WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.700 Well, imagine yourself hurtling down the freeway 00:00:03.700 --> 00:00:08.980 and suddenly the driver rips the steering wheel off 00:00:08.980 --> 00:00:10.019 and throws it out the window. 00:00:13.839 --> 00:00:14.859 You're out of control. 00:00:15.620 --> 00:00:16.859 It's going to end badly. 00:00:18.800 --> 00:00:22.460 That, I think, is a picture of exactly where we're at as a society 00:00:22.460 --> 00:00:26.900 when it comes to thinking about marriage and relationships. 00:00:26.899 --> 00:00:34.699 Some have veered away into believing that relationships and family, 00:00:35.359 --> 00:00:40.239 maleness and femaleness, can take any form a person chooses. 00:00:41.839 --> 00:00:44.619 They'll go on to say that many people, if not most people, 00:00:44.679 --> 00:00:48.119 will experience several different relationship forms 00:00:48.119 --> 00:00:52.379 and they'll have perhaps even several different gender expressions 00:00:52.379 --> 00:00:53.320 over their lifetime. 00:00:53.320 --> 00:00:58.579 And they will all be acceptable. 00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:03.159 Others veer off in another direction, 00:01:03.280 --> 00:01:07.840 believing that marriage and family is just a cultural invention 00:01:07.840 --> 00:01:10.079 of men and religion. 00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:14.219 And it's been invented to control and exploit women. 00:01:15.859 --> 00:01:17.920 And therefore it should be abolished completely. 00:01:17.920 --> 00:01:23.799 Others steer off in the opposite direction, 00:01:24.060 --> 00:01:27.760 making family and marriage absolutely essential 00:01:27.760 --> 00:01:31.340 to their sense of identity and worth as a person. 00:01:32.700 --> 00:01:33.859 I've got to be married. 00:01:33.980 --> 00:01:34.900 I've got to have children. 00:01:36.760 --> 00:01:38.120 And so here we are, 00:01:38.640 --> 00:01:40.859 back and forth across the road 00:01:40.859 --> 00:01:44.359 because we've no longer got a steering wheel. 00:01:47.099 --> 00:01:48.959 And the inevitable result 00:01:48.959 --> 00:01:51.900 is that so many will crash and burn. 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:53.700 And as Christians, 00:01:53.859 --> 00:01:55.560 we've got to live in the middle of this chaos 00:01:55.560 --> 00:01:58.900 and find a way to navigate 00:01:58.900 --> 00:02:02.960 that reflects who we are as Christians. 00:02:02.959 --> 00:02:05.679 So I want to say to you this morning 00:02:05.679 --> 00:02:06.739 as I move into this series 00:02:06.739 --> 00:02:07.699 and open up the series 00:02:07.699 --> 00:02:09.359 for those who follow after me, 00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:11.659 I want you to hear that this teaching series 00:02:11.659 --> 00:02:12.599 is really important 00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:17.560 because we need the steering wheel of God's word 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:19.680 if we are to model 00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:22.099 gospel-shaped family relationships 00:02:22.099 --> 00:02:24.240 in the face of this vicious 00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:26.819 and unrelenting attack 00:02:26.819 --> 00:02:28.560 that we're part of. 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:33.120 We need to know what's right. 00:02:33.819 --> 00:02:35.500 We need courage to do what's right. 00:02:36.780 --> 00:02:37.860 But I also hasten to add 00:02:37.860 --> 00:02:39.199 that it will be a difficult series. 00:02:41.800 --> 00:02:43.099 Certainly it's going to be difficult 00:02:43.099 --> 00:02:44.740 for us to present 00:02:44.740 --> 00:02:47.300 because of our failings 00:02:47.300 --> 00:02:49.740 in this very area of relationships and family. 00:02:51.759 --> 00:02:53.659 And it'll be difficult for you to hear 00:02:53.659 --> 00:02:55.180 for exactly the same reason. 00:02:55.180 --> 00:03:00.460 It's always easier to pretend 00:03:00.460 --> 00:03:02.439 that things are well, isn't it? 00:03:03.300 --> 00:03:06.340 Than to take ownership of things that aren't right 00:03:06.340 --> 00:03:08.360 and to work for real change. 00:03:10.719 --> 00:03:12.700 And so it'll be difficult to hear, I suspect. 00:03:14.500 --> 00:03:17.280 But it will also be easily dismissed, I suspect, 00:03:17.800 --> 00:03:20.680 as being too general to be helpful. 00:03:21.719 --> 00:03:23.060 So what I mean by that is that 00:03:23.060 --> 00:03:26.039 so often we come to an issue like family and relationships 00:03:26.039 --> 00:03:27.819 with very specific issues 00:03:27.819 --> 00:03:29.759 that are very specific to us 00:03:29.759 --> 00:03:31.680 and we want answers for those issues. 00:03:31.780 --> 00:03:33.500 Those are the burning questions for us. 00:03:34.360 --> 00:03:35.520 And so then we get frustrated 00:03:35.520 --> 00:03:37.159 because our burning question 00:03:37.159 --> 00:03:38.620 isn't immediately answered. 00:03:39.460 --> 00:03:40.819 And so we write the whole thing off 00:03:40.819 --> 00:03:42.120 as being irrelevant. 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:44.980 Well, all I can say to you this morning 00:03:44.980 --> 00:03:47.840 is I ask you to stay with us 00:03:47.840 --> 00:03:50.599 as we lay the solid foundations 00:03:50.599 --> 00:03:54.360 from which countless real issues 00:03:54.360 --> 00:03:55.539 might be properly addressed. 00:03:57.599 --> 00:03:59.300 We need the foundations right 00:03:59.300 --> 00:04:01.840 before we can see how to connect in 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:03.159 and answer the specifics. 00:04:04.740 --> 00:04:05.939 So with that introduction, 00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:08.180 let's turn to God's word in Genesis 1 and 2. 00:04:08.400 --> 00:04:11.259 And I want to just give you a very brief overview 00:04:11.259 --> 00:04:14.159 of God's design for relationships. 00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:17.199 And I've set it as a chart there 00:04:17.199 --> 00:04:18.240 because I want you to see 00:04:18.240 --> 00:04:19.980 just the opposites as they develop, 00:04:20.100 --> 00:04:21.240 but hopefully you'll see that yourself 00:04:21.240 --> 00:04:22.259 as I talk through this. 00:04:23.420 --> 00:04:25.060 So God's design for relationships 00:04:25.060 --> 00:04:26.779 set out in Genesis 1 and 2. 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:28.540 And I want to begin by saying this, 00:04:28.600 --> 00:04:30.139 that our identity, 00:04:30.920 --> 00:04:32.139 our sense of self, 00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:35.740 is in being image bearers. 00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:39.220 If you look at chapter 1 of Genesis, 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:40.379 if you've got your Bible open, 00:04:40.800 --> 00:04:42.759 chapter 1, verses 26 and 27, 00:04:42.759 --> 00:04:44.500 very familiar words, 00:04:44.599 --> 00:04:45.379 but we need to look at them 00:04:45.379 --> 00:04:47.339 and refresh our memory again of them. 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:48.539 Then God said, 00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:51.879 let us make man in our image, 00:04:52.079 --> 00:04:53.240 mankind in our image, 00:04:53.360 --> 00:04:54.680 after our likeness. 00:04:55.420 --> 00:04:56.980 And let them have dominion 00:04:56.980 --> 00:04:57.779 over the fish of the sea 00:04:57.779 --> 00:04:58.779 and over the birds of the heaven 00:04:58.779 --> 00:05:00.279 and over the livestock 00:05:00.279 --> 00:05:01.379 and over all the earth 00:05:01.379 --> 00:05:02.740 and over every creeping thing 00:05:02.740 --> 00:05:03.800 that creeps over the earth. 00:05:04.920 --> 00:05:08.360 So God created man in his own image. 00:05:08.899 --> 00:05:09.959 In the image of God, 00:05:09.959 --> 00:05:11.079 he created him. 00:05:11.299 --> 00:05:12.439 Male and female, 00:05:12.839 --> 00:05:13.879 he created them. 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:19.779 We are made as image bearers. 00:05:19.959 --> 00:05:22.199 Our identity comes in the fact 00:05:22.199 --> 00:05:23.419 that we are to be 00:05:23.419 --> 00:05:25.779 a reflection of God's character. 00:05:29.359 --> 00:05:31.339 A reflection of our good God 00:05:31.339 --> 00:05:34.560 and defined in relation to him. 00:05:34.560 --> 00:05:37.780 So we're told there 00:05:37.780 --> 00:05:40.240 that in the Genesis and creation story 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:41.620 that people are mankind, 00:05:41.899 --> 00:05:42.220 humankind, 00:05:42.439 --> 00:05:43.660 people are totally unique 00:05:43.660 --> 00:05:46.740 and distinct among created animals 00:05:46.740 --> 00:05:48.220 by virtue of being made 00:05:48.220 --> 00:05:49.060 in God's image. 00:05:50.519 --> 00:05:51.800 So what is it then 00:05:51.800 --> 00:05:53.120 to be made in the image 00:05:53.120 --> 00:05:54.480 or reflection of God? 00:05:55.300 --> 00:05:56.379 Well, Genesis 2 highlights 00:05:56.379 --> 00:05:57.420 four key areas 00:05:57.420 --> 00:05:58.500 which will come out 00:05:58.500 --> 00:05:59.199 over the next four weeks. 00:05:59.259 --> 00:06:00.340 I just want to mention two 00:06:00.340 --> 00:06:00.899 this morning. 00:06:00.899 --> 00:06:03.219 To be a reflection of God 00:06:03.219 --> 00:06:05.879 primarily is to be made 00:06:05.879 --> 00:06:06.719 for relationship. 00:06:09.639 --> 00:06:10.679 So we're in the column 00:06:10.679 --> 00:06:11.339 on the left now. 00:06:11.339 --> 00:06:12.519 By design, 00:06:13.019 --> 00:06:14.000 we were made 00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:15.099 for engagement 00:06:15.099 --> 00:06:16.459 with God. 00:06:18.239 --> 00:06:20.519 In Genesis 1 and 2, 00:06:20.939 --> 00:06:22.379 the picture of engagement there 00:06:22.379 --> 00:06:23.459 is what's known 00:06:23.459 --> 00:06:24.739 as the eternal community. 00:06:24.899 --> 00:06:25.939 Father, Son, and Spirit. 00:06:26.019 --> 00:06:26.439 The Trinity 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:28.060 existed in harmony 00:06:28.060 --> 00:06:28.919 before creation. 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:30.300 And mankind 00:06:30.300 --> 00:06:32.040 was made 00:06:32.040 --> 00:06:33.080 to engage 00:06:33.080 --> 00:06:34.960 in that eternal community. 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:37.220 To enjoy 00:06:37.220 --> 00:06:38.580 that eternal community. 00:06:38.860 --> 00:06:40.400 To fully participate in it 00:06:40.400 --> 00:06:41.840 with Father, Son, and Spirit. 00:06:42.160 --> 00:06:43.660 To model that community 00:06:43.660 --> 00:06:45.819 in all of life's relationships 00:06:45.819 --> 00:06:47.100 in the context 00:06:47.100 --> 00:06:48.040 of the world 00:06:48.040 --> 00:06:48.980 that God has put them in. 00:06:51.860 --> 00:06:53.080 And we see also 00:06:53.080 --> 00:06:54.120 in Genesis 1 and 2, 00:06:54.480 --> 00:06:54.980 the relationship 00:06:54.980 --> 00:06:55.639 was characterized 00:06:55.639 --> 00:06:56.520 by trust 00:06:56.520 --> 00:06:57.860 and delight 00:06:57.860 --> 00:06:58.520 and submission. 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:01.259 Adam delighted in God. 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:03.699 He appreciated 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:04.939 that his security 00:07:04.939 --> 00:07:05.840 and satisfaction 00:07:05.840 --> 00:07:06.740 and purpose 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:08.280 was in relationship 00:07:08.280 --> 00:07:08.879 with God. 00:07:10.439 --> 00:07:11.800 And in chapter 2, 00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:12.819 he thrived 00:07:12.819 --> 00:07:14.740 within the functional roles 00:07:14.740 --> 00:07:15.740 allocated to him 00:07:15.740 --> 00:07:16.360 by God 00:07:16.360 --> 00:07:17.900 as God's vice-regent 00:07:17.900 --> 00:07:20.420 in ruling the world, 00:07:21.060 --> 00:07:22.139 ruling God's creation. 00:07:22.139 --> 00:07:27.639 And then as we move 00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:28.579 through chapter 2, 00:07:29.240 --> 00:07:30.259 we see 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:31.039 a particularly 00:07:31.039 --> 00:07:31.919 interesting thing 00:07:31.919 --> 00:07:33.879 that being made 00:07:33.879 --> 00:07:34.879 for a relationship 00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:35.620 was characterized, 00:07:35.959 --> 00:07:36.560 these relationships 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:37.219 were characterized 00:07:37.219 --> 00:07:38.079 by a loving 00:07:38.079 --> 00:07:39.180 complementarity. 00:07:39.560 --> 00:07:40.360 Look at chapter 2, 00:07:40.419 --> 00:07:40.979 verse 18, 00:07:41.279 --> 00:07:41.819 and you see 00:07:41.819 --> 00:07:42.740 a really, really 00:07:42.740 --> 00:07:44.699 amazing thing. 00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:46.339 Remember that 00:07:46.339 --> 00:07:47.319 Adam had 00:07:47.319 --> 00:07:48.519 a unique, 00:07:48.519 --> 00:07:49.479 special, 00:07:49.740 --> 00:07:50.759 intimate relationship 00:07:50.759 --> 00:07:51.639 with God, 00:07:51.699 --> 00:07:52.319 very direct. 00:07:54.419 --> 00:07:54.839 And yet, 00:07:54.979 --> 00:07:55.959 in verse 18, 00:07:56.079 --> 00:07:57.159 the Lord God said, 00:07:58.159 --> 00:07:59.419 it is not good 00:07:59.419 --> 00:08:01.060 that the man 00:08:01.060 --> 00:08:01.859 should be 00:08:01.859 --> 00:08:03.079 alone. 00:08:03.079 --> 00:08:08.599 Adam enjoyed 00:08:08.599 --> 00:08:10.219 a unique relationship 00:08:10.219 --> 00:08:11.500 with God, 00:08:11.579 --> 00:08:12.000 the Creator. 00:08:12.359 --> 00:08:12.639 Yet, 00:08:12.759 --> 00:08:13.740 for all that, 00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:15.740 God spoke 00:08:15.740 --> 00:08:16.539 of Adam's 00:08:16.539 --> 00:08:17.319 aloneness. 00:08:20.819 --> 00:08:21.519 Adam needed 00:08:21.519 --> 00:08:22.479 a relationship 00:08:22.479 --> 00:08:23.860 that was 00:08:23.860 --> 00:08:24.479 of the same 00:08:24.479 --> 00:08:25.039 essence, 00:08:25.180 --> 00:08:26.099 the same nature 00:08:26.099 --> 00:08:27.479 as his relationship. 00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:32.179 He had a wonderful 00:08:32.179 --> 00:08:32.679 relationship 00:08:32.679 --> 00:08:33.079 with God, 00:08:33.139 --> 00:08:33.620 but it wasn't 00:08:33.620 --> 00:08:34.679 perfectly reciprocal. 00:08:36.179 --> 00:08:36.859 Adam needed 00:08:36.859 --> 00:08:39.359 a relationship, 00:08:39.500 --> 00:08:40.079 a horizontal 00:08:40.079 --> 00:08:40.719 relationship 00:08:40.719 --> 00:08:41.339 of the same 00:08:41.339 --> 00:08:41.719 essence. 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:42.899 So, 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:43.759 in God's design, 00:08:43.899 --> 00:08:44.519 chapter 2 of 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:45.019 Genesis, 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:46.219 in God's design, 00:08:46.779 --> 00:08:48.419 one became 00:08:48.419 --> 00:08:48.919 two, 00:08:49.959 --> 00:08:50.620 and guess what? 00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:52.379 Two became 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:52.859 one again. 00:08:54.019 --> 00:08:54.599 It's quite a neat 00:08:54.599 --> 00:08:55.039 little trick, 00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:55.299 really. 00:08:57.299 --> 00:08:58.120 Adam and Eve 00:08:58.120 --> 00:08:59.139 expressed their 00:08:59.139 --> 00:09:00.259 strong sense 00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:01.059 of self, 00:09:01.059 --> 00:09:01.139 self. 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:02.879 Each created, 00:09:03.159 --> 00:09:03.899 in the image 00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:04.359 of God, 00:09:04.679 --> 00:09:05.199 their strong 00:09:05.199 --> 00:09:06.099 sense of self 00:09:06.099 --> 00:09:07.519 in a loving 00:09:07.519 --> 00:09:09.059 complementarity. 00:09:11.219 --> 00:09:12.199 And we'll open 00:09:12.199 --> 00:09:12.679 it up more 00:09:12.679 --> 00:09:13.019 in the next 00:09:13.019 --> 00:09:13.279 weeks, 00:09:13.359 --> 00:09:13.819 but each 00:09:13.819 --> 00:09:14.259 in that 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:15.119 complementarity, 00:09:15.779 --> 00:09:16.879 each valued 00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:17.959 sameness. 00:09:19.399 --> 00:09:20.500 Bone of my bone, 00:09:20.719 --> 00:09:21.659 flesh of my flesh. 00:09:22.939 --> 00:09:23.679 Each valued 00:09:23.679 --> 00:09:24.259 sameness 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:25.759 in the context 00:09:25.759 --> 00:09:26.539 of different 00:09:26.539 --> 00:09:27.720 functional roles. 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:32.759 Each benefited 00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:33.419 from the other, 00:09:34.139 --> 00:09:34.620 a helper, 00:09:35.819 --> 00:09:36.960 so that together 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:37.879 they could be 00:09:37.879 --> 00:09:39.120 something which 00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:39.960 they couldn't be 00:09:39.960 --> 00:09:41.080 individually in 00:09:41.080 --> 00:09:42.039 their aloneness. 00:09:43.840 --> 00:09:44.899 And they benefited 00:09:44.899 --> 00:09:45.600 from one another, 00:09:45.700 --> 00:09:46.700 yet without thought 00:09:46.700 --> 00:09:47.360 of competing. 00:09:47.360 --> 00:09:52.960 And we're told 00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:53.320 then at the 00:09:53.320 --> 00:09:53.639 beginning of 00:09:53.639 --> 00:09:54.159 chapter 2 00:09:54.159 --> 00:09:54.639 that all 00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:55.519 these relationships 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:57.460 happened in 00:09:57.460 --> 00:09:58.340 the context 00:09:58.340 --> 00:09:59.440 of rest 00:09:59.440 --> 00:09:59.840 or peace. 00:09:59.919 --> 00:10:00.399 When God 00:10:00.399 --> 00:10:01.139 finished his 00:10:01.139 --> 00:10:02.039 work of creation, 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:02.960 he rested. 00:10:08.019 --> 00:10:09.060 In other words, 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:10.519 God shifted 00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:11.100 his focus 00:10:11.100 --> 00:10:11.879 from actual 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:12.500 creating 00:10:12.500 --> 00:10:14.300 to sustaining 00:10:14.300 --> 00:10:15.379 and enjoying 00:10:15.379 --> 00:10:16.220 that which 00:10:16.220 --> 00:10:16.820 he had created. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:18.519 that's the 00:10:18.519 --> 00:10:18.960 picture of 00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:19.500 chapter 2. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:22.360 And so 00:10:22.360 --> 00:10:23.759 that leads 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:24.220 into 00:10:24.220 --> 00:10:24.980 chapter 2 00:10:24.980 --> 00:10:25.240 then. 00:10:25.580 --> 00:10:26.320 The second 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:27.080 idea of being 00:10:27.080 --> 00:10:28.480 designed is 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:28.879 to be a 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:29.580 reflection of 00:10:29.580 --> 00:10:31.019 God in 00:10:31.019 --> 00:10:32.060 being made 00:10:32.060 --> 00:10:33.080 for worship. 00:10:34.580 --> 00:10:35.000 Being made 00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:35.600 for relationship 00:10:35.600 --> 00:10:36.340 but being made 00:10:36.340 --> 00:10:37.019 secondly for 00:10:37.019 --> 00:10:37.419 worship. 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:39.480 And so 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:39.879 again, 00:10:40.539 --> 00:10:41.659 we picture 00:10:41.659 --> 00:10:42.399 the harmony 00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:43.500 of the eternal 00:10:43.500 --> 00:10:43.940 community, 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:44.360 Father, 00:10:44.560 --> 00:10:45.220 Son and 00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:45.680 Spirit. 00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:48.299 the harmony 00:10:48.299 --> 00:10:49.319 is modeled 00:10:49.319 --> 00:10:50.579 through an 00:10:50.579 --> 00:10:51.079 appropriate 00:10:51.079 --> 00:10:51.739 response of 00:10:51.739 --> 00:10:52.519 each of those 00:10:52.519 --> 00:10:53.079 to the other. 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:54.699 That is the 00:10:54.699 --> 00:10:55.279 definition of 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:55.620 harmony. 00:10:55.839 --> 00:10:56.079 Father, 00:10:56.239 --> 00:10:56.500 Son and 00:10:56.500 --> 00:10:56.839 Spirit, 00:10:57.379 --> 00:10:58.959 different but 00:10:58.959 --> 00:10:59.719 appropriate 00:10:59.719 --> 00:11:00.359 response to 00:11:00.359 --> 00:11:00.719 each, 00:11:01.219 --> 00:11:01.739 creating this 00:11:01.739 --> 00:11:02.459 harmony. 00:11:04.339 --> 00:11:04.959 So also 00:11:04.959 --> 00:11:05.659 image bearers 00:11:05.659 --> 00:11:06.259 were designed 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:07.519 to respond 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:08.639 appropriately to 00:11:08.639 --> 00:11:09.839 God as 00:11:09.839 --> 00:11:10.399 his creatures. 00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:11.639 And again, 00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:12.059 this is 00:11:12.059 --> 00:11:12.359 worship. 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:13.019 Worship is 00:11:13.019 --> 00:11:14.100 simply a 00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:15.980 response to 00:11:15.980 --> 00:11:16.340 God. 00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:19.240 And we 00:11:19.240 --> 00:11:19.680 see in 00:11:19.680 --> 00:11:20.340 Genesis chapter 00:11:20.340 --> 00:11:21.139 2 that it's 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:21.919 an all-of-life 00:11:21.919 --> 00:11:22.879 response in 00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:23.320 the garden. 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:25.680 Individually, 00:11:26.580 --> 00:11:27.039 they were to 00:11:27.039 --> 00:11:28.039 respond appropriately 00:11:28.039 --> 00:11:29.480 to God as 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:30.000 image bearers. 00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:30.840 Together, 00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:31.800 they were to 00:11:31.800 --> 00:11:32.980 respond appropriately 00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:34.060 to God as 00:11:34.060 --> 00:11:34.700 image bearers 00:11:34.700 --> 00:11:35.039 together. 00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:36.519 They were 00:11:36.519 --> 00:11:37.519 thriving happily 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:38.100 under his 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:38.440 rule, 00:11:39.159 --> 00:11:40.820 valuing God-ordained 00:11:40.820 --> 00:11:41.820 distinctions and 00:11:41.820 --> 00:11:42.300 boundaries. 00:11:43.680 --> 00:11:44.420 And they see 00:11:44.420 --> 00:11:44.820 that in 00:11:44.820 --> 00:11:45.420 Genesis chapter 00:11:45.420 --> 00:11:45.940 2 they were 00:11:45.940 --> 00:11:47.100 worshipping in 00:11:47.100 --> 00:11:48.140 their work of 00:11:48.140 --> 00:11:48.720 tending the 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:49.780 garden and 00:11:49.780 --> 00:11:50.280 ruling the 00:11:50.280 --> 00:11:50.480 world. 00:11:50.560 --> 00:11:50.820 That was 00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:51.140 worship. 00:11:51.780 --> 00:11:52.160 They were 00:11:52.160 --> 00:11:52.960 worshipping God 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:53.340 in their 00:11:53.340 --> 00:11:54.420 marriage relationship 00:11:54.420 --> 00:11:55.660 as they were 00:11:55.660 --> 00:11:56.960 helpers and 00:11:56.960 --> 00:11:58.260 complementary of 00:11:58.260 --> 00:11:58.720 one another. 00:12:00.520 --> 00:12:01.340 And I take 00:12:01.340 --> 00:12:02.200 it that means 00:12:02.200 --> 00:12:04.140 that worship 00:12:04.140 --> 00:12:04.840 included their 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:06.060 sexual relationships. 00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:08.600 So in that 00:12:08.600 --> 00:12:09.540 activity, that 00:12:09.540 --> 00:12:10.240 aspect of 00:12:10.240 --> 00:12:10.480 marriage, 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:12.320 that also was 00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:12.820 an appropriate 00:12:12.820 --> 00:12:13.519 response to 00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:14.060 how God had 00:12:14.060 --> 00:12:14.539 made them. 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:17.139 Worship is an 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:17.700 all-of-life 00:12:17.700 --> 00:12:18.259 response. 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:19.399 Everything was 00:12:19.399 --> 00:12:19.720 worship. 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:21.060 Everything was 00:12:21.060 --> 00:12:22.060 God's rest, in 00:12:22.060 --> 00:12:22.560 other words. 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:24.960 So God's 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:25.720 rest, when you 00:12:25.720 --> 00:12:26.259 spell it all 00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:26.680 out from 00:12:26.680 --> 00:12:27.300 Genesis chapter 00:12:27.300 --> 00:12:28.360 2, is the 00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:29.000 peace, the 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:29.680 harmony, the 00:12:29.680 --> 00:12:31.300 satisfaction that's 00:12:31.300 --> 00:12:32.180 enjoyed when 00:12:32.180 --> 00:12:34.100 God's people live 00:12:34.100 --> 00:12:35.180 as God designed 00:12:35.180 --> 00:12:36.080 them to live, as 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:36.840 God created them 00:12:36.840 --> 00:12:37.240 to live. 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:37.320 love. 00:12:39.159 --> 00:12:42.299 In sameness, but 00:12:42.299 --> 00:12:42.879 indifference. 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:46.980 In engagement 00:12:46.980 --> 00:12:48.600 with God, yet 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:49.680 worship of him. 00:12:49.679 --> 00:12:53.639 God's rest, in 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:54.879 God's rest, in 00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:55.459 God's rest, in 00:12:55.459 --> 00:12:56.019 God's rest, in 00:12:56.019 --> 00:12:57.059 God's rest. 00:12:57.059 --> 00:12:58.139 In 00:12:58.139 --> 00:12:58.519 Genesis chapter 00:12:58.519 --> 00:12:59.139 3, 00:12:59.139 --> 00:13:00.500 but of course, all 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:01.299 this was ruined. 00:13:01.819 --> 00:13:02.479 We move into 00:13:02.479 --> 00:13:03.199 chapter 3. 00:13:03.620 --> 00:13:04.159 All this was 00:13:04.159 --> 00:13:05.339 ruined when 00:13:05.339 --> 00:13:06.559 rebellion or sin 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:07.679 entered God's 00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:07.979 world. 00:13:09.699 --> 00:13:10.019 And so the 00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:10.599 picture we have in 00:13:10.599 --> 00:13:11.239 Genesis chapter 00:13:11.239 --> 00:13:12.839 3, relative to 00:13:12.839 --> 00:13:13.539 chapter 1 and 2, 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:14.859 is that sin 00:13:14.860 --> 00:13:16.700 grotesquely 00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:17.580 distorts 00:13:17.580 --> 00:13:19.399 everything that 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:19.800 God had 00:13:19.800 --> 00:13:20.220 designed. 00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:24.740 And so any 00:13:24.740 --> 00:13:25.919 image bearing or 00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:26.759 reflection of 00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:28.440 God, especially 00:13:28.440 --> 00:13:29.060 in the sense of 00:13:29.060 --> 00:13:30.460 identity and 00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:32.419 sense of self, is 00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:33.419 grotesquely 00:13:33.419 --> 00:13:34.680 distorted because 00:13:34.680 --> 00:13:35.120 of sin. 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:37.460 Francis 00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:37.840 Schaeffer 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:38.539 captures it 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:39.060 beautifully by 00:13:39.060 --> 00:13:39.700 saying that sin 00:13:39.700 --> 00:13:41.120 or rebellion has 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:41.960 left people as 00:13:41.960 --> 00:13:42.860 majestic ruins. 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:44.060 We are still 00:13:44.060 --> 00:13:46.720 image bearers, but 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:48.720 so distorted that 00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:49.399 the best we can 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:50.220 say about 00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:51.060 ourselves is that 00:13:51.060 --> 00:14:01.620 we're majestic 00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:02.340 ruins. 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:07.000 Our identity and 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:08.000 sense of self is 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:08.700 just totally 00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:09.200 distorted. 00:14:10.100 --> 00:14:10.420 And so the 00:14:10.420 --> 00:14:11.300 reality described 00:14:11.300 --> 00:14:12.200 in Genesis 3 is 00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:12.720 the opposite. 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:13.440 of what we see 00:14:13.440 --> 00:14:14.220 in Genesis 1 and 00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:14.379 2. 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:15.159 Instead of 00:14:15.159 --> 00:14:15.940 engagement, there's 00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:16.740 now detachment 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:17.580 from God. 00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:19.259 A rebellious 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:19.879 humanity has 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:20.539 been excluded 00:14:20.539 --> 00:14:21.480 from participating 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:22.399 in God's 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:23.360 community, no 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:25.259 longer able to 00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:26.039 relate as God 00:14:26.039 --> 00:14:26.460 designed. 00:14:27.700 --> 00:14:28.399 Now the reality 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:29.659 is rejection of 00:14:29.659 --> 00:14:31.659 God, suspicion of 00:14:31.659 --> 00:14:33.220 his goodness, and 00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:34.080 open competition 00:14:34.080 --> 00:14:36.000 for personal 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:36.500 sovereignty. 00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:37.940 That is, people 00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:40.180 in our world as 00:14:40.180 --> 00:14:40.879 we experience it 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:42.340 now, cut loose 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:43.620 from life as 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:44.559 God defined it, 00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:45.580 cut loose from 00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:46.419 our identity as 00:14:46.419 --> 00:14:47.320 God defined it, 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:48.519 determined to be 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:49.379 God ourselves, 00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:50.419 determined to set 00:14:50.419 --> 00:14:51.220 our own course, 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:52.919 to be our own 00:14:52.919 --> 00:14:53.259 rulers. 00:14:53.700 --> 00:14:54.419 Oh my goodness. 00:14:57.059 --> 00:14:57.960 I even scared 00:14:57.960 --> 00:14:58.379 myself. 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:02.320 Determined to create 00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:03.340 our own version of 00:15:03.340 --> 00:15:04.039 the good life. 00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:04.079 love. 00:15:06.079 --> 00:15:07.719 And that pathway is 00:15:07.719 --> 00:15:08.419 driven by 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:09.740 individualism, 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:11.959 exploitation, 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:14.559 consumerism, and 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:15.159 by that I mean 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:16.000 where love has 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:17.120 been so distorted 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:18.079 that is now 00:15:18.079 --> 00:15:18.839 expressed as 00:15:18.839 --> 00:15:19.879 manipulation and 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:21.120 exploitation for my 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:21.699 own benefit. 00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:23.179 I do something for 00:15:23.179 --> 00:15:23.879 you because I 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:24.639 sense I will get 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:25.360 gain from it 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:25.819 personally. 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:30.279 And out of that 00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:31.539 then, we become 00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:33.399 so ruthless in this 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:34.139 pursuit of 00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:35.019 validation of 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:35.539 our identity, 00:15:35.720 --> 00:15:36.299 validation of 00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:37.379 self, this 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:39.500 distortion, that 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:40.519 it makes us attack 00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:41.500 and wound and 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.419 demolish others 00:15:42.419 --> 00:15:44.860 so that we might 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:45.779 feel secure in 00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:46.179 ourselves. 00:15:47.419 --> 00:15:48.159 And sometimes 00:15:48.159 --> 00:15:48.899 that is so 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:52.019 aggressive and 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:53.220 so determined 00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:55.120 that our actions 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.740 seriously impact 00:15:56.740 --> 00:15:57.939 the way other 00:15:57.939 --> 00:15:58.759 people have a 00:15:58.759 --> 00:15:59.419 sense of self. 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:05.000 we put stuff in 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:05.559 their head that 00:16:05.559 --> 00:16:06.159 remains theirs, 00:16:06.299 --> 00:16:08.659 baggage, and 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:09.079 which they 00:16:09.079 --> 00:16:10.279 struggle with for 00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:11.139 many years to 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:12.139 come, if not for 00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:12.840 the whole lifetime. 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:15.299 And all so we 00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:16.019 can feel good about 00:16:16.019 --> 00:16:16.539 ourselves. 00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:20.120 And it produces 00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:21.120 restlessness and 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:21.959 loss of peace. 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:25.779 See, we're in 00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:26.559 conflict now. 00:16:26.899 --> 00:16:27.639 Restlessness is 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:27.860 that. 00:16:27.939 --> 00:16:28.519 It's conflict. 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:28.579 conflict. 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:29.960 Because we 00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:30.600 long for 00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:31.960 something, we 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:33.100 still sense deep 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:34.399 down that there's 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:34.879 something we're 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:35.659 longing for, this 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:36.460 harmony, this 00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:37.139 peace, this 00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:38.159 satisfaction, this 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:39.259 sense of identity 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:40.079 and self that's 00:16:40.079 --> 00:16:41.059 easy and fits. 00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:45.479 But we can't 00:16:45.479 --> 00:16:46.059 deliver it. 00:16:48.679 --> 00:16:50.239 So we long to be 00:16:50.239 --> 00:16:51.199 accepted by people 00:16:51.199 --> 00:16:52.139 but we also fear 00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:54.939 rejection by those 00:16:54.939 --> 00:16:55.419 who we have 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:56.459 failed, by those 00:16:56.459 --> 00:16:57.379 we've offended in 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:57.919 relationship. 00:16:58.579 --> 00:16:59.919 And that fear, I 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:00.739 think, is ultimately, 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:01.779 as Larry Crabb would 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:02.639 say, fear of 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:03.559 rejection by God. 00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:06.379 It's buried deep 00:17:06.379 --> 00:17:06.779 within us. 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:07.759 We can't necessarily 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:09.659 get it all untangled 00:17:09.659 --> 00:17:10.779 and explained but it's 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:11.119 there. 00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:12.079 It drives us. 00:17:13.879 --> 00:17:16.279 You know that fear 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:17.440 is a big part of all 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:18.160 your relationships. 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:22.220 And we live with 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:22.599 shame. 00:17:23.639 --> 00:17:24.779 Knowing that we are 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:25.740 exploiting and 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:26.680 consuming those we 00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:28.279 profess to love, yet 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:29.000 we cannot help 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:29.299 ourselves. 00:17:29.399 --> 00:17:30.039 We cannot stop 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:30.579 ourselves. 00:17:33.660 --> 00:17:34.920 We're secretly full 00:17:34.920 --> 00:17:35.660 of shame in their 00:17:35.660 --> 00:17:36.940 presence and 00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:37.619 ultimately, again, 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.759 full of shame when we 00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:39.660 think of ourselves in 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:40.639 the presence of God. 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:41.279 fear. 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:45.019 So fear and shame 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:46.599 are such big parts 00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:47.579 of our relationships 00:17:47.579 --> 00:17:49.180 that often we don't 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:50.279 understand why 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:52.000 there's such fundamental 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:52.700 parts of it. 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:55.359 And all of this 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:57.000 distorted identity 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:58.059 and sense of self 00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:59.879 renders us unable 00:17:59.879 --> 00:18:02.839 to worship in truth 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:03.960 or in spirit. 00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:06.160 And so, my friends, 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:06.660 our worship 00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:07.580 therefore becomes 00:18:07.580 --> 00:18:08.160 false. 00:18:11.300 --> 00:18:12.300 It's distorted. 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:13.900 Instead of being a 00:18:13.900 --> 00:18:15.000 whole of life response 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:15.759 which is based on 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:17.900 truth, based on how 00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:18.800 we're designed to be, 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:20.980 we actually reduce it 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:22.820 and we make our 00:18:22.820 --> 00:18:23.759 worship a selected 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:25.240 response to God on 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:26.019 our own terms. 00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:27.080 So we take our 00:18:27.080 --> 00:18:28.000 relationships out and 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.800 we don't think that the 00:18:28.800 --> 00:18:29.340 way we conduct 00:18:29.340 --> 00:18:30.700 ourselves in marriage or 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:31.180 as children. 00:18:31.180 --> 00:18:32.240 We don't think or 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:33.340 say that as part of 00:18:33.340 --> 00:18:34.720 our worship. 00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:35.940 We don't think our 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:37.060 sexual activity is part 00:18:37.060 --> 00:18:37.580 of our worship. 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:39.900 We reduce it down to 00:18:39.900 --> 00:18:40.920 something that we feel 00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:41.880 comfortable with. 00:18:42.320 --> 00:18:43.360 It's a distortion. 00:18:44.620 --> 00:18:45.900 We make a part 00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:47.140 into the whole 00:18:47.140 --> 00:18:48.880 and we don't have the 00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:50.680 heart that engages 00:18:50.680 --> 00:18:51.380 with God. 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:54.080 And so we find it 00:18:54.080 --> 00:18:54.960 easier to worship 00:18:54.960 --> 00:18:55.460 self 00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:58.220 rather than to have 00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:59.180 ourselves worship 00:18:59.180 --> 00:18:59.539 God. 00:19:01.320 --> 00:19:02.560 We find it easier 00:19:02.560 --> 00:19:03.560 to worship work 00:19:03.560 --> 00:19:06.039 than to worship 00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:06.820 God through our 00:19:06.820 --> 00:19:07.120 work. 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:09.100 We find it easier 00:19:09.100 --> 00:19:10.100 to worship marriage 00:19:10.100 --> 00:19:11.160 than to worship 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:11.880 God in our 00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:12.259 marriages. 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:16.500 We find it easier 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:18.019 to worship 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:20.240 family than to 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.299 worship God in and 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:21.940 through our family 00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:22.480 relationships. 00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:24.580 We make part of 00:19:24.580 --> 00:19:26.060 the life into the 00:19:26.060 --> 00:19:27.220 whole and then 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:27.860 think that when we 00:19:27.860 --> 00:19:28.740 present that to God 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:29.240 as a religious 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:30.279 action, we have 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:30.839 done something 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:31.660 worthwhile and 00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:32.180 pleasing to him. 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:33.319 So often our 00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:34.039 worship has even 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:34.819 reduced to singing. 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:36.500 That's often how we 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.000 think of worship 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:37.859 primarily today, 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:38.259 isn't it? 00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:44.460 But deep down we 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:45.099 know that cannot 00:19:45.099 --> 00:19:45.519 work. 00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:47.720 So we're left in 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:48.279 restlessness. 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:50.539 We're left with a 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:51.539 lack of satisfaction. 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.700 We're left with 00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:54.819 confusion in our 00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:55.259 identity. 00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:56.700 And that gets 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.460 expressed at all 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:58.039 sorts of level. 00:19:59.620 --> 00:20:00.519 We're left without 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.460 meaning and purpose 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:01.980 in life. 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:03.440 And so we struggle 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:04.259 all the harder to 00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:05.000 find meaning and 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.600 purpose in those 00:20:05.600 --> 00:20:06.660 things that we 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:07.420 think should give us 00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:07.980 meaning and purpose 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:08.700 such as family, 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:09.980 such as our 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.500 relationships. 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:14.640 Blaise Pascal, 00:20:15.120 --> 00:20:15.720 the philosopher, 00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:17.160 once said that the 00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:18.140 doctrine of original 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:19.039 sin, which is what 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.640 we're talking about in 00:20:19.640 --> 00:20:20.480 Genesis 3, the 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.460 doctrine of the fall 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:23.759 seems an offense to 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:25.460 reason when you 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.180 first come across 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:26.400 it. 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:28.079 It seems ridiculous 00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:28.960 to think that people 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:30.200 have been changed 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:30.819 like this. 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.480 But he goes on to 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:34.340 say, once accepted, 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:36.360 it makes the total 00:20:36.360 --> 00:20:37.559 sense of the human 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.019 condition. 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:42.200 See, we may not 00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:44.100 accept the 00:20:44.100 --> 00:20:45.360 argumentation behind 00:20:45.360 --> 00:20:45.940 it, but we would 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.920 all have to agree 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:49.019 that we make a mess 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.840 of relationships. 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.779 Our expectations 00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:53.200 for our relationships 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:55.019 are rarely delivered. 00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:56.840 But the pursuit of 00:20:56.840 --> 00:20:57.640 our expectations 00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:59.680 causes enormous 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:01.019 trouble and 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.500 destruction. 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.460 So we recognize 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:06.180 that, and I'm 00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:06.600 telling you this 00:21:06.600 --> 00:21:07.640 morning, what's 00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:08.519 behind all that, 00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:10.720 whether you believe 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.299 it or not. 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:14.860 The reality of sins, 00:21:15.120 --> 00:21:16.779 as Schaeffer says, 00:21:16.840 --> 00:21:17.279 means that we're 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:18.600 majestic ruins. 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:21.759 we need to be 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:25.399 restored to the 00:21:25.399 --> 00:21:26.299 original design, 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:29.539 reformatted to 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.459 God's original 00:21:30.459 --> 00:21:31.500 design so that 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:32.480 once again we're 00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:33.139 a reflection of 00:21:33.139 --> 00:21:33.919 God's character 00:21:33.919 --> 00:21:35.359 and a model of 00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:37.000 this to the 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:37.240 world. 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.859 My friends, 00:21:40.139 --> 00:21:41.319 that's why this 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:42.719 story has got a 00:21:42.719 --> 00:21:43.359 really happy, 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.240 positive outcome. 00:21:44.859 --> 00:21:45.879 This is the 00:21:45.879 --> 00:21:46.419 beauty of the 00:21:46.419 --> 00:21:46.740 gospel. 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:46.819 gospel. 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:53.220 The gospel, 00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:54.400 in and through 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:55.000 the gospel, 00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:57.000 my image-bearing 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:58.819 capacity is 00:21:58.819 --> 00:22:01.500 restored through 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:03.000 Christ so that 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:03.799 once again I'm 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:05.380 now able to 00:22:05.380 --> 00:22:07.559 live in my 00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:09.339 relationships as 00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:10.400 God designed it 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:10.819 to be. 00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:16.799 The gospel 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.639 restores my 00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:18.259 image-bearing 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:18.939 capacity by 00:22:18.939 --> 00:22:20.059 restoring identity 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:21.159 and a proper 00:22:21.159 --> 00:22:22.419 sense of self. 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:25.819 Remember how 00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:26.819 Adam was defined 00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:27.579 in relation to 00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:27.839 God? 00:22:28.899 --> 00:22:29.779 Now, in the 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.579 gospel, I am 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:31.240 defined, you're 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:32.119 defined in 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:32.779 relation to 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.200 Christ. 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:33.279 Christ. 00:22:37.860 --> 00:22:38.539 Turn with me 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:38.819 now to 00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:39.259 Ephesians. 00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:39.819 I'm just going 00:22:39.819 --> 00:22:40.380 to touch down 00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:40.740 on a few 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.920 verses here. 00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:42.580 You can read 00:22:42.580 --> 00:22:43.220 through Ephesians 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:43.720 4. 00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:44.380 In fact, the 00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:44.660 whole of 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:45.819 Ephesians is 00:22:45.819 --> 00:22:46.519 just full of 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:47.319 the language of 00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:47.819 restoration. 00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:49.700 And you'll see 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:50.680 that the ideas 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:52.259 that match up 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.240 with what's lost 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:54.080 in Genesis 3 00:22:54.080 --> 00:22:55.200 and pushes back 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:56.220 to what was so 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:57.160 beautiful, but 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:57.860 Genesis 1 and 00:22:57.860 --> 00:22:58.059 2. 00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:59.480 So in Ephesians 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.059 chapter 1, 00:23:00.100 --> 00:23:00.860 verse 3, 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:01.819 we'll start there, 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:06.039 so we're 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:06.819 told again 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:08.859 here of 00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:09.899 engagement with 00:23:09.899 --> 00:23:10.119 God. 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:10.720 That's part of 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.319 the restoration. 00:23:11.919 --> 00:23:12.240 So there was 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:12.839 engagement, 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.299 detachment, 00:23:14.859 --> 00:23:15.559 now in Christ, 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.799 engagement again 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:18.899 through Jesus. 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.220 Look at 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:19.659 chapter 1, 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:20.039 verse 3. 00:23:20.659 --> 00:23:21.359 Blessed be the 00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:22.119 God and Father 00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:22.579 of our Lord 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:23.179 Jesus Christ, 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:23.980 who has blessed 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:24.779 us in Christ 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.639 with every 00:23:25.639 --> 00:23:26.579 spiritual blessing 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:26.980 in the heavenly 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:27.299 places. 00:23:27.419 --> 00:23:28.299 And that keeps 00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:28.700 going there 00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:29.019 through the 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.240 verses. 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.039 It talks about 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.819 Father, Son, and 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:31.179 Spirit. 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:32.500 being involved 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:32.920 in our 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.860 restoration so 00:23:33.860 --> 00:23:34.200 that once 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:35.299 again we're 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:37.100 engaged in the 00:23:37.100 --> 00:23:37.840 eternal community. 00:23:42.580 --> 00:23:43.660 We now enjoy 00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:45.000 every spiritual 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:45.840 blessing God 00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:46.860 intended for us 00:23:46.860 --> 00:23:47.920 when he first 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.660 created us. 00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:51.680 Father, Son, and 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:52.120 Spirit have 00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:52.759 combined to 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.880 completely restore 00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:54.740 relationship with 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:54.860 him. 00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:55.580 We see that 00:23:55.580 --> 00:23:55.960 coming through 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:56.380 again in 00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:56.980 chapter 2. 00:23:57.820 --> 00:23:58.680 The relationship 00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.360 was characterized 00:23:59.360 --> 00:24:00.360 by unity and 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:00.639 peace. 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.279 Chapter 2, 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:01.859 verses 11 00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:02.500 through to 23. 00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:02.939 I don't have 00:24:02.939 --> 00:24:03.479 time to stop 00:24:03.479 --> 00:24:03.979 and you can 00:24:03.979 --> 00:24:04.319 read it for 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:04.659 yourself. 00:24:05.859 --> 00:24:06.719 Jesus bears 00:24:06.719 --> 00:24:07.379 our guilt 00:24:07.379 --> 00:24:10.779 so that we 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:11.619 no longer need 00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:12.939 to fear God. 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.799 Jesus turns 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.579 our shame 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.859 into honor 00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:21.339 as we are 00:24:21.339 --> 00:24:22.339 adopted into 00:24:22.339 --> 00:24:23.079 God's family 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:23.839 as dearly 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.899 beloved children. 00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:26.840 we no longer 00:24:26.840 --> 00:24:27.580 need to fear 00:24:27.580 --> 00:24:28.460 God's presence. 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:32.780 And turn with 00:24:32.780 --> 00:24:33.200 me to chapter 00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:33.980 4, verses 1 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.480 to 6, what 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:35.019 Joe read a 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.280 little bit 00:24:35.280 --> 00:24:35.580 earlier. 00:24:36.880 --> 00:24:37.440 Vertical 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:38.380 restoration, that 00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:39.700 restoration of 00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:40.500 relationship with 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.280 God vertically 00:24:41.280 --> 00:24:43.720 also means a 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.700 restoration of 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:45.180 relationship 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:45.860 horizontally. 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.500 Restoration to 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:50.440 peace and unity 00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:51.240 with every other 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:52.580 believer in the 00:24:52.580 --> 00:24:53.200 same way as we 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:53.740 now have peace 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.360 and unity with 00:24:54.359 --> 00:24:54.779 Christ. 00:24:55.699 --> 00:24:56.439 And we see 00:24:56.439 --> 00:24:57.379 there that our 00:24:57.379 --> 00:24:58.379 challenge is not 00:24:58.379 --> 00:24:59.139 to create this 00:24:59.139 --> 00:24:59.799 unity that has 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.639 been created in 00:25:00.639 --> 00:25:00.939 Christ. 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:01.859 Our challenge is 00:25:01.859 --> 00:25:03.000 simply to express 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.699 that unity. 00:25:06.719 --> 00:25:07.679 Because that's 00:25:07.679 --> 00:25:08.240 our identity. 00:25:08.699 --> 00:25:09.359 That's who we 00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:12.279 are now in the 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:12.759 Lord Jesus. 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:15.019 And that unity 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:16.719 ought to be 00:25:16.719 --> 00:25:18.439 modeled in all 00:25:18.439 --> 00:25:19.219 our relationships. 00:25:24.359 --> 00:25:25.839 in our actions, 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:26.719 in our attitudes, 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:27.819 in our desires. 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:29.199 So that our 00:25:29.199 --> 00:25:29.839 desires and 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:30.679 actions and 00:25:30.679 --> 00:25:33.240 attitudes, as it 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:33.799 says there, are 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.539 worthy. 00:25:35.879 --> 00:25:37.159 That is, that they 00:25:37.159 --> 00:25:38.579 truly reflect, that 00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:39.319 we're authentic. 00:25:41.659 --> 00:25:42.819 Reflect who we are 00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:43.519 in Christ. 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.500 In verse 15, 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:49.539 once again, 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:51.160 relationships can be 00:25:51.160 --> 00:25:52.180 driven by truth 00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:53.019 and love 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:55.660 and true 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:56.779 complementarity. 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:58.240 Verses 23 and 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:58.980 24 that was read 00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.299 to us, 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.839 to renew in the 00:26:00.839 --> 00:26:01.319 spirit of your 00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:02.039 minds and to put 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:02.920 on the new self 00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:03.900 created after the 00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:04.779 likeness of God in 00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:05.740 true righteousness 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:07.079 and holiness. 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:09.259 we express again 00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:10.759 truth and love 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.679 and true 00:26:11.679 --> 00:26:13.299 complementarity as 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:14.119 we help one 00:26:14.119 --> 00:26:15.559 another get rid 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:17.699 of all the 00:26:17.699 --> 00:26:18.319 signs of the 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:19.399 life alienated 00:26:19.399 --> 00:26:19.980 and detached 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:22.039 from God and 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:23.199 build in all the 00:26:23.199 --> 00:26:24.119 signs of the 00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:24.799 righteous life, 00:26:24.879 --> 00:26:25.460 the life that's 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.339 re-engaged with 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:27.000 God, that's 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.740 restored with 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:28.559 God, that's 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.240 changed from 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.980 the inside out. 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:36.839 Because that 00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:37.879 showcases our 00:26:37.879 --> 00:26:38.639 new identity. 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:41.039 It showcases 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:42.439 and expresses 00:26:42.439 --> 00:26:43.399 our new sense 00:26:43.399 --> 00:26:44.019 of self, 00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:45.919 our true sense 00:26:45.919 --> 00:26:47.399 of self as 00:26:47.399 --> 00:26:48.059 we were created 00:26:48.059 --> 00:26:49.099 to show it. 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:52.559 So there's 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.319 nothing wrong 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:54.119 with being 00:26:54.119 --> 00:26:54.859 selfish, 00:26:55.959 --> 00:26:58.199 providing we 00:26:58.199 --> 00:26:59.339 understand that 00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:00.220 selfish for us 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:01.379 as Christians 00:27:01.379 --> 00:27:02.799 is a reflection, 00:27:04.119 --> 00:27:04.659 an authentic 00:27:04.659 --> 00:27:05.319 reflection of 00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:05.939 who we are 00:27:05.939 --> 00:27:06.659 in Jesus. 00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:16.279 And as we 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:16.859 struggle to 00:27:16.859 --> 00:27:18.459 demonstrate our 00:27:18.459 --> 00:27:19.199 new authentic 00:27:19.199 --> 00:27:20.899 self in Christ, 00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:22.139 then we are 00:27:22.139 --> 00:27:22.559 worshipping. 00:27:22.679 --> 00:27:23.459 Chapter 5, 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:25.019 verse 1 says, 00:27:25.159 --> 00:27:26.059 be imitators of 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:27.159 God as beloved 00:27:27.159 --> 00:27:27.519 children. 00:27:27.919 --> 00:27:28.579 I take it that's 00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:30.119 another type of 00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:31.079 picture language 00:27:31.079 --> 00:27:32.139 for worship. 00:27:32.140 --> 00:27:32.800 that is, 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:34.840 respond to God 00:27:34.840 --> 00:27:36.240 as God 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:37.740 is appropriate 00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:38.800 to his character 00:27:38.800 --> 00:27:39.440 and his being. 00:27:44.780 --> 00:27:45.700 Chapter 5, 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:47.320 verses 8 to 15, 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.680 we'll probably see 00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:49.300 those more over the 00:27:49.300 --> 00:27:49.920 next few weeks, 00:27:50.600 --> 00:27:51.620 talks about walking 00:27:51.620 --> 00:27:52.320 as the children 00:27:52.320 --> 00:27:53.000 of the light. 00:27:53.660 --> 00:27:54.180 Look at verse 00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:54.600 18, 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:55.820 verse 8, 00:27:55.880 --> 00:27:56.060 sorry, 00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:57.320 of chapter 5. 00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:58.619 For at one 00:27:58.619 --> 00:27:59.159 time you were 00:27:59.159 --> 00:27:59.759 darkness, 00:28:01.159 --> 00:28:01.679 but thou 00:28:01.679 --> 00:28:02.319 you're light 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:02.899 in the Lord. 00:28:03.179 --> 00:28:03.759 You get this 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:05.500 contrast between 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.319 what we were 00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:07.039 in sin 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:09.039 and what we 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.700 now are 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.439 in Christ. 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.099 Walk, 00:28:12.419 --> 00:28:12.639 therefore, 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.259 as children 00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:13.919 of light 00:28:13.919 --> 00:28:16.139 and try to 00:28:16.139 --> 00:28:16.579 discern, 00:28:16.679 --> 00:28:17.000 verse 10, 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:17.559 what is pleasing 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:17.960 to the Lord. 00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:19.279 Take no part 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:20.220 in unfruitful 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:20.679 works of 00:28:20.679 --> 00:28:21.059 darkness, 00:28:21.179 --> 00:28:21.579 but instead 00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:22.359 expose them. 00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:24.839 verse 17, 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:25.899 do not be foolish, 00:28:25.979 --> 00:28:26.559 but understand 00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:27.039 what the word 00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:27.740 of the Lord 00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:28.079 is. 00:28:29.059 --> 00:28:29.779 Do not get 00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:30.539 drunk with wine 00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:30.919 for that is 00:28:30.919 --> 00:28:31.439 debauchery, 00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:32.099 but be filled 00:28:32.099 --> 00:28:32.740 with the Spirit 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:33.559 addressing one 00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:34.039 another in 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:34.899 psalms and hymns 00:28:34.899 --> 00:28:35.419 and spiritual 00:28:35.419 --> 00:28:35.759 songs, 00:28:36.219 --> 00:28:36.759 singing and 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.459 making melody 00:28:37.459 --> 00:28:38.699 to the Lord 00:28:38.699 --> 00:28:39.299 with all your 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:39.599 heart. 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:43.500 Be your 00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:44.619 authentic self 00:28:44.619 --> 00:28:46.559 and that will 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.479 be true worship. 00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:48.379 Worship in 00:28:48.379 --> 00:28:49.019 spirit, 00:28:49.439 --> 00:28:50.219 engaging with 00:28:50.219 --> 00:28:50.699 the heart 00:28:50.699 --> 00:28:52.179 and in truth. 00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:53.819 A true 00:28:53.819 --> 00:28:55.500 reflection of 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:56.139 who we are 00:28:56.139 --> 00:28:56.679 in relation 00:28:56.679 --> 00:28:57.099 to God. 00:28:57.179 --> 00:28:57.599 A true 00:28:57.599 --> 00:28:58.240 reflection of 00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:58.879 God's value 00:28:58.879 --> 00:28:59.359 and worth. 00:29:00.439 --> 00:29:00.879 A true 00:29:00.879 --> 00:29:01.279 identity. 00:29:04.419 --> 00:29:05.199 And as we 00:29:05.199 --> 00:29:06.000 do all that, 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:06.959 we have 00:29:06.959 --> 00:29:07.879 evidence of 00:29:07.879 --> 00:29:08.459 the Spirit 00:29:08.459 --> 00:29:10.119 re-tuning 00:29:10.119 --> 00:29:10.859 our hearts 00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:13.000 to express 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:13.599 our growing 00:29:13.599 --> 00:29:14.539 joy and 00:29:14.539 --> 00:29:15.079 delight with 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:15.379 God. 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:17.639 And the 00:29:17.639 --> 00:29:18.379 inevitable 00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:19.019 outcome of 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.439 that will 00:29:19.439 --> 00:29:20.879 be that 00:29:20.879 --> 00:29:21.079 our 00:29:21.079 --> 00:29:22.639 distorted 00:29:22.639 --> 00:29:23.399 sense of 00:29:23.399 --> 00:29:23.819 self 00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:26.399 will give 00:29:26.399 --> 00:29:26.960 way 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:28.799 to a 00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:29.220 renewed 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:29.799 sense of 00:29:29.799 --> 00:29:30.099 self 00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:31.179 in Christ. 00:29:32.539 --> 00:29:33.579 And that 00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:35.119 will 00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:35.899 transform our 00:29:35.899 --> 00:29:36.419 relationships. 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:40.159 And only 00:29:40.159 --> 00:29:41.319 that will 00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:42.019 transform our 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.740 relationships. 00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:42.839 relationships. 00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:44.299 So, 00:29:45.579 --> 00:29:48.400 we need to 00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:48.799 be gospel 00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:50.359 shaped in 00:29:50.359 --> 00:29:50.779 our 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:53.900 thinking about 00:29:53.900 --> 00:29:54.220 family 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:54.859 relationships. 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:55.900 But that 00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:56.359 might not be 00:29:56.359 --> 00:29:56.880 as obvious 00:29:56.880 --> 00:29:57.500 as you 00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:57.799 think. 00:29:59.200 --> 00:29:59.440 See, 00:29:59.500 --> 00:29:59.920 without the 00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:00.440 steering wheel 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:00.880 of God's 00:30:00.880 --> 00:30:01.200 word, 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:02.740 we actually 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.339 won't know 00:30:03.339 --> 00:30:03.920 how to do 00:30:03.920 --> 00:30:04.779 relationships as 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:05.279 God designed 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:05.440 them. 00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:05.900 We won't 00:30:05.900 --> 00:30:06.680 know how to 00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:07.880 operate families 00:30:07.880 --> 00:30:08.259 as God 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:08.880 designed them, 00:30:09.140 --> 00:30:09.740 intended them. 00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:11.019 We won't even 00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:11.420 know what a 00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:12.119 family is, 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:13.400 let alone how 00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:13.819 to make it 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:14.420 God honoring. 00:30:14.539 --> 00:30:15.579 We need the 00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:16.220 steering wheel of 00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:16.779 God's word. 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.139 Because if we set 00:30:18.139 --> 00:30:19.099 our course by 00:30:19.099 --> 00:30:19.599 society, 00:30:20.099 --> 00:30:20.799 then we can 00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:21.359 actually all just 00:30:21.359 --> 00:30:21.680 go home, 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.259 because society 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:22.599 says there's 00:30:22.599 --> 00:30:23.059 no problem. 00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:27.980 Our society 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:28.660 has totally 00:30:28.660 --> 00:30:29.460 embraced this 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:30.559 distorted identity 00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:31.139 and self. 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.220 And society 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:32.440 says, 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:32.599 well, 00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:32.859 actually, 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:33.879 there's no real 00:30:33.879 --> 00:30:34.639 need for change. 00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:36.059 If you get an 00:30:36.059 --> 00:30:36.680 issue with me, 00:30:36.859 --> 00:30:37.220 then your 00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:37.859 challenge is to 00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:38.579 accept me as 00:30:38.579 --> 00:30:39.039 I am. 00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:41.900 That's what 00:30:41.900 --> 00:30:42.639 society says. 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.079 People just 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:47.139 have to accept 00:30:47.139 --> 00:30:47.579 me and my 00:30:47.579 --> 00:30:48.119 relationship 00:30:48.119 --> 00:30:48.579 for what they 00:30:48.579 --> 00:30:48.759 are. 00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:51.900 And as 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:52.180 Christians, 00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:52.819 we take that 00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:53.539 on too easily. 00:30:53.960 --> 00:30:54.720 We have come 00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:55.799 to live with 00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:57.680 dysfunction and 00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:58.240 pain in our 00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:58.900 relationships. 00:31:00.319 --> 00:31:01.220 And we simply 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:01.879 conclude, 00:31:02.400 --> 00:31:03.139 that's how 00:31:03.139 --> 00:31:05.359 it's meant to 00:31:05.359 --> 00:31:05.619 be. 00:31:06.039 --> 00:31:06.700 That's as good 00:31:06.700 --> 00:31:07.180 as it can 00:31:07.180 --> 00:31:07.480 be. 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:08.619 That's as good 00:31:08.619 --> 00:31:09.480 as it can be. 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:14.500 But we 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:14.819 sort of 00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:15.420 sidestep a 00:31:15.420 --> 00:31:15.680 little bit 00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:16.119 because we 00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:16.879 then compare 00:31:16.879 --> 00:31:17.599 our family 00:31:17.599 --> 00:31:19.039 context to 00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:19.619 others out 00:31:19.619 --> 00:31:20.019 there in the 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:20.779 wider world. 00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:21.539 And we do 00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:21.879 it in such 00:31:21.879 --> 00:31:22.259 a way that 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:22.759 we can 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.619 usually conclude 00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:24.200 that we're 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:24.639 doing very 00:31:24.639 --> 00:31:25.019 well as 00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:27.559 families relative 00:31:27.559 --> 00:31:27.940 to other 00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:28.259 people. 00:31:31.379 --> 00:31:31.879 But so 00:31:31.879 --> 00:31:32.420 often we 00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:33.700 don't look 00:31:33.700 --> 00:31:34.379 vertically to 00:31:34.379 --> 00:31:35.279 see how 00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:35.819 our family 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:36.400 measures up, 00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:36.759 how our 00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:37.460 family relationships 00:31:37.460 --> 00:31:38.099 measure up in 00:31:38.099 --> 00:31:39.200 terms of God's 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:40.000 intention for 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.259 us. 00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:44.940 So we 00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:45.379 live with 00:31:45.379 --> 00:31:45.799 this sense 00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:46.619 of well-being, 00:31:47.579 --> 00:31:48.539 this acceptance 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.059 of where we're 00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:49.379 at in our 00:31:49.379 --> 00:31:49.980 relationships, 00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:51.619 but it's 00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:52.279 far from 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:52.619 worship. 00:31:57.079 --> 00:31:57.759 We need to 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.099 see that 00:31:58.099 --> 00:31:58.579 family and 00:31:58.579 --> 00:31:59.200 relationships are 00:31:59.200 --> 00:31:59.700 part of our 00:31:59.700 --> 00:31:59.980 worship. 00:32:00.839 --> 00:32:01.259 And you can 00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:01.779 see through 00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:02.519 Ephesians 4 and 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:03.019 5, we'll come 00:32:03.019 --> 00:32:03.460 back to some 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:03.700 of these 00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:04.900 details, but 00:32:04.900 --> 00:32:05.940 that needs 00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:07.759 to, we need 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.059 to be our 00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:08.879 authentic selves 00:32:08.879 --> 00:32:09.660 in terms of 00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:10.299 how we love 00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:10.779 one another. 00:32:11.899 --> 00:32:12.700 We need to 00:32:12.700 --> 00:32:13.460 reflect who 00:32:13.460 --> 00:32:13.899 we are in 00:32:13.899 --> 00:32:14.700 Christ in 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:15.079 terms of 00:32:15.079 --> 00:32:16.039 how we 00:32:16.039 --> 00:32:16.960 repent when 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.519 we mess up 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:17.759 in our 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.180 relationships, 00:32:18.299 --> 00:32:18.500 and we 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:18.740 will. 00:32:20.680 --> 00:32:21.419 We need to 00:32:21.419 --> 00:32:21.960 take ownership, 00:32:22.119 --> 00:32:22.759 proper ownership. 00:32:25.180 --> 00:32:25.799 It will 00:32:25.799 --> 00:32:26.659 reflect how we 00:32:26.659 --> 00:32:27.799 offer forgiveness 00:32:27.799 --> 00:32:28.399 and handle 00:32:28.399 --> 00:32:29.099 forgiveness in 00:32:29.099 --> 00:32:29.779 our relationships. 00:32:30.139 --> 00:32:30.759 Not a 00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:31.919 fluffy, easy 00:32:31.919 --> 00:32:32.339 thing that 00:32:32.339 --> 00:32:32.680 just says, 00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:33.119 well, okay, 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:33.980 all right, let's 00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.659 just pretend it 00:32:34.659 --> 00:32:35.299 hasn't happened, 00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:36.159 nothing's really 00:32:36.159 --> 00:32:37.079 been fixed, but 00:32:37.079 --> 00:32:37.700 let's just pretend 00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:38.340 everything's good. 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:39.980 That's not 00:32:39.980 --> 00:32:40.660 reflection of 00:32:40.660 --> 00:32:41.080 Christ. 00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:43.180 And yet, that's 00:32:43.180 --> 00:32:44.460 so often what 00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:45.920 we mistake and 00:32:45.920 --> 00:32:46.960 put forward as 00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:47.380 forgiveness. 00:32:51.100 --> 00:32:51.920 We need to be 00:32:51.920 --> 00:32:52.580 gospel-shaped. 00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:54.519 And then the 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:55.019 other extreme, 00:32:55.160 --> 00:32:55.759 sometimes as 00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:56.279 Christians, we 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:56.980 have too high a 00:32:56.980 --> 00:32:57.519 view of family 00:32:57.519 --> 00:32:58.180 and relationships. 00:32:58.880 --> 00:32:59.460 I said early 00:32:59.460 --> 00:32:59.799 on in the 00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:00.140 introduction, 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:00.860 sometimes we 00:33:00.860 --> 00:33:01.319 as Christians 00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:02.519 make family an 00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:03.420 idol and 00:33:03.420 --> 00:33:04.019 marriage an 00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:04.259 idol. 00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:05.440 We make it our 00:33:05.440 --> 00:33:06.160 goal in life to 00:33:06.160 --> 00:33:06.799 be married, to 00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:07.380 have children. 00:33:07.700 --> 00:33:10.200 rather than 00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:10.759 understand that 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:11.640 the primary 00:33:11.640 --> 00:33:12.360 one-flesh 00:33:12.360 --> 00:33:13.160 relationship we 00:33:13.160 --> 00:33:13.680 have now is 00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:14.259 with Christ. 00:33:16.500 --> 00:33:17.259 It's Christ 00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:18.059 who defines us 00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:18.480 and gives us 00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:18.900 our identity, 00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:19.819 not whether 00:33:19.819 --> 00:33:20.420 we're married 00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:20.759 and whether 00:33:20.759 --> 00:33:20.940 we have 00:33:20.940 --> 00:33:21.299 children. 00:33:22.200 --> 00:33:22.340 And I 00:33:22.340 --> 00:33:22.620 think that's 00:33:22.620 --> 00:33:24.180 why, I 00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:24.460 think that 00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:25.740 partly explains 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.319 why divorce 00:33:26.319 --> 00:33:27.460 rates among 00:33:27.460 --> 00:33:28.120 Christians are 00:33:28.120 --> 00:33:29.059 just as high as 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:29.360 they are in 00:33:29.360 --> 00:33:29.940 the non-Christian 00:33:29.940 --> 00:33:30.340 world. 00:33:32.400 --> 00:33:33.080 We're so 00:33:33.080 --> 00:33:33.600 committed to 00:33:33.600 --> 00:33:34.420 finding identity 00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:35.240 in marriage and 00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:36.200 family relationships 00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:36.920 in our children 00:33:36.920 --> 00:33:37.660 that if we 00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:38.640 fail in one 00:33:38.640 --> 00:33:39.300 then we 00:33:39.300 --> 00:33:39.900 break one 00:33:39.900 --> 00:33:40.360 marriage, we 00:33:40.360 --> 00:33:40.840 break one 00:33:40.840 --> 00:33:41.440 family and 00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:41.820 we start 00:33:41.820 --> 00:33:42.900 again because 00:33:42.900 --> 00:33:43.640 that's what 00:33:43.640 --> 00:33:44.160 we're chasing. 00:33:45.779 --> 00:33:46.120 Friends, we 00:33:46.120 --> 00:33:46.680 need to learn 00:33:46.680 --> 00:33:47.300 that it's not 00:33:47.300 --> 00:33:47.960 going to ever 00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:48.779 be a biological 00:33:48.779 --> 00:33:50.320 relationship that 00:33:50.320 --> 00:33:51.340 will satisfy us 00:33:51.340 --> 00:33:53.500 ultimately, but 00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:53.900 Christ. 00:33:56.440 --> 00:33:57.340 So let's pray 00:33:57.340 --> 00:33:57.759 over the next 00:33:57.759 --> 00:33:58.279 six weeks. 00:33:58.380 --> 00:33:58.960 Let's pray for 00:33:58.960 --> 00:33:59.880 new exposure, 00:34:00.620 --> 00:34:01.800 new challenge 00:34:01.800 --> 00:34:02.460 from God's 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:04.080 word so we 00:34:04.080 --> 00:34:05.200 might identify 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:05.920 areas where 00:34:05.920 --> 00:34:06.660 we have lost 00:34:06.660 --> 00:34:07.620 gospel shape 00:34:07.620 --> 00:34:09.240 or perhaps 00:34:09.240 --> 00:34:09.579 we're never 00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:10.240 gospel shaped 00:34:10.240 --> 00:34:10.659 in the first 00:34:10.659 --> 00:34:11.079 place. 00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:12.960 And let's 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:13.480 commit to 00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:14.420 struggle for 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:15.119 real change 00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:16.400 so we might 00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:17.220 be authentic 00:34:17.220 --> 00:34:18.760 in our identity 00:34:18.760 --> 00:34:19.460 and sense of 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:21.460 self as we 00:34:21.460 --> 00:34:22.000 relate to one 00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:22.260 another. 00:34:24.340 --> 00:34:25.119 Let me pray. 00:34:26.460 --> 00:34:27.059 Help us, 00:34:27.179 --> 00:34:27.559 Lord, to hear 00:34:27.559 --> 00:34:27.960 your word. 00:34:28.139 --> 00:34:28.440 It will be 00:34:28.440 --> 00:34:28.920 difficult, 00:34:29.159 --> 00:34:29.920 difficult to 00:34:29.920 --> 00:34:32.000 present and 00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:32.639 difficult to 00:34:32.639 --> 00:34:33.980 hear because 00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:34.699 Lord, hearing 00:34:34.699 --> 00:34:36.300 means the 00:34:36.300 --> 00:34:36.659 risk of 00:34:36.659 --> 00:34:37.340 exposure and 00:34:37.340 --> 00:34:39.000 exposure pushes 00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:39.639 us to the 00:34:39.639 --> 00:34:40.219 challenge of 00:34:40.219 --> 00:34:40.719 change. 00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:43.400 Lord, keep 00:34:43.400 --> 00:34:44.400 us, I 00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:45.159 pray, above 00:34:45.159 --> 00:34:45.960 all else from 00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:47.019 simply pretending 00:34:47.019 --> 00:34:47.740 that things are 00:34:47.740 --> 00:34:49.880 well rather 00:34:49.880 --> 00:34:50.420 than struggling 00:34:50.420 --> 00:34:50.900 for real 00:34:50.900 --> 00:34:51.320 change. 00:34:52.820 --> 00:34:53.139 Amen. 00:34:53.139 --> 00:34:53.240 Amen. 00:34:53.240 --> 00:34:53.300 Amen.