WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.839 --> 00:00:10.519 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:11.939 --> 00:00:17.019 We do pray that, Father. Speak, O Lord. 00:00:19.820 --> 00:00:24.719 Your servants are listening. Those you've called your friends. 00:00:24.719 --> 00:00:32.820 Those for whom you've sent your Son, that your words would make an impact on eternity. 00:00:34.000 --> 00:00:36.659 You saw it before the foundation of the world. 00:00:37.340 --> 00:00:44.980 God, would you now open our eyes that we would behold wonderful things in your Word. 00:00:46.840 --> 00:00:51.159 We know that the grass withers, the flowers fall, 00:00:51.159 --> 00:00:55.619 but the Word of God stands forever. 00:00:56.419 --> 00:00:58.779 It makes us to stand. 00:00:59.399 --> 00:01:01.799 It gives us a firm foundation. 00:01:02.500 --> 00:01:07.299 It brings us into a relationship that will impact eternity. 00:01:08.620 --> 00:01:10.199 So speak to us, Lord. 00:01:10.979 --> 00:01:15.299 Even now, by your Spirit, through your Word, we ask in Jesus' name. 00:01:16.120 --> 00:01:16.420 Amen. 00:01:16.420 --> 00:01:16.579 Amen. 00:01:16.579 --> 00:01:23.980 Kids, I want to start by talking with you for a couple minutes this morning. 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:27.019 If you'll come and join me up here on the steps. 00:01:27.819 --> 00:01:30.819 You don't have to be coming to Bible school to come up here this morning. 00:01:30.920 --> 00:01:32.259 You can be older or younger. 00:01:33.680 --> 00:01:37.519 Come up here and we're going to talk for just a minute about some of the things you're going to learn this week. 00:01:37.519 --> 00:01:41.939 All right. 00:01:42.359 --> 00:01:46.599 Some of you have been up here already helping to get ready for VBS. 00:01:46.939 --> 00:01:48.340 Who's excited for VBS? 00:01:48.539 --> 00:01:48.759 Anybody? 00:01:49.159 --> 00:01:49.679 Yeah? 00:01:49.959 --> 00:01:50.319 Okay. 00:01:50.579 --> 00:01:51.039 Okay. 00:01:51.199 --> 00:01:51.640 Awesome. 00:01:51.899 --> 00:01:53.179 It's going to be a great week. 00:01:54.560 --> 00:01:56.439 I'm so ready is right. 00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:02.359 So are all these people who've been up here decorating the church to get it ready for this week. 00:02:02.920 --> 00:02:04.939 Do you all see all these undersea decorations? 00:02:05.719 --> 00:02:07.340 What's the best thing you've seen so far? 00:02:07.340 --> 00:02:08.780 What's your favorite part, Caroline? 00:02:08.900 --> 00:02:09.200 Coral. 00:02:10.560 --> 00:02:11.340 There's coral. 00:02:12.800 --> 00:02:14.500 Yeah, there's a background back there. 00:02:14.580 --> 00:02:15.759 There's coral all over the place. 00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:19.020 There's sea creatures swimming through the hallways in the ocean. 00:02:19.960 --> 00:02:21.719 Yeah, some of y'all helped with that. 00:02:21.800 --> 00:02:22.780 Thank you so much. 00:02:24.860 --> 00:02:26.199 There's lots of sea creatures. 00:02:26.300 --> 00:02:26.900 Isn't that awesome? 00:02:27.159 --> 00:02:30.140 And you know why all this undersea stuff is here? 00:02:30.620 --> 00:02:36.340 It's because this week at VBS, we're talking about diving into friendship with God. 00:02:36.340 --> 00:02:36.860 God. 00:02:37.700 --> 00:02:38.900 Friendship with God. 00:02:38.979 --> 00:02:39.719 Did you know that? 00:02:40.259 --> 00:02:43.800 Did you know that the adults are talking about the same thing this summer? 00:02:44.400 --> 00:02:48.520 About being friends of God, having a relationship with Him? 00:02:48.520 --> 00:02:52.719 What is something that a friend does with you? 00:02:53.060 --> 00:02:54.420 What's important about being a friend? 00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:54.960 Yeah, Tripp? 00:02:55.680 --> 00:02:56.080 Tripp. 00:02:58.480 --> 00:02:59.660 What do you do with a friend? 00:03:00.300 --> 00:03:05.379 Help play and try to advise and help each other. 00:03:05.379 --> 00:03:06.979 Yeah, so you play. 00:03:07.180 --> 00:03:08.120 You help each other. 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:08.719 What else? 00:03:09.879 --> 00:03:16.259 You can work together to make up games to play. 00:03:16.840 --> 00:03:18.240 Lots of things you can do with a friend. 00:03:18.400 --> 00:03:19.460 It might be video games. 00:03:19.539 --> 00:03:20.639 You might be playing sports. 00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:21.699 You might be playing dolls. 00:03:21.819 --> 00:03:23.219 You might be texting your friends. 00:03:23.300 --> 00:03:26.180 None of y'all yet because no phones yet, right? 00:03:26.639 --> 00:03:26.939 No phone. 00:03:26.960 --> 00:03:27.819 I have a watch. 00:03:27.819 --> 00:03:29.299 Well, okay, no texting. 00:03:29.419 --> 00:03:30.620 That's for the older kids, okay? 00:03:31.299 --> 00:03:36.500 But no matter what, when you're with your friends, you have to communicate with them, 00:03:36.519 --> 00:03:36.819 don't you? 00:03:36.919 --> 00:03:41.099 You have to talk with your friends so that you can have fun playing games together, right? 00:03:41.560 --> 00:03:43.739 Isn't it fun that you get to talk with your friends? 00:03:44.519 --> 00:03:49.680 Did you know the most important way that our friend God talks to us? 00:03:49.680 --> 00:03:52.980 What is the most important way that God talks to us? 00:03:57.020 --> 00:04:02.460 When we pray, we talk to him and God talks to us through the Bible. 00:04:02.840 --> 00:04:03.640 That's right. 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:12.000 When we read the Bible, when we memorize it at VBS on Sundays, when one of our pastors 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:15.600 is preaching and if you look up there when you're back in your seats, you'll be able 00:04:15.600 --> 00:04:17.680 to see the Bible open. 00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:20.459 What if I told you before is the most important part of the sermon? 00:04:20.980 --> 00:04:27.000 It's when we read God's word, when we listen to God speaking to us, isn't it? 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:30.560 That's the most important part for you to pay attention to every time. 00:04:30.840 --> 00:04:34.980 So when we read the Bible, I want you to look up, anytime you look up during the sermon and 00:04:34.980 --> 00:04:40.699 you see the Bible open up there on the pulpit, I want you to think, God is speaking. 00:04:41.800 --> 00:04:46.980 God talks to me because he's my friend and he loves me, okay? 00:04:46.980 --> 00:04:50.300 What a great friend it is that he talks to us all the time like that. 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:51.759 Isn't that part of being a great friend? 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:54.560 And we talk to him when we do what? 00:04:55.420 --> 00:04:56.300 When we pray. 00:04:56.920 --> 00:04:57.540 That's right. 00:04:57.840 --> 00:04:59.360 Let me pray for you right now, okay? 00:04:59.439 --> 00:05:00.580 Let's pray about this week. 00:05:01.700 --> 00:05:08.800 God, I pray for each of these kids and the dozens more who will be here learning about 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:15.960 what it means to know you, to talk with you, to hear from you, to have a friendship with you. 00:05:16.600 --> 00:05:23.240 I pray that you would open the eyes of their hearts, that you would give them joy and excitement 00:05:23.240 --> 00:05:25.660 about knowing you and loving you. 00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:30.319 I thank you for all of the volunteers, those who've been working so hard already and are 00:05:30.319 --> 00:05:37.259 those getting ready to start this week, that they too would see and share the joy of a God 00:05:37.259 --> 00:05:40.379 that we can know and trust and walk with day by day. 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:46.399 And I pray it would be a special week that would impact eternity, that the echoes of the 00:05:46.399 --> 00:05:51.480 things that you say into the hearts of these kids this week will echo through the years to 00:05:51.480 --> 00:05:54.600 come and through heaven for eternity. 00:05:55.139 --> 00:05:56.420 We pray it in Jesus' name. 00:05:57.000 --> 00:05:57.259 Amen. 00:05:57.259 --> 00:06:01.019 All right, kids, when you go back, I want you to make sure to get a Bible 00:06:01.019 --> 00:06:05.699 and listen and follow along when I read God's Word speaking to us, okay? 00:06:06.120 --> 00:06:06.719 Can you do that? 00:06:06.939 --> 00:06:09.060 There's some in the pew if you need to borrow one this morning. 00:06:09.560 --> 00:06:10.759 Thank you all for coming up here. 00:06:18.199 --> 00:06:24.019 By the way, if you're not scheduled to serve at VBS this week, show up sometime between nine 00:06:24.019 --> 00:06:28.359 and noon Monday to Thursday and it'll encourage your heart. 00:06:33.519 --> 00:06:43.419 We started last week a summer series on our relationships with God, walking with Jesus. 00:06:43.420 --> 00:06:50.280 We saw how much Jesus values and longs for that kind of relationship with us, that he's at the door, 00:06:50.420 --> 00:06:57.259 so to speak, of our hearts knocking and offering to come in and to sit and eat with us. 00:06:57.800 --> 00:07:03.379 So we're going to talk now for the next few weeks about how we do that. 00:07:03.480 --> 00:07:10.920 Day by day, step by step, we can be, as we just talked about with the kids, in conversation with God. 00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:15.879 As he speaks to us in his Word, as we speak to him in prayer. 00:07:17.379 --> 00:07:22.759 See, that's the nature of our relationship with God is grace. 00:07:23.379 --> 00:07:29.240 It is one where we remain completely dependent on him. 00:07:30.220 --> 00:07:38.200 And he completely meets our needs, all of them, even though we don't deserve it. 00:07:38.480 --> 00:07:39.780 That is grace. 00:07:39.779 --> 00:07:53.419 So the pathways of grace that we're talking about, where we walk with Jesus, those are ways that Jesus brings his grace into our lives. 00:07:53.500 --> 00:08:00.319 It's how we experience, tangibly and practically, having a relationship with him, okay? 00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:05.480 We're going to start this week and next week with the Word of God, the Bible. 00:08:06.699 --> 00:08:14.540 I'm not going to focus primarily on how we can be confident that what we are holding is God's Word, 00:08:14.659 --> 00:08:20.800 the right books and that it's been preserved and passed down correctly and translated well and all of that. 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:24.319 That is really important and I'm actually reading a lot about that right now. 00:08:24.400 --> 00:08:34.720 And there is so much to encourage us in that regard that we are holding God's Word and we can trust it way more than most of the popular religion teachers will be telling you right now. 00:08:35.120 --> 00:08:37.620 The scholarship on this is just great these days. 00:08:37.620 --> 00:08:49.840 But more so, I want us to ask today, what is so great about God's Word that when we actually get time with God, 00:08:49.840 --> 00:09:00.460 maybe throughout the day, maybe it's just your one time of the day, why, when I'm just the two of us with God, 00:09:01.220 --> 00:09:06.960 should His Word regularly be open before me, guiding my heart? 00:09:07.040 --> 00:09:08.259 What's so great about it? 00:09:08.800 --> 00:09:17.379 There may be no better place to start than Psalm 19, partly because it's a lot shorter than Psalm 119 and we'd be here all day. 00:09:17.379 --> 00:09:28.159 But also because it is all about God revealing Himself so that we know Him and love Him. 00:09:28.200 --> 00:09:29.580 That's what the whole psalm is about. 00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:32.340 He starts by talking about His world. 00:09:33.080 --> 00:09:37.019 He reveals Himself in His world and then in His Word. 00:09:37.379 --> 00:09:38.519 Grab a Bible now. 00:09:38.779 --> 00:09:39.759 Turn there with me, kids. 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:47.039 We're going to be reading at verse 7, a little ways down, of Psalm 19. 00:09:47.539 --> 00:09:51.360 God speaks through His holy Word. 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:57.200 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. 00:09:57.700 --> 00:10:01.819 The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:06.039 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. 00:10:06.039 --> 00:10:09.919 The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 00:10:10.159 --> 00:10:13.159 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. 00:10:13.819 --> 00:10:16.959 The rules of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 00:10:17.599 --> 00:10:22.759 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold. 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:28.039 Sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:31.199 Beautiful poetry, isn't it? 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:35.259 In praise of God's Word. 00:10:36.420 --> 00:10:41.780 The law, testimony, precepts, commandment, rules. 00:10:41.920 --> 00:10:47.220 These are basically synonyms for the Word of God. 00:10:47.340 --> 00:10:50.980 His covenant instruction to His people. 00:10:51.420 --> 00:10:56.220 His story of His special relationship with them. 00:10:56.560 --> 00:10:56.680 Okay? 00:10:56.679 --> 00:11:07.399 Every line of those verses, whatever one of those words is used, it's Yahweh's law, testimony, rules. 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:11.679 It's the fact that it is the Lord's, the law of the Lord. 00:11:12.859 --> 00:11:14.479 That's what makes it perfect. 00:11:15.620 --> 00:11:18.059 Perfect in every way. 00:11:19.039 --> 00:11:20.759 Just notice them briefly. 00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:25.839 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:30.740 It gives life to us in the deepest part of our being. 00:11:30.940 --> 00:11:34.920 When God speaks, life happens, right? 00:11:35.280 --> 00:11:40.620 All the way back to creation when He breathes life into us by His very Word. 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:44.240 And then when He brings us into relationship with Him, there's life. 00:11:44.560 --> 00:11:46.740 No one else's words are like that. 00:11:48.040 --> 00:11:48.960 Life-giving. 00:11:48.960 --> 00:11:56.060 The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 00:11:56.960 --> 00:12:08.639 The simple are those who are just kind of wandering through life, not sure which way to go, uncertain even about the destination or goal that would be best to pursue. 00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:16.100 I bet you can relate to feeling that way at some point in your life, maybe right now. 00:12:16.419 --> 00:12:24.500 And right into that moment, God's Word enters with stability and direction which makes us wise. 00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:31.299 We can always count on it to orient our life, our priorities, our steps as they should be. 00:12:31.299 --> 00:12:36.859 Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, right? 00:12:38.959 --> 00:12:44.919 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. 00:12:45.979 --> 00:12:50.559 God's Word is inerrant, has no errors. 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:55.959 It's always right, which causes our hearts to be joyful. 00:12:55.960 --> 00:12:57.180 Why so much? 00:12:57.280 --> 00:12:58.320 Why so much joy? 00:12:58.500 --> 00:13:02.960 Because we're searching for reliable truth, aren't we? 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:09.540 For certain direction, for something we can anchor our souls in a true north for our compass. 00:13:10.160 --> 00:13:11.160 And here it is. 00:13:11.639 --> 00:13:16.120 God tells us how life is designed to work. 00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:22.120 We're not rudderless anymore, not hopeless, not directionless in this world. 00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:30.320 The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:38.539 It is so clear, so bright that it gives light to our eyes so that we see things as they truly are. 00:13:39.379 --> 00:13:42.899 So that we are properly directed in the way that we should go. 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:48.560 That's what we mean when we say that the Bible is not only inerrant, but it's also infallible. 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:53.819 It doesn't fail to accomplish the purposes that God has for it. 00:13:53.919 --> 00:13:57.319 It doesn't mislead us when we follow its path. 00:13:57.539 --> 00:14:00.059 We don't have to worry or wonder if it will never. 00:14:00.599 --> 00:14:03.399 Will it lead us in the wrong way? 00:14:04.339 --> 00:14:07.539 And God's Word endures forever. 00:14:07.819 --> 00:14:10.219 We're told here and elsewhere in Scripture. 00:14:10.419 --> 00:14:17.539 It is righteous altogether, which leads us here to nearly unparalleled praise, right? 00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:24.419 For God's Word, more to be desired are they than gold. 00:14:25.219 --> 00:14:27.179 The gold standard. 00:14:27.459 --> 00:14:35.659 If you have the choice to have God's Word or to have gold, you choose God's Word. 00:14:36.319 --> 00:14:40.819 In fact, you choose God's Word over much gold. 00:14:40.820 --> 00:14:45.900 In fact, you choose God's Word over much fine gold. 00:14:46.180 --> 00:14:47.640 It's no contest. 00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:53.520 It is more valuable, more precious than the most precious thing. 00:14:53.560 --> 00:14:57.260 A lot, a lot of the most precious thing we know. 00:14:57.840 --> 00:15:03.760 In other words, if you read an article that tells you how and helps you to make a million dollars, 00:15:03.920 --> 00:15:05.160 you should be very excited. 00:15:05.260 --> 00:15:07.040 Would you be excited if that happened to you? 00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:09.280 You read something and it helped you make a million dollars? 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:16.379 You should be more excited than that when you read God's Word. 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:21.199 It is not hyperbole to say that. 00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:27.159 It is honest, true evaluation and comparison. 00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:30.379 More to be desired. 00:15:30.959 --> 00:15:32.620 More valuable. 00:15:33.079 --> 00:15:36.220 More beneficial than anything else. 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:40.600 And that is not to run down everything else and say there's nothing else in the world that has any value. 00:15:40.920 --> 00:15:47.820 No, this is to say how incredibly, inestimably valuable is God's Word. 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:51.800 That is the heart of David as he writes this psalm. 00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:54.480 In other words, I love books. 00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:55.779 I have a lot of them. 00:15:56.399 --> 00:16:00.000 How much more should I love this one? 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:03.299 I enjoy listening to podcasts. 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:09.120 How much more should I want my mind shaped by this message? 00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:15.679 I have learned very, very much conventional wisdom from many different people's experiences. 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:25.600 How much more eager should I be to have my path directed by this divine counselor? 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:29.899 Psalm 119, 23. 00:16:31.420 --> 00:16:41.019 Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:48.180 Crisis, trouble, fear is building the powerful or preparing to come against me. 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:49.420 Do I need to run for help? 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:51.519 Maybe. 00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:51.620 Maybe. 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:51.740 Maybe. 00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:54.379 Do I need to get advice? 00:16:56.299 --> 00:16:56.940 Maybe. 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:02.960 Do I need to meditate on God's Word? 00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:05.859 Definitely. 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:07.619 Number one priority. 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:09.319 Not even getting up. 00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:13.900 Not even interrupting my one time that directs all my other time. 00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:16.279 Here I am, God, with your Word. 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:18.599 I don't need to go anywhere else right now. 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:20.259 Is that your first instinct? 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:24.039 Is that how you respond to difficulty, to crisis in your life? 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:25.599 God, there's nowhere else I need to be. 00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:30.980 I am asking God to shape me right now by His perfect Word. 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:35.440 There's nowhere else perfect that you can go. 00:17:37.019 --> 00:17:40.440 The Bible is so good. 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:42.440 You want to know how good it is? 00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:43.660 How good is it, Pastor? 00:17:43.660 --> 00:17:45.560 You don't have to say that. 00:17:47.120 --> 00:17:54.340 It's so good that it is good for you and it tastes good. 00:17:54.840 --> 00:17:59.420 In other words, it is not broccoli or Brussels sprouts. 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:02.519 Those are good for you. 00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:04.540 You have to eat those. 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:11.700 God's Word is, it is nutritious, warm chocolate chip cookies. 00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:15.279 That is not an inspired analogy. 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:19.159 That is me helping you taste it. 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:22.279 Sweeter also than honey. 00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:25.079 This is an inspired comparison. 00:18:25.659 --> 00:18:27.579 Sweeter also than honey. 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:30.519 And drippings of the honeycomb. 00:18:30.899 --> 00:18:33.980 The sweetest delicacy you can imagine. 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:40.759 If you let God's Word shape you, it will bring such rich life to your soul. 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:46.519 That your taste buds, the taste buds of your soul will long for more. 00:18:46.899 --> 00:18:48.599 I want more of that. 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:51.559 It's no burden to sit and read. 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:53.419 To drive and listen. 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:55.939 To study and share. 00:18:55.940 --> 00:19:05.880 It is a delight to be in the life-giving, path-directing, wisdom-imparting, perfect Word of God. 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:08.799 Well, wonderful. 00:19:09.340 --> 00:19:12.900 Sure, but what does this mean for us? 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:15.539 Let's think about our own hearts and lives. 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:19.720 Can you imagine finding the fountain of youth? 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:25.539 After centuries of people searching for the fountain of youth, you finally discover it. 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:26.700 And it's not even in Florida. 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:28.279 It is in your backyard. 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:30.319 The fountain of youth. 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:34.180 And can you imagine building a fence around it? 00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:40.059 And selling tickets for people to come see it from behind the fence. 00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:46.619 But never once go inside to bathe and have your body healed and your life changed. 00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:47.480 Can you imagine that? 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:52.420 Can you imagine, kids, getting a huge Lego set? 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:57.480 The Lego set of your dreams with thousands of tiny little pieces. 00:19:57.480 --> 00:20:00.900 And it comes with this thick instructional manual. 00:20:01.120 --> 00:20:04.279 On the front is a picture of what it's supposed to be like. 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:06.120 What it's designed for you to build. 00:20:06.120 --> 00:20:12.839 Can you imagine having that instructional manual that tells you step-by-step how to make this glorious Lego creation? 00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:15.879 And you just kind of toss the instruction manual on the shelf. 00:20:16.879 --> 00:20:22.299 And you spend day after day, year after year, playing with the tiny pieces. 00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:24.220 Trying to fit it all together. 00:20:24.439 --> 00:20:28.519 But somehow sensing that it's just not really right. 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:31.339 It's not exactly what it could be. 00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:38.659 Can you imagine uncovering the secret to happiness at the end of a massive treasure hunt? 00:20:38.859 --> 00:20:44.539 And you dig in the X marks the spot and you find the envelope labeled secret of happiness. 00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:49.679 You're so excited that you never open it up and read the secret. 00:20:52.839 --> 00:20:56.319 Can you imagine finding the pathway to the good life? 00:20:56.959 --> 00:20:57.819 You see it down there. 00:20:57.859 --> 00:21:00.179 You can even see a glimmer of light at the end of it. 00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:05.279 And you feel stuck in this dark and discouraging forest. 00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:07.620 You're getting increasingly hopeless. 00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:10.920 And then you see the path and the light at the end of it. 00:21:11.100 --> 00:21:14.299 But you just kind of keep glancing every once in a while. 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:16.680 And you stay far away from the path. 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.660 You don't ever get on it. 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:21.240 But you just kind of look over every once in a while to make sure it's still over there. 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:24.299 While you go on dark and discouraged in the forest. 00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:27.759 Wondering what it would be like to actually find light. 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:35.820 And yet, the God of the universe. 00:21:36.560 --> 00:21:38.740 The one who made this world. 00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:42.240 Spoken into existence by the power of his word. 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:45.360 And loves us dearly. 00:21:46.060 --> 00:21:49.500 Gives us his perfect word. 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.420 The light of life. 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:52.599 The light of life. 00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:54.420 The revelation of truth. 00:21:55.619 --> 00:21:56.420 And the beauty. 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:59.420 And the goodness that we have been longing for. 00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:02.059 The way that we can know him. 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:05.839 And have relationship with the best friend ever. 00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.880 And we neglect it. 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:13.720 Or we read it casually. 00:22:15.340 --> 00:22:18.160 Or we analyze it at arm's length. 00:22:18.520 --> 00:22:20.520 Or say maybe next year. 00:22:21.560 --> 00:22:23.520 Or we embrace it theoretically. 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:24.940 And we talk a lot about it. 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:28.880 While trusting our own instincts for how to live life more. 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:32.660 We do all those things, don't we? 00:22:32.660 --> 00:22:37.279 We wouldn't miss Taylor Swift singing to us. 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:41.420 Or Coach Sabin giving a post-game speech. 00:22:42.100 --> 00:22:49.279 How could we neglect God himself speaking to us? 00:22:51.840 --> 00:22:53.300 Well, some of you might say. 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:56.240 And I've had this feeling before myself. 00:22:57.560 --> 00:22:59.279 Life is so busy. 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:02.599 And it is so confusing. 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:05.680 And there is so much to figure out. 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:10.119 And honestly, Pastor, the Bible just doesn't help that much. 00:23:10.399 --> 00:23:11.720 It is so old. 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:14.160 It's so irrelevant. 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:17.119 It doesn't say anything about Instagram. 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.059 I looked. 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:21.139 There's nothing in it about American politics. 00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:24.700 There's no instructions on how to be a better engineer. 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:27.399 I can't find that section. 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:30.980 Well, not so fast. 00:23:32.899 --> 00:23:36.379 God's word is also not just perfect. 00:23:36.639 --> 00:23:38.019 It's profitable. 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:40.220 It's practical. 00:23:41.220 --> 00:23:45.160 It really does speak into our lives. 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:46.339 Right now. 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.660 Right where we are. 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:50.539 More than we sometimes realize. 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:53.759 That's part of its incredible perfection. 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:58.200 2 Timothy 3 at verse 16. 00:23:58.200 --> 00:24:04.340 All scripture is breathed out by God. 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:06.860 Just stop there for a second. 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:11.840 All scripture is breathed out by God. 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:14.519 He's the perfect one. 00:24:14.840 --> 00:24:19.420 He's the one who designed this world and knows how it should work. 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:21.640 And he created you and gave you life. 00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:36.620 So what he speaks as a result of it being God's word, it is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. 00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:37.619 That the man of God. 00:24:37.619 --> 00:24:38.799 That the man of God. 00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:39.779 The woman of God. 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:40.299 The woman of God. 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:41.819 The child of God. 00:24:42.459 --> 00:24:43.979 May be competent. 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:48.579 Equipped for every good work. 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:52.139 The Bible teaches us positively. 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:55.719 It rebukes us negatively. 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:58.239 It corrects us when we're off track. 00:24:58.240 --> 00:25:09.559 It trains us in proper relationship with God so that we grow up in that relationship and are equipped for everything God prepared for us to walk through. 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:16.400 In other words, it directs our fundamental and most important relationship. 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:18.759 Our relationship with him. 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:24.799 And that relationship sets the course for all of our other relationships. 00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:27.519 That's how it practically impacts our lives. 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:32.279 In fact, it gives us instruction on being a parent or a child. 00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:35.220 A boss or an employee. 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:37.059 A friend. 00:25:37.879 --> 00:25:40.680 A steward of time and money. 00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:41.680 A neighbor. 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:44.640 All of those things. 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:45.859 All those relationships. 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:49.779 Plus, it's the sword of the spirit. 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:50.919 Right? 00:25:51.139 --> 00:25:52.459 Part of the armor of God. 00:25:52.639 --> 00:26:00.500 Even more real than the physical world that we see before us is the spiritual warfare we are engaged in every day. 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:05.319 For which we must be armed with the sword. 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:14.859 If relationship with God or neighbor or spiritual warfare was just a Sunday activity. 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:19.599 That's just kind of a once a week sort of thing that you participated in. 00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:25.379 Then I would tell you that maybe one sermon a week would be enough of God's word for you each week. 00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:30.280 But those are constant in our lives, aren't they? 00:26:31.660 --> 00:26:32.540 Relationship with God. 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:33.960 Relationship with neighbor. 00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:36.140 Spiritual warfare. 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:44.940 See, when you look up here and we're preaching and you see this Bible open, as it inevitably is, 00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:52.080 you are to remember, as I told the kids, that God is speaking through his word. 00:26:52.080 --> 00:27:00.180 And we prioritize that when we gather on Sundays as God's people because it's to be a part of our lives every day. 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:01.920 Not just on Sunday. 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:09.580 This open Bible on Sunday is supposed to highlight the open Bible that you have before you every day. 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:14.599 That is how we walk with Jesus day by day in the pathways of grace. 00:27:14.899 --> 00:27:17.379 We have to hear his voice, don't we? 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:20.559 There are so many voices yelling at us. 00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:21.960 We have to hear his. 00:27:22.619 --> 00:27:25.259 We have to know which way to walk, don't we? 00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:27.259 There are so many tempting paths. 00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:28.679 Many of them look very good. 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:31.419 We have to know which one is his path. 00:27:31.879 --> 00:27:35.819 We have to remember our relationship with him wherever we go, don't we? 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:39.659 There are so many things that make it easy to forget who we are. 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:42.279 And he tells us. 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.019 Nobody else. 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:47.460 He tells us who we are in relationship with him. 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:57.059 Now listen, I want to be really honest when I paint this picture of day by day opening God's word and walking with him. 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:59.779 And we put this nice, beautiful picture up there. 00:27:59.779 --> 00:28:08.940 Sometimes we don't open our Bibles at home because it doesn't always feel like a beautiful, life-giving walk in the park. 00:28:09.879 --> 00:28:20.059 Anybody ever had that experience besides me of sitting down with God's word and maybe feeling like you're struggling? 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:22.539 Like it's a battle? 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:25.379 Like I actually opened God's word and I want to argue with him? 00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:33.220 And so I don't want to give you the impression that that one time you have feels the same for everybody. 00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:36.940 Or that it's the same every time for you. 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:40.780 Or that it's not hard sometimes to sit down with God's word. 00:28:40.860 --> 00:28:42.540 In fact, you might feel that way right now. 00:28:42.600 --> 00:28:44.180 If that's where you're feeling right now. 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:48.840 If that's why you're not often running to God's word these days. 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:51.780 Listen, I want you to know it's not a guilt trip. 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:55.019 He still loves you and delights in you. 00:28:55.099 --> 00:29:01.259 In fact, he's calling you back because of that right now to hear his voice again. 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:04.379 He's saying, come and talk with me. 00:29:04.619 --> 00:29:05.920 Come and listen to me. 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:12.319 And nowhere else can we count on hearing his voice without fail than in his word. 00:29:13.339 --> 00:29:20.539 I'd encourage you if you're there, maybe just take the next few weeks to read just one little section of Psalm 119 each day. 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:21.720 It's really long. 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:23.859 You won't run out of verses anytime soon. 00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:28.539 It's a song of praise about God's word. 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:32.159 Read just a few verses. 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:37.440 If it's a struggle to do it on your own, read it with a brother or sister in your grace group. 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:39.700 Find someone to read it together with you. 00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:42.720 And y'all talk to God about it and how it makes you feel. 00:29:42.920 --> 00:29:44.359 Whatever those emotions are. 00:29:44.359 --> 00:29:46.639 Just opening your heart up to him. 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:48.819 Listen to him speak. 00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:53.859 And ask him to shape your heart to love his word. 00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:55.619 To love his word more. 00:29:56.679 --> 00:29:58.199 Maybe you've delighted in his word already. 00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:01.119 You'd long to know him more. 00:30:02.219 --> 00:30:05.899 See, God's word is perfect and profitable. 00:30:05.900 --> 00:30:10.600 It's practically useful in our lives and helping us walk with Jesus. 00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:20.180 In part because it is the only thing that we can count on always to point us to Jesus. 00:30:21.540 --> 00:30:23.540 Our lives are off kilter. 00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:29.000 Misguided when we lose sight of Jesus as the hero. 00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:38.380 The risen Jesus explains to some of his followers in Luke 24 how all the Bible is moving towards him. 00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:41.799 Beginning with Moses and all the prophets. 00:30:41.940 --> 00:30:42.839 He's going through the whole thing. 00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:48.900 He interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 00:30:49.640 --> 00:30:52.279 He says something similar in John chapter 5. 00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:56.480 You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life. 00:30:56.480 --> 00:31:00.980 And it is they, the scriptures, that bear witness about me. 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:03.620 Jesus said, I'm the one they're talking about. 00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:07.000 They're pointing you to me from beginning to end. 00:31:07.620 --> 00:31:13.299 Many of you have marveled at the picture that Pastor Derek shared with us a few weeks ago about the Bible. 00:31:14.160 --> 00:31:14.220 Right? 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:18.599 One book written over thousands of years. 00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:23.819 Across thousands of miles by dozens of different authors. 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:32.639 And if you haven't seen it, these colorful arcs are cross-references from one part, the Old Testament starting over here. 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:36.980 That long line is Psalm 119 right about in the middle going down. 00:31:37.339 --> 00:31:38.899 All the way through the New Testament. 00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:43.220 Look at how the Bible is referencing itself. 00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:44.579 The Bible is connected. 00:31:45.679 --> 00:31:52.099 It's one glimpse at how well all these different authors connect their story together. 00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:53.699 Pointing us to what? 00:31:54.379 --> 00:31:55.859 What's that good evidence for? 00:31:56.659 --> 00:32:03.139 That there is one author who is telling one beautiful story. 00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:09.159 Who in fact is moving all of history towards the hero at the center of it. 00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:14.779 I've got to read you how Sally Lloyd-Jones says it in her Jesus Storybook Bible. 00:32:15.819 --> 00:32:18.599 This is a good one no matter how old you are. 00:32:18.599 --> 00:32:23.219 No, the Bible isn't a book of rules or a book of heroes. 00:32:23.379 --> 00:32:25.639 The Bible is most of all a story. 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:31.579 It's an adventure story about a young hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. 00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:38.839 It's a love story about a brave prince who leaves his palace, his throne, everything to rescue the one he loves. 00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:43.699 It's like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life. 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:48.200 You see, the best thing about this story is it's true. 00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:54.019 There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one big story. 00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:58.039 The story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them. 00:32:58.259 --> 00:33:00.500 It takes the whole Bible to tell this story. 00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:04.000 And at the center of the story, there is a baby. 00:33:05.220 --> 00:33:07.920 Every story in the Bible whispers his name. 00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:10.640 He's like the missing piece in a puzzle. 00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:14.019 The piece that makes all the other pieces fit together. 00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:18.539 And suddenly, you can see a beautiful picture. 00:33:20.320 --> 00:33:21.600 You like love stories? 00:33:22.580 --> 00:33:24.279 The Bible is the best. 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:26.440 You like adventure stories? 00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:30.340 The Bible is a cosmic level thrill ride. 00:33:30.900 --> 00:33:32.060 Do you like biographies? 00:33:32.059 --> 00:33:39.259 The Bible tells the story of the most important person who ever lived and walked on this earth through the lives of many, many others. 00:33:39.440 --> 00:33:43.440 It is a story that is bigger than us, which is wonderful. 00:33:44.139 --> 00:33:51.500 And at the same time, we are not too small to be significant characters in this story of the word. 00:33:51.500 --> 00:33:55.119 The son of God who made us for himself. 00:33:55.319 --> 00:33:58.559 Who came to rescue us and bring us back to himself. 00:33:58.839 --> 00:34:04.380 Who died to make us his brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of the king. 00:34:04.660 --> 00:34:10.500 Who now live to trust his grace and to share his grace with others. 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:23.360 Who will live like that until he comes again to be with us forever in a world that he remakes in absolute perfection forever. 00:34:25.300 --> 00:34:28.900 Now, depending on where you are in the story, when you open it up this afternoon, 00:34:29.519 --> 00:34:33.840 you might not read the name Jesus on your page. 00:34:34.840 --> 00:34:38.340 The whisper of his name may be really soft. 00:34:38.340 --> 00:34:45.120 It may be showing you how desperately we need him and his rescue. 00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:53.340 It may be urging us to trust him and to live following his direction even when it doesn't make sense. 00:34:53.800 --> 00:34:55.559 And even when we don't know what he's doing. 00:34:56.700 --> 00:35:01.860 But wherever you are, Jesus is always the hero. 00:35:01.860 --> 00:35:09.200 The Bible will always perfectly and profitably point you to him. 00:35:09.199 --> 00:35:17.000 We want this summer to be practically helpful to all of us in our relationships with God. 00:35:17.199 --> 00:35:22.219 So, while we're talking about God speaking to us in the Bible these couple of weeks, 00:35:22.379 --> 00:35:27.859 your leaders have compiled some resources that we think might be helpful. 00:35:27.860 --> 00:35:34.460 What I'm about to say is dangerous and not usually done during a sermon, but you can take out your phone right now. 00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:37.460 You can scan this QR code. 00:35:38.500 --> 00:35:44.360 There's another version of the same QR code in the announcement section of your bulletin if that's easier for you. 00:35:44.760 --> 00:35:46.940 I'd love to look at it with you for just a moment. 00:35:46.940 --> 00:35:56.079 At the top, a couple of places to start if you're wondering, where do I start in reading the Bible? 00:35:56.840 --> 00:35:59.720 Our church family is on a two-year Bible reading plan. 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:03.380 Some people really enjoy reading through the Bible chronologically. 00:36:03.619 --> 00:36:09.019 You can easily get a version of that that lines it all up in that order for you to understand. 00:36:09.019 --> 00:36:17.259 Study Bibles can be a big help when confusion creates frustration for you and you just can't get past the things you don't understand. 00:36:18.519 --> 00:36:28.900 There are also a couple of great apps there that will help you with audio and or visual means to help you engage with the story and what's going on. 00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:33.659 Sometimes that's really helpful to encourage your heart towards being in God's Word. 00:36:34.739 --> 00:36:38.360 Young people, we have even a longer page for you. 00:36:38.360 --> 00:36:43.960 There are even more of those similar resources including Bibles that might be helpful to you. 00:36:44.039 --> 00:36:46.920 The book I just read from is on there. 00:36:47.900 --> 00:36:50.300 There are songs from God's Word. 00:36:50.980 --> 00:36:52.559 We are never too young. 00:36:52.820 --> 00:36:54.579 Y'all, this is part of what I want you to hear. 00:36:54.780 --> 00:37:00.740 We're never too young or too old to be walking with Jesus and listening to Him speak. 00:37:00.740 --> 00:37:08.200 No matter how deeply you are in God's Word or how unfamiliar you are with God's Word, 00:37:08.360 --> 00:37:11.480 there's an opportunity for each of us this summer to grow. 00:37:12.200 --> 00:37:15.500 For our engagement with God's Word, reading it, studying it. 00:37:15.780 --> 00:37:17.740 Perhaps if you study, memorizing it. 00:37:18.559 --> 00:37:19.400 Singing it. 00:37:21.000 --> 00:37:22.360 Use one of these tools. 00:37:22.500 --> 00:37:24.500 Don't try them all at once, okay? 00:37:24.500 --> 00:37:29.800 But I'd encourage you, if you don't do QR codes, there's some hard copies in the narthex. 00:37:29.900 --> 00:37:35.699 I'd encourage you to look at them and prayerfully to contemplate, not human resources about it, 00:37:37.019 --> 00:37:42.480 but what could actually help your heart engage with God's Word more? 00:37:42.480 --> 00:37:51.659 That you would know Him and love Him and have your life shaped, walking with Him day by day more than you experience right now. 00:37:53.179 --> 00:37:57.300 Okay, now I want to ask something harder, which is for you to put your phones back away. 00:37:59.159 --> 00:38:00.539 You can look more at these later. 00:38:00.800 --> 00:38:02.019 We won't take the site down. 00:38:03.300 --> 00:38:06.920 Ask any of us if you want more info on any of these resources. 00:38:06.920 --> 00:38:14.920 But right now, I want you to hear Jesus inviting you again back into relationship. 00:38:15.920 --> 00:38:18.659 That's what His Word does every time we open it. 00:38:18.960 --> 00:38:22.920 Into walking with Him because the Bible is perfect and profitable, 00:38:24.039 --> 00:38:27.440 largely because it points us to Jesus. 00:38:28.119 --> 00:38:31.880 It shines light on our path so that we walk in His steps. 00:38:31.880 --> 00:38:39.860 It equips us for every good work by reminding us of our need for a Savior and of the gift of His Spirit. 00:38:40.619 --> 00:38:48.860 It gives joy to our hearts and life to our souls through pointing us to the hero who comes to earth 00:38:48.860 --> 00:38:54.900 and goes to the cross to rescue us from certain death to everlasting life. 00:38:54.900 --> 00:39:01.059 And so that's exactly what this table, this visible word for us this morning does, 00:39:01.240 --> 00:39:10.539 is it points us to the hero of the Bible story who is actually here to eat with you and to renew your relationship. 00:39:10.760 --> 00:39:12.240 It's why He's given it to us. 00:39:13.240 --> 00:39:15.480 It's why that on the night that He was betrayed, 00:39:15.480 --> 00:39:21.960 Jesus took bread and He broke it and He gave it to His disciples. 00:39:22.659 --> 00:39:25.380 As I, ministering in His name, give this bread to you, 00:39:25.760 --> 00:39:26.940 He said, take and eat. 00:39:27.519 --> 00:39:30.760 This is my body given for you. 00:39:30.960 --> 00:39:33.500 I'm the one who will do what you need, 00:39:33.639 --> 00:39:35.599 so you do this in remembrance of me. 00:39:36.139 --> 00:39:38.420 And in the same way, He took the cup 00:39:38.420 --> 00:39:43.260 and said, this cup is the new covenant in my blood. 00:39:44.400 --> 00:39:50.360 The hero of this story is the one who sheds His blood for the forgiveness of sins 00:39:50.360 --> 00:39:51.740 so that it wouldn't be ours. 00:39:52.820 --> 00:39:56.320 His blood shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. 00:39:56.740 --> 00:39:57.940 Drink from it, all of you. 00:39:58.159 --> 00:40:01.000 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, 00:40:01.200 --> 00:40:03.079 you proclaim His death. 00:40:03.820 --> 00:40:05.519 You proclaim He's the hero. 00:40:05.519 --> 00:40:08.820 You proclaim He's the one in whom I find life 00:40:08.820 --> 00:40:11.239 until He comes. 00:40:12.500 --> 00:40:16.179 The invitation to take this bread and this wine 00:40:16.179 --> 00:40:18.500 comes from Jesus Himself. 00:40:18.900 --> 00:40:21.539 To all who by faith in Him are active, 00:40:21.880 --> 00:40:24.940 baptized members of His body, the church, 00:40:25.300 --> 00:40:27.659 which is an imperfect family, 00:40:28.059 --> 00:40:31.519 made perfect only by the perfect love 00:40:31.519 --> 00:40:34.280 of the perfect Word of God. 00:40:35.519 --> 00:40:37.820 If that doesn't describe you today, 00:40:38.519 --> 00:40:42.259 or if you're presently maybe a part of that body, 00:40:42.360 --> 00:40:45.659 but right now you're unwilling to repent of your sins 00:40:45.659 --> 00:40:49.079 and to trust that this is the one 00:40:49.079 --> 00:40:51.860 who provides the forgiveness that you need 00:40:51.860 --> 00:40:53.079 and you can run to Him, 00:40:53.179 --> 00:40:56.239 then don't this morning come and eat and drink, 00:40:56.360 --> 00:40:59.820 but come and observe and pray 00:40:59.820 --> 00:41:04.080 and consider the hero of the Bible story 00:41:04.080 --> 00:41:06.340 being the hero of your story 00:41:06.340 --> 00:41:09.380 for the first time or again today, 00:41:09.620 --> 00:41:11.980 right there where you need Him in your sin, 00:41:12.320 --> 00:41:15.300 His forgiveness, His blood in your place. 00:41:15.420 --> 00:41:17.380 Let's pray and we'll come celebrate together. 00:41:17.380 --> 00:41:22.640 Jesus, we thank you for what you have done 00:41:22.640 --> 00:41:24.960 and the fact that you have even given us 00:41:24.960 --> 00:41:28.940 your written Word and your visible Word 00:41:28.940 --> 00:41:33.840 to point us to the good news of your love for us 00:41:33.840 --> 00:41:37.079 and your heart to be in relationship with us. 00:41:37.440 --> 00:41:38.619 From the youngest age, 00:41:38.720 --> 00:41:41.119 you've marked us as your own 00:41:41.119 --> 00:41:44.400 and now you give us your body and your blood 00:41:44.400 --> 00:41:46.099 so that we'll never forget your love. 00:41:46.859 --> 00:41:47.940 Help us to walk in that, 00:41:48.440 --> 00:41:49.619 not just in this moment, 00:41:50.400 --> 00:41:53.239 but throughout this day, this week, and our lives. 00:41:53.920 --> 00:41:55.299 We ask it in your name. 00:41:56.079 --> 00:41:56.359 Amen. 00:41:57.359 --> 00:42:00.880 For more information, visit us online at southwood.org. 00:42:00.880 --> 00:42:30.860 Thank you.