WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.900 Keep thinking of those words we just sang, with everything, with everything, we will shout to your glory. 00:00:11.800 --> 00:00:13.220 We will shout to your praise. 00:00:14.560 --> 00:00:15.540 What does that really mean? 00:00:18.120 --> 00:00:25.780 What does that look like in our lives today in 2013, Hong Kong, 00:00:25.780 --> 00:00:31.280 as we head into the Christmas season already, things are up everywhere, 00:00:31.560 --> 00:00:35.799 and we're realizing and seeing things we need to buy and things we need to consume, 00:00:35.980 --> 00:00:40.620 and treasures that are hidden, and we're looking for things that have incredible value. 00:00:42.540 --> 00:00:50.640 We're looking for things that are deals to everybody else, but to us, they have incredible worth and value. 00:00:52.859 --> 00:00:55.320 We're looking at the last week of Jesus' life. 00:00:56.259 --> 00:01:00.679 He's been leading this large crowd of people to Jerusalem. 00:01:01.760 --> 00:01:03.020 He knows what's going on. 00:01:04.060 --> 00:01:10.420 Some of them might have an idea, but what we see later on is they really don't have any idea of what's going on. 00:01:11.280 --> 00:01:13.799 And the treasure they're hoping for when they come to the kingdom, 00:01:14.460 --> 00:01:16.680 where when the kingdom comes to them, 00:01:16.680 --> 00:01:24.360 when he exalts himself in the temple is power and strength and force and control. 00:01:25.580 --> 00:01:31.380 And what Jesus is continually showing us and continually showing his people is that his kingdom isn't like that. 00:01:31.379 --> 00:01:34.359 And if we think it's like that, then we're wrong. 00:01:35.399 --> 00:01:42.439 What he says is instead God's kingdom is like a baby born in a manger, not in a palace. 00:01:43.579 --> 00:01:53.280 It's a suffering servant who comes on the back of a donkey instead of a riding white stallion with power and shields and a warrior. 00:01:53.280 --> 00:01:59.040 And Jesus is telling them, he's telling us that his kingdom is this spiritual kingdom. 00:01:59.040 --> 00:02:11.819 That it's going to come slowly and steadily, but it will grow into this amazing plant, this family that will take over the earth. 00:02:11.900 --> 00:02:13.040 It will transform everything. 00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:16.879 And so he continues to teach them these truths through these parables. 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:18.539 And these parables are just stories. 00:02:18.699 --> 00:02:22.519 These parables are stories that everyone in his time would know and that we should know. 00:02:23.539 --> 00:02:29.379 But he brings in spiritual truth in there and he interweaves how God's kingdom is actually working. 00:02:31.560 --> 00:02:33.519 We've looked at three parables today. 00:02:34.919 --> 00:02:37.459 I have stayed up a couple nights, actually. 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:42.899 One of them was waiting for Christina to get home from the States and hoping that everything will be okay. 00:02:42.900 --> 00:02:44.460 And that I have some help. 00:02:44.500 --> 00:02:48.400 But the other part is figuring out how to present this passage. 00:02:49.340 --> 00:02:51.060 Worried that we might miss it. 00:02:51.259 --> 00:02:58.400 Worried that the words that I say might not be exactly what Christ wants you to hear. 00:02:59.300 --> 00:03:01.280 Because there's confusion in dialect. 00:03:01.480 --> 00:03:02.900 There's confusion in speech. 00:03:03.620 --> 00:03:04.920 There's confusion in cultures. 00:03:06.480 --> 00:03:09.340 And my prayer is that as we listen to God's word, 00:03:09.340 --> 00:03:13.659 that we would allow his Holy Spirit to talk to us and to change us. 00:03:14.300 --> 00:03:16.480 And that we would ask questions right now. 00:03:17.120 --> 00:03:20.640 What does with everything mean to you? 00:03:22.980 --> 00:03:25.900 Right now, what is the treasure? 00:03:26.780 --> 00:03:28.240 What is the hope? 00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:31.780 What is it that you're putting all in on? 00:03:33.020 --> 00:03:35.820 That you're hoping that God will come through for you and do? 00:03:37.219 --> 00:03:38.800 And Jesus is talking to his disciples. 00:03:38.939 --> 00:03:41.219 He's talking to us and he's teaching us these things. 00:03:41.300 --> 00:03:46.340 And in these parables, there's three things I want us to see or understand or try to begin to get our head around. 00:03:46.840 --> 00:03:50.960 Take that next step in our spiritual journey about the kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven. 00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:52.439 They're going to be interchangeable. 00:03:52.439 --> 00:03:56.800 Usually when you're talking to a Jew, you don't say the kingdom of God because it's God's name. 00:03:56.859 --> 00:03:57.819 And you don't want to blaspheme. 00:03:57.919 --> 00:04:00.259 So you would normally say the kingdom of heaven. 00:04:00.379 --> 00:04:02.960 And it's interchanged in this Gospels of Matthew. 00:04:03.020 --> 00:04:04.039 And he says the kingdom of heaven. 00:04:04.120 --> 00:04:06.599 Sometimes and sometimes he says the kingdom of God. 00:04:06.659 --> 00:04:10.340 And sometimes he says a relationship with God. 00:04:10.379 --> 00:04:12.400 But they're the same thing. 00:04:13.599 --> 00:04:16.500 And we realize this kingdom is happening right now. 00:04:16.579 --> 00:04:17.199 It's spiritual. 00:04:17.339 --> 00:04:18.000 It's all around us. 00:04:18.040 --> 00:04:18.860 But it's not fully. 00:04:19.560 --> 00:04:20.459 It's not yet. 00:04:20.459 --> 00:04:24.479 That it's going to come back and come fully sometime in the future. 00:04:24.599 --> 00:04:28.620 And we're looking at these passages trying to understand, well, then how does that affect my life? 00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:32.399 And what should I do with God's word in this process in the here and now? 00:04:33.459 --> 00:04:39.819 So there's three things that stick out to me this week as we've been kind of pondering this and looking at this. 00:04:40.219 --> 00:04:43.740 And these things are that the kingdom of God is often hidden. 00:04:44.459 --> 00:04:45.259 It's invisible. 00:04:45.259 --> 00:04:48.319 And it's not easy for some people to see. 00:04:48.319 --> 00:04:54.139 And when it shows itself, it shows itself in unexpected ways. 00:04:55.079 --> 00:04:58.740 We see in here that the kingdom of God is priceless. 00:04:59.500 --> 00:05:03.839 That when people see it, it causes something radical to happen in their life. 00:05:04.259 --> 00:05:06.159 They do crazy things. 00:05:06.279 --> 00:05:07.480 Crazy man things, right? 00:05:07.639 --> 00:05:11.819 They do things that if you don't know what's going on and you look at them, you're saying, that guy's a fool. 00:05:11.819 --> 00:05:14.459 But this is what the kingdom of God does. 00:05:14.800 --> 00:05:20.920 It's so precious that it causes us to do crazy things. 00:05:21.259 --> 00:05:26.819 And then we see that when the third thing is that the kingdom of God, or when we get it, when we get the treasure, 00:05:26.899 --> 00:05:32.420 or maybe I should say when the treasure or the kingdom gets us, when the kingdom gets us, it transforms everything. 00:05:32.420 --> 00:05:35.720 It changes everything in us. 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:37.800 It changes who we are. 00:05:37.900 --> 00:05:40.240 It changes our source of joy. 00:05:40.800 --> 00:05:48.580 It becomes this treasure so priceless that we do anything to get more of it and to hold on to it. 00:05:49.540 --> 00:05:53.319 First, the kingdom of treasure, the kingdom of God is invisible. 00:05:54.400 --> 00:05:56.060 And sometimes people don't see it. 00:05:57.040 --> 00:06:00.360 And sometimes it's seen in unexpected ways. 00:06:00.360 --> 00:06:02.600 Remember, Jesus is teaching his disciples. 00:06:02.740 --> 00:06:04.160 He's teaching us about his kingdom. 00:06:05.020 --> 00:06:06.040 And so he uses these parables. 00:06:06.139 --> 00:06:10.300 And you look in verse 44, and what you see is the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, 00:06:10.520 --> 00:06:12.819 which a man found, and he hid again. 00:06:13.220 --> 00:06:14.860 Now there's some questions about, was he ethical? 00:06:14.980 --> 00:06:15.759 What's happening there? 00:06:16.180 --> 00:06:19.699 If he wasn't ethical, he would have just taken the treasure because he was a worker. 00:06:19.800 --> 00:06:21.740 He was just digging in this field. 00:06:22.300 --> 00:06:24.439 And so he finds it, and he hides it. 00:06:24.460 --> 00:06:28.680 He finds it unexpectedly, and everybody listening to Jesus would have understood what was going on. 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:33.980 I mean, Israel is this land bridge between Europe and Africa and Asia, 00:06:34.439 --> 00:06:38.000 and armies for thousands of years have been whipping through there. 00:06:38.300 --> 00:06:42.000 It's kind of like the only other country I think is comparable to it is maybe like Poland. 00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:45.120 You know, Poland just has the armies going through back and forth, back and forth. 00:06:45.180 --> 00:06:45.980 It's the land bridge. 00:06:46.819 --> 00:06:51.540 And so when people are there and they have a treasure, they don't take it to a bank. 00:06:51.960 --> 00:06:56.019 I mean, there weren't banks in Jesus' day, but they wouldn't take it to a bank because banks weren't safe, 00:06:56.019 --> 00:06:58.859 because they would just get rolled over by the army coming through the next week. 00:06:59.659 --> 00:07:03.839 And so Josephus, who's a Jewish historian who was captured by the Romans, 00:07:04.299 --> 00:07:06.719 he's given us a lot of insight into life back then. 00:07:06.959 --> 00:07:10.199 And he basically says that people, what they would normally do is they would bury treasure in their house. 00:07:11.039 --> 00:07:13.639 They'd bury it in the wall of their house or in the floor of their house. 00:07:14.139 --> 00:07:19.879 But if they were in a war-ravaged area, that would be impractical because houses were always raised, 00:07:19.879 --> 00:07:22.000 and people would always break down the walls looking for them. 00:07:22.399 --> 00:07:25.920 And so the best thing that people would do is they would hide these treasures in a field. 00:07:27.879 --> 00:07:30.540 Usually they would hide them in two places, he said, if they were really smart. 00:07:31.100 --> 00:07:34.079 Because fields were massive, people didn't have time to go through those. 00:07:34.100 --> 00:07:38.259 And what happened is armies came, and armies went, and people died, and treasures were buried, 00:07:38.339 --> 00:07:41.459 and people were taken away in captivity, and people forgot where the treasures were. 00:07:42.939 --> 00:07:44.579 And so there was treasures everywhere. 00:07:44.579 --> 00:07:51.120 In verse 45, he says, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls. 00:07:51.939 --> 00:07:54.740 But the word he actually uses for merchant is wholesaler. 00:07:55.719 --> 00:07:57.560 That this person is a bargain seeker. 00:07:57.680 --> 00:07:58.879 He's looking for things. 00:07:58.939 --> 00:08:00.279 We know that he's incredibly wealthy. 00:08:01.099 --> 00:08:05.959 Because to be a pearl merchant in Jesus' day, it was one of the most costly things to own. 00:08:06.659 --> 00:08:08.019 But he's a bargain hunter. 00:08:08.079 --> 00:08:08.740 He's going out there. 00:08:08.759 --> 00:08:09.759 He's like the show of the pickers. 00:08:09.860 --> 00:08:12.120 He's going into people's houses and trying to find junk 00:08:12.120 --> 00:08:15.340 and trying to see if he can kind of turn it and make a quick profit. 00:08:16.300 --> 00:08:19.800 But he's out there, and he's looking, and he's digging through these pearls. 00:08:20.019 --> 00:08:22.220 Every one of you were given one when you came in, 00:08:22.939 --> 00:08:26.240 and you were told that it was a treasure of great value, 00:08:26.319 --> 00:08:27.939 and to be careful and hold on to it. 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:30.240 And so he's digging through these things, 00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:35.440 and all of a sudden he comes across something so unexpected, so amazing, so out of control. 00:08:35.820 --> 00:08:37.240 It was there in front of everybody's eyes. 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:41.340 Everybody could have seen it, but they didn't see it because it was hiding itself. 00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:49.159 And Jesus says his kingdom, having a relationship with him, 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:59.379 spiritual truths, the value of knowing him is not often obvious to everybody. 00:09:00.560 --> 00:09:02.179 He says many people are going to walk by. 00:09:03.279 --> 00:09:04.539 Many people are going to walk over. 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:05.659 Many people are going to walk around. 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:07.379 Many people are not going to see. 00:09:07.500 --> 00:09:08.200 They're not going to look. 00:09:08.259 --> 00:09:09.039 They're not going to care. 00:09:09.879 --> 00:09:11.039 I mean, some people, they're going to come in. 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:11.919 They're going to look for things. 00:09:11.959 --> 00:09:12.799 They're going to look for peace. 00:09:13.899 --> 00:09:14.939 They're going to look for hope. 00:09:15.019 --> 00:09:16.699 They're going to look for a date. 00:09:16.819 --> 00:09:17.799 They're going to look for a spouse. 00:09:17.879 --> 00:09:18.679 They're going to look for power. 00:09:18.779 --> 00:09:19.579 They're going to look for success. 00:09:20.079 --> 00:09:23.079 Some people might even come in, and they might even look for religion. 00:09:24.639 --> 00:09:28.139 They might look for ways to do things, a list of do's and don'ts. 00:09:28.139 --> 00:09:31.419 And if they can do these things and they do enough of the do's and not enough of the don'ts, 00:09:31.939 --> 00:09:34.159 the things and a little of the don'ts, 00:09:34.159 --> 00:09:36.259 Then they can accomplish all these things. 00:09:36.360 --> 00:09:39.759 And then somehow God just kind of magically owes them 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:43.199 because they've done so many great things in their life. 00:09:43.339 --> 00:09:46.939 But these people, they don't really value Jesus. 00:09:49.480 --> 00:09:52.759 They don't value a relationship with him. 00:09:53.559 --> 00:09:57.819 I wonder how many people walked by the treasure in the field and didn't see it. 00:09:59.699 --> 00:10:03.199 I wonder how many people dug through the pile of pearls 00:10:03.200 --> 00:10:07.980 and never saw that pearl that was of incredible value. 00:10:09.700 --> 00:10:16.700 I wonder how many people walk by churches every Sunday 00:10:16.700 --> 00:10:20.500 and wonder, why would somebody go in there? 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:25.400 Why would I waste my time going to church? 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:28.120 I mean, I got rugby practice. 00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:30.800 I don't have time for these type of things. 00:10:30.920 --> 00:10:31.820 I got other treasures. 00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:34.440 I want to cling on to. 00:10:37.600 --> 00:10:39.560 The question today for us is, 00:10:40.300 --> 00:10:44.560 what treasure are we holding on to right now? 00:10:46.900 --> 00:10:48.600 I'm not going to ask you to yell it out. 00:10:48.680 --> 00:10:50.700 I'm not going to ask you to write down a piece of paper. 00:10:50.860 --> 00:10:52.480 All you know, you know it in your heart. 00:10:53.180 --> 00:10:55.200 But what is that treasure you're holding on to? 00:10:55.200 --> 00:10:58.040 Is it Jesus? 00:11:02.540 --> 00:11:03.620 Or is it something else? 00:11:07.180 --> 00:11:08.500 What are we clinging on to? 00:11:09.200 --> 00:11:11.580 The next thing the parables tell us is that the kingdom of God, 00:11:11.660 --> 00:11:13.520 when it comes, when the treasure shows itself, 00:11:13.620 --> 00:11:16.020 when it exposes itself to us, 00:11:16.360 --> 00:11:18.440 that it causes us to do radical things. 00:11:18.520 --> 00:11:20.340 It causes us to do crazy things 00:11:20.340 --> 00:11:23.180 because we see this priceless treasure, and it's amazing. 00:11:23.179 --> 00:11:25.659 Now, we don't know in verse 44 what the treasure was. 00:11:25.739 --> 00:11:26.879 We don't know what was hidden in there. 00:11:27.199 --> 00:11:27.899 It could have been gold. 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:28.799 It could have been clothing. 00:11:28.959 --> 00:11:30.519 It could have been a mantle. 00:11:30.679 --> 00:11:31.379 It could have been anything. 00:11:31.459 --> 00:11:31.819 We don't know. 00:11:31.979 --> 00:11:34.039 But we do know what 45 and 46 are. 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:38.620 I mean, in Jesus' day, pearls were amazingly precious. 00:11:38.819 --> 00:11:42.199 I mean, they were the most expensive thing you could own in Jesus' day. 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:46.819 The Talmud, which is the collection of Jewish writings by scholars and rabbis, 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:48.939 they basically say that pearls are beyond price. 00:11:48.940 --> 00:11:52.820 And so when Jesus uses these analogies of pearls, 00:11:53.140 --> 00:11:54.460 everybody would have gone, whoa. 00:11:56.740 --> 00:11:58.340 That's the most expensive thing there is. 00:11:59.020 --> 00:12:01.780 I mean, we're told by historians that Romans worship pearls, 00:12:02.920 --> 00:12:06.720 that one of the emperor's wives had this outfit that she would wear off into gatherings, 00:12:06.780 --> 00:12:09.300 and it was made totally by pearls, and it was worth about $300 million. 00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:13.380 We're told that sometimes when they had banquets, 00:12:13.820 --> 00:12:15.500 that people would actually take a glass of vinegar 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:19.340 and dissolve pearls in it and drink it to show how wealthy they are. 00:12:19.940 --> 00:12:20.879 I mean, we do that sometimes. 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:23.620 You know, in Hong Kong, we scatter gold over cakes, right, 00:12:23.759 --> 00:12:26.120 and let people eat the gold and show how wealthy we are. 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:32.440 Well, on Jesus' day, what they did was they drank pearls to show their wealth. 00:12:33.580 --> 00:12:37.580 One historian said that the Romans got this practice from the Egyptians 00:12:37.580 --> 00:12:43.580 who created it to this massive, massive art of worshiping pearls. 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:47.300 And we're told by Pliny, who was this historian back then, 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:50.200 he says the person who worshipped them the most was Cleopatra. 00:12:51.560 --> 00:12:54.000 And she had these pearls that were amazing. 00:12:54.100 --> 00:13:01.040 In fact, he says to us that she had one pearl that was worth 25 million days' wages. 00:13:01.039 --> 00:13:08.339 25 million days' wages. 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:11.059 How much do you make in a day? 00:13:14.459 --> 00:13:17.719 Her pearl was worth 25 million denarii. 00:13:18.759 --> 00:13:23.319 Historians tell us that that would have been about $4 billion today. 00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:24.559 One pearl. 00:13:24.839 --> 00:13:26.339 And pearls were incredibly costly. 00:13:26.519 --> 00:13:27.480 They were incredibly dangerous. 00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:30.099 We're told that, you know, I've been reading about this, 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:31.800 and I can tell you anything you want to know about pearls now. 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:36.240 You know, Christina's kind of cluing in on these things 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:38.460 before we bought these pearls and all the different types of pearls. 00:13:38.659 --> 00:13:41.500 And, you know, it takes about 1,000 clams to get one pearl. 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:43.899 And usually in Jesus' day, what they did to get pearls was 00:13:43.899 --> 00:13:47.100 they would just tie a rope and a rope around a guy's legs. 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:49.120 And they got them in the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:50.540 and sometimes the Indian Ocean. 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:53.440 And they would tie a rope around the guy's legs with this massive rock. 00:13:53.560 --> 00:13:55.360 And they would just push the rock over the boat. 00:13:55.540 --> 00:13:56.440 And the guy would just go, bloop. 00:13:56.440 --> 00:14:00.200 And he would go all the way down, like a quick descent, all the way down. 00:14:00.320 --> 00:14:02.500 And he had a knife in his hand all the way down to the floor. 00:14:02.680 --> 00:14:03.620 And he hit the floor. 00:14:03.880 --> 00:14:06.300 And if it wasn't too deep, he could survive. 00:14:06.400 --> 00:14:07.200 He would cut the rope. 00:14:07.420 --> 00:14:08.500 And then he would swim around. 00:14:08.680 --> 00:14:11.120 And he would shuck as many pearls as he could get. 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:14.520 And if he found a pearl, he would try to make his way up. 00:14:14.680 --> 00:14:17.440 And the survival rate for pearl drivers was zero. 00:14:17.440 --> 00:14:23.020 And so everybody in Jesus' day knew that when he says that this pearl guy 00:14:23.020 --> 00:14:26.660 found this pearl of incredible value, that it was amazing 00:14:26.660 --> 00:14:28.720 because pearls were perfect. 00:14:30.300 --> 00:14:31.760 You couldn't add to their beauty. 00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:33.120 You couldn't take away to their beauty. 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:34.200 It was everything. 00:14:34.660 --> 00:14:37.540 And Jesus tells us that when people find the perfect thing, 00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:38.780 when they find the perfect treasure, 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:41.940 when they find the kingdom of God, they do crazy things. 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:43.000 They act out of control. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:47.379 The passage says that they sold everything. 00:14:48.559 --> 00:14:51.960 In Aramaic and in Greek and in Hebrew, when I broke down the words, 00:14:52.179 --> 00:14:53.259 it means everything. 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:54.340 They sold everything. 00:14:54.460 --> 00:14:55.220 They sold their underwear. 00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:58.179 They sold whatever they had, anything that was a possession of theirs, 00:14:58.559 --> 00:15:01.139 they sold that so that they could get that treasure. 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:02.700 I mean, it was out of control. 00:15:02.779 --> 00:15:03.340 It would be like me. 00:15:03.779 --> 00:15:10.019 Let's say I'm walking down the street and I see this old watch shop that I go to 00:15:10.019 --> 00:15:11.340 because I like to look at antique watches. 00:15:11.340 --> 00:15:14.780 And I see something in there and I come back home that day 00:15:14.780 --> 00:15:18.600 and I've listed everything that we have on Asia Expat and Craigslist 00:15:18.600 --> 00:15:19.899 and all these things. 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:22.120 And Christina comes in and my books are there with price tags on them 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:23.720 and everything else is there and price tags. 00:15:23.780 --> 00:15:25.300 And she's looking at me, what are you doing? 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:29.240 And I said, well, I just, I just, we got to buy this watch store. 00:15:30.280 --> 00:15:32.600 See, that little, that little dumpy one we walk by all the time. 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:34.519 We have to buy it. 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:37.300 You're selling your underwear. 00:15:37.420 --> 00:15:38.519 Yeah, I only need one pair. 00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:42.379 And she takes two or three more and kind of puts them off to the side. 00:15:42.460 --> 00:15:43.579 No, you need more than that. 00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:45.840 But we're selling everything. 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:49.419 And she goes, well, how could you possibly, why do you want to do that? 00:15:49.439 --> 00:15:51.860 I said, I walked in there and I was digging through the treasure and stuff 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:56.039 and I found the most expensive watch in the world. 00:15:57.179 --> 00:16:01.399 It is the most expensive, the most precious watch in the world. 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:04.279 And no one knows it's in there and we got to buy this shop 00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:05.279 because he's going out of business. 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:07.059 And if we don't buy it, somebody else is going to get it. 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:09.339 And no matter what it's worth, we got to get it. 00:16:10.079 --> 00:16:12.799 Now, some of you are thinking, what's the most expensive watch in the world? 00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:15.559 I'm wondering if I should tell you that or not. 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:18.759 I guarantee you'll never get it. 00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:23.539 But what he's saying is that I sold everything to get that watch shop 00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:26.819 because there's this watch in there that's worth everything. 00:16:26.820 --> 00:16:30.360 Are you saying that it's like you? 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:34.700 You find out from your friend that your apartment that you don't own, 00:16:34.780 --> 00:16:38.160 you're renting it, is being sold off to the developers. 00:16:39.300 --> 00:16:41.140 And the developers are going to come in and no one knows that, 00:16:41.180 --> 00:16:44.900 but every apartment in your block is going to be worth 1,000 times more 00:16:44.900 --> 00:16:45.700 than it's worth now. 00:16:47.920 --> 00:16:49.320 And so you're just selling everything. 00:16:49.440 --> 00:16:51.680 You're borrowing money from your aunts and your uncles and your relatives 00:16:51.680 --> 00:16:53.400 and you're like, we got to buy this apartment. 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.020 They're like, why? 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:56.179 It's just a small little dumpy apartment. 00:16:56.460 --> 00:16:57.139 I understand that. 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:59.279 It's like 400 square feet, but we got to buy it. 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.720 It's going to change everything. 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:04.259 And so they risked everything. 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:08.460 There was no buyer's remorse when they bought these things as we often have. 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:13.440 The passage says that they risked it all because they knew that it was worth all. 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:22.160 And Jesus says that his kingdom, having a relationship with him, 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:30.100 understanding spiritual truths, being counted among God's people, 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:34.240 being counted among God's children, being taking part in God's plan, 00:17:35.340 --> 00:17:38.220 sacrificing the things that the world deems important, 00:17:38.800 --> 00:17:41.279 but we know are worthless. 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:45.840 He says all of those things, they don't even compare 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:49.959 to having a relationship with him. 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:54.539 Now, please hear me. 00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:59.579 I'm not saying that you can earn or buy your salvation 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:04.939 because salvation is from God alone. 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:06.879 And it's a gift. 00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:10.260 And we can do nothing to earn it. 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:14.320 But there is something involved in receiving it. 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:19.000 You remember the story of the rich young ruler in Luke 18? 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:21.880 I mean, we studied it like two months ago. 00:18:23.060 --> 00:18:25.160 Luke 18, they're going to Jerusalem, 00:18:25.280 --> 00:18:26.660 and this rich young ruler comes to Jesus, 00:18:26.780 --> 00:18:27.020 and he says, 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:28.940 Hey, good teacher, 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:34.139 what must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:37.839 What must I do to get the kingdom of God? 00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:40.460 Now, remember, he's very wealthy. 00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:43.379 And Jesus asked him some questions. 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:44.039 You know the story. 00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:44.720 Go back and read it. 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:46.619 Luke 18, you've got to read it tonight before you go to bed. 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:48.660 Jesus says, 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:50.900 Well, love your neighbor and love the Lord your God 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:51.900 with all your heart, mind, soul, and body. 00:18:51.900 --> 00:18:55.980 And the guy who was very confident and very proudful 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:59.220 and very intelligent and very rich said, 00:18:59.280 --> 00:18:59.720 I did that. 00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:04.519 But what he didn't know is Jesus knew what his treasure was. 00:19:06.040 --> 00:19:07.540 So Jesus looked into his heart. 00:19:08.860 --> 00:19:11.220 And he knew that he couldn't give him the treasure of the kingdom 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:15.460 if there was another treasure already there. 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:18.580 And Jesus said to him, 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:19.820 Well, one thing you have to do then, 00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:22.879 you need to sell all that you have 00:19:22.879 --> 00:19:25.379 and come and follow me. 00:19:28.639 --> 00:19:29.919 Remember what the passage says? 00:19:33.419 --> 00:19:37.099 It says he walked away sad 00:19:37.099 --> 00:19:41.399 because the treasure he had 00:19:41.399 --> 00:19:44.019 was more important to him 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:46.619 than the treasure of the kingdom. 00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:50.879 His treasure, Jesus tells us, 00:19:51.959 --> 00:19:52.899 was wealth. 00:19:54.959 --> 00:19:58.119 Now there's some people you know. 00:20:00.179 --> 00:20:01.479 Some people I know. 00:20:02.719 --> 00:20:05.679 Maybe there's some people in our churches 00:20:05.679 --> 00:20:09.279 who want to be a part of both kingdoms. 00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:12.159 They want to be a part of God's kingdom. 00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:16.300 But there's something holding them back from their old life, 00:20:16.380 --> 00:20:17.500 from their old way of living. 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:20.420 There's something from their old treasure 00:20:20.420 --> 00:20:23.560 that they continue to hang on to and cling on to. 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:26.240 And so they want to be a part of both worlds. 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:29.660 They want to be a part of both kingdoms. 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:31.019 They want to have the kingdom of God. 00:20:31.080 --> 00:20:31.779 They want to have Jesus. 00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:33.080 They want to have a relationship with him. 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:35.400 They want to fill that treasure up into their life. 00:20:35.400 --> 00:20:37.680 But they also want to hold the other treasures in their life, 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:40.900 their idols and the things that used to give them happiness 00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:43.440 and power and importance. 00:20:44.840 --> 00:20:46.480 And Jesus says in the passage 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:50.560 that the only way you can receive his kingdom 00:20:50.560 --> 00:20:57.180 is by a transference of treasures. 00:20:57.180 --> 00:21:02.640 that we have to see him as so precious 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:06.600 that whatever we have to give away 00:21:06.600 --> 00:21:10.299 is nothing. 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:14.299 Let me ask you the question. 00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:18.880 When you look at the parables in verses 44, 45, 46, 47, 00:21:19.120 --> 00:21:20.900 when the guys are selling everything, 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:24.539 is that a sacrifice for them? 00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:38.480 I mean, when I'm coming home 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:40.180 and I'm selling everything to buy the watch shop 00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:42.380 because I want to get that 1963 Omega Speedmaster 00:21:42.380 --> 00:21:44.799 that Neil Armstrong wore on the moon, 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:48.940 the most expensive watch in the world, 00:21:49.660 --> 00:21:50.720 and I know it's there, 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.820 the most precious thing. 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:55.180 There'll never be another watch like that. 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:57.900 And I'm selling my underwear and everything else. 00:21:59.060 --> 00:22:00.759 Is that really a sacrifice? 00:22:06.140 --> 00:22:08.420 The passage asks us, 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:11.620 what are our treasures? 00:22:16.620 --> 00:22:18.320 The passage asks us, 00:22:18.840 --> 00:22:20.960 what do we sacrifice 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:24.740 for his kingdom? 00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:28.840 What is there that we sacrifice for his kingdom? 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:30.480 What is it that we've given away 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.860 because we realize that it's a treasure 00:22:31.860 --> 00:22:32.560 that we've held onto, 00:22:32.620 --> 00:22:33.539 and if we hold onto that treasure, 00:22:33.840 --> 00:22:35.100 then we can't truly receive 00:22:35.100 --> 00:22:37.700 all of the treasure that God has for us. 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:45.140 1990, I had the incredible privilege 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:46.340 of living in mainland China, 00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:47.720 and I was teaching in a university, 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:53.339 and God had brought some people into my life, 00:22:53.400 --> 00:22:53.640 students, 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:57.000 and just saw our relationship change 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:58.579 and the gospel come into their life, 00:22:58.700 --> 00:23:00.980 and this one guy in particular, 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:02.460 I'll just call him Tex, 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:04.400 because we didn't ever call people 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:05.339 by their real name. 00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.400 And Tex and I had been meeting 00:23:07.400 --> 00:23:09.000 for about six months. 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:12.220 He was an amazingly brilliant student. 00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:13.519 He was on the fast track 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:15.900 to becoming a government official. 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:17.960 He was actually about to get entrance 00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:19.099 into the Communist Party. 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:20.960 He was the first person 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:23.879 from his village to go to university. 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:27.680 And we were sharing 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:30.200 just the gospel and the Bible 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:32.119 and things like that. 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:34.220 And there was a part of me 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:35.859 that was afraid to ask him, 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:38.700 does he want the treasure of Christ? 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:40.559 I'll confess that. 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:43.680 Because I knew that he would have 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:47.140 to give up everything. 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:50.799 And when I looked at my life, 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:55.240 I felt kind of shameful. 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:59.340 Because as I looked at my life, 00:23:59.360 --> 00:24:01.200 I really didn't really give up 00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:03.380 hardly anything 00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:07.360 compared to what Tex would have to give up. 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:10.660 And so we got together 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:11.720 that Thursday night 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:13.759 and we were talking 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.920 through these parables. 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:18.779 And we came to the point 00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.620 and I asked him, 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:20.840 what is your treasure in? 00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:23.840 And he shared. 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:27.799 I said, what does this passage tell us 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:29.160 our treasure should be in? 00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:31.940 And he said, Jesus. 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:36.559 I said, do you want to invite Christ 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.440 into your life? 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:42.360 And he looked at me and he said, 00:24:42.620 --> 00:24:45.680 Tobin, if I do that, 00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:49.660 it will cost me everything. 00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:53.299 I'll lose my scholarships. 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:56.500 I'll lose my entrance 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:57.340 into the Communist Party, 00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.900 which was a big thing in 1980s, 00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:00.000 early 90s. 00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:03.980 I'll lose my family's respect. 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:07.960 My family will be shamed 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:09.700 in the village 00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:11.240 because they're the first people 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:13.420 to send someone to higher education 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:14.440 and everybody looks at them 00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:15.860 and my parents take incredible pride 00:25:15.860 --> 00:25:16.680 from all of this. 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:19.059 If I do that, 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:21.000 I will risk everything. 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:26.120 And I said, yeah. 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.140 Maybe. 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:32.120 And then he looked at me 00:25:32.120 --> 00:25:32.480 and he says, 00:25:33.040 --> 00:25:35.060 but if what you're telling me 00:25:35.060 --> 00:25:35.759 is true 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:39.780 and I don't do it, 00:25:40.300 --> 00:25:44.040 I've already lost everything 00:25:44.040 --> 00:25:46.560 that really means anything. 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:53.039 I looked at him and I said, 00:25:53.679 --> 00:25:53.960 yeah. 00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:56.039 Right. 00:26:00.639 --> 00:26:02.919 Jesus says that when we see the kingdom, 00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:06.159 it will cause us to do crazy, 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.399 crazy things 00:26:07.399 --> 00:26:09.200 and we will sacrifice everything 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:10.399 for him. 00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:12.860 Our actions outwardly 00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:13.900 will look foolish. 00:26:14.360 --> 00:26:15.840 People will not understand it. 00:26:16.100 --> 00:26:16.860 They will wonder. 00:26:17.120 --> 00:26:17.780 They will just say, 00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:18.920 you've had so much 00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:20.680 and you've given up certain things 00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:21.600 and you might have to say, 00:26:22.060 --> 00:26:24.200 yeah, maybe, maybe you're right. 00:26:28.360 --> 00:26:29.480 But you gain everything. 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:36.080 Let me ask you a question. 00:26:36.080 --> 00:26:36.120 Let me ask you a question. 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:42.280 What have we given up 00:26:42.280 --> 00:26:44.400 for God's kingdom? 00:26:49.400 --> 00:26:50.460 What's the treasures 00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:51.500 that you've hold on to 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:53.000 and you continue to hold on to 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:55.860 that are so precious 00:26:55.860 --> 00:27:00.360 that are more precious than Jesus? 00:27:04.080 --> 00:27:05.580 Maybe another way to ask this, 00:27:05.600 --> 00:27:06.780 and I've been asking myself this, 00:27:06.780 --> 00:27:07.060 is 00:27:07.060 --> 00:27:10.380 has anybody ever called you 00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:12.820 a fool 00:27:12.820 --> 00:27:16.160 because of your faith? 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:21.000 Has anybody ever said 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:22.200 the things that you're doing right now 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:23.300 will end your career 00:27:23.300 --> 00:27:24.640 and you will be foolish? 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.900 Jesus says that sometimes 00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:34.480 when we find the treasure 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:36.460 that it is so precious 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:38.060 it will cause us to do things 00:27:38.060 --> 00:27:39.580 that will make us look foolish, 00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:41.399 in front of other people. 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:46.740 Finally, we see in this passage 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.859 what he says here 00:27:47.859 --> 00:27:48.759 is that when we get the treasure, 00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:50.099 when we get this treasure 00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:50.779 into our life 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:51.960 that it changes everything. 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:53.299 It's going to change all of us. 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:55.119 In verses 44 it says this, 00:27:55.179 --> 00:27:56.500 in verse 46 it says this, 00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:58.679 you read verse 44 and 45, 00:27:58.740 --> 00:27:59.299 what does he say? 00:27:59.359 --> 00:27:59.579 He says, 00:27:59.939 --> 00:28:01.619 he went out and he hid it again 00:28:01.619 --> 00:28:03.359 and for the joy over it 00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:04.980 he goes and he sells everything 00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:05.659 that he has 00:28:05.659 --> 00:28:06.740 and he buys that field. 00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:08.660 And the idea again is joy. 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:09.859 What does that joy look like? 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:11.539 And the thing that weirds me out 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:12.620 sometimes when I read this passage 00:28:12.620 --> 00:28:13.940 is that he had joy 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:15.120 before he had the field. 00:28:17.620 --> 00:28:19.299 I mean, he's selling everything 00:28:19.299 --> 00:28:20.759 and he doesn't even have 00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:21.380 what he's getting 00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:22.400 or hoping to get. 00:28:23.160 --> 00:28:24.099 And as he does it, 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:25.859 his life is changing 00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:27.979 and the treasure becomes 00:28:27.979 --> 00:28:29.039 so important to him. 00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:30.079 It's his goal, 00:28:30.219 --> 00:28:30.799 it's his thought, 00:28:30.879 --> 00:28:31.559 it's this thing that will 00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:32.579 change everything 00:28:32.579 --> 00:28:33.740 that it's not a sacrifice 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.899 and as he's moving 00:28:34.899 --> 00:28:35.599 in that direction 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:37.119 his life is changing 00:28:37.119 --> 00:28:38.240 and he realizes 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:39.299 that it's the best thing 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:40.000 that he's going to do, 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.079 it's the best trade 00:28:41.079 --> 00:28:41.740 that he's ever had, 00:28:41.979 --> 00:28:42.879 it's the best transaction 00:28:42.879 --> 00:28:43.659 that he'll ever make 00:28:43.659 --> 00:28:45.219 because he knows 00:28:45.219 --> 00:28:46.179 what is coming 00:28:46.179 --> 00:28:47.119 and his life 00:28:47.119 --> 00:28:48.099 is now characterized 00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:49.119 by joy. 00:28:51.959 --> 00:28:52.359 Joy. 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:54.819 That's a very interesting word, 00:28:54.899 --> 00:28:55.199 isn't it? 00:28:55.859 --> 00:28:56.679 I mean, 00:28:56.719 --> 00:28:57.339 you should probably 00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:58.179 ask yourself 00:28:58.179 --> 00:28:59.059 or ask ourselves 00:28:59.059 --> 00:28:59.559 what does it mean 00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:01.459 for us to have joy today? 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:02.500 I mean, 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.719 sometimes we translate it 00:29:03.719 --> 00:29:04.399 as being happy 00:29:04.399 --> 00:29:05.559 and fun and great 00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:06.740 and what a joyous day. 00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:09.079 That's not how 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:10.339 the Bible translates it. 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:12.919 C.S. Lewis says it like this, 00:29:12.959 --> 00:29:13.159 he says, 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:14.359 joy is this deep 00:29:14.359 --> 00:29:15.359 inner longing 00:29:15.359 --> 00:29:16.539 that you have. 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:19.019 Joy is this ache 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:20.839 and you're on this journey 00:29:20.839 --> 00:29:21.419 and you're trying 00:29:21.419 --> 00:29:22.979 to feel this ache 00:29:22.979 --> 00:29:23.839 inside of you 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:24.939 and sometimes people 00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:26.120 can be in their homes 00:29:26.120 --> 00:29:27.039 and feel empty. 00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:28.759 Sometimes people 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.680 can be with their husbands 00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:30.440 or their wives 00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:31.900 and they can feel empty. 00:29:32.059 --> 00:29:32.640 Sometimes people 00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:33.340 can be the top 00:29:33.340 --> 00:29:33.920 of the company 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:35.120 and they feel empty. 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:36.180 Sometimes the people 00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:37.240 can have all the money 00:29:37.240 --> 00:29:37.900 they'll ever need 00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:38.840 and the three houses 00:29:38.840 --> 00:29:39.480 and everything else 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:40.360 and they feel empty. 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:43.059 And Lewis says that 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:44.100 that's because 00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:45.460 we don't have joy 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:47.740 and joy is this deep longing 00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:49.559 that we get 00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:51.660 when we know 00:29:51.660 --> 00:29:52.299 that we found 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:53.579 the perfect thing 00:29:53.579 --> 00:29:57.220 to satisfy our souls. 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:03.980 How are we doing 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:04.799 in the joy department? 00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:11.319 Do you feel joy today? 00:30:13.099 --> 00:30:13.279 I mean, 00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:14.700 are we happy 00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:15.599 as God's people 00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:16.359 for all that God 00:30:16.359 --> 00:30:17.219 has done for us? 00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:18.439 Do we understand 00:30:18.439 --> 00:30:19.959 how precious we are to Him? 00:30:20.159 --> 00:30:20.779 Do we understand 00:30:20.779 --> 00:30:21.279 what He's done 00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:21.899 to bring His Son? 00:30:22.179 --> 00:30:22.759 Do we feel 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:23.879 this understanding 00:30:23.879 --> 00:30:24.919 and we look towards 00:30:24.919 --> 00:30:25.279 the future 00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:25.779 and realize 00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:26.459 that everything 00:30:26.459 --> 00:30:27.319 is going to be okay? 00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:31.219 Jesus is asking 00:30:31.219 --> 00:30:31.759 in the parable 00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:32.480 and He's asking us 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:32.919 in our life 00:30:32.919 --> 00:30:33.659 as we live out life, 00:30:33.919 --> 00:30:34.919 He's basically asking us 00:30:34.919 --> 00:30:35.740 what brings us joy? 00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:39.139 I mean, 00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:40.599 what are we hoping in? 00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:43.199 what is it 00:30:43.199 --> 00:30:43.699 that we are hoping 00:30:43.699 --> 00:30:44.659 will bring us joy 00:30:44.659 --> 00:30:45.879 in our life? 00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:48.279 And He says here 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:48.939 in this passage 00:30:48.939 --> 00:30:50.899 that this treasure 00:30:50.899 --> 00:30:52.059 that they're looking for, 00:30:53.099 --> 00:30:55.059 His kingdom, 00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:58.699 a relationship with Him, 00:30:59.959 --> 00:31:00.939 knowing Him 00:31:00.939 --> 00:31:02.139 and loving Him 00:31:02.139 --> 00:31:04.879 transforms our lives. 00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:07.619 And Lewis says, 00:31:07.619 --> 00:31:09.899 it meets that deep longing 00:31:09.899 --> 00:31:10.959 perfectly. 00:31:14.219 --> 00:31:15.379 Maybe a great question 00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:15.739 for you 00:31:15.739 --> 00:31:16.379 as you go to work 00:31:16.379 --> 00:31:16.819 next week 00:31:16.819 --> 00:31:17.279 as you're talking 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:18.079 to people about things 00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:18.479 and you're wondering 00:31:18.479 --> 00:31:18.939 how do you talk 00:31:18.939 --> 00:31:19.879 about the gospel of people, 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:21.339 just start talking 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:21.899 about joy. 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:24.979 And have a kind of idea 00:31:24.979 --> 00:31:26.259 of what joy really means. 00:31:26.399 --> 00:31:27.379 It doesn't just mean happiness. 00:31:28.319 --> 00:31:28.819 It means feeling 00:31:28.819 --> 00:31:29.359 that emptiness 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:29.839 in your life. 00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:30.939 And ask that person, 00:31:31.439 --> 00:31:33.319 what brings you joy? 00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:38.720 What are you holding on to 00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:42.299 that will bring you joy? 00:31:45.639 --> 00:31:46.919 Maybe if you're a single 00:31:46.919 --> 00:31:47.439 and you're out 00:31:47.439 --> 00:31:48.279 at Lan Kui Fung 00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:49.980 and you're talking 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:50.759 to your friends 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:53.599 and you ask that guy 00:31:53.599 --> 00:31:54.500 or that cute girl, 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:55.159 hey, 00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:56.419 what brings you joy? 00:31:57.859 --> 00:31:58.779 And they say, 00:31:59.019 --> 00:31:59.539 you do. 00:31:59.539 --> 00:31:59.619 You do. 00:32:03.319 --> 00:32:05.740 My wife's laughing. 00:32:06.939 --> 00:32:08.220 I never use that line 00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:08.679 on my wife, 00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.139 I promise. 00:32:11.919 --> 00:32:13.679 But what the passage says 00:32:13.679 --> 00:32:15.200 is if that person says 00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:16.399 that you need to run away 00:32:16.399 --> 00:32:21.099 because there's no way 00:32:21.099 --> 00:32:23.500 you are going to meet 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:24.119 that deep, 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:27.859 empty longing 00:32:27.859 --> 00:32:30.019 in another person. 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:34.200 maybe if you're really 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:35.940 brave kids, 00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:36.519 you're some kids 00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:37.119 still in here, 00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:38.940 go to your parents tonight 00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:39.259 and say, 00:32:39.319 --> 00:32:39.400 hey, 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:40.920 what brings you joy? 00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:43.680 And your parents say, 00:32:44.339 --> 00:32:45.379 getting you into Harvard, 00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:47.000 Oxford, 00:32:48.779 --> 00:32:49.259 Princeton, 00:32:50.619 --> 00:32:51.740 that right nursery school, 00:32:52.819 --> 00:32:53.680 getting those grades, 00:32:53.799 --> 00:32:54.200 seeing you do 00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:54.980 the best you can, 00:32:56.379 --> 00:32:57.400 having you perform. 00:32:58.299 --> 00:32:59.400 That's what brings me joy. 00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:01.259 Kids, 00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:02.480 if your parents say that, 00:33:03.379 --> 00:33:05.139 you look at them 00:33:05.139 --> 00:33:06.359 in the face 00:33:06.359 --> 00:33:07.259 and say, 00:33:07.420 --> 00:33:08.039 mom and dad, 00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:09.859 I love you, 00:33:11.139 --> 00:33:13.400 but I'm not God. 00:33:15.379 --> 00:33:16.319 And one day, 00:33:16.359 --> 00:33:17.359 I'm going to let you down. 00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:20.980 And if you're looking for me 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:22.639 to feel that deep, 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:24.139 longing, 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:26.240 empty space 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:27.259 in your life, 00:33:27.259 --> 00:33:30.619 I'm going to fail you. 00:33:34.160 --> 00:33:35.059 Because the only thing 00:33:35.059 --> 00:33:35.680 that can do that 00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:36.180 is Jesus. 00:33:40.660 --> 00:33:41.879 Please hear my heart here. 00:33:43.379 --> 00:33:44.779 I'm talking to you 00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:46.460 and I'm talking to me. 00:33:47.599 --> 00:33:48.900 But often when I talk 00:33:48.900 --> 00:33:49.640 to Christians, 00:33:49.779 --> 00:33:50.279 what I hear 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:51.299 are things like this. 00:33:51.299 --> 00:33:54.480 I've lost my joy. 00:33:57.079 --> 00:33:58.319 I don't have joy anymore 00:33:58.319 --> 00:33:59.139 in coming to church. 00:34:00.359 --> 00:34:01.379 I have no joy 00:34:01.379 --> 00:34:02.159 in the community 00:34:02.159 --> 00:34:02.799 of the believers. 00:34:04.019 --> 00:34:05.680 I really don't receive 00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:06.899 or get any joy 00:34:06.899 --> 00:34:07.700 from serving 00:34:07.700 --> 00:34:08.739 in the church. 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:11.960 I totally have no joy 00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:12.519 in tithing 00:34:12.519 --> 00:34:13.219 and giving my money. 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:14.300 Why should I give my money? 00:34:14.340 --> 00:34:15.199 Because I worked so hard 00:34:15.199 --> 00:34:15.679 and earned it. 00:34:15.679 --> 00:34:16.940 I have no joy 00:34:16.940 --> 00:34:17.599 in giving my money 00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:18.379 to God's work. 00:34:19.279 --> 00:34:20.079 I have no joy 00:34:20.079 --> 00:34:21.059 in reading God's word. 00:34:22.199 --> 00:34:23.960 I really have no joy 00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:24.619 in praying 00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:25.699 because it seems like 00:34:25.699 --> 00:34:28.159 God never answers 00:34:28.159 --> 00:34:29.819 what I ask for. 00:34:31.179 --> 00:34:31.519 You know, 00:34:31.579 --> 00:34:32.379 when I think about it 00:34:32.379 --> 00:34:33.519 in my Christian life, 00:34:34.739 --> 00:34:36.500 everything seems 00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:39.419 to be a sacrifice. 00:34:42.419 --> 00:34:43.539 Have you ever said that? 00:34:45.679 --> 00:34:51.279 I have. 00:34:54.919 --> 00:34:55.719 And I wonder 00:34:55.719 --> 00:34:56.779 when I say that, 00:34:56.839 --> 00:34:57.639 have I lost sight 00:34:57.639 --> 00:34:58.679 of the true treasure 00:34:58.679 --> 00:35:01.159 that Jesus talks about 00:35:01.159 --> 00:35:02.099 in these parables? 00:35:03.399 --> 00:35:04.699 I wonder sometimes 00:35:04.699 --> 00:35:05.579 deep in my heart 00:35:05.579 --> 00:35:06.619 if I say that, 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:09.379 that maybe I'm thinking of 00:35:09.379 --> 00:35:10.299 and dreaming of 00:35:10.299 --> 00:35:11.199 other treasures 00:35:11.199 --> 00:35:11.819 and things 00:35:11.819 --> 00:35:12.940 that used to give me 00:35:12.940 --> 00:35:13.440 fulfillment, 00:35:13.759 --> 00:35:14.779 that used to give me 00:35:14.779 --> 00:35:15.299 happiness, 00:35:15.679 --> 00:35:16.460 that used to give me 00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:17.619 what I thought was joy. 00:35:17.919 --> 00:35:18.059 You know, 00:35:18.099 --> 00:35:19.279 sometimes I even find myself 00:35:19.279 --> 00:35:19.879 starting to buy 00:35:19.879 --> 00:35:20.779 those things back. 00:35:22.639 --> 00:35:23.460 You ever done that? 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:26.279 You come to a place 00:35:26.279 --> 00:35:27.480 where you feel so empty 00:35:27.480 --> 00:35:29.419 and so unjoyful 00:35:29.419 --> 00:35:32.480 that you start searching 00:35:32.480 --> 00:35:33.299 for things that used 00:35:33.299 --> 00:35:34.319 to give you happiness 00:35:34.319 --> 00:35:36.019 and meaning 00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:37.779 and relationships. 00:35:37.780 --> 00:35:45.860 maybe there's people 00:35:45.860 --> 00:35:46.460 in here who've never 00:35:46.460 --> 00:35:47.280 given up anything. 00:35:50.540 --> 00:35:51.380 Maybe there's people 00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:52.100 in the churches 00:35:52.100 --> 00:35:53.760 that come 00:35:53.760 --> 00:35:54.340 because they just like 00:35:54.340 --> 00:35:54.720 the music, 00:35:54.820 --> 00:35:55.440 they like hanging out 00:35:55.440 --> 00:35:55.740 with people, 00:35:55.820 --> 00:35:56.480 it's a great business 00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:56.980 opportunity, 00:35:57.620 --> 00:35:59.120 it's just a great thing 00:35:59.120 --> 00:36:00.000 but when they look 00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:00.480 at their life, 00:36:00.560 --> 00:36:01.140 they've really never 00:36:01.140 --> 00:36:02.420 entered into a spiritual world, 00:36:02.560 --> 00:36:04.019 they've never felt the joy 00:36:04.019 --> 00:36:05.060 that Lewis or Christ 00:36:05.060 --> 00:36:05.960 is talking about 00:36:05.960 --> 00:36:06.579 with that treasure 00:36:06.579 --> 00:36:07.519 that fills us 00:36:07.519 --> 00:36:08.380 completely and totally. 00:36:08.760 --> 00:36:09.840 Maybe we've never 00:36:09.840 --> 00:36:11.220 done that. 00:36:15.059 --> 00:36:16.340 Verse 47 says, 00:36:16.340 --> 00:36:17.320 again the kingdom of heaven 00:36:17.320 --> 00:36:18.100 is like a dragnet 00:36:18.100 --> 00:36:19.000 cast into the sea 00:36:19.000 --> 00:36:19.760 and gathering fish 00:36:19.760 --> 00:36:20.360 of every kind 00:36:20.360 --> 00:36:20.920 and when it's filled 00:36:20.920 --> 00:36:21.940 it's drew up onto the beach 00:36:21.940 --> 00:36:22.539 and they sat down 00:36:22.539 --> 00:36:23.019 and they gathered 00:36:23.019 --> 00:36:24.360 the good fish 00:36:24.360 --> 00:36:25.039 into the container 00:36:25.039 --> 00:36:25.860 and the bad fish 00:36:25.860 --> 00:36:26.440 they threw away 00:36:26.440 --> 00:36:27.059 and so it will be 00:36:27.059 --> 00:36:27.820 at the end of the age 00:36:27.820 --> 00:36:29.519 where angels will come forth 00:36:29.519 --> 00:36:31.440 and take out the wicked 00:36:31.440 --> 00:36:34.100 from among the righteous. 00:36:36.280 --> 00:36:36.780 You ever wonder 00:36:36.780 --> 00:36:37.900 why he says there's people 00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:39.160 who are unrighteous 00:36:39.160 --> 00:36:39.820 among the righteous? 00:36:41.600 --> 00:36:42.559 He's saying there's some people 00:36:42.559 --> 00:36:44.059 in the fellowship 00:36:44.059 --> 00:36:46.019 who still are clinging 00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:46.699 to the treasures 00:36:46.699 --> 00:36:47.480 that used to give them 00:36:47.480 --> 00:36:48.440 so much hope and joy 00:36:48.440 --> 00:36:49.659 and they look at Christ 00:36:49.659 --> 00:36:50.119 and they realize 00:36:50.119 --> 00:36:51.360 it's not worth it, 00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:53.079 it's not worth it. 00:36:55.159 --> 00:36:56.579 But I like being around Christians 00:36:56.579 --> 00:36:58.059 because they make me feel 00:36:58.059 --> 00:36:58.739 good about myself. 00:37:02.139 --> 00:37:03.420 The passage says here 00:37:03.420 --> 00:37:04.500 that in that day 00:37:04.500 --> 00:37:06.920 there will be a big dragnet 00:37:06.920 --> 00:37:07.860 that will come 00:37:07.860 --> 00:37:09.199 and all of those people 00:37:09.199 --> 00:37:09.940 will disappear 00:37:09.940 --> 00:37:12.759 because their treasure 00:37:12.759 --> 00:37:13.599 was someplace else. 00:37:14.059 --> 00:37:18.659 My prayer for us 00:37:18.659 --> 00:37:20.299 as a church family 00:37:20.299 --> 00:37:23.119 and as brothers and sisters 00:37:23.119 --> 00:37:25.880 is that we would look 00:37:25.880 --> 00:37:26.900 at these parables 00:37:26.900 --> 00:37:29.340 and we'd understand 00:37:29.340 --> 00:37:30.539 what the true treasure is. 00:37:33.139 --> 00:37:34.239 He's not talking about 00:37:34.239 --> 00:37:35.139 getting the perfect spouse. 00:37:35.239 --> 00:37:36.139 He's not talking about 00:37:36.139 --> 00:37:37.239 getting the perfect job. 00:37:37.299 --> 00:37:38.079 He's not talking about 00:37:38.079 --> 00:37:38.920 being secure. 00:37:39.000 --> 00:37:39.500 He's not talking about 00:37:39.500 --> 00:37:40.480 even having good health. 00:37:41.920 --> 00:37:42.679 He's not talking about 00:37:42.679 --> 00:37:43.380 getting that Rolex 00:37:43.380 --> 00:37:43.940 that you want. 00:37:44.059 --> 00:37:45.719 or having God 00:37:45.719 --> 00:37:46.639 answer all your prayers. 00:37:48.259 --> 00:37:49.199 But the treasure 00:37:49.199 --> 00:37:50.000 he's talking about 00:37:50.000 --> 00:37:52.320 is so much more greater 00:37:52.320 --> 00:37:55.159 than any of those things. 00:37:55.539 --> 00:37:56.099 And the treasure 00:37:56.099 --> 00:37:57.659 is Jesus. 00:37:57.659 --> 00:38:04.319 God is offering to us 00:38:04.319 --> 00:38:06.259 a relationship 00:38:06.259 --> 00:38:08.399 through his son 00:38:08.399 --> 00:38:09.219 Jesus Christ. 00:38:11.699 --> 00:38:12.819 And the question is 00:38:12.819 --> 00:38:14.239 do we see that 00:38:14.239 --> 00:38:15.079 as a treasure? 00:38:15.239 --> 00:38:16.159 Do we see that 00:38:16.159 --> 00:38:17.799 as precious 00:38:17.799 --> 00:38:19.480 will we take it? 00:38:19.480 --> 00:38:26.139 when you came in? 00:38:26.139 --> 00:38:26.159 When you came in 00:38:26.159 --> 00:38:26.980 every one of you 00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:27.619 should have gotten 00:38:27.619 --> 00:38:28.139 a pearl. 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:33.539 Jesus says 00:38:33.539 --> 00:38:34.139 his kingdom 00:38:34.139 --> 00:38:37.340 is so much more valuable 00:38:37.340 --> 00:38:39.780 than that pearl. 00:38:39.780 --> 00:38:42.920 the Bible tells us 00:38:42.920 --> 00:38:43.840 that we actually have 00:38:43.840 --> 00:38:44.420 a true 00:38:44.420 --> 00:38:46.120 older brother 00:38:46.120 --> 00:38:46.900 a true 00:38:46.900 --> 00:38:48.440 pearl merchant 00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:49.160 a true 00:38:49.160 --> 00:38:49.880 worker 00:38:49.880 --> 00:38:50.780 in the field 00:38:50.780 --> 00:38:51.600 someone 00:38:51.600 --> 00:38:52.440 who 00:38:52.440 --> 00:38:54.040 for the joy 00:38:54.040 --> 00:38:56.040 set before him 00:38:56.040 --> 00:38:58.720 gave up 00:38:58.720 --> 00:38:59.640 everything 00:38:59.639 --> 00:39:05.079 to buy you. 00:39:10.400 --> 00:39:10.980 How does that 00:39:10.980 --> 00:39:11.500 make you feel? 00:39:11.500 --> 00:39:19.300 the God from heaven 00:39:19.300 --> 00:39:20.059 who had everything 00:39:20.059 --> 00:39:20.900 perfect relationship 00:39:20.900 --> 00:39:21.599 had everything 00:39:21.599 --> 00:39:23.719 when he looked out 00:39:23.719 --> 00:39:26.079 he saw you 00:39:26.079 --> 00:39:29.420 he realized 00:39:29.420 --> 00:39:29.880 that you were 00:39:29.880 --> 00:39:31.139 so much more precious 00:39:31.139 --> 00:39:36.920 and he gave it all 00:39:36.920 --> 00:39:40.340 so that you might know him. 00:39:41.500 --> 00:39:43.800 and the treasure 00:39:43.800 --> 00:39:45.840 of being called 00:39:45.840 --> 00:39:46.440 his children 00:39:46.440 --> 00:39:49.599 and entered into 00:39:49.599 --> 00:39:50.159 a relationship 00:39:50.159 --> 00:39:50.619 with him. 00:39:53.159 --> 00:39:54.360 My prayer is 00:39:54.360 --> 00:39:55.099 that we would find 00:39:55.099 --> 00:39:55.619 joy 00:39:55.619 --> 00:39:57.500 in the true 00:39:57.500 --> 00:39:57.900 treasure 00:39:57.900 --> 00:40:00.599 and we would 00:40:00.599 --> 00:40:01.519 share that joy 00:40:01.519 --> 00:40:03.400 with the people 00:40:03.400 --> 00:40:04.059 around us 00:40:04.059 --> 00:40:06.300 so they would 00:40:06.300 --> 00:40:06.980 know Jesus too. 00:40:11.500 --> 00:40:12.880 how we doing? 00:40:16.139 --> 00:40:17.260 Everybody's really quiet. 00:40:19.340 --> 00:40:20.320 My hope is 00:40:20.320 --> 00:40:20.619 you're going 00:40:20.619 --> 00:40:21.440 oh my gosh 00:40:21.440 --> 00:40:23.880 I never realized 00:40:23.880 --> 00:40:25.219 that's how God 00:40:25.219 --> 00:40:25.780 sees me. 00:40:27.920 --> 00:40:28.320 Oh man 00:40:28.320 --> 00:40:29.159 I never realized 00:40:29.159 --> 00:40:29.940 that that's what 00:40:29.940 --> 00:40:30.900 God 00:40:30.900 --> 00:40:32.760 did for me. 00:40:34.000 --> 00:40:34.460 Oh man 00:40:34.460 --> 00:40:37.300 even in my sin 00:40:37.300 --> 00:40:38.119 and when I'm choosing 00:40:38.119 --> 00:40:39.820 not to value him 00:40:39.820 --> 00:40:40.460 as a treasure 00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:41.600 he sees me 00:40:41.600 --> 00:40:42.380 as this treasure 00:40:42.380 --> 00:40:43.580 that's so amazing 00:40:43.580 --> 00:40:47.480 that he sacrifices 00:40:47.480 --> 00:40:47.820 everything 00:40:48.880 --> 00:40:51.960 for me. 00:40:54.840 --> 00:40:55.900 My hope is 00:40:55.900 --> 00:40:56.340 that you would 00:40:56.340 --> 00:40:56.800 carry this 00:40:56.800 --> 00:40:57.440 pearl around 00:40:57.440 --> 00:40:58.000 this week 00:40:58.000 --> 00:40:59.860 keep it in your pocket 00:40:59.860 --> 00:41:00.840 keep it in your purse 00:41:00.840 --> 00:41:02.220 we touch it 00:41:02.220 --> 00:41:02.960 once a day 00:41:02.960 --> 00:41:06.079 say 00:41:06.079 --> 00:41:09.880 more valuable 00:41:09.880 --> 00:41:14.240 more valuable 00:41:14.240 --> 00:41:17.679 more valuable 00:41:17.679 --> 00:41:20.800 more valuable 00:41:20.800 --> 00:41:25.099 Father we just 00:41:25.099 --> 00:41:25.860 thank you for this day 00:41:25.860 --> 00:41:27.579 we thank you for your 00:41:27.579 --> 00:41:27.940 mercy 00:41:27.940 --> 00:41:29.760 and for your grace 00:41:29.760 --> 00:41:33.140 realizing 00:41:33.140 --> 00:41:33.580 Lord 00:41:33.580 --> 00:41:33.860 that 00:41:33.860 --> 00:41:36.060 each of us 00:41:36.060 --> 00:41:37.860 is on a journey 00:41:37.860 --> 00:41:40.660 the next step 00:41:40.660 --> 00:41:41.360 looks so different 00:41:41.360 --> 00:41:42.320 for each one of us 00:41:42.320 --> 00:41:46.160 but the truth is 00:41:46.160 --> 00:41:47.500 is that you value us 00:41:47.500 --> 00:41:49.960 more than the most 00:41:49.960 --> 00:41:50.680 precious things 00:41:50.680 --> 00:41:51.680 we can even imagine 00:41:51.680 --> 00:41:55.300 and so you send us 00:41:55.300 --> 00:41:55.860 your son 00:41:55.860 --> 00:41:58.980 I pray for those 00:41:58.980 --> 00:41:59.460 of us in here 00:41:59.460 --> 00:41:59.980 who struggle 00:41:59.980 --> 00:42:00.720 with this 00:42:00.720 --> 00:42:04.539 I pray Lord 00:42:04.539 --> 00:42:04.960 that they would 00:42:04.960 --> 00:42:05.980 see as Lewis said 00:42:05.980 --> 00:42:06.820 that those things 00:42:06.820 --> 00:42:07.620 that we cling to 00:42:07.620 --> 00:42:08.280 on this world 00:42:08.280 --> 00:42:09.200 will soon depart 00:42:09.200 --> 00:42:11.059 and they will 00:42:11.059 --> 00:42:11.920 leave us empty 00:42:11.920 --> 00:42:14.660 I pray for those 00:42:14.660 --> 00:42:15.079 of us who've 00:42:15.079 --> 00:42:16.320 never seen 00:42:16.320 --> 00:42:17.380 Jesus as precious 00:42:17.380 --> 00:42:18.220 and wonderful 00:42:18.220 --> 00:42:18.820 and beautiful 00:42:18.820 --> 00:42:19.820 that you would 00:42:19.820 --> 00:42:21.400 open our eyes 00:42:21.400 --> 00:42:22.240 to this truth 00:42:22.240 --> 00:42:22.880 and that we would 00:42:22.880 --> 00:42:24.180 start to explore 00:42:24.180 --> 00:42:24.900 this truth 00:42:24.900 --> 00:42:27.139 and that we'd 00:42:27.139 --> 00:42:27.880 ask questions 00:42:27.880 --> 00:42:28.400 of why 00:42:28.400 --> 00:42:28.820 why 00:42:28.820 --> 00:42:29.320 why 00:42:29.320 --> 00:42:30.139 why am I 00:42:30.139 --> 00:42:31.380 so precious 00:42:31.380 --> 00:42:32.440 to God 00:42:32.440 --> 00:42:35.519 and I pray 00:42:35.519 --> 00:42:36.119 for those of us 00:42:36.119 --> 00:42:36.500 in here Lord 00:42:36.500 --> 00:42:37.760 who've realized 00:42:37.760 --> 00:42:38.820 that preciousness 00:42:38.820 --> 00:42:40.639 but sometimes 00:42:40.639 --> 00:42:41.300 just in the living 00:42:41.300 --> 00:42:42.000 of life 00:42:42.000 --> 00:42:44.860 we lose joy 00:42:44.860 --> 00:42:47.160 because we don't 00:42:47.160 --> 00:42:47.800 have people around 00:42:47.800 --> 00:42:48.980 us speaking truth 00:42:48.980 --> 00:42:49.840 and the gospel 00:42:49.840 --> 00:42:51.500 and encouraging us 00:42:51.500 --> 00:42:52.000 maybe we just 00:42:52.000 --> 00:42:52.940 we've gone on 00:42:52.940 --> 00:42:53.820 a long journey 00:42:53.820 --> 00:42:54.559 away from you 00:42:54.559 --> 00:42:56.900 what was precious 00:42:56.900 --> 00:42:57.619 once now 00:42:57.619 --> 00:42:58.639 seems to be 00:42:58.639 --> 00:42:59.400 okay 00:42:59.400 --> 00:43:02.239 when I pray 00:43:02.239 --> 00:43:02.960 for those of us 00:43:02.960 --> 00:43:03.599 who are in here 00:43:03.599 --> 00:43:04.099 like that 00:43:04.099 --> 00:43:04.500 that we would 00:43:04.500 --> 00:43:06.079 realize again 00:43:06.079 --> 00:43:07.139 what greater 00:43:07.139 --> 00:43:07.759 treasure you 00:43:07.759 --> 00:43:08.480 offer us 00:43:08.480 --> 00:43:11.480 and how amazing 00:43:11.480 --> 00:43:12.059 you are 00:43:12.059 --> 00:43:15.079 help us to repent 00:43:15.079 --> 00:43:16.500 of our sin 00:43:16.500 --> 00:43:17.799 our selfishness 00:43:17.799 --> 00:43:20.320 our self-reliance 00:43:20.320 --> 00:43:22.340 help us 00:43:22.340 --> 00:43:22.820 help us to repent 00:43:22.820 --> 00:43:23.420 of the treasures 00:43:23.420 --> 00:43:24.039 we cling to 00:43:24.039 --> 00:43:24.680 so quickly 00:43:24.680 --> 00:43:26.300 because they 00:43:26.300 --> 00:43:26.600 will just 00:43:26.600 --> 00:43:27.140 disappear 00:43:27.140 --> 00:43:30.800 help us to 00:43:30.800 --> 00:43:31.460 focus on your 00:43:31.460 --> 00:43:31.800 son 00:43:31.800 --> 00:43:33.500 the true 00:43:33.500 --> 00:43:33.900 pressure 00:43:33.900 --> 00:43:34.660 the true 00:43:34.660 --> 00:43:36.480 precious 00:43:36.480 --> 00:43:37.539 treasure 00:43:37.539 --> 00:43:39.840 who came 00:43:39.840 --> 00:43:40.559 to buy us 00:43:40.559 --> 00:43:43.500 father we love 00:43:43.500 --> 00:43:43.780 you 00:43:43.780 --> 00:43:45.260 we pray all 00:43:45.260 --> 00:43:45.620 these things 00:43:45.620 --> 00:43:45.940 in your son 00:43:45.940 --> 00:43:46.539 Jesus name 00:43:46.539 --> 00:43:47.739 amen 00:43:47.739 --> 00:43:47.800 amen 00:43:47.800 --> 00:43:49.120 a 00:43:49.120 --> 00:43:49.760 cyan 00:43:49.960 --> 00:43:50.360 one 00:43:50.360 --> 00:43:51.400 one 00:43:51.400 --> 00:43:51.440 one 00:43:51.440 --> 00:43:52.300 one 00:43:52.300 --> 00:43:53.140 was 00:43:53.140 --> 00:43:54.340 ou 00:43:54.539 --> 00:43:55.900 envojd