New Vocation
Series: Vision Series 2024 - New Life
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 24th March 2024
Passages:
00:00:00 --> 00:00:06 John Updike was an American novelist, poet and short story writer.
00:00:06 --> 00:00:21 In his short story, Pigeon Feathers, he presents a jarring description of the end of life according to secularism.
00:00:21 --> 00:00:31 It is with its secularism's belief that human history is accidental by nature.
00:00:32 --> 00:00:37 And therefore, because it's of accident, what we have in history is an accident.
00:00:37 --> 00:00:40 Then everything is without purpose.
00:00:40 --> 00:00:44 It's without a direction in life or any ultimate goal.
00:00:45 --> 00:00:46 It is just what it is.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:47 That's it.
00:00:47 --> 00:00:58 And so in this short story of Pigeon Feathers, he has David, the character, has a vision of his end of life.
00:00:59 --> 00:01:03 And he writes, David was visited by an exact vision of death.
00:01:04 --> 00:01:07 A long hole in the ground, no wider than a body.
00:01:07 --> 00:01:13 Down into which you were drawn while the white faces receded.
00:01:13 --> 00:01:17 You try to reach for them, but your arms are pinned.
00:01:18 --> 00:01:20 Shovels pour dirt in your face.
00:01:22 --> 00:01:23 There you will be forever.
00:01:24 --> 00:01:25 In an upright position.
00:01:26 --> 00:01:28 Blind and silent.
00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 And in time, no one will remember you.
00:01:32 --> 00:01:33 And you will never be called.
00:01:35 --> 00:01:37 And unaltering darkness reigns.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 Where once there were stars.
00:01:41 --> 00:01:42 It's pretty bleak.
00:01:43 --> 00:01:51 That is the essence of secularism's view of all things.
00:01:52 --> 00:01:54 You just end.
00:01:54 --> 00:01:55 That's it.
00:01:56 --> 00:02:02 And a worldview, whatever it is your worldview, it determines how you live now.
00:02:03 --> 00:02:04 What you do with your life now.
00:02:04 --> 00:02:16 If the end is an unalterable darkness, then accumulating as much as you possibly can right now, whether it be possessions or experience,
00:02:16 --> 00:02:22 is the only thing in life because you've only got one shot at it.
00:02:22 --> 00:02:22 That's it.
00:02:22 --> 00:02:23 One shot at life.
00:02:23 --> 00:02:33 Do whatever you can do to bring meaning to your life now because there is no meaning apart from whatever you do for it.
00:02:33 --> 00:02:33 That's it.
00:02:36 --> 00:02:49 In 1 Peter, which we're, our text as we've been told from John this morning, we see an equally jarring end, but it's a very different jarring end.
00:02:49 --> 00:02:52 It's an eternally hopeful end.
00:02:52 --> 00:02:53 It's quite simple.
00:02:53 --> 00:03:01 All of history is heading towards the eternal reign of the risen, ascended Jesus Christ as Lord of all.
00:03:02 --> 00:03:05 That's what 1 Peter, that is what Christianity declares.
00:03:05 --> 00:03:07 So 1 Peter chapter 4 verse 11.
00:03:07 --> 00:03:13 So that in all things, God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
00:03:13 --> 00:03:17 To him be the glory and the power forever and ever.
00:03:18 --> 00:03:19 Amen.
00:03:21 --> 00:03:31 That is what awaits the Christian at the end is being in the presence of the truly glorious one,
00:03:31 --> 00:03:39 the glorious God under the eternal reign of the merciful Lord Jesus Christ for our everlasting joy.
00:03:40 --> 00:03:41 That's the end.
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 That is the Christian worldview.
00:03:44 --> 00:03:55 And our vision series this year has been about what does it mean to live now with this new resurrected life in Jesus Christ.
00:03:55 --> 00:04:00 So come back next week and we'll hear more about that and the plausibility and the reasonableness of the resurrection.
00:04:01 --> 00:04:05 How does it mean now until we actually see him face to face?
00:04:05 --> 00:04:06 How do we live?
00:04:07 --> 00:04:08 That's what our vision series.
00:04:08 --> 00:04:13 And our theme today is crucial for understanding life now.
00:04:14 --> 00:04:18 And it's a, this is part three, if you like, of a three-part series.
00:04:19 --> 00:04:20 Not that we've been communicating it like that.
00:04:21 --> 00:04:22 Three-part series.
00:04:22 --> 00:04:25 John, a couple of weeks ago, talked about God building a new people for himself.
00:04:25 --> 00:04:31 I talked about last week about a new freedom that we have.
00:04:31 --> 00:04:32 And it's a freedom.
00:04:33 --> 00:04:35 We're being set free from slavery to self.
00:04:36 --> 00:04:38 Selfishness in order to serve others.
00:04:38 --> 00:04:40 So a new family, new service.
00:04:40 --> 00:04:42 And now I want to just land that for us.
00:04:42 --> 00:04:47 What does it mean for us now in the new vocation that God has called us to?
00:04:47 --> 00:04:53 So three points right there.
00:04:53 --> 00:04:55 If you want to, someone who wants to take notes.
00:04:56 --> 00:04:57 Who are we called to be, first of all?
00:04:58 --> 00:05:05 To be a Christian means, according to 1 Peter, that you are like living stones are being built.
00:05:05 --> 00:05:13 It's a word there that means that you are being fitted together into a spiritual house.
00:05:13 --> 00:05:22 What we are being built into is built into a temple, if you like, a place where God and people dwell together.
00:05:24 --> 00:05:31 Now, to help us understand what 1 Peter is saying there, I'm going to preach the whole Bible to you.
00:05:31 --> 00:05:31 No.
00:05:35 --> 00:05:36 I'll just do a high-level survey.
00:05:37 --> 00:05:42 I'll just do a high-level survey of what the Bible says in terms of one key theme.
00:05:43 --> 00:05:45 The presence of God.
00:05:45 --> 00:05:46 One key thing.
00:05:47 --> 00:05:52 In the beginning, God creates humanity and dwells with them face to face.
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 It was for humanity's delight.
00:05:54 --> 00:05:57 God is including us into his eternal joy.
00:05:57 --> 00:06:02 People walked and talked with God in the cool of the Garden of Eden.
00:06:02 --> 00:06:15 I cannot imagine what joy and what love of such a relationship with the infinitely powerful and beautiful and good God, created God.
00:06:15 --> 00:06:18 I can't imagine what Adam and Eve experienced in that moment.
00:06:18 --> 00:06:25 But the Bible tells us very quickly in Genesis chapter 3 that that wasn't enough for them.
00:06:26 --> 00:06:27 And they wanted to do life their way.
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 This broke the relationship with God.
00:06:30 --> 00:06:32 They broke the relationship with his world.
00:06:32 --> 00:06:33 Broke humanity themselves.
00:06:34 --> 00:06:38 It cost them God's presence as God removed them from his presence.
00:06:38 --> 00:06:47 The very thing that they were designed for to enjoy the presence of God was now, no longer did they not only deserve it,
00:06:48 --> 00:06:50 but it was also something that they could no longer cope with.
00:06:50 --> 00:06:53 They could no longer cope with the presence of God.
00:06:53 --> 00:07:02 We cannot cope with the truth and the majesty and the glory and the beauty of God's presence as sinful, broken, flawed humanity.
00:07:02 --> 00:07:08 And the consequence of all of this is the world that we now live in.
00:07:08 --> 00:07:09 I'm fast forwarding a whole heap here.
00:07:10 --> 00:07:12 This is the world we live in.
00:07:12 --> 00:07:17 A world that is a world of disease and injustice and violence and suffering and death.
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 That's our world.
00:07:21 --> 00:07:23 Because God's presence was not enough for us.
00:07:25 --> 00:07:30 And the good news for us is that God refused to leave us in this mess.
00:07:30 --> 00:07:39 His plan was to make and gather to himself a people who would experience his presence again.
00:07:40 --> 00:07:47 What we see in the early days of the Old Testament is that God's presence is manifested occasionally.
00:07:47 --> 00:07:50 You know, it appears to Abraham, it appears to Jacob and to others.
00:07:50 --> 00:07:51 Occasionally.
00:07:51 --> 00:07:52 Comes and then goes.
00:07:52 --> 00:08:04 And then God comes down to Moses at Mount Sinai and he makes a covenant with his people Israel who he has just rescued from slavery in Egypt.
00:08:04 --> 00:08:12 And when God enters this covenant relationship with Israel, he promises that I will now dwell with you.
00:08:12 --> 00:08:22 And he calls them, gives them plans to build a temporary temple, a tabernacle is what it was called.
00:08:24 --> 00:08:31 And in the centre of that tabernacle, in a thing called the Holy of Holies, God's presence dwelt.
00:08:31 --> 00:08:42 But only once a year, only once a year was the high priest and only the high priest was allowed to go in there into the presence of God.
00:08:46 --> 00:08:49 A little bit later in the prophets in the Old Testament.
00:08:50 --> 00:08:57 They look forward to a day when God's presence would be significantly greater and manifested amongst his people.
00:08:57 --> 00:08:59 Isaiah 4 is one example.
00:08:59 --> 00:09:04 Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy.
00:09:05 --> 00:09:14 And then the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night.
00:09:15 --> 00:09:18 Over everything, the glory will be a canopy.
00:09:18 --> 00:09:25 It will be a shelter and a shade from the heat of the day and a refuge and a hiding place from the storm and rain.
00:09:25 --> 00:09:36 What that prophecy sounds like is that everyone amongst God's people is going to have the glory of God on them.
00:09:36 --> 00:09:43 God's presence and glory won't be restricted to the tabernacle or the temple anymore.
00:09:43 --> 00:09:52 And what's more, Moses asked God for a full display of his presence in Exodus 33.
00:09:52 --> 00:10:03 And God said to him, no, I can't do that to you because you mere mortals cannot look upon the glory of God and live.
00:10:04 --> 00:10:07 My presence is too much for you.
00:10:09 --> 00:10:17 And Isaiah 4 strangely says that God's glory will be a shelter, a refuge, a hiding place for his people.
00:10:17 --> 00:10:18 How would that be?
00:10:19 --> 00:10:25 How can God's presence be a place of joy rather than a place of fear?
00:10:26 --> 00:10:30 Well, the very end of the prophecy of Zechariah, which is right at the end of the Old Testament,
00:10:31 --> 00:10:33 it says this in chapter 14, verse 20.
00:10:33 --> 00:11:03 What Zach is saying there is that the day is coming when holy to the Lord will be written on every source,
00:11:03 --> 00:11:10 on every pepper grinder, on every thermomix in Jerusalem and Judah, on all of it.
00:11:12 --> 00:11:18 It used to only be written on the items within the temple.
00:11:19 --> 00:11:25 God's holiness will break out and it will empower his people rather than kill them.
00:11:26 --> 00:11:27 When's that going to happen?
00:11:27 --> 00:11:31 Got to fast forward to the New Testament.
00:11:32 --> 00:11:35 And what we're celebrating on Friday and remembering on Friday,
00:11:36 --> 00:11:41 the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on a cross just outside the city walls of Jerusalem.
00:11:41 --> 00:11:46 And when that crucifixion happened, the veil of the temple that separated the Holy of Holies
00:11:46 --> 00:11:54 from every other part of the world, the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom,
00:11:55 --> 00:11:58 signifying an act initiated by God himself.
00:11:59 --> 00:12:05 The veil was this huge piece of fabric that separated the Holy of Holies from everyone else.
00:12:05 --> 00:12:11 It protected them from God's power and his presence and his glory.
00:12:13 --> 00:12:18 And with the crucifixion of Jesus, it broke open.
00:12:19 --> 00:12:20 Why?
00:12:21 --> 00:12:26 John chapter 1 tells us that the word became flesh, we're speaking about God,
00:12:27 --> 00:12:29 and made his dwelling amongst us.
00:12:29 --> 00:12:32 Literally, he tabernacled amongst us.
00:12:33 --> 00:12:35 God's presence was amongst us.
00:12:35 --> 00:12:41 We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father,
00:12:41 --> 00:12:43 full of grace and truth.
00:12:44 --> 00:12:50 God wouldn't let Moses see his glory because it would destroy him.
00:12:51 --> 00:12:59 But in Jesus Christ, we get to see the full unveiled glory and fullness of God.
00:12:59 --> 00:13:09 In fact, 2 Peter chapter 1 verse 3 says that when we become a Christian for the first time,
00:13:09 --> 00:13:20 we see his divine glory in all its fullness as we gaze upon the crucified, resurrected Jesus Christ
00:13:20 --> 00:13:22 and come to him.
00:13:22 --> 00:13:27 And we also, in that moment, partake in his divine glory.
00:13:27 --> 00:13:36 Because of the work of Jesus Christ to forgive us for our sin and rejecting God's glory,
00:13:36 --> 00:13:41 because of that work, we are called back into the presence and glory of God.
00:13:41 --> 00:13:47 I traced all of that really simply, high levels,
00:13:47 --> 00:13:54 just to say that the Old Testament saints of old would be astounded.
00:13:54 --> 00:14:05 They would be astounded by what we have in Jesus Christ and the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
00:14:05 --> 00:14:12 The glory of God, the presence of God, and nothing less has broken out into our lives.
00:14:12 --> 00:14:21 If you are a Christian, you are a living stone in the temple of the Holy Spirit.
00:14:23 --> 00:14:25 What does that mean?
00:14:26 --> 00:14:28 Chapter 2 verse 5 again.
00:14:28 --> 00:14:34 You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,
00:14:35 --> 00:14:39 offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
00:14:39 --> 00:14:46 The Holy Spirit comes into us as we are being built into.
00:14:48 --> 00:14:54 It's a statement that means that we are being fitted together.
00:14:56 --> 00:15:03 As we are being fitted together, we have access to the holiness and the power of God.
00:15:03 --> 00:15:12 The imagery of the living stones being built into a single unit
00:15:12 --> 00:15:22 implies the significance and the purpose of individual Christians cannot be,
00:15:22 --> 00:15:30 cannot be realised apart from the community with other believers.
00:15:30 --> 00:15:44 We have access to this incredible glory as we are fitted together with other living stones.
00:15:45 --> 00:15:50 In fact, it says that God inhabits us as we are fitted together.
00:15:51 --> 00:15:53 So here's one implication of this.
00:15:53 --> 00:15:59 You can stay at home, away from the gathered people.
00:16:00 --> 00:16:05 You can turn on a live stream, and you can say,
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 God, change me.
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 God, change me.
00:16:11 --> 00:16:13 I don't want to be part of the Christian community.
00:16:14 --> 00:16:17 Please change me in the privacy of my own home.
00:16:17 --> 00:16:27 It makes perfect sense for God to come into our lives and bring about changes
00:16:27 --> 00:16:31 as we are fitted together with God's new society, the church.
00:16:32 --> 00:16:35 And the problem with staying isolated and asking God for change you
00:16:35 --> 00:16:40 is that you didn't get the way you are by yourself.
00:16:41 --> 00:16:46 Of course, you made some stupid decisions in life.
00:16:46 --> 00:16:50 But most of it is because of other people in your lives.
00:16:50 --> 00:16:54 It's because of the relationships in your life that you're as screwed up as you are.
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 Screwed up as I am.
00:16:59 --> 00:17:01 As you come into the community of the church,
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 you access the glory and the presence of God.
00:17:04 --> 00:17:07 Listening to a sermon like this in the privacy of your own home,
00:17:07 --> 00:17:10 and I'm very mindful that there are some categories of people
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 where this is crucial for you right now.
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 You're sick.
00:17:13 --> 00:17:15 You're unable to leave your home, so on and so forth.
00:17:15 --> 00:17:19 COVID was a great blessing to have a live stream.
00:17:21 --> 00:17:24 But listening to a sermon like this in the privacy of your own home
00:17:24 --> 00:17:27 or to your commute to work or while you're walking the dog
00:17:27 --> 00:17:31 is nowhere the same as experience of sitting amongst the gathered people of God.
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 Not even close.
00:17:33 --> 00:17:47 The imagery of the living stones being built into a single unit,
00:17:47 --> 00:17:47 I'll say it again,
00:17:48 --> 00:17:52 implies the significance and the purpose of individual Christians
00:17:52 --> 00:17:58 cannot be realised apart from community with other believers.
00:17:58 --> 00:18:03 And so if you're of the ilk that says,
00:18:03 --> 00:18:06 I've got the Holy Spirit in my life and that's all I need,
00:18:06 --> 00:18:10 the New Testament and God does not agree with you.
00:18:10 --> 00:18:15 It's a fallacy that you have built for yourself.
00:18:15 --> 00:18:22 So that's who, what we are called to be.
00:18:22 --> 00:18:24 What are we called to do?
00:18:25 --> 00:18:27 Second half of verse five again.
00:18:28 --> 00:18:31 To be a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices
00:18:31 --> 00:18:33 acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
00:18:34 --> 00:18:37 The language Peter uses here is that of priesthood.
00:18:37 --> 00:18:40 Again, he's looking back into the Old Testament.
00:18:41 --> 00:18:43 We are not just a temple being built,
00:18:43 --> 00:18:46 but we're also the priests in the temple as well.
00:18:46 --> 00:18:48 Looking back to the Old Testament,
00:18:48 --> 00:18:50 God's glory and his presence was in the temple.
00:18:50 --> 00:18:54 And in those days, Israel had priests who pretty much did everything.
00:18:55 --> 00:18:59 The people were by and large pretty passive in Old Testament Israel.
00:19:00 --> 00:19:02 Only the priests offered the sacrifices.
00:19:03 --> 00:19:06 And what he's saying here is not now, not now.
00:19:06 --> 00:19:08 Because of Jesus, no longer.
00:19:09 --> 00:19:12 Hebrews 13 is making a similar point of 1 Peter 2,
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 where it says,
00:19:13 --> 00:19:16 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God
00:19:16 --> 00:19:21 a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that openly profess his name,
00:19:22 --> 00:19:24 and do not forget to do good and to share with others,
00:19:24 --> 00:19:28 for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
00:19:30 --> 00:19:32 Basically, what Hebrews tells us,
00:19:32 --> 00:19:34 as you track the theology of Hebrews,
00:19:34 --> 00:19:37 is that Jesus is the priest to end all priests,
00:19:37 --> 00:19:40 and he's the sacrifice to end all sacrifices.
00:19:41 --> 00:19:44 He is the priest who sacrifices himself for our sake.
00:19:44 --> 00:19:48 He gave his body to atone for our sins once and for all.
00:19:50 --> 00:19:53 And all who are in Jesus now,
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 who come to him,
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 become priests,
00:19:56 --> 00:19:58 who are empowered to do ministry
00:19:58 --> 00:20:01 that is pleasing to God.
00:20:01 --> 00:20:04 That is,
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 ministry,
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 service of others,
00:20:09 --> 00:20:13 is the new vocation of all Christians.
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 Of all Christians.
00:20:16 --> 00:20:18 God delights in it,
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 and he honours it.
00:20:21 --> 00:20:24 Hebrews 13 refers to ministry that involves the word,
00:20:24 --> 00:20:28 the fruit of lips that confess his name.
00:20:29 --> 00:20:34 When you sit with a grieving person
00:20:34 --> 00:20:36 and just share out of your heart
00:20:36 --> 00:20:38 biblical truths about God and Jesus
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 and grace and forgiveness,
00:20:40 --> 00:20:43 or you're teaching in kids' church,
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 which some are doing right now,
00:20:45 --> 00:20:47 or share your faith with a friend,
00:20:47 --> 00:20:50 if you confess Jesus' name,
00:20:51 --> 00:20:54 God empowers you as a priest,
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 and it is pleasing to him.
00:20:57 --> 00:20:59 Regardless of whether people respond
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 in the way you want them to,
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 it is pleasing to him.
00:21:02 --> 00:21:06 Hebrews 13 verse 16 also refers to deed ministry.
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 Do not forget to do good
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 and to share with others
00:21:09 --> 00:21:11 for with such sacrifices,
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 God is pleased.
00:21:14 --> 00:21:16 Some of us are specialists,
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 you might call it,
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 in word ministry.
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 There are others set aside
00:21:21 --> 00:21:24 who are specialists for deed ministry,
00:21:24 --> 00:21:28 but all of us are generalists to do both.
00:21:32 --> 00:21:34 Because of the empowering presence
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 of the Holy Spirit,
00:21:36 --> 00:21:39 even the weakest and newest Christian
00:21:39 --> 00:21:42 are more empowered
00:21:42 --> 00:21:44 than the Old Testament prophets and priests.
00:21:46 --> 00:21:49 that's phenomenal.
00:21:51 --> 00:21:53 Every Christian,
00:21:53 --> 00:21:56 every single Christian,
00:21:57 --> 00:21:59 even if you became a Christian yesterday,
00:22:00 --> 00:22:03 has the ability to change lives
00:22:03 --> 00:22:06 in a way that the Old Testament priests
00:22:06 --> 00:22:08 and prophets weren't able to.
00:22:08 --> 00:22:11 I'll push it in a little bit further.
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 One Corinthians,
00:22:12 --> 00:22:12 sorry,
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 1 Peter 4.10,
00:22:13 --> 00:22:15 which Jackie read out for us,
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 tells us that every single Christian
00:22:16 --> 00:22:18 has got a gift.
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 Each of you should use
00:22:19 --> 00:22:21 whatever gift you have received
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 to serve others
00:22:22 --> 00:22:25 as faithful stewards of God's grace
00:22:25 --> 00:22:27 in its various forms.
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 Every single Christian
00:22:29 --> 00:22:31 has got certain talents,
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 certain experiences,
00:22:32 --> 00:22:32 experiences,
00:22:33 --> 00:22:34 aptitudes
00:22:34 --> 00:22:37 that make you
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 as unique
00:22:38 --> 00:22:40 as a fingerprint
00:22:40 --> 00:22:42 in regard to ministry.
00:22:43 --> 00:22:45 There are some people
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 in your life
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 that pretty much
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 only you
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 have an opportunity
00:22:49 --> 00:22:49 to reach,
00:22:50 --> 00:22:50 to comfort,
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 to serve.
00:22:51 --> 00:22:55 And I want to say to you,
00:22:56 --> 00:22:58 for you who are gathered here
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 right now,
00:22:59 --> 00:22:59 online,
00:23:00 --> 00:23:00 or right here,
00:23:01 --> 00:23:03 you are not here by accident.
00:23:04 --> 00:23:06 It is by God's design.
00:23:07 --> 00:23:09 In God's providence,
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 you are here
00:23:10 --> 00:23:14 because he wants you
00:23:14 --> 00:23:16 to be part of his eternal plan.
00:23:19 --> 00:23:21 And there are certain things
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 that he wants you to do.
00:23:24 --> 00:23:24 So,
00:23:24 --> 00:23:26 if you are only,
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 if you like,
00:23:27 --> 00:23:27 taking
00:23:27 --> 00:23:29 and not giving,
00:23:30 --> 00:23:30 not serving,
00:23:31 --> 00:23:31 not praying,
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 not being trained
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 in any way,
00:23:34 --> 00:23:36 it means there are some things
00:23:36 --> 00:23:36 that God
00:23:36 --> 00:23:38 wants us to do
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 as a church family
00:23:39 --> 00:23:41 for our neighborhood
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 that we are not
00:23:42 --> 00:23:44 currently able to do.
00:23:48 --> 00:23:50 We are all priests here
00:23:50 --> 00:23:52 to offer spiritual sacrifices
00:23:52 --> 00:23:54 and you are needed.
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 God is calling you
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 to minister.
00:24:00 --> 00:24:02 And as we consistently
00:24:02 --> 00:24:03 call you
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 week in and week out
00:24:04 --> 00:24:06 to take your next step,
00:24:06 --> 00:24:08 we are calling you
00:24:08 --> 00:24:10 to step into your design.
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 We are calling you
00:24:12 --> 00:24:14 to step into your vocation.
00:24:14 --> 00:24:21 prioritizing God's people,
00:24:22 --> 00:24:24 his eternal spiritual house
00:24:24 --> 00:24:26 over our temporary dwellings
00:24:26 --> 00:24:28 and personal improvement projects
00:24:28 --> 00:24:31 are often too much for us though.
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 Expressive individualism,
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 which I talked about last week,
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 says,
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 you do you,
00:24:39 --> 00:24:41 I'll do me,
00:24:42 --> 00:24:44 I need to do this for me.
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 And it does not tolerate
00:24:47 --> 00:24:49 sacrificing of self
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 for the sake of others.
00:24:51 --> 00:24:52 It might occasionally
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 for immediate family
00:24:53 --> 00:24:55 and for some friendships
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 from inner circle,
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 but really not anyone else.
00:24:57 --> 00:25:01 We even read suggestions
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 in our day and age
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 that we would be
00:25:03 --> 00:25:05 significantly happier in life
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 if we cut out
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 all the negative people
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 out of our lives.
00:25:10 --> 00:25:11 And so even the Christian
00:25:11 --> 00:25:14 finds it so much easier
00:25:14 --> 00:25:15 to justify
00:25:15 --> 00:25:16 curating a circle
00:25:16 --> 00:25:18 of acquaintances
00:25:18 --> 00:25:21 who confirm for us
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 our biases,
00:25:23 --> 00:25:25 never challenge us,
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 and whose lifestyles
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 and circumstances
00:25:27 --> 00:25:29 fit perfectly with our own.
00:25:32 --> 00:25:34 We pursue personal preference
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 consistently in life.
00:25:37 --> 00:25:39 And we are called
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 by God
00:25:40 --> 00:25:42 in his providence
00:25:42 --> 00:25:44 to do exactly the opposite.
00:25:44 --> 00:25:45 And not just that,
00:25:45 --> 00:25:46 he's empowered us
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 by his Holy Spirit
00:25:47 --> 00:25:49 to do exactly the opposite.
00:25:50 --> 00:25:51 Jesus went to the cross
00:25:51 --> 00:25:53 for those people,
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 for all people.
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 That's the level
00:25:56 --> 00:25:56 of commitment
00:25:56 --> 00:25:58 that he requires
00:25:58 --> 00:25:59 for each of us
00:25:59 --> 00:26:00 and he's calling us into.
00:26:01 --> 00:26:02 We are to cultivate
00:26:02 --> 00:26:03 Christian communities
00:26:03 --> 00:26:05 in which our common characteristic,
00:26:05 --> 00:26:06 our cornerstone,
00:26:07 --> 00:26:07 our foundation
00:26:07 --> 00:26:09 is Jesus Christ
00:26:09 --> 00:26:10 and his service
00:26:10 --> 00:26:11 of all people.
00:26:15 --> 00:26:17 As society fractures
00:26:17 --> 00:26:19 into toxic tribalism,
00:26:20 --> 00:26:21 it is essential
00:26:21 --> 00:26:22 for churches
00:26:22 --> 00:26:23 to form deep,
00:26:24 --> 00:26:25 thick communities
00:26:25 --> 00:26:27 based around
00:26:27 --> 00:26:28 a lot more
00:26:28 --> 00:26:30 than my personal convenience.
00:26:32 --> 00:26:33 Our world needs it.
00:26:38 --> 00:26:42 Do not choose churches
00:26:42 --> 00:26:43 where there are people
00:26:43 --> 00:26:44 just like you.
00:26:44 --> 00:26:48 in fact,
00:26:48 --> 00:26:49 a surefire test
00:26:49 --> 00:26:51 for the gospel-centeredness
00:26:51 --> 00:26:53 of any church
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 is its ability
00:26:54 --> 00:26:56 to create deep community
00:26:56 --> 00:26:58 across social
00:26:58 --> 00:26:59 and cultural barriers.
00:27:00 --> 00:27:02 And it will cost us.
00:27:03 --> 00:27:04 It will cost us dearly
00:27:04 --> 00:27:05 as we launch
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 into our vision
00:27:06 --> 00:27:08 in the coming years.
00:27:08 --> 00:27:11 prioritizing long-term
00:27:11 --> 00:27:13 church relationships
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 may mean
00:27:14 --> 00:27:15 foregoing career advancement
00:27:15 --> 00:27:16 in another city
00:27:16 --> 00:27:19 or stopping
00:27:19 --> 00:27:20 the entertainment,
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 the cultural
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 or the sporting activities
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 that clash
00:27:24 --> 00:27:25 with the gathering
00:27:25 --> 00:27:25 of God's people.
00:27:27 --> 00:27:28 It may mean
00:27:28 --> 00:27:29 sidelining relationships
00:27:29 --> 00:27:30 that merely reflect
00:27:30 --> 00:27:32 my own interests
00:27:32 --> 00:27:32 and preferences
00:27:32 --> 00:27:33 for the sake
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 of the weaker,
00:27:34 --> 00:27:35 the more needy
00:27:35 --> 00:27:36 or the culturally
00:27:36 --> 00:27:37 different from me.
00:27:38 --> 00:27:39 Right now
00:27:39 --> 00:27:40 at St. Paul's
00:27:40 --> 00:27:42 we have got lots on
00:27:42 --> 00:27:44 and we are taking
00:27:44 --> 00:27:45 some pretty major steps
00:27:45 --> 00:27:46 as a church family.
00:27:48 --> 00:27:49 And there may even
00:27:49 --> 00:27:50 be an assumption
00:27:50 --> 00:27:51 amongst us
00:27:51 --> 00:27:53 well they don't need
00:27:53 --> 00:27:53 my gifts,
00:27:53 --> 00:27:54 they don't need
00:27:54 --> 00:27:55 my financial resistance,
00:27:55 --> 00:27:56 they don't need
00:27:56 --> 00:27:56 my prayers,
00:27:57 --> 00:27:57 they don't need
00:27:57 --> 00:27:58 my service.
00:27:59 --> 00:28:00 I want to say
00:28:00 --> 00:28:01 that is a deadly
00:28:01 --> 00:28:01 assumption
00:28:01 --> 00:28:03 for you.
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 For you.
00:28:06 --> 00:28:09 If you are too
00:28:09 --> 00:28:09 timid,
00:28:10 --> 00:28:11 too busy
00:28:11 --> 00:28:12 and I say this
00:28:12 --> 00:28:12 gently,
00:28:12 --> 00:28:13 maybe too selfish
00:28:13 --> 00:28:15 to do input
00:28:15 --> 00:28:16 and output
00:28:16 --> 00:28:17 then that is
00:28:17 --> 00:28:18 bad for you.
00:28:20 --> 00:28:21 It is bad
00:28:21 --> 00:28:22 for you.
00:28:23 --> 00:28:23 It is also
00:28:23 --> 00:28:24 bad for us
00:28:24 --> 00:28:25 and it's also
00:28:25 --> 00:28:25 bad for our
00:28:25 --> 00:28:26 neighbourhood.
00:28:27 --> 00:28:28 We have
00:28:28 --> 00:28:29 20 people
00:28:29 --> 00:28:29 right now
00:28:29 --> 00:28:30 signed up
00:28:30 --> 00:28:31 and progressing
00:28:31 --> 00:28:31 through Arthur.
00:28:31 --> 00:28:33 We are starting
00:28:33 --> 00:28:33 a Thursday night
00:28:33 --> 00:28:34 congregation
00:28:34 --> 00:28:35 next term.
00:28:36 --> 00:28:37 Big next steps.
00:28:38 --> 00:28:39 The submission
00:28:39 --> 00:28:40 for building
00:28:40 --> 00:28:41 affordable
00:28:41 --> 00:28:42 and social housing
00:28:42 --> 00:28:42 on our site
00:28:42 --> 00:28:43 has just been
00:28:43 --> 00:28:43 submitted
00:28:43 --> 00:28:44 and right now
00:28:44 --> 00:28:45 in the next
00:28:45 --> 00:28:47 week even
00:28:47 --> 00:28:48 I think it is
00:28:48 --> 00:28:49 we are seeking
00:28:49 --> 00:28:49 to raise
00:28:49 --> 00:28:51 $68
00:28:51 --> 00:28:53 to see God's
00:28:53 --> 00:28:54 spiritual house
00:28:54 --> 00:28:55 continue to be
00:28:55 --> 00:28:56 built in our
00:28:56 --> 00:28:57 neighbourhood
00:28:57 --> 00:28:58 and beyond us.
00:28:59 --> 00:28:59 That's what we're
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 doing right now.
00:29:00 --> 00:29:02 so far
00:29:02 --> 00:29:04 we haven't
00:29:04 --> 00:29:04 even hit
00:29:04 --> 00:29:06 15% of that.
00:29:08 --> 00:29:09 This is what
00:29:09 --> 00:29:10 God is calling
00:29:10 --> 00:29:11 us to do.
00:29:11 --> 00:29:12 This is what
00:29:12 --> 00:29:13 he is calling
00:29:13 --> 00:29:14 you to do.
00:29:15 --> 00:29:16 Give,
00:29:16 --> 00:29:17 serve,
00:29:17 --> 00:29:18 pray,
00:29:18 --> 00:29:18 commit to
00:29:18 --> 00:29:19 seeing God's
00:29:19 --> 00:29:20 presence built.
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 You've got
00:29:22 --> 00:29:22 one card
00:29:22 --> 00:29:23 on your seat
00:29:23 --> 00:29:23 which I'll
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 talk about
00:29:24 --> 00:29:24 in a moment
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 another one
00:29:25 --> 00:29:25 that's coming
00:29:25 --> 00:29:27 in the next
00:29:27 --> 00:29:27 couple of
00:29:27 --> 00:29:28 weeks.
00:29:30 --> 00:29:31 It's about
00:29:31 --> 00:29:31 you taking
00:29:31 --> 00:29:32 your next
00:29:32 --> 00:29:32 step for
00:29:32 --> 00:29:33 your joy.
00:29:35 --> 00:29:36 So how
00:29:36 --> 00:29:36 are we
00:29:36 --> 00:29:36 enabled to
00:29:36 --> 00:29:37 do this?
00:29:38 --> 00:29:39 Where do we
00:29:39 --> 00:29:39 get the power,
00:29:39 --> 00:29:40 the motivation,
00:29:40 --> 00:29:41 the confidence,
00:29:41 --> 00:29:42 the freedom to do
00:29:42 --> 00:29:42 all this?
00:29:42 --> 00:29:43 It's right there
00:29:43 --> 00:29:44 back to 4 and 5
00:29:44 --> 00:29:44 again.
00:29:44 --> 00:29:45 That's my text
00:29:45 --> 00:29:45 for today.
00:29:45 --> 00:29:46 As you come
00:29:46 --> 00:29:46 to him,
00:29:47 --> 00:29:47 the living
00:29:47 --> 00:29:48 stone rejected
00:29:48 --> 00:29:49 by humans
00:29:49 --> 00:29:49 but chosen
00:29:49 --> 00:29:50 by God
00:29:50 --> 00:29:51 and precious
00:29:51 --> 00:29:51 to him,
00:29:52 --> 00:29:53 you also,
00:29:53 --> 00:29:54 like living
00:29:54 --> 00:29:54 stones,
00:29:54 --> 00:29:55 are being built
00:29:55 --> 00:29:56 into a spiritual
00:29:56 --> 00:29:57 house to be
00:29:57 --> 00:29:57 a holy
00:29:57 --> 00:29:58 priesthood
00:29:58 --> 00:29:59 offering spiritual
00:29:59 --> 00:30:00 sacrifices
00:30:00 --> 00:30:01 acceptable to
00:30:01 --> 00:30:02 God through
00:30:02 --> 00:30:04 Jesus Christ.
00:30:04 --> 00:30:05 As you
00:30:05 --> 00:30:07 come to
00:30:07 --> 00:30:07 the living
00:30:07 --> 00:30:08 stone,
00:30:09 --> 00:30:10 Jesus Christ,
00:30:10 --> 00:30:10 the living
00:30:10 --> 00:30:11 stone,
00:30:11 --> 00:30:12 is also
00:30:12 --> 00:30:13 the corner
00:30:13 --> 00:30:14 stone,
00:30:14 --> 00:30:15 the foundation.
00:30:15 --> 00:30:15 He's the
00:30:15 --> 00:30:16 thing that
00:30:16 --> 00:30:16 connects us
00:30:16 --> 00:30:17 all and
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 holds us
00:30:17 --> 00:30:18 up.
00:30:19 --> 00:30:19 He is the
00:30:19 --> 00:30:20 cornerstone
00:30:20 --> 00:30:21 of what God
00:30:21 --> 00:30:22 is eternally
00:30:22 --> 00:30:22 building in
00:30:22 --> 00:30:23 his people.
00:30:24 --> 00:30:25 In verses
00:30:25 --> 00:30:26 6 and 7,
00:30:27 --> 00:30:28 if we relate
00:30:28 --> 00:30:29 to Jesus
00:30:29 --> 00:30:30 Christ as
00:30:30 --> 00:30:30 our
00:30:30 --> 00:30:31 cornerstone,
00:30:31 --> 00:30:32 we then
00:30:32 --> 00:30:33 will have
00:30:33 --> 00:30:34 the amazing
00:30:34 --> 00:30:35 power to
00:30:35 --> 00:30:36 see change
00:30:36 --> 00:30:36 in our
00:30:36 --> 00:30:37 lives,
00:30:38 --> 00:30:38 the power
00:30:38 --> 00:30:39 to serve
00:30:39 --> 00:30:39 people and
00:30:39 --> 00:30:40 see other
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 lives changed.
00:30:44 --> 00:30:44 How do
00:30:44 --> 00:30:44 you relate
00:30:44 --> 00:30:45 to him
00:30:45 --> 00:30:45 as your
00:30:45 --> 00:30:45 living
00:30:45 --> 00:30:45 stone?
00:30:46 --> 00:30:46 Four
00:30:46 --> 00:30:46 things,
00:30:46 --> 00:30:47 very briefly.
00:30:48 --> 00:30:48 Firstly,
00:30:49 --> 00:30:49 he is your
00:30:49 --> 00:30:50 foundation.
00:30:51 --> 00:30:51 The
00:30:51 --> 00:30:52 cornerstone
00:30:52 --> 00:30:53 is the
00:30:53 --> 00:30:54 foundation
00:30:54 --> 00:30:54 stone
00:30:54 --> 00:30:55 of the
00:30:55 --> 00:30:55 Old Testament
00:30:55 --> 00:30:56 temple.
00:30:57 --> 00:30:57 It's the
00:30:57 --> 00:30:58 main stone
00:30:58 --> 00:30:58 from which
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 all other
00:30:59 --> 00:31:00 stones are
00:31:00 --> 00:31:00 measured
00:31:00 --> 00:31:01 and set.
00:31:03 --> 00:31:04 It had
00:31:04 --> 00:31:04 to be
00:31:04 --> 00:31:05 perfectly
00:31:05 --> 00:31:06 placed and
00:31:06 --> 00:31:06 perfectly
00:31:06 --> 00:31:08 true in
00:31:08 --> 00:31:09 order for
00:31:09 --> 00:31:09 the building
00:31:09 --> 00:31:10 to be built.
00:31:10 --> 00:31:12 friends,
00:31:12 --> 00:31:13 it's not
00:31:13 --> 00:31:13 simply enough
00:31:13 --> 00:31:13 just to
00:31:13 --> 00:31:14 believe in
00:31:14 --> 00:31:14 Jesus.
00:31:16 --> 00:31:16 What I
00:31:16 --> 00:31:17 mean by
00:31:17 --> 00:31:17 that is
00:31:17 --> 00:31:17 it's not
00:31:17 --> 00:31:18 simply enough
00:31:18 --> 00:31:18 just to
00:31:18 --> 00:31:18 give some
00:31:18 --> 00:31:19 sort of
00:31:19 --> 00:31:19 intellectual
00:31:19 --> 00:31:20 assent to
00:31:20 --> 00:31:21 him existing
00:31:21 --> 00:31:21 and being
00:31:21 --> 00:31:22 God.
00:31:23 --> 00:31:24 He needs
00:31:24 --> 00:31:25 to be
00:31:25 --> 00:31:26 who he
00:31:26 --> 00:31:27 says he
00:31:27 --> 00:31:28 is to
00:31:28 --> 00:31:29 us,
00:31:30 --> 00:31:30 the
00:31:30 --> 00:31:31 operating
00:31:31 --> 00:31:32 foundation
00:31:32 --> 00:31:33 of our
00:31:33 --> 00:31:33 very
00:31:33 --> 00:31:34 lives.
00:31:37 --> 00:31:38 Our
00:31:38 --> 00:31:39 entire
00:31:39 --> 00:31:40 life is
00:31:40 --> 00:31:40 to be
00:31:40 --> 00:31:40 built on
00:31:40 --> 00:31:41 him.
00:31:42 --> 00:31:42 Every
00:31:42 --> 00:31:42 human
00:31:42 --> 00:31:43 heart has
00:31:43 --> 00:31:44 got its
00:31:44 --> 00:31:45 uttermost
00:31:45 --> 00:31:46 foundation
00:31:46 --> 00:31:48 from which
00:31:48 --> 00:31:49 we get
00:31:49 --> 00:31:49 our sense
00:31:49 --> 00:31:50 of value,
00:31:50 --> 00:31:51 worth and
00:31:51 --> 00:31:51 self.
00:31:54 --> 00:31:54 Every
00:31:54 --> 00:31:55 single human
00:31:55 --> 00:31:55 heart has
00:31:55 --> 00:31:56 got a
00:31:56 --> 00:31:56 foundation
00:31:56 --> 00:31:57 and from
00:31:57 --> 00:31:58 that foundation
00:31:58 --> 00:31:59 our lives
00:31:59 --> 00:31:59 are built
00:31:59 --> 00:32:00 and our
00:32:00 --> 00:32:01 eternity is
00:32:01 --> 00:32:01 governed and
00:32:01 --> 00:32:02 our decisions
00:32:02 --> 00:32:03 are made.
00:32:05 --> 00:32:06 Whatever it
00:32:06 --> 00:32:07 is for you,
00:32:07 --> 00:32:07 and I've
00:32:07 --> 00:32:08 preached about
00:32:08 --> 00:32:08 this twice
00:32:08 --> 00:32:09 already in
00:32:09 --> 00:32:09 this series,
00:32:09 --> 00:32:10 whatever it
00:32:10 --> 00:32:10 is,
00:32:11 --> 00:32:11 it must
00:32:11 --> 00:32:12 be displaced
00:32:12 --> 00:32:13 by Jesus
00:32:13 --> 00:32:13 Christ.
00:32:16 --> 00:32:17 He has
00:32:17 --> 00:32:17 to be
00:32:17 --> 00:32:18 there.
00:32:19 --> 00:32:20 And when
00:32:20 --> 00:32:20 Jesus goes
00:32:20 --> 00:32:21 to the
00:32:21 --> 00:32:21 foundation,
00:32:23 --> 00:32:24 he removes
00:32:24 --> 00:32:24 or he
00:32:24 --> 00:32:25 weakens
00:32:25 --> 00:32:26 every other
00:32:26 --> 00:32:27 identity
00:32:27 --> 00:32:28 marker of
00:32:28 --> 00:32:28 our life.
00:32:28 --> 00:32:31 life, if
00:32:31 --> 00:32:31 you want
00:32:31 --> 00:32:32 to know
00:32:32 --> 00:32:33 what the
00:32:33 --> 00:32:33 identity
00:32:33 --> 00:32:34 marker is
00:32:34 --> 00:32:35 in your
00:32:35 --> 00:32:35 life, the
00:32:35 --> 00:32:36 deepest
00:32:36 --> 00:32:36 foundation
00:32:36 --> 00:32:36 in your
00:32:36 --> 00:32:37 life,
00:32:39 --> 00:32:40 see what
00:32:40 --> 00:32:41 quickly
00:32:41 --> 00:32:42 replaces the
00:32:42 --> 00:32:43 community of
00:32:43 --> 00:32:43 believers.
00:32:44 --> 00:32:45 See what
00:32:45 --> 00:32:46 quickly replaces
00:32:46 --> 00:32:48 your engage
00:32:48 --> 00:32:49 with him in
00:32:49 --> 00:32:49 your Bible
00:32:49 --> 00:32:50 and your
00:32:50 --> 00:32:50 prayer.
00:32:52 --> 00:32:52 And you're
00:32:52 --> 00:32:53 getting an
00:32:53 --> 00:32:54 idea of what
00:32:54 --> 00:32:54 the identity
00:32:54 --> 00:32:55 marker, the
00:32:55 --> 00:32:55 strongest
00:32:55 --> 00:32:56 foundation of
00:32:56 --> 00:32:56 your life
00:32:56 --> 00:32:56 is.
00:32:59 --> 00:33:00 Secondly, for
00:33:00 --> 00:33:01 Jesus to get
00:33:01 --> 00:33:02 to that place
00:33:02 --> 00:33:02 in our life,
00:33:03 --> 00:33:03 he has to be
00:33:03 --> 00:33:04 precious to
00:33:04 --> 00:33:04 us.
00:33:04 --> 00:33:05 See verse
00:33:05 --> 00:33:06 four, rejected
00:33:06 --> 00:33:07 by humans but
00:33:07 --> 00:33:08 chosen by God
00:33:08 --> 00:33:10 and precious to
00:33:10 --> 00:33:10 him.
00:33:11 --> 00:33:11 Jesus, his
00:33:11 --> 00:33:12 grace and his
00:33:12 --> 00:33:13 mercy has to
00:33:13 --> 00:33:13 become more
00:33:13 --> 00:33:14 precious to us
00:33:14 --> 00:33:15 than anything
00:33:15 --> 00:33:16 else, otherwise
00:33:16 --> 00:33:17 he will never
00:33:17 --> 00:33:18 become our
00:33:18 --> 00:33:19 cornerstone.
00:33:19 --> 00:33:20 He becomes our
00:33:20 --> 00:33:21 foundation when we
00:33:21 --> 00:33:22 see him and
00:33:22 --> 00:33:24 regard him as
00:33:24 --> 00:33:25 the pearl of
00:33:25 --> 00:33:26 great price, the
00:33:26 --> 00:33:27 greatest treasure.
00:33:28 --> 00:33:30 Thirdly, he
00:33:30 --> 00:33:30 becomes precious
00:33:30 --> 00:33:31 to us when we
00:33:31 --> 00:33:33 see him, when we
00:33:33 --> 00:33:35 see him as, that
00:33:35 --> 00:33:36 we are precious
00:33:36 --> 00:33:36 to him.
00:33:38 --> 00:33:39 He was rejected
00:33:39 --> 00:33:40 by his closest
00:33:40 --> 00:33:41 friends, he was
00:33:41 --> 00:33:42 rejected by his
00:33:42 --> 00:33:43 family, he was
00:33:43 --> 00:33:44 rejected by his
00:33:44 --> 00:33:45 society, he was
00:33:45 --> 00:33:46 rejected by his
00:33:46 --> 00:33:47 father, he was
00:33:47 --> 00:33:48 rejected, he went
00:33:48 --> 00:33:49 to the cross for
00:33:49 --> 00:33:50 our sin.
00:33:50 --> 00:33:53 Why would he be
00:33:53 --> 00:33:54 so rejected?
00:33:58 --> 00:34:00 Hebrews tells us
00:34:00 --> 00:34:01 it's because we
00:34:01 --> 00:34:02 were precious to
00:34:02 --> 00:34:02 him.
00:34:06 --> 00:34:07 When we see
00:34:07 --> 00:34:08 ourselves as
00:34:08 --> 00:34:09 being so
00:34:09 --> 00:34:10 unworthy and
00:34:10 --> 00:34:11 yet so precious
00:34:11 --> 00:34:13 to him, that
00:34:13 --> 00:34:14 will turn him
00:34:14 --> 00:34:15 into being so
00:34:15 --> 00:34:16 precious to us.
00:34:16 --> 00:34:17 And that is
00:34:17 --> 00:34:18 when he starts
00:34:18 --> 00:34:18 to become the
00:34:18 --> 00:34:19 cornerstone in
00:34:19 --> 00:34:20 our life.
00:34:20 --> 00:34:21 When we see
00:34:21 --> 00:34:22 that cornerstone,
00:34:22 --> 00:34:23 that foundation,
00:34:23 --> 00:34:24 we are set free
00:34:24 --> 00:34:25 and empowered to
00:34:25 --> 00:34:26 serve others.
00:34:28 --> 00:34:29 Lastly, to
00:34:29 --> 00:34:29 swing us right
00:34:29 --> 00:34:30 around back from
00:34:30 --> 00:34:31 where I started
00:34:31 --> 00:34:31 at the beginning,
00:34:32 --> 00:34:33 he is the goal
00:34:33 --> 00:34:33 of all things.
00:34:36 --> 00:34:37 At the end of
00:34:37 --> 00:34:37 the Bible,
00:34:37 --> 00:34:38 Revelation 21,
00:34:38 --> 00:34:39 we read of the
00:34:39 --> 00:34:40 new heaven, the
00:34:40 --> 00:34:40 new earth.
00:34:40 --> 00:34:42 It's a new city
00:34:42 --> 00:34:43 and we are told
00:34:43 --> 00:34:44 God's dwelling
00:34:44 --> 00:34:45 place is now
00:34:45 --> 00:34:46 amongst the
00:34:46 --> 00:34:47 people and he
00:34:47 --> 00:34:47 will dwell with
00:34:47 --> 00:34:48 them and they
00:34:48 --> 00:34:49 will be his
00:34:49 --> 00:34:50 people and
00:34:50 --> 00:34:50 God himself
00:34:50 --> 00:34:51 will be with
00:34:51 --> 00:34:52 them and be
00:34:52 --> 00:34:52 their God.
00:34:52 --> 00:34:53 He will wipe
00:34:53 --> 00:34:54 away every tear
00:34:54 --> 00:34:55 from their eyes
00:34:55 --> 00:34:56 and there will
00:34:56 --> 00:34:56 be no more
00:34:56 --> 00:34:57 death or mourning
00:34:57 --> 00:34:58 or crying or
00:34:58 --> 00:34:58 pain for the
00:34:58 --> 00:35:00 old order of
00:35:00 --> 00:35:01 things has passed
00:35:01 --> 00:35:01 away.
00:35:01 --> 00:35:02 And it says
00:35:02 --> 00:35:03 those who are
00:35:03 --> 00:35:05 victorious will
00:35:05 --> 00:35:06 inherit all of
00:35:06 --> 00:35:06 this.
00:35:09 --> 00:35:10 And I will be
00:35:10 --> 00:35:11 their God and
00:35:11 --> 00:35:12 they will be
00:35:12 --> 00:35:13 my children.
00:35:13 --> 00:35:16 what you see
00:35:16 --> 00:35:18 in Revelation
00:35:18 --> 00:35:20 21 and 22
00:35:20 --> 00:35:21 as it describes
00:35:21 --> 00:35:21 the new heavens
00:35:21 --> 00:35:22 and new earth,
00:35:23 --> 00:35:23 there's no
00:35:23 --> 00:35:24 temple there.
00:35:26 --> 00:35:27 There's no
00:35:27 --> 00:35:27 temple.
00:35:29 --> 00:35:29 In fact,
00:35:29 --> 00:35:30 Revelation tells
00:35:30 --> 00:35:31 us the entire
00:35:31 --> 00:35:32 new heavens and
00:35:32 --> 00:35:32 new earth is the
00:35:32 --> 00:35:34 temple, the
00:35:34 --> 00:35:35 perfect temple
00:35:35 --> 00:35:37 where the throne
00:35:37 --> 00:35:39 of God is in
00:35:39 --> 00:35:40 the middle.
00:35:40 --> 00:35:42 God dwells
00:35:42 --> 00:35:43 now with his
00:35:43 --> 00:35:44 people forever
00:35:44 --> 00:35:45 in eternal
00:35:45 --> 00:35:45 bliss.
00:35:48 --> 00:35:50 That is the
00:35:50 --> 00:35:51 trajectory of
00:35:51 --> 00:35:52 all of God's
00:35:52 --> 00:35:54 plans to
00:35:54 --> 00:35:55 build his
00:35:55 --> 00:35:57 people in
00:35:57 --> 00:35:58 Jesus Christ,
00:35:58 --> 00:36:00 to eternally
00:36:00 --> 00:36:01 dwell with
00:36:01 --> 00:36:01 them.
00:36:02 --> 00:36:03 And the
00:36:03 --> 00:36:05 church is
00:36:05 --> 00:36:06 the only
00:36:06 --> 00:36:07 glimpse of
00:36:07 --> 00:36:08 that that we
00:36:08 --> 00:36:09 have right
00:36:09 --> 00:36:09 now.
00:36:10 --> 00:36:15 And so I
00:36:15 --> 00:36:16 ask you,
00:36:17 --> 00:36:18 call yourself
00:36:18 --> 00:36:18 a Christian?
00:36:22 --> 00:36:23 God has
00:36:23 --> 00:36:24 called you
00:36:24 --> 00:36:24 into a new
00:36:24 --> 00:36:27 community and
00:36:27 --> 00:36:27 here's a
00:36:27 --> 00:36:27 community that
00:36:27 --> 00:36:28 he's building
00:36:28 --> 00:36:29 for his
00:36:29 --> 00:36:30 glory to
00:36:30 --> 00:36:31 permanently
00:36:31 --> 00:36:31 dwell amongst
00:36:31 --> 00:36:32 them.
00:36:34 --> 00:36:35 Does your
00:36:35 --> 00:36:38 life reflect
00:36:38 --> 00:36:38 that goal?
00:36:38 --> 00:36:43 purpose?
00:36:43 --> 00:36:45 Are you
00:36:45 --> 00:36:46 taking your
00:36:46 --> 00:36:47 next step to
00:36:47 --> 00:36:48 pursue that
00:36:48 --> 00:36:49 purpose in
00:36:49 --> 00:36:51 your life?
00:36:52 --> 00:36:53 God's purpose
00:36:53 --> 00:36:54 for all
00:36:54 --> 00:36:54 things.
00:36:54 --> 00:36:55 best
00:36:55 --> 00:36:56 one
00:36:56 --> 00:36:57 God's mother
00:36:57 --> 00:37:00 have a
00:37:00 --> 00:37:00 love
00:37:00 --> 00:37:02 to
00:37:02 --> 00:37:05 not
00:37:05 --> 00:37:05 but
00:37:05 --> 00:37:06 go to
00:37:06 --> 00:37:07 allowance
00:37:07 --> 00:37:08 for all
00:37:08 --> 00:37:08 and
00:37:08 --> 00:37:09 more
00:37:10 --> 00:37:10 in
00:37:10 --> 00:37:11 the
00:37:11 --> 00:37:12 life
00:37:12 --> 00:37:12 you