Together?
Series: Worship
Speaker: Sam Low
Date: 14th February 2015
Passage: John 4:1-54
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 Father God, we thank you for the chance to gather tonight.
00:00:02 --> 00:00:03 We thank you for your word.
00:00:04 --> 00:00:07 We thank you that you're a God who wants us to know you.
00:00:07 --> 00:00:11 You're a God who reveals himself to us through your word and through your people.
00:00:11 --> 00:00:17 And God, we pray that tonight you might give us a real clear and fresh vision of you
00:00:17 --> 00:00:22 so that we might live lives of adoration and action that are fitting
00:00:22 --> 00:00:27 so that we might worship in a way that reflects your glory and your majesty.
00:00:28 --> 00:00:28 Amen.
00:00:30 --> 00:00:34 I remember when I was growing up, there was a girl that I went to school with
00:00:34 --> 00:00:36 that I used to have arguments with.
00:00:37 --> 00:00:41 I went to a Christian school, but it was mainly a Christian school in name.
00:00:41 --> 00:00:43 Not many of my friends were Christians.
00:00:44 --> 00:00:47 And even of those who said they were Christian, probably even fewer,
00:00:48 --> 00:00:51 actually followed Jesus in any active way.
00:00:51 --> 00:00:54 But this girl stuck out in particular.
00:00:54 --> 00:00:57 I remember we were planning an event.
00:00:57 --> 00:01:00 A whole bunch of people in our year group were planning a party.
00:01:00 --> 00:01:03 We'd managed to find a location for this party.
00:01:03 --> 00:01:05 We sorted out entertainment, food.
00:01:05 --> 00:01:06 It was going to be great.
00:01:06 --> 00:01:07 It was exciting.
00:01:07 --> 00:01:08 We were looking forward to it.
00:01:08 --> 00:01:10 It was planned for a Friday night.
00:01:10 --> 00:01:12 And this one girl insisted that she would not come.
00:01:13 --> 00:01:16 It's not that she didn't like the people who were going.
00:01:16 --> 00:01:19 It's not that she wasn't on board with what we were going to be doing.
00:01:19 --> 00:01:25 The thing was, she went to a church, a Seventh-day Adventist church,
00:01:25 --> 00:01:32 and she believed that worshipping God was particularly important on one day of the week.
00:01:33 --> 00:01:36 From sunset on a Friday to sunset on a Saturday, basically,
00:01:37 --> 00:01:42 they did nothing that would be constituted as work or any kind of distraction from God.
00:01:42 --> 00:01:49 And I remember in all of my youthful enthusiasm and probably in a slightly unloving way,
00:01:49 --> 00:01:52 correcting her and explaining how ridiculous it was that she would do that
00:01:52 --> 00:01:54 and that she would miss out on something fun
00:01:54 --> 00:01:59 and that she would think that God would care what she did for a couple of hours on the Friday night
00:01:59 --> 00:02:02 or, you know, that she could not worship God while she was there.
00:02:02 --> 00:02:07 In hindsight, I respect her quite a bit for her discipline.
00:02:07 --> 00:02:11 But at the time, what it did was make me ask the question a little bit,
00:02:11 --> 00:02:13 not publicly because I was too proud for that,
00:02:13 --> 00:02:15 but at least privately ask the question,
00:02:16 --> 00:02:18 when am I supposed to worship?
00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 Because my experience was I do it on Sundays.
00:02:21 --> 00:02:23 I go to church on Sundays.
00:02:23 --> 00:02:25 That's when we do the Jesus stuff,
00:02:25 --> 00:02:28 usually on a Sunday afternoon because that's when it's more fun and exciting.
00:02:29 --> 00:02:31 But that was just my experience of it.
00:02:31 --> 00:02:35 And I was trying to figure out, well, she thinks it has to be on Friday night through Saturday,
00:02:35 --> 00:02:37 and I think it happens on Sunday.
00:02:37 --> 00:02:37 So who is right?
00:02:38 --> 00:02:41 A few years later, in fact, not that long ago,
00:02:41 --> 00:02:44 I was in hospital one Christmas for several weeks,
00:02:44 --> 00:02:46 and I remember wandering out the front door for some fresh air,
00:02:47 --> 00:02:47 just for a bit of a break,
00:02:48 --> 00:02:49 and a lady was sitting there.
00:02:49 --> 00:02:52 She'd been visiting someone else, and we just struck up a conversation.
00:02:53 --> 00:02:56 Over time, we worked out that we both were followers of Jesus,
00:02:56 --> 00:02:59 and we were talking about what we believed in,
00:02:59 --> 00:03:02 and it came up talking about worship,
00:03:02 --> 00:03:04 talking about when we worship.
00:03:04 --> 00:03:06 And I talked about how I was part of a church,
00:03:07 --> 00:03:08 and I was training for ministry,
00:03:08 --> 00:03:09 and, you know, I loved Sundays.
00:03:09 --> 00:03:13 It was great to go to church and have services and be with God's people.
00:03:13 --> 00:03:17 And she slightly condescendingly smiled at me
00:03:17 --> 00:03:21 and explained how real worship needed to happen at the beginning of each day.
00:03:21 --> 00:03:24 And she explained the community that she was a part of
00:03:24 --> 00:03:27 and how they got up at 6 a.m. every day to do their worship
00:03:27 --> 00:03:31 and how that was the real worship that God wanted from his people.
00:03:31 --> 00:03:36 And I, again, full of love and grace, gently corrected her
00:03:36 --> 00:03:40 and from all of my wisdom and training explained how wrong she was.
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 But again, it left me just asking the question,
00:03:43 --> 00:03:44 why do I do it on Sundays?
00:03:45 --> 00:03:48 Why is that the immovable object in my week?
00:03:48 --> 00:03:51 Why is that the time that I gather for worship?
00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 Because there are a lot of different people
00:03:53 --> 00:03:54 who think a lot of different things
00:03:54 --> 00:03:56 about what right and true worship looks like.
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 We're spending four weeks talking about it.
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 So that says there's at least some confusion.
00:04:01 --> 00:04:04 And in the passage that we come to in John 4 tonight,
00:04:04 --> 00:04:07 we find a woman who we know believes in God.
00:04:08 --> 00:04:11 We know has at least some desire to follow him.
00:04:12 --> 00:04:14 She's expecting the Messiah to come,
00:04:14 --> 00:04:16 so she knows a little bit about what God is about.
00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 And so when she meets Jesus,
00:04:18 --> 00:04:20 when she discovers that he is some sort of prophet,
00:04:21 --> 00:04:23 she wants to ask him the question.
00:04:24 --> 00:04:25 I'm a Samaritan, she says,
00:04:25 --> 00:04:29 and so I think worship happens this way in this place at this time.
00:04:29 --> 00:04:32 You're a Jew, and so you think it happens this way
00:04:32 --> 00:04:33 in this place at this time.
00:04:34 --> 00:04:34 Who's right?
00:04:35 --> 00:04:38 What is proper worship supposed to look like?
00:04:39 --> 00:04:40 And listen to Jesus' response.
00:04:40 --> 00:04:43 This is really profound in chapter 4, verse 21.
00:04:43 --> 00:04:46 Woman, Jesus replied,
00:04:46 --> 00:05:13 God is spirit,
00:05:13 --> 00:05:18 and his worshippers must worship in the spirit and in truth.
00:05:19 --> 00:05:21 The answer God gives is,
00:05:21 --> 00:05:23 sorry, the answer Jesus gives is classic Jesus.
00:05:23 --> 00:05:26 He doesn't answer the direct question about which is the right mountain.
00:05:27 --> 00:05:31 He takes her to where we were last week.
00:05:31 --> 00:05:33 He says it's not about where you worship.
00:05:33 --> 00:05:35 It's not about when you worship.
00:05:35 --> 00:05:37 It's not about this mountain or that mountain.
00:05:37 --> 00:05:39 It's not about what time of day,
00:05:39 --> 00:05:40 what time of week,
00:05:40 --> 00:05:41 or even how long.
00:05:41 --> 00:05:43 It's about who you worship.
00:05:45 --> 00:05:48 The thing that dictates what true worship looks like,
00:05:48 --> 00:05:49 this is what we spent time on last week,
00:05:49 --> 00:05:51 is who it is that you're worshipping.
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 They will tell you where it's supposed to be
00:05:53 --> 00:05:55 and what it's supposed to look like.
00:05:55 --> 00:05:58 In fact, Jesus tells us in this little few verses
00:05:58 --> 00:06:00 that even the Jews,
00:06:00 --> 00:06:02 who were God's chosen people,
00:06:02 --> 00:06:03 who had God's law,
00:06:03 --> 00:06:05 who were expecting God's Messiah,
00:06:05 --> 00:06:08 don't have the full picture of God
00:06:08 --> 00:06:11 and don't have the full picture of what worship is going to be
00:06:11 --> 00:06:14 and the better worship that God wants.
00:06:15 --> 00:06:16 Jesus says here,
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 God is spirit.
00:06:21 --> 00:06:24 God can't be contained in one location.
00:06:24 --> 00:06:27 He can't be contained in a particular time of day.
00:06:27 --> 00:06:29 You can't program God.
00:06:30 --> 00:06:31 God doesn't answer to your run sheet.
00:06:31 --> 00:06:34 God doesn't show up when we think he should.
00:06:35 --> 00:06:36 He doesn't fit our schedule
00:06:36 --> 00:06:38 or our ritual or anything else.
00:06:38 --> 00:06:39 We don't even have the ability
00:06:39 --> 00:06:42 to draw ourself into God's presence.
00:06:43 --> 00:06:45 So even if you found the apparent right place,
00:06:45 --> 00:06:48 that doesn't mean you could just wander up and worship.
00:06:49 --> 00:06:50 God is spirit.
00:06:51 --> 00:06:53 He is present not in a time or a place,
00:06:54 --> 00:06:57 but at all times and in all places.
00:06:58 --> 00:07:00 God is bigger than any one location.
00:07:00 --> 00:07:01 He's here as we gather now.
00:07:02 --> 00:07:03 He's with you as you get in your car
00:07:03 --> 00:07:04 and drive home after this.
00:07:04 --> 00:07:07 He's going to be there while you fall asleep tonight.
00:07:07 --> 00:07:08 He's going to be there when you're eating your breakfast,
00:07:09 --> 00:07:10 when you're alone,
00:07:10 --> 00:07:10 when you're working,
00:07:10 --> 00:07:11 when you're at school.
00:07:11 --> 00:07:12 He is always there,
00:07:13 --> 00:07:13 always present
00:07:13 --> 00:07:17 and always worthy of worship.
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 See, the problem with this woman's question
00:07:20 --> 00:07:22 and the problem sometimes for us
00:07:22 --> 00:07:25 when we ask the question of when do we worship
00:07:25 --> 00:07:26 or where do we worship
00:07:26 --> 00:07:28 or what should it look like is
00:07:28 --> 00:07:31 that we are misunderstanding the God
00:07:31 --> 00:07:33 that we are actually trying to worship.
00:07:33 --> 00:07:36 We're trying to contain him into a block of time
00:07:36 --> 00:07:38 or a type of service or a ritual
00:07:38 --> 00:07:40 and when we do that,
00:07:40 --> 00:07:42 we misunderstand two really important things
00:07:42 --> 00:07:43 about who God is.
00:07:44 --> 00:07:45 First of all,
00:07:45 --> 00:07:48 it's like we're saying he's only there sometimes.
00:07:48 --> 00:07:52 It's like we're saying God is kind of distant from us
00:07:52 --> 00:07:55 and we've got to go meet him at his house
00:07:55 --> 00:07:56 if we're going to relate to him
00:07:56 --> 00:07:57 because that's what worship is.
00:07:57 --> 00:08:00 It's relating and interacting with God
00:08:00 --> 00:08:01 and if we say we worship
00:08:01 --> 00:08:04 at a particular time or in a particular place,
00:08:05 --> 00:08:06 what we're saying is
00:08:06 --> 00:08:10 God is only in that particular time
00:08:10 --> 00:08:11 or particular place
00:08:11 --> 00:08:14 but God has made it clear that he's not distant.
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 The whole point of Jesus is God saying
00:08:17 --> 00:08:19 I want to draw near to you.
00:08:19 --> 00:08:21 It's God showing up to say
00:08:21 --> 00:08:22 I want to relate to you.
00:08:22 --> 00:08:22 I want to be present
00:08:22 --> 00:08:24 and now by his spirit,
00:08:25 --> 00:08:26 he dwells within us.
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 So he is always there.
00:08:30 --> 00:08:32 You don't have to go to God's house
00:08:32 --> 00:08:33 to relate to him
00:08:33 --> 00:08:35 because you are God's house.
00:08:36 --> 00:08:37 You don't have to go to a building
00:08:37 --> 00:08:39 or a time of day.
00:08:39 --> 00:08:40 God is everywhere
00:08:40 --> 00:08:43 in every moment of every day.
00:08:43 --> 00:08:44 But the second
00:08:44 --> 00:08:47 and maybe the more dangerous misunderstanding
00:08:47 --> 00:08:49 if you try and limit worship down
00:08:49 --> 00:08:51 to a specific time or place
00:08:51 --> 00:08:54 is that what you're saying is
00:08:54 --> 00:08:58 he's only worthy of those times
00:08:58 --> 00:08:58 and those places.
00:09:00 --> 00:09:02 Remember, worship is really about
00:09:02 --> 00:09:03 the one who's being worshipped
00:09:03 --> 00:09:05 and if it's only about
00:09:05 --> 00:09:07 an hour or two in the week
00:09:07 --> 00:09:09 or 15 minutes at the start of a day,
00:09:10 --> 00:09:12 if that's enough for God,
00:09:12 --> 00:09:14 what does that say
00:09:14 --> 00:09:14 about the majesty
00:09:14 --> 00:09:15 and glory
00:09:15 --> 00:09:16 and power
00:09:16 --> 00:09:17 of the God
00:09:17 --> 00:09:18 that you worship?
00:09:20 --> 00:09:20 He doesn't seem
00:09:20 --> 00:09:21 very impressive
00:09:21 --> 00:09:23 if he just needs
00:09:23 --> 00:09:24 an hour in your week
00:09:24 --> 00:09:25 and the rest is up to you.
00:09:27 --> 00:09:28 Worship is a response
00:09:28 --> 00:09:29 to God
00:09:29 --> 00:09:30 who has revealed himself
00:09:30 --> 00:09:31 in Jesus.
00:09:31 --> 00:09:32 He's revealed himself
00:09:32 --> 00:09:33 as all-sufficient,
00:09:34 --> 00:09:35 all-satisfying,
00:09:35 --> 00:09:36 all-powerful,
00:09:36 --> 00:09:37 creator and sustainer,
00:09:37 --> 00:09:38 and he's worthy
00:09:38 --> 00:09:39 of more
00:09:39 --> 00:09:40 than we could possibly
00:09:40 --> 00:09:41 give him.
00:09:41 --> 00:09:43 So to think that worship
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 would in any way
00:09:44 --> 00:09:45 be less
00:09:45 --> 00:09:46 than every minute
00:09:46 --> 00:09:47 of every day
00:09:47 --> 00:09:48 in every task
00:09:48 --> 00:09:48 that we do
00:09:48 --> 00:09:50 is to misunderstand
00:09:50 --> 00:09:50 the God
00:09:50 --> 00:09:51 who we come to worship.
00:09:52 --> 00:09:53 He is worthy
00:09:53 --> 00:09:54 of unceasing,
00:09:55 --> 00:09:55 exuberant,
00:09:55 --> 00:09:56 extravagant,
00:09:56 --> 00:09:58 enthusiastic worship
00:09:58 --> 00:09:59 all the time.
00:10:01 --> 00:10:01 I don't know
00:10:01 --> 00:10:02 if any of you
00:10:02 --> 00:10:03 have had the misfortune
00:10:03 --> 00:10:05 of being in a long-distance
00:10:05 --> 00:10:05 relationship.
00:10:05 --> 00:10:07 I understand
00:10:07 --> 00:10:07 it's essential
00:10:07 --> 00:10:08 for some people
00:10:08 --> 00:10:10 but reality is
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 it's not the best-case scenario
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 if you're going to
00:10:12 --> 00:10:13 have a relationship.
00:10:13 --> 00:10:14 You know,
00:10:14 --> 00:10:14 you see them
00:10:14 --> 00:10:16 once every so often
00:10:16 --> 00:10:16 and there's so much
00:10:16 --> 00:10:18 pressure in that time
00:10:18 --> 00:10:18 when you actually
00:10:18 --> 00:10:19 get to see them.
00:10:19 --> 00:10:20 For three weeks
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 the best you've had
00:10:21 --> 00:10:22 is phone calls
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 or if you're a little bit older
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 letter writing
00:10:24 --> 00:10:24 or emails
00:10:24 --> 00:10:25 or whatever it is
00:10:25 --> 00:10:27 and so you finally
00:10:27 --> 00:10:27 get to see them
00:10:27 --> 00:10:28 for that few hours
00:10:28 --> 00:10:29 or that weekend
00:10:29 --> 00:10:31 and your whole relationship
00:10:31 --> 00:10:32 has to exist
00:10:32 --> 00:10:33 in that couple of hours.
00:10:33 --> 00:10:34 All the affection,
00:10:34 --> 00:10:35 all the joy,
00:10:36 --> 00:10:37 all the care,
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 everything that you
00:10:38 --> 00:10:39 were trying to get
00:10:39 --> 00:10:39 out of that relationship
00:10:39 --> 00:10:41 has to be given to you
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 in that small window
00:10:42 --> 00:10:44 and what happens is
00:10:44 --> 00:10:46 you get disappointed
00:10:46 --> 00:10:50 because you can't squeeze
00:10:50 --> 00:10:52 three weeks of love
00:10:52 --> 00:10:53 and care and affection
00:10:53 --> 00:10:54 into a couple of hours.
00:10:55 --> 00:10:57 That's not how it works.
00:10:57 --> 00:11:00 When we restrict worship
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 to an hour a week
00:11:01 --> 00:11:03 or a part of our day
00:11:03 --> 00:11:05 or a particular location
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 we treat God
00:11:06 --> 00:11:07 like we're in
00:11:07 --> 00:11:08 a long distance relationship.
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 We treat him
00:11:10 --> 00:11:11 like he's not around
00:11:11 --> 00:11:12 the rest of the time
00:11:12 --> 00:11:13 and we wonder why
00:11:13 --> 00:11:14 we're not as satisfied.
00:11:15 --> 00:11:16 We wonder why
00:11:16 --> 00:11:18 we're not as in awe.
00:11:18 --> 00:11:19 We're not as in love.
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 And it's because
00:11:21 --> 00:11:21 what we've done
00:11:21 --> 00:11:23 is we make this
00:11:23 --> 00:11:25 Sunday gathering
00:11:25 --> 00:11:25 our worship
00:11:25 --> 00:11:27 and we expect it
00:11:27 --> 00:11:28 to be enough
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 to give us all the joy
00:11:29 --> 00:11:30 and all the strength
00:11:30 --> 00:11:32 and all the encouragement
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 and all the satisfaction
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 that God promises.
00:11:36 --> 00:11:37 That's not the point
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 of this gathering
00:11:38 --> 00:11:42 because God is always there.
00:11:42 --> 00:11:43 God is always good.
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 God is always worthy
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 and he doesn't want
00:11:46 --> 00:11:47 a long distance
00:11:47 --> 00:11:48 relationship with you.
00:11:49 --> 00:11:51 He wants to be present
00:11:51 --> 00:11:51 in your life
00:11:51 --> 00:11:52 all the time
00:11:52 --> 00:11:54 and he is present
00:11:54 --> 00:11:55 in your life
00:11:55 --> 00:11:55 all the time.
00:11:56 --> 00:11:57 Last week I mentioned
00:11:57 --> 00:11:59 that church can often feel
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 like a shot in the arm
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 to get you through the week.
00:12:01 --> 00:12:03 It can encourage you.
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 It can strengthen you.
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 It can keep you going.
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 Sometimes you can map out
00:12:06 --> 00:12:07 your emotion through the week
00:12:07 --> 00:12:09 from church to church.
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 But it's not the whole truth.
00:12:15 --> 00:12:16 See, the quality
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 of our experience
00:12:17 --> 00:12:18 as we gather
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 to worship God here
00:12:19 --> 00:12:22 needs to be
00:12:22 --> 00:12:23 and is
00:12:23 --> 00:12:25 the overflow
00:12:25 --> 00:12:26 of the worship
00:12:26 --> 00:12:27 and the relationship
00:12:27 --> 00:12:28 that we have with God
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 the rest of the time.
00:12:31 --> 00:12:32 You can't just
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 turn it on here
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 and expect it to be
00:12:34 --> 00:12:35 intimate
00:12:35 --> 00:12:35 and on fire
00:12:35 --> 00:12:36 and enthusiastic
00:12:36 --> 00:12:37 and joyful
00:12:37 --> 00:12:38 and a blessing
00:12:38 --> 00:12:40 if you just ignore God
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 or treat him
00:12:41 --> 00:12:42 like he's not there
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 the rest of the time.
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 You can't turn on
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 a relationship
00:12:46 --> 00:12:47 and then turn it off.
00:12:47 --> 00:12:49 That's why long distance
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 relationships are difficult.
00:12:56 --> 00:12:58 Coming to church
00:12:58 --> 00:12:58 and gathering
00:12:58 --> 00:12:59 as God's people
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 can be a shot
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 in the arm
00:13:01 --> 00:13:03 but really
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 it needs to be
00:13:04 --> 00:13:04 an overflow
00:13:04 --> 00:13:06 of a whole life
00:13:06 --> 00:13:06 where you're already
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 living dependent
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 on Jesus
00:13:08 --> 00:13:10 where you're already
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 getting to know him
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 in his word
00:13:12 --> 00:13:13 where you're already
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 trusting in the forgiveness
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 that he offers you
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 where you're already
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 confessing your sin
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 and asking him
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 to change your heart.
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 If you're just
00:13:21 --> 00:13:22 doing it once a week
00:13:22 --> 00:13:23 you're putting a pressure
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 on this hour
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 this hour and 10 minutes
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 this hour and 15 minutes
00:13:26 --> 00:13:28 that it can't hold
00:13:28 --> 00:13:30 and at best
00:13:30 --> 00:13:30 your relationship
00:13:30 --> 00:13:31 will be difficult
00:13:31 --> 00:13:33 at worst
00:13:33 --> 00:13:33 it won't work.
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 Romans 12
00:13:37 --> 00:13:37 says to us
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 therefore I urge you
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 brothers and sisters
00:13:39 --> 00:13:41 in view of God's mercy
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 to offer your bodies
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 as a living sacrifice
00:13:43 --> 00:13:45 holy and pleasing to God
00:13:45 --> 00:13:47 this is your true
00:13:47 --> 00:13:48 and proper worship
00:13:48 --> 00:13:50 in light of who God
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 has shown himself
00:13:51 --> 00:13:51 to be
00:13:51 --> 00:13:53 in giving his son
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 so that we might know him
00:13:54 --> 00:13:56 a living sacrifice
00:13:56 --> 00:13:58 is what true worship
00:13:58 --> 00:13:58 looks like.
00:14:00 --> 00:14:01 Now
00:14:01 --> 00:14:02 by definition
00:14:02 --> 00:14:04 sacrifice
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 is complete.
00:14:05 --> 00:14:07 You can't sacrifice
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 some of yourself
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 all the time
00:14:09 --> 00:14:12 or all of yourself
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 some of the time
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 sacrifice
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 is all of yourself
00:14:15 --> 00:14:17 all of the time.
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 The only
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 right response
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 the only satisfactory
00:14:20 --> 00:14:20 response
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 to what God
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 has done for us
00:14:22 --> 00:14:22 in Jesus
00:14:22 --> 00:14:24 is a life lived
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 in faith
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 every day
00:14:26 --> 00:14:28 not for an hour a week.
00:14:28 --> 00:14:30 It's a life lived
00:14:30 --> 00:14:30 in obedience
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 and affection
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 and commitment
00:14:32 --> 00:14:32 every day
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 not just
00:14:33 --> 00:14:34 for an hour
00:14:34 --> 00:14:34 or a day
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 or a morning
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 or whatever it is
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 you can't
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 sacrifice
00:14:38 --> 00:14:38 some.
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 The life
00:14:41 --> 00:14:41 that is lived
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 in faith
00:14:42 --> 00:14:42 the life
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 that is a living
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 sacrifice
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 is completely
00:14:45 --> 00:14:46 devoted to God
00:14:46 --> 00:14:47 in any
00:14:47 --> 00:14:47 and every
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 circumstance
00:14:48 --> 00:14:49 and the key
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 in that Romans 12
00:14:50 --> 00:14:50 verse is
00:14:50 --> 00:14:52 it's in response
00:14:52 --> 00:14:52 to what God
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 has done for us
00:14:53 --> 00:14:53 in Jesus.
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 Therefore
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 in view
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 of God's mercy
00:14:57 --> 00:14:59 because he has
00:14:59 --> 00:14:59 called you
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 into a relationship
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 with himself
00:15:01 --> 00:15:01 he invites you
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 to trust him
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 and lean on him
00:15:03 --> 00:15:05 and be satisfied
00:15:05 --> 00:15:05 in him
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 in every minute
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 of every day.
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 God is spirit
00:15:09 --> 00:15:11 and so the appropriate
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 worship of him
00:15:12 --> 00:15:14 the worship he desires
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 is worship
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 that's in spirit
00:15:16 --> 00:15:16 and in truth.
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 It's the gospel
00:15:18 --> 00:15:18 shaped worship
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 that we talked
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 about last week
00:15:20 --> 00:15:20 worship where we
00:15:20 --> 00:15:22 are inadequate
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 within ourselves
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 but confident
00:15:24 --> 00:15:24 because of what
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 God has done
00:15:25 --> 00:15:25 in Jesus.
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 The way that
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 the Trinity works
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 in our relationship
00:15:30 --> 00:15:30 with God
00:15:30 --> 00:15:32 is we want
00:15:32 --> 00:15:32 a relationship
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 with God
00:15:33 --> 00:15:33 the Father.
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 Jesus does
00:15:35 --> 00:15:35 what needs
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 to be done
00:15:36 --> 00:15:36 to make that
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 possible
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 and the Spirit
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 connects us.
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 So we call
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 God our Father
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 through the Son
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 and by the Spirit.
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 Stick with me.
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 So what we mean
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 when we pray
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 we pray to the Father
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 in the power
00:15:48 --> 00:15:49 of what Jesus
00:15:49 --> 00:15:49 has done
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 by the Spirit.
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 What that means
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 for our worship
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 is we worship
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 in what Jesus
00:15:55 --> 00:15:55 has done.
00:15:56 --> 00:15:56 This is last week.
00:15:56 --> 00:15:58 Jesus is our worship.
00:15:58 --> 00:15:58 He's the perfectly
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 obedient one.
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 He's the one
00:16:00 --> 00:16:00 who trusts
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 and honors
00:16:01 --> 00:16:01 His Father
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 at all times
00:16:02 --> 00:16:04 and so our worship
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 is in the Son
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 and by the Spirit.
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 What that means
00:16:08 --> 00:16:10 is because the Spirit
00:16:10 --> 00:16:12 is present in your life
00:16:12 --> 00:16:12 always,
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 because the New Testament
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 says that when you
00:16:15 --> 00:16:15 trust Jesus
00:16:15 --> 00:16:17 God places His Spirit
00:16:17 --> 00:16:17 in you,
00:16:18 --> 00:16:20 God is always there
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 and always worthy
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 of worship
00:16:22 --> 00:16:24 and by His Spirit
00:16:24 --> 00:16:24 you are always
00:16:24 --> 00:16:26 empowered to worship.
00:16:26 --> 00:16:26 worship.
00:16:27 --> 00:16:29 You always have
00:16:29 --> 00:16:29 what you need
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 to worship.
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 You don't need
00:16:31 --> 00:16:31 a building,
00:16:32 --> 00:16:32 you don't need
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 a particular song,
00:16:33 --> 00:16:33 you don't need
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 a particular group
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 of people.
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 All you need
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 is the Spirit
00:16:38 --> 00:16:38 of God
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 and what Jesus
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 has done for you
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 and you have
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 those things
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 in every minute
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 of every day.
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 In 1 Corinthians 10
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 Paul says,
00:16:47 --> 00:16:48 this is his summary
00:16:48 --> 00:16:48 statement,
00:16:48 --> 00:16:49 whether you eat
00:16:49 --> 00:16:49 or drink,
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 whatever you do,
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 do it all
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 for the glory
00:16:52 --> 00:16:52 of God.
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 It's not about
00:16:53 --> 00:16:53 tasks,
00:16:54 --> 00:16:54 it's not about
00:16:54 --> 00:16:54 routines,
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 it's not about
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 some bits being
00:16:56 --> 00:16:56 holy and other
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 bits being normal,
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 whatever you do.
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 It's all for
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 the glory of God,
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 it's all an opportunity
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 to worship God,
00:17:04 --> 00:17:06 it's all an opportunity
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 to depend on Him
00:17:07 --> 00:17:07 and trust what He
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 has done for you.
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 The answer to the
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 when and where
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 question for worship
00:17:12 --> 00:17:14 is all the time
00:17:14 --> 00:17:15 and everywhere.
00:17:15 --> 00:17:17 There is no distinction.
00:17:18 --> 00:17:18 But,
00:17:19 --> 00:17:21 that does mean
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 that we have to ask
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 perhaps the more
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 difficult question,
00:17:24 --> 00:17:26 why do we do
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 this then?
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 If we can worship
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 God whenever,
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 wherever,
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 without any of this,
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 why do we bother
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 gathering together?
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 What's the point
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 of us taking an hour
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 or an hour and 15
00:17:38 --> 00:17:38 on a bad week
00:17:38 --> 00:17:40 or a good week
00:17:40 --> 00:17:40 depending on how
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 you take it?
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 What's the point
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 of us doing that
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 each Sunday
00:17:44 --> 00:17:46 if we can just do it
00:17:46 --> 00:17:46 all the time
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 and everywhere?
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 If I can worship
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 God in the car
00:17:49 --> 00:17:49 on the way home,
00:17:50 --> 00:17:50 it's probably much
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 quicker for me
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 to just sit in my car
00:17:52 --> 00:17:52 in the driveway.
00:17:53 --> 00:17:56 Why gather
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 for corporate worship?
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 Well,
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 as a starting point,
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 God commands us to.
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 Hebrews 10
00:18:04 --> 00:18:04 is going to be
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 on the screen.
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 Therefore,
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 brothers and sisters,
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 since we have
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 confidence to enter
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 the most holy place
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 by the blood of Jesus,
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 by a new and living way
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 opened for us
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 through the curtain
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 that is his body,
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 and since we have
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 a great priest
00:18:19 --> 00:18:21 over the house of God,
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 let us draw near to God
00:18:22 --> 00:18:24 with a sincere heart
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 and with the full assurance
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 that faith brings,
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 having our hearts sprinkled
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 to cleanse us
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 from a guilty conscience
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 and having our bodies
00:18:31 --> 00:18:33 washed with pure water.
00:18:33 --> 00:18:35 Let us hold unswervingly
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 to the hope we profess
00:18:36 --> 00:18:38 for he who promised
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 is faithful.
00:18:39 --> 00:18:41 So, so far,
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 the writer is saying,
00:18:43 --> 00:18:45 because of what God
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 has done in Jesus,
00:18:46 --> 00:18:48 let us draw near to God.
00:18:48 --> 00:18:49 Let us worship him.
00:18:49 --> 00:18:51 We have access to him
00:18:51 --> 00:18:51 because of God.
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 But then listen to what he says
00:18:52 --> 00:18:54 in the same breath,
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 in the same thought.
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 Verse 24,
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 let us consider
00:18:58 --> 00:19:00 how we may spur one another
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 on toward love
00:19:01 --> 00:19:01 and good deeds,
00:19:02 --> 00:19:04 not giving up meeting together
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 as some are in the habit
00:19:05 --> 00:19:05 of doing,
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 but encouraging one another
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 and all the more
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 as you see the day approaching.
00:19:10 --> 00:19:12 So, in the same breath
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 as encouraging you
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 to hold on to the hope
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 that you have in Jesus,
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 in the same breath
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 as saying hold on
00:19:18 --> 00:19:20 to your heavenly desire
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 and ambition
00:19:21 --> 00:19:21 and anticipation,
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 he says don't give up
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 meeting together
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 as some are in the habit
00:19:26 --> 00:19:26 of doing.
00:19:27 --> 00:19:29 If you hear the message
00:19:29 --> 00:19:29 of scripture
00:19:29 --> 00:19:31 that worship is everything,
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 that worship is full time,
00:19:33 --> 00:19:33 that it's all of life
00:19:33 --> 00:19:35 as a reason not to gather
00:19:35 --> 00:19:37 for worship like this,
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 then you've misunderstood
00:19:39 --> 00:19:41 what we do
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 when we get together.
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 You've misunderstood
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 that there is something
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 unique and special.
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 The church exists
00:19:49 --> 00:19:52 to build one another up
00:19:52 --> 00:19:53 and to glorify God,
00:19:53 --> 00:19:55 to mature one another
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 and the church is,
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 by definition,
00:19:57 --> 00:19:58 a gathering.
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 Ultimately,
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 we are gathered
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 to the Father in heaven
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 through what Jesus has done
00:20:03 --> 00:20:06 and it's a heavenly gathering,
00:20:06 --> 00:20:08 but it gets expressed
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 when we do this.
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 This is a glimpse
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 of what God has achieved
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 in eternity.
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 One day we will see it
00:20:14 --> 00:20:16 in its full magnitude
00:20:16 --> 00:20:18 with those who have trusted Jesus
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 from every tribe,
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 nation and tongue
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 and generation,
00:20:21 --> 00:20:24 but this is the church
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 because the church gathers.
00:20:28 --> 00:20:28 And so a Christian
00:20:28 --> 00:20:30 who by choice
00:20:30 --> 00:20:32 cuts themselves off
00:20:32 --> 00:20:32 from the gathering
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 of God's people,
00:20:34 --> 00:20:36 cuts themselves off
00:20:36 --> 00:20:38 from the source
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 of growth and maturity.
00:20:41 --> 00:20:43 A Christian who chooses
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 not to gather
00:20:44 --> 00:20:44 because they think
00:20:44 --> 00:20:46 I can worship by myself,
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 misses out on what God
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 has given them
00:20:49 --> 00:20:49 to grow them
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 and mature them
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 and is ultimately
00:20:51 --> 00:20:54 a malnourished Christian.
00:20:58 --> 00:21:00 Our future eternal existence
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 is a gathering.
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 It probably won't look
00:21:02 --> 00:21:04 a whole lot like this.
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 There might be little bits
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 that are familiar,
00:21:07 --> 00:21:09 but it will be with God
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 together.
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 If you've got a picture
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 of heaven
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 that is just you and God
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 hanging out one on one,
00:21:17 --> 00:21:17 I want you to know
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 that God has something
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 better in store for you
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 than that.
00:21:21 --> 00:21:23 God is going to bless you
00:21:23 --> 00:21:23 by surrounding you
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 with a multitude
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 of other people
00:21:25 --> 00:21:27 who he has loved
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 and purchased
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 by the blood of Jesus.
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 And he's going to use them
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 for all eternity
00:21:32 --> 00:21:34 to reveal himself to you.
00:21:37 --> 00:21:37 We gather
00:21:37 --> 00:21:39 because God commands us to,
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 because it feeds us.
00:21:41 --> 00:21:41 We gather
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 because that's what
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 forgiven people do,
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 because it spurs us on.
00:21:45 --> 00:21:48 But one last one
00:21:48 --> 00:21:48 that I think
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 is really important.
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 We gather
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 because when we do,
00:21:54 --> 00:21:56 we get to experience
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 God's presence
00:21:57 --> 00:21:59 in a unique way.
00:22:00 --> 00:22:02 When we gather
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 as God's people
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 around his word,
00:22:04 --> 00:22:06 we get to experience
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 God's presence
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 in a unique way.
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 Now, we need to be careful
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 how we articulate this,
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 because we've already said
00:22:11 --> 00:22:13 that God is everywhere,
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 that God is present
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 all the time,
00:22:15 --> 00:22:15 in every minute
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 of every day.
00:22:16 --> 00:22:16 And so,
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 we can't say
00:22:17 --> 00:22:19 that he's more present,
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 because that wouldn't
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 make sense.
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 But there is
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 something unique
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 in the New Testament
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 about what happens
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 when God's people
00:22:28 --> 00:22:28 get together.
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 Let's look at a few passages
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 on the screen quickly.
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 Matthew 18, verse 20,
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 where two or three
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 gather in my name,
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 there am I with them.
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 This is a passage
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 about prayer,
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 where people are agreeing
00:22:40 --> 00:22:40 in something,
00:22:41 --> 00:22:41 and Jesus says,
00:22:42 --> 00:22:42 when that happens,
00:22:42 --> 00:22:44 there am I with them.
00:22:44 --> 00:22:44 When they gather
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 in my name
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 for my purposes,
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 there am I with them.
00:22:47 --> 00:22:49 1 Corinthians 5, verse 4,
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 when you are assembled
00:22:51 --> 00:22:51 and I am with you
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 in spirit,
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 and the power
00:22:53 --> 00:22:53 of our Lord Jesus
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 is present.
00:22:55 --> 00:22:55 This passage
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 is talking about
00:22:56 --> 00:22:58 dealing with sexual immorality
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 amongst the body
00:22:59 --> 00:22:59 of believers.
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 It's a totally different
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 passage to the Matthew one,
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 but again,
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 when they're assembled,
00:23:05 --> 00:23:05 the power
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 of the Lord Jesus
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 is present.
00:23:08 --> 00:23:08 Now, in both
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 of those verses,
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 surely it's redundant
00:23:11 --> 00:23:13 to say that Jesus
00:23:13 --> 00:23:13 is present
00:23:13 --> 00:23:15 when we've already
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 heard it over and over
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 throughout the New Testament
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 that when we put
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 our trust in Jesus,
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 his spirit dwells in us
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 and is therefore present.
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 Why mention it again
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 unless there is
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 something unique
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 about the presence
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 that is being talked
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 about in these passages?
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 Many times
00:23:32 --> 00:23:32 when we open
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 the New Testament
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 and we hear that
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 the spirit dwells in you,
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 what it means is
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 the spirit dwells
00:23:38 --> 00:23:40 in you's collective.
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 It's not to take away
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 from the fact
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 that the New Testament
00:23:44 --> 00:23:44 says that the spirit
00:23:44 --> 00:23:46 dwells in you individually
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 when you put your trust
00:23:47 --> 00:23:47 in Jesus,
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 but over and over
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 the New Testament
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 says that there is
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 something unique
00:23:51 --> 00:23:53 about the communal
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 presence of God.
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 For the past,
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 I can't even think
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 how many years
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 I've been playing AFL
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 as part of a team.
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 I've played in a few
00:24:02 --> 00:24:02 different teams
00:24:02 --> 00:24:03 and with varied degrees
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 of success,
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 but each year
00:24:06 --> 00:24:06 from the point
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 where I sign up
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 on my form
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 and I hand over
00:24:09 --> 00:24:09 my money
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 and I pay my registration
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 and I get my uniform,
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 that's when I'm part
00:24:13 --> 00:24:13 of the team.
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 I become a member
00:24:15 --> 00:24:15 of the team
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 at that point.
00:24:18 --> 00:24:18 But the time
00:24:18 --> 00:24:20 when I'm most aware
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 of my role
00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 or my status
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 as a team member
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 is when I have
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 my uniform on
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 and I'm gathered
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 with the other members
00:24:27 --> 00:24:27 of my team
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 in preparation
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 for playing a game.
00:24:30 --> 00:24:30 It's not that I'm
00:24:30 --> 00:24:31 less a team member
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 when I'm at home
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 or at work
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 or watching TV
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 or trying to recover
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 from the pain
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 that football causes.
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 My status
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 doesn't change
00:24:40 --> 00:24:41 but when I gather
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 with those people
00:24:42 --> 00:24:42 my awareness
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 of my status
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 as a team member
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 is heightened.
00:24:47 --> 00:24:49 In the same way
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 I am in Christ
00:24:50 --> 00:24:52 when I ask
00:24:52 --> 00:24:52 for forgiveness
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 and I trust Jesus.
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 When I become
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 a Christian
00:24:55 --> 00:24:57 Jesus places
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 his spirit
00:24:58 --> 00:24:58 in me.
00:24:59 --> 00:25:01 But when I gather
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 with God's people
00:25:02 --> 00:25:04 my awareness
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 of Jesus
00:25:05 --> 00:25:07 my affection
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 for Jesus
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 my desire
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 for his purpose
00:25:10 --> 00:25:11 and his kingdom
00:25:11 --> 00:25:12 is heightened
00:25:12 --> 00:25:14 because I'm surrounded
00:25:14 --> 00:25:14 by a group
00:25:14 --> 00:25:15 of people
00:25:15 --> 00:25:16 that share
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 that same experience
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 and that same status.
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 Because remember
00:25:20 --> 00:25:21 worship is
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 relational.
00:25:24 --> 00:25:25 Worship is about
00:25:25 --> 00:25:25 relating to
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 and loving
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 and adoring
00:25:27 --> 00:25:28 our Heavenly Father
00:25:28 --> 00:25:29 and when we gather
00:25:29 --> 00:25:30 with God's people
00:25:30 --> 00:25:32 we get to see God
00:25:32 --> 00:25:33 through what he is doing
00:25:33 --> 00:25:35 in the people around us.
00:25:35 --> 00:25:37 We get to see God
00:25:37 --> 00:25:37 fresh.
00:25:37 --> 00:25:39 We get a clearer vision
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 a fresh revelation
00:25:40 --> 00:25:40 of him
00:25:40 --> 00:25:41 when we see
00:25:41 --> 00:25:42 a brother or sister
00:25:42 --> 00:25:43 satisfied
00:25:43 --> 00:25:44 and joyful
00:25:44 --> 00:25:45 in God.
00:25:45 --> 00:25:47 We get to see God
00:25:47 --> 00:25:47 more clearly
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 when we see a brother
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 or sister
00:25:49 --> 00:25:50 persevering
00:25:50 --> 00:25:50 in difficulty.
00:25:51 --> 00:25:52 We get to see God
00:25:52 --> 00:25:53 as they sing
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 and celebrate
00:25:54 --> 00:25:55 God's goodness.
00:25:56 --> 00:25:57 Corporate worship
00:25:57 --> 00:25:59 is a chance
00:25:59 --> 00:25:59 for you
00:25:59 --> 00:26:00 to encounter
00:26:00 --> 00:26:01 God
00:26:01 --> 00:26:02 fresh.
00:26:05 --> 00:26:06 Our time
00:26:06 --> 00:26:07 together
00:26:07 --> 00:26:07 tonight
00:26:07 --> 00:26:09 is a chance
00:26:09 --> 00:26:09 for you
00:26:09 --> 00:26:10 to encounter
00:26:10 --> 00:26:10 God
00:26:10 --> 00:26:11 fresh.
00:26:13 --> 00:26:14 I wonder
00:26:14 --> 00:26:15 if you arrive
00:26:15 --> 00:26:15 tonight
00:26:15 --> 00:26:17 expecting God
00:26:17 --> 00:26:18 to reveal himself
00:26:18 --> 00:26:19 expecting him
00:26:19 --> 00:26:20 to be present
00:26:20 --> 00:26:24 because he's here
00:26:24 --> 00:26:26 in a unique way
00:26:26 --> 00:26:28 because we are here
00:26:28 --> 00:26:30 under his name
00:26:30 --> 00:26:31 and around his word.
00:26:32 --> 00:26:32 He wants
00:26:32 --> 00:26:33 to show himself
00:26:33 --> 00:26:34 to us
00:26:34 --> 00:26:34 tonight
00:26:34 --> 00:26:35 so that we might
00:26:35 --> 00:26:36 be more satisfied
00:26:36 --> 00:26:37 in him
00:26:37 --> 00:26:38 so that we might
00:26:38 --> 00:26:39 be strengthened
00:26:39 --> 00:26:40 to keep obeying him
00:26:40 --> 00:26:41 so that we might
00:26:41 --> 00:26:42 love him
00:26:42 --> 00:26:42 as he deserves
00:26:42 --> 00:26:44 so that we might
00:26:44 --> 00:26:44 trust him
00:26:44 --> 00:26:45 more fully.
00:26:46 --> 00:26:47 Did you come here
00:26:47 --> 00:26:48 to encounter
00:26:48 --> 00:26:49 the living
00:26:49 --> 00:26:51 saviour Jesus
00:26:51 --> 00:26:52 or did you come
00:26:52 --> 00:26:52 for a sermon
00:26:52 --> 00:26:53 that wouldn't go
00:26:53 --> 00:26:53 too long
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 and might be
00:26:54 --> 00:26:54 interesting
00:26:54 --> 00:26:56 or did you
00:26:56 --> 00:26:57 come for the music
00:26:57 --> 00:26:59 or did you
00:26:59 --> 00:26:59 come for the
00:26:59 --> 00:27:00 dinner afterwards
00:27:00 --> 00:27:02 which we're not
00:27:02 --> 00:27:02 providing
00:27:02 --> 00:27:03 just to clarify
00:27:03 --> 00:27:06 what were you
00:27:06 --> 00:27:06 expecting
00:27:06 --> 00:27:07 when you came
00:27:07 --> 00:27:10 God reveals
00:27:10 --> 00:27:10 himself
00:27:10 --> 00:27:11 in his
00:27:11 --> 00:27:12 gathered people
00:27:12 --> 00:27:14 for our sake
00:27:14 --> 00:27:16 and for those
00:27:16 --> 00:27:16 who don't know
00:27:16 --> 00:27:17 Jesus yet
00:27:17 --> 00:27:19 1 Corinthians 14
00:27:19 --> 00:27:19 is a passage
00:27:19 --> 00:27:21 that's correcting
00:27:21 --> 00:27:21 a church
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 for some mistakes
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 that they're making
00:27:23 --> 00:27:23 in their gathering
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 but it talks
00:27:24 --> 00:27:25 about an unbeliever
00:27:25 --> 00:27:26 that wanders
00:27:26 --> 00:27:26 into the church
00:27:26 --> 00:27:27 meeting
00:27:27 --> 00:27:28 and sees the church
00:27:28 --> 00:27:29 being the church
00:27:29 --> 00:27:30 doing their thing
00:27:30 --> 00:27:30 singing
00:27:30 --> 00:27:31 praising
00:27:31 --> 00:27:31 giving
00:27:31 --> 00:27:32 all those things
00:27:32 --> 00:27:34 and they fall
00:27:34 --> 00:27:34 down on their knees
00:27:34 --> 00:27:35 and respond
00:27:35 --> 00:27:36 with surely
00:27:36 --> 00:27:37 God is among you
00:27:37 --> 00:27:40 that's the response
00:27:40 --> 00:27:41 of an unbeliever
00:27:41 --> 00:27:42 who comes in
00:27:42 --> 00:27:43 and sees the gathered
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 people of God
00:27:44 --> 00:27:44 together
00:27:44 --> 00:27:46 the presence
00:27:46 --> 00:27:47 of God
00:27:47 --> 00:27:48 among his people
00:27:48 --> 00:27:49 is a gift
00:27:49 --> 00:27:50 to us
00:27:50 --> 00:27:52 it's a gift
00:27:52 --> 00:27:53 and an opportunity
00:27:53 --> 00:27:54 for us to see
00:27:54 --> 00:27:55 and be fed
00:27:55 --> 00:27:56 and encouraged
00:27:56 --> 00:27:57 and have a fuller
00:27:57 --> 00:27:57 revelation
00:27:57 --> 00:27:58 of who God is
00:27:58 --> 00:28:00 every time
00:28:00 --> 00:28:01 we gather like this
00:28:01 --> 00:28:01 is a chance
00:28:01 --> 00:28:02 for somebody
00:28:02 --> 00:28:03 who doesn't know
00:28:03 --> 00:28:03 Jesus
00:28:03 --> 00:28:04 to walk into
00:28:04 --> 00:28:05 the room
00:28:05 --> 00:28:05 and encounter
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 God
00:28:06 --> 00:28:10 sometimes we
00:28:10 --> 00:28:11 try and encourage
00:28:11 --> 00:28:11 you to bring
00:28:11 --> 00:28:12 your unsaved
00:28:12 --> 00:28:12 friends
00:28:12 --> 00:28:13 those who don't
00:28:13 --> 00:28:13 know Jesus
00:28:13 --> 00:28:14 along to church
00:28:14 --> 00:28:15 sometimes we have
00:28:15 --> 00:28:16 special evangelistic
00:28:16 --> 00:28:17 Sundays
00:28:17 --> 00:28:17 to help you do it
00:28:17 --> 00:28:18 we don't need
00:28:18 --> 00:28:19 special evangelistic
00:28:19 --> 00:28:20 Sundays
00:28:20 --> 00:28:21 the people of God
00:28:21 --> 00:28:22 together
00:28:22 --> 00:28:24 equals the presence
00:28:24 --> 00:28:24 of God
00:28:24 --> 00:28:27 so every time
00:28:27 --> 00:28:27 we gather
00:28:27 --> 00:28:28 is a good time
00:28:28 --> 00:28:29 to bring along
00:28:29 --> 00:28:29 someone who doesn't
00:28:29 --> 00:28:30 know Jesus
00:28:30 --> 00:28:31 because they can
00:28:31 --> 00:28:31 encounter
00:28:31 --> 00:28:32 God's love
00:28:32 --> 00:28:33 and grace
00:28:33 --> 00:28:34 in our relationships
00:28:34 --> 00:28:35 in the way
00:28:35 --> 00:28:36 that we serve
00:28:36 --> 00:28:37 one another
00:28:37 --> 00:28:39 in the way
00:28:39 --> 00:28:40 that we deal
00:28:40 --> 00:28:41 with suffering
00:28:41 --> 00:28:41 and difficulty
00:28:41 --> 00:28:44 in the joy
00:28:44 --> 00:28:45 and satisfaction
00:28:45 --> 00:28:45 and contentment
00:28:45 --> 00:28:46 that we know
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 in spite of our
00:28:47 --> 00:28:48 circumstances
00:28:48 --> 00:28:53 corporate worship
00:28:53 --> 00:28:54 is fed by the
00:28:54 --> 00:28:55 worship we do
00:28:55 --> 00:28:55 in the rest of our
00:28:55 --> 00:28:56 week
00:28:56 --> 00:28:56 but likewise
00:28:56 --> 00:28:58 when we gather
00:28:58 --> 00:28:59 and encounter
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 God together
00:29:00 --> 00:29:01 it feeds the
00:29:01 --> 00:29:02 worship that we do
00:29:02 --> 00:29:03 in the rest of the
00:29:03 --> 00:29:03 week
00:29:03 --> 00:29:06 loving God
00:29:06 --> 00:29:07 and obeying God
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 and encountering God
00:29:08 --> 00:29:09 and reflecting on God
00:29:09 --> 00:29:10 and responding to God
00:29:10 --> 00:29:10 together
00:29:10 --> 00:29:12 helps us to keep
00:29:12 --> 00:29:13 doing that in the rest
00:29:13 --> 00:29:14 of the week
00:29:14 --> 00:29:15 it feeds both ways
00:29:15 --> 00:29:17 and so I want to ask you
00:29:17 --> 00:29:18 is that where our
00:29:18 --> 00:29:19 Sunday gathering sits
00:29:19 --> 00:29:20 in your priorities
00:29:20 --> 00:29:21 for the week
00:29:21 --> 00:29:25 is this 5pm time slot
00:29:25 --> 00:29:26 an immovable object
00:29:26 --> 00:29:27 in your diary
00:29:27 --> 00:29:28 because you know
00:29:28 --> 00:29:29 that there is nothing
00:29:29 --> 00:29:30 more important
00:29:30 --> 00:29:31 more beneficial
00:29:31 --> 00:29:32 more joyful
00:29:32 --> 00:29:34 that you could possibly
00:29:34 --> 00:29:34 do with your time
00:29:34 --> 00:29:37 or is this locked
00:29:37 --> 00:29:37 in
00:29:37 --> 00:29:39 unless you get
00:29:39 --> 00:29:39 a better offer
00:29:39 --> 00:29:42 is it immovable
00:29:42 --> 00:29:43 except for when
00:29:43 --> 00:29:44 there is a party
00:29:44 --> 00:29:44 or a dinner date
00:29:44 --> 00:29:46 or an exam
00:29:46 --> 00:29:48 or an assignment
00:29:48 --> 00:29:50 do you wake up
00:29:50 --> 00:29:51 on Sunday mornings
00:29:51 --> 00:29:53 just unable
00:29:53 --> 00:29:53 to sleep in
00:29:53 --> 00:29:54 because you know
00:29:54 --> 00:29:55 that today is the day
00:29:55 --> 00:29:55 you get to gather
00:29:55 --> 00:29:56 with God's people
00:29:56 --> 00:29:57 and enjoy his presence
00:29:57 --> 00:30:00 or do you not really
00:30:00 --> 00:30:00 think about it
00:30:00 --> 00:30:01 until about 10 to 5
00:30:01 --> 00:30:02 when you realise
00:30:02 --> 00:30:02 you are running late
00:30:02 --> 00:30:03 and you need to
00:30:03 --> 00:30:03 race here quickly
00:30:03 --> 00:30:05 because God
00:30:05 --> 00:30:06 has designed this
00:30:06 --> 00:30:07 to be a gift
00:30:07 --> 00:30:09 for you
00:30:09 --> 00:30:11 so part of our
00:30:11 --> 00:30:12 challenge is
00:30:12 --> 00:30:13 we come here
00:30:13 --> 00:30:13 with our eyes
00:30:13 --> 00:30:14 half closed
00:30:14 --> 00:30:17 we come here
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 not ready
00:30:17 --> 00:30:18 to encounter God
00:30:18 --> 00:30:20 not willing
00:30:20 --> 00:30:21 to hear him
00:30:21 --> 00:30:23 as he encourages us
00:30:23 --> 00:30:23 not willing
00:30:23 --> 00:30:24 to see him
00:30:24 --> 00:30:25 as he strengthens
00:30:25 --> 00:30:25 the person
00:30:25 --> 00:30:26 next to us
00:30:26 --> 00:30:31 this is a gift
00:30:31 --> 00:30:32 from God
00:30:32 --> 00:30:33 this is an opportunity
00:30:33 --> 00:30:34 and a blessing
00:30:34 --> 00:30:36 especially here in Sydney
00:30:36 --> 00:30:38 free from persecution
00:30:38 --> 00:30:41 this Sunday gathering
00:30:41 --> 00:30:42 this service
00:30:42 --> 00:30:43 this community
00:30:43 --> 00:30:43 has the potential
00:30:43 --> 00:30:45 to be more than a shot
00:30:45 --> 00:30:46 in the arm for the week
00:30:46 --> 00:30:48 this could be a life
00:30:48 --> 00:30:49 transforming hour
00:30:49 --> 00:30:50 for you
00:30:50 --> 00:30:51 every Sunday night
00:30:51 --> 00:30:53 where you encounter
00:30:53 --> 00:30:55 the risen Jesus
00:30:55 --> 00:30:57 have your heart
00:30:57 --> 00:30:57 re-inflamed
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 to love him
00:30:59 --> 00:31:00 and obey him
00:31:00 --> 00:31:01 and serve him
00:31:01 --> 00:31:03 and you go out
00:31:03 --> 00:31:03 into the rest
00:31:03 --> 00:31:04 of your week
00:31:04 --> 00:31:04 just busting
00:31:04 --> 00:31:05 to keep
00:31:05 --> 00:31:06 loving him
00:31:06 --> 00:31:07 and serving him
00:31:07 --> 00:31:08 as you spend time
00:31:08 --> 00:31:09 in your word
00:31:09 --> 00:31:10 as you go to work
00:31:10 --> 00:31:10 as you eat
00:31:10 --> 00:31:11 and drink
00:31:11 --> 00:31:11 and do whatever
00:31:11 --> 00:31:12 it is that God
00:31:12 --> 00:31:13 gives you to do
00:31:13 --> 00:31:14 all for his glory
00:31:14 --> 00:31:18 today
00:31:18 --> 00:31:19 today was really
00:31:19 --> 00:31:19 an answer
00:31:19 --> 00:31:20 to a whole bunch
00:31:20 --> 00:31:20 of questions
00:31:20 --> 00:31:22 there's still more
00:31:22 --> 00:31:22 questions
00:31:22 --> 00:31:23 and we've got
00:31:23 --> 00:31:23 a couple more
00:31:23 --> 00:31:24 weeks to go
00:31:24 --> 00:31:26 it's not just
00:31:26 --> 00:31:27 about where
00:31:27 --> 00:31:27 and when
00:31:27 --> 00:31:29 but also
00:31:29 --> 00:31:30 why we do this
00:31:30 --> 00:31:33 and all of it
00:31:33 --> 00:31:34 comes back
00:31:34 --> 00:31:35 to last week
00:31:35 --> 00:31:37 it's all because
00:31:37 --> 00:31:38 of who we worship
00:31:38 --> 00:31:40 worship is all
00:31:40 --> 00:31:41 of life
00:31:41 --> 00:31:41 because our God
00:31:41 --> 00:31:42 is that big
00:31:42 --> 00:31:43 and that worthy
00:31:43 --> 00:31:45 and this matters
00:31:45 --> 00:31:46 because God
00:31:46 --> 00:31:47 says this matters
00:31:47 --> 00:31:48 because God
00:31:48 --> 00:31:49 has made this matter
00:31:49 --> 00:31:50 because God
00:31:50 --> 00:31:51 has put himself
00:31:51 --> 00:31:53 here when we gather
00:31:53 --> 00:31:55 and said this is a gift
00:31:55 --> 00:31:56 this is an opportunity
00:31:56 --> 00:31:57 this is a blessing
00:31:57 --> 00:32:00 I read this morning
00:32:00 --> 00:32:02 in Psalm 121
00:32:02 --> 00:32:03 verse 3
00:32:03 --> 00:32:05 he will not let
00:32:05 --> 00:32:05 your foot slip
00:32:05 --> 00:32:06 he who watches
00:32:06 --> 00:32:07 over you
00:32:07 --> 00:32:08 will not slumber
00:32:08 --> 00:32:12 our God
00:32:12 --> 00:32:14 never rests
00:32:14 --> 00:32:16 from doing
00:32:16 --> 00:32:16 his work
00:32:16 --> 00:32:18 he never rests
00:32:18 --> 00:32:19 from being perfect
00:32:19 --> 00:32:20 and just
00:32:20 --> 00:32:20 and glorious
00:32:20 --> 00:32:21 and holy
00:32:21 --> 00:32:22 and righteous
00:32:22 --> 00:32:24 and loving us
00:32:24 --> 00:32:26 and so he is
00:32:26 --> 00:32:27 always
00:32:27 --> 00:32:27 worthy
00:32:27 --> 00:32:29 of our all
00:32:29 --> 00:32:30 in every minute
00:32:30 --> 00:32:31 of every day
00:32:31 --> 00:32:34 and that same God
00:32:34 --> 00:32:35 who never rests
00:32:35 --> 00:32:37 reveals himself
00:32:37 --> 00:32:38 uniquely
00:32:38 --> 00:32:39 when we gather
00:32:39 --> 00:32:40 in his name
00:32:40 --> 00:32:46 so let me finish
00:32:46 --> 00:32:47 with the words
00:32:47 --> 00:32:49 from Corinthians
00:32:49 --> 00:32:51 because he's worthy
00:32:51 --> 00:32:53 whether you eat
00:32:53 --> 00:32:54 or drink
00:32:54 --> 00:32:55 or whatever you do
00:32:55 --> 00:32:57 do it all
00:32:57 --> 00:32:58 for the glory
00:32:58 --> 00:32:58 of God
00:32:58 --> 00:33:01 whether you work
00:33:01 --> 00:33:02 or study
00:33:02 --> 00:33:03 or sleep
00:33:03 --> 00:33:05 or rest
00:33:05 --> 00:33:07 or gather
00:33:07 --> 00:33:09 do it all
00:33:09 --> 00:33:10 for the glory
00:33:10 --> 00:33:11 of God
00:33:11 --> 00:33:12 because he's worthy
00:33:12 --> 00:33:16 let's pray
00:33:16 --> 00:33:22 Father God
00:33:22 --> 00:33:23 we want to ask
00:33:23 --> 00:33:23 that you would
00:33:23 --> 00:33:24 protect us
00:33:24 --> 00:33:24 from a small
00:33:24 --> 00:33:25 vision of you
00:33:25 --> 00:33:27 we want to ask
00:33:27 --> 00:33:28 that you would
00:33:28 --> 00:33:28 stop us
00:33:28 --> 00:33:30 from containing
00:33:30 --> 00:33:31 you into a time
00:33:31 --> 00:33:31 or a place
00:33:31 --> 00:33:32 or a routine
00:33:32 --> 00:33:33 or a ritual
00:33:33 --> 00:33:35 help us
00:33:35 --> 00:33:35 to see you
00:33:35 --> 00:33:36 in all of your
00:33:36 --> 00:33:38 glory and majesty
00:33:38 --> 00:33:39 help us
00:33:39 --> 00:33:39 to grasp
00:33:39 --> 00:33:40 the privilege
00:33:40 --> 00:33:41 of knowing you
00:33:41 --> 00:33:42 and relating to you
00:33:42 --> 00:33:42 and worshipping you
00:33:42 --> 00:33:45 help us
00:33:45 --> 00:33:45 to be people
00:33:45 --> 00:33:46 who joyfully
00:33:46 --> 00:33:47 wake up
00:33:47 --> 00:33:48 every day
00:33:48 --> 00:33:49 to give
00:33:49 --> 00:33:50 every moment
00:33:50 --> 00:33:50 to you
00:33:50 --> 00:33:53 to lean on you
00:33:53 --> 00:33:53 in faith
00:33:53 --> 00:33:54 and to trust
00:33:54 --> 00:33:55 your goodness
00:33:55 --> 00:33:57 help us
00:33:57 --> 00:33:57 to be people
00:33:57 --> 00:33:58 who delight
00:33:58 --> 00:33:59 in gathering
00:33:59 --> 00:34:00 as your people
00:34:00 --> 00:34:02 help us
00:34:02 --> 00:34:02 to come here
00:34:02 --> 00:34:03 expectant
00:34:03 --> 00:34:04 that you will
00:34:04 --> 00:34:05 reveal yourself
00:34:05 --> 00:34:05 to us
00:34:05 --> 00:34:07 help us
00:34:07 --> 00:34:08 to invite
00:34:08 --> 00:34:08 boldly
00:34:08 --> 00:34:09 knowing that
00:34:09 --> 00:34:10 you will be
00:34:10 --> 00:34:10 present
00:34:10 --> 00:34:11 at the gathering
00:34:11 --> 00:34:12 of your people
00:34:12 --> 00:34:15 help us
00:34:15 --> 00:34:15 to be transformed
00:34:15 --> 00:34:16 as we meet
00:34:16 --> 00:34:16 with you
00:34:16 --> 00:34:17 each week
00:34:17 --> 00:34:19 may this time
00:34:19 --> 00:34:20 truly be
00:34:20 --> 00:34:20 a life
00:34:20 --> 00:34:21 shaping
00:34:21 --> 00:34:22 hour together
00:34:22 --> 00:34:26 may this
00:34:26 --> 00:34:26 community
00:34:26 --> 00:34:27 be one
00:34:27 --> 00:34:27 that reflects
00:34:27 --> 00:34:28 the God
00:34:28 --> 00:34:28 that it
00:34:28 --> 00:34:29 worships
00:34:29 --> 00:34:32 we ask
00:34:32 --> 00:34:33 this in your
00:34:33 --> 00:34:34 son's name
00:34:34 --> 00:34:35 amen