WEBVTT 00:00:00.100 --> 00:00:01.120 Let's pray. 00:00:06.640 --> 00:00:09.160 Lord, we come to you hungry. 00:00:10.500 --> 00:00:18.019 We come to you confessing our need to be nourished by your word. 00:00:19.420 --> 00:00:28.879 We come realizing we haven't been in your word much this last week or month or year. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.579 So we're grateful to be here together with all your people, to be nourished together. 00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:44.740 So Lord, I ask that you would forgive the sins of the speaker this morning. 00:00:45.700 --> 00:00:56.120 I ask that you would work through his weakness, that you, Lord, would shine, that we would see Jesus and Jesus alone. 00:00:56.119 --> 00:01:01.459 And this we ask, Lord, in his name. 00:01:02.219 --> 00:01:02.599 Amen. 00:01:04.920 --> 00:01:06.000 So we made it. 00:01:06.319 --> 00:01:08.620 We made it to the last chapter of 2 Corinthians. 00:01:09.079 --> 00:01:11.500 It wasn't guaranteed that we'd finish this sermon series. 00:01:11.620 --> 00:01:15.379 You know, we did a sermon series on the seven deadly sins once, and we only did six. 00:01:16.039 --> 00:01:20.939 We also did a sermon series on every verse of Psalm 23 and only made it through verse 5. 00:01:20.939 --> 00:01:24.980 The summer has a thing with our sermon series, but this one survived. 00:01:25.519 --> 00:01:27.599 We're in chapter 13, and I'm really excited. 00:01:28.500 --> 00:01:31.939 Before we begin, though, I'd like to take some time to reflect. 00:01:32.239 --> 00:01:36.780 Let's take a moment of silence to meditate. 00:01:37.519 --> 00:01:45.700 In the middle of this chapter of 13 of 2 Corinthians, in verse 5, you heard Caleb read, 00:01:45.859 --> 00:01:49.659 Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you? 00:01:49.659 --> 00:01:52.739 So I'd like you to think about that. 00:01:52.879 --> 00:01:58.399 Ask yourself, or imagine Paul, the Apostle Paul, asking that of you, of the Church of the Advent. 00:01:59.379 --> 00:02:03.259 Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you? 00:02:03.399 --> 00:02:05.000 So take a moment to reflect on that. 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:15.800 Now reflect on this. 00:02:15.800 --> 00:02:22.760 If Jesus is in you, how is that evident to those around you? 00:02:23.560 --> 00:02:30.560 If Jesus is in you, how evident is that to those around you? 00:02:30.560 --> 00:02:47.659 I'm going to come back to address that question and perhaps some of the answers that might be ringing around our minds. 00:02:48.180 --> 00:02:55.199 In this final chapter of 2 Corinthians, we see the coming together of a couple different threads in this letter. 00:02:55.199 --> 00:03:00.719 So before we look at this closing chapter, I'd like to do a review of the whole letter. 00:03:00.839 --> 00:03:06.299 I'd like us to walk away with a good understanding of what Paul is saying in this letter to the Corinthians. 00:03:06.300 --> 00:03:12.260 Now in Acts 18, we read how Paul founded the church in Corinth. 00:03:12.820 --> 00:03:18.000 Now after Paul leaves, he gets word that everything in the church in Corinth has gone pear-shaped, 00:03:18.260 --> 00:03:21.020 which prompts him to write, we believe, two letters, 00:03:21.860 --> 00:03:23.700 the first of which is lost to us, 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:26.880 the second of which is the book of 1 Corinthians. 00:03:28.040 --> 00:03:31.300 That letter isn't received well by some in the church, 00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:34.600 and they reject Paul and his authority. 00:03:34.599 --> 00:03:37.840 So then Paul returns to Corinth, 00:03:37.919 --> 00:03:41.319 and later he would call this return to the city of Corinth and to the church there, 00:03:41.699 --> 00:03:42.879 the painful visit. 00:03:43.900 --> 00:03:47.919 And then he followed up that visit with another letter that's been lost to us. 00:03:49.759 --> 00:03:54.299 Many but not all in the church respond well to that letter and to his visit. 00:03:55.479 --> 00:03:57.840 And so Paul writes a fourth letter, 00:03:58.479 --> 00:03:59.979 and that's the letter of 2 Corinthians. 00:03:59.979 --> 00:04:05.060 He writes them that they were grieved into repenting. 00:04:05.919 --> 00:04:08.039 He writes to affirm his love for them. 00:04:08.919 --> 00:04:14.060 In this letter, we learn that one of the reasons that Paul was originally rejected by the church, 00:04:15.139 --> 00:04:17.039 and why several still reject him, 00:04:17.980 --> 00:04:21.079 is that he did not match their idea of greatness. 00:04:21.839 --> 00:04:23.759 Paul was humble in appearance. 00:04:23.759 --> 00:04:25.259 He was poor. 00:04:25.259 --> 00:04:28.079 He made his living through manual labor. 00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:32.139 He was not a very dynamic public speaker, interestingly. 00:04:32.980 --> 00:04:35.459 And the Corinthians were more attracted to some speakers, 00:04:35.860 --> 00:04:38.360 some Christian speakers that came later. 00:04:39.019 --> 00:04:42.180 These speakers were wealthier, eloquent. 00:04:42.699 --> 00:04:44.399 They were more charismatic than Paul. 00:04:45.199 --> 00:04:46.539 And to the minds of the Corinthians, 00:04:47.180 --> 00:04:51.180 surely this means that the power of God is in these speakers. 00:04:51.180 --> 00:04:58.620 Well, Paul makes it very clear that status is not indicative of God's power. 00:04:59.680 --> 00:05:03.660 Quite the opposite, Paul's job was not to be impressive, 00:05:04.720 --> 00:05:08.800 but to point to the one who is, and that is King Jesus. 00:05:10.180 --> 00:05:13.480 So in 2 Corinthians, Paul then several, 00:05:13.660 --> 00:05:17.939 he spends several chapters unpacking the paradox of the cross. 00:05:17.939 --> 00:05:24.060 Christ's glory and his kingship were on display as he suffered and was executed on the cross. 00:05:24.420 --> 00:05:27.600 The cross provided salvation and revealed God's character 00:05:27.600 --> 00:05:31.500 and provided the pattern for Christian living, 00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:33.459 which too is paradoxical. 00:05:33.699 --> 00:05:35.459 We live through dying. 00:05:37.360 --> 00:05:39.720 He then challenges the Corinthian church on another matter. 00:05:39.959 --> 00:05:43.040 Paul had been raising funds for the church in Jerusalem. 00:05:43.040 --> 00:05:47.319 There was a famine there which had brought poverty to the Christians in Jerusalem. 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:51.100 But the church in Corinth had failed to save up enough to give to this offering. 00:05:51.960 --> 00:05:58.680 So Paul cites this as another example of how the Corinthians were not getting the upside-down gospel. 00:05:58.680 --> 00:06:16.160 Now, if the church understood that, 00:06:16.600 --> 00:06:20.120 then surely they would give of their own wealth to help others in need. 00:06:22.060 --> 00:06:25.319 Lastly, in 2 Corinthians, Paul defends himself. 00:06:25.319 --> 00:06:26.439 Paul says, 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:27.060 You want a resume? 00:06:27.300 --> 00:06:28.339 I'll give you a resume. 00:06:28.819 --> 00:06:30.139 I'm a theological expert. 00:06:30.339 --> 00:06:31.819 I'm a Pharisee, as a matter of fact. 00:06:32.199 --> 00:06:33.800 I've met the risen Jesus. 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:37.360 I have actually been in his heavenly throne room. 00:06:38.399 --> 00:06:40.120 Yet I don't brag about those things. 00:06:40.939 --> 00:06:44.420 I boast in my weakness and my flaws. 00:06:44.980 --> 00:06:47.980 Because when I am weak, then I am strong. 00:06:47.980 --> 00:06:55.400 For Christ's power is made perfect in my weakness, in my humility, and in my poverty. 00:06:56.439 --> 00:07:01.819 Paul tells the Corinthians that his own weakness and humility were demonstrations of his authority. 00:07:02.960 --> 00:07:04.480 And so we come to chapter 13. 00:07:05.060 --> 00:07:07.680 Paul has told them that he's coming for a third time. 00:07:07.740 --> 00:07:08.540 He's warning them. 00:07:08.860 --> 00:07:10.140 We read in chapter 12, 00:07:10.139 --> 00:07:20.479 I fear that when I come again, I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier 00:07:20.479 --> 00:07:27.180 and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced. 00:07:28.719 --> 00:07:31.099 And then we read in chapter 13, verse 3, 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:33.979 that there may still be some who resist his authority. 00:07:34.919 --> 00:07:36.939 So some are being immoral. 00:07:37.680 --> 00:07:39.120 Some are resisting his authority. 00:07:39.120 --> 00:07:41.939 And so on this visit, he says he's not going to spare them. 00:07:42.699 --> 00:07:44.860 He's talking about excommunication. 00:07:46.420 --> 00:07:49.120 So I thought in looking at chapter 13, 00:07:49.840 --> 00:07:52.180 that one of our goals like this morning 00:07:52.180 --> 00:07:57.139 could be to walk away from here with an understanding of what excommunication is. 00:07:57.160 --> 00:08:00.079 Because it's not something you hear from the pulpit very often, right? 00:08:00.459 --> 00:08:05.060 But it's something that we actually do practice at Church of the Advent. 00:08:06.699 --> 00:08:08.180 I think we should talk about it a bit 00:08:08.180 --> 00:08:10.920 because some of us grew up in churches where that was practiced. 00:08:11.480 --> 00:08:14.540 Some of us grew up in churches where it wasn't practiced. 00:08:14.759 --> 00:08:20.540 And perhaps the word excommunication sounds like some kind of cultural relic from the medieval church. 00:08:21.480 --> 00:08:23.439 Some of us didn't grow up in church at all. 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:25.540 And this is brand new to you. 00:08:25.579 --> 00:08:28.519 And it sounds actually somewhat intolerant and even hateful. 00:08:28.519 --> 00:08:31.319 So let's talk through it. 00:08:32.199 --> 00:08:34.879 And then we're going to observe three things about excommunication 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:36.539 as Paul exercises it. 00:08:37.100 --> 00:08:39.860 And then we're just going to wrap up our sermon series on 2 Corinthians. 00:08:40.259 --> 00:08:40.439 Okay? 00:08:40.779 --> 00:08:43.480 So let's first define excommunication. 00:08:43.480 --> 00:08:49.580 And this sounds rather, I guess, scholastic. 00:08:49.680 --> 00:08:50.240 I don't know. 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:52.159 Or heady. 00:08:52.779 --> 00:08:59.740 But let's pray that God could use this in our lives and in our minds this morning. 00:08:59.740 --> 00:09:05.080 One could say that excommunication is the final step of a process of discipline 00:09:05.080 --> 00:09:08.399 undertaken to correct sin in the life of a church member, 00:09:08.980 --> 00:09:12.919 ultimately resulting in the barring of a person from receiving communion. 00:09:13.779 --> 00:09:14.980 It is not shunning. 00:09:16.039 --> 00:09:17.879 Excommunication isn't canceling. 00:09:18.419 --> 00:09:22.279 And the goal of excommunication is repentance and restoration of a person 00:09:22.279 --> 00:09:24.399 to full fellowship with the church. 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:30.439 Now, the primary thing to note is that Jesus commanded us to practice this. 00:09:31.199 --> 00:09:36.019 In chapter 18, he commanded his church to exercise discipline. 00:09:36.419 --> 00:09:39.159 In Matthew chapter 18, which we heard Jeff read earlier, 00:09:39.980 --> 00:09:43.759 he gives his 12 disciples, his church, 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:47.519 a series of steps to undertake should one sin against another. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:49.740 So we're just going to walk through these steps, okay? 00:09:49.740 --> 00:09:56.779 Okay, the first step, as we read in chapter 18, Adam, there we go. 00:09:58.139 --> 00:10:03.659 The first step is to point out the offense to the offender, one-on-one. 00:10:05.419 --> 00:10:10.000 This is why, for someone to approach me or Tommy, and this happens, 00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:14.019 or another clergy, and they were to say, 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:17.940 hey, such and such person I've noticed is doing this thing or that thing, 00:10:17.940 --> 00:10:19.560 and I think you should talk to them. 00:10:20.180 --> 00:10:22.320 And our first response will always be, 00:10:22.740 --> 00:10:24.680 well, have you approached them? 00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:29.240 And a lot of the time we hear, no, no. 00:10:29.800 --> 00:10:31.960 But this first step is important 00:10:31.960 --> 00:10:35.120 because it's not the responsibility of the clergy 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:38.040 to monitor and check the behavior of everyone in the congregation, right? 00:10:38.340 --> 00:10:41.080 It's the responsibility of the whole church 00:10:41.080 --> 00:10:43.080 to encourage one another, 00:10:43.820 --> 00:10:45.480 to rescue one another, 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:47.120 should someone fall into sin. 00:10:47.940 --> 00:10:49.720 Now, the second step, 00:10:50.560 --> 00:10:52.220 if the offender refuses to repent, 00:10:53.700 --> 00:10:57.880 then the offended party is to approach the offender again, 00:10:57.980 --> 00:11:00.320 this time with one or two witnesses. 00:11:01.700 --> 00:11:04.940 It's interesting that both Jesus in Matthew 18 00:11:04.940 --> 00:11:08.940 and Paul in 2 Corinthians 13, 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:12.480 quote Deuteronomy 19.15, 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:14.899 that a matter must be established 00:11:14.899 --> 00:11:17.039 by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:21.379 Both Jesus and Paul are invoking a courtroom principle 00:11:21.379 --> 00:11:22.720 from ancient Israel. 00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:24.759 Matters in the church, 00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:26.399 if they are to be handled in love, 00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:28.060 are to be handled with due process. 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:31.800 And they must be handled orderly and fairly. 00:11:31.799 --> 00:11:34.539 Now, you may find, 00:11:34.719 --> 00:11:35.919 if you are in this process 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:38.299 and you bring with yourself one or two witnesses, 00:11:39.579 --> 00:11:42.399 that those witnesses are going to see things that you don't see. 00:11:42.979 --> 00:11:44.740 And perhaps blame is to be shared, 00:11:44.919 --> 00:11:48.079 or perhaps that other person isn't in the wrong after all, 00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:49.539 and that you're being too critical. 00:11:50.539 --> 00:11:52.779 But if the witnesses agree with you, 00:11:52.799 --> 00:11:54.859 and if the offender is still not repenting, 00:11:55.359 --> 00:11:57.379 then Jesus says the third step would be 00:11:57.379 --> 00:11:59.080 to bring it to the church. 00:12:00.299 --> 00:12:01.179 In our context, 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:05.080 it would mean bringing it before those who are in authority, 00:12:05.320 --> 00:12:06.759 which would be the rector, Tommy, 00:12:07.259 --> 00:12:08.120 the other clergy, 00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:11.120 acting in concert with our parish council, 00:12:11.299 --> 00:12:12.320 and if necessary, 00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:14.720 with a parish response team 00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:17.220 to investigate serious charges. 00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:19.899 The job of the parish response team 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:22.820 is to take the personal judgment and biases of the clergy 00:12:22.820 --> 00:12:24.379 out of the equation 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:26.159 to do a fair investigation 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:27.639 and to present the clergy 00:12:27.639 --> 00:12:31.360 with a dispassionate assessment of the facts. 00:12:32.459 --> 00:12:33.279 Now, the facts indicate 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:34.919 that there's still unrepentant sin, 00:12:35.339 --> 00:12:37.839 and if the offender remains unrepentant, 00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:40.500 Jesus says to let him be to you 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:43.259 as a Gentile and a tax collector. 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:44.679 In other words, 00:12:45.219 --> 00:12:48.259 treat him or her as if they weren't a Christian. 00:12:49.219 --> 00:12:52.620 That is, the person is to be barred from this table. 00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:55.519 Now, were this to happen at Advent, 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:57.879 the person would certainly still be welcome 00:12:57.879 --> 00:13:00.559 and even encouraged to come every Sunday 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:01.740 to sit under the teaching, 00:13:01.939 --> 00:13:03.220 to participate in the prayers. 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:06.120 It also doesn't mean shunning. 00:13:06.299 --> 00:13:07.419 That's not what we're talking about. 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:09.039 We're still called to love this person, 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:10.960 which would mean sharing meals, 00:13:11.139 --> 00:13:12.199 spending time with them, 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:15.059 engaging in an honest conversation with them, 00:13:15.100 --> 00:13:16.919 though that conversation would 00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:19.500 and probably should look and sound a bit different 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:20.360 as before. 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:23.639 But being barred from the table 00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:26.340 is a serious thing. 00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:30.399 Just as baptism and communion 00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:32.779 are visible signs to us 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:37.220 that we are in union with God 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:39.560 and members of God's family, 00:13:40.700 --> 00:13:42.019 barring from the table 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:44.060 is also a visible sign 00:13:44.059 --> 00:13:47.259 that we are outside of God's family 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:49.439 and the state of our souls 00:13:49.439 --> 00:13:50.719 is in jeopardy. 00:13:51.979 --> 00:13:54.479 Now, that might feel like 00:13:54.479 --> 00:13:57.899 a lot of power to be wielded by the church. 00:13:59.039 --> 00:13:59.399 Yes. 00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:00.419 Yes, it is. 00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:01.919 And Jesus commands this. 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:04.339 He goes on in chapter 18, 00:14:04.340 --> 00:14:26.879 Now, many of you are familiar 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:27.980 with that last verse, right? 00:14:28.680 --> 00:14:30.620 But most of us have heard it 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:32.040 taken out of context. 00:14:32.039 --> 00:14:34.839 Jesus doesn't mean that 00:14:34.839 --> 00:14:36.259 whenever you gather for, like, 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:37.919 a Bible study or a prayer group 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:39.620 with two or three or more, 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:42.019 then I'm going to suddenly appear 00:14:42.019 --> 00:14:43.879 as if I hadn't been there before. 00:14:44.679 --> 00:14:46.620 Jesus is equally there 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:49.500 as He was when you were alone. 00:14:50.219 --> 00:14:52.019 What Jesus is saying here 00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:55.620 is that when you as a church 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:59.219 make decisions in regard to discipline, 00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:01.419 I have your back. 00:15:02.039 --> 00:15:04.620 From my throne in heaven 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:06.240 and through the Holy Spirit 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:07.779 that I have sent to guide you, 00:15:08.219 --> 00:15:10.299 I'm going to ratify your decisions 00:15:10.299 --> 00:15:13.159 when you exercise church discipline 00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:15.599 in obedience to God's Word. 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:19.279 This is the first of three things 00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:20.500 that I'd like to observe 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:22.819 about Paul's discussion 00:15:22.819 --> 00:15:25.779 of discipline in the church in Corinth. 00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:30.120 is that the means of church discipline 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:33.199 is Christ's resurrection power. 00:15:33.799 --> 00:15:35.240 So the means of discipline 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:37.559 is Christ's power. 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:39.620 This resurrection power 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:41.899 is on display in acts of discipline 00:15:41.899 --> 00:15:43.039 and judgment. 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:45.899 It's this power that Paul anticipates 00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:46.600 will be on display 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:48.100 when he visits the Corinthians. 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:51.519 He says, 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:53.559 you seek proof of my authority. 00:15:54.419 --> 00:15:56.199 Well, I've already demonstrated it 00:15:56.199 --> 00:15:57.500 with my own suffering, 00:15:57.799 --> 00:16:00.319 but now I'm going to come with discipline, 00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:03.340 which is the very exercise of authority 00:16:03.340 --> 00:16:05.179 that Jesus gave to His church 00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:07.659 and is evidence of the risen Jesus 00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:11.220 acting in power among His people. 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:14.440 The second thing to observe 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:15.840 in 2 Corinthians 13 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:19.480 is the motive of church discipline, 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:21.340 which is love. 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:23.920 The means of discipline is God's power. 00:16:24.200 --> 00:16:26.019 The motive of discipline is love. 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:29.420 Paul writes in chapter 2 of 2 Corinthians, 00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:32.440 for I wrote to you out of much affliction 00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:34.460 and anguish of heart 00:16:34.460 --> 00:16:35.800 and with many tears, 00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:38.200 not to cause you pain, 00:16:38.560 --> 00:16:40.519 but to let you know the abundant love 00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:41.480 that I have for you. 00:16:42.939 --> 00:16:44.360 This love for individuals 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:45.259 and for the church 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:47.699 is what motivates Paul's discipline. 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:49.879 Now, the third thing to notice 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:50.860 about Paul's discipline 00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:52.259 is the goal. 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:54.919 So the means is Christ's power. 00:16:56.299 --> 00:16:57.879 The motive is love. 00:16:58.879 --> 00:17:01.019 And the goal is restoration. 00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:04.519 It's not ultimately punishment. 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:06.240 It's not the solidifying 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:08.259 of our insider status 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:10.980 by othering somebody else. 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:13.700 The goal is to win back 00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:14.779 our brother or sister. 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:16.879 Jesus told us to engage 00:17:16.879 --> 00:17:18.759 in the four steps of church discipline 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:20.539 to gain our brother. 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:22.240 James chapter 5 says, 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:22.859 My brothers, 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:24.279 if anyone among you 00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:25.379 wanders from the truth 00:17:25.379 --> 00:17:26.960 and someone were to bring him back, 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:28.619 let him know that 00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:29.759 whoever brings back a sinner 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.480 from his wandering 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:32.379 will save his soul from death 00:17:32.379 --> 00:17:35.019 and will cover a multitude of sins. 00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:38.019 And it's why Paul concludes 00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:39.180 his letter the way he does. 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:43.660 He has peace and restoration in mind 00:17:43.660 --> 00:17:44.339 when he writes 00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:45.299 at the end of the chapter. 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:48.740 And listen for like the rich tapestry 00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:50.519 of deep connected relationships. 00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:52.920 Finally, brothers, rejoice. 00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:54.980 Aim for restoration. 00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:56.599 Comfort one another. 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:58.339 Agree with one another. 00:17:59.160 --> 00:17:59.879 Live in peace. 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.779 And the God of love and peace 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:02.480 will be with you. 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:04.859 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:06.660 All the saints greet you. 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:09.200 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:10.660 and the love of God 00:18:10.660 --> 00:18:12.519 and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:13.799 be with you all. 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:18.539 So that wraps up 2 Corinthians. 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:20.319 And I thought we could end 00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:21.200 our study of the book 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:23.539 by meditating on its main theme, 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:25.740 which is the paradox 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:27.619 of power through weakness. 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:31.599 That paradox of power 00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:32.160 through weakness 00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:34.519 is demonstrated on the cross 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:36.559 as Christ is glorified 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:38.139 in his death and suffering. 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:41.000 His resurrection only happens 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.559 because he had to die first. 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:44.720 And those who follow Jesus 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:47.440 experience that resurrection power 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:48.940 only through dying. 00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:49.940 Dying to our sins. 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:51.319 Dying to our preferences. 00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:53.160 Dying to our comforts. 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:55.940 So let's go back 00:18:55.940 --> 00:18:56.879 to the question I asked 00:18:56.879 --> 00:18:57.339 at the beginning. 00:18:57.339 --> 00:19:00.980 If Jesus is in you, 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:03.299 then how evident is that 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:04.259 to those around you? 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:05.399 And I have to confess 00:19:05.399 --> 00:19:06.519 it was a trick question 00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:08.139 because I kind of knew 00:19:08.139 --> 00:19:09.079 what you were going to think 00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:10.519 or most of us were going to think. 00:19:10.679 --> 00:19:11.959 And it's the thing that I think. 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:12.599 When I think, 00:19:12.939 --> 00:19:14.439 how is Jesus in me? 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:16.139 Is that evident to people around me? 00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:17.619 I think of either the things 00:19:17.619 --> 00:19:18.220 that I did. 00:19:19.459 --> 00:19:19.799 Oh, see, 00:19:19.899 --> 00:19:20.819 like my excellence 00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:23.980 is somehow like pointing to Jesus, 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:24.500 right, 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:25.139 and his goodness. 00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:25.639 Or, 00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:28.179 I think of my failures. 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:28.519 Like, 00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:28.819 ah, 00:19:29.379 --> 00:19:30.519 people aren't seeing Jesus 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:32.619 because of my failures. 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:35.000 The way I've messed up. 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:35.899 So no, 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:37.740 Jesus is not on display in my life. 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:40.720 Both of those outcomes 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:44.359 show that I have a long way to go. 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:45.700 That we have a long way to go 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:47.579 to understanding grace. 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.379 To understanding the gospel. 00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:52.060 If it's true for us, 00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:54.300 as it was true for Paul, 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:56.360 that Christ's power 00:19:56.360 --> 00:19:58.700 is made perfect in our weakness, 00:19:59.820 --> 00:20:01.140 then why do we go 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:03.900 to such extraordinary lengths 00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:05.700 to hide our weaknesses? 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:09.780 To put forward 00:20:09.780 --> 00:20:11.600 the best possible image of ourselves? 00:20:12.320 --> 00:20:14.420 To point to our resumes? 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:16.180 To cover up our flaws? 00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:20.920 I really don't meet 00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:21.920 any Christian 00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:23.160 who says, 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:24.540 um, 00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:26.620 I think the world needs more of me 00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:27.460 and less of Jesus. 00:20:27.860 --> 00:20:28.120 I mean, 00:20:28.420 --> 00:20:28.660 like, 00:20:28.860 --> 00:20:29.660 we often, like, 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:30.960 think and act that way. 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:31.580 But, like, 00:20:31.600 --> 00:20:32.440 when really oppressed, 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:34.880 no one really says that. 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:35.620 That I've met. 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:39.660 So, 00:20:39.840 --> 00:20:40.880 then, 00:20:41.280 --> 00:20:43.420 when we try to be excellent, 00:20:43.420 --> 00:20:46.519 because we think it's our excellence 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.320 that people, 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:48.360 that, 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.960 let me back up. 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:52.460 Most Christians I know will say, 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:52.840 yes, 00:20:52.900 --> 00:20:54.300 I want the world to see less of me 00:20:54.300 --> 00:20:55.160 and more of Christ. 00:20:56.880 --> 00:20:57.400 And then, 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.039 because of that, 00:20:58.100 --> 00:20:59.060 we try to be excellent. 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:00.820 Because we think 00:21:00.820 --> 00:21:01.900 that excellence 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:03.240 points people to Jesus. 00:21:04.800 --> 00:21:06.240 And we think our weaknesses 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:07.360 get in the way of that. 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:07.620 Now, 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:08.500 how do I know that? 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.579 It's because of the way 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.519 we talk about it. 00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:10.720 Like, 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.640 the language we use. 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:13.259 We always say stuff like, 00:21:13.619 --> 00:21:15.339 God worked in spite of me. 00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:16.779 Or, 00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:19.039 He worked in spite of this part of my life. 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:19.359 Or, 00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:22.000 He worked despite this part of me. 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.799 As if my weaknesses 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:25.660 were something for God to overcome. 00:21:26.380 --> 00:21:26.640 Right? 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:28.960 That they were some kind of obstacle 00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:30.839 that God needed to break through. 00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:32.380 That God had to 00:21:32.380 --> 00:21:34.500 begrudgingly trudge 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:36.759 through the muck of my flaws. 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:37.819 And listen, 00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.720 God's omnipotent. 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:42.680 The reason He works, 00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:43.380 quote unquote, 00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:45.420 in spite of my weaknesses 00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:46.660 is because He loves it. 00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:47.960 It's His jam. 00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:51.660 He's not put off by our flaws. 00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:54.839 Our flaws are actually arrows 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:55.759 in His quiver. 00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:58.079 Let me put it this way. 00:21:58.160 --> 00:21:59.099 And this is something I heard 00:21:59.099 --> 00:22:00.720 Paul Tripp say earlier. 00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:03.400 My weakness 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:05.099 is the playground 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:06.480 for God's grace. 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:09.480 My weakness 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:11.460 is the playground 00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:12.940 for God's grace. 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:16.140 So that's so cool. 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:19.319 If our weaknesses 00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:21.759 are the playground 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.900 for God's grace, 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:25.640 then why are we embarrassed 00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:26.220 about them? 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:29.420 Why do we try to hide them? 00:22:30.360 --> 00:22:31.980 Or try to minimize them? 00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:33.539 I mean, 00:22:33.620 --> 00:22:34.640 it's our weakness 00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:35.319 and flaws 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:36.579 that we should be putting forward, 00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:36.920 right? 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:38.799 If God delights 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:40.099 in displaying His power 00:22:40.099 --> 00:22:41.319 through our weaknesses, 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:43.200 shouldn't they then be 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:44.279 indirectly a source 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.279 of our joy? 00:22:47.360 --> 00:22:48.620 We should say, 00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:49.160 God, 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:50.120 you're actually 00:22:50.120 --> 00:22:51.799 drawn to this part of me, 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:53.039 and I would like the world 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:54.180 to know how this part of me 00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:55.680 makes me need you, 00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:56.980 reliant on you. 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:58.000 I'd like the world 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:59.259 to know that I believe 00:22:59.259 --> 00:23:00.700 you're crazy about me, 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:01.120 despite, 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.259 or with, 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:03.259 all my flaws, 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:05.400 despite my besetting sins. 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:06.740 Now hear me, 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:08.559 this is not a technique. 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:08.960 I mean, 00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:10.980 I read almost every day 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:11.880 it feels like 00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:12.620 a blogger 00:23:12.620 --> 00:23:15.339 who has a self-deprecating 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:16.900 sense of humor, 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:17.720 blah, blah, blah. 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.599 This is not that. 00:23:19.660 --> 00:23:20.980 This is your flaws 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:22.980 being what serves 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:24.480 as a doorway 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:25.860 to a deeper connection 00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:26.339 with God, 00:23:26.979 --> 00:23:29.059 and as a result, 00:23:29.899 --> 00:23:30.619 others' connection 00:23:30.619 --> 00:23:31.139 with God, 00:23:31.659 --> 00:23:33.919 because it's those flaws 00:23:33.919 --> 00:23:35.599 that God was drawn to 00:23:35.599 --> 00:23:36.599 in the first place. 00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:39.439 Now how exactly 00:23:39.439 --> 00:23:40.219 do you do that? 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:41.939 How do you 00:23:41.939 --> 00:23:43.839 display your weaknesses? 00:23:44.159 --> 00:23:44.839 I think that's something 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:45.659 that you, 00:23:45.879 --> 00:23:46.439 with wisdom, 00:23:46.899 --> 00:23:47.839 need to work out 00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:48.359 as part of, 00:23:48.359 --> 00:23:48.519 like, 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.359 your discipleship. 00:23:51.659 --> 00:23:52.099 Perhaps, 00:23:52.339 --> 00:23:52.659 for now, 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.339 it's just meeting 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:54.259 with a small group 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:54.859 of friends, 00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:55.919 regularly, 00:23:56.179 --> 00:23:56.959 with whom you can 00:23:56.959 --> 00:23:58.179 be completely transparent, 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.519 who will love you 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.579 and hold you accountable 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:02.339 and pray for you. 00:24:03.479 --> 00:24:04.539 Perhaps it's making 00:24:04.539 --> 00:24:05.219 the decision, 00:24:05.379 --> 00:24:06.219 if you're a leader, 00:24:07.219 --> 00:24:08.899 that instead of obscuring 00:24:08.899 --> 00:24:09.899 your need for grace, 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.639 which only keeps 00:24:11.639 --> 00:24:12.279 your followers 00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:13.039 at arm's length 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:14.759 and subverts their trust 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.699 and steals their energy 00:24:15.699 --> 00:24:16.519 and creativity, 00:24:16.919 --> 00:24:17.759 perhaps as a leader, 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:19.500 you could confess 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:20.679 in real time 00:24:20.679 --> 00:24:21.839 how much you mess up. 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:24.279 And in doing so, 00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:25.819 your character 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:27.419 is transformed 00:24:27.419 --> 00:24:29.119 and your followers 00:24:29.119 --> 00:24:29.959 follow you 00:24:29.959 --> 00:24:31.500 instead of out of fear, 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:33.599 but in creativity 00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:34.439 and joy 00:24:34.439 --> 00:24:35.139 and openness 00:24:35.139 --> 00:24:35.980 and flexibility. 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:39.880 So those are two ways. 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:40.720 I'd like to share 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:41.839 something a friend 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:42.319 of mine did. 00:24:42.380 --> 00:24:43.120 His name is Ted. 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:44.120 And this week, 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:44.819 he posted something 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:46.819 on CaringBridge. 00:24:46.860 --> 00:24:47.360 I don't know if you know 00:24:47.360 --> 00:24:48.039 CaringBridge. 00:24:48.140 --> 00:24:49.220 It's a site where you 00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:49.880 post, 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:51.200 like, 00:24:51.360 --> 00:24:52.460 a very serious 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:53.599 medical condition. 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:55.279 People can follow along 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:57.279 and keep track 00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:58.360 of your progress, 00:24:59.360 --> 00:25:02.259 make donations, 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.720 et cetera. 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:08.240 This is what Ted did. 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:11.039 And to me, 00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:12.059 this is a great example 00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:12.859 of putting one's 00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:13.660 weakness forward. 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:16.059 He writes, 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:16.700 he starts 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.400 a CaringBridge 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:18.119 for himself 00:25:18.119 --> 00:25:19.279 and he writes, 00:25:19.379 --> 00:25:20.339 I want to be honest. 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:22.440 I've been closer 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:23.019 to death 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:23.920 than I've let on. 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:26.519 I'm doing really well. 00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:27.500 I'm not suicidal, 00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:28.859 but I have been 00:25:28.859 --> 00:25:29.480 at times 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:30.960 over the last three years. 00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:33.539 Anxiety and depression 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.819 seem like opposites, 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:36.740 but they often 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.359 mix together 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:38.339 to create an empty, 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:38.980 nauseous, 00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:40.140 hollow feeling 00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:40.859 of freefall. 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.220 Now, 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:42.799 if you add to that 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.680 marital conflict, 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:45.019 a sense of failure 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:45.660 in parenting, 00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:47.220 or a perfect storm 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.079 of stressors, 00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:50.420 ending it all 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:51.119 can seem 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:53.660 surprisingly attractive. 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:57.200 The Apostle Paul, 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:58.200 this is Ted writing, 00:25:59.099 --> 00:26:00.400 the Apostle Paul 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:01.660 was at times 00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:02.700 under great pressure, 00:26:03.600 --> 00:26:04.360 far beyond 00:26:04.360 --> 00:26:04.940 his ability 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:05.540 to endure, 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:08.460 and despaired 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.860 even of life itself. 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.360 That's from 00:26:10.360 --> 00:26:11.200 2 Corinthians. 00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:14.200 He endured 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:15.340 far worse suffering 00:26:15.340 --> 00:26:16.100 than I have, 00:26:16.540 --> 00:26:17.500 including beatings 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.280 and imprisonment, 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.380 hunger and thirst 00:26:19.380 --> 00:26:19.960 in the desert, 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:21.420 and shivering cold 00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:22.280 while shipwrecked 00:26:22.280 --> 00:26:23.120 on the open seas. 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:24.680 I wonder if it was 00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:25.460 while clinging 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.400 to driftwood 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:26.960 all night 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.740 in the Mediterranean 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:29.480 that he despaired 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:29.980 of life 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:31.599 and contemplated 00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:32.460 just letting go. 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.539 I wanted to share 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:36.339 my health status 00:26:36.339 --> 00:26:37.259 because it is good 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:37.819 for me, 00:26:37.900 --> 00:26:39.019 and it also may 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:39.859 encourage others 00:26:39.859 --> 00:26:40.539 to know they are 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.099 not alone. 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.839 I wanted to share 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:43.880 through Caring Bridge 00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:45.120 to remind others 00:26:45.120 --> 00:26:45.880 that mental health 00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:46.920 struggles are as real 00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:47.539 as cancer, 00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:48.319 dementia, 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:49.620 or kidney failure. 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.799 As cancer can come 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.380 out of remission, 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.220 so too can the 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:54.200 darkness of depression. 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.339 It can overwhelm 00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:56.919 one's thoughts 00:26:56.919 --> 00:26:57.859 and blot out 00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:58.759 any ray of hope. 00:26:59.240 --> 00:27:00.000 But the main reason 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.740 I want to share 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.459 is to testify 00:27:01.459 --> 00:27:02.519 to God's kindness 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.539 and loving grace. 00:27:04.679 --> 00:27:05.980 The very next verse 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.899 in Paul's letter 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:08.779 is one of my favorites. 00:27:09.379 --> 00:27:12.079 It's 2 Corinthians 1.9. 00:27:13.399 --> 00:27:14.599 But this happened 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:15.939 that we might not 00:27:15.939 --> 00:27:17.019 rely on ourselves, 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:18.379 but on God 00:27:18.379 --> 00:27:19.639 who raises the dead. 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.679 One reason churches 00:27:21.679 --> 00:27:22.539 are so weak today 00:27:22.539 --> 00:27:23.179 is because most 00:27:23.179 --> 00:27:23.939 American Christians 00:27:23.939 --> 00:27:25.299 simply don't need 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:26.179 to rely on God. 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:27.359 I know I didn't. 00:27:27.679 --> 00:27:28.439 We can take care 00:27:28.439 --> 00:27:29.579 of ourselves just fine 00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:31.139 through prideful self-reliance, 00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:32.679 distract through entertainment, 00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:33.939 cushioned with comfort, 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.619 only we really can't. 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:37.220 When we rely on ourselves 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:38.039 or other gods 00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:38.639 of this world, 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:40.019 if we are honest, 00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:41.259 we end up eventually 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:42.339 with broken dreams, 00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:43.619 disillusionment, 00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:44.839 and even despair. 00:27:46.399 --> 00:27:47.919 But it is surprisingly 00:27:47.919 --> 00:27:49.659 God's loving kindness 00:27:49.659 --> 00:27:50.419 that leads us 00:27:50.419 --> 00:27:51.500 to turn from trusting 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.720 in ourselves or others 00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:54.700 and turn to Him 00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:56.140 desperately for rescue. 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:59.059 That is when God shows up 00:27:59.059 --> 00:28:00.799 in exciting ways 00:28:00.799 --> 00:28:02.519 with a refreshing forgiveness 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.539 through Jesus Christ. 00:28:04.380 --> 00:28:04.900 Living for Him 00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:06.100 is so much more exciting 00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:06.960 than living for me. 00:28:07.600 --> 00:28:08.339 Many of my goals 00:28:08.339 --> 00:28:08.819 for my life 00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:09.339 were pitiful, 00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:10.420 but His mission 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:11.160 and purpose for me 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:11.799 are fulfilling 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:12.839 and full of hope. 00:28:13.360 --> 00:28:14.360 My theme of living 00:28:14.360 --> 00:28:15.059 for eternity 00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:16.380 is a very real part 00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:16.860 of that hope 00:28:16.860 --> 00:28:17.600 and as a result, 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:18.120 my health. 00:28:18.119 --> 00:28:19.399 So no, 00:28:19.479 --> 00:28:20.000 mental health 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:21.259 is not a traditional disease 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:21.859 you will find 00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:22.679 on Caring Bridge, 00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:24.399 but it can be equally deadly 00:28:24.399 --> 00:28:24.799 nonetheless. 00:28:25.659 --> 00:28:26.939 Perhaps this may become 00:28:26.939 --> 00:28:28.599 an acceptable place 00:28:28.599 --> 00:28:30.319 for others to open up 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:31.899 and share similar struggles. 00:28:32.739 --> 00:28:33.619 And even if one person 00:28:33.619 --> 00:28:34.099 does this, 00:28:34.199 --> 00:28:34.819 my sharing 00:28:34.819 --> 00:28:36.959 will have been worth it. 00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:41.179 Do you hear 00:28:41.179 --> 00:28:43.099 His weakness 00:28:43.099 --> 00:28:44.639 pointing to Jesus? 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:47.839 Do you hear His flaws 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:48.819 and His confession 00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:50.980 pointing to the greatness 00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:51.500 of Jesus 00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:53.059 who brings resurrection life? 00:28:54.459 --> 00:28:56.599 So let this question 00:28:56.599 --> 00:28:58.740 be a question 00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.639 we meditate on 00:28:59.639 --> 00:29:01.179 for the rest of the summer 00:29:01.179 --> 00:29:02.179 coming out of this book 00:29:02.179 --> 00:29:03.000 of 2 Corinthians. 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:07.139 Not how does my excellence 00:29:07.139 --> 00:29:08.679 display Jesus, 00:29:09.679 --> 00:29:11.500 but how are my weaknesses 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:12.859 a playground 00:29:12.859 --> 00:29:14.000 for God's grace? 00:29:14.879 --> 00:29:16.459 How are my weaknesses 00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:18.200 a playground 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:19.380 for God's grace? 00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:20.600 In the name of the Father 00:29:20.600 --> 00:29:21.500 and of the Son 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:22.500 and of the Holy Spirit. 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:23.340 Amen. 00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:24.680 Let's pray. 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:30.620 Lord, 00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:32.100 as we contemplate 00:29:32.100 --> 00:29:33.360 Paul 00:29:33.360 --> 00:29:34.460 and his example 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:39.640 and his admonishment, 00:29:39.640 --> 00:29:44.240 we confess 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:45.680 we need help, 00:29:45.840 --> 00:29:46.640 we need wisdom 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:49.780 on how to 00:29:49.780 --> 00:29:51.660 live with our weaknesses 00:29:51.660 --> 00:29:52.460 on display. 00:29:54.800 --> 00:29:56.259 We need courage 00:29:56.259 --> 00:30:01.200 and ultimately, 00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:02.299 Lord, 00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:04.940 inflame 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:05.980 our desire, 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:07.000 increase our hunger, 00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:07.660 Jesus, 00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:09.019 for you to be displayed 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:10.700 in our lives 00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:11.579 through our weakness, 00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:11.920 Lord. 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:14.079 We would seek many 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:16.240 to see you, 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:16.460 Jesus, 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.319 to know you, 00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:19.440 to follow you, 00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:21.640 to experience you 00:30:21.640 --> 00:30:23.000 and your saving grace 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:24.900 and your love. 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.579 Make us, 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:27.839 Lord, 00:30:27.920 --> 00:30:28.400 as individuals 00:30:28.400 --> 00:30:29.259 and as a church, 00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:31.259 that vehicle 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:32.119 for displaying 00:30:32.119 --> 00:30:33.240 your power 00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:33.740 and grace. 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.839 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:30:35.900 --> 00:30:36.079 Amen. 00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:36.180 Amen. 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.180 Amen. 00:30:39.180 --> 00:30:39.240 Amen. 00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:39.319 Amen. 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:39.359 Amen. 00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:39.380 Amen. 00:30:39.380 --> 00:30:39.460 Amen. 00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:39.539 Amen. 00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:39.619 Amen. 00:30:39.619 --> 00:30:39.680 Amen. 00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:39.779 Amen. 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:39.880 Amen. 00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:39.980 Amen.