WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.460 don't worry, everything will be fine. She'll be right. Don't be sad. It'll all work out. 00:00:12.500 --> 00:00:18.760 Have you ever heard these kinds of words said to you before? Have you ever said something like this 00:00:18.760 --> 00:00:24.039 before? Imagine the scene where something terrible has happened, a loved one has died, 00:00:24.039 --> 00:00:29.519 something quite painful, and people keep coming up to you and they try to offer you comfort. 00:00:30.519 --> 00:00:39.460 But it's not actually comforting. It's all a fake. Comments that sound nice, but actually just make 00:00:39.460 --> 00:00:44.359 the person think they're doing the right thing. You know, imagine sharing a painful truth with a 00:00:44.359 --> 00:00:50.980 friend and they say, I'll pray for you. Maybe you've been that person, you've said, I'll pray for you, 00:00:50.980 --> 00:00:57.859 and you just totally forget to actually pray for them. We say things that sound good, but they can 00:00:57.859 --> 00:01:07.299 have no substance. We can offer fake comfort. I've heard of people who don't like being with 00:01:07.299 --> 00:01:11.980 their friends when they're sad because it's really tough. They don't like being with people when 00:01:11.980 --> 00:01:20.319 they're grieving. So they just say, oh, don't be sad. Don't cry. Everything will be fine. And I know I've 00:01:20.319 --> 00:01:28.899 said those things too. But they're not comforting. I think we give fake comfort easily. We seek 00:01:28.899 --> 00:01:36.919 comfort in other places. Does anybody want to admit that they eat comfort food? Does anybody have a 00:01:36.919 --> 00:01:41.539 preferred comfort food, Mark? What's your preferred comfort food, brother? Ice cream? That's a good one. 00:01:41.540 --> 00:01:50.640 I always use a teaspoon these days. It's safer that way. There's retail therapy. We go shopping to make 00:01:50.640 --> 00:01:58.780 ourselves feel better. But they're fake comforts. Do we know where real, authentic comfort comes from? 00:01:59.420 --> 00:02:07.300 And do we know how to share authentic comfort with those in need? Today, we're starting a new series, 00:02:07.299 --> 00:02:13.939 authentic. And we're looking at the book of 2 Corinthians. And Paul calls people to be authentic, 00:02:14.319 --> 00:02:22.020 to have authentic relationships, to be authentic and real Christians, to have authentic love and 00:02:22.020 --> 00:02:29.099 generosity and humility, to not pretend and not fake it, but to be real with one another and God. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:35.439 And today, as we'll see, to have authentic comfort and to share it. So I'm going to pray for us. 00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:43.719 Heavenly Father, thank you, Lord, that you have made us people who are not alone and isolated, 00:02:44.020 --> 00:02:49.199 but that we get to be in relationships with other people. Father, help us today to understand 00:02:49.199 --> 00:02:54.639 what authentic comfort can look like and how you have given it to us, Lord. Amen. 00:02:56.139 --> 00:03:04.259 Before we can get into the topic of authentic comfort, we need to understand where this letter is placed 00:03:04.259 --> 00:03:11.539 and who the church of Corinth were. So we're going to do a bit of a brief history lesson for Corinth. 00:03:12.340 --> 00:03:20.039 Corinth in the first century was, it was the hot new town. And they were pursuing money and 00:03:20.039 --> 00:03:25.159 pursuits of pleasure. One commentator describes the society with five descriptors. 00:03:25.159 --> 00:03:34.840 Individualism, that valued self-sufficiency, wealth as the key to status, displays of accomplishment 00:03:34.840 --> 00:03:43.219 and possessions to get praise, competition for honour as a normal thing, and then pride in your 00:03:43.219 --> 00:03:50.219 neighbourhood as a reflection of your social location. And so it creates this population who is 00:03:50.219 --> 00:03:56.000 all about pursuing money and wealth. But that description of Corinth in the first century 00:03:56.000 --> 00:04:04.060 doesn't really sound that different to us today, does it? And so into this city, God sends the apostle 00:04:04.060 --> 00:04:11.759 Paul. Paul's message of the gospel confronts the materialism and individualism. And this city 00:04:11.759 --> 00:04:18.719 in Corinth had a difficult pull of security and social status to ignore when following Jesus. 00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:26.000 And so coming to the letter that we're looking at to Corinthians, it's actually at least Paul's fourth 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:32.579 letter to the church in Corinth. We just don't have the other letters. Paul initially stayed for about a 00:04:32.579 --> 00:04:39.620 year and a half before travelling, but he stayed in touch as their apostle pastor via letters. 00:04:39.620 --> 00:04:49.240 And it appears that after he leaves, some opponents come in. And Paul calls them the super apostles. And 00:04:49.240 --> 00:04:54.500 we'll see them a little bit later in this series. And they come in and they preach a different gospel 00:04:54.500 --> 00:05:02.800 with a different Jesus. One that looks a little bit more attractive to the world. One that doesn't look 00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:10.240 so weak. A Jesus that maybe doesn't die on the cross because that looks a bit weak to humans. 00:05:11.660 --> 00:05:18.639 And so Paul heads back. And in 2 Corinthians, he talks about visiting Corinth as a painful visit. 00:05:19.780 --> 00:05:25.160 The church had questioned Paul and his authority and they'd attacked him. And so Paul leaves without 00:05:25.160 --> 00:05:33.680 retaliating in a lot of grief. And then Paul sends his brother Titus with a severe letter of warning, 00:05:34.060 --> 00:05:41.879 calling on the church to repent. And Titus comes back to Paul and Paul hears from Titus that the church 00:05:41.879 --> 00:05:49.580 has indeed repented. And so Paul sends this letter to Corinthians. He defends himself and his job as an 00:05:49.579 --> 00:05:55.719 apostle. And he defends the gospel that he's called to preach. And we see a hint of that at the very 00:05:55.719 --> 00:06:01.779 start in verse 1. Often when we read Paul's letters, we can skip a little too quickly over his 00:06:01.779 --> 00:06:09.959 introductions. But have a look at verse 1 with me. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:18.979 He is not an apostle by the will of man, but by God's will alone. And so the themes of Paul's 00:06:18.980 --> 00:06:25.540 authority and dependence on God in his weakness are going to continue right through this letter of 00:06:25.540 --> 00:06:30.819 2 Corinthians. Having put that in place, kind of knowing the context and the relationship between 00:06:30.819 --> 00:06:38.460 Paul and this church, we come to Paul praising God and describing who he is. Have a look with me 00:06:38.460 --> 00:06:42.759 at verse 3 as we see the comfort he offers. 00:06:42.759 --> 00:07:00.199 I think this is a really beautiful description of God. That he is the father of compassion and the 00:07:00.199 --> 00:07:10.000 God of all comfort. From him comes compassion and comfort. To have compassion means to suffer with. 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:16.579 The first half of the word compassion, com means with. And the second half, passion, 00:07:16.959 --> 00:07:25.079 originally meant suffering. That's why Jesus' crucifixion is called the passion. I'm not sure 00:07:25.079 --> 00:07:31.699 if you've seen Mel Gibson's movie from a number of years ago, The Passion of the Christ. This is why 00:07:31.699 --> 00:07:38.720 the crucifixion is called the passion. Because passion originally meant suffering. Now we've taken it to 00:07:38.720 --> 00:07:45.760 mean strong emotions. And so when we put these two words together, compassion means with suffering. 00:07:46.960 --> 00:07:55.280 And so Paul praises God because he is the father of compassion. God's son Jesus came and was with us 00:07:55.280 --> 00:08:05.680 and suffered. Jesus is compassion. He is with us in our suffering. Jesus knows what our suffering is like 00:08:05.680 --> 00:08:11.560 because he has been there. He has lived with us in body and he has endured the pain of the cross. 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:18.920 And so he has been with us in our suffering. But not only that, God is our strength. 00:08:19.780 --> 00:08:23.019 He is the God of comfort. Now the word comfort means to strengthen. 00:08:23.560 --> 00:08:26.699 Imagine that moment when you were down in the depths. 00:08:26.699 --> 00:08:35.679 To comfort someone is to lift them up, to strengthen them, to walk with them until they are strong enough. 00:08:37.980 --> 00:08:47.899 That is our God. He has experienced our suffering and he walks with us to bring us back to our strength in him. 00:08:47.899 --> 00:08:51.299 And Paul is not just referring to feelings. 00:08:51.819 --> 00:08:55.639 It's not just a feeling of relief or being comfortable. 00:08:56.699 --> 00:09:01.379 It's not God is comfortable like giving you a cushion on a chair. 00:09:02.179 --> 00:09:05.100 But instead he can speak of being at peace. 00:09:05.959 --> 00:09:08.980 All because God has comforted Paul in the past. 00:09:10.039 --> 00:09:12.980 Paul knows God's comfort because he's delivered him. 00:09:12.980 --> 00:09:17.680 We'll see this in verse 10, that his comfort comes from God being a deliverer. 00:09:18.539 --> 00:09:21.480 And he trusts that the God who has delivered will deliver him again. 00:09:22.940 --> 00:09:28.440 The experience of God's deliverance in the past gives him hope that he will be delivered in the future. 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:32.379 And that means that in the present, he has comfort. 00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:36.180 His God is strong and he will deliver him. 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:40.480 Paul's comfort doesn't come from things that are fake, 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:42.940 you know, from comfort food or from retail therapy. 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:45.840 It comes from the God of comfort. 00:09:47.180 --> 00:09:49.200 I really love this description of God. 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:54.259 I think it is just a wonderful summary of the gospel, these two titles. 00:09:54.779 --> 00:09:56.840 The God of compassion and the God of comfort. 00:09:57.360 --> 00:09:59.960 And it shows his fatherly affection for us. 00:10:00.899 --> 00:10:04.259 And in verse 4, Paul describes what this God does. 00:10:04.259 --> 00:10:04.820 Verse 4. 00:10:04.820 --> 00:10:20.879 Now, reading this part of Paul, he uses the word comfort about seven times. 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:24.040 And it's very... he keeps using the word so it can get confusing. 00:10:24.140 --> 00:10:25.080 So we'll go a little bit slowly. 00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:31.680 So what happens is God comforts Paul, but not Paul alone. 00:10:32.680 --> 00:10:37.440 God comforts Paul so Paul can comfort others. 00:10:38.620 --> 00:10:43.280 God has been faithful to Paul and he's seen that through his hardship and struggles. 00:10:44.240 --> 00:10:47.920 And God has strengthened him in all his troubles. 00:10:48.820 --> 00:10:52.860 And Paul connects his suffering to Jesus' suffering in verse 5. 00:10:52.860 --> 00:10:58.139 For just as we share abundantly in the suffering of Christ, 00:10:58.879 --> 00:11:02.980 so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 00:11:04.259 --> 00:11:08.840 Both Paul's suffering and comfort come through Jesus. 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:11.759 Now, this might seem like a strange idea, 00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:17.279 but Paul views every kind of comfort and suffering 00:11:17.279 --> 00:11:21.059 as an expression of the same kind of suffering and comfort 00:11:21.059 --> 00:11:24.259 that Jesus himself experienced under God's hand. 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:27.519 Jesus was under the sovereign control of God 00:11:27.519 --> 00:11:30.019 and he suffered death on the cross. 00:11:31.220 --> 00:11:33.500 And Paul following Jesus, well, he's not killed on a cross, 00:11:33.639 --> 00:11:38.379 but he has troubles too because he is seeking to obey God under his hand. 00:11:39.319 --> 00:11:41.819 And so not only does Paul suffer like Jesus, 00:11:42.220 --> 00:11:44.059 but he's comforted like Jesus. 00:11:44.059 --> 00:11:48.419 Jesus trusted in God, that God was committed to him, 00:11:48.479 --> 00:11:50.699 that he was following his plan, 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:53.479 and God would deliver him even from death. 00:11:54.959 --> 00:11:58.939 And so Paul is able to be comforted and strengthened by his confidence 00:11:58.939 --> 00:12:03.819 that God would rescue him, even if it's through death. 00:12:04.299 --> 00:12:06.199 He has a hope in the resurrection. 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:11.340 And so Paul has this hope, and so he can pass it on to others. 00:12:12.140 --> 00:12:15.680 God comforted Jesus, which gives Paul comfort, 00:12:16.140 --> 00:12:21.360 and now Paul knows that he can share that comfort with others who follow Jesus. 00:12:22.200 --> 00:12:22.759 Verse 6, 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:49.500 Paul is saying that there is this close family relationship 00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:51.659 between those who follow Jesus. 00:12:52.120 --> 00:12:55.139 We're more than just people sitting in a room together. 00:12:55.799 --> 00:12:59.259 There is actually a close family bond. 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:03.200 There is this special relationship between believers in the church. 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:08.059 Our comfort and our compassion comes from Jesus to us, 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:12.519 but it also goes out from us to each other. 00:13:13.179 --> 00:13:16.919 It doesn't and shouldn't stop with us. 00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:22.819 I recently read about a widowed single mother, 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:24.019 and her name was Ashley. 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:26.799 She was in the middle of moving house 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:31.659 when she was taken captive by an escaped murderer 00:13:31.659 --> 00:13:34.399 and held hostage for seven hours. 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:37.939 Ashley had been a drug addict. 00:13:38.699 --> 00:13:40.599 She'd lost custody of her daughter. 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:43.740 But God had been working in her life. 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:46.960 She had begun to read the Bible and other Christian books. 00:13:48.560 --> 00:13:50.259 And when she was taken captive, 00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:54.680 she spoke to this murderer who had escaped. 00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:55.940 She spoke to him 00:13:55.940 --> 00:14:00.360 and read some of the Bible to him. 00:14:01.519 --> 00:14:05.480 She offered the comfort which she had received to this man 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:09.960 so that her captor, this escaped murderer, 00:14:10.300 --> 00:14:11.759 eventually released her 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:14.980 and he allowed himself to be re-arrested. 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:20.580 Ashley had begun to see God's compassion and comfort in her life 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:21.879 found only through Jesus, 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:24.420 and that meant she was able to offer it 00:14:24.420 --> 00:14:27.860 with someone who was going through the same thing. 00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:32.680 This comfort God offers isn't for us alone. 00:14:33.060 --> 00:14:34.539 We can't hoard it. 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:36.700 This isn't fake comfort. 00:14:36.800 --> 00:14:38.180 Imagine if, in this situation, 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:41.779 Ashley is being held for seven hours by this murderer 00:14:41.779 --> 00:14:45.060 and she just tried to offer him fake comfort. 00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:46.820 Don't worry. 00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:48.539 You'll be fine. 00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:49.899 Go and get arrested. 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:51.680 The police will take good care of you. 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:57.139 Imagine if she had tried to offer fake comfort. 00:14:58.199 --> 00:15:01.079 The comfort she offers from God 00:15:01.079 --> 00:15:03.419 is honest about sin. 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:06.039 There is no sugarcoating it. 00:15:07.179 --> 00:15:09.919 But this comfort seeks help and hope 00:15:09.919 --> 00:15:12.199 from the only one who can give it 00:15:12.199 --> 00:15:15.000 and the only one who can give forgiveness. 00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:19.500 Paul has been able to comfort 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:24.340 because he has first comforted in his sufferings. 00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:29.360 And it's hard not to want to ask Paul the question, 00:15:29.960 --> 00:15:31.779 well, what were your sufferings, Paul? 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:34.039 What had you actually gone through? 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:37.000 And he doesn't give us all of the detail, 00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:38.960 but he mentions a little bit. 00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:41.659 He tells us what has happened to him. 00:15:42.659 --> 00:15:43.820 It's not the details, 00:15:43.940 --> 00:15:46.080 but it's the process that he has gone through 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:47.940 and how God has shaped him. 00:15:47.940 --> 00:15:50.360 Paul does this 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:54.300 and he reveals his own vulnerability and weakness 00:15:54.300 --> 00:15:57.060 so that God would be seen to be strong. 00:15:57.260 --> 00:15:57.720 Verse 8. 00:15:58.780 --> 00:16:00.320 We do not want you to be uninformed, 00:16:00.680 --> 00:16:01.480 brothers and sisters, 00:16:01.780 --> 00:16:03.480 about the troubles we experienced 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:05.080 in the province of Asia. 00:16:05.900 --> 00:16:07.700 We were under great pressure, 00:16:08.300 --> 00:16:10.560 far beyond our ability to endure, 00:16:10.820 --> 00:16:13.400 so that we despaired of life itself. 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:16.520 Paul is really clear and honest at this point. 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:19.100 He is not going to hide away the fact that he suffered. 00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:23.220 He's not afraid of this church knowing the pain that he's gone through. 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:28.259 He doesn't care that it might lower him in their eyes. 00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:30.519 I've heard people say to me, 00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:30.819 James, 00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:36.240 don't mention your sin when you're preaching. 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:38.519 People will think less of you. 00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:40.679 And people want to put preachers on a pedestal, 00:16:40.939 --> 00:16:42.179 so don't talk about that. 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:46.659 People want to put you on that kind of pedestal to follow. 00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:47.840 And I say, 00:16:47.939 --> 00:16:48.120 no, 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:49.360 I can't do that. 00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:52.240 Paul certainly can't do that. 00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:54.259 And I definitely can't. 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:54.639 Rather, 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:55.899 I would be, 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:58.919 I would far prefer to be honest with my own weaknesses 00:16:58.919 --> 00:17:01.299 and how God is working in my life 00:17:01.299 --> 00:17:02.879 and my vulnerabilities, 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:06.779 so that we can all see how God is working in my life 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:09.799 and encourage you and comfort you in yours. 00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:11.559 And that's what Paul is doing here. 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:13.779 He doesn't want this church 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:16.359 to trust in rumors that they've heard. 00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:18.579 He wants to inform them 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:20.539 so they know what's happening to him. 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:24.279 Paul and Timothy were under great pressure, 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:30.000 so much so that they despaired of life itself. 00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:31.419 Now, 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:32.799 our understanding of mental health 00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:34.459 has increased a lot since then, 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.339 since the first century. 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:36.879 But what Paul is sounding like, 00:17:36.899 --> 00:17:38.359 it sounds like he is in depression. 00:17:39.879 --> 00:17:41.419 They had no hope. 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:44.919 They were suffering and could see no way out. 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:46.440 Verse 9, 00:17:47.060 --> 00:17:47.340 Indeed, 00:17:47.900 --> 00:17:51.460 we felt we had received the sentence of death. 00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:53.640 They saw no way out. 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:55.060 Only death is coming. 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:57.320 But God had a purpose. 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:01.700 But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves, 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:04.200 but on God who raises the dead. 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:08.039 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:10.100 and he will deliver us again. 00:18:10.860 --> 00:18:11.259 Paul says, 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:25.079 Is it possible that Paul 00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:29.339 had not trusted in God? 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:29.799 Paul, 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:33.559 who had seen Jesus himself appear to him? 00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:34.240 Paul, 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:34.799 the apostle, 00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:36.720 who had planted churches 00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:39.059 and seen miraculous deeds of God, 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:41.120 is it possible that this Paul 00:18:41.120 --> 00:18:44.160 stopped relying on God? 00:18:44.900 --> 00:18:46.839 Could he have gotten so caught up 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:48.559 in the work that he was doing 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:51.539 that he stopped relying on God? 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:55.720 And so God used hardship and suffering 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:59.400 to remind them that they only had God 00:18:59.400 --> 00:19:00.140 to depend upon. 00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:02.960 Paul shows his vulnerability, 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:06.039 his weakness for the benefit of the church. 00:19:06.900 --> 00:19:09.259 He was distressed to the point of thinking 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:10.480 they were going to die. 00:19:11.340 --> 00:19:12.900 But God has comforted him. 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.660 God has delivered 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:16.740 and God has been his strength. 00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:19.180 Pulled him out of that situation 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:21.880 so that he depends on God 00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:24.100 and shares that message of hope. 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:26.360 Paul's language here, 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:29.720 the language of being so close to death, 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.039 the sentence of death, 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:32.119 it's really evocative. 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:35.200 I think he's drawing a parallel here 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:37.299 between the sentence of death 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.119 that he received 00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:39.759 and Jesus' sentence of death. 00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:42.619 And he's saying, 00:19:43.139 --> 00:19:45.019 Jesus was given a sentence of death 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:47.180 and Jesus was delivered from death 00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:49.299 and I was given a sentence of death 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.839 and I was delivered. 00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:54.779 Just like Jesus was saved from death, 00:19:54.859 --> 00:19:56.359 God has saved me from death 00:19:56.359 --> 00:19:59.240 and he will deliver us again. 00:19:59.240 --> 00:20:01.819 This is so important. 00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:02.359 This is, 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:04.960 as we'll see in this whole letter, 00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:07.160 Paul reveals his vulnerability 00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:08.460 and weakness 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:10.519 and the importance 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:12.539 of depending on Jesus 00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:13.819 in these situations. 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:16.099 The Corinthian church 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:18.000 thought that it disqualified him 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:19.460 for being an apostle 00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:22.039 but it is central to the gospel. 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:26.259 Paul has shared his weakness. 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:27.879 The church in Corinth 00:20:27.879 --> 00:20:28.839 have an issue with it. 00:20:29.879 --> 00:20:30.480 They think, 00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:30.980 you know, 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:31.900 you shouldn't be weak. 00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:34.279 You should be like our super apostles. 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:37.700 But Paul is going to take time 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.559 throughout this letter 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:41.640 to explain that he is living out the gospel. 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:43.859 That he might appear weak 00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:46.079 but that the man that we worship, 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:46.740 Jesus, 00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:49.319 well he appeared weak too 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:51.099 when he died on a cross. 00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:53.959 All to show God's power 00:20:53.959 --> 00:20:55.919 raising him from the dead. 00:20:57.059 --> 00:20:57.500 And Paul, 00:20:57.639 --> 00:20:58.199 in his weakness, 00:20:58.319 --> 00:20:59.679 shows God's power 00:20:59.679 --> 00:21:01.159 delivering him 00:21:01.159 --> 00:21:02.299 as if he was dead. 00:21:03.619 --> 00:21:05.379 And so it is this suffering of Paul's 00:21:05.379 --> 00:21:07.599 which means that God's comforted him 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:10.439 so that he can now comfort the church 00:21:10.439 --> 00:21:11.299 in Corinth. 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:13.779 As a church, 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:16.099 one of the things that we value 00:21:16.099 --> 00:21:18.740 is humble authenticity. 00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:21.539 Where we declare war 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.519 on our desires 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:24.679 to live independently of God. 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:27.019 Central to who we are 00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:28.279 is a desire 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:31.059 to weaken our pride 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:33.339 and develop humility. 00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:36.699 So we desire to be vulnerable 00:21:36.699 --> 00:21:38.299 with our imperfections, 00:21:38.439 --> 00:21:39.379 with our issues. 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:42.599 That shows that God's love 00:21:42.599 --> 00:21:44.859 is greater. 00:21:46.679 --> 00:21:47.659 To be authentic 00:21:47.659 --> 00:21:48.480 in relationships 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.519 that are about knowing 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:50.879 and caring for others. 00:21:50.879 --> 00:21:52.459 Not just about manipulating 00:21:52.459 --> 00:21:53.519 and gaining power 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.759 from our relationships. 00:21:55.899 --> 00:21:57.679 And also having a willingness 00:21:57.679 --> 00:21:59.139 to confront sin, 00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:01.980 being quick to confess. 00:22:03.099 --> 00:22:05.419 When we are authentic 00:22:05.419 --> 00:22:06.359 with one another, 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:08.259 we can share the comfort 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:10.039 that God gives us. 00:22:10.919 --> 00:22:12.179 I think there are at least 00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:13.320 four things 00:22:13.320 --> 00:22:15.299 that are helpful for us 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:16.580 to be aware of 00:22:16.580 --> 00:22:17.380 to help us 00:22:17.380 --> 00:22:19.200 to share God's comfort. 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:20.640 So I think 00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:22.220 there are at least four things 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:22.940 that are comforting 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:24.279 that are worth sharing. 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:25.840 So have a look at this list. 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:26.480 I'd encourage you 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:27.660 to write this list down. 00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:29.080 Make a note of these things 00:22:29.080 --> 00:22:29.759 in your phone. 00:22:30.380 --> 00:22:32.120 Write it on the back of your hand, 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:33.240 on someone's leg next to you, 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:33.840 whatever you like. 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:37.220 In our lives, 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:38.279 when the Holy Spirit 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:40.220 puts our sin to death, 00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:42.680 that is worthwhile sharing. 00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:44.120 Share the joy 00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:45.600 that God is working 00:22:45.600 --> 00:22:47.559 and that He changes our lives. 00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:49.180 So that's the first thing. 00:22:49.360 --> 00:22:50.200 When the Holy Spirit 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:52.360 puts our sin to death, 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:53.819 tell someone about it. 00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:57.559 When you have endured hardship 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:59.519 and God has delivered you, 00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:02.200 share that God comforts you 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:03.440 and has helped you endure 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:05.960 to help others endure. 00:23:07.820 --> 00:23:08.220 Third, 00:23:08.340 --> 00:23:09.799 when God provides 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.799 in miraculous, 00:23:11.320 --> 00:23:12.559 last-minute ways. 00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:15.539 When God just, 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:16.519 you know, 00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:18.039 if it's a time 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:19.000 of financial hardship, 00:23:19.400 --> 00:23:19.980 you're not sure 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:21.059 how you're going to afford 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:22.180 the next meal for your family, 00:23:22.340 --> 00:23:23.680 and God provides 00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:24.640 in that last minute, 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.400 share the comfort 00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:27.660 from knowing 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:28.360 that we have a God 00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:29.820 who provides for us, 00:23:30.340 --> 00:23:31.940 who knows our needs. 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:35.660 when God brings 00:23:35.660 --> 00:23:36.600 reconciliation 00:23:36.600 --> 00:23:38.160 between you 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:40.039 and someone having conflict, 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:42.320 share that, 00:23:42.600 --> 00:23:43.259 that God 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:45.620 not only reconciles us 00:23:45.620 --> 00:23:46.480 with Him, 00:23:46.900 --> 00:23:48.360 but that He reconciles 00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:49.340 us with each other. 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.340 Share the comfort 00:23:51.340 --> 00:23:52.860 that comes from the outworking 00:23:52.860 --> 00:23:53.600 of the God 00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:54.820 who forgives us. 00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:57.039 Share these 00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:57.820 and many more 00:23:57.820 --> 00:23:59.059 to remind each other 00:23:59.059 --> 00:23:59.980 of the compassion 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:01.000 and comfort 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:01.620 our God 00:24:01.620 --> 00:24:02.400 gives us 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:03.000 in Jesus. 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:06.120 But I have a concern, 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.360 brothers and sisters. 00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:09.400 I'm concerned for us 00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:10.059 as a people 00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:11.440 and as a church. 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:14.319 We might hate it 00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:14.799 when people 00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:15.960 show fake comfort, 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:18.319 but are we 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:18.900 willing 00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:20.120 to show 00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:20.519 real, 00:24:20.700 --> 00:24:21.400 authentic comfort? 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:23.220 Paul could only 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:24.360 comfort the church 00:24:24.360 --> 00:24:25.640 because of what 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:26.500 he had gone through, 00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:28.000 how he had been 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.440 delivered, 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:30.380 and it's the same 00:24:30.380 --> 00:24:31.200 for us. 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.340 There are barriers 00:24:33.340 --> 00:24:34.440 to us showing 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:35.180 and sharing 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:36.160 how God is working 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:36.600 in us. 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:38.019 There are barriers 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.980 that want to stop us 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:40.320 from being vulnerable 00:24:40.320 --> 00:24:41.259 with each other 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:43.299 and allowing 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:43.960 other people 00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:44.580 to actually 00:24:44.580 --> 00:24:45.740 comfort us. 00:24:46.820 --> 00:24:48.160 If you hadn't noticed, 00:24:48.900 --> 00:24:50.400 I'm an Aussie male 00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:52.539 and I know 00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:53.320 the temptation 00:24:53.320 --> 00:24:54.880 to not show 00:24:54.880 --> 00:24:56.259 or share weakness. 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:59.000 other Aussie males 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:00.180 can be like predators 00:25:00.180 --> 00:25:02.160 where they see weakness 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:03.619 and so they jump on it 00:25:03.619 --> 00:25:05.259 and they joke about it, 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:07.379 usually to make 00:25:07.379 --> 00:25:08.440 themselves feel better. 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:10.240 It comes from 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:11.180 a fear of being 00:25:11.180 --> 00:25:11.660 weak 00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:13.099 and so we always 00:25:13.099 --> 00:25:13.779 have to act 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.799 as the alpha male. 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:15.819 We always have to 00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:16.940 pretend that we have 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:17.680 everything together. 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:18.779 We can't share 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:19.700 or show weakness. 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:22.860 Now there are many 00:25:22.860 --> 00:25:24.860 different cultural 00:25:24.860 --> 00:25:26.059 ways of behaving 00:25:26.059 --> 00:25:27.140 that show 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:28.120 our desire 00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:28.779 to protect 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.380 ourselves 00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:30.580 and to not 00:25:30.580 --> 00:25:31.319 be vulnerable. 00:25:31.460 --> 00:25:31.940 So we try 00:25:31.940 --> 00:25:32.880 and protect 00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:33.460 ourselves 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:34.580 in a multitude 00:25:34.580 --> 00:25:35.799 of different ways. 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:37.759 But both Jesus 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.620 and Paul 00:25:38.620 --> 00:25:39.759 are an encouragement 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.360 to us. 00:25:41.360 --> 00:25:42.559 They are both 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:43.440 willing 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:44.960 to be seen 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:45.860 as small 00:25:45.860 --> 00:25:46.700 and weak 00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:47.640 and vulnerable 00:25:47.640 --> 00:25:48.720 because it shows 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.340 how big 00:25:49.340 --> 00:25:50.380 and how powerful 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:51.200 our God is. 00:25:52.080 --> 00:25:53.020 That was totally 00:25:53.020 --> 00:25:53.720 against the culture 00:25:53.720 --> 00:25:54.060 then, 00:25:54.140 --> 00:25:54.920 especially in Corinth 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.759 and it's totally 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.560 against our culture 00:25:56.560 --> 00:25:56.960 today. 00:25:59.020 --> 00:26:00.280 How is the 00:26:00.280 --> 00:26:01.740 cross of Jesus 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.380 clashing 00:26:02.380 --> 00:26:04.180 with your preferences 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:05.420 to protect yourself 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:07.180 and to look 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:07.780 strong 00:26:07.780 --> 00:26:08.640 and in control? 00:26:08.640 --> 00:26:11.620 we need to have 00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:12.180 a willingness 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:13.960 to be vulnerable 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:15.200 and to appear 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.060 weak with other 00:26:16.060 --> 00:26:16.420 people. 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.280 And then there's 00:26:18.280 --> 00:26:19.040 the matter of who. 00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:20.200 Who can I be 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:21.020 vulnerable with? 00:26:22.300 --> 00:26:23.100 Many of us 00:26:23.100 --> 00:26:24.020 aren't just going 00:26:24.020 --> 00:26:24.700 to go out 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:26.300 over a coffee 00:26:26.300 --> 00:26:26.860 or a tea 00:26:26.860 --> 00:26:27.480 and a biscuit 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:28.880 and start 00:26:28.880 --> 00:26:30.280 opening up 00:26:30.280 --> 00:26:31.300 deep issues 00:26:31.300 --> 00:26:32.240 and being vulnerable. 00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:33.300 That's not 00:26:33.300 --> 00:26:33.920 who we are. 00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:35.240 Remember that 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:35.980 woman Ashley 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:36.480 who was held 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:36.860 captive? 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:38.459 She was held 00:26:38.459 --> 00:26:39.439 for seven hours 00:26:39.439 --> 00:26:39.879 with him. 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.279 Maybe that's 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:41.879 what we need. 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.000 You know, 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:43.639 we just divide 00:26:43.639 --> 00:26:44.319 each other up, 00:26:44.679 --> 00:26:45.199 lock each other 00:26:45.199 --> 00:26:45.500 in rooms 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.179 for seven hours 00:26:46.179 --> 00:26:48.119 and we'll have 00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:48.919 close relational 00:26:48.919 --> 00:26:49.459 bonds. 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.000 Maybe not. 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.539 But we're here 00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:54.299 every week 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:55.979 sitting next 00:26:55.979 --> 00:26:56.579 to each other. 00:26:58.899 --> 00:27:00.059 To share comfort 00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:00.740 we actually 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:02.399 need to spend 00:27:02.399 --> 00:27:03.599 time with 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:04.059 each other. 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:05.979 Paul lived 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.860 with the church 00:27:06.860 --> 00:27:07.420 in Corinth. 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.420 He knew them 00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:09.539 and they knew 00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:09.920 him. 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:12.480 How well 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:13.500 are you connected 00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:14.299 here at church? 00:27:14.860 --> 00:27:15.799 Would you like 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:16.720 to know people 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:17.420 more deeply? 00:27:18.360 --> 00:27:18.940 Would you like 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:19.819 people to know 00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:21.019 you more deeply? 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:22.880 It is going 00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:24.079 to take time 00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:25.720 and a willingness 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.759 to be vulnerable. 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:28.819 Why don't you 00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:29.539 invite someone 00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:30.380 to lunch today? 00:27:31.380 --> 00:27:31.799 Why don't you 00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:32.519 invite them over? 00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:35.879 It doesn't 00:27:35.879 --> 00:27:36.460 really matter 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:38.099 the food. 00:27:38.639 --> 00:27:39.160 I think 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:40.099 the willingness 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:40.900 to spend time 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.240 with people 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.960 is more important. 00:27:43.139 --> 00:27:43.500 And why don't 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:44.299 you share 00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:45.000 maybe one of 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.660 those four things 00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:46.119 that we looked 00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:46.900 at a moment ago. 00:27:47.859 --> 00:27:48.339 Why don't you 00:27:48.339 --> 00:27:48.900 share one of 00:27:48.900 --> 00:27:49.819 those about 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:50.539 how God has 00:27:50.539 --> 00:27:51.099 worked in your 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:51.920 life to comfort 00:27:51.920 --> 00:27:52.400 others. 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:53.759 It will take 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:55.579 time and effort 00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:56.819 and a willingness 00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:57.700 to be vulnerable. 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:00.180 C.S. Lewis 00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:01.420 said that friendship 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:03.039 is born at the 00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:03.940 moment when one 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:04.900 person says to 00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:05.240 another, 00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:05.920 what? 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:06.980 You too? 00:28:07.360 --> 00:28:08.360 I thought I was 00:28:08.360 --> 00:28:09.120 the only one. 00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:11.759 How much more 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.400 with the gospel? 00:28:14.100 --> 00:28:15.220 You have gone 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:16.220 through hard times 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:16.920 in your life. 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.600 I thought I was 00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:19.360 the only one. 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:22.019 God has comforted 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:23.880 me knowing that 00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:25.100 Jesus has died 00:28:25.100 --> 00:28:25.759 for me and has 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.320 forgiven me. 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.279 How much of a 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:28.019 comfort is he 00:28:28.019 --> 00:28:28.620 for you? 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:30.599 Let me pray. 00:28:33.239 --> 00:28:34.119 Heavenly Father, 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:35.159 thank you again 00:28:35.159 --> 00:28:36.039 that you do not 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:37.500 make us as 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.239 people to be 00:28:38.239 --> 00:28:39.299 isolated and 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:39.719 alone. 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:43.279 Father, we are 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:44.179 people made to 00:28:44.179 --> 00:28:44.899 be in relationship 00:28:44.899 --> 00:28:46.539 with others and 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.899 we all crave 00:28:47.899 --> 00:28:49.959 deep relationships 00:28:49.959 --> 00:28:51.179 with other 00:28:51.179 --> 00:28:52.000 people, Lord. 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:54.379 Father, we ask 00:28:54.379 --> 00:28:55.139 that you would 00:28:55.139 --> 00:28:57.159 not let us 00:28:57.159 --> 00:28:58.099 leave this place 00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:58.980 without seeking 00:28:58.980 --> 00:28:59.699 to get to 00:28:59.699 --> 00:29:00.279 know someone 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:00.679 more. 00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:02.019 Give us a 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:02.819 willingness to 00:29:02.819 --> 00:29:04.240 be vulnerable 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:05.299 just like Jesus 00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:05.919 was and just 00:29:05.919 --> 00:29:06.859 like Paul was 00:29:06.859 --> 00:29:08.059 so that we 00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:09.939 can show how 00:29:09.939 --> 00:29:10.500 much you have 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:11.339 loved us and 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:12.699 comforted us in 00:29:12.699 --> 00:29:13.219 our lives, 00:29:13.379 --> 00:29:13.519 Lord. 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.959 We ask this in 00:29:14.959 --> 00:29:15.719 your son's name 00:29:15.719 --> 00:29:16.659 all for your 00:29:16.659 --> 00:29:17.000 glory. 00:29:17.659 --> 00:29:17.939 Amen. 00:29:17.939 --> 00:29:18.059 Amen. 00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:18.099 Amen. 00:29:18.099 --> 00:29:18.119 Amen. 00:29:18.119 --> 00:29:18.139 Amen. 00:29:18.139 --> 00:29:18.159 Amen. 00:29:18.159 --> 00:29:18.179 Amen. 00:29:18.179 --> 00:29:18.199 Amen. 00:29:18.199 --> 00:29:20.199 Amen. 00:29:20.199 --> 00:29:20.219 Amen. 00:29:20.219 --> 00:29:20.240 Amen. 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:20.279 Amen. 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:22.199 Amen. 00:29:22.199 --> 00:29:22.240 Amen. 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:22.279 Amen. 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:22.319 Amen. 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:24.240 Amen. 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:24.279 Amen. 00:29:24.279 --> 00:29:24.319 Amen. 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:26.279 Amen. 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:26.319 Amen. 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:28.079 Amen.