WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.219 I'm pleased to have a seat and let me invite you now to grab a Bible if you have one there 00:00:05.219 --> 00:00:09.060 or look it out on your phone or whatever you need to do to get God's Word open in front of you and 00:00:09.060 --> 00:00:14.580 turn to, I guess we're going to be in Genesis 1 and 2 and 3 this evening. We might dot in and 00:00:14.580 --> 00:00:21.519 around elsewhere as well, but it's so important we have God's Word open in front of us. So tonight 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:28.179 we're going to be thinking about what the Bible teaches about human beings. As we continue this 00:00:28.179 --> 00:00:32.159 series that we've been in over the last few weeks, and I really hope you found it helpful to think 00:00:32.159 --> 00:00:39.280 about some of these things, to think about what the Bible teaches us about humanity. And I guess 00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:46.140 since the idea of this series is it's designed to help us think biblically about some of the big 00:00:46.140 --> 00:00:52.760 issues of our day, as we unpack what God says in His Word, what I want to do as we think about 00:00:52.759 --> 00:01:00.619 humanity is through that lens. I want us to think about this whole issue of racism, to think 00:01:00.619 --> 00:01:09.060 biblically about it so that we are equipped both to understand it and then be able to articulate to 00:01:09.060 --> 00:01:16.640 the watching world our Christian response to this issue as it's presented itself in our day, right? 00:01:16.640 --> 00:01:25.560 And in so doing, offer to the world a beautiful picture of Jesus Christ, who is the great lover and 00:01:25.560 --> 00:01:32.140 transformer of human hearts. Because here's perhaps, just give you a little insight into my thinking 00:01:32.140 --> 00:01:36.920 behind this, what I've become increasingly convinced of over the years as I've journeyed with Jesus, 00:01:37.920 --> 00:01:45.980 is what the Bible says about human beings is both wonderfully dignifying and its holy 00:01:45.980 --> 00:01:57.260 realistic. And the gospel which we encounter, as we encounter Jesus in the Word, is the hope for 00:01:57.260 --> 00:02:02.700 our nation, is the hope for the people that we rub shoulders with every day, is Jesus Christ. 00:02:03.620 --> 00:02:08.420 So you with me on this one? Okay, you can give me some kind of nod or a, yeah, this has really 00:02:08.420 --> 00:02:12.840 excited me this week as I've prepared for it. So I really hope this thrills your heart as well as we 00:02:12.840 --> 00:02:18.319 think about humanity and what the Bible says about humanity. But let me start by taking you to the 00:02:18.319 --> 00:02:22.980 city of Rome. Okay, I don't know if any of you ever been to Rome. I've never been, it's on my kind of 00:02:22.980 --> 00:02:29.740 bucket list to go to. But by far the most famous landmark in that city that I reported 6.4 million 00:02:29.740 --> 00:02:37.020 people visited last year is the Roman Colosseum, right? I'm sure some of us in this room may be 00:02:37.020 --> 00:02:41.780 watching this online. I've been to the Roman Colosseum. Incredible when you think about it. 00:02:42.400 --> 00:02:50.460 Constructed in 70 AD, right? That is an old, old building. 70 AD. And in its heyday, it held 00:02:50.460 --> 00:02:55.260 something like 50 to 80,000 people, which is a huge number of people when you think about it. 00:02:56.300 --> 00:03:02.120 No wonder it's one of the most iconic structures ever built in human history, right? Incredible 00:03:02.120 --> 00:03:08.319 feat of architecture. But if you travel to Rome today, what you'll see, I guess, is what they call 00:03:08.319 --> 00:03:16.860 a glorious ruin, right? A glorious ruin. Because despite retaining the essence of its original beauty, 00:03:18.259 --> 00:03:26.460 the Colosseum has been marred to the extent that what exists today is but a shadow of the glory that it 00:03:26.460 --> 00:03:33.800 once had. And it's interesting because that is what C.S. Lewis, who's one of the great Christian 00:03:33.800 --> 00:03:40.740 thinkers from, I guess, the last few hundred years, C.S. Lewis, the great Christian thinker, as he observed 00:03:40.740 --> 00:03:50.180 people, said that we are exactly like the Roman Colosseum, right? Human beings. We are a glorious ruin. 00:03:52.080 --> 00:03:55.760 And so what I want to do tonight is just kind of latch onto those two words, 00:03:56.460 --> 00:03:57.620 that Lewis uses, 00:03:58.780 --> 00:04:04.120 and unpack a little bit of what the Bible story says about these things. A glorious ruin. 00:04:04.240 --> 00:04:09.200 And so here is what the Bible teaches us about humanity, right? Friends, we are glorious. 00:04:11.080 --> 00:04:14.560 Human beings, glorious. If you've got it there, Genesis 1 and 2, 00:04:15.659 --> 00:04:17.280 the opening chapters of the Bible 00:04:17.280 --> 00:04:21.420 exclaim this at us, that human beings are 00:04:21.420 --> 00:04:26.280 glorious. So we kind of tap into the Bible story at Genesis 1, 00:04:26.459 --> 00:04:31.539 in the beginning was God, this God who has eternally been there, this God who has chosen to reveal 00:04:31.539 --> 00:04:38.299 himself to us. We're introduced to this delightful God that we get in Genesis 1 and Genesis 2, who 00:04:38.299 --> 00:04:40.579 eternally exists 00:04:40.579 --> 00:04:45.759 as a community of one God in three persons, 00:04:46.279 --> 00:04:47.879 Father, Son, 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:55.680 Son, and Spirit, who have always been eternally and lovingly delighting in one another. 00:04:56.040 --> 00:05:04.139 Okay? Our God is triune, right? He is three in one. And because he is three in one, he is relational. 00:05:04.740 --> 00:05:08.959 It's who he is. He's relational. He is love. 00:05:09.859 --> 00:05:10.219 Okay? Now, 00:05:10.859 --> 00:05:14.979 it's so important to park these kind of theological ideas because they're so important 00:05:14.979 --> 00:05:16.899 to what we'll come on to see in a little while. 00:05:17.019 --> 00:05:18.919 Okay? Our God is triune. He is relational. 00:05:19.079 --> 00:05:20.659 He is love. 00:05:20.719 --> 00:05:23.359 And this God creates the world. He didn't need to create the world. 00:05:23.799 --> 00:05:24.939 He wasn't lacking in anything. 00:05:25.079 --> 00:05:28.079 This God spoke and things came into being. 00:05:28.179 --> 00:05:30.859 This God spoke and beauty happens. 00:05:30.860 --> 00:05:34.480 Of an overflow of who he is, he creates the world. 00:05:34.660 --> 00:05:38.939 Days 1 to 3 that we get in the Genesis 1 and 2 account, God forms the world. 00:05:39.639 --> 00:05:41.960 Days 4 to 6, God fills the world. 00:05:43.939 --> 00:05:47.139 And as the climax of God's good design, he creates human beings. 00:05:48.220 --> 00:05:50.240 And he breathes life into them. 00:05:51.100 --> 00:05:53.840 He creates them, body and soul. 00:05:55.060 --> 00:06:00.560 He creates them intentionally and complementary as male and female. 00:06:01.400 --> 00:06:04.120 Friends, meaning that our bodies, our very bodies, 00:06:04.740 --> 00:06:07.660 carry inherent and wonderful dignity. 00:06:08.939 --> 00:06:10.000 Right? Have you ever thought about that? 00:06:10.080 --> 00:06:12.240 The body matters. 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:13.400 Matters. 00:06:14.460 --> 00:06:16.139 Because, and this is the key phrase, 00:06:17.280 --> 00:06:19.680 God made us in his image. 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:21.040 If you remember one thing from tonight, 00:06:21.100 --> 00:06:22.520 and I really hope you remember more than one thing, 00:06:22.520 --> 00:06:24.180 but if you're going to pick one, pick that one. 00:06:24.500 --> 00:06:27.580 Okay? God made us in his image. 00:06:27.660 --> 00:06:29.360 Here's what we get in Genesis 1.27. 00:06:29.360 --> 00:06:30.879 Here's our first pit stop tonight. 00:06:31.340 --> 00:06:34.180 So God created mankind in his own image. 00:06:34.660 --> 00:06:36.720 In the image of God, he created them. 00:06:37.139 --> 00:06:39.360 Male and female, he created them. 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:42.920 It's a wonderful bit of intricate Hebrew poetry there. 00:06:44.840 --> 00:06:46.280 God made us in his image. 00:06:47.259 --> 00:06:48.600 And of no other created thing, 00:06:48.660 --> 00:06:50.439 in the opening account of the Bible, 00:06:50.520 --> 00:06:51.500 is that said to be true. 00:06:51.580 --> 00:06:53.259 No animal is made in the image of God, 00:06:53.319 --> 00:06:54.340 yet human beings are. 00:06:54.339 --> 00:06:55.299 And here's what that means. 00:06:55.899 --> 00:06:57.919 That means that human life, 00:06:59.339 --> 00:06:59.919 marvelous, 00:07:00.579 --> 00:07:01.699 every human life, 00:07:02.359 --> 00:07:02.819 marvelous, 00:07:03.839 --> 00:07:04.619 valued, 00:07:05.359 --> 00:07:05.779 known, 00:07:06.479 --> 00:07:08.779 bestowed with dignity, 00:07:08.779 --> 00:07:10.079 that is inherent, 00:07:10.859 --> 00:07:11.139 right, 00:07:11.239 --> 00:07:12.319 rather than earned. 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:13.299 Why? 00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:15.859 Because each and every life, 00:07:15.939 --> 00:07:17.099 from the moment of conception, 00:07:17.239 --> 00:07:18.899 no matter how good or how bad, 00:07:18.899 --> 00:07:20.279 we might deem somebody to be, 00:07:20.599 --> 00:07:21.939 no matter how responsive, 00:07:23.079 --> 00:07:23.799 or useful, 00:07:24.339 --> 00:07:25.719 we might think someone is, 00:07:26.099 --> 00:07:29.979 is a life that is made in the very image of God. 00:07:29.980 --> 00:07:35.660 So the Bible teaches about what it fundamentally means 00:07:35.660 --> 00:07:37.400 to be a human being. 00:07:38.620 --> 00:07:39.020 Right? 00:07:39.080 --> 00:07:40.379 Maybe you're here tonight and you're thinking, 00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:42.200 I don't know, 00:07:42.240 --> 00:07:43.300 am I really worth anything? 00:07:43.900 --> 00:07:45.259 Is my life worth anything? 00:07:45.520 --> 00:07:47.360 Is it worth carrying on going? 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:48.140 Because life's hard. 00:07:48.280 --> 00:07:49.100 We'll see that in a minute, 00:07:49.180 --> 00:07:49.819 why it's hard. 00:07:51.140 --> 00:07:51.540 But friends, 00:07:51.600 --> 00:07:52.480 this bestows, 00:07:53.340 --> 00:07:55.860 or pronounces dignity over you that is inherent. 00:07:56.819 --> 00:07:57.120 Right? 00:07:57.960 --> 00:07:59.020 This is who you are. 00:07:59.019 --> 00:08:02.139 You are fearfully and wonderfully made 00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:04.879 in His loving image. 00:08:05.879 --> 00:08:06.500 And it's no wonder, 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:06.779 isn't it, 00:08:06.799 --> 00:08:08.839 that many of us have struggled during this season. 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:12.379 Because if we're made in the image of our relational gods, 00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:13.079 friends, 00:08:13.099 --> 00:08:15.339 it shouldn't surprise us that we are made for relationships 00:08:15.339 --> 00:08:16.079 with one another. 00:08:17.219 --> 00:08:18.039 It's been difficult, 00:08:18.180 --> 00:08:18.620 hasn't it? 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:21.019 But this is who our God is. 00:08:21.219 --> 00:08:26.159 And He pronounces dignity over each and every single human life. 00:08:26.159 --> 00:08:26.859 And from that, 00:08:27.799 --> 00:08:27.979 friends, 00:08:28.019 --> 00:08:28.959 I hope you can see 00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:32.980 why any kind of racism in our society, 00:08:33.539 --> 00:08:34.819 any kind of prejudice, 00:08:35.100 --> 00:08:37.220 any feeling of superiority, 00:08:37.679 --> 00:08:40.559 any mindset that devalues human beings 00:08:40.559 --> 00:08:42.659 for whatever reason that is, 00:08:42.980 --> 00:08:46.159 and fails to see all human life is precious. 00:08:47.500 --> 00:08:47.960 But as you see, 00:08:48.019 --> 00:08:51.159 it is so stomach-wretchingly wrong. 00:08:51.159 --> 00:08:53.019 It is sinful, 00:08:53.019 --> 00:08:53.120 it is sinful, 00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:58.199 and it's a very insult to our Maker who made us in His image. 00:08:58.200 --> 00:09:02.340 Because all life matters to God. 00:09:02.340 --> 00:09:04.440 all life matters to God. 00:09:05.800 --> 00:09:06.620 And do you know what that means? 00:09:06.620 --> 00:09:07.700 I was thinking about this week, 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:10.980 if that's the kind of pebble in the ocean, 00:09:11.100 --> 00:09:11.540 if you like, 00:09:11.800 --> 00:09:12.340 in the pond, 00:09:12.460 --> 00:09:14.759 and all the ripples are coming out from it. 00:09:14.780 --> 00:09:16.100 If you think about what that means, 00:09:16.700 --> 00:09:16.960 friends, 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:19.300 it means that when any human life is under threat, 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:22.420 when inherent human rights are being overlooked, 00:09:22.419 --> 00:09:23.459 when people are hurting, 00:09:24.459 --> 00:09:25.639 when people are struggling, 00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:26.799 for the many, 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:29.019 many reasons that you and I do in life, 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:30.759 that we as Christians, 00:09:30.939 --> 00:09:31.120 friends, 00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:34.659 we should be the first ones on the scene to help. 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:38.500 And speak up for those who can't speak for themselves, 00:09:38.659 --> 00:09:42.479 and act with compassion and love, 00:09:42.519 --> 00:09:45.899 because we have this understanding of what human life is. 00:09:45.899 --> 00:09:49.939 And we have this understanding of who our God is. 00:09:51.459 --> 00:09:51.720 You know, 00:09:51.740 --> 00:09:54.120 it's a conviction like this that prompted William Wilberforce 00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:57.079 to make a stand for people trafficking. 00:09:57.819 --> 00:09:58.220 Well, 00:09:58.240 --> 00:10:00.019 at the end of the 18th century, 00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:00.740 he said this, 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:01.799 this is his famous line, 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:04.159 God Almighty has set before me two great objects, 00:10:04.279 --> 00:10:06.980 the suppression of the slave trade, 00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:09.059 and the reformation of manners. 00:10:09.159 --> 00:10:10.419 Don't know how he got on with the second one, 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:12.039 but he certainly succeeded with the first. 00:10:14.059 --> 00:10:14.559 You know, 00:10:14.559 --> 00:10:16.099 let's make it our prayer from tonight, 00:10:16.239 --> 00:10:22.639 that God would grant us something more of his heart for human beings. 00:10:25.559 --> 00:10:26.039 You know, 00:10:26.059 --> 00:10:27.019 recently Tim Farron, 00:10:27.079 --> 00:10:28.519 I don't know if some of you maybe picked this up, 00:10:28.579 --> 00:10:31.699 it was an interview that he did, 00:10:31.819 --> 00:10:34.939 Tim Farron's the MP for Westmoreland and Lonsdale, 00:10:35.079 --> 00:10:36.679 and from what I can understand, 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:37.379 he's a believer, 00:10:38.459 --> 00:10:41.500 and he made what I thought was a huge challenge to the church 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:43.079 in an interview that he gave recently, 00:10:43.219 --> 00:10:43.419 right? 00:10:43.419 --> 00:10:45.740 He said that too often, 00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:51.439 the only time that he hears passionately from Christians in his region, 00:10:51.979 --> 00:10:53.360 in his constituency, 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:55.779 the only time he ever hears from them, 00:10:56.159 --> 00:10:59.899 is on the issues of abortion or euthanasia, 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:00.199 right? 00:11:01.319 --> 00:11:01.639 Now, 00:11:01.679 --> 00:11:04.279 good and right that we have convictions about the beginning of life, 00:11:04.319 --> 00:11:05.240 and the end of life, 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:06.639 but then he said, 00:11:06.700 --> 00:11:10.659 if only I heard from the same Christians on issues to do with child poverty, 00:11:11.659 --> 00:11:15.000 or single parents struggling to put food on the table, 00:11:16.060 --> 00:11:18.539 or families struggling to make ends meet, 00:11:19.180 --> 00:11:21.840 or people breaking down with mental health, 00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:27.840 all these different issues concerning humanity as they arise in my constituency, 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:30.000 if only I heard from those Christians then. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:32.080 I think that's a huge challenge to us. 00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:32.679 Do you not think? 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:39.080 As we think about what it means to shine forth the love of Jesus in our community, 00:11:39.080 --> 00:11:41.100 I think that's a huge challenge, 00:11:41.100 --> 00:11:42.419 to take our understanding, 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:44.419 our biblical understanding of humanity, 00:11:44.419 --> 00:11:47.860 and our love for human beings made in God's image, 00:11:47.959 --> 00:11:50.860 and look for ways to apply it consistently across the board, 00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:53.419 as we serve our community, 00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:59.059 to think about how we could be salt and light in this city of ours. 00:12:01.919 --> 00:12:04.139 Human beings are glorious because they're made in God's image. 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:04.319 Now, 00:12:04.379 --> 00:12:06.779 here's a thing to think about just as we park this, 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:09.159 maybe sit on this for a moment. 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:09.879 Here's the thing. 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:11.079 Human beings are glorious, 00:12:11.080 --> 00:12:17.400 but I'd imagine that you and I will be hard-pressed to find people in our day-to-day lives 00:12:17.400 --> 00:12:20.700 who wouldn't affirm everything that I've just said there, 00:12:20.800 --> 00:12:22.460 regardless of whether they're Christian or not. 00:12:23.780 --> 00:12:24.740 Probably true, isn't it? 00:12:25.680 --> 00:12:28.920 Don't need to be a Christian to believe a lot of what I've just said. 00:12:30.820 --> 00:12:32.100 And we recognize, don't we, 00:12:32.100 --> 00:12:37.180 and we're so thankful for many non-Christian people and organizations 00:12:37.180 --> 00:12:40.560 who are doing wonderful work the world over. 00:12:40.559 --> 00:12:44.559 We're so thankful for everything that they do to help in so many situations. 00:12:45.319 --> 00:12:47.719 I remember when we traveled to Mozambique when I was a student, 00:12:48.059 --> 00:12:49.159 in the middle of nowhere, 00:12:49.959 --> 00:12:51.839 seeing Oxfam doing their thing, 00:12:52.679 --> 00:12:53.779 thinking that is brilliant. 00:12:54.259 --> 00:12:54.719 It's brilliant. 00:12:56.079 --> 00:12:59.199 So thankful for what they do the world over. 00:12:59.339 --> 00:13:00.839 But perhaps increasingly, 00:13:01.039 --> 00:13:03.379 in my conversations with people, 00:13:04.659 --> 00:13:06.699 having explained my Christian moorings, 00:13:06.700 --> 00:13:08.840 friends, 00:13:08.900 --> 00:13:12.540 here's how I always gently and lovingly probe people to think about their worldview 00:13:12.540 --> 00:13:15.900 and how they think about human beings. 00:13:17.300 --> 00:13:19.300 Just to ask good questions, 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:20.300 lovingly. 00:13:21.259 --> 00:13:21.400 Okay? 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:21.800 So, 00:13:24.040 --> 00:13:27.920 that sense of right and wrong that exists inside each one of us, 00:13:28.259 --> 00:13:29.540 that sense of right and wrong, 00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:32.240 we know that things are right, 00:13:32.299 --> 00:13:33.579 we know when things are wrong. 00:13:33.959 --> 00:13:34.240 Friends, 00:13:34.959 --> 00:13:36.059 where does that come from? 00:13:37.099 --> 00:13:38.319 Where does that come from? 00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:40.799 Human life, 00:13:40.919 --> 00:13:41.959 what is it? 00:13:42.919 --> 00:13:43.719 What is it? 00:13:45.419 --> 00:13:47.379 These human rights that we speak of, 00:13:47.459 --> 00:13:48.719 that are so important, 00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:51.099 I remember studying them in my legal days, 00:13:51.100 --> 00:13:54.740 these human rights that we speak of, 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:57.740 when does somebody qualify for them? 00:13:59.159 --> 00:14:01.779 And when does somebody disqualify for them? 00:14:03.040 --> 00:14:04.420 And who decides that? 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:07.279 And on what grounds do they decide that? 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:11.820 She's just asking questions of people's worldview. 00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:14.420 How do we know? 00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:15.680 These are big questions, right? 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:17.279 These are big, big questions, 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:19.899 but it's so important that we think about these things, 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:21.519 think about these things. 00:14:21.959 --> 00:14:22.100 You know, 00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:23.500 I find it fascinating, 00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:23.779 you know, 00:14:23.799 --> 00:14:25.439 you've heard of a guy called Jordan Peterson, 00:14:26.699 --> 00:14:26.939 right? 00:14:27.039 --> 00:14:29.039 It's big in our culture at the minute, 00:14:29.179 --> 00:14:29.819 Jordan Peterson, 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:30.139 who, 00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:31.439 by his own admission, 00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:33.459 is not a follower of Jesus, 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:35.039 but he was asked recently in an interview 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:36.799 about this whole idea of human dignity, 00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:38.759 and he made this fascinating observation 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:39.840 about the image of God. 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:42.399 He said really simply, 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:43.559 and I've kind of shortened it down, 00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:45.460 he said simply, 00:14:45.460 --> 00:14:47.720 this is the cornerstone of civilization, 00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:51.120 and we ignore it at our peril. 00:14:52.519 --> 00:14:53.840 It's not fascinating for somebody 00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:55.639 that doesn't believe in God at all, 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:59.019 but understands that our Western culture, 00:15:00.060 --> 00:15:00.320 friends, 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.680 is built on this understanding 00:15:01.680 --> 00:15:04.000 that human beings have an inherent dignity 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:06.700 because they are made in the image of God. 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:09.680 I find that incredible to think about. 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:12.259 We've got to move on, 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:13.700 our time is kind of speeding on. 00:15:13.700 --> 00:15:15.120 Friends, 00:15:15.180 --> 00:15:16.980 never lose sight of the fact 00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:19.100 that human beings are made glorious. 00:15:19.700 --> 00:15:20.460 They are glorious 00:15:20.460 --> 00:15:21.600 because they are made 00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:24.280 in the very image of God. 00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:26.540 Isn't that a wonderful worldview 00:15:26.540 --> 00:15:27.560 to have as a Christian? 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:29.420 I think we should go on the offensive 00:15:29.420 --> 00:15:30.200 with that more. 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:31.820 I'm trying to help people understand 00:15:31.820 --> 00:15:32.960 this is what the Bible teaches 00:15:32.960 --> 00:15:34.200 about human life. 00:15:36.440 --> 00:15:38.040 Human beings are glorious, 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:40.740 but then think about the flip side of that, 00:15:40.820 --> 00:15:42.700 what I said earlier about the C.S. Lewis quote. 00:15:42.700 --> 00:15:44.140 It also teaches us 00:15:44.140 --> 00:15:45.520 that we are a ruin. 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:46.980 We're a ruin. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:48.720 In the Bible story, 00:15:48.800 --> 00:15:49.780 after Genesis 1 and 2, 00:15:49.820 --> 00:15:50.860 we get Genesis 3. 00:15:52.280 --> 00:15:53.620 Adam and Eve in the garden, 00:15:53.780 --> 00:15:54.320 one rule. 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:58.100 Don't eat from that tree. 00:15:59.540 --> 00:16:00.600 Don't eat from the tree. 00:16:01.920 --> 00:16:03.060 And unpack that. 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:04.540 We really need to see 00:16:04.540 --> 00:16:05.540 what's going on there. 00:16:05.640 --> 00:16:06.500 God's saying to them, 00:16:06.640 --> 00:16:08.560 it's only by trusting me, 00:16:08.640 --> 00:16:10.560 by submitting to my gracious 00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:13.379 and my good kingship over you. 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:15.759 In relationship with me 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:17.619 is the place where you'll flourish, 00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:19.299 right, as human beings. 00:16:19.539 --> 00:16:21.079 It's in the sphere of grace 00:16:21.079 --> 00:16:22.819 that you will find your purpose 00:16:22.819 --> 00:16:24.059 and you will find joy 00:16:24.059 --> 00:16:26.099 as my creatures. 00:16:29.099 --> 00:16:30.139 Friends, which is why 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:32.039 if we're looking to know 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:33.199 blessing in our lives, 00:16:33.599 --> 00:16:34.539 we're looking to know 00:16:34.539 --> 00:16:35.799 what life to the full is. 00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:37.239 Do you see how it's to be found 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:38.820 in exactly the same place here 00:16:38.820 --> 00:16:40.500 in a sphere of grace 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:41.120 and relationship 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:42.220 with this good God? 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:46.279 But Adam fails to lead 00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:47.980 as God told him to. 00:16:48.180 --> 00:16:49.460 Eve fails to listen 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:51.279 as God told her to. 00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:53.080 They believe the whispers of Satan 00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:54.080 who would just say, 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:55.220 did God really say? 00:16:55.940 --> 00:16:57.440 Did God really say? 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.379 Which underneath it 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:02.240 is this question, 00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:03.720 is God really good? 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:05.519 Is he really good? 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.619 What happens? 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.639 Eve takes the fruit 00:17:07.639 --> 00:17:09.420 and friends, 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:11.900 it's an act of deliberate rebellion 00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:12.940 against God. 00:17:13.079 --> 00:17:15.139 It's the very definition of sin 00:17:15.139 --> 00:17:16.960 as it enters the human condition 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:20.660 and mars each and every human heart. 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:22.619 We are by nature rebels 00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:24.019 against this God, 00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:25.519 against our creator. 00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:27.139 We don't want his rule in our lives. 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:28.379 We want our rule. 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:28.920 And all of a sudden, 00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:30.639 after Genesis 3 00:17:30.639 --> 00:17:31.420 and the Bible story, 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:33.339 you start to get words like shame 00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:35.699 and guilt and anger 00:17:35.699 --> 00:17:36.459 and envy 00:17:36.459 --> 00:17:37.399 and murder 00:17:37.399 --> 00:17:38.339 and pride. 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:40.059 These weren't here 00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:41.699 in Genesis 1 and Genesis 2. 00:17:41.819 --> 00:17:42.879 The writer trying to show us 00:17:42.879 --> 00:17:44.139 the ripple effects of sin 00:17:44.139 --> 00:17:45.379 as it's affected 00:17:45.379 --> 00:17:46.899 each and every single human being 00:17:46.899 --> 00:17:48.359 and affected our world. 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:50.939 And you get death. 00:17:52.379 --> 00:17:52.899 Death. 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:56.339 It seems to me that 00:17:56.339 --> 00:17:58.579 we need to maybe re-grasp 00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.579 a sense of the fact 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:00.759 that death wasn't the way 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:02.399 that it was supposed to be. 00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:04.160 You know, each and every time 00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:05.780 figures are read out to us 00:18:05.780 --> 00:18:06.640 on our news at the minute, 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:07.620 we should be grieving. 00:18:08.540 --> 00:18:08.720 Right? 00:18:08.780 --> 00:18:09.840 We should be thinking about 00:18:09.840 --> 00:18:11.160 those who have lost loved ones 00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:12.080 because death is anything 00:18:12.080 --> 00:18:12.759 but natural. 00:18:13.820 --> 00:18:14.400 This wasn't the way 00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:15.540 God designed it. 00:18:16.800 --> 00:18:17.560 And it seems to me 00:18:17.560 --> 00:18:18.160 that as Christians 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:19.080 we should be 00:18:19.080 --> 00:18:20.500 modelling to the world 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:22.019 what real joy looks like. 00:18:22.100 --> 00:18:23.440 What real joy looks like. 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:24.620 And we should be modelling 00:18:24.620 --> 00:18:25.320 to the world 00:18:25.320 --> 00:18:27.400 what it is to truly mourn. 00:18:28.340 --> 00:18:28.740 Right? 00:18:28.820 --> 00:18:29.519 Truly mourn. 00:18:29.780 --> 00:18:30.420 And grieve. 00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:32.019 That death isn't the way 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:33.100 it was supposed to be. 00:18:34.900 --> 00:18:36.039 None of these things, friends, 00:18:36.100 --> 00:18:37.180 were in God's good design. 00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:38.140 And so here, 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:39.440 and I think this is really important 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:40.620 if you want to grasp this 00:18:40.620 --> 00:18:41.420 for what we'll come back to 00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:41.880 in a minute, 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:43.860 there's a three-way disruption 00:18:43.860 --> 00:18:45.440 going on here 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:46.600 as sin enters the world. 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:48.240 A three-way disruption 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:49.600 to the harmony 00:18:49.600 --> 00:18:51.180 that exists in Genesis 1 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:51.860 and Genesis 2. 00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:52.900 Think about it 00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:53.600 in three directions. 00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:55.080 Okay, there's an upward disruption 00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:57.599 that our sin has caused 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:59.159 that severed the relationship 00:18:59.159 --> 00:19:00.579 between us and our Creator. 00:19:01.159 --> 00:19:02.740 There's an outward disruption 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.599 between us 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:05.339 and our fellow human beings. 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:07.679 And there's an inward disruption 00:19:07.679 --> 00:19:08.419 in our hearts 00:19:08.419 --> 00:19:09.199 and in our minds 00:19:09.199 --> 00:19:10.779 as the whole of creation 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:12.720 suffers the effects 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:14.599 of the sin sickness. 00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:16.079 Okay? 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:18.939 I find it amazing 00:19:18.939 --> 00:19:19.859 how many of these themes, 00:19:19.939 --> 00:19:20.220 there's only one of you 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:21.359 that's ever thought about this. 00:19:21.659 --> 00:19:22.519 And once I've mentioned this 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:23.899 you'll start seeing them everywhere, right? 00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:26.259 How many of these themes 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.300 are reflected 00:19:27.300 --> 00:19:28.660 in some of our culture's 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:30.240 most loved stories? 00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:32.259 Okay, do you know 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:33.420 our girls love to watch, 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.100 they love to watch 00:19:34.100 --> 00:19:35.060 Beauty and the Beast. 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:36.600 You ever watched that, 00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:37.380 Beauty and the Beast? 00:19:38.080 --> 00:19:39.820 Okay, it's a catchy tune or two, 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.900 Beauty and the Beast. 00:19:41.620 --> 00:19:42.440 If you haven't watched it, 00:19:42.540 --> 00:19:42.720 okay, 00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:44.080 Disney Plus, 00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:45.200 seven-day free trial, 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.180 you can get it over half-term, 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:48.080 knock yourself out, okay? 00:19:48.300 --> 00:19:49.160 Beauty and the Beast. 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:52.320 The whole story is about this 00:19:52.320 --> 00:19:53.820 prince, 00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:56.700 who fails to be 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.340 the person 00:19:57.340 --> 00:19:58.460 that he's called to be. 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:02.620 And there's a curse 00:20:02.620 --> 00:20:03.259 over him 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:05.280 and the castle. 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:07.080 Right? 00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:07.880 The castle, him, 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:08.900 and everything in it, 00:20:09.060 --> 00:20:09.900 all of the people 00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:11.800 are under this dark cloud 00:20:11.800 --> 00:20:12.620 of her curse. 00:20:12.820 --> 00:20:13.060 Why? 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:14.360 Because of the beast's failure 00:20:14.360 --> 00:20:15.220 to be the person 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:17.019 that he was called to be. 00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:17.860 And everything 00:20:17.860 --> 00:20:19.019 and everyone in the castle 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:20.700 is longing one day 00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:22.560 to be freed from the curse. 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:23.279 And the only way 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:24.079 that that will happen 00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:25.099 is by an act 00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:26.259 of sacrificial love. 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:27.339 And you begin to see 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:28.200 these themes everywhere 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:29.079 in our stories 00:20:29.079 --> 00:20:29.639 that we love 00:20:29.639 --> 00:20:30.399 in our culture. 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:31.899 It's exactly the same 00:20:31.899 --> 00:20:33.079 with the sin sickness 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:33.700 that the Bible 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:34.720 is talking about. 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:36.119 Friends, 00:20:36.159 --> 00:20:37.200 it's how we make sense 00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:38.339 of a world full of pain 00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:39.460 and hurt. 00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:39.899 Death, 00:20:39.940 --> 00:20:40.399 as I said, 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:41.819 was never the way 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:43.720 it was supposed to be. 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:47.720 Friends, 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.579 when it comes to 00:20:48.579 --> 00:20:51.259 racism, 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:52.519 when it comes to prejudice, 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:54.500 when it comes to sin, 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:55.779 have you ever asked yourself 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:57.339 why it's even here 00:20:57.339 --> 00:20:58.539 in the first place? 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:00.880 You know, 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:01.799 in a big lens, 00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:03.319 understanding of things, 00:21:04.660 --> 00:21:04.960 friends, 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:06.259 these things exist. 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:07.720 They originate from the sin 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:09.440 in every human heart 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:11.059 against God 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:12.799 or sin against Him. 00:21:13.899 --> 00:21:14.179 Right? 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:15.019 It's really popular 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:15.960 for people to say, 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:16.779 I cannot believe 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.539 we're still talking 00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:18.259 about these things 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:19.099 in 2020. 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.319 And you know 00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:20.819 what they mean. 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:21.619 Right? 00:21:21.639 --> 00:21:22.720 You know what people mean. 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:24.700 And we're so thankful 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.579 for the developments 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:26.399 that we have made 00:21:26.399 --> 00:21:27.740 as a culture 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.319 over the last 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:30.319 kind of few decades 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:32.159 on a lot of these issues. 00:21:33.639 --> 00:21:34.919 But in another sense, 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:35.240 friends, 00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:36.379 heartbreakingly 00:21:36.379 --> 00:21:37.519 with this worldview, 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.759 the fact that we are 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:39.559 still talking about 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.240 a lot of these things 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:40.960 in 2020 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:42.420 I don't think 00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:43.579 it should surprise us. 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.519 Because the issue, 00:21:45.600 --> 00:21:47.079 the core of the issue, 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:47.779 right, 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.720 it's not primarily 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:50.059 an educational one. 00:21:50.340 --> 00:21:51.340 It's not primarily 00:21:51.340 --> 00:21:52.079 about money. 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:53.100 It's not a legal one. 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:54.100 It's not about power. 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:55.700 The heart of the issue, 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.259 and these are all 00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:57.360 great secondary things 00:21:57.360 --> 00:21:58.400 that we want to use 00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:59.279 to see these things 00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:00.600 stamped out of our society. 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:02.700 But the core of the issue, 00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:03.420 the Bible says, 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:04.759 is the human heart. 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:07.200 That's the problem. 00:22:07.340 --> 00:22:08.039 Human beings 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:10.259 capable of tremendous goods 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:12.839 and yet capable 00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:14.519 of terrible evil. 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:16.940 And we know 00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:17.799 these things are true 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.759 in our own hearts, 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:19.279 but we know 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:20.000 these things are true 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:20.559 as we look out 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:21.879 on the world. 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.119 You know, 00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:22.599 I still remember 00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:23.420 the day that my dad 00:22:23.420 --> 00:22:24.299 first brought home 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:26.299 our first family PC, 00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:27.140 right? 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:28.059 Great day. 00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:29.279 We were growing up, 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:29.700 right? 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:30.779 We had dial-up internet, 00:22:30.900 --> 00:22:32.140 remember those glorious days, 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:32.859 only one person 00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:33.759 on the phone at a time? 00:22:33.879 --> 00:22:34.420 Great days. 00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:37.160 But the internet 00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:39.660 is a case in point 00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:40.440 about what I'm talking 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:40.720 about here, 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.420 about humanity, 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:41.779 right? 00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:42.779 Amazing invention. 00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:43.759 How would we have coped 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.880 over the last six months 00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:45.600 without the internet? 00:22:45.800 --> 00:22:46.400 Think about it. 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:47.580 What would we have done? 00:22:47.620 --> 00:22:48.080 I don't know. 00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:49.019 Send carrier pigeons 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:49.640 to one another? 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:50.759 I don't know what we would have done, 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:51.100 right? 00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:52.200 How would we have coped? 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:54.060 Amazing invention 00:22:54.060 --> 00:22:55.100 that human beings 00:22:55.100 --> 00:22:56.039 are using 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:57.840 for incredible goods. 00:22:58.340 --> 00:22:59.300 But is it not true 00:22:59.300 --> 00:23:00.480 to say that the internet 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.740 is the very source 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:03.299 of some of the worst things 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:05.140 about our world today? 00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:06.140 It's true, isn't it? 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.019 Pornography 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:09.700 and cyberbullying, 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.519 money laundering, 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.660 people trafficking, 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.640 on and on and on 00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:15.079 the list could go. 00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:16.240 Human beings, friends. 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:17.279 You see what the Bible is saying? 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:19.680 A glorious ruin. 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:22.220 A glorious ruin. 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:25.759 Which is where the story 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:27.759 would have stayed 00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:30.440 if this God 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:33.259 isn't who he is. 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.940 This is where the story 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:36.660 would have stayed 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:38.400 if it wasn't for 00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:39.720 this God 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:40.840 who is in the habit 00:23:40.840 --> 00:23:42.340 of loving his enemies, 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.779 of pursuing people 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:44.460 who want nothing 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:45.340 to do with him. 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:48.440 If it weren't for the gospel, 00:23:48.580 --> 00:23:50.220 the message of Christ crucified, 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:51.960 that God has acted in Christ 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:52.840 out of his great love 00:23:52.840 --> 00:23:53.880 for a world lost 00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:54.880 and reveling in sin 00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:55.480 and darkness, 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:57.259 offering great hope 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.240 for humanity. 00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:58.359 humanity. 00:23:59.660 --> 00:24:00.099 Right? 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:01.380 And there's two sides 00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:03.180 of this transforming hope 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:03.940 that we have 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.819 in the gospel. 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:06.380 If you remember back 00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:06.980 to our kind of 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:08.019 three-fold disruption, 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:08.839 remember God, 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:10.180 outward, 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:10.940 inward. 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:11.400 Right? 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.339 Think about those things. 00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:14.099 Here's what the gospel does. 00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:16.599 Friends, 00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:17.460 there cannot be an act 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.420 that more rubber stamps 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:19.640 the dignity of humanity 00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:20.559 than the incarnation. 00:24:22.140 --> 00:24:23.319 That God would come down 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:24.559 in the person of Jesus. 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:26.619 that Jesus Christ, 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.379 God eternal, 00:24:27.559 --> 00:24:28.779 took on flesh. 00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:30.399 And he is the very embodiment 00:24:30.399 --> 00:24:31.480 of perfect humanity, 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:33.019 which means to be transformed 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:34.139 more into his images, 00:24:34.139 --> 00:24:35.980 to become more human, 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:36.619 as it were. 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:38.980 He is what it means 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:40.159 to live life to the full. 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:41.440 He is what it is 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:43.379 to live a fully joyous life. 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.659 He is the true 00:24:44.659 --> 00:24:45.539 and better Adam, 00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:48.339 whose life would end 00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:48.980 at the cross 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:50.039 where he takes the place 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:51.299 of sinful humanity. 00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:53.180 Friends, 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:53.759 we're all those 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.720 who would trust in him 00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:55.519 for the forgiveness 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:57.399 of their sin. 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.339 How does this 00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:59.899 king conquer? 00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:01.579 He conquers through humility. 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.139 And we in turn, 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:06.539 friends, 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.359 as we turn to him, 00:25:07.399 --> 00:25:08.019 are clothed 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:10.000 with his perfect righteousness. 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:11.119 We know mercy, 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.519 we know grace, 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:14.419 we know love abounding. 00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:14.619 You know, 00:25:14.639 --> 00:25:15.480 I was chatting to my friend 00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:16.039 Paul Rees, 00:25:16.099 --> 00:25:17.259 who's down at Charlotte Chapel. 00:25:17.379 --> 00:25:17.859 He was telling me 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:18.639 a story recently 00:25:18.639 --> 00:25:19.759 about a funeral he took 00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:21.579 over the last couple of months 00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:22.240 for an older man 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:22.920 and his congregation 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:24.319 and just family 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:25.200 clearing out the house 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:26.339 and they found his old Bible, 00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:27.519 right, 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:29.240 and gave it to Paul 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:30.879 and Paul opens it 00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:32.299 and there was a huge circle 00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:33.900 around the opening verses 00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:35.019 of Psalm 130. 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:37.180 Huge circle in this guy's Bible 00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:39.339 around the phrase, 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:40.039 if you, Lord, 00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:41.279 kept a record of sins, 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:41.559 Lord, 00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:42.379 who could stand? 00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:44.200 But with you, 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:45.140 there is forgiveness 00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:46.660 so that we can, 00:25:46.839 --> 00:25:47.720 with reverence, 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.640 serve you. 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.960 And Paul said, 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:52.480 that man knew the joy 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:54.299 of sins forgiven, 00:25:54.599 --> 00:25:56.859 of being right with God. 00:25:57.400 --> 00:25:57.799 Friends, 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:59.079 Jesus heals 00:25:59.079 --> 00:26:01.579 our upward separation. 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:05.220 Heals our upward separation. 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:07.279 We are reconciled to God. 00:26:07.420 --> 00:26:08.539 We are justified. 00:26:08.879 --> 00:26:10.359 We are adopted into his family 00:26:10.359 --> 00:26:11.879 because of his great love for us. 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:13.160 And now, 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:15.640 God has sent his spirit 00:26:15.640 --> 00:26:16.720 into our hearts 00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:19.140 to know his fatherly love. 00:26:20.379 --> 00:26:22.259 Jesus has reconciled us that way 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:24.599 and he's reconciled us internally, 00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:26.579 transforming us internally 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:27.440 by his grace 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:29.039 as God breathes into us 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:31.160 into spiritually dead corpses 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:33.220 and is transforming us 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:35.460 more into the image of Jesus. 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:35.759 Jesus. 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:41.799 Friends, 00:26:41.819 --> 00:26:42.500 it's almost like God 00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:43.559 is declaring over us 00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:43.799 that 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:46.840 I made you, 00:26:46.880 --> 00:26:48.200 I created you in my image 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:50.259 and I've redeemed you 00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:52.079 from the power of sin 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:52.819 and death 00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:54.559 and I am transforming you 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:56.160 more into the likeness of Jesus 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:57.920 so that you can come 00:26:57.920 --> 00:26:58.620 increasingly 00:26:58.620 --> 00:27:00.200 to bear that image 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:01.299 once again 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:03.099 to the watching world. 00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:06.759 Jesus has reconciled us 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.359 to God, 00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:09.680 transforming us internally 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:11.919 and it changes us corporately 00:27:11.919 --> 00:27:14.379 as the church 00:27:14.379 --> 00:27:15.879 and here's the logic of it 00:27:15.879 --> 00:27:16.819 and follow with me 00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:18.819 if you're still tracking here, 00:27:18.899 --> 00:27:19.099 right? 00:27:19.399 --> 00:27:20.619 If the very core 00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:21.799 of who our God is 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:23.700 is that he is triune, 00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:24.319 okay? 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:26.720 He is loving unity 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:28.000 in diversity. 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:29.759 If that is who our God is, 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:32.759 as this God claims for himself 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:34.120 and changes his people, 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:34.720 friends, 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.960 not only should we expect 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:37.200 to see something of that 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:37.839 being reflected 00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:39.279 in the church, 00:27:40.620 --> 00:27:42.339 but surely it makes sense 00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:44.140 that we best image him 00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:45.339 to the world 00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:46.960 when we live out 00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:48.759 loving unity 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:50.319 in diversity. 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:53.740 And we have a saviour, 00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:54.000 don't we, 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:55.660 who is all about crossing divides, 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:57.140 who crossed the Jew 00:27:57.140 --> 00:27:58.640 and Samaritan one 00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.440 to reach the woman 00:27:59.440 --> 00:27:59.940 at the well, 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:01.019 who crossed the clean 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:02.279 versus the unclean one 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:03.480 when he touched the leper. 00:28:04.380 --> 00:28:05.180 We've got a God, 00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:05.820 a king, 00:28:05.880 --> 00:28:06.480 who is all about 00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:07.560 crossing divides, 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:08.460 who is all about 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:09.480 bringing reconciliation. 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:10.420 Friends, 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:11.300 all of that is to say 00:28:11.300 --> 00:28:12.080 that reconciliation 00:28:12.080 --> 00:28:13.779 is the very heart 00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:14.820 of the gospel 00:28:14.820 --> 00:28:16.300 and the church is called 00:28:16.300 --> 00:28:17.140 to reflect it 00:28:17.140 --> 00:28:17.840 to the world. 00:28:18.840 --> 00:28:19.580 And that's why 00:28:19.580 --> 00:28:20.960 when it comes to displaying 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:21.660 that unity 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:22.620 and diversity, 00:28:22.900 --> 00:28:23.060 friends, 00:28:23.100 --> 00:28:23.860 I think we need to 00:28:23.860 --> 00:28:25.040 take more seriously 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:25.680 the call 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:27.940 to actively pursue it 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:29.019 for the glory of God. 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.139 Right? 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:32.099 Particularly when it maybe 00:28:32.099 --> 00:28:34.099 comes to social 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:35.940 and racial unity, 00:28:36.159 --> 00:28:36.379 friends, 00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:37.539 we need to get better 00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:38.279 at listening. 00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:41.339 And we need to get better 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:42.059 at learning 00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:44.720 and entering into 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:45.980 other people's stories 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:48.139 and adapting. 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:49.240 Right? 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:50.039 Not the gospel, 00:28:50.379 --> 00:28:51.720 but entering into 00:28:51.720 --> 00:28:53.000 other people's lives 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:53.359 and thinking, 00:28:53.559 --> 00:28:54.519 how can we help 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.460 introduce these people 00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:56.220 to Jesus 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:57.819 and love them 00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:59.279 and hearing from 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:00.599 other people's experiences. 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:01.759 And I think it might 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:02.400 mean us needing 00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:03.599 to get a bit better 00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:05.059 at being uncomfortable. 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:08.259 As we seek to display 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:09.299 and take seriously 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:10.420 what God has done 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:11.039 in Jesus, 00:29:11.619 --> 00:29:13.339 as we reflect this God 00:29:13.339 --> 00:29:14.519 to the watching world, 00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:16.500 loving unity 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:17.859 in diversity. 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:18.839 And I love that picture 00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:19.319 that we get 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:20.339 at the end of Revelation. 00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:21.220 Right? 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:22.539 Chapters 4 and 5. 00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:23.319 You can check this out 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:23.980 in your own time. 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:25.079 Who is gathered 00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:25.759 around the throne 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.740 worshiping God? 00:29:28.339 --> 00:29:28.700 Friends, 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.380 it is a people 00:29:29.380 --> 00:29:30.819 from every tribe, 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:31.900 tongue, 00:29:32.360 --> 00:29:33.460 and nation. 00:29:34.920 --> 00:29:35.539 This people 00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:36.259 who God 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:37.440 has gathered together 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:38.600 and made one 00:29:38.600 --> 00:29:40.160 through his spirit. 00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:41.640 This is God's 00:29:41.640 --> 00:29:42.940 very good design. 00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:45.299 His very good design. 00:29:45.400 --> 00:29:46.059 And this is what 00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:46.600 he is doing 00:29:46.600 --> 00:29:47.180 in the gospel. 00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:47.600 We saw that 00:29:47.600 --> 00:29:48.299 in Ephesians 1, 00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:48.579 didn't we? 00:29:48.620 --> 00:29:49.299 Chapter 10. 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:50.960 About God's plan. 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.919 God's plan. 00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:54.099 And how he is 00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:55.619 displaying his glory 00:29:55.619 --> 00:29:56.599 to the world. 00:29:57.879 --> 00:29:58.359 And our girls, 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.240 we have got this little book 00:29:59.240 --> 00:29:59.960 called God's 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:01.359 very good design. 00:30:01.899 --> 00:30:02.139 Right? 00:30:02.180 --> 00:30:02.980 Trying to explain 00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:03.680 this stuff 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:05.099 to children. 00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:06.539 And it ends 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.159 with these words, 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:08.119 God made it, 00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:10.019 people ruined it, 00:30:10.639 --> 00:30:12.000 Jesus rescued it, 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:13.680 and he will finish it. 00:30:14.919 --> 00:30:15.619 It is beautiful, 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.099 isn't it? 00:30:16.099 --> 00:30:17.639 Friends, 00:30:17.659 --> 00:30:19.339 a glorious ruin. 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.579 We started in Rome. 00:30:20.639 --> 00:30:21.359 Let's just finish 00:30:21.359 --> 00:30:21.919 in Geneva. 00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:23.500 Okay? 00:30:23.619 --> 00:30:24.619 Not too far from Rome, 00:30:24.679 --> 00:30:25.019 I guess. 00:30:25.399 --> 00:30:26.019 It's a city that 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:27.219 450 years ago 00:30:27.219 --> 00:30:28.539 was turned on its head 00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:29.819 by the knowledge 00:30:29.819 --> 00:30:30.319 of Jesus. 00:30:31.699 --> 00:30:31.879 Okay? 00:30:31.899 --> 00:30:32.179 At the beginning 00:30:32.179 --> 00:30:33.359 of the 16th century, 00:30:33.539 --> 00:30:34.599 the city's motto 00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:36.079 translated into English, 00:30:36.919 --> 00:30:37.939 after darkness, 00:30:38.119 --> 00:30:39.279 I hope for light. 00:30:39.899 --> 00:30:40.119 Right? 00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:41.039 It was a city's motto. 00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:42.619 Right? 00:30:42.639 --> 00:30:43.199 If ever there was 00:30:43.199 --> 00:30:44.159 a sentiment 00:30:44.160 --> 00:30:45.440 that captured the mood 00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:46.480 of our world right now, 00:30:46.600 --> 00:30:47.880 I think there it is. 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:48.300 Right? 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:49.360 After darkness, 00:30:49.580 --> 00:30:50.840 I hope for light. 00:30:50.920 --> 00:30:51.660 What's the headline, 00:30:51.820 --> 00:30:51.980 friends, 00:30:52.040 --> 00:30:52.920 that you and I 00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:54.500 hope to wake up to 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.640 every single morning 00:30:55.640 --> 00:30:56.240 when we've done so 00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:56.680 for the last 00:30:56.680 --> 00:30:57.660 six to eight months? 00:30:59.860 --> 00:31:00.300 Yeah? 00:31:02.120 --> 00:31:02.960 Vaccine found. 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:04.920 That's what we're 00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:05.380 hoping for, 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:05.680 isn't it? 00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:06.640 Vaccine found. 00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:08.440 Friends, 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:08.900 in the gospel 00:31:08.900 --> 00:31:10.480 we have a better hope 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:11.440 that's available 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:12.220 to us now. 00:31:12.800 --> 00:31:13.240 And do you know what? 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:14.099 The people of Geneva 00:31:14.099 --> 00:31:14.980 encountered it. 00:31:15.299 --> 00:31:16.299 After the Reformation 00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:17.039 hit Geneva, 00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:17.900 the city changed 00:31:17.900 --> 00:31:18.920 its motto from 00:31:18.920 --> 00:31:19.920 after darkness, 00:31:20.079 --> 00:31:21.059 I hope for light. 00:31:21.440 --> 00:31:21.720 Do you know what 00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:22.559 they changed it to? 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:24.680 After darkness, 00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:25.660 light. 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:27.519 Why? 00:31:29.660 --> 00:31:30.140 Well, 00:31:30.140 --> 00:31:30.700 the Reformation 00:31:30.700 --> 00:31:31.839 had at its heart 00:31:31.839 --> 00:31:33.220 all, 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:33.960 it was all about 00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:35.099 heralding the glory 00:31:35.099 --> 00:31:35.640 of Jesus, 00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:37.099 how you can be made 00:31:37.099 --> 00:31:38.440 right with your creator. 00:31:38.599 --> 00:31:39.220 And as the people 00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:39.859 of that city 00:31:39.859 --> 00:31:41.240 heard and responded 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:41.900 to it, 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:42.460 friends, 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:43.680 they truly believed 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:44.559 that they'd found 00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:45.220 the hope 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:46.079 that they'd been 00:31:46.079 --> 00:31:47.319 looking for as people. 00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:50.579 As we truly believe 00:31:50.579 --> 00:31:50.859 this, 00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:52.559 that Jesus Christ 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:54.980 is the great hope 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:56.200 for humanity. 00:31:56.859 --> 00:31:57.799 Jesus Christ 00:31:57.799 --> 00:31:59.039 is the great hope 00:31:59.039 --> 00:32:00.059 for the church, 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:01.640 the beautiful community 00:32:01.640 --> 00:32:02.579 that we are called 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:03.099 to be, 00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:04.039 that displays 00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:05.740 the power of God 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:07.039 as we come together 00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:08.240 in unity and diversity, 00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:09.240 as we reflect him 00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:09.859 to the world. 00:32:10.319 --> 00:32:11.759 Jesus is the great 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:14.440 life for the people 00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:15.700 in our city. 00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:19.160 And I guess the question 00:32:19.160 --> 00:32:19.740 to end on, 00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:20.059 friends, 00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:20.259 is, 00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:22.940 are you convinced 00:32:22.940 --> 00:32:24.180 of it in your own heart? 00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:26.960 You know, 00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:27.440 what I want to do 00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:28.319 just as we respond 00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:29.019 to this tonight, 00:32:29.099 --> 00:32:29.740 I realize there's been 00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:30.579 a lot of big things 00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:30.920 in there, 00:32:31.819 --> 00:32:33.859 and I definitely felt 00:32:33.859 --> 00:32:34.599 the pressure 00:32:34.599 --> 00:32:35.140 of not being able 00:32:35.140 --> 00:32:36.000 to do any of that 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:36.660 justice in, 00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:36.799 what, 00:32:36.839 --> 00:32:37.220 25, 00:32:37.599 --> 00:32:38.079 30 minutes? 00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:38.399 I don't know 00:32:38.399 --> 00:32:38.899 what it's been. 00:32:40.519 --> 00:32:41.480 But Jesus Christ 00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:41.960 is the hope 00:32:41.960 --> 00:32:42.579 for our nation, 00:32:43.399 --> 00:32:44.980 and he's the great 00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:46.439 restorer of life 00:32:46.439 --> 00:32:46.960 and joy, 00:32:47.339 --> 00:32:48.599 and he is the giver 00:32:48.599 --> 00:32:49.220 of life. 00:32:49.740 --> 00:32:50.000 And so, 00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:50.199 friends, 00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:50.759 I just want to maybe 00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.899 just pause for a moment 00:32:51.899 --> 00:32:53.599 and allow us 00:32:53.599 --> 00:32:54.519 just in our own, 00:32:55.179 --> 00:32:57.039 our own quiet, 00:32:57.639 --> 00:32:58.639 perhaps just to respond 00:32:58.639 --> 00:32:59.119 to this. 00:32:59.240 --> 00:33:00.139 Maybe you want to, 00:33:00.919 --> 00:33:01.419 you're thinking of 00:33:01.419 --> 00:33:03.279 particular issues 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:04.319 or particular people 00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:05.000 in your minds 00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:05.679 or maybe something 00:33:05.679 --> 00:33:06.199 that's going on 00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:07.059 in your own life 00:33:07.059 --> 00:33:08.400 as we thought 00:33:08.400 --> 00:33:08.980 about what the Bible 00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:10.120 says about humanity. 00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:12.480 Maybe just in the quiet, 00:33:12.920 --> 00:33:13.080 friends, 00:33:13.120 --> 00:33:13.779 maybe you want to offer 00:33:13.779 --> 00:33:14.900 your own prayers to God, 00:33:14.940 --> 00:33:15.900 and then we'll come back 00:33:15.900 --> 00:33:18.000 and we're going to pray 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.980 for some of the stuff 00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:20.400 that we've talked about 00:33:20.400 --> 00:33:20.620 tonight, 00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:21.900 particularly as it affects 00:33:21.900 --> 00:33:23.759 the people in our city 00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.600 of Edinburgh. 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:25.039 So why don't we just 00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:25.860 have a moment of quiet 00:33:25.860 --> 00:33:27.500 and then I'll bring us 00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:28.319 back and we'll pray. 00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:28.400 Amen. 00:33:28.400 --> 00:33:28.440 Amen. 00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:28.460 Amen. 00:33:28.460 --> 00:33:28.480 Amen. 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:28.519 Amen. 00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:28.580 Amen. 00:33:28.580 --> 00:33:28.600 Amen. 00:33:28.600 --> 00:33:28.620 Amen. 00:33:28.620 --> 00:33:28.660 Amen. 00:33:28.660 --> 00:33:28.700 Amen. 00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:29.660 Amen. 00:33:29.660 --> 00:33:30.519 Amen. 00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:30.660 Amen. 00:33:30.660 --> 00:33:31.660 Amen. 00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:32.519 Amen. 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:32.660 Amen. 00:33:32.660 --> 00:33:32.700 Amen. 00:33:32.700 --> 00:33:33.660 Amen. 00:33:33.660 --> 00:33:34.660 Amen. 00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:35.660 Amen. 00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:38.200 Amen. 00:33:38.200 --> 00:33:39.240 Matthew chapter 9, 00:33:40.299 --> 00:33:42.140 verses 35 to 38. 00:33:43.340 --> 00:33:44.440 Jesus went through 00:33:44.440 --> 00:33:45.660 all the towns and villages, 00:33:46.120 --> 00:33:47.559 teaching in their synagogues, 00:33:48.340 --> 00:33:49.720 proclaiming the good news 00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:50.259 of the kingdom 00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:51.559 and healing every disease 00:33:51.559 --> 00:33:52.140 and illness. 00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:54.500 When he saw the crowds, 00:33:55.840 --> 00:33:57.460 he had compassion on them 00:33:57.460 --> 00:33:59.880 because they were harassed 00:33:59.880 --> 00:34:01.299 and helpless like sheep 00:34:01.299 --> 00:34:02.660 without a shepherd. 00:34:02.660 --> 00:34:05.440 Then he said to his disciples, 00:34:05.580 --> 00:34:07.000 the harvest is plentiful, 00:34:07.600 --> 00:34:09.000 but the workers are few. 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:11.360 Ask the Lord of the harvest, 00:34:11.539 --> 00:34:11.740 therefore, 00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:13.119 to send out workers 00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:16.619 into his harvest field. 00:34:17.019 --> 00:34:18.320 May we just spend a few moments 00:34:18.320 --> 00:34:19.960 in prayer as we respond to this. 00:34:22.460 --> 00:34:23.220 Heavenly Father, 00:34:23.300 --> 00:34:24.460 we would pray tonight 00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:27.119 as your people here 00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:30.359 for Christ's heart 00:34:30.359 --> 00:34:32.480 for the people of our city. 00:34:33.679 --> 00:34:35.380 As we read there in Matthew 9 00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:38.339 of Jesus having compassion 00:34:38.339 --> 00:34:41.319 as he looked on the people 00:34:41.319 --> 00:34:43.980 who made up the crowds. 00:34:44.980 --> 00:34:45.440 Father, 00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.599 that they were lost 00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:48.079 and that they were desperately 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:49.460 in need of our shepherd. 00:34:50.259 --> 00:34:51.159 And thank you 00:34:51.159 --> 00:34:53.319 that he didn't just look and leave, 00:34:53.320 --> 00:34:55.059 but he looked 00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:57.140 and went to the cross 00:34:57.140 --> 00:34:59.840 so that the universal call 00:34:59.840 --> 00:35:00.320 of the gospel 00:35:00.320 --> 00:35:01.260 could go out to people 00:35:01.260 --> 00:35:02.400 to come to him 00:35:02.400 --> 00:35:04.180 and to have life in his name 00:35:04.180 --> 00:35:05.780 as they know forgiveness of sins. 00:35:05.900 --> 00:35:07.100 And we just praise you, Lord, 00:35:07.160 --> 00:35:07.980 for who you are. 00:35:08.340 --> 00:35:09.900 Thank you just for the short time tonight 00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:12.340 gazing upon who you are, 00:35:14.460 --> 00:35:17.100 the God who is loving unity 00:35:17.100 --> 00:35:18.100 and diversity. 00:35:18.100 --> 00:35:18.960 And so, Father, 00:35:19.019 --> 00:35:20.019 we would just maybe want to bring 00:35:20.019 --> 00:35:21.480 to you our own prayers this evening. 00:35:21.480 --> 00:35:24.920 Father, 00:35:24.980 --> 00:35:25.740 for the times 00:35:25.740 --> 00:35:28.159 perhaps in our lives 00:35:28.159 --> 00:35:29.480 where we have got this wrong, 00:35:29.860 --> 00:35:29.960 Lord, 00:35:30.000 --> 00:35:31.920 we pray that you would help us, Lord, 00:35:33.639 --> 00:35:36.440 to grasp what you say 00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:37.719 is true of human beings. 00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:39.900 Father, 00:35:39.940 --> 00:35:41.559 we think of our own city this evening 00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:42.740 and we would pray for Edinburgh. 00:35:44.320 --> 00:35:47.059 And we think of the many different people 00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:48.320 that we know in our circles, 00:35:48.579 --> 00:35:49.699 the many different people 00:35:49.699 --> 00:35:51.599 who live in this city. 00:35:52.119 --> 00:35:52.279 Father, 00:35:52.319 --> 00:35:53.379 we'd want to pray maybe tonight 00:35:53.379 --> 00:35:55.480 for the most vulnerable in our city 00:35:55.480 --> 00:35:56.359 as we think about 00:35:56.359 --> 00:35:57.539 what you have said is true 00:35:57.539 --> 00:35:59.159 about every single human being 00:35:59.159 --> 00:36:01.419 as being made in the image of you. 00:36:02.460 --> 00:36:02.659 Lord, 00:36:02.699 --> 00:36:03.379 we would pray tonight 00:36:03.379 --> 00:36:04.779 for those who are on our streets 00:36:04.779 --> 00:36:05.619 and who are homeless. 00:36:07.079 --> 00:36:07.339 Father, 00:36:07.399 --> 00:36:09.159 we ask that they would get the support 00:36:09.159 --> 00:36:10.779 and the shelter that they need. 00:36:12.159 --> 00:36:12.519 Father, 00:36:12.579 --> 00:36:13.699 we pray for different organisations 00:36:14.219 --> 00:36:15.559 working so hard there 00:36:15.559 --> 00:36:16.699 that you would help them, 00:36:16.980 --> 00:36:17.079 Father, 00:36:17.779 --> 00:36:19.599 to provide social care 00:36:19.599 --> 00:36:21.340 and to provide physical help. 00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:22.400 Lord, 00:36:22.440 --> 00:36:23.779 that we might see people 00:36:23.779 --> 00:36:25.039 not having to resort 00:36:25.039 --> 00:36:26.460 to homelessness in our city. 00:36:27.599 --> 00:36:27.860 Father, 00:36:27.900 --> 00:36:28.639 we pray for those 00:36:28.639 --> 00:36:29.119 who are struggling 00:36:29.119 --> 00:36:30.519 with unemployment just now. 00:36:31.179 --> 00:36:31.420 Lord, 00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:32.320 we know the times 00:36:32.320 --> 00:36:33.139 in which we live, 00:36:33.239 --> 00:36:33.920 the recession 00:36:33.920 --> 00:36:36.239 in which we are currently in. 00:36:36.299 --> 00:36:36.500 And so, 00:36:36.599 --> 00:36:36.659 Father, 00:36:36.699 --> 00:36:37.619 we pray for those 00:36:37.619 --> 00:36:38.679 who are finding themselves 00:36:38.679 --> 00:36:39.360 out of work 00:36:39.360 --> 00:36:40.699 that you would be near to them. 00:36:42.059 --> 00:36:42.340 Father, 00:36:42.420 --> 00:36:43.179 they would know you 00:36:43.179 --> 00:36:44.259 as the great provider. 00:36:45.779 --> 00:36:46.099 Lord, 00:36:46.139 --> 00:36:46.899 we would think of those 00:36:46.899 --> 00:36:47.460 in our city 00:36:47.460 --> 00:36:48.039 who are struggling 00:36:48.039 --> 00:36:48.859 with loneliness 00:36:48.859 --> 00:36:51.699 and depression. 00:36:53.019 --> 00:36:53.419 Father, 00:36:53.440 --> 00:36:54.099 who are struggling 00:36:54.099 --> 00:36:54.980 with this season 00:36:54.980 --> 00:36:56.239 as a thought of perhaps 00:36:56.239 --> 00:36:57.199 another lockdown 00:36:57.199 --> 00:36:58.359 looms large in the mind. 00:36:58.500 --> 00:36:58.659 Father, 00:36:58.719 --> 00:37:00.039 we pray that you would be near 00:37:00.039 --> 00:37:01.500 to these individuals, 00:37:01.719 --> 00:37:02.659 that you surround them 00:37:02.659 --> 00:37:03.500 with people 00:37:03.500 --> 00:37:04.960 who can care for them well. 00:37:05.460 --> 00:37:06.079 Maybe particularly 00:37:06.079 --> 00:37:06.359 those, 00:37:06.599 --> 00:37:06.619 Father, 00:37:06.719 --> 00:37:07.779 tonight who are struggling 00:37:07.779 --> 00:37:09.259 with the very thought 00:37:09.259 --> 00:37:10.980 of keeping on going in life. 00:37:12.419 --> 00:37:12.819 Father, 00:37:12.820 --> 00:37:13.600 that you would put people 00:37:13.600 --> 00:37:14.140 around them 00:37:14.140 --> 00:37:15.500 who can speak 00:37:15.500 --> 00:37:16.460 the truth of your word 00:37:16.460 --> 00:37:17.420 into their lives, 00:37:17.519 --> 00:37:19.400 that they are of value, 00:37:19.580 --> 00:37:20.600 that they are known, 00:37:20.680 --> 00:37:21.600 that they are loved. 00:37:23.120 --> 00:37:23.380 Father, 00:37:23.400 --> 00:37:24.600 we would think of the many 00:37:24.600 --> 00:37:25.860 children in our city, 00:37:26.000 --> 00:37:26.100 Lord, 00:37:26.160 --> 00:37:26.920 who find themselves 00:37:26.920 --> 00:37:27.620 in poverty, 00:37:27.880 --> 00:37:28.920 those who are struggling, 00:37:29.360 --> 00:37:29.519 Lord, 00:37:29.640 --> 00:37:31.140 to go to school. 00:37:31.340 --> 00:37:31.440 Father, 00:37:31.500 --> 00:37:32.260 we pray for them 00:37:32.260 --> 00:37:33.220 and particularly, 00:37:33.380 --> 00:37:33.440 Lord, 00:37:33.460 --> 00:37:33.900 we maybe pray 00:37:33.900 --> 00:37:35.080 for half term this week 00:37:35.080 --> 00:37:36.240 that you would give them 00:37:36.240 --> 00:37:37.320 rest 00:37:37.320 --> 00:37:38.140 and you would give them 00:37:38.140 --> 00:37:38.900 a break. 00:37:39.100 --> 00:37:39.380 And Father, 00:37:39.460 --> 00:37:41.260 that you would help 00:37:41.260 --> 00:37:42.640 provide for families, 00:37:42.639 --> 00:37:43.500 so that children 00:37:43.500 --> 00:37:45.199 can be brought up 00:37:45.199 --> 00:37:46.279 well in this city. 00:37:46.980 --> 00:37:47.219 Father, 00:37:47.259 --> 00:37:47.920 we think of those 00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:48.819 who find themselves 00:37:48.819 --> 00:37:50.299 in care homes as well. 00:37:51.339 --> 00:37:51.739 Lord, 00:37:51.819 --> 00:37:52.879 realizing the heartbreaking 00:37:52.879 --> 00:37:53.699 statistics 00:37:53.699 --> 00:37:54.639 that we've maybe heard 00:37:54.639 --> 00:37:55.239 over the last 00:37:55.239 --> 00:37:56.559 number of months 00:37:56.559 --> 00:37:57.299 as we thought about 00:37:57.299 --> 00:37:58.420 those in care homes, 00:37:58.619 --> 00:37:58.719 Lord, 00:37:58.759 --> 00:37:59.579 we pray that you would 00:37:59.579 --> 00:38:00.619 just be near to them. 00:38:01.699 --> 00:38:01.980 Father, 00:38:02.099 --> 00:38:03.759 for those who are 00:38:03.759 --> 00:38:04.779 struggling with pain 00:38:04.779 --> 00:38:06.859 and with hurts, 00:38:07.259 --> 00:38:07.400 Father, 00:38:07.460 --> 00:38:08.319 those who are grieving 00:38:08.319 --> 00:38:08.960 the loss 00:38:08.960 --> 00:38:10.019 of both family 00:38:10.019 --> 00:38:10.960 and friends. 00:38:11.340 --> 00:38:11.599 Lord, 00:38:11.639 --> 00:38:12.340 that you would be 00:38:12.340 --> 00:38:13.199 known as the great 00:38:13.199 --> 00:38:14.000 comforter 00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:15.539 in those situations. 00:38:17.699 --> 00:38:18.219 And so, 00:38:18.320 --> 00:38:18.420 Father, 00:38:18.480 --> 00:38:19.480 we would just pray 00:38:19.480 --> 00:38:20.259 tonight that you 00:38:20.259 --> 00:38:21.000 would help us 00:38:21.000 --> 00:38:22.780 to love people 00:38:22.780 --> 00:38:23.860 well. 00:38:26.500 --> 00:38:27.019 And so, 00:38:27.099 --> 00:38:27.199 Father, 00:38:27.259 --> 00:38:28.300 we just praise you 00:38:28.300 --> 00:38:29.079 for your words, 00:38:29.259 --> 00:38:30.480 your precious words. 00:38:31.639 --> 00:38:32.000 Father, 00:38:32.079 --> 00:38:32.860 where would we be 00:38:32.860 --> 00:38:33.719 without your words? 00:38:34.679 --> 00:38:34.940 And so, 00:38:35.000 --> 00:38:35.059 Lord, 00:38:35.059 --> 00:38:35.539 we just commit 00:38:35.539 --> 00:38:36.300 ourselves to you 00:38:36.300 --> 00:38:36.679 tonight. 00:38:36.679 --> 00:38:37.940 and we just 00:38:37.940 --> 00:38:38.399 praise you 00:38:38.399 --> 00:38:39.379 that you hear us, 00:38:39.719 --> 00:38:40.480 that our words 00:38:40.480 --> 00:38:41.179 don't just bounce 00:38:41.179 --> 00:38:41.839 off the ceiling, 00:38:42.019 --> 00:38:42.659 that they don't 00:38:42.659 --> 00:38:43.619 just echo 00:38:43.619 --> 00:38:44.399 around the room, 00:38:44.500 --> 00:38:44.799 but Father, 00:38:44.899 --> 00:38:45.879 you hear us 00:38:45.879 --> 00:38:47.239 because we pray 00:38:47.239 --> 00:38:47.679 in Jesus' 00:38:47.899 --> 00:38:49.259 precious name. 00:38:50.039 --> 00:38:50.419 Amen.