WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.280 Good morning, Watermark. 00:00:03.180 --> 00:00:04.459 My name is Chris. 00:00:04.459 --> 00:00:08.740 I help oversee community groups here at Watermark. 00:00:09.339 --> 00:00:13.780 I hope you had a great Christmas and you are rested. 00:00:15.019 --> 00:00:18.000 New Year is a time for hope. 00:00:19.580 --> 00:00:26.879 I hope that I will get that Cafe Pacific fanfare before it goes. 00:00:27.619 --> 00:00:34.479 I hope that I can work off that 10 kg that I put on over Christmas as soon as possible. 00:00:35.659 --> 00:00:43.120 I hope that my boss doesn't realize just how much time I did spend on Facebook over this last year. 00:00:44.120 --> 00:00:49.560 I hope this talk is not going to last very long because I've got lunch planned. 00:00:51.039 --> 00:00:52.759 We all have hopes. 00:00:52.899 --> 00:00:54.099 We all have dreams. 00:00:54.100 --> 00:00:58.719 We are all dreamers of a perfect world. 00:00:59.920 --> 00:01:01.820 We want perfect children. 00:01:01.939 --> 00:01:04.460 Children who are easy to look after. 00:01:05.180 --> 00:01:09.400 We want a perfect job where everybody does what we want. 00:01:09.680 --> 00:01:10.859 We have great colleagues. 00:01:11.340 --> 00:01:12.000 It's wonderful. 00:01:12.240 --> 00:01:13.480 We have job satisfaction. 00:01:13.960 --> 00:01:19.900 We want a perfect spouse who does everything for us without complaining, without moaning, without grumbling. 00:01:20.460 --> 00:01:21.340 And it's wonderful. 00:01:21.340 --> 00:01:27.920 We want a perfect government who is completely for the people and there is no corruption at all. 00:01:28.900 --> 00:01:30.620 We're all dreamers. 00:01:30.800 --> 00:01:38.219 It doesn't matter whether you are an atheist, a Buddhist, a Christian, whatever worldview you are from, 00:01:38.680 --> 00:01:45.159 etched deep into the heart of your soul is a desire for a perfect world. 00:01:45.159 --> 00:01:50.159 A world where things happen just the way you want them to. 00:01:50.159 --> 00:01:57.659 The problem is this world that we live in is not a perfect world. 00:01:58.439 --> 00:02:05.019 With people who are not perfect who often end up disappointing us. 00:02:05.719 --> 00:02:08.139 Life ends up disappointing us. 00:02:08.139 --> 00:02:11.039 C.S. Lewis put it this way. 00:02:12.119 --> 00:02:20.199 If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, 00:02:21.859 --> 00:02:28.599 then the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. 00:02:29.279 --> 00:02:32.799 The most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. 00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:39.760 You see, most Christians, including myself, would say, I believe in the idea of heaven. 00:02:40.060 --> 00:02:48.860 The idea that there is an eternity spent with God in a renewed creation, in this amazing paradise of joy, 00:02:49.020 --> 00:02:53.439 where there is no pain, mourning, suffering, hurt. 00:02:53.560 --> 00:02:54.840 It's all wiped away. 00:02:54.960 --> 00:02:55.960 It is incredible. 00:02:56.960 --> 00:02:59.260 Most Christians will say, yeah, I believe in that. 00:02:59.500 --> 00:03:06.100 But if you think in the reality of your life, day to day, how much impact does that really make on your life? 00:03:06.340 --> 00:03:11.900 And I have to say, it sounds more like a vague fantasy hope that is somewhere out there, 00:03:12.260 --> 00:03:15.000 which maybe I think about at an odd funeral occasionally. 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:22.719 And it doesn't really shape anything of the way I live my life. 00:03:26.379 --> 00:03:28.539 So we come to the passage today. 00:03:29.599 --> 00:03:37.759 And it's written to a group of Jewish Christians who are probably in Rome. 00:03:37.759 --> 00:03:43.919 And they have started off their race following Jesus. 00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:50.039 And they have been so passionate about Jesus that they have been willing. 00:03:50.539 --> 00:03:57.979 And if you look just in verse 32 to 34, it says they've been willing to even joyfully accept the plundering of their property. 00:03:58.359 --> 00:04:01.840 Over Christmas, you probably joyfully accepted the receiving of some property. 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:09.080 But they accepted the plundering of their property because they thought that Jesus was so amazing. 00:04:10.140 --> 00:04:13.699 The problem is, life was hard for them. 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:15.460 And they've grown tired. 00:04:16.300 --> 00:04:18.259 They've grown tired of following God. 00:04:19.240 --> 00:04:23.360 And they want to go back to living a more comfortable life. 00:04:24.220 --> 00:04:28.220 They want to go back to living where it's not always a struggle. 00:04:28.439 --> 00:04:29.560 It's not always hard. 00:04:29.819 --> 00:04:31.280 Where things can just be okay. 00:04:31.279 --> 00:04:33.039 We'll compromise a bit on Jesus. 00:04:33.619 --> 00:04:36.319 But we just want to have life a bit more comfortable now. 00:04:37.859 --> 00:04:41.059 And the author of Hebrews is going to say, 00:04:42.699 --> 00:04:53.319 Listen, there is a reward coming that if you follow Jesus is so much better than anything you desire now. 00:04:54.419 --> 00:04:57.219 And he's going to take you through a whole list of heroes. 00:04:57.359 --> 00:04:59.199 We're only going to look at a couple of them today. 00:04:59.199 --> 00:05:00.539 The heroes of the faith. 00:05:01.539 --> 00:05:04.379 Who he's going to say, look at these guys. 00:05:05.180 --> 00:05:11.560 They're to inspire you to keep going on the race, on the following Jesus as I've called you to. 00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:19.860 So we're going to look today at the idea of living our lives in the light of eternity. 00:05:21.660 --> 00:05:25.399 And we're going to look at this in three parts. 00:05:25.399 --> 00:05:35.839 The first part is realizing that when you see life with an eternal perspective, you realize that here is not your home. 00:05:36.379 --> 00:05:38.239 Here is not paradise. 00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:39.539 That's the first point. 00:05:39.739 --> 00:05:47.159 The second point will be when you have an eternal perspective, you realize that life here is temporary. 00:05:47.160 --> 00:05:55.040 The third thing is when you live life with an eternal perspective, you will run for a different price. 00:05:55.580 --> 00:05:58.300 So first of all, this is not your home. 00:05:58.640 --> 00:05:59.600 This is not your paradise. 00:05:59.760 --> 00:06:02.220 Turn with me to look in your bulletin at the passage. 00:06:02.220 --> 00:06:05.220 We're going to start Hebrews 11 verse 8. 00:06:06.640 --> 00:06:11.900 By faith, Abraham, when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance, 00:06:13.720 --> 00:06:17.340 sorry, obeyed when he was called to go to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance, 00:06:17.660 --> 00:06:20.600 and he went out not knowing where he was going. 00:06:21.140 --> 00:06:25.420 By faith, he went to live in the land of promise as in a foreign land, 00:06:26.040 --> 00:06:28.580 living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:31.200 heirs with him of the same promise. 00:06:31.199 --> 00:06:35.500 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, 00:06:35.860 --> 00:06:38.719 whose designer and builder is God. 00:06:39.879 --> 00:06:41.539 You see, if you know the story of Abraham, 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:46.879 God calls Abraham out of a comfortable, wealthy situation, 00:06:47.740 --> 00:06:49.620 surrounded by his friends and families, 00:06:49.839 --> 00:06:52.480 and he tells him to go to the land of Canaan, 00:06:52.740 --> 00:06:58.039 a land of promise where he is going to give him and his descendants this land. 00:06:58.040 --> 00:07:02.480 And so Abraham goes, but he goes and he lives as a nomad, 00:07:02.700 --> 00:07:06.379 living in tents with no fixed place to live. 00:07:06.379 --> 00:07:10.560 Even when he gets into this land, he's in this tent, 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:14.199 and he must have looked out of the flaps of his tent after a particularly rainy day, 00:07:14.420 --> 00:07:18.319 and he would see the Canaanite cities all around, 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:22.100 which must have looked so attractive to him because they look so secure, 00:07:22.379 --> 00:07:25.019 they look so peaceful, they look so great, 00:07:25.019 --> 00:07:28.259 and he must have thought, oh, I'd love to live in one of those, 00:07:28.459 --> 00:07:34.399 not in this tent where I don't have a fixed place to live. 00:07:34.500 --> 00:07:36.659 And if you've been camping, you know, 00:07:37.060 --> 00:07:40.240 if it's rained and you haven't slept for three nights, 00:07:40.979 --> 00:07:43.859 you are soon longing for home. 00:07:45.019 --> 00:07:48.479 And that's what Abraham has got, this longing for home. 00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:52.060 But the thing is, he's not looking at the Canaanite cities around him. 00:07:52.400 --> 00:07:58.620 It says that he was looking forward beyond that to a city with foundations 00:07:58.620 --> 00:08:01.680 whose designer and builder is God. 00:08:03.160 --> 00:08:07.319 You see, he is prepared to live as a nomad, 00:08:07.420 --> 00:08:13.220 or what verse 13 says is a stranger and an exile on the earth. 00:08:13.220 --> 00:08:18.360 He's prepared to live like that, forsaking his comfort 00:08:18.360 --> 00:08:21.800 because he sees that there's something better coming. 00:08:22.600 --> 00:08:25.380 He sees that there's a city that God is building. 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:29.460 Now, my uncle has just designed and built his own house, 00:08:29.500 --> 00:08:31.640 all to his own specifications. 00:08:31.940 --> 00:08:34.440 Everything that he would want is in this house. 00:08:36.139 --> 00:08:40.019 But imagine if God was your architect, 00:08:40.980 --> 00:08:42.700 and God was the designer, 00:08:42.700 --> 00:08:43.300 and he says, 00:08:43.500 --> 00:08:45.580 I'm going to build you a house. 00:08:46.140 --> 00:08:48.020 Not just a house, a city. 00:08:49.800 --> 00:08:54.700 And when you look at the architectural drawings of this city, 00:08:55.300 --> 00:08:58.759 it will be beyond your wildest dreams. 00:09:00.160 --> 00:09:03.740 That's what Abraham has got in his vision. 00:09:04.240 --> 00:09:06.600 That's why he's prepared to live as a nomad. 00:09:07.900 --> 00:09:10.560 And you see, the call from Abraham, though, 00:09:10.559 --> 00:09:15.619 is here is not paradise. 00:09:15.819 --> 00:09:17.079 Paradise is to come. 00:09:17.419 --> 00:09:19.019 So are you prepared to wait? 00:09:19.959 --> 00:09:25.379 Are you prepared to see that now is not your destination? 00:09:25.939 --> 00:09:28.239 You don't have a destination mentality. 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:29.979 You've not arrived yet. 00:09:30.539 --> 00:09:31.799 This is not where we are. 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:33.559 This is not the final place. 00:09:33.559 --> 00:09:36.179 But here is preparation. 00:09:37.879 --> 00:09:42.239 It's preparation because sometimes life is frustrating. 00:09:42.819 --> 00:09:43.759 It's not paradise. 00:09:44.519 --> 00:09:46.699 It's not the home that you want it to be. 00:09:47.619 --> 00:09:50.219 Here is sometimes disappointing. 00:09:50.839 --> 00:09:52.019 Sometimes painful. 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:54.199 But actually, all of that, 00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:57.480 God is saying to us through Abraham 00:09:57.480 --> 00:10:02.740 that that is because God wants to prepare you now. 00:10:02.980 --> 00:10:05.399 He doesn't want you to be satisfied with now. 00:10:05.659 --> 00:10:09.299 He wants to prepare you with a longing for what is to come, 00:10:09.579 --> 00:10:13.220 that city that God has built and is building for you. 00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:15.319 You see, when we hit the pain of life, 00:10:15.320 --> 00:10:16.860 we often ask questions like, 00:10:17.760 --> 00:10:18.800 if God is good, 00:10:19.180 --> 00:10:22.520 why does he allow the suffering to happen to me? 00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:23.980 If God is good, 00:10:24.040 --> 00:10:25.600 why didn't he answer my prayer? 00:10:25.740 --> 00:10:26.360 If God is good, 00:10:26.460 --> 00:10:29.980 why hasn't he given me the job position that I wanted? 00:10:30.520 --> 00:10:31.420 If God is good, 00:10:31.500 --> 00:10:32.540 why am I still single? 00:10:34.040 --> 00:10:36.460 Now, I don't know the answer to all of those questions. 00:10:38.280 --> 00:10:40.320 But I think sometimes we ask those questions 00:10:40.900 --> 00:10:44.320 without having an eternity perspective. 00:10:45.320 --> 00:10:48.540 And eternity gives you a reality check. 00:10:49.140 --> 00:10:50.080 Eternity says, 00:10:50.600 --> 00:10:52.360 this is not paradise. 00:10:53.400 --> 00:10:55.940 It will always be tainted with pain. 00:10:56.200 --> 00:10:59.500 It will always be tainted with suffering and difficulty. 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:02.020 But you see, 00:11:03.100 --> 00:11:05.480 when you have a preparation mentality, 00:11:05.940 --> 00:11:08.740 you even see the pain and the suffering 00:11:08.740 --> 00:11:10.340 creating a greater longing 00:11:10.340 --> 00:11:12.560 for full redemption, 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:13.480 healing, 00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:14.400 restoration, 00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:15.799 that perfect world 00:11:15.799 --> 00:11:17.899 that God says he is building 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:18.879 and is going to bring. 00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:21.340 You see, 00:11:21.659 --> 00:11:23.279 if you don't have this perspective, 00:11:24.539 --> 00:11:28.039 if you don't have this perspective, 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:30.419 I think there are two implications. 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:33.559 If you don't see life, 00:11:34.259 --> 00:11:36.500 if you think that life is paradise now, 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:40.000 you will live with unrealistic expectations 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:42.879 of life and of people now. 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:43.519 you know, 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:44.700 you know, 00:11:44.700 --> 00:11:47.779 increasing number of studies are showing that 00:11:47.779 --> 00:11:54.500 one of the major causes of marital breakdown in society today 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:57.039 is disillusionment. 00:11:57.039 --> 00:12:01.539 because people started with expectations in their marriages 00:12:01.539 --> 00:12:02.039 and their marriages, 00:12:02.039 --> 00:12:04.679 that their partner was going to fulfill them, 00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:07.179 was going to satisfy all of their dreams. 00:12:07.179 --> 00:12:08.139 And then, 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:09.519 a few months, 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:11.139 a few years down the line, 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:13.879 the guy who they thought was so handsome 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:16.679 now has a tropical rainforest growing out of his nose. 00:12:17.179 --> 00:12:19.959 And he can't remember a thing 00:12:19.959 --> 00:12:22.259 that you've asked him to do. 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:26.059 That woman who you thought was going to center her life around you, 00:12:26.059 --> 00:12:27.619 now when the kids come along, 00:12:27.699 --> 00:12:29.279 you're kind of pushed aside. 00:12:30.379 --> 00:12:34.579 And your dream of that perfect relationship place in, 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:36.199 you're trusting. 00:12:36.959 --> 00:12:40.759 Because when we start expecting things of other people 00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:44.579 and of this world that only God can truly satisfy, 00:12:44.679 --> 00:12:47.159 like happiness and contentment, 00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:50.279 you are always going to live disappointed. 00:12:50.719 --> 00:12:52.259 We do the same with church community. 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:53.919 We do the same with jobs. 00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:58.539 With jobs, we move from job to job to job to job 00:12:58.539 --> 00:13:01.139 because we always think the grass is always greener 00:13:01.139 --> 00:13:02.099 on the other side. 00:13:02.539 --> 00:13:04.219 But then two or three months in, 00:13:04.459 --> 00:13:05.679 and you've had a great time, 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:06.899 your colleagues are fantastic, 00:13:07.259 --> 00:13:07.659 and you think, 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:09.139 this is what it's all about, 00:13:09.299 --> 00:13:10.539 and then your boss changes. 00:13:11.599 --> 00:13:13.439 And your new boss is a complete idiot. 00:13:15.079 --> 00:13:15.759 And suddenly, 00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:20.019 your dreams of a perfect world lie shattered at your feet. 00:13:20.939 --> 00:13:23.500 Because if you don't live with an eternity perspective, 00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:27.259 you will always live more disappointed than thankful. 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:33.519 You will always see the things which happen in life, 00:13:33.579 --> 00:13:34.419 and you will grumble. 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:37.299 You will tell everybody about that boss. 00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:41.360 You will grumble to everyone who will listen to you 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:43.500 about the hardships in your life. 00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:44.840 Because grumblers, 00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:48.039 and I am sometimes, 00:13:49.100 --> 00:13:53.320 grumblers are people who have lost perspective of eternity, 00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:56.440 and you think that paradise is meant to be now. 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:00.200 But that's not, 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:02.000 that's the first implication. 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:02.899 The second implication, 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:06.919 if you lose the perspective that here is not paradise, 00:14:06.919 --> 00:14:11.919 you will always live in fear of missing out. 00:14:13.099 --> 00:14:15.799 If you think that here is your final destination, 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:20.079 you will try and cram everything into your life right now. 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:23.059 You'll begin to try and get everything for yourself. 00:14:23.179 --> 00:14:25.879 You'll center everything around getting what you want. 00:14:27.179 --> 00:14:27.559 And you see, 00:14:27.679 --> 00:14:29.519 that is why people are so impatient. 00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:33.319 I don't know if impatience is a problem for you, 00:14:33.939 --> 00:14:35.960 but impatience is simply saying, 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.919 I'm God around here. 00:14:38.299 --> 00:14:41.960 I've got to have things done now in my timing. 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:43.360 I'm not going to wait for God. 00:14:44.699 --> 00:14:48.399 Because impatience wants paradise now for me. 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:52.860 But it's a sign that when you're impatient, 00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:55.299 you've lost perspective of eternity. 00:14:56.299 --> 00:14:58.019 You think that here is paradise. 00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:58.299 paradise. 00:14:59.199 --> 00:14:59.519 You see, 00:14:59.919 --> 00:15:01.860 you know when you go to the sales, 00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:04.220 and there's one product you really want to buy, 00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:05.960 and you notice it in the shop over there, 00:15:06.059 --> 00:15:07.659 and you see it's half price, 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:08.980 and your eyes light up, 00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:11.259 and you start walking towards it, 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:12.840 and then out of the corner of your eye, 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:15.399 you see that Mrs. Wong is also there, 00:15:15.439 --> 00:15:16.919 on the quest for the same product. 00:15:17.699 --> 00:15:18.559 At that moment, 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:20.759 panic starts to rise within you, 00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:22.899 and you forget about everybody else. 00:15:23.079 --> 00:15:24.360 Politeness goes out of the window, 00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:26.480 and you're charging towards that product 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:27.559 at the speed of light. 00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:29.759 And just as you get there, 00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:31.120 you get there before Mrs. Wong, 00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:32.019 you grab the product, 00:15:32.199 --> 00:15:33.879 and you turn around with a triumph, 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:36.079 that you have it. 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:39.899 But the problem is, 00:15:40.439 --> 00:15:42.259 you've lost perspective, 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:44.860 because you were afraid that you were going to miss out. 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.819 And we do this all the time. 00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:47.819 You do it on the MTR, 00:15:48.079 --> 00:15:49.220 just to get that one seat. 00:15:49.220 --> 00:15:51.080 You know, 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:51.840 every day, 00:15:51.940 --> 00:15:53.800 that daily athletics competition for the seat. 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:57.399 We talk about opportunity cost. 00:15:59.300 --> 00:15:59.519 You see, 00:15:59.660 --> 00:16:00.340 I think, 00:16:00.660 --> 00:16:02.279 when we talk about opportunity cost, 00:16:02.420 --> 00:16:04.200 that's often another way of saying, 00:16:04.560 --> 00:16:06.120 I'm afraid of missing out. 00:16:08.460 --> 00:16:11.240 Because we've loaded all our expectations in the present, 00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:14.960 and we've lost sight of eternity. 00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:19.200 But Abraham's lesson to us is, 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:23.220 if you're a Christian, 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:24.080 you're a nomad. 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:26.460 You're an alien and stranger, 00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:29.159 and sometimes you will be disappointed. 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:33.159 Sometimes you can make choices, 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:34.580 because you're following Jesus, 00:16:34.580 --> 00:16:38.180 which will mean that you will miss out now. 00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:44.520 But you don't miss out, 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:45.660 eventually, 00:16:46.020 --> 00:16:48.400 because Abraham says, 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:50.440 if you miss out now, 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:54.680 that will create a greater longing for that city, 00:16:54.940 --> 00:16:55.940 that better country, 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:57.120 that better possession, 00:16:57.580 --> 00:16:59.560 that God has planned for you. 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:01.740 It is so much better, 00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:02.539 and it says, 00:17:02.700 --> 00:17:05.539 God has prepared it for you. 00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:06.220 It's certain. 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:07.799 You don't have to fear, 00:17:07.859 --> 00:17:09.120 that you're going to miss out now, 00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:11.460 because you will have eternity, 00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:13.680 in the perfect world. 00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:14.900 That's the first point. 00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:16.920 It's not paradise now. 00:17:17.380 --> 00:17:18.000 Second point. 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.579 When you live, 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:21.039 we see life in perspective, 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:23.400 you will see the temporeness of the present. 00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:24.900 Read for me, 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:27.819 verse 23 to 26. 00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:28.980 By faith, 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:29.500 Moses, 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:30.400 when he was born, 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:31.599 was hidden for three months, 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:32.439 by his parents, 00:17:32.899 --> 00:17:34.879 because they saw that the child was beautiful, 00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:37.339 and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.279 By faith, 00:17:38.379 --> 00:17:38.599 Moses, 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.980 when he was grown up, 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:42.480 refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 00:17:43.119 --> 00:17:45.839 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God, 00:17:46.179 --> 00:17:48.419 than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 00:17:48.939 --> 00:17:50.759 He considered the reproach of Christ, 00:17:50.879 --> 00:17:52.599 greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, 00:17:53.159 --> 00:17:55.679 for he was looking to the reward. 00:17:57.339 --> 00:17:58.919 Moses is another story, 00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:00.180 which is all about, 00:18:01.300 --> 00:18:02.120 if you know the story, 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:03.160 it's all about a guy, 00:18:03.360 --> 00:18:04.500 who's been saved, 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:06.600 from death, 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.519 by the Egyptians, 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:09.120 he's brought into Pharaoh's household, 00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:10.759 he's brought up in Pharaoh, 00:18:10.860 --> 00:18:11.960 the king of Egypt's household, 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:13.900 he's got amazing job prospects. 00:18:14.600 --> 00:18:17.420 He could become one of the most powerful people, 00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:18.840 in the whole of Egypt, 00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:20.299 but inside, 00:18:20.419 --> 00:18:21.859 he knows that he's a Jew, 00:18:22.139 --> 00:18:23.859 he belongs to God, 00:18:24.119 --> 00:18:25.740 and yet he has this conflict, 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:27.459 because he sees his own people, 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:28.720 who are oppressed, 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:32.639 and at one point, 00:18:33.159 --> 00:18:35.659 he has this tension, 00:18:35.959 --> 00:18:36.679 and he calls it, 00:18:36.759 --> 00:18:37.439 here in the passage, 00:18:37.559 --> 00:18:38.000 he says, 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:41.339 he chose, 00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:43.700 to be mistreated, 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:44.619 with the people of God, 00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:45.599 rather than to enjoy, 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:47.920 the fleeting pleasures of sin. 00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:49.140 You see, 00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:51.039 that sin that he's talking about, 00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:52.359 I don't think was some kind of wild, 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:53.420 sexual immorality, 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:53.819 or anything, 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:54.079 no, 00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:55.519 the sin that he's talking about, 00:18:55.579 --> 00:18:58.019 was he could stay comfortable, 00:18:58.579 --> 00:18:59.240 in Egypt, 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:00.960 with all the wealth, 00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:02.079 that he had, 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:04.180 or he could choose, 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:06.220 to follow what God, 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:07.960 had called him to do in his life, 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:10.039 which was to identify himself, 00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:10.759 with his people, 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:12.620 and to be the one, 00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:13.880 who would lead them out of Egypt, 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:15.519 and he chose, 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:17.339 he chose to miss out, 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:17.759 actually, 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:19.519 he chose to be identified, 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.380 with the people, 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:21.920 and actually, 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.539 he had to go into the wilderness, 00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:24.579 for 40 years, 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:25.900 he lost it all, 00:19:27.180 --> 00:19:29.579 but the key word there is, 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:32.680 it was the fleeting pleasures, 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.600 of sin, 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:35.399 comfort, 00:19:35.879 --> 00:19:36.539 and pleasure, 00:19:36.939 --> 00:19:37.740 is for the moment, 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:39.879 following Christ, 00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:40.639 and the pleasure, 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.719 that he will give, 00:19:42.159 --> 00:19:43.039 is for eternity, 00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:45.719 you see, 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:47.939 what an eternity perspective does, 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:48.819 it gives you, 00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:49.899 the big picture, 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.519 of life, 00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:52.740 a long term view, 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:53.240 of life, 00:19:53.419 --> 00:19:54.619 what we normally do, 00:19:54.659 --> 00:19:55.480 is we shrink, 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:56.500 our lives down, 00:19:56.679 --> 00:19:58.339 to just narrow moments, 00:19:58.419 --> 00:19:59.240 in our lives, 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:00.919 where, 00:20:01.179 --> 00:20:02.059 things that just, 00:20:02.179 --> 00:20:03.379 begin to wrap us up, 00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:04.460 they're just small things, 00:20:04.560 --> 00:20:05.540 but they wrap us up, 00:20:05.580 --> 00:20:06.580 they consume us, 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:09.780 and we can no longer, 00:20:09.780 --> 00:20:10.780 see beyond the moment, 00:20:10.860 --> 00:20:11.740 let me put it another way, 00:20:12.820 --> 00:20:14.460 in this room, 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:15.220 50, 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:15.760 60, 00:20:15.820 --> 00:20:16.880 or 70 years later, 00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:18.960 pretty much, 00:20:19.040 --> 00:20:19.700 all of us, 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:20.720 will be dead, 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:22.940 have you thought about that, 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:24.580 now, 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:25.660 I'm sorry to be morbid, 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.260 at kind of, 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.300 new year, 00:20:27.560 --> 00:20:28.180 but actually, 00:20:28.280 --> 00:20:29.500 I'm not that sorry, 00:20:29.800 --> 00:20:30.200 because, 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:31.820 as Christians, 00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:33.359 how often, 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:34.500 do you ever think, 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.240 of death, 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:37.079 some of you do, 00:20:37.159 --> 00:20:37.480 I know, 00:20:38.119 --> 00:20:39.519 but, 00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:40.839 we should think about it, 00:20:40.919 --> 00:20:41.299 far more, 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:42.939 because what death does, 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:44.480 it puts life, 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.960 in perspective, 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:47.359 you see, 00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:48.179 what is truly, 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:48.819 important, 00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:49.779 in life, 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:50.720 you see, 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:51.419 I saw, 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.579 the, 00:20:52.679 --> 00:20:53.779 the Disney version, 00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:54.039 of, 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:55.259 Charles Dickens, 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:56.119 A Christmas Carol, 00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:57.500 over Christmas, 00:20:58.319 --> 00:20:58.839 very good, 00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.240 watch it, 00:20:59.279 --> 00:20:59.960 if you haven't seen it, 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.640 but if you don't know the story, 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.299 it's basically, 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:03.480 about an old stingy man, 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.299 called Scrooge, 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:05.720 who hates Christmas, 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:06.440 who, 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:07.920 who just wants, 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:08.740 to live his life, 00:21:08.880 --> 00:21:09.920 to make as much money, 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:11.079 as he wants to, 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:12.059 he doesn't care, 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:13.220 about anybody else, 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:14.900 and then one day, 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:15.500 he's visited, 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:16.779 by a number of ghosts, 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:18.220 and one of the ghosts, 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.200 who visits him, 00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:20.299 is a ghost, 00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:21.359 who is actually, 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:23.359 his former business partner, 00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:24.799 who was just like him, 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.460 in life, 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:27.339 but when he comes, 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:27.819 to him, 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:30.220 he comes with chains, 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:31.559 which are held down, 00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:32.419 by all the money, 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:33.700 that he gained in life, 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:35.579 and he's suffering, 00:21:35.899 --> 00:21:36.319 greatly, 00:21:36.399 --> 00:21:37.159 because he's restless, 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:38.359 and he says, 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:39.159 he says this, 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:40.299 I quote, 00:21:42.419 --> 00:21:44.019 no space of regret, 00:21:44.419 --> 00:21:45.559 can make amends, 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:46.639 for one life's, 00:21:46.639 --> 00:21:48.019 opportunity misused, 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.960 such was I, 00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:51.339 oh such was I, 00:21:52.619 --> 00:21:53.599 the guy Scrooge, 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:54.200 replies, 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:55.279 you were always, 00:21:55.340 --> 00:21:56.600 a good man of business, 00:21:56.840 --> 00:21:57.140 Jacob, 00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:59.059 business, 00:21:59.400 --> 00:22:00.680 cried the ghost, 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:02.340 wringing its hands again, 00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:04.680 mankind was my business, 00:22:05.360 --> 00:22:06.340 the common welfare, 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:07.420 was my business, 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:08.539 charity, 00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:09.279 mercy, 00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:10.100 patience, 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:10.980 kindness, 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:12.559 were all my business, 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:15.059 the dealings of my trade, 00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:16.940 were but a drop of water, 00:22:17.380 --> 00:22:19.360 in the comprehensive ocean, 00:22:19.840 --> 00:22:20.880 of my business, 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:23.660 what he's saying is, 00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:24.820 he'd made life, 00:22:24.820 --> 00:22:25.500 so narrow, 00:22:26.340 --> 00:22:27.560 that he'd actually missed, 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:29.200 the big picture, 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:30.920 of all that God, 00:22:31.040 --> 00:22:31.800 had for him, 00:22:32.860 --> 00:22:34.400 now I'm going to confess, 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:35.160 something to you, 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.700 please don't let it go, 00:22:36.800 --> 00:22:37.580 beyond this room, 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:38.320 because this is, 00:22:38.560 --> 00:22:39.320 very important, 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.140 Fiona and I, 00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:41.779 have been married, 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.700 for six months, 00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:45.740 and I happened to, 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:46.519 meet a friend, 00:22:46.619 --> 00:22:47.139 the other day, 00:22:47.339 --> 00:22:47.420 and, 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:48.960 and, 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:50.119 while I was waiting, 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:51.220 I got talking to a guy, 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:51.480 and, 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.519 who I knew a bit, 00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:53.420 and he said to me, 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.359 oh I heard you got married, 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:55.059 I said yes, 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:56.019 and then, 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:57.980 he looked down, 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.819 at my finger, 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:02.119 and he said, 00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:04.379 where's your wedding ring, 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:08.000 at that moment, 00:23:08.139 --> 00:23:09.519 I wanted the second coming, 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:10.819 to come very quickly, 00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:13.819 because I never take off, 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:15.119 my wedding ring usually, 00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:16.220 and suddenly, 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:17.059 I realized, 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:18.180 I had no clue, 00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:19.000 where it was, 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:21.660 I looked, 00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:23.240 everywhere for it, 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:26.140 as I went home, 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:27.099 and was thinking about, 00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:28.480 how to tell Fiona, 00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:30.359 fearing the Armageddon, 00:23:30.420 --> 00:23:31.299 was on its way, 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:33.779 I kind of thought, 00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:34.500 of all the tactics, 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:34.980 you know, 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.240 okay, 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:36.539 I just want to take you out, 00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:36.900 for a meal, 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:37.720 at the Four Seasons, 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.099 you know, 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:39.140 there's nothing behind this, 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:41.740 but as I told her, 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:42.839 eventually, 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:44.019 I plucked up the courage, 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:46.220 and, 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.480 I said to her, 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.220 what had happened, 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:49.600 fearing the worst, 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:52.079 and her reply, 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.860 shocked me actually, 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:56.360 because she said to me, 00:23:57.380 --> 00:23:58.380 and I'm paraphrasing, 00:23:58.559 --> 00:23:59.120 something like, 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:00.319 you know, 00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:01.140 I'm disappointed, 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:03.140 but, 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:04.620 you know what, 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:07.039 in the grand scheme of things, 00:24:07.360 --> 00:24:09.360 it's just a bit of metal, 00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:11.460 it's not, 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:13.039 that important, 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:15.420 there's more important things in life, 00:24:15.420 --> 00:24:17.740 now, 00:24:18.380 --> 00:24:19.800 you see, 00:24:19.860 --> 00:24:20.539 at that moment, 00:24:21.340 --> 00:24:21.740 I mean, 00:24:21.800 --> 00:24:22.500 I was blown away, 00:24:22.560 --> 00:24:24.080 because instead of beating me over the head, 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:27.320 she extended grace to me, 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.440 for my carelessness, 00:24:29.580 --> 00:24:30.279 and I'm not, 00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:32.300 I'm not hiding behind the fact that, 00:24:32.560 --> 00:24:33.800 my carelessness in that, 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:35.740 but what I want you to get is this, 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.019 and, 00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:37.880 and by the way, 00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:40.599 don't use this husband's, 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:40.859 like, 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:42.640 say to your wives, 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:42.920 you know, 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.079 I, 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:43.779 honey, 00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:44.839 I lost the kids in, 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:45.640 in IFC, 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:46.720 and, 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:47.460 but you know, 00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:48.380 in the light of eternity, 00:24:48.380 --> 00:24:50.079 it's just not that important, 00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:51.180 don't go there, 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:51.559 okay, 00:24:51.620 --> 00:24:52.440 just don't go there, 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:55.660 but seriously, 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:57.000 what I'm saying is this, 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:59.539 there are so many things in our lives, 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:01.580 which, 00:25:02.100 --> 00:25:03.620 we start arguments about, 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.840 we stress over, 00:25:06.320 --> 00:25:09.440 which become these huge things in our eyes, 00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:12.460 but actually, 00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:15.000 in the big picture, 00:25:15.640 --> 00:25:16.840 in the light of eternity, 00:25:17.620 --> 00:25:19.039 aren't that important, 00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:22.240 it's not that wedding ring is not important at all, 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:23.400 I'm going to get another one, 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:23.880 it's okay, 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:24.380 don't worry, 00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:27.460 but in the light of eternity, 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:29.440 it's not worth arguing about, 00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:31.640 it's not worth fighting about, 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:33.340 see, 00:25:33.400 --> 00:25:34.480 we narrow our focus, 00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:35.660 so much so, 00:25:35.840 --> 00:25:36.640 often in life, 00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:37.720 to the little things, 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:39.620 that we lose the perspective, 00:25:40.100 --> 00:25:41.720 of who God wants us to be, 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:43.940 of the race that God has got us on, 00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:46.420 so that's the first thing, 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.680 here's not our home, 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:48.740 it's not paradise, 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:49.820 here, 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:51.600 look in the big picture, 00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:52.980 life is temporary, 00:25:53.619 --> 00:25:54.659 eternity is forever, 00:25:55.419 --> 00:25:56.059 third thing, 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:56.799 final point, 00:25:57.679 --> 00:25:59.719 when you see life, 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.599 in the light of eternity, 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:02.559 you run for a different prize, 00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:05.659 if you've noticed, 00:26:05.959 --> 00:26:07.379 all the way through this passage, 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:09.599 it keeps talking about reward, 00:26:10.639 --> 00:26:11.799 it keeps talking about, 00:26:11.879 --> 00:26:12.879 something that's better, 00:26:13.419 --> 00:26:14.439 it's better possession, 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:15.379 a better country, 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:16.480 a better home, 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:18.920 read for me, 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:20.200 chapter 11, 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:20.900 verse 6, 00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:22.759 it says, 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:24.120 and without faith, 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:25.460 it is impossible, 00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:26.400 to please him, 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:27.279 to please God, 00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:28.599 for whoever, 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:30.019 would draw near to God, 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.440 must believe, 00:26:31.640 --> 00:26:32.579 that he exists, 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:33.160 now, 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:34.000 if you're a Christian, 00:26:34.120 --> 00:26:34.680 you're probably doing, 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.640 pretty well on that one, 00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:36.420 okay, 00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:37.319 even if you're not, 00:26:37.400 --> 00:26:38.299 you may do quite well, 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:38.759 on that one, 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:40.660 but read the next part, 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.319 this is stunning, 00:26:41.319 --> 00:26:45.839 you must believe, 00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:47.799 that he rewards, 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:49.240 those, 00:26:49.879 --> 00:26:50.899 that seek him, 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:53.240 you must believe, 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:54.279 that he rewards, 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:54.859 those, 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:55.799 that seek him, 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.799 the thing about, 00:26:58.439 --> 00:26:59.319 the reward, 00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:00.119 that God offers, 00:27:01.439 --> 00:27:03.000 is that God, 00:27:03.899 --> 00:27:05.139 is the reward, 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:07.099 everything else, 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:07.700 flows, 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:09.039 from a relationship, 00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:10.319 with him, 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.299 in perfection, 00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:13.099 he is the greatest prize, 00:27:13.939 --> 00:27:16.500 and that when you know him, 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.639 the reward, 00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:18.720 that flows from that, 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.319 is incredible, 00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:23.159 but, 00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:25.079 I think, 00:27:25.179 --> 00:27:26.339 if I think about myself, 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.119 and I think about, 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:28.299 many other people I know, 00:27:29.339 --> 00:27:30.559 often, 00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:31.419 we don't think, 00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:32.500 that God's heaven, 00:27:32.619 --> 00:27:33.700 that being with God, 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.679 is so amazing, 00:27:35.359 --> 00:27:36.599 the prospect of eternity, 00:27:36.599 --> 00:27:37.059 with God, 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:38.319 doesn't thrill us, 00:27:38.599 --> 00:27:39.599 because God, 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:40.899 doesn't thrill us, 00:27:41.319 --> 00:27:42.759 you see, 00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:43.279 life, 00:27:43.679 --> 00:27:45.839 is often filled, 00:27:46.639 --> 00:27:48.659 with things, 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.399 that are hurtful, 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.019 and painful, 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.159 but, 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:51.599 and still, 00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:53.399 you really understand, 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:54.899 the goodness, 00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:56.299 of God, 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:58.359 and that knowing him, 00:27:58.419 --> 00:27:59.299 is amazing, 00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.839 beyond compare, 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:02.679 you will live, 00:28:02.879 --> 00:28:04.039 with other things, 00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:05.200 as your hope, 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:07.880 because some of us, 00:28:07.880 --> 00:28:08.920 feel very disappointed, 00:28:09.140 --> 00:28:10.200 and let down by God, 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:11.340 you know, 00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:12.519 maybe things have been tough, 00:28:12.580 --> 00:28:13.019 in life, 00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:14.799 maybe you've lost loved ones, 00:28:15.120 --> 00:28:16.019 maybe the marriage, 00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:16.600 that you thought, 00:28:16.660 --> 00:28:17.880 was going to be made in heaven, 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:19.640 actually quickly turned to hell, 00:28:20.080 --> 00:28:21.039 maybe the church, 00:28:21.120 --> 00:28:21.500 that you thought, 00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:22.460 was going to love you, 00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.420 judged you, 00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:24.480 and hurt you badly, 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:26.160 and now you have, 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:27.920 a doubt, 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:29.380 about the goodness of God, 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:32.140 and so your heart, 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.099 in your heart of hearts, 00:28:33.160 --> 00:28:34.240 your heart is not warmed, 00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:35.079 by the idea, 00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:35.759 of an eternity, 00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:36.660 with God, 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:39.000 the thing is, 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:39.940 a heart, 00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:41.180 that tends to doubt, 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:42.759 the goodness of God, 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:44.220 doesn't tend to run, 00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:45.420 to him for help, 00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:47.140 doesn't tend to desire, 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:48.940 to be with him, 00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:51.720 and I think often, 00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:53.360 we've become resentful, 00:28:53.860 --> 00:28:54.880 towards God, 00:28:54.940 --> 00:28:56.160 because we have, 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:57.880 a destination mentality, 00:28:58.380 --> 00:28:59.059 we think, 00:28:59.380 --> 00:29:00.160 that God, 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:03.019 you should answer my prayer now, 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:04.420 you should come through, 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:05.019 for me now, 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:06.240 you didn't deliver, 00:29:06.360 --> 00:29:07.420 what you said, 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:08.259 you were going to deliver, 00:29:08.600 --> 00:29:09.100 so God, 00:29:09.200 --> 00:29:10.140 you can't be good, 00:29:10.380 --> 00:29:11.039 and God says, 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:12.660 no I never promised, 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:14.200 that I give you paradise now, 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:16.440 but I promise, 00:29:16.440 --> 00:29:19.680 that I've got something, 00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:20.580 better for you, 00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:22.559 I've got something, 00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:24.559 that is worth the wait, 00:29:25.360 --> 00:29:27.600 so will you trust me, 00:29:29.600 --> 00:29:32.019 will you trust me, 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:35.740 because the author of Hebrews, 00:29:36.580 --> 00:29:37.600 and we're going to, 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.700 finish through, 00:29:38.820 --> 00:29:40.180 just with these last three verses, 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:41.299 the author of Hebrews, 00:29:41.580 --> 00:29:42.080 answer, 00:29:42.360 --> 00:29:43.320 when we've lost sight, 00:29:43.360 --> 00:29:45.519 of how good God is, 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:46.759 and we're wondering, 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.700 about the race, 00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:48.740 that we're going on, 00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:50.559 and we're beginning to doubt, 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:51.700 whether we should go on that, 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:53.839 Hebrews chapter 12, 00:29:53.940 --> 00:29:54.500 one to three, 00:29:55.859 --> 00:29:56.700 therefore, 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:58.039 since we are surrounded, 00:29:58.160 --> 00:29:59.079 by so great a cloud, 00:29:59.119 --> 00:29:59.599 of witnesses, 00:29:59.859 --> 00:30:01.039 let us also lay aside, 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:02.319 every weight and sin, 00:30:02.379 --> 00:30:03.639 which clings so closely, 00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:05.019 and let us run, 00:30:05.180 --> 00:30:05.940 with endurance, 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:07.139 the race that is set, 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:07.819 before us, 00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:08.900 looking to Jesus, 00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:10.160 the founder and perfecter, 00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:10.799 of our faith, 00:30:11.079 --> 00:30:11.839 who for the joy, 00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:13.039 that was set before him, 00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:14.259 endured the cross, 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:15.500 despising the shame, 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.579 and is seated, 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.859 at the right hand, 00:30:17.900 --> 00:30:18.900 of the throne of God, 00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:20.200 consider him, 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:21.740 who endured from sinners, 00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:22.920 such hostility, 00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:24.220 against himself, 00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:25.579 so that you may not, 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:26.220 grow weary, 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:27.799 or faint hearted, 00:30:28.039 --> 00:30:29.420 what Hebrews is telling you, 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:29.819 is here, 00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:31.279 you've got to do four things, 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:32.440 first of all, 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:33.700 look around you, 00:30:33.819 --> 00:30:35.579 at those who have gone before, 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:37.640 you read in the Bible, 00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:39.440 read the Christian biographies, 00:30:39.440 --> 00:30:40.879 see the life of people, 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:41.680 who have gone before, 00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:44.600 secondly, 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:45.519 look at Jesus, 00:30:46.320 --> 00:30:47.259 look at Jesus, 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:49.100 and he will inspire you, 00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.120 the image here, 00:30:50.220 --> 00:30:51.860 is of an athletic stadium, 00:30:52.140 --> 00:30:53.120 filled with thousands, 00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:54.160 of spectators, 00:30:54.560 --> 00:30:55.900 shouting and cheering, 00:30:56.080 --> 00:30:56.900 the athletes, 00:30:57.120 --> 00:30:58.380 who are on the race, 00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:01.400 and as you, 00:31:01.600 --> 00:31:02.360 are there, 00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:04.019 in that race, 00:31:05.080 --> 00:31:06.160 you look around, 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:06.840 at the crowd, 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.940 and who do you see, 00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:10.160 you see all the heroes, 00:31:10.160 --> 00:31:12.000 of the Christian faith, 00:31:12.380 --> 00:31:13.620 and they're all there, 00:31:13.820 --> 00:31:14.580 you see David, 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:15.340 you see Moses, 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:16.220 you see Abraham, 00:31:16.360 --> 00:31:16.920 you see Paul, 00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:17.840 you see Peter, 00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:18.980 and they're all there, 00:31:19.120 --> 00:31:20.800 and they're all cheering for you, 00:31:21.019 --> 00:31:21.960 saying come on, 00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:22.840 press on, 00:31:23.060 --> 00:31:23.860 it's worth it, 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:24.820 it's worth it, 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:25.800 it's worth it, 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:26.759 keep going, 00:31:27.600 --> 00:31:28.560 keep going, 00:31:28.640 --> 00:31:29.460 on the race, 00:31:29.560 --> 00:31:30.759 that God has given for you, 00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:34.120 and then, 00:31:34.300 --> 00:31:35.240 you look around, 00:31:35.340 --> 00:31:36.040 to the finishing, 00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:36.980 straight, 00:31:37.080 --> 00:31:38.660 of this long distance race, 00:31:38.660 --> 00:31:39.540 and there, 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.940 you are transfixed, 00:31:41.060 --> 00:31:42.420 by one figure, 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:44.720 the greatest champion, 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:45.620 of all, 00:31:45.840 --> 00:31:46.540 the one, 00:31:46.700 --> 00:31:48.060 who won more records, 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:49.140 than anybody else, 00:31:49.320 --> 00:31:50.300 the one who stands, 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:51.400 and ran the toughest, 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:53.220 race of everybody, 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:55.500 you see Jesus, 00:31:56.300 --> 00:31:59.580 and if you tend, 00:31:59.800 --> 00:32:01.040 to doubt his goodness, 00:32:02.120 --> 00:32:03.100 when you look at him, 00:32:03.180 --> 00:32:03.880 what do you see, 00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:05.620 but you see, 00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:06.940 nail prints, 00:32:06.940 --> 00:32:07.900 in his hands, 00:32:08.860 --> 00:32:10.259 and his feet, 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:10.960 and you look, 00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:11.880 into his forehead, 00:32:12.320 --> 00:32:12.920 and you see, 00:32:13.140 --> 00:32:14.100 deeply etched, 00:32:14.160 --> 00:32:14.980 a scar, 00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:15.880 there, 00:32:16.440 --> 00:32:17.759 and you know, 00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:19.080 that he ran, 00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:20.100 that race, 00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:21.259 for you, 00:32:21.820 --> 00:32:23.779 he ran it, 00:32:23.900 --> 00:32:24.440 for you, 00:32:25.140 --> 00:32:27.680 he's the founder, 00:32:27.840 --> 00:32:28.820 and perfecter, 00:32:28.880 --> 00:32:29.680 of our faith, 00:32:29.820 --> 00:32:30.640 that word founder, 00:32:30.640 --> 00:32:31.920 means the forerunner, 00:32:32.080 --> 00:32:33.180 the one who's gone before, 00:32:33.400 --> 00:32:34.279 the one who's blazed, 00:32:34.279 --> 00:32:34.819 the trail, 00:32:35.099 --> 00:32:36.180 the one who's done, 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:37.220 the toughest race, 00:32:37.220 --> 00:32:37.740 for you, 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:41.579 so he can inspire, 00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.420 you to carry on, 00:32:42.460 --> 00:32:43.059 but he's not just, 00:32:43.099 --> 00:32:43.639 an example, 00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:45.460 he's also the perfecter, 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:46.259 of your faith, 00:32:46.639 --> 00:32:47.599 when you're weary, 00:32:47.779 --> 00:32:48.500 when you're tired, 00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:48.940 he says, 00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:51.059 I empower you, 00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:51.899 for this race, 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:53.139 I have done everything, 00:32:53.440 --> 00:32:54.799 to give you the strength, 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:55.779 to keep going, 00:32:55.879 --> 00:32:56.599 to press on, 00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:57.599 to that prize, 00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:58.680 that home, 00:32:58.799 --> 00:32:59.660 that I have made, 00:32:59.660 --> 00:33:00.279 for you, 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:04.039 so you just need, 00:33:04.079 --> 00:33:04.980 to persevere, 00:33:05.220 --> 00:33:05.720 and you need, 00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:07.019 to keep looking to me, 00:33:07.579 --> 00:33:08.420 you need, 00:33:08.460 --> 00:33:09.460 to keep looking to me, 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:10.799 when life is a struggle, 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:11.960 look to me, 00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:15.420 almost out of time, 00:33:16.319 --> 00:33:18.940 what we need, 00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:19.960 to do in response, 00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:21.559 are two other things, 00:33:22.660 --> 00:33:24.059 lay aside every weight, 00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.839 and lay aside, 00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:26.339 the sin, 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:27.339 that so closely, 00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:28.319 clings to us, 00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:30.720 thing is, 00:33:30.939 --> 00:33:31.619 if you're carrying, 00:33:31.700 --> 00:33:32.720 a few extra pounds, 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:34.779 you're not going to run, 00:33:34.819 --> 00:33:35.779 the race so well, 00:33:36.299 --> 00:33:38.679 so if, 00:33:38.819 --> 00:33:39.659 there are things, 00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.599 that you know, 00:33:42.319 --> 00:33:42.960 that actually, 00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:43.740 weigh you down, 00:33:43.859 --> 00:33:44.819 things as you're thinking, 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:45.779 about 2014, 00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:46.839 they're consuming, 00:33:46.980 --> 00:33:47.500 your thoughts, 00:33:47.679 --> 00:33:48.460 they don't have to be, 00:33:48.700 --> 00:33:49.079 bad things, 00:33:49.259 --> 00:33:50.179 they can be good, 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:51.339 hopes and dreams, 00:33:51.460 --> 00:33:51.960 maybe hopes, 00:33:52.019 --> 00:33:52.859 for a job position, 00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:54.419 maybe the health, 00:33:54.419 --> 00:33:55.079 of your family, 00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:56.839 maybe the education, 00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:57.819 of your children, 00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:59.279 maybe you're a spouse, 00:33:59.659 --> 00:34:00.759 anything like that, 00:34:00.879 --> 00:34:01.500 but actually, 00:34:01.700 --> 00:34:02.939 it's consumed you, 00:34:03.319 --> 00:34:05.059 that's all you're thinking about, 00:34:06.359 --> 00:34:08.460 the challenge is, 00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:12.199 lay it at the feet, 00:34:12.340 --> 00:34:13.000 of the one, 00:34:13.139 --> 00:34:14.340 who loves you enough, 00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:15.500 to have died for you, 00:34:16.219 --> 00:34:17.099 and say, 00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:19.920 God help me not to make this, 00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:21.279 the focus of my life, 00:34:21.539 --> 00:34:22.880 I lay it before you, 00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:25.799 because life is not about me, 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:26.900 it's about you, 00:34:26.980 --> 00:34:27.000 it's about you, 00:34:27.640 --> 00:34:29.800 because in eternity, 00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:30.720 it's not about me, 00:34:31.080 --> 00:34:31.960 it's about God, 00:34:33.780 --> 00:34:35.160 and lay aside the sin, 00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:36.560 that clings so closely, 00:34:36.680 --> 00:34:37.640 maybe there are habits, 00:34:37.960 --> 00:34:38.600 that you know, 00:34:38.680 --> 00:34:39.400 you've been in, 00:34:39.519 --> 00:34:40.300 this year, 00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:41.280 and you just allow them, 00:34:41.360 --> 00:34:41.800 to drift, 00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:43.000 eternity says, 00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:44.039 you've got to deal, 00:34:44.180 --> 00:34:44.680 with them now, 00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:45.820 find someone, 00:34:46.120 --> 00:34:47.019 that if you know, 00:34:47.100 --> 00:34:48.180 you've been struggling, 00:34:48.340 --> 00:34:48.920 with something, 00:34:49.600 --> 00:34:50.340 find someone, 00:34:50.539 --> 00:34:51.380 in 2014, 00:34:51.800 --> 00:34:52.640 that you say, 00:34:52.639 --> 00:34:53.039 hey, 00:34:53.139 --> 00:34:53.799 I want you, 00:34:53.940 --> 00:34:54.980 to hold me accountable, 00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:56.500 to this specific thing, 00:34:56.559 --> 00:34:57.859 I want you to challenge me, 00:34:58.000 --> 00:34:59.559 because I want to run this race, 00:34:59.639 --> 00:35:00.619 I don't want anything, 00:35:00.819 --> 00:35:02.019 to hinder me from it, 00:35:03.059 --> 00:35:06.359 because an eternity perspective, 00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:07.900 gives you balance in life, 00:35:08.639 --> 00:35:09.940 it enables you, 00:35:10.119 --> 00:35:11.819 when you enjoy the comforts, 00:35:11.879 --> 00:35:13.219 the pleasures of this life, 00:35:14.099 --> 00:35:15.420 you can enjoy them, 00:35:15.480 --> 00:35:16.279 because you know, 00:35:16.379 --> 00:35:17.299 they are a glimpse, 00:35:17.699 --> 00:35:18.799 of the perfect world, 00:35:18.900 --> 00:35:19.879 that God has for you, 00:35:20.259 --> 00:35:20.960 enjoy them, 00:35:20.960 --> 00:35:23.280 but no, 00:35:23.420 --> 00:35:24.340 don't cling to them, 00:35:24.860 --> 00:35:26.559 because life is temporary, 00:35:27.559 --> 00:35:28.760 those things can be temporary, 00:35:30.360 --> 00:35:31.840 here is not your home, 00:35:33.240 --> 00:35:34.440 and God has something, 00:35:34.559 --> 00:35:35.599 so much better for you, 00:35:36.300 --> 00:35:38.619 and if you don't get, 00:35:38.679 --> 00:35:39.400 the things you want, 00:35:39.780 --> 00:35:40.740 you can be disappointed, 00:35:41.880 --> 00:35:42.599 you can be, 00:35:42.880 --> 00:35:44.659 sad, 00:35:45.280 --> 00:35:46.760 but it won't crush you, 00:35:46.920 --> 00:35:47.760 because you know, 00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:50.000 that that is to prepare you, 00:35:50.000 --> 00:35:51.440 to have a greater longing, 00:35:52.179 --> 00:35:53.300 for the destination, 00:35:53.800 --> 00:35:55.159 that God is going to take you to, 00:35:56.000 --> 00:35:58.219 the prize is God himself, 00:35:59.380 --> 00:36:00.820 live in the big picture, 00:36:01.360 --> 00:36:02.340 don't get wrapped up, 00:36:02.360 --> 00:36:03.199 in the small things, 00:36:03.960 --> 00:36:04.559 let's pray, 00:36:09.039 --> 00:36:10.139 maybe just, 00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:11.559 as you want to think about, 00:36:11.699 --> 00:36:12.800 what is your hope, 00:36:13.099 --> 00:36:13.980 for 2014, 00:36:13.980 --> 00:36:14.059 2014, 00:36:14.940 --> 00:36:18.539 what is your prayer, 00:36:18.639 --> 00:36:19.240 for 2014, 00:36:19.240 --> 00:36:19.300 for the future, 00:36:19.300 --> 00:36:19.360 2014, 00:36:19.360 --> 00:36:19.380 for the future, 00:36:19.380 --> 00:36:19.400 2014, 00:36:19.400 --> 00:36:19.420 2014, 00:36:19.420 --> 00:36:20.280 what is your prayer, 00:36:20.280 --> 00:36:20.320 for 2014, 00:36:20.320 --> 00:36:21.440 2014, 00:36:21.440 --> 00:36:23.199 2014, 00:36:23.199 --> 00:36:26.980 because, 00:36:27.340 --> 00:36:29.340 having hopes, 00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:29.840 and dreams, 00:36:29.920 --> 00:36:30.760 are good things, 00:36:31.440 --> 00:36:33.639 but God wants, 00:36:33.699 --> 00:36:34.380 to give you, 00:36:34.460 --> 00:36:35.340 a perspective, 00:36:35.639 --> 00:36:36.440 of eternity, 00:36:36.440 --> 00:36:37.740 for this coming year, 00:36:38.780 --> 00:36:40.079 where you don't cling, 00:36:40.219 --> 00:36:40.860 to your dreams, 00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:41.539 so tightly, 00:36:41.539 --> 00:36:42.639 that you become, 00:36:42.699 --> 00:36:43.219 a grumbler, 00:36:43.639 --> 00:36:44.360 that you become, 00:36:44.440 --> 00:36:45.139 a complainer, 00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:46.099 that you become, 00:36:46.199 --> 00:36:46.599 impatient, 00:36:47.679 --> 00:36:48.699 but that you can learn, 00:36:48.800 --> 00:36:50.300 to wait joyfully, 00:36:50.420 --> 00:36:51.019 Lord I pray, 00:36:51.159 --> 00:36:52.139 that you'd help us, 00:36:53.460 --> 00:36:54.380 help us, 00:36:55.320 --> 00:36:56.579 to see you, 00:36:56.699 --> 00:36:57.840 as our greatest prize, 00:36:57.960 --> 00:36:58.820 help us to be willing, 00:36:58.940 --> 00:36:59.579 to miss out, 00:36:59.679 --> 00:37:00.500 even this year, 00:37:00.619 --> 00:37:01.820 because there are times, 00:37:01.920 --> 00:37:02.480 where we want to just, 00:37:02.619 --> 00:37:03.219 follow you, 00:37:04.500 --> 00:37:05.219 and we're willing, 00:37:05.340 --> 00:37:06.279 to lay things aside, 00:37:06.340 --> 00:37:07.019 because there's something, 00:37:07.099 --> 00:37:08.219 so much better to come, 00:37:08.819 --> 00:37:09.939 please let heaven, 00:37:10.279 --> 00:37:11.299 become a reality, 00:37:11.299 --> 00:37:12.039 in our lives, 00:37:12.679 --> 00:37:14.039 let it become something, 00:37:14.339 --> 00:37:15.339 which shapes us, 00:37:15.399 --> 00:37:16.099 day by day, 00:37:16.799 --> 00:37:17.959 let us see the glory, 00:37:17.959 --> 00:37:18.759 of all that you have, 00:37:18.839 --> 00:37:19.579 planned for us, 00:37:20.259 --> 00:37:21.699 thank you so much, 00:37:21.899 --> 00:37:22.519 for your goodness, 00:37:23.199 --> 00:37:23.399 Amen.