WEBVTT

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 As we consider our vision of life and ministry together over the next 10 years,

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 we have been studying Ephesians to understand God's vision for the church

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! and getting to know who is the church that God wants us to become.

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 Finding out our characteristics of the bride that God is preparing for His Son,

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 hoping that we will align our vision with God's vision for the church

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 as we look forward to the time we honour God with how we live and do ministry

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 at St. Paul's, united under Christ.

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 The church is God's new humanity, society and people,

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 where old barriers are broken down.

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 The church is what the world needs.

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 And we have seen in Ephesians so far that we are blessed to carry out God's plan

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 to bless His world.

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 We are growing in God's love and living hope to glorify God.

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 And we are alive, safe from making God's bride more beautiful.

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 So today, we'll consider how we are united from the passage that Anne just read out for us

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 from chapter 2, verse 11 to 22, with the following points.

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 And you can follow that along in our church app.

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 So, three points I want to talk about.

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 A divided humanity, describing our condition outside of Christ,

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 alienated, estranged and without hope.

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 A united church, proclaiming the great reconciliation work

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 that Christ accomplished on the cross, making the two groups one.

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 And being a united church,

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 depicting our new identity and mission within this new community.

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 Fellow citizens and members of God's household,

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 built together to become God's temple.

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 So last Sunday, Steve, our senior minister,

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 explained our predicament and condition as human apart from God.

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 We are dead because of our self-centeredness.

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 Selfishness, a constant calculating of what is in it for me,

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 is the root of sin and cause of problems we see in this world.

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 We live in a world riddled with division, opposition and alienation,

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 where separation along racial, political, social and generational lines grow ever deeper.

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 It's not much different to the time of Paul when he write this letter to the divisions.

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 One of the more obvious separation was among believers

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 when they start segregating and giving other people groups labels and names.

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 We read,

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 Remember that at that time you were separated from Christ,

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 excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigner to the confidence of the promises,

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 without hope, without God in the world.

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 Humanities segregated and call each other names due to selfishness.

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 The computer within each one of us are constantly in overdrive,

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 working out who are my in-group that will confirm my identity and worth.

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 Who are the group that I can step on to elevate myself,

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 to achieve greater return for whatever effort I put into my life.

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 So with five faces, Paul revealed a picture of profound darkness and despair

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 of a divided humanity.

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 Firstly, he talks about separating from Christ.

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 This is a fundamental alienation.

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 Christ is a source of life, truth, and a way to our Heavenly Father.

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 To be separated from Him is to be cut off from life's meaning,

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 ultimate truth, and eternal destiny.

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 This is a spiritual death that mentioned last week in previous passage.

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 Secondly, he used a face excluded from citizenship in Israel.

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 Israel here referred to the nation God chose in history to bear His redemptive plan.

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 To be outside of this community means you were not part of the official narrative

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 of God's salvation story.

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 An outsider, a marginal figure.

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 Citizenship can only be by birth or granted.

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 And John 1.12 says,

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 Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believe in His name,

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 He gave the right to become children of God.

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 It's a privilege that cannot be earned or bought.

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 It can only be received by faith in grace.

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 We can often see how so many people turn their privilege as a weapon

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 to exclude and ostracize those they label as foreigners or outsiders.

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 Their action reflects the deep sense of loss and separation within themselves.

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 The barrier and unrest they face when they try to reach out to their Father God.

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 In our faith that Paul uses foreigners to their confidence of the promise,

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 God made confidence of promises to Abraham, the father of our faith,

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 of redemption, rest, and ultimately a Savior.

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 These promises are to Abraham himself and his offsprings.

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 And Galatians 3.7 says,

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 tells us that those who have faith are children of Abraham.

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 This confidence, a vessel of hope of inheritance,

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 but as a foreigner, humanity have no share in these certain future-oriented promises.

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 The future of humanity can only be the best described

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 as a crop shrouded with uncertainty.

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 And Paul goes on to say,

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 without hope, without God, without the promises,

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 all striving was ultimately fertile,

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 because humanity is dead in our transgression.

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 Despite its pantheon of gods,

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 the Greco-Roman world was largely pessimistic or vague about the afterlife.

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 They embarked on world concords to build great monuments

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 to show their significance,

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 but deep down is meaningless.

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 Meaningless.

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 Utterly meaningless.

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 Everything is meaningless,

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 as said by the teacher of Ecclesiastic.

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 The feeling of despair is what we can strongly resonate

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 within our secular society today.

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 Our digital world has given us a parallel tour for connection,

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 yet we are arguably a lonelier, more alienated society than ever.

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 We create perfect lives on social media,

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 yet feel deeply inadequate compared to others.

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 We might have hundreds of friends online,

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 but no one to sit with us in our grief.

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 Anxiety, depression, and a search for meaning in achievement,

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 likes, or substance manifest our state of hopelessness.

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 And finally, without God in the world,

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 the ultimate poverty.

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 It doesn't mean polytheism or atheism per se,

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 but it's more about not knowing the one true living God,

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 the creator who is full of grace and truth,

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 life is of death of an orphan wandering in the cosmos.

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 We live in a growing heat economy

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 of transactional homelessness.

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 The increasing number of ride-share driver,

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 task app contractor, and delivery person,

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 they're essential to cities' function,

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 yet they have no stable place in it.

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 No company health insurance,

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 no retirement plan,

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 no team lunchroom.

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 They're perpetual outsiders,

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 navigating systems not built for them,

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 always looking for a next kid.

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 To be without God in the world

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 is to live in a state of spiritual kid world.

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 We hustle for meaning.

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 The next promotion,

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 the perfect relationship,

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 a fitness goal.

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 We contract for temporary relief,

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 a vacation, entertainment, retail charity.

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 But we have no permanent home,

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 no secure inheritance,

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 no loving father who provides and protects.

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 As a stranger,

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 negotiating with a universe

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 that feels impersonal and transactional,

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 our labor for purpose

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 never leads to permanent rest.

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 This homelessness

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 is a core human condition

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 when we are apart

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 from being brought into

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 the household of God.

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 So this fivefold description

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 is a microscope

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 of the shared human condition

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 of life without Christ.

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 Racial superiority and prejudice,

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 cultural arrogance and disdain,

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 social stratification and opposition,

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 political polarization and hospitality,

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 and even division within churches

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 over traditions, practice,

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 or theological nuance

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 are the external walls

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 that divide humans.

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 We also build internal walls

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 of pride, self-righteousness,

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 judgment, bitterness, and unforgiveness.

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 This wall isolates us

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 from each other

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 and from the life and love of God.

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 And Paul wants us to remember

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 this former condition

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 so we can see that

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 what we need saving from

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 is not only personal guilt,

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 but also this corporate,

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 structural reality

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 of division and alienation.

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 God's plan of salvation

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 from the very beginning

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 is to create

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 a united new community.

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 But now in Christ Jesus,

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 you who once were far away

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 have been brought near

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 by the blood of Christ.

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 For he himself is our peace,

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 who has made the two group one

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 and has destroyed the barrier,

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 the defining wall of hostility.

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 By setting aside in fresh

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 the law which is commands

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 and regulations,

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 his purpose was to create

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 in himself one new humanity,

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 out of the two,

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 thus making peace,

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 and in one body

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 to reconcile both of them

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 to God through the cross,

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 by which he put to death

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 our hostility.

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 He comes and prays peace to you

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 who are far away

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 and peace to those

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 who are near.

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 For through him

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 we both have access

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 to the Father

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 by one spirit.

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 But now,

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 it's one of the most powerful

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 transitional places

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 in the scripture.

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 All the former darkness

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 is utterly rewritten

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 by the work of Christ.

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 Paul here unfilled

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 the most central

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 revolutionary

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 social truth

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 of the Christian faith,

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 that Christ himself

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 is our peace.

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 Peace is not

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 an abstract feeling

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 or temporary truth.

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 It is a person,

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 Jesus Christ.

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 He achieved unity

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 through the cross.

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 The basic of the unity

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 is the blood of Christ.

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 The cost of being brought near

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 was astronomically high,

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 achieved not through

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 compromise

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 or moral persuasion,

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 but by the blood of Christ.

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 By giving his life

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 on the cross,

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 Christ paid the ultimate price,

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 satisfying the demand

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 of justice,

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 appeasing God's wrath

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 and providing the basis

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 for forgiving

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 the debt we own each other.

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 This is the foundation

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 of reconciliation.

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 The method of unity

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 is destroying

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 the defining war.

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 The law

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 with its commands

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 and regulations

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 are the instrument

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 and sign

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 to tell us

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 how short

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 we have fall

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 from God's standard.

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 It's a symbol

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 of our separation

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 from God

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 and his people.

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 That war

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 which defied

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 was abolished

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 by Christ

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 in his flesh.

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 How did he

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 do this

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 in his flesh?

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 by fulfilling

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 the law

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 perfectly.

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 And then on the cross,

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 he bears

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 his curse

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 for law

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 breakers.

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 Thus,

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 the law's function

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 as a condemning

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 and dividing force

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 was set aside

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 for those

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 who trust in Christ.

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 No longer

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 a barrier

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 between people

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 and God

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 and people

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 with peoples.

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 the purpose

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 of unity

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 is to create

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 one new humanity.

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 God's purpose

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 was not simply

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 for believers

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 to conform

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 to certain rules

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 and regulations,

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 but to transform

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 in a new humanity

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 that he is creating

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 for himself.

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 This is a new creation,

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 a brand new category

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 of humanity.

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 In this new community,

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 being in Christ

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 is a new

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 primary identity.

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 Racial,

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 cultural,

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 and social differences

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 remain,

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 but they lost

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 that defining

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 and dividing

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 power.

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 Instead,

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 they become

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 a diverse canvas

00:14:27.320 --> 00:14:28.340
 upon which

00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:29.559
 the rich grace

00:14:29.559 --> 00:14:30.440
 of God

00:14:30.440 --> 00:14:31.120
 is displayed.

00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:33.580
 And the dual

00:14:33.580 --> 00:14:34.159
 dimension

00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:35.080
 of unity

00:14:35.080 --> 00:14:36.180
 are peace

00:14:36.180 --> 00:14:36.720
 with God

00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:37.940
 and peace

00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:38.580
 with each other.

00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:41.960
 Christ's work

00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:43.100
 brings reconciliation

00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:44.460
 in both

00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:45.139
 the vertical

00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:46.580
 and horizontal

00:14:46.580 --> 00:14:47.220
 dimension.

00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:48.940
 Vertically,

00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:50.520
 reconcile both

00:14:50.520 --> 00:14:50.900
 of them

00:14:50.900 --> 00:14:51.560
 to God

00:14:51.560 --> 00:14:52.500
 through the cross.

00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:54.220
 We are enemies

00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:54.740
 of God

00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:56.000
 because of our sin.

00:14:56.560 --> 00:14:57.080
 The cross

00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:57.759
 appeased

00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:58.740
 their hostility,

00:14:59.180 --> 00:14:59.800
 restoring our

00:14:59.800 --> 00:15:00.300
 relationship

00:15:00.300 --> 00:15:00.940
 with God.

00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:03.080
 Horizontally,

00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:05.460
 the same cross

00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:06.580
 put to death

00:15:06.580 --> 00:15:07.660
 the hostility

00:15:07.660 --> 00:15:08.759
 between humans.

00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:10.879
 When we stand

00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:11.440
 together

00:15:11.440 --> 00:15:12.700
 at the foot

00:15:12.700 --> 00:15:13.259
 of the cross,

00:15:13.920 --> 00:15:14.660
 seeing ourselves

00:15:14.660 --> 00:15:15.300
 equally

00:15:15.300 --> 00:15:16.100
 as sinners

00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:17.020
 saved by grace

00:15:17.020 --> 00:15:18.180
 alone

00:15:18.180 --> 00:15:18.820
 through faith

00:15:18.820 --> 00:15:19.139
 alone,

00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:20.240
 any sense

00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:21.000
 of superiority

00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.100
 based on law,

00:15:22.560 --> 00:15:23.100
 lineage,

00:15:23.520 --> 00:15:24.320
 or cultural

00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:25.759
 lost its footing.

00:15:26.560 --> 00:15:27.020
 Ultimately,

00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:28.280
 through Him,

00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:29.279
 we both

00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:29.939
 have access

00:15:29.939 --> 00:15:30.980
 to the Father

00:15:30.980 --> 00:15:31.839
 by one Spirit.

00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:33.500
 What a glorious

00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:33.899
 truth.

00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:35.379
 The Church

00:15:35.379 --> 00:15:36.319
 is not a club

00:15:36.319 --> 00:15:37.639
 of morally

00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:38.679
 improved individuals,

00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:39.879
 but a new

00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:40.459
 creation

00:15:40.459 --> 00:15:41.600
 community,

00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:42.720
 purchased

00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:44.139
 by Christ's blood

00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:45.039
 from the death,

00:15:45.959 --> 00:15:46.439
 resurrected

00:15:46.439 --> 00:15:47.600
 by His power

00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:48.539
 from death,

00:15:49.319 --> 00:15:49.980
 and united

00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:50.980
 by His Spirit.

00:15:51.939 --> 00:15:52.639
 Our peace

00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:53.699
 is found

00:15:53.700 --> 00:15:54.759
 on Christ's

00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:55.540
 finished work,

00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:56.740
 not on our

00:15:56.740 --> 00:15:57.300
 achieved

00:15:57.300 --> 00:15:58.220
 consensus.

00:15:59.780 --> 00:16:01.020
 So how do we

00:16:01.020 --> 00:16:02.480
 live our being

00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:03.440
 at the United Church?

00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:04.620
 Let's read on.

00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:05.240
 It says,

00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:05.940
 Consequently,

00:16:06.600 --> 00:16:07.340
 you are no longer

00:16:07.340 --> 00:16:07.800
 foreigner

00:16:07.800 --> 00:16:08.759
 and stranger,

00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:10.340
 but fellow citizens

00:16:10.340 --> 00:16:11.520
 with God's people

00:16:11.520 --> 00:16:12.520
 and also members

00:16:12.520 --> 00:16:13.360
 of His household.

00:16:14.140 --> 00:16:15.320
 Built on the foundation

00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:16.180
 of the apostles

00:16:16.180 --> 00:16:16.940
 and prophets,

00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:18.240
 with Christ Jesus

00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:18.800
 Himself

00:16:18.800 --> 00:16:20.060
 as the chief

00:16:20.060 --> 00:16:20.720
 cornerstone,

00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:21.879
 in Him,

00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:23.000
 the whole building

00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:24.059
 is joined together

00:16:24.059 --> 00:16:25.259
 and raised

00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:25.820
 to become

00:16:25.820 --> 00:16:26.740
 a holy temple

00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:27.419
 in the Lord.

00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:28.939
 And in Him,

00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:29.939
 you too

00:16:29.939 --> 00:16:30.600
 are being built

00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:31.039
 together

00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:31.659
 to become

00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:32.179
 a dwelling

00:16:32.179 --> 00:16:32.700
 in which

00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:33.519
 God lives

00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.259
 by His Spirit.

00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:36.639
 Since we have

00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:37.139
 been made

00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:38.120
 one in Christ,

00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:39.320
 how then

00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:40.000
 shall we

00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:40.340
 live out

00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:41.039
 this identity?

00:16:41.799 --> 00:16:42.399
 Paul uses

00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:43.720
 three powerful

00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:44.500
 metaphors

00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:45.500
 to describe

00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:46.820
 our present status

00:16:46.820 --> 00:16:48.059
 and ongoing

00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:48.799
 process

00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:50.580
 of growth.

00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:51.620
 So firstly,

00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:52.879
 we are citizens

00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:54.179
 and family members.

00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:56.039
 No longer foreigners

00:16:56.039 --> 00:16:56.779
 or strangers,

00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:59.100
 we now possess

00:16:59.100 --> 00:16:59.779
 the ultimate

00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:00.460
 belonging

00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:01.580
 and identity.

00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:03.679
 We are fellow citizens

00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:05.420
 sharing equal rights,

00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.180
 responsibility

00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:07.000
 and protection.

00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:08.720
 We are even more

00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:09.519
 significantly

00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:10.640
 members

00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:11.960
 of His household,

00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:13.700
 children in God's family,

00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:14.960
 brothers and sisters

00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:16.000
 to one another.

00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:18.019
 This means

00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:19.680
 church relationship

00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:20.839
 surpasses

00:17:20.839 --> 00:17:22.200
 ordinary

00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:23.119
 club friendship.

00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:24.819
 It's a family

00:17:24.819 --> 00:17:26.599
 love relationship

00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:27.839
 bought by the

00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:28.640
 blood of Christ.

00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:30.160
 Our responsibility

00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:31.279
 to one another

00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:32.619
 is the loyalty,

00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:33.559
 acceptance

00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.660
 and support

00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.599
 all to family.

00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.039
 And secondly,

00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:39.700
 we are a temple

00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.720
 under construction.

00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:43.019
 This is a dynamic,

00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:44.319
 growing metaphor.

00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:45.819
 The church

00:17:45.819 --> 00:17:46.519
 is a building

00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:48.180
 with apostles

00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:48.940
 and prophets

00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:50.059
 as foundation.

00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:51.980
 Apostles and prophets

00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:53.180
 are common terms

00:17:53.180 --> 00:17:54.259
 referring to the Bible,

00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:55.920
 which witness to

00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:56.700
 and proclaim

00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:57.240
 the truth

00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:57.960
 about Christ.

00:17:58.600 --> 00:17:59.579
 Our foundation

00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:01.100
 will become stronger

00:18:01.100 --> 00:18:02.720
 as we connect

00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:03.839
 with God daily

00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:05.360
 in reading the Bible

00:18:05.360 --> 00:18:05.839
 and prayer.

00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:07.399
 as we,

00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:08.679
 as well as

00:18:08.679 --> 00:18:09.619
 intentionally

00:18:09.619 --> 00:18:11.379
 sharing the gospel,

00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:12.539
 which are

00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:14.199
 two of the

00:18:14.199 --> 00:18:15.039
 seven rhythms

00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:15.859
 of grace

00:18:15.859 --> 00:18:16.740
 that is listed

00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:17.559
 in the book

00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:19.039
 of our season magazine.

00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:21.000
 The chief

00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:21.679
 cornerstone

00:18:21.679 --> 00:18:22.439
 of the church

00:18:22.439 --> 00:18:23.359
 is Christ Jesus

00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:23.899
 Himself.

00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:25.539
 The cornerstone

00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:26.179
 determines

00:18:26.179 --> 00:18:26.859
 the alignment

00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:28.039
 and angle

00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:29.279
 and stability

00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:30.500
 of the whole structure.

00:18:31.399 --> 00:18:31.740
 Christ

00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:33.799
 is our standard,

00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:35.000
 our center

00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:36.339
 and our reliance.

00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:38.980
 True unity

00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:39.920
 happens

00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:41.059
 when every part

00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:42.140
 is aligned to Him

00:18:42.140 --> 00:18:43.500
 as we practice

00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.319
 the seven rhythms

00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:44.940
 of grace.

00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:47.279
 The building process

00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:48.559
 is described

00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:49.859
 as in Him

00:18:49.859 --> 00:18:50.799
 the whole building

00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:51.759
 is joined together

00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.380
 and raised

00:18:52.380 --> 00:18:52.880
 to become

00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:53.960
 a holy temple

00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:54.460
 in the Lord.

00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:56.539
 As we worship God

00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.559
 and build

00:18:57.559 --> 00:18:58.420
 spiritual friendship

00:18:58.420 --> 00:18:58.900
 weekly,

00:18:59.400 --> 00:18:59.880
 which are

00:18:59.880 --> 00:19:01.319
 another two rhythms

00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:02.279
 of the grace

00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:03.279
 that we have mentioned,

00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.779
 each believer

00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:06.279
 is like

00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:07.339
 a living stone

00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:08.759
 as referred to

00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:10.200
 1 Peter 2,

00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:10.960
 verse 5,

00:19:11.119 --> 00:19:11.799
 being built

00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:12.339
 together

00:19:12.339 --> 00:19:13.299
 by the Spirit.

00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:15.259
 The process

00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.119
 requires

00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:17.319
 joining together,

00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:18.799
 fitted and connected

00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:19.500
 precisely,

00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:20.700
 and rises

00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:21.599
 gradually,

00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:22.879
 requires time,

00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:23.599
 patience,

00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:24.279
 and growth.

00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:25.779
 Unity

00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:27.220
 is not a state

00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:27.920
 of perfection

00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:29.740
 achieved overnight.

00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:30.940
 It's a process

00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:31.700
 of continuing

00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:33.279
 being built

00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:33.980
 together

00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.940
 in Christ,

00:19:35.380 --> 00:19:36.240
 which sometimes

00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:36.759
 involves

00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.580
 sanding and

00:19:37.580 --> 00:19:37.860
 trimming

00:19:37.860 --> 00:19:39.019
 and all those things.

00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.900
 And thirdly,

00:19:41.420 --> 00:19:42.140
 we are God's

00:19:42.140 --> 00:19:43.380
 drawing place.

00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:44.759
 This is the ultimate

00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:45.440
 purpose

00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:46.460
 of the church

00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.120
 existence,

00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.440
 to be God's

00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:48.740
 drawing.

00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:50.980
 In Old Testament,

00:19:51.600 --> 00:19:51.920
 temple

00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:53.019
 was a place

00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:53.940
 where God's glory

00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:54.720
 temporarily

00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:56.120
 resides.

00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:57.019
 Now,

00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:57.960
 through His

00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:58.740
 living Spirit,

00:19:58.740 --> 00:20:00.160
 God takes up

00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:01.039
 permanent residence

00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:02.160
 in His new

00:20:02.160 --> 00:20:02.559
 temple,

00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:03.620
 the united

00:20:03.620 --> 00:20:04.400
 community of

00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:04.720
 church.

00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:06.940
 God desires

00:20:06.940 --> 00:20:08.859
 to manifest

00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:09.960
 His presence

00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:10.720
 and glory

00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.480
 in the midst

00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.220
 of our loving

00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:13.220
 church life

00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:13.599
 together.

00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:15.000
 When we make

00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:15.960
 every effort

00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:16.920
 to keep the

00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:17.579
 unity of the

00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:17.880
 Spirit,

00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:19.240
 we display to

00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:19.759
 the world

00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:20.640
 the reality

00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:21.640
 of God

00:20:21.640 --> 00:20:22.400
 with us.

00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:24.400
 We are united

00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:25.819
 as we look

00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:26.559
 forward to

00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.120
 our life and

00:20:27.120 --> 00:20:27.720
 ministry for

00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:28.480
 next five to

00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:29.039
 ten years.

00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.160
 We must let

00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:31.860
 unity be called

00:20:31.860 --> 00:20:32.200
 to our

00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:32.839
 community's

00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:33.279
 DNA,

00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:34.400
 bearing in

00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:35.019
 mind the

00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:36.140
 picture of

00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:36.819
 the gathering

00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:37.819
 of multitude

00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:38.740
 in Revelation

00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:40.079
 7, verse 9.

00:20:40.860 --> 00:20:41.960
 A great multitude

00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:43.019
 that no one

00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:43.640
 could count,

00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:44.940
 from every

00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:45.420
 nation,

00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:45.940
 tribe,

00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:46.380
 people,

00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.079
 and language,

00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:48.720
 standing before

00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:49.240
 the throne,

00:20:49.620 --> 00:20:50.360
 before the Lamb.

00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:52.160
 We hope to

00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:53.759
 display Christ's

00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:55.819
 unity in our

00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:56.400
 diversity,

00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:56.500
 unity.

00:20:57.320 --> 00:20:58.420
 To live in

00:20:58.420 --> 00:20:58.920
 unity,

00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:00.120
 each of us

00:21:00.120 --> 00:21:01.220
 must constantly

00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:02.500
 return to the

00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:02.980
 foot of the

00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:03.280
 cross.

00:21:04.620 --> 00:21:05.600
 When I feel

00:21:05.600 --> 00:21:06.200
 impatient,

00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:07.820
 judgmental,

00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:08.540
 or distant

00:21:08.540 --> 00:21:09.759
 from other

00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.180
 member,

00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:11.160
 I need to

00:21:11.160 --> 00:21:11.660
 remember,

00:21:12.400 --> 00:21:13.200
 Christ died for

00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:14.060
 them as he

00:21:14.060 --> 00:21:14.640
 died for me.

00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:16.660
 I, like them,

00:21:17.080 --> 00:21:17.740
 am a sinner

00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:18.980
 saved by grace.

00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.560
 The cross

00:21:20.560 --> 00:21:21.640
 stripped me of

00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:22.740
 any right to

00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:23.480
 look down on

00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.019
 anyone,

00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:25.180
 and give me

00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:25.940
 the motive

00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:26.940
 to forgive

00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:27.519
 and reconcile.

00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:29.940
 St. Paul

00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:30.960
 is a church

00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:32.039
 comprised of

00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:32.539
 people from

00:21:32.539 --> 00:21:33.839
 different cultural

00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:34.440
 backgrounds,

00:21:34.640 --> 00:21:35.480
 social strata,

00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.720
 and age groups.

00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:38.259
 So let's not

00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:39.500
 try to erase

00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.299
 those differences,

00:21:40.860 --> 00:21:42.120
 but lean to

00:21:42.120 --> 00:21:42.860
 appreciate them

00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:43.339
 in Christ.

00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.640
 See how they

00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:46.000
 enrich the

00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:46.960
 weakness of

00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:47.660
 Christ's body.

00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:49.120
 Our unity

00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:50.319
 is not in

00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:51.439
 uniformity,

00:21:51.879 --> 00:21:52.199
 but in

00:21:52.199 --> 00:21:52.839
 diversity,

00:21:53.879 --> 00:21:54.699
 testifying to

00:21:54.699 --> 00:21:55.839
 the supernatural

00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:56.779
 power of

00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:57.659
 Christ that

00:21:57.659 --> 00:21:58.099
 bring us

00:21:58.099 --> 00:21:58.439
 together.

00:21:59.439 --> 00:21:59.939
 So every

00:21:59.939 --> 00:22:01.039
 time we

00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:02.500
 choose fellowship

00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:03.539
 over isolation,

00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:04.939
 forgiveness

00:22:04.939 --> 00:22:06.179
 over bitterness,

00:22:07.199 --> 00:22:07.719
 or humble

00:22:07.719 --> 00:22:09.159
 collaboration over

00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:10.139
 selfish ambition,

00:22:10.639 --> 00:22:11.079
 we are not

00:22:11.079 --> 00:22:11.899
 just being nice,

00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:12.799
 we are

00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.679
 practicing for

00:22:13.679 --> 00:22:14.239
 eternity.

00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:15.500
 In a

00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.399
 divided world,

00:22:17.399 --> 00:22:18.059
 a genuinely

00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:18.979
 loving,

00:22:19.119 --> 00:22:19.839
 united

00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:20.479
 Christian

00:22:20.479 --> 00:22:21.000
 community,

00:22:21.639 --> 00:22:22.439
 is itself

00:22:22.439 --> 00:22:23.359
 a powerful

00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:23.919
 gospel

00:22:23.919 --> 00:22:24.579
 proclamation.

00:22:25.659 --> 00:22:26.179
 It proves

00:22:26.179 --> 00:22:26.739
 to the world

00:22:26.739 --> 00:22:27.379
 that Jesus

00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:28.039
 is real

00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:28.979
 and that

00:22:28.979 --> 00:22:29.719
 his spirit

00:22:29.719 --> 00:22:30.479
 has a power

00:22:30.479 --> 00:22:31.179
 to change

00:22:31.179 --> 00:22:32.179
 hearts and

00:22:32.179 --> 00:22:32.599
 dissolve

00:22:32.599 --> 00:22:33.279
 hostilities.

00:22:34.459 --> 00:22:34.719
 Our

00:22:34.719 --> 00:22:35.479
 attractiveness

00:22:35.479 --> 00:22:36.419
 to the

00:22:36.419 --> 00:22:37.000
 community

00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:37.759
 will depend

00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:38.439
 significantly

00:22:38.439 --> 00:22:39.539
 on the

00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.039
 genuine,

00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.099
 supernatural,

00:22:41.399 --> 00:22:42.139
 and able

00:22:42.139 --> 00:22:42.779
 love we

00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:44.039
 have for

00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:44.899
 one another

00:22:44.899 --> 00:22:46.199
 across natural

00:22:46.199 --> 00:22:46.839
 barriers.

00:22:47.679 --> 00:22:48.259
 So let

00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:49.099
 let our

00:22:49.099 --> 00:22:49.579
 unity

00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:50.299
 be our

00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:50.619
 witness

00:22:50.619 --> 00:22:51.339
 to the

00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:51.599
 world.

00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:52.700
 Let's

00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:53.299
 look again

00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:54.019
 to Christ

00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:54.579
 who is

00:22:54.579 --> 00:22:55.500
 our peace.

00:22:56.379 --> 00:22:56.500
 The

00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.619
 wars in

00:22:57.619 --> 00:22:58.460
 our society

00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.500
 in our

00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.079
 own hearts

00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:00.759
 are strong.

00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:02.240
 It seems

00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:02.819
 permanent,

00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:03.740
 but the

00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.500
 resurrection of

00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:04.859
 Christ

00:23:04.859 --> 00:23:05.879
 declared that

00:23:05.879 --> 00:23:06.700
 war is

00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:07.079
 final.

00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:08.279
 The

00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:08.740
 mightiest

00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.500
 war ever

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:09.920
 built,

00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:10.839
 the war of

00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:11.660
 death itself,

00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:12.779
 is strutted

00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:14.099
 on Easter

00:23:14.099 --> 00:23:14.599
 morning.

00:23:15.639 --> 00:23:15.980
 Every

00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:16.420
 other

00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:16.899
 dividing

00:23:16.899 --> 00:23:17.779
 war of

00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.899
 hostility

00:23:18.899 --> 00:23:19.779
 is by

00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:20.460
 comparison

00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.279
 a temporary

00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:21.740
 fence.

00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.200
 We can

00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:24.240
 rely on

00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:24.819
 the Christ

00:23:24.819 --> 00:23:25.859
 who has

00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:26.539
 already made

00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:27.160
 peace and

00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:27.619
 submitted to

00:23:27.619 --> 00:23:28.279
 the guidance

00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:29.039
 of his

00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:29.279
 whole

00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:29.619
 dream

00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:29.899
 drawing

00:23:29.899 --> 00:23:30.339
 spirit,

00:23:30.879 --> 00:23:31.319
 allowing

00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:32.000
 him to

00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:32.660
 build us.

00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:34.259
 This

00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.299
 once scattered

00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:36.220
 hostile

00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:37.579
 stone into

00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:38.160
 a dwelling

00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:38.759
 fit for

00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:39.299
 his glory.

00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:40.599
 So let's

00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.119
 live in

00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:41.740
 light of

00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:42.419
 our destiny.

00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:43.659
 Let the

00:23:43.659 --> 00:23:44.220
 vision of

00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:44.940
 that grace

00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.980
 unite

00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:46.240
 the

00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:47.599
 multitude

00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:48.339
 through our

00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:48.899
 prayers,

00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:50.039
 soften our

00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:50.339
 hearts,

00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.279
 and guide

00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:51.579
 our

00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:51.980
 action.

00:23:52.879 --> 00:23:53.319
 Let's

00:23:53.319 --> 00:23:53.740
 be a

00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:54.460
 people so

00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:55.359
 captivated by

00:23:55.359 --> 00:23:55.779
 the beauty

00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:56.180
 and glory

00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:56.639
 of God

00:23:56.639 --> 00:23:57.279
 that we

00:23:57.279 --> 00:23:58.039
 cannot help

00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:58.680
 but to

00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.019
 live it

00:23:59.019 --> 00:23:59.639
 out in

00:23:59.639 --> 00:24:00.119
 the present.

00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:02.159
 In the

00:24:02.159 --> 00:24:02.819
 coming weeks,

00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:03.579
 as we

00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:04.099
 study the

00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:04.460
 rest of

00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:05.039
 Ephesians,

00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:05.919
 Paul will

00:24:05.919 --> 00:24:06.319
 show us

00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:06.720
 how to

00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:07.119
 live our

00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:07.700
 life that

00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.220
 is grace

00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:08.619
 filled.

00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:09.879
 And cross

00:24:09.879 --> 00:24:10.279
 shaped.

00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:11.460
 A life of

00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:11.839
 a true

00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:12.700
 disciple of

00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:13.039
 Jesus,

00:24:13.659 --> 00:24:14.019
 a true

00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:14.359
 Christian.

00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:15.700
 Paul will

00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:16.099
 show us

00:24:16.099 --> 00:24:16.419
 in the

00:24:16.419 --> 00:24:16.779
 rest of

00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:16.960
 this

00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:17.819
 letter how

00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:18.019
 to

00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.339
 fulfill

00:24:18.339 --> 00:24:18.559
 the

00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:18.779
 good

00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.220
 works

00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:19.700
 which

00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:19.940
 God

00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:20.319
 prepared

00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:20.539
 in

00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:20.859
 France

00:24:20.859 --> 00:24:21.039
 for

00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:21.180
 us

00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:21.339
 to

00:24:21.339 --> 00:24:21.579
 do

00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.099
 in

00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:22.299
 our

00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:22.779
 marriage,

00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:23.460
 our

00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:23.940
 family,

00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:24.379
 our

00:24:24.379 --> 00:24:24.879
 workplace,

00:24:25.099 --> 00:24:25.339
 and our

00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:25.720
 day-to-day

00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:26.059
 life.

00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.039
 Our

00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:27.559
 aim at

00:24:27.559 --> 00:24:27.740
 St.

00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.180
 Paul's

00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:28.680
 is not

00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.119
 just to

00:24:29.119 --> 00:24:29.500
 build a

00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:29.960
 cohesive

00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:30.480
 church

00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:31.079
 for the

00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:31.240
 next

00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:31.480
 ten

00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:31.839
 years,

00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:32.599
 but a

00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:33.039
 united

00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:33.480
 church,

00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:34.379
 joining

00:24:34.379 --> 00:24:34.819
 God

00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.319
 in the

00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:35.759
 construction

00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.299
 of his

00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:36.720
 eternal

00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.079
 dwelling

00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:37.500
 place.

00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:40.460
 He is

00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:40.899
 preparing

00:24:40.899 --> 00:24:41.339
 for his

00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:41.859
 one and

00:24:41.859 --> 00:24:42.059
 only

00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:42.319
 Son.

00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:43.500
 We are

00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:44.319
 by grace

00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:45.099
 becoming

00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:45.579
 here,

00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:46.440
 now,

00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.159
 and what

00:24:47.159 --> 00:24:47.519
 we will

00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:47.759
 be

00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.180
 forever.

00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.399
 One

00:24:49.399 --> 00:24:50.000
 redeemed

00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:50.500
 people

00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.299
 from

00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:51.720
 every

00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.279
 division,

00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:53.359
 united

00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:54.000
 by one

00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.359
 Savior,

00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:55.279
 to the

00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:55.579
 glory

00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:56.200
 of one

00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:56.460
 God.