WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.919 Good morning. This January, we will introduce a few faithful followers of Christ, which is in our era, closer to our time, and who have run the race of faith. 00:00:16.320 --> 00:00:29.260 Today, I will present a German pastor and theologian who was imprisoned and later martyred near the end of World War II for plotting to assassinate Hitler. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.039 His name is Dietrich Bonhoeffer. 00:00:38.480 --> 00:00:50.859 During his imprisonment, the guards were friendly to him and secretly took him to the cells of desperate, dismaying prisoners to minister to them. 00:00:51.700 --> 00:01:02.439 They preserved his papers, essays, and poems, and even established a complete secret career service to his family and friends outside. 00:01:02.439 --> 00:01:10.859 And before his imprisonment, he was a senior minister in Barcelona, in England, also back in Germany. 00:01:11.400 --> 00:01:25.799 And he taught at a Bible college in New York for a year in 1930, where he saw firsthand the struggle of the black Christians and the fight for equality in a so-called Christian nation. 00:01:25.799 --> 00:01:33.019 He also traveled and preached even to Havana, Cuba. 00:01:33.599 --> 00:01:42.140 He was contemporary with Karl Barth and Gandhi in India, and he was there when the wars went up in Berlin. 00:01:42.140 --> 00:01:51.560 He also traveled and transferred to Vossenburg in the last few weeks of his life. 00:01:52.120 --> 00:01:54.719 They cut off all his contact with the outside world. 00:01:55.540 --> 00:02:05.359 And he spent those few weeks with men and women of many nationalities, Russian, Englishmen, Frenchmen, Italians, and German. 00:02:05.359 --> 00:02:09.419 One of them, an English officer, wrote, 00:02:10.340 --> 00:02:18.699 Bonhoeffer always seems to me to spread an amnesty of happiness and joy over the least incident, 00:02:19.419 --> 00:02:23.419 and profound gratitude for the mere fact that he was alive. 00:02:23.819 --> 00:02:30.360 He was one of the very few persons I have ever met for whom God is real and always near. 00:02:30.360 --> 00:02:39.600 Bonhoeffer's parting word to this Englishman, as he was led out by two civilians to face a gallop, was, 00:02:40.140 --> 00:02:43.880 This is the end, but for me, it's the beginning of life. 00:02:45.340 --> 00:02:50.640 A few years after his execution in the concentration camp at Vossenburg, 00:02:51.100 --> 00:02:55.040 a nearby church unveiled a tablet with this inscription, 00:02:55.039 --> 00:03:02.840 which translates to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a witness of Jesus Christ among his brethren. 00:03:03.439 --> 00:03:12.439 Born February 4, 1906, in Breslau, and died April 9, 1945, in Vossenburg. 00:03:13.639 --> 00:03:22.859 Bonhoeffer left a legacy of writing that has become a prized testimony of faith and courage for Christians worldwide. 00:03:22.860 --> 00:03:27.700 Bonhoeffer's most widely read book called The Discipleship begins, 00:03:28.600 --> 00:03:31.960 Cheap grace is a mortal enemy of our church. 00:03:32.420 --> 00:03:34.900 Our struggle today is for costly grace. 00:03:35.740 --> 00:03:38.220 So he's the first one that uses the term cheap grace. 00:03:38.840 --> 00:03:42.060 And today, I will mainly refer to a book called Life Together, 00:03:43.060 --> 00:03:46.000 where he opens with the psalm that we read just then, 00:03:46.560 --> 00:03:50.540 how great and present it is with God's people who live together in unity. 00:03:50.539 --> 00:03:56.219 Life Together is an inspiring account of a unique fellowship 00:03:56.219 --> 00:04:02.180 in an underground ceremony during the Nazi years in Germany. 00:04:03.219 --> 00:04:09.659 It can be treated as a bread for all people hungry for the real life of Christian fellowship. 00:04:10.680 --> 00:04:14.539 The publisher suggested every Christian should make it their resolution 00:04:14.539 --> 00:04:18.420 resolution to read Life Together at the beginning of every year, 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:20.000 which I could not agree more. 00:04:20.980 --> 00:04:25.319 Reading it will help us to reset our expectation and understanding 00:04:25.319 --> 00:04:28.699 of what genuine Christian fellowship is all about, 00:04:29.099 --> 00:04:33.439 and allow us to refocus on our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:33.439 --> 00:04:39.120 Our current preaching series is based on Hebrews 12, 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:41.120 verse 1 to 3, where it says, 00:04:41.120 --> 00:04:46.339 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 00:04:46.980 --> 00:04:51.220 let's throw off everything that hinder and the sin that so easily entangle, 00:04:51.699 --> 00:04:54.939 and let's run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 00:04:55.600 --> 00:05:00.000 Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:03.360 for the joy set before him, he endued the cross, 00:05:03.860 --> 00:05:07.920 scorned his shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 00:05:08.540 --> 00:05:11.980 Consider him who endures such opposition from sinners, 00:05:12.279 --> 00:05:15.600 so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 00:05:17.300 --> 00:05:23.040 So many situations in life can cause us to grow weary and lose our hearts, 00:05:23.040 --> 00:05:28.500 especially when we are facing now living in COVID. 00:05:28.900 --> 00:05:33.140 I remember it was about beginning or mid last year 00:05:33.140 --> 00:05:38.780 that I accepted that there will not be a post-COVID time soon, 00:05:39.320 --> 00:05:43.540 and we are to live with the realization that the virus will not go away, 00:05:43.980 --> 00:05:47.759 which helped me to face the daily life with renewed energy. 00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:54.319 I find Bonhoeffer's life together helpful also in providing two crucial realizations. 00:05:55.620 --> 00:05:59.240 A Christian comes together only through Jesus Christ, 00:05:59.519 --> 00:06:02.560 and a Christian needs others because of Jesus Christ. 00:06:03.939 --> 00:06:08.800 Apostle John reminded us in 1 John 4, 7-10 that, 00:06:09.300 --> 00:06:13.079 Dear friend, let's love one another, for love comes from God. 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:16.360 Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:20.699 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 00:06:21.340 --> 00:06:23.660 This is how God showed his love among us. 00:06:23.920 --> 00:06:27.879 He sent his one and only Son into the world, that we might live through him. 00:06:28.500 --> 00:06:29.240 This is love. 00:06:29.660 --> 00:06:35.759 Not that we love God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 00:06:36.780 --> 00:06:40.100 We have just celebrated the birth of Christ a few weeks ago. 00:06:40.100 --> 00:06:47.360 I hope amidst all the hassle and best of gift weapon, gift giving, and abundant visiting, 00:06:47.820 --> 00:06:51.900 you have a chance to stop and think about the meaning of Christmas. 00:06:52.860 --> 00:06:56.420 Christmas is how God showed his love among us, 00:06:56.660 --> 00:07:02.560 by sending his one and only Son into the world as an atoning sacrifice for our sin, 00:07:02.980 --> 00:07:06.660 so that we might live through him and love one another. 00:07:06.660 --> 00:07:13.480 Christians love one another and live through Jesus Christ is a given and non-negotiable. 00:07:14.060 --> 00:07:19.940 The implication of these verses is striking, especially in verse 7 and 8. 00:07:21.380 --> 00:07:28.040 If the characteristic of your life is not a God-like love that even cares for its enemy, 00:07:28.680 --> 00:07:29.840 then you don't know God. 00:07:29.839 --> 00:07:35.779 And by logical extension, you have not been born of God. 00:07:36.179 --> 00:07:36.479 Why? 00:07:36.959 --> 00:07:38.739 Because God is love. 00:07:40.599 --> 00:07:46.500 It's God's very character, essence, and nature to love. 00:07:47.379 --> 00:07:48.919 And as verse 10 demonstrates, 00:07:49.159 --> 00:07:55.099 God seeks the best for us, even at high cost and expenses to himself. 00:07:55.100 --> 00:08:01.840 If you have been struggling to hold a God-like love towards others, 00:08:02.420 --> 00:08:06.320 especially those you consider undeserving of your affection, 00:08:07.180 --> 00:08:11.960 those you have a legitimate, justifying reason to withheld your love, 00:08:12.640 --> 00:08:18.000 now is the time to question those reasons in light of what God has done for you 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:21.060 in Jesus Christ to free you to love. 00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:28.079 Christians living under the love of God and others in a free country like Australia 00:08:28.079 --> 00:08:32.120 face another challenge in their relationship. 00:08:33.200 --> 00:08:39.399 We can take it for granted that Christians have the privilege of living among other Christians. 00:08:40.240 --> 00:08:41.720 At the beginning of Life Together, 00:08:42.059 --> 00:08:47.620 Bonhoeffer provides a timely reminder of what God has done through Jesus for us. 00:08:47.620 --> 00:09:17.600 It says, 00:09:17.620 --> 00:09:30.279 Let me encourage you to read through and mark the teaching of Hebrews 12 again, 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:35.259 to fix your eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross and strong its shame. 00:09:36.259 --> 00:09:40.779 Consider him, our Lord Jesus, who endured such opposition from sinners, 00:09:41.320 --> 00:09:44.200 so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 00:09:44.200 --> 00:09:50.680 Keep spreading the good news of God's salvation and bring many people into the fellowship of God. 00:09:51.520 --> 00:09:59.400 The tremendous and challenging application of this command is that we must go to those who do not want us there. 00:10:00.560 --> 00:10:03.780 We must share the gospel they don't want to hear. 00:10:04.360 --> 00:10:08.120 We must love those who may hate and even kill us in return, 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:14.080 because Jesus connected us to him and each other through the new birth. 00:10:14.600 --> 00:10:18.120 We must live like Jesus among our friends and enemies. 00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:20.960 And that's what Bonhoeffer did. 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:25.940 Bonhoeffer saw Christian fellowship as a gift of grace, 00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:31.440 a gift of the kingdom of God that any day may be taken from us. 00:10:31.440 --> 00:10:38.380 Therefore, let him who until now has had the privilege of living a common Christian life, 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:42.520 reviled a Christian, praise God's grace from the bottom of his heart. 00:10:42.940 --> 00:10:45.240 Let him thank God on his knee and declare, 00:10:45.660 --> 00:10:47.520 this is grace, nothing but grace, 00:10:47.920 --> 00:10:51.080 that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brethren. 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:56.379 Bonhoeffer saw Christian come together only through Jesus Christ, 00:10:56.840 --> 00:11:02.639 because without Christ, there's a discord between God and man, 00:11:02.940 --> 00:11:04.440 and between man and man. 00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:10.220 Christ become the mediator and make peace with God among men. 00:11:10.920 --> 00:11:13.780 Without Christ, we shall not know God. 00:11:14.700 --> 00:11:18.160 We will not call upon him nor come to him. 00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:22.679 And without Christ, we also would not know our brothers and sisters, 00:11:23.159 --> 00:11:24.299 nor can we go to them. 00:11:25.939 --> 00:11:28.860 Christ broke down all those barriers 00:11:28.860 --> 00:11:34.299 and made it possible for God and man and men and men to reconcile. 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:40.379 So Christ should be the only reason that Christians come together in fellowship. 00:11:42.079 --> 00:11:47.720 Christian fellowship is not some extraordinary social experience, 00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:50.480 or some wishful idea of religious fellowship. 00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:57.480 The only reason that Christians come together in fellowship should be Christ. 00:12:01.339 --> 00:12:07.959 John 17, 23 recorded Jesus' prayer for all his believers before he died. 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:10.399 He said, he prayed, 00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:12.679 My prayer is not for them alone. 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:16.779 I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 00:12:17.399 --> 00:12:18.799 that all of them may be one. 00:12:19.319 --> 00:12:22.759 Father, just as you are in me and I am in you, 00:12:23.439 --> 00:12:24.899 may they also be in us, 00:12:25.220 --> 00:12:28.000 so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:31.139 I have given them the glory that you gave me, 00:12:31.579 --> 00:12:33.340 that they may be one as we are one, 00:12:34.439 --> 00:12:36.159 I in them and you in me, 00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:38.980 so that they may be brought to complete unity. 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:41.740 Then the world will know that you sent me 00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:44.379 and have loved them even as you have loved me. 00:12:45.519 --> 00:12:48.879 Jesus prays for you, me, and all believers 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:52.600 to be as one as the Triune God, 00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:54.600 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:12:56.600 --> 00:13:00.439 The Triune God is one in perfect unity. 00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:03.980 He has been working since that prayer 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:05.940 to bring us, bring his follower 00:13:05.940 --> 00:13:09.320 to the oneness of unity through his Spirit. 00:13:10.180 --> 00:13:12.340 The Spirit that he gave us 00:13:12.340 --> 00:13:16.320 to help us to know that we live in him and he in us. 00:13:18.020 --> 00:13:20.680 As I say in 1 John 4, 13, 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:24.960 Jesus creates a community for us 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:27.180 to acknowledge our need for each other 00:13:27.179 --> 00:13:31.639 and in turn, draw us into the perfect unity he prayed for. 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:35.159 Jesus Christ puts Christians together 00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:38.099 to testify and reveal to each other 00:13:38.099 --> 00:13:40.899 the works God has done in their life. 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:45.620 Bonhoeffer illustrated the fantastic mechanic 00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:47.339 of this working among Christians. 00:13:48.599 --> 00:13:48.959 He said, 00:13:48.959 --> 00:13:52.159 God has put the work of God in Jesus Christ 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:54.599 into the mouth of men and women 00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:58.420 so that they communicate and share them to others. 00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:01.779 When the word of God strikes one person, 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:03.500 he speaks it out to others. 00:14:04.940 --> 00:14:08.639 God willed us to seek and find his living word 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:10.340 in the witness of others, 00:14:10.800 --> 00:14:12.500 in the mouth of a fellow human. 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:16.000 Therefore, Christians need another Christian 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:17.940 who speaks God's word to them. 00:14:18.540 --> 00:14:21.259 They need another Christian again and again 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:23.820 when they become uncertain and discouraged. 00:14:23.820 --> 00:14:27.520 For they cannot, we as Christians cannot, 00:14:27.520 --> 00:14:30.660 help ourselves without belaying the truth. 00:14:31.340 --> 00:14:32.640 Christians need other Christians 00:14:32.640 --> 00:14:34.940 as bearer and proclaimer 00:14:34.940 --> 00:14:36.900 of the divine word of salvation. 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:40.700 We need other Christians solely because Jesus Christ. 00:14:42.040 --> 00:14:43.420 Bonhoeffer highlighted that 00:14:43.420 --> 00:14:46.360 the Christ in our heart is weaker 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:49.160 than the Christ in the word of other believers. 00:14:50.320 --> 00:14:52.120 When our own heart is uncertain, 00:14:52.120 --> 00:14:55.320 the word of Christ come from other Christians is sure. 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:59.200 When Apostle John said in verse 12, 00:14:59.700 --> 00:15:01.039 no one has ever seen God, 00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:02.639 but if we love one another, 00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:07.279 God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 00:15:07.820 --> 00:15:11.259 It means that when Christians love one another, 00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:14.220 that mutual Christian love is evident 00:15:14.220 --> 00:15:15.960 that the unseen God, 00:15:16.460 --> 00:15:18.220 who was once revealed in his Son, 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:20.100 is now shown to his people. 00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:24.120 Christians need each other to make visible 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:25.540 the invisible God 00:15:25.540 --> 00:15:28.320 that this world so desperately need to see 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:29.100 and come to know. 00:15:31.100 --> 00:15:32.200 Bonhoeffer taught that 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:34.000 the goal of all Christian community 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:37.519 of living a common life in God's word 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:39.200 is to meet one another 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:41.600 as bringers of salvation, 00:15:41.899 --> 00:15:43.399 of message of salvation. 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:46.319 God permits us to meet together 00:15:46.319 --> 00:15:49.379 and give us a fellowship of a community of believers 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:50.699 for that purpose, 00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:55.519 for us to bring the message of salvation to each other. 00:15:56.600 --> 00:16:00.199 He makes it necessary for us to meet each other. 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:04.740 Is that what you have imagined 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:06.400 for a Christian community? 00:16:07.280 --> 00:16:09.860 A place for you to be Jesus to others, 00:16:10.340 --> 00:16:12.520 to bring the message of salvation, 00:16:13.520 --> 00:16:15.460 helping others to understand the gospel, 00:16:16.040 --> 00:16:19.340 the great news of justification through grace alone. 00:16:20.300 --> 00:16:22.740 God's grace is the basis of the longing 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:24.780 of Christ for one another. 00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:31.419 If you have not been actively seeking 00:16:31.419 --> 00:16:32.899 to join a Christ-loving, 00:16:33.339 --> 00:16:34.459 life-changing community 00:16:34.459 --> 00:16:36.639 and have been missing in action 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:39.360 in fellowshipping with other Christians regularly 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:41.500 outside Sunday corporate service, 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:43.360 in that case, 00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:45.199 you are fighting with Jesus 00:16:45.199 --> 00:16:47.039 in his plan for you 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:48.100 to be one with other. 00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:50.100 You are running in the opposite direction 00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:52.139 in the race of faith. 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:56.279 It's time to stop fighting with God 00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:58.379 for whatever reason you might have 00:16:58.379 --> 00:17:01.860 of not joining in building a community 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:02.980 of followers of Christ. 00:17:03.580 --> 00:17:04.720 As Bonhoeffer puts it, 00:17:05.559 --> 00:17:09.440 Christianity means community through Jesus Christ 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:11.019 and in Jesus Christ. 00:17:13.380 --> 00:17:16.920 If you are not regularly in a community of Christians, 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:19.840 you are not living your Christian life properly. 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:24.560 To Bonhoeffer, 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:28.660 when God's Son took on flesh, 00:17:29.420 --> 00:17:31.779 He truly and boldly took on 00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:33.240 our pure grace, 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.380 our being, 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.460 our nature, 00:17:35.840 --> 00:17:36.279 ourselves. 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:38.920 This was the eternal counsel 00:17:38.920 --> 00:17:40.240 of the giant God. 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:42.039 Now we are in Him, 00:17:42.560 --> 00:17:43.340 where He is. 00:17:44.320 --> 00:17:45.140 There we are too, 00:17:45.140 --> 00:17:46.820 in the incarnation, 00:17:47.600 --> 00:17:48.259 in the cross, 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:49.560 in His resurrection. 00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:51.100 We belong to Him 00:17:51.100 --> 00:17:52.560 because we are in Him. 00:17:53.120 --> 00:17:55.460 That is why the Scripture 00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:57.100 calls us the body of Christ. 00:17:58.740 --> 00:18:00.000 As the body of Christ, 00:18:00.360 --> 00:18:01.880 we are called to live in unity. 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.100 However, 00:18:03.640 --> 00:18:04.520 looking through the Bible 00:18:04.520 --> 00:18:05.600 and world history, 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:07.759 unity among God's people 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:09.420 was very short-lived 00:18:09.420 --> 00:18:10.820 and imperfect. 00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:15.099 But the absence of unity 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:16.839 is the best teacher 00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:18.500 of the blessing of unity. 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:21.419 Looking back at the last section 00:18:21.419 --> 00:18:22.939 of our text today 00:18:22.939 --> 00:18:25.159 from 1 John 4, 00:18:25.659 --> 00:18:26.899 starting from verse 17, 00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:30.500 this is how love is made complete among us, 00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:32.299 so that we will have confidence 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:33.759 on the date of judgment. 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:35.740 In this world, 00:18:35.879 --> 00:18:36.759 we are like Jesus. 00:18:36.759 --> 00:18:39.759 There is no fear in love, 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:42.180 but perfect love drives out fear 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:44.279 because fear has to do with punishment. 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:45.920 The one who fears 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:47.599 is not made perfect in love. 00:18:48.180 --> 00:18:51.079 We love because He first loved us. 00:18:51.640 --> 00:18:53.519 Whoever claims to love God 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:55.119 yet hates his brother or sister 00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:55.839 is a liar. 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:57.680 For whoever does not love 00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:58.740 their brother and sister 00:18:58.740 --> 00:19:01.420 whom they have seen 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:02.960 cannot love God 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.059 whom they have not seen. 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:05.659 And this is, 00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:08.319 He has given us this command. 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.859 Anyone who loves God 00:19:09.859 --> 00:19:10.740 must also love 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:11.940 their brother and sisters. 00:19:13.379 --> 00:19:14.240 Too often, 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:19.399 Christians are not known 00:19:19.399 --> 00:19:21.859 for the love of others 00:19:21.859 --> 00:19:22.539 or unity. 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:24.119 Sometimes, 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:25.259 these criticisms 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:26.700 are unjustified. 00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:28.019 But unfortunately, 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:29.279 at other times, 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:30.919 we are guilty as charged 00:19:30.919 --> 00:19:32.700 that we are not known 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.879 for our love for each other 00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:34.900 and for our unity. 00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:37.880 And this is often manifest 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:39.740 in our Christian relationship 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:41.880 with our leaders. 00:19:43.020 --> 00:19:43.860 A common mistake 00:19:43.860 --> 00:19:44.540 of a Christian 00:19:44.540 --> 00:19:45.600 is to think that 00:19:45.600 --> 00:19:47.260 our pastor and minister 00:19:47.260 --> 00:19:49.020 are there to take care of us, 00:19:49.560 --> 00:19:50.900 that they do not need 00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:51.820 our encouragement. 00:19:53.040 --> 00:19:53.900 They are there to show 00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:54.900 God's love to us. 00:19:55.360 --> 00:19:55.720 However, 00:19:56.080 --> 00:19:57.040 they are also there 00:19:57.040 --> 00:19:58.100 to correct us 00:19:58.100 --> 00:19:59.220 and set us straight. 00:20:00.060 --> 00:20:01.780 We have an unhealthy sense 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:03.180 of fear and worry 00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:04.940 about being corrected. 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:07.779 We grow a love-hate relationship 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:09.440 with those God put 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:09.779 into authority 00:20:10.299 --> 00:20:11.480 in our life. 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:14.339 And we end up fighting 00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:16.319 with and not fighting 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:17.920 for our pastors. 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:21.800 If we claim to love God 00:20:21.800 --> 00:20:22.700 yet hate the brother 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.240 or sister, 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:24.080 we are liars. 00:20:24.560 --> 00:20:25.400 If we do not love 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:27.880 those who we see daily, 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:29.420 how can we love God 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:30.660 whom we have not seen, 00:20:31.080 --> 00:20:32.140 especially those God 00:20:32.140 --> 00:20:33.100 put into our life 00:20:33.100 --> 00:20:34.019 to lead us? 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:35.800 That's why I got 00:20:35.800 --> 00:20:36.820 a little gift for everyone. 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.720 I bought it for you, 00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:39.200 okay? 00:20:39.560 --> 00:20:40.259 Out of my own pocket. 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:42.580 But because I found 00:20:42.580 --> 00:20:43.740 this very, very helpful, 00:20:44.360 --> 00:20:45.259 I really want you 00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:45.920 to read this. 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:47.580 I believe this book, 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:49.340 Fight for Your Pastor, 00:20:49.860 --> 00:20:50.960 written by Peter Orr, 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:52.400 which is a New Testament lecturer 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:53.580 at Moore College, 00:20:54.080 --> 00:20:55.820 is an excellent companion 00:20:55.820 --> 00:20:56.980 to the book 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:58.160 of Life Together, 00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.900 written by Bonhoeffer. 00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:03.100 Please take this home. 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:04.900 I left one 00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:05.940 in each alternative seat. 00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:07.960 If you don't have one, 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.380 grab the one 00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:09.960 in front of you 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:10.660 or come over here. 00:21:10.800 --> 00:21:12.360 There's more down here 00:21:12.360 --> 00:21:12.920 in the box. 00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:15.600 Please take this. 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:16.599 Read it at least 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:17.199 once a year. 00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:19.339 We want you to learn 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:20.399 from this book. 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.259 There are seven 00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:23.519 action points for us 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:27.740 to care for our pastor. 00:21:28.959 --> 00:21:29.439 Fight, 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:30.659 encourage, 00:21:31.439 --> 00:21:31.980 listen, 00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:32.919 give, 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:33.740 forgive, 00:21:34.439 --> 00:21:34.819 submit, 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:35.539 and check. 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:38.480 This may not come naturally, 00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:40.019 but they are vital 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:41.599 for our Christian community 00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:43.779 to have a healthy relationship 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:45.619 between those who are leading 00:21:45.619 --> 00:21:47.220 and those who are following. 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:49.359 These seven actions 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:50.799 will provide 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:51.960 an excellent balance 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:53.619 to what Bonhoeffer has said 00:21:53.619 --> 00:21:55.440 about what a Christian leader 00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:55.980 should do 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:57.220 in the fellowship of Christ. 00:21:58.339 --> 00:21:59.660 And as we consider 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:00.740 how we should run 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.599 the race of faith, 00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:03.579 resetting our expectation 00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:04.480 and understanding 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.599 of what genuine 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:06.619 Christian fellowship 00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.899 is all about, 00:22:08.559 --> 00:22:09.759 allow ourselves 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.940 to refocus 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:12.160 on our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:22:13.140 --> 00:22:14.220 Let's also consider 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:15.500 how we are 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:17.180 to care for 00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:18.119 those God put 00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:19.000 into our life 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:20.200 to guide and lead us. 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:23.079 My wish for everyone 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:23.980 in 2023 00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:24.779 is the same 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.640 as Paul's word 00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:26.879 to the brothers and sisters 00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:27.440 in Corinth. 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:29.720 I hope you memorize 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:30.400 this verse 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:31.440 for this year. 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:33.460 It's from 1 Corinthians 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.880 chapter 10, 31. 00:22:36.140 --> 00:22:37.320 Maybe you can read it together. 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:38.900 So, 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.960 whether you eat 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:41.920 or drink 00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:43.539 or whatever you do, 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:44.680 do it all 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:46.200 for the glory of God. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.279 Whether you eat 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:48.980 or drink 00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:50.380 or whatever you do, 00:22:50.840 --> 00:22:51.420 do it all 00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:52.559 for the glory of God. 00:22:53.120 --> 00:22:54.200 To God be the glory.