WEBVTT

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 So this is a section about what Christians are called to be and why.

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 So reading from 1 Peter 1, verse 13.

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 Therefore, preparing your minds for action and being sober-minded,

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 set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you

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 at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

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 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions

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 of your former ignorance,

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 but as he who called you is holy,

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 you also be holy in all of your conduct,

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 since it's written,

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 You shall be holy, for I am holy.

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 And if you call on him as father,

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 who judges impartially according to each one's deeds,

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 conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,

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 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways

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 inherited from your forefathers,

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 not with perishable things such as silver or gold,

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 but with the precious blood of Christ,

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 like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

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 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world,

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 but was made manifest in the last time for the sake of you,

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 who through him are believers in God,

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 who raised him from the dead and gave him glory,

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 so that your faith and hope are in God.

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 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth

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 for a sincere brotherly love,

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 love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

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 since you've been born again,

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 not of perishable seed,

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 but of imperishable,

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 through the living and abiding word of God,

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 for all flesh is like grass and all its glory,

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 like the flower of the grass.

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 The grass withers,

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 the flower falls,

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 but the word of the Lord remains forever.

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 And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

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 So,

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 put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,

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 like newborn infants long for the pure spiritual milk,

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 that by it you may grow up into salvation,

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 if indeed you've tasted that the Lord is good.

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 As you come to him,

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 a living stone rejected by men,

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 but in the sight of God chosen and precious,

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 so you yourselves,

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 like living stones,

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 are being built up as a spiritual house

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 to be a holy priesthood,

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 to offer spiritual sacrifices

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 acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

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 For it stands in scripture,

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 Behold,

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 I am laying in Zion a stone,

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 a cornerstone,

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 chosen and precious,

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 and whoever believes in him

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 will not be put to shame.

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 So,

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 the honour is for you who believe,

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 but for those who do not believe,

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 the stone that the builders rejected

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 has become the cornerstone,

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 and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence.

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 They stumble because they disobey the word,

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 as they were destined to do.

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 But you are a chosen race,

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 a royal priesthood,

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 a holy nation,

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 a people for his own possession,

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 that you may proclaim the excellencies of him

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 who called you out of darkness

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 into his marvellous light.

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 Once, you were not a people,

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 but now you are God's people.

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 Once, you had not received mercy,

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 but now you have received mercy.

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 Beloved,

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 I urge you as sojourners and exiles

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 to abstain from the passions of the flesh,

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 which wage war against your soul.

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 Keep your conduct amongst the Gentiles honourable,

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 so that when they speak against you as evildoers,

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 they may see your good deeds

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 and glorify God on the day of visitation.

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 Well, three weeks into this series,

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 and summary thus far is that

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 God's church is really precious to him.

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 And in local expression in church families like ours,

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 God works out his purpose for the world.

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 And given those two things,

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 I think our next question needs to be then,

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 since church is a foretaste of heaven

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 and we're seeing how the heavenly church

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 connects down to where we are here now,

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 this question needs to be then,

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 what is our agenda?

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 If God's church here locally

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 is so important to him,

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 then what should we be doing?

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 What should we be focused on

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 as a local church family?

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 God's purpose in his world doesn't change,

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 but of course,

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 our culture is constantly changing.

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 So how is our church to be relevant

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 and contemporary

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 in a society which actually thinks

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 that the church is always the problem

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 and never the solution?

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 A society that actually totally now rejects

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 Christian values

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 and is very, very quickly trying to

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 right them out of society

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 and out of life completely.

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 And as Matt said in his introduction,

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 and we didn't collude on this,

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 but it was a bit scary,

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 should we be a welfare agency

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 focused on addressing

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 sort of key social problems

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 in our society,

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 family breakdown,

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 homelessness,

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 unemployment,

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 substance abuse,

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 and stuff like that?

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 Well,

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 many churches are actually on that pathway

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 and they've got lots of government funding

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 to help them down that pathway.

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 Should we be,

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 think of ourselves

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 and think of our task

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 as being a service provider

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 to our local community?

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 And that would mean then probably,

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 as lots of churches do,

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 that we market our gospel message

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 and the gospel community,

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 we market in such a way

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 as to make it appealing

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 to our wider society

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 so we can get them in the door.

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 So we'll make it appealing

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 for people to come to Jesus,

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 make it easy for people

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 to come to salvation,

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 make our meetings more entertaining,

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 more fun,

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 run programs that people

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 can easily engage in

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 because that's what they like to do,

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 things that make them happy.

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 In short,

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 adding,

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 making it easier for people

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 to add a bit of spirituality

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 into their existing lives.

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 And again,

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 I think there's quite a few churches around

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 who have gone down that pathway.

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 Is our role primarily

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 to be a God-honoring religious club

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 in the world

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 but really separated from it,

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 certainly not part of it.

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 So that our existence,

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 in a sense,

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 as we get on with being

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 what we should be,

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 God's people,

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 our existence then condemns

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 everybody else around us,

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 even if it's a condemnation by silence.

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 And again,

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 I could take you to churches

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 that that's what they think

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 their role is.

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 An elite community.

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 Then,

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 perhaps closer to home,

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 still other churches

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 think their primary role,

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 their primary thing to do

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 is evangelism.

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 That is,

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 our primary role as church

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 is to get the gospel message

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 out to our city,

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 to the ends of the earth.

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 And so,

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 in churches like that,

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 you'll hear that

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 week after week,

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 evangelism is the application

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 for the teaching.

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 Evangelism dominates

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 the weekly programs

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 as people are encouraged

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 or pushed into it.

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 Evangelism dominates

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 the planning and strategy

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 of the leaders of the church.

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 And perhaps,

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 even,

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 evangelism

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 and the amount

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 of evangelistic activities

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 you engage in

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 becomes a measure

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 of the health

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 of the church.

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 So,

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 there's a whole range

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 of options.

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 And I think,

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 again,

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 there's a whole range

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 of confusion

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 among Christians

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 when thinking about

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 the agenda

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 for local churches.

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 So,

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 this morning,

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 I want to suggest

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 to you that for Paul,

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 as he writes in,

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 and Peter,

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 as he writes in the New Testament,

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 it's not an issue

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 of confusion.

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 Paul,

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 I think,

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 is saying,

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 again,

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 like he often says,

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 right thinking

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 will end up

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 producing right practice.

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 If we know

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 who we are

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 as a church,

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 then we'll know

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 what to do

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 as a church.

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 And I think

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 it's a fairly

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 straightforward principle.

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 Since God's church

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 is central

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 to his purposes

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 in the world,

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 then it is reasonable

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 to assume

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 that God

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 has set an agenda

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 for it.

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 It's not as if

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 he's just wound

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 the church up

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 and then let it loose.

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 No,

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 it's precious to him.

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 He's purposed for it

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 in and through it.

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 So,

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 it's reasonable

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 that he will set

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 an agenda for it.

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 So,

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 therefore,

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 go back to the question,

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 what is our agenda?

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 How do we be relevant

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 and contemporary

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 in 2023

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 in this hostile culture?

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 Well,

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 the answer,

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 very simply,

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 is by implementing

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 God's agenda

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 for his church.

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 That's it

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 at its simplest point.

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 Not my preferred agenda.

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 Not the agenda

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 that our society

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 would seek

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 to impose on us.

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 And sometimes

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 not even the agenda

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 of other rapidly growing

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 and apparently

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 successful churches.

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 God has given us

00:10:09.340 --> 00:10:09.980
 his agenda

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 and it's summarized,

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 I'm going to suggest,

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 in two principles.

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 One today

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 and one next week.

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 The first principle

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 is this

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 and it's built into

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 fantastic pictures

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 as well as words.

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 The first principle

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 is this.

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 Very simple.

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 Be who you are.

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 If you only know

00:10:26.280 --> 00:10:27.080
 what God's agenda

00:10:27.080 --> 00:10:28.440
 for this local church is,

00:10:29.280 --> 00:10:30.180
 at the simplest point

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 it's be who you are.

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 The first picture

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 I'm going to look at

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 this morning

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 is the one

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 from 1 Peter 2.

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 This picture

00:10:41.140 --> 00:10:42.400
 of the living temple,

00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:43.580
 living stones

00:10:43.580 --> 00:10:44.460
 and the living temple

00:10:44.460 --> 00:10:45.320
 of the living Lord.

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 Now,

00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:47.960
 just to get us

00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:48.500
 into the picture,

00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:49.120
 here's how I want

00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:50.240
 to take you into it.

00:10:50.860 --> 00:10:51.160
 You see,

00:10:51.620 --> 00:10:53.240
 nations and individuals

00:10:53.240 --> 00:10:54.460
 are constantly

00:10:54.460 --> 00:10:55.760
 making statements

00:10:55.760 --> 00:10:56.880
 through buildings.

00:10:58.780 --> 00:10:59.640
 If you look at

00:10:59.640 --> 00:11:01.060
 the Burj Khalifa,

00:11:01.160 --> 00:11:01.620
 whatever it is

00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:02.360
 in Dubai,

00:11:02.440 --> 00:11:03.660
 tallest building

00:11:03.660 --> 00:11:04.160
 in the world,

00:11:04.580 --> 00:11:05.300
 smallest nation

00:11:05.300 --> 00:11:05.780
 in the world,

00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:07.080
 it's a statement

00:11:07.080 --> 00:11:09.000
 and a very impressive

00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:09.460
 statement

00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:12.160
 about what a small,

00:11:12.660 --> 00:11:14.000
 insignificantly small,

00:11:14.140 --> 00:11:15.420
 but oil rich nation

00:11:15.420 --> 00:11:16.000
 can do.

00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:18.600
 Incredible engineering.

00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:20.780
 Likewise,

00:11:21.220 --> 00:11:22.120
 wealthy people

00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:24.180
 build huge architect

00:11:24.180 --> 00:11:26.120
 designed homes

00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:27.340
 that are often

00:11:27.340 --> 00:11:28.780
 just stunningly beautiful.

00:11:29.420 --> 00:11:30.360
 Sometimes ugly,

00:11:30.520 --> 00:11:31.080
 but that's a different,

00:11:31.080 --> 00:11:31.840
 that's a perspective.

00:11:33.100 --> 00:11:33.580
 Environmentalists,

00:11:33.640 --> 00:11:34.180
 on the other hand,

00:11:34.580 --> 00:11:35.760
 build small,

00:11:35.900 --> 00:11:36.700
 mud brick houses

00:11:36.700 --> 00:11:38.560
 and so on and so forth.

00:11:38.600 --> 00:11:39.160
 You get the point.

00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:40.640
 Well,

00:11:40.840 --> 00:11:41.920
 I think what Peter's

00:11:41.920 --> 00:11:42.600
 saying here

00:11:42.600 --> 00:11:43.760
 in 1 Peter 2

00:11:43.760 --> 00:11:44.640
 is that God

00:11:44.640 --> 00:11:45.280
 intends

00:11:45.280 --> 00:11:46.360
 to make a statement,

00:11:46.540 --> 00:11:47.780
 a very loud,

00:11:48.300 --> 00:11:48.620
 bold,

00:11:48.780 --> 00:11:50.000
 in-your-face statement

00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:51.500
 through his church.

00:11:52.140 --> 00:11:53.060
 We saw it last week

00:11:53.060 --> 00:11:54.520
 in Ephesians 2,

00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:55.260
 the picture of

00:11:55.260 --> 00:11:56.100
 the temple

00:11:56.100 --> 00:11:58.320
 built on the foundations

00:11:58.320 --> 00:11:58.860
 and the prophets

00:11:58.860 --> 00:11:59.320
 with Jesus

00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:00.020
 as a capstone.

00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:02.320
 We're seeing it again today,

00:12:02.420 --> 00:12:03.520
 this living stones

00:12:03.520 --> 00:12:04.720
 in the living temple

00:12:04.720 --> 00:12:05.540
 of the living Lord.

00:12:06.680 --> 00:12:07.540
 God's intention

00:12:07.540 --> 00:12:08.680
 is to make a statement

00:12:08.680 --> 00:12:10.460
 through his church.

00:12:12.740 --> 00:12:13.160
 Now,

00:12:13.180 --> 00:12:13.680
 the question is,

00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:14.660
 how does this picture

00:12:14.660 --> 00:12:15.580
 help us

00:12:15.580 --> 00:12:16.660
 work out

00:12:16.660 --> 00:12:17.340
 God's agenda?

00:12:19.060 --> 00:12:19.460
 Well,

00:12:19.520 --> 00:12:20.220
 it's built around

00:12:20.220 --> 00:12:20.680
 the idea

00:12:20.680 --> 00:12:21.160
 of the temple.

00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:22.100
 See,

00:12:22.160 --> 00:12:22.860
 in the Old Testament,

00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:23.840
 the temple

00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:25.279
 was a visible picture

00:12:25.279 --> 00:12:27.620
 of God's dwelling place.

00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:30.940
 It was a visible picture

00:12:30.940 --> 00:12:31.899
 of how life

00:12:31.899 --> 00:12:33.800
 as God created it

00:12:33.800 --> 00:12:34.720
 was meant to be.

00:12:36.600 --> 00:12:37.580
 That is,

00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:38.919
 God

00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:40.279
 at the center

00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:42.740
 in special relationship

00:12:42.740 --> 00:12:44.039
 with his worshiping

00:12:44.039 --> 00:12:45.539
 and obedient people,

00:12:46.539 --> 00:12:48.000
 a relationship

00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:49.340
 which was only possible

00:12:49.340 --> 00:12:50.259
 because God

00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:50.879
 in his grace

00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:51.500
 and mercy

00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:52.600
 had dealt

00:12:52.600 --> 00:12:53.220
 with their sin

00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:54.539
 and invited them

00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:55.220
 to come in

00:12:55.220 --> 00:12:56.399
 as family members

00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:57.279
 into his home.

00:12:58.820 --> 00:12:59.879
 That is the picture

00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:00.440
 of the temple.

00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:04.200
 In Jesus,

00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:05.139
 as we see in this

00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:05.980
 1 Peter 2,

00:13:06.120 --> 00:13:06.639
 in Jesus,

00:13:06.799 --> 00:13:07.539
 that picture

00:13:07.539 --> 00:13:09.320
 has now become

00:13:09.320 --> 00:13:10.519
 reality in Jesus

00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:12.419
 but we also

00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:13.759
 still enjoy the picture

00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:14.740
 as it's moderated

00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:15.659
 to us through Jesus.

00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:19.240
 The church,

00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:20.679
 as we saw last week

00:13:20.679 --> 00:13:21.659
 and you'll notice

00:13:21.659 --> 00:13:22.319
 that there's a fair bit

00:13:22.319 --> 00:13:22.859
 of repetition

00:13:22.859 --> 00:13:23.719
 week after week

00:13:23.719 --> 00:13:25.000
 but also

00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:26.719
 stepping forward

00:13:26.719 --> 00:13:27.299
 and nuancing

00:13:27.299 --> 00:13:29.219
 because this is

00:13:29.219 --> 00:13:30.139
 right through Scripture.

00:13:30.559 --> 00:13:31.139
 This is just not

00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:31.859
 a single verse

00:13:31.859 --> 00:13:32.879
 we're looking at.

00:13:33.239 --> 00:13:34.179
 This is a constant

00:13:34.179 --> 00:13:34.979
 theme of Scripture

00:13:34.979 --> 00:13:36.699
 that the church

00:13:36.699 --> 00:13:37.439
 is a statement

00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:38.519
 of God's purposes.

00:13:40.019 --> 00:13:40.939
 What's his purpose?

00:13:41.859 --> 00:13:42.379
 Primarily,

00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:43.299
 to reconnect

00:13:43.299 --> 00:13:46.159
 to his rebellious people

00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:47.579
 in and through

00:13:47.579 --> 00:13:48.539
 the death

00:13:48.539 --> 00:13:49.219
 and resurrection

00:13:49.219 --> 00:13:49.959
 of Jesus.

00:13:51.939 --> 00:13:52.759
 His purpose

00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:53.360
 is to create

00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:54.459
 a wonderful

00:13:54.459 --> 00:13:55.519
 new family

00:13:55.519 --> 00:13:57.259
 of obedient children.

00:13:57.699 --> 00:13:58.439
 Children who would

00:13:58.439 --> 00:13:59.299
 honor him

00:13:59.299 --> 00:14:01.500
 as their loving father.

00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:03.419
 Children who would

00:14:03.419 --> 00:14:05.059
 desire above all else

00:14:05.059 --> 00:14:06.439
 to be like their father.

00:14:10.279 --> 00:14:10.860
 God's statement

00:14:10.860 --> 00:14:11.459
 through his church

00:14:11.459 --> 00:14:13.039
 is to create

00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:14.500
 a new community,

00:14:14.839 --> 00:14:15.579
 to be in practice

00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:16.200
 as a community

00:14:16.200 --> 00:14:17.860
 demonstrably renewed

00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:19.639
 from the inside out.

00:14:21.160 --> 00:14:21.879
 As we see

00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:22.580
 in some of these verses

00:14:22.580 --> 00:14:23.259
 that we just read here,

00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:24.660
 no longer

00:14:24.660 --> 00:14:26.820
 governed by the old

00:14:26.820 --> 00:14:27.920
 self-interested,

00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:29.040
 self-governing,

00:14:29.280 --> 00:14:30.720
 self-ruling,

00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:31.860
 self-promoting

00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:33.040
 attitudes,

00:14:33.800 --> 00:14:37.560
 but marked

00:14:37.560 --> 00:14:38.660
 by a new unity

00:14:38.660 --> 00:14:39.580
 in community

00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:41.160
 as servants

00:14:41.160 --> 00:14:42.000
 of Jesus.

00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:44.559
 marked by

00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:45.200
 generous

00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:46.179
 brotherly love

00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:47.720
 because God

00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:48.240
 is love.

00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:50.360
 Marked by

00:14:50.360 --> 00:14:50.700
 unity

00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:51.379
 because God

00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:51.820
 is one.

00:14:56.279 --> 00:14:57.120
 The church

00:14:57.120 --> 00:14:57.799
 then is a statement

00:14:57.799 --> 00:14:58.759
 of the good life

00:14:58.759 --> 00:14:59.299
 we were created

00:14:59.299 --> 00:14:59.879
 to enjoy.

00:15:01.159 --> 00:15:02.200
 And it's through

00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:03.580
 union with Christ

00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:04.580
 that we've been

00:15:04.580 --> 00:15:05.100
 freed

00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:06.419
 from the empty

00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:07.340
 way of life,

00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:08.940
 normal to our world.

00:15:09.019 --> 00:15:09.600
 That's a very

00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:10.460
 powerful statement

00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:11.200
 in verse 18

00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:11.919
 of chapter 1.

00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:14.980
 That's what our world

00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:16.059
 lives in and through.

00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:17.460
 Generation after

00:15:17.460 --> 00:15:18.059
 generation

00:15:18.059 --> 00:15:19.500
 trying the same

00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:19.919
 old,

00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:20.580
 tired,

00:15:20.820 --> 00:15:21.500
 unfilled

00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:24.100
 views of life.

00:15:25.019 --> 00:15:25.899
 But we've been

00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:26.860
 freed from that.

00:15:28.259 --> 00:15:29.240
 Freed from that

00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:30.480
 to

00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:33.299
 a life of worship

00:15:33.299 --> 00:15:33.960
 and service

00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:34.580
 of our Lord.

00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:39.559
 Freed to enjoy

00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:40.139
 forgiveness

00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:42.139
 from sin.

00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:43.259
 Free to enjoy

00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:43.759
 renewed

00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:44.460
 relationship

00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:45.080
 with God.

00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:46.500
 Free to enjoy

00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:47.039
 direct

00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:47.559
 fellowship

00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:48.100
 with Him

00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:49.100
 for eternity

00:15:49.100 --> 00:15:50.399
 as our Father.

00:15:52.779 --> 00:15:53.340
 And if you look

00:15:53.340 --> 00:15:53.840
 at chapter 2

00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:54.639
 verses 1-4,

00:15:56.419 --> 00:15:58.860
 we're enabled

00:15:58.860 --> 00:15:59.699
 by God's

00:15:59.699 --> 00:16:00.439
 Holy Spirit

00:16:00.439 --> 00:16:01.960
 to grow up

00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:02.879
 into Christ.

00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:02.919
 Christ.

00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:05.100
 In other words,

00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:06.639
 what started

00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:07.000
 in us

00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:08.340
 is slowly

00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:08.980
 moving to

00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:09.460
 completion

00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:10.360
 as God's

00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:10.659
 Spirit

00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:11.500
 renovates us

00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.360
 in every detail

00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:13.039
 from the inside

00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:13.439
 out

00:16:13.439 --> 00:16:15.419
 to enjoy

00:16:15.419 --> 00:16:16.059
 the new life

00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:16.419
 of freedom

00:16:16.419 --> 00:16:16.860
 we have in

00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:17.179
 Christ.

00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:18.820
 And

00:16:18.820 --> 00:16:20.320
 we start to move

00:16:20.320 --> 00:16:21.299
 into practicality

00:16:21.299 --> 00:16:22.120
 in verses 3

00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:22.639
 and 4 there.

00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:24.179
 Not just to enjoy

00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:24.799
 the new life

00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:25.340
 in Christ,

00:16:25.879 --> 00:16:26.500
 but to

00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:27.220
 overflow

00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:29.080
 in that new

00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:29.779
 life with

00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:30.320
 what's called

00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:30.660
 here,

00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:32.140
 offering

00:16:32.140 --> 00:16:33.080
 spiritual

00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:33.940
 sacrifices

00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:34.560
 acceptable

00:16:34.560 --> 00:16:35.060
 to God

00:16:35.060 --> 00:16:35.560
 through Jesus

00:16:35.560 --> 00:16:36.040
 Christ.

00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:38.080
 What are

00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:38.700
 those acceptable

00:16:38.700 --> 00:16:39.240
 sacrifices?

00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:40.100
 Well,

00:16:40.640 --> 00:16:41.760
 it's lives

00:16:41.760 --> 00:16:42.440
 of trust

00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:43.140
 and faith

00:16:43.140 --> 00:16:44.020
 and dependency

00:16:44.020 --> 00:16:44.600
 on the Lord.

00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:46.240
 It's lives

00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:47.060
 of service

00:16:47.060 --> 00:16:47.960
 of our Lord

00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:48.280
 God

00:16:48.280 --> 00:16:49.300
 and service

00:16:49.300 --> 00:16:49.960
 of one another.

00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:51.520
 It's lives

00:16:51.520 --> 00:16:52.280
 of love

00:16:52.280 --> 00:16:53.020
 where we're

00:16:53.020 --> 00:16:53.580
 committed to

00:16:53.580 --> 00:16:54.000
 each other

00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:54.840
 and to

00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:55.640
 speaking the

00:16:55.640 --> 00:16:56.140
 truth to

00:16:56.140 --> 00:16:56.580
 each other

00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:57.520
 and building

00:16:57.520 --> 00:16:57.960
 each other

00:16:57.960 --> 00:16:58.200
 up

00:16:58.200 --> 00:16:59.440
 and supporting

00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:00.000
 each other

00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:04.420
 that's the

00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:05.579
 life we

00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:06.039
 were created

00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:06.619
 to enjoy.

00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:07.599
 That is

00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:08.920
 a microcosm

00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:09.319
 of heaven

00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:09.759
 as we saw

00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:10.359
 last week.

00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:14.920
 That's

00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:15.299
 what we're

00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:15.900
 to be about.

00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:19.259
 And the

00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:19.740
 church is a

00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:20.180
 statement of

00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:20.799
 God's wisdom

00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:21.539
 and faithfulness.

00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:21.799
 Again,

00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:22.339
 we saw that

00:17:22.339 --> 00:17:22.779
 last week

00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:23.279
 in Ephesians

00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:23.880
 verses 9

00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:24.279
 and 10.

00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:26.819
 Just listen

00:17:26.819 --> 00:17:27.200
 to this.

00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:27.900
 Remember,

00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:28.500
 this was written

00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:29.019
 to people

00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:29.519
 who were

00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:30.400
 exiles,

00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:32.139
 essentially

00:17:32.139 --> 00:17:32.740
 refugees.

00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:34.319
 It cost

00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:34.900
 them heaps

00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:35.359
 to become

00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:35.839
 Christians.

00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:36.980
 All the

00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:37.980
 normal lines

00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:38.879
 of inheritance,

00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:40.200
 all the

00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:40.599
 things that

00:17:40.599 --> 00:17:41.319
 were important

00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:42.220
 to Jews

00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:42.559
 in those

00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:42.859
 days,

00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:44.000
 had gone.

00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:45.799
 No family

00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.139
 name,

00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:47.200
 no family

00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:47.900
 inheritance,

00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.059
 no family

00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:49.319
 home,

00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:50.859
 no location

00:17:50.859 --> 00:17:51.359
 to call

00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:51.740
 their home.

00:17:52.139 --> 00:17:52.599
 All of that

00:17:52.599 --> 00:17:53.180
 was gone.

00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:53.440
 They were

00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:53.980
 refugees,

00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:54.619
 exiles.

00:17:54.619 --> 00:17:54.719
 gods.

00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:57.759
 And Peter

00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:58.500
 reminds them

00:17:58.500 --> 00:18:00.199
 that it's

00:18:00.199 --> 00:18:00.579
 not all

00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:00.719
 God.

00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:00.859
 They've

00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:01.019
 actually

00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:01.179
 got

00:18:01.179 --> 00:18:01.399
 something

00:18:01.399 --> 00:18:01.739
 far,

00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:01.899
 far

00:18:01.899 --> 00:18:02.219
 better.

00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:04.359
 You are

00:18:04.359 --> 00:18:04.919
 a chosen

00:18:04.919 --> 00:18:05.359
 race,

00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:06.339
 a royal

00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:06.819
 priesthood,

00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:07.259
 a holy

00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:07.699
 nation,

00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:08.959
 a people

00:18:08.959 --> 00:18:09.479
 for his

00:18:09.479 --> 00:18:09.839
 own

00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:10.439
 possession,

00:18:11.439 --> 00:18:12.379
 that you

00:18:12.379 --> 00:18:13.019
 may proclaim

00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:13.979
 the excellencies

00:18:13.979 --> 00:18:15.759
 of him who

00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:16.239
 called you

00:18:16.239 --> 00:18:16.500
 out of

00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:16.879
 darkness

00:18:16.879 --> 00:18:17.399
 into his

00:18:17.399 --> 00:18:17.759
 marvelous

00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:18.139
 light.

00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:19.419
 Hear the

00:18:19.419 --> 00:18:19.699
 movement

00:18:19.699 --> 00:18:19.959
 there?

00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:21.960
 once they

00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:22.600
 understand who

00:18:22.600 --> 00:18:23.240
 they are,

00:18:24.360 --> 00:18:25.039
 then they

00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:26.079
 easily overflow

00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:27.720
 into what

00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:28.240
 they will

00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:29.120
 naturally do.

00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.259
 They understand

00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:30.980
 who you are

00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:31.660
 in Christ,

00:18:32.660 --> 00:18:33.039
 then you

00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:33.720
 cannot but

00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:35.259
 overflow in

00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:36.019
 proclaiming the

00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:38.180
 excellencies of

00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:38.579
 him who

00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:39.140
 called you

00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:39.700
 out of

00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:40.160
 darkness

00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:41.180
 into his

00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:41.819
 marvelous

00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:42.240
 light.

00:18:47.100 --> 00:18:47.840
 In other

00:18:47.840 --> 00:18:48.079
 words,

00:18:48.840 --> 00:18:49.660
 what is the

00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:50.140
 church's

00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:51.460
 task,

00:18:51.580 --> 00:18:51.980
 agenda?

00:18:52.540 --> 00:18:52.740
 Well,

00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:54.340
 to overflow

00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:56.340
 out of

00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:56.840
 who we

00:18:56.840 --> 00:18:57.220
 are.

00:18:57.840 --> 00:18:58.080
 And what

00:18:58.080 --> 00:18:58.360
 will that

00:18:58.360 --> 00:18:58.620
 mean?

00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:00.840
 Understanding

00:19:00.840 --> 00:19:03.880
 that our

00:19:03.880 --> 00:19:05.000
 Father is

00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:05.660
 forgiving

00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:07.220
 and loving

00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:08.600
 and generous.

00:19:09.040 --> 00:19:09.840
 He validates

00:19:09.840 --> 00:19:10.080
 us.

00:19:10.660 --> 00:19:10.940
 He's

00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:11.519
 desirable.

00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:12.600
 He gives

00:19:12.600 --> 00:19:13.220
 us security.

00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.080
 And out of

00:19:14.080 --> 00:19:15.000
 that overflow,

00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:17.720
 to speak

00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.420
 about God,

00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:19.300
 that's what it

00:19:19.300 --> 00:19:19.640
 is to speak

00:19:19.640 --> 00:19:20.020
 about his

00:19:20.020 --> 00:19:20.460
 excellencies,

00:19:21.120 --> 00:19:21.600
 to speak

00:19:21.600 --> 00:19:22.100
 about God

00:19:22.100 --> 00:19:22.420
 as he

00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:23.160
 deserves to

00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:23.620
 be spoken

00:19:23.620 --> 00:19:24.060
 about.

00:19:25.320 --> 00:19:25.840
 Our

00:19:25.840 --> 00:19:26.400
 merciful,

00:19:27.100 --> 00:19:27.540
 forgiving,

00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.160
 renewing,

00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:30.480
 validating

00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.500
 Father.

00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.180
 One

00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:36.120
 overflows

00:19:36.120 --> 00:19:37.100
 easily into

00:19:37.100 --> 00:19:37.500
 the other.

00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:39.400
 The church

00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:39.660
 is a

00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:40.040
 statement of

00:19:40.040 --> 00:19:40.360
 God's

00:19:40.360 --> 00:19:40.920
 ongoing

00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:41.900
 invitation to

00:19:41.900 --> 00:19:42.560
 become part

00:19:42.560 --> 00:19:42.780
 of his

00:19:42.780 --> 00:19:43.180
 community

00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:43.660
 through

00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:44.040
 Jesus.

00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:45.039
 God's

00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:45.299
 love.

00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:46.039
 If you go

00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:46.680
 back to

00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:46.700
 chapter 1, verse

00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:47.220
 23,

00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:49.420
 you've been

00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:50.019
 born again,

00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:50.899
 not of

00:19:50.899 --> 00:19:51.460
 perishable

00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:52.539
 seed, but

00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.119
 of

00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:53.960
 imperishable

00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:55.879
 through the

00:19:55.879 --> 00:19:56.500
 living and

00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:57.099
 abiding

00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:58.180
 word of

00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:58.480
 God.

00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:03.019
 Jesus is

00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:03.599
 the living

00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:04.860
 and enduring

00:20:04.860 --> 00:20:05.480
 word of

00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.700
 God who

00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.640
 not only

00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:08.500
 has called

00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.099
 people into

00:20:09.099 --> 00:20:10.420
 his house

00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:10.880
 as his

00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:11.779
 children, but

00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:12.599
 he continues

00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:13.400
 to call

00:20:13.400 --> 00:20:14.759
 people into

00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.319
 his house

00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:15.860
 to be his

00:20:15.860 --> 00:20:16.819
 children in

00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:18.099
 real space

00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:18.579
 and time,

00:20:18.860 --> 00:20:20.000
 in Newcastle

00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.019
 in 2023

00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:22.180
 and around

00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:22.700
 the world.

00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:26.559
 he continually

00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.900
 adds new

00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:29.200
 living stones

00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:29.940
 into his

00:20:29.940 --> 00:20:30.779
 living building.

00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:32.860
 And how

00:20:32.860 --> 00:20:33.180
 does that

00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:33.500
 work?

00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:34.380
 Well, again,

00:20:34.580 --> 00:20:35.080
 link what I've

00:20:35.080 --> 00:20:35.600
 just said,

00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:37.420
 as we speak

00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:39.460
 the words

00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:39.900
 of Jesus,

00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:40.660
 the life-giving

00:20:40.660 --> 00:20:41.279
 words of the

00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.000
 evangel, the

00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:43.539
 gospel, and

00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:44.660
 as we wrap

00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:46.180
 them up in

00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:46.920
 the excellencies

00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.840
 of God who

00:20:47.840 --> 00:20:48.480
 has called us

00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.160
 out of darkness

00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:49.779
 into light.

00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:53.440
 In other

00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.700
 words, as

00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:55.519
 local churches

00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:56.299
 like ours,

00:20:57.080 --> 00:20:57.980
 both speak

00:20:57.980 --> 00:20:58.660
 the offer

00:20:58.660 --> 00:20:59.700
 of real

00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.220
 life in

00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:01.019
 Jesus, fresh

00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.440
 start in

00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:02.680
 Jesus, in

00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:03.120
 the gospel,

00:21:04.120 --> 00:21:05.620
 and also

00:21:05.620 --> 00:21:07.319
 support that

00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:08.100
 declaration,

00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:10.259
 and enhance

00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.160
 that declaration,

00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:11.880
 chapter 2,

00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.539
 verses 11 and

00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.180
 12, and we'll

00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:13.559
 come to that

00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:14.580
 in a sec, by

00:21:14.580 --> 00:21:15.759
 demonstrating the

00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.500
 life-changing

00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.799
 power of the

00:21:17.799 --> 00:21:18.580
 gospel to those

00:21:18.580 --> 00:21:19.240
 who we speak.

00:21:19.620 --> 00:21:20.200
 Verse 11 and

00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:20.900
 12, chapter 2,

00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:22.080
 Beloved, I

00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:23.000
 urge you as

00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.879
 sojourners and

00:21:23.879 --> 00:21:25.359
 exiles to

00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:26.119
 abstain from

00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:26.799
 the passions of

00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.439
 the flesh which

00:21:27.439 --> 00:21:28.199
 wage war against

00:21:28.199 --> 00:21:28.599
 your soul.

00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:29.679
 Keep your

00:21:29.679 --> 00:21:30.419
 conduct among

00:21:30.419 --> 00:21:31.000
 the Gentiles

00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:33.139
 honorable, so

00:21:33.139 --> 00:21:33.519
 that when they

00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:34.099
 speak against

00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:34.359
 you as

00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:35.619
 evildeers, they

00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.119
 may see your

00:21:36.119 --> 00:21:36.720
 good deeds and

00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.839
 glorify God on

00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:38.220
 the day of

00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:38.899
 your visitation.

00:21:39.079 --> 00:21:39.379
 In other

00:21:39.379 --> 00:21:41.859
 words, unbelievers

00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:42.519
 are never going

00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:42.899
 to like

00:21:42.899 --> 00:21:43.460
 Christianity.

00:21:43.659 --> 00:21:43.919
 They're always

00:21:43.919 --> 00:21:44.339
 going to find

00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:45.259
 something bad to

00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:45.819
 say about it.

00:21:46.079 --> 00:21:47.819
 But, says

00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.819
 Peter, make

00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:50.639
 sure that the

00:21:50.639 --> 00:21:51.439
 things they say

00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:52.840
 cannot be about

00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:53.880
 your behavior as

00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:54.500
 you live before

00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:54.700
 them.

00:21:55.860 --> 00:21:56.860
 Let it be about

00:21:56.860 --> 00:21:57.200
 Jesus.

00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:03.059
 So, there's the

00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:03.720
 two things coming

00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:03.980
 together.

00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:06.120
 We speak of the

00:22:06.120 --> 00:22:07.259
 living, enduring

00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:10.160
 Jesus, his living

00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:11.420
 and enduring word

00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:14.200
 that is able to

00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:15.019
 call people out of

00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:15.960
 darkness into light.

00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:17.120
 That's our words.

00:22:18.080 --> 00:22:18.900
 And that is wrapped

00:22:18.900 --> 00:22:20.059
 up and backed up

00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:21.179
 and supported

00:22:21.179 --> 00:22:23.079
 and made to

00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:23.819
 look beautiful

00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:26.659
 by demonstrably

00:22:26.659 --> 00:22:27.740
 changed lives.

00:22:31.879 --> 00:22:33.099
 And again, notice

00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:33.819
 the movement in

00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:34.460
 this passage that

00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:34.940
 we've been looking

00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:35.419
 at this morning.

00:22:36.379 --> 00:22:37.159
 Careful thinking

00:22:37.159 --> 00:22:38.059
 and understanding

00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:38.960
 of our identity

00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.700
 in and through

00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:42.460
 Christ overflows

00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:43.919
 into our church

00:22:43.919 --> 00:22:44.679
 family at every

00:22:44.679 --> 00:22:45.019
 point.

00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:46.700
 love, worship,

00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:47.799
 service,

00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:48.700
 obedience,

00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:50.139
 being who we

00:22:50.139 --> 00:22:50.779
 are together,

00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:52.000
 which then

00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:53.139
 overflows out

00:22:53.139 --> 00:22:54.400
 of our local

00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:55.220
 church into

00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:55.680
 the wider

00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:56.200
 community.

00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:59.200
 To say,

00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:00.879
 come and

00:23:00.879 --> 00:23:01.740
 experience for

00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:02.559
 yourself the

00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:03.680
 one who has

00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.700
 called me out

00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.200
 of darkness

00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:06.740
 into his

00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.299
 marvelous light.

00:23:07.619 --> 00:23:07.879
 Come and

00:23:07.879 --> 00:23:08.279
 experience the

00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:08.579
 one who

00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.619
 collectively have

00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:10.319
 called us

00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:11.980
 together out

00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:12.639
 of darkness

00:23:12.639 --> 00:23:13.139
 into his

00:23:13.139 --> 00:23:13.799
 marvelous light.

00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:17.220
 overflow,

00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:17.940
 overflow,

00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:18.519
 overflow.

00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.680
 Know who

00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.200
 we are

00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:24.420
 and we'll

00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:25.500
 intuitively

00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:27.039
 know what

00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:27.639
 to do.

00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:27.920
 Now that

00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:28.859
 doesn't fix

00:23:28.859 --> 00:23:29.160
 all the

00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:29.960
 details on

00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.680
 a week-to-week

00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.039
 basis,

00:23:31.379 --> 00:23:32.039
 but I'm just

00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.400
 interested in

00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:32.819
 the principle

00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.379
 at this stage.

00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:33.980
 We'll spell

00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:34.420
 it out a little

00:23:34.420 --> 00:23:34.900
 bit more in

00:23:34.900 --> 00:23:35.240
 detail.

00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.279
 I keep saying

00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:37.619
 that and then

00:23:37.619 --> 00:23:37.859
 I'm going to

00:23:37.859 --> 00:23:38.220
 leave it for

00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:38.779
 Dave Bott to

00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.119
 do when he

00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:39.519
 comes back.

00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.079
 Sorry, Dave.

00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.180
 So the

00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:42.660
 question now

00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:42.940
 then is,

00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:44.440
 it's a

00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:44.799
 reflective

00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.180
 question.

00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:45.519
 What

00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.360
 statement do

00:23:46.360 --> 00:23:46.980
 we make

00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:47.480
 as a local

00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:47.779
 church

00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.380
 practically?

00:23:49.160 --> 00:23:49.480
 I'm not

00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:49.880
 asking what

00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:50.380
 statement do

00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:50.700
 we make

00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:51.320
 in theory.

00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:52.259
 I'm asking

00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:52.900
 what statement

00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:53.500
 do we make

00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.039
 practically?

00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:58.100
 So here's

00:23:58.100 --> 00:23:58.920
 a few things

00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.120
 that have

00:23:59.120 --> 00:23:59.680
 tripped churches

00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.220
 up over the

00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:00.480
 years.

00:24:02.320 --> 00:24:03.000
 We must

00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:03.779
 never think,

00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:04.539
 for example,

00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.500
 that a strong

00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.519
 mission focus

00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:08.860
 is an

00:24:08.860 --> 00:24:09.720
 alternative to

00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:11.180
 demonstrably

00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:12.279
 Christ-like

00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:13.279
 relationships,

00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:14.740
 unity and

00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.820
 costly brotherly

00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:17.980
 love within a

00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:18.480
 local church,

00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:18.920
 our local

00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:19.320
 church.

00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:22.000
 We get to

00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:22.360
 set up

00:24:22.360 --> 00:24:23.140
 polarities.

00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:26.840
 I mean,

00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:28.140
 what hypocrisy

00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:28.840
 would it be

00:24:28.840 --> 00:24:29.920
 to tell

00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:30.700
 unbelievers

00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:31.180
 about the

00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:31.680
 joy of

00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:32.220
 salvation,

00:24:32.620 --> 00:24:33.279
 the joy of

00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:33.820
 being adopted

00:24:33.820 --> 00:24:34.580
 into God's

00:24:34.580 --> 00:24:35.000
 family,

00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:35.820
 God's forever

00:24:35.820 --> 00:24:36.279
 family,

00:24:36.279 --> 00:24:40.139
 if our

00:24:40.139 --> 00:24:40.899
 local church

00:24:40.899 --> 00:24:41.480
 family was

00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:41.759
 actually

00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:42.539
 dysfunctional

00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.160
 and toxic?

00:24:48.379 --> 00:24:49.180
 How does it

00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:49.660
 go together?

00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.420
 And yet,

00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.379
 so many

00:24:51.379 --> 00:24:51.879
 churches have

00:24:51.879 --> 00:24:52.319
 fallen into

00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:52.839
 that trap.

00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:56.259
 Flip the

00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:56.680
 coin and go

00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:57.019
 to the other

00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:57.379
 extreme.

00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:59.220
 We must

00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:00.059
 never think

00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:00.799
 that having

00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.920
 a strong

00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:03.259
 local church

00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:04.980
 community is

00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.740
 an alternative

00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.440
 to mission,

00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:09.839
 to proclaiming

00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.480
 the excellencies

00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:11.279
 of God the

00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:11.720
 Father and

00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:12.200
 Lord Jesus.

00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:12.880
 Again,

00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.120
 you see,

00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.759
 what hypocrisy

00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.420
 it would be

00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:16.519
 if we said,

00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:16.680
 well,

00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:16.799
 look,

00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:17.200
 we really

00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:18.059
 understand and

00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:18.799
 honor God's

00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.620
 salvation in

00:25:19.620 --> 00:25:20.160
 Christ and

00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:20.759
 his church.

00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:22.360
 That would be

00:25:22.360 --> 00:25:23.360
 hypocrisy if we

00:25:23.360 --> 00:25:24.160
 said that and

00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:25.079
 then existed as

00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:25.579
 a closed

00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.120
 community.

00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:27.440
 Really,

00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:28.039
 really happy

00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:28.360
 with the

00:25:28.360 --> 00:25:28.860
 Bible teaching

00:25:28.860 --> 00:25:29.099
 here,

00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:29.799
 really happy

00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:30.599
 with the

00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:31.539
 fellowship and

00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.880
 the society

00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:33.500
 of our church

00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.819
 family and

00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:35.539
 really quite

00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:36.019
 happy to keep

00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.380
 the world

00:25:36.380 --> 00:25:36.839
 out there.

00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:42.339
 That can't

00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:43.039
 be if we

00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:43.960
 really understand

00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:45.680
 the connection

00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:46.319
 from Scripture.

00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:48.440
 If we really

00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:49.920
 understand the

00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:50.740
 excellencies of

00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.339
 him who called

00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:51.799
 us out of

00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.359
 darkness into

00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:52.819
 his marvelous

00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.059
 light,

00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:55.140
 we won't be

00:25:55.140 --> 00:25:55.640
 able to stop

00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:55.960
 ourselves

00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:56.640
 overflowing.

00:25:59.299 --> 00:26:00.180
 As we speak

00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:00.579
 to those,

00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:01.319
 we intersect.

00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.980
 again,

00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:05.880
 and I've

00:26:05.880 --> 00:26:06.299
 heard this,

00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:06.940
 it's been a

00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:07.319
 few years

00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:07.579
 since I

00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:07.839
 heard it,

00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:08.500
 but I have

00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:08.839
 heard it

00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:09.099
 here,

00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:10.420
 people comment

00:26:10.420 --> 00:26:10.859
 on this

00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:11.539
 building looking

00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:12.140
 old and

00:26:12.140 --> 00:26:12.740
 tired and

00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:13.339
 embarrassing.

00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.440
 Was one

00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.720
 coming?

00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:16.700
 Well,

00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:17.279
 I say to

00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:17.460
 you,

00:26:18.579 --> 00:26:19.000
 well,

00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.460
 that might be

00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:19.980
 true at one

00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.259
 level.

00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:21.140
 I don't think

00:26:21.140 --> 00:26:21.359
 it is,

00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:22.720
 but everybody's

00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:22.980
 got their

00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.380
 perspective.

00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:24.539
 But I would

00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.359
 like to say

00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:25.859
 this to you,

00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.460
 that we must

00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:28.440
 never think that

00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:28.920
 having a

00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:29.539
 remarkably

00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:30.720
 beautiful building

00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:32.579
 will be a

00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:33.299
 replacement for

00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:33.740
 having a

00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.339
 remarkably

00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:34.839
 beautiful

00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:35.360
 community.

00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:41.240
 I could

00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:41.640
 take you to

00:26:41.640 --> 00:26:41.960
 churches,

00:26:42.100 --> 00:26:43.059
 get multi-million

00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:43.880
 dollar buildings

00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:44.740
 and tin pot

00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.539
 community.

00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.579
 My friends,

00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.400
 it is through

00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:53.720
 our relationships

00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:55.299
 in here,

00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:56.279
 and as they

00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:57.900
 overflow out

00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:58.259
 into our

00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:58.640
 community,

00:26:58.640 --> 00:27:00.040
 that people

00:27:00.040 --> 00:27:00.380
 will be

00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:00.960
 attracted to

00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.300
 the gospel,

00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:01.700
 not our

00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:02.000
 buildings.

00:27:05.300 --> 00:27:05.840
 That's where

00:27:05.840 --> 00:27:06.400
 our impact

00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:06.740
 will be.

00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:07.420
 And yet,

00:27:07.520 --> 00:27:07.720
 again,

00:27:07.800 --> 00:27:08.259
 historically,

00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:08.600
 see,

00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:09.240
 if you

00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:09.900
 asked Joe

00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:10.280
 Blow down

00:27:10.280 --> 00:27:10.640
 the street,

00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:12.100
 the church

00:27:12.100 --> 00:27:12.480
 has been

00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:13.180
 modeled as

00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:13.580
 a holy

00:27:13.580 --> 00:27:14.080
 building,

00:27:15.040 --> 00:27:16.300
 but the

00:27:16.300 --> 00:27:16.700
 bloke down

00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:17.060
 the street

00:27:17.060 --> 00:27:17.560
 will say,

00:27:17.840 --> 00:27:18.000
 yeah,

00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:18.500
 but it's

00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:18.900
 far from

00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:19.180
 a holy

00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:19.660
 community,

00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:19.980
 isn't it?

00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:25.780
 We're

00:27:25.780 --> 00:27:26.120
 sunk

00:27:26.120 --> 00:27:27.200
 before we

00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:27.820
 even start.

00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:33.460
 nor must

00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:33.820
 we ever

00:27:33.820 --> 00:27:34.620
 measure our

00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:35.140
 spiritual

00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:36.440
 health or

00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:37.320
 vitality and

00:27:37.320 --> 00:27:38.240
 maturity as a

00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.000
 local church

00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:41.080
 by numbers,

00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:42.400
 by the

00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:42.960
 structures we

00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:43.220
 have here,

00:27:43.280 --> 00:27:43.540
 by the

00:27:43.540 --> 00:27:44.180
 programs we

00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:44.880
 have here,

00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:46.740
 the activities

00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.300
 we promote

00:27:47.300 --> 00:27:47.759
 and engage

00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:47.960
 in,

00:27:48.520 --> 00:27:50.460
 or even,

00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:51.560
 dare I say,

00:27:51.800 --> 00:27:52.200
 and the last

00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:52.540
 time I said

00:27:52.540 --> 00:27:52.880
 this a few

00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:53.280
 years ago,

00:27:53.900 --> 00:27:54.440
 it really

00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:55.000
 stirred up a

00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.440
 hornet's nest,

00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:57.000
 so just

00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.600
 listen really

00:27:57.600 --> 00:27:58.059
 carefully to

00:27:58.059 --> 00:27:58.279
 what I'm

00:27:58.279 --> 00:27:58.580
 going to

00:27:58.580 --> 00:27:58.980
 say now,

00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.539
 nor is it

00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:01.720
 a measure of

00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.400
 spiritual health

00:28:02.400 --> 00:28:02.920
 to count the

00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:03.320
 number of

00:28:03.320 --> 00:28:03.940
 evangelistic

00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:04.620
 activities we

00:28:04.620 --> 00:28:04.900
 have in

00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:05.259
 any given

00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:05.500
 year.

00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:10.320
 Spiritual

00:28:10.320 --> 00:28:10.940
 health and

00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:11.700
 vitality is

00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.440
 first and

00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:13.720
 foremost a

00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:15.080
 measurement of

00:28:15.080 --> 00:28:15.960
 being,

00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:18.559
 being a

00:28:18.559 --> 00:28:19.259
 radical new

00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:20.580
 community of

00:28:20.580 --> 00:28:21.440
 Christ's died

00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:22.000
 for people.

00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:22.640
 Now,

00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.440
 don't misunderstand

00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:24.080
 me again,

00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.400
 being a

00:28:25.400 --> 00:28:25.940
 radical new

00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:26.840
 community will

00:28:26.840 --> 00:28:27.980
 overflow into

00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:28.600
 all these other

00:28:28.600 --> 00:28:29.100
 areas of

00:28:29.100 --> 00:28:29.340
 mission,

00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:29.680
 and we'll

00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.039
 say more

00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:30.340
 about that

00:28:30.340 --> 00:28:30.820
 next week.

00:28:34.140 --> 00:28:34.440
 And so

00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:35.080
 it's being

00:28:35.080 --> 00:28:36.500
 this radical

00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:37.200
 new community,

00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:37.620
 having that

00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:38.240
 sense of who

00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:38.759
 I am,

00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:40.320
 it's that

00:28:40.320 --> 00:28:41.360
 that for me

00:28:41.360 --> 00:28:41.759
 at least,

00:28:41.860 --> 00:28:42.019
 anyway,

00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:43.759
 draws me into

00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.360
 this church

00:28:44.360 --> 00:28:45.440
 family to

00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:48.620
 minister and

00:28:48.620 --> 00:28:49.019
 to be

00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:49.960
 ministered to.

00:28:51.600 --> 00:28:52.160
 That's

00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:52.539
 community.

00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:55.759
 to teach

00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:58.380
 and to be

00:28:58.380 --> 00:28:58.840
 taught

00:28:58.840 --> 00:29:02.000
 by you.

00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:05.039
 To be a

00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:05.559
 contributing

00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:06.460
 part of the

00:29:06.460 --> 00:29:08.480
 body rather

00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:09.320
 than a

00:29:09.320 --> 00:29:10.279
 demander of

00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:11.160
 services that

00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:11.820
 somehow I

00:29:11.820 --> 00:29:12.140
 think I'm

00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:12.840
 entitled to

00:29:12.840 --> 00:29:14.039
 because of my

00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:14.660
 club membership

00:29:14.660 --> 00:29:14.980
 here.

00:29:19.400 --> 00:29:19.920
 All right,

00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:20.019
 well,

00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:20.440
 let's move on

00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:20.920
 to the second

00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:22.080
 picture then

00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:22.779
 and come

00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.199
 with me to

00:29:23.199 --> 00:29:23.679
 one Peter,

00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:24.099
 no,

00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:25.559
 what do you

00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:25.819
 call him?

00:29:25.939 --> 00:29:26.179
 Timothy,

00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:26.539
 that's the

00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:26.799
 other guy.

00:29:31.119 --> 00:29:31.679
 Having said

00:29:31.679 --> 00:29:31.859
 that,

00:29:31.899 --> 00:29:32.159
 I've now

00:29:32.159 --> 00:29:32.439
 gone and

00:29:32.439 --> 00:29:32.759
 lost my

00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:32.939
 place.

00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.000
 Tell me

00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:34.139
 where

00:29:34.139 --> 00:29:34.599
 Timothy is

00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:34.779
 in the

00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:35.000
 Bible.

00:29:35.199 --> 00:29:35.480
 This is

00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.179
 embarrassing.

00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:38.879
 Yeah,

00:29:38.939 --> 00:29:39.259
 here we go.

00:29:39.319 --> 00:29:39.659
 I've got it

00:29:39.659 --> 00:29:39.819
 now.

00:29:40.179 --> 00:29:40.659
 I've got it.

00:29:40.819 --> 00:29:41.019
 Sorry.

00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:42.119
 So

00:29:42.119 --> 00:29:42.539
 embarrassing.

00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:45.559
 I have

00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:45.940
 read my

00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:46.159
 Bible

00:29:46.159 --> 00:29:46.579
 occasionally.

00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:49.579
 1 Timothy

00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:50.000
 3,

00:29:50.099 --> 00:29:50.720
 verses 15

00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.240
 and 16.

00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:53.480
 Another

00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:53.879
 picture.

00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:55.319
 Paul's

00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:55.920
 writing to

00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:57.339
 Timothy

00:29:57.339 --> 00:29:57.920
 particularly,

00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:58.680
 pastoral

00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.059
 epistle,

00:30:00.159 --> 00:30:00.799
 and he's

00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:00.960
 given

00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:01.740
 instructions to

00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.299
 Timothy and

00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:02.619
 the local

00:30:02.619 --> 00:30:03.279
 church family

00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:03.539
 through

00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:05.259
 Timothy about

00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:06.000
 the primary

00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.799
 focus of

00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:07.039
 what they

00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:07.579
 should be

00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:09.519
 together as

00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:09.960
 a church.

00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:13.160
 verse 15.

00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:16.059
 Verse 14,

00:30:16.100 --> 00:30:16.440
 I hope to

00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:16.940
 come to you

00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:17.120
 soon,

00:30:17.180 --> 00:30:17.440
 but I'm

00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:17.920
 writing these

00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:18.340
 things to

00:30:18.340 --> 00:30:18.680
 you so

00:30:18.680 --> 00:30:19.380
 that if

00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:19.539
 I'm

00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:19.960
 delayed,

00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:20.559
 you may

00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:21.279
 know how

00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:22.380
 one ought

00:30:22.380 --> 00:30:23.019
 to behave

00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:23.360
 in the

00:30:23.360 --> 00:30:23.860
 household of

00:30:23.860 --> 00:30:24.100
 God,

00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:25.539
 which is

00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.000
 the church

00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:26.299
 of the

00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:26.880
 living God,

00:30:28.100 --> 00:30:28.600
 a pillar

00:30:28.600 --> 00:30:28.960
 and

00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:29.380
 buttress

00:30:29.380 --> 00:30:30.000
 of truth.

00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:34.539
 Again,

00:30:34.600 --> 00:30:34.980
 it's a

00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:35.420
 building

00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:36.000
 picture,

00:30:36.100 --> 00:30:36.400
 isn't it?

00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.400
 Paul's

00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:41.100
 urging these

00:30:41.100 --> 00:30:41.500
 believers

00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.019
 both to

00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:43.039
 identify the

00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:43.680
 foundational

00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:44.940
 essentials of

00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:45.600
 God's word

00:30:45.600 --> 00:30:45.860
 and the

00:30:45.860 --> 00:30:46.200
 gospel,

00:30:46.640 --> 00:30:48.759
 and then

00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:49.920
 urging them

00:30:49.920 --> 00:30:50.819
 to strive to

00:30:50.819 --> 00:30:51.140
 have the

00:30:51.140 --> 00:30:52.120
 whole community

00:30:52.120 --> 00:30:53.720
 built strongly

00:30:53.720 --> 00:30:54.759
 and clearly,

00:30:55.380 --> 00:30:55.920
 that's the

00:30:55.920 --> 00:30:56.180
 pillars,

00:30:57.660 --> 00:31:00.340
 on those

00:31:00.340 --> 00:31:00.799
 foundational

00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:01.200
 truths.

00:31:01.200 --> 00:31:05.660
 So,

00:31:05.860 --> 00:31:06.220
 what does

00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:06.519
 all that

00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:06.740
 mean?

00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:07.400
 Well,

00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:09.080
 I think it

00:31:09.080 --> 00:31:09.680
 means a

00:31:09.680 --> 00:31:10.120
 whole range

00:31:10.120 --> 00:31:10.360
 of things.

00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:10.880
 I'm only

00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:11.100
 going to

00:31:11.100 --> 00:31:11.500
 touch down

00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:11.980
 on three

00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:12.299
 or four

00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:12.500
 of them.

00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:14.100
 I think

00:31:14.100 --> 00:31:14.580
 at least

00:31:14.580 --> 00:31:14.960
 it means

00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:15.340
 this,

00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:17.299
 that

00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:17.980
 together,

00:31:18.980 --> 00:31:20.059
 not just

00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:20.640
 the pastor,

00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:21.080
 not just

00:31:21.080 --> 00:31:21.500
 the elders,

00:31:21.620 --> 00:31:21.880
 not just

00:31:21.880 --> 00:31:22.259
 the leaders,

00:31:22.620 --> 00:31:23.620
 but together

00:31:23.620 --> 00:31:26.799
 we have

00:31:26.799 --> 00:31:27.580
 a responsibility

00:31:27.580 --> 00:31:28.420
 to know

00:31:28.420 --> 00:31:29.019
 the truth

00:31:29.019 --> 00:31:29.380
 of the

00:31:29.380 --> 00:31:29.680
 gospel,

00:31:29.840 --> 00:31:30.080
 to know

00:31:30.080 --> 00:31:30.460
 the truth

00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:31.000
 of scripture,

00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:32.059
 to know

00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:32.519
 the truth

00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:32.940
 of God's

00:31:32.940 --> 00:31:33.259
 purpose

00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:33.519
 in this

00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:33.900
 world.

00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:35.400
 Why?

00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:37.340
 So that

00:31:37.340 --> 00:31:38.380
 we together,

00:31:38.880 --> 00:31:39.160
 again,

00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:39.720
 not just

00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.220
 the pastor,

00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.279
 not just

00:31:41.279 --> 00:31:41.680
 the elders,

00:31:41.840 --> 00:31:42.160
 not just

00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:42.580
 the leaders,

00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:43.340
 so that

00:31:43.340 --> 00:31:44.140
 we together

00:31:44.140 --> 00:31:45.180
 can identify

00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:46.960
 and counter

00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:48.500
 false teaching

00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.620
 and promote

00:31:49.620 --> 00:31:50.080
 truth.

00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:53.680
 Together,

00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:55.100
 we help

00:31:55.100 --> 00:31:55.819
 one another

00:31:55.819 --> 00:31:58.120
 measure on

00:31:58.120 --> 00:31:58.759
 the measures,

00:31:59.019 --> 00:31:59.440
 measure on

00:31:59.440 --> 00:31:59.920
 the important,

00:32:00.340 --> 00:32:01.100
 and avoid

00:32:01.099 --> 00:32:01.419
 getting

00:32:01.419 --> 00:32:02.539
 tripped up

00:32:02.539 --> 00:32:03.539
 by distractions

00:32:03.539 --> 00:32:03.899
 or

00:32:03.899 --> 00:32:04.639
 controversies

00:32:04.639 --> 00:32:04.859
 that are

00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:05.439
 unhelpful,

00:32:06.219 --> 00:32:06.639
 that bring

00:32:06.639 --> 00:32:07.419
 strife and

00:32:07.419 --> 00:32:07.859
 division

00:32:07.859 --> 00:32:08.899
 rather than

00:32:08.899 --> 00:32:09.819
 unity and

00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:10.339
 Christ-like

00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:10.819
 character.

00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:13.879
 And again,

00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:15.119
 that's a

00:32:15.119 --> 00:32:15.919
 really easy,

00:32:16.119 --> 00:32:16.839
 clear statement

00:32:16.839 --> 00:32:17.659
 of our

00:32:17.659 --> 00:32:18.059
 agenda.

00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:19.539
 Again,

00:32:19.619 --> 00:32:19.819
 you see,

00:32:20.639 --> 00:32:21.659
 political parties

00:32:21.659 --> 00:32:22.859
 will push

00:32:22.859 --> 00:32:24.059
 political agendas,

00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:26.000
 community

00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:26.480
 groups,

00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.500
 community groups

00:32:26.500 --> 00:32:27.259
 will build

00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:27.960
 hospitals,

00:32:28.960 --> 00:32:29.599
 clubs will

00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:29.960
 provide

00:32:29.960 --> 00:32:30.619
 entertainment

00:32:30.619 --> 00:32:31.220
 and sporting

00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:31.839
 facilities,

00:32:32.379 --> 00:32:33.500
 but a primary

00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:34.419
 task of the

00:32:34.419 --> 00:32:35.579
 church is

00:32:35.579 --> 00:32:36.379
 to support,

00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:37.559
 defend,

00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:38.559
 and promote

00:32:38.559 --> 00:32:40.500
 truth,

00:32:40.700 --> 00:32:41.159
 the truth of

00:32:41.159 --> 00:32:41.599
 the gospel,

00:32:42.319 --> 00:32:42.759
 the truth of

00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.299
 God's word,

00:32:44.159 --> 00:32:44.740
 as found in

00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.099
 the Bible.

00:32:46.980 --> 00:32:47.639
 And that's,

00:32:47.740 --> 00:32:48.240
 my friends,

00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:50.319
 why teaching

00:32:50.319 --> 00:32:51.399
 is front and

00:32:51.399 --> 00:32:51.879
 center and

00:32:51.879 --> 00:32:52.519
 important in

00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:53.220
 this local

00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:53.599
 church.

00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:56.519
 We must be

00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:57.659
 word or

00:32:57.659 --> 00:32:58.659
 Bible focused

00:32:58.659 --> 00:33:00.059
 as a church

00:33:00.059 --> 00:33:00.419
 family,

00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:01.339
 at every level,

00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:02.200
 not just here

00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:02.539
 on the Sunday

00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:02.819
 mornings,

00:33:02.899 --> 00:33:03.339
 you listen to

00:33:03.339 --> 00:33:03.519
 me,

00:33:03.599 --> 00:33:04.879
 but in your

00:33:04.879 --> 00:33:05.500
 small groups,

00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:06.319
 in your youth

00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:06.559
 groups,

00:33:06.619 --> 00:33:07.079
 in your fresh

00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:07.419
 groups,

00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:09.679
 in your homes.

00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:11.740
 We must be

00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:13.000
 word focused.

00:33:16.179 --> 00:33:17.439
 We must be

00:33:17.439 --> 00:33:18.960
 able to help

00:33:18.960 --> 00:33:19.460
 one another

00:33:19.460 --> 00:33:20.079
 through that

00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:21.160
 word grow

00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:22.039
 into maturity

00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:22.740
 in Christ,

00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:24.440
 well instructed

00:33:24.440 --> 00:33:25.220
 in what it is

00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:26.880
 to be like

00:33:26.880 --> 00:33:27.299
 Christ,

00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:29.600
 able to

00:33:29.600 --> 00:33:30.420
 implement the

00:33:30.420 --> 00:33:31.120
 principles of

00:33:31.120 --> 00:33:31.680
 scripture and

00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:32.140
 the principles

00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:32.680
 of the gospel

00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:33.940
 into every

00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:34.799
 season and

00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:35.660
 circumstance of

00:33:35.660 --> 00:33:35.960
 life.

00:33:42.220 --> 00:33:42.740
 So,

00:33:42.860 --> 00:33:43.640
 given that,

00:33:45.779 --> 00:33:46.460
 I think,

00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.000
 personally,

00:33:47.100 --> 00:33:47.440
 I think it's

00:33:47.440 --> 00:33:48.140
 really sad

00:33:48.140 --> 00:33:50.400
 that Christians

00:33:50.400 --> 00:33:51.280
 are so,

00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:53.040
 dare I say,

00:33:53.140 --> 00:33:53.860
 careless about

00:33:53.860 --> 00:33:54.500
 learning God's

00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:54.680
 word.

00:33:58.440 --> 00:33:58.920
 Some,

00:33:59.280 --> 00:33:59.580
 these days,

00:33:59.620 --> 00:33:59.860
 are even

00:33:59.860 --> 00:34:01.020
 opposed to

00:34:01.020 --> 00:34:01.600
 God's word,

00:34:01.840 --> 00:34:02.000
 saying,

00:34:02.140 --> 00:34:02.180
 well,

00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:02.900
 don't teach me

00:34:02.900 --> 00:34:03.460
 doctrine because

00:34:03.460 --> 00:34:04.320
 it's boring and

00:34:04.320 --> 00:34:04.860
 tedious and

00:34:04.860 --> 00:34:05.420
 unnecessary.

00:34:05.960 --> 00:34:06.580
 Just let me

00:34:06.580 --> 00:34:07.300
 sing praises.

00:34:07.299 --> 00:34:15.380
 but here's

00:34:15.380 --> 00:34:15.940
 how it works.

00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:17.500
 It's the

00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:17.739
 older,

00:34:17.860 --> 00:34:18.320
 younger thing

00:34:18.320 --> 00:34:18.820
 that I

00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:19.400
 stumbled over

00:34:19.400 --> 00:34:19.900
 last week.

00:34:20.360 --> 00:34:20.679
 Older

00:34:20.679 --> 00:34:20.920
 Christians,

00:34:21.480 --> 00:34:22.599
 it's your

00:34:22.599 --> 00:34:23.460
 responsibility

00:34:23.460 --> 00:34:24.759
 and privilege

00:34:24.759 --> 00:34:27.340
 to be able

00:34:27.340 --> 00:34:28.079
 to pass

00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:28.820
 down to the

00:34:28.820 --> 00:34:29.699
 next generation

00:34:29.699 --> 00:34:31.259
 that which

00:34:31.259 --> 00:34:31.739
 you've come

00:34:31.739 --> 00:34:32.259
 to appreciate

00:34:32.259 --> 00:34:32.840
 from God's

00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:33.000
 word.

00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:33.059
 God's

00:34:33.059 --> 00:34:33.079
 word.

00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:33.320
 God's

00:34:33.320 --> 00:34:33.519
 word.

00:34:33.519 --> 00:34:33.579
 God's

00:34:33.579 --> 00:34:33.599
 word.

00:34:33.599 --> 00:34:35.000
 God's

00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:37.279
 word.

00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:38.700
 And sometimes

00:34:38.700 --> 00:34:39.920
 that traffic

00:34:39.920 --> 00:34:40.940
 is from the

00:34:40.940 --> 00:34:41.380
 bottom up.

00:34:41.540 --> 00:34:41.960
 Sometimes

00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:43.560
 our young

00:34:43.560 --> 00:34:44.180
 people come

00:34:44.180 --> 00:34:44.920
 with a fresh

00:34:44.920 --> 00:34:46.700
 face to

00:34:46.700 --> 00:34:47.019
 scripture,

00:34:47.120 --> 00:34:47.380
 that is,

00:34:47.420 --> 00:34:47.800
 without all

00:34:47.800 --> 00:34:48.220
 the baggage

00:34:48.220 --> 00:34:48.560
 that us

00:34:48.560 --> 00:34:49.120
 old geezers

00:34:49.120 --> 00:34:49.420
 have.

00:34:49.700 --> 00:34:50.260
 And sometimes

00:34:50.260 --> 00:34:51.019
 they can see

00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:51.500
 things in

00:34:51.500 --> 00:34:52.060
 God's word

00:34:52.060 --> 00:34:52.920
 that we've

00:34:52.920 --> 00:34:53.519
 become blind

00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:53.780
 to.

00:34:54.580 --> 00:34:55.180
 And so that

00:34:55.180 --> 00:34:55.580
 can work

00:34:55.580 --> 00:34:55.880
 from the

00:34:55.880 --> 00:34:56.360
 bottom up.

00:34:57.820 --> 00:34:58.420
 And it

00:34:58.420 --> 00:34:58.760
 does,

00:34:58.860 --> 00:34:59.040
 and it

00:34:59.040 --> 00:34:59.519
 has in

00:34:59.519 --> 00:35:00.080
 my life,

00:35:00.280 --> 00:35:00.680
 often.

00:35:04.820 --> 00:35:05.300
 Young

00:35:05.300 --> 00:35:05.620
 people,

00:35:05.619 --> 00:35:07.739
 don't be

00:35:07.739 --> 00:35:08.500
 content just

00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:09.139
 to drift

00:35:09.139 --> 00:35:10.039
 in respect

00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:10.659
 to God's

00:35:10.659 --> 00:35:10.839
 word.

00:35:12.380 --> 00:35:13.139
 You're part

00:35:13.139 --> 00:35:13.460
 of something

00:35:13.460 --> 00:35:13.859
 that's really

00:35:13.859 --> 00:35:14.500
 nice here,

00:35:14.920 --> 00:35:15.559
 but that

00:35:15.559 --> 00:35:16.319
 something that

00:35:16.319 --> 00:35:16.839
 you're part

00:35:16.839 --> 00:35:17.480
 of has

00:35:17.480 --> 00:35:18.139
 been fought

00:35:18.139 --> 00:35:18.759
 for over

00:35:18.759 --> 00:35:19.539
 many years.

00:35:21.359 --> 00:35:21.900
 There have

00:35:21.900 --> 00:35:22.179
 been those

00:35:22.179 --> 00:35:22.659
 who've stood

00:35:22.659 --> 00:35:23.739
 against opposition

00:35:23.739 --> 00:35:24.659
 to it and

00:35:24.659 --> 00:35:25.039
 have held

00:35:25.039 --> 00:35:25.599
 the course.

00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:27.219
 Your job

00:35:27.219 --> 00:35:27.659
 as the next

00:35:27.659 --> 00:35:28.299
 generation is

00:35:28.299 --> 00:35:29.239
 to identify

00:35:29.239 --> 00:35:29.799
 what those

00:35:29.799 --> 00:35:30.319
 things are

00:35:30.319 --> 00:35:31.239
 and decide

00:35:31.239 --> 00:35:32.119
 what things

00:35:32.119 --> 00:35:33.000
 as you seek

00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:33.619
 to apply the

00:35:33.619 --> 00:35:34.539
 gospel in your

00:35:34.539 --> 00:35:35.320
 generation going

00:35:35.320 --> 00:35:36.219
 forward where

00:35:36.219 --> 00:35:36.739
 you can be

00:35:36.739 --> 00:35:37.279
 flexible and

00:35:37.279 --> 00:35:37.519
 where you

00:35:37.519 --> 00:35:37.860
 need to be

00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:38.519
 inflexible.

00:35:38.940 --> 00:35:39.199
 And you

00:35:39.199 --> 00:35:39.619
 need to do

00:35:39.619 --> 00:35:40.179
 that on the

00:35:40.179 --> 00:35:40.619
 basis of

00:35:40.619 --> 00:35:41.179
 knowing God's

00:35:41.179 --> 00:35:41.320
 word.

00:35:41.400 --> 00:35:41.860
 You can only

00:35:41.860 --> 00:35:42.460
 do that on

00:35:42.460 --> 00:35:42.779
 the basis

00:35:42.779 --> 00:35:43.159
 of knowing

00:35:43.159 --> 00:35:43.480
 God's

00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:43.679
 word.

00:35:49.779 --> 00:35:50.320
 And what

00:35:50.320 --> 00:35:50.840
 we'll find

00:35:50.840 --> 00:35:51.960
 is that as

00:35:51.960 --> 00:35:52.639
 we are more

00:35:52.639 --> 00:35:53.159
 and more

00:35:53.159 --> 00:35:54.880
 clear in our

00:35:54.880 --> 00:35:55.579
 understanding of

00:35:55.579 --> 00:35:56.480
 God's word in

00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:57.300
 here, in this

00:35:57.300 --> 00:35:57.880
 local church

00:35:57.880 --> 00:35:58.500
 family where we

00:35:58.500 --> 00:35:59.019
 get a safe

00:35:59.019 --> 00:35:59.659
 environment to

00:35:59.659 --> 00:36:00.019
 learn it,

00:36:00.619 --> 00:36:01.360
 then I think

00:36:01.360 --> 00:36:02.000
 when we overflow

00:36:02.000 --> 00:36:02.759
 into the wider

00:36:02.759 --> 00:36:03.679
 community, we'll

00:36:03.679 --> 00:36:04.239
 have more and

00:36:04.239 --> 00:36:05.039
 more confidence

00:36:05.039 --> 00:36:06.099
 and conviction

00:36:06.099 --> 00:36:07.539
 to stand our

00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:08.379
 ground and

00:36:08.379 --> 00:36:09.079
 know where to

00:36:09.079 --> 00:36:09.559
 stand our

00:36:09.559 --> 00:36:10.299
 ground and

00:36:10.299 --> 00:36:10.839
 know how to

00:36:10.839 --> 00:36:11.299
 stand our

00:36:11.299 --> 00:36:11.559
 ground.

00:36:12.899 --> 00:36:14.019
 In a sense, it's

00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:14.599
 like an ordinary

00:36:14.599 --> 00:36:15.479
 biological family.

00:36:16.039 --> 00:36:17.239
 You learn how to

00:36:17.239 --> 00:36:17.939
 relate in the

00:36:17.939 --> 00:36:18.919
 safety, in

00:36:18.919 --> 00:36:19.419
 inverted commas,

00:36:19.500 --> 00:36:19.919
 of your local

00:36:19.919 --> 00:36:21.299
 family, your

00:36:21.299 --> 00:36:22.000
 immediate biological

00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:23.059
 family, and

00:36:23.059 --> 00:36:23.779
 that's what then

00:36:23.779 --> 00:36:25.099
 equips you for

00:36:25.099 --> 00:36:25.579
 going out into

00:36:25.579 --> 00:36:26.259
 the wider world.

00:36:30.099 --> 00:36:30.899
 And just in

00:36:30.899 --> 00:36:31.579
 passing, I'll say

00:36:31.579 --> 00:36:32.779
 look, it's God's

00:36:32.779 --> 00:36:33.379
 truth we're to

00:36:33.380 --> 00:36:33.960
 defend and

00:36:33.960 --> 00:36:34.480
 pass on.

00:36:35.740 --> 00:36:36.539
 The truth is

00:36:36.539 --> 00:36:37.119
 not ours to

00:36:37.119 --> 00:36:37.700
 change in our

00:36:37.700 --> 00:36:38.220
 generation.

00:36:43.160 --> 00:36:43.960
 We're not free

00:36:43.960 --> 00:36:44.820
 to say, well,

00:36:45.000 --> 00:36:45.539
 okay, this will

00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:46.380
 be acceptable to

00:36:46.380 --> 00:36:47.119
 society, this

00:36:47.119 --> 00:36:47.680
 won't be, so

00:36:47.680 --> 00:36:48.119
 we'll go with

00:36:48.119 --> 00:36:48.400
 this.

00:36:50.619 --> 00:36:51.340
 We're not able

00:36:51.340 --> 00:36:51.660
 to say, well,

00:36:51.680 --> 00:36:51.980
 look, I'd

00:36:51.980 --> 00:36:52.960
 prefer to teach

00:36:52.960 --> 00:36:53.599
 this rather than

00:36:53.599 --> 00:36:53.940
 that.

00:36:56.680 --> 00:36:57.519
 It makes more

00:36:57.519 --> 00:36:58.380
 sense to try and

00:36:58.380 --> 00:36:59.740
 ease people into

00:36:59.740 --> 00:37:00.240
 it by being

00:37:00.240 --> 00:37:00.980
 entertaining.

00:37:00.980 --> 00:37:02.039
 Well, that's

00:37:02.039 --> 00:37:02.740
 fine, providing

00:37:02.740 --> 00:37:05.119
 we're not, you

00:37:05.119 --> 00:37:07.079
 know, not getting

00:37:07.079 --> 00:37:07.940
 the sharp edges of

00:37:07.940 --> 00:37:09.139
 the gospel, so

00:37:09.139 --> 00:37:09.579
 it's not even

00:37:09.579 --> 00:37:10.079
 recognizable.

00:37:12.340 --> 00:37:13.380
 I also say, then,

00:37:13.420 --> 00:37:13.880
 that being word

00:37:13.880 --> 00:37:14.699
 focused is not

00:37:14.699 --> 00:37:15.380
 sermon focused.

00:37:15.480 --> 00:37:16.260
 That's a big thing

00:37:16.260 --> 00:37:17.000
 for our church, I

00:37:17.000 --> 00:37:17.119
 think.

00:37:17.219 --> 00:37:19.139
 Sometimes we equate

00:37:19.139 --> 00:37:19.460
 the two, and

00:37:19.460 --> 00:37:19.820
 they're not the

00:37:19.820 --> 00:37:20.019
 same.

00:37:20.340 --> 00:37:20.800
 Now, obviously,

00:37:21.280 --> 00:37:21.900
 what I'm doing

00:37:21.900 --> 00:37:23.079
 here, teaching, is

00:37:23.079 --> 00:37:23.820
 I think a really

00:37:23.820 --> 00:37:25.420
 valuable aspect of

00:37:25.420 --> 00:37:27.139
 being in God's

00:37:27.139 --> 00:37:27.679
 church family.

00:37:27.679 --> 00:37:30.019
 but a sermon

00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:30.679
 of itself will

00:37:30.679 --> 00:37:31.259
 not bring us

00:37:31.259 --> 00:37:31.759
 to maturity.

00:37:33.059 --> 00:37:33.679
 I've never

00:37:33.679 --> 00:37:34.599
 thought that, never

00:37:34.599 --> 00:37:35.299
 will think that.

00:37:38.199 --> 00:37:38.719
 Being word

00:37:38.719 --> 00:37:39.339
 focused is not

00:37:39.339 --> 00:37:39.819
 being sermon

00:37:39.819 --> 00:37:40.219
 focused.

00:37:40.819 --> 00:37:42.399
 We need to

00:37:42.399 --> 00:37:43.059
 instruct each

00:37:43.059 --> 00:37:43.519
 other in the

00:37:43.519 --> 00:37:44.659
 word at every

00:37:44.659 --> 00:37:45.279
 point in our

00:37:45.279 --> 00:37:45.799
 church family

00:37:45.799 --> 00:37:46.119
 life.

00:37:50.839 --> 00:37:51.619
 Being word

00:37:51.619 --> 00:37:52.099
 centered will

00:37:52.099 --> 00:37:52.879
 show as we

00:37:52.879 --> 00:37:53.599
 move into this

00:37:53.599 --> 00:37:54.099
 period of

00:37:54.099 --> 00:37:55.179
 significant change

00:37:55.179 --> 00:37:56.819
 for our church

00:37:56.819 --> 00:37:57.179
 family.

00:37:57.679 --> 00:37:58.559
 I'm starting

00:37:58.559 --> 00:37:59.899
 to move on

00:37:59.899 --> 00:38:01.460
 after 23 years

00:38:01.460 --> 00:38:01.659
 here.

00:38:02.000 --> 00:38:02.759
 That's a big

00:38:02.759 --> 00:38:03.219
 change.

00:38:04.219 --> 00:38:04.579
 The next

00:38:04.579 --> 00:38:05.460
 generation steps

00:38:05.460 --> 00:38:05.699
 in.

00:38:07.539 --> 00:38:08.440
 We will show

00:38:08.440 --> 00:38:08.980
 how word

00:38:08.980 --> 00:38:09.719
 focused we are

00:38:09.719 --> 00:38:10.899
 as we move

00:38:10.899 --> 00:38:11.500
 into that period

00:38:11.500 --> 00:38:12.039
 of change, the

00:38:12.039 --> 00:38:12.699
 way we handle

00:38:12.699 --> 00:38:13.339
 it emotionally,

00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:14.519
 the way we,

00:38:14.899 --> 00:38:15.879
 again, look to

00:38:15.879 --> 00:38:16.279
 see what's

00:38:16.279 --> 00:38:16.960
 flexible, what

00:38:16.960 --> 00:38:17.719
 can be changed

00:38:17.719 --> 00:38:18.139
 if we move

00:38:18.139 --> 00:38:18.819
 forward for a

00:38:18.819 --> 00:38:19.399
 new generation

00:38:19.399 --> 00:38:19.980
 and what needs

00:38:19.980 --> 00:38:20.419
 to stay the

00:38:20.419 --> 00:38:20.639
 same.

00:38:24.779 --> 00:38:25.119
 And being

00:38:25.119 --> 00:38:25.639
 word centered,

00:38:25.759 --> 00:38:26.119
 my friends,

00:38:26.179 --> 00:38:26.639
 will happen in

00:38:26.639 --> 00:38:27.199
 private, in

00:38:27.199 --> 00:38:29.239
 families, specific

00:38:29.239 --> 00:38:30.139
 circumstances of

00:38:30.139 --> 00:38:33.319
 life, including

00:38:33.319 --> 00:38:33.980
 our dealing

00:38:33.980 --> 00:38:34.480
 with sin.

00:38:36.199 --> 00:38:36.939
 That's when we'll

00:38:36.939 --> 00:38:37.519
 see how word

00:38:37.519 --> 00:38:38.239
 focused we are.

00:38:39.859 --> 00:38:40.519
 Dealing with

00:38:40.519 --> 00:38:42.259
 conflict, that

00:38:42.259 --> 00:38:43.279
 shows how word

00:38:43.279 --> 00:38:43.980
 focused we are.

00:38:47.079 --> 00:38:48.079
 So often we put

00:38:48.079 --> 00:38:48.960
 the gloves on and

00:38:48.960 --> 00:38:49.699
 the Bible away.

00:38:49.699 --> 00:38:56.619
 being word

00:38:56.619 --> 00:38:57.299
 centered means

00:38:57.299 --> 00:38:58.279
 governing all of

00:38:58.279 --> 00:38:59.339
 church life by

00:38:59.339 --> 00:38:59.939
 God's word.

00:39:01.019 --> 00:39:01.500
 It means that

00:39:01.500 --> 00:39:02.299
 every decision,

00:39:02.699 --> 00:39:03.399
 every direction,

00:39:03.579 --> 00:39:04.219
 every program,

00:39:04.399 --> 00:39:05.039
 every activity

00:39:05.039 --> 00:39:05.579
 in our church

00:39:05.579 --> 00:39:06.319
 family is to be

00:39:06.319 --> 00:39:07.500
 formed in the

00:39:07.500 --> 00:39:08.119
 light of God's

00:39:08.119 --> 00:39:08.299
 word.

00:39:10.679 --> 00:39:11.119
 Friends, the

00:39:11.119 --> 00:39:11.639
 principle is

00:39:11.639 --> 00:39:12.859
 relatively simple.

00:39:13.480 --> 00:39:14.639
 Be who you

00:39:14.639 --> 00:39:14.980
 are.

00:39:14.980 --> 00:39:19.119
 need to

00:39:19.119 --> 00:39:19.579
 understand,

00:39:19.760 --> 00:39:20.400
 therefore, who

00:39:20.400 --> 00:39:20.880
 you are.

00:39:22.519 --> 00:39:23.000
 And you need to

00:39:23.000 --> 00:39:23.500
 understand the

00:39:23.500 --> 00:39:24.059
 connection that

00:39:24.059 --> 00:39:24.900
 when you truly

00:39:24.900 --> 00:39:25.719
 understand who

00:39:25.719 --> 00:39:27.039
 you are, you

00:39:27.039 --> 00:39:28.059
 will overflow

00:39:28.059 --> 00:39:30.559
 into mission

00:39:30.559 --> 00:39:32.840
 as you cannot

00:39:32.840 --> 00:39:35.240
 but declare the

00:39:35.240 --> 00:39:36.260
 excellencies of

00:39:36.260 --> 00:39:36.860
 him who called

00:39:36.860 --> 00:39:37.179
 you out of

00:39:37.179 --> 00:39:37.880
 darkness into his

00:39:37.880 --> 00:39:38.480
 marvelous way.

00:39:40.440 --> 00:39:41.079
 Next week, as I

00:39:41.079 --> 00:39:42.079
 say, I'll spend a

00:39:42.079 --> 00:39:42.559
 bit of time on the

00:39:42.559 --> 00:39:43.159
 second principle.

00:39:44.980 --> 00:39:45.699
 But let me just

00:39:45.699 --> 00:39:46.400
 conclude with this.

00:39:47.259 --> 00:39:47.980
 Sometimes, well,

00:39:48.079 --> 00:39:48.619
 not sometimes,

00:39:48.739 --> 00:39:49.219
 regularly, I'm

00:39:49.219 --> 00:39:49.759
 accused of being

00:39:49.759 --> 00:39:50.500
 Eeyore, always

00:39:50.500 --> 00:39:50.799
 seeing the

00:39:50.799 --> 00:39:51.039
 negative.

00:39:51.579 --> 00:39:52.079
 I just want to

00:39:52.079 --> 00:39:53.179
 finish by a

00:39:53.179 --> 00:39:53.400
 word of

00:39:53.400 --> 00:39:53.739
 encouragement.

00:39:54.219 --> 00:39:55.820
 I am so, so

00:39:55.820 --> 00:39:56.940
 thankful every

00:39:56.940 --> 00:40:00.219
 single week that

00:40:00.219 --> 00:40:03.420
 so many in this

00:40:03.420 --> 00:40:04.739
 church, in this

00:40:04.739 --> 00:40:05.299
 local church

00:40:05.299 --> 00:40:06.079
 family, really

00:40:06.079 --> 00:40:06.980
 are concerned to

00:40:06.980 --> 00:40:07.920
 implement God's

00:40:07.920 --> 00:40:08.719
 agenda, really

00:40:08.719 --> 00:40:09.500
 are concerned to

00:40:09.500 --> 00:40:10.219
 discover God's

00:40:10.219 --> 00:40:10.460
 agenda.

00:40:10.460 --> 00:40:12.980
 For my role as

00:40:12.980 --> 00:40:13.900
 an elder, leader,

00:40:14.059 --> 00:40:15.639
 pastor, he's so

00:40:15.639 --> 00:40:16.079
 delightful.

00:40:17.240 --> 00:40:17.599
 In Hebrews,

00:40:18.360 --> 00:40:19.320
 Christians are

00:40:19.320 --> 00:40:20.260
 encouraged to make

00:40:20.260 --> 00:40:21.000
 the joy of

00:40:21.000 --> 00:40:22.980
 leaders by being

00:40:22.980 --> 00:40:24.119
 cooperative, by

00:40:24.119 --> 00:40:25.079
 setting the lead

00:40:25.079 --> 00:40:26.760
 yourselves in terms

00:40:26.760 --> 00:40:27.280
 of pursuing

00:40:27.280 --> 00:40:27.980
 Christlikeness.

00:40:28.820 --> 00:40:30.039
 I'm so thankful

00:40:30.039 --> 00:40:30.659
 for what we have

00:40:30.659 --> 00:40:31.260
 here as a church

00:40:31.260 --> 00:40:31.619
 family.

00:40:32.720 --> 00:40:33.860
 But it's never

00:40:33.860 --> 00:40:36.099
 guaranteed unless

00:40:36.099 --> 00:40:37.159
 every one of us

00:40:37.159 --> 00:40:38.920
 buy into it and

00:40:38.920 --> 00:40:39.659
 buy into the

00:40:39.659 --> 00:40:40.399
 process that has

00:40:40.399 --> 00:40:40.980
 brought us here

00:40:40.980 --> 00:40:42.179
 and buy into the

00:40:42.179 --> 00:40:44.179
 process of God's

00:40:44.179 --> 00:40:45.079
 living, enduring

00:40:45.079 --> 00:40:45.639
 word that will

00:40:45.639 --> 00:40:46.399
 keep us here for

00:40:46.399 --> 00:40:46.679
 the next

00:40:46.679 --> 00:40:47.500
 umpteen years.

00:40:51.319 --> 00:40:52.219
 Of course, there's

00:40:52.219 --> 00:40:52.779
 always room for

00:40:52.779 --> 00:40:53.639
 improvement in me

00:40:53.639 --> 00:40:56.539
 and in you, but I

00:40:56.539 --> 00:40:57.059
 think we should be

00:40:57.059 --> 00:40:57.739
 excited and

00:40:57.739 --> 00:41:00.679
 thankful and all

00:41:00.679 --> 00:41:01.199
 the more

00:41:01.199 --> 00:41:01.879
 determined,

00:41:02.079 --> 00:41:05.279
 therefore, to

00:41:05.279 --> 00:41:06.279
 grow up into

00:41:06.279 --> 00:41:06.899
 Christ even

00:41:06.899 --> 00:41:08.799
 further, saying

00:41:08.800 --> 00:41:09.360
 this has been

00:41:09.360 --> 00:41:10.160
 such a good

00:41:10.160 --> 00:41:10.720
 thing the Lord

00:41:10.720 --> 00:41:11.320
 has given us

00:41:11.320 --> 00:41:12.740
 and make sure

00:41:12.740 --> 00:41:13.480
 that it's there

00:41:13.480 --> 00:41:15.019
 in its completeness

00:41:15.019 --> 00:41:15.640
 and in its

00:41:15.640 --> 00:41:16.780
 development for the

00:41:16.780 --> 00:41:18.180
 next generations.

00:41:18.680 --> 00:41:19.140
 Let me pray.

00:41:25.539 --> 00:41:26.700
 Lord, so often

00:41:26.700 --> 00:41:29.180
 we make things

00:41:29.180 --> 00:41:29.860
 really complicated.

00:41:30.000 --> 00:41:30.680
 We think that

00:41:30.680 --> 00:41:31.920
 your agenda would

00:41:31.920 --> 00:41:32.820
 have us doing all

00:41:32.820 --> 00:41:33.620
 sorts of programs,

00:41:33.740 --> 00:41:34.500
 all sorts of bits

00:41:34.500 --> 00:41:36.100
 and pieces, and we

00:41:36.100 --> 00:41:36.880
 forget the basics,

00:41:36.880 --> 00:41:38.740
 Lord, of being who

00:41:38.740 --> 00:41:39.160
 we are.

00:41:41.500 --> 00:41:42.619
 Help us, Lord, to be

00:41:42.619 --> 00:41:43.519
 people who are

00:41:43.519 --> 00:41:46.420
 marked by holiness,

00:41:48.059 --> 00:41:50.619
 unity, and brotherly

00:41:50.619 --> 00:41:50.880
 love.

00:41:54.180 --> 00:41:55.480
 In Jesus' name I pray.

00:41:56.119 --> 00:41:56.460
 Amen.

00:41:57.840 --> 00:41:58.900
 One more sentence.

00:41:59.039 --> 00:42:00.500
 I deliberately did it

00:42:00.500 --> 00:42:00.880
 this way.

00:42:00.880 --> 00:42:03.980
 One of the things I

00:42:03.980 --> 00:42:05.380
 delight in most

00:42:05.380 --> 00:42:08.220
 over the years

00:42:08.220 --> 00:42:08.920
 here has been

00:42:08.920 --> 00:42:10.340
 to notice how

00:42:10.340 --> 00:42:12.119
 visitors coming in

00:42:12.119 --> 00:42:12.900
 and spending an

00:42:12.900 --> 00:42:13.500
 hour, an hour and a

00:42:13.500 --> 00:42:14.180
 half among us,

00:42:15.180 --> 00:42:16.760
 the first sense

00:42:16.760 --> 00:42:17.740
 of response

00:42:17.740 --> 00:42:19.079
 I get to them

00:42:19.079 --> 00:42:19.720
 is that they've

00:42:19.720 --> 00:42:20.740
 got a really strong

00:42:20.740 --> 00:42:21.619
 sense of who we

00:42:21.619 --> 00:42:23.340
 are in community.

00:42:24.780 --> 00:42:25.640
 They speak of

00:42:25.640 --> 00:42:26.240
 warmness,

00:42:26.360 --> 00:42:27.160
 warmness and

00:42:27.160 --> 00:42:27.559
 welcome,

00:42:28.200 --> 00:42:28.820
 and the focus

00:42:28.820 --> 00:42:29.559
 on God's word.

00:42:29.559 --> 00:42:31.460
 And they pick up

00:42:31.460 --> 00:42:32.519
 that sense of

00:42:32.519 --> 00:42:33.539
 who we are

00:42:33.539 --> 00:42:35.860
 before they start

00:42:35.860 --> 00:42:36.279
 thinking about

00:42:36.279 --> 00:42:37.059
 what we do.

00:42:38.099 --> 00:42:38.759
 And I think that's

00:42:38.759 --> 00:42:39.360
 just brilliant.

00:42:39.360 --> 00:42:39.460
 Thank you.

00:42:39.460 --> 00:42:39.539
 Thank you.