WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.320
 Chapter 4, 2 Corinthians chapter 4. Thank you, Ralph, for leading us this morning.

00:00:21.800 --> 00:00:22.199
!

00:00:22.199 --> 00:00:27.439
 We've been working our way through this letter to the church in Corinth, written a long time

00:00:27.439 --> 00:00:34.640
 ago, but written for the church in every age, to God's people.

00:00:47.060 --> 00:00:51.799
 Well, we're going to pray, and then we're going to look at God's word together.

00:00:51.799 --> 00:00:52.559
 Let's pray.

00:00:52.560 --> 00:01:06.079
 Father God, you are the one who sees and knows all things.

00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:14.959
 And you see us today, not just us sitting here, but you know our hearts.

00:01:16.459 --> 00:01:23.039
 You know the things that are concerning us, the things that have happened to us.

00:01:23.040 --> 00:01:36.020
 And we pray that as we hear your word, it would speak into our lives, and allowing us and helping

00:01:36.020 --> 00:01:47.020
 us to see all our concerns from your perspective, and to see the work that you are doing in us.

00:01:47.019 --> 00:01:56.619
 And so we pray that you will move by the power of your spirit, and work in us what is good today.

00:01:57.659 --> 00:02:00.259
 In Jesus' name, amen.

00:02:00.260 --> 00:02:00.400
 Amen.

00:02:08.400 --> 00:02:13.659
 We're going to read chapter 4, verses 16 to 18.

00:02:13.900 --> 00:02:21.280
 It's a short text this morning, but jam-packed with wonderful truth to encourage us.

00:02:22.200 --> 00:02:24.759
 Chapter 4, verse 16.

00:02:24.759 --> 00:02:31.340
 Therefore, we do not lose heart.

00:02:33.399 --> 00:02:40.959
 Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

00:02:40.960 --> 00:02:53.300
 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

00:02:55.379 --> 00:03:03.200
 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.

00:03:03.199 --> 00:03:11.579
 Since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

00:03:16.839 --> 00:03:26.120
 Some of you will be familiar with the name Joni or Joni Erickson Tada, a young girl who in her teens had an accident.

00:03:26.120 --> 00:03:34.120
 And since that time, for the last 50 years of her waking life, she has remained in a wheelchair.

00:03:35.080 --> 00:03:41.840
 She was paralyzed from the neck down and has suffered terribly in her life.

00:03:43.759 --> 00:03:48.920
 Joni is a Christian, and she loves Jesus.

00:03:48.919 --> 00:04:01.199
 In her book, which I recommend to you, it's called A Place of Healing, she writes about a friend of hers called Melinda.

00:04:02.919 --> 00:04:05.579
 Let me read to you some of that story.

00:04:07.659 --> 00:04:15.519
 Melinda is struggling with a severe, and I mean a heartbreakingly severe, case of diabetes.

00:04:15.520 --> 00:04:20.860
 In the process, she has lost both her legs through amputation.

00:04:21.740 --> 00:04:26.980
 She has lost her eyesight, and she has lost several fingers.

00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:34.639
 Not long ago, she called to me to tell me that the doctors were about to remove another finger.

00:04:35.980 --> 00:04:40.199
 My heart went out to her, as it always does.

00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:46.959
 But my heart is also inspired by her struggle, and here's why.

00:04:48.740 --> 00:04:52.379
 Melinda has not lost heart.

00:04:53.819 --> 00:05:00.779
 The diabetes may be taking much away from her, but it can't take that away.

00:05:01.819 --> 00:05:04.919
 The doctors can't amputate that.

00:05:04.920 --> 00:05:12.259
 The woman is quite literally wasting away week by week, day by day.

00:05:13.259 --> 00:05:21.780
 But she has not lost heart, because she places her trust and confidence in Christ.

00:05:21.779 --> 00:05:37.379
 In chapter 4, we have seen how embracing the Christian life and ministry will mean weakness, suffering, and death.

00:05:38.959 --> 00:05:44.279
 In fact, to be a Christian means we will face troubles and trials of all kinds.

00:05:44.279 --> 00:05:51.819
 And when we go through those times, we can lose heart.

00:05:52.959 --> 00:05:54.919
 We can want to give up.

00:05:56.259 --> 00:05:58.219
 But we don't need to.

00:05:58.679 --> 00:06:01.479
 We don't need to lose heart.

00:06:02.179 --> 00:06:07.599
 Because chapter 4 is written to us for our encouragement.

00:06:09.519 --> 00:06:11.199
 Look back at verse 1.

00:06:11.199 --> 00:06:21.339
 Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, the ministry of declaring the good news about Jesus,

00:06:22.740 --> 00:06:25.879
 we do not lose heart.

00:06:27.639 --> 00:06:29.800
 And then down in verse 16.

00:06:31.199 --> 00:06:35.199
 Therefore, we do not lose heart.

00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:40.420
 So to help us this morning not to lose heart,

00:06:41.159 --> 00:06:47.180
 we need to be able to see our struggles through God's perspective.

00:06:48.240 --> 00:06:51.539
 To understand them as God would understand them.

00:06:52.339 --> 00:06:55.259
 So we're going to look at these few verses together

00:06:55.259 --> 00:06:59.439
 and see what God teaches us.

00:07:00.099 --> 00:07:02.879
 How we can respond to our struggles.

00:07:02.879 --> 00:07:12.439
 First, we do not lose heart because we have an unbreakable reality.

00:07:12.939 --> 00:07:17.139
 We do not lose heart because we have an unbreakable reality.

00:07:17.839 --> 00:07:18.540
 Verse 16.

00:07:18.699 --> 00:07:20.620
 We do not lose heart.

00:07:21.620 --> 00:07:24.500
 Though outwardly we are wasting away,

00:07:25.500 --> 00:07:30.659
 yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

00:07:30.660 --> 00:07:33.280
 That's our reality.

00:07:34.060 --> 00:07:40.780
 Our outward self, this body, is wasting away.

00:07:41.720 --> 00:07:47.420
 But our inward self is being renewed each day.

00:07:50.140 --> 00:07:52.480
 I have some sobering news.

00:07:54.100 --> 00:07:55.280
 I'm dying.

00:07:55.279 --> 00:07:58.959
 And so are all of you.

00:08:00.799 --> 00:08:02.159
 As we get older,

00:08:02.919 --> 00:08:05.259
 our weakness becomes more apparent.

00:08:06.039 --> 00:08:07.699
 Our energies decline.

00:08:08.179 --> 00:08:09.859
 Our thought process slows.

00:08:10.859 --> 00:08:13.079
 Our sufferings become more acute.

00:08:13.619 --> 00:08:16.939
 Our aches linger and our pains increase.

00:08:18.119 --> 00:08:21.139
 Our dying becomes more unavoidable.

00:08:21.139 --> 00:08:22.779
 Our fight grows tired.

00:08:22.779 --> 00:08:25.659
 Our bodies wear out.

00:08:27.599 --> 00:08:31.680
 Psalm 90, that we were reading earlier,

00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:33.799
 says this.

00:08:34.939 --> 00:08:38.460
 Our days may come to 70 years or 80

00:08:38.460 --> 00:08:40.679
 if our strength endures.

00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:43.360
 Yet the best of them

00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:45.620
 are but trouble and sorrow.

00:08:45.620 --> 00:08:49.679
 Even the young people,

00:08:50.659 --> 00:08:52.840
 you fit and healthy people out there,

00:08:53.860 --> 00:08:56.299
 you're not immune to this trajectory.

00:08:57.100 --> 00:08:58.980
 The writer to Ecclesiastes

00:08:58.980 --> 00:09:00.940
 puts it like this.

00:09:02.419 --> 00:09:05.779
 Remember your creator in the days of your youth.

00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:09.720
 Don't forget God.

00:09:09.720 --> 00:09:13.660
 Before the days of trouble come

00:09:13.660 --> 00:09:15.720
 and the years approach

00:09:15.720 --> 00:09:16.759
 when you will say,

00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:19.879
 I find no pleasure in them.

00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:24.340
 Now you might think

00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:25.920
 I'm being a little bit morbid

00:09:25.920 --> 00:09:26.740
 and a bit dour

00:09:26.740 --> 00:09:29.160
 and it's not very cheerful this morning.

00:09:29.980 --> 00:09:31.600
 But I'm just spelling out

00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:33.340
 the reality of God's word.

00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:36.399
 Weakness leads to suffering

00:09:36.399 --> 00:09:38.899
 and suffering will lead to death.

00:09:39.720 --> 00:09:40.680
 Outwardly,

00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:43.180
 we are all at this very moment

00:09:43.180 --> 00:09:45.440
 wasting away.

00:09:47.139 --> 00:09:47.940
 But,

00:09:48.379 --> 00:09:51.220
 in the midst of our aches and pains

00:09:51.220 --> 00:09:52.820
 and our groans and cries,

00:09:53.399 --> 00:09:54.800
 we are, verse 16,

00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:58.600
 being renewed day by day.

00:09:59.639 --> 00:10:01.279
 An unbreakable reality

00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:02.620
 is taking place

00:10:02.620 --> 00:10:04.540
 as we waste away.

00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:06.899
 So what is this renewal?

00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:08.460
 What's the transformation

00:10:08.460 --> 00:10:10.519
 that's going on in our life?

00:10:12.400 --> 00:10:14.600
 Well, we've already been given a hint of it.

00:10:14.639 --> 00:10:16.300
 If we go back to chapter 3,

00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:17.940
 verse 18.

00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:23.379
 Chapter 3, verse 18.

00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:25.960
 And we all,

00:10:26.240 --> 00:10:28.259
 who with unveiled faces,

00:10:28.460 --> 00:10:30.080
 contemplate the Lord's glory

00:10:30.080 --> 00:10:32.580
 as we look at Christ,

00:10:32.679 --> 00:10:34.320
 as we see Christ,

00:10:35.480 --> 00:10:38.580
 we are being transformed

00:10:38.580 --> 00:10:41.799
 into His image

00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:45.659
 with ever-increasing glory

00:10:45.659 --> 00:10:48.439
 which comes from the Lord

00:10:48.439 --> 00:10:50.219
 who is the Spirit.

00:10:53.279 --> 00:10:53.919
 Wonderful.

00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:56.620
 The Spirit of God

00:10:56.620 --> 00:10:58.219
 is at work

00:10:58.219 --> 00:10:59.620
 in our inner being.

00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:01.100
 We are,

00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:02.659
 as God's people,

00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:04.500
 at this very moment,

00:11:04.980 --> 00:11:06.600
 being transformed

00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:09.219
 to be like Christ

00:11:09.220 --> 00:11:14.279
 with ever-increasing glory.

00:11:15.320 --> 00:11:16.120
 And one day,

00:11:16.259 --> 00:11:17.120
 this renewing,

00:11:17.259 --> 00:11:19.060
 this transformational process

00:11:19.060 --> 00:11:22.019
 is going to reach its goal.

00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:25.519
 We will be like Christ.

00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:28.500
 We will be like Him.

00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:30.100
 We will see Him.

00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:33.279
 And we won't sin anymore.

00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:36.399
 And we won't struggle anymore.

00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:42.759
 We are, verse 16,

00:11:42.919 --> 00:11:43.819
 being renewed.

00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:46.299
 It is happening.

00:11:46.579 --> 00:11:49.199
 We are being transformed.

00:11:49.939 --> 00:11:51.159
 It will happen.

00:11:51.519 --> 00:11:53.439
 It's an unbreakable reality.

00:11:53.919 --> 00:11:55.220
 And this is the trajectory

00:11:55.220 --> 00:11:56.220
 that we are on.

00:11:56.679 --> 00:11:59.240
 God is preparing us now

00:11:59.240 --> 00:12:01.819
 for the age to come.

00:12:01.820 --> 00:12:04.720
 As our external self

00:12:04.720 --> 00:12:06.680
 decays and dies,

00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:08.580
 so our inward self

00:12:08.580 --> 00:12:11.700
 transforms and renews.

00:12:13.100 --> 00:12:15.840
 It's like the butterfly effect.

00:12:17.040 --> 00:12:19.060
 The caterpillar crawls

00:12:19.060 --> 00:12:20.720
 underneath your window ledge.

00:12:22.400 --> 00:12:23.720
 A chrysalis forms.

00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:27.000
 And from it emerges

00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:29.680
 a most beautiful butterfly.

00:12:29.679 --> 00:12:33.719
 Well, as death takes place

00:12:33.719 --> 00:12:34.979
 within us,

00:12:35.919 --> 00:12:37.539
 so at the same time,

00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:40.120
 life comes forth.

00:12:41.079 --> 00:12:42.019
 And one day,

00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:43.739
 one day,

00:12:44.419 --> 00:12:46.019
 yes, it is true,

00:12:47.059 --> 00:12:49.559
 we will be like Christ.

00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:54.459
 This is our unbreakable reality.

00:12:55.219 --> 00:12:56.079
 Outwardly,

00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:57.739
 wasting away,

00:12:58.399 --> 00:12:59.599
 yet inwardly,

00:13:00.199 --> 00:13:01.219
 being renewed

00:13:01.219 --> 00:13:02.739
 day by day.

00:13:03.719 --> 00:13:04.099
 Therefore,

00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:06.039
 we do not

00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:08.159
 lose heart.

00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:11.959
 So we have an unbreakable

00:13:11.959 --> 00:13:13.099
 reality.

00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:13.200
 certainty.

00:13:15.700 --> 00:13:17.040
 We have,

00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:18.759
 there we go,

00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:20.480
 an unshakable

00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:21.960
 certainty.

00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:25.019
 We do not lose heart

00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:26.019
 because we have

00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:27.639
 an unshakable certainty.

00:13:28.320 --> 00:13:29.139
 Verse 17.

00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:31.279
 For,

00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:34.080
 the reason for this renewal,

00:13:34.300 --> 00:13:36.080
 the reason for this transformation

00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:37.820
 that's going on in our life

00:13:37.820 --> 00:13:38.960
 is because,

00:13:39.400 --> 00:13:40.280
 verse 17,

00:13:40.780 --> 00:13:41.600
 our light

00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:43.620
 and momentary troubles

00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:46.200
 are achieving for us

00:13:46.200 --> 00:13:48.120
 an eternal glory

00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:50.060
 that far

00:13:50.060 --> 00:13:51.640
 outweighs them all.

00:13:52.980 --> 00:13:53.440
 You see,

00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:54.940
 when we face our troubles,

00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:56.100
 whatever they are,

00:13:56.360 --> 00:13:57.780
 we begin to doubt

00:13:57.780 --> 00:13:59.080
 and wonder.

00:13:59.800 --> 00:14:01.340
 Am I going to make it

00:14:01.340 --> 00:14:01.980
 to glory?

00:14:02.420 --> 00:14:03.660
 What if my suffering

00:14:03.660 --> 00:14:04.680
 overwhelms me

00:14:04.680 --> 00:14:05.400
 and crushes me?

00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:06.899
 What if I do

00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:08.179
 lose heart?

00:14:10.039 --> 00:14:10.980
 But look closely

00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:11.919
 to what it says,

00:14:12.039 --> 00:14:12.980
 verse 17.

00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:15.679
 Our troubles

00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:17.079
 are

00:14:17.079 --> 00:14:19.279
 achieving for us

00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:21.419
 an eternal glory.

00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:23.019
 Our troubles

00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:24.299
 are causing us,

00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:26.139
 they are preparing us

00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:28.319
 for our eternal destiny.

00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:30.279
 They are achieving

00:14:30.279 --> 00:14:31.679
 for us

00:14:31.679 --> 00:14:34.620
 our eternal glory.

00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:36.860
 wonderfully,

00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:38.519
 God in his sovereignty

00:14:38.519 --> 00:14:39.899
 and wisdom

00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:41.240
 gathers up

00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:42.879
 all of our sufferings

00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:44.980
 and all of our tears

00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:46.720
 and he uses

00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:47.679
 all of them

00:14:47.679 --> 00:14:49.579
 to get us

00:14:49.579 --> 00:14:51.059
 to glory.

00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:54.959
 It's the Romans 8,

00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:56.519
 verse 28,

00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:57.319
 principle.

00:14:58.600 --> 00:14:59.819
 And we know

00:14:59.819 --> 00:15:01.699
 that in all things,

00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:04.340
 in every circumstance

00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:05.759
 and every detail

00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:06.580
 of our life,

00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:08.720
 God works

00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:09.540
 for the good

00:15:09.540 --> 00:15:10.300
 of those

00:15:10.300 --> 00:15:11.220
 who love him,

00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.280
 who have been

00:15:12.280 --> 00:15:13.560
 called according

00:15:13.560 --> 00:15:14.820
 to his purpose.

00:15:15.899 --> 00:15:16.680
 And what is

00:15:16.680 --> 00:15:17.740
 God's purpose?

00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:20.139
 But to make us

00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:21.420
 more like Christ

00:15:21.420 --> 00:15:23.700
 and to bring us

00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:24.860
 to glory.

00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:27.820
 He will do it.

00:15:27.820 --> 00:15:30.260
 You see,

00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:31.060
 with God,

00:15:31.900 --> 00:15:32.620
 your troubles

00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:33.820
 don't keep you

00:15:33.820 --> 00:15:34.620
 from glory.

00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:36.940
 They get you

00:15:36.940 --> 00:15:38.220
 to glory.

00:15:39.480 --> 00:15:40.420
 This is our

00:15:40.420 --> 00:15:41.840
 unshakable

00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:43.000
 certainty.

00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:45.700
 And with that in mind,

00:15:46.340 --> 00:15:47.860
 we begin to see

00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.580
 our troubles

00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:50.340
 from God's

00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:50.940
 perspective.

00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:52.200
 Yes,

00:15:52.260 --> 00:15:52.840
 we're weak.

00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:53.420
 Yes,

00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:54.000
 we suffer.

00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:54.760
 Yes,

00:15:54.800 --> 00:15:55.400
 we're dying

00:15:55.400 --> 00:15:56.440
 and wasting away.

00:15:56.440 --> 00:15:57.740
 And for most,

00:15:58.040 --> 00:15:58.960
 that process

00:15:58.960 --> 00:15:59.880
 is difficult

00:15:59.880 --> 00:16:00.680
 and hard.

00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:02.560
 It's a daily

00:16:02.560 --> 00:16:03.860
 agony for some

00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:04.340
 people.

00:16:05.260 --> 00:16:06.040
 It's like a

00:16:06.040 --> 00:16:06.540
 torture.

00:16:08.320 --> 00:16:08.800
 Cancer

00:16:08.800 --> 00:16:10.240
 isn't nice.

00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:12.280
 Dementia

00:16:12.280 --> 00:16:13.440
 isn't pleasant.

00:16:14.800 --> 00:16:15.460
 Losing your

00:16:15.460 --> 00:16:16.400
 hearing or your

00:16:16.400 --> 00:16:17.820
 eyesight or your

00:16:17.820 --> 00:16:19.060
 mobility is at

00:16:19.060 --> 00:16:20.380
 times unbearable.

00:16:22.060 --> 00:16:22.960
 They are not,

00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:23.460
 as the

00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:24.220
 Apostle Paul

00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:25.320
 seems to suggest

00:16:25.320 --> 00:16:26.480
 in verse 17,

00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:28.340
 light and

00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:29.080
 momentary.

00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:30.820
 How can you

00:16:30.820 --> 00:16:31.560
 call my

00:16:31.560 --> 00:16:32.780
 painful disease

00:16:32.780 --> 00:16:33.540
 or my

00:16:33.540 --> 00:16:33.980
 crushing

00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:34.800
 disability

00:16:34.800 --> 00:16:35.900
 light

00:16:35.900 --> 00:16:37.280
 and

00:16:37.280 --> 00:16:38.080
 momentary?

00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:40.300
 It's hard.

00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.700
 Seems that

00:16:43.700 --> 00:16:44.340
 the Apostle

00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:45.020
 Paul didn't

00:16:45.020 --> 00:16:45.600
 get to go

00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:46.260
 to his

00:16:46.260 --> 00:16:47.400
 pastoral

00:16:47.400 --> 00:16:48.440
 caring course,

00:16:48.520 --> 00:16:48.879
 did he?

00:16:50.060 --> 00:16:51.180
 But he does

00:16:51.180 --> 00:16:51.840
 have a message

00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:52.680
 for us

00:16:52.679 --> 00:16:53.419
 because he

00:16:53.419 --> 00:16:54.439
 does understand.

00:16:55.599 --> 00:16:56.159
 He's telling

00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:56.779
 us that we're

00:16:56.779 --> 00:16:57.599
 to compare

00:16:57.599 --> 00:16:58.799
 our troubles

00:16:58.799 --> 00:17:00.439
 with the

00:17:00.439 --> 00:17:01.539
 glory to

00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:02.019
 come.

00:17:03.099 --> 00:17:04.419
 Verse 17,

00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:06.759
 our light

00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:08.839
 and momentary

00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:09.399
 troubles

00:17:09.399 --> 00:17:11.379
 are achieving

00:17:11.379 --> 00:17:12.079
 for us,

00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:13.159
 in contrast,

00:17:13.679 --> 00:17:14.700
 an eternal

00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:16.319
 glory that

00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:18.059
 far outweighs

00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:18.619
 them all.

00:17:18.619 --> 00:17:22.519
 on your

00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:22.919
 phones,

00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:23.399
 I'm sure

00:17:23.399 --> 00:17:23.799
 you've got

00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:24.779
 a stopwatch.

00:17:26.479 --> 00:17:27.199
 Every time

00:17:27.199 --> 00:17:27.839
 you have a

00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:28.239
 trouble,

00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:30.059
 click

00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:30.599
 start.

00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:32.799
 And when

00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:33.399
 it ends,

00:17:34.379 --> 00:17:34.679
 click

00:17:34.679 --> 00:17:35.299
 stop.

00:17:36.419 --> 00:17:37.359
 Do that

00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:38.000
 with every

00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:38.539
 trouble

00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:39.299
 and with

00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:40.059
 every hurt

00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:40.699
 and with

00:17:40.699 --> 00:17:41.479
 every pain

00:17:41.479 --> 00:17:41.879
 that you

00:17:41.879 --> 00:17:42.619
 may endure

00:17:42.619 --> 00:17:43.459
 through life.

00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:45.639
 And imagine

00:17:45.639 --> 00:17:46.379
 that you add

00:17:46.379 --> 00:17:47.219
 them all up,

00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:48.660
 all those

00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:49.100
 troubles,

00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:49.700
 all those

00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.319
 hardships.

00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:51.400
 Let's just

00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:52.120
 say for the

00:17:52.120 --> 00:17:52.519
 sake of

00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.120
 illustration,

00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:53.839
 it comes to

00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:55.120
 45 years,

00:17:55.620 --> 00:17:56.600
 20 days,

00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:57.799
 and 13

00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.360
 minutes.

00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:00.839
 That's a lot,

00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.380
 isn't it?

00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:05.079
 Now get

00:18:05.079 --> 00:18:05.940
 your stopwatch

00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:06.460
 and press

00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:07.319
 start when

00:18:07.319 --> 00:18:08.660
 glory begins.

00:18:11.100 --> 00:18:12.039
 And press

00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:13.279
 it when

00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:14.140
 it stops.

00:18:15.880 --> 00:18:16.640
 That's the

00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:17.039
 point.

00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:18.740
 That's the

00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:19.200
 point.

00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.319
 Glory

00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:21.319
 doesn't

00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:21.819
 end.

00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.140
 It never

00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:23.640
 finishes.

00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:25.019
 It never

00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:26.319
 stops.

00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:27.279
 It goes

00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.200
 on decade

00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:29.460
 after decade,

00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.579
 century

00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:32.039
 after century,

00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.200
 millennia

00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:33.880
 after

00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:34.620
 millennia.

00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:36.740
 Now

00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:37.720
 compare your

00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:38.440
 troubles in

00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:39.259
 this age

00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:40.000
 to the

00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:40.700
 glory to

00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.120
 come.

00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:43.740
 They are

00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:45.140
 momentary.

00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:46.140
 glory.

00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:46.340
 Your

00:18:46.340 --> 00:18:46.960
 life's

00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:47.660
 suffering is

00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:48.220
 like a

00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:48.860
 blink of

00:18:48.860 --> 00:18:49.360
 an eye,

00:18:50.580 --> 00:18:51.720
 a nanosecond

00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:53.180
 compared to

00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:54.380
 the eternal

00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:56.100
 glory that

00:18:56.100 --> 00:18:56.880
 is to come.

00:18:56.880 --> 00:19:00.700
 or think of

00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:01.080
 it like

00:19:01.080 --> 00:19:01.600
 this.

00:19:03.280 --> 00:19:04.040
 Get your

00:19:04.040 --> 00:19:04.840
 old-fashioned

00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:05.880
 weighing scales

00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:06.140
 out.

00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:06.460
 You know,

00:19:06.520 --> 00:19:08.100
 the balancing

00:19:08.100 --> 00:19:08.700
 ones.

00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:10.860
 Collect all

00:19:10.860 --> 00:19:11.620
 your troubles,

00:19:12.520 --> 00:19:13.380
 all your

00:19:13.380 --> 00:19:14.180
 hardships,

00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:16.000
 and place

00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:17.320
 them on the

00:19:17.320 --> 00:19:17.820
 left-hand

00:19:17.820 --> 00:19:18.360
 side.

00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:19.920
 And again,

00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:20.840
 for illustration

00:19:20.840 --> 00:19:21.440
 purpose,

00:19:21.780 --> 00:19:22.580
 let's just say

00:19:22.580 --> 00:19:23.380
 they all add

00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:23.940
 up to

00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:26.080
 120 kilograms.

00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:28.019
 That's a

00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:28.759
 heavy weight.

00:19:30.120 --> 00:19:30.880
 Not many

00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:31.600
 people here

00:19:31.600 --> 00:19:32.259
 could even

00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:33.200
 push it

00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:34.039
 or lift it,

00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.519
 certainly not

00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:36.299
 carry it.

00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:39.380
 Now get

00:19:39.380 --> 00:19:39.960
 all the

00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:41.539
 glory that

00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:42.259
 is stored

00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:43.140
 up for you

00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:44.100
 and place

00:19:44.100 --> 00:19:44.680
 it on the

00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:45.380
 other side

00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:45.700
 of the

00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:46.140
 scales.

00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:47.820
 Compare

00:19:47.820 --> 00:19:49.320
 the weight

00:19:49.320 --> 00:19:49.920
 of your

00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:50.539
 troubles

00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:52.639
 with the

00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:53.119
 weight

00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:54.319
 of glory.

00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:56.279
 It's like

00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:56.799
 putting a

00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:57.259
 piece of

00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:58.159
 dust on

00:19:58.159 --> 00:19:59.000
 one side

00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.700
 and a

00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:00.180
 cruiser

00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:00.680
 ship

00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:01.480
 on the

00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:01.740
 other

00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.299
 side.

00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:05.119
 Our

00:20:05.119 --> 00:20:05.519
 troubles

00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.220
 are a

00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:06.619
 feather

00:20:06.619 --> 00:20:08.139
 compared

00:20:08.139 --> 00:20:09.000
 to the

00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:09.819
 tonnage

00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:11.379
 of glory.

00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:13.680
 That's

00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.399
 why Paul

00:20:14.399 --> 00:20:15.019
 can say

00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:15.579
 back in

00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:16.220
 verse 8,

00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:18.180
 we are

00:20:18.180 --> 00:20:19.019
 hard-pressed

00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:19.659
 on every

00:20:19.659 --> 00:20:20.299
 side.

00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:22.740
 but not

00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:23.980
 crushed,

00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:26.700
 perplexed,

00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:28.119
 but not

00:20:28.119 --> 00:20:29.299
 in despair,

00:20:29.859 --> 00:20:30.539
 persecuted,

00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:32.000
 but not

00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.759
 abandoned,

00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:34.220
 struck down,

00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:35.299
 but not

00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:36.460
 destroyed.

00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:39.139
 The

00:20:39.139 --> 00:20:39.599
 weight

00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:40.539
 of glory

00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:42.659
 means we

00:20:42.659 --> 00:20:43.019
 are on

00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:43.599
 the side

00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:44.299
 of victory.

00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:45.819
 This

00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:46.720
 is our

00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.639
 unshakable

00:20:47.639 --> 00:20:48.319
 certainty,

00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.440
 our light

00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:50.559
 and momentary

00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:51.019
 troubles

00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:52.240
 are achieving

00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:53.240
 us an

00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:53.920
 eternal

00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:54.580
 glory

00:20:54.580 --> 00:20:56.120
 that far

00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:56.680
 outweighs

00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:57.140
 them all.

00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:00.940
 Therefore,

00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:03.640
 let none

00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:04.279
 of us

00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:05.920
 lose heart.

00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:11.680
 third,

00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:13.759
 we have

00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:14.900
 an unchangeable

00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:16.500
 priority.

00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:17.740
 An

00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:18.600
 unchangeable

00:21:18.600 --> 00:21:19.340
 priority.

00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:21.600
 Verse

00:21:21.600 --> 00:21:22.160
 18,

00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:25.460
 so,

00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.860
 and here's

00:21:26.860 --> 00:21:27.640
 our priority,

00:21:27.840 --> 00:21:28.460
 this is what we

00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:28.960
 are to give

00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:29.580
 our time

00:21:29.580 --> 00:21:30.019
 to,

00:21:30.820 --> 00:21:31.480
 in the light

00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:31.860
 of our

00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:32.300
 troubles,

00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:33.899
 we fix

00:21:33.899 --> 00:21:34.899
 our eyes

00:21:34.899 --> 00:21:35.440
 not on

00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:35.819
 what is

00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:36.359
 seen,

00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:37.480
 but on

00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:37.919
 what is

00:21:37.919 --> 00:21:38.740
 unseen,

00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:40.259
 since what

00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:41.079
 is seen

00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:41.980
 is temporary,

00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:43.159
 and what

00:21:43.159 --> 00:21:44.019
 is unseen

00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:45.700
 is eternal.

00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:48.099
 The

00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:48.659
 seen

00:21:48.659 --> 00:21:49.740
 are the

00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.319
 material

00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:50.879
 and the

00:21:50.879 --> 00:21:51.359
 tangible

00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:52.200
 things of

00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:52.639
 life.

00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:54.639
 Things like

00:21:54.639 --> 00:21:55.259
 our work,

00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:55.859
 our hobbies,

00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.579
 our possession,

00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:57.279
 our money,

00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.279
 our homes,

00:21:58.599 --> 00:21:59.339
 all the

00:21:59.339 --> 00:22:00.099
 things that

00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:00.619
 we look

00:22:00.619 --> 00:22:01.179
 to for

00:22:01.179 --> 00:22:01.959
 our comfort

00:22:01.959 --> 00:22:02.919
 and our

00:22:02.919 --> 00:22:03.439
 happiness.

00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.740
 But the

00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.559
 reality is

00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.059
 all that

00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:07.519
 we can

00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.159
 see,

00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:09.719
 all the

00:22:09.719 --> 00:22:10.240
 things that

00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:10.759
 we hold

00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:11.199
 dear,

00:22:11.639 --> 00:22:12.099
 they are

00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.759
 all

00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:14.039
 temporary.

00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:15.859
 Even the

00:22:15.859 --> 00:22:16.399
 things we

00:22:16.399 --> 00:22:17.339
 most love,

00:22:17.619 --> 00:22:18.279
 and even the

00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:18.839
 people that

00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:19.359
 we most

00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:19.879
 treasure,

00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:21.099
 are all

00:22:21.099 --> 00:22:22.179
 transient.

00:22:23.379 --> 00:22:23.759
 Everything

00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:25.619
 we touch,

00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.159
 everything

00:22:27.159 --> 00:22:27.699
 that we

00:22:27.699 --> 00:22:28.559
 can grasp

00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.399
 and hold,

00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:30.540
 perishes,

00:22:31.340 --> 00:22:32.000
 spoils,

00:22:32.600 --> 00:22:33.440
 and fades.

00:22:35.600 --> 00:22:36.160
 As the

00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:37.100
 writer James

00:22:37.100 --> 00:22:37.600
 put it

00:22:37.600 --> 00:22:38.360
 like this,

00:22:39.320 --> 00:22:40.019
 what is

00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:40.759
 your life?

00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:42.860
 You are

00:22:42.860 --> 00:22:43.560
 a mist

00:22:43.560 --> 00:22:44.420
 that appears

00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:45.019
 for a little

00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:45.440
 while,

00:22:46.040 --> 00:22:46.980
 and then

00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:47.519
 vanishes.

00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:49.420
 Just a

00:22:49.420 --> 00:22:49.780
 vapor.

00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:51.860
 We cannot

00:22:51.860 --> 00:22:52.640
 hold it.

00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:54.820
 The things

00:22:54.820 --> 00:22:55.660
 of this age

00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:55.980
 and the

00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:57.040
 world that

00:22:57.040 --> 00:22:57.620
 is around

00:22:57.620 --> 00:22:58.340
 us do

00:22:58.340 --> 00:22:59.320
 not last,

00:22:59.400 --> 00:23:00.100
 therefore,

00:23:00.460 --> 00:23:01.040
 there is

00:23:01.040 --> 00:23:01.800
 nothing in

00:23:01.800 --> 00:23:02.680
 this universe,

00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:03.540
 in this

00:23:03.540 --> 00:23:03.980
 world,

00:23:04.100 --> 00:23:04.540
 that can

00:23:04.540 --> 00:23:05.620
 satisfy us.

00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:07.780
 Nothing is

00:23:07.780 --> 00:23:08.700
 strong enough

00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:09.560
 to overcome

00:23:09.560 --> 00:23:10.680
 our sorrows.

00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:13.060
 Our longing

00:23:13.060 --> 00:23:14.240
 for contentment,

00:23:14.820 --> 00:23:15.620
 our desire

00:23:15.620 --> 00:23:16.400
 for happiness

00:23:16.400 --> 00:23:17.380
 is never

00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:18.100
 fully

00:23:18.100 --> 00:23:19.380
 realized.

00:23:20.380 --> 00:23:21.100
 What is

00:23:21.100 --> 00:23:21.640
 seen,

00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.100
 what we

00:23:22.100 --> 00:23:22.600
 have,

00:23:22.600 --> 00:23:23.220
 what we

00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:24.040
 hold and

00:23:24.040 --> 00:23:24.580
 touch,

00:23:25.340 --> 00:23:26.000
 it's all

00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:26.900
 temporary,

00:23:26.900 --> 00:23:29.040
 temporary,

00:23:29.040 --> 00:23:29.040


00:23:30.360 --> 00:23:31.060
 But the

00:23:31.060 --> 00:23:31.680
 unseen

00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:33.560
 is what

00:23:33.560 --> 00:23:34.280
 is eternal,

00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.320
 it is what

00:23:35.320 --> 00:23:35.960
 is yet to

00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:36.259
 come,

00:23:36.560 --> 00:23:37.019
 it's where

00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:38.060
 life does

00:23:38.060 --> 00:23:39.040
 not perish,

00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:40.900
 things don't

00:23:40.900 --> 00:23:41.460
 spoil,

00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:43.660
 things don't

00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:44.220
 fade,

00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:45.580
 it lasts

00:23:45.580 --> 00:23:46.340
 forever,

00:23:46.800 --> 00:23:47.540
 it's a place

00:23:47.540 --> 00:23:48.200
 where nothing

00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:48.900
 breaks,

00:23:49.320 --> 00:23:50.340
 nothing ends,

00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.800
 nothing dies,

00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:52.740
 it is nothing

00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.639
 less than the

00:23:53.639 --> 00:23:54.359
 new heavens

00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:54.740
 and the

00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.259
 new earth,

00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:56.180
 the new

00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:56.960
 creation,

00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:58.259
 it is

00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:59.359
 eternal

00:23:59.359 --> 00:24:00.379
 joy.

00:24:02.879 --> 00:24:03.619
 And the

00:24:03.619 --> 00:24:04.279
 very fact

00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:04.879
 that it is

00:24:04.879 --> 00:24:05.740
 unseen

00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:07.700
 means that

00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.440
 it is yet

00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:09.259
 to come.

00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:11.680
 Chapter

00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.220
 5,

00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:12.859
 verse 7

00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:13.500
 tells us

00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:14.079
 we are to

00:24:14.079 --> 00:24:14.740
 live by

00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.619
 faith

00:24:15.619 --> 00:24:17.639
 and not

00:24:17.639 --> 00:24:18.019
 by

00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:19.259
 sight.

00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:22.399
 We long

00:24:22.399 --> 00:24:23.159
 for something

00:24:23.159 --> 00:24:23.899
 better and

00:24:23.899 --> 00:24:25.219
 greater than

00:24:25.219 --> 00:24:26.019
 this mere

00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:27.039
 world around

00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:27.339
 us.

00:24:27.679 --> 00:24:28.239
 Our hope

00:24:28.239 --> 00:24:29.139
 is in what

00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:29.899
 is promised.

00:24:31.699 --> 00:24:32.039
 The

00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:32.799
 Apostle Paul

00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:33.479
 put it like

00:24:33.479 --> 00:24:33.959
 this,

00:24:34.979 --> 00:24:35.939
 hope that

00:24:35.939 --> 00:24:36.619
 is seen

00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:37.259
 is no

00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:37.779
 hope at

00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:38.059
 all.

00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:38.819
 Who

00:24:38.819 --> 00:24:39.619
 hopes for

00:24:39.619 --> 00:24:40.059
 what they

00:24:40.059 --> 00:24:41.059
 already have?

00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:43.039
 But if we

00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:43.559
 hope for

00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:44.279
 what we do

00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:44.819
 not yet

00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:45.199
 have,

00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:46.299
 we wait

00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:47.140
 for it

00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:47.799
 patiently.

00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.559
 Our

00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:51.160
 glorious

00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:52.000
 joy to

00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.819
 come is

00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.319
 eternal,

00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:53.920
 so we

00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:54.480
 fix our

00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:55.519
 eyes not

00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:55.900
 on what

00:24:55.900 --> 00:24:56.720
 is seen,

00:24:57.360 --> 00:24:57.779
 but on

00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.299
 what is

00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:59.140
 unseen.

00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.200
 That is

00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:02.120
 to be our

00:25:02.120 --> 00:25:03.259
 unchanging

00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:05.200
 priority each

00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:05.680
 and every

00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:06.059
 day.

00:25:06.620 --> 00:25:07.559
 Fix our

00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:09.480
 eyes on

00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:09.900
 what is

00:25:09.900 --> 00:25:10.500
 unseen.

00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.620
 So how

00:25:13.620 --> 00:25:14.160
 do we do

00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:14.580
 that?

00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:16.220
 How do

00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:17.000
 we fix

00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:18.100
 our eyes

00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:19.039
 on what

00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:20.019
 is unseen?

00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:22.019
 Well,

00:25:22.120 --> 00:25:22.880
 two things

00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:24.580
 to apply

00:25:24.580 --> 00:25:25.319
 to us.

00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.519
 I don't

00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:27.819
 have it

00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:28.400
 there, so

00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:28.980
 here's the

00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.580
 first one.

00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:30.779
 Loosen

00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:32.299
 your grip.

00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:33.819
 How do we

00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.340
 fix our

00:25:34.340 --> 00:25:35.500
 eyes on

00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:35.940
 what is

00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.640
 unseen?

00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:37.960
 Loosen

00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:39.400
 your grip.

00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:40.400
 God's

00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:40.900
 love.

00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:41.100
 Because it

00:25:41.100 --> 00:25:41.460
 was never

00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:41.980
 God's

00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:42.740
 design that

00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.540
 this world

00:25:43.540 --> 00:25:44.400
 should be

00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:44.960
 our home.

00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:46.640
 In fact,

00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:47.340
 all that we

00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:47.920
 love and

00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:48.820
 enjoy here

00:25:48.820 --> 00:25:49.440
 right now

00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:49.840
 in this

00:25:49.840 --> 00:25:50.680
 age are

00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:51.400
 shadows

00:25:51.400 --> 00:25:52.640
 of the

00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:53.220
 reality.

00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.480
 One writer

00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.140
 put it like

00:25:56.140 --> 00:25:56.860
 this, one of

00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:58.019
 my favourite

00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.620
 quotes.

00:25:58.619 --> 00:25:59.619
 things that

00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:00.619
 is

00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:01.079
 to go to

00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.579
 heaven

00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:03.539
 fully to

00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.759
 enjoy God

00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:06.919
 is infinitely

00:26:06.919 --> 00:26:07.839
 better than

00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.279
 the most

00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:09.239
 pleasant of

00:26:09.239 --> 00:26:10.019
 gifts here.

00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:12.339
 fathers and

00:26:12.339 --> 00:26:12.879
 mothers,

00:26:13.619 --> 00:26:14.400
 husbands and

00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.019
 wives,

00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:16.460
 children and

00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:17.500
 friends are

00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.440
 all but

00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.460
 shadows.

00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:21.519
 But the

00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.559
 enjoyment of

00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:23.819
 God is

00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:24.639
 the substance.

00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:26.980
 These, the

00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.879
 gifts around

00:26:27.879 --> 00:26:28.879
 us, are but

00:26:28.879 --> 00:26:30.019
 scattered beams,

00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:31.180
 but God is

00:26:31.180 --> 00:26:31.839
 the sun.

00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:33.759
 These are

00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.819
 streams, but

00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.619
 God is the

00:26:35.619 --> 00:26:36.059
 fountain.

00:26:36.660 --> 00:26:37.139
 These are

00:26:37.139 --> 00:26:38.079
 but drops,

00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:39.420
 but God is

00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:40.259
 the ocean.

00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:44.240
 You see, we

00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.300
 so often live

00:26:45.300 --> 00:26:46.060
 as if this

00:26:46.060 --> 00:26:47.039
 earth were

00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.820
 our permanent

00:26:47.820 --> 00:26:48.340
 home.

00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:50.560
 We grip so

00:26:50.560 --> 00:26:52.160
 tightly the

00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:52.940
 things that we

00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:54.000
 love that we

00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:54.759
 cannot see

00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.620
 anything else.

00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:56.279
 And when

00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:57.360
 suffering comes,

00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.960
 we lose all

00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.440
 hope.

00:27:01.600 --> 00:27:02.740
 But all

00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:03.480
 that we have

00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.200
 are shadows

00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:05.360
 pointing us

00:27:05.360 --> 00:27:05.720
 to the

00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.519
 reality to

00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:06.880
 come.

00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:08.620
 Our hobbies,

00:27:08.800 --> 00:27:09.300
 our work,

00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:10.220
 they're the

00:27:10.220 --> 00:27:12.340
 streams, but

00:27:12.340 --> 00:27:13.259
 God is the

00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.960
 fountain of

00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:14.400
 joy.

00:27:15.160 --> 00:27:15.980
 Our friends

00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:16.340
 and our

00:27:16.340 --> 00:27:17.259
 health, well,

00:27:17.300 --> 00:27:17.779
 they're just

00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:18.580
 drops.

00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:21.240
 God is the

00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:23.279
 ocean filled

00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:24.820
 with love.

00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:28.120
 Loosen your

00:27:28.120 --> 00:27:29.920
 grip on

00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:30.779
 this life

00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:30.839
 love.

00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:34.279
 And look to

00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:36.079
 Christ who

00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:37.240
 is unseen.

00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:40.079
 Adjust your

00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:41.519
 gaze is the

00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.099
 second thing

00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:42.559
 we do.

00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.460
 Look to

00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:44.259
 Christ because

00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:45.399
 without Christ,

00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.500
 without him,

00:27:46.879 --> 00:27:47.500
 there would be

00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.240
 no glory.

00:27:49.399 --> 00:27:50.000
 You see, it's

00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:51.119
 the presence of

00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:52.139
 Christ that

00:27:52.139 --> 00:27:53.379
 makes glory to

00:27:53.379 --> 00:27:54.259
 come and

00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:55.240
 eternal joy.

00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:55.960
 In other

00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:56.700
 words, if you

00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:57.399
 could go to

00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:58.139
 heaven right

00:27:58.139 --> 00:27:59.240
 now, and if

00:27:59.240 --> 00:28:00.000
 Christ were

00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:01.319
 not there, it

00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:01.980
 would be

00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:03.099
 joyless.

00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.380
 It would be

00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:05.859
 empty.

00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.599
 Christ is the

00:28:08.599 --> 00:28:09.480
 one who makes

00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:10.460
 glory happen.

00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.779
 He has defeated

00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:13.039
 your sin on the

00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:13.440
 cross.

00:28:13.839 --> 00:28:14.180
 He has

00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:15.259
 destroyed the

00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:16.059
 death and

00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:16.720
 grave.

00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.579
 He alone

00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:19.980
 satisfies us

00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:21.079
 and fulfills

00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:21.620
 us.

00:28:22.900 --> 00:28:23.380
 As Psalm

00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:24.559
 16 says,

00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.899
 you fill me

00:28:25.899 --> 00:28:27.000
 with joy in

00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:27.919
 your presence

00:28:27.919 --> 00:28:29.039
 and with

00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:30.359
 eternal pleasures

00:28:30.359 --> 00:28:31.159
 at your right

00:28:31.159 --> 00:28:31.679
 hand.

00:28:33.879 --> 00:28:35.259
 So let us

00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:37.059
 together loosen

00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:38.539
 our grip.

00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:40.539
 Let us

00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:41.940
 adjust our

00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:42.539
 gaze.

00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:44.980
 Repent of

00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:45.679
 making the

00:28:45.679 --> 00:28:47.220
 gifts greater

00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:48.220
 than the

00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:48.539
 giver.

00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:50.339
 Turn from

00:28:50.339 --> 00:28:51.679
 seeking joy in

00:28:51.679 --> 00:28:52.500
 the things that

00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:53.460
 do not last

00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:54.759
 and look in

00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:56.059
 faith, walk

00:28:56.059 --> 00:28:57.660
 by faith, trust

00:28:57.660 --> 00:28:58.440
 in the one who

00:28:58.440 --> 00:28:59.400
 gives life in

00:28:59.400 --> 00:29:00.000
 all its

00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:01.039
 fullness now

00:29:01.039 --> 00:29:02.180
 and forever

00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:02.680
 more.

00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:08.180
 We are to

00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:09.059
 be like the

00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:10.119
 old Christian

00:29:10.119 --> 00:29:12.059
 who said

00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:12.660
 this,

00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:15.039
 when Christ

00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:15.960
 calls me

00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:17.819
 home, I

00:29:17.819 --> 00:29:18.640
 shall go with

00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:19.440
 the gladness

00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:20.200
 of a boy

00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:22.080
 bounding away

00:29:22.080 --> 00:29:23.259
 from school.

00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:26.000
 Are you

00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.740
 waiting for

00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:27.240
 glory?

00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:29.460
 I can't

00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:29.880
 wait.

00:29:31.400 --> 00:29:31.960
 Let's

00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.279
 pray.

00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:32.279


00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:32.279


00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:52.440
 Father,

00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:54.840
 thank you

00:29:54.840 --> 00:29:55.259
 for your

00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:55.700
 word

00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:58.559
 that speaks

00:29:58.559 --> 00:29:59.539
 truth and

00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.279
 reality

00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:02.460
 into our

00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:02.940
 troubles

00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:04.000
 and into

00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:04.740
 our trials.

00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:07.299
 You are

00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:08.080
 so good.

00:30:10.840 --> 00:30:11.640
 Would you

00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:12.380
 please help

00:30:12.380 --> 00:30:13.220
 us by your

00:30:13.220 --> 00:30:13.759
 spirit

00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:16.319
 to loosen

00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:17.400
 our grip

00:30:17.400 --> 00:30:18.840
 on the

00:30:18.840 --> 00:30:19.420
 things that

00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:20.019
 we see

00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:23.039
 and that

00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:23.500
 we may

00:30:23.500 --> 00:30:24.420
 adjust our

00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:25.000
 gaze

00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:27.180
 and look

00:30:27.180 --> 00:30:27.560
 at what

00:30:27.560 --> 00:30:28.279
 is unseen

00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:28.800
 and what

00:30:28.800 --> 00:30:29.460
 is yet to

00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:29.820
 come.

00:30:31.120 --> 00:30:31.940
 May our

00:30:31.940 --> 00:30:32.640
 eyes be

00:30:32.640 --> 00:30:33.519
 fixed on

00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:34.240
 Christ,

00:30:35.300 --> 00:30:37.240
 the one

00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:37.900
 who makes

00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:38.960
 glory possible,

00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:39.519
 the one

00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.300
 who is

00:30:40.300 --> 00:30:41.620
 our glorious

00:30:41.620 --> 00:30:42.160
 joy.

00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:45.279
 Thank you

00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:45.960
 that as we

00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:46.640
 trust you,

00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:47.240
 you keep

00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:49.660
 us and

00:30:49.660 --> 00:30:50.220
 you will

00:30:50.220 --> 00:30:50.960
 bring and

00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:51.819
 use all

00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:52.200
 that we

00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:54.160
 face to

00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:54.980
 ensure we

00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:56.000
 reach glory,

00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:58.759
 a glory

00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.519
 that far

00:30:59.519 --> 00:31:00.279
 outweighs

00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:02.980
 anything in

00:31:02.980 --> 00:31:03.620
 this world.

00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:05.920
 Thank you,

00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:06.320
 Jesus.

00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:08.259
 Amen.

00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:17.300
 We're going

00:31:17.300 --> 00:31:17.660
 to sing

00:31:17.660 --> 00:31:18.140
 together.

00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:21.539
 God moves

00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:21.860
 in a

00:31:21.860 --> 00:31:22.380
 mysterious

00:31:22.380 --> 00:31:22.980
 way,

00:31:23.140 --> 00:31:23.900
 his wonders

00:31:23.900 --> 00:31:24.880
 to perform,

00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:25.880
 his plants,

00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.580
 his footsteps

00:31:26.580 --> 00:31:27.300
 in the sea

00:31:27.300 --> 00:31:28.140
 and rides

00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:29.300
 upon the

00:31:29.300 --> 00:31:29.539
 storm.

00:31:29.640 --> 00:31:30.320
 I invite you

00:31:30.320 --> 00:31:30.820
 to sing

00:31:30.820 --> 00:31:31.200
 as we

00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:31.759
 entrust

00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.420
 our lives

00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:34.000
 afresh to

00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.480
 the one

00:31:34.480 --> 00:31:35.080
 who has

00:31:35.080 --> 00:31:35.800
 our life

00:31:35.800 --> 00:31:36.880
 in his

00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:37.300
 hands.

00:31:37.420 --> 00:31:38.019
 Let's sing,

00:31:38.580 --> 00:31:39.360
 let's sing

00:31:39.360 --> 00:31:40.320
 to encourage

00:31:40.320 --> 00:31:41.060
 one another

00:31:41.060 --> 00:31:42.039
 that we

00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:42.519
 may not