WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.379 Good morning. 00:00:02.740 --> 00:00:05.560 The scripture reading today is found in Genesis 11. 00:00:06.020 --> 00:00:08.880 Please follow along in your bulletin as I read this passage. 00:00:12.280 --> 00:00:16.359 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 00:00:16.899 --> 00:00:21.160 As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. 00:00:21.820 --> 00:00:26.519 They said to each other, come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly. 00:00:26.519 --> 00:00:30.100 They used brick instead of stone and bitumen for mortar. 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:37.439 Then they said, come, let us build ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens 00:00:37.439 --> 00:00:40.600 so that we may make a name for ourselves. 00:00:40.960 --> 00:00:43.859 Otherwise, we'll be scattered over the face of the whole earth. 00:00:45.019 --> 00:00:49.039 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 00:00:49.379 --> 00:00:55.340 The Lord said, if as one people speaking the same language, they have begun to do this, 00:00:55.340 --> 00:00:59.280 then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 00:00:59.900 --> 00:01:05.180 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other. 00:01:05.900 --> 00:01:12.200 So the Lord scattered them and from there over all the earth and they stopped building the city. 00:01:12.780 --> 00:01:18.219 That is why it was called Babel because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. 00:01:18.219 --> 00:01:22.200 From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth. 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:24.000 This is the reading from God's word. 00:01:25.340 --> 00:01:29.480 Good morning, my name is Chris. 00:01:29.799 --> 00:01:33.100 I help oversee the community groups here in Watermark. 00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:38.240 And I want to start off with some history. 00:01:39.780 --> 00:01:42.560 I know you can feel very excited at this moment. 00:01:43.260 --> 00:01:46.080 The year is 1549. 00:01:47.080 --> 00:01:50.800 The Chinese emperor is not a happy bunny. 00:01:50.799 --> 00:01:59.719 His city of Beijing has just been looted and pillaged by a load of nomadic tribespeople. 00:02:00.859 --> 00:02:06.859 He is supposed to be the son of heaven, the ruler of the greatest nation in the world. 00:02:07.400 --> 00:02:09.740 And his position is under threat. 00:02:09.919 --> 00:02:12.000 So he comes up with a cunning plan. 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:17.580 He thinks to himself, I know what, I'm going to build a wall. 00:02:18.360 --> 00:02:19.379 A big wall. 00:02:20.060 --> 00:02:21.759 A very big wall. 00:02:22.219 --> 00:02:28.500 And this wall is going to secure China's future from any future invasion. 00:02:28.500 --> 00:02:42.919 So for the next nearly 100 years, thousands of people build what is one of the most incredible achievements that man had known up to that point. 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:46.759 In fact, it's the largest man-made structure in the world. 00:02:46.759 --> 00:02:53.560 They built a wall which extended for 6,000 kilometers over incredible terrain. 00:02:53.919 --> 00:02:55.620 It is incredibly impressive. 00:02:56.060 --> 00:03:01.579 Many of you who have seen it can say, wow, that is an achievement that is worthy of greatness. 00:03:05.299 --> 00:03:05.899 1644. 00:03:08.239 --> 00:03:11.680 Some Manchu warriors come up to the wall. 00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:17.960 And like good, polite, well-brought-up warriors, they knock on the door of one of the gatehouses. 00:03:18.520 --> 00:03:25.599 And they say, excuse me, would you mind if we could come in and invade, please? 00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:37.960 And the commander on the wall, who was trained to defend that wall to the death, looked at the warriors and said, okay. 00:03:39.219 --> 00:03:40.780 And have a cup of tea on the way. 00:03:41.680 --> 00:03:52.000 And the warriors go in, take over Beijing, destroy the end of the Ming Dynasty, and set up the final dynasty of China, the Qing Dynasty. 00:03:53.860 --> 00:04:01.240 Everyone who looks at the wall, even today, would say it is an incredibly impressive achievement. 00:04:02.120 --> 00:04:02.640 Extraordinary. 00:04:02.639 --> 00:04:10.619 But actually, in terms of what the wall was there for, its function, it was functionally useless. 00:04:11.379 --> 00:04:12.699 It didn't defend China. 00:04:13.059 --> 00:04:15.759 It didn't defend the emperor as he wanted. 00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:18.599 It's the same with the Titanic. 00:04:19.399 --> 00:04:25.060 Titanic was built as a symbol of the greatness of the British Empire, the unsinkable ship. 00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:26.639 What happened four days later? 00:04:26.639 --> 00:04:29.039 It's on the bottom of the ocean. 00:04:30.719 --> 00:04:31.759 Human greatness. 00:04:33.639 --> 00:04:37.419 Here in Genesis, we're looking at another building project. 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:44.919 We're looking at the Tower of Babel, or Babel, if you're confused, if you're American, it's okay. 00:04:45.060 --> 00:04:46.639 We forgive you, but really it's Babel. 00:04:47.019 --> 00:04:47.180 Okay. 00:04:47.180 --> 00:04:47.240 Okay. 00:04:47.240 --> 00:04:53.980 We're looking at this building project. 00:04:55.019 --> 00:04:59.180 And if you look in verse 2, something interesting is happening. 00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:02.860 If you look in your text, it says, people moved eastward. 00:05:03.160 --> 00:05:06.500 Now, if you know the story so far, what's been happening? 00:05:06.660 --> 00:05:11.980 People were made, in Genesis 1 and 2, in God's image to reflect his glory. 00:05:12.100 --> 00:05:14.120 They were given gifts, abilities, talents. 00:05:14.120 --> 00:05:18.560 They were made to create culture, to develop things, all for the glory of God. 00:05:18.819 --> 00:05:19.740 What happens? 00:05:20.139 --> 00:05:23.240 Adam and Eve, they decide, actually, we'd prefer to be God. 00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:25.280 We'd prefer to get the glory in this. 00:05:25.560 --> 00:05:27.879 God throws them out eastwards. 00:05:28.420 --> 00:05:30.860 So he puts angels on the east side of the garden. 00:05:31.540 --> 00:05:32.420 And then what happens? 00:05:32.560 --> 00:05:36.980 Cain and Abel, who are Adam and Eve's sons, Cain kills his brother. 00:05:37.280 --> 00:05:38.000 What does God do? 00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:39.500 God throws him out of the garden. 00:05:39.720 --> 00:05:40.280 Which way? 00:05:41.300 --> 00:05:41.699 Eastwards. 00:05:41.699 --> 00:05:44.300 What's happening now? 00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:45.360 You can see the symbolism. 00:05:45.579 --> 00:05:48.319 People are moving further eastwards. 00:05:48.459 --> 00:05:59.560 The symbol is people are moving further and further away from God and further about trying to keep their own rebellion against God and growing it. 00:05:59.719 --> 00:06:02.000 And actually, Genesis 1 to 11 is all about this. 00:06:02.419 --> 00:06:06.399 It's all about the climax of man's rebellion against God. 00:06:06.480 --> 00:06:09.279 And Tower of Babel is that climax. 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:12.419 It's a city which comes to be known as Babylon. 00:06:13.099 --> 00:06:19.979 And throughout the whole of the Bible, Babylon is the symbol of opposition and rebellion against God. 00:06:19.980 --> 00:06:27.160 And let's see what happens first. 00:06:27.840 --> 00:06:28.360 What happens? 00:06:28.740 --> 00:06:32.100 The people, in verse 3, they say, come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly. 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:34.540 They use brick instead of stone, bitumen for mortar. 00:06:34.900 --> 00:06:37.520 And you might be thinking, that sounds very dull. 00:06:37.519 --> 00:06:42.719 But the fact is, in the place where they've gone to, there's no stone. 00:06:42.819 --> 00:06:43.899 All they've got is mud. 00:06:44.759 --> 00:06:47.479 And so building bricks is a revolutionary design. 00:06:48.240 --> 00:06:49.740 They're using their creativity. 00:06:50.060 --> 00:06:51.139 They're using their abilities. 00:06:51.399 --> 00:06:54.699 They're using the gifts that God has made them and has given them. 00:06:55.019 --> 00:06:56.500 And they're using it to create. 00:06:57.859 --> 00:06:59.259 And it could be a good thing. 00:07:00.019 --> 00:07:01.399 And you see, I can imagine them there. 00:07:01.500 --> 00:07:02.539 You know, people are getting together. 00:07:02.540 --> 00:07:06.280 And when people come together, you know, ideas flourish, creativity flourishes. 00:07:06.980 --> 00:07:09.319 And so I can see them. 00:07:09.460 --> 00:07:09.960 They're there. 00:07:10.540 --> 00:07:11.920 The vision begins to get bigger. 00:07:11.980 --> 00:07:13.800 They suddenly think, oh, we've made a brick. 00:07:14.020 --> 00:07:14.939 Okay, what next? 00:07:15.480 --> 00:07:17.860 And they think, okay, we could make this really big. 00:07:17.939 --> 00:07:19.220 This could be like a city. 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:20.840 This could be incredible. 00:07:21.240 --> 00:07:24.980 In fact, we could tap into a really niche market here. 00:07:25.080 --> 00:07:26.300 You know, people are feeling insecure. 00:07:26.640 --> 00:07:29.680 If we build a city, you know, we could brand this thing. 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:31.079 This could be a global launch. 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:33.660 This could be the next big thing. 00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:36.540 We start on our business plan for building this incredible city. 00:07:37.060 --> 00:07:37.959 And they're determined. 00:07:38.040 --> 00:07:39.280 They say, let us do this. 00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:40.759 Let us build ourselves a city. 00:07:41.060 --> 00:07:41.660 Let us do it. 00:07:41.699 --> 00:07:42.259 We're determined. 00:07:42.540 --> 00:07:43.280 They're coming together. 00:07:43.540 --> 00:07:44.860 Their eyes are getting bigger and bigger. 00:07:47.720 --> 00:07:52.040 They're thinking, maybe we're going to launch brand Babel. 00:07:52.300 --> 00:07:54.240 Maybe we'll have Babel TED Talks. 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:59.040 Maybe we'll have Babel conferences all over the world about how to do a cool city. 00:07:59.040 --> 00:07:59.920 Okay? 00:08:01.020 --> 00:08:02.400 This thing is going to go viral. 00:08:03.860 --> 00:08:06.879 Babel is going to be the next Gangnam. 00:08:07.879 --> 00:08:12.860 People will be soon doing things Babel style. 00:08:15.160 --> 00:08:18.520 And here's the first thing, my first point. 00:08:19.520 --> 00:08:25.280 If you're not using your ambition and your talents to glorify God, 00:08:25.900 --> 00:08:28.920 you're using them to glorify yourself. 00:08:29.040 --> 00:08:31.840 I'll repeat that. 00:08:31.900 --> 00:08:37.539 If you're not using your ambition, your talents, the gifts God's given you to glorify God, 00:08:37.820 --> 00:08:40.259 you're using them to glorify yourself. 00:08:41.019 --> 00:08:43.259 In the Bible, there's a tale of two cities. 00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:50.919 One is a city where people can do incredible things, amazing, impressive things. 00:08:52.259 --> 00:08:54.039 But they're doing them for their own glory. 00:08:54.439 --> 00:08:58.340 They're doing them to make themselves look great, to serve themselves. 00:08:58.500 --> 00:09:00.259 It's revolving life around themselves. 00:09:01.379 --> 00:09:02.600 That's Babel style. 00:09:02.600 --> 00:09:10.600 There's another city in the Bible where humans can do incredible things using their gifts and talents, 00:09:11.100 --> 00:09:12.080 but for God's glory. 00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:15.820 And it's not about making yourself look great. 00:09:15.899 --> 00:09:17.360 It's about making God look great. 00:09:17.659 --> 00:09:20.639 It's about making Him look impressive. 00:09:21.139 --> 00:09:22.080 Him being the center. 00:09:22.920 --> 00:09:24.019 And that's heaven style. 00:09:25.019 --> 00:09:27.220 Babel style, heaven style. 00:09:27.220 --> 00:09:35.480 Now, as Alfie mentioned earlier, I think we all in some way want to be great. 00:09:36.540 --> 00:09:38.519 The Babylonians, they wanted to be great. 00:09:39.460 --> 00:09:40.720 And how do they want to be great? 00:09:40.779 --> 00:09:42.180 Well, what they do, they build a tower. 00:09:42.820 --> 00:09:42.980 Okay? 00:09:42.980 --> 00:09:47.360 Now, this tower is probably what we call now a ziggurat. 00:09:47.659 --> 00:09:50.659 A ziggurat is basically like a stepped pyramid. 00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:57.879 And it had no particular function other than to be a stairway for the gods to come down. 00:09:58.480 --> 00:10:02.379 And you obviously build it as high as possible so the gods don't have so far to come down 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:05.100 because obviously they're tired and the lift's broken or something. 00:10:05.300 --> 00:10:07.460 So it gives them an easy way down. 00:10:07.759 --> 00:10:08.980 And they come down. 00:10:09.060 --> 00:10:10.279 They bless what you're doing. 00:10:10.700 --> 00:10:12.480 And life's good for you. 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:15.440 So they kind of say, yeah, what you're doing is great. 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:17.700 We'll just give you a bit of blessing from us. 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:19.899 Basically, it's all about you. 00:10:20.440 --> 00:10:22.399 But you get the gods to do for you what you want. 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:28.379 And just think, in the cities of the world, think in most cities which want to prove themselves 00:10:28.379 --> 00:10:29.800 and their greatness, what happens? 00:10:30.220 --> 00:10:31.639 People build big buildings. 00:10:32.580 --> 00:10:34.080 Think in Paris, the Eiffel Tower. 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:38.000 Think in New York, Empire State Building, the World Trade Center. 00:10:38.420 --> 00:10:41.360 Think in Dubai, the Burj Khalifa. 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:44.240 Think in Hong Kong, the IFC, the ICC. 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:51.000 We're building towers usually to our own gods, the gods of finance, the gods of shopping, 00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:53.300 the gods of consumerism. 00:10:53.299 --> 00:11:01.399 And we want them to bless us with rewards, usually money, power, status, those kind of things. 00:11:01.399 --> 00:11:09.879 I saw a T-shirt a while back which said on it, hello, I'm awesome. 00:11:09.879 --> 00:11:19.840 And I looked at the T-shirt and I thought, actually, I think that too. 00:11:21.379 --> 00:11:25.820 But I'm British, I'm not American, so that means I wouldn't say that out loud. 00:11:25.820 --> 00:11:30.820 Tobey's not here, so I can... 00:11:32.360 --> 00:11:37.520 But if someone comes up to me and says, you know, that was a great sermon, Chris. 00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:38.160 Amazing. 00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:40.280 And I say, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. 00:11:40.400 --> 00:11:41.440 Praise God, praise God. 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:45.760 But tell me a bit more about this sermon. 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:47.980 You know, I'm just interested. 00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:54.120 You see, I just want to be a little bit great. 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:59.840 I want God to get the glory in my life, but I'd like to take a 20% cut. 00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:03.899 You know, I'd like to say, God, okay, you and I, we're going into business 80-20. 00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:05.240 Okay, it's a good deal for you. 00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:07.180 I just take 20, you take 80. 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:08.080 It's all cool. 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:13.960 But the thing is, that's not the way the world was made. 00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:20.540 The way the world was made was for God to get 100% of the glory, because he's the only one who deserves it. 00:12:21.560 --> 00:12:24.180 And how do I know if I'm trying to get greatness? 00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:29.540 I think there's a number of ways, but one of the things is, think about what consumes your thoughts. 00:12:30.100 --> 00:12:32.379 What do you think about when you have free time? 00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:34.180 What do you daydream about? 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:39.060 For me, I daydream about being a fantastic, famous rock guitarist. 00:12:39.900 --> 00:12:42.420 I know you can all say, yeah, I can see that, Chris. 00:12:42.419 --> 00:12:50.639 But you know, I dream of being up there, you know, playing it with my teeth, you know, my big toe, and everyone's thinking, wow, you are just amazing. 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:53.639 And then I come back down to earth. 00:12:54.699 --> 00:12:59.039 But really, what am I doing in my thoughts as I'm fantasizing about that daydreaming? 00:12:59.279 --> 00:13:02.240 I'm building a tower to my own greatness. 00:13:02.819 --> 00:13:04.039 It's all about my kingdom. 00:13:04.779 --> 00:13:05.759 What do you think about? 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:08.939 What do you spend time thinking about? 00:13:09.459 --> 00:13:11.740 Because that's a window into your heart. 00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:15.039 How else do we try and be great? 00:13:16.699 --> 00:13:18.099 I think there's a couple of ways. 00:13:18.799 --> 00:13:20.019 And there's plenty more. 00:13:20.099 --> 00:13:21.059 I'm just going to focus on two. 00:13:21.159 --> 00:13:21.819 One is image. 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:25.299 And one is performance and achievement. 00:13:26.479 --> 00:13:26.919 Image. 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:30.740 The fashion business is a multi-billion dollar business. 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:32.059 Cosmetic surgery. 00:13:32.059 --> 00:13:40.539 In China, in 2011, there were over 1.5 million cosmetic surgery procedures done by 2,000 plastic surgeons. 00:13:40.739 --> 00:13:42.259 And that's only the official ones. 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:47.279 In Hong Kong, 40,000 people work in the beauty industry. 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:52.559 In China, 100 billion RMB is spent every year on cosmetics. 00:13:52.559 --> 00:13:57.959 We all want to make ourselves look beautiful, look great, look attractive. 00:13:57.960 --> 00:14:04.500 I got a friend request from someone on Facebook. 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:05.660 Didn't recognize the name. 00:14:05.920 --> 00:14:11.080 But I looked at the picture and I saw there was this very glamorous woman looking like a model. 00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:13.220 And I thought, do I know you? 00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:19.879 So out of curiosity, I kind of flicked through some of her other photos just to see if this was a real person or not. 00:14:20.460 --> 00:14:24.779 And as I flicked through, I suddenly realized, oh, it's you. 00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:29.320 And then I compared the kind of normal photos with her profile photo. 00:14:29.899 --> 00:14:34.620 I thought, there is absolutely no similarity whatsoever. 00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:38.560 Because what's she trying to do? 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:43.079 With the Facebook profile, she's trying to make herself great through her image. 00:14:44.119 --> 00:14:46.379 And I've seen some of your Facebook profiles. 00:14:46.859 --> 00:14:48.659 So don't be laughing too loudly. 00:14:51.439 --> 00:14:52.479 But what do we try and do? 00:14:52.599 --> 00:14:53.339 How do we try and do it? 00:14:53.359 --> 00:14:58.539 We either try and do it by making ourselves look cool, making ourselves look intellectual, making ourselves look beautiful. 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:04.919 Think about the amount you spend on clothes, the amount of time you spend thinking about your image. 00:15:04.919 --> 00:15:10.120 And maybe that gives you a window on your heart where you try and be great. 00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:12.059 Not that it's wrong to look good. 00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:14.199 It's not wrong to look good. 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:15.860 But who are you doing it for? 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:21.120 So we can sometimes use image to do these things. 00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:23.759 I think another way we can do this is with our image. 00:15:25.459 --> 00:15:29.179 Well, maybe I tend to sometimes exaggerate things. 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:30.639 Like, you know, you go to a park. 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:32.980 You see a worm, which is about three inches long. 00:15:32.980 --> 00:15:38.300 You go back, you start telling your friends, but you realize actually it's not very impressive to talk about a three-inch worm. 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:43.019 And suddenly, the worm transforms into a 15-foot boa constrictor. 00:15:43.700 --> 00:15:44.820 Do any of you ever do that? 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:49.100 You just kind of massage it up a little bit because it makes you sound a bit better, a bit more exciting, 00:15:49.180 --> 00:15:51.720 that your life is not quite as boring as it really is. 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:52.500 Yeah? 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:56.639 Often, it's all about my image. 00:15:58.240 --> 00:16:05.440 Another way we can do this, try and build towers to our own greatness, is through performance and achievement. 00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:07.440 We do this in many, many different ways. 00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:15.460 We're impressed by people who seem very intelligent, who have so many letters after their name that you can make words out of it. 00:16:17.400 --> 00:16:21.380 You know, but let's think maybe for parents. 00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:22.860 How could this work out for parents? 00:16:23.260 --> 00:16:24.940 What's your ambition for your kids? 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:27.100 Here's a scenario. 00:16:27.320 --> 00:16:28.520 There are two sets of parents. 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:33.779 One is middle class, and let's call them Rich and Penny. 00:16:34.539 --> 00:16:36.659 And the other is very working class. 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:37.679 We call them Jim and June. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:47.919 Rich and Penny sent their kids to the best schools, ferried them to piano lessons, extra putain-wha lessons, flying yoga lessons, whatever lessons they could get. 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:53.259 And the kids excelled at what they did. 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:55.139 They were really good. 00:16:55.199 --> 00:16:57.419 They passed all their exams with flying colors. 00:16:57.419 --> 00:17:07.379 But they were so busy with all their activities, and the parents were so busy ferrying them around to all the activities, that they never inputted spiritually into their lives. 00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:08.940 They never read the Bible with them. 00:17:09.339 --> 00:17:11.839 They never really prayed with them, except occasionally. 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:16.279 And they left the responsibility for spiritual input to watermark kids. 00:17:18.379 --> 00:17:19.440 Their kids grow up. 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.399 They go to Harvard. 00:17:20.619 --> 00:17:21.159 They graduate. 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:22.659 They get excellent jobs. 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:27.880 They have well-educated, fantastically attractive spouses and partners there. 00:17:28.080 --> 00:17:32.200 They're getting their first flats in Hong Kong, New York, all over the place. 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:36.100 And then there's Jim and June. 00:17:37.019 --> 00:17:40.319 Jim and June never really encouraged their kids academically. 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:43.539 They were happy if they got C's on their report card. 00:17:44.299 --> 00:17:45.799 The kids never did very well at school. 00:17:46.360 --> 00:17:49.880 When they left school, the only job they could get was working at Café de Coral. 00:17:49.880 --> 00:17:55.560 However, all through their childhood, the parents invested in them. 00:17:55.760 --> 00:17:58.780 Every night, they would pray, read the Bible together with them. 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:02.700 They taught their kids how to forgive the people who hurt them at school. 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:09.780 They taught their kids, through the circumstances of life, just how to trust God in all the situations that they faced. 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:16.000 And these two sets of parents happened to go to a party together with all kinds of other parents. 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:21.819 And Rich and Penny are happily talking about how successful their kids are, about the flats that they've just bought, 00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:24.680 and about how amazing their partners are. 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:26.139 And everyone's impressed. 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:29.399 Everyone says, wow, you must have been pretty good parents. 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:32.759 And then it comes to Jim and June's turn. 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:34.799 And people say, oh, so what are your kids doing? 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:39.740 And they kind of rather embarrassingly say, well, they're working in the restaurant business. 00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:42.019 People say, oh, you mean like the Four Seasons? 00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:43.720 Like Mandarin Oriental? 00:18:43.859 --> 00:18:45.859 And they say, no, it's Café de Coral. 00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:48.579 And they say, oh, you mean like they're in the managerial position? 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:52.139 And they say, no, they're just serving. 00:18:53.899 --> 00:19:00.019 And at that moment, a disinterested glaze comes over the other parents' faces. 00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:01.440 And they say, oh, that's nice. 00:19:01.639 --> 00:19:04.659 And then turn away and carry on talking to everybody else. 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:17.139 Because they didn't give Jim and June a chance to say about how their kids were well known in the restaurant where they were working 00:19:17.139 --> 00:19:22.079 for just being so caring and compassionate and reaching out to the people around them. 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:26.200 In fact, a number of people had become Christians through their witness. 00:19:27.639 --> 00:19:32.240 They didn't say how proud they were that their kids were making a difference in the lives of others. 00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:35.620 And people didn't want to know because they weren't impressed. 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:41.039 But which parents do you think God is more impressed with? 00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:46.880 It's not that we, it's not that ambition is wrong. 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:50.740 It's not that wanting successful kids is wrong. 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:52.380 That can be very right. 00:19:52.380 --> 00:19:58.760 But the issue is, what is my highest ambition for my kids? 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:00.860 What is my highest ambition? 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:02.500 It's not wrong to want to look good. 00:20:02.560 --> 00:20:04.680 It's not wrong to take kids to all kinds of classes. 00:20:04.780 --> 00:20:05.360 That's fine. 00:20:05.860 --> 00:20:08.920 God wants us to use our gifts and abilities and talents. 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:12.420 But the question is, what is the highest goal? 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:20.060 What is the thing I spend time thinking about intentionally for my kids, for myself, for my image? 00:20:21.300 --> 00:20:23.880 What do I pray about if I pray? 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:26.539 What's the subject of my prayers? 00:20:26.660 --> 00:20:30.680 Is it all about give me more things, let them have a good career, let them get this job? 00:20:30.860 --> 00:20:33.720 Or do I pray that I want God to be glorified? 00:20:33.820 --> 00:20:35.740 I want opportunities to share the gospel. 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:46.519 Or I want to be able to say to the other parents around, listen, the most important thing for me in my kids' lives is that I desperately want them to know God and to live for him. 00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:49.680 That's challenging. 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:50.960 That's challenging. 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:52.099 Really challenging. 00:20:53.920 --> 00:21:03.440 So we've looked at if our ambition and our talents and gifts are not for the glory of God, they're for ourselves, our own glory. 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:07.720 The second thing I want to mention, and I've only got three points, so don't worry. 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:15.620 The second point is how foolish glorifying ourselves really is. 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:22.600 You see, the Babylonians like to think that Babel meant gate of the gods. 00:21:23.620 --> 00:21:25.779 But here in verse 9 it says, 00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:31.500 The Lord confused the language of the whole world. 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:36.119 And from there they all scattered them over the face of the earth. 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:36.880 And actually, 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:39.920 later on it says that, 00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:43.039 sorry, it says that is why it's called Babel. 00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:43.839 Sorry. 00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:46.420 Because what is the author saying here? 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:48.640 The author is saying Babel means confusion, 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:52.480 and it's also similar to the word for foolishness or folly. 00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:54.400 What people thought, 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:56.099 Babel style, 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:57.559 was the gate of the gods, 00:21:57.640 --> 00:21:58.720 where the gods were blessing, 00:21:58.720 --> 00:21:59.839 where they were impressive. 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:00.679 Actually, God says, 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:03.139 that ain't anything very impressive. 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.720 It's foolishness. 00:22:05.179 --> 00:22:08.299 And I love the way the author actually writes this, 00:22:08.439 --> 00:22:10.000 because I think he uses a bit of humor here. 00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:11.679 Because you look in verse 5, 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:12.099 and it says, 00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:15.980 The Lord came down to see the city. 00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:17.179 Now think for a moment. 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:19.139 What are the people trying to do? 00:22:19.379 --> 00:22:22.379 They're building up this tower so it can reach the heavens, 00:22:22.380 --> 00:22:24.980 but God can't even see it, 00:22:25.040 --> 00:22:26.040 so he's got to come down. 00:22:26.840 --> 00:22:30.820 And I can imagine kind of the father saying to Jesus, 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:31.180 You know, 00:22:31.880 --> 00:22:33.800 Oh, I can see there's something going on down there, 00:22:33.840 --> 00:22:34.400 but I can't see it. 00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:34.960 Can you see it? 00:22:35.020 --> 00:22:35.320 I said, 00:22:35.380 --> 00:22:35.580 No. 00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:35.920 Spirit, 00:22:36.260 --> 00:22:38.200 fetch the intergalactic telescope, 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:38.900 and they're kind of, 00:22:39.600 --> 00:22:42.240 I can just about make something out. 00:22:42.320 --> 00:22:44.320 I think it's Lego or something down there. 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:44.960 Oh, 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:45.700 Father, 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:47.359 would you just kind of go down and have a look? 00:22:48.439 --> 00:22:51.299 Because what we think looks impressive, 00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:52.779 God can't even see. 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:54.439 He says, 00:22:54.619 --> 00:22:55.099 Is that it? 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:56.639 Is that it? 00:22:58.419 --> 00:23:02.359 And I think sometimes we get confused with then verse 6, 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.539 because verse 6 says, 00:23:03.879 --> 00:23:07.679 If as one people speaking the same language they've begun to do this, 00:23:07.679 --> 00:23:11.379 then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 00:23:11.859 --> 00:23:14.200 And that sounds like God's getting scared, 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:14.639 Oh, 00:23:14.679 --> 00:23:15.379 they're getting closer. 00:23:16.339 --> 00:23:16.619 Okay. 00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:17.980 Quick. 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.539 Got to do something. 00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:20.200 What should we do? 00:23:20.379 --> 00:23:21.059 I don't know. 00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:22.460 Make some of them speak French. 00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:23.119 Okay. 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:30.399 But that's not what's going on here. 00:23:30.639 --> 00:23:31.439 God's not scared. 00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:32.639 Because what is he saying? 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:36.259 God comes down and he confuses their language. 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:38.799 Why? 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:43.779 Because the people are determined to make themselves great. 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:47.559 And if they're allowed to go to any extent, 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:53.240 then the scale of the devastation and the destruction will know no bounds. 00:23:53.700 --> 00:23:54.559 And God says, 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:57.759 I'm going to have mercy on you through my judgment. 00:23:58.039 --> 00:24:02.659 I'm going to stop you from going to the full extent of what you're capable of. 00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:10.380 Because I know how devastating it can be when you make yourself the God of your life. 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.200 Think about it. 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:12.759 What do we do? 00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:14.360 What does it look like? 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:20.920 Sometimes it looks like you work so excessively that you never see your family and your family relationships break down. 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:23.480 When it's all about making yourself great. 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:25.740 You are ruthless towards your employees. 00:24:26.080 --> 00:24:28.120 And you use them simply to make money. 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:29.480 And then you fire them at will. 00:24:30.120 --> 00:24:31.080 That's Babel style. 00:24:31.800 --> 00:24:33.080 You trample on anybody. 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:39.259 You create monopolies that keep employees with incredibly low wages so that you can make maximum profits. 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:42.519 But they have no way of escaping the poverty trap. 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:44.519 That's Babel style. 00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:48.559 You lie on your CV or your resume to get the job you want. 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:51.019 It's Babel style. 00:24:51.019 --> 00:25:04.759 Maybe you bad mouth or gossip against those who seem to get in your way or block you from doing what you want to do. 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:06.339 It's Babel style. 00:25:07.139 --> 00:25:12.400 We're trying to take a 20%, 50%, 100% cut in God's glory. 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:14.599 And it causes relational ruin. 00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:16.559 It causes society ruin. 00:25:16.879 --> 00:25:19.940 It causes breakdown in every aspect of our lives. 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:21.740 And God says, that's not what I want. 00:25:24.340 --> 00:25:25.500 A third point. 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:30.640 So we've looked at, if your ambition's for God, for anything other than God, it's for you. 00:25:32.340 --> 00:25:34.880 We've looked at how foolish it is. 00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:40.820 God can't even see the achievements that we think are so impressive when they're made for ourselves. 00:25:41.620 --> 00:25:45.500 The third thing is the hope of an alternative city. 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:49.440 The hope of an alternative city. 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:53.000 Because what happens here, God comes down in judgment. 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:56.279 God also comes down in judgment in Sodom. 00:25:56.980 --> 00:26:01.660 But he comes down in rescue and deliverance at the cross. 00:26:02.340 --> 00:26:09.980 God comes down, not in judgment, but he comes down in humility to take our judgment. 00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:16.720 As Alfie was saying before, when people looked at the cross and they looked at Jesus, they thought, that is stupid. 00:26:17.620 --> 00:26:18.360 That is foolish. 00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:19.480 That doesn't look impressive. 00:26:20.579 --> 00:26:26.500 But actually, it was the greatest thing that has ever happened in the history of the universe. 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.500 The God of all creation comes down. 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:39.799 The God of all creation comes down to take the judgment that we deserve so that he can rescue us from living Babel style to living heaven style. 00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:44.359 And he says, I want to create you into a new city. 00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:46.319 A heavenly city. 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:49.919 A city where the throne in this is not you on the throne. 00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:51.659 There's no space for you. 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:53.359 There's only God is on the throne. 00:26:53.359 --> 00:27:02.639 And if we look in Acts chapter 2, which is where Pentecost happened. 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:07.639 Pentecost, where after Jesus has risen from the dead, God sends his spirit down. 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:10.839 His people there are waiting for him. 00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:12.759 And then they go out. 00:27:12.919 --> 00:27:14.019 The spirit comes on them. 00:27:14.219 --> 00:27:16.519 And they speak in languages. 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:23.759 And people from all around the world hear their language being spoken. 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:27.319 The judgment before was confusion in many languages. 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:35.319 But in Acts chapter 2, after Jesus has risen from the dead, what happens is the communication barrier, 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:40.779 which had stopped people going to the full extent of their own sin, is broken. 00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:46.379 And people hear their language being spoken. 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:48.879 But they don't hear people saying how wonderful people are. 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:51.660 They hear people saying how wonderful God is. 00:27:54.940 --> 00:28:03.779 Later on in Revelation, you see this picture of people from every tribe, every language, every tongue, praising God. 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:13.359 And what they say is this praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength and anything else you can think of. 00:28:14.859 --> 00:28:16.019 Be to our God. 00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:16.660 Not to you. 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.359 Not to me. 00:28:19.139 --> 00:28:19.660 Be to him. 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:22.119 Because he's the only one who deserves it. 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:24.420 He's the only one who deserves it. 00:28:25.079 --> 00:28:29.319 He is more beautiful than I am, than you are. 00:28:29.420 --> 00:28:32.240 He's more impressive than I am, than you are. 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:36.700 Imagine the moment of your arrival in heaven. 00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:38.299 This is a quote. 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:41.900 All the angels are lined up to welcome you. 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:48.420 And all the saints who have gone before you are ready to cheer as you walk through the gates. 00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:56.140 Those who know you have got front row seats but are more attractive than you've ever known them before. 00:28:56.839 --> 00:29:01.480 The noise is deafening and the sense of coming home is almost too much to bear. 00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:05.640 At first, you think that they are there for you. 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:08.099 And in one sense, they are. 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:12.460 But then you realize that no one is patting you on the back. 00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:16.099 Not one word of congratulation is spoken. 00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:18.900 All the cheers are for God. 00:29:18.900 --> 00:29:28.560 All the praise is directed to him for his magnificent work of taking a broken specimen of humanity 00:29:28.560 --> 00:29:36.640 and transforming her into a stunning and breathtaking example of what grace can do. 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:44.640 Just as no one stands in a gallery and praises the canvas or the painting and says, 00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:46.920 what a fine work of art you are. 00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:54.080 So no one in heaven will look at me and praise me for what a fine job I've made of my life. 00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:57.480 It's the artist who is applauded. 00:29:58.399 --> 00:30:00.559 As it is God who is praised. 00:30:01.919 --> 00:30:03.799 It's the artist who is applauded. 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:05.339 It's his gifts. 00:30:05.679 --> 00:30:06.619 It's his abilities. 00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:08.839 It's his talents that he gives to us. 00:30:08.839 --> 00:30:15.039 And see, this is what it's like living in the heavenly city. 00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:18.740 The heavenly city is all focused on Christ. 00:30:20.159 --> 00:30:23.459 It's focused on wanting to make him known to the people around us. 00:30:23.460 --> 00:30:31.180 And we here in Hong Kong, if you're a Christian, here in Watermark, we'd have been an outpost, 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:37.059 a glimpse of heaven to the people around us, whether that's in your work, in your school, 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:39.720 in your homes, wherever it is. 00:30:41.340 --> 00:30:46.240 Now, you could go away and say, thanks, Chris, that was a great sermon. 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:50.680 And then you carry on going living on Babel style for the rest of the week. 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:55.259 Why? Because Babel is incredibly attractive. 00:30:56.340 --> 00:30:57.480 It's very attractive. 00:30:58.620 --> 00:31:00.820 You don't just hear one sermon every week. 00:31:01.100 --> 00:31:02.120 You may not realize this. 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:07.600 You hear 10,000 sermons preached at you every week. 00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:14.200 Every billboard you look at, every movie you watch, every song you hear, 00:31:14.320 --> 00:31:17.140 when you speak to your colleagues or your family, 00:31:18.400 --> 00:31:20.259 sermons are being preached at you. 00:31:21.100 --> 00:31:22.759 Telling you to glorify yourself. 00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:24.200 Telling you to live for yourself. 00:31:24.360 --> 00:31:28.000 Telling you to make yourself great. 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:30.700 Make your own image. 00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:31.799 Your own reputation. 00:31:34.340 --> 00:31:37.519 A friend of mine just on Friday told me that he's a fresh graduate. 00:31:37.920 --> 00:31:41.980 He told me he'd been offered a $1 million a year job. 00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:44.140 Just straight out of college. 00:31:44.140 --> 00:31:52.040 The only thing is the working hours are 16 hours a day, pretty much seven days a week, 00:31:52.360 --> 00:31:53.720 with the possibility of overtime. 00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:57.940 Go figure. 00:31:57.940 --> 00:32:02.339 All his friends are telling him, 00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:05.259 you've got to take the job. 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:07.079 It's at a top bank. 00:32:07.079 --> 00:32:08.899 It's a fantastic opportunity. 00:32:09.199 --> 00:32:10.839 Just think of the people you're going to be around. 00:32:11.099 --> 00:32:13.500 Just think of the career possibilities that you're going to have. 00:32:13.819 --> 00:32:17.059 Just think what you could become if you just stay there a little while. 00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:19.579 You don't have to stay there too long, but just stay there a little while, 00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:21.039 and you can really make it. 00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:25.359 Maybe Babel is talking to him. 00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:30.519 And he's wrestling because it's so attractive. 00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:32.420 It's so impressive. 00:32:34.839 --> 00:32:37.579 And Babel talks to us all the time. 00:32:39.379 --> 00:32:41.159 And what we're saying here is this. 00:32:41.839 --> 00:32:45.759 God has blessed each one of you with gifts, talents, abilities. 00:32:46.639 --> 00:32:48.119 And he wants you to use them. 00:32:48.119 --> 00:32:51.839 If you're a banker, be the best banker you can be. 00:32:52.239 --> 00:32:54.739 If you're a teacher, be the best teacher you can be. 00:32:54.799 --> 00:32:57.799 If you're a parent, if you're a helper, if you're a student, 00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:59.899 be the best that you can be. 00:33:01.139 --> 00:33:02.399 But here's the issue. 00:33:03.439 --> 00:33:05.539 Why and who? 00:33:05.859 --> 00:33:06.979 Why are you doing it? 00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:08.339 And who are you doing it for? 00:33:09.239 --> 00:33:12.099 Who are you looking to glorify through your work? 00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:14.879 Who are you looking to glorify through your study? 00:33:15.379 --> 00:33:17.819 Who are you looking to glorify through your parenting? 00:33:18.119 --> 00:33:21.879 are you going to live Babel style or heaven style? 00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:28.339 And the only way that you can live heaven style 00:33:28.339 --> 00:33:32.619 is when you see that heaven style is more beautiful, 00:33:33.399 --> 00:33:36.839 is more impressive than living Babel style. 00:33:37.579 --> 00:33:42.399 It's only when your heart is captured more by heaven 00:33:42.399 --> 00:33:45.259 and by the God who is more beautiful 00:33:45.259 --> 00:33:48.099 than anything that you can ever achieve. 00:33:48.619 --> 00:33:52.839 Who is the one who comes down and in humility gives up everything. 00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:58.500 And you can see his greatness shown at the cross. 00:33:58.839 --> 00:34:00.899 It's only when that captures your heart 00:34:00.899 --> 00:34:04.119 that you will begin to look at all the other things that surround you 00:34:04.119 --> 00:34:07.759 and say, actually, it may look impressive, 00:34:08.759 --> 00:34:10.920 but God can't even see it. 00:34:13.079 --> 00:34:14.420 So how do we do this? 00:34:14.579 --> 00:34:15.659 Just two last things. 00:34:16.319 --> 00:34:17.139 How do we do this? 00:34:17.139 --> 00:34:20.259 Because it's all very nice saying, okay, we've got to live heaven style, 00:34:20.299 --> 00:34:21.960 but then you go out there and you're just bombarded 00:34:21.960 --> 00:34:24.500 by everyone telling you something different. 00:34:25.239 --> 00:34:25.940 Two things. 00:34:26.819 --> 00:34:29.779 One, preach to yourself. 00:34:30.759 --> 00:34:32.480 Everyone else is preaching to you, 00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:37.539 but preach to yourself and preach to each other 00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:40.719 about the goodness and glory of God. 00:34:40.719 --> 00:34:41.759 What does that mean? 00:34:41.759 --> 00:34:45.000 It means share stories about what God's doing in your life. 00:34:45.939 --> 00:34:47.379 Ask each other questions. 00:34:48.239 --> 00:34:53.359 I find so often Christians only ever talk about Jesus in meetings. 00:34:54.259 --> 00:34:55.159 You ever notice that? 00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:59.879 Only when they're doing a Bible study do Christians ever talk about Jesus. 00:34:59.880 --> 00:35:03.860 Or when they feel that they're supposed to do kind of an evangelistic thing 00:35:03.860 --> 00:35:06.220 and then it's kind of, oh, I don't know how to do it. 00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:11.240 But what you meditate on in your heart, 00:35:11.320 --> 00:35:12.820 what you think about in your heart, 00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:18.079 what you talk about will reveal what really is precious to you. 00:35:18.079 --> 00:35:20.659 The more you talk about it, 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:23.960 the more precious it will become in your eyes. 00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:27.019 So what about in your community groups? 00:35:27.559 --> 00:35:31.759 Make a deal with some others that you will actually ask each other, 00:35:31.840 --> 00:35:33.900 okay, so what have you been learning about Jesus this week? 00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:39.920 Why don't you think, okay, how can I meditate on the cross 00:35:39.920 --> 00:35:41.739 and what the cross has done in my life this week? 00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:43.319 What about the songs that you sing? 00:35:43.320 --> 00:35:48.900 Fill your thoughts with things of God's greatness. 00:35:49.640 --> 00:35:50.600 Because when you do that, 00:35:50.700 --> 00:35:52.700 you then just look at the rest of the world and you say, 00:35:53.440 --> 00:35:54.920 actually, it's not that great, really. 00:35:56.500 --> 00:35:59.820 If you don't do that, you are in such danger. 00:36:00.580 --> 00:36:04.240 In fact, you probably already are living Babel style. 00:36:05.860 --> 00:36:08.880 The second thing that you can do is this. 00:36:09.200 --> 00:36:12.039 When you make decisions that you've got to make, 00:36:12.039 --> 00:36:16.639 how do you know if you're going to make them with heaven as your highest priority, 00:36:16.759 --> 00:36:20.179 with Jesus and his glory as the thing that captures your heart? 00:36:22.860 --> 00:36:24.440 Often we don't know our own hearts. 00:36:25.420 --> 00:36:29.460 So actually, ask people, have people in your life, 00:36:29.519 --> 00:36:30.340 not just your spouse, 00:36:30.440 --> 00:36:33.039 have other people who will ask you tough questions 00:36:33.039 --> 00:36:36.139 about to examine your motives. 00:36:36.320 --> 00:36:39.179 When you've got jobs, things like taking a new job, 00:36:39.559 --> 00:36:40.519 moving to a new place, 00:36:40.519 --> 00:36:41.920 all those kind of decisions. 00:36:42.400 --> 00:36:44.059 Ask people to ask you the tough questions. 00:36:44.699 --> 00:36:46.139 I find if someone says, 00:36:47.440 --> 00:36:52.019 oh, I'm thinking about getting a new job, 00:36:53.039 --> 00:36:54.159 most people say, 00:36:54.380 --> 00:36:56.880 oh, great, how's the pay package? 00:36:57.400 --> 00:36:58.500 What are the conditions like? 00:36:58.500 --> 00:37:01.539 How many of you ever ask, 00:37:02.099 --> 00:37:04.960 how will it affect the time you spend with your family? 00:37:06.860 --> 00:37:09.360 How will it affect your involvement in Christian community? 00:37:10.800 --> 00:37:14.679 How will taking that job help you to glorify God? 00:37:14.840 --> 00:37:19.920 Where are you looking to share Jesus in that new job opportunity? 00:37:19.920 --> 00:37:26.159 Because you could take that job and do it for the glory of God and do it well, 00:37:26.380 --> 00:37:28.659 or you could take that job and do it for yourself. 00:37:29.220 --> 00:37:31.900 We need others to ask us the tough questions. 00:37:31.900 --> 00:37:35.660 If you're not yet a Christian, 00:37:36.119 --> 00:37:37.099 here's the thing. 00:37:38.740 --> 00:37:40.720 All that was left of Babel and Babylon 00:37:40.720 --> 00:37:43.240 is just a few bricks. 00:37:44.680 --> 00:37:46.340 All that's left of the Titanic 00:37:46.340 --> 00:37:48.220 is a bit of rusty metal. 00:37:49.300 --> 00:37:51.000 All that's left of the Ming Dynasty 00:37:51.000 --> 00:37:52.539 is a few vases. 00:37:52.539 --> 00:37:58.179 If you want to have something that's going to last eternally, 00:37:58.739 --> 00:38:00.320 if you want to be really significant, 00:38:00.880 --> 00:38:03.759 if you don't want to have wasted your entire life 00:38:03.759 --> 00:38:04.980 just living for yourself, 00:38:05.340 --> 00:38:06.820 but when you get to heaven, 00:38:07.279 --> 00:38:09.619 you see that actually what you've been living for 00:38:09.619 --> 00:38:10.820 is what really counted, 00:38:11.659 --> 00:38:13.279 and it was so much more beautiful 00:38:13.279 --> 00:38:14.900 than you even ever imagined, 00:38:16.119 --> 00:38:17.539 then start living heaven style, 00:38:18.039 --> 00:38:18.940 not Babel style. 00:38:19.779 --> 00:38:20.380 Let's pray. 00:38:22.539 --> 00:38:30.619 Father, I just confess that 00:38:30.619 --> 00:38:34.179 Babel is so attractive to me, 00:38:34.480 --> 00:38:37.659 and it fills so many of my thoughts, 00:38:38.980 --> 00:38:42.179 and so often I don't intentionally think about 00:38:42.179 --> 00:38:44.179 how to glorify you, 00:38:44.279 --> 00:38:46.739 but I think very intentionally about 00:38:46.739 --> 00:38:47.880 how to glorify myself, 00:38:49.279 --> 00:38:50.679 and forgive me for that. 00:38:51.139 --> 00:38:52.139 Forgive us for that. 00:38:53.539 --> 00:38:55.659 Lord, please give us a vision 00:38:55.659 --> 00:38:58.179 to show us that you are so much more beautiful, 00:38:59.199 --> 00:39:00.380 so much more impressive, 00:39:01.019 --> 00:39:02.380 so much more glorious, 00:39:02.519 --> 00:39:04.840 that your humility was the greatest greatness, 00:39:05.539 --> 00:39:08.820 that the cross is more wise, 00:39:09.099 --> 00:39:12.820 more incredible than anything that we can build. 00:39:13.420 --> 00:39:14.739 Help us to live our lives 00:39:14.739 --> 00:39:17.959 in all the Monday to Friday, 00:39:18.119 --> 00:39:19.039 the Monday to Saturday, 00:39:19.279 --> 00:39:19.919 our parenting, 00:39:20.259 --> 00:39:21.859 all the different things we do, 00:39:22.579 --> 00:39:24.000 wanting to make you known, 00:39:24.500 --> 00:39:26.759 wanting to have opportunities to speak of you, 00:39:27.139 --> 00:39:28.659 and to say how wonderful you are. 00:39:29.459 --> 00:39:31.879 Thank you that you are the one who changes our hearts. 00:39:32.459 --> 00:39:33.699 Please do that in our lives. 00:39:33.699 --> 00:39:34.439 Amen. 00:39:34.659 --> 00:39:35.579 Amen. 00:39:35.579 --> 00:39:37.579 退iert