WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.799 Okay, well, good morning, everyone. It's lovely to see you today. My name is Graham. I'm the 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:10.339 pastor of the church here, and it's just been such an encouraging service so far. I remember 00:00:10.339 --> 00:00:13.919 as a student having that experience of speaking to a friend about Jesus, the first time I think 00:00:13.919 --> 00:00:18.980 ever in my life, and just how encouraging it is to hear Sarah have the same experience as well. 00:00:18.980 --> 00:00:26.960 I want you to come expectantly to Malachi chapter 2, as we come to God's holy and into 00:00:26.960 --> 00:00:33.060 his holy presence and to his living and active word. Malachi chapter 2, 1 to 9. So there's 00:00:33.060 --> 00:00:42.820 four faces on the screen. Here they are. See if you recognize them. They are Selena Gomez, 00:00:44.120 --> 00:00:52.120 Cristiana Ronaldo, Dwayne Johnson, and I think he used to go by the name of The Rock, and Taylor Swift. 00:00:52.119 --> 00:00:58.899 Recognize them? So I knew three out of the four. I'll let you guess which one I didn't know. 00:00:59.579 --> 00:01:11.979 But here is the one word that connects the four of them. The word is influencers. Okay, each of them 00:01:11.979 --> 00:01:21.299 were in the top 10 social media influencers in our world last year. Now, that word influencer, 00:01:21.299 --> 00:01:26.920 you might have heard it before. You might never have heard it before. But the fact is that it's 00:01:26.920 --> 00:01:35.420 made its way into our everyday language over the last few years. Someone through what they say and 00:01:35.420 --> 00:01:43.900 how they live has a huge sway over how other people think and behave in the world. So that's 00:01:43.900 --> 00:01:52.280 your definition of an influencer. So let me give you one thought and one question at the top of this 00:01:52.280 --> 00:01:59.360 sermon this morning. Here's the thought. Whether or not we think of it in those terms or not, 00:01:59.719 --> 00:02:09.819 the truth is that we all have influencers in our lives. So people who we're looking to to make sense 00:02:09.819 --> 00:02:18.979 of and give shape to our lives in this world. Now, you and I love to think that we are independently 00:02:18.979 --> 00:02:27.840 minded when we make decisions in our lives. But the truth is that we are highly predictable human 00:02:27.840 --> 00:02:34.840 beings, right? I'm reminded of this every time I go to buy something on Amazon. And what does it come 00:02:34.840 --> 00:02:40.860 up with the scroll bar at the bottom? What's the title of it? Customers like you also bought. 00:02:42.240 --> 00:02:49.740 And a scant one of 47, it says, or as I like to call it, you're not so much of a snowflake, 00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:58.219 actually. You're very predictable in your buying habits. Okay? We all have influencers. We're so 00:02:58.219 --> 00:03:03.360 easily, we're so subtly influenced by people and things. And so here's the question for you. 00:03:03.360 --> 00:03:08.180 Who are those people who are influencing your life right now? 00:03:10.360 --> 00:03:17.360 Who's shaping your world? Who are you learning the world from? Have a think about it. 00:03:18.980 --> 00:03:27.800 You see, Malachi's day, that influencing role, if you want to know who God is, if you want to know 00:03:27.800 --> 00:03:33.719 what he's said, if you want to know how he's acted throughout history, if you want to know who you 00:03:33.719 --> 00:03:42.540 are and what the world is in light of him, then that influencing responsibility lies with the priests. 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:46.080 Now, we thought about them last week and we're thinking about them again today. 00:03:47.020 --> 00:03:51.180 Theirs is a two-pronged, God-given job description. 00:03:51.180 --> 00:03:56.480 Number one, they have to represent the people to God. 00:03:57.580 --> 00:04:01.379 We thought about that last week by making sacrifices at the temple. 00:04:02.240 --> 00:04:08.180 And the flip side, number two, is that they have to represent God to the people. 00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:12.560 Help them understand who the Lord is. 00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:22.280 This three times holy, faithful, never-changing, steadfast, fully just God, 00:04:22.459 --> 00:04:29.680 who has a burning desire to dwell with his people. 00:04:30.399 --> 00:04:37.740 And this God who has invited them to draw near to him and be right with him and enjoy fellowship with him 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:45.620 through the sacrificial system that he's put in place and who's called them to live for him alone. 00:04:46.980 --> 00:04:53.300 And as well as teaching, the priests have to be like the guys who are right at the front 00:04:53.300 --> 00:04:58.560 when that starter pistol goes, right at the front of the marathon. 00:04:58.780 --> 00:04:59.980 What are those people called? 00:05:00.199 --> 00:05:01.400 What's their title? 00:05:02.319 --> 00:05:03.500 They're paysetters. 00:05:03.639 --> 00:05:04.540 Do you know the people I'm talking about? 00:05:05.060 --> 00:05:06.100 The paysetters. 00:05:06.100 --> 00:05:08.420 That's what the priests are. 00:05:08.480 --> 00:05:11.300 They are to be the paysetters for godliness. 00:05:12.540 --> 00:05:16.960 Now, last week we saw God out the priests because they're failing in job number one. 00:05:17.100 --> 00:05:17.740 Do you remember this? 00:05:18.120 --> 00:05:20.280 They are offering shoddy sacrifices. 00:05:20.540 --> 00:05:24.760 Saying, verse 13, and you can scan your eye back there to chapter one. 00:05:25.080 --> 00:05:28.400 They are saying, what a weariness this is. 00:05:29.420 --> 00:05:29.660 Right? 00:05:29.720 --> 00:05:31.740 They are yawning at their job. 00:05:32.100 --> 00:05:33.700 They are saying, what's the point? 00:05:33.800 --> 00:05:35.220 Does it make any difference? 00:05:35.220 --> 00:05:36.280 I'm bored. 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:42.460 They're failing at job number one and they're failing at job number two as well. 00:05:42.600 --> 00:05:49.460 Now, if I can get my geek on for a second and show you the structure which emerges in these verses, 00:05:49.560 --> 00:05:53.160 because it's important to see what the key verse is here. 00:05:53.160 --> 00:05:57.740 There's an ABA structure here to this little section. 00:05:58.060 --> 00:05:58.760 You've got it there. 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:04.900 You've got the bookends of verses one to three and then verses eight to nine. 00:06:05.720 --> 00:06:15.400 Now, if you look at it there, you'll see that both of those concern God's stinging words of rebuke to these priests, this generation of priests. 00:06:15.399 --> 00:06:23.659 And the middle section of verses four to seven, God is saying, this is the kind of priest that I'm after. 00:06:24.419 --> 00:06:26.939 This is who my heart beats for. 00:06:27.060 --> 00:06:29.039 This is who I want to represent me. 00:06:29.040 --> 00:06:37.680 Which means because of that structure, the spotlight, the highlighter pen falls on verse seven. 00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:39.220 Have a look at it there. 00:06:39.220 --> 00:06:55.080 For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. 00:06:55.140 --> 00:06:57.920 So that's the key verse in this section this morning. 00:06:58.120 --> 00:07:00.600 What can the people expect of their leaders? 00:07:01.360 --> 00:07:03.740 They can expect two L's. 00:07:03.740 --> 00:07:08.060 They can expect lips that proclaim God's truth. 00:07:09.100 --> 00:07:13.280 And they can expect lives that back it up. 00:07:14.980 --> 00:07:23.699 Because they come from a heart that's been captured by the all surpassing beauty of the God that they don't know distantly. 00:07:24.340 --> 00:07:26.920 This God who they know personally. 00:07:28.400 --> 00:07:29.139 They are. 00:07:29.780 --> 00:07:31.660 Do you see the title there? 00:07:31.660 --> 00:07:36.000 They are the messengers of the Lord. 00:07:36.080 --> 00:07:39.240 Now, we used to live right in the middle of the city center here in Edinburgh. 00:07:40.200 --> 00:07:44.220 And our kids used to love playing this game called spot the flag. 00:07:46.120 --> 00:07:47.140 Spot the flag. 00:07:47.800 --> 00:07:53.360 So the flags of all the different countries where the ambassadors of those countries lived and worked. 00:07:54.740 --> 00:07:58.120 People whose job it was to represent their country in Scotland. 00:07:58.120 --> 00:08:06.600 And occasionally you'd walk past and you'd see a swanky car pull up or you'd see a security guard on the door. 00:08:07.160 --> 00:08:10.340 And it reminded you, this wasn't a cute game spot the flag. 00:08:10.420 --> 00:08:13.000 It reminded you that that gig is big. 00:08:13.579 --> 00:08:13.720 Right? 00:08:13.800 --> 00:08:16.280 To represent your country of birth. 00:08:16.279 --> 00:08:20.239 To represent them is a high honor. 00:08:21.500 --> 00:08:22.839 And take that same logic. 00:08:22.939 --> 00:08:23.739 Do you see what God is saying? 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:30.959 There is no higher gig than to be a messenger of the Lord Almighty. 00:08:31.739 --> 00:08:33.079 No higher gig than that. 00:08:33.080 --> 00:08:40.080 And so if we can just see two things in this passage, I think we'll understand the beating heart of the message here. 00:08:40.180 --> 00:08:41.580 Here's the first thing we need to see. 00:08:41.940 --> 00:08:43.120 Take in those bookends. 00:08:44.160 --> 00:08:48.400 We need to see how low God's opinion is of the false teachers. 00:08:49.680 --> 00:08:50.460 Verse 1. 00:08:50.660 --> 00:08:51.180 Do you see it? 00:08:51.520 --> 00:08:56.100 And now you priests, this warning is for you. 00:08:56.100 --> 00:08:58.680 So notice the warning word there. 00:08:58.800 --> 00:09:00.139 This isn't God's top tip. 00:09:00.279 --> 00:09:01.779 This isn't God's suggestion. 00:09:02.800 --> 00:09:04.600 Nor is this God's advice. 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:12.040 This is a warning from the Lord Almighty to the priests who are meant to be representing him in the eyes of his people and in the eyes of the world. 00:09:13.100 --> 00:09:18.620 One that if they don't listen to and honor the God who they're supposed to be representing, 00:09:18.620 --> 00:09:25.139 not just in the eyes of the people, but verse 14 of chapter 1 in the eyes of the nations of the world, 00:09:25.460 --> 00:09:28.980 then God will curse them. 00:09:29.620 --> 00:09:32.659 It's just worth parking that thought for where we end up this morning, okay? 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:40.200 And that word carries with it both echoes of Genesis 3 and Deuteronomy, 00:09:40.200 --> 00:09:48.780 where God had said that this is what would happen when his people are unfaithful to their side of the covenant agreement. 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:52.160 And what will God do in the passage? 00:09:52.680 --> 00:09:54.879 And get this scent in your nostrils. 00:09:56.480 --> 00:09:58.120 God's will take the dung, 00:09:59.040 --> 00:10:05.700 which is the leftovers from the sacrificial animals that they take and dispose of it outside the city. 00:10:05.820 --> 00:10:09.860 God will take that and he will smear it on their faces. 00:10:11.060 --> 00:10:14.720 And that's rank, as we would say in Scotland, isn't it? 00:10:15.600 --> 00:10:16.540 It's disgusting. 00:10:16.680 --> 00:10:20.100 But God is saying that he will humiliate them in front of the people. 00:10:21.940 --> 00:10:23.660 And what is their crime, verse 8? 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:33.180 They don't know and they don't honor the Lord personally anymore. 00:10:33.179 --> 00:10:40.199 And because of that, they've caused many to stumble by their false advice. 00:10:40.459 --> 00:10:44.099 These guys are like guides leading people up after their seat, 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:46.500 having never climbed it themselves, 00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:51.319 offering advice, not having a clue what the safest way to go about that is. 00:10:52.019 --> 00:10:52.239 Okay? 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:56.459 If you know that hill, you know there's a certain way that's better to climb than another. 00:10:56.460 --> 00:10:59.720 And because people are listening to that advice, 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:03.320 they are walking straight into danger. 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:07.320 Now you've got to see how serious these accusations are from a holy God. 00:11:07.320 --> 00:11:12.800 This God will not be mocked by people who claim to represent him, 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:14.160 who do not know him. 00:11:15.900 --> 00:11:19.140 One, oh, that they would turn back to God, 00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:20.940 acknowledge their wrong, 00:11:21.520 --> 00:11:24.800 repent and change their ways. 00:11:24.799 --> 00:11:27.439 Because there is no greater responsibility. 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:33.559 There is no greater gig than to be a messenger of the Lord Almighty. 00:11:35.059 --> 00:11:38.159 And as a side note, is that not a chilling lesson? 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:40.679 And I feel it as I stand up here at the front today. 00:11:41.219 --> 00:11:44.799 Is it not a chilling lesson to all those who teach God's words 00:11:44.799 --> 00:11:47.679 in whatever capacity it is in here? 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:50.339 Whether it's Sunday school, 00:11:51.339 --> 00:11:52.939 whether it's up the front on a Sunday, 00:11:52.940 --> 00:11:55.600 whether it's leading a Bible study, 00:11:56.040 --> 00:11:57.180 whether it's the embassy, 00:11:57.440 --> 00:11:58.520 whether it's the creche, 00:11:58.860 --> 00:12:00.280 and whatever context, 00:12:01.040 --> 00:12:05.200 teaching God's words is a responsibility and a privilege 00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:08.780 that's worth our best efforts. 00:12:10.280 --> 00:12:11.860 Now, two sides to this coin. 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:15.940 Do you see how God cares about what is communicated? 00:12:17.020 --> 00:12:17.420 Right? 00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:20.520 We are not to think of ourselves like freelance journalists. 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:22.419 Okay? 00:12:22.460 --> 00:12:25.699 We're just offering our interpretation of how we think things are. 00:12:26.059 --> 00:12:29.419 We've got to think of ourselves more like Deliveroo drivers. 00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:34.379 You'd be rightly raging, would you not, 00:12:34.419 --> 00:12:36.319 if you ordered a Chinese takeout one night 00:12:36.319 --> 00:12:39.220 and the guy turns up at your door with an Indian, 00:12:39.720 --> 00:12:43.120 saying, actually, I felt that you might be more in the mood 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:43.899 for this kind of thing. 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:45.220 You'd be raging at that, wouldn't you? 00:12:45.220 --> 00:12:50.220 In the same way, our job is simply, 00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:52.720 as we deliver God's message from his words, 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:58.100 to pick up, deliver, and not to tamper. 00:12:58.320 --> 00:13:01.440 As my friend CJ from America always said, 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:05.940 he said, we've got to be committed to unoriginality. 00:13:07.680 --> 00:13:08.200 Unoriginality. 00:13:08.460 --> 00:13:11.240 Yes, creativity, but unoriginality. 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:15.799 And the same applies for what we see in the world as well. 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:17.720 Friends, let me just say, 00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:20.639 don't assume that just because someone or something 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:22.659 has Christian wrapping around it, 00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:25.080 that what they are teaching is true. 00:13:25.960 --> 00:13:29.100 Just because someone makes an appearance on God TV, 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:33.379 just because you hear somebody on Christian radio, 00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:36.799 just because somebody has a Bible reading commentary 00:13:36.799 --> 00:13:37.919 and app on your phone, 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:41.219 just because a church produces good music, 00:13:41.799 --> 00:13:44.699 just because a message comes out of a church building, 00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:48.360 just because an individual has reverend in front of their name, 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:52.620 never assume that what they are teaching 00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:56.479 is truthfully God's word. 00:13:57.399 --> 00:14:00.079 And this calls for great discernment for all of us 00:14:00.079 --> 00:14:02.339 as a community, as a congregation, 00:14:02.939 --> 00:14:05.639 whoever in the years to come certainly is up here. 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:08.279 We always have to ask ourselves, 00:14:08.720 --> 00:14:11.419 is what he is saying from up here? 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:15.000 And is what we are hearing out there, 00:14:15.419 --> 00:14:19.500 does it match up with what we see down here? 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:23.620 Because God cares about what is communicated. 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:28.699 You know, every week in preparing for this part of our Sunday gathering, 00:14:28.840 --> 00:14:31.799 I just take the line from that game show catchphrase. 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:33.299 Do you remember that game show? 00:14:33.700 --> 00:14:34.840 I think it's still going, actually. 00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:35.879 Loved it as a kid. 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:38.500 Just say what you see. 00:14:39.780 --> 00:14:40.780 Just say what you see. 00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:45.639 God cares about what is communicated. 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:49.960 And the flip of it is that he cares about how it's communicated. 00:14:51.280 --> 00:14:53.560 He's not after used car salesmen 00:14:53.560 --> 00:14:55.100 who are just out to make a quick sale, 00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:56.920 not really caring about how they get there. 00:14:56.919 --> 00:15:05.839 Our words must come from lives that are passionately pursuing the Jesus that we know personally. 00:15:06.459 --> 00:15:10.500 Now, I love this Scottish minister from years ago called Robert Murray McShane. 00:15:10.699 --> 00:15:12.039 He once said this. 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:12.719 He said, 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:20.120 Now, what does he mean by that? 00:15:20.180 --> 00:15:23.440 He means that if I'm not passionately pursuing Jesus, 00:15:24.440 --> 00:15:26.960 then I've got nothing to pass on to others. 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:33.120 What is true of the flu is true of teaching God's word. 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:36.800 You cannot pass on what you haven't got. 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:44.120 And in stark contrast to the low opinion God has of these false teachers, 00:15:44.679 --> 00:15:46.879 have a look at verses 4 to 7 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:51.740 and see just how high God's praise is for the true teachers. 00:15:52.719 --> 00:15:55.979 Now, verse 4, God talks about his covenant with Levi. 00:15:57.199 --> 00:15:58.179 You see that? 00:15:58.179 --> 00:16:03.659 Levi, being the name of one of the 12 tribes of Israel, 00:16:04.579 --> 00:16:10.179 set aside by God to be involved in the work of the temple. 00:16:11.239 --> 00:16:12.579 And so you can think about it like this. 00:16:12.659 --> 00:16:16.739 What follows is almost God describing to this generation 00:16:16.739 --> 00:16:21.599 what he wants his priests to be and do. 00:16:22.339 --> 00:16:24.620 Now, follow this because I think this is brilliant. 00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:25.179 Okay. 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:26.339 Verse 5. 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:31.340 My relationship with him is to be one of life and peace. 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:34.259 Again, notice the lips and the life still get going on here. 00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:39.139 In terms of his life, he feared me. 00:16:40.280 --> 00:16:42.280 He stood in awe of my name. 00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:47.240 His life was marked by reverence because he loved me. 00:16:47.540 --> 00:16:48.600 That was his life. 00:16:50.300 --> 00:16:52.300 And lips, well, look at verse 6. 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:57.620 True instruction, God's truth would be found on his lips. 00:16:57.719 --> 00:16:58.179 Do you see it? 00:16:58.299 --> 00:16:58.759 Do you see? 00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:03.799 Lips and life, they together form a wonderful partnership 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:05.940 that God we're meant to be representing in the eyes of the world. 00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:09.759 And again, in contrast, contrast that to the current generation 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:12.559 who are causing people to stumble. 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:18.460 This priest will turn many from iniquity. 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:19.139 Do you see it? 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:22.940 Lips and life's that perfectly honor the Lord. 00:17:23.159 --> 00:17:27.779 That's the kind of teacher that God longs that his people would have. 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:30.379 And graciously and wonderfully, 00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:38.140 the good news of the gospel is that God has provided us with this priest. 00:17:39.520 --> 00:17:40.560 It's the good news. 00:17:41.020 --> 00:17:43.500 Because God is gracious and good, 00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:46.600 he has given us this perfect priest. 00:17:48.540 --> 00:17:51.840 Oh, friends, you turn to the pages of the New Testament 00:17:51.840 --> 00:17:53.860 and you start reading the gospels. 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:56.600 You start reading about Jesus' life. 00:17:56.599 --> 00:18:00.679 One of the terms that you will come up against again and again and again 00:18:00.679 --> 00:18:06.799 and again that people use for Jesus is teacher, rabbi. 00:18:07.139 --> 00:18:08.740 Some use it in a derogatory way, 00:18:09.679 --> 00:18:11.980 but many others use it of him 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:18.339 because his teaching was the likes of which they had never heard before. 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:21.019 And they call him teacher. 00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:22.359 He does. 00:18:22.419 --> 00:18:25.219 We're reading this on the day, Mark 9. 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:27.839 And he does all things well. 00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:30.640 This is Jesus. 00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:32.779 And let me just say, 00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:35.120 if you're thinking about the things of Christianity, 00:18:36.100 --> 00:18:37.480 here's my plea to you. 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:39.860 You might have some big questions. 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:41.400 Right? 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:43.000 Are Christians bigots? 00:18:43.880 --> 00:18:45.860 Do they just ignore science? 00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:49.059 All of these questions that are answers to. 00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:51.159 But before you get to them, 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:56.779 can I encourage you to make Jesus your entry point to the Christian faith? 00:18:58.339 --> 00:19:00.039 Make him your entry point. 00:19:00.179 --> 00:19:02.019 Let him influence your vision. 00:19:02.639 --> 00:19:07.460 Let him describe to you who this God is. 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:09.620 In the words of Glenn Scrivener, 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:12.480 he's written this wonderful little book called 321 Gospel. 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:14.420 And I finished it last night. 00:19:16.100 --> 00:19:16.500 And if ever, 00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:18.259 next time my friend comes to me and says, 00:19:18.340 --> 00:19:19.740 I want to understand the Christian faith, 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:21.279 this is the book that I'm giving them. 00:19:21.840 --> 00:19:24.559 It's the best one that I've read about an introduction to the Christian faith. 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:25.579 Here's what he says. 00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:27.140 Enter the story. 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:27.980 There's the invitation. 00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:33.519 Enter the story and think about whether this is the story of stories. 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:39.279 Look to the hero and decide whether he might be the hero of heroes. 00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:41.099 Because if he is, 00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:43.319 then you haven't shrunk your world. 00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:45.139 You've opened it up. 00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:48.480 Jesus, the God-man, 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:52.639 who has existed with God his Father for all eternity, 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:53.980 who came, 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:56.099 who stepped into the pages of history, 00:19:56.279 --> 00:20:01.960 who took on human form to reveal him to us. 00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:03.860 And if that's the case, 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:06.000 we've got to ask ourselves, 00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:09.620 what kind of God is it that Jesus reveals? 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:11.600 You know, 00:20:11.620 --> 00:20:13.900 I heard a story recently about a woman from Iran 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:17.700 who picked up a gospel in her home country 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:19.740 and who read about Jesus 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:22.960 and having heard her whole life about all sorts of gods, 00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:24.779 she said, 00:20:24.840 --> 00:20:25.180 oh no, 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:26.519 I understand what you mean. 00:20:26.600 --> 00:20:29.500 She referred to the God of the Bible as the like Jesus God. 00:20:30.340 --> 00:20:31.240 That's true. 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:35.900 The God the Father is the like Jesus God. 00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:39.240 You want to understand who this God is? 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:41.140 Come to Jesus. 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:42.720 Read about him in the gospels. 00:20:43.120 --> 00:20:43.460 Jesus, 00:20:43.640 --> 00:20:45.779 the God-man who loved God's law 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:51.660 and meditated on it day and night. 00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:52.200 Jesus, 00:20:52.380 --> 00:20:53.200 the God-man 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:56.779 whose mouth was filled with God's words 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:59.440 and his true instruction. 00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:00.519 Jesus, 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:04.639 the God-man who died for those who didn't love the law 00:21:04.639 --> 00:21:06.339 or live the law 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:09.920 like this generation and like you and I. 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:13.399 You ever wondered why Jesus died on the cross? 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:16.059 Died for our sin, 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:17.680 but you ever wondered why it was the cross? 00:21:18.580 --> 00:21:20.340 Why did he not die in skirmish? 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:23.160 Why did he not die trying to break up a fight? 00:21:23.420 --> 00:21:24.680 Why did he die on the cross? 00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:26.380 Because every Jew would know 00:21:26.380 --> 00:21:28.940 that cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. 00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:33.039 That is the sign that he is taking what that we deserve, 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:35.440 that the just generation deserve that we deserve. 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:36.680 He is taking, 00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:40.480 he is becoming a curse for us. 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:44.059 Because we couldn't obey the law. 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:46.180 We couldn't earn our way to God. 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:48.559 We deserved God's punishment 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:49.380 and Jesus said, 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:52.240 I will take it for them. 00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:57.779 And talking of God's high praise for true teachers, 00:21:58.900 --> 00:22:01.380 Jesus was the God-man of whom God said, 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:03.720 this is my son. 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:07.579 Come, listen to him. 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:11.240 And let me just take you, 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:13.400 as we begin to wind this up today, 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:16.640 let me take you to one of my favorite bits of narratives 00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:18.200 in the Gospels. 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:21.500 Here is the scene in John chapter six. 00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:24.120 And we'll get to it in a couple of months time, 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:25.620 actually, John chapter six again. 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:28.480 This huge crowd have gathered to hear Jesus. 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:31.039 He's been teaching them about the world 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:31.799 in which they're living. 00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:33.940 And he's been teaching them about who he is. 00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:36.819 He's been teaching them about what he's come to do. 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:39.419 And it's fair to say that it doesn't go down well 00:22:39.419 --> 00:22:40.139 with the crowd. 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.159 And one by one, 00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:43.299 they start to leave. 00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:44.819 They start to drift away. 00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:47.940 And the only ones that are left in this scene 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:49.899 are the 12 disciples. 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:52.539 And Jesus turns to them and he says, 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.440 effectively, 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:55.579 are you going to go as well? 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.839 Are you going to go? 00:22:59.639 --> 00:23:02.339 To which Peter replies. 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:05.220 He says, 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:07.019 where else are we going to go, Lord? 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:09.460 Where else are we going to go? 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:12.879 Because we have come to see and understand 00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:19.440 that you have the words of eternal life. 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:19.860 In other words, 00:23:19.940 --> 00:23:22.360 we ain't going nowhere. 00:23:23.880 --> 00:23:25.780 Because we're hanging on in every word 00:23:25.780 --> 00:23:28.920 that comes from your mouth. 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:30.620 And here's what that means. 00:23:30.760 --> 00:23:32.300 And if you take one thing from this, 00:23:32.760 --> 00:23:33.560 let it be this. 00:23:33.559 --> 00:23:37.000 What is the thing that you and I need most 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:38.579 in our lives today? 00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:40.379 As we sit here today, 00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:43.819 what is the thing that we need most? 00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:47.159 Where is the place that we need to get to most? 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:49.679 No matter what is going on in our lives just now, 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:51.039 where do we need to get to? 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:56.299 We need to get to the words of Jesus. 00:23:57.519 --> 00:24:02.799 Because it's his words that have eternal life. 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:06.139 Oh, I remember using this 00:24:06.139 --> 00:24:09.000 just before going on sabbatical, 00:24:09.139 --> 00:24:11.960 this quote by a guy called Sam Albury, 00:24:12.359 --> 00:24:15.159 who said, and I find this so simple 00:24:15.159 --> 00:24:16.720 yet so wonderfully profound, 00:24:16.919 --> 00:24:17.299 he said, 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:20.299 spiritual maturity is not gradually realizing 00:24:20.919 --> 00:24:22.659 that you need Jesus less. 00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:25.240 Now flip it around. 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:25.980 He said, 00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:30.359 spiritual maturity is increasingly coming to see 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:33.059 that you need Jesus more. 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:38.039 we need to get to him. 00:24:40.059 --> 00:24:42.980 And so can I just give you two really quick fire questions 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:44.759 as we think about the application of this 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:45.559 before we finish? 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:47.940 That's a rhetorical question 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:48.980 because you're getting them anyway, okay? 00:24:49.379 --> 00:24:50.460 Here's number one. 00:24:51.099 --> 00:24:52.139 As we think about the fact 00:24:52.139 --> 00:24:53.539 that we need to get to his words, 00:24:53.679 --> 00:24:54.599 question number one, 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:56.859 are we getting ourselves there? 00:24:56.859 --> 00:24:59.240 Are we getting ourselves there? 00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:02.160 Do you know what I love to put in my porridge every morning? 00:25:04.099 --> 00:25:04.660 Honey. 00:25:05.620 --> 00:25:06.400 Do you know what I love honey? 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.579 Love honey. 00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:08.759 Nothing beats 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:10.440 the natural, 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:12.440 unprocessed 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:12.980 sweetness 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:14.380 of honey. 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:17.840 lasts through the centuries. 00:25:18.760 --> 00:25:18.920 Right? 00:25:19.060 --> 00:25:19.600 So much so, 00:25:19.620 --> 00:25:20.740 and I was reading this the other day, 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:23.260 that somebody was claiming 00:25:23.260 --> 00:25:23.800 that if an archaeologist 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:26.500 was to find a pot of Stone Age honey, 00:25:27.340 --> 00:25:29.880 that they could confidently spread that on their toast. 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:31.400 Now I don't know if that's true or not. 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:35.520 But do you know what I love? 00:25:36.060 --> 00:25:37.000 I'll take their word for it. 00:25:37.020 --> 00:25:37.680 Do you know what I love? 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:40.440 I love that God says in his words, 00:25:40.580 --> 00:25:42.120 what is my word like to your taste? 00:25:43.400 --> 00:25:44.340 It's like honey. 00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:45.799 It's like honey. 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:48.500 Taste and see 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:50.460 that the Lord is good. 00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:52.360 The Lord who created honey, 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.720 often think if that's the, 00:25:53.820 --> 00:25:54.920 if that is the reason 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:56.500 that he created bees and honey. 00:25:57.340 --> 00:26:00.039 Not so that he would have a handy metaphor to use, 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:00.640 but he said, 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:00.920 no, no, 00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:02.160 so in the centuries to come 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:03.180 that they will understand 00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:05.080 that my word is timeless, 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:07.400 that my word is joyous, 00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:09.519 that my word doesn't change, 00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:11.600 that my word stays, 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:14.180 that my word is rich, 00:26:14.340 --> 00:26:15.900 that my word is satisfying, 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:17.660 that my word is joyous. 00:26:17.860 --> 00:26:18.660 Let me ask you, 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:20.240 are these words connecting with you today 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.539 as you think about the word of the Lord? 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:25.799 Go on and taste and see 00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:28.279 that the Lord is good. 00:26:28.820 --> 00:26:30.680 His living and active words, 00:26:31.620 --> 00:26:32.860 his infallible word, 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:34.860 his trustworthy words, 00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:36.639 his unchanging word, 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.679 his powerful word, 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:39.000 his word that goes forth 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:41.240 and accomplishes his purposes. 00:26:41.639 --> 00:26:43.519 And if it was those things to Jesus, 00:26:45.199 --> 00:26:47.139 if the word of his father was a delight, 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:48.719 I take it that as we grow 00:26:48.719 --> 00:26:51.199 more into his likeness, 00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:53.599 as God's spirit lives in us 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:55.119 and transforms us 00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:57.479 and pushes us away from the old us 00:26:57.479 --> 00:27:00.259 and towards the new us in Christ, 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:03.039 I take it that that should become 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:06.440 more of our desire to. 00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:09.500 In our busy lives 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:11.660 and into our weary souls, 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:15.200 are we getting ourselves there? 00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:17.700 Second question, 00:27:18.379 --> 00:27:20.379 can you help others get there? 00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:24.600 Who can you get alongside today? 00:27:24.760 --> 00:27:26.080 And just have a look around, okay? 00:27:26.140 --> 00:27:28.060 Who can you get alongside today? 00:27:29.140 --> 00:27:30.740 And in the weeks and the months to come 00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:33.840 with that central purpose, 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:35.940 maybe have a think about the generation 00:27:35.940 --> 00:27:37.620 who are one below you. 00:27:38.840 --> 00:27:40.380 Can you get alongside someone? 00:27:41.600 --> 00:27:45.560 Can you share your experiences with them? 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:47.500 Can you model 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:49.920 what the Christian life looks like? 00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:52.380 Can you take them out for coffee? 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:55.460 Can you read the Bible with them? 00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:56.560 Do you know what I was thinking about 00:27:56.560 --> 00:27:57.660 in preparation for this? 00:27:57.779 --> 00:28:00.460 I wish someone in my church family, 00:28:00.580 --> 00:28:02.820 when I was in my last year of university 00:28:02.820 --> 00:28:03.840 about to go to work, 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:05.920 I wish someone had come alongside me 00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:07.480 and said, 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:09.060 this is what you're about to hit 00:28:09.060 --> 00:28:10.240 when you leave university. 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:13.440 Because my head was full of terms like 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.840 world changer, 00:28:16.100 --> 00:28:17.640 an impact maker. 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:19.539 And actually, do you know what I needed? 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:21.440 I needed someone to get alongside me 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:21.920 and said, 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:22.819 okay, 00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:25.779 how about self-control? 00:28:27.399 --> 00:28:28.759 And how about witness? 00:28:29.339 --> 00:28:30.619 And how about endurance? 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:32.359 How about patience? 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:36.059 How about loving your neighbor well? 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.399 And let me tell you, 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:38.899 that will make so much more 00:28:38.899 --> 00:28:41.319 of a revolutionary impact in our world 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:42.619 than you think it will. 00:28:42.619 --> 00:28:46.039 What a difference that would have made 00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:48.639 to my early years in the workplace. 00:28:49.439 --> 00:28:51.000 Think about a generation below you. 00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:52.719 Think about a generation above you. 00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:55.079 Who can you approach? 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:56.939 Who can you come alongside? 00:28:57.439 --> 00:28:58.479 And honestly, just do this. 00:28:58.579 --> 00:29:01.819 I would love to learn life from you. 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:03.799 Love to read the Bible with you. 00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:04.939 If you're wondering what that looks like, 00:29:04.979 --> 00:29:07.359 can I heartily recommend this brilliant podcast, 00:29:07.439 --> 00:29:08.439 if you're into podcasts, 00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:11.039 called Two Sisters and a Cup of Tea? 00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:13.960 20, 25 minute episodes, 00:29:14.120 --> 00:29:15.299 and all that it is, 00:29:15.820 --> 00:29:16.420 is two, 00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:17.500 and the description of it 00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:19.100 that they give on the website is there, 00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:21.240 two sisters who meet up 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:23.420 from living different countries, 00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:25.240 and all they do is read a passage together, 00:29:25.340 --> 00:29:26.900 and they chat about it for 20 minutes. 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:28.100 It is so simple, 00:29:28.620 --> 00:29:30.039 but I've listened to a couple of them now, 00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:31.880 so profoundly helpful. 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:36.300 So here's the one thought that we finish with. 00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:38.380 We all have influencers in our lives. 00:29:40.100 --> 00:29:40.900 One question, 00:29:41.020 --> 00:29:42.920 who's influencing you right now? 00:29:45.020 --> 00:29:45.760 I want to invite, 00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:48.180 let's get ourselves 00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:50.220 to the words 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:52.880 of our great high priest. 00:29:53.860 --> 00:29:54.820 You know, just as we close, 00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:56.120 I saw this play out recently 00:29:56.120 --> 00:29:58.020 in a dear old sister in her church family 00:29:58.020 --> 00:29:59.880 who died last year. 00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:01.800 Let me just say, 00:30:01.860 --> 00:30:03.380 if you're a younger generation here, 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:04.220 you will realize 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:05.040 when you get to know 00:30:05.040 --> 00:30:06.000 an older generation 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:07.720 that they have been through 00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:10.660 so many things in life 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:12.440 that I just cannot comprehend 00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.660 what that must have been like. 00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:14.880 Wars, 00:30:15.580 --> 00:30:16.780 death of friends, 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:17.880 losing spouses, 00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:20.320 raising children, 00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:21.740 dealing with unemployment, 00:30:22.320 --> 00:30:23.960 dealing with heartbreaking loss. 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:26.080 And I always look at an older generation 00:30:26.080 --> 00:30:28.120 and the question inside that I'm asking 00:30:28.119 --> 00:30:30.259 is what has life taught you? 00:30:31.399 --> 00:30:32.359 After all that, 00:30:32.479 --> 00:30:33.639 what has life taught you? 00:30:33.699 --> 00:30:33.819 Well, 00:30:34.099 --> 00:30:35.459 I went to visit a lady in this church 00:30:35.459 --> 00:30:36.039 called Audrey 00:30:36.039 --> 00:30:37.339 the week before she died. 00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:39.219 Both her and her husband, 00:30:39.339 --> 00:30:39.539 Donald, 00:30:39.659 --> 00:30:40.919 in so much pain. 00:30:42.159 --> 00:30:43.299 And as we were chatting, 00:30:43.379 --> 00:30:43.859 she pulled out 00:30:43.859 --> 00:30:45.139 this battered old Bible 00:30:45.139 --> 00:30:47.719 and she began to tell me 00:30:47.719 --> 00:30:49.039 what she'd been reading that day. 00:30:49.559 --> 00:30:50.419 She began to tell me 00:30:50.419 --> 00:30:51.219 how her and Donald 00:30:51.219 --> 00:30:52.759 read it every single morning 00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:54.539 or every single day together. 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:55.720 and she said, 00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:56.480 we're up to Jonah. 00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.399 And she starts telling me 00:30:58.399 --> 00:30:59.599 about what she's reading in Jonah. 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.339 And I loved it. 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:03.720 And I looked at her in that moment 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:05.039 and I looked at the two of them 00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:06.159 and let me tell you, 00:31:06.200 --> 00:31:06.720 they were telling me 00:31:06.720 --> 00:31:07.899 an awful lot about the pain 00:31:07.899 --> 00:31:08.480 in their lives, 00:31:08.819 --> 00:31:10.240 but they were telling me 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:11.460 nothing about the panic 00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:12.680 as to what is beyond it. 00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:15.259 And I looked at her 00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:15.740 and I thought, 00:31:15.940 --> 00:31:16.879 in your pain, 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:18.659 what has life taught you? 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:20.740 Where is the place 00:31:20.740 --> 00:31:22.000 that you need to get to 00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:24.299 most today in your life? 00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:25.980 Where are you dragging yourself 00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:26.819 every day? 00:31:28.339 --> 00:31:29.720 And it's to the words, 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:31.779 the life-giving words 00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:33.900 of her great high priest. 00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:36.039 Now that's what I call 00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:36.640 an influencer. 00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:39.720 Standing on the promises 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.859 that cannot fail. 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:43.740 When the howling storms 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:45.240 of doubt and fear assail, 00:31:45.859 --> 00:31:47.640 by the living word of God, 00:31:48.019 --> 00:31:49.339 I shall prevail. 00:31:50.099 --> 00:31:51.980 Standing on the promises. 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:52.779 The promises of God. 00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:54.160 Let's pray together, 00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:54.500 will we? 00:32:02.140 --> 00:32:02.779 And Father, 00:32:02.859 --> 00:32:04.019 I ask that you would 00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:06.119 help us this morning, 00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:06.440 Lord, 00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:07.519 whatever's going on 00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:08.579 in our lives. 00:32:11.059 --> 00:32:11.460 Father, 00:32:11.579 --> 00:32:12.299 some of us here 00:32:12.299 --> 00:32:13.319 will be doubting. 00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:15.259 Some of us here 00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:16.059 will be hurting. 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:18.079 Some of us here 00:32:18.079 --> 00:32:19.039 will be questioning. 00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:20.200 Lord, 00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:20.240 Lord, 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:21.420 I pray that in 00:32:21.420 --> 00:32:22.900 our lives, 00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:23.340 Lord, 00:32:23.380 --> 00:32:24.440 that your words, 00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:25.259 as we thought about 00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:25.900 this morning, 00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:28.500 the words of the 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.400 great high priest, 00:32:29.500 --> 00:32:30.299 Jesus Christ, 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:32.380 Father, 00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:32.680 would, 00:32:32.900 --> 00:32:33.660 by your spirit, 00:32:33.840 --> 00:32:35.059 they sufficiently 00:32:35.059 --> 00:32:36.700 have their way 00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:37.519 in our soul 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:38.340 today. 00:32:39.120 --> 00:32:39.420 Father, 00:32:39.640 --> 00:32:40.940 lift our eyes 00:32:40.940 --> 00:32:43.319 to the promises 00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:44.420 that you have made 00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:45.920 in your words. 00:32:45.920 --> 00:32:47.220 O Lord, 00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:48.100 we pray that you 00:32:48.100 --> 00:32:49.380 would transform us 00:32:49.380 --> 00:32:51.380 more into the 00:32:51.380 --> 00:32:52.380 likeness of Jesus. 00:32:52.640 --> 00:32:53.140 Help us, 00:32:53.300 --> 00:32:53.519 Lord, 00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:55.200 not to get fixated 00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:56.220 with the things below. 00:32:57.340 --> 00:32:57.500 O, 00:32:57.519 --> 00:32:57.940 but Father, 00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:58.620 would you help us 00:32:58.620 --> 00:32:59.880 raise our eyes 00:32:59.880 --> 00:33:01.060 and live in light 00:33:01.060 --> 00:33:02.140 of the unchanging 00:33:02.140 --> 00:33:02.820 truth 00:33:02.820 --> 00:33:04.300 of what is ahead 00:33:04.300 --> 00:33:04.779 of us 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:06.279 in Jesus Christ. 00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:07.619 Father, 00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:08.399 thank you 00:33:08.399 --> 00:33:09.019 for your 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:10.279 unchanging 00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:11.119 love 00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:12.319 and commitment 00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:13.920 to us, 00:33:14.379 --> 00:33:14.879 your people. 00:33:15.859 --> 00:33:16.240 O Lord, 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:16.759 as we sing 00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.519 our last couple 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.180 of songs, 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.420 would your spirit 00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:20.339 be ministering 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:21.000 amongst us. 00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:21.319 Would 00:33:21.319 --> 00:33:22.960 these truths 00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:23.720 that we sing about 00:33:23.720 --> 00:33:24.180 that we've heard 00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:24.660 about today, 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:25.180 would they come 00:33:25.180 --> 00:33:26.440 with a fresh power 00:33:26.440 --> 00:33:27.000 we ask? 00:33:27.319 --> 00:33:28.259 In Jesus' name. 00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:29.259 Amen.