Saved to Serve
Series: SERVE
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 19th October 2019
Passage: Ephesians 1:1-2:10
00:00:00 --> 00:00:04 the one who came not to be served, but to serve.
00:00:04 --> 00:00:06 And so over the next six weeks,
00:00:07 --> 00:00:11 we're going to be dipping into Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus.
00:00:11 --> 00:00:17 And this letter is about the church and it's about who the church is.
00:00:17 --> 00:00:19 And it's time for us to pick it up again.
00:00:19 --> 00:00:21 We've done it before, time for us to pick it up again
00:00:21 --> 00:00:26 and get an idea of what God says the church is
00:00:26 --> 00:00:31 as we look ahead to the next year and closing of Vision 2020
00:00:31 --> 00:00:35 and to seek what he has in store for us
00:00:35 --> 00:00:39 as we plan to move forward in our life together in this city.
00:00:40 --> 00:00:44 Paul shows us here in this letter
00:00:44 --> 00:00:50 the incredible scope of God's plan for the universe,
00:00:51 --> 00:00:55 his agenda for the universe
00:00:55 --> 00:00:59 through time and eternity through the Lord Jesus
00:00:59 --> 00:01:04 and therefore his agenda for the church,
00:01:04 --> 00:01:06 his agenda for this church.
00:01:07 --> 00:01:10 So if you're lucky to follow me today,
00:01:10 --> 00:01:13 you hopefully receive one of these on the way in,
00:01:13 --> 00:01:13 a bit of an outline,
00:01:14 --> 00:01:16 which you'll have the passage in front of you
00:01:16 --> 00:01:19 and also my three extensive points.
00:01:19 --> 00:01:22 And from there,
00:01:22 --> 00:01:25 also if you haven't got this,
00:01:25 --> 00:01:27 you can also use the St. Paul's app.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:27 It's in front of you as well.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:29 But let me just launch into it.
00:01:30 --> 00:01:30 First of all,
00:01:31 --> 00:01:32 I want to pick up verse three
00:01:32 --> 00:01:35 because verse three in chapter one
00:01:35 --> 00:01:37 is an astonishing claim,
00:01:38 --> 00:01:40 but it's also the summary verse
00:01:40 --> 00:01:42 of the entire chapter of chapter one.
00:01:42 --> 00:01:57 What does it mean to be blessed?
00:01:58 --> 00:02:02 Every spiritual blessing in Christ.
00:02:02 --> 00:02:04 What a statement that is.
00:02:05 --> 00:02:07 The rest of chapter one just simply unpacks
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 what it means to be blessed.
00:02:09 --> 00:02:12 And this statement says there's nothing lacking.
00:02:12 --> 00:02:13 There's nothing overlooked.
00:02:14 --> 00:02:15 There's nothing held back.
00:02:16 --> 00:02:18 Now, when we use the word blessing today,
00:02:18 --> 00:02:20 it doesn't carry the same force
00:02:20 --> 00:02:22 that's meant here in this verse.
00:02:22 --> 00:02:25 You know, I mostly sign off my emails
00:02:25 --> 00:02:29 and text messages with the word blessing from Steve,
00:02:29 --> 00:02:30 you know, blessing Steve.
00:02:31 --> 00:02:34 And it means that I wish you well,
00:02:35 --> 00:02:38 even if the text doesn't necessarily indicate that
00:02:38 --> 00:02:40 of what I've just sent you,
00:02:40 --> 00:02:41 I'm wishing you well.
00:02:42 --> 00:02:43 In verse three,
00:02:44 --> 00:02:48 it means something far more profound.
00:02:50 --> 00:02:53 Its meaning is very similar
00:02:53 --> 00:02:57 to the Old Testament word shalom.
00:02:57 --> 00:03:03 Every blessing carries the meaning
00:03:03 --> 00:03:08 to have every joy and every benefit
00:03:08 --> 00:03:13 that your heart and your soul needs and longs for.
00:03:13 --> 00:03:15 That's what it means to have every blessing.
00:03:16 --> 00:03:17 That's what the word blessing means.
00:03:18 --> 00:03:22 To have every joy and every benefit
00:03:22 --> 00:03:26 that your heart and your soul needs and longs for.
00:03:26 --> 00:03:30 And the declaration here in verse three
00:03:30 --> 00:03:33 is that if you are a Christian,
00:03:33 --> 00:03:35 if you're a disciple of the Lord Jesus,
00:03:36 --> 00:03:38 you're a member of God's family,
00:03:39 --> 00:03:42 then you've got it already.
00:03:42 --> 00:03:47 You have every spiritual blessing now.
00:03:47 --> 00:03:49 It's a past tense in the original language.
00:03:49 --> 00:03:55 The blessings that are ours are listed
00:03:55 --> 00:03:57 in verses three to 14,
00:03:58 --> 00:03:59 which in the original text
00:03:59 --> 00:04:03 is one long, complex sentence.
00:04:07 --> 00:04:10 It's a sentence which is meant to overwhelm us
00:04:10 --> 00:04:11 with every blessing.
00:04:11 --> 00:04:16 And each one of them has many,
00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 many applications.
00:04:18 --> 00:04:21 Each one could fill a library with its applications.
00:04:22 --> 00:04:24 And I think that Paul deliberately wants us
00:04:24 --> 00:04:26 to be overwhelmed
00:04:26 --> 00:04:30 with this massive cosmic list
00:04:30 --> 00:04:33 of what God has done for us in Jesus.
00:04:33 --> 00:04:37 Now, I just want to unpack just briefly two of them,
00:04:38 --> 00:04:39 adoption and redemption.
00:04:40 --> 00:04:41 Have a look at the end of,
00:04:41 --> 00:04:42 and when I say briefly unpack,
00:04:42 --> 00:04:44 I mean really briefly unpack.
00:04:45 --> 00:04:46 Verse four,
00:04:47 --> 00:04:47 in love,
00:04:48 --> 00:04:50 he predestined us for adoption
00:04:50 --> 00:04:53 to sonship through Jesus Christ.
00:04:53 --> 00:04:58 Now, adoption has multiple aspects to it.
00:04:58 --> 00:05:01 Adoption means that through Jesus Christ,
00:05:02 --> 00:05:07 that God is not just our King and our Savior,
00:05:08 --> 00:05:09 but he is our Father.
00:05:11 --> 00:05:14 Jesus brings us into the ultimate family,
00:05:15 --> 00:05:16 the eternal family.
00:05:18 --> 00:05:22 One implication is that we have access to him
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 as his much-loved children.
00:05:24 --> 00:05:28 One very famous photo of John F. Kennedy
00:05:28 --> 00:05:30 when he was President of the United States
00:05:30 --> 00:05:34 is his young son, John Jr.,
00:05:34 --> 00:05:38 playing under his desk in the Oval Office
00:05:38 --> 00:05:40 while he is having a meeting with other officials
00:05:40 --> 00:05:43 and getting on with being the most powerful person
00:05:43 --> 00:05:43 in the world.
00:05:44 --> 00:05:47 Anyone else try to get that kind of access
00:05:47 --> 00:05:49 to the President
00:05:49 --> 00:05:52 would be stopped.
00:05:52 --> 00:05:55 You know, I just can't walk into the Oval Office
00:05:55 --> 00:05:57 and play at Donald Trump's feet.
00:05:58 --> 00:05:59 Doesn't work.
00:05:59 --> 00:06:01 Not that I want to, but doesn't work.
00:06:02 --> 00:06:04 Or if you decide to rush the President,
00:06:05 --> 00:06:06 you'd be shot.
00:06:09 --> 00:06:10 As a child of God,
00:06:11 --> 00:06:14 we can access him without appointments,
00:06:14 --> 00:06:15 without fear.
00:06:15 --> 00:06:18 We can boldly run into his arms.
00:06:18 --> 00:06:21 Adoption also means inheritance.
00:06:22 --> 00:06:24 This is why the emphasis here
00:06:24 --> 00:06:26 is on us being adopted,
00:06:26 --> 00:06:27 whether you're male or female,
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 as sons of God.
00:06:31 --> 00:06:33 In the first century Palestine,
00:06:34 --> 00:06:37 only sons could be heirs
00:06:38 --> 00:06:41 and inherit the property of the Father
00:06:41 --> 00:06:42 when this was first written.
00:06:43 --> 00:06:45 And as adopted sons,
00:06:45 --> 00:06:48 we are co-heirs with Jesus
00:06:48 --> 00:06:49 of the future.
00:06:49 --> 00:06:51 We inherit the future.
00:06:51 --> 00:06:55 We don't know completely what that means,
00:06:55 --> 00:06:57 but Jesus says,
00:06:57 --> 00:06:59 the meek will inherit the earth.
00:07:00 --> 00:07:02 Adoption also means security.
00:07:04 --> 00:07:05 If you're an employee,
00:07:07 --> 00:07:10 how long does your employer put up
00:07:10 --> 00:07:11 with your bad behavior
00:07:11 --> 00:07:11 and your failures?
00:07:14 --> 00:07:16 It varies, I suppose.
00:07:17 --> 00:07:19 But everyone has their limits.
00:07:20 --> 00:07:21 But how long does a parent
00:07:21 --> 00:07:22 put up with the waywardness
00:07:22 --> 00:07:23 of a child?
00:07:25 --> 00:07:26 It's kind of forever.
00:07:29 --> 00:07:30 God is our Father
00:07:30 --> 00:07:32 and we are secure in his love.
00:07:32 --> 00:07:35 But the prior to place here
00:07:35 --> 00:07:36 in chapter one
00:07:36 --> 00:07:39 is redemption.
00:07:40 --> 00:07:41 Verse seven.
00:07:41 --> 00:07:42 We are told,
00:07:42 --> 00:07:45 in him we have redemption.
00:07:46 --> 00:07:47 Now redemption,
00:07:47 --> 00:07:48 again,
00:07:48 --> 00:07:50 is a loaded word
00:07:50 --> 00:07:53 with multiple implications.
00:07:54 --> 00:07:55 It's actually the word
00:07:55 --> 00:07:57 for ransom,
00:07:58 --> 00:07:59 which is a bit more
00:07:59 --> 00:08:01 than simply paying a debt.
00:08:03 --> 00:08:04 Ransom carries the meaning
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 which is a bit more
00:08:06 --> 00:08:08 than just paying a debt.
00:08:09 --> 00:08:10 It is, in fact,
00:08:10 --> 00:08:11 in the first century,
00:08:12 --> 00:08:13 the word that's used
00:08:13 --> 00:08:15 to set a prisoner free.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:19 For instance,
00:08:19 --> 00:08:20 in New York,
00:08:21 --> 00:08:21 when,
00:08:22 --> 00:08:23 if you ever get your car
00:08:23 --> 00:08:25 towed away by authorities
00:08:25 --> 00:08:25 because you're parked
00:08:25 --> 00:08:26 in the wrong spot,
00:08:27 --> 00:08:28 they put it in a
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 car prison,
00:08:30 --> 00:08:33 a sort of a holding yard.
00:08:34 --> 00:08:36 And those holding yards
00:08:36 --> 00:08:38 are called redemption centers.
00:08:39 --> 00:08:41 When you pay the fine,
00:08:42 --> 00:08:45 they release your car to you.
00:08:45 --> 00:08:47 When you pay the fine
00:08:47 --> 00:08:49 and they do not stamp
00:08:49 --> 00:08:50 on the fine
00:08:50 --> 00:08:51 paid,
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 they stamp on the fine
00:08:54 --> 00:08:56 redeemed.
00:08:56 --> 00:09:01 And when you pay the fine,
00:09:01 --> 00:09:03 you get stamped
00:09:03 --> 00:09:04 redeem
00:09:04 --> 00:09:05 on your fine
00:09:05 --> 00:09:06 and you release
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 your car
00:09:07 --> 00:09:08 from captivity.
00:09:10 --> 00:09:11 Redemption means
00:09:11 --> 00:09:12 paying a debt
00:09:12 --> 00:09:12 that we owe,
00:09:13 --> 00:09:14 but it also means
00:09:14 --> 00:09:15 being liberated
00:09:15 --> 00:09:16 from slavery.
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 Indian lawyer
00:09:19 --> 00:09:20 and activist
00:09:20 --> 00:09:21 Mahatma Gandhi
00:09:21 --> 00:09:22 said that
00:09:22 --> 00:09:23 both Eastern
00:09:23 --> 00:09:24 and Western
00:09:24 --> 00:09:25 religions
00:09:25 --> 00:09:26 all agree
00:09:26 --> 00:09:28 that human beings
00:09:28 --> 00:09:29 are not free.
00:09:30 --> 00:09:31 We are all
00:09:31 --> 00:09:32 slaves,
00:09:33 --> 00:09:34 in his words,
00:09:35 --> 00:09:36 to selfishness
00:09:36 --> 00:09:37 and the ego.
00:09:39 --> 00:09:40 And I reckon
00:09:40 --> 00:09:40 he was pretty right.
00:09:42 --> 00:09:43 We are always,
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 every single human being,
00:09:44 --> 00:09:46 always grasping
00:09:46 --> 00:09:46 at things
00:09:46 --> 00:09:48 because our egos
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 are constantly
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 needing to be fed.
00:09:51 --> 00:09:52 And of course,
00:09:52 --> 00:09:53 we are constantly
00:09:53 --> 00:09:54 grasping
00:09:54 --> 00:09:54 at power
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 of money,
00:09:55 --> 00:09:55 of beauty,
00:09:55 --> 00:09:56 of status,
00:09:56 --> 00:09:56 of popularity,
00:09:57 --> 00:09:57 of recognition.
00:09:57 --> 00:09:58 It puts us
00:09:58 --> 00:09:59 at the center.
00:09:59 --> 00:10:00 We push everyone
00:10:00 --> 00:10:01 else away
00:10:01 --> 00:10:02 so that my ego
00:10:02 --> 00:10:02 can be fed.
00:10:05 --> 00:10:05 And Gandhi
00:10:05 --> 00:10:07 went on to say
00:10:07 --> 00:10:08 that Christianity
00:10:08 --> 00:10:09 helps.
00:10:09 --> 00:10:10 And he was a student
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 of Christianity
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 even though he was
00:10:12 --> 00:10:12 a Hindu.
00:10:13 --> 00:10:14 He got most
00:10:14 --> 00:10:15 of his theological
00:10:15 --> 00:10:15 formation about
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 Christianity from
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 Tolstoy,
00:10:17 --> 00:10:18 which I would
00:10:18 --> 00:10:19 never recommend.
00:10:19 --> 00:10:20 but,
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 so that's where
00:10:21 --> 00:10:21 you can see
00:10:21 --> 00:10:22 his failure here.
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 He went on to say
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 that Christianity
00:10:24 --> 00:10:25 helps because
00:10:25 --> 00:10:26 in Jesus,
00:10:27 --> 00:10:28 we have a way
00:10:28 --> 00:10:30 to be really free
00:10:30 --> 00:10:31 from the selfishness
00:10:31 --> 00:10:33 and the egocentricity
00:10:33 --> 00:10:34 that enslaves us
00:10:34 --> 00:10:37 through his example.
00:10:40 --> 00:10:42 He said Jesus
00:10:42 --> 00:10:43 was the ultimate
00:10:43 --> 00:10:44 example of nonviolence,
00:10:45 --> 00:10:46 the ultimate example
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 of giving up power
00:10:47 --> 00:10:48 and wealth
00:10:48 --> 00:10:50 and influence,
00:10:50 --> 00:10:51 the ultimate example
00:10:51 --> 00:10:53 of sacrificial service.
00:10:53 --> 00:10:54 So he says,
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 look to Jesus
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 forgiving,
00:10:56 --> 00:10:58 loving and serving,
00:10:58 --> 00:10:59 dying for others
00:10:59 --> 00:11:01 and when you see him,
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 you will be moved
00:11:02 --> 00:11:04 and it will liberate you
00:11:04 --> 00:11:04 from selfishness
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 and ego
00:11:05 --> 00:11:07 to go and do likewise
00:11:07 --> 00:11:08 following his footsteps.
00:11:08 --> 00:11:12 Now with all due respect
00:11:12 --> 00:11:16 to Gandhi's
00:11:16 --> 00:11:18 massive achievements,
00:11:18 --> 00:11:22 he missed a crucial point
00:11:22 --> 00:11:22 of Christianity.
00:11:24 --> 00:11:27 If we look to the amazing life
00:11:27 --> 00:11:28 and service of Jesus
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 for others
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 and try to live
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 like he lived,
00:11:33 --> 00:11:35 to follow in his footsteps
00:11:35 --> 00:11:36 in order to be fully free,
00:11:36 --> 00:11:40 it will crush you,
00:11:41 --> 00:11:43 it will kill you.
00:11:46 --> 00:11:49 There is no egocentricity
00:11:49 --> 00:11:50 in his life whatsoever.
00:11:52 --> 00:11:53 Even a secularist
00:11:53 --> 00:11:54 would declare that.
00:11:56 --> 00:11:58 It is a perfect life.
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 He is not driven
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 by the need for security
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 and approval and power.
00:12:02 --> 00:12:03 To try to be like him
00:12:03 --> 00:12:05 would end up crushing us
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 under the weight
00:12:06 --> 00:12:07 of expectations
00:12:07 --> 00:12:09 that cannot be met.
00:12:09 --> 00:12:11 We would be cursed,
00:12:12 --> 00:12:14 not blessed,
00:12:14 --> 00:12:16 if we followed
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 in Gandhi's way.
00:12:19 --> 00:12:20 We don't need someone
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 to live up to.
00:12:21 --> 00:12:22 We need someone
00:12:22 --> 00:12:23 to liberate us,
00:12:24 --> 00:12:25 to set us free
00:12:25 --> 00:12:26 from slavery.
00:12:26 --> 00:12:32 If I see Jesus Christ
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 loving,
00:12:35 --> 00:12:35 forgiving,
00:12:37 --> 00:12:38 serving,
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 and dying,
00:12:41 --> 00:12:43 not for others,
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 but for me,
00:12:46 --> 00:12:47 for me,
00:12:48 --> 00:12:50 doing all that for me
00:12:50 --> 00:12:52 in my place,
00:12:52 --> 00:12:54 oh,
00:12:54 --> 00:12:54 that's different.
00:12:55 --> 00:12:57 That is very different.
00:12:59 --> 00:13:01 And this is how
00:13:01 --> 00:13:03 we can be truly blessed.
00:13:06 --> 00:13:08 I'm up to my second point
00:13:08 --> 00:13:09 if you're following me on.
00:13:09 --> 00:13:11 The big and the repeated
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 statements
00:13:12 --> 00:13:14 in chapter one
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 is
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 every blessing
00:13:16 --> 00:13:18 comes to us
00:13:18 --> 00:13:20 in Christ.
00:13:21 --> 00:13:23 Not being like Christ,
00:13:23 --> 00:13:25 but in Christ.
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 Verse three again,
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 praise the God and Father
00:13:28 --> 00:13:29 of our Lord Jesus Christ
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 who has blessed us
00:13:30 --> 00:13:32 in the heavenly realms
00:13:32 --> 00:13:34 with every spiritual blessing
00:13:34 --> 00:13:36 in Christ.
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 It's also verse four,
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 verse five,
00:13:38 --> 00:13:38 verse seven,
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 verse nine,
00:13:39 --> 00:13:39 verse 11.
00:13:40 --> 00:13:41 When you become a Christian,
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 you are not just given
00:13:42 --> 00:13:44 an example to follow
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 in Jesus.
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 He is that.
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 You are not just given
00:13:49 --> 00:13:50 a king to obey.
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 He is that.
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 Nor simply given
00:13:55 --> 00:13:56 a savior to appreciate.
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 He is that.
00:13:59 --> 00:14:01 When you become a Christian,
00:14:01 --> 00:14:03 you are put
00:14:03 --> 00:14:03 in
00:14:03 --> 00:14:04 him.
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 everything
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 that is his,
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 he departs
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 to us.
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 Everything he has,
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 all of his accomplishments
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 are yours.
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 Every blessing
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 comes from being
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 connected to Jesus.
00:14:22 --> 00:14:23 We have no
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 spiritual blessing
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 unless we are
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 connected to Jesus.
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 These blessings
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 are not something
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 that we earn
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 by our religious
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 or our moral effort.
00:14:31 --> 00:14:34 In fact,
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 the very first few
00:14:35 --> 00:14:37 verses of chapter two
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 help us to see
00:14:38 --> 00:14:41 that to get
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 every blessing
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 cannot be achieved
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 by trying harder.
00:14:46 --> 00:14:47 Have a look at it.
00:14:49 --> 00:14:49 Ephesians two,
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 verses one to three,
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 we get the diagnosis
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 of the human condition
00:14:52 --> 00:14:54 and why our efforts
00:14:54 --> 00:14:57 cannot achieve anything.
00:14:57 --> 00:14:59 As for you,
00:15:00 --> 00:15:00 you are dead
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 in your transgressions
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 and sins
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 in which you used
00:15:03 --> 00:15:03 to live
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 when you followed
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 the ways of this world
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 and the rule of the kingdom
00:15:06 --> 00:15:06 of the air,
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 the spirit
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 who is now at work
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 in those who are disobedient.
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 All of us
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 also lived among them
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 at one time,
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 gratifying the cravings
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 of our sinful nature
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 and following its desires
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 and thoughts.
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 Like the rest,
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 we were by nature
00:15:21 --> 00:15:21 objects
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 of wrath.
00:15:22 --> 00:15:26 Paul is not saying
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 here,
00:15:29 --> 00:15:31 like Gandhi,
00:15:32 --> 00:15:34 that we are in danger
00:15:34 --> 00:15:34 of death,
00:15:35 --> 00:15:37 but that we are
00:15:37 --> 00:15:37 in a state
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 of real
00:15:38 --> 00:15:40 and present death.
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 And it would appear
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 that God's got it wrong
00:15:44 --> 00:15:46 because there are people
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 all around us
00:15:47 --> 00:15:49 living day by day
00:15:49 --> 00:15:49 in the city
00:15:49 --> 00:15:53 whose bodies
00:15:53 --> 00:15:53 are active,
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 whose minds
00:15:55 --> 00:15:55 are sharp
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 and personalities
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 brimming.
00:15:59 --> 00:16:01 Has he got it wrong
00:16:01 --> 00:16:03 that we are dead
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 even though
00:16:04 --> 00:16:04 we are present?
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 The philosopher
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 Jerry Bentham
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 died on the 6th of June.
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 I've told you about
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 this guy in the past.
00:16:12 --> 00:16:13 Died on the 6th of June,
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 1832
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 and in his will
00:16:15 --> 00:16:17 he requested
00:16:17 --> 00:16:19 that he had his body
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 preserved
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 and put in a wooden
00:16:21 --> 00:16:21 cabinet.
00:16:22 --> 00:16:24 He left his entire
00:16:24 --> 00:16:24 estate,
00:16:24 --> 00:16:26 which was quite an estate,
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 to the University College
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 Hospital in London
00:16:28 --> 00:16:30 on the condition
00:16:30 --> 00:16:32 that his body
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 be placed
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 in attendance
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 at all hospital
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 board meetings.
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 And this duty
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 is carried out
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 to this day.
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 That's not his
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 original head.
00:16:44 --> 00:16:44 They had to come up
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 with another one
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 because it was pretty
00:16:46 --> 00:16:46 creepy.
00:16:47 --> 00:16:50 it's carried out
00:16:50 --> 00:16:50 every day.
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 The cabinet
00:16:52 --> 00:16:52 is wheeled
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 into the room
00:16:53 --> 00:16:55 to the board table
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 and the chairman
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 says,
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 Jeremy Bentham
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 present
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 but not voting.
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 It's astounding
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 but it's amazing
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 when you want
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 someone's estate
00:17:07 --> 00:17:07 you'll do
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 whatever it takes.
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 He will never
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 raise a hand
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 in response
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 to a motion.
00:17:14 --> 00:17:15 He will never
00:17:15 --> 00:17:15 submit a motion
00:17:15 --> 00:17:17 although he's
00:17:17 --> 00:17:18 been there
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 in body
00:17:19 --> 00:17:22 for 175
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 years,
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 he's been
00:17:24 --> 00:17:25 dead
00:17:25 --> 00:17:25 the entire
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 time.
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 Dead
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 people are
00:17:31 --> 00:17:31 dead.
00:17:32 --> 00:17:32 They cannot
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 do anything
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 for themselves
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 and what
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 Ephesians 2
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 says
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 is that
00:17:38 --> 00:17:38 every
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 human
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 being
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 is in that
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 position
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 spiritually
00:17:43 --> 00:17:43 left to
00:17:43 --> 00:17:43 their own
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 devices.
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 In the area
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 that matters
00:17:49 --> 00:17:49 the most
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 the soul
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 there is
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 no life
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 left to
00:17:53 --> 00:17:53 our own
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 devices
00:17:54 --> 00:17:54 we are all
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 blind to
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 the reality
00:17:56 --> 00:17:58 the demands
00:17:58 --> 00:18:00 and the glory
00:18:00 --> 00:18:00 of the Lord
00:18:00 --> 00:18:02 Jesus Christ.
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 Verses 2
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 and 3
00:18:04 --> 00:18:04 says that
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 that's our
00:18:05 --> 00:18:05 natural state
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 all of us
00:18:06 --> 00:18:06 are dominated
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 by the world
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 from without
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 the devil
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 from beyond
00:18:10 --> 00:18:10 and our
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 own sinful
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 desires
00:18:12 --> 00:18:12 from within.
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 We are
00:18:14 --> 00:18:14 helpless
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 hopeless
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 and in
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 great peril
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 unless something
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 is done
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 to save
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 us
00:18:21 --> 00:18:21 to bring
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 us back
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 to life
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 we are
00:18:24 --> 00:18:24 dead
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 in our
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 transgressions
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 and sins
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 and the
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 good news
00:18:29 --> 00:18:29 is that
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 from the
00:18:30 --> 00:18:30 deep depths
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 of helplessness
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 death
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 and despair
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 we now
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 move to
00:18:35 --> 00:18:35 the astounding
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 contrast
00:18:36 --> 00:18:38 of verse 4
00:18:38 --> 00:18:38 but because
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 of his
00:18:39 --> 00:18:39 great love
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 for us
00:18:40 --> 00:18:40 God
00:18:40 --> 00:18:40 who is
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 rich
00:18:41 --> 00:18:41 in mercy
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 made us
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 alive
00:18:43 --> 00:18:43 with Christ
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 even when
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 we were
00:18:45 --> 00:18:45 dead
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 in transgressions
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 it is by
00:18:47 --> 00:18:47 grace
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 that you
00:18:48 --> 00:18:48 have been
00:18:48 --> 00:18:49 saved.
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 In our
00:18:51 --> 00:18:51 state of
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 spiritual
00:18:52 --> 00:18:52 death
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 God
00:18:53 --> 00:18:53 through the
00:18:53 --> 00:18:53 Lord
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 Jesus
00:18:54 --> 00:18:54 Christ
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 has come
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 along
00:18:56 --> 00:18:58 and breathed
00:18:58 --> 00:18:58 life
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 into us
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 and not
00:19:00 --> 00:19:00 until we
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 get that
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 life do we
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 realise that
00:19:03 --> 00:19:03 we were
00:19:03 --> 00:19:03 even dead
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 in the
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 first place.
00:19:06 --> 00:19:08 We are
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 dead in
00:19:09 --> 00:19:09 our
00:19:09 --> 00:19:09 transgressions
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 but God
00:19:10 --> 00:19:10 intervened
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 we're in
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 bondage to
00:19:12 --> 00:19:12 sin but
00:19:12 --> 00:19:12 God
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 intervened
00:19:13 --> 00:19:13 we're
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 objects of
00:19:14 --> 00:19:14 wrath but
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 God
00:19:15 --> 00:19:15 intervened
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 God
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 intervened
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 by redeeming
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 us
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 releasing us
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 from captivity
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 to sin
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 and death
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 through
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 the blood
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 of Jesus
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 you see that
00:19:27 --> 00:19:27 in chapter 1
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 verse 7
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 in him
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 that's Jesus
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 we have
00:19:31 --> 00:19:31 redemption
00:19:31 --> 00:19:33 through
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 his blood
00:19:34 --> 00:19:39 Jesus
00:19:39 --> 00:19:39 has
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 objectively
00:19:40 --> 00:19:40 taken
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 away
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 from me
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 everything
00:19:43 --> 00:19:43 that's
00:19:43 --> 00:19:43 wrong
00:19:43 --> 00:19:45 with me
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 and
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 everything
00:19:47 --> 00:19:47 that's
00:19:47 --> 00:19:47 wrong
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 with you
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 he has
00:19:49 --> 00:19:49 stood
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 in our
00:19:50 --> 00:19:50 place
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 he has
00:19:51 --> 00:19:52 taken
00:19:52 --> 00:19:52 our
00:19:52 --> 00:19:53 sin
00:19:53 --> 00:19:53 he has
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 paid
00:19:54 --> 00:19:54 our
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 debt
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 he has
00:19:56 --> 00:19:56 given
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 us
00:19:57 --> 00:19:57 life
00:19:57 --> 00:19:58 and he
00:19:58 --> 00:19:58 has
00:19:58 --> 00:19:58 set
00:19:58 --> 00:19:58 us
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 free
00:19:59 --> 00:19:59 from
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 selfishness
00:20:00 --> 00:20:00 and the
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 ego
00:20:01 --> 00:20:06 God
00:20:06 --> 00:20:06 himself
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 enters
00:20:07 --> 00:20:07 our
00:20:07 --> 00:20:07 world
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 and
00:20:08 --> 00:20:08 upholds
00:20:08 --> 00:20:08 his
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 justice
00:20:09 --> 00:20:09 by
00:20:09 --> 00:20:09 becoming
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 cursed
00:20:10 --> 00:20:10 for us
00:20:10 --> 00:20:12 so that
00:20:12 --> 00:20:12 we might
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 receive
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 every
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 spiritual
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 blessing
00:20:16 --> 00:20:19 all our
00:20:19 --> 00:20:19 guilt
00:20:19 --> 00:20:19 and our
00:20:19 --> 00:20:19 shame
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 is taken
00:20:20 --> 00:20:20 away
00:20:20 --> 00:20:22 so if
00:20:22 --> 00:20:22 you're a
00:20:22 --> 00:20:22 Christian
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 then you
00:20:23 --> 00:20:23 are in
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 the valley
00:20:24 --> 00:20:24 of death
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 but through
00:20:25 --> 00:20:25 the death
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 and resurrection
00:20:26 --> 00:20:26 of the
00:20:26 --> 00:20:26 Lord
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 Jesus
00:20:27 --> 00:20:27 you have
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 been
00:20:28 --> 00:20:28 redeemed
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 you have
00:20:29 --> 00:20:29 been
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 resurrected
00:20:30 --> 00:20:30 and been
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 raised to
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 the highest
00:20:32 --> 00:20:32 of heights
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 and it's
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 all for
00:20:34 --> 00:20:34 free
00:20:34 --> 00:20:37 free
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 did you
00:20:38 --> 00:20:38 get that
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 in verses
00:20:39 --> 00:20:39 8 and
00:20:39 --> 00:20:39 9
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 for it
00:20:40 --> 00:20:40 is by
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 grace
00:20:41 --> 00:20:41 that you've
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 been
00:20:42 --> 00:20:42 saved
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 through
00:20:43 --> 00:20:43 faith
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 this is
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 not from
00:20:45 --> 00:20:45 yourself
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 it is a
00:20:46 --> 00:20:46 gift of
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 God
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 not by
00:20:48 --> 00:20:48 works
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 so that
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 no human
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 being
00:20:51 --> 00:20:51 can ever
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 go
00:20:52 --> 00:20:52 look at
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 me
00:20:53 --> 00:20:56 salvation
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 is by
00:20:57 --> 00:20:57 God's
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 grace
00:20:58 --> 00:20:58 grace
00:20:58 --> 00:21:00 it's
00:21:00 --> 00:21:00 why
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 for the
00:21:01 --> 00:21:01 Christian
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 humility
00:21:02 --> 00:21:04 must be
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 the first
00:21:05 --> 00:21:05 thing that
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 grows in
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 your life
00:21:06 --> 00:21:08 it is
00:21:08 --> 00:21:08 the unmerited
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 favor coming
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 to us
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 the utterly
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 deserved
00:21:12 --> 00:21:12 it's a
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 free gift
00:21:13 --> 00:21:15 Paul is
00:21:15 --> 00:21:17 so keen
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 that we
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 understand
00:21:19 --> 00:21:19 that we
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 don't work
00:21:20 --> 00:21:20 for it
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 that any
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 service that
00:21:22 --> 00:21:22 we do
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 in the name
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 of Christ
00:21:24 --> 00:21:24 is not
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 paying him
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 back
00:21:26 --> 00:21:29 he says
00:21:29 --> 00:21:29 it's not
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 by work
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 so that
00:21:31 --> 00:21:31 no one
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 can boast
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 we can
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 try all
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 we like
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 but all
00:21:36 --> 00:21:36 of our
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 good works
00:21:37 --> 00:21:39 are no
00:21:39 --> 00:21:39 more beneficial
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 than rearranging
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 the deck
00:21:41 --> 00:21:41 chairs on
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 the Titanic
00:21:42 --> 00:21:44 there is
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 no room
00:21:45 --> 00:21:45 for boasting
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 in human
00:21:46 --> 00:21:46 effort
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 we deserve
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 nothing
00:21:48 --> 00:21:48 we were
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 owed
00:21:49 --> 00:21:49 nothing
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 it is not
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 as if
00:21:51 --> 00:21:51 God could
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 see our
00:21:52 --> 00:21:52 potential
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 we were
00:21:53 --> 00:21:53 dead
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 and yet
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 we have
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 every
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 spiritual
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 blessing
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 through
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 Jesus
00:22:00 --> 00:22:03 the
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 spiritually
00:22:04 --> 00:22:04 bankrupt
00:22:04 --> 00:22:04 have had
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 their debt
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 wiped
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 clean
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 been set
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 free
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 from bondage
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 to selfishness
00:22:09 --> 00:22:09 and sin
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 and ego
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 and death
00:22:11 --> 00:22:13 and verse
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 10
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 is a
00:22:15 --> 00:22:15 wonderful
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 description
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 of who
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 you are
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 in Jesus
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 if you're
00:22:20 --> 00:22:20 a Christian
00:22:20 --> 00:22:22 you've been
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 taken from
00:22:23 --> 00:22:23 being a
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 corpse
00:22:24 --> 00:22:26 to now
00:22:26 --> 00:22:26 we are
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 God's
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 workmanship
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 literally
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 we are
00:22:30 --> 00:22:30 God's
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 masterpiece
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 we are
00:22:32 --> 00:22:32 his
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 work of
00:22:33 --> 00:22:33 art
00:22:33 --> 00:22:35 on display
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 full of
00:22:36 --> 00:22:36 life
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 for eternity
00:22:37 --> 00:22:41 the ultimate
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 workmanship
00:22:42 --> 00:22:42 of God
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 is a person
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 who's been
00:22:44 --> 00:22:44 dating
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 transgressions
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 and sin
00:22:46 --> 00:22:46 and been
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 made alive
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 in Christ
00:22:48 --> 00:22:48 and the
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 awesome news
00:22:49 --> 00:22:49 is that
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 this is
00:22:50 --> 00:22:50 available to
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 everyone
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 as it says
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 in verse
00:22:53 --> 00:22:53 8
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 through
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 faith
00:22:55 --> 00:22:55 act
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 16
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 says
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 believe
00:22:58 --> 00:22:58 and have
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 faith
00:22:59 --> 00:22:59 in
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 the Lord
00:23:00 --> 00:23:00 Jesus
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 Christ
00:23:01 --> 00:23:01 and you
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 will
00:23:02 --> 00:23:02 be
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 saved
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 and that's
00:23:04 --> 00:23:04 a decision
00:23:04 --> 00:23:06 that some
00:23:06 --> 00:23:06 of you
00:23:06 --> 00:23:06 need to
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 make
00:23:07 --> 00:23:07 today
00:23:07 --> 00:23:09 do not
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 waste
00:23:10 --> 00:23:10 this
00:23:10 --> 00:23:10 opportunity
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 come to
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 life
00:23:12 --> 00:23:12 in Jesus
00:23:12 --> 00:23:13 today
00:23:13 --> 00:23:14 and believe
00:23:14 --> 00:23:14 in him
00:23:14 --> 00:23:16 stop
00:23:16 --> 00:23:16 trusting
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 in your
00:23:17 --> 00:23:17 own
00:23:17 --> 00:23:17 effort
00:23:17 --> 00:23:17 stop
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 trusting
00:23:18 --> 00:23:18 in your
00:23:18 --> 00:23:18 own
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 intellect
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 and submit
00:23:20 --> 00:23:20 yourself
00:23:20 --> 00:23:20 to the
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 will
00:23:21 --> 00:23:21 of
00:23:21 --> 00:23:21 Christ
00:23:21 --> 00:23:23 God's
00:23:23 --> 00:23:23 eternal
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 plan
00:23:24 --> 00:23:24 as
00:23:24 --> 00:23:24 has
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 just
00:23:25 --> 00:23:25 been
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 unfolded
00:23:26 --> 00:23:26 to you
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 in
00:23:27 --> 00:23:27 Ephesians
00:23:27 --> 00:23:27 1 and
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 2
00:23:28 --> 00:23:32 there is
00:23:32 --> 00:23:32 no faith
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 in Jesus
00:23:33 --> 00:23:33 there is
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 no grace
00:23:34 --> 00:23:34 there is
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 no salvation
00:23:35 --> 00:23:37 no one
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 has sins
00:23:38 --> 00:23:38 forgiven
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 no one
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 goes to
00:23:40 --> 00:23:40 heaven
00:23:40 --> 00:23:40 no one
00:23:40 --> 00:23:40 has
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 peace
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 until
00:23:42 --> 00:23:42 there is
00:23:42 --> 00:23:42 faith
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 in the
00:23:43 --> 00:23:43 Lord
00:23:43 --> 00:23:43 Jesus
00:23:43 --> 00:23:51 receiving
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 every
00:23:52 --> 00:23:52 spiritual
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 blessing
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 by
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 God's
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 grace
00:23:54 --> 00:23:54 has a
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 profound
00:23:55 --> 00:23:55 impact
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 on your
00:23:56 --> 00:23:56 life
00:23:56 --> 00:23:58 you spend
00:23:58 --> 00:23:58 the rest
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 of your
00:23:59 --> 00:23:59 life
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 realizing
00:24:00 --> 00:24:00 this
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 blessing
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 by
00:24:02 --> 00:24:02 working
00:24:02 --> 00:24:02 it
00:24:02 --> 00:24:03 into
00:24:03 --> 00:24:03 your
00:24:03 --> 00:24:03 heart
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 until
00:24:04 --> 00:24:04 it
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 shapes
00:24:05 --> 00:24:05 every
00:24:05 --> 00:24:05 air
00:24:05 --> 00:24:05 of
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 your
00:24:06 --> 00:24:06 being
00:24:06 --> 00:24:08 there
00:24:08 --> 00:24:08 are
00:24:08 --> 00:24:08 at
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 least
00:24:09 --> 00:24:09 two
00:24:09 --> 00:24:09 evidences
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 in
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 these
00:24:11 --> 00:24:11 chapters
00:24:11 --> 00:24:13 that reveal
00:24:13 --> 00:24:13 that we
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 have in
00:24:14 --> 00:24:14 fact
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 received
00:24:15 --> 00:24:15 every
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 spiritual
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 blessing
00:24:17 --> 00:24:17 in
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 Jesus
00:24:18 --> 00:24:20 we see
00:24:20 --> 00:24:20 the first
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 is in
00:24:21 --> 00:24:21 chapter 1
00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 verse 6
00:24:22 --> 00:24:24 to the
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 praise
00:24:25 --> 00:24:25 of his
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 glorious
00:24:26 --> 00:24:26 grace
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 and again
00:24:27 --> 00:24:27 at the
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 end of
00:24:28 --> 00:24:28 verse 12
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 for the
00:24:29 --> 00:24:30 praise
00:24:30 --> 00:24:30 of his
00:24:30 --> 00:24:31 glory
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 and once
00:24:32 --> 00:24:32 more in
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 verse 14
00:24:33 --> 00:24:33 to the
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 praise
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 of his
00:24:35 --> 00:24:35 glory
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 when you
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 have every
00:24:37 --> 00:24:37 spiritual
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 blessing
00:24:38 --> 00:24:38 through
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 Jesus
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 you don't
00:24:40 --> 00:24:41 just believe
00:24:41 --> 00:24:41 in your
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 mind
00:24:42 --> 00:24:44 it
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 becomes
00:24:45 --> 00:24:45 glorious
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 to you
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 it
00:24:47 --> 00:24:48 is
00:24:48 --> 00:24:48 beautiful
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 to you
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 it
00:24:50 --> 00:24:50 captures
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 you
00:24:51 --> 00:24:52 it
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 captures
00:24:53 --> 00:24:53 your
00:24:53 --> 00:24:53 imagination
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 it
00:24:54 --> 00:24:54 captures
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 your
00:24:55 --> 00:24:55 heart
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 you
00:24:56 --> 00:24:56 praise
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 God's
00:24:57 --> 00:24:57 grace
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 you
00:24:58 --> 00:24:58 lift
00:24:58 --> 00:24:58 your
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 voice
00:24:59 --> 00:24:59 and you
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 sing
00:25:00 --> 00:25:00 it
00:25:00 --> 00:25:00 you
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 declare
00:25:01 --> 00:25:01 it
00:25:01 --> 00:25:03 this
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 is not
00:25:04 --> 00:25:04 just
00:25:04 --> 00:25:04 evidence
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 of having
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 received
00:25:06 --> 00:25:06 every
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 spiritual
00:25:07 --> 00:25:07 blessing
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 but the
00:25:08 --> 00:25:08 way
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 these
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 blessings
00:25:10 --> 00:25:10 work
00:25:10 --> 00:25:10 their
00:25:10 --> 00:25:10 way
00:25:10 --> 00:25:11 into
00:25:11 --> 00:25:11 your
00:25:11 --> 00:25:12 life
00:25:12 --> 00:25:17 there
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 is
00:25:18 --> 00:25:18 no
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 more
00:25:19 --> 00:25:19 powerful
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 story
00:25:20 --> 00:25:20 for
00:25:20 --> 00:25:21 change
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 no
00:25:22 --> 00:25:22 more
00:25:22 --> 00:25:23 moving
00:25:23 --> 00:25:24 moral
00:25:24 --> 00:25:25 narrative
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 than
00:25:26 --> 00:25:26 someone
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 giving
00:25:27 --> 00:25:27 their
00:25:27 --> 00:25:28 life
00:25:28 --> 00:25:28 for
00:25:28 --> 00:25:28 others
00:25:28 --> 00:25:32 for
00:25:32 --> 00:25:32 instance
00:25:32 --> 00:25:33 on the
00:25:33 --> 00:25:33 13th
00:25:33 --> 00:25:33 of
00:25:33 --> 00:25:33 January
00:25:33 --> 00:25:35 1982
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 Air
00:25:36 --> 00:25:37 Florida
00:25:37 --> 00:25:37 Flight
00:25:37 --> 00:25:38 90
00:25:38 --> 00:25:38 crashed
00:25:38 --> 00:25:39 into
00:25:39 --> 00:25:39 the
00:25:39 --> 00:25:39 icy
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 waters
00:25:40 --> 00:25:40 of
00:25:40 --> 00:25:40 a
00:25:40 --> 00:25:40 river
00:25:40 --> 00:25:41 in
00:25:41 --> 00:25:42 Washington
00:25:42 --> 00:25:42 D.C.
00:25:42 --> 00:25:43 just
00:25:43 --> 00:25:43 like
00:25:43 --> 00:25:43 after
00:25:43 --> 00:25:45 takeoff
00:25:45 --> 00:25:46 because of
00:25:46 --> 00:25:46 faulty
00:25:46 --> 00:25:46 de-icing
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 on the
00:25:47 --> 00:25:47 wings
00:25:47 --> 00:25:47 of the
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 plane
00:25:48 --> 00:25:48 dozens
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 of people
00:25:49 --> 00:25:49 were killed
00:25:49 --> 00:25:50 most people
00:25:50 --> 00:25:51 were killed
00:25:51 --> 00:25:51 in fact
00:25:51 --> 00:25:52 on the
00:25:52 --> 00:25:53 flight
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 except
00:25:54 --> 00:25:54 there
00:25:54 --> 00:25:55 were six
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 that were
00:25:56 --> 00:25:57 initially
00:25:57 --> 00:25:58 survived
00:25:58 --> 00:25:58 the crash
00:25:58 --> 00:26:00 and they
00:26:00 --> 00:26:00 clung
00:26:00 --> 00:26:01 to the
00:26:01 --> 00:26:02 only part
00:26:02 --> 00:26:03 of the
00:26:03 --> 00:26:03 plane
00:26:03 --> 00:26:04 that was
00:26:04 --> 00:26:05 hanging out
00:26:05 --> 00:26:05 of the
00:26:05 --> 00:26:05 icy
00:26:05 --> 00:26:06 waters
00:26:06 --> 00:26:06 and that
00:26:06 --> 00:26:06 was the
00:26:06 --> 00:26:07 tail
00:26:07 --> 00:26:07 of the
00:26:07 --> 00:26:07 plane
00:26:07 --> 00:26:09 and the
00:26:09 --> 00:26:09 waters
00:26:09 --> 00:26:09 were so
00:26:09 --> 00:26:10 icy
00:26:10 --> 00:26:10 they
00:26:10 --> 00:26:11 hampered
00:26:11 --> 00:26:11 the rescue
00:26:11 --> 00:26:12 effort
00:26:12 --> 00:26:12 they tried
00:26:12 --> 00:26:13 launching
00:26:13 --> 00:26:13 boats
00:26:13 --> 00:26:14 boats
00:26:14 --> 00:26:14 couldn't
00:26:14 --> 00:26:15 get to
00:26:15 --> 00:26:15 the
00:26:15 --> 00:26:15 plane
00:26:15 --> 00:26:18 people
00:26:18 --> 00:26:18 couldn't
00:26:18 --> 00:26:19 survive
00:26:19 --> 00:26:19 swimming
00:26:19 --> 00:26:20 in the
00:26:20 --> 00:26:20 water
00:26:20 --> 00:26:22 a
00:26:22 --> 00:26:23 very
00:26:23 --> 00:26:26 well
00:26:26 --> 00:26:27 strong
00:26:27 --> 00:26:27 human
00:26:27 --> 00:26:28 being
00:26:28 --> 00:26:28 could
00:26:28 --> 00:26:28 last
00:26:28 --> 00:26:29 a
00:26:29 --> 00:26:29 maximum
00:26:29 --> 00:26:29 of
00:26:29 --> 00:26:30 30
00:26:30 --> 00:26:30 minutes
00:26:30 --> 00:26:31 in that
00:26:31 --> 00:26:31 kind
00:26:31 --> 00:26:31 of
00:26:31 --> 00:26:32 temperature
00:26:32 --> 00:26:32 before
00:26:32 --> 00:26:33 succumbing
00:26:33 --> 00:26:33 to
00:26:33 --> 00:26:34 hypothermia
00:26:34 --> 00:26:35 and so
00:26:35 --> 00:26:35 a
00:26:35 --> 00:26:36 helicopter
00:26:36 --> 00:26:36 was
00:26:36 --> 00:26:36 called
00:26:36 --> 00:26:36 in
00:26:36 --> 00:26:38 they
00:26:38 --> 00:26:38 couldn't
00:26:38 --> 00:26:38 bring
00:26:38 --> 00:26:38 a
00:26:38 --> 00:26:39 rescuer
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00:26:39 --> 00:26:39 like
00:26:39 --> 00:26:39 anyone
00:26:39 --> 00:26:39 got
00:26:39 --> 00:26:40 a
00:26:40 --> 00:26:40 helicopter
00:26:40 --> 00:26:41 they
00:26:41 --> 00:26:41 brought
00:26:41 --> 00:26:41 in
00:26:41 --> 00:26:41 a
00:26:41 --> 00:26:42 helicopter
00:26:42 --> 00:26:43 the
00:26:43 --> 00:26:43 first
00:26:43 --> 00:26:44 passenger
00:26:44 --> 00:26:44 they
00:26:44 --> 00:26:44 rescue
00:26:44 --> 00:26:45 was
00:26:45 --> 00:26:45 already
00:26:45 --> 00:26:46 floating
00:26:46 --> 00:26:46 in the
00:26:46 --> 00:26:46 water
00:26:46 --> 00:26:47 and
00:26:47 --> 00:26:47 starting
00:26:47 --> 00:26:47 to
00:26:47 --> 00:26:47 nod
00:26:47 --> 00:26:48 off
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00:26:48 --> 00:26:48 sleep
00:26:48 --> 00:26:49 and
00:26:49 --> 00:26:49 they
00:26:49 --> 00:26:49 managed
00:26:49 --> 00:26:50 to
00:26:50 --> 00:26:50 get
00:26:50 --> 00:26:50 this
00:26:50 --> 00:26:51 person
00:26:51 --> 00:26:51 attached
00:26:51 --> 00:26:52 to
00:26:52 --> 00:26:52 a
00:26:52 --> 00:26:52 cable
00:26:52 --> 00:26:53 and
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 drag
00:26:54 --> 00:26:54 them
00:26:54 --> 00:26:54 out
00:26:54 --> 00:26:54 of
00:26:54 --> 00:26:54 the
00:26:54 --> 00:26:55 water
00:26:55 --> 00:26:55 to
00:26:55 --> 00:26:55 the
00:26:55 --> 00:26:55 river
00:26:55 --> 00:26:55 bank
00:26:55 --> 00:26:57 helicopter
00:26:57 --> 00:26:57 came
00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 back
00:26:58 --> 00:26:58 and threw
00:26:58 --> 00:27:28 a
00:27:28 --> 00:27:29 and by
00:27:29 --> 00:27:29 that time
00:27:29 --> 00:27:30 he had
00:27:30 --> 00:27:31 submerged
00:27:31 --> 00:27:31 below
00:27:31 --> 00:27:32 the icy
00:27:32 --> 00:27:32 waters
00:27:32 --> 00:27:35 there are
00:27:35 --> 00:27:36 scholarships
00:27:36 --> 00:27:38 all over
00:27:38 --> 00:27:39 the United
00:27:39 --> 00:27:40 States
00:27:40 --> 00:27:40 in his
00:27:40 --> 00:27:40 honour
00:27:40 --> 00:27:42 bridges
00:27:42 --> 00:27:43 and roads
00:27:43 --> 00:27:43 are named
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 after this
00:27:44 --> 00:27:44 guy
00:27:44 --> 00:27:47 he gave
00:27:47 --> 00:27:47 his life
00:27:47 --> 00:27:48 to save
00:27:48 --> 00:27:49 five people
00:27:49 --> 00:27:50 there is
00:27:50 --> 00:27:51 no
00:27:51 --> 00:27:52 more
00:27:52 --> 00:27:52 powerful
00:27:52 --> 00:27:53 narrative
00:27:53 --> 00:27:54 structure
00:27:54 --> 00:27:54 or moral
00:27:54 --> 00:27:55 beauty
00:27:55 --> 00:27:55 than
00:27:55 --> 00:27:56 sacrificial
00:27:56 --> 00:27:56 love
00:27:56 --> 00:27:58 Jesus
00:27:58 --> 00:27:58 Christ
00:27:58 --> 00:27:59 did
00:27:59 --> 00:27:59 that
00:27:59 --> 00:28:00 for
00:28:00 --> 00:28:00 you
00:28:00 --> 00:28:04 and
00:28:04 --> 00:28:05 you
00:28:05 --> 00:28:05 were
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 his
00:28:06 --> 00:28:06 enemy
00:28:06 --> 00:28:08 dead
00:28:08 --> 00:28:08 in
00:28:08 --> 00:28:08 sin
00:28:08 --> 00:28:14 it
00:28:14 --> 00:28:14 changes
00:28:14 --> 00:28:15 the
00:28:15 --> 00:28:15 driving
00:28:15 --> 00:28:15 centre
00:28:15 --> 00:28:16 of your
00:28:16 --> 00:28:16 life
00:28:16 --> 00:28:18 it
00:28:18 --> 00:28:18 will
00:28:18 --> 00:28:18 move
00:28:18 --> 00:28:18 you
00:28:18 --> 00:28:19 so
00:28:19 --> 00:28:19 that
00:28:19 --> 00:28:19 the
00:28:19 --> 00:28:19 things
00:28:19 --> 00:28:19 that
00:28:19 --> 00:28:20 you
00:28:20 --> 00:28:20 used
00:28:20 --> 00:28:20 to
00:28:20 --> 00:28:20 find
00:28:20 --> 00:28:21 captivating
00:28:21 --> 00:28:24 selfishness
00:28:24 --> 00:28:25 and
00:28:25 --> 00:28:25 ego
00:28:25 --> 00:28:28 no
00:28:28 --> 00:28:28 longer
00:28:28 --> 00:28:28 drive
00:28:28 --> 00:28:29 you
00:28:29 --> 00:28:30 his
00:28:30 --> 00:28:31 glorious
00:28:31 --> 00:28:32 grace
00:28:32 --> 00:28:32 will
00:28:32 --> 00:28:32 capture
00:28:32 --> 00:28:33 you
00:28:33 --> 00:28:33 and
00:28:33 --> 00:28:34 lift
00:28:34 --> 00:28:34 your
00:28:34 --> 00:28:34 heart
00:28:34 --> 00:28:35 in
00:28:35 --> 00:28:35 praise
00:28:35 --> 00:28:36 his
00:28:36 --> 00:28:37 glorious
00:28:37 --> 00:28:37 grace
00:28:37 --> 00:28:37 will
00:28:37 --> 00:28:38 change
00:28:38 --> 00:28:38 you
00:28:38 --> 00:28:39 and
00:28:39 --> 00:28:40 we
00:28:40 --> 00:28:40 see
00:28:40 --> 00:28:40 that
00:28:40 --> 00:28:40 in
00:28:40 --> 00:28:41 the
00:28:41 --> 00:28:41 apostle
00:28:41 --> 00:28:41 Paul
00:28:41 --> 00:28:41 from
00:28:41 --> 00:28:42 verses
00:28:42 --> 00:28:42 15
00:28:42 --> 00:28:43 onwards
00:28:43 --> 00:28:43 in
00:28:43 --> 00:28:43 chapter
00:28:43 --> 00:28:43 one
00:28:43 --> 00:28:44 Paul
00:28:44 --> 00:28:44 just
00:28:44 --> 00:28:45 cannot
00:28:45 --> 00:28:45 control
00:28:45 --> 00:28:46 himself
00:28:46 --> 00:28:46 he
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 overflows
00:28:47 --> 00:28:47 in
00:28:47 --> 00:28:48 praise
00:28:48 --> 00:28:48 and
00:28:48 --> 00:28:49 prayer
00:28:49 --> 00:28:49 he's
00:28:49 --> 00:28:50 essentially
00:28:50 --> 00:28:50 praying
00:28:50 --> 00:28:51 here
00:28:51 --> 00:28:51 in
00:28:51 --> 00:28:51 these
00:28:51 --> 00:28:52 verses
00:28:52 --> 00:28:52 that
00:28:52 --> 00:28:52 this
00:28:52 --> 00:28:53 Ephesian
00:28:53 --> 00:28:53 church
00:28:53 --> 00:28:54 would
00:28:54 --> 00:28:54 come
00:28:54 --> 00:28:54 to
00:28:54 --> 00:28:55 fully
00:28:55 --> 00:28:55 understand
00:28:55 --> 00:28:56 the
00:28:56 --> 00:28:57 magnitude
00:28:57 --> 00:28:57 of
00:28:57 --> 00:28:58 receiving
00:28:58 --> 00:28:59 every
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 spiritual
00:29:00 --> 00:29:01 blessing
00:29:01 --> 00:29:02 in
00:29:02 --> 00:29:02 Christ
00:29:02 --> 00:29:06 it
00:29:06 --> 00:29:06 will
00:29:06 --> 00:29:07 motivate
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 us
00:29:08 --> 00:29:09 to live
00:29:09 --> 00:29:10 lives
00:29:10 --> 00:29:10 that
00:29:10 --> 00:29:10 praise
00:29:10 --> 00:29:11 him
00:29:11 --> 00:29:14 but
00:29:14 --> 00:29:14 also
00:29:14 --> 00:29:15 lives
00:29:15 --> 00:29:16 that
00:29:16 --> 00:29:16 don't
00:29:16 --> 00:29:17 put
00:29:17 --> 00:29:17 me
00:29:17 --> 00:29:18 at
00:29:18 --> 00:29:18 the
00:29:18 --> 00:29:19 center
00:29:19 --> 00:29:21 verse
00:29:21 --> 00:29:21 10
00:29:21 --> 00:29:23 for
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 we
00:29:24 --> 00:29:24 are
00:29:24 --> 00:29:24 God's
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 workmanship
00:29:25 --> 00:29:26 created
00:29:26 --> 00:29:26 in
00:29:26 --> 00:29:27 Christ
00:29:27 --> 00:29:27 Jesus
00:29:27 --> 00:29:28 to
00:29:28 --> 00:29:28 do
00:29:28 --> 00:29:29 good
00:29:29 --> 00:29:29 works
00:29:29 --> 00:29:30 which
00:29:30 --> 00:29:30 God
00:29:30 --> 00:29:30 prepared
00:29:30 --> 00:29:31 in
00:29:31 --> 00:29:31 advance
00:29:31 --> 00:29:32 for
00:29:32 --> 00:29:32 us
00:29:32 --> 00:29:32 to
00:29:32 --> 00:29:32 do
00:29:32 --> 00:29:33 a
00:29:33 --> 00:29:34 life
00:29:34 --> 00:29:34 of
00:29:34 --> 00:29:34 good
00:29:34 --> 00:29:35 works
00:29:35 --> 00:29:35 a
00:29:35 --> 00:29:36 life
00:29:36 --> 00:29:36 of
00:29:36 --> 00:29:37 service
00:29:37 --> 00:29:37 of
00:29:37 --> 00:29:37 others
00:29:37 --> 00:29:38 is
00:29:38 --> 00:29:39 indispensable
00:29:39 --> 00:29:40 to
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00:29:47 --> 00:29:48 as
00:29:48 --> 00:29:48 Martin
00:29:48 --> 00:29:48 Luther
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00:30:01 --> 00:30:02 eternally
00:30:02 --> 00:30:04 designed
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00:30:04 --> 00:30:05 description
00:30:05 --> 00:30:07 which
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00:30:08 --> 00:30:08 the
00:30:08 --> 00:30:09 tasks
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00:30:12 --> 00:30:12 to
00:30:12 --> 00:30:13 serve
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00:30:22 --> 00:30:22 his
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00:30:23 --> 00:30:24 be
00:30:24 --> 00:30:24 both
00:30:24 --> 00:30:25 more
00:30:25 --> 00:30:25 and
00:30:25 --> 00:30:25 more
00:30:25 --> 00:30:26 his
00:30:26 --> 00:30:26 workmanship
00:30:26 --> 00:30:27 and
00:30:27 --> 00:30:28 more
00:30:28 --> 00:30:28 and
00:30:28 --> 00:30:29 more
00:30:29 --> 00:30:29 your
00:30:29 --> 00:30:30 true
00:30:30 --> 00:30:30 self
00:30:30 --> 00:30:31 and
00:30:31 --> 00:30:32 more
00:30:32 --> 00:30:32 and
00:30:32 --> 00:30:32 more
00:30:32 --> 00:30:33 you'll
00:30:33 --> 00:30:33 discover
00:30:33 --> 00:30:34 joy
00:30:34 --> 00:30:35 in
00:30:35 --> 00:30:35 the
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00:30:36 --> 00:30:37 rather
00:30:37 --> 00:30:38 than
00:30:38 --> 00:30:38 the
00:30:38 --> 00:30:38 pursuit
00:30:38 --> 00:30:39 of
00:30:39 --> 00:30:39 selfishness
00:30:39 --> 00:30:39 and
00:30:39 --> 00:30:39 the
00:30:39 --> 00:30:40 ego
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 there
00:30:41 --> 00:30:42 is
00:30:42 --> 00:30:42 nothing
00:30:42 --> 00:30:42 more
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00:30:42 --> 00:30:43 than
00:30:43 --> 00:30:43 his
00:30:43 --> 00:30:44 workmanship
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00:30:44 --> 00:30:44 and
00:30:44 --> 00:30:45 serving
00:30:45 --> 00:30:45 for
00:30:45 --> 00:30:45 his
00:30:45 --> 00:30:45 glory
00:30:45 --> 00:30:46 and
00:30:46 --> 00:30:46 our
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00:30:46 --> 00:30:47 for
00:30:47 --> 00:30:47 this
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00:30:48 --> 00:30:48 over
00:30:48 --> 00:30:49 the
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00:30:49 --> 00:30:49 coming
00:30:49 --> 00:30:50 weeks
00:30:50 --> 00:30:51 and
00:30:51 --> 00:30:51 for
00:30:51 --> 00:30:51 this
00:30:51 --> 00:30:53 year
00:30:53 --> 00:30:53 ahead
00:30:53 --> 00:30:53 for
00:30:53 --> 00:30:54 us
00:30:54 --> 00:30:54 as
00:30:54 --> 00:30:54 a
00:30:54 --> 00:30:54 church
00:30:54 --> 00:30:55 is
00:30:55 --> 00:30:55 to
00:30:55 --> 00:30:56 call
00:30:56 --> 00:30:56 as
00:30:56 --> 00:30:56 many
00:30:56 --> 00:30:57 as
00:30:57 --> 00:30:58 possible
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 into
00:30:59 --> 00:30:59 that
00:30:59 --> 00:31:00 beauty
00:31:00 --> 00:31:01 into
00:31:01 --> 00:31:01 that
00:31:01 --> 00:31:02 joy
00:31:02 --> 00:31:03 we
00:31:03 --> 00:31:03 have
00:31:03 --> 00:31:04 been
00:31:04 --> 00:31:04 blessed
00:31:04 --> 00:31:05 with
00:31:05 --> 00:31:06 every
00:31:06 --> 00:31:06 spiritual
00:31:06 --> 00:31:06 blessing
00:31:06 --> 00:31:07 to
00:31:07 --> 00:31:08 serve
00:31:08 --> 00:31:09 blessed
00:31:09 --> 00:31:10 that
00:31:10 --> 00:31:10 we
00:31:10 --> 00:31:10 might
00:31:10 --> 00:31:10 be
00:31:10 --> 00:31:11 a
00:31:11 --> 00:31:11 blessing
00:31:11 --> 00:31:12 called
00:31:13 --> 00:31:15 Hashem
00:31:15 --> 00:31:16 .

