WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.880 Good morning, Watermark. 00:00:05.459 --> 00:00:08.519 That's exactly how I felt this morning, very cold. 00:00:09.099 --> 00:00:12.620 For those of you who don't know me, my name is Graham. 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:18.660 My 中文 means gum, so you can call me me gum in Chinese today. 00:00:20.179 --> 00:00:25.140 I'm married to Irina, my better half, and we have two children, 00:00:26.420 --> 00:00:29.320 Elijah, who's five, and Daniela, who's two. 00:00:29.320 --> 00:00:37.579 Now, there's one thing that we do as a family which is either considered incredibly brave or incredibly stupid, 00:00:38.159 --> 00:00:42.560 and that is we make a trip to Toys R Us. 00:00:43.640 --> 00:00:49.019 Now, if you're a parent, you understand how brave or stupid that experience can be. 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:54.859 So, anyway, for my five-year-old, the other day I said to him, we're going to Toys R Us, 00:00:54.859 --> 00:00:57.539 and his face lit up with excitement. 00:00:57.539 --> 00:01:05.000 You know, for me, I'm thinking he's going into a den of lions, and he's just, this is joy, this is Disneyland on steroids, 00:01:05.260 --> 00:01:06.879 we're going to Toys R Us. 00:01:07.379 --> 00:01:13.700 And then I said to him, but we're going to buy a gift for someone else, 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:15.299 because we were going to a birthday party. 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:16.859 And his face just dropped. 00:01:17.500 --> 00:01:20.879 It was this actual idea, why would we even do that? 00:01:20.879 --> 00:01:25.799 Why would we even think about someone else, right? 00:01:26.439 --> 00:01:34.340 And that is really kind of what happens to us when we come into the family of God, the kingdom of God, right? 00:01:34.340 --> 00:01:43.760 It's Jesus comes along with this radical message, and he changes us so much that we not only begin to think of ourselves, 00:01:44.180 --> 00:01:49.359 that over time we start thinking about others and their needs, right? 00:01:49.460 --> 00:01:51.879 And that's exactly what happened. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:57.120 This trip in Toys R Us, we're walking along, and everything about him at first is, 00:01:57.120 --> 00:02:01.320 is I want that, I want that, and I didn't even know I wanted that, but I want it. 00:02:01.900 --> 00:02:06.500 And then he began to change, and I said, okay, you really need to think about your friend, right? 00:02:06.520 --> 00:02:07.520 What is he like? 00:02:08.219 --> 00:02:12.140 And he began to change, and eventually when it came time to actually give the gift, 00:02:12.560 --> 00:02:17.860 he was really excited to see what he would think of the gift he had chosen, 00:02:18.159 --> 00:02:20.920 which was a Star Wars something or other, by the way. 00:02:20.919 --> 00:02:27.079 But if we think about it in terms of us, Jesus comes in and he says to us, 00:02:27.379 --> 00:02:31.679 he says, I want you to go out and make disciples of all nations. 00:02:31.779 --> 00:02:34.959 Now, he didn't say, I want you to go out and make converts. 00:02:35.339 --> 00:02:38.239 He said, I want you to go out and make disciples. 00:02:38.359 --> 00:02:42.779 Now, to make a disciple is a lot harder than making a convert. 00:02:42.780 --> 00:02:51.560 It means a lifetime of walking, of crying together, sharing your life together, 00:02:51.699 --> 00:02:56.039 to be known by someone, to know other people. 00:02:56.740 --> 00:03:01.039 And at Watermark, that is one of our really founding and guiding principles. 00:03:01.280 --> 00:03:05.120 We exist because it is our desire as a church, 00:03:05.500 --> 00:03:07.879 and we believe it is something that Jesus has placed on us, 00:03:07.879 --> 00:03:15.159 to help people grow, help them in their next step on their spiritual journey, right? 00:03:15.219 --> 00:03:18.299 Wherever you may be, we want you to grow. 00:03:18.539 --> 00:03:21.840 And how you do that is by having people in your life, 00:03:21.939 --> 00:03:25.740 people who know you, love you, care for you, want the best for you, 00:03:25.759 --> 00:03:30.500 and you yourself are there to know other people, love other people, 00:03:30.639 --> 00:03:32.300 and give to other people. 00:03:32.759 --> 00:03:35.879 So we do that primarily through community groups. 00:03:35.879 --> 00:03:39.960 We do it on a big day like this where we all get together and celebrate. 00:03:40.900 --> 00:03:45.539 But it's also our desire that it's not just something that happens here. 00:03:45.639 --> 00:03:49.740 We have a burning desire, God willing, to plant churches, right? 00:03:50.139 --> 00:03:53.900 Other little communities of the kingdom in Hong Kong 00:03:53.900 --> 00:03:56.759 and hopefully in other countries around the world. 00:03:57.439 --> 00:04:02.139 And that doesn't happen unless we're investing in people. 00:04:02.139 --> 00:04:08.079 We're training people, we're spending time with pastors and leaders 00:04:08.079 --> 00:04:11.599 and helping them grow and see how God's gifted them. 00:04:12.239 --> 00:04:16.180 So one of those is the Mandarin ministry, right? 00:04:16.339 --> 00:04:19.579 So we're going to have a first at Watermark today, 00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:21.259 not just the coldest day, 00:04:21.379 --> 00:04:26.060 but it's going to be the first time we have a sermon in Mandarin. 00:04:26.839 --> 00:04:27.079 Okay. 00:04:27.180 --> 00:04:28.000 So you can go. 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:30.560 All right. 00:04:31.079 --> 00:04:34.000 So just in case you think it's me, it's not me. 00:04:35.139 --> 00:04:37.800 Because it would be a very, very short sermon. 00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:38.160 Okay. 00:04:38.860 --> 00:04:43.560 But anyway, so David is going to be preaching for us. 00:04:43.800 --> 00:04:48.240 And David has been at Watermark for the past year and a half on staff. 00:04:48.420 --> 00:04:53.459 And he's involved in the university outreach with the Mandarin ministry. 00:04:53.459 --> 00:04:59.859 And he's also involved in starting a Mandarin community, CG, right? 00:05:00.799 --> 00:05:03.279 But, you know, this doesn't happen alone. 00:05:03.399 --> 00:05:05.299 It happens with a team of people. 00:05:05.639 --> 00:05:09.599 So David's got a team around him of fantastic volunteers. 00:05:10.279 --> 00:05:12.959 And they all help grow this thing. 00:05:13.299 --> 00:05:15.000 And one of the volunteers is Karen. 00:05:15.579 --> 00:05:18.419 And Karen is going to be our translator today. 00:05:19.359 --> 00:05:20.539 So there's Karen. 00:05:20.540 --> 00:05:21.100 Okay. 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:23.900 Karen's going to be our translator today for the message. 00:05:24.020 --> 00:05:26.280 But it's also, it's a real team effort today 00:05:26.280 --> 00:05:28.720 because we've got other members of the Mandarin CG 00:05:28.720 --> 00:05:33.160 who are going to help us do the scripture reading today as well. 00:05:33.300 --> 00:05:35.060 So could we welcome them up? 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:36.600 They're going to come up and read for us now. 00:05:36.600 --> 00:05:37.600 Thank you. 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:38.640 questões 00:05:38.640 --> 00:05:48.260 缺頔多前书15章50-58 00:05:48.259 --> 00:05:54.959 1 Corinthians 15, verse 50 to 58. 00:06:05.959 --> 00:06:14.439 I tell you this, brothers, flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 00:06:18.259 --> 00:06:28.060 Behold, I tell you a mystery, we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:47.939 In a moment, in the twinkling of a night, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound and the death will be raised imperishable. 00:06:48.259 --> 00:06:49.599 And we shall be changed. 00:06:50.259 --> 00:06:53.740 这必死坏的总要变成不死坏的。 00:06:53.740 --> 00:06:56.899 这必死的总要变成不死的。 00:06:56.899 --> 00:07:03.360 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:07.360 这必死坏的即变成不死坏的。 00:07:07.360 --> 00:07:10.360 这必死的即变成不死的。 00:07:11.360 --> 00:07:16.740 那时经上所记,死被得胜脱灭的话就应验了。 00:07:16.740 --> 00:07:21.740 死的独够就是罪。 00:07:21.740 --> 00:07:25.740 死的独够就是罪。 00:07:25.740 --> 00:07:27.740 死的独够就是律法。 00:07:27.740 --> 00:07:29.740 死的独够就是罪。 00:07:29.740 --> 00:07:31.740 死啊,你的独够在哪里。 00:07:31.740 --> 00:07:32.740 死啊,你的独够在哪里。 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:34.379 O death, where is your victory? 00:07:34.379 --> 00:07:36.400 O death, where is your sting? 00:07:36.740 --> 00:07:38.740 死的独够就是罪。 00:07:38.740 --> 00:07:40.740 罪的全是就是律法。 00:07:40.740 --> 00:07:41.740 死的独够就是罪。 00:07:41.740 --> 00:07:42.740 死的独够就是罪。 00:07:42.740 --> 00:07:43.740 死的独够就是罪。 00:07:43.740 --> 00:07:44.740 死的独够就是罪。 00:07:44.740 --> 00:07:45.740 死的独够就是罪。 00:07:45.740 --> 00:07:48.740 感谢神使我们可以借着我们的主耶稣基督得胜。 00:07:48.740 --> 00:07:49.740 但祝福是罪。 00:07:49.740 --> 00:07:50.740 但祝福是罪。 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:51.740 祝福是罪。 00:07:51.740 --> 00:07:52.740 祝福是罪。 00:07:52.740 --> 00:07:53.740 祝福是罪。 00:07:53.740 --> 00:07:54.740 祝福是罪。 00:07:54.740 --> 00:07:56.740 所以,我亲爱的弟兄们, 00:07:56.740 --> 00:07:59.740 你们物要兼顾,不可摇动。 00:07:59.740 --> 00:08:01.740 常常竭力多做主功。 00:08:01.740 --> 00:08:06.740 因为知道你们的劳苦在主里面不是突然的。 00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:07.740 祝福是罪。 00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:08.740 祝福是罪。 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:09.740 祝福是罪。 00:08:09.740 --> 00:08:10.740 永远的书。 00:08:10.740 --> 00:08:11.740 永远的书。 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:12.740 永远的书。 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:13.740 永远的书。 00:08:13.740 --> 00:08:14.740 永远的书。 00:08:14.740 --> 00:08:15.740 永远的书。 00:08:15.740 --> 00:08:20.740 永远的书。 00:08:20.740 --> 00:08:22.740 弟兄姐妹们,平安。 00:08:22.740 --> 00:08:23.740 弟兄姐妹们,平安。 00:08:23.740 --> 00:08:24.740 弟兄姐妹们,平安。 00:08:24.740 --> 00:08:25.740 弟兄姐妹们,平安。 00:08:25.740 --> 00:08:28.740 我们一直在讲哥林多前书。 00:08:28.740 --> 00:08:29.740 哥林多前书。 00:08:29.740 --> 00:08:33.740 哥林多教会呢,我们知道他们有一个特点, 00:08:33.740 --> 00:08:36.740 就是他们有能说方言的恩词。 00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:37.740 哥林多教会呢,我们知道他们有一个特点, 00:08:37.740 --> 00:08:38.740 他们能说方言的恩词。 00:08:38.740 --> 00:08:43.740 跟他们相比我们在说方言方面呢, 00:08:43.740 --> 00:08:45.740 我们也是很有恩赐的。 00:08:45.740 --> 00:08:50.740 今天呢,我说的话可能很多人听不明白。 00:08:50.740 --> 00:08:52.740 可能很多人可能不明白我说的, 00:08:52.740 --> 00:08:56.740 因为我说的就是这个世界上最大的方言。 00:08:56.740 --> 00:09:01.740 但今天我们在说方言的通常是通常的通常。 00:09:01.740 --> 00:09:03.740 但说方言呢,并没有什么。 00:09:03.740 --> 00:09:05.740 最难的是翻方言。 00:09:05.740 --> 00:09:07.740 其实,其实,他们也不太难说或者在讲。 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:08.740 并没有那么难说。 00:09:08.740 --> 00:09:10.740 而且保罗说。 00:09:10.740 --> 00:09:13.740 如果你能说方言但是别人听不懂,你就不要说。 00:09:16.740 --> 00:09:18.740 其实,他说了,如果你是可以说方言, 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:19.740 但是别人听不懂你要说话。 00:09:19.740 --> 00:09:20.740 并没有认识。 00:09:20.740 --> 00:09:21.740 并无法认识。 00:09:21.740 --> 00:09:22.740 并无法认识。 00:09:22.740 --> 00:09:25.740 感谢神赐给我们有翻方言恩赐的。 00:09:25.740 --> 00:09:27.740 但是我们相信他会成为方言的方言。 00:09:27.740 --> 00:09:29.299 have an interpreter of tongues. 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:40.779 Today, not only do we bring you tongues, 00:09:40.919 --> 00:09:42.159 but we have this cold weather. 00:09:46.399 --> 00:09:48.740 Actually, I was born in the coldest part of China. 00:09:51.899 --> 00:09:53.279 So maybe I brought the snow. 00:09:57.740 --> 00:10:02.960 But we know that when we're together, 00:10:03.180 --> 00:10:04.460 maybe it doesn't feel so cold. 00:10:07.840 --> 00:10:09.799 What's coldest is a coldness in the heart. 00:10:19.220 --> 00:10:21.740 Of course, it helps also if we're working out 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:23.399 as we did stretches earlier, 00:10:23.799 --> 00:10:25.220 and then your heart is pumping, 00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:26.019 you feel warmer. 00:10:27.740 --> 00:10:36.820 You know, if you go to the gym often, 00:10:36.980 --> 00:10:38.320 not only do you feel warmer, 00:10:38.779 --> 00:10:40.340 but you can build some muscle. 00:10:40.340 --> 00:10:48.580 The men can even develop six-pack or even eight-pack. 00:10:48.580 --> 00:10:48.600 The men can even develop six-pack or even eight-pack. 00:10:48.600 --> 00:10:59.960 As for sisters, the women, 00:11:00.180 --> 00:11:02.159 perhaps they do other exercises 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:03.840 that can also make them healthier. 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:10.259 We all work very hard to make ourselves healthier. 00:11:10.259 --> 00:11:17.280 We would like to live a little longer, 00:11:17.420 --> 00:11:18.259 live a little better. 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:26.779 We want to protect our lives 00:11:26.779 --> 00:11:28.580 and protect our bodies. 00:11:28.580 --> 00:11:39.379 But actually, no matter how hard we try, 00:11:39.940 --> 00:11:42.820 actually, our physical bodies are wasting away. 00:11:42.820 --> 00:11:44.860 So we read the Bible. 00:11:51.520 --> 00:11:52.920 And so when we read to this, 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:55.320 when we get to this passage in 1 Corinthians, 00:11:55.320 --> 00:12:01.980 when we read Paul saying 00:12:01.980 --> 00:12:03.220 flesh and blood 00:12:03.220 --> 00:12:05.560 cannot inherit the kingdom of God 00:12:05.560 --> 00:12:14.960 that means no matter how hard we try 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:16.660 to maintain our physical bodies 00:12:16.660 --> 00:12:18.220 flesh and blood 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:20.480 cannot inherit the kingdom of God 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:30.240 one more rep with that dumbbell 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:34.120 that cannot accomplish something 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:39.820 and sometimes it seems like 00:12:39.820 --> 00:12:41.500 everything we do is in vain 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:54.879 I don't know how you see your lives 00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:55.919 some people they say 00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:57.919 oh another day has just passed 00:12:57.919 --> 00:13:01.399 as though they've lost another day 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:07.399 now some people think 00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:08.840 wow I've lived another day 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:10.259 I just gained one more day 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:20.179 but when we do stop and ponder death 00:13:20.179 --> 00:13:21.879 sometimes we do think 00:13:21.879 --> 00:13:22.759 we are so small 00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:24.139 our lives are so small 00:13:24.139 --> 00:13:32.340 and when we focus on ourselves 00:13:32.340 --> 00:13:33.419 suddenly we find 00:13:33.419 --> 00:13:34.840 we don't have much hope 00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:39.220 we can work really hard 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:40.320 but it seems like 00:13:40.320 --> 00:13:41.500 it may all be in vain 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:49.420 but thanks be to our Lord Jesus Christ 00:13:49.420 --> 00:13:51.300 he's rose from the dead 00:13:51.300 --> 00:13:54.360 and he's given us 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:55.320 an eternal hope 00:13:55.320 --> 00:14:00.020 so all our labor 00:14:00.020 --> 00:14:01.780 doesn't have to be in vain 00:14:01.780 --> 00:14:01.800 so all our labor doesn't have to be in vain 00:14:01.799 --> 00:14:18.379 actually for myself 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:23.000 I was once in a zombie-like state 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:26.000 in the time 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:26.340 in the time 00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:31.740 I don't know if any of you 00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:33.720 have experienced death 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:35.659 of someone very close to you 00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:36.659 in the time 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:37.659 in the time 00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:38.159 my mother and my sister 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:38.659 just went to the dead 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:40.419 actually when I was quite young 00:14:40.419 --> 00:14:43.579 both my mother and sister passed away 00:14:43.580 --> 00:14:44.080 at that time 00:14:44.080 --> 00:14:48.780 I had a deep experience 00:14:48.780 --> 00:14:50.160 a deep taste of death 00:14:50.160 --> 00:14:58.840 I had such a warm embrace with them 00:14:58.840 --> 00:15:00.220 and then suddenly 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:01.820 it's cold to the touch 00:15:01.820 --> 00:15:08.140 physically they're so close to you 00:15:08.140 --> 00:15:10.320 but actually they're so far away 00:15:10.320 --> 00:15:17.040 and my whole world became very dark 00:15:17.040 --> 00:15:30.940 you know when you're so close to death 00:15:30.940 --> 00:15:32.460 suddenly you think that 00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:34.200 everything you're working for 00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:35.940 no matter how much money you have 00:15:35.940 --> 00:15:37.380 no matter what you've accomplished 00:15:37.380 --> 00:15:39.220 it doesn't mean very much 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:39.820 in that moment 00:15:39.820 --> 00:15:48.879 so when I was reading 00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:50.360 the book of Ecclesiastes 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:52.900 I resonated with it saying 00:15:52.900 --> 00:15:54.200 meaningless, meaningless 00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:55.360 everything is meaningless 00:15:55.360 --> 00:16:04.540 but then I came to know Christ 00:16:04.540 --> 00:16:06.100 and I discovered 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:08.100 there can be great meaning in life 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:12.480 He was crucified 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:14.279 and then He rose from the dead 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:17.460 and He's given us 00:16:17.460 --> 00:16:18.639 a new hope in life 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:31.480 after I experienced death 00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:34.700 I waxed philosophical 00:16:34.700 --> 00:16:35.300 I thought 00:16:35.300 --> 00:16:35.820 you know 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:37.259 seven billion people 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:38.759 in this world 00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:40.539 and they're all just plunging 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:41.279 to their deaths 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:48.459 as though there's this huge gate 00:16:48.459 --> 00:16:49.839 which is death 00:16:49.839 --> 00:16:52.019 and it's swallowing up everybody 00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:53.019 what hope was there 00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:55.259 what hope was there in that 00:16:55.259 --> 00:17:03.480 but the Lord Jesus Christ 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:05.420 He has opened up a new door 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:07.039 this is a door of life 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:08.420 so we can see 00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:10.779 and we have hope 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:19.619 and all of our labor 00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:21.059 in the Lord Jesus Christ 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:22.099 is not in vain 00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:30.779 I don't know if people feel afraid 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:32.659 if we're talking about death up here 00:17:32.660 --> 00:17:41.140 but only in Jesus Christ 00:17:41.140 --> 00:17:43.019 you can have victory 00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:44.620 when you think about death 00:17:44.619 --> 00:17:55.859 Everyone who dies 00:17:55.859 --> 00:17:57.079 in Jesus Christ 00:17:57.079 --> 00:17:58.659 we know they are just sleeping 00:17:58.659 --> 00:18:03.000 Actually 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:04.879 last year 00:18:04.879 --> 00:18:06.639 I experienced another loss 00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:11.360 but it brought greater richness 00:18:11.360 --> 00:18:12.280 to my life 00:18:12.280 --> 00:18:17.660 I had an American teacher 00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:18.420 and mentor 00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:29.100 He spent many years in China 00:18:29.100 --> 00:18:30.440 going from city to city 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:31.460 preaching the gospel 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:32.800 and training up leaders 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:39.419 This American finally passed away 00:18:39.419 --> 00:18:41.299 in the city of Xi'an 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:50.099 As we thought back over his life 00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:52.019 we thought of so many lives he touched 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:53.339 so many people 00:18:53.339 --> 00:18:54.779 whose lives were transformed 00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:56.419 because of this man's teaching 00:18:56.419 --> 00:18:57.139 and ministry 00:18:57.140 --> 00:18:58.380 in his life 00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:58.440 in his life 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:58.640 in his life 00:18:58.640 --> 00:18:59.140 in his life 00:18:59.140 --> 00:18:59.580 in his life 00:18:59.580 --> 00:19:00.140 in his life 00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:00.180 in his life 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:00.740 people看到 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:00.759 the people看到 00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:01.460 the people 00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:02.460 they看到 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:02.480 the people看到 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:02.500 the people看到 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:02.840 of his 00:19:02.840 --> 00:19:04.660 and when we thought 00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:05.580 about his life 00:19:05.580 --> 00:19:06.880 actually we didn't even 00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:08.120 think that much about him 00:19:08.120 --> 00:19:09.160 but we saw 00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:10.140 Jesus Christ 00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:12.020 in his life 00:19:12.020 --> 00:19:17.020 when he was still living 00:19:17.020 --> 00:19:18.100 a friend of his 00:19:18.100 --> 00:19:18.840 had cancer 00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:28.539 He asked his friends 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:29.659 when you found out 00:19:29.659 --> 00:19:30.599 that you had cancer 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:32.079 how did you respond 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:32.939 how did you feel 00:19:32.939 --> 00:19:46.199 His friends said 00:19:46.199 --> 00:19:47.679 actually at that moment 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:48.680 I felt that 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:49.880 I came to a new 00:19:49.880 --> 00:19:51.080 understanding of life 00:19:51.080 --> 00:19:55.660 You suddenly realize 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:56.539 what is important 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:58.160 and what is not important 00:19:58.160 --> 00:19:59.000 You know 00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.960 you should do 00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:01.440 and you know 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:02.560 where your priorities 00:20:02.560 --> 00:20:03.259 should lie 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:08.779 What things have eternal value 00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:10.220 and what things do not 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:15.100 I don't know 00:20:15.100 --> 00:20:15.840 what difficulties 00:20:15.840 --> 00:20:17.320 everyone is encountering 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:18.159 in their own lives 00:20:18.159 --> 00:20:25.359 There could be difficulties 00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:26.019 at work 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:27.339 or just different burdens 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:28.740 in your personal lives 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:33.059 For students 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:34.259 obviously your studies 00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:35.319 your GPAs 00:20:35.319 --> 00:20:42.500 In this world 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.859 actually when we focus 00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:44.519 on ourselves 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.899 often we lose hope 00:20:45.899 --> 00:20:46.839 You don't know 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:47.839 this whole thing 00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:50.819 and we don't know 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:51.339 if everything 00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:52.240 is just random 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:58.900 and when we measure it 00:20:58.900 --> 00:20:59.539 by death 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:00.660 then we think 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:01.880 what is the value 00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:03.279 of all that we do 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:33.279 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:33.980 says that 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:36.440 that those who are in Christ 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:37.660 that they are sleeping 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:45.559 People in this world 00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:46.779 we see someone 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.339 and we think 00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:48.259 oh he's dead 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.379 but for Christians 00:21:49.379 --> 00:21:50.039 we think 00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:50.940 he's sleeping 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:58.059 because Jesus says 00:21:58.059 --> 00:21:59.880 he who believes in 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:00.779 everyone who believes 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.200 with me 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:02.200 even if he dies 00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:02.920 he will live 00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:03.779 he will rise 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.360 from the dead 00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:11.299 But our current bodies 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:14.839 cannot receive 00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:15.359 the imperishable 00:22:15.879 --> 00:22:22.979 One day 00:22:22.979 --> 00:22:24.879 when Christ comes again 00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:26.599 we'll all be changed 00:22:26.599 --> 00:22:31.639 In the twinkling of an eye 00:22:31.639 --> 00:22:32.699 in a moment 00:22:32.699 --> 00:22:35.259 Everyone 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.599 we shall all be changed 00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:39.480 The dead will rise 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:44.459 And we'll receive 00:22:44.459 --> 00:22:45.219 a new body 00:22:45.219 --> 00:22:46.459 that Christ has prepared 00:22:46.459 --> 00:22:47.099 for us 00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:50.359 This is a glorious body 00:22:50.359 --> 00:22:54.740 Not a perishable body 00:22:54.740 --> 00:23:00.920 This perishable body 00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:02.339 will put on 00:23:02.339 --> 00:23:03.839 the imperishable 00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:10.660 When we talked about 00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:11.720 there's a door of death 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.779 and it's swallowing up 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:13.759 so many people 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:16.660 Swallowing up 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:17.700 so many souls 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:27.400 How do we feel 00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:28.120 about this? 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:29.620 Do we feel 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:30.580 compassion 00:23:30.580 --> 00:23:31.519 toward all 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.480 Do we feel pity 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:33.640 toward all these people 00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:34.620 Or do we think 00:23:34.620 --> 00:23:35.180 oh well 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:36.500 that's just how it goes 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:44.019 Do you perhaps 00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:45.279 feel a sense of urgency 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:45.980 as though 00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:47.319 you see there's a building 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:47.900 on fire 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:48.380 and you think 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.500 oh how can we save 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:51.279 the people in it? 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:55.440 Actually 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:56.180 every Christian 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:57.279 has a responsibility 00:23:57.279 --> 00:24:02.980 We should awaken 00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:04.099 those who are sleeping 00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:08.259 and help them 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:08.839 to see 00:24:08.839 --> 00:24:10.079 what is the true state 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:10.880 that they are in 00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:15.220 and bring them 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.640 into an eternal kingdom 00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:25.600 Before I came 00:24:25.600 --> 00:24:26.700 to know the Lord Jesus 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:32.200 Actually I changed 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:32.600 a lot 00:24:32.600 --> 00:24:33.280 and I didn't even 00:24:33.280 --> 00:24:34.020 realize it 00:24:34.020 --> 00:24:35.880 after I accepted Christ 00:24:35.880 --> 00:24:40.560 A friend suddenly 00:24:40.560 --> 00:24:41.200 said to me 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:42.120 Do you know 00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:43.040 you're very different 00:24:43.040 --> 00:24:43.940 from before? 00:24:44.840 --> 00:24:45.060 He said 00:24:45.060 --> 00:24:48.100 you smile now 00:24:48.100 --> 00:24:52.220 You never smiled 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:52.760 before 00:24:52.760 --> 00:24:55.440 But now you smile 00:24:55.440 --> 00:25:01.820 And I think of a Christian 00:25:01.820 --> 00:25:02.620 I once knew 00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:09.500 When I was attracted 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:10.960 to this person's smile 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:12.180 Because that smile 00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:14.299 It was a feeling 00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:15.120 that was 00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:16.299 a joy 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:18.200 This smile came out 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:18.779 of a joy 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:19.559 that was bubbling 00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:20.980 out of this person's heart 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:22.299 That was from the world 00:25:22.299 --> 00:25:24.419 This is not a happiness 00:25:24.419 --> 00:25:25.419 that you just see 00:25:25.419 --> 00:25:26.379 around you in the world 00:25:26.379 --> 00:25:29.599 I didn't see this 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:31.220 on anybody else's face 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:35.480 And I wondered 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:37.039 how can this person 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:38.240 have this joy 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:44.000 And then I came to know 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:45.000 Oh, it's because 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:45.839 he's a Christian 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:52.500 He has a vibrant hope 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:54.240 in the Lord Jesus Christ 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:57.599 There's nothing 00:25:57.599 --> 00:26:00.339 that he would be afraid of 00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:05.879 Here Paul says 00:26:05.879 --> 00:26:06.720 Oh, death 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.819 where is your sting? 00:26:11.959 --> 00:26:12.459 Oh, death 00:26:12.459 --> 00:26:13.480 where is your victory? 00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:17.899 The sting of death 00:26:17.899 --> 00:26:18.500 is sin 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:22.459 And the power of sin 00:26:22.459 --> 00:26:23.099 is the law 00:26:23.099 --> 00:26:29.240 Sometimes people say 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.919 Oh, death 00:26:29.919 --> 00:26:31.079 that's caused by Satan 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:38.740 But actually we know 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.720 that death 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:41.459 is a result of sin 00:26:41.459 --> 00:26:42.599 because we have all 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:44.179 sinned and offended God 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:50.720 We owe a huge debt 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.299 to God 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:59.820 And a great function 00:26:59.820 --> 00:27:00.580 of the law 00:27:00.580 --> 00:27:01.500 is it shows us 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:02.600 that we are sinners 00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:11.099 But through the Lord Jesus Christ 00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:13.159 We have hope 00:27:13.159 --> 00:27:15.139 because he has fulfilled the law 00:27:15.139 --> 00:27:22.599 And we don't need to face 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:23.599 eternal judgment 00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:24.919 He's life 00:27:24.919 --> 00:27:25.879 He's also brought 00:27:25.879 --> 00:27:26.259 to us 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:29.279 and as the Lord Jesus Christ 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:30.339 rose from the dead 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.240 His life 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:32.519 gives our lives hope 00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:36.000 So we ask ourselves 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.619 a question 00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:40.179 Am I living? 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:41.560 I'm in the Lord 00:27:41.560 --> 00:27:42.560 I'm in the Lord 00:27:42.560 --> 00:27:44.220 And who am I living for? 00:27:44.820 --> 00:27:45.340 I'm in the Lord 00:27:45.340 --> 00:27:46.560 I'm in the Lord 00:27:46.560 --> 00:27:46.720 I'm in the Lord 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.140 I'm in the Lord 00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.720 I'm in the Lord 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:48.720 I'm in the Lord 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:50.080 Are my hopes 00:27:50.080 --> 00:27:52.240 in this temporal life 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:53.580 or do I have 00:27:53.580 --> 00:27:54.400 an eternal hope? 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:58.720 Paul reminds us here 00:27:58.720 --> 00:28:07.319 He says 00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:09.720 You must be steadfast 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.519 immovable 00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:14.740 What does it mean 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.920 to be steadfast 00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:16.620 immovable? 00:28:20.120 --> 00:28:21.640 And in what situation 00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:23.120 would you be steadfast 00:28:23.120 --> 00:28:23.779 and immovable? 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:34.980 In 1 Corinthians 15 verse 1 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:36.160 it tells us that 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:37.359 we need to be steadfast 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:38.160 in the gospel 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:44.119 The gospel is that 00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:45.160 the Lord Jesus Christ 00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:46.519 has risen from the dead 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:51.180 and gives us a hope 00:28:51.180 --> 00:28:52.259 in our lives today 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:54.019 We can't for ourselves 00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:54.059 We can't for ourselves 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:55.559 We can't for ourselves 00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:57.359 We can't for ourselves 00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:58.500 We can't for the Lord 00:28:58.500 --> 00:29:00.160 Some people feel 00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:05.400 life is hard 00:29:05.400 --> 00:29:07.240 In fact, it's too hard 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:13.039 And they cry out to God 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:14.500 Why do I have to go through 00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:15.160 so much? 00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:22.960 This makes me think 00:29:22.960 --> 00:29:24.100 of a sculptor 00:29:24.100 --> 00:29:25.360 an artist 00:29:25.360 --> 00:29:31.640 He sees a piece of granite 00:29:31.640 --> 00:29:35.740 And then he goes 00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:37.120 and he chisels at it 00:29:37.120 --> 00:29:41.460 And then slowly 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:43.460 you see a shape emerge 00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:46.460 And then he continues 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:48.160 to chisel piece by piece 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:52.420 Now if this piece 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:54.759 of granite 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.460 had fillings 00:29:55.460 --> 00:30:02.960 Every time he goes 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:03.940 at it with that chisel 00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:04.480 and hammer 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:05.340 it hurts 00:30:05.340 --> 00:30:10.259 But actually 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.460 every time he feels 00:30:11.460 --> 00:30:12.620 like he's losing something 00:30:12.620 --> 00:30:13.960 he is gaining something 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:18.120 He's gaining a new shape 00:30:18.120 --> 00:30:18.920 a new form 00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:20.920 It hurts 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:21.519 It hurts 00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:26.720 And this is also something 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.900 that God is doing 00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:28.800 in our lives 00:30:28.800 --> 00:30:36.240 Every time we're going 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:37.140 through a difficulty 00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:38.480 a heartbreak 00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:42.920 God is changing us 00:30:42.920 --> 00:30:45.920 He wants to use us 00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:47.920 He wants to change 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:52.100 our heart of stone 00:30:52.100 --> 00:30:55.720 And give us a heart 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.400 like the heart 00:30:56.400 --> 00:30:57.740 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:30:57.740 --> 00:31:02.560 Paul exhorts us 00:31:02.560 --> 00:31:03.900 have the same heart 00:31:03.900 --> 00:31:05.039 that is in Christ Jesus 00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:05.920 that the same mind 00:31:06.600 --> 00:31:12.100 And the apostle Paul 00:31:12.100 --> 00:31:12.800 also says 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:13.339 Today 00:31:13.339 --> 00:31:15.139 It is not I who live 00:31:15.139 --> 00:31:17.099 but Christ lives in me 00:31:17.099 --> 00:31:22.940 And here 00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:24.180 Paul exhorts us 00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:25.339 Be steadfast 00:31:25.339 --> 00:31:26.799 Immovable 00:31:26.799 --> 00:31:38.240 Now what does it mean 00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:38.799 to be steadfast 00:31:39.379 --> 00:31:40.180 or immovable 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:41.019 Actually 00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:41.799 in the NIV translation 00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:43.339 it says 00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:44.839 stand firm 00:31:44.839 --> 00:31:46.179 We see 00:31:46.180 --> 00:32:16.180 00:32:16.180 --> 00:32:17.220 and they stand up 00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:20.920 And they stand back up again 00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:25.720 And this is what it means 00:32:25.720 --> 00:32:27.220 to stand firm 00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:29.759 There is a story 00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:31.759 Actually there is another story 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:35.059 It is about a Soviet spy 00:32:35.059 --> 00:32:36.799 It is about a Soviet spy 00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:41.299 He was captured in the US 00:32:41.299 --> 00:32:43.099 He was captured in the US 00:32:43.099 --> 00:32:46.339 and he was interrogated by the CIA 00:32:46.339 --> 00:32:47.359 And he was interrogated by the CIA 00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:57.699 And you know that America is a very rule of law kind of a country. 00:33:03.699 --> 00:33:06.419 And so they arranged a lawyer to defend him. 00:33:12.959 --> 00:33:16.099 Now, actually, this lawyer wasn't even a criminal defense lawyer. 00:33:16.099 --> 00:33:17.839 He was an insurance lawyer. 00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:24.919 And so everyone knew what the outcome was going to be of this court case. 00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:37.079 When this lawyer saw the Soviet spy, he said, 00:33:37.359 --> 00:33:39.699 Do you know what is going to happen to you? 00:33:42.339 --> 00:33:44.719 You are probably going to be electrocuted. 00:33:45.559 --> 00:33:46.059 Yes. 00:33:46.099 --> 00:33:53.459 But there didn't seem to be any response in the Soviet spy. 00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:58.799 So he asked him, Aren't you afraid? 00:33:58.799 --> 00:34:07.339 And the spy replied, How does that help to be afraid? 00:34:07.339 --> 00:34:18.840 And this lawyer, he poured himself out and really tried to defend the spy. 00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:27.840 But everyone, the entire American public, wanted to electrocute him. 00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:46.579 So he said, And one day, when the lawyer was asking questions of the Soviet spy, he was standing there. 00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:53.940 And it reminded the Soviet spy of someone. 00:34:53.940 --> 00:34:54.940 He said, You're a standing man. 00:34:54.940 --> 00:35:08.139 And so the lawyer said, What are you talking about? 00:35:08.139 --> 00:35:09.139 What do you mean? 00:35:09.139 --> 00:35:10.139 And this is the case. 00:35:10.139 --> 00:35:19.679 And the Soviet spy said, You remind me of someone I saw when I was young. 00:35:19.679 --> 00:35:20.679 He was a friend of my father's. 00:35:20.679 --> 00:35:24.039 He was a friend of my father's. 00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:25.339 He often came to our house. 00:35:25.340 --> 00:35:37.380 And every time he came, my father would say, Hey, you watch this man. 00:35:37.380 --> 00:35:44.780 And so he would try to observe and watch this man. 00:35:44.780 --> 00:35:52.640 And he always tried to carefully observe and watch this man. 00:35:52.640 --> 00:35:56.700 And he didn't see anything special about this man, this uncle. 00:36:01.140 --> 00:36:04.000 But one day, the border police came to their house. 00:36:04.000 --> 00:36:08.599 And they beat up his mom and dad. 00:36:11.840 --> 00:36:14.880 His dad's friend was over their house that day. 00:36:18.019 --> 00:36:19.380 And so they beat him up too. 00:36:21.519 --> 00:36:23.099 And they beat him to the ground. 00:36:25.320 --> 00:36:26.840 But then he stood back up. 00:36:30.059 --> 00:36:31.860 And then so they beat him again, brutally. 00:36:34.000 --> 00:36:37.719 After struggling, he stood back up. 00:36:37.719 --> 00:36:41.139 And they beat him again. 00:36:41.840 --> 00:36:45.780 And then he stood back up. 00:36:45.780 --> 00:36:46.780 So they were still there. 00:36:46.780 --> 00:36:52.519 Finally, the guards, the police, they were very tired. 00:36:52.519 --> 00:36:57.920 And they saw something in this person's life. 00:36:57.920 --> 00:37:04.460 That struck them. 00:37:05.460 --> 00:37:07.700 He wasn't someone who could be beat down. 00:37:09.700 --> 00:37:11.840 He's a standing man. 00:37:12.400 --> 00:37:14.559 They said, He's a standing man. 00:37:14.559 --> 00:37:26.099 In our lives, we can think, you know, what are the things that beat us down? 00:37:26.779 --> 00:37:27.440 Is it your work? 00:37:27.619 --> 00:37:28.279 Is it your marriage? 00:37:28.279 --> 00:37:28.820 Is it your marriage? 00:37:28.820 --> 00:37:33.799 Is it something else? 00:37:33.800 --> 00:37:35.920 Is it your marriage? 00:37:35.920 --> 00:37:36.440 Of course. 00:37:36.440 --> 00:37:37.400 That's what we were thinking. 00:37:37.400 --> 00:37:39.720 We were thinking, how are the last life? 00:37:40.780 --> 00:37:43.740 Now, some of you might be thinking, so what happened to the Soviet spy? 00:37:43.739 --> 00:38:02.939 Because this lawyer would not be beat down either, because he too was a standing man, there was one glimmer of hope. 00:38:02.940 --> 00:38:17.280 So everyone was saying, to the electric chair with the Soviet spy, the American lawyer was trying to figure out every way to save his life. 00:38:17.280 --> 00:38:21.280 This lawyer went to the judge's home. 00:38:21.280 --> 00:38:25.280 One night, the lawyer went to the judge's home. 00:38:25.280 --> 00:38:40.700 The judge had already decided that this man would be receiving the death penalty. 00:38:41.920 --> 00:38:46.640 But the lawyer said to the judge, 00:38:47.100 --> 00:38:52.640 He's just trying to do his job. 00:38:52.639 --> 00:39:03.500 From a human perspective, why are we trying to kill him? 00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:10.000 We can imagine, if there's a day that our friend's friend's hand is in his hand. 00:39:10.000 --> 00:39:11.339 Now, consider this. 00:39:11.759 --> 00:39:16.679 What if one day, our U.S. spy falls in the hands of the Soviets? 00:39:16.679 --> 00:39:25.599 Actually, this man has greater value to us alive. 00:39:31.539 --> 00:39:36.440 Who knows if one day our spy falls into their hands, then we can do an exchange. 00:39:36.440 --> 00:39:43.260 Nice speech. 00:39:44.260 --> 00:39:49.320 So the judge, he listened to everything the lawyer said and said, nice speech. 00:39:50.780 --> 00:40:00.039 And actually, he sentenced the man to life imprisonment instead of the death penalty. 00:40:00.039 --> 00:40:02.800 Actually, we're all like that. 00:40:02.800 --> 00:40:02.860 We're all like that. 00:40:02.860 --> 00:40:02.900 We're all like that. 00:40:02.900 --> 00:40:03.739 We're all like that. 00:40:03.739 --> 00:40:04.739 We're all like that. 00:40:04.739 --> 00:40:05.739 We're all like that. 00:40:05.739 --> 00:40:06.739 We're all like that. 00:40:06.739 --> 00:40:12.039 Now, an analogy is that in heaven, we too have a lawyer and advocate who is pleading for us. 00:40:12.300 --> 00:40:16.639 Because of a standing man. 00:40:17.639 --> 00:40:22.219 But we know that our Lord Jesus Christ is not only a standing man. 00:40:22.480 --> 00:40:25.579 But not only is our Lord Jesus Christ a standing man, 00:40:25.579 --> 00:40:30.759 He has actually risen from the dead. 00:40:33.279 --> 00:40:34.679 He is a resurrected man. 00:40:38.340 --> 00:40:43.739 And he is now standing at the right hand of God our Father, pleading for our lives. 00:40:43.739 --> 00:40:47.739 So we don't know what we do in our lives. 00:40:47.739 --> 00:40:51.739 If we do in our lives, this is not going to be in vain. 00:40:51.739 --> 00:40:56.379 And in our lives, all that we do for the Lord is not going to be in vain. 00:40:56.779 --> 00:41:04.359 We can also advocate for people around us in our lives. 00:41:04.439 --> 00:41:07.059 So they may also be able to receive the life. 00:41:07.559 --> 00:41:10.539 That we can pray for them that they too will receive life. 00:41:10.539 --> 00:41:18.779 In our lives, we obviously all go through many struggles. 00:41:19.320 --> 00:41:24.699 There may be internal struggles. 00:41:24.980 --> 00:41:26.539 There may be external hardships. 00:41:27.039 --> 00:41:28.539 There may be external hardships. 00:41:29.480 --> 00:41:31.699 Actually, sometimes we're struggling all together. 00:41:32.239 --> 00:41:36.239 Even brothers and sisters struggling in the church. 00:41:36.239 --> 00:41:42.059 Sometimes persecution from outside of a church. 00:41:42.779 --> 00:41:51.279 But we can gain the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:41:51.679 --> 00:41:56.399 The Lord Jesus Christ has already conquered death. 00:41:57.019 --> 00:42:02.619 And one day, He will gain a complete victory. 00:42:02.619 --> 00:42:08.719 The darkness of death will be completely overcome. 00:42:09.319 --> 00:42:13.159 We will see many big wars of war. 00:42:13.400 --> 00:42:16.819 Often in movies, we see grand landscapes of battles. 00:42:16.820 --> 00:42:31.620 Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of soldiers lined up with their spears and swords and shields. 00:42:34.980 --> 00:42:37.280 And at that moment when the trumpet sounds, 00:42:37.740 --> 00:42:40.660 Everybody says, attack! 00:42:40.659 --> 00:42:45.699 And then we see a great victory. 00:42:47.440 --> 00:42:52.440 One day, we will experience that as well. 00:42:53.440 --> 00:42:57.000 That victory in the war, you can see that many people died. 00:42:58.219 --> 00:43:02.819 Obviously, on a battlefield, you see that many people are losing their lives, are dying. 00:43:02.820 --> 00:43:13.800 But in that last day, when the Lord Jesus Christ comes, we see people rising from the dead. 00:43:13.800 --> 00:43:20.860 And he comes to give us an imperishable life. 00:43:22.600 --> 00:43:30.280 And this body will be our resurrected body. 00:43:30.280 --> 00:43:38.240 So, what are we living for today? 00:43:38.900 --> 00:43:44.180 Are we just wasting our lives away? 00:43:45.800 --> 00:43:47.500 No, let's live for Christ. 00:43:47.500 --> 00:43:52.840 We are still in the same place. 00:43:52.840 --> 00:43:55.739 And can we be steadfast, immovable? 00:43:56.280 --> 00:44:04.059 And do the meaningful things in each of our lives. 00:44:04.059 --> 00:44:07.179 Things that have eternal value. 00:44:07.179 --> 00:44:15.799 You know, many brothers and sisters, we said, they go to the gym. 00:44:15.919 --> 00:44:18.219 They work that six-pack or eight-pack. 00:44:19.179 --> 00:44:24.839 But if you're, you know, looking at death, there's no hope in that. 00:44:24.840 --> 00:44:34.680 But Paul says, many things, everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. 00:44:34.679 --> 00:44:52.679 But maybe you can go to the gym with brothers and sisters and fellowship and have eternal value in that. 00:44:52.679 --> 00:45:03.480 And sisters too. 00:45:03.699 --> 00:45:06.500 You can do things together with your other sisters. 00:45:06.500 --> 00:45:17.380 Even to strangers, we can be friendly to them. 00:45:17.559 --> 00:45:18.860 We can share the gospel with them. 00:45:19.360 --> 00:45:23.039 That people will become your friends. 00:45:23.559 --> 00:45:26.159 We can even experience strangers becoming friends. 00:45:26.159 --> 00:45:30.679 And from friends to family. 00:45:30.679 --> 00:45:38.440 And this is the great family of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:45:42.219 --> 00:45:44.480 If you're serving in your community groups. 00:45:48.980 --> 00:45:50.079 Stand firm. 00:45:50.339 --> 00:45:51.199 Be steadfast. 00:45:51.359 --> 00:45:51.819 Immmovable. 00:45:53.819 --> 00:45:55.319 Love those around you. 00:45:55.320 --> 00:46:02.360 Bring that joy. 00:46:02.559 --> 00:46:03.140 Live it out. 00:46:06.860 --> 00:46:10.880 And others will be able to see something different and see our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:46:15.320 --> 00:46:19.100 Knowing that in the Lord, your labor is not in vain. 00:46:22.039 --> 00:46:24.019 No matter how hard life sometimes gets. 00:46:25.320 --> 00:46:28.700 You are that standing man. 00:46:29.300 --> 00:46:30.519 Nothing will beat you down. 00:46:31.380 --> 00:46:31.780 Thank you. 00:46:32.059 --> 00:46:33.260 That's the next message. 00:46:33.380 --> 00:46:33.960 Let's pray. 00:46:34.760 --> 00:46:35.559 Let's thank you. 00:46:35.640 --> 00:46:36.380 Let's bow in prayer. 00:46:38.559 --> 00:46:41.380 Our dear Heavenly Father. 00:46:42.039 --> 00:46:46.780 Your kingdom is forever. 00:46:47.280 --> 00:46:50.539 We are all unworthy. 00:46:50.539 --> 00:46:56.980 But you have promised to raise us from the dead. 00:47:00.340 --> 00:47:01.699 You've given us. 00:47:01.920 --> 00:47:03.659 You've preached to us this gospel. 00:47:04.559 --> 00:47:09.340 So we can gain such a wonderful life. 00:47:09.340 --> 00:47:19.440 God, help us to live a life that reflects the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:47:19.440 --> 00:47:21.240 We must be faithful. 00:47:22.240 --> 00:47:22.820 We must be faithful. 00:47:22.820 --> 00:47:23.179 We must be faithful. 00:47:23.179 --> 00:47:23.500 We must be faithful. 00:47:23.500 --> 00:47:24.059 We must be faithful. 00:47:24.860 --> 00:47:29.599 And to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. 00:47:30.179 --> 00:47:31.420 We must be faithful. 00:47:32.420 --> 00:47:35.380 Knowing that in the Lord, our labor is not in vain. 00:47:36.039 --> 00:47:37.619 We must be faithful. 00:47:37.880 --> 00:47:39.519 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:47:39.980 --> 00:47:40.240 Amen. 00:47:40.900 --> 00:47:41.200 Amen. 00:47:41.199 --> 00:47:41.379 Amen. 00:47:46.879 --> 00:47:47.279 Amen. 00:47:53.319 --> 00:47:58.439 Amen. 00:47:58.439 --> 00:47:59.739 Amen. 00:48:00.379 --> 00:48:00.439 Amen. 00:48:00.439 --> 00:48:00.599 Amen. 00:48:00.619 --> 00:48:01.599 Amen. 00:48:02.000 --> 00:48:02.559 Amen. 00:48:02.559 --> 00:48:02.679 Amen. 00:48:02.679 --> 00:48:03.039 Amen. 00:48:03.039 --> 00:48:03.119 Amen. 00:48:03.119 --> 00:48:04.099 Amen. 00:48:04.099 --> 00:48:04.179 Amen. 00:48:04.179 --> 00:48:04.659 Amen. 00:48:04.659 --> 00:48:05.379 Amen. 00:48:05.379 --> 00:48:05.799 Amen. 00:48:05.799 --> 00:48:06.279 Amen. 00:48:06.439 --> 00:48:06.639 Amen. 00:48:06.799 --> 00:48:07.299 Amen. 00:48:07.299 --> 00:48:08.539 Amen. 00:48:08.539 --> 00:48:09.139 Amen. 00:48:09.139 --> 00:48:09.519 Amen. 00:48:09.519 --> 00:48:09.919 Amen. 00:48:10.099 --> 00:48:10.599 Amen. 00:48:10.599 --> 00:48:10.779 Amen. 00:48:10.779 --> 00:48:10.960 Amen. 00:48:10.960 --> 00:48:11.159 Amen. 00:48:11.159 --> 00:48:11.179 Amen.