WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.259 I was in seminary in the early to mid-2000s, and I remember during that time when I was in school, 00:00:08.259 --> 00:00:13.280 ! we saw the peak of a movement that has come to be dubbed New Atheism. 00:00:13.839 --> 00:00:18.920 I remember discussing this a lot with other students and with our professors. 00:00:19.800 --> 00:00:26.120 Names like Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris had become household names, 00:00:26.120 --> 00:00:32.060 and we were discussing this because it really seemed as though secularism had finally triumphed. 00:00:32.280 --> 00:00:36.859 A lot of people were hailing it as the end of the church, as the end of religion, 00:00:37.439 --> 00:00:40.240 and that secularism had really won the day. 00:00:41.340 --> 00:00:48.700 Now, 20 years later, we're seeing something that many people would have said was impossible 20 years ago. 00:00:49.200 --> 00:00:54.980 We are seeing a resurgence of faith, particularly among the younger generations. 00:00:54.979 --> 00:01:02.739 There was a recent study from last year that found that Gen Z are far more likely to be people of faith than their parents. 00:01:02.839 --> 00:01:08.979 I think one statistic said that they are half as likely to be atheists compared to their parents. 00:01:09.099 --> 00:01:15.000 One of the least religious generations next to baby boomers is actually my generation, Gen X. 00:01:15.920 --> 00:01:22.280 But from my generation on, we see higher and higher and higher levels of faith. 00:01:22.280 --> 00:01:28.700 And in interviews with these people who have come to faith find the same thing across the board. 00:01:28.799 --> 00:01:35.079 You have a growing number of people who are deeply disillusioned by the empty promises of secularism, 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:42.439 by the trivialities, by the banality of secular humanistic life. 00:01:42.439 --> 00:01:49.819 And these are people who are craving a sense of connection to something deeper, something bigger than themselves. 00:01:50.359 --> 00:02:00.500 Louise Perry is a writer and podcaster who converted from her days of, she says, troubled atheism to Christianity. 00:02:00.739 --> 00:02:04.479 In her words, she now goes to a happy, clappy church every week with her family. 00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:08.900 And when asked why, she says simply, secularism has failed. 00:02:10.120 --> 00:02:11.259 Secularism has failed. 00:02:12.200 --> 00:02:14.000 And here's what I find most interesting. 00:02:14.140 --> 00:02:21.780 These new converts to Christianity are not flocking to places where they are finding a watered down, 00:02:22.280 --> 00:02:25.740 dumbed down, seeker sensitive version of Christianity, 00:02:25.740 --> 00:02:30.400 which is something that was happening in also peaking around my generation, 00:02:30.580 --> 00:02:32.080 which I wonder if there's a connection there. 00:02:32.120 --> 00:02:32.560 I don't know. 00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:37.259 But the phrase being used now, I read one article where somebody said, 00:02:37.400 --> 00:02:40.099 what we're looking for is a full fat faith. 00:02:40.900 --> 00:02:42.219 And I love that expression. 00:02:42.439 --> 00:02:45.159 If you will pardon me, I'm going to use it this morning. 00:02:45.699 --> 00:02:47.180 A full fat faith. 00:02:48.500 --> 00:02:49.920 That's what people are craving. 00:02:50.340 --> 00:02:52.819 And as it turns out, when it comes to Christianity, 00:02:52.819 --> 00:02:55.640 and when it comes to the reality of following Jesus, 00:02:56.280 --> 00:02:58.080 that's the only option there is. 00:02:58.900 --> 00:03:00.060 That's the only option. 00:03:01.159 --> 00:03:02.240 So what does that mean? 00:03:02.240 --> 00:03:03.200 What is a full fat faith? 00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:07.680 We're going to look at 2 Timothy chapter 2 to help answer that question. 00:03:07.780 --> 00:03:08.260 So let's pray. 00:03:09.680 --> 00:03:11.200 Lord, we thank you for your word. 00:03:11.340 --> 00:03:15.400 We thank you that it has a power unto itself that comes from you. 00:03:15.860 --> 00:03:19.020 And so we're not here merely to consider and reflect on ideas. 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:21.780 We're here to encounter the living God. 00:03:21.780 --> 00:03:26.500 Through your written word, we're here to encounter your living word, Jesus Christ. 00:03:26.500 --> 00:03:31.360 To not only see him, not only hear him, but to receive him. 00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:39.120 Lord, and as we are preparing to receive his body and blood, so now would you give us the grace to receive his word. 00:03:39.380 --> 00:03:40.900 We pray this in your son's holy name. 00:03:41.140 --> 00:03:41.360 Amen. 00:03:41.360 --> 00:03:44.480 So let me give you a little context. 00:03:44.479 --> 00:03:50.139 Just as I know that Jeff started our series in the lectionary looking at 2 Timothy last week, 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:53.839 the apostle Paul is writing from prison in Rome. 00:03:54.120 --> 00:04:02.159 He's writing to his protege, Timothy, who is a bishop over a network of churches, probably house churches in Ephesus. 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:08.979 And he's essentially writing to encourage Timothy, who's facing a whole array of challenges in his ministry. 00:04:09.539 --> 00:04:14.659 And in doing so, the apostle Paul gives us this compelling vision of the Christian life, 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:17.399 or if you will permit it, a full-fat faith. 00:04:18.459 --> 00:04:21.839 And so we're going to look at this vision of the Christian life. 00:04:21.860 --> 00:04:24.279 And why would we call it a full-fat faith? 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:25.480 What does that entail? 00:04:26.459 --> 00:04:29.060 And the first thing we see when we look at this passage is this. 00:04:29.060 --> 00:04:36.060 We call it that because the Christian life, following Jesus, requires everything that we have. 00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:39.439 It requires everything that we have. 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:44.579 In verses 3 to 7, Paul uses three metaphors to describe the Christian life. 00:04:44.680 --> 00:04:46.019 He says it's like being a soldier. 00:04:46.899 --> 00:04:48.120 It's like being an athlete. 00:04:48.860 --> 00:04:50.019 It's like being a farmer. 00:04:50.560 --> 00:04:52.120 Now, what do all those things have in common? 00:04:52.120 --> 00:04:58.160 Well, they all involve people who are fully committed. 00:04:59.480 --> 00:05:01.800 Fully committed to something bigger than themselves. 00:05:03.060 --> 00:05:07.579 They all involve people who are willing to endure significant hardship. 00:05:08.280 --> 00:05:09.740 They're willing to suffer. 00:05:10.300 --> 00:05:14.879 They're willing to sacrifice in order to serve that higher aim. 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:23.159 So in order to live the Christian life, Paul is saying we need the single-minded devotion of a soldier. 00:05:24.100 --> 00:05:29.360 We need to relentlessly resist anything and everything that distracts from that focus. 00:05:30.379 --> 00:05:33.680 So success, comfort, politics. 00:05:35.040 --> 00:05:37.100 He's not saying these are inherently bad. 00:05:37.100 --> 00:05:40.920 But he's saying we can't allow them to entangle us. 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:48.560 The image is of a soldier's sword, the scabbard getting tangled up in the cloak so they can't walk because they're all tangled up. 00:05:48.620 --> 00:06:01.860 He says we can't allow things like that, comfort, success, politics, the local crisis du jour, to entangle us, to distract us from our primary aim of pleasing the one we follow. 00:06:01.860 --> 00:06:06.740 Likewise, he says we need the rigorous self-discipline of an athlete. 00:06:07.379 --> 00:06:09.220 This is not a passive faith. 00:06:10.600 --> 00:06:21.639 This is not a go to summer camp one summer and respond at the altar call and get saved and then nothing. 00:06:22.960 --> 00:06:27.680 He says this is a faith, this is a life that requires daily focused spiritual habits. 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:36.980 Athletes were legally required to complete a regimen of training and you had to take a vow that said you had completed that training before you were allowed to compete. 00:06:37.079 --> 00:06:38.079 That's what he's talking about. 00:06:39.600 --> 00:06:43.240 So following Jesus requires daily focused spiritual habits and disciplines. 00:06:43.660 --> 00:06:43.980 Why? 00:06:45.160 --> 00:06:54.139 Because we are called to, with the help of the Holy Spirit, retrain our hearts to learn how to love God, to learn how to love other people. 00:06:54.139 --> 00:07:00.199 That requires a lifetime of focused, disciplined, retraining. 00:07:01.079 --> 00:07:07.519 And then he says we need the long view perspective of the farmer, knowing that we're not working for instant gratification. 00:07:08.899 --> 00:07:15.060 That we are setting aside a life that focuses on immediate gain and immediate gratification. 00:07:16.180 --> 00:07:18.839 We are, as Christians, playing the long game. 00:07:18.839 --> 00:07:21.479 We are willing to forego. 00:07:21.599 --> 00:07:22.539 We are willing to do without. 00:07:22.659 --> 00:07:28.259 We are willing to sacrifice now in the immediate for the sake of that which will last into eternity. 00:07:30.439 --> 00:07:31.859 We're investing in the kingdom. 00:07:32.259 --> 00:07:33.939 That's what the farmer image is all about. 00:07:34.139 --> 00:07:35.519 In the, in, in, what is the kingdom? 00:07:35.679 --> 00:07:37.379 We're investing in the healing of the world. 00:07:38.799 --> 00:07:40.259 We're investing in justice. 00:07:41.479 --> 00:07:42.819 We're investing in mercy. 00:07:44.019 --> 00:07:46.979 We're investing in the building of the church and the spread of the gospel. 00:07:46.980 --> 00:07:52.300 We need the long view perspective of the farmer. 00:07:53.180 --> 00:07:57.660 There is a lovely poem by Mary Oliver called A Summer Day. 00:07:58.960 --> 00:08:05.740 And the last two lines of the poem say, tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? 00:08:05.740 --> 00:08:16.500 Now, these words have been commandeered by Instagram self-help gurus to talk about the need to live for ourselves and be true to ourselves. 00:08:17.720 --> 00:08:24.240 But if you were to ask Jesus that question, what are we to do with our one wild and precious life? 00:08:24.600 --> 00:08:25.819 Here's what Jesus would say. 00:08:27.100 --> 00:08:30.819 He would say, well, whoever would save his life will lose it. 00:08:30.819 --> 00:08:35.200 But whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:40.100 And that's the choice, really, before us. 00:08:41.340 --> 00:08:42.439 That's the decision. 00:08:43.419 --> 00:08:44.259 Door number one. 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:49.939 Follow one of the various life scripts that the culture hands out. 00:08:50.720 --> 00:08:51.919 You can find them everywhere. 00:08:51.919 --> 00:08:56.240 They all boil down essentially to this. 00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:58.339 Accumulate the things that you think will make you happy. 00:08:59.620 --> 00:09:02.979 Build a little life for yourself that is safe and comfortable. 00:09:03.559 --> 00:09:05.599 Where your needs are met reasonably. 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:10.559 And then do what you can to extend your life as long as you possibly can. 00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:13.959 But to what end, I would ask? 00:09:13.960 --> 00:09:18.540 Do you think so that maybe you can outlive your friends? 00:09:19.080 --> 00:09:22.660 So that you can outlive most of your family members? 00:09:24.920 --> 00:09:27.420 So that you can find yourself one day sitting alone, 00:09:29.220 --> 00:09:31.720 wondering what it was all for? 00:09:34.519 --> 00:09:35.740 Or door number two. 00:09:37.519 --> 00:09:42.420 Starting today, aim your life at Jesus Christ and give it everything you've got. 00:09:44.680 --> 00:09:46.320 Now your life is going to be harder. 00:09:48.400 --> 00:09:49.620 It's going to be a lot harder. 00:09:51.139 --> 00:09:54.680 You know, we're praying this morning for Grace Drexel's father, 00:09:55.080 --> 00:09:58.180 who's one of the most well-known pastors in China 00:09:58.180 --> 00:10:00.340 over the vast network of house churches there, 00:10:00.860 --> 00:10:02.180 who's been arrested. 00:10:03.320 --> 00:10:05.180 And we have no idea what his fate will be. 00:10:06.560 --> 00:10:08.280 We are praying for his release. 00:10:08.639 --> 00:10:10.620 Number of people in his congregation have also been arrested. 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:11.780 Other pastors have been arrested. 00:10:12.680 --> 00:10:13.700 This is a big deal. 00:10:13.960 --> 00:10:18.740 That's a man who made this choice, 00:10:19.060 --> 00:10:21.820 who said, door number two, 00:10:22.460 --> 00:10:23.900 I'm going to aim my life at Jesus. 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:25.680 I'm going to give it everything I've got. 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:28.040 Now your life will be harder. 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:31.680 You may face things that you never imagined possible 00:10:31.680 --> 00:10:32.780 as a result of that choice. 00:10:32.940 --> 00:10:35.139 It may be shorter, your life may be. 00:10:35.139 --> 00:10:39.379 But you will know what it means to be fully alive 00:10:39.379 --> 00:10:44.740 in a way that nobody who chooses door number one can ever imagine. 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:49.919 And the life you gain will be a life that lasts into eternity. 00:10:51.320 --> 00:10:54.080 So the first thing we learn about full fat faith is this. 00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:56.620 It requires everything that we have. 00:10:57.120 --> 00:10:57.600 Everything. 00:10:58.320 --> 00:10:59.320 But here's the disclaimer. 00:10:59.320 --> 00:11:05.720 Following Jesus this way is not only hard, 00:11:05.820 --> 00:11:10.020 it is going to ask more of us than we have the strength to give. 00:11:10.019 --> 00:11:12.379 That's a guarantee. 00:11:13.179 --> 00:11:15.200 It's going to push us beyond our limits. 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:19.740 I just recently read a story about a 12-year-old girl 00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:21.259 named Lee Rodriguez Espada. 00:11:21.900 --> 00:11:24.340 And she signed up to run a 5K. 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:27.320 And she's running late the morning of the race. 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:29.320 And so she gets there and she sees a group of people 00:11:29.320 --> 00:11:30.560 at the starting line. 00:11:30.620 --> 00:11:32.740 And so she rushes up and she jumps into the group 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:34.200 with the people right as they say go. 00:11:34.340 --> 00:11:35.379 And she takes off running. 00:11:36.100 --> 00:11:37.200 And she runs mile one. 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:38.820 And she runs mile two. 00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:40.160 And she runs that. 00:11:40.200 --> 00:11:41.680 And around mile four, she starts, 00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:43.759 this is a long 5K. 00:11:43.899 --> 00:11:44.799 What's going on? 00:11:45.219 --> 00:11:46.299 And she starts asking around. 00:11:46.359 --> 00:11:47.979 And she realizes that she made a mistake 00:11:47.979 --> 00:11:49.419 and she jumped in with the wrong group. 00:11:50.319 --> 00:11:52.079 And they were actually running a half marathon. 00:11:53.939 --> 00:11:55.299 So her mom's freaking out. 00:11:55.439 --> 00:11:56.159 Where is she? 00:11:56.219 --> 00:11:56.679 Where is she? 00:11:56.739 --> 00:11:56.899 Right? 00:11:57.319 --> 00:11:59.979 Well, she realizes this and she decides to keep running. 00:12:01.019 --> 00:12:03.059 And she not only finishes the race, 00:12:03.079 --> 00:12:04.259 but she actually gets a medal. 00:12:05.019 --> 00:12:06.959 And her mom's like, I have no idea how she did it. 00:12:06.959 --> 00:12:07.699 I'm so proud of her. 00:12:08.719 --> 00:12:11.359 So she found herself running a half marathon. 00:12:11.680 --> 00:12:13.279 And I love this story because I think 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:14.620 that there are a lot of times like that 00:12:14.620 --> 00:12:15.800 that happen in the Christian life. 00:12:17.180 --> 00:12:20.259 You know, when God allows us to face a situation 00:12:20.259 --> 00:12:24.460 where faithfulness and obedience mean taking something on 00:12:24.460 --> 00:12:25.980 that we never anticipated. 00:12:27.419 --> 00:12:29.379 You know, times when we are betrayed 00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:31.620 by someone that we love and trust. 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:34.720 Or times when you get a cancer diagnosis. 00:12:35.460 --> 00:12:37.860 Or times when you lose your job. 00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:41.039 Or having to face unwanted singleness 00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:42.279 or unwanted fertility. 00:12:43.340 --> 00:12:43.740 Infertility. 00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:45.580 Or unwanted fertility. 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:52.899 And these things happen and we say, 00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:54.580 hey, this isn't the race I signed up for. 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:57.039 You know, when I came forward 00:12:57.039 --> 00:12:59.039 and responded to that altar call in middle school, 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:01.000 I wasn't signing up for this. 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:03.679 You know, I never agreed to this. 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:05.659 I'm not prepared for this. 00:13:07.259 --> 00:13:09.320 And we say, doesn't it say somewhere in the Bible, 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:11.500 doesn't it say that God will never ask us 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:14.200 to do anything that goes beyond what we can do? 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:17.120 Actually, it doesn't say that anywhere in the Bible. 00:13:17.700 --> 00:13:18.639 Actually, it says the opposite. 00:13:20.320 --> 00:13:22.539 More is gonna be asked of you than you have to give. 00:13:23.580 --> 00:13:25.879 And so it confronts us with this question 00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:28.500 of where do we find strength to keep running the race? 00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:28.980 Right? 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:31.279 How do we continue when we figure out 00:13:31.279 --> 00:13:32.919 we're not in the 5K, we're in the marathon? 00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:35.080 How do we keep going? 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:39.799 And the truth is, if we rely on our own strength, 00:13:39.899 --> 00:13:41.860 we're not going to be able to finish the race. 00:13:43.440 --> 00:13:46.100 Full fat faith not only requires everything that we have, 00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:48.840 but it is fueled by grace. 00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:50.700 It's fueled by grace. 00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:52.059 Paul says to Timothy, 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:53.580 you then, my child, 00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:55.500 be strengthened by the grace 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:57.559 that is in Christ Jesus. 00:13:57.559 --> 00:13:58.819 Now, at first, when you read this, 00:13:58.899 --> 00:13:59.419 be strengthened, 00:13:59.639 --> 00:14:01.139 it sounds like Paul is telling Timothy 00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:02.359 to strengthen himself. 00:14:02.619 --> 00:14:04.039 You need to get stronger, Timothy. 00:14:04.239 --> 00:14:05.159 You need to buck up. 00:14:05.219 --> 00:14:06.079 You need to cowboy up. 00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:07.079 You need to get ready to do 00:14:07.079 --> 00:14:08.419 some seriously hard work for the Lord. 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:10.139 That's not what he's saying. 00:14:11.319 --> 00:14:13.059 He's saying to Timothy and to us, 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:16.939 Timothy, you need to learn how to grow stronger 00:14:16.939 --> 00:14:20.899 by the strength that comes from outside yourself. 00:14:22.199 --> 00:14:24.419 The strength that comes from the grace 00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:25.620 that is in Christ Jesus. 00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:27.819 And this, friends, 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:30.079 is one of the great mysteries and wonders 00:14:30.079 --> 00:14:32.199 of the Christian faith. 00:14:33.819 --> 00:14:36.379 The relationship between divine sovereignty 00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:37.799 and human responsibility. 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:43.379 God not only calls us to faithful obedience, 00:14:43.959 --> 00:14:47.659 he also supplies everything that we need 00:14:47.659 --> 00:14:49.120 for faithful obedience. 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:52.320 Now, that is a mystery. 00:14:54.060 --> 00:14:56.480 But you see it all over Scripture. 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:57.560 2 Peter 1, 00:14:58.039 --> 00:14:59.879 Christ, through his divine power, 00:15:00.139 --> 00:15:02.240 has granted to us all things 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:05.299 that pertain to life and godliness. 00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:09.759 God gives you everything that you need 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:10.860 for godliness. 00:15:11.440 --> 00:15:12.100 Philippians 2, 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:13.659 work out your own salvation 00:15:13.659 --> 00:15:15.340 with fear and trembling. 00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:15.899 Okay? 00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:18.860 For it is God who works in you, 00:15:18.920 --> 00:15:20.220 both to will and to work 00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:21.879 for his good pleasure. 00:15:23.160 --> 00:15:24.320 Is it up to me 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:25.840 or is it up to God? 00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:27.519 Yes. 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:30.820 This is extremely important 00:15:30.820 --> 00:15:32.019 for us to reflect on. 00:15:32.120 --> 00:15:33.720 God is not just concerned 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:34.480 with our obedience. 00:15:35.300 --> 00:15:36.340 God is not sitting there 00:15:36.340 --> 00:15:37.240 with the checklist. 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:39.160 He did this, 00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:40.480 she didn't do that, 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:41.780 she did this. 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:46.720 God is glorified 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:48.139 by our dependence on him. 00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:51.240 He is glorified 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:52.539 when we depend on him. 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.819 He is glorified 00:15:54.819 --> 00:15:56.480 not only when we follow and obey, 00:15:56.699 --> 00:15:58.079 but when we depend on him 00:15:58.079 --> 00:15:58.839 for that obedience. 00:15:59.299 --> 00:16:00.519 See, some of us go wrong 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:01.639 by trying to live lives 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.259 of obedience 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:03.339 without dependence. 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:05.279 I got saved, 00:16:05.339 --> 00:16:06.500 it's like God was angry at me, 00:16:06.579 --> 00:16:07.860 but then God let me off the hook 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:08.439 and he was willing 00:16:08.439 --> 00:16:09.620 to kind of give me a do-over, 00:16:09.799 --> 00:16:10.679 but now it's up to me, 00:16:10.699 --> 00:16:11.699 I've got to get my life together, 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:12.819 and you live your life 00:16:12.819 --> 00:16:13.860 with this constant sense 00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:14.919 that God is disappointed 00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:16.919 or angry or frustrated. 00:16:17.079 --> 00:16:17.740 You know there's things 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:18.339 you should be doing, 00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:19.120 but you're not doing them, 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:20.259 and so your Christian life 00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:20.860 kind of feels like 00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:22.299 this sense of vague guilt 00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:22.799 and shame 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:24.120 that you always carry around. 00:16:25.939 --> 00:16:26.659 That's obedience 00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:27.439 without dependence. 00:16:27.579 --> 00:16:28.539 That's all up to me. 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:30.319 And I know other people 00:16:30.319 --> 00:16:31.000 who, you know, 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:31.679 we go wrong 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:32.819 in the opposite direction. 00:16:32.939 --> 00:16:33.559 We live lives 00:16:33.559 --> 00:16:34.919 that are lives of dependence, 00:16:35.139 --> 00:16:36.079 but with no obedience. 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:37.579 You know, 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:38.679 the kind of let go 00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:39.699 and let God approach. 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:40.759 You know, 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:41.799 we kind of treat grace 00:16:41.799 --> 00:16:43.139 like a get-out-of-jail-free card, 00:16:43.200 --> 00:16:43.460 and it's like, 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.539 well, God forgives everything anyway. 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:45.340 What does it really matter? 00:16:45.399 --> 00:16:46.419 And we kind of do what we want. 00:16:47.299 --> 00:16:47.460 You know, 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.460 God will get over it. 00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:49.000 He'll forgive me. 00:16:50.679 --> 00:16:50.960 See, 00:16:51.059 --> 00:16:51.960 both of those 00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:53.960 are not only unbiblical, 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:55.980 they fail to glorify God, 00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:58.600 and they collapse 00:16:58.600 --> 00:17:00.980 something that is a profound mystery, 00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:02.899 which is this, 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:03.840 that on the one hand, 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:04.860 we are called 00:17:04.860 --> 00:17:06.720 to use every resource 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:07.880 at our disposal 00:17:07.880 --> 00:17:09.700 to pour everything we have 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:11.360 into following and obeying Jesus. 00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:13.420 Give it everything you've got. 00:17:14.140 --> 00:17:15.279 On the other hand, 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.660 we are called to depend 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:18.480 entirely on his grace 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:19.220 as we do it. 00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:21.660 You know, 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:23.120 St. Augustine captures this 00:17:23.120 --> 00:17:24.500 beautifully in his prayer, 00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:25.339 Lord, 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:27.299 command what you will, 00:17:28.100 --> 00:17:30.220 but give what you command. 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:31.940 I love that. 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:33.759 Command what you will. 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.440 Whatever you want me to do, 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:35.759 ask, 00:17:35.819 --> 00:17:36.380 and I'll do it, 00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:38.140 but give me 00:17:38.140 --> 00:17:40.019 the ability to do it. 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:41.680 So, 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.440 Paul wants us 00:17:42.440 --> 00:17:43.600 to be assured 00:17:43.600 --> 00:17:45.100 that we can always 00:17:45.100 --> 00:17:46.480 trust God 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:47.500 to give us 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:48.220 what we need 00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:49.319 to obey God. 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.360 So, 00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:50.839 he gives us 00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:52.220 this beautiful poem. 00:17:52.420 --> 00:17:52.559 You know, 00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:53.660 now this is probably 00:17:53.660 --> 00:17:54.640 an early hymn. 00:17:55.059 --> 00:17:55.180 You know, 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:55.599 you can imagine 00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:56.400 the worship music 00:17:56.400 --> 00:17:57.400 like we just had, 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:58.299 beautiful worship music. 00:17:58.420 --> 00:17:59.380 What were they singing 00:17:59.380 --> 00:18:00.640 in the first century church? 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:01.519 It's probably, 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:02.819 this is one of the hymns. 00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:05.539 If we had died with him, 00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:07.740 we will also live with him. 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:09.180 If we endure, 00:18:09.620 --> 00:18:11.460 we will also reign with him. 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:13.160 If we deny him, 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:15.099 he also will deny us. 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:16.779 If we are faithless, 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:18.879 he remains faithful, 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:21.419 for he cannot deny himself. 00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:23.699 Maybe that's the chorus, 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:25.000 for he cannot deny himself. 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:27.279 For those who are willing 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.339 to take the risk 00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:29.699 of following Jesus, 00:18:30.639 --> 00:18:31.559 this hymn says, 00:18:31.879 --> 00:18:33.139 God promises you 00:18:33.139 --> 00:18:34.319 new life. 00:18:34.639 --> 00:18:35.619 If you're willing 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:36.419 to take the risk, 00:18:36.639 --> 00:18:37.099 if you're willing 00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:37.579 to give it everything 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:38.119 you've got, 00:18:39.379 --> 00:18:40.939 God promises new life. 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:42.179 He promises victory, 00:18:42.179 --> 00:18:43.019 and he promises 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:44.279 that you will one day 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:45.039 be vindicated. 00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:48.000 For those who reject Jesus, 00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:50.219 God honors that decision, 00:18:50.379 --> 00:18:51.240 and he will respond 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:52.019 in the same way. 00:18:53.299 --> 00:18:53.879 But here's, 00:18:54.119 --> 00:18:55.059 listen to where it goes. 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:57.139 Here's the crux, 00:18:57.339 --> 00:18:57.519 right, 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.199 the core. 00:18:58.759 --> 00:19:00.559 No matter how unfaithful 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.419 we might be, 00:19:02.879 --> 00:19:04.139 God will always 00:19:04.139 --> 00:19:05.279 be faithful to us. 00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:07.319 No amount 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:08.500 of our unfaithfulness 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.899 will ever eclipse 00:19:09.899 --> 00:19:11.980 God's faithfulness, 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:13.319 and our faith 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:14.319 and our salvation 00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:15.579 and our sanctification 00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:16.720 ultimately hinge 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:18.079 not on the promises 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:19.120 that we make to God, 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:20.120 but on the promise 00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:21.480 that God makes to us. 00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:24.319 He will always 00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:25.200 give us what we need. 00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:26.519 So you say, 00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:26.640 well, 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:27.559 how do I actually do that? 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:29.140 How do I get grace? 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:30.099 How do I get strength? 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:31.240 This is so esoteric. 00:19:31.360 --> 00:19:32.519 This feels so abstract. 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:33.960 What does this actually mean 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:35.039 on a daily basis? 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:38.159 Let me give you a few 00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:39.899 answers to that question. 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:40.519 Number one, 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:43.159 it means pray. 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:46.000 It means pray. 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:48.200 You know, 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:50.079 prayer is one of the things 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:50.779 that we can do 00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:51.180 anytime, 00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:52.299 all the time, 00:19:52.420 --> 00:19:53.180 wherever we are. 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:54.599 We can pray. 00:19:55.879 --> 00:19:56.359 Particularly, 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:57.379 is there someone 00:19:57.379 --> 00:19:58.119 in your life 00:19:58.119 --> 00:19:59.599 that you feel called to love, 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.599 but you find them 00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:01.680 very difficult to love? 00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:04.860 You don't have to say 00:20:04.860 --> 00:20:05.759 who it is now, 00:20:06.360 --> 00:20:07.259 but is there somebody 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:07.900 in your life? 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:09.740 Are there people 00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:10.920 that you struggle to love 00:20:10.920 --> 00:20:12.360 and you just don't feel it? 00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:13.880 Commit to praying 00:20:13.880 --> 00:20:14.500 for that person. 00:20:15.820 --> 00:20:16.700 Don't do anything else. 00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:17.340 Just commit to praying 00:20:17.340 --> 00:20:18.240 for that person every day 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:20.140 and see what happens. 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:21.700 Pray that God 00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:22.720 would strengthen you 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:23.600 with the grace 00:20:23.600 --> 00:20:24.740 that is in Christ Jesus 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:26.560 to love that person. 00:20:26.660 --> 00:20:27.380 And so often, 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:28.160 what you will find 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:29.700 in your heart over time 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:30.940 is a softening 00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:31.779 and an opening 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:32.259 of your heart 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:33.100 toward that person. 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:34.740 Another way we access 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.420 the grace, 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.660 the strengthening grace 00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:37.180 of Christ 00:20:37.180 --> 00:20:38.299 is through his word. 00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:40.160 I don't know about you, 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:41.180 but often for me, 00:20:41.320 --> 00:20:43.220 just spending five minutes, 00:20:43.360 --> 00:20:44.000 ten minutes, 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:46.120 reflecting on Scripture 00:20:46.120 --> 00:20:47.799 in the morning, 00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:48.580 even if it's not 00:20:48.580 --> 00:20:49.900 a particularly profound passage, 00:20:50.080 --> 00:20:50.799 even if I don't have 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:52.100 a particularly profound experience 00:20:52.100 --> 00:20:52.759 of doing it, 00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:54.860 I emerge from just that 00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:55.600 five or ten minutes 00:20:55.600 --> 00:20:56.759 feeling more aligned 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.660 with the heart of Christ. 00:20:59.180 --> 00:20:59.360 You know, 00:20:59.359 --> 00:20:59.899 I think that is 00:20:59.899 --> 00:21:02.099 the grace flowing in, 00:21:02.219 --> 00:21:02.500 right? 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:05.039 A third thing I would say 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:06.119 is through the sacraments, 00:21:07.399 --> 00:21:08.539 particularly the Eucharist. 00:21:09.459 --> 00:21:09.679 You know, 00:21:09.719 --> 00:21:10.599 what we do at this table 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.599 is not just a ritual. 00:21:12.719 --> 00:21:13.799 We're not just here 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:14.419 remembering, 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:15.099 reflecting, 00:21:15.659 --> 00:21:16.379 celebrating something 00:21:16.379 --> 00:21:16.979 that happened. 00:21:18.399 --> 00:21:19.399 We believe 00:21:19.399 --> 00:21:20.479 and teach in this church 00:21:20.479 --> 00:21:21.259 that this is a means 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:21.779 of grace. 00:21:22.879 --> 00:21:23.559 In other words, 00:21:23.619 --> 00:21:24.259 this is a way 00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:26.500 that God promises 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:28.140 to mediate his grace 00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:28.859 in the lives 00:21:28.859 --> 00:21:30.400 of his people. 00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:31.619 We believe 00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:32.140 that Christ 00:21:32.140 --> 00:21:32.700 is really 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:33.660 and truly present 00:21:33.660 --> 00:21:34.440 in this meal. 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.160 We believe 00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:36.380 that God strengthens 00:21:36.380 --> 00:21:37.500 and nourishes us 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:38.099 spiritually 00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:39.380 when we receive 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.099 this in faith. 00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:42.180 One of the reasons 00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:42.680 I'm excited 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.660 to have our own building 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:45.200 in a few months 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:46.119 is so that we can begin 00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:46.579 to offer 00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:47.720 midweek opportunities 00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:48.759 for prayer 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:51.319 and for Bible teaching 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:53.380 and for the Eucharist. 00:21:53.380 --> 00:21:56.160 this is why 00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:56.760 I believe 00:21:56.760 --> 00:21:57.160 friends, 00:21:57.280 --> 00:21:58.020 church should be 00:21:58.020 --> 00:21:59.380 among your highest priorities. 00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:01.940 I see people 00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:04.360 bend over backwards, 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:06.420 rearrange everything 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:07.060 to make it 00:22:07.060 --> 00:22:08.340 to a travel sports game. 00:22:10.600 --> 00:22:11.480 This should be 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.460 the highest priority. 00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:15.020 This should be 00:22:15.020 --> 00:22:16.000 the highest priority. 00:22:17.520 --> 00:22:18.700 I guess what I'm saying 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:19.520 is I don't believe 00:22:19.520 --> 00:22:20.220 that we can live 00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:20.940 the Christian life 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:21.500 faithfully 00:22:21.500 --> 00:22:22.940 because I don't think 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:24.140 that we have the strength 00:22:24.140 --> 00:22:25.019 to do it on our own 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:26.740 and in order 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:27.580 to get that strength 00:22:27.580 --> 00:22:28.500 I think that we 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.680 need to gather together 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:30.220 to pray 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:31.420 and to open God's word 00:22:31.420 --> 00:22:32.160 and to receive 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:32.799 the sacraments 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:33.980 and I don't think 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:34.700 that there's another way 00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.140 to do it. 00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:37.019 I think this is the way 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:37.960 that God has given us. 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:40.320 We need to be strengthened 00:22:40.320 --> 00:22:41.420 to live lives 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:42.180 of faithfulness. 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:44.640 God has called us 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:45.019 to a life 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:46.039 that requires more strength 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:47.000 than we have in ourselves 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:49.100 and this is what 00:22:49.100 --> 00:22:49.640 we do every week. 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:50.059 We pray, 00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:50.980 we open God's word, 00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:52.600 we share in the sacraments. 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:54.140 And if you can think 00:22:54.140 --> 00:22:54.799 of the Christian life 00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.380 as this rhythm 00:22:55.380 --> 00:22:56.539 of inhaling and exhaling, 00:22:57.340 --> 00:22:57.580 right? 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.700 We breathe in, 00:22:59.200 --> 00:22:59.860 we come together 00:22:59.860 --> 00:23:00.440 as a church, 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:01.519 we are strengthened 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:03.200 and then there's an exhaling, 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:04.039 we go out into the world 00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:04.440 on mission. 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:06.299 And then we breathe in 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:07.100 and we're strengthened 00:23:07.100 --> 00:23:07.740 by grace 00:23:07.740 --> 00:23:08.779 and then we go out 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.160 into the world 00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:09.580 on mission. 00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:11.059 And that's the, 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:12.779 that's the respiratory system 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:13.580 of the church, 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:14.539 right? 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:15.500 In and out, 00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:16.340 in and out, 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:18.200 contemplation and action, 00:23:18.580 --> 00:23:20.259 contemplation and action, 00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:20.600 right? 00:23:20.599 --> 00:23:21.939 Drawing strength, 00:23:22.319 --> 00:23:23.000 pouring out, 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:23.919 right? 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:24.779 Being filled, 00:23:25.379 --> 00:23:26.000 pouring out. 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:28.839 So a full fat faith 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:29.619 requires everything 00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:30.240 that we have 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.500 and it's fueled by grace. 00:23:32.179 --> 00:23:33.299 But what's it all for? 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:36.279 Last point. 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:39.379 According to 2 Timothy 2, 00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:41.819 it's all meant 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.319 to be shared. 00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:44.379 This faith, 00:23:44.659 --> 00:23:45.240 this gospel, 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.199 this good news, 00:23:46.459 --> 00:23:47.019 this kingdom, 00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:48.459 this work that the Holy Spirit 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.299 is doing in the world, 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.559 this good news 00:23:50.559 --> 00:23:51.680 of restoration and renewal 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:52.559 and justice and mercy 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:53.759 and peace and eternity, 00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:54.440 it's all meant 00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:54.940 to be shared. 00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:58.100 Paul's overarching concern, 00:23:58.200 --> 00:23:58.640 I would say, 00:23:58.660 --> 00:23:59.440 in the pastorals 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:01.400 and certainly in this part 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:02.039 of the pastorals 00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:03.539 is that the gospel 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.620 would continue 00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:06.640 to reach the lost. 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:08.240 I love this. 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:08.680 He says, 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:10.140 essentially, 00:24:10.600 --> 00:24:11.819 I may be bound 00:24:11.819 --> 00:24:13.059 with chains 00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:13.700 as a criminal, 00:24:13.880 --> 00:24:14.799 but the word of God 00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:15.480 is not bound. 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:17.860 You know, 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:19.360 I would love 00:24:19.360 --> 00:24:21.000 to think that 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:22.420 Grace Drexel's dad 00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:24.620 is reading 00:24:24.620 --> 00:24:25.579 and thinking about 00:24:25.579 --> 00:24:26.440 and praying those words 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:26.920 right now. 00:24:27.160 --> 00:24:27.740 I may be bound 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:28.299 with chains, 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.480 but the word of God 00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:30.059 is not bound. 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:31.660 Therefore, 00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:32.759 I endure everything 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.860 for the sake of the elect, 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:35.920 that they also may obtain 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:36.559 the salvation 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.599 that is in Christ Jesus 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:39.259 with eternal glory. 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:40.000 The word of God 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.839 is not bound. 00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:41.620 God's work 00:24:41.620 --> 00:24:42.279 is ongoing 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:42.880 in the world. 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:45.240 So we need 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:46.100 a much bigger 00:24:46.100 --> 00:24:48.260 vision of conversion, 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:48.820 I think. 00:24:50.840 --> 00:24:51.340 You know, 00:24:51.360 --> 00:24:51.960 we tend to think 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:52.820 of evangelism 00:24:52.820 --> 00:24:53.700 as something 00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:54.860 that happens out there. 00:24:55.120 --> 00:24:55.340 You know, 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.620 Christians in here, 00:24:57.860 --> 00:24:58.940 non-Christians out there, 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:00.960 and evangelism 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.520 is a kind of 00:25:01.520 --> 00:25:02.060 this subset 00:25:02.060 --> 00:25:02.940 of the church 00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:03.720 that some people do. 00:25:03.860 --> 00:25:04.280 Some people 00:25:04.280 --> 00:25:04.940 who are good at it 00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:05.380 go out. 00:25:06.280 --> 00:25:06.420 You know, 00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.080 people like Lisa 00:25:07.080 --> 00:25:07.540 go out 00:25:07.540 --> 00:25:09.260 and they evangelize 00:25:09.260 --> 00:25:09.680 because they're good 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:10.300 at that kind of thing, 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:10.660 right? 00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:11.420 Sorry to put you 00:25:11.420 --> 00:25:11.860 on the spot, 00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:13.339 but she's really 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:14.039 gifted at it. 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:14.939 And, 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:16.679 but the rest of us, 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:16.899 you know, 00:25:16.939 --> 00:25:18.219 and maybe we learn 00:25:18.219 --> 00:25:19.019 some apologetics 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:19.779 and some good arguments, 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:20.399 but, you know, 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.519 we need a much 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:22.379 bigger imagination 00:25:22.379 --> 00:25:23.019 for the fact 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:23.419 that God 00:25:23.419 --> 00:25:24.279 is always at work 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:24.719 converting 00:25:24.719 --> 00:25:25.439 and bringing people 00:25:25.439 --> 00:25:25.899 to himself 00:25:25.899 --> 00:25:26.719 all the time 00:25:26.719 --> 00:25:27.219 around us 00:25:27.219 --> 00:25:27.899 day and night. 00:25:28.679 --> 00:25:29.519 The word of God 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.240 is not bound, 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:30.679 right? 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.419 Conversion 00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:32.939 is happening 00:25:32.939 --> 00:25:33.819 all the time. 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:35.279 And conversion 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:36.139 is not only happening 00:25:36.139 --> 00:25:36.779 out there 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.899 among the pagans, 00:25:37.979 --> 00:25:38.939 it's also happening 00:25:38.939 --> 00:25:39.579 in here 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.659 all the time. 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.900 Right? 00:25:42.060 --> 00:25:42.880 The Benedictines 00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:43.620 talk about 00:25:43.620 --> 00:25:44.640 daily conversion 00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:45.160 of life. 00:25:46.620 --> 00:25:46.880 You know, 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.840 you become a Christian, 00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:48.800 you get baptized. 00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:50.860 That's a one-time thing, 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.259 yes, 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:52.740 that's true. 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.580 But then, 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:54.360 as the Benedictines 00:25:54.360 --> 00:25:54.580 say, 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.800 every day of our lives 00:25:55.800 --> 00:25:56.800 we seek to be changed 00:25:56.800 --> 00:25:57.360 by grace 00:25:57.360 --> 00:25:58.519 and to be turned 00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:59.440 more toward the heart 00:25:59.440 --> 00:25:59.880 of Jesus. 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.440 So we, 00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:03.120 those of us 00:26:03.120 --> 00:26:03.880 who may have thought 00:26:03.880 --> 00:26:04.200 of ourselves 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:04.640 as Christians 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:05.160 for many, 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:05.320 many, 00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:05.759 many years, 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:06.800 we are in need 00:26:06.800 --> 00:26:08.420 of continual conversion, 00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:09.820 right? 00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:10.480 And thank God 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:11.460 the word of God 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:12.200 is not bound 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:13.940 because it makes 00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:14.600 that possible. 00:26:15.140 --> 00:26:15.740 There are also, 00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:16.340 by the way, 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:18.000 children and youth 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:18.640 in our midst. 00:26:19.620 --> 00:26:20.740 Our primary 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:22.460 evangelistic responsibility 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.519 is to them. 00:26:24.820 --> 00:26:25.800 It's to them. 00:26:26.840 --> 00:26:27.740 It's often said 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:28.180 in the church 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:29.800 that the church 00:26:29.800 --> 00:26:31.019 is one generation 00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:31.860 away from extension. 00:26:33.360 --> 00:26:33.980 I don't know 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:35.000 if that's entirely true, 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:36.480 but don't miss 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.100 the point there. 00:26:37.099 --> 00:26:40.179 it is up 00:26:40.179 --> 00:26:41.059 to every generation 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:42.179 to pass on the faith 00:26:42.179 --> 00:26:43.059 to the next generation. 00:26:45.159 --> 00:26:45.759 That is one 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:46.219 of our primary 00:26:46.219 --> 00:26:46.839 responsibilities. 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:49.459 I think if we 00:26:49.459 --> 00:26:50.559 really believed that, 00:26:51.139 --> 00:26:51.859 we would be 00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:52.879 turning people away 00:26:52.879 --> 00:26:53.679 who want to work 00:26:53.679 --> 00:26:54.419 with our youth ministry. 00:26:54.899 --> 00:26:55.399 We would be 00:26:55.399 --> 00:26:56.319 turning people away 00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:57.099 who want to work 00:26:57.099 --> 00:26:57.659 with our kids. 00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.240 That's our, 00:26:59.459 --> 00:26:59.939 one of our 00:26:59.939 --> 00:27:00.819 top responsibilities. 00:27:02.679 --> 00:27:03.379 They need to be 00:27:03.379 --> 00:27:04.179 reached with the gospel. 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:05.879 And, 00:27:05.939 --> 00:27:06.399 and frankly, 00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:07.220 with all due respect, 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:09.060 there are people 00:27:09.060 --> 00:27:09.800 who come to church 00:27:09.800 --> 00:27:10.400 who assume 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:11.100 they are Christians 00:27:11.100 --> 00:27:11.820 who are not. 00:27:13.320 --> 00:27:14.380 They're not converted. 00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:17.300 Grew up going to church. 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.300 It's kind of what you do. 00:27:18.380 --> 00:27:19.400 It's what your family did. 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:21.240 But you're not converted. 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.220 You've never really 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:23.280 wrestled with your sin. 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.200 You've never really 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:24.680 repented. 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.620 You've never really 00:27:25.620 --> 00:27:26.580 experienced the grace 00:27:26.580 --> 00:27:27.440 of Jesus Christ. 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.720 And you need to be 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:31.540 reached with the gospel. 00:27:32.800 --> 00:27:33.780 So the point I'm trying 00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:34.579 to make is the work 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:35.279 of evangelism 00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:35.759 isn't something 00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:36.799 that we do out there 00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:38.279 or that certain people do. 00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:39.960 It is the work 00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:40.619 of the church. 00:27:41.160 --> 00:27:42.180 We're all responsible 00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:42.700 for it. 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:44.119 And it starts right here 00:27:44.119 --> 00:27:45.200 in this room with us. 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:47.079 And this is why 00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:47.960 Paul tells Timothy 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:48.599 in verse 2, 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:49.700 what you have heard 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.680 from me in the presence 00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.359 of many witnesses, 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:53.220 entrust to faithful men, 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:54.440 or that could be translated 00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:55.139 men and women, 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:55.839 anthropoi, 00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:57.319 faithful people 00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:58.480 is what the NIV says, 00:27:59.079 --> 00:28:00.160 entrust to faithful people 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:01.139 who will be able 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:02.440 to teach others also. 00:28:03.560 --> 00:28:04.220 So think about 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:05.220 how many generations, 00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:06.380 Jeff loves to ask 00:28:06.380 --> 00:28:06.920 this question 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:08.040 when we meet 00:28:08.040 --> 00:28:09.400 with our youth ministry leaders. 00:28:09.540 --> 00:28:10.460 He'll read this passage 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:11.020 and he'll say, 00:28:11.320 --> 00:28:12.960 how many generations 00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:13.700 are there, right? 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:14.100 How many, 00:28:14.360 --> 00:28:15.060 think about it, right? 00:28:15.420 --> 00:28:16.660 Christ passes this 00:28:16.660 --> 00:28:17.360 on to Paul. 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.500 Paul passes it 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:20.120 on to Timothy. 00:28:21.280 --> 00:28:22.200 Timothy passes it 00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:23.220 on to others 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:24.380 who are faithful 00:28:24.380 --> 00:28:25.460 and competent to teach, 00:28:25.800 --> 00:28:26.600 who then are meant 00:28:26.600 --> 00:28:27.280 to pass it on 00:28:27.280 --> 00:28:28.880 to yet more people, right? 00:28:29.340 --> 00:28:30.100 So you see generation 00:28:30.099 --> 00:28:30.699 after generation 00:28:30.699 --> 00:28:31.319 after generation 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:31.919 after generation 00:28:31.919 --> 00:28:32.819 passing on 00:28:32.819 --> 00:28:34.679 this body of teaching, right? 00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:36.899 So here's the principle. 00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:37.740 If you want to live 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.919 a full-fat faith, 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:40.439 if you want to be 00:28:40.439 --> 00:28:40.879 a healthy, 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:42.399 growing follower of Jesus, 00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:44.039 that involves 00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:45.019 both receiving 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:47.480 and reproducing. 00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:48.839 In other words, 00:28:48.879 --> 00:28:49.679 you should have people 00:28:49.679 --> 00:28:50.759 pouring into you 00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:52.539 and you should have people 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:54.119 into whom you are pouring, 00:28:54.959 --> 00:28:55.279 right? 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:56.379 You should always have people 00:28:56.379 --> 00:28:57.379 you're learning from 00:28:57.379 --> 00:28:59.319 and you should also have people 00:28:59.319 --> 00:29:00.720 you are investing in. 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:03.220 Now that doesn't mean 00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:04.079 that everybody's called 00:29:04.079 --> 00:29:04.619 to be a pastor, 00:29:04.899 --> 00:29:05.679 doesn't mean that everybody's 00:29:05.679 --> 00:29:06.319 called to be a teacher, 00:29:06.419 --> 00:29:06.679 a preacher, 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:07.879 that's a subset of people 00:29:07.879 --> 00:29:08.439 in the church 00:29:08.439 --> 00:29:09.919 and it's an important part. 00:29:10.359 --> 00:29:11.379 The principle though 00:29:11.379 --> 00:29:12.639 that applies to everybody 00:29:12.639 --> 00:29:13.779 is that we should always 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:14.299 have people 00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:15.159 that we are looking to 00:29:15.159 --> 00:29:15.960 and learning from 00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:17.519 and we should always have people 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:18.379 that we are pouring into 00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:19.099 and investing in. 00:29:19.899 --> 00:29:20.599 And that's true 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:21.359 for every Christian. 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:22.200 We need both. 00:29:23.159 --> 00:29:24.299 So I want to encourage you 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:25.659 to reflect on your own life. 00:29:26.159 --> 00:29:27.599 Who's investing in you? 00:29:27.599 --> 00:29:31.399 If you can't think of anybody, 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.659 I want you to spend 00:29:32.659 --> 00:29:33.259 some time on it 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:34.399 because there may very well 00:29:34.399 --> 00:29:35.359 be people who are 00:29:35.359 --> 00:29:35.899 that you're not, 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.639 you don't think of 00:29:36.639 --> 00:29:37.379 in that category 00:29:37.379 --> 00:29:39.219 because you're not sitting down 00:29:39.219 --> 00:29:40.359 every week at a coffee shop 00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:41.699 talking about how your week went. 00:29:42.219 --> 00:29:43.079 But that's not really 00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:44.099 what we're talking about here. 00:29:44.679 --> 00:29:46.859 Who has taken an active 00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:47.959 and vested interest 00:29:47.959 --> 00:29:49.339 in your spiritual life? 00:29:51.639 --> 00:29:53.599 Who out there is praying for you? 00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:55.359 Who cares about 00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:56.139 how your relationship 00:29:56.140 --> 00:29:56.900 with God is going? 00:29:58.520 --> 00:29:58.860 Right? 00:29:59.380 --> 00:30:00.880 If you can't think of anybody, 00:30:01.680 --> 00:30:02.240 make that one 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:03.020 of your top priorities. 00:30:03.340 --> 00:30:04.200 This is why, friends, 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:05.060 we have core groups. 00:30:06.380 --> 00:30:07.060 So I would say 00:30:07.060 --> 00:30:07.660 if you're not in one, 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.540 join a core group. 00:30:09.060 --> 00:30:10.280 Immediately you have people 00:30:10.280 --> 00:30:11.020 who are there 00:30:11.020 --> 00:30:12.220 partly because they 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:13.000 want to know 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:14.000 and invest in 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:15.160 your spiritual well-being. 00:30:15.640 --> 00:30:16.380 That's the whole point 00:30:16.380 --> 00:30:16.860 of a core group. 00:30:17.860 --> 00:30:19.140 Our expectation and hope 00:30:19.140 --> 00:30:19.840 is that even though 00:30:19.840 --> 00:30:20.740 I know it's logistical, 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:22.040 you know, 00:30:22.040 --> 00:30:23.480 challenging and all of that, 00:30:23.940 --> 00:30:25.200 is that everybody 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:25.940 who's a member or regular 00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:26.660 or attendee of our church 00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:27.559 would be part of a core group. 00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:28.940 If there's not a core group 00:30:28.940 --> 00:30:30.080 near you or that's accessible, 00:30:30.460 --> 00:30:30.920 talk to us 00:30:30.920 --> 00:30:31.500 and let's talk about 00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.640 starting one next semester. 00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.559 You could also 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.660 prayerfully seek out 00:30:36.660 --> 00:30:37.559 one or two other 00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:38.380 mature believers 00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:38.980 in the church 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:39.559 and just say, 00:30:39.660 --> 00:30:40.620 hey, could we get together 00:30:40.620 --> 00:30:41.700 from time to time 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.440 for a season? 00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:43.740 Let's try it. 00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:44.559 You know, 00:30:44.600 --> 00:30:45.279 let's get together 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:46.000 until December. 00:30:46.100 --> 00:30:46.680 Let's get together 00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:47.420 until May. 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:48.759 And maybe we could 00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:49.279 read the Bible. 00:30:49.600 --> 00:30:50.120 Maybe we could read 00:30:50.120 --> 00:30:51.539 another Christian book together. 00:30:51.660 --> 00:30:52.200 Maybe we could 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:53.940 just spend time in prayer 00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:55.380 or do daily prayer together. 00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:56.019 Maybe we could do 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:56.819 the Ignatian exam. 00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.680 And there are things 00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:59.640 that you can do together 00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:01.600 to simply have people 00:31:01.600 --> 00:31:02.220 who know you 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:03.160 have an active interest 00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:04.640 in your spiritual life. 00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:05.740 And then I would ask 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.900 the flip side of this, 00:31:07.080 --> 00:31:08.279 who are you investing in? 00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:10.900 If there's no one, 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:12.240 I would say make that 00:31:12.240 --> 00:31:13.120 one of your top priorities. 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:13.920 And the first thing 00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:14.240 you can do 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:15.080 is just start praying. 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:16.180 Start praying 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:17.059 and asking God 00:31:17.059 --> 00:31:18.299 to put somebody 00:31:18.299 --> 00:31:18.779 on your heart. 00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:21.039 Just say, 00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:21.279 God, 00:31:21.379 --> 00:31:22.420 I want to invest 00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:22.899 in somebody 00:31:22.899 --> 00:31:24.920 and I don't even know 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:25.539 what that looks like, 00:31:25.619 --> 00:31:28.460 but please help this happen. 00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:29.819 Please bring somebody 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:30.539 to mind, right? 00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:31.920 And let me just demystify 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:32.579 this whole thing. 00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:34.119 You do not need 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:34.759 special training 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:35.259 or expertise 00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:36.240 to do this kind of thing. 00:31:36.879 --> 00:31:37.839 You don't need to be ready 00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:38.940 to answer somebody's questions. 00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:39.639 You don't need to be 00:31:39.639 --> 00:31:40.500 full of life wisdom 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:41.019 to tell them 00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:41.539 how to navigate 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.740 all of life's 00:31:42.740 --> 00:31:43.579 turns and twists. 00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:45.160 Frankly, 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:45.599 if you're doing 00:31:45.599 --> 00:31:46.200 that kind of thing, 00:31:46.379 --> 00:31:47.960 you're kind of missing the point. 00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:48.519 People think 00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:49.240 that that's what they want, 00:31:49.319 --> 00:31:49.880 but that's really 00:31:49.880 --> 00:31:50.600 not what we need. 00:31:52.019 --> 00:31:52.279 You know, 00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:53.720 here's what you need 00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:54.160 to be able to do. 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:54.680 Just take 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:56.840 an active interest 00:31:56.840 --> 00:31:57.620 in that person's 00:31:57.620 --> 00:31:58.259 spiritual growth. 00:31:58.740 --> 00:31:59.840 Just care about it. 00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:02.480 Just care about it. 00:32:03.840 --> 00:32:04.440 Listen well, 00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:06.519 which means 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:08.640 do more question asking 00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:09.160 and listening 00:32:09.160 --> 00:32:11.059 than answering. 00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:13.039 You know, 00:32:13.100 --> 00:32:13.640 be judicious 00:32:13.640 --> 00:32:14.380 with your answers. 00:32:15.700 --> 00:32:16.600 One of the best things 00:32:16.600 --> 00:32:17.039 you can do 00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:17.660 is just the phrase, 00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:18.259 tell me more. 00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:20.080 Tell me more. 00:32:20.580 --> 00:32:21.019 Tell me more. 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:24.600 Pray for that person. 00:32:25.740 --> 00:32:25.940 Hey, 00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:26.519 I'm gonna pray for you 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:26.960 every morning 00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:27.700 when I wake up. 00:32:28.060 --> 00:32:28.779 You're on my list. 00:32:29.380 --> 00:32:30.000 I'm gonna pray for you 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:30.400 every morning. 00:32:30.560 --> 00:32:31.180 That's all you need. 00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:34.779 We can't cause growth 00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.420 in another person. 00:32:35.480 --> 00:32:36.140 The Bible's pretty clear 00:32:36.140 --> 00:32:36.580 about that. 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:38.360 Only God can do that. 00:32:38.860 --> 00:32:39.680 What we can do 00:32:39.680 --> 00:32:41.200 is create the conditions 00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:41.680 where growth 00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:42.600 is more likely to happen. 00:32:43.400 --> 00:32:44.140 We can plant, 00:32:44.220 --> 00:32:44.759 we can water, 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:45.879 right? 00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:47.759 We can create the time 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.259 and the space 00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:49.079 where we're getting together. 00:32:49.819 --> 00:32:50.720 But God's gonna do 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.500 what God's gonna do. 00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:52.420 And God's gonna do 00:32:52.420 --> 00:32:53.319 what only God can do. 00:32:55.779 --> 00:32:56.379 So friends, 00:32:56.460 --> 00:32:57.559 as we kind of step back 00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:58.339 and look at this passage 00:32:58.339 --> 00:32:58.900 as a whole, 00:32:59.099 --> 00:33:00.359 there is an invitation here. 00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:01.819 There's an invitation 00:33:01.819 --> 00:33:03.500 to a full-fat faith, 00:33:04.399 --> 00:33:04.619 right? 00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:05.740 There's an invitation 00:33:05.740 --> 00:33:08.619 to aiming our lives 00:33:08.619 --> 00:33:09.220 toward Jesus 00:33:09.220 --> 00:33:10.339 and giving it all we've got. 00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:11.899 There's an invitation 00:33:11.899 --> 00:33:13.439 to learning how to depend 00:33:13.439 --> 00:33:14.159 on the strength 00:33:14.159 --> 00:33:14.759 that comes 00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:16.740 from the grace 00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:17.939 that God provides. 00:33:19.879 --> 00:33:21.039 And there's an invitation 00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:24.439 to reorder your priorities 00:33:24.439 --> 00:33:25.519 so that you are 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:28.960 being invested in 00:33:28.960 --> 00:33:29.899 and so that you are pouring 00:33:29.899 --> 00:33:30.899 into the lives of others. 00:33:31.819 --> 00:33:33.039 And if you want 00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:34.500 this kind of faith, 00:33:34.619 --> 00:33:35.019 then you are 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:35.899 in the right place, 00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:36.980 right? 00:33:37.079 --> 00:33:38.500 This is what we are committed 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:40.099 to here at Advent. 00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:41.139 And I believe 00:33:41.139 --> 00:33:42.119 it's only going to become 00:33:42.119 --> 00:33:43.019 more true, 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:44.879 more realizable, 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:45.939 more possible 00:33:45.939 --> 00:33:47.759 in the coming years 00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:48.200 as we move 00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:48.799 to our new home. 00:33:49.319 --> 00:33:49.779 Let's pray. 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:52.599 Lord, we thank you 00:33:52.599 --> 00:33:53.619 and we praise you. 00:33:54.019 --> 00:33:54.919 May these words 00:33:54.919 --> 00:33:55.859 prepare us 00:33:55.859 --> 00:33:56.759 to receive you. 00:33:56.759 --> 00:34:00.259 there is no one here, 00:34:00.359 --> 00:34:00.940 I believe, 00:34:01.140 --> 00:34:02.200 who does not feel 00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:03.539 the need for strength. 00:34:04.299 --> 00:34:05.379 We need to be strengthened. 00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:07.460 We pray, Lord, 00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:08.579 that as we pray, 00:34:08.780 --> 00:34:09.679 as we sing, 00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:10.840 as we open your word, 00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:11.980 and as we receive 00:34:11.980 --> 00:34:13.239 your body and blood, 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:13.460 Lord, 00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:14.079 we pray 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:15.599 for that strength 00:34:15.599 --> 00:34:17.099 to come 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:19.360 that we might glorify you 00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:20.400 not only with our obedience 00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.280 and faithfulness, 00:34:21.280 --> 00:34:22.860 but because we are 00:34:22.860 --> 00:34:24.140 entirely dependent on you. 00:34:24.700 --> 00:34:25.640 And it's in your son's 00:34:25.640 --> 00:34:26.500 holy name that we pray. 00:34:26.640 --> 00:34:26.860 Amen.