08.380 --> 00:37:08.980 but he's saying 00:37:08.980 --> 00:37:10.220 that now in his kingdom, 00:37:10.460 --> 00:37:12.100 this is the truest family, 00:37:13.000 --> 00:37:13.940 the family of God. 00:37:14.760 --> 00:37:15.679 These are brothers 00:37:15.679 --> 00:37:16.240 and sisters 00:37:16.240 --> 00:37:16.940 and aunts 00:37:16.940 --> 00:37:17.440 and uncles 00:37:17.440 --> 00:37:18.480 and cousins 00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:19.539 and we actually 00:37:19.539 --> 00:37:20.260 have more in common 00:37:20.260 --> 00:37:20.639 with them 00:37:20.639 --> 00:37:21.760 than anyone else. 00:37:23.659 --> 00:37:24.079 At the beginning 00:37:24.079 --> 00:37:24.559 of the Old Testament 00:37:24.559 --> 00:37:25.679 we see that the call 00:37:25.679 --> 00:37:27.119 to be fruitful 00:37:27.119 --> 00:37:28.599 and multiply, 00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:30.360 fill the earth 00:37:30.360 --> 00:37:31.639 and that was done 00:37:31.639 --> 00:37:32.300 primarily through 00:37:32.300 --> 00:37:33.260 having children, 00:37:34.179 --> 00:37:35.260 multiplying in that way. 00:37:35.980 --> 00:37:36.700 In the New Testament 00:37:36.700 --> 00:37:37.460 the call is the same, 00:37:37.579 --> 00:37:38.119 be fruitful 00:37:38.119 --> 00:37:39.360 and multiply 00:37:39.360 --> 00:37:40.760 and yet it's 00:37:40.760 --> 00:37:41.440 slightly different 00:37:41.440 --> 00:37:42.200 because it is said 00:37:42.200 --> 00:37:42.619 this way, 00:37:42.619 --> 00:37:45.179 go and make disciples 00:37:45.179 --> 00:37:46.679 of all the nations. 00:37:47.779 --> 00:37:48.579 Same idea, 00:37:48.980 --> 00:37:49.420 be fruitful 00:37:49.420 --> 00:37:50.099 and multiply 00:37:50.099 --> 00:37:51.179 but it's no longer 00:37:51.179 --> 00:37:52.219 the multiplication 00:37:52.219 --> 00:37:54.079 only of a biological family 00:37:54.079 --> 00:37:55.119 but it's the good news 00:37:55.119 --> 00:37:56.239 of Jesus going out, 00:37:56.460 --> 00:37:57.059 people hearing 00:37:57.059 --> 00:37:58.019 and believing. 00:37:58.980 --> 00:37:59.980 So the same multiplication 00:37:59.980 --> 00:38:00.900 is happening 00:38:00.900 --> 00:38:01.639 as the call 00:38:01.639 --> 00:38:02.199 of God's people 00:38:02.199 --> 00:38:02.739 and so friend 00:38:02.739 --> 00:38:03.599 whether you're married 00:38:03.599 --> 00:38:04.199 or not, 00:38:04.539 --> 00:38:05.299 children or not, 00:38:05.380 --> 00:38:06.539 we all have the opportunity 00:38:06.539 --> 00:38:08.139 to have spiritual offspring 00:38:08.139 --> 00:38:09.859 as we share 00:38:09.859 --> 00:38:10.719 the good news, 00:38:11.219 --> 00:38:12.599 as we disciple others, 00:38:12.619 --> 00:38:13.920 friend, 00:38:13.980 --> 00:38:14.639 in your life 00:38:14.639 --> 00:38:15.480 across the decades 00:38:15.480 --> 00:38:16.139 you could play a part 00:38:16.139 --> 00:38:17.920 in so many lives 00:38:17.920 --> 00:38:18.539 for the sake 00:38:18.539 --> 00:38:19.619 of the gospel. 00:38:21.139 --> 00:38:22.059 So the family of God 00:38:22.059 --> 00:38:23.039 has changed, 00:38:24.159 --> 00:38:25.359 changes everything. 00:38:26.319 --> 00:38:26.539 So friend, 00:38:26.559 --> 00:38:27.039 if you're a Christian 00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:27.880 think about how you 00:38:27.880 --> 00:38:29.380 can invest in others, 00:38:30.219 --> 00:38:30.900 sharing the good news 00:38:30.900 --> 00:38:32.219 with those who don't know Christ, 00:38:32.679 --> 00:38:33.199 helping others 00:38:33.199 --> 00:38:34.639 to grow up in Christ 00:38:34.639 --> 00:38:36.359 and through that 00:38:36.359 --> 00:38:38.039 sending out arrows. 00:38:38.940 --> 00:38:39.400 So we do this, 00:38:39.460 --> 00:38:40.440 we spend time 00:38:40.440 --> 00:38:42.380 a clearly defined 00:38:42.380 --> 00:38:43.280 discipling relationship. 00:38:43.800 --> 00:38:44.380 So many of these 00:38:44.380 --> 00:38:45.480 in undefined 00:38:45.480 --> 00:38:46.619 but just a friendship 00:38:46.619 --> 00:38:46.960 where we're trying 00:38:46.960 --> 00:38:48.159 to encourage one another 00:38:48.159 --> 00:38:49.880 for their own spiritual good. 00:38:50.619 --> 00:38:51.659 Walking with a clear 00:38:51.659 --> 00:38:52.880 sort of spiritual mentorship. 00:38:54.360 --> 00:38:54.440 Friend, 00:38:54.480 --> 00:38:55.320 there's so many ways 00:38:55.320 --> 00:38:56.179 that you play a part 00:38:56.179 --> 00:38:56.900 in this. 00:38:57.880 --> 00:38:58.559 And so imagine with me 00:38:58.559 --> 00:38:59.880 if you have 40 more years, 00:39:00.000 --> 00:39:00.960 50 more years of life, 00:39:01.000 --> 00:39:02.059 if you invested in 00:39:02.059 --> 00:39:03.539 making disciples, 00:39:04.599 --> 00:39:05.300 joining in, 00:39:05.380 --> 00:39:05.860 making disciples, 00:39:05.860 --> 00:39:07.860 how many spiritual offspring 00:39:07.860 --> 00:39:08.900 there might be 00:39:08.900 --> 00:39:10.599 sent out into the world. 00:39:11.680 --> 00:39:12.200 I didn't think about 00:39:12.200 --> 00:39:13.099 this church. 00:39:13.840 --> 00:39:15.079 Your church is in the same city 00:39:15.079 --> 00:39:15.880 as our church 00:39:15.880 --> 00:39:16.780 and I assume has 00:39:16.780 --> 00:39:18.019 some of the same beauties 00:39:18.019 --> 00:39:18.579 and challenges. 00:39:18.680 --> 00:39:19.579 One of the beauties 00:39:19.579 --> 00:39:20.599 and challenges is 00:39:20.599 --> 00:39:21.740 so many people come 00:39:21.740 --> 00:39:22.460 and go, 00:39:22.559 --> 00:39:22.880 don't they? 00:39:24.099 --> 00:39:25.019 They come and study 00:39:25.019 --> 00:39:27.059 or work 00:39:27.059 --> 00:39:28.920 and then they sinfully 00:39:28.920 --> 00:39:29.860 leave Boston. 00:39:30.720 --> 00:39:31.120 Okay, 00:39:31.200 --> 00:39:32.079 it's not sinful 00:39:32.079 --> 00:39:34.280 but it's painful, 00:39:34.420 --> 00:39:34.700 isn't it? 00:39:34.699 --> 00:39:34.859 Right? 00:39:34.859 --> 00:39:35.839 We get to know people, 00:39:36.039 --> 00:39:36.879 we love them 00:39:36.879 --> 00:39:39.439 and then they move 00:39:39.439 --> 00:39:41.279 and I can feel, 00:39:41.359 --> 00:39:42.399 especially this time of year, 00:39:42.559 --> 00:39:44.219 we say goodbye to so many 00:39:44.219 --> 00:39:45.879 and we shed tears 00:39:45.879 --> 00:39:47.899 and for those who stay, 00:39:48.500 --> 00:39:49.859 it's exhausting, 00:39:49.980 --> 00:39:50.439 isn't it? 00:39:51.599 --> 00:39:52.339 And we're tempted even 00:39:52.339 --> 00:39:52.699 to think, 00:39:52.839 --> 00:39:53.019 okay, 00:39:53.159 --> 00:39:53.480 yeah, 00:39:53.699 --> 00:39:54.759 I'm not going to let 00:39:54.759 --> 00:39:55.960 any new people in 00:39:55.960 --> 00:39:56.799 to my heart. 00:39:57.819 --> 00:39:59.059 I may welcome them, 00:39:59.679 --> 00:39:59.839 yeah, 00:39:59.859 --> 00:40:00.319 they can sit 00:40:00.319 --> 00:40:01.379 in the row behind me 00:40:01.379 --> 00:40:03.199 but I'm tired 00:40:03.199 --> 00:40:04.219 of saying goodbye 00:40:04.219 --> 00:40:05.919 or friend, 00:40:05.959 --> 00:40:06.239 you can certainly 00:40:06.239 --> 00:40:06.839 protect yourself 00:40:06.839 --> 00:40:07.199 in that way 00:40:07.199 --> 00:40:07.779 and I'm tempted 00:40:07.779 --> 00:40:08.559 pretty much like 00:40:08.559 --> 00:40:09.919 May through July 00:40:09.919 --> 00:40:11.000 to do that 00:40:11.000 --> 00:40:12.779 as I mourn the loss 00:40:12.779 --> 00:40:13.419 and sometimes I think 00:40:13.419 --> 00:40:13.719 to myself, 00:40:13.899 --> 00:40:14.559 I want to move 00:40:14.559 --> 00:40:15.500 and pastor a church, 00:40:15.559 --> 00:40:16.259 maybe in San Diego 00:40:16.259 --> 00:40:17.719 but where nobody else 00:40:17.719 --> 00:40:18.599 moves away, 00:40:19.559 --> 00:40:20.659 where it's all the same people 00:40:20.659 --> 00:40:21.279 for the next 20 years 00:40:21.279 --> 00:40:21.699 but then I think, 00:40:21.819 --> 00:40:22.539 I don't know that I want 00:40:22.539 --> 00:40:22.919 the same people 00:40:22.919 --> 00:40:23.519 for 20 years either 00:40:23.519 --> 00:40:24.399 so maybe actually, 00:40:24.659 --> 00:40:25.500 there's a gift 00:40:25.500 --> 00:40:26.039 of this coming 00:40:26.039 --> 00:40:26.779 and going as well. 00:40:27.939 --> 00:40:28.679 So let me encourage you, 00:40:28.739 --> 00:40:29.179 those of you 00:40:29.179 --> 00:40:30.139 who are trying to stay, 00:40:30.139 --> 00:40:31.900 I know it's painful 00:40:31.900 --> 00:40:34.539 but it's a worthwhile pain 00:40:34.539 --> 00:40:36.179 but also just imagine 00:40:36.179 --> 00:40:37.159 this church 00:40:37.159 --> 00:40:40.299 over the past years, 00:40:40.579 --> 00:40:41.639 over the decades to come, 00:40:41.679 --> 00:40:43.400 how many spiritual arrows 00:40:43.400 --> 00:40:44.400 will be sent out 00:40:44.400 --> 00:40:46.579 to the world 00:40:46.579 --> 00:40:48.159 from here? 00:40:49.579 --> 00:40:50.619 They came as an undergrad, 00:40:51.739 --> 00:40:53.099 they came as a grad student, 00:40:53.379 --> 00:40:54.400 they were here for work, 00:40:54.859 --> 00:40:55.940 you invested in them, 00:40:57.099 --> 00:40:57.420 you helped them 00:40:57.420 --> 00:40:58.400 to grow up in Christ 00:40:58.400 --> 00:41:00.360 and now they're sent out 00:41:00.360 --> 00:41:01.159 to the world 00:41:01.159 --> 00:41:03.300 and what impact 00:41:03.300 --> 00:41:04.260 through this church 00:41:04.260 --> 00:41:05.320 and so many other 00:41:05.320 --> 00:41:06.099 in greater Boston 00:41:06.099 --> 00:41:08.039 as people come and go, 00:41:08.220 --> 00:41:08.340 friend, 00:41:08.360 --> 00:41:08.960 do you see the opportunity 00:41:08.960 --> 00:41:10.220 you have as a Christian 00:41:10.220 --> 00:41:12.360 to send out, 00:41:12.460 --> 00:41:14.340 to join in sending out arrows 00:41:14.340 --> 00:41:15.740 to the world? 00:41:18.579 --> 00:41:18.820 And friend, 00:41:18.840 --> 00:41:19.539 as a part of that 00:41:19.539 --> 00:41:20.460 is loving the children 00:41:20.460 --> 00:41:21.440 in this church as well. 00:41:22.940 --> 00:41:23.440 And so those of you 00:41:23.440 --> 00:41:25.320 who are not parents, 00:41:25.579 --> 00:41:26.659 you have a key role 00:41:26.659 --> 00:41:27.619 to play in the lives 00:41:27.619 --> 00:41:28.119 of the children 00:41:28.119 --> 00:41:28.960 in this church 00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:31.619 because the very nature 00:41:31.619 --> 00:41:32.739 of someone being a parent 00:41:32.739 --> 00:41:34.699 makes them patently uncool 00:41:34.699 --> 00:41:35.359 to their own kids 00:41:35.359 --> 00:41:35.799 very quickly 00:41:35.799 --> 00:41:37.539 because they're parents, 00:41:37.599 --> 00:41:38.299 that's just who they are. 00:41:39.519 --> 00:41:39.899 But friend, 00:41:39.960 --> 00:41:41.199 you who get to come 00:41:41.199 --> 00:41:42.199 alongside of them, 00:41:42.699 --> 00:41:43.719 whether it's by teaching 00:41:43.719 --> 00:41:44.519 in the classes 00:41:44.519 --> 00:41:45.539 and I hope that you do that some 00:41:45.539 --> 00:41:46.199 or it is simply 00:41:46.199 --> 00:41:47.579 by modeling before them 00:41:47.579 --> 00:41:48.539 a love for Jesus 00:41:48.539 --> 00:41:49.559 and the church 00:41:49.559 --> 00:41:51.339 will shape these kids 00:41:51.339 --> 00:41:52.539 more than you know. 00:41:53.819 --> 00:41:55.000 You disciple them 00:41:55.000 --> 00:41:55.799 by your life. 00:41:56.659 --> 00:41:57.759 We have an empty nest now, 00:41:57.819 --> 00:41:59.000 so our daughter's 25, 00:41:59.199 --> 00:42:00.319 our son is 21. 00:42:00.460 --> 00:42:01.059 They've both moved 00:42:01.059 --> 00:42:02.119 across the country, 00:42:02.279 --> 00:42:03.399 sinners who've left Boston. 00:42:03.619 --> 00:42:05.980 No, they've moved away. 00:42:06.980 --> 00:42:08.460 And so far at least, 00:42:08.799 --> 00:42:11.839 they both love the local church. 00:42:13.119 --> 00:42:16.119 But that's not because 00:42:16.119 --> 00:42:17.219 of Brandy and me. 00:42:18.960 --> 00:42:20.059 I'm convinced it's because 00:42:20.059 --> 00:42:21.059 of our church 00:42:21.059 --> 00:42:21.980 who loved them. 00:42:21.980 --> 00:42:24.740 Not a perfect church 00:42:24.740 --> 00:42:25.480 by any means, 00:42:25.780 --> 00:42:26.280 but a church 00:42:26.280 --> 00:42:27.159 who loved them well, 00:42:27.260 --> 00:42:28.659 people who lived before them, 00:42:28.760 --> 00:42:29.719 older teenagers, 00:42:29.960 --> 00:42:30.559 college students 00:42:30.559 --> 00:42:31.300 who were older than them 00:42:31.300 --> 00:42:32.340 who loved Jesus, 00:42:32.559 --> 00:42:33.619 modeled that for them, 00:42:33.860 --> 00:42:35.679 gave them a beautiful view 00:42:35.679 --> 00:42:36.659 of the church. 00:42:37.199 --> 00:42:39.280 We have no biological family 00:42:39.280 --> 00:42:40.000 in Massachusetts, 00:42:40.199 --> 00:42:41.139 so our family 00:42:41.139 --> 00:42:42.599 has been the church. 00:42:43.480 --> 00:42:43.780 So friends, 00:42:43.840 --> 00:42:44.400 you have the chance 00:42:44.400 --> 00:42:44.619 to do that 00:42:44.619 --> 00:42:45.280 with every kid 00:42:45.280 --> 00:42:46.079 as a part of this church, 00:42:46.800 --> 00:42:47.960 that they would see you 00:42:47.960 --> 00:42:48.760 and their view 00:42:48.760 --> 00:42:49.159 of the church 00:42:49.159 --> 00:42:49.579 will be shaped 00:42:49.579 --> 00:42:51.139 so much by that. 00:42:52.639 --> 00:42:53.380 So let me help you 00:42:53.380 --> 00:42:54.559 to remember 00:42:54.559 --> 00:42:55.500 that opportunity, 00:42:55.639 --> 00:42:56.460 that responsibility 00:42:56.460 --> 00:42:58.099 to love and invest 00:42:58.099 --> 00:42:58.579 in the kids 00:42:58.579 --> 00:42:59.460 of this church. 00:43:01.219 --> 00:43:02.299 For it'll be costly 00:43:02.299 --> 00:43:02.880 for us all 00:43:02.880 --> 00:43:03.619 to give ourselves 00:43:03.619 --> 00:43:05.000 into making disciples, 00:43:06.179 --> 00:43:07.099 sending out arrows 00:43:07.099 --> 00:43:08.219 to the world. 00:43:09.340 --> 00:43:09.500 Friends, 00:43:09.519 --> 00:43:10.599 that's a worthwhile thing. 00:43:11.799 --> 00:43:13.219 That's a worthwhile work 00:43:13.219 --> 00:43:15.400 to even exhaust ourselves 00:43:15.400 --> 00:43:16.279 at at times, 00:43:16.559 --> 00:43:18.460 to even lose some sleep, 00:43:18.460 --> 00:43:19.840 but not from anxious toil, 00:43:21.159 --> 00:43:21.900 a kingdom work 00:43:21.900 --> 00:43:23.000 that really matters. 00:43:24.579 --> 00:43:24.800 So friends, 00:43:24.880 --> 00:43:25.320 let's pray 00:43:25.320 --> 00:43:26.380 and labor together 00:43:26.380 --> 00:43:28.019 that we would spend 00:43:28.019 --> 00:43:30.119 our days well 00:43:30.119 --> 00:43:33.000 in a fruitful way, 00:43:33.579 --> 00:43:35.639 in a curious way 00:43:35.639 --> 00:43:37.159 for those around us, 00:43:38.019 --> 00:43:38.380 in a way 00:43:38.380 --> 00:43:39.220 that would glorify God. 00:43:40.320 --> 00:43:41.019 Let's pray together. 00:43:42.420 --> 00:43:42.760 Father, 00:43:42.800 --> 00:43:43.220 we're thankful 00:43:43.220 --> 00:43:43.880 for your goodness 00:43:43.880 --> 00:43:44.940 and your grace. 00:43:46.039 --> 00:43:46.300 And Father, 00:43:46.300 --> 00:43:47.120 we ask for help 00:43:47.120 --> 00:43:48.560 because we live 00:43:48.560 --> 00:43:49.140 in a city 00:43:49.140 --> 00:43:50.320 that will only 00:43:50.320 --> 00:43:51.960 push us further 00:43:51.960 --> 00:43:53.080 into self-reliance. 00:43:54.700 --> 00:43:55.240 So I pray 00:43:55.240 --> 00:43:56.080 for some this morning 00:43:56.080 --> 00:43:57.180 that just the wise step 00:43:57.180 --> 00:43:58.019 would be to just repent 00:43:58.019 --> 00:43:58.680 of that. 00:43:59.720 --> 00:44:00.440 They might even begin 00:44:00.440 --> 00:44:01.160 to imagine 00:44:01.160 --> 00:44:02.480 what could life 00:44:02.480 --> 00:44:03.480 look like. 00:44:05.280 --> 00:44:06.240 And that as we're scattered 00:44:06.240 --> 00:44:08.200 into the neighborhoods, 00:44:10.280 --> 00:44:11.280 as parents, 00:44:12.220 --> 00:44:13.019 students, 00:44:13.019 --> 00:44:13.920 as workers 00:44:13.920 --> 00:44:16.099 who could do so 00:44:16.099 --> 00:44:16.340 in a way 00:44:16.340 --> 00:44:17.159 that would glorify you. 00:44:18.719 --> 00:44:19.699 Help us to trust 00:44:19.699 --> 00:44:20.780 that you can do more 00:44:20.780 --> 00:44:22.300 even when we sleep 00:44:22.300 --> 00:44:23.280 than we can ever do. 00:44:24.860 --> 00:44:25.800 We pray for the children 00:44:25.800 --> 00:44:26.480 of this church 00:44:26.480 --> 00:44:28.159 that they would hear 00:44:28.159 --> 00:44:29.179 and believe the gospel 00:44:29.179 --> 00:44:29.960 at a young age. 00:44:31.340 --> 00:44:31.539 And Father, 00:44:31.579 --> 00:44:32.000 we pray for, 00:44:32.059 --> 00:44:32.880 we're thankful for already 00:44:32.880 --> 00:44:33.380 how Trinity 00:44:33.380 --> 00:44:34.940 has sent out arrows 00:44:34.940 --> 00:44:35.759 to the nations 00:44:35.759 --> 00:44:36.679 and will continue 00:44:36.679 --> 00:44:37.259 to do that. 00:44:38.480 --> 00:44:39.159 We pray, Father, 00:44:39.199 --> 00:44:39.699 you would bless them 00:44:39.699 --> 00:44:40.739 with decades more 00:44:40.739 --> 00:44:41.439 of that. 00:44:42.799 --> 00:44:43.459 Encourage those 00:44:43.459 --> 00:44:44.259 who stay behind 00:44:44.259 --> 00:44:45.819 even when it's painful 00:44:45.819 --> 00:44:46.759 and hard 00:44:46.759 --> 00:44:47.519 to see the goodness 00:44:47.519 --> 00:44:48.979 of that in Jesus' name. 00:44:49.639 --> 00:44:49.899 Amen.