WEBVTT

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 Well, good evening. Thanks so much for coming.

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 We're in the second of our Real Asianships series.

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 Last week we looked at friendship. That was a struggle.

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 This week we're looking at singleness.

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 And that eclipsed last week's difficulty.

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 Writing a biblical talk on friendship paled was easy compared to putting this together.

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 I hope it's helpful to all of us.

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 That's been my prayer. I've redrafted this talk five times.

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 And the first three went in the bin and started again.

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 So I hope that it's been refined rather than diluted as it's gone through its many iterations.

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 Singleness is a tricky subject to write on for a great number of reasons.

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 I read about seven books this week on the Christian view of singleness.

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 I would say six of them were basically dating advice for single people clothed in Christian language.

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 It's hard to write on because single status encapsulates a wide variety of people.

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 Those that have never been married, those that are divorced, and those that are widowed are all at present single.

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 It also encapsulates a wide range of ages.

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 I'm sure there are different struggles if you're single at 20 than if you're single at 70.

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 I also think there's a difference in gender.

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 I think perhaps single women think differently about their singleness to single men.

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 I can't say that for sure, having only got one perspective in my life.

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 Singleness also varies between the individuals.

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 Some single people see their singleness as a great blessing, whilst others see it as a great burden,

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 and many find themselves somewhere along that spectrum, depending on the days.

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 Some individuals have a real desire to be married, but yet remain single.

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 Others, for varying reasons, value and relish their single status.

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 Others started out with a desire to be married, but over time have learnt contentment in their singleness.

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 Yes.

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 I'm also very conscious that I'm speaking about singleness as someone miraculously who got married,

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 which is more to do with the grace of my wife and the wisdom of God than anything to do with me.

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 I found myself ironing this afternoon.

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 Thus was the sanctifying influence of marriage.

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 I thought to myself this would never have happened unless Aileen was gracious to me.

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 I'm also very conscious that while writing this, I don't want to be glib or patronising or to diminish what can be a very real struggle or a very great blessing of being single.

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 So having prayed, wrestled, read, ruminated and redrafted a lot, I hope that what I share this evening might be of real help.

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 It might bring blessing and be an eye-opener for all of us, no matter our marital status.

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 And we will leave enlightened, better equipped and with greater hoping in all that we have in Christ.

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 All of us have at one time been single.

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 And even if we're married, half of those people will perhaps leave this life single.

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 So it is perhaps more relevant than you would imagine.

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 So let me pray and then we'll get to work.

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 Paul writes, and he died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again.

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 So from now on, we regard no one from a worldly point of view.

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 Father, when it comes to this subject of relationships,

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 Father, when it comes to this subject of fulfilment and romantic love or lack of it,

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 Father, our world is saying one thing and your word is saying another.

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 And so I really pray that we might think about this subject not from a worldly point of view,

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 but we would see your wisdom, we would trust in your grace.

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 And we would love your son most, over and above all things on this earth.

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 So Lord, speak to us and help us guide our thinking, change our lives,

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 courage us along the way in our pursuit of your son, Jesus, we pray.

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 Amen.

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 2007 was the year in the UK where the number of single people,

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 number of single adults for the first time outnumbered the number of married adults.

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 We are now a majoritively unmarried culture.

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 Marriage has been on the decline since 1971 and is projected to fall below 35% of the population by 2031.

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 That only a third of adults in 15 years' time will be married.

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 These statistics are slightly more in favour of marriage within the church, as you might expect.

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 But single adults are a significant minority of most congregations.

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 Many in our churches are single and we are ministering to a majority single culture.

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 So thinking theologically about this subject is of vital importance.

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 Our culture and its pedestalling of romantic love makes the challenge and perception of singleness worse in our eyes.

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 Where would Hollywood be without the boy meets girl storyline?

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 How many songs would be in the charts if it wasn't for our fixation with romantic love?

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 What would people sing about if it isn't?

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 The longing for a love you don't have, finding the love you long for,

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 being rejected by the one you love or losing the love you once had.

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 In the eyes of our world, all you need is love.

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 And for that, in their eyes, you need a lover.

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 If you type online dating into Google, you get 145 million hits in 0.31 seconds.

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 It seems the only happy ending society can stomach is one with a couple walking hand in hand along the beach.

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 And that couple is made up of two people who have found the one.

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 Growing up, we give Barbie to our children for their birthdays and give them Ken for Christmas

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 to make the picture complete and palatable.

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 One of the most excruciating things I've ever had to do in ministry was speaking to an after-evening service Bible study,

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 which was lovingly called the Fellowship of the No Rings,

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 which was this collection of single people gathered from across three churches

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 who basically got together in the hope that they might be saved from their single status.

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 It was excruciating.

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 The way this group was spoken about by those not in the group was utterly embarrassing

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 and so dismissive and diminishing of these people.

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 It revealed just how much culture would shape people's thinking about personhood, contentment, and completeness.

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 Our surrounding culture sees people, 30 in their late 30s, who are still single,

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 and their question is, what's wrong?

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 Many of the books that I read simply said, if you're still single, it's your fault, you're too picky.

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 Lower your standards and get on with it.

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 So patronizing and so badly thought out.

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 So what does God have to say about singleness?

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 If we develop a biblical theology of singleness, how does that shape our thinking from God's Word

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 about how to think about this subject, how we value and live out the truth of God's Word in our lives?

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 Well, I think the first thing that I want to say is that the New Testament in particular

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 speaks about singleness in a way that is revolutionary compared to all the other world religions.

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 Astonishingly different.

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 Whilst the vast majority of monotheistic religions of the world all share similar family values and sexual ethics,

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 Christianity is worlds apart from these on the subject of singleness.

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 In Judaism, marriage is considered a commandment and celibacy is deplored.

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 In the Quran, the practice of celibacy is considered as exceeding the law of God.

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 Whilst marriage is akin to divinity in Mormonism,

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 where celestial marriage is necessary in order to enter heaven.

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 In traditional cultures, you are a non-person until you're married.

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 In modern cultures, you are unfulfilled unless you have a partner, husband or wife.

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 Christianity, however, not only affirms singleness,

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 but goes further describing it as a gift and a highly valued lifestyle within the believing community.

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 However, there is a lot of work we need to do to see that in all its radicalness.

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 I want to spend the first bit of time developing a biblical theology of singleness,

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 which I assure you is a lot more exciting than it sounds.

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 And then I want to see a few things that we can take away from that to think about singleness.

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 So here we go.

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 The creation, mandate and singleness.

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 I wonder, what is the first commandment that God gives to his creation in the Bible?

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 What is the first commandment that God gives to his creation in the Bible?

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 Be fruitful and multiply.

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 And who does he give that commandment to?

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 He gives it to the fish of the sea and the birds of the air in Genesis 1, verse 22.

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 In Genesis 1, 28, that same command is given to Adam and Eve with the added command to subdue the earth,

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 to be God's vice-regents over creation.

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 Therefore, in Eden, before the fall, reproducing oneself is a fundamental and natural task commissioned by God for all creation,

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 including human beings.

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 To achieve this end, it was necessary for the alone Adam to find, to have,

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 to have created a bespoke companion for him, a helper.

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 And so Eve is created that that creation mandate might be carried out.

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 Therefore, we can conclude in the creation mandate,

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 singleness was neither present nor appropriate,

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 as the need to procreate was intrinsic to obeying God's command.

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 See also in Genesis 3, as God is cursing them for their disobedience,

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 how fundamental offspring are to the redemptive promise that God makes to Adam and Eve amidst the curses.

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 So in Genesis 3, 15,

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 And I will put enmity between you and the woman,

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 and between your offspring and her offspring.

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 He will crush your head and you will strike his heel.

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 Therefore, the creation mandate continues,

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 And these two set of offspring will continue a struggle down through the ages

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 until one offspring will finally stamp out evil literally forever.

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 And therefore, descendants and procreation continue on.

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 Be fruitful and multiply in Eden.

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 As they're kicked out of Eden, be fruitful and multiply seems to continue.

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 After the flood, this mandate, be fruitful and multiply,

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 is repeated to Noah twice,

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 in Genesis 9, verse 1 and Genesis 9, verse 7.

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 So after the fall,

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 once God presses the reset button on creation with the flood,

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 the creation mandate still stands.

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 The necessity to be fruitful and multiply.

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 Therefore, who's in the ark?

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 Noah and his wife.

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 Shem, Ham and Japheth and their three wives.

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 Because to fulfill this mandate, you cannot go it alone.

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 If procreation is commanded,

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 then singleness is not viable.

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 Then we get to Abraham, Genesis 12.

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 In Genesis 12, God makes a covenant with Abraham

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 that is primarily involved in progeny,

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 in offspring.

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 So in Genesis 12, when the covenant is made,

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 Now the Lord said to Abraham,

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 Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house

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 to the land that I will show you.

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 And I will make you a great nation.

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 And I will bless you and make your name great

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 so that you will be a blessing.

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 I will bless those who bless you.

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 And him who dishonors you, I will curse.

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 And in you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

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 See that the core of this covenant surrounds the promise of children.

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 Becoming a great nation requires the multiplying of descendants

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 in order that the nation will be large and great and spectacular.

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 And this idea to have a great name in a Semitic culture

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 is to be remembered and venerated by your descendants.

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 Abraham will have a multitude of offspring

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 through which the world will be blessed.

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 It's intrinsic there in Genesis 12.

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 A few verses later, this is made more explicit.

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 As Abraham looks out over Canaan,

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 God says in verse 7,

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 To your offspring I will give this land.

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 This Abrahamic covenant is repeated

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 and developed upon five different occasions in Genesis.

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 And across the five, the promise of offspring

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 is explicitly mentioned 12 times

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 and illustrated using three different metaphors

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 that Abraham's descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth,

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 as numerous as the stars in the sky,

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 and as numerous as the sand on the seashore.

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 This dependence on offspring emphasizes the provision of God

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 in overcoming Sarah's barrenness.

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 If procreation is necessary in obedience to God,

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 then Sarah's barrenness will be a real problem.

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 So will Rebecca's in the next generation and Rachel's

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 in the generation to follow.

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 In the old covenant that builds from Abraham onwards,

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 God is focused on Israel as an ethnic people

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 and therefore the emphasis on marriage and reproduction

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 is universally the norm.

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 We get to the law and the law is bound up with children as well.

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 By the time we get to Exodus chapter 1,

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 we read that Israel were fruitful and increased greatly.

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 They multiplied and increased exceedingly.

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 They seem to have at least taken that command of God quite seriously.

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 And then in Deuteronomy 7,

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 when God is laying out the stipulations of the covenant,

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 he writes this about the blessing that will befall them

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 if they're obedient to him.

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 You shall therefore be careful

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 to do the commandment and the statutes

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 and the rules that I command you today.

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 And because you listen to these rules and keep and do them,

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 the Lord your God will keep with you

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 the covenant and the steadfast love that he swore to your fathers.

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 He will love you and bless you and multiply you.

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 He will also bless the fruit of your womb

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 and the fruit of your ground,

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 your grain and your wine and your oil,

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 the increase of your herds

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 and the young of your flock in the land

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 that he swore to your fathers to give you.

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 You shall be blessed above all people.

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 There shall not be male or female barren among you

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 or among your livestock.

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 And then at the end of Deuteronomy,

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 where this covenant is reiterated,

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 the curse is the complete opposite.

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 That if they're disobedient, barrenness will be the punishment.

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 There's also throughout Deuteronomy,

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 this concern about inheritance.

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 That somebody's name will not be blotted out

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 or cut off from the land.

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 There's exhaustive stipulations in the law

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 that people's inheritance,

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 which is necessitated by offspring,

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 will not fall into the wrong hands.

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 So in the year of Jubilee, you get everything back.

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 If you're a man and you die without male offspring,

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 you have a Leverite marriage where you marry,

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 your wife marries your brother.

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 Failing thought she got a bad deal the first time round.

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 That's what we see in the book of Ruth that we read from earlier.

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 That Ruth is a single lady,

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 a single Moabite lady going back to a foreign people

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 has very little prospects.

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 But Boaz, in the end, that great Boaz,

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 comes forward as the kinsman redeemer

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 who performs a Leverite marriage,

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 not to Elimelech's brother,

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 but to a very near relative.

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 The law of Moses, when you drill down into the detail,

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 gives no value or affirmation to singleness.

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 It's just not there.

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 Which brings us to David.

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 God makes a covenant with David,

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 which again is centered around offspring.

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 He's promised that he'll have a great name

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 like the name of great ones of the earth.

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 But further down, the Lord says,

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 I will make you a house, a dynasty.

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 I will raise up your offspring after you

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 who shall come from your body.

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 And your house and your kingdom

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 shall be made sure forever before me.

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 Your throne shall be established forever.

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 In the Old Testament,

00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:54.159
 this is what I'm trying to show,

00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:56.720
 singleness is not value.

00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:58.399
 It's not a fact.

00:18:59.099 --> 00:19:00.159
 It's not a norm.

00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:03.139
 In fact, as far as I can see,

00:19:03.179 --> 00:19:03.859
 in the Old Testament,

00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:05.200
 there were six groups of people

00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:07.759
 that were single, widows,

00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:10.140
 but most of them would have got married again.

00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:13.519
 Eunuchs, a most unenviable position

00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:14.700
 in ancient Israel,

00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:16.420
 seen as non-persons,

00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:17.660
 those that are diseased.

00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:20.000
 Those with a divine call,

00:19:20.100 --> 00:19:21.319
 the people like Jeremiah,

00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:23.460
 in Jeremiah 16,

00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:24.740
 is told not to marry,

00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:27.019
 as a visual metaphor

00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:30.259
 for how Israel has behaved.

00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:32.460
 The divorce,

00:19:32.600 --> 00:19:34.840
 the stipulations in Deuteronomy 24,

00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:36.980
 about grounds for divorce,

00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.559
 and young people

00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:40.100
 are waiting to be married.

00:19:40.860 --> 00:19:42.960
 So you get Isaac in Genesis 24,

00:19:43.319 --> 00:19:45.440
 and Samson in Judges 14,

00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:47.120
 both waiting for their parents

00:19:47.120 --> 00:19:49.259
 to arrange a marriage.

00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.940
 Further demonstrates

00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:53.539
 how undesirable singleness

00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:55.400
 was as regards the Old Covenant,

00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:59.279
 and how unusual singleness is

00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:00.940
 in the Old Testament.

00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:05.879
 It's not been a greatly encouraging talk so far

00:20:05.879 --> 00:20:06.599
 if you're single.

00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:09.859
 But it does get better.

00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:11.660
 It gets radically different.

00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:15.019
 And we start to see it in the prophets,

00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:17.379
 particularly in Isaiah.

00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:21.019
 There's something very unusual

00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:23.579
 against the backdrop of negative singleness

00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:26.500
 being foreshadowed in the prophets.

00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:28.240
 The winds of change

00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:29.940
 are blowing through the scriptures

00:20:29.940 --> 00:20:32.460
 as we move from old to new.

00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:37.400
 And so we get the fourth servant song,

00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:38.619
 the one that we love,

00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:41.539
 the end of Isaiah 52 and 53.

00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:44.259
 This foreshadowed description

00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:45.400
 of the Lord Jesus.

00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:47.980
 Says he was oppressed

00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:49.039
 and he was afflicted,

00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:50.640
 yet he did not open his mouth.

00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:53.279
 Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:54.059
 and like a sheep

00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:55.519
 before its shearers is silent,

00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:57.819
 so he opened not his mouth.

00:20:58.700 --> 00:21:00.039
 By oppression and judgment

00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:01.079
 he was taken away.

00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:03.160
 And who can speak of his descendants?

00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.279
 For he was cut off

00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:06.579
 out of the land of the living,

00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:08.519
 stricken for the transgression

00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.359
 of my people.

00:21:10.680 --> 00:21:12.059
 And they made his grave

00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:12.660
 with the wicked

00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:14.720
 and with a rich man in his death.

00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:17.440
 Although he had done no violence

00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:19.279
 and there was no deceit in his mouth.

00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:22.400
 It is clear that this character,

00:21:22.619 --> 00:21:24.079
 this suffering servant,

00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:25.439
 dies with no offspring.

00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:28.139
 Who can speak of his descendants?

00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:28.779
 No one.

00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:31.419
 He was cut off that Hebrew idiom

00:21:31.419 --> 00:21:32.619
 about not having anyone

00:21:32.619 --> 00:21:34.539
 to carry on his name.

00:21:35.939 --> 00:21:38.220
 Yet towards the end of the psalm,

00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:39.179
 in verse 10,

00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:41.220
 something remarkable happens.

00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:42.220
 He has put him to grief.

00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:43.680
 Yet it was the will of the Lord

00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:44.559
 to crush him.

00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:47.200
 He has put him to grief.

00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:50.339
 When his soul makes an offering for guilt,

00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:52.600
 he shall see his offspring,

00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:54.440
 he shall prolong his days.

00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:56.000
 The will of the Lord

00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:58.380
 shall prosper in his hands.

00:21:58.940 --> 00:22:00.740
 We have a servant who dies

00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:02.360
 without any natural offspring.

00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:05.680
 And yet once he's made atonement for sin,

00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:08.079
 he has offspring that he sees

00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:10.399
 and is satisfied by.

00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:12.980
 We have a figure in the future

00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.960
 who will be single

00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:15.500
 and yet have offspring.

00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:19.579
 What sort of offspring will they be?

00:22:20.879 --> 00:22:22.220
 Well, remarkable offspring.

00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:24.819
 A very different kind of offspring

00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:26.159
 because in Isaiah 54,

00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:29.039
 we have the song of a barren woman

00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:30.159
 and this is what she sings.

00:22:30.419 --> 00:22:31.819
 Sing, O barren one,

00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:33.419
 who did not bear,

00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:35.039
 break forth into singing

00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:36.060
 and cry aloud,

00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:38.279
 you who have not been in labor.

00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:41.320
 For the children of the desolate one

00:22:41.320 --> 00:22:42.840
 will be more than the children

00:22:42.840 --> 00:22:44.580
 of her who is married.

00:22:45.580 --> 00:22:46.259
 Says the Lord,

00:22:46.360 --> 00:22:47.920
 enlarge the place of your tent

00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:49.120
 and let the curtains

00:22:49.120 --> 00:22:50.400
 of your habitations

00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:51.180
 be stretched out.

00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:51.560
 Why?

00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:53.180
 Because there's lots more offspring.

00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:56.039
 You need to upsize.

00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:58.920
 This little barren woman is told,

00:22:59.039 --> 00:22:59.840
 do not hold back,

00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:00.740
 lengthen your cords

00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.820
 and strengthen your stakes.

00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:03.279
 For you will spread abroad

00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:04.819
 to the right and to the left

00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:06.000
 and your offspring

00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:07.299
 will possess the nations

00:23:07.299 --> 00:23:08.399
 and will be people

00:23:08.399 --> 00:23:10.259
 and will people

00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:12.200
 the desolate cities.

00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:15.819
 We get a servant who dies alone

00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:17.639
 and yet has offspring.

00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.960
 We have a barren woman

00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:20.700
 who has no descendants

00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:22.939
 and yet sings rejoicingly

00:23:22.939 --> 00:23:25.119
 over new offspring.

00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:27.559
 Just to make it even better

00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:28.700
 in Isaiah 56,

00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:30.899
 once this servant has come,

00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:32.660
 for thus says the Lord

00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:34.460
 and let the eunuch complain,

00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:36.000
 I am only a dry tree.

00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:37.780
 And let no eunuch complain,

00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:39.280
 I am only a dry tree.

00:23:39.860 --> 00:23:41.700
 To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbath,

00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:44.280
 who choose the things that please me

00:23:44.280 --> 00:23:45.640
 and hold fast my covenant,

00:23:46.280 --> 00:23:47.600
 I will give in my house

00:23:47.600 --> 00:23:48.440
 and within my walls

00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:49.759
 a monument and a name

00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:52.759
 better than sons and daughters.

00:23:53.580 --> 00:23:55.780
 I will give them an everlasting name

00:23:55.780 --> 00:23:58.580
 that shall not be cut off.

00:23:58.579 --> 00:24:02.000
 So the eunuch,

00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:04.519
 because of this servant,

00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:07.159
 is now welcomed in God's temple,

00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:09.259
 will have a everlasting name

00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:10.460
 that won't be cut off

00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:12.720
 and have a name greater

00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:14.939
 than sons and daughters.

00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:16.220
 Just to bring it full circle,

00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:17.179
 in Isaiah 56,

00:24:18.059 --> 00:24:19.839
 the foreigner has many children

00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:21.480
 and a great name

00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:23.720
 and a wonderful inheritance.

00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:26.460
 So through the old,

00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.980
 so though the old covenant

00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:29.960
 centers around ethnic Israel,

00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:31.559
 is marked by offspring

00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:33.900
 and therefore makes marriage implicit

00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:34.720
 and singleness cursed,

00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.720
 the picture in the prophets,

00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:39.140
 particularly Isaiah,

00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:41.220
 offers new hope

00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:44.160
 and stands in stark contrast.

00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:46.720
 Suddenly singleness is reinterpreted

00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:49.360
 and the covenant revolves

00:24:49.360 --> 00:24:51.000
 around a different kind of access.

00:24:51.860 --> 00:24:53.920
 Not a physical access,

00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:56.360
 but a spiritual access.

00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:59.360
 Not about being Abraham's descendants

00:24:59.360 --> 00:25:00.240
 by race,

00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:02.259
 but God's spiritual offspring

00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.660
 by grace.

00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:07.640
 By trusting the sufficient seed,

00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:09.319
 the serpent crushing son,

00:25:09.420 --> 00:25:10.519
 the obedient servant

00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:11.660
 and the forever king,

00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:13.059
 Jesus Christ.

00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:13.259
 Jesus Christ.

00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:15.119
 Suddenly it is not about

00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:16.200
 your human birth

00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:17.000
 or pedigree

00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:17.779
 or credentials.

00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:18.960
 It's not about

00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:20.599
 whether you're married or not.

00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:22.500
 The sole way

00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:24.599
 life now finds worth

00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.740
 is not about

00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:27.819
 whether you were born

00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:29.240
 or birthed your own children.

00:25:29.379 --> 00:25:31.059
 It's whether you were born from above

00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:33.759
 and regenerated by the Spirit.

00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.779
 Which forms a backdrop

00:25:35.779 --> 00:25:37.399
 to our New Testament.

00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.599
 And in the New Testament,

00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:41.460
 singleness is not only viable,

00:25:41.659 --> 00:25:42.759
 but affirmed.

00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:45.679
 It's not only an option for some,

00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:48.859
 it is a venerated pursuit for many.

00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:50.899
 John the Baptist,

00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:52.039
 the Apostle Paul,

00:25:52.159 --> 00:25:53.119
 some of the disciples,

00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:55.000
 and Jesus himself

00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:56.899
 are all single.

00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:58.740
 If Jesus,

00:25:58.919 --> 00:26:00.919
 the most complete human being

00:26:00.919 --> 00:26:02.059
 who ever lived,

00:26:02.659 --> 00:26:03.359
 was single,

00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:05.500
 then that is a stunning endorsement

00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:07.839
 as to the value of that status

00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:10.279
 now in the New Covenant.

00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:12.279
 If the Apostle Paul,

00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:13.519
 the most prolific writer

00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.460
 of the New Testament

00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:16.720
 and pioneering church planter

00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:18.079
 of the known world,

00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:18.680
 was single,

00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:19.779
 then we have to say

00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:21.740
 that things are markedly different

00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:24.180
 in the now present kingdom of God.

00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:25.839
 If John the Baptist,

00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:27.379
 who is described by Jesus

00:26:27.379 --> 00:26:28.920
 as the greatest of all men

00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:29.740
 born of woman,

00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.539
 if he were single,

00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:33.879
 we must see that there's

00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:35.319
 a markedly different

00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:36.639
 way of life

00:26:36.639 --> 00:26:37.579
 at the inauguration

00:26:37.579 --> 00:26:38.839
 of God's kingdom.

00:26:40.159 --> 00:26:41.839
 Jesus says only two things

00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:43.440
 explicitly about singleness

00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:44.899
 and neither of them

00:26:44.899 --> 00:26:46.159
 are addressing the subject

00:26:46.159 --> 00:26:46.819
 head on.

00:26:47.159 --> 00:26:48.519
 Both of them are in debates

00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:50.019
 with people trying to trap him.

00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:52.119
 So in Matthew 19,

00:26:52.879 --> 00:26:54.160
 as the Pharisees

00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:55.980
 try to trap Jesus,

00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.980
 he states that Moses

00:26:57.980 --> 00:27:00.180
 condescended to give them divorce

00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:02.259
 in the law

00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:04.139
 because of their hardness of heart.

00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.539
 It then says,

00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:09.599
 the disciples on the back of that

00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:11.700
 where Jesus says

00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.639
 that marriage is to be

00:27:12.639 --> 00:27:13.700
 honored and obeyed,

00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:14.960
 the disciples say,

00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:16.400
 if such is the case

00:27:16.400 --> 00:27:17.920
 of a man with his wife,

00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:19.139
 it is better not to marry.

00:27:20.080 --> 00:27:21.500
 But Jesus said to them,

00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:23.480
 not everyone can receive

00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.140
 this saying,

00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:25.620
 but only those

00:27:25.620 --> 00:27:26.580
 to whom it is given,

00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.720
 for there are eunuchs

00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:28.460
 who have been made

00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:29.440
 so from birth.

00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:31.420
 There are eunuchs

00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:32.520
 who have been made eunuchs

00:27:32.520 --> 00:27:33.200
 by men.

00:27:34.080 --> 00:27:35.200
 And there are eunuchs

00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:36.660
 who have made themselves eunuchs

00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:37.200
 for the sake

00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:38.300
 of the kingdom of heaven.

00:27:39.060 --> 00:27:40.240
 Let the one who is able

00:27:40.240 --> 00:27:41.400
 to receive this

00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:42.960
 receive it.

00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:45.240
 It's quite tricky

00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:46.100
 to know exactly

00:27:46.100 --> 00:27:47.400
 what Jesus is saying there

00:27:47.400 --> 00:27:48.500
 and many people

00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.480
 have taken those teachings

00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.880
 badly to their detriment

00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:52.619
 in church history.

00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:55.779
 But over and against

00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:57.420
 the negative connotations

00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:58.960
 of being a eunuch,

00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:00.839
 what Jesus says

00:28:00.839 --> 00:28:01.619
 is suggesting

00:28:01.619 --> 00:28:03.279
 that in his kingdom

00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:04.299
 there is credit,

00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.420
 viability,

00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:06.200
 and blessing

00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:07.240
 to not being married.

00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:08.420
 There is credit

00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:10.339
 in being a eunuch

00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:10.920
 for the sake

00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.539
 of the kingdom.

00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:13.259
 There is advantage

00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:14.019
 to some

00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.700
 and the kingdom

00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:15.460
 as a whole

00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:16.460
 in some

00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:17.619
 remaining single

00:28:17.619 --> 00:28:18.759
 for spiritual

00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:20.559
 reasons.

00:28:21.639 --> 00:28:22.879
 The second reference

00:28:22.879 --> 00:28:24.019
 is in Matthew 22

00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:25.819
 where this time

00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.599
 Jesus is trying

00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:27.200
 to be trapped

00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:28.119
 by the Sadducees

00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:28.759
 with the riddle

00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.839
 about the seven brothers

00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:30.579
 who all end up

00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:31.500
 marrying the same woman

00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.339
 and he's then asked

00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:33.539
 well whose wife

00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:34.259
 will she be

00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:35.839
 in the resurrection.

00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:38.879
 And Jesus says

00:28:38.879 --> 00:28:39.859
 you are wrong

00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:41.359
 because you know

00:28:41.359 --> 00:28:42.220
 neither the scriptures

00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:43.199
 nor the power of God

00:28:43.199 --> 00:28:44.079
 for in the resurrection

00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:45.179
 they neither marry

00:28:45.179 --> 00:28:45.799
 nor are given

00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:46.519
 in marriage

00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.639
 but are like

00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:48.639
 the angels of heaven.

00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:50.799
 So Jesus seems

00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:51.399
 to be saying

00:28:51.399 --> 00:28:51.859
 that in the

00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:53.039
 consummated kingdom

00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:55.539
 in resurrection life

00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:56.579
 singleness

00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:57.740
 will be the universal

00:28:57.740 --> 00:28:58.759
 state and marriage

00:28:58.759 --> 00:28:59.599
 is a reality

00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:01.699
 in this life only.

00:29:02.679 --> 00:29:03.339
 This again

00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:04.259
 seems to diminish

00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:05.079
 the necessity,

00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:05.900
 importance

00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:07.259
 and eternal value

00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:08.099
 of marriage

00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:09.819
 and in fact

00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.500
 frames union

00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:11.240
 between husband

00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:11.960
 and wife

00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:13.799
 as a transitory

00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.980
 reality.

00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.920
 These assertions

00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:19.059
 are further elaborated

00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:20.319
 on by the Apostle Paul

00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:21.920
 in 1 Corinthians 7

00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:23.220
 which is a great text

00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:24.519
 to go to

00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:25.400
 as we think

00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:26.279
 about singleness.

00:29:28.339 --> 00:29:30.079
 In 1 Corinthians 7

00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:31.619
 it's important

00:29:31.619 --> 00:29:32.259
 to remember

00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:33.019
 the context

00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:33.660
 of Corinth

00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:34.460
 that this is a

00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:36.000
 very licentious people

00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.820
 that seem to be

00:29:36.820 --> 00:29:37.800
 going a bit wild.

00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:39.940
 So we don't want

00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:40.680
 to make sweeping

00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.740
 generalizations

00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.759
 but at least

00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.580
 seven times

00:29:43.580 --> 00:29:44.920
 in one chapter

00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:45.759
 Paul places

00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.320
 singleness

00:29:46.320 --> 00:29:47.800
 alongside marriage

00:29:47.800 --> 00:29:49.540
 and frames them

00:29:49.540 --> 00:29:50.660
 both as good gifts

00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:51.680
 from a good God.

00:29:52.840 --> 00:29:54.560
 Paul also seems

00:29:54.560 --> 00:29:55.019
 if you read

00:29:55.019 --> 00:29:55.740
 the whole chapter

00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:57.000
 to commend singleness

00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.900
 at times

00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:59.880
 above marriage.

00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:01.740
 He seems to show

00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.960
 bias towards

00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:04.000
 being single.

00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:05.540
 Many times

00:30:05.540 --> 00:30:05.880
 he says

00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:06.460
 I wish you were

00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:06.960
 all single

00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:07.860
 as I am

00:30:07.860 --> 00:30:09.480
 which is a

00:30:09.480 --> 00:30:10.560
 stunning thing

00:30:10.560 --> 00:30:11.840
 against all

00:30:11.840 --> 00:30:12.400
 that we've read

00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:13.300
 in the Old Covenant

00:30:13.300 --> 00:30:14.660
 and against the culture

00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:16.160
 that Paul

00:30:16.160 --> 00:30:16.900
 and we

00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:18.120
 live in.

00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:20.860
 So in 1 Corinthians 7

00:30:20.860 --> 00:30:21.620
 at the beginning

00:30:21.620 --> 00:30:22.720
 it is good for a man

00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.420
 not to marry

00:30:23.420 --> 00:30:24.300
 but since there is

00:30:24.300 --> 00:30:25.500
 so much immorality

00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:27.160
 each man should have

00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:28.160
 his own wife

00:30:28.160 --> 00:30:31.160
 and each woman

00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:32.660
 her own husband.

00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:35.360
 It is good for a man

00:30:35.360 --> 00:30:36.180
 not to marry.

00:30:37.640 --> 00:30:38.360
 I'm sure they would have

00:30:38.360 --> 00:30:39.060
 read that chapter

00:30:39.060 --> 00:30:40.100
 several times

00:30:40.100 --> 00:30:41.300
 as they thought

00:30:41.300 --> 00:30:42.220
 about it.

00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:44.340
 He says in 1 Corinthians

00:30:44.340 --> 00:30:45.300
 7 7

00:30:45.300 --> 00:30:46.660
 I wish that all of you

00:30:46.660 --> 00:30:48.120
 were as I am

00:30:48.120 --> 00:30:49.340
 single

00:30:49.340 --> 00:30:51.240
 but each of you

00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:52.200
 has your own

00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:53.140
 gift from God.

00:30:53.640 --> 00:30:54.940
 One has this gift

00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:56.060
 another has that.

00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:57.759
 gift there is about

00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:58.460
 the status

00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:59.500
 not the ability.

00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:01.359
 So he's not talking

00:31:01.359 --> 00:31:03.339
 about the ability

00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:04.220
 to be singleness

00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:04.779
 as a gift

00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:05.220
 he's saying

00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:06.019
 singleness

00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:07.819
 is a gift

00:31:07.819 --> 00:31:08.440
 both

00:31:08.440 --> 00:31:09.899
 ordained from the

00:31:09.899 --> 00:31:11.179
 hand of a good God.

00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:13.379
 1 Corinthians 7

00:31:13.379 --> 00:31:14.720
 verse 8

00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:15.960
 Now to be unmarried

00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:17.579
 now to the unmarried

00:31:17.579 --> 00:31:18.179
 and the widows

00:31:18.179 --> 00:31:19.179
 I say it is good

00:31:19.179 --> 00:31:20.099
 for them to stay

00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:20.899
 unmarried

00:31:20.899 --> 00:31:22.339
 as I do

00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:23.139
 but if they cannot

00:31:23.139 --> 00:31:24.179
 control themselves

00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:25.779
 they should marry

00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:26.500
 for it is better

00:31:26.500 --> 00:31:26.980
 to marry

00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:27.940
 than to burn

00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:29.220
 with passion

00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:31.360
 but later on

00:31:31.360 --> 00:31:31.840
 in the chapter

00:31:31.840 --> 00:31:32.880
 are you unmarried?

00:31:33.400 --> 00:31:34.880
 Do not look for a wife

00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:38.100
 verse 28

00:31:38.100 --> 00:31:38.840
 those who marry

00:31:38.840 --> 00:31:39.740
 will face many

00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:41.160
 troubles in this life

00:31:41.160 --> 00:31:43.060
 and I want to

00:31:43.060 --> 00:31:44.019
 spare you this

00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:48.160
 I look back

00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:48.480
 on

00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:49.639
 my

00:31:49.639 --> 00:31:51.079
 single life

00:31:51.079 --> 00:31:52.460
 I didn't have

00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:53.460
 iron shirts

00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:54.400
 but life was

00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:55.240
 quite simple

00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:57.139
 now with

00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:57.579
 marriage

00:31:57.579 --> 00:31:58.099
 and

00:31:58.099 --> 00:31:59.559
 two people's

00:31:59.559 --> 00:32:00.240
 point of views

00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:01.379
 having to be taken in

00:32:01.379 --> 00:32:02.339
 and decision making

00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:04.200
 one car

00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:04.859
 that needs to be

00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:05.700
 juggled around

00:32:05.700 --> 00:32:06.940
 lifts here and there

00:32:06.940 --> 00:32:08.359
 can't just get away

00:32:08.359 --> 00:32:09.299
 with a microwave meal

00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:10.200
 for one anymore

00:32:10.200 --> 00:32:11.079
 that definitely needs

00:32:11.079 --> 00:32:12.119
 to feed two people

00:32:12.119 --> 00:32:14.879
 life is more

00:32:14.879 --> 00:32:15.500
 complicated

00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:16.339
 I wouldn't say

00:32:16.339 --> 00:32:17.719
 it's many troubles

00:32:17.719 --> 00:32:18.719
 and I'd be disappointed

00:32:18.719 --> 00:32:19.979
 if Aileen heard the recording

00:32:19.979 --> 00:32:21.359
 and I didn't set that

00:32:21.359 --> 00:32:21.719
 straight

00:32:21.719 --> 00:32:25.639
 but life is certainly

00:32:25.639 --> 00:32:26.579
 more complicated

00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:28.619
 1 Corinthians 7

00:32:28.619 --> 00:32:29.879
 32 to 35

00:32:29.879 --> 00:32:30.519
 it makes quite a

00:32:30.519 --> 00:32:31.359
 long winded argument

00:32:31.359 --> 00:32:32.339
 which paraphrased

00:32:32.339 --> 00:32:32.779
 that

00:32:32.779 --> 00:32:34.639
 married person

00:32:34.639 --> 00:32:35.599
 has complex

00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:36.259
 and compromised

00:32:36.259 --> 00:32:37.299
 affections

00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:38.599
 whereas someone

00:32:38.599 --> 00:32:39.179
 who is single

00:32:39.179 --> 00:32:39.839
 can live

00:32:39.839 --> 00:32:40.679
 in a right way

00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:42.120
 with undivided

00:32:42.120 --> 00:32:42.900
 devotion to the

00:32:42.900 --> 00:32:43.299
 Lord

00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:45.759
 1 Corinthians 7

00:32:45.759 --> 00:32:46.320
 39

00:32:46.320 --> 00:32:47.299
 a woman is bound

00:32:47.299 --> 00:32:47.960
 to her husband

00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:48.640
 as long as she

00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:49.120
 lives

00:32:49.120 --> 00:32:50.640
 but if her husband

00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:51.560
 dies she is free

00:32:51.560 --> 00:32:52.360
 to marry anyone

00:32:52.360 --> 00:32:53.000
 she wishes

00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:54.259
 but he must belong

00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:54.880
 to the Lord

00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:56.460
 in my judgment

00:32:56.460 --> 00:32:57.060
 she is

00:32:57.060 --> 00:32:58.120
 happier

00:32:58.120 --> 00:33:00.000
 if she stays

00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:00.560
 as she is

00:33:00.560 --> 00:33:01.100
 that is

00:33:01.100 --> 00:33:02.440
 now single

00:33:02.440 --> 00:33:04.700
 there's no getting

00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:05.779
 away from the truth

00:33:05.779 --> 00:33:06.900
 that in the New Testament

00:33:06.900 --> 00:33:07.940
 singleness is no

00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:08.799
 longer cursed

00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:10.139
 but seemingly

00:33:10.139 --> 00:33:11.259
 blessed

00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:12.039
 and greatly

00:33:12.039 --> 00:33:12.599
 blessed

00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:14.339
 in the New Testament

00:33:14.339 --> 00:33:15.180
 the expectancy

00:33:15.180 --> 00:33:16.299
 of procreation

00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:16.879
 is diminished

00:33:16.879 --> 00:33:18.079
 and the now

00:33:18.079 --> 00:33:18.980
 spiritual family

00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:20.180
 birthed in the Lord

00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:22.079
 Jesus is a whole

00:33:22.079 --> 00:33:23.200
 different thing

00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:24.879
 it revolves around

00:33:24.879 --> 00:33:25.700
 a whole different

00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:26.240
 axis

00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:27.700
 it has a totally

00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:28.680
 different value

00:33:28.680 --> 00:33:29.440
 system

00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:30.259
 a totally

00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:31.419
 reconstructed

00:33:31.419 --> 00:33:32.659
 relational matrix

00:33:32.659 --> 00:33:34.839
 and a covenantal

00:33:34.839 --> 00:33:35.619
 contract

00:33:35.619 --> 00:33:38.339
 that supersedes

00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:39.399
 the need

00:33:39.399 --> 00:33:40.579
 to procreate

00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:42.159
 and have progeny

00:33:42.159 --> 00:33:42.919
 that it seems

00:33:42.919 --> 00:33:43.659
 that now

00:33:43.659 --> 00:33:44.359
 in Jesus

00:33:44.359 --> 00:33:45.599
 is reframed

00:33:45.599 --> 00:33:46.799
 and what was

00:33:46.799 --> 00:33:47.559
 formerly true

00:33:47.559 --> 00:33:48.179
 is now

00:33:48.179 --> 00:33:49.239
 obsolete

00:33:49.239 --> 00:33:51.799
 conscious that

00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:52.259
 that is quite

00:33:52.259 --> 00:33:53.079
 a long winded

00:33:53.079 --> 00:33:53.819
 way of addressing

00:33:53.819 --> 00:33:54.439
 the subject

00:33:54.439 --> 00:33:55.779
 but I think

00:33:55.779 --> 00:33:56.439
 there is value

00:33:56.439 --> 00:33:57.559
 in showing us

00:33:57.559 --> 00:33:58.299
 that things

00:33:58.299 --> 00:33:59.059
 are now new

00:33:59.059 --> 00:34:00.579
 in the kingdom

00:34:00.579 --> 00:34:01.899
 of Jesus Christ

00:34:01.899 --> 00:34:02.879
 things are

00:34:02.879 --> 00:34:03.959
 radically different

00:34:03.959 --> 00:34:05.039
 from how they were

00:34:05.039 --> 00:34:07.240
 as weight

00:34:07.240 --> 00:34:08.139
 to the revolution

00:34:08.139 --> 00:34:08.980
 in relationships

00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:09.779
 that Jesus

00:34:09.779 --> 00:34:10.880
 inaugurates

00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:12.239
 where a singleness

00:34:12.239 --> 00:34:13.360
 was a tragedy

00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:14.480
 in the old covenant

00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:16.300
 it has the potential

00:34:16.300 --> 00:34:17.460
 for great blessing

00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:19.380
 and eternal fruit

00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:20.900
 for the acquisition

00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:22.099
 of a great name

00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:24.199
 and to do great good

00:34:24.199 --> 00:34:25.420
 and bear great fruit

00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:26.119
 for the Lord

00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:27.719
 in the new covenant

00:34:27.719 --> 00:34:30.400
 so to finish

00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:30.960
 I want to say

00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:31.699
 a few things

00:34:31.699 --> 00:34:32.500
 that are practical

00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:34.119
 and hopefully

00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:35.460
 helpful on the back

00:34:35.460 --> 00:34:36.739
 of what we've

00:34:36.739 --> 00:34:37.639
 been looking at

00:34:37.639 --> 00:34:39.960
 the first is this

00:34:39.960 --> 00:34:40.800
 I think it is

00:34:40.800 --> 00:34:41.860
 good if we are

00:34:41.860 --> 00:34:42.880
 all conscious

00:34:42.880 --> 00:34:45.000
 of the struggles

00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:46.280
 faced by single

00:34:46.280 --> 00:34:46.760
 people

00:34:46.760 --> 00:34:48.659
 you can't get away

00:34:48.659 --> 00:34:49.639
 from what Paul says

00:34:49.639 --> 00:34:50.840
 in 1 Corinthians 7

00:34:50.840 --> 00:34:53.000
 that if you are

00:34:53.000 --> 00:34:54.119
 burning with passion

00:34:54.119 --> 00:34:54.739
 it is good

00:34:54.739 --> 00:34:55.500
 to be married

00:34:55.500 --> 00:34:57.219
 that there is

00:34:57.219 --> 00:34:58.820
 real

00:34:58.820 --> 00:35:00.360
 real urges

00:35:00.360 --> 00:35:01.360
 real desires

00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:02.420
 within us

00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:04.160
 to have a

00:35:04.160 --> 00:35:05.039
 companion

00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:05.780
 to have

00:35:05.780 --> 00:35:06.900
 a partner

00:35:06.900 --> 00:35:07.840
 even though

00:35:07.840 --> 00:35:08.800
 Paul says

00:35:08.800 --> 00:35:10.059
 singleness is

00:35:10.059 --> 00:35:10.559
 viable

00:35:10.559 --> 00:35:11.620
 and valued

00:35:11.620 --> 00:35:16.460
 he still says

00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:16.940
 there is real

00:35:16.940 --> 00:35:17.580
 struggles

00:35:17.580 --> 00:35:19.320
 the struggle

00:35:19.320 --> 00:35:20.240
 of loneliness

00:35:20.240 --> 00:35:22.160
 to not have

00:35:22.160 --> 00:35:22.900
 that special

00:35:22.900 --> 00:35:23.900
 someone

00:35:23.900 --> 00:35:25.639
 to wake

00:35:25.639 --> 00:35:26.380
 up alone

00:35:26.380 --> 00:35:28.340
 every day

00:35:28.340 --> 00:35:28.960
 it is hard

00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:31.440
 that is

00:35:31.440 --> 00:35:31.980
 I am sure

00:35:31.980 --> 00:35:32.860
 a real struggle

00:35:32.860 --> 00:35:33.400
 for many

00:35:33.400 --> 00:35:36.220
 and therefore

00:35:36.220 --> 00:35:37.039
 it is important

00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:37.840
 for all of us

00:35:37.840 --> 00:35:38.320
 to be

00:35:38.320 --> 00:35:39.260
 open

00:35:39.260 --> 00:35:40.860
 to walking

00:35:40.860 --> 00:35:41.480
 closely

00:35:41.480 --> 00:35:42.139
 with single

00:35:42.139 --> 00:35:42.619
 people

00:35:42.619 --> 00:35:44.400
 to making

00:35:44.400 --> 00:35:44.880
 sure that

00:35:44.880 --> 00:35:45.079
 they are

00:35:45.079 --> 00:35:45.860
 involved

00:35:45.860 --> 00:35:46.840
 in life

00:35:46.840 --> 00:35:48.559
 to involve

00:35:48.559 --> 00:35:49.139
 them in our

00:35:49.139 --> 00:35:50.619
 family lives

00:35:50.619 --> 00:35:52.539
 that if

00:35:52.539 --> 00:35:53.960
 as Jesus

00:35:53.960 --> 00:35:55.000
 inaugurates

00:35:55.000 --> 00:35:55.579
 churches

00:35:55.579 --> 00:35:56.380
 a totally

00:35:56.380 --> 00:35:56.839
 different

00:35:56.839 --> 00:35:57.199
 kettle

00:35:57.199 --> 00:35:57.859
 of fish

00:35:57.859 --> 00:35:59.480
 then it is

00:35:59.480 --> 00:35:59.960
 important

00:35:59.960 --> 00:36:00.380
 that we

00:36:00.380 --> 00:36:01.019
 reframe

00:36:01.019 --> 00:36:01.359
 the way

00:36:01.359 --> 00:36:01.839
 we think

00:36:01.839 --> 00:36:02.339
 about each

00:36:02.339 --> 00:36:02.659
 other

00:36:02.659 --> 00:36:04.359
 and particularly

00:36:04.359 --> 00:36:04.920
 look out

00:36:04.920 --> 00:36:05.500
 for those

00:36:05.500 --> 00:36:06.339
 that are

00:36:06.339 --> 00:36:06.679
 single

00:36:06.679 --> 00:36:07.739
 if what

00:36:07.739 --> 00:36:08.219
 Paul is

00:36:08.219 --> 00:36:08.579
 saying

00:36:08.579 --> 00:36:09.139
 and Jesus

00:36:09.139 --> 00:36:09.599
 is saying

00:36:09.599 --> 00:36:10.239
 about singleness

00:36:10.239 --> 00:36:10.859
 is true

00:36:10.859 --> 00:36:13.059
 the great

00:36:13.059 --> 00:36:13.380
 struggle

00:36:13.380 --> 00:36:13.900
 would be

00:36:13.900 --> 00:36:14.359
 sexual

00:36:14.359 --> 00:36:15.019
 immorality

00:36:15.019 --> 00:36:16.759
 and again

00:36:16.759 --> 00:36:17.059
 that is

00:36:17.059 --> 00:36:17.380
 going to be

00:36:17.380 --> 00:36:17.799
 overcome

00:36:17.799 --> 00:36:18.440
 by having

00:36:18.440 --> 00:36:18.920
 good

00:36:18.920 --> 00:36:19.779
 friends

00:36:19.780 --> 00:36:20.860
 by having

00:36:20.860 --> 00:36:21.300
 people

00:36:21.300 --> 00:36:21.960
 invited

00:36:21.960 --> 00:36:23.240
 into their

00:36:23.240 --> 00:36:23.740
 lives

00:36:23.740 --> 00:36:24.000
 so there

00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:24.300
 can be

00:36:24.300 --> 00:36:24.960
 accountability

00:36:24.960 --> 00:36:25.540
 it is

00:36:25.540 --> 00:36:25.720
 the same

00:36:25.720 --> 00:36:26.480
 for everyone

00:36:26.480 --> 00:36:27.360
 sexual

00:36:27.360 --> 00:36:28.000
 immorality

00:36:28.000 --> 00:36:28.519
 is not

00:36:28.519 --> 00:36:29.440
 a problem

00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:29.840
 for the

00:36:29.840 --> 00:36:30.120
 single

00:36:30.120 --> 00:36:30.600
 alone

00:36:30.600 --> 00:36:32.720
 but it is

00:36:32.720 --> 00:36:33.080
 only going

00:36:33.080 --> 00:36:33.300
 to be

00:36:33.300 --> 00:36:33.720
 overcome

00:36:33.720 --> 00:36:34.500
 if we

00:36:34.500 --> 00:36:35.460
 support

00:36:35.460 --> 00:36:35.920
 each other

00:36:35.920 --> 00:36:36.500
 and encourage

00:36:36.500 --> 00:36:37.160
 one another

00:36:37.160 --> 00:36:38.140
 amidst our

00:36:38.140 --> 00:36:38.880
 sex obsessed

00:36:38.880 --> 00:36:39.360
 culture

00:36:39.360 --> 00:36:39.820
 that is ready

00:36:39.820 --> 00:36:40.300
 to trip

00:36:40.300 --> 00:36:40.820
 us up

00:36:40.820 --> 00:36:41.720
 and snare

00:36:41.720 --> 00:36:42.080
 us at

00:36:42.080 --> 00:36:42.320
 every

00:36:42.320 --> 00:36:42.980
 opportunity

00:36:42.980 --> 00:36:44.440
 with

00:36:44.440 --> 00:36:45.180
 singleness

00:36:45.180 --> 00:36:45.760
 I think

00:36:45.760 --> 00:36:46.380
 comes very

00:36:46.380 --> 00:36:47.280
 real struggle

00:36:47.280 --> 00:36:48.820
 but very

00:36:48.820 --> 00:36:49.540
 real struggle

00:36:49.539 --> 00:36:50.039
 if we can

00:36:50.039 --> 00:36:50.679
 forge great

00:36:50.679 --> 00:36:51.259
 relationships

00:36:51.259 --> 00:36:52.579
 that we

00:36:52.579 --> 00:36:53.239
 can certainly

00:36:53.239 --> 00:36:53.800
 bear each

00:36:53.800 --> 00:36:54.119
 other's

00:36:54.119 --> 00:36:54.539
 burdens

00:36:54.539 --> 00:36:56.500
 and help

00:36:56.500 --> 00:36:57.559
 each other

00:36:57.559 --> 00:36:58.039
 through

00:36:58.039 --> 00:37:00.920
 secondly I

00:37:00.920 --> 00:37:01.259
 think there's

00:37:01.259 --> 00:37:01.800
 very real

00:37:01.800 --> 00:37:02.679
 dangers

00:37:02.679 --> 00:37:06.159
 that we

00:37:06.159 --> 00:37:07.119
 do live

00:37:07.119 --> 00:37:07.820
 in a culture

00:37:07.820 --> 00:37:08.940
 where the

00:37:08.940 --> 00:37:09.500
 dream of

00:37:09.500 --> 00:37:10.019
 young boys

00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:10.880
 and girls

00:37:10.880 --> 00:37:11.920
 is to go

00:37:11.920 --> 00:37:12.440
 through life

00:37:12.440 --> 00:37:13.059
 to find that

00:37:13.059 --> 00:37:13.559
 someone to

00:37:13.559 --> 00:37:13.920
 have that

00:37:13.920 --> 00:37:14.599
 big wedding

00:37:14.599 --> 00:37:15.179
 day to

00:37:15.179 --> 00:37:16.320
 have 2.4

00:37:16.320 --> 00:37:17.159
 children

00:37:17.159 --> 00:37:17.619
 although how

00:37:17.619 --> 00:37:18.019
 you manage

00:37:18.019 --> 00:37:18.619
 0.4 I'm

00:37:18.619 --> 00:37:19.059
 not sure

00:37:19.059 --> 00:37:21.460
 so there's

00:37:21.460 --> 00:37:21.860
 a real

00:37:21.860 --> 00:37:22.360
 danger

00:37:22.360 --> 00:37:23.519
 if our

00:37:23.519 --> 00:37:24.279
 lives as

00:37:24.279 --> 00:37:24.679
 Christians

00:37:24.679 --> 00:37:25.320
 don't play

00:37:25.320 --> 00:37:25.880
 out in the

00:37:25.880 --> 00:37:26.420
 way that

00:37:26.420 --> 00:37:27.299
 culture says

00:37:27.299 --> 00:37:27.840
 we should

00:37:27.840 --> 00:37:28.820
 for bitterness

00:37:28.820 --> 00:37:29.559
 to grow

00:37:29.559 --> 00:37:30.440
 for resentment

00:37:30.440 --> 00:37:31.000
 to grow

00:37:31.000 --> 00:37:31.840
 for frustration

00:37:31.840 --> 00:37:32.900
 to take

00:37:32.900 --> 00:37:33.340
 over

00:37:33.340 --> 00:37:35.619
 and for us

00:37:35.619 --> 00:37:36.099
 to doubt

00:37:36.099 --> 00:37:36.559
 that God

00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:36.980
 knows what

00:37:36.980 --> 00:37:37.380
 he's doing

00:37:37.380 --> 00:37:37.699
 and he's

00:37:37.699 --> 00:37:38.279
 somehow given

00:37:38.279 --> 00:37:38.779
 a second

00:37:38.779 --> 00:37:39.279
 best

00:37:39.279 --> 00:37:41.860
 therefore we've

00:37:41.860 --> 00:37:42.519
 got to

00:37:42.519 --> 00:37:43.279
 affirm each

00:37:43.279 --> 00:37:43.759
 other in

00:37:43.759 --> 00:37:44.380
 our status

00:37:44.380 --> 00:37:45.039
 and help

00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:45.500
 each other

00:37:45.500 --> 00:37:46.019
 through when

00:37:46.019 --> 00:37:46.519
 those things

00:37:46.519 --> 00:37:47.019
 are rearing

00:37:47.019 --> 00:37:47.519
 their ugly

00:37:47.519 --> 00:37:48.059
 head

00:37:48.059 --> 00:37:49.500
 we don't

00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:50.199
 allow bitterness

00:37:50.199 --> 00:37:50.639
 to grow

00:37:50.639 --> 00:37:51.440
 into gangrene

00:37:51.440 --> 00:37:51.759
 and then

00:37:51.759 --> 00:37:52.599
 become detrimental

00:37:52.599 --> 00:37:53.360
 to our

00:37:53.360 --> 00:37:54.300
 health

00:37:54.300 --> 00:37:55.900
 and relationship

00:37:55.900 --> 00:37:56.380
 with the

00:37:56.380 --> 00:37:56.980
 Lord Jesus

00:37:56.980 --> 00:37:58.559
 there's also

00:37:58.559 --> 00:37:59.340
 a real danger

00:37:59.340 --> 00:38:00.019
 that we form

00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:00.539
 for ourselves

00:38:00.539 --> 00:38:01.119
 functional

00:38:01.119 --> 00:38:02.039
 saviors

00:38:02.039 --> 00:38:03.579
 that if I am

00:38:03.579 --> 00:38:04.039
 a single

00:38:04.039 --> 00:38:04.739
 person who

00:38:04.739 --> 00:38:05.460
 longs to be

00:38:05.460 --> 00:38:05.840
 married

00:38:05.840 --> 00:38:07.780
 then my

00:38:07.780 --> 00:38:09.000
 functional hell

00:38:09.000 --> 00:38:09.699
 is to remain

00:38:09.699 --> 00:38:10.480
 single for the

00:38:10.480 --> 00:38:10.980
 rest of my

00:38:10.980 --> 00:38:11.400
 life and

00:38:11.400 --> 00:38:12.099
 therefore I'll

00:38:12.099 --> 00:38:12.599
 create for

00:38:12.599 --> 00:38:13.119
 myself a

00:38:13.119 --> 00:38:14.139
 functional saviour

00:38:14.139 --> 00:38:15.960
 which will be

00:38:15.960 --> 00:38:16.719
 somebody to

00:38:16.719 --> 00:38:17.459
 lift me out

00:38:17.459 --> 00:38:17.739
 of that

00:38:17.739 --> 00:38:18.599
 functional hell

00:38:18.599 --> 00:38:20.119
 and the

00:38:20.119 --> 00:38:20.659
 problem is

00:38:20.659 --> 00:38:21.219
 the minute we

00:38:21.219 --> 00:38:22.019
 frame it like

00:38:22.019 --> 00:38:23.319
 that it's

00:38:23.319 --> 00:38:23.939
 destined to

00:38:23.939 --> 00:38:24.779
 all go wrong

00:38:24.779 --> 00:38:26.139
 because there's

00:38:26.139 --> 00:38:27.000
 only one proper

00:38:27.000 --> 00:38:27.719
 saviour and his

00:38:27.719 --> 00:38:28.399
 name is Jesus

00:38:28.399 --> 00:38:29.679
 and if we have

00:38:29.679 --> 00:38:30.159
 all of our

00:38:30.159 --> 00:38:31.099
 identity tied

00:38:31.099 --> 00:38:31.779
 up in what

00:38:31.779 --> 00:38:32.539
 anybody else

00:38:32.539 --> 00:38:33.139
 can do for

00:38:33.139 --> 00:38:34.480
 us we'll

00:38:34.480 --> 00:38:34.919
 always be

00:38:34.919 --> 00:38:35.480
 disappointed

00:38:35.480 --> 00:38:37.099
 and we'll

00:38:37.099 --> 00:38:37.659
 always be

00:38:37.659 --> 00:38:38.299
 let down

00:38:38.299 --> 00:38:39.699
 you can do

00:38:39.699 --> 00:38:40.019
 that with

00:38:40.019 --> 00:38:40.559
 anything

00:38:40.559 --> 00:38:41.539
 if your

00:38:41.539 --> 00:38:42.279
 functional hell

00:38:42.279 --> 00:38:42.939
 is driving to

00:38:42.939 --> 00:38:43.459
 work in a

00:38:43.459 --> 00:38:43.899
 clapped out

00:38:43.899 --> 00:38:44.459
 car then your

00:38:44.459 --> 00:38:45.339
 functional saviour

00:38:45.339 --> 00:38:46.439
 will be a

00:38:46.440 --> 00:38:47.039
 new car

00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:48.440
 and then when

00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:49.360
 that rusts and

00:38:49.360 --> 00:38:49.900
 needs to go to

00:38:49.900 --> 00:38:50.400
 the mechanic

00:38:50.400 --> 00:38:50.800
 you'll be

00:38:50.800 --> 00:38:51.240
 crushed

00:38:51.240 --> 00:38:53.340
 so there's

00:38:53.340 --> 00:38:54.119
 real dangers

00:38:54.119 --> 00:38:55.400
 in singleness

00:38:55.400 --> 00:38:55.900
 but I think

00:38:55.900 --> 00:38:56.260
 there's real

00:38:56.260 --> 00:38:57.000
 opportunity

00:38:57.000 --> 00:38:59.639
 Paul is very

00:38:59.639 --> 00:39:00.340
 clear in 1

00:39:00.340 --> 00:39:01.240
 Corinthians 7

00:39:01.240 --> 00:39:02.039
 that singleness

00:39:02.039 --> 00:39:03.260
 offers the

00:39:03.260 --> 00:39:05.059
 opportunity for

00:39:05.059 --> 00:39:07.139
 undivided devotion

00:39:07.139 --> 00:39:08.000
 to the Lord

00:39:08.000 --> 00:39:10.039
 great opportunity

00:39:10.039 --> 00:39:11.760
 great opportunity

00:39:11.760 --> 00:39:13.320
 to serve the

00:39:13.320 --> 00:39:14.000
 Lord to be

00:39:14.000 --> 00:39:14.920
 all out for

00:39:14.920 --> 00:39:15.559
 Jesus without

00:39:15.559 --> 00:39:16.280
 a compromise

00:39:16.280 --> 00:39:17.000
 diary

00:39:17.000 --> 00:39:19.280
 a great

00:39:19.280 --> 00:39:20.260
 opportunity to

00:39:20.260 --> 00:39:21.079
 put on display

00:39:21.079 --> 00:39:21.800
 to a watching

00:39:21.800 --> 00:39:23.079
 world that

00:39:23.079 --> 00:39:23.860
 actually Jesus

00:39:23.860 --> 00:39:24.860
 is all I

00:39:24.860 --> 00:39:25.280
 need

00:39:25.280 --> 00:39:27.280
 and that I

00:39:27.280 --> 00:39:27.719
 find my

00:39:27.719 --> 00:39:28.639
 identity in

00:39:28.639 --> 00:39:29.300
 him and I'm

00:39:29.300 --> 00:39:31.139
 complete in

00:39:31.139 --> 00:39:31.840
 my relationship

00:39:31.840 --> 00:39:32.519
 with him

00:39:32.519 --> 00:39:33.960
 it's an

00:39:33.960 --> 00:39:34.719
 opportunity to

00:39:34.719 --> 00:39:35.559
 trust God

00:39:35.559 --> 00:39:36.920
 it's an

00:39:36.920 --> 00:39:37.639
 opportunity to

00:39:37.639 --> 00:39:38.320
 trust God if

00:39:38.320 --> 00:39:38.780
 you're married

00:39:38.780 --> 00:39:39.500
 or single

00:39:39.500 --> 00:39:40.940
 Paul says

00:39:40.940 --> 00:39:41.420
 both the

00:39:41.420 --> 00:39:42.139
 gifts of God

00:39:42.139 --> 00:39:42.719
 and therefore we

00:39:42.719 --> 00:39:43.539
 can be content

00:39:43.539 --> 00:39:45.239
 and we need

00:39:45.239 --> 00:39:46.079
 to strive to

00:39:46.079 --> 00:39:46.779
 be content

00:39:46.779 --> 00:39:48.460
 in whatever

00:39:48.460 --> 00:39:49.079
 our marital

00:39:49.079 --> 00:39:50.079
 status is in

00:39:50.079 --> 00:39:50.900
 the season

00:39:50.900 --> 00:39:51.400
 that we're

00:39:51.400 --> 00:39:51.699
 in

00:39:51.699 --> 00:39:54.599
 if we can

00:39:54.599 --> 00:39:56.259
 even if

00:39:56.259 --> 00:39:56.800
 we're single

00:39:56.800 --> 00:39:57.500
 be complete

00:39:57.500 --> 00:39:58.039
 in Christ

00:39:58.039 --> 00:39:58.480
 then that is

00:39:58.480 --> 00:39:58.759
 going to be

00:39:58.759 --> 00:39:59.179
 the best

00:39:59.179 --> 00:39:59.759
 foundation

00:39:59.759 --> 00:40:01.320
 if God

00:40:01.320 --> 00:40:01.659
 in his

00:40:01.659 --> 00:40:02.099
 sovereignty

00:40:02.099 --> 00:40:02.800
 bring someone

00:40:02.800 --> 00:40:04.079
 along for

00:40:04.079 --> 00:40:04.699
 us to share

00:40:04.699 --> 00:40:05.340
 our lives

00:40:05.340 --> 00:40:05.940
 intimately

00:40:05.940 --> 00:40:07.239
 with

00:40:07.239 --> 00:40:09.360
 it's a real

00:40:09.360 --> 00:40:10.139
 challenge

00:40:10.139 --> 00:40:11.699
 a real

00:40:11.699 --> 00:40:12.179
 challenge

00:40:12.179 --> 00:40:12.539
 as I

00:40:12.539 --> 00:40:13.339
 already said

00:40:13.339 --> 00:40:13.799
 about the

00:40:13.799 --> 00:40:14.579
 plausibility

00:40:14.579 --> 00:40:15.420
 of church

00:40:15.420 --> 00:40:16.500
 as a real

00:40:16.500 --> 00:40:17.039
 family

00:40:17.039 --> 00:40:18.519
 not just a

00:40:18.519 --> 00:40:19.359
 buzzword

00:40:19.359 --> 00:40:20.179
 that we

00:40:20.179 --> 00:40:20.659
 throw out

00:40:20.659 --> 00:40:21.139
 to make us

00:40:21.139 --> 00:40:21.659
 all feel

00:40:21.659 --> 00:40:22.279
 warm and

00:40:22.279 --> 00:40:22.639
 fuzzy

00:40:22.639 --> 00:40:23.619
 but there

00:40:23.619 --> 00:40:25.259
 is plausibility

00:40:25.259 --> 00:40:26.079
 to that idea

00:40:26.079 --> 00:40:26.480
 there is

00:40:26.480 --> 00:40:27.339
 tangibility

00:40:27.339 --> 00:40:29.059
 that people

00:40:29.059 --> 00:40:29.559
 don't just

00:40:29.559 --> 00:40:30.299
 silo our

00:40:30.299 --> 00:40:31.219
 family life

00:40:31.219 --> 00:40:32.019
 that yes

00:40:32.019 --> 00:40:32.480
 we gather

00:40:32.480 --> 00:40:33.019
 for church

00:40:33.019 --> 00:40:33.679
 and then it's

00:40:33.679 --> 00:40:34.500
 all the

00:40:34.500 --> 00:40:35.039
 children in

00:40:35.039 --> 00:40:35.480
 the car

00:40:35.480 --> 00:40:35.779
 and off

00:40:35.779 --> 00:40:36.259
 we go

00:40:36.260 --> 00:40:38.620
 compartmentalize

00:40:38.620 --> 00:40:39.060
 that part

00:40:39.060 --> 00:40:39.380
 of our

00:40:39.380 --> 00:40:39.740
 lives

00:40:39.740 --> 00:40:40.420
 but who

00:40:40.420 --> 00:40:40.760
 can we

00:40:40.760 --> 00:40:41.980
 invite in

00:40:41.980 --> 00:40:43.540
 who can we

00:40:43.540 --> 00:40:44.220
 journey through

00:40:44.220 --> 00:40:45.040
 life closely

00:40:45.040 --> 00:40:45.600
 with

00:40:45.600 --> 00:40:46.880
 who are the

00:40:46.880 --> 00:40:47.540
 people that

00:40:47.540 --> 00:40:48.820
 we befriend

00:40:48.820 --> 00:40:49.740
 and invest

00:40:49.740 --> 00:40:50.040
 in

00:40:50.040 --> 00:40:51.160
 even though

00:40:51.160 --> 00:40:51.620
 they're not

00:40:51.620 --> 00:40:52.100
 blood

00:40:52.100 --> 00:40:53.320
 relatives

00:40:53.320 --> 00:40:55.440
 I think we

00:40:55.440 --> 00:40:56.040
 also see

00:40:56.040 --> 00:40:57.000
 in the

00:40:57.000 --> 00:40:57.820
 challenge in

00:40:57.820 --> 00:40:58.120
 the New

00:40:58.120 --> 00:40:58.560
 Testament

00:40:58.560 --> 00:41:01.300
 so many

00:41:01.300 --> 00:41:01.880
 people are

00:41:01.880 --> 00:41:02.420
 referred to

00:41:02.420 --> 00:41:03.080
 as spiritual

00:41:03.080 --> 00:41:03.700
 sons and

00:41:03.700 --> 00:41:04.140
 daughters

00:41:04.140 --> 00:41:05.760
 Paul talks

00:41:05.760 --> 00:41:06.000
 about

00:41:06.000 --> 00:41:06.500
 Timothy

00:41:06.500 --> 00:41:07.320
 and Titus

00:41:07.320 --> 00:41:07.460
 and

00:41:07.460 --> 00:41:08.380
 Anesimus

00:41:08.380 --> 00:41:10.020
 as spiritual

00:41:10.020 --> 00:41:10.740
 sons in

00:41:10.740 --> 00:41:11.420
 the faith

00:41:11.420 --> 00:41:12.680
 he writes

00:41:12.680 --> 00:41:13.180
 in Romans

00:41:13.180 --> 00:41:14.180
 16 about

00:41:14.180 --> 00:41:14.680
 Rufus'

00:41:14.840 --> 00:41:15.280
 mother

00:41:15.280 --> 00:41:16.440
 and how

00:41:16.440 --> 00:41:16.860
 he is

00:41:16.860 --> 00:41:18.140
 his mother

00:41:18.140 --> 00:41:20.620
 how she

00:41:20.620 --> 00:41:21.400
 is Rufus'

00:41:21.580 --> 00:41:21.860
 mother

00:41:21.860 --> 00:41:22.820
 and his

00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:23.960
 just think

00:41:23.960 --> 00:41:24.340
 about being

00:41:24.340 --> 00:41:25.020
 the spiritual

00:41:25.020 --> 00:41:25.680
 mother of

00:41:25.680 --> 00:41:26.140
 the apostle

00:41:26.140 --> 00:41:26.520
 Paul

00:41:26.520 --> 00:41:27.280
 how proud

00:41:27.280 --> 00:41:28.780
 would you

00:41:28.780 --> 00:41:29.200
 be

00:41:29.200 --> 00:41:31.520
 and so

00:41:31.520 --> 00:41:32.080
 whereas in

00:41:32.080 --> 00:41:32.820
 the old

00:41:32.820 --> 00:41:33.300
 covenant

00:41:33.300 --> 00:41:34.020
 the idea

00:41:34.020 --> 00:41:34.480
 was to

00:41:34.480 --> 00:41:35.360
 be fruitful

00:41:35.360 --> 00:41:36.120
 and multiply

00:41:36.120 --> 00:41:37.240
 physically

00:41:37.240 --> 00:41:38.860
 what does

00:41:38.860 --> 00:41:39.420
 Jesus tell

00:41:39.420 --> 00:41:39.700
 us in

00:41:39.700 --> 00:41:40.019
 the New

00:41:40.019 --> 00:41:40.380
 Testament

00:41:40.380 --> 00:41:40.960
 go

00:41:40.960 --> 00:41:42.140
 and make

00:41:42.140 --> 00:41:42.720
 disciples

00:41:42.720 --> 00:41:43.220
 make

00:41:43.220 --> 00:41:44.079
 spiritual

00:41:44.079 --> 00:41:44.740
 sons and

00:41:44.740 --> 00:41:45.099
 daughters

00:41:45.099 --> 00:41:46.559
 now there's

00:41:46.559 --> 00:41:47.039
 no reason

00:41:47.039 --> 00:41:47.420
 that your

00:41:47.420 --> 00:41:47.800
 physical

00:41:47.800 --> 00:41:48.340
 sons and

00:41:48.340 --> 00:41:48.620
 daughters

00:41:48.620 --> 00:41:49.180
 can't also

00:41:49.180 --> 00:41:49.559
 be your

00:41:49.559 --> 00:41:49.940
 spiritual

00:41:49.940 --> 00:41:50.480
 sons and

00:41:50.480 --> 00:41:50.760
 daughters

00:41:50.760 --> 00:41:51.620
 as you

00:41:51.620 --> 00:41:52.039
 live out

00:41:52.039 --> 00:41:52.440
 the life

00:41:52.440 --> 00:41:52.820
 of faith

00:41:52.820 --> 00:41:53.380
 before them

00:41:53.380 --> 00:41:54.019
 and invest

00:41:54.019 --> 00:41:54.840
 and point

00:41:54.840 --> 00:41:55.180
 them to

00:41:55.180 --> 00:41:55.500
 Jesus

00:41:55.500 --> 00:41:55.880
 all the

00:41:55.880 --> 00:41:56.200
 time

00:41:56.200 --> 00:41:58.240
 but let's

00:41:58.240 --> 00:41:58.700
 be clear

00:41:58.700 --> 00:41:59.039
 in the

00:41:59.039 --> 00:41:59.440
 realm of

00:41:59.440 --> 00:41:59.940
 eternity

00:41:59.940 --> 00:42:01.000
 the only

00:42:01.000 --> 00:42:01.500
 thing worth

00:42:01.500 --> 00:42:01.940
 anything

00:42:01.940 --> 00:42:03.340
 is

00:42:03.340 --> 00:42:03.860
 spiritual

00:42:03.860 --> 00:42:04.500
 sons and

00:42:04.500 --> 00:42:04.900
 daughters

00:42:04.900 --> 00:42:06.340
 spiritual

00:42:06.340 --> 00:42:07.340
 brothers and

00:42:07.340 --> 00:42:07.760
 sisters

00:42:07.760 --> 00:42:10.019
 through faith

00:42:10.019 --> 00:42:10.500
 in Jesus

00:42:10.500 --> 00:42:11.059
 Christ

00:42:11.059 --> 00:42:13.019
 and we

00:42:13.019 --> 00:42:13.400
 come into

00:42:13.400 --> 00:42:13.900
 land with

00:42:13.900 --> 00:42:14.440
 this and I

00:42:14.440 --> 00:42:15.019
 think it's a

00:42:15.019 --> 00:42:15.960
 helpful place

00:42:15.960 --> 00:42:16.559
 to land

00:42:16.559 --> 00:42:18.099
 there's real

00:42:18.099 --> 00:42:18.539
 hope

00:42:18.539 --> 00:42:20.200
 because whether

00:42:20.200 --> 00:42:20.720
 you're married

00:42:20.720 --> 00:42:21.400
 in this life

00:42:21.400 --> 00:42:21.740
 or not

00:42:21.740 --> 00:42:22.119
 whether you

00:42:22.119 --> 00:42:22.500
 have that

00:42:22.500 --> 00:42:23.019
 big wedding

00:42:23.019 --> 00:42:23.440
 day with

00:42:23.440 --> 00:42:23.900
 the big

00:42:23.900 --> 00:42:24.559
 dress

00:42:24.559 --> 00:42:25.179
 feeding loads

00:42:25.179 --> 00:42:25.639
 of people

00:42:25.639 --> 00:42:26.260
 that most

00:42:26.260 --> 00:42:26.679
 of whom you

00:42:26.679 --> 00:42:27.039
 don't even

00:42:27.039 --> 00:42:27.400
 know

00:42:27.400 --> 00:42:28.920
 whether you

00:42:28.920 --> 00:42:29.320
 have that

00:42:29.320 --> 00:42:29.940
 or not

00:42:29.940 --> 00:42:30.960
 there is

00:42:30.960 --> 00:42:31.380
 the great

00:42:31.380 --> 00:42:31.920
 hope in

00:42:31.920 --> 00:42:32.480
 Jesus that

00:42:32.480 --> 00:42:33.139
 everyone will

00:42:33.139 --> 00:42:33.820
 be present

00:42:33.820 --> 00:42:34.340
 at

00:42:34.340 --> 00:42:35.300
 participate

00:42:35.300 --> 00:42:36.079
 in

00:42:36.079 --> 00:42:37.059
 and be

00:42:37.059 --> 00:42:37.860
 central to

00:42:37.860 --> 00:42:38.539
 a wedding

00:42:38.539 --> 00:42:39.680
 which will

00:42:39.680 --> 00:42:40.260
 blow all

00:42:40.260 --> 00:42:40.780
 other weddings

00:42:40.780 --> 00:42:41.320
 out of the

00:42:41.320 --> 00:42:41.760
 water

00:42:41.760 --> 00:42:44.019
 revelation

00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:44.800
 19

00:42:44.800 --> 00:42:45.700
 verse 6

00:42:45.700 --> 00:42:47.320
 then I

00:42:47.320 --> 00:42:47.840
 heard what

00:42:47.840 --> 00:42:48.240
 seemed to

00:42:48.240 --> 00:42:48.519
 be the

00:42:48.519 --> 00:42:48.920
 voice of

00:42:48.920 --> 00:42:49.280
 a great

00:42:49.280 --> 00:42:49.760
 multitude

00:42:49.760 --> 00:42:51.240
 like the

00:42:51.240 --> 00:42:51.880
 roar of

00:42:51.880 --> 00:42:52.619
 many waters

00:42:52.619 --> 00:42:53.180
 and like the

00:42:53.180 --> 00:42:53.680
 sound of

00:42:53.680 --> 00:42:54.440
 mighty peals

00:42:54.440 --> 00:42:55.039
 of thunder

00:42:55.039 --> 00:42:56.579
 crying out

00:42:56.579 --> 00:42:57.260
 hallelujah

00:42:57.260 --> 00:42:58.580
 for the

00:42:58.580 --> 00:42:59.140
 Lord our

00:42:59.140 --> 00:42:59.540
 God

00:42:59.540 --> 00:43:00.600
 the almighty

00:43:00.600 --> 00:43:01.560
 reigns

00:43:01.560 --> 00:43:02.840
 let us

00:43:02.840 --> 00:43:03.280
 rejoice

00:43:03.280 --> 00:43:04.000
 and exult

00:43:04.000 --> 00:43:04.480
 and give

00:43:04.480 --> 00:43:04.780
 him the

00:43:04.780 --> 00:43:05.140
 glory

00:43:05.140 --> 00:43:05.800
 for the

00:43:05.800 --> 00:43:06.140
 marriage

00:43:06.140 --> 00:43:06.500
 of the

00:43:06.500 --> 00:43:06.800
 lamb

00:43:06.800 --> 00:43:07.460
 has come

00:43:07.460 --> 00:43:08.580
 and his

00:43:08.580 --> 00:43:08.980
 bride

00:43:08.980 --> 00:43:09.760
 has made

00:43:09.760 --> 00:43:10.200
 herself

00:43:10.200 --> 00:43:10.620
 ready

00:43:10.620 --> 00:43:12.060
 it was

00:43:12.060 --> 00:43:12.700
 granted her

00:43:12.700 --> 00:43:13.220
 to clothe

00:43:13.220 --> 00:43:13.600
 herself

00:43:13.600 --> 00:43:14.180
 with pure

00:43:14.180 --> 00:43:14.520
 linen

00:43:14.520 --> 00:43:15.260
 bright and

00:43:15.260 --> 00:43:15.640
 pure

00:43:15.640 --> 00:43:16.460
 for the

00:43:16.460 --> 00:43:17.000
 fine linen

00:43:17.000 --> 00:43:17.380
 is the

00:43:17.380 --> 00:43:17.720
 righteous

00:43:17.720 --> 00:43:18.100
 deeds

00:43:18.100 --> 00:43:18.440
 of the

00:43:18.440 --> 00:43:18.880
 saints

00:43:18.880 --> 00:43:20.040
 and the

00:43:20.040 --> 00:43:20.300
 angel

00:43:20.300 --> 00:43:20.700
 said to

00:43:20.700 --> 00:43:20.840
 me

00:43:20.840 --> 00:43:21.140
 write

00:43:21.140 --> 00:43:21.640
 this

00:43:21.640 --> 00:43:22.560
 blessed

00:43:22.560 --> 00:43:22.740
 are

00:43:22.740 --> 00:43:23.280
 those

00:43:23.280 --> 00:43:23.840
 who

00:43:23.840 --> 00:43:24.020
 were

00:43:24.020 --> 00:43:24.440
 invited

00:43:24.440 --> 00:43:24.840
 to the

00:43:24.840 --> 00:43:25.200
 marriage

00:43:25.200 --> 00:43:25.620
 supper

00:43:25.620 --> 00:43:26.460
 of the

00:43:26.460 --> 00:43:26.840
 lamb

00:43:26.840 --> 00:43:28.059
 and he

00:43:28.059 --> 00:43:28.400
 said to

00:43:28.400 --> 00:43:28.519
 me

00:43:28.519 --> 00:43:28.800
 these

00:43:28.800 --> 00:43:29.320
 words

00:43:29.320 --> 00:43:30.200
 these

00:43:30.200 --> 00:43:30.519
 are the

00:43:30.519 --> 00:43:30.820
 true

00:43:30.820 --> 00:43:31.440
 words

00:43:31.440 --> 00:43:32.360
 of

00:43:32.360 --> 00:43:32.680
 God

00:43:32.680 --> 00:43:33.220
 that's

00:43:33.220 --> 00:43:33.340
 where

00:43:33.340 --> 00:43:33.579
 we're

00:43:33.579 --> 00:43:33.760
 all

00:43:33.760 --> 00:43:34.079
 heading

00:43:34.079 --> 00:43:35.200
 to

00:43:35.200 --> 00:43:35.820
 that

00:43:35.820 --> 00:43:36.120
 wedding

00:43:36.120 --> 00:43:36.440
 day

00:43:36.440 --> 00:43:37.300
 where

00:43:37.300 --> 00:43:37.620
 we

00:43:37.620 --> 00:43:38.660
 are

00:43:38.660 --> 00:43:38.860
 not

00:43:38.860 --> 00:43:39.100
 only

00:43:39.100 --> 00:43:39.559
 invited

00:43:39.559 --> 00:43:39.880
 but

00:43:39.880 --> 00:43:40.240
 also

00:43:40.240 --> 00:43:40.960
 involved

00:43:40.960 --> 00:43:42.880
 and so

00:43:42.880 --> 00:43:43.120
 all

00:43:43.120 --> 00:43:43.320
 other

00:43:43.320 --> 00:43:43.820
 marriages

00:43:43.820 --> 00:43:45.360
 are just

00:43:45.360 --> 00:43:46.400
 a foreshadowing

00:43:46.400 --> 00:43:46.700
 and a

00:43:46.700 --> 00:43:47.079
 warm up

00:43:47.079 --> 00:43:47.320
 act

00:43:47.320 --> 00:43:47.720
 for that

00:43:47.720 --> 00:43:48.059
 day

00:43:48.059 --> 00:43:48.980
 so

00:43:48.980 --> 00:43:49.180
 whether

00:43:49.180 --> 00:43:49.460
 you

00:43:49.460 --> 00:43:49.700
 have

00:43:49.700 --> 00:43:50.000
 one

00:43:50.000 --> 00:43:50.180
 or

00:43:50.180 --> 00:43:50.600
 not

00:43:50.600 --> 00:43:51.300
 in

00:43:51.300 --> 00:43:51.440
 the

00:43:51.440 --> 00:43:51.660
 light

00:43:51.660 --> 00:43:51.780
 of

00:43:51.780 --> 00:43:52.180
 eternity

00:43:52.180 --> 00:43:52.480
 it

00:43:52.480 --> 00:43:52.640
 will

00:43:52.640 --> 00:43:52.820
 not

00:43:52.820 --> 00:43:53.160
 matter

00:43:53.160 --> 00:43:54.160
 let

00:43:54.160 --> 00:43:54.260
 me

00:43:54.260 --> 00:43:54.519
 pray

00:43:54.519 --> 00:44:02.179
 father

00:44:02.179 --> 00:44:02.360
 god

00:44:02.360 --> 00:44:02.739
 thank you

00:44:02.739 --> 00:44:02.980
 that

00:44:02.980 --> 00:44:03.380
 jesus

00:44:03.380 --> 00:44:03.719
 makes

00:44:03.719 --> 00:44:04.159
 everything

00:44:04.159 --> 00:44:04.820
 different

00:44:04.820 --> 00:44:06.280
 that

00:44:06.280 --> 00:44:06.400
 he

00:44:06.400 --> 00:44:06.679
 makes

00:44:06.679 --> 00:44:07.119
 everything

00:44:07.119 --> 00:44:07.579
 new

00:44:07.579 --> 00:44:09.340
 that

00:44:09.340 --> 00:44:09.480
 he

00:44:09.480 --> 00:44:09.860
 brings

00:44:09.860 --> 00:44:10.199
 sure

00:44:10.199 --> 00:44:10.420
 and

00:44:10.420 --> 00:44:10.719
 certain

00:44:10.719 --> 00:44:11.199
 hope

00:44:11.199 --> 00:44:12.960
 father

00:44:12.960 --> 00:44:13.179
 that

00:44:13.179 --> 00:44:13.340
 it

00:44:13.340 --> 00:44:13.860
 means

00:44:13.860 --> 00:44:15.360
 that

00:44:15.360 --> 00:44:15.739
 in

00:44:15.739 --> 00:44:16.099
 him

00:44:16.099 --> 00:44:17.199
 we

00:44:17.199 --> 00:44:17.639
 truly

00:44:17.639 --> 00:44:18.059
 are

00:44:18.059 --> 00:44:18.639
 family

00:44:18.639 --> 00:44:20.280
 and

00:44:20.280 --> 00:44:20.539
 because

00:44:20.539 --> 00:44:20.780
 that

00:44:20.780 --> 00:44:20.940
 is

00:44:20.940 --> 00:44:21.199
 true

00:44:21.199 --> 00:44:21.440
 no

00:44:21.440 --> 00:44:21.699
 one's

00:44:21.699 --> 00:44:22.000
 missing

00:44:22.000 --> 00:44:22.539
 out

00:44:22.539 --> 00:44:24.579
 father

00:44:24.579 --> 00:44:24.840
 no

00:44:24.840 --> 00:44:25.159
 one's

00:44:25.159 --> 00:44:25.579
 getting

00:44:25.579 --> 00:44:26.059
 second

00:44:26.059 --> 00:44:26.760
 best

00:44:26.760 --> 00:44:28.480
 but

00:44:28.480 --> 00:44:28.780
 lord

00:44:28.780 --> 00:44:28.960
 if

00:44:28.960 --> 00:44:29.179
 we

00:44:29.179 --> 00:44:29.519
 have

00:44:29.519 --> 00:44:29.980
 jesus

00:44:29.980 --> 00:44:30.219
 we

00:44:30.219 --> 00:44:30.500
 have

00:44:30.500 --> 00:44:30.719
 all

00:44:30.719 --> 00:44:30.860
 that

00:44:30.860 --> 00:44:31.000
 we

00:44:31.000 --> 00:44:31.420
 need

00:44:31.420 --> 00:44:32.780
 father

00:44:32.780 --> 00:44:33.099
 thank

00:44:33.099 --> 00:44:33.239
 you

00:44:33.239 --> 00:44:33.360
 that

00:44:33.360 --> 00:44:33.500
 you

00:44:33.500 --> 00:44:33.940
 bless

00:44:33.940 --> 00:44:34.239
 us

00:44:34.239 --> 00:44:34.519
 in

00:44:34.519 --> 00:44:35.039
 an

00:44:35.039 --> 00:44:35.699
 innumerate

00:44:35.699 --> 00:44:35.980
 number

00:44:35.980 --> 00:44:36.199
 of

00:44:36.199 --> 00:44:36.699
 ways

00:44:36.699 --> 00:44:38.420
 father

00:44:38.420 --> 00:44:38.619
 you

00:44:38.619 --> 00:44:38.840
 give

00:44:38.840 --> 00:44:38.980
 us

00:44:38.980 --> 00:44:39.179
 each

00:44:39.179 --> 00:44:39.539
 other

00:44:39.539 --> 00:44:41.300
 father

00:44:41.300 --> 00:44:41.500
 you

00:44:41.500 --> 00:44:41.739
 give

00:44:41.739 --> 00:44:41.920
 us

00:44:41.920 --> 00:44:42.219
 every

00:44:42.219 --> 00:44:42.619
 good

00:44:42.619 --> 00:44:42.800
 and

00:44:42.800 --> 00:44:43.159
 perfect

00:44:43.159 --> 00:44:43.599
 thing

00:44:43.599 --> 00:44:45.699
 so

00:44:45.699 --> 00:44:45.840
 at

00:44:45.840 --> 00:44:45.940
 the

00:44:45.940 --> 00:44:46.119
 end

00:44:46.119 --> 00:44:46.260
 of

00:44:46.260 --> 00:44:46.460
 this

00:44:46.460 --> 00:44:46.719
 day

00:44:46.719 --> 00:44:46.980
 no

00:44:46.980 --> 00:44:47.219
 matter

00:44:47.219 --> 00:44:48.079
 where

00:44:48.079 --> 00:44:48.280
 we

00:44:48.280 --> 00:44:48.619
 find

00:44:48.619 --> 00:44:49.260
 ourselves

00:44:49.260 --> 00:44:50.579
 the

00:44:50.579 --> 00:44:51.039
 status

00:44:51.039 --> 00:44:51.460
 we're

00:44:51.460 --> 00:44:52.059
 occupying

00:44:52.059 --> 00:44:52.240
 at

00:44:52.240 --> 00:44:52.699
 present

00:44:52.699 --> 00:44:54.720
 father

00:44:54.720 --> 00:44:54.880
 we

00:44:54.880 --> 00:44:55.059
 want

00:44:55.059 --> 00:44:55.159
 to

00:44:55.159 --> 00:44:55.320
 say

00:44:55.320 --> 00:44:55.480
 that

00:44:55.480 --> 00:44:55.619
 we

00:44:55.619 --> 00:44:56.099
 trust

00:44:56.099 --> 00:44:56.440
 you

00:44:56.440 --> 00:44:57.800
 father

00:44:57.800 --> 00:44:58.039
 we

00:44:58.039 --> 00:44:58.400
 love

00:44:58.400 --> 00:44:58.800
 you

00:44:58.800 --> 00:45:00.280
 and

00:45:00.280 --> 00:45:00.420
 that

00:45:00.420 --> 00:45:00.619
 our

00:45:00.619 --> 00:45:01.019
 heartfelt

00:45:01.019 --> 00:45:01.659
 cry

00:45:01.659 --> 00:45:02.820
 is

00:45:02.820 --> 00:45:02.960
 that

00:45:02.960 --> 00:45:03.179
 you

00:45:03.179 --> 00:45:03.360
 would

00:45:03.360 --> 00:45:03.639
 have

00:45:03.639 --> 00:45:03.840
 your

00:45:03.840 --> 00:45:04.059
 way

00:45:04.059 --> 00:45:04.340
 with

00:45:04.340 --> 00:45:04.820
 us

00:45:04.820 --> 00:45:05.940
 lord

00:45:05.940 --> 00:45:06.260
 whatever

00:45:06.260 --> 00:45:06.480
 you

00:45:06.480 --> 00:45:06.940
 planned

00:45:06.940 --> 00:45:07.179
 and

00:45:07.179 --> 00:45:07.559
 chosen

00:45:07.559 --> 00:45:07.800
 we

00:45:07.800 --> 00:45:08.000
 want

00:45:08.000 --> 00:45:08.179
 to

00:45:08.179 --> 00:45:08.679
 sign

00:45:08.679 --> 00:45:08.860
 up

00:45:08.860 --> 00:45:08.980
 to

00:45:08.980 --> 00:45:09.199
 that

00:45:09.199 --> 00:45:09.360
 and

00:45:09.360 --> 00:45:09.539
 say

00:45:09.539 --> 00:45:09.720
 that

00:45:09.720 --> 00:45:09.880
 is

00:45:09.880 --> 00:45:10.179
 call

00:45:10.179 --> 00:45:10.420
 with

00:45:10.420 --> 00:45:10.920
 us

00:45:10.920 --> 00:45:12.380
 and

00:45:12.380 --> 00:45:12.679
 father

00:45:12.679 --> 00:45:12.880
 that

00:45:12.880 --> 00:45:13.059
 you

00:45:13.059 --> 00:45:13.220
 would

00:45:13.220 --> 00:45:13.539
 take

00:45:13.539 --> 00:45:13.720
 us

00:45:13.720 --> 00:45:13.880
 and

00:45:13.880 --> 00:45:14.059
 bring

00:45:14.059 --> 00:45:14.460
 glory

00:45:14.460 --> 00:45:14.659
 to

00:45:14.659 --> 00:45:14.940
 your

00:45:14.940 --> 00:45:15.300
 name

00:45:15.300 --> 00:45:16.320
 through

00:45:16.320 --> 00:45:16.699
 whatever

00:45:16.699 --> 00:45:16.980
 we

00:45:16.980 --> 00:45:17.300
 do

00:45:17.300 --> 00:45:18.400
 whoever

00:45:18.400 --> 00:45:18.740
 we're

00:45:18.740 --> 00:45:19.139
 with

00:45:19.139 --> 00:45:20.199
 whatever

00:45:20.199 --> 00:45:20.539
 that

00:45:20.539 --> 00:45:20.900
 looks

00:45:20.900 --> 00:45:21.360
 like

00:45:21.360 --> 00:45:22.500
 father

00:45:22.500 --> 00:45:22.780
 may

00:45:22.780 --> 00:45:23.180
 Jesus

00:45:23.180 --> 00:45:23.460
 be

00:45:23.460 --> 00:45:23.660
 our

00:45:23.660 --> 00:45:23.900
 all

00:45:23.900 --> 00:45:24.059
 in

00:45:24.059 --> 00:45:24.320
 all

00:45:24.320 --> 00:45:25.360
 and

00:45:25.360 --> 00:45:25.720
 everything

00:45:25.720 --> 00:45:26.119
 else

00:45:26.119 --> 00:45:26.340
 be

00:45:26.340 --> 00:45:26.700
 framed

00:45:26.700 --> 00:45:26.920
 in

00:45:26.920 --> 00:45:27.180
 light

00:45:27.180 --> 00:45:27.360
 of

00:45:27.360 --> 00:45:27.740
 that

00:45:27.740 --> 00:45:28.820
 father

00:45:28.820 --> 00:45:29.220
 bless

00:45:29.220 --> 00:45:29.400
 us

00:45:29.400 --> 00:45:29.559
 and

00:45:29.559 --> 00:45:29.800
 help

00:45:29.800 --> 00:45:29.960
 us

00:45:29.960 --> 00:45:30.099
 to

00:45:30.099 --> 00:45:30.260
 be

00:45:30.260 --> 00:45:30.880
 church

00:45:30.880 --> 00:45:32.000
 father

00:45:32.000 --> 00:45:32.380
 bless

00:45:32.380 --> 00:45:32.579
 us

00:45:32.579 --> 00:45:32.740
 and

00:45:32.740 --> 00:45:32.980
 help

00:45:32.980 --> 00:45:33.139
 us

00:45:33.139 --> 00:45:33.300
 to

00:45:33.300 --> 00:45:33.519
 love

00:45:33.519 --> 00:45:33.680
 you

00:45:33.680 --> 00:45:34.160
 most

00:45:34.160 --> 00:45:35.000
 we

00:45:35.000 --> 00:45:35.240
 pray

00:45:35.240 --> 00:45:35.440
 this

00:45:35.440 --> 00:45:35.619
 in

00:45:35.619 --> 00:45:35.880
 Jesus

00:45:35.880 --> 00:45:36.240
 name

00:45:36.240 --> 00:45:36.400
 who

00:45:36.400 --> 00:45:36.559
 is

00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:36.740
 our

00:45:36.740 --> 00:45:37.160
 ultimate

00:45:37.160 --> 00:45:38.400
 who

00:45:38.400 --> 00:45:38.539
 is

00:45:38.539 --> 00:45:38.680
 the

00:45:38.680 --> 00:45:38.880
 one

00:45:38.880 --> 00:45:39.099
 who's

00:45:39.099 --> 00:45:39.500
 loved

00:45:39.500 --> 00:45:39.780
 us

00:45:39.780 --> 00:45:40.019
 more

00:45:40.019 --> 00:45:40.160
 than

00:45:40.160 --> 00:45:40.300
 we

00:45:40.300 --> 00:45:40.480
 could

00:45:40.480 --> 00:45:40.700
 ever

00:45:40.700 --> 00:45:41.119
 imagine

00:45:41.119 --> 00:45:42.079
 and

00:45:42.079 --> 00:45:42.220
 the

00:45:42.220 --> 00:45:42.400
 one

00:45:42.400 --> 00:45:42.579
 in

00:45:42.579 --> 00:45:42.760
 whom

00:45:42.760 --> 00:45:42.940
 we

00:45:42.940 --> 00:45:43.200
 find

00:45:43.200 --> 00:45:43.400
 all

00:45:43.400 --> 00:45:43.559
 our

00:45:43.559 --> 00:45:44.260
 completeness

00:45:44.260 --> 00:45:45.019
 and

00:45:45.019 --> 00:45:45.240
 all

00:45:45.240 --> 00:45:45.380
 of

00:45:45.380 --> 00:45:45.539
 our

00:45:45.539 --> 00:45:45.860
 joy

00:45:45.860 --> 00:45:46.840
 Amen