Our Multiethnic Mission
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 20th March 2022
Passage: Ephesians 2:1-4:32
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 Thank you, Tom, for that.
00:00:02 --> 00:00:05 And if you'd like to keep your Bibles open, that'd be brilliant.
00:00:07 --> 00:00:08 Ephesians 4, we'll get there eventually,
00:00:08 --> 00:00:11 but we're going to preach the rest of the Bible before we get to there.
00:00:12 --> 00:00:14 And if you've got the St. Paul's app open,
00:00:14 --> 00:00:17 that would be also particularly helpful as we go through.
00:00:19 --> 00:00:22 Nearly 25 years ago, for those who...
00:00:22 --> 00:00:26 One of the benefits of living longer is you see that
00:00:26 --> 00:00:30 so much of history sort of repeats itself in one way or another.
00:00:30 --> 00:00:34 And 25 years ago, there was another war raging in Europe.
00:00:34 --> 00:00:39 It was in Kosovo between Serbs and ethnic Albanians.
00:00:40 --> 00:00:42 It went for really about 18 months,
00:00:43 --> 00:00:46 although the tensions were building much longer than that, 18 months.
00:00:47 --> 00:00:51 But in that period, 13 people died
00:00:51 --> 00:00:55 and over 1 million people were displaced from their homes.
00:00:55 --> 00:01:02 The conflict there came on the back of about 1 years of cultural tensions.
00:01:03 --> 00:01:05 And it was very deep cultural tensions,
00:01:05 --> 00:01:09 a very deep hatred culturally between the two groups.
00:01:10 --> 00:01:13 And the war itself in just 18 months
00:01:13 --> 00:01:18 resulted in terrible crimes against humanity
00:01:18 --> 00:01:20 on both sides of the conflict.
00:01:20 --> 00:01:26 There were Christian churches on both sides of that conflict.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:31 And in the middle of that 18-month war,
00:01:32 --> 00:01:39 one pastor from an Albanian Baptist church in Pristina
00:01:39 --> 00:01:44 crossed over the racial-cultural divide
00:01:44 --> 00:01:50 and preached in a Serbian church for the enemy.
00:01:52 --> 00:01:56 And against all that background and hatred and death,
00:01:57 --> 00:01:59 the pastor of that church in Belgrade
00:01:59 --> 00:02:03 took this pastor into his home.
00:02:03 --> 00:02:05 He stayed with him for the weekend
00:02:05 --> 00:02:08 and didn't just welcome him into his home,
00:02:08 --> 00:02:09 but welcomed him into his church
00:02:09 --> 00:02:12 and welcomed him into his pulpit.
00:02:13 --> 00:02:16 After the war, reflecting on that moment,
00:02:16 --> 00:02:18 that particular pastor from Belgrade said,
00:02:19 --> 00:02:22 we don't really have much in common
00:02:22 --> 00:02:24 apart from Jesus.
00:02:26 --> 00:02:27 Apart from Jesus.
00:02:29 --> 00:02:34 That there illustrates the entire point of this series.
00:02:35 --> 00:02:36 Apart from Jesus.
00:02:36 --> 00:02:39 Apart from Jesus.
00:02:42 --> 00:02:45 And it's the banner across this church,
00:02:47 --> 00:02:50 treasuring Jesus together for the joy of all people.
00:02:52 --> 00:02:55 Now, the apostle Paul states God's grand goal,
00:02:56 --> 00:02:57 his worldview, if you like,
00:02:58 --> 00:03:01 of his goal of all things,
00:03:01 --> 00:03:04 at the beginning of Ephesians, chapter 1, verse 8,
00:03:04 --> 00:03:07 that with all wisdom and understanding,
00:03:08 --> 00:03:11 he made known to us the mystery of his will
00:03:11 --> 00:03:13 according to his good pleasure,
00:03:13 --> 00:03:16 which he purposed in Christ
00:03:16 --> 00:03:20 to put into effect when the times reached their fulfillment
00:03:20 --> 00:03:25 to bring unity to all things in heaven
00:03:25 --> 00:03:29 and on earth under Christ.
00:03:29 --> 00:03:33 unity in all things under Christ.
00:03:35 --> 00:03:39 And what that means for us,
00:03:39 --> 00:03:41 if you're someone who's a Christian,
00:03:42 --> 00:03:44 is that the good news of the Christian faith
00:03:44 --> 00:03:48 isn't simply that God has forgiven you for your sin.
00:03:48 --> 00:03:51 If it was just that,
00:03:52 --> 00:03:54 then it means the whole Christian gospel
00:03:54 --> 00:03:57 is just purely about sin management.
00:03:57 --> 00:03:58 That's all it is.
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 But that's not what it is.
00:04:03 --> 00:04:06 The good news is that your sins have been given,
00:04:06 --> 00:04:12 that you are given a new resurrected life.
00:04:12 --> 00:04:15 You are gathered into God's new family,
00:04:15 --> 00:04:18 his body, his humanity, his people,
00:04:18 --> 00:04:22 to pursue the very thing that we were created to do.
00:04:24 --> 00:04:27 You remember from sermon one, maybe,
00:04:28 --> 00:04:31 to live for the glory of God.
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 That's the gospel.
00:04:34 --> 00:04:40 The trajectory of all things
00:04:40 --> 00:04:44 is everything gathered under Jesus Christ
00:04:44 --> 00:04:46 as the creator and Lord of all things,
00:04:47 --> 00:04:50 bringing glory to God joyfully as his people forever.
00:04:51 --> 00:04:52 That's the trajectory.
00:04:55 --> 00:04:56 And so in the next two weeks,
00:04:56 --> 00:04:59 I want to look at how God's plan gets worked out
00:04:59 --> 00:05:02 in here as a church like this.
00:05:02 --> 00:05:06 We're going to summarize what's already been said
00:05:06 --> 00:05:09 in this series in the next two weeks.
00:05:10 --> 00:05:13 And I'm intending on summarizing a chunk of that already today.
00:05:13 --> 00:05:15 So if you've got the St. Paul's app open,
00:05:15 --> 00:05:16 you'll notice three points,
00:05:16 --> 00:05:18 God's multi-ethnic mission,
00:05:18 --> 00:05:19 our multi-ethnic mission,
00:05:19 --> 00:05:22 and my multi-ethnic mission.
00:05:23 --> 00:05:24 So firstly,
00:05:25 --> 00:05:27 we're going to go back to the beginning of God's plan,
00:05:27 --> 00:05:31 be reminded of why you and I were created and saved.
00:05:31 --> 00:05:32 It's in the Garden of Eden,
00:05:32 --> 00:05:33 Genesis 1 and 2.
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 There's a real sense that all things are gathered to God.
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 He's the creator of all things.
00:05:38 --> 00:05:39 He made it.
00:05:39 --> 00:05:40 Everything is at peace.
00:05:41 --> 00:05:42 All things are ordered.
00:05:42 --> 00:05:44 And everything is in perfect relationship
00:05:44 --> 00:05:45 with each other,
00:05:45 --> 00:05:46 with God,
00:05:46 --> 00:05:47 as it should be.
00:05:48 --> 00:05:50 The first people are made in God's image
00:05:50 --> 00:05:51 for the purpose,
00:05:52 --> 00:05:53 as we saw in the first sermon,
00:05:54 --> 00:05:55 the purpose of displaying
00:05:55 --> 00:05:58 and magnifying God's glory.
00:05:58 --> 00:06:01 They are to mirror to the world
00:06:01 --> 00:06:02 their creator.
00:06:05 --> 00:06:07 Then the first people make the decision
00:06:07 --> 00:06:09 to magnify themselves rather than God
00:06:09 --> 00:06:10 in Genesis 3.
00:06:11 --> 00:06:13 They decide to live life their way,
00:06:13 --> 00:06:15 to make it all about them.
00:06:15 --> 00:06:17 And the Bible calls this attitude,
00:06:17 --> 00:06:18 which leads to action,
00:06:19 --> 00:06:19 sin.
00:06:20 --> 00:06:21 It's a rejection,
00:06:21 --> 00:06:22 a rebellion against God.
00:06:23 --> 00:06:24 It's a coup against him.
00:06:24 --> 00:06:27 And the consequence of sin
00:06:27 --> 00:06:29 is that all the order
00:06:29 --> 00:06:30 of God's good creation
00:06:30 --> 00:06:31 becomes disordered.
00:06:32 --> 00:06:34 There is no more harmony and peace
00:06:34 --> 00:06:37 and relationship with God is broken.
00:06:37 --> 00:06:39 Where there was unity and closeness,
00:06:40 --> 00:06:41 because of sin,
00:06:41 --> 00:06:43 there is now distance and disunity.
00:06:44 --> 00:06:47 God then removes people from his presence.
00:06:48 --> 00:06:49 He judges their sin
00:06:49 --> 00:06:53 and by scattering them from himself.
00:06:53 --> 00:06:55 And that's the principle
00:06:55 --> 00:06:58 that you will see right through the Bible.
00:06:59 --> 00:07:02 Whenever humanity sets itself up against God,
00:07:03 --> 00:07:06 he scatters them from him in judgment
00:07:06 --> 00:07:08 and from each other.
00:07:08 --> 00:07:11 There's not just a fractured relationship with God,
00:07:11 --> 00:07:14 but a fractured relationship with each other.
00:07:14 --> 00:07:16 But when he saves them,
00:07:16 --> 00:07:18 he gathers them to himself
00:07:18 --> 00:07:21 and unites them together as his people
00:07:21 --> 00:07:21 and to him.
00:07:24 --> 00:07:26 We saw this principle worked out
00:07:26 --> 00:07:27 in ethnic and cultural terms
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 several weeks ago
00:07:29 --> 00:07:30 with the Tower of Babel
00:07:30 --> 00:07:31 and the calling of Abraham
00:07:31 --> 00:07:33 in Genesis 11 and 12.
00:07:33 --> 00:07:34 When God saves,
00:07:35 --> 00:07:36 he gathers people to himself.
00:07:36 --> 00:07:38 When they rebel against him,
00:07:38 --> 00:07:40 he scatters them from his presence
00:07:40 --> 00:07:42 and from each other.
00:07:42 --> 00:07:43 Isaiah 11
00:07:43 --> 00:07:45 is looking forward to a day
00:07:45 --> 00:07:47 when everything will finally be ordered
00:07:47 --> 00:07:48 and harmonious
00:07:48 --> 00:07:50 and peaceful
00:07:50 --> 00:07:51 and in right relationship
00:07:51 --> 00:07:52 like it was
00:07:52 --> 00:07:53 in the beginning
00:07:53 --> 00:07:54 in the Garden of Eden.
00:07:56 --> 00:07:57 And Isaiah there
00:07:57 --> 00:07:58 in chapter 11
00:07:58 --> 00:08:00 refers to a particular person
00:08:00 --> 00:08:03 who will accomplish God's grand plan
00:08:03 --> 00:08:06 as the root of Jesse.
00:08:07 --> 00:08:09 This person is the Messiah.
00:08:10 --> 00:08:13 They are the son of King David.
00:08:13 --> 00:08:19 And in verse 12 of Isaiah 11,
00:08:19 --> 00:08:20 it says,
00:08:21 --> 00:08:23 He will raise a banner for the nations.
00:08:24 --> 00:08:26 He will gather the exiles of Israel.
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 He will assemble
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 the scattered people from Judah
00:08:30 --> 00:08:34 from the four corners of the earth.
00:08:35 --> 00:08:38 Then we read in Isaiah 56 verse 8,
00:08:38 --> 00:08:38 God declaring
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 that he will expand
00:08:40 --> 00:08:41 his plan,
00:08:41 --> 00:08:42 his global plan
00:08:42 --> 00:08:45 beyond his people Israel.
00:08:46 --> 00:08:46 He says,
00:08:46 --> 00:08:48 I will gather still
00:08:48 --> 00:08:49 others to them
00:08:49 --> 00:08:52 besides those already gathered.
00:08:52 --> 00:08:53 And the climax
00:08:53 --> 00:08:55 of God's global plan
00:08:55 --> 00:08:56 is revealed
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 at the end of the book of Isaiah.
00:08:58 --> 00:09:01 Isaiah 66, 18.
00:09:02 --> 00:09:02 And I
00:09:02 --> 00:09:04 am about to come
00:09:04 --> 00:09:06 and gather the people
00:09:06 --> 00:09:08 of all nations
00:09:08 --> 00:09:09 and languages
00:09:09 --> 00:09:11 and they will come
00:09:11 --> 00:09:12 to me
00:09:12 --> 00:09:14 and see my glory.
00:09:16 --> 00:09:17 God's plan
00:09:17 --> 00:09:18 is to gather people
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 from all the nations,
00:09:19 --> 00:09:20 from tribes,
00:09:20 --> 00:09:20 peoples,
00:09:20 --> 00:09:21 languages,
00:09:21 --> 00:09:23 cultures to himself
00:09:23 --> 00:09:24 that they might see
00:09:24 --> 00:09:26 his glory
00:09:26 --> 00:09:29 for the displaying
00:09:29 --> 00:09:30 of his glory.
00:09:34 --> 00:09:35 I'm hoping you're seeing
00:09:35 --> 00:09:36 there's a worldview
00:09:36 --> 00:09:37 being unpacked here.
00:09:38 --> 00:09:39 Your purpose of life
00:09:39 --> 00:09:40 is being unpacked here.
00:09:40 --> 00:09:41 The plan
00:09:41 --> 00:09:42 is to recapture
00:09:42 --> 00:09:45 the original purpose
00:09:45 --> 00:09:46 for our creation
00:09:46 --> 00:09:47 that we saw
00:09:47 --> 00:09:48 in week one
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 displaying
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 the glory of God.
00:09:53 --> 00:09:53 The plan
00:09:53 --> 00:09:54 is to recapture
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 that purpose.
00:09:56 --> 00:09:57 God's plan
00:09:57 --> 00:09:58 gets worked out
00:09:58 --> 00:09:58 in history
00:09:58 --> 00:09:59 with the creation
00:09:59 --> 00:10:00 of the church
00:10:00 --> 00:10:01 in the Lord Jesus Christ.
00:10:03 --> 00:10:03 And Ephesians,
00:10:03 --> 00:10:05 we had Ephesians 4
00:10:05 --> 00:10:05 read out to us.
00:10:05 --> 00:10:07 Have you got Ephesians open?
00:10:09 --> 00:10:10 I really want to go
00:10:10 --> 00:10:12 Ephesians 1, 2, 3, 4
00:10:12 --> 00:10:13 real quick.
00:10:14 --> 00:10:15 It will be quick,
00:10:15 --> 00:10:15 believe me,
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 it will be quick.
00:10:17 --> 00:10:18 Ephesians 1 and 2,
00:10:18 --> 00:10:19 Paul,
00:10:19 --> 00:10:19 the Apostle Paul
00:10:19 --> 00:10:20 highlights the massive
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 division between
00:10:21 --> 00:10:22 Jews and Gentiles
00:10:22 --> 00:10:24 but also between
00:10:24 --> 00:10:25 all of humanity
00:10:25 --> 00:10:25 and God.
00:10:26 --> 00:10:27 Ephesians 2
00:10:27 --> 00:10:29 verses 13 and 16,
00:10:29 --> 00:10:30 he shows us
00:10:30 --> 00:10:31 how God brings
00:10:31 --> 00:10:32 an end to all
00:10:32 --> 00:10:33 of that hostility.
00:10:33 --> 00:10:35 So Ephesians chapter 2,
00:10:35 --> 00:10:35 if you've got to open
00:10:35 --> 00:10:35 there,
00:10:35 --> 00:10:36 verse 13,
00:10:36 --> 00:10:38 now in Christ Jesus,
00:10:39 --> 00:10:39 you who once
00:10:39 --> 00:10:41 were far away
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 have been brought
00:10:42 --> 00:10:42 near
00:10:42 --> 00:10:44 by the blood
00:10:44 --> 00:10:44 of Christ
00:10:44 --> 00:10:46 for he himself
00:10:46 --> 00:10:48 is our peace
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 who has made
00:10:49 --> 00:10:50 the two groups
00:10:50 --> 00:10:51 one
00:10:51 --> 00:10:53 and has destroyed
00:10:53 --> 00:10:53 the barrier,
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 the dividing wall
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 of hostility
00:10:56 --> 00:10:57 by setting aside
00:10:57 --> 00:10:58 in his flesh
00:10:58 --> 00:10:59 the law
00:10:59 --> 00:11:00 with its commands
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 and regulations.
00:11:01 --> 00:11:03 his purpose
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 was to create
00:11:04 --> 00:11:06 in himself
00:11:06 --> 00:11:08 one new
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 humanity
00:11:09 --> 00:11:11 out of the two
00:11:11 --> 00:11:13 thus making peace
00:11:13 --> 00:11:14 and in one body
00:11:14 --> 00:11:15 to reconcile
00:11:15 --> 00:11:16 both of them
00:11:16 --> 00:11:18 to God
00:11:18 --> 00:11:19 through the cross
00:11:19 --> 00:11:20 by which he put
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 to death
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 their hostility.
00:11:23 --> 00:11:25 Every one
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 of the gospels
00:11:26 --> 00:11:26 declares
00:11:26 --> 00:11:28 that Jesus Christ
00:11:28 --> 00:11:30 is the Messiah
00:11:30 --> 00:11:31 that Isaiah
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 was looking forward
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 to.
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 He is the Messiah
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 who fulfills
00:11:35 --> 00:11:37 God's plan
00:11:37 --> 00:11:37 of gathering
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 people from
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 all four corners
00:11:39 --> 00:11:40 of the globe
00:11:40 --> 00:11:42 to himself
00:11:42 --> 00:11:44 for his glory.
00:11:46 --> 00:11:47 He who is the
00:11:47 --> 00:11:48 perfect image
00:11:48 --> 00:11:48 of God
00:11:48 --> 00:11:50 Jesus Christ
00:11:50 --> 00:11:51 took on the
00:11:51 --> 00:11:52 image of humanity
00:11:52 --> 00:11:54 was scattered
00:11:54 --> 00:11:54 from God
00:11:54 --> 00:11:56 on the cross
00:11:56 --> 00:11:57 as he takes
00:11:57 --> 00:11:59 on our sin
00:11:59 --> 00:11:59 and he bears
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 our judgment
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 our punishment
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 on the cross
00:12:02 --> 00:12:03 he calls out
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 on the cross
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 my God
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 my God
00:12:06 --> 00:12:07 why have you
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 forsaken me
00:12:08 --> 00:12:09 why have you
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 pushed me away
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 why have you
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 turned your back
00:12:12 --> 00:12:12 on me
00:12:12 --> 00:12:13 why am I
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 scattered from you
00:12:14 --> 00:12:20 so that we
00:12:20 --> 00:12:20 can be gathered
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 to him
00:12:21 --> 00:12:25 and after
00:12:25 --> 00:12:26 his resurrection
00:12:26 --> 00:12:26 he ascends
00:12:26 --> 00:12:27 to heaven
00:12:27 --> 00:12:27 sends his
00:12:27 --> 00:12:28 Holy Spirit
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 to unite us
00:12:29 --> 00:12:30 with him
00:12:30 --> 00:12:30 and his
00:12:30 --> 00:12:31 finished work
00:12:31 --> 00:12:32 and all
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 of his people
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 when the
00:12:34 --> 00:12:35 Holy Spirit
00:12:35 --> 00:12:35 comes on the
00:12:35 --> 00:12:36 day of Pentecost
00:12:36 --> 00:12:37 people from
00:12:37 --> 00:12:39 every nation
00:12:39 --> 00:12:39 and culture
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 and language
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 were there
00:12:41 --> 00:12:42 gathered
00:12:42 --> 00:12:44 to God
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 as his new
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 humanity
00:12:46 --> 00:12:47 his people
00:12:47 --> 00:12:49 in relationship
00:12:49 --> 00:12:49 with God
00:12:49 --> 00:12:53 and the
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 purpose of
00:12:54 --> 00:12:54 God's
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 multi-ethnic
00:12:55 --> 00:12:56 mission
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 is explicit
00:12:57 --> 00:12:58 in
00:12:58 --> 00:13:00 Ephesians 3
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 verse 10
00:13:01 --> 00:13:03 his intent
00:13:03 --> 00:13:03 was that
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 now
00:13:04 --> 00:13:05 through the
00:13:05 --> 00:13:05 church
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 now
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 through the
00:13:07 --> 00:13:07 church
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 the manifold
00:13:08 --> 00:13:10 wisdom of
00:13:10 --> 00:13:10 God
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 should be
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 made known
00:13:12 --> 00:13:13 to the
00:13:13 --> 00:13:13 rulers
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 and the
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 authorities
00:13:15 --> 00:13:15 in the
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 heavenly realms
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 according
00:13:17 --> 00:13:17 to his
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 eternal
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 purpose
00:13:19 --> 00:13:19 that he
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 accomplished
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 in Christ
00:13:21 --> 00:13:21 Jesus
00:13:21 --> 00:13:22 our Lord
00:13:22 --> 00:13:25 manifold
00:13:25 --> 00:13:25 there
00:13:25 --> 00:13:25 the word
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 manifold
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 means
00:13:27 --> 00:13:27 literally
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 multi-colored
00:13:28 --> 00:13:30 it means
00:13:30 --> 00:13:31 multi-faceted
00:13:31 --> 00:13:32 it's the
00:13:32 --> 00:13:33 same words
00:13:33 --> 00:13:33 used in
00:13:33 --> 00:13:34 the Old
00:13:34 --> 00:13:34 Testament
00:13:34 --> 00:13:36 as a
00:13:36 --> 00:13:36 description
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 of
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 Joseph's
00:13:38 --> 00:13:40 multi-colored
00:13:40 --> 00:13:40 coat
00:13:40 --> 00:13:42 the church
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 is God's
00:13:43 --> 00:13:44 brightly colored
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 neon sign
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 to the
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 universe
00:13:47 --> 00:13:48 of the
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 glory
00:13:49 --> 00:13:49 of God
00:13:49 --> 00:13:51 how does
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 God
00:13:52 --> 00:13:52 display
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 his glory
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 to the
00:13:54 --> 00:13:54 world
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 now
00:13:55 --> 00:13:57 through
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 the
00:13:58 --> 00:13:58 church
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 as they
00:13:59 --> 00:13:59 proclaim
00:13:59 --> 00:14:00 the gospel
00:14:00 --> 00:14:01 of Christ
00:14:01 --> 00:14:02 to the
00:14:02 --> 00:14:02 world
00:14:02 --> 00:14:05 the church
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 is the
00:14:06 --> 00:14:06 public
00:14:06 --> 00:14:08 advertisement
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 of the
00:14:09 --> 00:14:09 wisdom
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 and the
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 magnificence
00:14:11 --> 00:14:11 and the
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 glory
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 of God
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 in Christ
00:14:14 --> 00:14:19 the
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 great
00:14:20 --> 00:14:20 and the
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 glorious
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 God's
00:14:22 --> 00:14:23 great
00:14:23 --> 00:14:23 and
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 glorious
00:14:24 --> 00:14:24 plan
00:14:24 --> 00:14:26 is to
00:14:26 --> 00:14:26 gather
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 a very
00:14:27 --> 00:14:27 diverse
00:14:27 --> 00:14:27 people
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 to each
00:14:28 --> 00:14:28 other
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 and to
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 himself
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 in such
00:14:31 --> 00:14:31 a way
00:14:31 --> 00:14:33 that God's
00:14:33 --> 00:14:34 wisdom
00:14:34 --> 00:14:34 and his
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 greatness
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 and his
00:14:36 --> 00:14:36 majesty
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 and his
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 glory
00:14:38 --> 00:14:39 is made
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 known
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 to the
00:14:41 --> 00:14:41 heavenly
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 realms
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 and
00:14:43 --> 00:14:43 everything
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 below
00:14:44 --> 00:14:44 it
00:14:44 --> 00:14:46 there is
00:14:46 --> 00:14:47 a sense
00:14:47 --> 00:14:49 when God
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 right now
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 possibly
00:14:51 --> 00:14:51 I don't
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 want to
00:14:52 --> 00:14:52 put words
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 in his
00:14:53 --> 00:14:53 mouth
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 but right
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 now he's
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 calling over
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 the rulers
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 and the
00:14:58 --> 00:14:58 authorities
00:14:58 --> 00:14:59 of the
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 heavenly realms
00:15:00 --> 00:15:00 and he
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 says
00:15:01 --> 00:15:04 see some
00:15:04 --> 00:15:04 Paul's
00:15:04 --> 00:15:04 chastard
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 down there
00:15:05 --> 00:15:07 have a look
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 at that
00:15:08 --> 00:15:10 that is
00:15:10 --> 00:15:10 what I
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 have been
00:15:11 --> 00:15:11 working
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 towards
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 for all
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 of history
00:15:14 --> 00:15:16 that's
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 why my
00:15:17 --> 00:15:17 son
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 died
00:15:18 --> 00:15:21 my
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 son
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 made that
00:15:23 --> 00:15:23 possible
00:15:23 --> 00:15:25 he
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 brought
00:15:26 --> 00:15:26 these
00:15:26 --> 00:15:26 diverse
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 people
00:15:27 --> 00:15:27 together
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 he broke
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 down the
00:15:29 --> 00:15:29 dividing
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 walls
00:15:30 --> 00:15:30 and he
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 brought
00:15:31 --> 00:15:31 them to
00:15:31 --> 00:15:31 us
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 to me
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 for my
00:15:33 --> 00:15:33 glory
00:15:33 --> 00:15:35 and he
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 says to
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 the demons
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 Satan
00:15:38 --> 00:15:40 over here
00:15:40 --> 00:15:40 you
00:15:40 --> 00:15:42 destroyer
00:15:42 --> 00:15:42 of order
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 you
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 scatterer
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 of people
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 you
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 ruiner
00:15:47 --> 00:15:47 of lives
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 and
00:15:48 --> 00:15:48 relationships
00:15:48 --> 00:15:51 see that
00:15:51 --> 00:15:53 not even
00:15:53 --> 00:15:53 the gates
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 of hell
00:15:54 --> 00:15:54 are going
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 to stop
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 my
00:15:56 --> 00:15:56 son
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 building
00:15:57 --> 00:15:57 his
00:15:57 --> 00:15:57 church
00:15:57 --> 00:16:00 out of
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 every tribe
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 and language
00:16:02 --> 00:16:02 of people
00:16:02 --> 00:16:02 for my
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 glory
00:16:03 --> 00:16:06 so get
00:16:06 --> 00:16:06 this
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 first point
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 of application
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 as we
00:16:09 --> 00:16:09 gather here
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 today
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 before church
00:16:11 --> 00:16:12 is about
00:16:12 --> 00:16:12 you
00:16:12 --> 00:16:13 before it's
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 about me
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 before it's
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 about us
00:16:16 --> 00:16:17 it is about
00:16:17 --> 00:16:17 God
00:16:17 --> 00:16:19 it is about
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 his glory
00:16:20 --> 00:16:22 it's about
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 his majesty
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 it's about
00:16:24 --> 00:16:26 his design
00:16:26 --> 00:16:26 it's about
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 his plan
00:16:27 --> 00:16:29 we get
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 included in
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 God's grand
00:16:31 --> 00:16:31 plan for
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 all things
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 we become
00:16:33 --> 00:16:33 members of
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 God's new
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 family
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 not by
00:16:36 --> 00:16:36 completing
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 a membership
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 course
00:16:38 --> 00:16:40 you don't even
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 get included
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 in it just by
00:16:42 --> 00:16:42 having to be
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 taking up
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 your regular
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 spot
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 in church
00:16:46 --> 00:16:46 for 50
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 years
00:16:47 --> 00:16:50 we become
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 a member
00:16:51 --> 00:16:51 of God's
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 new family
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 by repenting
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 of living
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 independently
00:16:55 --> 00:16:55 of God
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 by putting
00:16:56 --> 00:16:56 our trust
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 in Jesus
00:16:57 --> 00:16:57 Christ
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 and receiving
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 the Holy
00:16:59 --> 00:16:59 Spirit
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 who unites
00:17:00 --> 00:17:00 us with
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 God
00:17:01 --> 00:17:01 and all
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 Christians
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 as one
00:17:03 --> 00:17:03 people
00:17:03 --> 00:17:05 that is
00:17:05 --> 00:17:05 the fundamental
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 first step
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 of membership
00:17:07 --> 00:17:09 in God's
00:17:09 --> 00:17:09 eternal
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 plan for
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 his glory
00:17:11 --> 00:17:15 there will
00:17:15 --> 00:17:15 be plenty
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 of people
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 in heaven
00:17:17 --> 00:17:20 who have
00:17:20 --> 00:17:20 not
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 not
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 completed
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 a membership
00:17:23 --> 00:17:23 course
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 in a
00:17:24 --> 00:17:24 church
00:17:24 --> 00:17:26 but not
00:17:26 --> 00:17:26 one
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 single
00:17:27 --> 00:17:27 person
00:17:27 --> 00:17:27 who has
00:17:27 --> 00:17:27 not
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 bowed
00:17:28 --> 00:17:28 the knee
00:17:28 --> 00:17:28 to Jesus
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 Christ
00:17:29 --> 00:17:29 and
00:17:29 --> 00:17:29 confected
00:17:29 --> 00:17:29 him
00:17:29 --> 00:17:29 as
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 Lord
00:17:30 --> 00:17:30 of all
00:17:30 --> 00:17:32 and
00:17:32 --> 00:17:32 potentially
00:17:32 --> 00:17:32 that's
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 the first
00:17:33 --> 00:17:33 step
00:17:33 --> 00:17:33 you need
00:17:33 --> 00:17:33 to take
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 today
00:17:34 --> 00:17:40 this
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 brings me
00:17:41 --> 00:17:41 to our
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 multi-ethnic
00:17:42 --> 00:17:42 mission
00:17:42 --> 00:17:42 here
00:17:42 --> 00:17:42 at
00:17:42 --> 00:17:42 St.
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 Paul's
00:17:43 --> 00:17:45 how it's
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 worked out
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 God's
00:17:47 --> 00:17:47 grand
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 multi-ethnic
00:17:48 --> 00:17:48 plan
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 is what
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 lies behind
00:17:50 --> 00:17:52 this church's
00:17:52 --> 00:17:52 call
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 to maintain
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 its unity
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 in Jesus
00:17:55 --> 00:17:55 in
00:17:55 --> 00:17:57 Ephesians
00:17:57 --> 00:17:57 4
00:17:57 --> 00:18:00 so in
00:18:00 --> 00:18:00 verse 3
00:18:00 --> 00:18:02 make
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 every
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 effort
00:18:04 --> 00:18:04 to keep
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 the unity
00:18:05 --> 00:18:05 of the
00:18:05 --> 00:18:05 spirit
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 through the
00:18:06 --> 00:18:06 bond
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 of peace
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 there is
00:18:08 --> 00:18:08 one body
00:18:08 --> 00:18:08 and one
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 spirit
00:18:09 --> 00:18:09 just as
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 you were
00:18:10 --> 00:18:10 called
00:18:10 --> 00:18:10 to one
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 hope
00:18:11 --> 00:18:11 when you
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 were called
00:18:12 --> 00:18:12 one Lord
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 one faith
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 one baptism
00:18:14 --> 00:18:14 one God
00:18:14 --> 00:18:14 and Father
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 of all
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 in other
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 words
00:18:17 --> 00:18:17 in view
00:18:17 --> 00:18:17 of the
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 unity
00:18:18 --> 00:18:18 that we
00:18:18 --> 00:18:18 have
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 in Jesus
00:18:19 --> 00:18:19 in view
00:18:19 --> 00:18:19 of all
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 the barriers
00:18:20 --> 00:18:20 that have
00:18:20 --> 00:18:20 been
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 broken
00:18:21 --> 00:18:21 down
00:18:21 --> 00:18:21 in Jesus
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 verse 3
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 it says
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 make
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 every
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 effort
00:18:26 --> 00:18:28 that is
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 we've got
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 to work
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 hard
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 at being
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 at peace
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 with one
00:18:34 --> 00:18:34 another
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 and if you
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 were here
00:18:36 --> 00:18:36 last week
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 forgiveness
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 and repentance
00:18:38 --> 00:18:40 is hard
00:18:40 --> 00:18:42 it's very
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 hard
00:18:43 --> 00:18:43 to search
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 our own
00:18:44 --> 00:18:44 hearts
00:18:44 --> 00:18:44 it's much
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 easier
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 to search
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 and judge
00:18:47 --> 00:18:47 someone else's
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 heart
00:18:48 --> 00:18:50 we are
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 God's new
00:18:51 --> 00:18:51 society
00:18:51 --> 00:18:53 where God's
00:18:53 --> 00:18:53 family
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 a new
00:18:54 --> 00:18:54 creation
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 a new
00:18:55 --> 00:18:55 humanity
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 characterized
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 not by
00:18:57 --> 00:18:57 walls
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 of hostility
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 and division
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 but by
00:19:00 --> 00:19:00 unity
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 and peace
00:19:01 --> 00:19:04 and so
00:19:04 --> 00:19:04 I think
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 that it's
00:19:05 --> 00:19:05 more than
00:19:05 --> 00:19:05 just
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 unfortunate
00:19:06 --> 00:19:08 more than
00:19:08 --> 00:19:08 just
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 unfortunate
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 when our
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 worldly
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 associations
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 and identities
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 and cultures
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 are allowed
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 to determine
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 the composition
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 of local
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 churches
00:19:19 --> 00:19:21 I believe
00:19:21 --> 00:19:21 in fact
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 it works
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 against the
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 very nature
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 of the
00:19:24 --> 00:19:24 Christian
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 gospel
00:19:25 --> 00:19:25 and God's
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 purposes
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 so here's
00:19:27 --> 00:19:27 a quote
00:19:27 --> 00:19:29 from American
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 theologian
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 Michael Horton
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 in his book
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 The Gospel
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 Driven Life
00:19:34 --> 00:19:36 he writes
00:19:36 --> 00:19:36 not that long
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 ago
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 evangelical
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 missiologists
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 were defending
00:19:40 --> 00:19:40 the separation
00:19:40 --> 00:19:42 of races
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 based on the
00:19:43 --> 00:19:43 principle
00:19:43 --> 00:19:45 that people
00:19:45 --> 00:19:45 like to be
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 with people
00:19:46 --> 00:19:46 who are like
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 them
00:19:47 --> 00:19:49 South African
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 theologians
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 have in fact
00:19:51 --> 00:19:52 pointed out
00:19:52 --> 00:19:53 that this
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 principle
00:19:54 --> 00:19:56 this principle
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 in mission
00:19:57 --> 00:19:58 work
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 laid
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 the
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 theological
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 groundwork
00:20:02 --> 00:20:04 for
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 apartheid
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 in South
00:20:06 --> 00:20:06 Africa
00:20:06 --> 00:20:10 now that
00:20:10 --> 00:20:10 racial
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 segregation
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 is less
00:20:12 --> 00:20:12 explicitly
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 deployed
00:20:13 --> 00:20:13 as a
00:20:13 --> 00:20:13 church
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 growth
00:20:14 --> 00:20:14 strategy
00:20:14 --> 00:20:16 we carve
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 up Christ's
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 body
00:20:18 --> 00:20:18 into
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 socio-economic
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 and generational
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 segments
00:20:21 --> 00:20:27 he goes on
00:20:27 --> 00:20:27 to describe
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 in America
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 how there are
00:20:29 --> 00:20:29 cowboy
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 churches
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 where you
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 ride your
00:20:32 --> 00:20:34 horse in
00:20:34 --> 00:20:37 for church
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 and you
00:20:38 --> 00:20:38 go out
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 I don't think
00:20:39 --> 00:20:39 it's singing
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 blazing
00:20:40 --> 00:20:40 saddles
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 it's something
00:20:41 --> 00:20:41 else that you
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 go out singing
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 rawhide
00:20:43 --> 00:20:43 or something
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 like that
00:20:44 --> 00:20:44 as the
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 departing
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 song
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 he's
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 talking
00:20:48 --> 00:20:48 there
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 writing
00:20:49 --> 00:20:49 there
00:20:49 --> 00:20:49 about
00:20:49 --> 00:20:49 the
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 homogenous
00:20:50 --> 00:20:50 unit
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 principle
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 it has
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 led
00:20:53 --> 00:20:53 churches
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 to be
00:20:54 --> 00:20:54 planted
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 with
00:20:55 --> 00:20:55 targeted
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 specific
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 demographics
00:20:57 --> 00:20:57 and
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 segregation
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 congregating
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 congregations
00:21:00 --> 00:21:00 individual
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 preferences
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 traditional
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 services
00:21:03 --> 00:21:03 family
00:21:03 --> 00:21:03 services
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 youth
00:21:04 --> 00:21:04 services
00:21:04 --> 00:21:06 Australian
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 born
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 Chinese
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 services
00:21:07 --> 00:21:09 while
00:21:09 --> 00:21:09 Christians
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 have led
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 a bunch
00:21:11 --> 00:21:11 of the
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 charge
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 historically
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 in
00:21:14 --> 00:21:14 pursuing
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 racial
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 justice
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 at a
00:21:17 --> 00:21:17 societal
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 level
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 as well
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 as in
00:21:19 --> 00:21:19 fact
00:21:19 --> 00:21:19 cross
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 cultural
00:21:20 --> 00:21:20 mission
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 on the
00:21:21 --> 00:21:21 other
00:21:21 --> 00:21:21 side
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 of the
00:21:22 --> 00:21:22 world
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 it
00:21:23 --> 00:21:23 appears
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 in so
00:21:24 --> 00:21:24 many
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 cases
00:21:25 --> 00:21:25 it
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 does
00:21:26 --> 00:21:26 not
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 trickle
00:21:27 --> 00:21:27 down
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 into
00:21:28 --> 00:21:28 interpersonal
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 behaviour
00:21:29 --> 00:21:29 on the
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 local
00:21:30 --> 00:21:30 church
00:21:30 --> 00:21:30 level
00:21:30 --> 00:21:33 it is
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 so much
00:21:34 --> 00:21:34 easier
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 to pursue
00:21:35 --> 00:21:35 racial
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 reconciliation
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 and
00:21:37 --> 00:21:37 cross
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 cultural
00:21:38 --> 00:21:38 ministry
00:21:38 --> 00:21:41 when it's
00:21:41 --> 00:21:41 at a
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 distance
00:21:42 --> 00:21:42 from me
00:21:42 --> 00:21:44 when my
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 preferences
00:21:45 --> 00:21:45 when I
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 don't have
00:21:46 --> 00:21:46 to surrender
00:21:46 --> 00:21:48 comfort
00:21:48 --> 00:21:50 and my
00:21:50 --> 00:21:50 preferences
00:21:50 --> 00:21:54 so the
00:21:54 --> 00:21:54 church can
00:21:54 --> 00:21:54 be done
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 my way
00:21:55 --> 00:21:55 locally
00:21:55 --> 00:21:58 I am
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 convinced
00:21:59 --> 00:21:59 that
00:21:59 --> 00:21:59 homogenous
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 circles of
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 comfort
00:22:01 --> 00:22:01 are a
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 hindrance
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 to the
00:22:03 --> 00:22:03 gospel
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 as we
00:22:04 --> 00:22:04 fail to
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 display the
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 beauty
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 of the
00:22:06 --> 00:22:06 picture
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 of God's
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 plan
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 worked out
00:22:08 --> 00:22:08 in the
00:22:08 --> 00:22:08 local
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 church
00:22:09 --> 00:22:09 for his
00:22:09 --> 00:22:09 glory
00:22:09 --> 00:22:12 and in
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 2011
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 here at
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 St Paul's
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 we structurally
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 moved away
00:22:17 --> 00:22:17 from the
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 homogenous
00:22:18 --> 00:22:18 unit
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 principle
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 in our
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 congregations
00:22:21 --> 00:22:23 and as we
00:22:23 --> 00:22:23 pursue
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 God's
00:22:24 --> 00:22:24 grand
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 plan
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 in our
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 multi-ethnic
00:22:27 --> 00:22:27 mission
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 here at
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 Chatswood
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 one of the
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 key values
00:22:31 --> 00:22:31 for us
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 to embrace
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 deep in
00:22:33 --> 00:22:34 our hearts
00:22:34 --> 00:22:36 is the
00:22:36 --> 00:22:36 value of
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 shared
00:22:37 --> 00:22:37 discomfort
00:22:37 --> 00:22:40 the value
00:22:40 --> 00:22:40 of
00:22:40 --> 00:22:42 surrendering
00:22:42 --> 00:22:42 power
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 and comfort
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 for the
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 glory of
00:22:45 --> 00:22:45 God
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 and the
00:22:46 --> 00:22:46 joy of
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 others
00:22:47 --> 00:22:50 we value
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 surrendering
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 personal
00:22:52 --> 00:22:52 preferences
00:22:52 --> 00:22:54 sacrificing
00:22:54 --> 00:22:54 comfort for
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 the sake
00:22:55 --> 00:22:55 of God's
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 glory and
00:22:56 --> 00:22:56 the joy
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 of others
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 in other
00:22:58 --> 00:22:58 words what
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 we're seeking
00:22:59 --> 00:22:59 to do
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 here at
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 St Paul's
00:23:01 --> 00:23:01 our
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 multi-ethnic
00:23:02 --> 00:23:02 mission here
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 is to build
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 a gospel
00:23:04 --> 00:23:04 community
00:23:04 --> 00:23:06 another way
00:23:06 --> 00:23:06 of putting
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 that is
00:23:07 --> 00:23:07 that what
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 we're seeking
00:23:08 --> 00:23:08 to do
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 is build
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 a supernatural
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 community
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 rather than
00:23:12 --> 00:23:12 a natural
00:23:12 --> 00:23:13 community
00:23:13 --> 00:23:14 a natural
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 community
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 is where
00:23:16 --> 00:23:16 people feel
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 connected
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 really because
00:23:18 --> 00:23:20 of demographic
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 connections
00:23:21 --> 00:23:23 I feel
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 connected
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 to these
00:23:25 --> 00:23:25 people because
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 they're just
00:23:26 --> 00:23:26 so much
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 like me
00:23:27 --> 00:23:29 they grab
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 people gravitate
00:23:30 --> 00:23:30 to each other
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 find a sense
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 of belonging
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 because of
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 similarities
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 irrespective of
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 whether the
00:23:36 --> 00:23:36 gospel is
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 true or not
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 now that's not
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 such a bad
00:23:39 --> 00:23:39 thing don't
00:23:39 --> 00:23:39 leave me
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 say that
00:23:40 --> 00:23:40 that's not
00:23:40 --> 00:23:40 a bad
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 thing
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 I share
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 common
00:23:43 --> 00:23:43 interests
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 amazingly
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 with all
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 of my
00:23:46 --> 00:23:46 friends
00:23:46 --> 00:23:49 that's one
00:23:49 --> 00:23:49 of the
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 reasons we
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 are friends
00:23:51 --> 00:23:51 because I
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 share these
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 common interests
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 with them
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 it's not a
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 bad thing to
00:23:55 --> 00:23:55 have those
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 connections and
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 affinities here
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 at St Paul's
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 what I want
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 to caution
00:24:00 --> 00:24:00 us about
00:24:00 --> 00:24:02 is not to
00:24:02 --> 00:24:03 think that
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 that therefore
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 is the sum
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 of gospel
00:24:06 --> 00:24:06 community
00:24:06 --> 00:24:08 that somehow
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 that is a
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 supernatural
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 community
00:24:11 --> 00:24:11 at the end
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 of the day
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 you can have
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 natural community
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 without
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 Jesus
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 and without
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 pursuing his
00:24:18 --> 00:24:18 glory
00:24:18 --> 00:24:22 the heavenly
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 realms look
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 on and see
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 the wisdom
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 of God
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 when they
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 gaze
00:24:28 --> 00:24:30 at supernatural
00:24:30 --> 00:24:30 community
00:24:30 --> 00:24:32 at gospel
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 community
00:24:33 --> 00:24:35 it's the kind
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 of community
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 that would
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 not exist
00:24:38 --> 00:24:41 apart from
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 Jesus
00:24:42 --> 00:24:45 apart from
00:24:45 --> 00:24:45 Jesus
00:24:45 --> 00:24:48 and that's
00:24:48 --> 00:24:48 the point
00:24:48 --> 00:24:52 this is when
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 people
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 who would
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 not gravitate
00:24:55 --> 00:24:55 to each
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 other
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 or people
00:24:57 --> 00:24:59 who are
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 even in
00:25:00 --> 00:25:00 the middle
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 of war
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 and openly
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 hostile to
00:25:03 --> 00:25:03 one another
00:25:03 --> 00:25:05 are drawn
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 together in
00:25:06 --> 00:25:06 peace and
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 love
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 hospitality
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 even share
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 the pulpit
00:25:10 --> 00:25:13 all because
00:25:13 --> 00:25:13 of the
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 reconciling work
00:25:14 --> 00:25:14 of the Lord
00:25:14 --> 00:25:15 Jesus Christ
00:25:15 --> 00:25:16 on the cross
00:25:16 --> 00:25:20 that's
00:25:20 --> 00:25:21 our mission
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 to Chatswood
00:25:22 --> 00:25:26 let's get
00:25:26 --> 00:25:26 down a
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 personal level
00:25:27 --> 00:25:29 down to
00:25:29 --> 00:25:29 my
00:25:29 --> 00:25:30 multi-ethnic
00:25:30 --> 00:25:30 mission
00:25:30 --> 00:25:30 when I say
00:25:30 --> 00:25:31 my
00:25:31 --> 00:25:31 yours
00:25:31 --> 00:25:32 and mine
00:25:32 --> 00:25:34 in
00:25:34 --> 00:25:34 Ephesians 4
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 we see
00:25:35 --> 00:25:35 that our
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 unity
00:25:36 --> 00:25:36 does not
00:25:36 --> 00:25:36 equal
00:25:36 --> 00:25:37 uniformity
00:25:37 --> 00:25:39 that's
00:25:39 --> 00:25:39 Paul's
00:25:39 --> 00:25:39 point
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 in verse
00:25:40 --> 00:25:40 7
00:25:40 --> 00:25:42 when he
00:25:42 --> 00:25:42 writes
00:25:42 --> 00:25:42 about
00:25:42 --> 00:25:43 apportioned
00:25:43 --> 00:25:44 grace
00:25:44 --> 00:25:45 but to
00:25:45 --> 00:25:46 each of
00:25:46 --> 00:25:46 us
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 grace
00:25:47 --> 00:25:47 has been
00:25:47 --> 00:25:47 given
00:25:47 --> 00:25:49 as
00:25:49 --> 00:25:49 Christ
00:25:49 --> 00:25:50 apportioned
00:25:50 --> 00:25:50 it
00:25:50 --> 00:25:53 after
00:25:53 --> 00:25:53 Jesus
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 saved us
00:25:54 --> 00:25:54 through
00:25:54 --> 00:25:54 his
00:25:54 --> 00:25:55 death
00:25:55 --> 00:25:55 and his
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 resurrection
00:25:56 --> 00:25:58 his
00:25:58 --> 00:25:58 Holy
00:25:58 --> 00:25:59 Spirit
00:25:59 --> 00:25:59 gave
00:25:59 --> 00:26:00 each
00:26:00 --> 00:26:00 of us
00:26:00 --> 00:26:01 gifts
00:26:01 --> 00:26:03 to
00:26:03 --> 00:26:03 use
00:26:03 --> 00:26:04 for
00:26:04 --> 00:26:04 his
00:26:04 --> 00:26:04 service
00:26:04 --> 00:26:07 and
00:26:07 --> 00:26:08 those
00:26:08 --> 00:26:08 gifts
00:26:08 --> 00:26:09 are
00:26:09 --> 00:26:10 used
00:26:10 --> 00:26:10 primarily
00:26:10 --> 00:26:11 for the
00:26:11 --> 00:26:11 building up
00:26:11 --> 00:26:12 of his
00:26:12 --> 00:26:13 church
00:26:13 --> 00:26:14 for his
00:26:14 --> 00:26:15 glory
00:26:15 --> 00:26:15 you can
00:26:15 --> 00:26:15 see why
00:26:15 --> 00:26:16 the
00:26:16 --> 00:26:16 gifts
00:26:16 --> 00:26:16 are
00:26:16 --> 00:26:16 given
00:26:16 --> 00:26:18 the
00:26:18 --> 00:26:18 use
00:26:18 --> 00:26:18 of the
00:26:18 --> 00:26:19 gifts
00:26:19 --> 00:26:20 of
00:26:20 --> 00:26:21 grace
00:26:21 --> 00:26:22 is how
00:26:22 --> 00:26:23 we make
00:26:23 --> 00:26:23 every
00:26:23 --> 00:26:24 effort
00:26:24 --> 00:26:24 to
00:26:24 --> 00:26:25 maintain
00:26:25 --> 00:26:25 the
00:26:25 --> 00:26:25 unity
00:26:25 --> 00:26:26 down
00:26:26 --> 00:26:27 in
00:26:27 --> 00:26:27 verse
00:26:27 --> 00:26:27 11
00:26:27 --> 00:26:28 Paul
00:26:28 --> 00:26:28 describes
00:26:28 --> 00:26:29 the way
00:26:29 --> 00:26:29 these
00:26:29 --> 00:26:29 gifts
00:26:29 --> 00:26:29 are to
00:26:29 --> 00:26:29 be
00:26:29 --> 00:26:30 used
00:26:30 --> 00:26:30 it
00:26:30 --> 00:26:30 was
00:26:30 --> 00:26:31 he
00:26:31 --> 00:26:31 who
00:26:31 --> 00:26:31 gave
00:26:31 --> 00:26:32 some
00:26:32 --> 00:26:32 to be
00:26:32 --> 00:26:32 apostles
00:26:32 --> 00:26:33 some
00:26:33 --> 00:26:33 to be
00:26:33 --> 00:26:33 prophets
00:26:33 --> 00:26:33 some
00:26:33 --> 00:26:34 to be
00:26:34 --> 00:26:34 evangelists
00:26:34 --> 00:26:35 and some
00:26:35 --> 00:26:35 to be
00:26:35 --> 00:26:35 pastors
00:26:35 --> 00:26:36 and teachers
00:26:36 --> 00:26:36 to prepare
00:26:36 --> 00:26:37 God's
00:26:37 --> 00:26:37 people
00:26:37 --> 00:26:37 for works
00:26:37 --> 00:26:38 of service
00:26:38 --> 00:26:39 so that
00:26:39 --> 00:26:40 the body
00:26:40 --> 00:26:41 of Christ
00:26:41 --> 00:26:42 may be
00:26:42 --> 00:26:43 built up
00:26:43 --> 00:26:43 until we
00:26:43 --> 00:26:44 all reach
00:26:44 --> 00:26:44 unity in
00:26:44 --> 00:26:45 the faith
00:26:45 --> 00:26:45 and in
00:26:45 --> 00:26:45 the
00:26:45 --> 00:26:46 knowledge
00:26:46 --> 00:26:46 of the
00:26:46 --> 00:26:46 Son
00:26:46 --> 00:26:47 of God
00:26:47 --> 00:26:47 and become
00:26:47 --> 00:26:48 mature
00:26:48 --> 00:26:49 attaining to
00:26:49 --> 00:26:49 the whole
00:26:49 --> 00:26:50 measure
00:26:50 --> 00:26:51 of the
00:26:51 --> 00:26:51 fullness
00:26:51 --> 00:26:52 of Christ
00:26:52 --> 00:26:54 that is
00:26:54 --> 00:26:56 the church
00:26:56 --> 00:26:58 is built
00:26:58 --> 00:26:58 on the
00:26:58 --> 00:26:59 foundation
00:26:59 --> 00:27:00 of different
00:27:00 --> 00:27:01 people
00:27:01 --> 00:27:02 faithfully
00:27:02 --> 00:27:02 serving
00:27:02 --> 00:27:03 each other
00:27:03 --> 00:27:05 in different
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 and unique
00:27:06 --> 00:27:06 ways
00:27:06 --> 00:27:08 so that
00:27:08 --> 00:27:08 the glory
00:27:08 --> 00:27:09 of Christ
00:27:09 --> 00:27:10 might be
00:27:10 --> 00:27:10 promoted
00:27:10 --> 00:27:11 amongst
00:27:11 --> 00:27:12 us
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 to the
00:27:13 --> 00:27:13 world
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 and the
00:27:14 --> 00:27:14 heavenly
00:27:14 --> 00:27:15 realms
00:27:15 --> 00:27:16 that's
00:27:16 --> 00:27:17 why the
00:27:17 --> 00:27:17 gifts
00:27:17 --> 00:27:17 were
00:27:17 --> 00:27:17 given
00:27:17 --> 00:27:20 and God
00:27:20 --> 00:27:21 works with
00:27:21 --> 00:27:21 the differences
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 and quite
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 ironically
00:27:23 --> 00:27:25 as the
00:27:25 --> 00:27:25 differences
00:27:25 --> 00:27:26 come together
00:27:26 --> 00:27:27 he builds
00:27:27 --> 00:27:28 unity
00:27:28 --> 00:27:32 I've
00:27:32 --> 00:27:33 always got
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 the image
00:27:34 --> 00:27:34 of an
00:27:34 --> 00:27:34 orchestra
00:27:34 --> 00:27:35 here
00:27:35 --> 00:27:36 no one
00:27:36 --> 00:27:37 wants to
00:27:37 --> 00:27:37 go and
00:27:37 --> 00:27:38 see
00:27:38 --> 00:27:39 50
00:27:39 --> 00:27:40 clarinets
00:27:40 --> 00:27:40 playing
00:27:40 --> 00:27:41 at one
00:27:41 --> 00:27:41 time
00:27:41 --> 00:27:43 or at
00:27:43 --> 00:27:43 least I
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 don't
00:27:44 --> 00:27:45 okay
00:27:45 --> 00:27:46 but an
00:27:46 --> 00:27:47 orchestra
00:27:47 --> 00:27:48 all these
00:27:48 --> 00:27:49 different
00:27:49 --> 00:27:49 instruments
00:27:49 --> 00:27:50 work
00:27:50 --> 00:27:51 harmony
00:27:51 --> 00:27:52 beautiful
00:27:52 --> 00:27:58 God's
00:27:58 --> 00:27:58 design
00:27:58 --> 00:27:59 for us
00:27:59 --> 00:27:59 is to be
00:27:59 --> 00:28:00 different
00:28:00 --> 00:28:01 but when
00:28:01 --> 00:28:02 you put
00:28:02 --> 00:28:02 that difference
00:28:02 --> 00:28:03 together
00:28:03 --> 00:28:03 it comes
00:28:03 --> 00:28:04 up with
00:28:04 --> 00:28:05 a harmony
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 that is
00:28:06 --> 00:28:07 absolutely
00:28:07 --> 00:28:08 impossible
00:28:08 --> 00:28:09 if we
00:28:09 --> 00:28:10 were all
00:28:10 --> 00:28:11 the same
00:28:11 --> 00:28:15 that is
00:28:15 --> 00:28:16 the genius
00:28:16 --> 00:28:16 of God
00:28:16 --> 00:28:20 and it's
00:28:20 --> 00:28:20 because we
00:28:20 --> 00:28:21 are different
00:28:21 --> 00:28:21 that we
00:28:21 --> 00:28:21 need each
00:28:21 --> 00:28:22 other
00:28:22 --> 00:28:24 it means
00:28:24 --> 00:28:24 that we
00:28:24 --> 00:28:24 are all
00:28:24 --> 00:28:25 involved
00:28:25 --> 00:28:26 in this
00:28:26 --> 00:28:26 ministry
00:28:26 --> 00:28:27 to prepare
00:28:27 --> 00:28:27 God's
00:28:27 --> 00:28:27 people
00:28:27 --> 00:28:28 for works
00:28:28 --> 00:28:29 of service
00:28:29 --> 00:28:30 that is
00:28:30 --> 00:28:30 when you
00:28:30 --> 00:28:31 use
00:28:31 --> 00:28:31 your
00:28:31 --> 00:28:32 gifts
00:28:32 --> 00:28:33 God
00:28:33 --> 00:28:33 given
00:28:33 --> 00:28:34 gifts
00:28:34 --> 00:28:34 for his
00:28:34 --> 00:28:34 glory
00:28:34 --> 00:28:35 to strengthen
00:28:35 --> 00:28:36 me
00:28:36 --> 00:28:37 rather than
00:28:37 --> 00:28:37 to gratify
00:28:37 --> 00:28:38 yourself
00:28:38 --> 00:28:39 and when
00:28:39 --> 00:28:39 I use
00:28:39 --> 00:28:40 my
00:28:40 --> 00:28:40 God
00:28:40 --> 00:28:40 given
00:28:40 --> 00:28:41 gifts
00:28:41 --> 00:28:42 to strengthen
00:28:42 --> 00:28:43 you
00:28:43 --> 00:28:43 instead
00:28:43 --> 00:28:44 of gratifying
00:28:44 --> 00:28:45 myself
00:28:45 --> 00:28:46 then our
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 diversity
00:28:47 --> 00:28:48 will build
00:28:48 --> 00:28:48 us up
00:28:48 --> 00:28:49 in truth
00:28:49 --> 00:28:50 and love
00:28:50 --> 00:28:50 rather than
00:28:50 --> 00:28:51 fragment us
00:28:51 --> 00:28:56 this is
00:28:56 --> 00:28:56 your
00:28:56 --> 00:28:57 multi
00:28:57 --> 00:28:57 ethnic
00:28:57 --> 00:28:58 mission
00:28:58 --> 00:29:00 you
00:29:00 --> 00:29:01 are here
00:29:01 --> 00:29:02 to be
00:29:02 --> 00:29:02 part of
00:29:02 --> 00:29:03 God's
00:29:03 --> 00:29:03 new
00:29:03 --> 00:29:04 humanity
00:29:04 --> 00:29:04 it's
00:29:04 --> 00:29:04 the
00:29:04 --> 00:29:04 reason
00:29:04 --> 00:29:05 he
00:29:05 --> 00:29:05 saved
00:29:05 --> 00:29:06 you
00:29:06 --> 00:29:08 to
00:29:08 --> 00:29:08 connect
00:29:08 --> 00:29:09 you
00:29:09 --> 00:29:09 as
00:29:09 --> 00:29:09 part
00:29:09 --> 00:29:09 of
00:29:09 --> 00:29:10 his
00:29:10 --> 00:29:10 new
00:29:10 --> 00:29:10 humanity
00:29:10 --> 00:29:11 for
00:29:11 --> 00:29:11 his
00:29:11 --> 00:29:12 glory
00:29:12 --> 00:29:14 we
00:29:14 --> 00:29:14 are
00:29:14 --> 00:29:15 here
00:29:15 --> 00:29:15 to
00:29:15 --> 00:29:15 actively
00:29:15 --> 00:29:16 worship
00:29:16 --> 00:29:16 God
00:29:16 --> 00:29:17 love
00:29:17 --> 00:29:17 his
00:29:17 --> 00:29:17 people
00:29:17 --> 00:29:18 and
00:29:18 --> 00:29:18 serve
00:29:18 --> 00:29:18 the
00:29:18 --> 00:29:18 world
00:29:18 --> 00:29:19 we
00:29:19 --> 00:29:19 are
00:29:19 --> 00:29:19 here
00:29:19 --> 00:29:19 to
00:29:19 --> 00:29:20 demonstrate
00:29:20 --> 00:29:20 to
00:29:20 --> 00:29:20 this
00:29:20 --> 00:29:21 world
00:29:21 --> 00:29:21 and
00:29:21 --> 00:29:21 the
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 angels
00:29:22 --> 00:29:22 in
00:29:22 --> 00:29:23 the
00:29:23 --> 00:29:23 heavenly
00:29:23 --> 00:29:23 realms
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 the
00:29:24 --> 00:29:24 wisdom
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 and
00:29:25 --> 00:29:25 the
00:29:25 --> 00:29:25 wonder
00:29:25 --> 00:29:25 of
00:29:25 --> 00:29:26 God's
00:29:26 --> 00:29:26 plan
00:29:26 --> 00:29:27 being
00:29:27 --> 00:29:27 worked
00:29:27 --> 00:29:28 out
00:29:28 --> 00:29:28 in
00:29:28 --> 00:29:29 Christ
00:29:29 --> 00:29:29 forever
00:29:29 --> 00:29:32 we're
00:29:32 --> 00:29:32 here
00:29:32 --> 00:29:32 to
00:29:32 --> 00:29:33 reveal
00:29:33 --> 00:29:33 to
00:29:33 --> 00:29:33 the
00:29:33 --> 00:29:33 world
00:29:33 --> 00:29:34 that
00:29:34 --> 00:29:34 alienation
00:29:34 --> 00:29:35 and
00:29:35 --> 00:29:35 self
00:29:35 --> 00:29:36 centeredness
00:29:36 --> 00:29:36 and
00:29:36 --> 00:29:36 hatred
00:29:36 --> 00:29:36 and
00:29:36 --> 00:29:37 division
00:29:37 --> 00:29:37 don't
00:29:37 --> 00:29:38 have
00:29:38 --> 00:29:38 the
00:29:38 --> 00:29:38 final
00:29:38 --> 00:29:39 word
00:29:39 --> 00:29:39 we're
00:29:39 --> 00:29:39 here
00:29:39 --> 00:29:40 to
00:29:40 --> 00:29:40 work
00:29:40 --> 00:29:40 together
00:29:40 --> 00:29:41 to
00:29:41 --> 00:29:41 display
00:29:41 --> 00:29:42 Christ's
00:29:42 --> 00:29:43 love
00:29:43 --> 00:29:43 in
00:29:43 --> 00:29:43 real
00:29:43 --> 00:29:44 ways
00:29:44 --> 00:29:44 to
00:29:44 --> 00:29:44 the
00:29:44 --> 00:29:45 world
00:29:45 --> 00:29:51 what
00:29:51 --> 00:29:51 that
00:29:51 --> 00:29:51 means
00:29:51 --> 00:29:52 is
00:29:52 --> 00:29:53 that
00:29:53 --> 00:29:53 if
00:29:53 --> 00:29:53 you
00:29:53 --> 00:29:53 declare
00:29:53 --> 00:29:54 yourself
00:29:54 --> 00:29:54 to
00:29:54 --> 00:29:54 be
00:29:54 --> 00:29:55 Christian
00:29:55 --> 00:29:56 but
00:29:56 --> 00:29:56 you
00:29:56 --> 00:29:56 are
00:29:56 --> 00:29:57 not
00:29:57 --> 00:29:57 using
00:29:57 --> 00:29:58 your
00:29:58 --> 00:29:58 gifts
00:29:58 --> 00:29:58 for
00:29:58 --> 00:29:58 that
00:29:58 --> 00:29:59 purpose
00:29:59 --> 00:30:03 you've
00:30:03 --> 00:30:03 got a
00:30:03 --> 00:30:04 way
00:30:04 --> 00:30:04 to
00:30:04 --> 00:30:04 grow
00:30:04 --> 00:30:07 there's
00:30:07 --> 00:30:07 a
00:30:07 --> 00:30:07 next
00:30:07 --> 00:30:08 step
00:30:08 --> 00:30:08 you
00:30:08 --> 00:30:08 need
00:30:08 --> 00:30:08 to
00:30:08 --> 00:30:08 take
00:30:08 --> 00:30:11 and
00:30:11 --> 00:30:12 that
00:30:12 --> 00:30:12 is
00:30:12 --> 00:30:12 understanding
00:30:12 --> 00:30:13 why
00:30:13 --> 00:30:13 you
00:30:13 --> 00:30:13 were
00:30:13 --> 00:30:14 saved
00:30:14 --> 00:30:16 so
00:30:16 --> 00:30:17 what
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 would
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 it
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 look
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 like
00:30:17 --> 00:30:18 for
00:30:18 --> 00:30:18 us
00:30:18 --> 00:30:18 to
00:30:18 --> 00:30:18 be
00:30:18 --> 00:30:19 captivated
00:30:19 --> 00:30:19 by
00:30:19 --> 00:30:19 Jesus
00:30:19 --> 00:30:20 more
00:30:20 --> 00:30:21 passionate
00:30:21 --> 00:30:21 more
00:30:21 --> 00:30:22 obsessed
00:30:22 --> 00:30:23 and
00:30:23 --> 00:30:23 consumed
00:30:23 --> 00:30:24 by
00:30:24 --> 00:30:24 him
00:30:24 --> 00:30:25 than
00:30:25 --> 00:30:25 every
00:30:25 --> 00:30:26 other
00:30:26 --> 00:30:26 hope
00:30:26 --> 00:30:26 and
00:30:26 --> 00:30:26 vision
00:30:26 --> 00:30:27 and
00:30:27 --> 00:30:27 dream
00:30:27 --> 00:30:27 and
00:30:27 --> 00:30:28 hostility
00:30:28 --> 00:30:28 in
00:30:28 --> 00:30:28 the
00:30:28 --> 00:30:29 world
00:30:29 --> 00:30:30 and
00:30:30 --> 00:30:30 identities
00:30:30 --> 00:30:30 in
00:30:30 --> 00:30:31 the
00:30:31 --> 00:30:31 world
00:30:31 --> 00:30:33 what
00:30:33 --> 00:30:34 Christianity
00:30:34 --> 00:30:34 proclaims
00:30:34 --> 00:30:36 and what
00:30:36 --> 00:30:36 I want
00:30:36 --> 00:30:37 it to
00:30:37 --> 00:30:37 be
00:30:37 --> 00:30:37 in
00:30:37 --> 00:30:38 increasing
00:30:38 --> 00:30:38 measure
00:30:38 --> 00:30:39 the banner
00:30:39 --> 00:30:39 over
00:30:39 --> 00:30:39 my
00:30:39 --> 00:30:40 life
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 and the
00:30:41 --> 00:30:41 banner
00:30:41 --> 00:30:41 over
00:30:41 --> 00:30:41 this
00:30:41 --> 00:30:42 church
00:30:42 --> 00:30:43 is
00:30:43 --> 00:30:43 that
00:30:43 --> 00:30:43 there
00:30:43 --> 00:30:43 is
00:30:43 --> 00:30:43 something
00:30:43 --> 00:30:44 that
00:30:44 --> 00:30:44 is
00:30:44 --> 00:30:45 grander
00:30:45 --> 00:30:45 bigger
00:30:45 --> 00:30:46 far
00:30:46 --> 00:30:46 more
00:30:46 --> 00:30:47 fulfilling
00:30:47 --> 00:30:47 to be
00:30:47 --> 00:30:48 consumed
00:30:48 --> 00:30:48 by
00:30:48 --> 00:30:49 than
00:30:53 --> 00:30:55 secure
00:30:55 --> 00:30:56 retirement
00:30:56 --> 00:30:57 possessions
00:30:57 --> 00:30:58 health
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 shopping
00:30:59 --> 00:30:59 travel
00:30:59 --> 00:31:00 books
00:31:00 --> 00:31:01 education
00:31:01 --> 00:31:01 sex
00:31:01 --> 00:31:03 socializing
00:31:03 --> 00:31:03 tradition
00:31:03 --> 00:31:04 ministry
00:31:04 --> 00:31:05 political
00:31:05 --> 00:31:06 movements
00:31:06 --> 00:31:06 justice
00:31:06 --> 00:31:08 or even
00:31:08 --> 00:31:08 this
00:31:08 --> 00:31:09 church
00:31:09 --> 00:31:10 or a
00:31:10 --> 00:31:11 thousand
00:31:11 --> 00:31:11 other
00:31:11 --> 00:31:12 passions
00:31:12 --> 00:31:14 in fact
00:31:14 --> 00:31:14 it's not
00:31:14 --> 00:31:15 something
00:31:15 --> 00:31:15 but it's
00:31:15 --> 00:31:15 someone
00:31:15 --> 00:31:16 and that
00:31:16 --> 00:31:16 is
00:31:16 --> 00:31:16 Jesus
00:31:16 --> 00:31:17 Christ
00:31:17 --> 00:31:18 it's
00:31:18 --> 00:31:18 what
00:31:18 --> 00:31:19 you were
00:31:19 --> 00:31:19 created
00:31:19 --> 00:31:20 for
00:31:20 --> 00:31:21 his
00:31:21 --> 00:31:22 glory
00:31:22 --> 00:31:26 and so
00:31:26 --> 00:31:26 friends
00:31:26 --> 00:31:27 I'm not
00:31:27 --> 00:31:27 sure why
00:31:27 --> 00:31:28 you are
00:31:28 --> 00:31:28 here today
00:31:28 --> 00:31:29 or why
00:31:29 --> 00:31:29 you've
00:31:29 --> 00:31:30 tuned
00:31:30 --> 00:31:30 in
00:31:30 --> 00:31:30 today
00:31:30 --> 00:31:31 because
00:31:31 --> 00:31:32 reality
00:31:32 --> 00:31:32 is
00:31:32 --> 00:31:32 there's
00:31:32 --> 00:31:33 many
00:31:33 --> 00:31:33 things
00:31:33 --> 00:31:33 you
00:31:33 --> 00:31:34 could
00:31:34 --> 00:31:34 be
00:31:34 --> 00:31:34 doing
00:31:34 --> 00:31:35 right
00:31:35 --> 00:31:35 now
00:31:35 --> 00:31:36 but let
00:31:36 --> 00:31:36 me
00:31:36 --> 00:31:36 tell you
00:31:36 --> 00:31:36 if you
00:31:36 --> 00:31:37 haven't
00:31:37 --> 00:31:37 got it
00:31:37 --> 00:31:37 just
00:31:37 --> 00:31:38 let me
00:31:38 --> 00:31:38 just
00:31:38 --> 00:31:38 summarize
00:31:38 --> 00:31:39 it
00:31:39 --> 00:31:39 all
00:31:39 --> 00:31:39 you
00:31:39 --> 00:31:40 right
00:31:40 --> 00:31:40 here
00:31:40 --> 00:31:40 are
00:31:40 --> 00:31:40 now
00:31:40 --> 00:31:41 part
00:31:41 --> 00:31:41 of
00:31:41 --> 00:31:41 something
00:31:41 --> 00:31:42 that
00:31:42 --> 00:31:42 is
00:31:42 --> 00:31:43 immense
00:31:43 --> 00:31:46 something
00:31:46 --> 00:31:46 that
00:31:46 --> 00:31:46 began
00:31:46 --> 00:31:47 before
00:31:47 --> 00:31:47 you
00:31:47 --> 00:31:47 were
00:31:47 --> 00:31:48 born
00:31:48 --> 00:31:48 and
00:31:48 --> 00:31:49 something
00:31:49 --> 00:31:49 that
00:31:49 --> 00:31:49 will
00:31:49 --> 00:31:49 still
00:31:49 --> 00:31:50 exist
00:31:50 --> 00:31:50 after
00:31:50 --> 00:31:51 you
00:31:51 --> 00:31:51 have
00:31:51 --> 00:31:52 died
00:31:52 --> 00:31:52 and
00:31:52 --> 00:31:52 will
00:31:52 --> 00:31:53 continue
00:31:53 --> 00:31:53 on
00:31:53 --> 00:31:53 for
00:31:53 --> 00:31:54 all
00:31:54 --> 00:31:54 of
00:31:54 --> 00:31:54 eternity
00:31:54 --> 00:31:57 that
00:31:57 --> 00:31:57 is
00:31:57 --> 00:31:57 the
00:31:57 --> 00:31:57 fulfillment
00:31:57 --> 00:31:58 of
00:31:58 --> 00:31:58 God's
00:31:58 --> 00:31:59 plans
00:31:59 --> 00:31:59 for
00:31:59 --> 00:31:59 the
00:31:59 --> 00:32:00 creation
00:32:00 --> 00:32:00 of
00:32:00 --> 00:32:00 the
00:32:00 --> 00:32:00 world
00:32:00 --> 00:32:00 and
00:32:00 --> 00:32:00 the
00:32:00 --> 00:32:01 salvation
00:32:01 --> 00:32:01 of
00:32:01 --> 00:32:01 the
00:32:01 --> 00:32:01 world
00:32:01 --> 00:32:01 for
00:32:01 --> 00:32:02 his
00:32:02 --> 00:32:02 glory
00:32:02 --> 00:32:04 God
00:32:04 --> 00:32:04 has
00:32:04 --> 00:32:05 graciously
00:32:05 --> 00:32:05 gifted
00:32:05 --> 00:32:05 his
00:32:05 --> 00:32:06 family
00:32:06 --> 00:32:07 with
00:32:07 --> 00:32:07 time
00:32:07 --> 00:32:08 treasures
00:32:08 --> 00:32:09 talents
00:32:09 --> 00:32:10 and
00:32:10 --> 00:32:11 testimonies
00:32:11 --> 00:32:12 for
00:32:12 --> 00:32:13 his
00:32:13 --> 00:32:14 glory
00:32:14 --> 00:32:17 commit
00:32:17 --> 00:32:17 them
00:32:17 --> 00:32:17 to
00:32:17 --> 00:32:17 him
00:32:17 --> 00:32:20 the
00:32:20 --> 00:32:20 commitment
00:32:20 --> 00:32:21 card
00:32:21 --> 00:32:21 which is
00:32:21 --> 00:32:21 on
00:32:21 --> 00:32:22 your
00:32:22 --> 00:32:22 seats
00:32:22 --> 00:32:23 and
00:32:23 --> 00:32:24 was
00:32:24 --> 00:32:24 emailed
00:32:24 --> 00:32:24 to
00:32:24 --> 00:32:24 you
00:32:24 --> 00:32:25 if
00:32:25 --> 00:32:25 you
00:32:25 --> 00:32:25 can
00:32:25 --> 00:32:25 grab
00:32:25 --> 00:32:26 those
00:32:26 --> 00:32:33 this
00:32:33 --> 00:32:33 commitment
00:32:33 --> 00:32:34 card
00:32:34 --> 00:32:34 is
00:32:34 --> 00:32:34 about
00:32:34 --> 00:32:36 you
00:32:36 --> 00:32:36 taking
00:32:36 --> 00:32:37 your
00:32:37 --> 00:32:38 next
00:32:38 --> 00:32:38 step
00:32:38 --> 00:32:39 to
00:32:39 --> 00:32:39 be
00:32:39 --> 00:32:41 captivated
00:32:41 --> 00:32:42 by
00:32:42 --> 00:32:42 Christ
00:32:42 --> 00:32:43 and
00:32:43 --> 00:32:43 his
00:32:43 --> 00:32:44 plan
00:32:44 --> 00:32:44 for
00:32:44 --> 00:32:44 all
00:32:44 --> 00:32:45 things
00:32:45 --> 00:32:49 God's
00:32:49 --> 00:32:50 rescue
00:32:50 --> 00:32:50 plan
00:32:50 --> 00:32:52 his
00:32:52 --> 00:32:53 eternal
00:32:53 --> 00:32:53 plan
00:32:53 --> 00:32:53 to
00:32:53 --> 00:32:54 rescue
00:32:54 --> 00:32:54 fallen
00:32:54 --> 00:32:55 scattered
00:32:55 --> 00:32:56 humanity
00:32:56 --> 00:32:57 gathering
00:32:57 --> 00:32:58 them
00:32:58 --> 00:32:58 to
00:32:58 --> 00:32:59 himself
00:32:59 --> 00:33:00 and
00:33:00 --> 00:33:01 progressively
00:33:01 --> 00:33:02 shaping
00:33:02 --> 00:33:02 that
00:33:02 --> 00:33:03 humanity
00:33:03 --> 00:33:03 into
00:33:03 --> 00:33:04 the
00:33:04 --> 00:33:04 likeness
00:33:04 --> 00:33:04 of
00:33:04 --> 00:33:05 his
00:33:05 --> 00:33:05 son
00:33:05 --> 00:33:07 the
00:33:07 --> 00:33:07 image
00:33:07 --> 00:33:07 of
00:33:07 --> 00:33:08 God
00:33:08 --> 00:33:09 for
00:33:09 --> 00:33:09 his
00:33:09 --> 00:33:10 eternal
00:33:10 --> 00:33:10 glory
00:33:10 --> 00:33:11 and
00:33:11 --> 00:33:12 for
00:33:12 --> 00:33:12 our
00:33:12 --> 00:33:13 eternal
00:33:13 --> 00:33:13 joy
00:33:13 --> 00:33:15 so
00:33:15 --> 00:33:16 what
00:33:16 --> 00:33:16 is
00:33:16 --> 00:33:16 your
00:33:16 --> 00:33:17 next
00:33:17 --> 00:33:17 step
00:33:17 --> 00:33:19 that
00:33:19 --> 00:33:19 you
00:33:19 --> 00:33:19 need
00:33:19 --> 00:33:20 to
00:33:20 --> 00:33:20 take
00:33:20 --> 00:33:22 tx
00:33:22 --> 00:33:23 that
00:33:23 --> 00:33:25 got
00:33:40 --> 00:33:41 the
00:33:41 --> 00:33:42 memory