WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.200
 Good morning, everyone.

00:00:06.740 --> 00:00:13.320
 Nick asked us earlier about what you give thanks to God for in the past week.

00:00:13.580 --> 00:00:19.160
 And I got a message the other day from someone who was sitting in church last week

00:00:19.160 --> 00:00:22.740
 who, as a result of being convicted in terms of the message,

00:00:22.879 --> 00:00:29.400
 but also blown away by the gospel, decided to basically quadruple their giving.

00:00:30.719 --> 00:00:34.920
 And I just want to say that that's what this series is about.

00:00:35.119 --> 00:00:36.119
 It's about heart work.

00:00:36.259 --> 00:00:37.359
 It's about doing...

00:00:37.359 --> 00:00:40.019
 We're not seeking to raise funds for any particular project,

00:00:40.019 --> 00:00:45.100
 but to do heart work as one of the things that is closest to our hearts

00:00:45.100 --> 00:00:47.039
 in a materialistic world,

00:00:47.740 --> 00:00:53.679
 and to sort of rethink about that from a kingdom of God perspective.

00:00:53.799 --> 00:00:56.200
 That's what we're seeking to do in this series.

00:00:56.340 --> 00:00:59.039
 So if you'd like to come with me today, which would be great,

00:00:59.039 --> 00:01:01.600
 you've got an outline here with the Bible verses,

00:01:01.780 --> 00:01:06.019
 but also an outline in terms of where we're heading with this passage.

00:01:06.120 --> 00:01:08.459
 We could take some notes, but also on the St. Paul's app,

00:01:08.500 --> 00:01:10.539
 you can get the same thing and type it all in as well.

00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:13.939
 Let me pray, and then we'll launch into this text.

00:01:13.939 --> 00:01:21.539
 Gracious Father, we thank you for the abundance that you have given us in the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:01:21.879 --> 00:01:23.879
 As we have sung this morning already,

00:01:24.359 --> 00:01:29.099
 in him we can be satisfied, totally satisfied.

00:01:29.099 --> 00:01:31.979
 As your prophet Habakkuk says,

00:01:32.839 --> 00:01:36.079
 that all other things can be stripped away,

00:01:36.239 --> 00:01:39.339
 but because we have Christ, we have God, our Redeemer,

00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:41.000
 then we have everything,

00:01:41.519 --> 00:01:44.739
 everything that we need to get out of bed in the morning and rejoice.

00:01:45.699 --> 00:01:51.379
 Help us to put our materialism, our money, our resources,

00:01:51.379 --> 00:01:54.699
 all good things that come from you in their proper place.

00:01:54.920 --> 00:01:57.500
 We ask that you would do heart work with us,

00:01:58.060 --> 00:02:01.759
 which would see transformation in our lives and our priorities, we pray.

00:02:02.299 --> 00:02:03.399
 In Jesus' name.

00:02:03.840 --> 00:02:04.219
 Amen.

00:02:05.420 --> 00:02:09.759
 I want to begin today, as I've done a few times before,

00:02:09.900 --> 00:02:13.219
 reflecting on the life of one of the greatest philosophical thinkers,

00:02:13.539 --> 00:02:16.199
 one of the sharpest political minds,

00:02:16.199 --> 00:02:22.099
 one of the most gifted artists and one of the most quoted individuals of the past 100 years.

00:02:23.019 --> 00:02:30.019
 Arnold Schwarzenegger was born the son of a low-ranking Austrian police officer

00:02:30.019 --> 00:02:34.359
 and destined for a life of total obscurity, in fact,

00:02:34.739 --> 00:02:40.479
 until his hands wrapped around a barbell for the very first time at 14 years of age.

00:02:41.319 --> 00:02:43.599
 By the age of 18, he was living in London,

00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:47.139
 travelling the world, competing in bodybuilding championships,

00:02:47.879 --> 00:02:52.280
 and his coach through those years was a guy named Wag Bennett.

00:02:53.299 --> 00:02:58.939
 And one day, Wag asked the 18-year-old Arnold Schwarzenegger,

00:02:59.259 --> 00:03:01.859
 what do you want to do with your life?

00:03:03.620 --> 00:03:10.000
 And he said Arnold's response for an 18-year-old was remarkable.

00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:13.419
 He said he just looked at me and said,

00:03:13.520 --> 00:03:16.759
 I want to be the richest and the greatest bodybuilder of all time.

00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:19.860
 I want to live in the United States.

00:03:20.560 --> 00:03:23.139
 I want to be an actor, a movie director,

00:03:23.960 --> 00:03:25.580
 own an apartment block,

00:03:26.180 --> 00:03:27.659
 and dabble in politics.

00:03:29.300 --> 00:03:30.580
 18 years of age.

00:03:31.719 --> 00:03:32.879
 This is my future.

00:03:32.879 --> 00:03:35.060
 This is what I'm gunning for,

00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:36.379
 and I'm going to go for it.

00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:44.340
 And those who trained with him said he was highly focused.

00:03:45.400 --> 00:03:46.439
 Highly focused.

00:03:46.900 --> 00:03:50.759
 One day he was doing some sort of press-up thingy

00:03:50.759 --> 00:03:52.500
 with one of his training partners,

00:03:52.900 --> 00:03:54.819
 and this training partner beat Arnold.

00:03:54.939 --> 00:03:56.419
 He did 150,

00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:57.939
 and Arnold did 149,

00:03:58.019 --> 00:03:58.780
 or something like that.

00:03:58.780 --> 00:04:00.199
 And Arnold looked at him and said,

00:04:00.520 --> 00:04:01.400
 you will never,

00:04:01.599 --> 00:04:03.240
 ever beat me again.

00:04:04.620 --> 00:04:04.800
 He said,

00:04:04.860 --> 00:04:05.460
 no matter what I did,

00:04:05.500 --> 00:04:06.140
 I couldn't do it.

00:04:07.780 --> 00:04:08.900
 So focused.

00:04:11.080 --> 00:04:12.120
 Luke 16.

00:04:13.780 --> 00:04:18.939
 Jesus tells a story about a man who saw the future.

00:04:19.939 --> 00:04:21.379
 He knew what he wanted,

00:04:21.959 --> 00:04:23.740
 knew what he wanted to do,

00:04:23.840 --> 00:04:24.860
 what he needed to do,

00:04:24.920 --> 00:04:26.939
 and he just went for it.

00:04:28.779 --> 00:04:31.500
 He's known as the shrewd manager.

00:04:32.579 --> 00:04:33.019
 Now,

00:04:33.099 --> 00:04:33.959
 in Jesus' time,

00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:35.619
 the manager like this

00:04:35.619 --> 00:04:38.939
 was like a COO,

00:04:39.039 --> 00:04:40.319
 a chief operating officer,

00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:41.179
 and a CFO,

00:04:41.419 --> 00:04:43.000
 a chief financial officer,

00:04:43.419 --> 00:04:44.599
 rolled into one.

00:04:44.959 --> 00:04:46.659
 They not only managed

00:04:46.659 --> 00:04:48.859
 the whole estate

00:04:48.859 --> 00:04:52.099
 for an owner of an estate,

00:04:52.219 --> 00:04:55.379
 but they also invested the owner's money.

00:04:55.379 --> 00:04:57.659
 They had control over the finances

00:04:57.660 --> 00:05:00.600
 and chose where it was going to be spent.

00:05:01.720 --> 00:05:02.740
 And it turns out,

00:05:02.939 --> 00:05:04.320
 according to this text,

00:05:04.439 --> 00:05:06.500
 that this manager's been doing a pretty poor job,

00:05:06.580 --> 00:05:08.240
 and so he gets a termination notice,

00:05:08.840 --> 00:05:10.160
 and he's now in trouble.

00:05:11.440 --> 00:05:13.980
 Word gets around that this manager

00:05:13.980 --> 00:05:17.600
 has not been making some wise decisions,

00:05:18.200 --> 00:05:20.620
 then it's unlikely that he's going to get

00:05:20.620 --> 00:05:22.780
 another management role.

00:05:22.779 --> 00:05:25.619
 And he's been sitting in an office for too long

00:05:25.619 --> 00:05:27.899
 to start digging trenches for a living,

00:05:28.119 --> 00:05:30.919
 and he won't lower himself to begging.

00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:32.139
 And what's more,

00:05:32.239 --> 00:05:33.699
 there are no social services.

00:05:34.579 --> 00:05:36.839
 There's nothing here in terms of

00:05:36.839 --> 00:05:38.699
 center link to fall back on.

00:05:39.359 --> 00:05:40.479
 So for this manager,

00:05:40.959 --> 00:05:41.939
 in this moment,

00:05:42.119 --> 00:05:44.339
 he has a life and death decision.

00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:47.259
 How's he going to live?

00:05:48.159 --> 00:05:49.279
 What's he going to do?

00:05:49.279 --> 00:05:52.519
 And so he makes a decision

00:05:52.519 --> 00:05:54.039
 in that moment

00:05:54.039 --> 00:05:57.739
 that will pay benefits for him

00:05:57.739 --> 00:05:58.599
 into the future.

00:05:59.839 --> 00:06:00.859
 Not immediately,

00:06:01.359 --> 00:06:02.399
 into the future.

00:06:03.019 --> 00:06:04.859
 And that's the point of this parable.

00:06:05.899 --> 00:06:06.799
 Living now,

00:06:06.939 --> 00:06:08.379
 making decisions now,

00:06:08.619 --> 00:06:10.919
 that have long-term benefits.

00:06:12.859 --> 00:06:14.379
 And what he does next

00:06:14.379 --> 00:06:15.739
 is the bit of this parable

00:06:15.739 --> 00:06:16.779
 that I think,

00:06:16.919 --> 00:06:18.599
 if you get caught up in the details,

00:06:18.600 --> 00:06:19.939
 gets a little bit distracting.

00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:21.660
 So here it is,

00:06:21.700 --> 00:06:22.320
 verse 5.

00:06:23.320 --> 00:06:24.879
 So he called in each one

00:06:24.879 --> 00:06:26.100
 of his master's debtors.

00:06:26.260 --> 00:06:27.120
 He asked the first,

00:06:27.200 --> 00:06:28.220
 how much do you owe my master?

00:06:28.379 --> 00:06:29.660
 900 gallons of olive oil,

00:06:29.720 --> 00:06:30.140
 he replied.

00:06:30.760 --> 00:06:31.439
 The manager told him,

00:06:31.520 --> 00:06:31.960
 take your bill,

00:06:32.060 --> 00:06:32.820
 sit down quickly,

00:06:32.939 --> 00:06:34.000
 and make it 450.

00:06:35.379 --> 00:06:36.900
 Then he asked the second,

00:06:37.760 --> 00:06:38.820
 and how much do you owe?

00:06:39.580 --> 00:06:41.100
 A thousand bushels of wheat,

00:06:41.160 --> 00:06:41.640
 he replied.

00:06:42.600 --> 00:06:43.500
 He told him,

00:06:43.580 --> 00:06:44.240
 take your bill,

00:06:44.400 --> 00:06:45.620
 and make it 800.

00:06:45.620 --> 00:06:50.139
 Now the distracting bit is,

00:06:50.399 --> 00:06:53.199
 you're working on the assumption here,

00:06:53.340 --> 00:06:56.000
 that this manager,

00:06:56.579 --> 00:06:58.340
 is ripping off his master.

00:06:59.139 --> 00:07:00.639
 You pay me the money.

00:07:01.639 --> 00:07:04.639
 You give me 450 gallons of olive oil.

00:07:06.899 --> 00:07:08.879
 That's not really what's happening.

00:07:08.879 --> 00:07:12.060
 But what happens here is,

00:07:12.279 --> 00:07:14.699
 what's the crucial focal point,

00:07:15.219 --> 00:07:17.240
 is the outcome of his actions

00:07:17.240 --> 00:07:18.639
 creates friendships

00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:21.139
 that didn't exist before.

00:07:22.980 --> 00:07:25.399
 He now has connections and friendships

00:07:25.399 --> 00:07:26.620
 that didn't exist before.

00:07:27.379 --> 00:07:28.860
 In acting for the future,

00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:30.879
 he won the favor and the obligation

00:07:30.879 --> 00:07:32.639
 of his master's debtors.

00:07:32.639 --> 00:07:35.079
 And the master's response,

00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:36.539
 in verse 8,

00:07:38.259 --> 00:07:38.740
 is,

00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:42.039
 the master commended the dishonest manager

00:07:42.039 --> 00:07:43.620
 because he had acted shrewdly.

00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:49.699
 Why would the owner commend the manager

00:07:49.699 --> 00:07:51.919
 for his action here?

00:07:53.019 --> 00:07:54.579
 One of the best theories

00:07:54.579 --> 00:07:56.079
 is that this manager

00:07:56.079 --> 00:07:58.360
 was putting his own fees

00:07:58.360 --> 00:08:01.259
 on top of the investment,

00:08:01.259 --> 00:08:05.899
 getting his own interest share in it

00:08:05.899 --> 00:08:08.800
 as well as the owner of the investment.

00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:11.959
 And this could be the reason

00:08:11.959 --> 00:08:13.379
 why he's been called dishonest

00:08:13.379 --> 00:08:14.139
 in the beginning.

00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:18.879
 You are putting extraordinary fees

00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:21.579
 on top of my assets

00:08:21.579 --> 00:08:23.240
 and getting a cut yourself.

00:08:24.779 --> 00:08:27.319
 So he's entering into contracts here

00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:28.959
 with very high interest.

00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:31.919
 So the master's getting interest

00:08:31.919 --> 00:08:33.179
 and the owner's getting interest

00:08:33.179 --> 00:08:34.860
 and then it all gets found out.

00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:38.019
 And so what apparently he's done here

00:08:38.019 --> 00:08:39.000
 is he's now all of a sudden

00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:40.620
 taking his own cut out of it.

00:08:41.319 --> 00:08:42.799
 He's not getting anything more

00:08:42.799 --> 00:08:43.679
 from these deals.

00:08:44.460 --> 00:08:46.059
 Takes his own fees out.

00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:50.279
 Not only does he make his debtors happy,

00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:52.240
 but he also gives the master

00:08:52.240 --> 00:08:53.600
 a better name in town too.

00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:56.360
 Now that's,

00:08:56.420 --> 00:08:57.779
 well that's exactly how it worked,

00:08:57.860 --> 00:08:59.320
 but it appears that that's how it worked

00:08:59.320 --> 00:09:00.899
 in the first century Palestine.

00:09:01.420 --> 00:09:03.399
 But the point of Jesus here is

00:09:03.399 --> 00:09:04.800
 that this man

00:09:04.800 --> 00:09:07.180
 is living his life

00:09:07.180 --> 00:09:10.019
 and using his wealth

00:09:10.019 --> 00:09:12.340
 with an eye for the future.

00:09:13.680 --> 00:09:15.779
 This master commended him

00:09:15.779 --> 00:09:18.139
 because he had acted shrewdly.

00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:20.500
 It was a good decision.

00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:23.259
 You've made a wise decision,

00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:24.460
 a smart judgment.

00:09:24.620 --> 00:09:25.440
 You're astute.

00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:29.960
 Or what we might call a rat cunning.

00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:32.779
 Very, very clever move.

00:09:34.659 --> 00:09:38.320
 But the rebuke in the second half

00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:39.440
 of verse 8

00:09:39.440 --> 00:09:40.960
 is a little bit stinging.

00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:43.500
 It says this shrewd,

00:09:43.559 --> 00:09:44.299
 this wise,

00:09:44.440 --> 00:09:45.779
 this astute action

00:09:45.779 --> 00:09:47.759
 is one that the disciples

00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:49.159
 of Jesus fail in.

00:09:50.740 --> 00:09:52.559
 For the people of this world

00:09:52.559 --> 00:09:54.220
 are more shrewd

00:09:54.220 --> 00:09:55.980
 in dealing with their own kind

00:09:55.980 --> 00:09:57.779
 or with their own generation

00:09:57.779 --> 00:10:01.059
 than are people of the light.

00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:03.879
 Jesus is saying

00:10:03.879 --> 00:10:04.839
 that this manager

00:10:04.839 --> 00:10:06.740
 is wiser

00:10:06.740 --> 00:10:08.059
 in the use

00:10:08.059 --> 00:10:09.779
 of the master's wealth

00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:12.919
 than his own disciples

00:10:12.919 --> 00:10:14.279
 are in using

00:10:14.279 --> 00:10:15.559
 their master's wealth.

00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:19.980
 in making long-term investment

00:10:19.980 --> 00:10:21.379
 with their master's wealth.

00:10:27.459 --> 00:10:28.879
 And that's my second point.

00:10:29.839 --> 00:10:32.839
 We are God's investment managers.

00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:34.679
 That's the first thing

00:10:34.679 --> 00:10:35.600
 we learn here.

00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:36.740
 We are stewards

00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:39.559
 of someone else's resources.

00:10:39.559 --> 00:10:43.859
 The word manager here

00:10:43.859 --> 00:10:47.139
 is quite literally steward.

00:10:48.659 --> 00:10:50.199
 This man

00:10:50.199 --> 00:10:52.079
 is a steward

00:10:52.079 --> 00:10:54.199
 of someone else's resources.

00:10:54.439 --> 00:10:56.039
 He is a fund manager

00:10:56.039 --> 00:10:57.219
 if you like.

00:10:58.279 --> 00:10:59.419
 When you manage

00:10:59.419 --> 00:11:01.239
 someone else's funds

00:11:01.239 --> 00:11:03.259
 you can't do

00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:05.019
 anything you want

00:11:05.019 --> 00:11:05.799
 with it

00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:06.419
 because

00:11:06.419 --> 00:11:08.579
 it's not yours.

00:11:08.740 --> 00:11:09.659
 You don't own it.

00:11:11.199 --> 00:11:12.339
 So first up

00:11:12.339 --> 00:11:13.279
 Jesus is saying

00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:14.699
 that if you understand

00:11:14.699 --> 00:11:15.979
 that there is a God

00:11:15.979 --> 00:11:16.559
 at all

00:11:16.559 --> 00:11:17.859
 you've got any concept

00:11:17.859 --> 00:11:18.959
 that there is a God

00:11:18.959 --> 00:11:20.419
 you will know

00:11:20.419 --> 00:11:21.500
 that whatever you have

00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:22.459
 is not yours.

00:11:23.959 --> 00:11:25.219
 We are stewards

00:11:25.219 --> 00:11:26.319
 of God's money

00:11:26.319 --> 00:11:27.839
 of his resources

00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:29.080
 and so

00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:29.960
 we are

00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:31.940
 stop acting

00:11:31.940 --> 00:11:33.259
 as if it's ours.

00:11:34.040 --> 00:11:35.139
 That's pretty hard hitting

00:11:35.139 --> 00:11:36.139
 because we have

00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:37.060
 a strong attachment

00:11:37.060 --> 00:11:37.980
 to our wealth

00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:39.120
 and our possessions

00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:41.139
 because we've worked for it.

00:11:41.160 --> 00:11:42.519
 We have this sense

00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:44.700
 in the materialistic wealth

00:11:44.700 --> 00:11:45.560
 of the West

00:11:45.560 --> 00:11:47.300
 that we believe

00:11:47.300 --> 00:11:49.280
 in the self-made individual.

00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:50.860
 It's my money.

00:11:50.940 --> 00:11:51.960
 I've worked hard for it.

00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:53.240
 I've worked really hard.

00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:54.420
 I deserve this

00:11:54.420 --> 00:11:55.560
 because I work really hard.

00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:56.879
 How often have you heard

00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:57.879
 your self

00:11:57.879 --> 00:11:58.799
 say that?

00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:01.279
 Jesus says

00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:01.980
 no.

00:12:02.740 --> 00:12:03.419
 That's not yours.

00:12:05.320 --> 00:12:06.480
 If you're a Christian

00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:08.919
 there is a much broader context

00:12:08.919 --> 00:12:09.879
 to put all

00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:11.500
 of this truth into.

00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:12.960
 As Christians

00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:13.659
 we believe

00:12:13.659 --> 00:12:15.059
 that God made everything

00:12:15.059 --> 00:12:17.159
 that he sustains everything

00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:18.539
 that we have life

00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:19.120
 and skills

00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:20.039
 and opportunities

00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:21.899
 that he has gifted us with

00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:24.559
 and without those things

00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:26.019
 we would not make

00:12:26.019 --> 00:12:27.340
 any money

00:12:27.340 --> 00:12:28.299
 at all.

00:12:30.740 --> 00:12:32.179
 It's not because of us

00:12:32.179 --> 00:12:33.779
 it's because of him.

00:12:36.439 --> 00:12:37.740
 Let me just push this point

00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.179
 a little bit further.

00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:39.539
 It is a gift

00:12:39.539 --> 00:12:41.299
 that you happen to exist

00:12:41.299 --> 00:12:41.879
 in Sydney

00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:43.319
 at this particular time and age.

00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:45.079
 Absolute gift.

00:12:45.080 --> 00:12:50.379
 you would understand

00:12:50.379 --> 00:12:51.200
 it as a gift

00:12:51.200 --> 00:12:52.020
 if you were born

00:12:52.020 --> 00:12:53.440
 400 years ago

00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:57.139
 and living in a

00:12:57.139 --> 00:12:59.440
 third world country.

00:13:03.920 --> 00:13:05.280
 Without the gifts

00:13:05.280 --> 00:13:06.920
 we have no capability

00:13:06.920 --> 00:13:08.259
 of doing what we do.

00:13:09.200 --> 00:13:10.220
 Without the life

00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:10.900
 that he gives us

00:13:10.900 --> 00:13:11.460
 day by day

00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:12.600
 we have no ability

00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:14.920
 to have any form

00:13:14.920 --> 00:13:15.480
 of possessions.

00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:16.399
 Without life

00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:17.379
 it's extremely difficult

00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:18.560
 to do anything in fact.

00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:21.560
 If you have health

00:13:21.560 --> 00:13:22.340
 and able to work

00:13:22.340 --> 00:13:23.060
 that's a gift.

00:13:23.460 --> 00:13:24.180
 The fact that you're born

00:13:24.180 --> 00:13:25.399
 in this time and place

00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:26.620
 have these opportunities

00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:27.820
 those are gifts.

00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:29.940
 We work hard

00:13:29.940 --> 00:13:30.800
 for what we have

00:13:30.800 --> 00:13:32.080
 with the life

00:13:32.080 --> 00:13:32.940
 circumstances

00:13:32.940 --> 00:13:33.820
 talents

00:13:33.820 --> 00:13:35.120
 that God has given us

00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:36.840
 we are stewards.

00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:38.840
 And I think

00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:39.440
 that's where

00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:40.879
 1 Chronicles 29

00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:41.679
 is really helpful

00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:42.120
 for us

00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:42.879
 because this is

00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:43.620
 the prayer

00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:45.439
 of the fabulously

00:13:45.439 --> 00:13:46.799
 wealthy and powerful

00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:47.580
 King David.

00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:49.980
 Everything in heaven

00:13:49.980 --> 00:13:50.759
 and earth

00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:52.100
 is yours.

00:13:53.179 --> 00:13:53.559
 Wealth

00:13:53.559 --> 00:13:54.480
 and honour

00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:55.460
 come from you.

00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:56.919
 You are the ruler

00:13:56.919 --> 00:13:58.139
 of all things.

00:13:58.779 --> 00:13:59.500
 Who am I?

00:13:59.860 --> 00:14:00.860
 And who are my people

00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:01.740
 that we should be able

00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.639
 to give as generously

00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:03.179
 as this?

00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:03.820
 Everything

00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:05.779
 comes from you

00:14:05.779 --> 00:14:06.899
 and we have only

00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:07.980
 given to you

00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:08.740
 what has come

00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:09.580
 from your hand.

00:14:09.580 --> 00:14:11.080
 All this abundance

00:14:11.080 --> 00:14:13.200
 that we have provided

00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:14.040
 for building you

00:14:14.040 --> 00:14:14.500
 a temple

00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:15.639
 for your holy name

00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:17.520
 comes from your hand

00:14:17.520 --> 00:14:18.900
 and all of it

00:14:18.900 --> 00:14:20.300
 belongs to you

00:14:20.300 --> 00:14:22.000
 still belongs to you.

00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:25.780
 So if we are stewards

00:14:25.780 --> 00:14:27.139
 it's not ours

00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:28.020
 and God calls us

00:14:28.020 --> 00:14:29.220
 to be radically generous.

00:14:30.420 --> 00:14:31.360
 And if we're not

00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:32.900
 radically generous

00:14:32.900 --> 00:14:35.220
 it's not called

00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:35.940
 stinginess

00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:36.940
 or a little bit

00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:37.480
 tight.

00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:39.740
 God calls it

00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:40.200
 robbery.

00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:42.740
 You're a fund manager

00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:44.920
 who's taking the funds

00:14:44.920 --> 00:14:45.879
 and investing it

00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:46.279
 elsewhere.

00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:50.379
 You're the dishonest

00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:51.440
 manager

00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:52.899
 is what you are.

00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:55.779
 It's not just a lack

00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:56.519
 of compassion.

00:14:57.340 --> 00:14:58.139
 It's not just a lack

00:14:58.139 --> 00:14:59.420
 of generosity.

00:14:59.420 --> 00:15:00.500
 It's a lack

00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:01.399
 of integrity.

00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:05.600
 Malachi 3.8

00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:08.519
 Will a mere mortal

00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.559
 rob God?

00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:11.740
 And yet you

00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:12.439
 rob me.

00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:14.000
 But you ask

00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:14.579
 well how are we

00:15:14.579 --> 00:15:15.279
 robbing you God?

00:15:16.459 --> 00:15:17.519
 In tithes and offerings.

00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:20.259
 As I said last week

00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:20.860
 the people of the

00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:21.419
 Old Testament

00:15:21.419 --> 00:15:22.220
 were told that

00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:23.500
 10% of their income

00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.620
 as a baseline

00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:25.659
 need to be given away.

00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:26.919
 That's the starting point.

00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:27.659
 That's the baseline.

00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:29.959
 And I'm not convinced

00:15:29.959 --> 00:15:30.699
 the standards of the

00:15:30.699 --> 00:15:31.240
 people in the New

00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:32.000
 Testament are any

00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:32.339
 lower.

00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:34.539
 Especially when they

00:15:34.539 --> 00:15:35.259
 have a greater hope

00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:36.059
 a greater revelation

00:15:36.059 --> 00:15:36.919
 a greater grace

00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:38.360
 greater benefit.

00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:40.719
 However

00:15:40.719 --> 00:15:42.980
 if you're sitting

00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:43.659
 there at the moment

00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:44.240
 you're thinking

00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:44.919
 10%

00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:46.740
 is a lot of money

00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:48.519
 then maybe

00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:49.480
 you're approaching

00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:50.559
 it from the wrong

00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:51.199
 direction.

00:15:52.319 --> 00:15:52.799
 Imagine

00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:54.360
 imagine this scenario

00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:55.600
 you go to work

00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:56.379
 on Tuesday

00:15:56.379 --> 00:15:57.960
 and

00:15:57.960 --> 00:15:59.259
 someone

00:15:59.259 --> 00:16:00.299
 asks you

00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:01.500
 to manage

00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:02.279
 their money

00:16:02.279 --> 00:16:02.939
 for them

00:16:02.939 --> 00:16:04.299
 and the

00:16:04.299 --> 00:16:05.100
 terms

00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:06.220
 of that

00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:08.559
 were that

00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:09.919
 every year

00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:11.439
 you get

00:16:11.439 --> 00:16:12.039
 to keep

00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:12.820
 90%

00:16:12.820 --> 00:16:13.960
 of the returns

00:16:13.960 --> 00:16:15.740
 and you've

00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:16.179
 got to give

00:16:16.179 --> 00:16:16.539
 the owner

00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:17.539
 10% back.

00:16:18.980 --> 00:16:19.519
 Do you

00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:20.240
 think that's

00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:20.840
 a good deal?

00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:24.059
 What fund

00:16:24.059 --> 00:16:24.720
 manager wouldn't

00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:25.240
 want to sign

00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:25.700
 on the dotted

00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:26.360
 line ASN?

00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:27.059
 You immediately

00:16:27.059 --> 00:16:27.259
 go

00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:28.340
 there's got to

00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:28.860
 be fine print

00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:29.460
 here somewhere.

00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:30.799
 There must

00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:31.379
 be fine print

00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:31.939
 here somewhere.

00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:36.259
 That's how

00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:36.980
 generous God

00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:37.539
 is

00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:38.480
 and that's

00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:38.899
 what God

00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:39.360
 is offering

00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:39.799
 us.

00:16:40.840 --> 00:16:41.240
 But if we

00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:41.740
 love money

00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:42.039
 more than

00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:42.779
 we love God

00:16:42.779 --> 00:16:43.200
 who gives

00:16:43.200 --> 00:16:43.580
 us those

00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:43.840
 things

00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:45.159
 even those

00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:45.639
 terms won't

00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:46.139
 be enough.

00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:48.039
 We won't

00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:48.500
 be generous

00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:48.919
 we won't

00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:49.379
 give

00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.919
 and it won't

00:16:50.919 --> 00:16:51.580
 be stinginess

00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:52.360
 it's robbery.

00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:53.879
 We are stewards

00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:54.360
 of money

00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:54.879
 that is

00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.200
 not

00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:55.779
 ours.

00:16:56.779 --> 00:16:57.200
 And I

00:16:57.200 --> 00:16:57.779
 would suggest

00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:58.080
 I want to

00:16:58.080 --> 00:16:58.519
 go a little

00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:58.940
 bit harder

00:16:58.940 --> 00:16:59.480
 here and I

00:16:59.480 --> 00:16:59.960
 would suggest

00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:00.899
 that includes

00:17:00.899 --> 00:17:02.379
 the estates

00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:02.919
 that you've

00:17:02.919 --> 00:17:03.440
 accumulated

00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:04.279
 over the

00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:04.759
 years.

00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:11.740
 I want to

00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.339
 ask whether

00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:13.160
 even in

00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:13.759
 your will

00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:15.180
 have you

00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:15.859
 included for

00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:16.619
 gospel ministry

00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:17.460
 after you

00:17:17.460 --> 00:17:17.940
 have long

00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:18.259
 gone.

00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:19.720
 Even the

00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.440
 estates that

00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:20.660
 are in

00:17:20.660 --> 00:17:21.240
 your name

00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:21.720
 are not

00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:22.200
 yours.

00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:25.839
 Imagine

00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:26.400
 stewarding

00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:27.079
 our resources

00:17:27.079 --> 00:17:27.759
 in such a

00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:28.839
 way that

00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:29.279
 in our

00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:29.879
 wills

00:17:29.879 --> 00:17:30.220
 we are

00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:30.920
 also

00:17:30.920 --> 00:17:31.920
 giving a

00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:33.019
 portion to

00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:33.920
 gospel ministry

00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:35.400
 and charity

00:17:35.400 --> 00:17:36.080
 after we

00:17:36.080 --> 00:17:36.660
 have long

00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:37.019
 gone.

00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:38.500
 Imagine

00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:39.700
 continuing to

00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.740
 build rewards

00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.300
 in heaven

00:17:41.300 --> 00:17:42.400
 when we are

00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:43.120
 already there.

00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:47.279
 Next point

00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:48.200
 investing in

00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:48.680
 friends.

00:17:49.620 --> 00:17:49.820
 There's

00:17:49.820 --> 00:17:50.279
 something even

00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:52.100
 more amazing

00:17:52.100 --> 00:17:52.620
 here.

00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:54.080
 This is the

00:17:54.080 --> 00:17:54.580
 connection between

00:17:54.580 --> 00:17:55.100
 wealth and

00:17:55.100 --> 00:17:55.680
 love.

00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:57.900
 Verse 9

00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:59.440
 is the

00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:00.440
 goal Jesus

00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:01.360
 has in

00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:02.340
 mind with

00:18:02.340 --> 00:18:03.000
 our stewardship

00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.380
 of his

00:18:03.380 --> 00:18:05.059
 resources and

00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:05.980
 the goal

00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:07.720
 is our

00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:09.099
 happiness,

00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:10.779
 our love

00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:11.400
 and our

00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:12.119
 security.

00:18:12.900 --> 00:18:13.859
 I tell you

00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:15.059
 use worldly

00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:15.660
 wealth to

00:18:15.660 --> 00:18:16.480
 gain friends

00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.359
 for yourselves

00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:18.619
 so that when

00:18:18.619 --> 00:18:19.839
 it is gone

00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:21.119
 you will be

00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:21.900
 welcomed into

00:18:21.900 --> 00:18:23.000
 eternal dwellings.

00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:26.140
 See what this

00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:26.920
 manager does

00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:28.140
 here which is

00:18:28.140 --> 00:18:28.779
 the astute

00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:29.599
 wise thinking

00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:30.699
 is he puts

00:18:30.699 --> 00:18:32.359
 aside short

00:18:32.359 --> 00:18:34.019
 term financial

00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:35.500
 gain for the

00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.439
 sake of gaining

00:18:36.439 --> 00:18:38.319
 something that

00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:39.199
 was long term

00:18:39.199 --> 00:18:39.919
 more valuable.

00:18:41.459 --> 00:18:42.559
 It's a wise

00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.839
 investment is

00:18:43.839 --> 00:18:44.939
 where you put

00:18:44.939 --> 00:18:46.519
 your money into

00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:47.359
 something that

00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:48.539
 will increase in

00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:48.899
 value.

00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:49.599
 That's called a

00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:50.299
 wise investment.

00:18:52.179 --> 00:18:53.339
 And so what can

00:18:53.339 --> 00:18:54.279
 we put our money

00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:55.699
 into that will

00:18:55.699 --> 00:18:57.339
 last forever?

00:18:57.339 --> 00:19:00.720
 Jesus gives

00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.079
 us a very

00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:01.799
 helpful perspective

00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:02.980
 here when he

00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:03.519
 says in verse

00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.839
 nine so that

00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.639
 when it is

00:19:05.639 --> 00:19:06.099
 gone.

00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:08.339
 He's saying

00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:08.759
 that no matter

00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:09.759
 what investment

00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:11.000
 you put into

00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:12.139
 in this world

00:19:12.139 --> 00:19:14.720
 it will go.

00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:16.139
 It will not

00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:16.720
 last.

00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:17.959
 You won't take

00:19:17.959 --> 00:19:18.539
 it with you.

00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:21.119
 There is no

00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:22.079
 material thing,

00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:22.939
 no asset,

00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:24.619
 no piece of

00:19:24.619 --> 00:19:25.899
 property where

00:19:25.900 --> 00:19:26.300
 you can put

00:19:26.300 --> 00:19:26.840
 your money

00:19:26.840 --> 00:19:27.620
 into that

00:19:27.620 --> 00:19:28.440
 will really

00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:30.200
 really really

00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:31.240
 last.

00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:33.840
 And he's

00:19:33.840 --> 00:19:34.280
 calling his

00:19:34.280 --> 00:19:34.900
 disciples to

00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:35.160
 put their

00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:35.600
 money into

00:19:35.600 --> 00:19:36.140
 something that

00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:36.740
 will literally

00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.560
 last forever.

00:19:40.340 --> 00:19:41.080
 Use your

00:19:41.080 --> 00:19:42.040
 money in such

00:19:42.040 --> 00:19:43.160
 a way that

00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:44.519
 there is glory

00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:46.060
 in the end.

00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:46.119
 need.

00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.679
 Now what I

00:19:50.679 --> 00:19:51.419
 love about the

00:19:51.419 --> 00:19:52.019
 way that Jesus

00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:53.179
 puts it here

00:19:53.179 --> 00:19:54.500
 is that he

00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:55.240
 doesn't say,

00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:56.019
 he doesn't just

00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:56.859
 stay there at

00:19:56.859 --> 00:19:57.299
 some sort of

00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:58.179
 abstract level.

00:19:59.319 --> 00:19:59.940
 Now because for

00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.839
 me personally I'm

00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:01.899
 logically convinced

00:20:01.899 --> 00:20:02.539
 I'm just kind of

00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:03.119
 the way that I'm

00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:03.779
 wired I think

00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:05.119
 long term about

00:20:05.119 --> 00:20:06.039
 most stuff.

00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:07.980
 And I'm

00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:09.480
 logically convinced

00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:10.279
 by the argument

00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:11.019
 for long term

00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:12.500
 investment that

00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:13.599
 grows in value

00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:14.000
 forever.

00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.140
 Logically,

00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:16.160
 yeah got that,

00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:16.779
 that makes sense

00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.180
 to me.

00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:18.519
 What Jesus

00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:19.500
 says next

00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:21.359
 however is

00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:22.839
 the thing that

00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:23.460
 if you like

00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:24.599
 moves the

00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:26.220
 heart and

00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.619
 causes me to

00:20:27.619 --> 00:20:28.539
 open the

00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:29.119
 wallet and the

00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:29.839
 bank balance.

00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:30.759
 And I hope it

00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.299
 does for you

00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:31.579
 too.

00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:33.640
 Look at how

00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:34.980
 Jesus describes

00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:35.640
 the eternal

00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:36.319
 dwelling in

00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:36.980
 verse 9.

00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:40.299
 friends.

00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:43.019
 Friends.

00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:46.039
 Use your money

00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:47.480
 now to gain

00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:49.059
 friends who

00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:49.720
 will welcome

00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.579
 you into

00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:51.299
 eternal

00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:52.160
 dwellings.

00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:54.220
 Let me quote

00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:55.019
 one commentator

00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:55.640
 who wrote on

00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:56.240
 this verse.

00:20:56.920 --> 00:20:58.299
 It is in his

00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:59.140
 view the main

00:20:59.140 --> 00:21:00.319
 point of this

00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:00.860
 parable.

00:21:00.859 --> 00:21:03.879
 although these

00:21:03.879 --> 00:21:04.439
 things,

00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:05.500
 your property,

00:21:05.659 --> 00:21:05.979
 ability,

00:21:06.179 --> 00:21:06.539
 time,

00:21:07.139 --> 00:21:07.859
 belong to

00:21:07.859 --> 00:21:08.459
 this life

00:21:08.459 --> 00:21:09.039
 only,

00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:09.899
 says Jesus,

00:21:11.199 --> 00:21:11.679
 yet what

00:21:11.679 --> 00:21:12.179
 will happen

00:21:12.179 --> 00:21:12.619
 to you

00:21:12.619 --> 00:21:13.959
 then when

00:21:13.959 --> 00:21:14.539
 you pass

00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:15.319
 into that

00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:16.719
 life will

00:21:16.719 --> 00:21:17.639
 depend on

00:21:17.639 --> 00:21:18.059
 what you

00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:18.539
 are doing

00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:19.039
 with them

00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:19.639
 here and

00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:20.099
 now.

00:21:20.919 --> 00:21:21.799
 Make sure

00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:22.599
 that your

00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:23.379
 use of

00:21:23.379 --> 00:21:24.779
 them brings

00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.579
 you into

00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:26.539
 a fellowship

00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.799
 of friends

00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:29.299
 which will

00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:30.279
 survive

00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:30.899
 beyond

00:21:30.899 --> 00:21:31.539
 death.

00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:33.000
 A

00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:33.639
 fellowship

00:21:33.639 --> 00:21:34.039
 of

00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:34.779
 friends

00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:35.480
 that

00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:36.119
 survives

00:21:36.119 --> 00:21:36.599
 beyond

00:21:36.599 --> 00:21:37.119
 death.

00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:39.720
 Now this

00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.339
 is definitely

00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:40.879
 what Jesus

00:21:40.879 --> 00:21:41.259
 is saying

00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:41.539
 here.

00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:43.319
 You see,

00:21:43.379 --> 00:21:43.680
 because we

00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:44.079
 look to

00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:44.659
 money to

00:21:44.659 --> 00:21:45.200
 give us

00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:46.579
 the security

00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:47.180
 and the

00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:47.740
 significance

00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:49.500
 in our

00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:49.960
 culture,

00:21:50.159 --> 00:21:50.799
 but genuine

00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:51.460
 security and

00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:51.960
 significance

00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:53.039
 is relational.

00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.019
 It's not

00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:54.839
 material.

00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.559
 In the

00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:57.759
 end,

00:21:57.879 --> 00:21:58.240
 the thing

00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:58.639
 we all

00:21:58.639 --> 00:21:59.220
 need is

00:21:59.220 --> 00:21:59.799
 love.

00:22:00.399 --> 00:22:00.720
 Every

00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.240
 single one

00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:01.720
 of us

00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.740
 needs

00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.259
 love.

00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.279
 We feel

00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:05.139
 truly

00:22:05.139 --> 00:22:06.440
 wealthy

00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:08.000
 when we

00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:08.919
 are loving

00:22:08.919 --> 00:22:09.799
 people and

00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:10.440
 are surrounded

00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:11.220
 by people

00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:12.500
 who love

00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.539
 us back.

00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.579
 The person

00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:17.159
 who has

00:22:17.159 --> 00:22:18.039
 got great

00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:18.639
 bank balance,

00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:18.960
 got a

00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:20.200
 secure piece

00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:20.960
 of property,

00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:21.919
 they got

00:22:21.919 --> 00:22:22.480
 their retirement

00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.259
 funds sorted,

00:22:23.379 --> 00:22:23.740
 but is

00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:24.700
 totally lonely,

00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.679
 doesn't think

00:22:26.679 --> 00:22:27.079
 for a

00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:27.379
 moment,

00:22:27.380 --> 00:22:27.840
 that they're

00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:28.200
 wealthy,

00:22:29.040 --> 00:22:29.400
 when all

00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:30.120
 the relationships

00:22:30.120 --> 00:22:30.720
 around them

00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:31.360
 are breaking

00:22:31.360 --> 00:22:31.820
 down.

00:22:39.340 --> 00:22:40.080
 And yet,

00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:40.580
 the love

00:22:40.580 --> 00:22:41.000
 that we're

00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.900
 seeking for

00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:42.440
 in this

00:22:42.440 --> 00:22:43.100
 life is

00:22:43.100 --> 00:22:44.140
 consistently

00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:44.800
 out of

00:22:44.800 --> 00:22:45.400
 reach for

00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:45.840
 us.

00:22:47.840 --> 00:22:48.800
 Money can't

00:22:48.800 --> 00:22:49.140
 buy you

00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:49.520
 love.

00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:49.599
 love.

00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:54.559
 You can

00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:54.859
 get a

00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:55.420
 taste of

00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:55.740
 the love

00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:55.940
 we're

00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:56.220
 searching

00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:56.859
 for in

00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:57.059
 this

00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:57.500
 world,

00:22:58.180 --> 00:22:58.960
 but the

00:22:58.960 --> 00:22:59.460
 best is

00:22:59.460 --> 00:22:59.799
 yet to

00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:00.119
 come.

00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:00.440
 That's

00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:00.940
 what Jesus

00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:01.440
 promises.

00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.299
 The

00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:03.859
 thinking that

00:23:03.859 --> 00:23:04.400
 heaven is a

00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:04.900
 place of

00:23:04.900 --> 00:23:05.559
 harps and

00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.480
 crowns and

00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:07.259
 clouds and

00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.720
 gold doesn't

00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.440
 kind of move

00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:10.579
 me so much

00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:11.680
 in terms of

00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.500
 wanting to be

00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.799
 there as a

00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.519
 world of love

00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:15.000
 does.

00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:16.420
 Heaven is a

00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:17.900
 place of

00:23:17.900 --> 00:23:18.560
 friendships,

00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:19.680
 a place of

00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.080
 deep

00:23:20.080 --> 00:23:20.720
 relationships,

00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:21.480
 a place of

00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:22.400
 real love,

00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.500
 a place where

00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.700
 we love and

00:23:24.700 --> 00:23:25.779
 we are loved

00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:26.880
 without any

00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:27.840
 barriers at

00:23:27.840 --> 00:23:28.200
 all.

00:23:28.320 --> 00:23:28.920
 It's a place

00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:29.800
 to really hope

00:23:29.800 --> 00:23:30.560
 for and invest

00:23:30.560 --> 00:23:31.100
 in now.

00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.420
 The love we

00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:33.279
 experience in

00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:35.039
 this world is

00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:36.300
 a foretaste

00:23:36.300 --> 00:23:37.360
 of what will

00:23:37.360 --> 00:23:38.960
 be, but it

00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:40.220
 falls way short

00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:40.660
 of what it

00:23:40.660 --> 00:23:41.080
 will be in

00:23:41.080 --> 00:23:41.320
 heaven.

00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:43.800
 Love now is

00:23:43.800 --> 00:23:44.940
 all too often

00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.800
 a source of

00:23:45.800 --> 00:23:46.259
 pain.

00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:47.519
 There are

00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:48.740
 barriers of

00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.440
 loving and

00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.279
 being loved

00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:51.140
 in this world

00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:51.620
 that won't

00:23:51.620 --> 00:23:52.180
 exist in

00:23:52.180 --> 00:23:52.980
 heaven and

00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:53.500
 that makes

00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.039
 heaven an

00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:54.740
 incredible

00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.660
 prospect.

00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:57.160
 I've got a

00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:59.779
 list of a

00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.560
 variety of

00:24:00.560 --> 00:24:01.220
 barriers that

00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:02.220
 we have now

00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:03.060
 for love.

00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.440
 One barrier

00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:06.100
 that we face

00:24:06.100 --> 00:24:07.039
 now that we

00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:08.880
 want them is

00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:09.460
 that we are

00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.240
 often not

00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:10.980
 loved for our

00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:11.960
 own sake in

00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:12.680
 this world,

00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:14.120
 which the

00:24:14.120 --> 00:24:15.039
 person who

00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.960
 has got more

00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:16.460
 and more

00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:17.279
 possessions and

00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:18.600
 wealth always

00:24:18.600 --> 00:24:19.220
 has in the

00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:19.700
 back of their

00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:20.160
 mind.

00:24:20.380 --> 00:24:21.000
 Am I being

00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.660
 loved because

00:24:21.660 --> 00:24:22.559
 of what I

00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:23.600
 have or

00:24:23.600 --> 00:24:24.319
 because of

00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:25.259
 who I am?

00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:28.440
 It's painful

00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:29.279
 when we discover

00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:30.559
 that people are

00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:31.360
 not loving us

00:24:31.360 --> 00:24:32.000
 for our own

00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:32.860
 sake, but

00:24:32.860 --> 00:24:33.779
 actually using

00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.840
 us to get to

00:24:34.840 --> 00:24:35.880
 something else

00:24:35.880 --> 00:24:36.519
 or to someone

00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.100
 else.

00:24:37.640 --> 00:24:38.880
 It's very rare

00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:39.880
 for any of us

00:24:39.880 --> 00:24:41.260
 to love another

00:24:41.260 --> 00:24:42.640
 person totally

00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:43.840
 for their own

00:24:43.840 --> 00:24:44.380
 sake.

00:24:45.300 --> 00:24:46.700
 Most love in

00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:48.020
 order to get

00:24:48.020 --> 00:24:48.740
 something.

00:24:52.080 --> 00:24:53.280
 In heaven we

00:24:53.280 --> 00:24:53.900
 will be loved

00:24:53.900 --> 00:24:54.840
 absolutely and

00:24:54.840 --> 00:24:55.680
 completely and

00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.360
 fully for who

00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:56.880
 we are.

00:24:58.800 --> 00:24:59.860
 Another barrier

00:24:59.860 --> 00:25:00.800
 is the inability

00:25:00.800 --> 00:25:02.360
 to express love

00:25:02.360 --> 00:25:03.280
 without hindrance,

00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:05.220
 pride,

00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:06.519
 selfishness,

00:25:06.899 --> 00:25:07.680
 defensiveness,

00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:08.859
 pettiness,

00:25:09.379 --> 00:25:10.079
 coldness,

00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:11.000
 means that we

00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.700
 can't do it.

00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:14.160
 This is even

00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:15.039
 the case with

00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:15.920
 those who we

00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:17.099
 are the closest

00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:17.839
 to in this

00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:18.240
 world.

00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:20.440
 It's like having

00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:21.200
 an ocean of

00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:21.639
 love in the

00:25:21.639 --> 00:25:23.019
 heart that it

00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:24.039
 can only get

00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.759
 expressed through

00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.619
 a straw.

00:25:25.619 --> 00:25:30.859
 We can't

00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:31.459
 even get

00:25:31.459 --> 00:25:32.019
 close to

00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.679
 expressing our

00:25:32.679 --> 00:25:33.199
 love fully

00:25:33.199 --> 00:25:34.179
 without hindrance.

00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:35.819
 But in

00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.859
 heaven we

00:25:36.859 --> 00:25:37.399
 will love

00:25:37.399 --> 00:25:38.279
 without impediment.

00:25:38.479 --> 00:25:39.000
 All sin,

00:25:39.119 --> 00:25:39.799
 all pride,

00:25:39.919 --> 00:25:40.500
 all selfishness,

00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:40.919
 pettiness,

00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:42.019
 defensiveness will

00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:42.659
 be gone.

00:25:43.899 --> 00:25:44.279
 We also

00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:44.819
 struggle to

00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:45.419
 find a mutual

00:25:45.419 --> 00:25:46.079
 love in this

00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:46.399
 world.

00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.059
 Is there

00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:47.919
 anything more

00:25:47.919 --> 00:25:48.599
 painful than

00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:49.000
 to love

00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.539
 someone and

00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:49.959
 not to be

00:25:49.959 --> 00:25:50.559
 loved back?

00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:52.359
 It's very

00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:53.299
 rare for love

00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:54.000
 to be mutual

00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:54.579
 at the same

00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:55.059
 time.

00:25:55.619 --> 00:25:56.000
 In this

00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.359
 life,

00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.279
 many of

00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:57.639
 the people

00:25:57.639 --> 00:25:57.939
 that we

00:25:57.939 --> 00:25:58.379
 love,

00:25:58.579 --> 00:25:59.159
 we love

00:25:59.159 --> 00:25:59.719
 them more

00:25:59.719 --> 00:26:00.039
 than they

00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:00.339
 in fact

00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:00.699
 love us

00:26:00.699 --> 00:26:01.119
 back.

00:26:02.459 --> 00:26:02.879
 That is

00:26:02.879 --> 00:26:03.659
 nothing but

00:26:03.659 --> 00:26:04.259
 pain.

00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:07.719
 But in

00:26:07.719 --> 00:26:08.399
 heaven everyone

00:26:08.399 --> 00:26:09.019
 will love

00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:09.779
 everyone else

00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.639
 mutually and

00:26:10.639 --> 00:26:10.979
 fully.

00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:12.319
 There's also

00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:13.000
 the barrier

00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.819
 of the

00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.699
 happiness of

00:26:14.699 --> 00:26:15.139
 those that

00:26:15.139 --> 00:26:15.719
 you love.

00:26:16.299 --> 00:26:16.759
 Think about

00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.199
 this for a

00:26:17.199 --> 00:26:17.439
 moment.

00:26:18.959 --> 00:26:19.519
 Once you

00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:19.899
 start,

00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.519
 and if you're

00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:20.919
 a parent,

00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.219
 you'll know

00:26:22.219 --> 00:26:22.699
 this,

00:26:23.899 --> 00:26:25.599
 once you

00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:26.439
 start having

00:26:26.439 --> 00:26:27.399
 children,

00:26:28.359 --> 00:26:28.839
 for the

00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.659
 rest of

00:26:29.659 --> 00:26:30.719
 your life,

00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.459
 you are

00:26:32.459 --> 00:26:33.399
 no more

00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:34.279
 happier than

00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:35.059
 your unhappiest

00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:35.519
 child.

00:26:38.399 --> 00:26:38.559
 Well,

00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:39.399
 there's an

00:26:39.399 --> 00:26:39.859
 incentive to

00:26:39.859 --> 00:26:40.299
 have kids.

00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:43.359
 But you get

00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:43.619
 that,

00:26:43.659 --> 00:26:44.179
 don't you?

00:26:44.619 --> 00:26:45.219
 You're no

00:26:45.219 --> 00:26:46.059
 more happier

00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:46.500
 than your

00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:47.019
 unhappiest

00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:47.539
 child.

00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:50.099
 We can

00:26:50.099 --> 00:26:50.939
 never be any

00:26:50.939 --> 00:26:51.539
 happier than

00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.139
 the people that

00:26:52.139 --> 00:26:52.659
 we love,

00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:53.120
 and that's

00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:53.500
 the reason

00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:55.279
 why most

00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:55.580
 of us are

00:26:55.580 --> 00:26:56.259
 so miserable.

00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:58.740
 Their heart

00:26:58.740 --> 00:26:59.580
 becomes our

00:26:59.580 --> 00:27:00.000
 heart.

00:27:01.120 --> 00:27:01.800
 If you

00:27:01.800 --> 00:27:02.600
 love more

00:27:02.600 --> 00:27:03.400
 than five

00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:04.500
 people in

00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.240
 your life

00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.800
 at any

00:27:05.800 --> 00:27:06.540
 one time,

00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.460
 you're bound

00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:07.740
 to be

00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.120
 miserable.

00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.240
 Someone's

00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:11.560
 going to be

00:27:11.560 --> 00:27:11.980
 unhappy.

00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:17.640
 The great

00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:18.019
 C.S.

00:27:18.060 --> 00:27:18.700
 Lewis said,

00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:20.080
 if you

00:27:20.080 --> 00:27:21.160
 don't want

00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:21.620
 your heart

00:27:21.620 --> 00:27:21.940
 to be

00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:22.299
 broken,

00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:22.880
 then just

00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:23.640
 stop loving

00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:24.100
 people.

00:27:25.840 --> 00:27:26.380
 Maybe you

00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:26.920
 know those

00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:27.340
 kinds of

00:27:27.340 --> 00:27:27.880
 people who

00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:28.460
 have got

00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:29.620
 that happening

00:27:29.620 --> 00:27:30.140
 for them.

00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:31.980
 That is the

00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:32.740
 only option,

00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:33.299
 and some

00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:33.600
 of us,

00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:34.080
 in fact,

00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:35.539
 find it so

00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:36.100
 difficult to

00:27:36.100 --> 00:27:36.799
 love anyone

00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:38.700
 because we

00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:39.259
 are so

00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:39.900
 broken in

00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:40.360
 our hearts

00:27:40.360 --> 00:27:40.840
 inside.

00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:43.940
 We are so

00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:44.440
 damaged.

00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:47.920
 And of

00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:48.160
 course,

00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:48.600
 you become

00:27:48.600 --> 00:27:49.059
 a hard

00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.680
 person,

00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.480
 and let

00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:51.820
 me say

00:27:51.820 --> 00:27:52.340
 it clearly,

00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.000
 you are

00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.500
 right on

00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:53.840
 your way

00:27:53.840 --> 00:27:54.220
 to hell.

00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:58.019
 Love is

00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.519
 such a

00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:58.920
 source of

00:27:58.920 --> 00:27:59.200
 pain,

00:27:59.279 --> 00:27:59.580
 but not

00:27:59.580 --> 00:27:59.980
 in heaven.

00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:00.860
 Everyone

00:28:00.860 --> 00:28:01.279
 will be

00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:01.700
 perfectly

00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.480
 happy and

00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.120
 filled with

00:28:03.120 --> 00:28:03.600
 a never

00:28:03.600 --> 00:28:04.500
 ceasing

00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:05.039
 joy.

00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:06.580
 The

00:28:06.580 --> 00:28:07.180
 greatest

00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:08.820
 barrier to

00:28:08.820 --> 00:28:09.320
 love would

00:28:09.320 --> 00:28:09.799
 have to be

00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:10.519
 the separation.

00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.960
 We want

00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:13.799
 a love

00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:14.799
 where we

00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:15.619
 will never

00:28:15.619 --> 00:28:16.599
 be separated

00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:17.220
 from the

00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:17.680
 people that

00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.200
 we love.

00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:19.839
 It is

00:28:19.839 --> 00:28:20.720
 painful knowing

00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.159
 that when

00:28:21.159 --> 00:28:21.720
 you marry

00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.319
 someone,

00:28:22.619 --> 00:28:23.019
 it is

00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.919
 highly likely

00:28:23.919 --> 00:28:25.079
 that one

00:28:25.079 --> 00:28:25.419
 of you

00:28:25.419 --> 00:28:25.919
 will bury

00:28:25.919 --> 00:28:26.480
 the other.

00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:28.099
 In my

00:28:28.099 --> 00:28:28.519
 case,

00:28:28.659 --> 00:28:29.039
 I've got

00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:29.779
 five people

00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:30.539
 sitting around

00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:31.740
 the table

00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:33.180
 at home,

00:28:33.399 --> 00:28:33.839
 and it's

00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:34.639
 highly likely

00:28:34.639 --> 00:28:35.460
 that one

00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:36.019
 of us

00:28:36.019 --> 00:28:37.359
 will be

00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:37.819
 sitting at

00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.579
 that table,

00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:39.720
 will see

00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:40.460
 everyone else

00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:40.859
 dead and

00:28:40.859 --> 00:28:41.200
 gone.

00:28:42.319 --> 00:28:42.839
 One of us

00:28:42.839 --> 00:28:43.200
 will be put

00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:43.460
 in that

00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:43.860
 position.

00:28:46.840 --> 00:28:47.380
 And as

00:28:47.380 --> 00:28:47.680
 a type

00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:47.860
 one

00:28:47.860 --> 00:28:48.259
 diabetic,

00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:48.500
 it's

00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:48.799
 unlikely

00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:49.100
 to be

00:28:49.100 --> 00:28:49.380
 me.

00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:53.480
 I think.

00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:57.059
 That's

00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:57.660
 my mother's

00:28:57.660 --> 00:28:59.200
 experience in

00:28:59.200 --> 00:28:59.519
 the last

00:28:59.519 --> 00:28:59.920
 couple of

00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:00.360
 years.

00:29:01.080 --> 00:29:01.500
 One of

00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.420
 four

00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:03.160
 sisters,

00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:05.360
 all gone,

00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:06.400
 only one

00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:06.740
 left.

00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:08.860
 And that's

00:29:08.860 --> 00:29:09.279
 the way of

00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:09.960
 our relationships

00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.340
 here,

00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:10.459
 love.

00:29:11.659 --> 00:29:12.339
 But not

00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:12.679
 there.

00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.000
 Not

00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.359
 there.

00:29:15.099 --> 00:29:15.559
 We are

00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:15.980
 made to

00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:16.519
 desire the

00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:16.899
 kind of

00:29:16.899 --> 00:29:17.519
 relationships,

00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:18.099
 friendships,

00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:18.599
 and love

00:29:18.599 --> 00:29:19.079
 that is in

00:29:19.079 --> 00:29:19.419
 the kingdom

00:29:19.419 --> 00:29:19.899
 of God.

00:29:20.439 --> 00:29:20.859
 We have

00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:21.720
 been designed

00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.220
 for what

00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:23.720
 Jesus says

00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.459
 heaven is

00:29:24.459 --> 00:29:25.319
 going to be

00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:25.759
 like,

00:29:26.139 --> 00:29:27.159
 knowing and

00:29:27.159 --> 00:29:28.099
 experiencing the

00:29:28.099 --> 00:29:28.559
 pain of

00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:29.399
 relationships in

00:29:29.399 --> 00:29:30.059
 this world.

00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:31.139
 It is hard

00:29:31.139 --> 00:29:31.539
 for us to

00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:32.099
 imagine it,

00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:33.079
 hard to

00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:33.639
 believe in

00:29:33.639 --> 00:29:33.980
 fact.

00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.179
 Just imagine

00:29:35.179 --> 00:29:36.519
 what it would

00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:37.559
 be like to

00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:38.859
 completely believe

00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:39.159
 in it,

00:29:39.219 --> 00:29:39.339
 though,

00:29:39.399 --> 00:29:39.919
 that that

00:29:39.919 --> 00:29:40.319
 is what

00:29:40.319 --> 00:29:40.659
 heaven is

00:29:40.659 --> 00:29:40.859
 going to

00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:41.399
 be like.

00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:42.899
 That is

00:29:42.899 --> 00:29:43.559
 my future.

00:29:44.179 --> 00:29:44.859
 Imagine what

00:29:44.859 --> 00:29:45.299
 it will do

00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:45.599
 to your

00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:46.219
 life day

00:29:46.219 --> 00:29:46.839
 by day

00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:47.599
 when you

00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:48.419
 grasp that

00:29:48.419 --> 00:29:49.259
 that is

00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:49.799
 the joy

00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:50.039
 and the

00:29:50.039 --> 00:29:50.719
 reality that

00:29:50.719 --> 00:29:50.879
 I'm

00:29:50.879 --> 00:29:51.699
 shooting for.

00:29:55.139 --> 00:29:55.799
 Imagine what

00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:56.000
 it would be

00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:56.500
 like to be

00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.479
 completely sure

00:29:57.479 --> 00:29:57.979
 of the future

00:29:57.979 --> 00:29:58.539
 because of

00:29:58.539 --> 00:29:59.319
 Jesus Christ

00:29:59.319 --> 00:29:59.639
 and what

00:29:59.639 --> 00:30:00.079
 he's done.

00:30:00.399 --> 00:30:01.119
 Imagine that

00:30:01.119 --> 00:30:01.659
 to believe

00:30:01.659 --> 00:30:02.199
 in Jesus

00:30:02.199 --> 00:30:03.359
 is to be

00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:03.979
 able to

00:30:03.979 --> 00:30:04.500
 live with

00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:05.139
 God and

00:30:05.139 --> 00:30:06.319
 friends in

00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:07.119
 absolute

00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:08.159
 perfection,

00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:09.580
 perfect love

00:30:09.580 --> 00:30:10.040
 forever,

00:30:10.360 --> 00:30:11.120
 love without

00:30:11.120 --> 00:30:12.019
 any boundaries

00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.540
 forever.

00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:14.720
 Just imagine

00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.180
 what it will

00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:15.620
 do with the

00:30:15.620 --> 00:30:15.900
 way you

00:30:15.900 --> 00:30:16.519
 live now.

00:30:19.320 --> 00:30:20.180
 Imagine what

00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:20.759
 it will do

00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:21.980
 to your

00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:22.440
 possessions

00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:22.940
 and your

00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:23.259
 money.

00:30:26.600 --> 00:30:27.540
 Knowing that

00:30:27.540 --> 00:30:28.060
 real,

00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:30.660
 what really

00:30:30.660 --> 00:30:31.300
 lasts is

00:30:31.300 --> 00:30:31.759
 love,

00:30:32.700 --> 00:30:33.259
 people,

00:30:34.380 --> 00:30:34.860
 relationships,

00:30:35.140 --> 00:30:35.640
 friends,

00:30:35.640 --> 00:30:39.000
 do not

00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.880
 put your

00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:40.400
 money

00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:42.100
 before people

00:30:42.100 --> 00:30:42.660
 which is

00:30:42.660 --> 00:30:43.420
 what our

00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:44.080
 materialistic

00:30:44.080 --> 00:30:44.880
 society says

00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:45.259
 you must

00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:45.560
 do.

00:30:50.840 --> 00:30:51.880
 Put your

00:30:51.880 --> 00:30:52.420
 money into

00:30:52.420 --> 00:30:53.440
 solving people's

00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:53.860
 needs.

00:30:56.120 --> 00:30:57.180
 Use your

00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:57.640
 money to

00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:58.300
 create a

00:30:58.300 --> 00:30:59.160
 fellowship of

00:30:59.160 --> 00:30:59.880
 friends that

00:30:59.880 --> 00:31:00.480
 will survive

00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.259
 beyond death.

00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:01.319
 love.

00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:05.259
 When people

00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:06.240
 find hope and

00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:06.660
 love and

00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:07.200
 faith in

00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:07.480
 Jesus,

00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:08.039
 they will

00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:08.779
 be your

00:31:08.779 --> 00:31:09.819
 friends forever.

00:31:10.359 --> 00:31:10.720
 They will

00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:11.460
 love you

00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:13.180
 and be loved

00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:13.779
 by you

00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:14.680
 without any

00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:15.539
 barrier.

00:31:16.539 --> 00:31:17.299
 That's the

00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:18.160
 radical investment

00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:18.799
 that Jesus is

00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:19.259
 calling us

00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:19.519
 to.

00:31:20.160 --> 00:31:20.940
 To put the

00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:21.420
 money that

00:31:21.420 --> 00:31:21.980
 you are a

00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.619
 steward of

00:31:22.619 --> 00:31:23.680
 into connecting

00:31:23.680 --> 00:31:24.420
 people with

00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:25.119
 their God

00:31:25.119 --> 00:31:26.019
 who loves

00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:26.519
 them in a

00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:27.079
 way that

00:31:27.079 --> 00:31:28.680
 is incomprehensible

00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:29.259
 to them.

00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:33.160
 Now all of

00:31:33.160 --> 00:31:35.579
 this hope

00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:36.879
 and joy

00:31:36.879 --> 00:31:37.759
 is possible

00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:38.559
 because we

00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:39.519
 ourselves are

00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:41.160
 recipients of

00:31:41.160 --> 00:31:42.039
 this ultimate

00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:42.519
 love and

00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:42.900
 friendship.

00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:43.279
 In

00:31:43.279 --> 00:31:46.599
 1 Corinthians

00:31:46.599 --> 00:31:47.160
 8,

00:31:47.879 --> 00:31:50.420
 the Apostle

00:31:50.420 --> 00:31:51.460
 Paul is

00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:52.460
 encouraging the

00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:53.359
 church in

00:31:53.359 --> 00:31:54.980
 Corinth to

00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:55.819
 give generously

00:31:55.819 --> 00:31:57.759
 to a great

00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.379
 need in the

00:31:58.379 --> 00:31:58.900
 same way that

00:31:58.900 --> 00:31:59.539
 other churches

00:31:59.539 --> 00:32:00.099
 had done.

00:32:00.099 --> 00:32:01.259
 And he

00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:01.959
 doesn't order

00:32:01.959 --> 00:32:02.559
 them to do

00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:02.740
 it.

00:32:03.839 --> 00:32:04.740
 He showed

00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:06.000
 them how

00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:06.599
 they can do

00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:06.799
 it.

00:32:07.199 --> 00:32:07.599
 And what he

00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:08.299
 does is he

00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:08.899
 shows them

00:32:08.899 --> 00:32:09.359
 love.

00:32:11.599 --> 00:32:12.500
 He says

00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:16.039
 just think

00:32:16.039 --> 00:32:16.799
 about Jesus.

00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:19.439
 Think about

00:32:19.439 --> 00:32:20.279
 Jesus Christ

00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:20.919
 that though

00:32:20.919 --> 00:32:22.299
 he was rich

00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:24.039
 yet for

00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:24.959
 your sake

00:32:24.959 --> 00:32:25.500
 he became

00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:25.779
 poor.

00:32:25.919 --> 00:32:26.579
 He divested

00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:27.359
 himself of

00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:28.879
 everything so

00:32:28.880 --> 00:32:29.580
 that you

00:32:29.580 --> 00:32:30.580
 through his

00:32:30.580 --> 00:32:31.300
 action of

00:32:31.300 --> 00:32:31.780
 diversity

00:32:31.780 --> 00:32:32.420
 himself of

00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:33.760
 everything that

00:32:33.760 --> 00:32:34.300
 you might

00:32:34.300 --> 00:32:35.220
 become rich.

00:32:35.620 --> 00:32:35.940
 You might

00:32:35.940 --> 00:32:36.660
 know true

00:32:36.660 --> 00:32:37.160
 wealth.

00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:37.960
 You might

00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:38.500
 know love

00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:39.340
 without barriers.

00:32:39.339 --> 00:32:43.539
 Jesus is the

00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:44.439
 one friend who

00:32:44.439 --> 00:32:45.139
 emptied himself

00:32:45.139 --> 00:32:46.119
 of everything to

00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:46.559
 turn his

00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:47.220
 enemies into

00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:47.959
 his friends.

00:32:48.879 --> 00:32:49.659
 Jesus is the

00:32:49.659 --> 00:32:51.279
 true steward.

00:32:51.919 --> 00:32:52.319
 As

00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:53.359
 recipients of

00:32:53.359 --> 00:32:53.959
 the ultimate

00:32:53.959 --> 00:32:54.859
 friendship we

00:32:54.859 --> 00:32:55.439
 get to live

00:32:55.439 --> 00:32:55.740
 with him

00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:56.419
 forever in

00:32:56.419 --> 00:32:57.220
 perfect love

00:32:57.220 --> 00:32:57.939
 and he's

00:32:57.939 --> 00:32:58.500
 calling us

00:32:58.500 --> 00:32:59.399
 here in

00:32:59.399 --> 00:33:00.000
 this passage

00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:00.919
 to use your

00:33:00.919 --> 00:33:01.579
 money in a

00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:02.139
 way that is

00:33:02.139 --> 00:33:02.799
 controlled by

00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:03.480
 that knowledge.

00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:07.680
 So friends

00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:09.779
 right now

00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:12.140
 right now

00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:13.360
 you and I

00:33:13.360 --> 00:33:14.059
 sitting in this

00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:14.700
 room while we

00:33:14.700 --> 00:33:15.220
 have breath in

00:33:15.220 --> 00:33:15.740
 our lungs

00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:16.059
 we're in

00:33:16.059 --> 00:33:17.160
 exactly the

00:33:17.160 --> 00:33:18.140
 same boat

00:33:18.140 --> 00:33:19.640
 as the

00:33:19.640 --> 00:33:20.120
 shrewd

00:33:20.120 --> 00:33:21.420
 manager when

00:33:21.420 --> 00:33:21.900
 he got his

00:33:21.900 --> 00:33:22.480
 termination

00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:23.019
 notice.

00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:24.880
 The books

00:33:24.880 --> 00:33:25.240
 are still

00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:26.980
 open and

00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:27.440
 you've still

00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:28.099
 got a chance

00:33:28.099 --> 00:33:29.620
 to act right

00:33:29.620 --> 00:33:30.860
 now in view

00:33:30.860 --> 00:33:31.500
 of the future.

00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:33.140
 make your

00:33:33.140 --> 00:33:34.019
 eternal joy

00:33:34.019 --> 00:33:35.539
 complete and

00:33:35.539 --> 00:33:36.279
 invest in

00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:36.700
 eternal

00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:37.160
 friends.