[0.00 --> 2.80] This night it won't burn out [2.80 --> 7.00] For you are perfect [7.00 --> 11.00] No matter what [11.00 --> 14.66] In the joy of the suffering [14.66 --> 17.46] I sing it loud [17.46 --> 22.44] I will praise you through the fire [22.44 --> 25.66] Through the storm and through the flood [25.66 --> 29.76] There is nothing that could ever steal [29.76 --> 31.98] My soul [31.98 --> 34.96] In the valley [34.96 --> 36.76] You are worthy [36.76 --> 39.96] You are good when life is not [39.96 --> 46.14] You will always and forever be my soul [46.14 --> 50.56] When the enemy says I'm done [50.56 --> 52.92] I'll lift my praises [52.92 --> 57.60] When my world comes crashing down [57.60 --> 61.48] I'll lift my praises high [61.48 --> 64.68] Till the darkness turns to dawn [64.68 --> 67.80] I'll lift my praises [67.80 --> 70.70] I choose to worship [70.70 --> 74.58] I choose you now [74.58 --> 75.90] I choose you now [75.90 --> 78.90] When the enemy says I'm done [78.90 --> 81.90] I'll lift my praises [81.90 --> 86.08] When my world comes crashing down [86.08 --> 90.08] I'll lift my praises high [90.08 --> 92.90] Till the darkness turns to dawn [92.90 --> 95.90] I'll lift my praises [95.90 --> 98.78] I choose to worship [98.78 --> 101.10] I choose you now [101.10 --> 107.10] I will praise you through the fire [107.10 --> 110.10] Through the storm and through the flood [110.10 --> 116.06] There is nothing that could ever steal my soul [116.06 --> 118.94] In the valley [118.94 --> 119.94] In the valley [119.94 --> 120.94] You are worthy [120.94 --> 124.94] You are good when life is not [124.94 --> 131.28] You will always and forever be my soul [131.28 --> 135.16] When the enemy says I'm done [135.16 --> 137.16] I'll lift my praises [137.16 --> 138.16] When the enemy says I'm done [138.16 --> 139.16] I'll lift my praises [139.16 --> 141.16] When the world comes crashing down [141.16 --> 143.16] I'll lift my praises [143.16 --> 144.16] Oh [144.16 --> 145.16] Till the darkness turns to dawn [145.16 --> 150.04] Till the darkness turns to dawn [150.04 --> 153.04] I'll lift my praises [153.04 --> 156.04] I choose to worship [156.04 --> 159.78] I choose you now [159.78 --> 163.28] I choose you now [175.16 --> 185.34] To will please [185.34 --> 185.58] Oh [185.58 --> 185.76] Oh [185.76 --> 194.98] I've heard a thousand stories of what they think you're like [194.98 --> 201.88] But I've heard the tender whisper of love [201.88 --> 213.62] The dead of night and you tell me that you're pleased and that I'm never alone. [215.50 --> 218.62] You're a good, good father. [219.10 --> 220.72] It's who you are. [221.40 --> 223.06] It's who you are. [223.60 --> 225.88] It's who you are. [225.94 --> 228.50] And I'm loved by you. [228.50 --> 230.50] It's who I am. [230.50 --> 233.16] It's who I am. [233.80 --> 236.58] It's who I am. [239.20 --> 249.56] Oh, and I've seen many searching for answers far and wide. [249.56 --> 256.64] But I know we're all searching for answers. [256.64 --> 268.06] Only you provide cause you know just what we need before we say a word. [268.14 --> 270.80] You're a good, good father. [270.80 --> 272.80] It's who you are. [272.80 --> 274.80] It's who you are. [274.80 --> 276.80] It's who you are. [276.80 --> 280.50] And I'm loved by you. [280.50 --> 282.64] It's who I am. [282.64 --> 285.18] It's who I am. [285.18 --> 287.18] It's who I am. [287.18 --> 288.34] It's who I am. [288.34 --> 293.34] Because you are perfect in all of your ways. [293.34 --> 298.42] You are perfect in all of your ways. [298.42 --> 303.14] You are perfect in all of your ways. [303.14 --> 307.22] To us. [307.22 --> 321.22] Oh, it's love so undeniable. [321.22 --> 338.98] I can hardly speak. [338.98 --> 344.98] Peace so unexplainable lie. [344.98 --> 350.98] I can hardly think as you call me. [350.98 --> 380.96] Deeper still as you call me. [380.96 --> 410.94] It's who I am. [410.96 --> 440.94] It's who you are. [440.96 --> 470.94] It's who I am. [470.96 --> 500.94] It's who I am. [500.96 --> 530.94] It's who I am. [530.94 --> 560.92] It's who I am. [560.92 --> 590.90] It's who I am. [590.90 --> 620.88] It's who I am. [620.88 --> 650.86] It's who I am. [651.52 --> 653.86] Welcome to worship. [654.18 --> 655.04] My name is Chris. [655.24 --> 662.08] I'm one of the pastors here and it's our privilege to lead you and worship with you this morning. [662.74 --> 666.46] Before we begin in earnest, there are a couple announcements that need to be made. [666.46 --> 681.28] And so, as Josh and Brandon are coming up to this microphone here, I just wanted to say quickly thank you to everyone who participated in last weekend's Coldest Night of the Year event. [681.28 --> 683.28] We raised almost $1,000. [711.28 --> 713.28] And I want to thank you for the church. [713.28 --> 715.28] And I want to thank you for the church. [715.28 --> 716.28] And I want to thank you for the church. [716.28 --> 727.12] Yesterday, as Christians and community members gathered together in support of citizens of Ukraine in the conflict with the Russian forces there. [727.12 --> 729.12] It was good to see members of the church community. [729.12 --> 733.40] It was good to see members of the church community gather together in prayer and encouragement for that. [733.46 --> 734.92] And it was good to be part of that. [735.00 --> 737.00] And so, for those of you who came, thank you. [737.00 --> 742.24] And I think there's going to be some pictures of that and stuff on our social media as well. [742.32 --> 743.82] So, you can connect into that. [744.88 --> 753.54] And then, finally, for me, just a quick reminder that immediately following our worship this morning, there is Youth Coffee and 2020. [754.14 --> 755.64] You'll hear more from Kevin about that later. [755.68 --> 757.52] But that's immediately following our service. [757.66 --> 758.58] And so, be ready for that. [763.08 --> 763.56] Hello. [763.56 --> 767.98] Tonight, at 7 p.m., is the Young Adults Board Games Night. [769.32 --> 771.36] We're shaking out young adults a little bit. [772.06 --> 776.14] At the first Sunday of every month, we're having an event at the church. [777.60 --> 780.84] Starting March, going every other month, is Board Games Night. [781.38 --> 786.64] And April, every other month, starting with April every other month, is Potluck. [787.22 --> 789.58] So, if you want to chill, hang out. [789.58 --> 793.60] I realize that a lot of young adults are really busy today with Mexico and youth leading. [794.18 --> 794.74] That's okay. [795.08 --> 796.94] You guys don't have to go if you don't want to. [797.30 --> 798.40] But it's chill. [799.58 --> 800.94] Just hang out with some friends. [801.56 --> 801.92] Drinks. [802.76 --> 804.80] By that, I mean non-alcoholic, if that was ever. [805.54 --> 805.96] And, yeah. [807.42 --> 807.64] Woo! [807.64 --> 815.96] I just wanted to do a quick thank you to everybody that came out last night to the Mexico dinner. [816.56 --> 817.76] I thought it was a lot of fun. [817.90 --> 821.66] It was good to see you guys and just share a meal with you guys as well and be able to hang out. [822.34 --> 823.42] We've fundraised quite a bit. [823.64 --> 829.16] So, it was actually very comparable to other years, despite the short notice, which thank you guys for giving. [829.16 --> 831.42] And kind of putting your faith in us with that trip. [832.06 --> 836.00] The other announcement I got is the commissioning service for our trip is next Sunday. [836.00 --> 839.20] So, that will be the send-off for us as we're leaving the day after. [839.64 --> 842.36] And just appreciate you all being there for that as well. [842.62 --> 843.52] So, thank you. [848.40 --> 848.84] Okay. [849.00 --> 858.82] As some of you may be aware, if you participated in our Ash Wednesday event here, Imposition of the Ashes, or not. [858.90 --> 861.62] But today is the first Sunday of Lent. [861.62 --> 872.48] Lent is the season that leads us into Holy Week with Good Friday and then Easter Sunday, culminating in the resurrection of Jesus. [872.70 --> 880.46] Lent is a time and a season for us to focus our hearts on all that God has done to draw us to himself. [881.30 --> 888.78] And so, our worship this morning is going to have that particular focus of expressing our need as we enter into the presence of God. [888.78 --> 896.42] And I'm going to name that here and now because as you stand, if you are able and where you are to be greeted by God, [896.58 --> 902.20] this is the season where God draws us to himself powerfully. [902.20 --> 907.52] And so, know that when we receive God's greeting, that is him saying, [907.72 --> 913.58] Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [913.90 --> 916.10] So, as you are able and where you are, would you stand? [916.68 --> 922.52] We could enter into our Lenten worship together as God greets us in his name. [922.52 --> 933.94] Brothers and sisters of our Lord Jesus Christ, grace, mercy, and peace to you this Lent season. [934.94 --> 941.76] From God our Father, from Jesus Christ his Son, through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. [943.10 --> 943.46] Amen. [943.46 --> 943.54] Amen. [943.54 --> 953.76] 1 Peter 1, verse 3 and 4 say, [954.76 --> 958.32] All praise to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. [958.94 --> 963.40] It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, [964.06 --> 967.40] because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. [967.40 --> 970.76] Now we live in great expectation, [971.24 --> 974.02] and we have a priceless inheritance, [974.64 --> 977.84] an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, [979.04 --> 980.64] pure and undefiled, [981.38 --> 983.82] beyond the reach of change and decay. [983.82 --> 998.52] In the darkness we were waiting, [999.00 --> 1000.32] without hope, [1000.76 --> 1002.30] without light, [1002.30 --> 1005.66] till from heaven you came running, [1005.98 --> 1009.64] there was mercy in your eyes, [1009.64 --> 1013.18] to fulfill the law and prophets, [1013.60 --> 1016.86] to a virgin came the word, [1017.20 --> 1020.38] from a throne of endless glory, [1020.92 --> 1024.00] to a cradle in the dirt. [1030.48 --> 1033.60] Praise the Father, [1033.60 --> 1037.28] Praise the Son, [1037.28 --> 1041.28] Praise the Spirit, [1041.28 --> 1044.96] Three in one, [1044.96 --> 1048.60] God of glory, [1049.24 --> 1051.68] Majestice, [1051.68 --> 1059.88] Praise forever to the King of kings. [1059.88 --> 1067.66] To reveal the kingdom coming, [1067.66 --> 1071.48] and to reconcile the lost, [1071.80 --> 1074.86] to redeem the whole creation, [1075.40 --> 1078.74] you did not despise the cross, [1079.06 --> 1082.20] for even in your suffering, [1082.66 --> 1085.90] you saw to the other side, [1086.34 --> 1089.32] knowing this was our salvation, [1089.32 --> 1090.44] Jesus, [1090.44 --> 1090.46] Jesus, [1090.46 --> 1090.48] Jesus, [1090.66 --> 1093.06] for our sake you died. [1099.06 --> 1102.56] Praise the Father, [1103.28 --> 1106.34] Praise the Son, [1107.00 --> 1109.88] Praise the Spirit, [1110.68 --> 1113.38] Three in one, [1113.38 --> 1117.22] God of glory, [1117.22 --> 1118.90] majesty, [1118.90 --> 1119.84] majesty, [1119.84 --> 1127.96] praise forever to the King of kings. [1127.96 --> 1128.44] Amen. [1132.44 --> 1136.38] And the morning that you rose, [1136.76 --> 1140.24] all of heaven held its breath, [1140.60 --> 1143.76] till that stone was moved for good, [1143.76 --> 1147.50] for the Lamb had conquered death, [1147.50 --> 1150.88] and the dead rose from their tombs, [1151.24 --> 1154.50] and the angels stood in awe, [1154.50 --> 1157.94] for the souls of all who come, [1158.38 --> 1161.06] to the Father are restored, [1162.06 --> 1164.98] and the church of Christ was born, [1165.38 --> 1168.50] and the Spirit with the flame, [1168.50 --> 1171.88] now this gospel truth of all, [1171.88 --> 1173.76] shall not be in, [1173.98 --> 1175.62] shall not face, [1175.62 --> 1178.88] by His blood and in His name, [1179.28 --> 1182.28] in His freedom I am free, [1182.80 --> 1185.82] for the love of Jesus Christ, [1186.24 --> 1189.24] who has resurrected me. [1189.24 --> 1198.36] praise the Father, [1198.36 --> 1201.72] praise the Son, [1201.72 --> 1205.18] praise the Spirit, [1205.18 --> 1208.54] three in one, [1208.54 --> 1212.36] God of glory, [1212.36 --> 1214.62] majesty, [1214.62 --> 1222.68] praise forever to the King of kings. [1222.68 --> 1231.24] praise forever to the King of kings. [1231.24 --> 1241.38] As we worship together this first Sunday of Lent, [1241.94 --> 1245.50] let us bring to mind the things that distract us from worship, [1245.82 --> 1247.30] and relationship to God. [1248.24 --> 1250.68] Let's pray this prayer of confession together, [1251.18 --> 1254.72] confessing our sins in the sure promises of forgiveness. [1254.72 --> 1258.44] Almighty God, [1258.94 --> 1260.72] in Jesus Christ, [1260.86 --> 1261.72] you love us, [1262.12 --> 1263.86] but we have not loved you. [1264.78 --> 1267.26] You have opened your heart to us, [1267.64 --> 1269.12] and in our pride, [1269.36 --> 1270.64] we have spurned your care. [1271.48 --> 1273.48] You have given us all things, [1273.66 --> 1275.42] and we have squandered your gifts. [1276.26 --> 1277.58] We have grieved you, [1277.98 --> 1279.62] and caused hurt to others, [1279.90 --> 1283.00] and we are not worthy to be called your children. [1283.00 --> 1286.40] Have mercy on us, O Lord, [1286.94 --> 1288.30] for we are ashamed, [1289.06 --> 1292.14] and sorry for all we have done to displease you. [1293.16 --> 1294.66] Cleanse us from our sin, [1295.18 --> 1297.92] and receive us again into your household, [1298.48 --> 1301.42] that we might nevermore stray from your love, [1302.00 --> 1305.22] but always remain within the sound of your voice, [1305.70 --> 1307.58] and near to your holy heart. [1308.26 --> 1308.64] Amen. [1313.00 --> 1337.40] The holy heart was broken, [1337.40 --> 1343.34] sent from the Father's side, [1343.34 --> 1348.34] the Son of God forsaken, [1349.56 --> 1353.22] the holy sacrifice. [1355.12 --> 1359.30] For me he was forsaken, [1359.30 --> 1364.60] for me he died alone, [1364.60 --> 1370.54] my sin forever taken, [1370.54 --> 1376.54] that I might be his own. [1376.54 --> 1381.54] The holy lamb was stricken, [1382.80 --> 1386.54] abandoned and alone. [1388.24 --> 1392.36] He bore the world's affliction, [1392.36 --> 1398.30] He bore it as his own. [1398.30 --> 1403.52] For me he was forsaken, [1404.30 --> 1408.30] for me he died alone, [1408.30 --> 1414.38] my sin forever taken, [1414.38 --> 1419.98] that I might be his own. [1419.98 --> 1425.92] And when my heart is broken, [1425.92 --> 1431.92] torn by my sin and pride, [1431.92 --> 1437.12] the Son of God now risen, [1437.92 --> 1442.92] will draw me to his side. [1442.92 --> 1448.86] For me he died, [1448.86 --> 1452.86] for me he died alone. [1452.86 --> 1454.86] For me he died alone, [1454.86 --> 1458.86] my sin forever taken, [1458.86 --> 1463.86] that I might be his own. [1463.86 --> 1468.86] For me he was forsaken, [1468.86 --> 1474.80] for me he died alone. [1474.80 --> 1476.80] For me he died alone, [1476.80 --> 1480.80] my sin forever taken, [1480.80 --> 1486.80] that I might be his own. [1486.80 --> 1492.74] For me he died alone. [1492.74 --> 1495.04] That was close. [1495.74 --> 1496.74] Isaiah 54, [1496.74 --> 1498.26] 54 verse 7 and 8 say, [1498.34 --> 1500.54] For a brief moment I abandoned you, [1500.98 --> 1503.24] but with deep compassion I will bring you back. [1503.74 --> 1507.10] In a surge of anger I hid my face for you for a moment, [1507.74 --> 1511.16] but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you, [1511.48 --> 1513.20] says the Lord your Redeemer. [1513.20 --> 1517.94] As we begin the journey of Lent starting in loneliness and darkness, [1517.94 --> 1522.30] we move toward the cross and the light of the gospel. [1522.30 --> 1527.64] We move towards Christ, our hope in life and death. [1527.64 --> 1543.38] Christ alone, Christ alone, [1543.38 --> 1545.80] Christ alone, [1545.80 --> 1550.70] What is our hope in life and death? [1550.70 --> 1555.20] Christ alone, Christ alone, [1555.20 --> 1560.30] What is our only confidence? [1560.30 --> 1564.90] That our souls to him belong, [1564.90 --> 1569.82] Who holds our days within his hand, [1569.82 --> 1574.30] What comes apart from his command, [1574.30 --> 1579.80] And what will keep us to the end? [1579.80 --> 1585.70] The love of Christ in which we stand? [1588.14 --> 1592.26] Oh, sing hallelujah, [1592.26 --> 1597.10] Our hope springs eternal. [1597.10 --> 1601.90] Oh, sing hallelujah, [1601.90 --> 1606.22] Now and ever we confess, [1606.22 --> 1610.80] Christ our hope in life and death. [1616.64 --> 1621.90] What truth can calm the troubled soul? [1622.68 --> 1626.78] God is good, God is good, [1626.78 --> 1631.78] Where is his grace and goodness known? [1631.78 --> 1636.58] In vain our great Redeemer's blood, [1636.58 --> 1641.58] Who holds our faith when fears arise, [1641.58 --> 1646.38] Who stands above the stormy trial, [1646.38 --> 1651.64] Who sends the waves that bring us night, [1651.64 --> 1658.14] Unto the shore of the rock of Christ. [1658.14 --> 1664.10] Oh, sing hallelujah, [1664.10 --> 1668.94] Our hope springs eternal. [1668.94 --> 1673.68] Oh, sing hallelujah, [1673.68 --> 1677.98] Now and ever we confess, [1677.98 --> 1682.56] Christ our hope in life and death. [1688.96 --> 1694.34] Unto the grave what shall we sing? [1694.34 --> 1699.34] Christ he lives, [1699.34 --> 1700.34] Christ he lives, [1700.34 --> 1704.34] And what reward will heaven bring? [1704.34 --> 1709.34] Everlasting life with him, [1709.34 --> 1714.34] There we will rise to meet the Lord, [1714.34 --> 1719.34] Then sin and death will be destroyed, [1719.34 --> 1724.34] And we will feast in endless joy, [1724.34 --> 1731.34] When Christ is ours forevermore. [1731.34 --> 1736.34] Oh, sing hallelujah, [1736.34 --> 1740.34] Our hope springs eternal. [1740.34 --> 1745.34] Oh, sing hallelujah, [1745.34 --> 1750.34] Now and ever we confess, [1750.34 --> 1754.34] Christ our hope in life and death. [1754.34 --> 1759.34] Oh, sing hallelujah, [1759.34 --> 1763.34] Our hope springs eternal. [1763.34 --> 1767.34] Oh, sing hallelujah, [1767.34 --> 1771.34] Now and ever we confess, [1771.34 --> 1775.34] Christ our hope in life and death. [1775.34 --> 1778.34] Now and ever we confess, [1778.34 --> 1784.34] Christ our hope in life and death. [1784.34 --> 1788.34] You may have a seat. [1788.34 --> 1809.34] That's my daughter. [1809.34 --> 1815.34] Anyway, this morning our first collection is for the budget, [1815.34 --> 1818.34] For the ministries of this church. [1818.34 --> 1822.34] And I think Brandon is going to come and talk to us. [1830.34 --> 1833.34] I promise this is probably the last time you'll hear from me. [1833.34 --> 1834.34] Hopefully. [1834.34 --> 1835.34] So no, yeah, [1835.34 --> 1837.34] The second offering is for Mexico, [1837.34 --> 1839.34] For our trip again this year. [1839.34 --> 1843.34] And I guess we just kind of want to go over what your guys' money actually goes to, [1843.34 --> 1846.34] What you guys are supporting there and some of the history of it, I guess. [1846.34 --> 1848.34] So when we go down to Mexico, [1848.34 --> 1851.34] We support kind of two main people. [1851.34 --> 1854.34] One is Abilino's church and one is Jodi. [1854.34 --> 1856.34] I don't know if Jodi's here right now. [1856.34 --> 1858.34] Yeah, she's waving right there. [1858.34 --> 1859.34] So we, [1859.34 --> 1861.34] Those are the two main areas we focus on now, [1861.34 --> 1864.34] Who we're supporting and who we work with and everything like that. [1864.34 --> 1866.34] So Jodi now actually works at the connections home, [1866.34 --> 1868.34] Which is a new place we're now going to be staying at. [1868.34 --> 1872.34] It's a short term missionary kind of hosting group. [1872.34 --> 1879.34] Plus they work with a lot of different groups and people in Mexico themselves and support them as well. [1879.34 --> 1882.34] So Jodi's working there as well as at their house. [1882.34 --> 1883.34] They are running a men's, [1883.34 --> 1884.34] It's a men's rehab, [1884.34 --> 1886.34] But it's kind of like a halfway house as well. [1886.34 --> 1887.34] Where they kind of, [1887.34 --> 1889.34] When you get out of rehab in Mexico, [1889.34 --> 1891.34] You're kind of just dumped on the street. [1891.34 --> 1892.34] You have nowhere to really go, [1892.34 --> 1893.34] Nobody to support you. [1893.34 --> 1895.34] And usually you relapse. [1895.34 --> 1898.34] It's not like in Canada where there's a secondary place you can go to, [1898.34 --> 1902.34] To actually kind of continue your recovery and kind of get back into the swing of life. [1902.34 --> 1904.34] So they're running one there for men. [1904.34 --> 1906.34] And we'll be supporting them with that as well. [1906.34 --> 1910.34] And visiting and just kind of getting to know that whole side of it. [1910.34 --> 1914.34] Abilino, the history with him is 11 years ago, I believe it is now. [1914.34 --> 1916.34] When I was living down in Mexico, [1916.34 --> 1919.34] I met him through the Mexican family I was living with down there. [1919.34 --> 1923.34] And we kind of started supporting him through that. [1923.34 --> 1925.34] Abilino, first when I met him, [1925.34 --> 1927.34] His house slash church, [1927.34 --> 1928.34] It was all operated in the same way. [1928.34 --> 1930.34] But he was going to school to become a pastor. [1930.34 --> 1931.34] And he was, [1931.34 --> 1933.34] He had a small congregation of six people. [1933.34 --> 1935.34] And their church and house was probably the size, [1935.34 --> 1937.34] If you take piano to the wall there, [1937.34 --> 1939.34] And just the size of the drums really. [1939.34 --> 1940.34] That was their church. [1940.34 --> 1943.34] And we know one wall was a garage door that you'd be pushed on, [1943.34 --> 1945.34] It collapsed and the other wall was a tarp. [1945.34 --> 1948.34] And the entrance was kind of a piece of rotten plywood. [1948.34 --> 1950.34] So that's what they started with when I started working there. [1950.34 --> 1952.34] So when our team went down, [1952.34 --> 1953.34] We, [1953.34 --> 1954.34] They, [1954.34 --> 1956.34] Our team came down to meet me while I was living there with Brad Koonst. [1956.34 --> 1959.34] And the first thing we kind of did with them is we built them a house. [1959.34 --> 1961.34] And just a bigger area to actually have their services. [1961.34 --> 1963.34] And then over the next 11 years, [1963.34 --> 1965.34] A couple other teams have kind of partnered with us, [1965.34 --> 1966.34] Partnered with Abilino. [1966.34 --> 1968.34] And we built them a new church now. [1968.34 --> 1972.34] Where his congregation has now gone from six people to 88, [1972.34 --> 1974.34] 88 actual adult members. [1974.34 --> 1975.34] Plus all the children. [1975.34 --> 1977.34] So it's grown huge. [1977.34 --> 1978.34] And then as well, [1978.34 --> 1979.34] We've kind of just, [1979.34 --> 1982.34] We re-evaluated three years ago. [1982.34 --> 1984.34] The missions committee went down with me. [1984.34 --> 1985.34] And we, [1985.34 --> 1986.34] We met with Abilino. [1986.34 --> 1987.34] And we met with everybody. [1987.34 --> 1988.34] And just kind of decided like, [1988.34 --> 1990.34] We've always, [1990.34 --> 1992.34] We've obviously had issues with people in Mexico before. [1992.34 --> 1994.34] With ministries and things we found that like, [1994.34 --> 1995.34] Okay, this actually isn't helping anybody. [1995.34 --> 1997.34] So we wanted to re-evaluate that. [1997.34 --> 1999.34] And we re-evaluated that with Abilino. [1999.34 --> 2002.34] And we kind of came up with a five year plan to better help them. [2002.34 --> 2004.34] As well as just kind of, [2004.34 --> 2006.34] Kind of have not, [2006.34 --> 2008.34] End goal is the wrong word for it. [2008.34 --> 2010.34] But like have a purpose for our own trips as well. [2010.34 --> 2012.34] That spans past just year to year. [2012.34 --> 2013.34] So we kind of met with them. [2013.34 --> 2015.34] We kind of decided the big one was, [2015.34 --> 2018.34] There's always lots of teams willing to support people in Mexico. [2018.34 --> 2020.34] But nobody down there actually knows how to build a house. [2020.34 --> 2022.34] Or build a church. [2022.34 --> 2023.34] Or build anything. [2023.34 --> 2024.34] Right? [2024.34 --> 2026.34] They, they're all used to concrete building. [2026.34 --> 2028.34] Concrete building is inefficient in Mexico. [2028.34 --> 2029.34] Takes years. [2029.34 --> 2030.34] It's expensive. [2030.34 --> 2032.34] And it's just not feasible for a short term missions team to do. [2032.34 --> 2035.34] But a lot of teams that go down there have no experience doing it either. [2035.34 --> 2036.34] And they have, [2036.34 --> 2037.34] They have the money to do it. [2037.34 --> 2041.34] But there's nobody down there with Abilino that can actually teach them how to build it. [2041.34 --> 2042.34] Or show them how to build it. [2042.34 --> 2044.34] And use that manpower to their, [2044.34 --> 2045.34] To an advantage. [2045.34 --> 2047.34] So our five year plan of course, [2047.34 --> 2049.34] COVID took two years out of that already. [2049.34 --> 2054.34] But we started it three years ago with building them a secondary soup kitchen. [2054.34 --> 2056.34] As well as a garage or vehicles and things like that. [2056.34 --> 2057.34] But we actually, [2057.34 --> 2059.34] We work with the people in the church. [2059.34 --> 2062.34] To teach them how to build using wood framing. [2062.34 --> 2064.34] So we kind of go through this, [2064.34 --> 2065.34] Like the specifics of it. [2065.34 --> 2066.34] You know, [2066.34 --> 2067.34] The engineering of it. [2067.34 --> 2068.34] The strength. [2068.34 --> 2069.34] What you can do. [2069.34 --> 2070.34] What you really can't do. [2070.34 --> 2072.34] Because I know in a lot of time Mexico they like to cut corners. [2072.34 --> 2073.34] So we try to teach, [2073.34 --> 2074.34] You know, don't do that. [2074.34 --> 2076.34] The roof falling on your head hurts. [2076.34 --> 2077.34] So, [2077.34 --> 2078.34] That's kind of the plan. [2078.34 --> 2080.34] And it's going to be over five years. [2080.34 --> 2082.34] We have a couple of key people down there that we're working with. [2082.34 --> 2084.34] That already have experience doing it. [2084.34 --> 2085.34] But they just need more, [2085.34 --> 2086.34] More confidence if anything. [2086.34 --> 2089.34] And then we're teaching the other members of their church as well. [2089.34 --> 2091.34] So over the next four years. [2091.34 --> 2092.34] One year, [2092.34 --> 2093.34] One team's already taken care of one. [2093.34 --> 2095.34] They built them a secondary soup kitchen. [2095.34 --> 2097.34] In a different location. [2097.34 --> 2100.34] And then one of those original six members is now leading that soup kitchen. [2100.34 --> 2103.34] But then we're also going to plan on building them a church. [2103.34 --> 2104.34] A homeless shelter. [2104.34 --> 2105.34] And in the process, [2105.34 --> 2107.34] Those are two actually quite big builds. [2107.34 --> 2108.34] We'll be teaching them how to build. [2108.34 --> 2109.34] Things like that. [2109.34 --> 2113.34] And it just kind of allowed them when that team comes down. [2113.34 --> 2116.34] And there is a really desperate need for either a new church. [2116.34 --> 2118.34] Because he likes to plant churches a lot too. [2118.34 --> 2120.34] Or if there's a need for a house burns down. [2120.34 --> 2122.34] They can build that house. [2122.34 --> 2123.34] They can build that church. [2123.34 --> 2125.34] And they can do it themselves as well. [2125.34 --> 2126.34] There's a lot of other groups down there. [2126.34 --> 2127.34] And a lot of other. [2127.34 --> 2129.34] Like YWAM for example. [2129.34 --> 2130.34] If you want to build a house through them. [2130.34 --> 2132.34] Number one, it costs you 20% extra. [2132.34 --> 2136.34] Second, all they are willing to build is a little box. [2136.34 --> 2138.34] So you might have a family of six or seven. [2138.34 --> 2140.34] And they get one bedroom and one little kitchen. [2140.34 --> 2142.34] And that's all they're ever willing to build. [2142.34 --> 2145.34] And it doesn't really suit the needs of the actual people. [2145.34 --> 2147.34] We prefer to teach them, you know, if you have a family of four. [2147.34 --> 2148.34] Here's two bedrooms. [2148.34 --> 2149.34] This is how you do it. [2149.34 --> 2150.34] If you have a family of six. [2150.34 --> 2151.34] Here's three bedrooms. [2151.34 --> 2152.34] This is how you do it. [2152.34 --> 2155.34] Build to actually suit the needs of the people you're building for. [2155.34 --> 2157.34] So you're not just building them a little box. [2157.34 --> 2160.34] Leaving them that doesn't actually really work for them, right? [2160.34 --> 2161.34] And also save the money. [2161.34 --> 2166.34] Because then these other groups can do it by using Abilino's own church members to actually do the build. [2166.34 --> 2168.34] So that's kind of the five year plan. [2168.34 --> 2170.34] And then that way we're kind of hoping at the end of those five years. [2170.34 --> 2172.34] Of course we're still going to go down. [2172.34 --> 2173.34] We still like that relationship. [2173.34 --> 2175.34] We're still going to build with them. [2175.34 --> 2178.34] But the whole purpose will then become we don't need to be there to build. [2178.34 --> 2179.34] We don't need to be there to do anything. [2179.34 --> 2181.34] They can do it all themselves now. [2181.34 --> 2184.34] And even if a need comes down and we can just take our Mexico budget and go, [2184.34 --> 2186.34] Look, we'll fund the build. [2186.34 --> 2188.34] We'll pay for the materials using our contacts. [2188.34 --> 2191.34] You guys can build it in August when we can't be down there. [2191.34 --> 2193.34] Or in November or whatever. [2193.34 --> 2195.34] It just gives a lot more flexibility. [2195.34 --> 2199.34] And then when something happens, it's not like they're waiting five months for us to come down to do something about it. [2199.34 --> 2204.34] So that's kind of, that's the overarching goal of what you guys are supporting. [2204.34 --> 2206.34] Probably a lot to take in kind of thing. [2206.34 --> 2210.34] But that's, that's what our, our purpose is down there. [2210.34 --> 2211.34] And what we're kind of doing down there. [2211.34 --> 2215.34] And what as a church we've kind of agreed on to support and work on. [2215.34 --> 2217.34] So that's about it. [2217.34 --> 2221.34] But yeah, we'll be heading down on, for this actual trip itself, we won't actually be doing much building. [2221.34 --> 2224.34] We'll be probably doing a couple bathrooms for the church that was already built. [2224.34 --> 2226.34] Because those are not completed yet. [2226.34 --> 2229.34] We'll be finishing those for the team that started those. [2229.34 --> 2231.34] But otherwise, a lot of our youth is new. [2231.34 --> 2233.34] A lot of them have never been before. [2233.34 --> 2237.34] So we're kind of just working on a big part of the Mexico thing as well as just relationships. [2237.34 --> 2243.34] We don't want to just be, you know, the white savior that builds a house and that leaves and never comes back. [2243.34 --> 2248.34] We want an ongoing relationship, an ongoing friendship, become sister churches kind of thing, right? [2248.34 --> 2250.34] So these youth have never been before. [2250.34 --> 2256.34] That relationship over these last two years because of COVID, that doesn't really exist in the youth standpoint of it. [2256.34 --> 2257.34] So we want to build that again. [2257.34 --> 2263.34] So we'll be spending a lot of time in the community, doing community festivals, meeting with people, visiting people's houses, [2263.34 --> 2270.34] just sitting down for dinner with them, kind of like we did at the Mexico dinner, doing youth coffee, taking their youth out for stuff, [2270.34 --> 2272.34] things like that to build that relationship again. [2272.34 --> 2278.34] And yeah, the building project will just be probably finishing those washrooms in whatever state that those were left in. [2278.34 --> 2280.34] So that is all. [2280.34 --> 2283.34] Sorry for taking up so much time, but thank you for your support. [2283.34 --> 2284.34] We really do appreciate it. [2284.34 --> 2286.34] And every year you guys come through for us. [2286.34 --> 2288.34] So let's really appreciate it. [2288.34 --> 2295.34] The song that we're going to be singing during the offering has really been on my heart this week. [2295.34 --> 2297.34] It's called Ancient of Days. [2297.34 --> 2303.34] And the lyrics, I think, speak very much to what's going on in the world right now, especially in the Ukraine. [2303.34 --> 2306.34] So please listen and join in when you're comfortable. [2306.34 --> 2326.34] The song that we're going to be singing during the offering is beautiful. [2326.34 --> 2335.82] Though the nations rage, kingdoms rise and fall, [2335.82 --> 2345.66] there is still one King reigning over all. [2345.94 --> 2355.62] So I will not fear, for this truth remains. [2355.62 --> 2364.42] That my God is the Ancient of Days. [2365.76 --> 2375.50] None above Him, none before Him, all of time in His hands. [2375.50 --> 2383.62] For His throne it shall remain and ever stand. [2383.62 --> 2394.42] All the power, all the glory, I will trust in His name. [2394.42 --> 2403.52] For my God is the Ancient of Days. [2403.52 --> 2418.82] Though the dread of night overwhelms my soul, He is here with me. [2418.82 --> 2428.50] I am not alone, though His love is sure. [2428.50 --> 2433.50] And He knows my name. [2433.50 --> 2441.30] For my God is the Ancient of Days. [2441.30 --> 2453.10] None above Him, none before Him, all of time in His hands. [2453.10 --> 2461.10] For His throne it shall remain and ever stand. [2461.10 --> 2471.90] All the power, all the glory, I will trust in His name. [2471.90 --> 2479.70] For my God is the Ancient of Days. [2479.70 --> 2485.26] Please stand as we sing the rest of this song. [2485.26 --> 2505.36] Though I may not see what the future brings, [2505.36 --> 2515.36] I will watch and wait for the Savior King. [2515.36 --> 2525.36] Then my joy complete, standing face to face, [2525.36 --> 2526.36] God is the Ancient of Days. [2526.36 --> 2535.36] In the presence of the Ancient of Days. [2535.36 --> 2544.36] None above Him, none before Him, all of time in His hands. [2544.36 --> 2550.36] For His throne it shall remain and ever stand. [2550.36 --> 2563.36] All the power, all the glory, I will trust in His name. [2563.36 --> 2572.36] For my God is the Ancient of Days. [2572.36 --> 2584.36] For my God is the Ancient of Days. [2584.36 --> 2585.36] May we have a seat. [2585.36 --> 2586.36] God. [2586.36 --> 2587.36] God. [2587.36 --> 2588.36] God. [2588.36 --> 2589.36] God. [2589.36 --> 2590.36] God. [2590.36 --> 2592.36] God. [2592.36 --> 2593.36] God. [2593.36 --> 2594.36] God. [2594.36 --> 2595.36] God. [2595.36 --> 2596.36] God. [2596.36 --> 2597.36] God. [2597.36 --> 2598.36] God. [2598.36 --> 2599.36] God. [2599.36 --> 2600.36] God. [2600.36 --> 2601.36] God. [2601.36 --> 2602.36] God. [2602.36 --> 2603.36] God. [2603.36 --> 2604.36] God. [2604.36 --> 2605.36] God. [2605.36 --> 2607.36] God. [2607.36 --> 2608.36] God. [2608.36 --> 2609.36] God. [2609.36 --> 2610.36] God. [2610.36 --> 2611.36] God. [2611.36 --> 2612.36] God. [2612.36 --> 2613.36] God. [2613.36 --> 2615.36] God. [2615.36 --> 2617.36] God. [2619.36 --> 2620.36] God. [2620.36 --> 2621.36] God. [2621.36 --> 2622.36] God. [2622.36 --> 2623.36] God. [2623.36 --> 2624.36] God. [2624.36 --> 2625.36] God. [2625.36 --> 2626.36] God. [2626.36 --> 2627.36] God. [2627.36 --> 2628.20] God. [2628.20 --> 2629.36] God. [2629.36 --> 2630.22] God. [2630.22 --> 2631.16] God. [2631.16 --> 2632.22] God. [2632.22 --> 2634.76] Alright, how's all the kids doing? How are you guys doing? Yeah? [2635.84 --> 2640.44] When you woke up this morning and saw the sunshine out there, was that like, this is going to be a great day? [2641.00 --> 2642.58] Yeah? Are you going to play outside lots? [2643.58 --> 2650.42] How many of you guys are going to be forced to go on a walk or a hike today by your parents? [2652.44 --> 2652.84] Yeah? [2654.42 --> 2654.78] Right. [2656.94 --> 2658.58] Probably going to be doing that today, aren't you? [2658.58 --> 2665.40] Last week, I couldn't be here, but I heard you guys did a story about a miracle that Jesus did. [2665.48 --> 2667.54] Does anybody know or remember what that one was about? [2668.22 --> 2668.76] What was it? [2671.24 --> 2677.34] The bread and the, Jesus broke bread and, or had some bread and did what with it? [2681.36 --> 2683.80] Fish and bread to about 5,000 people. [2683.88 --> 2685.74] How many people do you think are in the church here today? [2685.80 --> 2686.26] What do we think? [2686.26 --> 2688.06] About 200? [2688.44 --> 2689.60] Maybe, let's say 500. [2689.76 --> 2692.08] That would be like 10 times as many people here. [2692.16 --> 2693.42] That's pretty amazing, isn't it? [2694.58 --> 2696.16] Can I answer your questions later? [2696.62 --> 2697.32] Does that sound good? [2698.16 --> 2699.42] Is that going to work for you? [2703.00 --> 2705.00] Can I answer your questions later? [2705.00 --> 2709.48] Today, we are going to talk about treasure. [2709.72 --> 2712.46] Does anybody know anything about treasure hunts? [2712.50 --> 2713.78] Has anybody ever been on one? [2713.86 --> 2714.22] Oh, yeah? [2714.96 --> 2717.56] Treasure hunts and treasure chests. [2717.72 --> 2717.96] Right. [2718.24 --> 2722.56] So we're going to talk about treasure today in the children's worship time. [2722.64 --> 2732.48] We're going to talk about how we are Jesus' treasure and he came to save us and came to save us from all our sins. [2732.48 --> 2736.62] How many people here have ever been on a treasure hunt before? [2737.66 --> 2737.98] Yeah? [2738.16 --> 2740.64] Well, who was here last night at the Mexico dinner? [2741.90 --> 2742.48] Or, yeah. [2742.98 --> 2744.52] Some of you guys were, I recognize you. [2744.70 --> 2746.44] And it was a good time. [2746.44 --> 2753.90] Well, when I was cleaning up and helping out around here, I went into the back room and I saw this back there in the back room. [2753.98 --> 2755.24] So I thought, oh, this looks kind of funny. [2755.30 --> 2756.28] Doesn't this look kind of weird? [2757.26 --> 2763.98] So I took it apart and I opened it up and I found this. [2764.90 --> 2766.16] What does this look like? [2766.18 --> 2767.06] A map. [2768.08 --> 2770.88] And on this map, maybe you guys can help me a little bit here. [2770.96 --> 2771.84] Look at this map. [2771.84 --> 2772.90] It's a treasure map. [2773.34 --> 2775.50] It's a bit of a treasure map here. [2777.20 --> 2778.38] So what do we got here? [2778.50 --> 2781.18] Can anybody tell some of the things on this? [2781.62 --> 2782.76] Oh, there's a playground. [2783.04 --> 2783.92] What's this right here? [2785.00 --> 2786.62] Is that this over here in the corner? [2786.96 --> 2787.24] Yeah. [2787.98 --> 2788.30] Okay. [2788.50 --> 2790.44] And this is probably us right here, right? [2790.76 --> 2791.08] Yeah. [2791.54 --> 2792.82] And that's the door. [2793.24 --> 2794.32] That looks like the kitchen. [2794.48 --> 2795.56] What are these things right here? [2796.24 --> 2797.30] Those are the bathrooms. [2797.30 --> 2799.12] They're the bathrooms, actually. [2799.22 --> 2802.36] I know the guy who drew this map is not a very good artist. [2805.10 --> 2806.44] So I think. [2806.70 --> 2807.60] That's a treasure map. [2807.60 --> 2807.86] Okay. [2808.28 --> 2808.58] Okay. [2808.86 --> 2809.10] Okay. [2809.36 --> 2811.32] This is spiraling out of control here. [2812.30 --> 2812.70] Okay. [2813.16 --> 2814.78] You know what we're going to do right now? [2815.22 --> 2815.66] Okay. [2815.80 --> 2816.72] Oh, oh, oh, oh. [2816.72 --> 2817.00] Okay. [2817.10 --> 2817.24] Shh. [2817.34 --> 2817.74] My turn. [2817.74 --> 2820.08] My turn to talk. [2820.88 --> 2826.10] We are, after we do the blessing, we are going to follow this map and see if we can find [2826.10 --> 2827.78] where the treasure is on this map. [2828.50 --> 2829.18] All right. [2829.80 --> 2839.54] So why don't we all stand up, turn around, and we are going to have a good time this morning. [2839.78 --> 2840.18] Everybody. [2842.58 --> 2844.22] Does everybody know what we're supposed to do? [2846.98 --> 2851.52] The Lord be with you and also with you. [2852.46 --> 2853.00] All right. [2853.28 --> 2853.96] No running. [2854.42 --> 2855.34] We're going to go this way. [2856.10 --> 2885.64] Bye. [2886.10 --> 2890.12] Good morning. [2892.20 --> 2895.32] My name is Ken, and I'm an elder here at Emanuel Church, [2895.74 --> 2898.82] and today I'll be leading us in our church family prayer. [2899.02 --> 2901.88] But before we go into that, I have a couple just minor announcements. [2902.74 --> 2907.48] First of all, in your e-bulletins, I'm pretty sure everyone should be receiving the e-bulletin by email. [2907.58 --> 2913.04] If you don't, you can reach out to the church office to get your email address added to their list. [2913.04 --> 2918.06] But in the e-bulletin, there's a notice about Matt and Nicole's wedding that's coming up, [2918.40 --> 2920.28] and the date on that is not quite right. [2920.36 --> 2922.88] It's March the 12th, Saturday, not the 13th. [2922.90 --> 2925.32] So it's at 2 p.m. here at Emanuel Church, [2925.50 --> 2929.86] and all are welcome to come and witness the marriage of Matt and Nicole. [2931.04 --> 2934.98] And also, we are having the Lord's Supper next Sunday, [2935.14 --> 2938.34] so we're asked to just be mindful of that, [2938.34 --> 2940.28] take some time this week to prepare your hearts, [2940.28 --> 2945.04] talk to your kids about what it is we're doing as we partake in the Lord's Supper, [2945.54 --> 2947.28] and reflect on that as we prepare. [2948.60 --> 2953.60] Additionally, I just heard that Herman Weaver's dad passed away in Alberta this week, [2953.68 --> 2957.20] so we will uphold him and their family in our prayers as well. [2957.94 --> 2961.90] So let's turn to our Lord and bow our hearts and heads together in prayer. [2961.90 --> 2967.38] Our Father in heaven, you are so awesome and almighty. [2968.22 --> 2971.12] As we have just sung, you are the Ancient of Days, [2971.80 --> 2975.14] the King of Kings, and our hope in life and in death. [2976.06 --> 2979.86] We know and recognize, Lord, that amid the joys and the trials, [2980.24 --> 2982.06] amid the blessings and the difficulties, [2982.74 --> 2984.98] in all places and in all circumstances, [2985.38 --> 2986.86] our world belongs to you, Lord. [2986.86 --> 2989.76] The earth is yours and everything in it, [2990.10 --> 2991.92] the world and all who live in it. [2992.40 --> 2994.08] So we come to you, Lord, this morning [2994.08 --> 2996.94] with our joys and our burdens and lift them up to you. [2998.22 --> 3001.38] We pray for all those, Lord, who are mourning the loss of loved ones. [3002.08 --> 3005.10] We pray for Herman Weaver, as his dad has just passed away in Alberta, [3005.20 --> 3007.54] and we pray for their family, Lord, be near to them. [3008.50 --> 3010.82] We ask that you be near to the Denhan family [3010.82 --> 3014.08] and the Miles families as well, who have recently lost loved ones. [3014.08 --> 3017.10] And we pray that you bring comfort to all who mourn, [3017.48 --> 3019.26] both for those who have lost loved ones recently [3019.26 --> 3022.50] and for those who still mourn loved ones lost long ago. [3024.26 --> 3025.74] Lord, we pray for Matt and Nicole, [3025.94 --> 3027.84] who will be getting married in one week. [3028.54 --> 3029.80] Bless their preparations, Lord, [3029.94 --> 3032.14] and bless the wedding and bless their marriage. [3032.80 --> 3035.04] We pray for all the marriages of your people here. [3035.66 --> 3038.36] Lord, let them be a reflection of the covenant love [3038.36 --> 3040.60] and relationship between Christ and the Church. [3041.56 --> 3043.82] Help our marriages to be filled not only with love, [3043.82 --> 3045.24] but equally with grace. [3046.90 --> 3050.84] We pray, Lord, for your hand on the devastating situation in Ukraine. [3051.54 --> 3053.10] As we see cities attacked, [3053.44 --> 3055.22] people's homes and livelihoods destroyed, [3055.78 --> 3056.80] freedom under threat, [3057.16 --> 3059.44] and lives taken, Lord, we pray for peace [3059.44 --> 3061.30] and an end to the bombings and the fighting. [3062.36 --> 3064.58] Lord, we pray for safety for the civilians [3064.58 --> 3067.40] who are trapped with no water or heat in Mariupol. [3068.42 --> 3070.22] Lord, please work with the hearts of those [3070.22 --> 3073.84] who can instate ceasefire to give these people a chance to get out. [3075.22 --> 3077.80] We pray, Lord, for the over 1.5 million refugees [3077.80 --> 3079.78] who have fled to Poland and other places. [3080.56 --> 3082.84] Be near to them in this terrible situation [3082.84 --> 3086.02] and bless the work and efforts of all who are helping refugees. [3087.02 --> 3088.64] Help us, Lord, to reach out [3088.64 --> 3091.00] and to be a support in whatever ways possible. [3092.40 --> 3094.40] Lord, we thank you for the peace and the freedoms [3094.40 --> 3095.92] that we experience here in Canada. [3095.92 --> 3098.40] Help us not to become complacent [3098.40 --> 3101.16] or dismiss wars and tensions in this world [3101.16 --> 3102.34] as someone else's problem. [3103.36 --> 3105.30] Lord, our whole world belongs to you. [3105.76 --> 3107.70] Help us be the hands and feet of Jesus [3107.70 --> 3109.82] to the refugee, to the embattled, [3110.00 --> 3111.36] to the hurt, and to the lost. [3113.06 --> 3114.38] Lord, we also pray this morning [3114.38 --> 3116.10] for our church ministry here at Emmanuel [3116.10 --> 3118.82] and to the ministry that we're about to embark on [3118.82 --> 3120.10] through the Mexico missions trip. [3120.90 --> 3122.58] Lord, we lift up to you [3122.58 --> 3124.44] our team of young people and the youth leaders [3124.44 --> 3127.16] who are preparing to leave to serve in the Tijuana area. [3127.92 --> 3130.20] We ask, Lord, for safety for the group as they travel [3130.20 --> 3132.16] and that you will use each one of them [3132.16 --> 3133.94] to minister to the people they meet. [3134.76 --> 3136.60] We pray that through this work [3136.60 --> 3137.78] you will further your kingdom [3137.78 --> 3140.24] and change the lives of the people in Mexico [3140.24 --> 3142.78] and of each member of our team from this church. [3144.34 --> 3147.44] We also pray, Lord, for our church body and denomination. [3148.16 --> 3149.36] We pray for the classist meeting [3149.36 --> 3151.48] that's about to take place this week in Abbotsford. [3152.28 --> 3153.48] Bless the delegates as they meet [3153.48 --> 3155.02] and work through the many topics, [3155.16 --> 3157.10] including the impacts of the COVID pandemic [3157.10 --> 3159.72] and of the flooding that took place in Abbotsford. [3160.74 --> 3162.32] Lord, bring healing and restoration [3162.32 --> 3165.42] to all who have been directly affected by these things [3165.42 --> 3168.54] and to all of us who are affected one way or another. [3169.68 --> 3170.96] Things so often take longer [3170.96 --> 3172.76] to get back to normal than we like. [3173.24 --> 3174.24] Give us patience, Lord. [3174.24 --> 3178.22] Lord, we pray as we prepare our hearts [3178.22 --> 3179.48] for the Lord's Supper next week [3179.48 --> 3183.12] that we will reflect on the sacrifice [3183.12 --> 3184.86] that you've given to us in your son [3184.86 --> 3187.72] and the symbol that we get to partake in [3187.72 --> 3189.16] as we partake in the Lord's Supper. [3190.92 --> 3193.78] Lord, we pray for all who are feeling struggles right now, [3194.44 --> 3195.50] including those who struggle [3195.50 --> 3197.98] with the increased cost of living we're all experiencing. [3198.86 --> 3200.72] Help us put our trust in you [3200.72 --> 3203.84] and to seek out and to help our brother and sister [3203.84 --> 3206.06] within our families, within our church, [3206.06 --> 3208.30] our communities and throughout your world, [3208.82 --> 3209.74] wherever there is need. [3211.02 --> 3213.28] And Lord, now as we are turning to your word, [3213.52 --> 3215.40] we pray your blessing on Pastor Chris [3215.40 --> 3217.48] as he brings us your word this morning. [3218.22 --> 3219.92] Lord, speak to us during this time. [3220.36 --> 3221.30] Impact our lives. [3221.64 --> 3222.90] And as we go out this week, [3223.24 --> 3224.88] help us minister to your world. [3225.34 --> 3228.16] We ask all this in the name of our blessed Savior, Jesus. [3228.76 --> 3229.02] Amen. [3236.06 --> 3260.56] We are absolutely going to continue our worship [3260.56 --> 3263.58] in God's word together [3263.58 --> 3265.86] for the next little while. [3266.32 --> 3268.48] And this morning, [3269.40 --> 3271.92] as we have been working through the book of Exodus, [3273.04 --> 3275.38] as we come into the text, [3275.50 --> 3278.46] which we'll read from Exodus 19 and 20. [3278.68 --> 3280.22] So if you have a Bible, you can get that ready. [3280.48 --> 3281.48] We'll read that in just a moment. [3281.58 --> 3283.90] It will be on the screen behind me as well. [3284.62 --> 3288.42] But I want to start by framing it for us [3288.42 --> 3290.10] by asking the question, [3291.02 --> 3294.28] what is life supposed to look like? [3296.28 --> 3299.92] What are we supposed to do in this world? [3301.00 --> 3305.06] And depending on what you believe about the world, [3305.16 --> 3307.98] you will answer that question differently. [3309.48 --> 3313.68] If you believe that life is ultimately meaningless [3313.68 --> 3317.06] and that all we have are the years on this planet, [3317.60 --> 3320.84] life will probably look like the pursuit of happiness, [3321.42 --> 3324.44] will look like increasing personal safety [3324.44 --> 3327.56] and personal, maybe familial, [3327.72 --> 3329.82] and maybe communal comfort [3329.82 --> 3333.96] as the goals and values of living in this world. [3335.64 --> 3338.94] Maybe your idea about life [3338.94 --> 3342.68] is the pursuit of status and reputation. [3342.68 --> 3345.70] And then what you do in life [3345.70 --> 3347.82] will be whatever you must [3347.82 --> 3350.00] in order to gain that, right? [3350.06 --> 3351.54] To climb higher. [3353.04 --> 3356.26] Maybe your experience tells you [3356.26 --> 3359.10] that life is supposed to be [3359.10 --> 3363.50] about the maximal experience of well-being [3363.50 --> 3366.52] for the maximum number of people possible. [3366.82 --> 3368.82] Or maybe it's the other side [3368.82 --> 3371.10] and your experience tells you [3371.10 --> 3372.54] that life is meaningless [3372.54 --> 3374.26] and that there's no bigger point. [3374.34 --> 3375.30] And then so what's the point [3375.30 --> 3376.32] of anything along the way? [3377.42 --> 3378.92] Whether it's, you know, [3379.00 --> 3380.90] traditional philosophical hedonism [3380.90 --> 3383.52] or traditional philosophical nihilism [3383.52 --> 3384.50] on the other side, [3384.66 --> 3387.36] we all have an idea in this world, [3387.44 --> 3390.16] we all operate out of an idea [3390.16 --> 3392.78] about what life is supposed to look like. [3392.78 --> 3396.76] We all have a sort of frame [3396.76 --> 3398.92] or a social imaginary [3398.92 --> 3400.20] or a worldview [3400.20 --> 3403.40] that we hold tight to [3403.40 --> 3404.96] that has assumptions [3404.96 --> 3407.58] about what we're supposed to do [3407.58 --> 3409.40] or how we're supposed to be, [3409.90 --> 3413.12] what it means to live the good life [3413.12 --> 3415.80] or what it means to live in community [3415.80 --> 3417.32] or as an individual. [3417.32 --> 3419.86] Now what we're going to read this morning [3419.86 --> 3424.68] is the summary of the traditional Jewish [3424.68 --> 3427.88] and then eventually Judeo-Christian answer [3427.88 --> 3429.38] to this question. [3430.34 --> 3432.50] We're going to read the Ten Commandments. [3434.12 --> 3434.66] And then, [3435.60 --> 3438.20] instead of looking at each commandment individually, [3439.14 --> 3439.98] if you're interested, [3440.12 --> 3441.70] we can save that for another series [3441.70 --> 3442.84] sometime in the future, [3442.84 --> 3446.54] we're going to look at sort of a 30,000 foot view [3446.54 --> 3449.72] of what it means to live life with God [3449.72 --> 3451.28] in gratitude to God [3451.28 --> 3453.36] for the glory of God. [3454.80 --> 3456.02] And so as we read, [3456.10 --> 3456.92] we're going to start [3456.92 --> 3459.10] in chapter 19 [3459.10 --> 3460.56] at verse 16 [3460.56 --> 3462.88] to sort of set the narrative context [3462.88 --> 3464.40] and then we'll get into [3464.40 --> 3465.54] the Ten Commandments themselves. [3466.82 --> 3468.14] So, hear the word of the Lord. [3470.04 --> 3472.64] On the morning of the third day, [3472.84 --> 3474.64] there was thunder and lightning [3474.64 --> 3477.38] with a thick cloud over the mountain [3477.38 --> 3479.54] and a very loud trumpet blast. [3480.32 --> 3481.72] Everyone in the camp trembled. [3482.70 --> 3485.52] Then Moses led the people out of the camp [3485.52 --> 3486.44] to meet with God [3486.44 --> 3489.16] and they stood at the foot of the mountain. [3490.28 --> 3492.08] Mount Sinai was covered with smoke [3492.08 --> 3494.74] because the Lord descended on it in fire [3494.74 --> 3496.56] and the smoke billowed up from it [3496.56 --> 3497.84] like smoke from a furnace [3497.84 --> 3500.00] and the whole mountain trembled violently. [3500.00 --> 3502.68] And as the sound of the trumpet [3502.68 --> 3503.88] grew louder and louder, [3504.06 --> 3504.98] Moses spoke [3504.98 --> 3506.60] and the voice of God [3506.60 --> 3507.68] answered him. [3509.22 --> 3510.52] The Lord descended [3510.52 --> 3512.58] to the top of Mount Sinai [3512.58 --> 3513.48] and called Moses [3513.48 --> 3515.00] to the top of the mountain. [3516.12 --> 3517.22] So Moses went up [3517.22 --> 3518.32] and the Lord said to him, [3518.76 --> 3520.12] go down and warn the people [3520.12 --> 3521.94] so they do not force their way through [3521.94 --> 3522.90] to see the Lord [3522.90 --> 3524.50] and many of them perish. [3524.50 --> 3526.10] Even the priests [3526.10 --> 3527.18] who approach the Lord [3527.18 --> 3528.50] must consecrate themselves [3528.50 --> 3530.60] or the Lord will break out against them. [3532.00 --> 3533.46] Moses said to the Lord, [3534.56 --> 3536.54] the people cannot come up Mount Sinai [3536.54 --> 3538.64] because you yourself warned us, [3538.76 --> 3539.88] put limits around the mountain [3539.88 --> 3541.28] and set it apart as holy. [3542.42 --> 3543.44] The Lord replied, [3543.86 --> 3546.36] go down and bring Aaron up with you, [3547.22 --> 3548.68] but the priests and the people [3548.68 --> 3550.34] must not force their way through [3550.34 --> 3551.42] to come up to the Lord [3551.42 --> 3553.32] or he will break out against them. [3554.32 --> 3555.98] So Moses went down to the people [3555.98 --> 3557.16] and told them. [3558.72 --> 3562.36] And God spoke all these words. [3563.72 --> 3566.08] I am the Lord your God [3566.08 --> 3568.18] who brought you out of Egypt, [3568.32 --> 3569.94] out of the land of slavery. [3570.12 --> 3572.52] You shall have no other gods before me. [3573.66 --> 3575.18] You shall not make for yourself [3575.18 --> 3577.84] an image in the form of anything [3577.84 --> 3578.58] in heaven above [3578.58 --> 3579.78] or in the earth beneath [3579.78 --> 3580.82] or in the waters below. [3581.42 --> 3583.30] You shall not bow down to them [3583.30 --> 3584.30] or worship them, [3584.80 --> 3586.42] for I, the Lord your God, [3586.46 --> 3587.44] am a jealous God, [3587.54 --> 3588.70] punishing the children [3588.70 --> 3589.88] for the sin of the parents [3589.88 --> 3591.46] to the third and fourth generation [3591.46 --> 3592.56] of those who hate me, [3592.80 --> 3593.72] but showing love [3593.72 --> 3595.16] to a thousand generations [3595.16 --> 3596.56] of those who love me [3596.56 --> 3598.00] and keep my commandments. [3599.32 --> 3600.78] You shall not misuse [3600.78 --> 3602.34] the name of the Lord your God, [3602.40 --> 3603.46] for the Lord will not hold [3603.46 --> 3604.48] anyone guiltless [3604.48 --> 3605.88] who misuses his name. [3607.56 --> 3609.24] Remember the Sabbath day [3609.24 --> 3610.52] by keeping it holy. [3611.62 --> 3613.16] Six days you shall labor [3613.16 --> 3614.48] and do all your work, [3614.96 --> 3616.22] but the seventh day [3616.22 --> 3618.00] is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. [3618.80 --> 3620.88] On it you shall not do any work, [3620.96 --> 3622.22] neither you nor your son [3622.22 --> 3622.74] or daughter, [3622.84 --> 3624.38] nor your male or female servants, [3624.50 --> 3625.16] nor your animals, [3625.28 --> 3626.42] nor the foreigner [3626.42 --> 3627.82] residing in your towns. [3628.12 --> 3629.40] For in six days [3629.40 --> 3630.56] the Lord made the heavens [3630.56 --> 3631.48] and the earth, [3631.70 --> 3633.30] the sea and all that is in them, [3633.30 --> 3635.66] but he rested on the seventh day. [3636.44 --> 3637.74] Therefore the Lord blessed [3637.74 --> 3638.76] the Sabbath day [3638.76 --> 3639.92] and made it holy. [3641.64 --> 3642.98] Honor your father [3642.98 --> 3643.94] and your mother [3643.94 --> 3645.66] so that you may live long [3645.66 --> 3646.22] in the land [3646.22 --> 3647.14] the Lord your God [3647.14 --> 3647.80] is giving you. [3648.70 --> 3649.56] You shall not murder, [3650.22 --> 3651.84] you shall not commit adultery, [3652.10 --> 3653.34] you shall not steal, [3653.60 --> 3655.30] you shall not give false testimony [3655.30 --> 3656.34] against your neighbor, [3656.70 --> 3657.70] you shall not covet [3657.70 --> 3658.58] your neighbor's house, [3658.70 --> 3659.38] you shall not covet [3659.38 --> 3660.10] your neighbor's wife [3660.10 --> 3661.74] or his male or female servant, [3661.74 --> 3663.18] his ox or donkey [3663.18 --> 3663.88] or anything [3663.88 --> 3665.10] that belongs [3665.10 --> 3666.28] to your neighbor. [3668.16 --> 3669.38] When the people saw [3669.38 --> 3669.92] the thunder [3669.92 --> 3670.60] and the lightning [3670.60 --> 3671.50] and heard the trumpet [3671.50 --> 3672.44] and saw the mountain [3672.44 --> 3673.04] in smoke, [3673.16 --> 3674.66] they trembled with fear. [3675.72 --> 3677.16] They stayed at a distance [3677.16 --> 3679.58] and said to Moses, [3680.28 --> 3681.88] Speak to us yourself [3681.88 --> 3682.88] and we will listen, [3683.32 --> 3684.32] but do not have God [3684.32 --> 3685.02] speak to us [3685.02 --> 3685.84] or we will die. [3687.30 --> 3688.58] Moses said to the people, [3689.12 --> 3690.18] Do not be afraid. [3690.66 --> 3691.36] God has come [3691.36 --> 3692.12] to test you [3692.12 --> 3692.88] so that the fear [3692.88 --> 3693.36] of God [3693.36 --> 3694.20] will be with you [3694.20 --> 3695.18] to keep you [3695.18 --> 3695.82] from sinning. [3696.68 --> 3697.48] And the people [3697.48 --> 3698.74] remained at a distance [3698.74 --> 3699.48] while Moses [3699.48 --> 3700.10] approached [3700.10 --> 3702.42] the thick darkness [3702.42 --> 3703.36] where God [3703.36 --> 3704.28] was. [3705.34 --> 3706.16] This is the word [3706.16 --> 3706.58] of the Lord. [3710.36 --> 3710.88] Now, [3711.22 --> 3712.44] this morning [3712.44 --> 3713.54] we're going [3713.54 --> 3714.90] to do [3714.90 --> 3715.44] the work [3715.44 --> 3716.50] of theology, [3717.14 --> 3717.88] of biblical [3717.88 --> 3718.50] and systematic [3718.50 --> 3719.14] theology [3719.14 --> 3719.96] this morning [3719.96 --> 3720.64] and so roll [3720.64 --> 3721.32] up your sleeves [3721.32 --> 3722.48] because we're [3722.48 --> 3722.86] going to dig [3722.86 --> 3724.08] in together. [3724.54 --> 3724.64] Now, [3724.70 --> 3725.08] don't worry, [3725.20 --> 3726.40] all good theology [3726.40 --> 3728.28] is practical theology [3728.28 --> 3729.00] and so we'll [3729.00 --> 3729.62] leave you with [3729.62 --> 3730.22] something there [3730.22 --> 3731.06] at the end. [3733.12 --> 3734.10] Like we said, [3734.90 --> 3736.34] everyone has [3736.34 --> 3737.12] an idea [3737.12 --> 3738.56] about what life [3738.56 --> 3739.20] is supposed [3739.20 --> 3739.98] to look like, [3740.46 --> 3741.08] about how we're [3741.08 --> 3742.10] supposed to live [3742.10 --> 3744.58] and for what goals [3744.58 --> 3745.30] or values [3745.30 --> 3746.08] we are supposed [3746.08 --> 3746.46] to live. [3746.46 --> 3747.72] And if you grew [3747.72 --> 3748.46] up Christian [3748.46 --> 3749.84] or if you grew [3749.84 --> 3750.88] up in a western [3750.88 --> 3752.58] country like Canada [3752.58 --> 3754.08] which has a history [3754.08 --> 3755.46] of being formed [3755.46 --> 3757.16] on Christian [3757.16 --> 3758.66] social values, [3759.10 --> 3760.28] these ten commandments [3760.28 --> 3761.42] are familiar [3761.42 --> 3761.92] to you. [3763.54 --> 3764.90] And for some, [3765.66 --> 3766.50] whether you are [3766.50 --> 3768.04] explicitly religious [3768.04 --> 3768.92] or not, [3769.30 --> 3770.44] the ten commandments [3770.44 --> 3771.76] sort of represent [3771.76 --> 3772.68] the pathway [3772.68 --> 3773.36] to heaven. [3773.36 --> 3774.32] Right? [3774.40 --> 3775.34] Just do these [3775.34 --> 3776.38] things and then [3776.38 --> 3777.58] when you die [3777.58 --> 3778.34] you'll go to heaven. [3779.36 --> 3780.38] For others, [3780.84 --> 3781.92] the ten commandments [3781.92 --> 3782.88] are just a good [3782.88 --> 3784.16] sort of recommendation [3784.16 --> 3785.38] about how you're [3785.38 --> 3786.08] supposed to live. [3786.32 --> 3787.52] At least the second [3787.52 --> 3788.24] half of the ten [3788.24 --> 3788.90] commandments are. [3789.24 --> 3789.46] Right? [3789.48 --> 3790.00] We can forget [3790.00 --> 3790.82] about the stuff [3790.82 --> 3791.74] about God [3791.74 --> 3792.56] and the Sabbath [3792.56 --> 3793.46] and all of that [3793.46 --> 3793.94] but that stuff [3793.94 --> 3794.80] about not murdering, [3794.88 --> 3795.54] that's pretty cool. [3797.02 --> 3798.04] And for others [3798.04 --> 3799.76] and increasingly so [3799.76 --> 3800.94] in our post-Christian [3800.94 --> 3801.44] world, [3801.92 --> 3802.78] the ten commandments [3802.78 --> 3804.04] and really any [3804.04 --> 3805.30] religious ethical [3805.30 --> 3805.96] instruction [3805.96 --> 3807.76] are to be cast off [3807.76 --> 3808.64] as the shackles [3808.64 --> 3809.50] that have hamstrung [3809.50 --> 3810.00] the progressive [3810.00 --> 3810.54] development [3810.54 --> 3811.96] and have oppressed [3811.96 --> 3812.88] whole portions [3812.88 --> 3813.84] of the world [3813.84 --> 3814.78] and subcultures [3814.78 --> 3815.26] within it. [3817.00 --> 3818.00] And in this latter [3818.00 --> 3818.36] case, [3818.46 --> 3818.94] to be sure, [3819.10 --> 3820.18] if you get on [3820.18 --> 3820.88] social media [3820.88 --> 3821.72] and you listen [3821.72 --> 3822.48] to all the [3822.48 --> 3823.58] so-called [3823.58 --> 3824.78] ex-evangelical [3824.78 --> 3825.60] stories of [3825.60 --> 3826.26] deconversion, [3827.16 --> 3827.96] now I realize [3827.96 --> 3829.28] that ex-evangelical [3829.28 --> 3830.14] might not be a word [3830.14 --> 3830.56] some of you [3830.56 --> 3831.10] are used to, [3831.10 --> 3832.76] but it's the idea [3832.76 --> 3833.64] that's really [3833.64 --> 3835.54] sort of in vogue [3835.54 --> 3836.34] in the social media [3836.34 --> 3837.20] world right now [3837.20 --> 3837.80] about people [3837.80 --> 3838.54] who grew up [3838.54 --> 3839.58] in a traditional [3839.58 --> 3841.12] evangelical context [3841.12 --> 3842.64] and have left it. [3842.72 --> 3843.04] They are [3843.04 --> 3844.64] ex-evangelical, [3844.90 --> 3845.90] ex-evangelical. [3846.96 --> 3847.74] And you hear [3847.74 --> 3848.38] those stories [3848.38 --> 3850.24] and the truth is, [3850.28 --> 3851.14] if I'm honest [3851.14 --> 3852.54] and clear, [3852.70 --> 3853.50] is that some [3853.50 --> 3854.26] of what they [3854.26 --> 3854.90] say [3854.90 --> 3856.24] isn't wrong [3856.24 --> 3858.10] because there [3858.10 --> 3858.88] is a whole [3858.88 --> 3859.46] culture [3859.46 --> 3860.68] of Christian [3860.68 --> 3862.20] that wields [3862.20 --> 3862.84] morality [3862.84 --> 3863.90] as a weapon. [3865.22 --> 3866.00] And there's [3866.00 --> 3867.00] a whole history [3867.00 --> 3867.92] of Western [3867.92 --> 3868.76] colonialism [3868.76 --> 3870.08] being wedded [3870.08 --> 3871.00] to the Christian [3871.00 --> 3872.42] mission of evangelism [3872.42 --> 3873.28] that is really [3873.28 --> 3873.96] just a thinly [3873.96 --> 3874.70] covered veil [3874.70 --> 3875.36] for the abuses [3875.36 --> 3875.92] of power. [3877.26 --> 3878.26] That's true. [3879.12 --> 3879.62] And we need [3879.62 --> 3880.64] to repent [3880.64 --> 3881.82] of our part [3881.82 --> 3882.34] in that [3882.34 --> 3882.84] or our [3882.84 --> 3883.82] perpetuation [3883.82 --> 3884.84] of that kind [3884.84 --> 3885.26] of system [3885.26 --> 3885.84] if we have [3885.84 --> 3886.34] done that. [3886.98 --> 3887.72] And we need [3887.72 --> 3888.96] to be so [3888.96 --> 3890.22] incredibly mindful [3890.22 --> 3891.70] of that temptation [3891.70 --> 3892.84] for power [3892.84 --> 3894.26] and privilege. [3895.32 --> 3896.50] But the question [3896.50 --> 3897.78] remains for us [3897.78 --> 3898.30] this morning, [3898.54 --> 3898.68] right? [3898.76 --> 3899.68] Utterly rejecting [3899.68 --> 3901.74] the past abuses [3901.74 --> 3902.76] and fleeing [3902.76 --> 3903.58] the temptation [3903.58 --> 3904.56] to weaponize [3904.56 --> 3905.52] morality, [3906.16 --> 3906.96] what role, [3907.48 --> 3908.22] if any, [3908.96 --> 3909.72] do the Ten [3909.72 --> 3910.44] Commandments [3910.44 --> 3912.12] play in defining [3912.12 --> 3913.14] what life is [3913.14 --> 3913.92] supposed to look [3913.92 --> 3914.30] like? [3914.84 --> 3915.90] For the Christian [3915.90 --> 3917.44] and then maybe [3917.44 --> 3919.50] for the non-Christian. [3922.16 --> 3923.22] Now before we can [3923.22 --> 3923.70] answer that [3923.70 --> 3925.04] bigger question, [3925.32 --> 3925.80] there's one that [3925.80 --> 3926.30] we need to [3926.30 --> 3927.60] start with [3927.60 --> 3929.02] and that is [3929.02 --> 3930.02] what is the [3930.02 --> 3931.40] best way [3931.40 --> 3932.56] to understand [3932.56 --> 3933.90] or to approach [3933.90 --> 3935.38] the Ten Commandments? [3936.42 --> 3937.38] Now this question [3937.38 --> 3938.18] may seem a little bit [3938.18 --> 3939.22] strange as a starting [3939.22 --> 3939.72] point because [3939.72 --> 3940.36] some of you [3940.36 --> 3940.98] might just say, [3941.10 --> 3941.24] well, [3942.04 --> 3942.50] can't we just [3942.50 --> 3942.88] read them? [3943.62 --> 3944.42] Can't we do them? [3944.42 --> 3945.42] Can't we just ask [3945.42 --> 3946.48] forgiveness when we [3946.48 --> 3946.98] screw up? [3947.84 --> 3948.52] What do we need a [3948.52 --> 3949.50] framework for [3949.50 --> 3950.68] for understanding? [3950.92 --> 3951.78] Just do what it [3951.78 --> 3952.14] says. [3953.48 --> 3954.50] Problem is, [3954.58 --> 3955.10] of course, [3955.22 --> 3955.38] right, [3955.58 --> 3956.64] that in the rest [3956.64 --> 3957.38] of our reading [3957.38 --> 3958.10] of the Bible [3958.10 --> 3959.26] we always [3959.26 --> 3960.48] use a framework, [3961.02 --> 3961.20] right? [3961.22 --> 3961.96] We always have [3961.96 --> 3963.18] what some people [3963.18 --> 3964.32] have called a lens, [3964.48 --> 3965.18] I wear glasses, [3965.34 --> 3965.88] a lens [3965.88 --> 3967.04] through which [3967.04 --> 3967.80] we look [3967.80 --> 3969.22] at the Bible [3969.22 --> 3970.02] and by which [3970.02 --> 3971.04] we read Scripture. [3971.16 --> 3971.92] Everyone does it. [3971.92 --> 3973.12] everyone has it. [3973.90 --> 3974.90] You just might not [3974.90 --> 3975.82] recognize it. [3976.88 --> 3977.78] Now in theology, [3978.20 --> 3979.00] what we call this [3979.00 --> 3979.98] is the issue [3979.98 --> 3981.04] of interpretation [3981.04 --> 3982.84] or the issue [3982.84 --> 3984.20] of hermeneutics. [3985.42 --> 3985.90] Now, [3986.30 --> 3987.54] I used that word [3987.54 --> 3988.36] one time before [3988.36 --> 3989.16] and someone said, [3989.48 --> 3989.70] you know, [3989.82 --> 3990.14] Pastor, [3990.38 --> 3991.12] I don't need a [3991.12 --> 3991.84] hermeneutic for [3991.84 --> 3992.48] reading the Bible, [3992.74 --> 3993.74] I just pick it up. [3995.24 --> 3995.46] I said, [3995.50 --> 3995.62] well, [3995.66 --> 3996.08] actually, [3996.76 --> 3997.98] that's not true [3997.98 --> 3999.52] and I know [3999.52 --> 4000.44] that that's not true [4000.44 --> 4002.30] because you still [4002.30 --> 4003.44] have your right hand [4003.44 --> 4004.32] and your right eye. [4005.46 --> 4005.84] This person [4005.84 --> 4006.18] looked at me [4006.18 --> 4006.32] and said, [4006.40 --> 4006.58] what? [4007.14 --> 4007.34] I said, [4007.38 --> 4007.52] well, [4007.62 --> 4008.60] in Matthew 5, [4008.66 --> 4009.52] verse 29 and 30, [4009.62 --> 4010.26] Jesus says, [4010.62 --> 4011.38] if your right eye [4011.38 --> 4012.34] causes you to sin, [4013.62 --> 4014.28] gouge it out, [4014.86 --> 4015.44] throw it away. [4016.16 --> 4016.70] For it's better [4016.70 --> 4017.42] for you to lose [4017.42 --> 4018.36] one part of your body [4018.36 --> 4019.26] than for your whole body [4019.26 --> 4020.18] to be thrown into hell. [4020.52 --> 4021.50] And if your right hand [4021.50 --> 4022.44] causes you to sin, [4023.12 --> 4023.88] cut it off [4023.88 --> 4025.12] and throw it away. [4026.34 --> 4026.52] Now, [4026.52 --> 4027.42] if she simply [4027.42 --> 4028.50] read the Bible [4028.50 --> 4029.74] and did what it said, [4030.94 --> 4031.46] she would be [4031.46 --> 4032.38] a half-blind cripple. [4033.52 --> 4034.00] But, [4034.32 --> 4035.40] we all have [4035.40 --> 4036.12] a hermeneutic. [4037.38 --> 4038.28] Here's another one. [4038.90 --> 4039.52] No less than [4039.52 --> 4040.26] four times [4040.26 --> 4040.94] in the New Testament, [4041.06 --> 4041.74] the Apostle Paul [4041.74 --> 4042.58] tells believers [4042.58 --> 4044.42] to greet each other [4044.42 --> 4045.86] with a holy kiss. [4047.40 --> 4048.42] When was the last time [4048.42 --> 4049.18] you did that in church? [4050.86 --> 4051.26] Surely, [4051.38 --> 4052.30] not in the last two years. [4056.06 --> 4056.50] Right? [4056.52 --> 4057.12] We all have [4057.12 --> 4057.76] a framework [4057.76 --> 4059.14] for understanding. [4059.92 --> 4060.82] What I hope [4060.82 --> 4061.74] to do with you [4061.74 --> 4063.02] quickly this morning [4063.02 --> 4063.80] is to come up [4063.80 --> 4065.74] with a shared framework. [4066.64 --> 4067.12] Because, [4067.24 --> 4068.32] having a framework [4068.32 --> 4069.00] for understanding [4069.00 --> 4070.28] is also true [4070.28 --> 4071.52] when we come [4071.52 --> 4072.46] to the Ten Commandments. [4073.48 --> 4074.36] For instance, [4075.16 --> 4075.38] right, [4075.44 --> 4076.26] the Second Commandment [4076.26 --> 4076.56] says, [4076.64 --> 4077.34] rather explicitly, [4077.86 --> 4078.42] you shall not [4078.42 --> 4079.20] make for yourself [4079.20 --> 4079.70] an image [4079.70 --> 4080.16] in the form [4080.16 --> 4080.64] of anything [4080.64 --> 4081.54] in heaven above [4081.54 --> 4082.36] or on the earth [4082.36 --> 4082.76] beneath [4082.76 --> 4083.78] or in the waters below. [4083.78 --> 4085.64] Now, [4085.68 --> 4086.30] does that refer [4086.30 --> 4087.68] to the idols [4087.68 --> 4088.80] of other gods [4088.80 --> 4089.88] that we're not [4089.88 --> 4090.68] supposed to have [4090.68 --> 4091.48] or does that refer [4091.48 --> 4092.50] to any image [4092.50 --> 4094.08] of the one true God? [4094.18 --> 4094.76] Does this refer [4094.76 --> 4095.24] to images [4095.24 --> 4096.46] of God himself? [4096.64 --> 4097.48] And if it does refer [4097.48 --> 4097.90] to images [4097.90 --> 4098.56] of God himself, [4098.86 --> 4099.88] in what way [4099.88 --> 4100.80] and how far? [4101.18 --> 4101.34] Right? [4101.38 --> 4101.94] Are we allowed [4101.94 --> 4102.52] to have pictures [4102.52 --> 4102.98] of Jesus [4102.98 --> 4104.00] in our children's Bibles? [4105.10 --> 4105.26] Right? [4105.30 --> 4106.46] Or if you're old enough, [4106.98 --> 4108.26] were we all sinning [4108.26 --> 4109.42] when the Sunday school teacher [4109.42 --> 4110.04] put Jesus [4110.04 --> 4110.90] on the felt board? [4110.90 --> 4111.34] Right? [4112.56 --> 4113.52] You remember felt boards? [4115.56 --> 4117.14] Or in the Fourth Commandment, [4117.30 --> 4117.54] right, [4117.86 --> 4118.58] we read, [4118.98 --> 4119.96] remember the Sabbath day [4119.96 --> 4120.88] by keeping it holy. [4121.02 --> 4121.76] The seventh day [4121.76 --> 4122.36] is a Sabbath [4122.36 --> 4123.30] to the Lord your God. [4123.38 --> 4123.66] On it, [4123.70 --> 4124.82] you shall not do any work. [4125.74 --> 4126.56] But what qualifies [4126.56 --> 4127.04] as work? [4128.48 --> 4128.62] Right? [4128.64 --> 4129.12] Am I allowed [4129.12 --> 4130.24] to go out for lunch [4130.24 --> 4131.54] after church [4131.54 --> 4133.46] because it's less work [4133.46 --> 4134.32] for me to go out [4134.32 --> 4135.22] and get lunch [4135.22 --> 4136.04] than it is to make it [4136.04 --> 4136.28] at home? [4138.16 --> 4139.30] Can I cut the grass? [4139.30 --> 4141.12] Can I weed the garden? [4141.92 --> 4142.82] Is that work? [4143.74 --> 4144.24] Am I allowed [4144.24 --> 4145.06] to play sports [4145.06 --> 4145.72] or games [4145.72 --> 4147.06] or, heaven forbid, [4147.22 --> 4149.20] cards on Sunday? [4150.06 --> 4150.50] Now, you laugh, [4150.56 --> 4151.50] but there was a time [4151.50 --> 4152.70] in our church's history [4152.70 --> 4153.78] where that was forbidden. [4153.90 --> 4154.34] Some of you [4154.34 --> 4155.34] might remember that. [4156.62 --> 4156.74] Right? [4156.78 --> 4157.60] The challenge [4157.60 --> 4159.04] of interpretation [4159.04 --> 4160.44] is raised [4160.44 --> 4161.86] and how we understand [4161.86 --> 4162.52] and apply [4162.52 --> 4164.18] is so important. [4164.26 --> 4165.62] And it comes up again [4165.62 --> 4166.84] in the time of Jesus. [4167.90 --> 4168.08] Right? [4168.08 --> 4170.74] So, as New Testament Christians, [4171.68 --> 4172.30] we want to look [4172.30 --> 4173.18] for a New Testament [4173.18 --> 4174.26] interpretation [4174.26 --> 4175.92] of the Old Testament [4175.92 --> 4176.76] as a guide [4176.76 --> 4177.74] for understanding [4177.74 --> 4178.58] scriptures. [4178.80 --> 4179.40] And in the Sermon [4179.40 --> 4179.88] on the Mount, [4180.68 --> 4181.58] Jesus says, [4182.58 --> 4183.16] do not think [4183.16 --> 4183.76] that I have come [4183.76 --> 4184.60] to abolish [4184.60 --> 4185.06] the law [4185.06 --> 4185.82] and the prophets. [4186.30 --> 4186.86] I've not come [4186.86 --> 4187.94] to abolish them, [4188.12 --> 4189.56] but to fulfill them. [4190.88 --> 4191.10] And so, [4191.16 --> 4192.14] what does fulfill mean [4192.14 --> 4193.06] in that moment? [4194.58 --> 4194.72] Right? [4194.74 --> 4196.46] There's a commentator [4196.46 --> 4197.38] named Dale Bruner. [4197.50 --> 4198.10] I like he has [4198.10 --> 4199.22] a play on words here. [4199.96 --> 4200.60] He says that [4200.60 --> 4201.62] Jesus comes [4201.62 --> 4203.32] to fulfill the law [4203.32 --> 4205.26] in that he keeps it perfectly, [4205.58 --> 4207.04] but also in that [4207.04 --> 4208.54] he fills it up [4208.54 --> 4210.78] with new meaning for us. [4211.84 --> 4212.44] And so, [4212.50 --> 4213.28] that's why the command [4213.28 --> 4214.20] to not murder [4214.20 --> 4215.58] is also including [4215.58 --> 4216.42] hatred [4216.42 --> 4217.72] of your brother and sister. [4217.84 --> 4218.76] He fills it up [4218.76 --> 4219.90] with a new meaning for us. [4219.90 --> 4221.50] And in looking [4221.50 --> 4222.12] to Jesus [4222.12 --> 4223.18] and the other [4223.18 --> 4224.36] New Testament passages [4224.36 --> 4225.40] that we begin [4225.40 --> 4226.44] to develop then [4226.44 --> 4227.94] our shared framework [4227.94 --> 4228.98] for understanding [4228.98 --> 4230.06] how we are supposed [4230.06 --> 4231.24] to approach [4231.24 --> 4232.40] and apply [4232.40 --> 4233.84] the law of God [4233.84 --> 4234.90] in Exodus 20. [4236.08 --> 4237.08] For example, [4237.42 --> 4237.60] right, [4237.66 --> 4237.90] again, [4237.98 --> 4238.94] on the Sabbath question, [4239.34 --> 4240.04] what does it mean [4240.04 --> 4241.68] when Jesus says [4241.68 --> 4242.90] Sabbath was made [4242.90 --> 4243.54] for people, [4243.72 --> 4244.40] not people [4244.40 --> 4245.16] for the Sabbath? [4246.04 --> 4246.58] Or, [4246.66 --> 4247.12] what does it mean [4247.12 --> 4248.12] in the book of Hebrews [4248.12 --> 4249.04] when it talks about [4249.04 --> 4250.18] Jesus himself [4250.18 --> 4251.74] as being the [4251.74 --> 4252.54] sort of [4252.54 --> 4254.02] fulfillment [4254.02 --> 4255.82] of the Sabbath rest [4255.82 --> 4257.42] that we were promised [4257.42 --> 4258.14] and that we all need [4258.14 --> 4259.08] to be found in him, [4259.72 --> 4259.98] right? [4260.04 --> 4261.02] Meaning that Sabbath [4261.02 --> 4262.68] is a seven-day-a-week [4262.68 --> 4263.86] spiritual reality, [4263.86 --> 4265.52] not just a working [4265.52 --> 4266.52] or a stopping [4266.52 --> 4267.38] your work [4267.38 --> 4268.50] physical reality. [4269.56 --> 4270.46] At least that's [4270.46 --> 4270.88] the framework. [4272.26 --> 4272.44] And so, [4272.52 --> 4273.44] as we ask the question [4273.44 --> 4274.22] of framework, [4274.40 --> 4275.24] as we ask this question [4275.24 --> 4276.32] of hermeneutics, [4276.32 --> 4278.16] it's an issue [4278.16 --> 4279.98] of focus, [4280.20 --> 4280.52] really. [4281.92 --> 4282.84] Which is why, [4282.96 --> 4283.72] in this, [4283.78 --> 4284.36] we have to ask [4284.36 --> 4285.84] another question. [4286.72 --> 4287.36] And that question [4287.36 --> 4287.56] is, [4287.74 --> 4289.00] who are the [4289.00 --> 4289.90] Ten Commandments [4289.90 --> 4291.24] really about? [4291.40 --> 4291.56] Or, [4291.66 --> 4293.10] for whom [4293.10 --> 4294.20] are they [4294.20 --> 4295.14] given? [4296.10 --> 4296.56] Now, [4296.60 --> 4296.74] again, [4296.80 --> 4297.28] maybe you think [4297.28 --> 4298.24] the answer is obvious, [4298.36 --> 4298.52] right? [4298.52 --> 4300.48] The Ten Commandments [4300.48 --> 4301.36] answer the question, [4301.68 --> 4302.76] how shall we live? [4303.10 --> 4303.50] And so, [4303.64 --> 4304.36] by implication, [4304.66 --> 4305.58] they are for [4305.58 --> 4306.46] humans, [4306.78 --> 4307.98] for and about [4307.98 --> 4308.60] humans, [4308.74 --> 4309.24] they are about [4309.24 --> 4310.08] us. [4311.26 --> 4311.78] And yet, [4312.56 --> 4314.28] in the story, [4314.38 --> 4314.84] as we have been [4314.84 --> 4315.24] reading it, [4315.30 --> 4316.06] where do we find [4316.06 --> 4317.22] the law given? [4319.44 --> 4320.56] Not just on the [4320.56 --> 4321.36] mountainside [4321.36 --> 4322.18] at Sinai, [4323.02 --> 4323.46] but, [4323.62 --> 4324.16] more generally, [4324.96 --> 4325.76] in the Bible. [4326.76 --> 4327.84] The Bible, [4328.20 --> 4329.64] which we say, [4329.84 --> 4331.56] as Reformed Christians, [4331.74 --> 4332.80] as Protestant Christians, [4332.80 --> 4333.84] as Christians [4333.84 --> 4335.36] throughout time and space, [4335.56 --> 4336.90] Catholic through it all, [4337.12 --> 4338.42] we say that the Bible [4338.42 --> 4339.36] is the true [4339.36 --> 4340.64] and authoritative [4340.64 --> 4341.38] revelation [4341.38 --> 4341.98] of [4341.98 --> 4343.50] God. [4344.94 --> 4345.54] The [4345.54 --> 4346.32] Belgic [4346.32 --> 4346.98] Confession, [4347.74 --> 4348.40] the Belgic [4348.40 --> 4348.86] Confession [4348.86 --> 4350.24] is a [4350.24 --> 4351.50] statement [4351.50 --> 4352.22] of faith [4352.22 --> 4353.16] that our [4353.16 --> 4353.54] church [4353.54 --> 4354.10] and other [4354.10 --> 4354.74] Continental [4354.74 --> 4356.00] Reformed churches [4356.00 --> 4356.72] have held up [4356.72 --> 4358.00] as a good summary [4358.00 --> 4359.40] of the teachings [4359.40 --> 4359.96] of the Bible. [4359.96 --> 4360.46] The Belgic [4360.46 --> 4361.02] Confession [4361.02 --> 4363.00] asks and says [4363.00 --> 4363.58] in an article [4363.58 --> 4364.02] called [4364.02 --> 4364.46] The Means [4364.46 --> 4365.06] By Which We [4365.06 --> 4365.60] Know God, [4365.92 --> 4366.38] says, [4366.60 --> 4367.34] we know God [4367.34 --> 4368.74] by two means. [4369.28 --> 4369.60] First, [4369.98 --> 4370.84] by the creation [4370.84 --> 4371.46] and preservation [4371.46 --> 4372.32] and government [4372.32 --> 4373.06] of the universe, [4373.38 --> 4374.04] and second, [4374.36 --> 4375.34] he makes himself [4375.34 --> 4376.44] known to us [4376.44 --> 4377.28] more openly [4377.28 --> 4379.02] by his holy [4379.02 --> 4380.30] and divine [4380.30 --> 4381.52] word. [4382.16 --> 4383.16] The Bible [4383.16 --> 4384.14] is the [4384.14 --> 4385.22] holy word [4385.22 --> 4385.60] of God. [4385.68 --> 4386.12] It is a [4386.12 --> 4386.80] revelation [4386.80 --> 4387.72] of who [4387.72 --> 4388.38] God [4388.38 --> 4389.04] is. [4389.46 --> 4390.04] First and [4390.04 --> 4390.54] foremost, [4390.74 --> 4390.92] then, [4391.00 --> 4391.50] the Bible, [4391.92 --> 4392.56] all of the [4392.56 --> 4392.88] Bible, [4393.18 --> 4393.88] is not a [4393.88 --> 4394.56] road map [4394.56 --> 4395.58] for how we [4395.58 --> 4396.04] are supposed [4396.04 --> 4396.46] to live [4396.46 --> 4396.90] our best [4396.90 --> 4397.60] lives now. [4398.68 --> 4399.46] It's the [4399.46 --> 4399.98] way that [4399.98 --> 4400.48] God has [4400.48 --> 4401.34] chosen to [4401.34 --> 4402.36] reveal himself [4402.36 --> 4403.30] to you [4403.30 --> 4404.78] and to [4404.78 --> 4405.16] us. [4406.56 --> 4407.32] And so, [4407.44 --> 4407.92] since that [4407.92 --> 4408.52] is true [4408.52 --> 4409.28] generally, [4409.80 --> 4410.96] it must also [4410.96 --> 4411.58] be true [4411.58 --> 4412.78] specifically. [4413.44 --> 4414.12] That is, [4414.20 --> 4414.88] it must also [4414.88 --> 4415.36] be true [4415.36 --> 4415.86] of the [4415.86 --> 4417.12] Ten Commandments. [4418.40 --> 4418.88] And sure, [4419.00 --> 4419.40] it's true [4419.40 --> 4419.76] that the [4419.76 --> 4420.50] laws here [4420.50 --> 4422.06] reflect the [4422.06 --> 4422.88] ways of [4422.88 --> 4423.86] God's people [4423.86 --> 4424.78] to be marked [4424.78 --> 4425.40] out as [4425.40 --> 4426.04] holy, [4426.58 --> 4428.34] but only [4428.34 --> 4429.34] because [4429.34 --> 4431.32] he is [4431.32 --> 4432.42] holy. [4434.00 --> 4434.64] The Ten [4434.64 --> 4435.30] Commandments [4435.30 --> 4436.20] show us, [4436.38 --> 4436.76] first, [4437.10 --> 4437.80] something of [4437.80 --> 4438.26] the very [4438.26 --> 4439.46] person and [4439.46 --> 4440.50] nature of [4440.50 --> 4441.10] God. [4441.52 --> 4442.30] They reveal [4442.30 --> 4443.58] his heart. [4443.58 --> 4443.62] God. [4445.06 --> 4446.08] As Peter [4446.08 --> 4446.46] ends, [4446.66 --> 4446.94] says, [4447.32 --> 4447.82] we see [4447.82 --> 4448.46] in them [4448.46 --> 4448.90] the Ten [4448.90 --> 4449.46] Commandments [4449.46 --> 4450.20] not simply [4450.20 --> 4450.68] what we [4450.68 --> 4451.38] must do, [4451.72 --> 4452.34] but what [4452.34 --> 4453.96] God is [4453.96 --> 4454.80] like. [4456.60 --> 4457.08] And so, [4457.64 --> 4458.44] as a [4458.44 --> 4458.96] foundational [4458.96 --> 4459.96] part of [4459.96 --> 4461.02] our shared [4461.02 --> 4461.88] framework for [4461.88 --> 4462.56] understanding [4462.56 --> 4463.66] the Torah, [4464.08 --> 4464.74] the Ten [4464.74 --> 4465.40] Commandments, [4465.78 --> 4466.40] we must [4466.40 --> 4467.84] start with [4467.84 --> 4468.44] this as a [4468.44 --> 4469.46] revelation of [4469.46 --> 4470.14] who God [4470.14 --> 4471.00] is. [4471.40 --> 4471.98] And really [4471.98 --> 4472.82] only from [4472.82 --> 4473.92] that point [4473.92 --> 4474.52] of reference [4474.52 --> 4474.96] can we [4474.96 --> 4475.52] begin to [4475.52 --> 4476.48] understand why [4476.48 --> 4477.14] people [4477.14 --> 4478.56] themselves are [4478.56 --> 4479.66] called to [4479.66 --> 4480.38] live by them. [4480.96 --> 4481.56] Which then [4481.56 --> 4482.52] brings us to [4482.52 --> 4483.36] our second [4483.36 --> 4483.80] sort of [4483.80 --> 4484.50] overarching [4484.50 --> 4485.10] question, [4485.62 --> 4486.60] which is [4486.60 --> 4487.78] how do [4487.78 --> 4488.18] the Ten [4488.18 --> 4488.82] Commandments [4488.82 --> 4489.88] impact or [4489.88 --> 4490.96] guide Christian [4490.96 --> 4491.42] living, [4491.98 --> 4493.14] if at all? [4494.48 --> 4494.80] Now, [4494.82 --> 4495.26] this answer is [4495.26 --> 4495.54] going to be a [4495.54 --> 4495.78] little bit [4495.78 --> 4496.08] quicker, [4497.00 --> 4498.60] and yet it is [4498.60 --> 4499.22] the scope [4499.22 --> 4499.76] or the [4499.76 --> 4500.24] practical [4500.24 --> 4500.94] implication [4500.94 --> 4502.22] of each [4502.22 --> 4503.12] command that [4503.12 --> 4503.64] has been the [4503.64 --> 4504.44] cause of so [4504.44 --> 4505.68] much argument [4505.68 --> 4506.46] or division [4506.46 --> 4507.12] within Christian [4507.12 --> 4508.18] families and [4508.18 --> 4509.60] circles that [4509.60 --> 4510.00] it will work [4510.00 --> 4510.72] itself out in, [4510.80 --> 4511.44] and you are [4511.44 --> 4512.00] invited to [4512.00 --> 4512.64] think about [4512.64 --> 4513.28] that and to [4513.28 --> 4514.06] prayerfully wrestle [4514.06 --> 4514.48] with that [4514.48 --> 4515.36] through the week, [4515.46 --> 4516.36] but really you [4516.36 --> 4516.96] only have to [4516.96 --> 4517.46] try and tell [4517.46 --> 4518.20] your kids that [4518.20 --> 4518.92] they can't go [4518.92 --> 4519.40] out on a [4519.40 --> 4519.88] warm Sunday [4519.88 --> 4520.42] afternoon and [4520.42 --> 4520.94] play soccer [4520.94 --> 4522.70] because it's [4522.70 --> 4523.12] the Sabbath. [4523.70 --> 4523.90] Well, [4523.94 --> 4524.50] actually it's [4524.50 --> 4525.36] the Lord's [4525.36 --> 4525.56] Day, [4526.22 --> 4526.66] which isn't [4526.66 --> 4527.06] the Sabbath [4527.06 --> 4527.48] because that [4527.48 --> 4528.04] was Saturday, [4528.04 --> 4528.92] but you see [4528.92 --> 4529.24] we're getting [4529.24 --> 4529.68] into another [4529.68 --> 4530.34] question of [4530.34 --> 4531.22] hermeneutics [4531.22 --> 4532.04] again and [4532.04 --> 4532.30] why. [4533.88 --> 4534.98] Or you can [4534.98 --> 4535.46] come by my [4535.46 --> 4535.88] house later [4535.88 --> 4536.40] today when I'm [4536.40 --> 4536.74] cutting the [4536.74 --> 4537.22] grass and you [4537.22 --> 4537.74] can see all [4537.74 --> 4538.60] the stares of [4538.60 --> 4539.28] my neighbors [4539.28 --> 4540.40] who are like, [4540.48 --> 4540.96] isn't that the [4540.96 --> 4542.62] pastor cutting [4542.62 --> 4543.40] his grass on [4543.40 --> 4543.84] Sunday? [4544.94 --> 4545.46] If you know [4545.46 --> 4545.80] the neighborhood [4545.80 --> 4546.26] I live in, [4546.30 --> 4546.66] you know why [4546.66 --> 4547.20] that is the [4547.20 --> 4547.40] case. [4550.80 --> 4551.20] Now, [4551.24 --> 4551.92] perhaps we [4551.92 --> 4552.30] need to [4552.30 --> 4553.02] reframe the [4553.02 --> 4554.74] question by [4554.74 --> 4556.28] asking why [4556.28 --> 4556.94] do the Ten [4556.94 --> 4557.64] Commandments [4557.64 --> 4558.72] impact Christian [4558.72 --> 4559.56] living? [4560.94 --> 4561.48] Now, [4561.50 --> 4561.82] to answer [4561.82 --> 4562.10] that, [4562.86 --> 4563.40] look at [4563.40 --> 4564.84] the prologue [4564.84 --> 4565.16] to the [4565.16 --> 4565.48] commandments [4565.48 --> 4566.00] themselves. [4566.12 --> 4566.68] Verse 2 [4566.68 --> 4568.44] of chapter 20. [4568.54 --> 4569.02] Verse 2 [4569.02 --> 4570.36] introduces the [4570.36 --> 4571.28] law by [4571.28 --> 4572.54] introducing God. [4573.32 --> 4573.48] Right? [4573.60 --> 4574.44] I am the [4574.44 --> 4574.96] Lord your [4574.96 --> 4575.50] God who [4575.50 --> 4576.18] brought you [4576.18 --> 4576.92] out of [4576.92 --> 4577.24] Egypt, [4577.44 --> 4578.24] out of [4578.24 --> 4578.72] the land [4578.72 --> 4580.02] of slavery. [4580.48 --> 4581.44] These words [4581.44 --> 4582.26] set up for [4582.26 --> 4582.78] us the [4582.78 --> 4584.80] mental context, [4585.20 --> 4585.98] the frame of [4585.98 --> 4586.80] mind from [4586.80 --> 4587.96] which all [4587.96 --> 4588.64] the commandments [4588.64 --> 4589.36] following them [4589.36 --> 4590.12] should be [4590.12 --> 4590.42] viewed. [4591.26 --> 4591.38] Right? [4591.46 --> 4591.98] These words [4591.98 --> 4592.70] remind us [4592.70 --> 4593.50] that God, [4593.88 --> 4594.34] Yahweh, [4594.50 --> 4595.14] the Lord, [4595.64 --> 4596.68] is God. [4596.80 --> 4597.36] He is [4597.36 --> 4597.94] Yahweh, [4598.08 --> 4598.58] he is [4598.58 --> 4599.34] the Lord, [4599.34 --> 4599.64] and it [4599.64 --> 4600.30] reminds the [4600.30 --> 4600.94] hearers, [4601.28 --> 4602.06] first Israel [4602.06 --> 4602.42] in that [4602.42 --> 4602.66] moment, [4602.74 --> 4603.34] and now us, [4603.68 --> 4604.42] what he [4604.42 --> 4605.62] has done. [4606.28 --> 4606.46] Right? [4606.50 --> 4607.08] That God [4607.08 --> 4607.66] has brought [4607.66 --> 4608.68] Israel out [4608.68 --> 4609.26] of Egypt, [4609.44 --> 4610.26] that God [4610.26 --> 4610.96] has carried [4610.96 --> 4612.38] them through [4612.38 --> 4613.44] the Sea of [4613.44 --> 4613.74] breeds, [4613.82 --> 4614.24] that God [4614.24 --> 4614.84] has brought [4614.84 --> 4615.64] them the [4615.64 --> 4616.78] victory of [4616.78 --> 4617.36] the Exodus, [4617.58 --> 4617.76] that he [4617.76 --> 4618.56] has spared [4618.56 --> 4619.44] them as [4619.44 --> 4619.72] they took [4619.72 --> 4620.96] refuge under [4620.96 --> 4621.44] the blood [4621.44 --> 4622.00] of the Lamb. [4623.14 --> 4623.60] Remember, [4624.62 --> 4625.16] as we have [4625.16 --> 4625.60] looked at [4625.60 --> 4626.40] this book [4626.40 --> 4627.00] of Exodus, [4627.30 --> 4627.70] we have [4627.70 --> 4628.24] seen how [4628.24 --> 4628.66] each of [4628.66 --> 4629.70] these instances [4629.70 --> 4630.58] and stories [4630.58 --> 4631.12] is a [4631.12 --> 4632.30] microcosm [4632.30 --> 4633.20] of God's [4633.20 --> 4633.74] grand [4633.74 --> 4634.34] redemption [4634.34 --> 4635.14] plan for [4635.14 --> 4635.56] the world. [4636.02 --> 4636.06] Right? [4636.12 --> 4636.78] The battle [4636.78 --> 4637.74] between Pharaoh [4637.74 --> 4638.78] and the gods [4638.78 --> 4639.34] of Egypt [4639.34 --> 4640.02] is a battle [4640.02 --> 4640.88] that represents [4640.88 --> 4641.72] the final [4641.72 --> 4642.40] battle between [4642.40 --> 4643.42] God and Satan, [4643.56 --> 4644.58] God and sin. [4644.70 --> 4645.00] And so, [4645.12 --> 4646.16] just as God, [4646.50 --> 4646.88] Yahweh, [4646.98 --> 4647.42] the Lord, [4647.52 --> 4648.00] has brought [4648.00 --> 4648.96] Israel out [4648.96 --> 4649.66] of slavery, [4649.94 --> 4650.86] he, God, [4650.94 --> 4651.40] the Lord, [4651.48 --> 4652.00] and Jesus [4652.00 --> 4652.84] brought us, [4652.98 --> 4653.54] by grace [4653.54 --> 4654.20] through faith, [4654.48 --> 4655.40] out of slavery [4655.40 --> 4656.10] to sin. [4656.60 --> 4657.62] And just as God [4657.62 --> 4658.56] carried Israel [4658.56 --> 4659.40] through the Sea [4659.40 --> 4659.96] of Reeds [4659.96 --> 4660.58] and brought [4660.58 --> 4661.28] them victory, [4661.44 --> 4662.16] he, God, [4662.26 --> 4662.70] the Lord, [4662.88 --> 4663.16] Jesus, [4663.32 --> 4663.80] has carried [4663.80 --> 4664.94] us through [4664.94 --> 4665.72] in baptism [4665.72 --> 4666.42] and granted [4666.42 --> 4667.46] us victory [4667.46 --> 4668.46] over sin [4668.46 --> 4669.34] and death. [4669.34 --> 4673.04] point being, [4673.76 --> 4674.48] by the time [4674.48 --> 4674.94] we get [4674.94 --> 4675.64] to Exodus [4675.64 --> 4676.58] 20, [4676.70 --> 4677.30] by the time [4677.30 --> 4677.70] we get [4677.70 --> 4678.30] to the giving [4678.30 --> 4679.24] of the law, [4679.80 --> 4680.16] God's [4680.16 --> 4681.04] relationship [4681.04 --> 4681.80] with his [4681.80 --> 4682.50] people [4682.50 --> 4684.02] has already [4684.02 --> 4685.28] been established. [4686.72 --> 4687.70] And so, [4687.90 --> 4688.92] I believe [4688.92 --> 4689.40] it would be [4689.40 --> 4690.00] a mistake [4690.00 --> 4690.62] for us [4690.62 --> 4691.58] to conclude [4691.58 --> 4692.32] that the law [4692.32 --> 4693.14] functions for [4693.14 --> 4693.64] Israel [4693.64 --> 4694.76] as a way [4694.76 --> 4695.62] of establishing [4695.62 --> 4696.54] or maintaining [4696.54 --> 4697.38] or making [4697.38 --> 4698.64] a relationship [4698.64 --> 4699.72] with God. [4700.94 --> 4701.20] Right? [4701.24 --> 4702.04] That began [4702.04 --> 4702.62] already [4702.62 --> 4703.10] with his [4703.10 --> 4704.06] gracious actions [4704.06 --> 4705.10] towards them [4705.10 --> 4705.70] and choosing [4705.70 --> 4706.22] them. [4706.50 --> 4706.62] Right? [4706.64 --> 4706.98] That began [4706.98 --> 4707.88] already in God [4707.88 --> 4708.76] calling out [4708.76 --> 4709.84] and selecting [4709.84 --> 4710.38] Abraham [4710.38 --> 4711.14] and promising [4711.14 --> 4711.66] that he would [4711.66 --> 4712.04] make him [4712.04 --> 4713.30] a great nation. [4713.68 --> 4714.96] God reiterated [4714.96 --> 4715.74] that and renewed [4715.74 --> 4716.42] that promise [4716.42 --> 4717.18] in the Acts [4717.18 --> 4718.10] of Exodus [4718.10 --> 4718.96] already. [4719.62 --> 4719.76] Now, [4720.46 --> 4721.00] if you know [4721.00 --> 4721.48] your Bible [4721.48 --> 4722.04] history, [4722.48 --> 4723.80] it is true [4723.80 --> 4724.86] that in time [4724.86 --> 4726.28] it may have [4726.28 --> 4727.04] come to be [4727.04 --> 4727.60] the case [4727.60 --> 4728.28] that the people [4728.28 --> 4728.80] understood [4728.80 --> 4729.46] that it was [4729.46 --> 4730.76] by obeying [4730.76 --> 4731.16] the law [4731.16 --> 4731.72] they entered [4731.72 --> 4732.54] into relationship [4732.54 --> 4733.08] with God. [4733.18 --> 4733.84] The Pharisees [4733.84 --> 4734.88] in the New Testament [4734.88 --> 4735.96] seem to make [4735.96 --> 4736.50] that clear [4736.50 --> 4737.02] that that is [4737.02 --> 4737.48] the case [4737.48 --> 4737.72] and the [4737.72 --> 4738.20] conversations [4738.20 --> 4739.00] that the [4739.00 --> 4739.34] apostles [4739.34 --> 4740.02] have to have [4740.02 --> 4740.72] in the New Testament [4740.72 --> 4741.56] era seem [4741.56 --> 4741.92] to make [4741.92 --> 4742.38] that is the [4742.38 --> 4742.60] case. [4742.94 --> 4743.38] But in [4743.38 --> 4744.30] its giving [4744.30 --> 4745.34] that is in [4745.34 --> 4746.20] here in Exodus [4746.20 --> 4747.36] 20 as an [4747.36 --> 4748.46] extension of [4748.46 --> 4748.96] the law [4748.96 --> 4749.50] being a [4749.50 --> 4750.40] revelation of [4750.40 --> 4750.90] God, [4751.38 --> 4751.88] the law [4751.88 --> 4752.60] is an [4752.60 --> 4753.26] act of [4753.26 --> 4754.22] responding [4754.22 --> 4755.46] to Israel [4755.46 --> 4756.38] being chosen [4756.38 --> 4757.44] of God. [4759.14 --> 4760.02] I suggest [4760.02 --> 4760.18] to you [4760.18 --> 4760.52] the same [4760.52 --> 4760.82] is true [4760.82 --> 4761.36] for us. [4762.06 --> 4762.66] The law [4762.66 --> 4763.24] is about [4763.24 --> 4764.04] God choosing [4764.04 --> 4765.22] us and [4765.22 --> 4766.32] us responding [4766.32 --> 4767.22] in a manner [4767.22 --> 4768.30] appropriate [4768.30 --> 4769.18] to the one [4769.18 --> 4769.56] who has [4769.56 --> 4770.28] chosen us. [4771.20 --> 4771.92] The law [4771.92 --> 4772.30] then, [4772.46 --> 4772.96] from its [4772.96 --> 4773.68] inception, [4774.12 --> 4775.44] is created [4775.44 --> 4777.12] and given [4777.12 --> 4778.86] in grace. [4779.88 --> 4780.60] It is based [4780.60 --> 4781.64] on God's [4781.64 --> 4782.52] saving work [4782.52 --> 4783.44] and they, [4783.68 --> 4784.28] now we, [4784.76 --> 4785.92] receive rules [4785.92 --> 4786.54] for holy [4786.54 --> 4787.26] living because [4787.26 --> 4787.92] these rules [4787.92 --> 4788.66] reflect the [4788.66 --> 4789.22] one who has [4789.22 --> 4790.04] saved us. [4790.80 --> 4791.06] And by [4791.06 --> 4791.74] following the [4791.74 --> 4792.38] rule of life [4792.38 --> 4793.18] given by God [4793.18 --> 4794.12] in gratitude [4794.12 --> 4794.92] now for what [4794.92 --> 4795.66] he has done, [4796.10 --> 4797.02] we are becoming [4797.02 --> 4797.88] who he has [4797.88 --> 4799.02] set us apart [4799.02 --> 4800.40] to be by [4800.40 --> 4801.04] grace through [4801.04 --> 4801.40] faith. [4803.40 --> 4803.96] Simply, [4804.18 --> 4804.94] because Jesus [4804.94 --> 4805.82] lived the life [4805.82 --> 4806.44] I should have [4806.44 --> 4807.62] lived and the [4807.62 --> 4808.26] law proves that [4808.26 --> 4808.92] I don't, [4809.12 --> 4809.90] and because Jesus [4809.90 --> 4810.76] died the death [4810.76 --> 4811.76] that I deserve, [4811.90 --> 4812.52] the just [4812.52 --> 4813.22] punishment for [4813.22 --> 4813.76] sin that the [4813.76 --> 4814.42] law defines, [4814.50 --> 4815.16] for the wages [4815.16 --> 4816.30] of sin is [4816.30 --> 4816.62] death. [4816.82 --> 4817.84] Because he did [4817.84 --> 4818.16] that, [4818.26 --> 4819.90] I now can, [4820.04 --> 4820.92] we now [4820.92 --> 4821.94] together can, [4822.10 --> 4822.96] live in [4822.96 --> 4823.78] gratitude. [4824.80 --> 4825.62] The law that [4825.62 --> 4826.52] once condemned [4826.52 --> 4827.62] me is now [4827.62 --> 4828.64] the rule of [4828.64 --> 4829.68] my thanksgiving. [4832.22 --> 4832.76] The Heidelberg [4832.76 --> 4833.92] Catechism is [4833.92 --> 4834.36] another one of [4834.36 --> 4835.26] those documents [4835.26 --> 4836.34] that our church [4836.34 --> 4837.86] has used as [4837.86 --> 4838.90] a summary of [4838.90 --> 4840.12] teachings of [4840.12 --> 4840.52] the Bible. [4841.40 --> 4841.76] If you're [4841.76 --> 4842.16] interested in [4842.16 --> 4842.58] any of these, [4842.64 --> 4843.02] you can find [4843.02 --> 4843.52] links to them [4843.52 --> 4843.94] on our church [4843.94 --> 4844.30] website. [4845.32 --> 4845.98] The Catechism, [4846.08 --> 4846.46] the Heidelberg [4846.46 --> 4846.94] Catechism, [4847.06 --> 4848.00] describes this [4848.00 --> 4849.96] beautifully as [4849.96 --> 4850.82] it begins to [4850.82 --> 4852.10] discuss the [4852.10 --> 4852.80] Ten Commandments [4852.80 --> 4853.22] themselves. [4853.38 --> 4853.78] Question and [4853.78 --> 4854.52] answer 86 [4854.52 --> 4855.96] asks, and I [4855.96 --> 4856.54] think we have, [4857.66 --> 4858.52] since we have [4858.52 --> 4859.22] been delivered [4859.22 --> 4860.68] from our misery [4860.68 --> 4861.44] by grace [4861.44 --> 4862.34] through Christ [4862.34 --> 4863.30] without any [4863.30 --> 4864.16] merits of our [4864.16 --> 4865.30] own, why then [4865.30 --> 4866.30] should we do [4866.30 --> 4867.58] good works? [4867.68 --> 4868.18] And this answer [4868.18 --> 4868.70] is beautiful, [4868.70 --> 4871.12] because Christ, [4871.74 --> 4872.46] having redeemed [4872.46 --> 4873.20] us by His [4873.20 --> 4874.18] blood, is also [4874.18 --> 4875.68] restoring us by [4875.68 --> 4876.74] His Spirit into [4876.74 --> 4878.20] His image, so [4878.20 --> 4878.94] that with our [4878.94 --> 4880.18] whole lives we [4880.18 --> 4881.06] may show that we [4881.06 --> 4881.92] are thankful to [4881.92 --> 4882.62] God for His [4882.62 --> 4883.86] benefits, so that [4883.86 --> 4884.80] He may be praised [4884.80 --> 4885.86] through us, so [4885.86 --> 4886.52] that we may be [4886.52 --> 4887.40] assured of our [4887.40 --> 4888.10] faith by its [4888.10 --> 4889.20] fruits, and so [4889.20 --> 4890.14] that by our [4890.14 --> 4891.34] godly living our [4891.34 --> 4892.26] neighbors may be [4892.26 --> 4893.62] won over to [4893.62 --> 4893.98] Christ. [4893.98 --> 4894.02] Christ. [4895.24 --> 4896.18] Why do we [4896.18 --> 4897.04] submit ourselves [4897.04 --> 4898.36] willingly to the [4898.36 --> 4899.20] Ten Commandments? [4899.82 --> 4900.68] Because we live [4900.68 --> 4901.54] lives of gratitude [4901.54 --> 4902.46] to God for what [4902.46 --> 4903.44] He has done in [4903.44 --> 4904.62] grace through Jesus [4904.62 --> 4905.48] Christ, and because [4905.48 --> 4907.04] by doing so, we [4907.04 --> 4907.92] reflect the very [4907.92 --> 4909.20] heart and nature [4909.20 --> 4910.26] of God, and we [4910.26 --> 4911.48] give Him praise for [4911.48 --> 4912.52] who He is, and [4912.52 --> 4913.86] because by doing so, [4913.96 --> 4915.72] we are assured of [4915.72 --> 4916.64] the hope that we [4916.64 --> 4918.14] have because of the [4918.14 --> 4919.96] fruits of our faith [4919.96 --> 4921.40] being borne out, and [4921.40 --> 4922.86] because in doing so, [4922.86 --> 4924.76] we might reveal God. [4924.84 --> 4925.78] We might be used of [4925.78 --> 4927.02] God to reveal Himself [4927.02 --> 4929.30] to our neighbors, and [4929.30 --> 4930.08] to win them over for [4930.08 --> 4930.42] Christ. [4931.16 --> 4933.14] And so, let me ask [4933.14 --> 4935.58] again, who is the [4935.58 --> 4936.86] law for? [4938.36 --> 4939.12] Let me put it this [4939.12 --> 4939.62] way, in a really [4939.62 --> 4941.16] practical way that [4941.16 --> 4942.34] will make sense of [4942.34 --> 4943.50] this, hopefully, for [4943.50 --> 4943.94] some of us. [4945.20 --> 4946.28] The first three [4946.28 --> 4947.62] commandments, as we [4947.62 --> 4948.54] read them, are about [4948.54 --> 4949.50] the being, and the [4949.50 --> 4950.22] name, and the [4950.22 --> 4951.80] perfection of God. [4951.90 --> 4952.54] They are about [4952.54 --> 4954.12] idolatry and [4954.12 --> 4955.60] abusing God's name [4955.60 --> 4956.86] because God's name, [4957.00 --> 4958.06] Yahweh, is a [4958.06 --> 4959.44] revelation of His [4959.44 --> 4959.86] being. [4961.04 --> 4962.06] And as Christians, [4962.38 --> 4963.72] right, we profess the [4963.72 --> 4965.88] absolute holiness of [4965.88 --> 4966.26] God. [4966.66 --> 4969.52] And so, how do you [4969.52 --> 4971.56] feel when others [4971.56 --> 4972.66] misuse the name of [4972.66 --> 4972.96] God? [4974.22 --> 4975.54] When others take the [4975.54 --> 4976.32] Lord's name in vain, [4976.42 --> 4976.88] is the old [4976.88 --> 4977.36] translation. [4978.00 --> 4978.14] Right? [4978.18 --> 4979.26] When someone cries [4979.26 --> 4980.54] out, oh my God, or [4980.54 --> 4981.32] just flippantly says, [4981.32 --> 4984.48] Jesus Christ, should [4984.48 --> 4985.24] you be offended by [4985.24 --> 4985.54] that? [4987.10 --> 4988.28] Should you correct [4988.28 --> 4990.70] non-believers, right, [4990.74 --> 4991.32] people who aren't [4991.32 --> 4992.68] Christian, because of [4992.68 --> 4993.90] your offense in that [4993.90 --> 4994.18] moment? [4995.74 --> 4996.24] And look, let me be [4996.24 --> 4997.38] clear, maybe you [4997.38 --> 4999.58] should be offended, but [4999.58 --> 5001.60] to be honest, you [5001.60 --> 5002.72] shouldn't be surprised. [5004.38 --> 5004.78] Right? [5004.78 --> 5005.50] Remember to whom [5005.50 --> 5006.14] these commands are [5006.14 --> 5006.46] given. [5007.28 --> 5008.30] They're given to the [5008.30 --> 5010.16] chosen people, people [5010.16 --> 5011.24] who have been reborn [5011.24 --> 5012.34] by the grace of God, [5012.42 --> 5013.00] people who have been [5013.00 --> 5014.12] called to a new [5014.12 --> 5014.42] life. [5014.50 --> 5015.18] And so, it shouldn't [5015.18 --> 5016.26] really surprise us, [5016.28 --> 5017.24] even if it does kind [5017.24 --> 5018.48] of offend us, that [5018.48 --> 5019.12] people who know [5019.12 --> 5020.40] nothing of God's new [5020.40 --> 5021.48] way of living don't [5021.48 --> 5022.68] live into that way of [5022.68 --> 5022.94] living. [5024.64 --> 5026.78] The Apostle Paul, he [5026.78 --> 5028.86] says, the law was [5028.86 --> 5030.38] given that trespass [5030.38 --> 5031.36] may increase. [5032.74 --> 5033.14] And so, whose [5033.14 --> 5033.74] trespass? [5033.74 --> 5034.74] Ours. [5036.74 --> 5037.18] Ours. [5037.82 --> 5038.18] Believers. [5038.44 --> 5039.40] Those who are saved [5039.40 --> 5040.46] by grace. [5040.64 --> 5041.32] And we know that this [5041.32 --> 5042.08] is true, because Paul [5042.08 --> 5043.08] adds in the next line, [5043.44 --> 5044.74] where sin increased, [5045.00 --> 5046.82] grace also increased. [5046.90 --> 5047.54] And so, let me ask you, [5047.58 --> 5048.44] who receives grace? [5049.78 --> 5051.04] The elect, the chosen. [5051.68 --> 5051.80] Right? [5051.84 --> 5052.84] Only the elect then [5052.84 --> 5053.94] increase their [5053.94 --> 5054.58] trespass. [5054.86 --> 5055.62] The law and its [5055.62 --> 5057.32] trespass is only truly [5057.32 --> 5059.48] possible for God's [5059.48 --> 5060.20] chosen. [5060.20 --> 5062.20] And so, by chiding [5062.20 --> 5063.30] or getting angry [5063.30 --> 5064.92] or correcting [5064.92 --> 5065.94] non-believing [5065.94 --> 5067.14] individuals who do [5067.14 --> 5067.84] something that they [5067.84 --> 5068.76] never understood to [5068.76 --> 5071.20] be wrong, are we [5071.20 --> 5072.32] not sending the [5072.32 --> 5073.46] wrong gospel [5073.46 --> 5074.50] message? [5075.74 --> 5077.00] Namely, that being [5077.00 --> 5078.16] right with God is [5078.16 --> 5079.34] primarily about how [5079.34 --> 5080.94] we behave and not [5080.94 --> 5081.92] primarily about what [5081.92 --> 5082.94] God has already done [5082.94 --> 5083.48] in Jesus. [5084.54 --> 5084.60] Right? [5084.88 --> 5086.76] Doing this implies [5086.76 --> 5088.66] that God demands a [5088.66 --> 5089.62] high moral standard [5089.62 --> 5090.84] apart from the work [5090.84 --> 5092.16] of Christ in order [5092.16 --> 5093.36] to merit the work [5093.36 --> 5094.32] of Christ. [5095.18 --> 5096.20] But that just isn't [5096.20 --> 5096.72] the gospel. [5098.42 --> 5099.68] I suggest to you [5099.68 --> 5101.28] that the proper way [5101.28 --> 5102.24] to understand the [5102.24 --> 5102.94] Ten Commandments, [5103.00 --> 5103.62] the proper way to [5103.62 --> 5105.92] understand what the [5105.92 --> 5106.66] Heidelberg Catechism [5106.66 --> 5107.04] and the Belgian [5107.04 --> 5108.00] Confession are saying [5108.00 --> 5109.96] is to see in relation [5109.96 --> 5111.68] to how believers, [5112.40 --> 5113.68] Christians, people who [5113.68 --> 5114.66] call themselves [5114.66 --> 5115.76] disciples of Jesus, [5116.20 --> 5117.80] use the name of God [5117.80 --> 5118.76] and how believers [5118.76 --> 5120.02] are supposed to hold [5120.02 --> 5121.30] each other accountable [5121.30 --> 5122.56] in its use. [5123.84 --> 5125.02] And so if you are a [5125.02 --> 5125.82] Christian here this [5125.82 --> 5126.42] morning and you [5126.42 --> 5128.04] flippantly misuse the [5128.04 --> 5129.08] name of God, then we [5129.08 --> 5130.20] have a conversation to [5130.20 --> 5130.46] have. [5131.70 --> 5132.80] But in your work a day [5132.80 --> 5134.04] week, if your [5134.04 --> 5136.12] colleagues do, that's a [5136.12 --> 5138.28] whole different reality. [5139.96 --> 5141.20] Expecting unbelievers to [5141.20 --> 5142.40] keep the law or even to [5142.40 --> 5144.44] respect it blurs that [5144.44 --> 5146.14] sharp divide between those [5146.14 --> 5147.20] who are God's people and [5147.20 --> 5147.84] those who aren't. [5148.48 --> 5149.80] The law as a way of [5149.80 --> 5151.74] gratitude is for those [5151.74 --> 5152.20] who are. [5154.06 --> 5156.32] Finally, I suggest to [5156.32 --> 5158.28] you that it is holding [5158.28 --> 5160.82] yourself to the high [5160.82 --> 5162.34] standard of gratitude [5162.34 --> 5164.34] that the law calls us is [5164.34 --> 5166.34] now how we avoid the [5166.34 --> 5168.14] so-called crisis of [5168.14 --> 5169.66] morality that has pushed [5169.66 --> 5171.58] so many people away from [5171.58 --> 5173.02] the church in the culture [5173.02 --> 5174.56] wars and in our modern [5174.56 --> 5176.90] world. [5176.90 --> 5179.38] The truth is keeping [5179.38 --> 5180.96] this rule of gratitude is [5180.96 --> 5183.00] only possible for those [5183.00 --> 5184.46] who have been filled with [5184.46 --> 5185.18] the Holy Spirit. [5185.60 --> 5185.72] Right? [5185.76 --> 5186.66] When you expect [5186.66 --> 5188.54] perfection from those who [5188.54 --> 5189.66] haven't been perfected by [5189.66 --> 5191.16] the blood of Jesus, all [5191.16 --> 5192.08] you do is push them [5192.08 --> 5192.34] away. [5194.40 --> 5196.42] And so precisely because [5196.42 --> 5197.88] you have been saved by [5197.88 --> 5199.80] grace through faith, you [5199.80 --> 5201.78] now can hold yourself to [5201.78 --> 5203.60] an impossibly high moral [5203.60 --> 5204.98] standard because it's [5204.98 --> 5206.04] still about grace. [5206.98 --> 5207.18] Right? [5207.24 --> 5208.04] You can't do it. [5208.26 --> 5209.14] You can't keep it. [5209.34 --> 5210.66] But thanks be to God, he [5210.66 --> 5211.94] gives you the Holy Spirit [5211.94 --> 5213.60] and he makes you able [5213.60 --> 5214.90] because nothing is [5214.90 --> 5215.92] impossible with God. [5216.06 --> 5217.80] And that includes your [5217.80 --> 5219.32] obedience to him. [5220.32 --> 5222.24] Your response to grace [5222.24 --> 5223.58] and gratitude looks [5223.58 --> 5224.88] impossible to the world [5224.88 --> 5228.02] around you because it is [5228.02 --> 5228.78] for them. [5232.34 --> 5235.20] But it's also incredibly [5235.20 --> 5236.22] compelling. [5237.80 --> 5239.54] In a world that will [5239.54 --> 5242.66] never understand, apart [5242.66 --> 5244.54] from their own experience [5244.54 --> 5246.04] of that grace, that [5246.04 --> 5247.52] gratitude lived in response [5247.52 --> 5248.90] to God's grace is how we [5248.90 --> 5251.16] now live to glory, for [5251.16 --> 5252.78] giving glory to God is a [5252.78 --> 5254.12] beautiful thing, but the [5254.12 --> 5255.04] world will never [5255.04 --> 5255.70] understand. [5256.32 --> 5257.32] It won't make sense. [5258.18 --> 5258.28] Right? [5258.40 --> 5260.62] How is it possible for a [5260.62 --> 5261.96] world to make sense of a [5261.96 --> 5263.08] group of people who hold [5263.08 --> 5264.52] themselves to an impossibly [5264.52 --> 5266.26] high standard of Sabbath, [5266.80 --> 5269.24] but a Sabbath that makes [5269.24 --> 5270.58] us take care of each [5270.58 --> 5272.08] other and makes sure that [5272.08 --> 5272.94] none of us have anything [5272.94 --> 5273.30] in need? [5274.34 --> 5274.82] Right? [5274.86 --> 5276.28] A Sabbath that rests in [5276.28 --> 5278.26] Jesus in spite of the [5278.26 --> 5279.86] storms that might be [5279.86 --> 5280.96] raging around us. [5280.96 --> 5282.68] Right? [5282.72 --> 5283.92] The world isn't going to [5283.92 --> 5285.44] understand a community [5285.44 --> 5288.20] that holds itself to such [5288.20 --> 5290.86] a high view of sex and [5290.86 --> 5293.66] sexuality as reserved for [5293.66 --> 5294.56] marriage between a husband [5294.56 --> 5296.16] and wife, and yet that [5296.16 --> 5297.94] same community is so [5297.94 --> 5299.70] permeated by grace that [5299.70 --> 5301.30] all, everyone feels [5301.30 --> 5302.68] welcomed and at home. [5304.68 --> 5307.98] You see, being a [5307.98 --> 5309.44] Christian isn't ultimately [5309.44 --> 5310.82] or even in the first [5310.82 --> 5312.12] place about living [5312.12 --> 5313.44] obediently to Jesus. [5313.76 --> 5315.86] It's about living because [5315.86 --> 5317.58] of Jesus. [5319.34 --> 5320.88] By grace through faith, [5321.12 --> 5322.70] finally, for the first [5322.70 --> 5323.44] time, compellingly, [5324.34 --> 5326.50] beautifully, you can have [5326.50 --> 5327.52] life. [5329.04 --> 5330.52] And life to the full. [5331.56 --> 5333.52] That life looks a certain [5333.52 --> 5336.06] way, and oh man, it is [5336.06 --> 5337.06] beautiful. [5337.06 --> 5339.30] It is mysterious, [5340.20 --> 5345.14] absolutely, but it is [5345.14 --> 5346.66] beautiful. [5348.36 --> 5351.02] And so, as we end this, [5353.06 --> 5355.22] don't sell yourself too [5355.22 --> 5357.20] short by limiting the [5357.20 --> 5359.46] power of God to enable [5359.46 --> 5361.02] you to be obedient to his [5361.02 --> 5363.00] high calling on your life in [5363.00 --> 5364.80] response to his gratitude, or [5364.80 --> 5366.28] in response to his grace as [5366.28 --> 5367.04] you live in gratitude. [5368.60 --> 5371.82] And second, don't push [5371.82 --> 5373.84] other people away from the [5373.84 --> 5374.96] grace of God that is on [5374.96 --> 5377.18] offer by demanding of them [5377.18 --> 5378.54] that they live as if they've [5378.54 --> 5379.72] already received the power of [5379.72 --> 5381.76] the Spirit, because they [5381.76 --> 5382.86] will miss it. [5386.28 --> 5388.26] And when we have the chance [5388.26 --> 5391.14] to know just how beautiful and [5391.14 --> 5395.34] mysterious that is, I for [5395.34 --> 5397.88] one don't want anyone to miss [5397.88 --> 5398.14] it. [5398.78 --> 5399.02] Amen? [5400.06 --> 5400.98] Let's pray together. [5404.94 --> 5409.08] Lord our God, transform us. [5410.32 --> 5412.58] Transform our hearts and lives. [5413.14 --> 5415.30] Transform our imaginations. [5415.30 --> 5418.80] Send us out now in the power of [5418.80 --> 5420.28] your Spirit that we might live [5420.28 --> 5422.06] lives of thanksgiving and [5422.06 --> 5423.70] gratitude to you, in obedience [5423.70 --> 5425.32] to you, because you, Lord God, [5425.38 --> 5427.06] have made us able. [5428.28 --> 5430.42] May we be so filled with the [5430.42 --> 5432.62] fruit of the Spirit that though [5432.62 --> 5434.74] it seems impossible to those who [5434.74 --> 5436.22] do not know, there is something [5436.22 --> 5439.90] amazingly compelling about our [5439.90 --> 5440.20] lives. [5440.20 --> 5445.80] May we, Lord God, be a people so [5445.80 --> 5448.58] committed to your design and [5448.58 --> 5450.36] intent for our life. [5454.86 --> 5458.66] And yet, may we be a people who [5458.66 --> 5461.48] know in the core of our being that [5461.48 --> 5463.16] it is only by grace that we have [5463.16 --> 5465.82] been saved through faith, that it [5465.82 --> 5468.60] is the gift of God so that no one [5468.60 --> 5471.52] can boast, so that no one can [5471.52 --> 5476.68] weaponize morality, so that no one [5476.68 --> 5480.04] would fall away because of what we [5480.04 --> 5484.20] have done or said or not done and [5484.20 --> 5484.72] not said. [5486.30 --> 5490.40] Use us to show the world yourself. [5491.18 --> 5493.26] In Jesus' name we pray. [5493.26 --> 5494.70] Amen. [5495.64 --> 5496.34] Amen. [5498.60 --> 5508.86] Please stand with us. [5518.04 --> 5523.10] Behold the wondrous mystery [5523.10 --> 5527.68] In the dawning of the King [5527.68 --> 5532.94] He the theme of heaven's praises [5532.94 --> 5536.68] Roamed in frail humanity [5536.68 --> 5542.62] In our longing, in our darkness [5542.62 --> 5547.72] Now the light of life has come [5547.72 --> 5552.38] Looked to Christ to condescended [5552.38 --> 5557.64] took on flesh to ransom us [5557.64 --> 5569.56] Come behold the wondrous mystery [5569.56 --> 5574.32] He the perfect Son of man [5574.32 --> 5579.38] In his living, in his suffering [5579.38 --> 5584.64] Never trace nor stain of sin [5584.64 --> 5589.38] See the true and better Adam [5589.38 --> 5594.64] Come to save the hell-bound man [5594.64 --> 5599.64] Christ the great and sure fulfillment [5599.64 --> 5604.90] Of the law in him we stand [5604.90 --> 5615.90] Come behold the wondrous mystery [5615.90 --> 5620.90] Christ the Lord upon the tree [5620.90 --> 5626.16] In the stead of ruined sinners [5626.16 --> 5628.16] In the stead of ruined sinners [5628.16 --> 5630.16] In the stead of ruined sinners [5630.16 --> 5631.90] Hangs the Lamb in victory [5631.90 --> 5635.90] See the price of our redemption [5635.90 --> 5640.16] See the Father's plan unfold [5640.16 --> 5645.42] Bringing many sons to glory [5645.42 --> 5649.16] Grace unmeasured [5649.16 --> 5652.16] Love untold [5652.16 --> 5663.62] Come behold the wondrous mystery [5663.62 --> 5665.16] Slain by death [5665.80 --> 5668.16] The God of life [5668.70 --> 5671.60] God no brave good [5671.60 --> 5673.16] Ere restrain him [5673.70 --> 5675.16] Praise the Lord [5675.78 --> 5678.50] He is alive [5678.50 --> 5690.96] Christ in power [5690.96 --> 5691.36] Christ in power [5691.36 --> 5691.92] Christ in power [5691.92 --> 5693.48] Resurrected [5693.48 --> 5698.38] As we will be when he comes [5698.38 --> 5703.50] What a foretaste of deliverance [5703.50 --> 5708.46] How unwavering our hope [5708.46 --> 5709.32] Christ in power [5709.32 --> 5711.16] Christ in power [5711.16 --> 5713.32] Resurrected [5713.92 --> 5719.60] As we will be when he comes [5719.60 --> 5737.62] Go now this week with God [5737.62 --> 5741.06] Go now into Lent with God [5741.06 --> 5744.78] Who goes with you to enable you [5744.78 --> 5749.26] To live the life that you are called in him to live [5749.26 --> 5752.10] Receive his blessing [5752.10 --> 5754.52] May God go before you [5754.52 --> 5755.78] To lead you [5755.78 --> 5757.86] May God go behind you [5757.86 --> 5758.84] To guard you [5758.84 --> 5761.02] May God go beneath you [5761.02 --> 5762.02] To support you [5762.02 --> 5764.08] And may God go beside you [5764.08 --> 5765.26] To befriend you [5765.26 --> 5767.58] Do not be afraid [5767.58 --> 5769.92] Let the blessing of God come upon you today [5769.92 --> 5771.60] Do not be afraid [5771.60 --> 5773.64] But go in peace [5773.64 --> 5776.78] To love and serve the Lord [5776.78 --> 5778.64] Amen [5778.64 --> 5804.22] Amen [5804.22 --> 5818.22] Amen, Amen, Amen [5818.22 --> 5829.14] The Lord bless you and keep you [5829.14 --> 5833.74] Make his face shine upon you [5833.74 --> 5836.80] And be gracious to you [5836.80 --> 5844.02] The Lord turn his face toward you [5844.02 --> 5851.24] And give you peace [5851.24 --> 5861.92] The Lord bless you and keep you [5861.92 --> 5865.98] Make his face shine upon you [5865.98 --> 5868.98] And be gracious to you [5868.98 --> 5875.98] The Lord turn his face toward you [5875.98 --> 5881.04] And give you peace [5881.04 --> 5898.04] Amen, Amen, Amen [5898.04 --> 5913.10] Amen, Amen, Amen [5913.10 --> 5932.16] May his favor be upon you [5932.16 --> 5935.56] And a thousand generations [5935.56 --> 5937.62] And your family [5937.62 --> 5939.62] And your children [5939.62 --> 5941.62] And their children [5941.62 --> 5943.62] And their children [5943.62 --> 5947.34] May his favor be upon you [5947.34 --> 5950.62] And a thousand generations [5950.62 --> 5952.62] And your family [5952.62 --> 5954.62] And your children [5954.62 --> 5956.62] And their children [5956.62 --> 5957.62] And their children [5957.62 --> 5958.68] And their children [5958.68 --> 5961.68] May his favor be upon you [5961.68 --> 5964.68] And a thousand generations [5964.68 --> 5966.68] And your family [5966.68 --> 5968.68] And your children [5968.68 --> 5969.68] And their children [5969.68 --> 5970.68] And their children [5970.68 --> 5971.68] And their children [5971.68 --> 5975.68] May his presence go before you [5975.68 --> 5977.68] And behind you [5977.68 --> 5979.74] And beside you [5979.74 --> 5980.14] And beside you [5980.14 --> 5980.74] And beside you [5980.74 --> 5981.74] And all around you [5981.74 --> 5983.74] And within you [5983.74 --> 5984.74] He is with you [5984.74 --> 5985.74] He is with you [5985.74 --> 5986.74] He is with you [5986.74 --> 5988.74] In the morning [5988.74 --> 5989.74] In the evening [5989.74 --> 5991.74] In your coming [5991.74 --> 5993.74] And your going [5993.74 --> 5994.74] In your weeping [5994.74 --> 5996.74] And rejoicing [5996.74 --> 5997.80] He is for you [5997.80 --> 6010.80] He is for you [6010.80 --> 6018.80] Amen [6018.80 --> 6022.84] Amen [6022.84 --> 6039.84] Amen, amen, amen, amen. [6039.84 --> 6069.82] Amen, amen, amen, amen. [6069.84 --> 6070.84] Amen. [6099.84 --> 6099.98] Thank you. [6099.98 --> 6129.96] Thank you. [6129.98 --> 6159.96] Thank you. [6159.98 --> 6189.96] Thank you. [6189.98 --> 6191.98] Thank you.