2022/Sunday Worship - January 2, 2022_transcript.txt

[0.00 --> 15.34]  Oh, you are God, and we lift you up, we'll keep singing, we'll keep praising, we won't
[15.34 --> 21.70]  stop giving all we got, cause you're worthy of all glory.
[21.70 --> 38.70]  Oh, there is no other, you are forever, Lord over all, there's nobody like you, no one beside you, that's what we sing out to you.
[38.70 --> 50.62]  Oh, let endless praise resound, every night and day, and with no delay, let endless praise resound.
[51.14 --> 51.90]  Let's go!
[51.90 --> 81.88]  Let's go!
[81.90 --> 98.90]  Creation, keep singing, oh, there is no other, you are forever, Lord over all, there's nobody like you, no one beside you.
[98.90 --> 114.08]  To you, let endless praise resound, every night and day, and with no delay, let endless praise resound.
[114.08 --> 132.10]  Let's go!
[132.10 --> 147.32]  We lift you up, up, up
[147.32 --> 151.06]  We're giving you our love, love, love
[151.06 --> 154.74]  For everything you've done, done, done
[154.74 --> 159.58]  Oh, we give you all the praise
[159.58 --> 162.28]  We lift you up, up, up
[162.28 --> 166.00]  We're giving you our love, love, love
[166.00 --> 169.78]  For everything you've done, done, done
[169.78 --> 174.72]  Oh, we give you all the praise
[174.72 --> 175.72]  Let's go!
[175.72 --> 190.42]  Oh, we give you all the praise
[190.42 --> 196.92]  To you, let endless praise resound
[196.92 --> 201.12]  Every night and day, and with no delay
[201.12 --> 204.50]  Let endless praise resound
[204.50 --> 211.58]  To you, let endless praise resound
[211.58 --> 216.28]  Every night and day, and with no delay
[216.28 --> 219.40]  Let endless praise resound
[219.40 --> 221.20]  To you
[221.20 --> 222.78]  Let endless praise resound
[223.72 --> 225.80]  All tolerated
[225.80 --> 228.42]  I've got one
[228.48 --> 229.52]  Oh, I love
[229.52 --> 231.24]  Oh, I love
[231.24 --> 232.06]  Oh, I love
[232.06 --> 232.90]  Oh, I love
[232.90 --> 233.30]  I love
[233.30 --> 234.42]  Oh, I love
[234.42 --> 236.40]  Oh, I love
[236.40 --> 236.68]  Ah...
[236.68 --> 237.18]  Ah...
[237.92 --> 238.44]  Oh, I love
[238.44 --> 239.32]  Oh, I love
[239.32 --> 240.24]  Oh, I love
[240.24 --> 241.04]  Oh, I love
[241.04 --> 255.36]  I can see it clearly now.
[255.36 --> 259.24]  There's a reason for this sign.
[261.08 --> 262.64]  It's Jesus.
[266.16 --> 270.16]  At the core of who I am.
[270.16 --> 274.40]  Is the written Son of man.
[276.04 --> 277.40]  It's Jesus.
[280.00 --> 280.60]  Yeah.
[281.60 --> 284.10]  You're like no other.
[285.30 --> 287.56]  For your love is greater.
[289.02 --> 293.16]  And you are the center of it all.
[294.16 --> 295.92]  It's all about you.
[295.92 --> 296.18]  Yeah.
[297.18 --> 299.62]  It's all about you.
[300.16 --> 303.32]  It's all about you.
[304.40 --> 307.00]  It's all about you.
[307.90 --> 308.24]  Yeah.
[308.24 --> 308.74]  Yeah.
[308.74 --> 309.98]  Yeah.
[309.98 --> 312.22]  Yeah.
[312.36 --> 313.48]  Yeah.
[319.12 --> 320.00]  Yeah.
[320.10 --> 320.60]  Yeah.
[320.60 --> 321.28]  Yeah.
[321.56 --> 321.92]  Yeah.
[321.92 --> 322.02]  Yeah.
[322.02 --> 322.52]  Yeah.
[322.52 --> 324.60]  Yeah.
[325.00 --> 327.90]  Yeah.
[327.90 --> 338.30]  i exist to bring you praise and to shout no other name but jesus
[342.70 --> 348.46]  you're like no other for your love is greater
[350.06 --> 353.58]  and you are the center of it all
[357.90 --> 359.90]  it's all about you
[361.90 --> 363.90]  it's all about you
[365.90 --> 367.90]  it's all about you
[367.90 --> 369.90]  yeah
[377.90 --> 379.90]  come on
[379.90 --> 381.90]  many
[383.90 --> 385.90]  do
[385.90 --> 390.08]  It's all about you
[390.08 --> 394.02]  It's all about you
[394.02 --> 397.70]  It's all about you
[397.70 --> 404.82]  You are the first, you are the last
[404.82 --> 408.54]  You are my future, cause you're from my past
[408.54 --> 412.08]  You are the reason why I say
[412.08 --> 415.98]  It's all about you
[415.98 --> 419.78]  It's all about you
[419.78 --> 423.32]  I'm living for you
[423.32 --> 427.44]  It's all about you
[442.08 --> 445.74]  It's all about you
[445.74 --> 447.98]  It's all about you
[447.98 --> 469.98]  Come on, jerk, put your hands up
[469.98 --> 476.68]  Hey, hey, hey, hey
[476.68 --> 479.78]  Let's go
[479.78 --> 493.66]  I want to hear you sing this out with us
[493.66 --> 498.10]  I will not be shaken
[498.10 --> 502.90]  When troubles come, you're the one I call
[502.90 --> 505.72]  You are my foundation
[505.72 --> 510.26]  A solid rock I will stand on
[510.26 --> 514.14]  There's no need to fear for the battle is won
[514.14 --> 517.10]  The battle is won in you
[517.10 --> 520.84]  My future is short for my God
[520.84 --> 521.84]  You are strong
[521.84 --> 524.78]  My God, you are breaking through
[524.78 --> 526.88]  If death is defeated
[526.88 --> 530.70]  All praise to you, Jesus
[530.70 --> 535.30]  If death is defeated
[535.30 --> 538.10]  Then I'll be considered against
[538.10 --> 538.90]  Come on, church
[538.90 --> 541.34]  The name of Jesus
[541.34 --> 556.20]  Somebody make some noise in this place
[556.20 --> 560.00]  You're my only focus
[560.00 --> 560.80]  You're my only focus
[560.80 --> 564.96]  The only way to a life of freedom
[564.96 --> 568.00]  You await my purpose
[568.00 --> 571.66]  Now I live for your kingdom
[571.66 --> 576.04]  There's no need to fear for the battle is won
[576.04 --> 578.98]  The battle is won in you
[578.98 --> 582.80]  My future is short for my God
[582.80 --> 583.68]  You are strong
[583.68 --> 586.74]  My God, you are breaking through
[586.74 --> 588.78]  If death is defeated
[588.78 --> 592.60]  All praise to you, Jesus
[592.60 --> 597.20]  If death is defeated
[597.20 --> 600.36]  Then I think it's considered against
[600.36 --> 603.42]  In the name of Jesus
[603.42 --> 611.42]  Nothing is shared against
[611.42 --> 616.74]  I want to see everybody getting up in this place
[616.74 --> 621.40]  Good morning!
[622.18 --> 625.04]  Welcome to church and Happy New Year!
[627.36 --> 630.12]  Oh, it was a happier New Year over here, I think,
[630.12 --> 631.72]  Based on that response
[631.72 --> 634.70]  Oh, there you go
[634.70 --> 637.44]  It was the happiest of New Year's for Lena
[637.44 --> 638.34]  Excellent
[638.34 --> 641.90]  If you're participating with us online
[641.90 --> 643.58]  We just had a little interaction here
[643.58 --> 644.52]  That you didn't hear
[644.52 --> 646.38]  So sorry that you missed that part
[646.38 --> 648.30]  To you online, welcome
[648.30 --> 650.44]  And thank you for joining us as well
[650.44 --> 651.18]  My name is Chris
[651.18 --> 653.16]  I'm one of the pastors here
[653.16 --> 656.08]  And it's my privilege, along with these on stage
[656.08 --> 657.18]  And yet a couple others
[657.18 --> 659.04]  To lead us in our worship
[659.04 --> 661.36]  This New Year's
[661.36 --> 665.22]  Or this first Sunday of New Year's together
[665.22 --> 668.94]  We are excited to kick this year off
[668.94 --> 670.22]  With worship
[670.22 --> 673.18]  We know that there are all sorts of chaoses
[673.18 --> 676.22]  That are challenging our attentions
[676.22 --> 677.14]  And our focus
[677.14 --> 679.62]  And things that are drawing us
[679.62 --> 681.24]  And pulling us this way and that
[681.24 --> 682.86]  And we want to just center ourselves
[682.86 --> 684.94]  On God and with Him
[684.94 --> 687.26]  For an hour or so
[687.26 --> 688.22]  Together
[688.22 --> 690.22]  Before we begin
[690.22 --> 692.70]  I just want to make one announcement
[692.70 --> 695.98]  And then Kevin is going to make an announcement as well
[695.98 --> 701.44]  But with the delayed return to school for kids
[701.44 --> 705.26]  We are also pushing back the start of the cadet program
[705.26 --> 707.60]  Which was scheduled to start this week
[707.60 --> 709.66]  And so we have in the past
[709.66 --> 711.54]  Tied our children's programs
[711.54 --> 713.28]  To the school programs
[713.28 --> 714.84]  And so
[714.84 --> 716.98]  As providing clarity and consistency
[716.98 --> 718.52]  So we wanted to just put that out
[718.52 --> 719.36]  For the cadets
[719.36 --> 721.00]  That's our boys group
[721.00 --> 724.06]  You're not starting this week Thursday
[724.06 --> 725.10]  But you will start
[725.10 --> 726.24]  Lord willing
[726.24 --> 728.62]  Two weeks removed from that
[728.62 --> 730.80]  But we'll have a staff meeting this week
[730.80 --> 732.42]  To discuss the rest of our ministries
[732.42 --> 734.20]  With everything else that's going on as well
[734.20 --> 735.60]  So you hear that
[735.60 --> 737.00]  And then Kevin has one more
[737.00 --> 740.64]  It's coming
[740.64 --> 741.12]  There it is
[741.12 --> 741.86]  Good morning everyone
[741.86 --> 744.42]  I wanted to give a giant thank you
[744.42 --> 745.46]  To all of you here
[745.46 --> 746.36]  All of you online
[746.36 --> 748.48]  And people beyond the walls of this church as well
[748.48 --> 750.24]  For a very successful Dressember
[750.24 --> 750.76]  The youth
[750.76 --> 751.84]  A bunch of the youth and leaders
[751.84 --> 752.54]  And some parents
[752.54 --> 753.76]  Wore dresses and ties
[753.76 --> 755.06]  The whole month of December
[755.06 --> 756.24]  To raise awareness
[756.24 --> 757.40]  And funds
[757.40 --> 759.40]  To fight human trafficking in this world
[759.40 --> 761.12]  And we raised over
[761.12 --> 762.78]  It was about $7,600
[762.78 --> 764.62]  So just a huge thank you
[764.62 --> 766.24]  To all who were involved in that
[766.24 --> 768.22]  For being bombarded online
[768.22 --> 769.12]  On social media
[769.12 --> 770.22]  With constant posts
[770.22 --> 771.06]  And pictures of people
[771.06 --> 771.92]  In ties and dresses
[771.92 --> 774.20]  It was I would say a big success
[774.20 --> 776.16]  So both the awareness portion
[776.16 --> 777.18]  And the funds portion
[777.18 --> 777.78]  Went very well
[777.78 --> 778.68]  So a big thank you
[778.68 --> 779.44]  To all of you
[779.44 --> 779.96]  Thanks
[779.96 --> 787.66]  Let's kick off
[787.66 --> 789.78]  Our new year of worship together
[789.78 --> 790.24]  Shall we?
[790.32 --> 791.00]  Why don't you stand
[791.00 --> 791.70]  If you're able
[791.70 --> 792.98]  And present here
[792.98 --> 795.78]  And take on
[795.78 --> 797.26]  A posture of worship
[797.26 --> 798.14]  And of receipt
[798.14 --> 799.70]  As we enter into
[799.70 --> 800.62]  God's presence
[800.62 --> 801.68]  Together
[801.68 --> 802.62]  Receive the greeting
[802.62 --> 803.62]  Of our God
[803.62 --> 805.32]  Grace
[805.32 --> 806.88]  Mercy
[806.88 --> 808.20]  And peace
[808.20 --> 808.86]  To you
[808.86 --> 810.12]  From God
[810.12 --> 810.64]  Our Father
[810.64 --> 811.18]  From the Lord
[811.18 --> 811.88]  Jesus Christ
[811.88 --> 812.44]  His Son
[812.44 --> 813.44]  And our Savior
[813.44 --> 814.54]  Through the presence
[814.54 --> 815.30]  And power
[815.30 --> 816.80]  Of the Holy Spirit
[816.80 --> 819.12]  Amen
[819.12 --> 821.12]  Before we start
[821.12 --> 822.42]  It's a new year
[822.42 --> 823.24]  So I'm going to do this
[823.24 --> 824.00]  Okay
[824.00 --> 826.04]  When my hands go from here
[826.04 --> 826.78]  To here
[826.78 --> 828.56]  That's your cue
[828.56 --> 829.12]  To say
[829.12 --> 829.74]  Amen
[829.74 --> 832.18]  So I'm not going to say
[832.18 --> 833.20]  And all God's people said
[833.20 --> 834.54]  That's just your cue
[834.54 --> 835.68]  I've been trying for a year
[835.68 --> 836.32]  To get you guys
[836.32 --> 837.08]  To figure that out
[837.08 --> 838.50]  And you haven't done it
[838.50 --> 839.56]  And so now
[839.56 --> 840.88]  I'm explicitly stating
[840.88 --> 842.34]  My hands are up here
[842.34 --> 842.90]  Giving the blessing
[842.90 --> 843.94]  And they move down here
[843.94 --> 845.52]  Amen
[845.52 --> 846.46]  Thank you
[846.46 --> 848.34]  Liturgical practices
[848.34 --> 848.94]  We're learning
[848.94 --> 854.50]  Our call to worship
[854.50 --> 855.12]  This morning
[855.12 --> 856.92]  Comes from a favorite verse
[856.92 --> 860.74]  Jeremiah 29 verse 11
[860.74 --> 862.56]  For I know the plans
[862.56 --> 863.40]  I have for you
[863.40 --> 864.34]  Declares the Lord
[864.34 --> 866.40]  Plans to prosper you
[866.40 --> 867.88]  And not to harm you
[867.88 --> 869.74]  Plans to give you hope
[869.74 --> 870.72]  And a future
[870.72 --> 874.10]  Whether 2021 brought us success
[874.10 --> 875.84]  Fulfillment and joy
[875.84 --> 877.28]  Or we faced grief
[877.28 --> 878.64]  Or setbacks
[878.64 --> 880.12]  Or frustrations and trouble
[880.12 --> 882.86]  We can know that God was with us
[882.86 --> 884.22]  Every step of the way
[884.22 --> 887.02]  We can look forward to this new year again
[887.02 --> 887.82]  With the hope
[887.82 --> 888.88]  And the assurance
[888.88 --> 889.98]  That our Heavenly Father
[889.98 --> 891.24]  Is faithful and good
[891.24 --> 892.76]  And He loves us
[892.76 --> 894.82]  He cares deeply for us
[894.82 --> 897.70]  And He will always be with us
[897.70 --> 899.72]  With this hope in mind
[899.72 --> 900.34]  Let's pray
[900.34 --> 902.60]  Heavenly Father
[902.60 --> 904.16]  Thank you that you make
[904.16 --> 905.10]  All things new
[905.10 --> 907.18]  As another year has begun
[907.18 --> 908.36]  Help us to live
[908.36 --> 909.44]  Every day for you
[909.44 --> 911.58]  No matter what comes our way
[911.58 --> 913.14]  We trust you
[913.14 --> 913.16]  We trust you
[913.16 --> 915.46]  Because we know you have a plan for us
[915.46 --> 917.14]  And your mercies are new
[917.14 --> 917.94]  Every morning
[917.94 --> 919.54]  And nothing ahead of us
[919.54 --> 921.32]  Will take you by surprise
[921.32 --> 924.04]  We praise you for your unfailing goodness
[924.04 --> 925.24]  And love for us
[925.24 --> 927.82]  In Jesus' precious name we pray
[927.82 --> 929.70]  Amen
[929.70 --> 931.96]  Please join us in singing
[931.96 --> 933.24]  Of the goodness of God
[933.24 --> 945.04]  I love you Lord
[945.04 --> 949.70]  Oh your mercy never fails me
[949.70 --> 953.52]  All my days
[953.52 --> 957.64]  I've been held in your hands
[957.64 --> 961.24]  From the moment that I wake up
[961.24 --> 964.76]  Until I lay my head
[964.76 --> 967.04]  I will sing
[967.04 --> 971.64]  Of the goodness of God
[971.64 --> 972.64]  I love you Lord
[972.64 --> 975.86]  And all my life
[975.86 --> 978.24]  You have been faithful
[978.24 --> 983.06]  And all my life
[983.06 --> 986.88]  You have been so, so good
[986.88 --> 992.64]  With every breath that I am able
[992.64 --> 995.86]  I will sing
[995.86 --> 999.46]  Of the goodness of God
[999.46 --> 1004.14]  I love your voice
[1004.14 --> 1008.26]  You have led me through the fire
[1008.26 --> 1011.72]  In darkest night
[1011.72 --> 1015.18]  You are close like no other
[1015.18 --> 1018.84]  I've known you as a father
[1018.84 --> 1023.00]  I've known you as a friend
[1023.00 --> 1025.70]  And I have lived
[1025.70 --> 1029.00]  In the goodness of God
[1029.00 --> 1033.68]  And all my life
[1033.68 --> 1036.60]  You have been faithful
[1036.60 --> 1041.28]  And all my life
[1041.28 --> 1045.00]  You have been so, so good
[1045.00 --> 1050.68]  With every breath that I am able
[1050.68 --> 1055.36]  I will sing
[1055.36 --> 1058.28]  Of the goodness of God
[1058.28 --> 1063.56]  Your goodness is running after you
[1063.56 --> 1066.32]  It's running after me
[1066.32 --> 1070.56]  Your goodness is running after you
[1070.56 --> 1073.28]  It's running after me
[1073.28 --> 1075.60]  With my life laid down
[1075.60 --> 1077.40]  I surrender now
[1077.40 --> 1079.74]  I give you everything
[1079.74 --> 1084.96]  Your goodness is running after you
[1084.96 --> 1087.28]  It's running after me
[1087.28 --> 1091.96]  Your goodness is running after you
[1091.96 --> 1094.72]  It's running after me
[1094.72 --> 1102.32]  Your goodness is running after me
[1102.32 --> 1104.10]  With my life laid down
[1104.10 --> 1105.90]  I surrender now
[1105.90 --> 1108.24]  I give you everything
[1108.24 --> 1112.92]  Your goodness is running after you
[1112.92 --> 1117.60]  It's running after me
[1117.60 --> 1121.28]  All my life
[1121.28 --> 1123.28]  You have been faithful
[1123.28 --> 1127.96]  All my life
[1127.96 --> 1128.96]  You have been faithful
[1128.96 --> 1129.96]  You have been faithful
[1129.96 --> 1130.96]  You have been faithful
[1130.96 --> 1131.96]  You have been faithful
[1131.96 --> 1133.96]  You have been faithful
[1133.96 --> 1135.96]  With every breath that I am able
[1135.96 --> 1137.96]  I will sing of the goodness of God
[1137.96 --> 1143.96]  I will sing of the goodness of God
[1143.96 --> 1148.18]  I will sing of the goodness of God
[1148.18 --> 1154.46]  I will sing of the goodness of God
[1154.46 --> 1182.88]  You unravel me
[1182.88 --> 1185.82]  With a melody
[1185.82 --> 1189.58]  You surround me
[1189.58 --> 1192.72]  With a song
[1192.72 --> 1197.12]  Of deliverance
[1197.12 --> 1200.54]  From my enemies
[1200.54 --> 1206.30]  Till all my fears are gone
[1206.30 --> 1213.56]  I'm no longer a slave to fear
[1213.56 --> 1220.46]  I am a child of all
[1220.46 --> 1227.30]  I'm no longer a slave to fear
[1227.30 --> 1235.30]  I am a child of all
[1235.30 --> 1241.92]  From my mother's womb
[1241.92 --> 1245.96]  You have chosen me
[1245.96 --> 1251.74]  Love has called my name
[1251.74 --> 1256.10]  I've been born again
[1256.10 --> 1259.00]  Into your family
[1259.00 --> 1265.90]  Your blood flows through my veins
[1265.90 --> 1272.54]  I'm no longer a slave to fear
[1272.54 --> 1279.74]  I am a child of all
[1279.74 --> 1287.06]  I'm no longer a slave to fear
[1287.06 --> 1293.74]  I am a child of God
[1293.74 --> 1300.40]  I'm no longer a slave to fear
[1300.40 --> 1307.74]  I am a child of God
[1307.74 --> 1315.06]  I'm no longer a slave to fear
[1315.06 --> 1321.06]  I am a child of God
[1321.06 --> 1340.38]  You split the sea so I could walk right through it
[1340.38 --> 1345.06]  My fears are drowned in perfect God
[1345.06 --> 1352.38]  You rescued me so I could stand
[1352.38 --> 1353.38]  And sing
[1353.38 --> 1359.70]  I am a child of God
[1359.70 --> 1361.70]  You saved me so I could stand
[1361.70 --> 1362.70]  And sing
[1362.70 --> 1363.70]  I am a child of God
[1363.70 --> 1367.70]  You split the sea so I could walk right through it
[1367.70 --> 1371.70]  My fears are drowned in perfect love
[1371.70 --> 1379.02]  You rescued me so I could stand
[1379.02 --> 1381.02]  And sing
[1381.02 --> 1383.02]  I am a child of God
[1383.02 --> 1387.02]  I am a child of God
[1387.02 --> 1394.34]  I am a child of God
[1394.34 --> 1401.66]  I am a child of God
[1401.66 --> 1402.98]  I am a child of God
[1402.98 --> 1406.98]  I am a child of God
[1406.98 --> 1414.98]  Our next song is a song called Stronger, which I know the kids know quite well, and in particular the actions to the song.
[1414.98 --> 1417.98]  So we would love to see you doing those actions
[1417.98 --> 1421.98]  And maybe if you do them big enough, the adults will join you and be inspired
[1421.98 --> 1423.98]  So here we go
[1423.98 --> 1452.98]  There is love that came for us
[1452.98 --> 1457.98]  Humble to a sinner's cross
[1457.98 --> 1462.98]  You broke by shame and sinfulness
[1462.98 --> 1468.98]  You rose again victorious
[1468.98 --> 1475.98]  Faithfulness none can deny
[1475.98 --> 1480.98]  Through the storm and through the fire
[1480.98 --> 1485.98]  There is truth that sets me free
[1485.98 --> 1491.98]  Jesus Christ who lives in me
[1491.98 --> 1494.98]  You are stronger
[1494.98 --> 1496.98]  You are stronger
[1496.98 --> 1498.98]  You are stronger
[1498.98 --> 1500.98]  Sin is broken
[1500.98 --> 1503.98]  You have saved me
[1503.98 --> 1505.98]  It is written
[1505.98 --> 1508.98]  Christ is risen
[1508.98 --> 1513.98]  Jesus you are Lord of all
[1513.98 --> 1520.98]  No beginning
[1520.98 --> 1523.98]  And no end
[1523.98 --> 1525.98]  You're my hope
[1525.98 --> 1527.98]  And my defense
[1527.98 --> 1528.98]  You came to see
[1528.98 --> 1530.98]  You came to see
[1530.98 --> 1532.98]  And save the lost
[1532.98 --> 1534.98]  You paid it all
[1534.98 --> 1536.98]  You paid it all
[1536.98 --> 1541.98]  Upon the cross
[1541.98 --> 1544.98]  You are stronger
[1544.98 --> 1545.98]  You are stronger
[1545.98 --> 1546.98]  You are stronger
[1546.98 --> 1549.98]  Sin is broken
[1549.98 --> 1551.98]  You are quicker
[1551.98 --> 1552.98]  You are stronger
[1552.98 --> 1553.98]  You are stronger
[1553.98 --> 1566.98]  You did get it all
[1566.98 --> 1571.72]  Be lifted higher
[1571.72 --> 1574.68]  Be lifted higher
[1574.68 --> 1579.26]  So let your name be lifted higher
[1579.26 --> 1581.98]  Be lifted higher
[1581.98 --> 1584.50]  Be lifted higher
[1584.50 --> 1589.42]  So let your name be lifted higher
[1589.42 --> 1591.98]  Be lifted higher
[1591.98 --> 1594.46]  Be lifted higher
[1594.46 --> 1599.48]  So let your name be lifted higher
[1599.48 --> 1601.98]  Be lifted higher
[1601.98 --> 1604.38]  Be lifted higher
[1604.38 --> 1608.16]  You are stronger
[1608.16 --> 1610.76]  You are stronger
[1610.76 --> 1613.46]  Sin is broken
[1613.46 --> 1616.46]  You have saved me
[1616.46 --> 1619.06]  It is written
[1619.06 --> 1621.76]  Christ is risen
[1621.76 --> 1627.20]  Jesus, you are Lord of all
[1627.20 --> 1629.34]  You are stronger
[1629.34 --> 1632.00]  You are stronger
[1632.00 --> 1634.42]  Sin is broken
[1634.42 --> 1637.24]  You have saved me
[1637.24 --> 1639.64]  It is written
[1639.64 --> 1642.12]  Christ is risen
[1642.12 --> 1648.00]  Jesus, you are Lord of all
[1648.00 --> 1651.30]  You may have a seat
[1651.30 --> 1655.54]  One time, to quick
[1655.54 --> 1656.82]  credit forの
[1656.82 --> 1657.72]  Unleafs
[1657.72 --> 1658.14]  Good
[1658.14 --> 1659.64] 拳
[1659.64 --> 1660.60]  season
[1660.60 --> 1661.22]  chairs
[1663.54 --> 1663.68]  Ala.
[1663.68 --> 1665.12]  順
[1665.12 --> 1665.72]  actually
[1665.72 --> 1669.36]  film
[1669.38 --> 1671.18]  big
[1671.18 --> 1671.72]  church
[1671.72 --> 1674.64]  lighting
[1674.64 --> 1677.30]  t
[1677.30 --> 1679.70]  part
[1679.70 --> 1709.68]  Thank you.
[1709.70 --> 1722.42]  This ministry involves visiting cargo ships in port and serving in the ministry centers in Vancouver and Roberts Bank.
[1723.26 --> 1729.86]  The vision is to visit as many ships as possible and share the good news of God's love.
[1730.58 --> 1733.50]  They also provide literature and other resources.
[1735.36 --> 1737.84]  Isaiah 42, verse 10,
[1737.84 --> 1740.88]  Sing to the Lord a new song.
[1741.54 --> 1744.18]  Sing his praise from the end of the earth.
[1745.20 --> 1754.60]  You who go down to the sea and all that is in it.
[1756.26 --> 1760.84]  A special offering next week is North American Indigenous Ministries.
[1760.84 --> 1763.52]  Tim and Charity Johnson.
[1763.52 --> 1783.48]  Air Wainwoodэ
[1783.48 --> 1800.48]  Holy is He
[1800.48 --> 1804.22]  When He was slain
[1804.22 --> 1808.32]  Holy, holy is He
[1808.32 --> 1813.74]  Sing a new song
[1813.74 --> 1817.20]  To Him who sits on
[1817.20 --> 1822.36]  Heaven's mercy seat
[1822.36 --> 1827.36]  Worthy is the
[1827.36 --> 1830.78]  Lamb who was slain
[1830.78 --> 1834.70]  Holy, holy is He
[1834.70 --> 1840.12]  Sing a new song
[1840.12 --> 1843.58]  To Him who sits on
[1843.58 --> 1848.12]  Heaven's mercy seat
[1848.12 --> 1854.12]  Holy, holy, holy
[1854.12 --> 1857.08]  Is the Lord God Almighty
[1857.08 --> 1861.20]  Who was and is and is to come
[1861.20 --> 1867.58]  With all creation I sing
[1867.58 --> 1870.62]  Praise to the King of kings
[1870.62 --> 1873.56]  You are my everything
[1873.56 --> 1876.62]  And I will adore You
[1876.62 --> 1880.78]  Please rise as we continue to sing
[1880.78 --> 1893.20]  Golden rainbows
[1893.20 --> 1896.36]  Of living color
[1896.36 --> 1899.36]  Clashes of lightning
[1899.36 --> 1901.16]  Rolls of thunder
[1901.16 --> 1905.86]  Blessing and honor
[1905.86 --> 1908.08]  Strength and glory
[1908.08 --> 1909.22]  And power
[1909.22 --> 1910.08]  To Him who is
[1910.08 --> 1915.08]  The only wise King
[1915.08 --> 1920.08]  Holy, holy, holy
[1920.08 --> 1923.00]  Is the Lord God Almighty
[1923.00 --> 1927.08]  Who was and is and is to come
[1927.08 --> 1933.14]  With all creation I sing
[1933.14 --> 1936.30]  Praise to the King of kings
[1936.30 --> 1938.30]  You are my everything
[1938.30 --> 1942.30]  And I will adore You
[1942.30 --> 1958.30]  Filled with wonder
[1958.30 --> 1958.80]  Filled with wonder
[1958.80 --> 1961.78]  Awestruck wonder
[1961.78 --> 1968.30]  At the mention of Your name
[1968.30 --> 1971.30]  Jesus, Your name
[1971.30 --> 1972.30]  Your name is power
[1972.30 --> 1976.30]  Breath and living water
[1976.30 --> 1980.30]  Such a marvelous mystery
[1980.30 --> 1986.30]  Holy, holy, holy
[1986.30 --> 1989.30]  Is the Lord God Almighty
[1989.30 --> 1993.30]  Who was and is and is to come
[1993.30 --> 1998.30]  With all creation I sing
[1998.30 --> 1999.44]  With all creation I sing
[1999.44 --> 2002.54]  Praise to the King of kings
[2002.54 --> 2004.30]  You are my everything
[2004.30 --> 2005.30]  You are my everything
[2005.30 --> 2008.30]  And I will adore You
[2008.30 --> 2012.30]  Holy, holy, holy
[2012.30 --> 2015.30]  Is the Lord God Almighty
[2015.30 --> 2019.30]  Who was and is and is to come
[2019.30 --> 2024.30]  With all creation I sing
[2024.30 --> 2025.30]  With all creation I sing
[2025.30 --> 2028.30]  Praise to the King of kings
[2028.30 --> 2030.30]  You are my everything
[2030.30 --> 2034.30]  And I will adore You
[2034.30 --> 2037.30]  I am Your everything
[2037.30 --> 2053.30]  I am Your everything
[2053.30 --> 2056.10]  with or whoever
[2056.30 --> 2057.30]  through formulate
[2057.30 --> 2058.44]  and if as a Nhglop
[2058.44 --> 2059.30]  your understanding
[2059.30 --> 2060.30]  Lord clearly
[2060.30 --> 2061.98]  as a Ygg
[2061.98 --> 2068.30]  Why don't we have the kids come on up to the front. We're going to do children's blessing
[2068.30 --> 2073.48]  after I pray, and then you guys are going to head out. I understand your children's worship time
[2073.48 --> 2080.34]  leaders have some fun activities in store for you. So before I pray, I have a quick question.
[2081.04 --> 2088.26]  How many of you stayed up till midnight on New Year's Eve? Oh, I'm in such good company. Me neither.
[2088.26 --> 2096.04]  Oh, it's so much nicer just to go to bed, right? No, Malachi. That's my son, everyone,
[2096.50 --> 2105.46]  who defiantly says no. No, I think it is. You know what? Today we are remembering and seeing,
[2105.60 --> 2110.04]  maybe for the first time, who we are in Jesus. And what I want you guys to know before you go
[2110.04 --> 2113.50]  into children's worship time, and what we're going to spend some time talking about here,
[2113.50 --> 2123.42]  is that you are loved. Loved by God, loved by Jesus, and loved by us at this church. And so,
[2123.98 --> 2128.78]  without sounding creepy, I love you. I want you to know that.
[2130.60 --> 2135.02]  My daughter just rolled her eyes at me. This isn't going well for me, guys.
[2135.02 --> 2138.24]  Let's pray together, okay?
[2141.86 --> 2148.94]  Lord Jesus, we thank you for your love, and I pray that each of these little ones here with us
[2148.94 --> 2159.00]  and at home listening would know that love today. Love us so that we can love you. In Jesus' name we pray.
[2159.00 --> 2166.42]  Amen. All right, let's stand up. We're going to do the children's blessing. Do we need to practice it,
[2166.44 --> 2171.00]  or do you think we can just do it straight off? Straight off. Okay, let's do it. Ready?
[2171.70 --> 2180.14]  Hands up. The Lord be with you. Amen. Good job, guys. Head on out.
[2189.00 --> 2204.74]  Testing, testing. Working? It's good. All right. Good.
[2209.74 --> 2213.54]  Well, I kind of wanted to say this to you all. Happy New Year. You know, New Year's Eve,
[2213.54 --> 2218.10]  when midnight comes, everybody says, Happy New Year. So, I'm saying that to you this morning.
[2218.10 --> 2223.98]  Happy New Year. It's good to see you all this morning. I trust you all had a good Christmas break.
[2225.90 --> 2231.78]  As you reflect on last year and start approaching this year, you can probably—that song this morning
[2231.78 --> 2238.14]  that the worship team was leading the first song, the chorus, Your Goodness is Running After Me.
[2238.60 --> 2242.76]  I think at times when we start thinking about the next year, we reflect on the past year,
[2242.76 --> 2247.34]  and you realize that it was—for some, it was a rough year, but there's still a lot of blessings
[2247.34 --> 2251.72]  and a lot of goodness, and it's interesting how that line says, Your Goodness is Running After Me.
[2251.72 --> 2254.42]  I felt that. That was kind of a nice way to put it.
[2254.42 --> 2263.90]  This past year has been a year—I call it the year of the glasses for me. I'm wearing glasses a lot more than I want to,
[2263.90 --> 2269.26]  so I'm calling that the year of the glasses. For me, that's how I'm terming it, so it's kind of one of those things.
[2269.26 --> 2271.74]  I'm not wearing them right now, but you will see them soon, I'm sure.
[2271.74 --> 2280.18]  We had a good Christmas break in our home. It's been good for some of you. We have a couple older kids,
[2280.18 --> 2285.92]  so we got another grandkid this Christmas, so we're excited about that, so that's exciting in our home.
[2285.92 --> 2289.40]  So we've had a good Christmas, and I hope you all have, too.
[2289.40 --> 2296.40]  The new year, 2022 comes. New things, new opportunities, new start.
[2296.40 --> 2303.22]  I hope you all have some time to reflect on that a little bit as 22 comes around.
[2303.22 --> 2308.32]  Also, there's some unknowns that I'm sure are going to happen and may cause some anxiety, some new challenges,
[2308.32 --> 2313.80]  hardships, sickness, and loss. I'm sure that's all going to touch all our lives as 22 comes along as well.
[2313.80 --> 2320.78]  You always hear lots about New Year's resolutions at this time of year, and it's kind of comical.
[2320.78 --> 2324.36]  Even on a couple days ago, you see a lot more people running on the streets already,
[2324.36 --> 2327.30]  trying to get back into shape and adding new things to their life.
[2327.38 --> 2329.62]  They want to turn over a new lease, so that's kind of good.
[2329.74 --> 2337.62]  So I'm sure many of you have new goals and new ideas that you want to have for this coming year,
[2337.68 --> 2341.54]  and pray that God will bless you with that and help you with those things.
[2341.54 --> 2345.08]  I'm also up here as council, as chair.
[2345.08 --> 2348.60]  I want to thank everybody for a great year we had last year with our staff,
[2348.60 --> 2352.80]  and a lot of the initiatives we've done around the church, including this sanctuary.
[2352.80 --> 2358.58]  It's looking really good, and we're well on our way to our goal of getting new chairs, so that's exciting, too.
[2360.78 --> 2363.66]  Speaking of New Year's resolutions, if I can make this point,
[2363.72 --> 2368.90]  if any of you want to add or give more time in committees and opportunities here at the church,
[2368.90 --> 2373.66]  I would ask that you would consider that in your New Year's resolution planning over the next few days.
[2373.78 --> 2376.98]  There's some committees and groups in our church that need some additional help yet,
[2377.04 --> 2379.78]  so if you feel like you could give some time to that, that would be fantastic.
[2382.42 --> 2384.54]  On that note, we'll just begin in prayer.
[2384.54 --> 2390.34]  Dear Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.
[2391.32 --> 2394.84]  Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
[2395.80 --> 2401.66]  Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us.
[2402.72 --> 2405.32]  Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
[2405.74 --> 2409.46]  For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever.
[2409.46 --> 2413.84]  Thank you, Lord, for this prayer that you have given us.
[2414.50 --> 2418.84]  This is a prayer we need to recite often, but very appropriate as we start the new year,
[2419.36 --> 2423.68]  as we put 2021 behind us and anticipate the year 2022 ahead.
[2424.82 --> 2428.24]  May we keep you as our compass and lean on you throughout this new year.
[2429.56 --> 2432.62]  May we celebrate the blessings from you of the coming year
[2432.62 --> 2435.98]  and realize that all blessings are from you,
[2436.10 --> 2440.36]  and may we trust in you when trials, challenges, and loss come in 2022.
[2441.22 --> 2445.40]  That our lives are in your hands, and you will not burden us with more than we can handle.
[2447.06 --> 2450.32]  Lord, we ask that you bless this church and congregation in 2022.
[2451.54 --> 2455.22]  May we draw closer as a community and seek to spread your word in our world.
[2456.00 --> 2459.62]  We ask you that you bless our ministries and programs that we have here at Emmanuel,
[2459.62 --> 2462.66]  that they will be successful in 2022.
[2464.72 --> 2468.48]  Please bless our staff as they facilitate the responsibilities they have.
[2469.04 --> 2472.52]  Give them courage and strength to manage the challenges that they encounter.
[2473.08 --> 2477.56]  May their work bear fruit and see your spirit working in the lives of those they shepherd.
[2479.18 --> 2484.36]  Lord, we ask that you bless the work of the council as they lead the church through 2020-22.
[2484.36 --> 2490.14]  May your spirit work and lead us as we navigate through the day-to-day work of council
[2490.14 --> 2492.68]  as well as the big picture, long-term direction.
[2494.72 --> 2497.68]  COVID is not going away, and it continues to affect our lives.
[2498.66 --> 2502.70]  Lord, we think of schools and governments that need to constantly navigate these challenges,
[2503.08 --> 2506.88]  as well as parents that have to navigate this as well with their children.
[2506.88 --> 2513.86]  We think of those who are sick with COVID or the common flu, and we offer prayer for those here now, too.
[2515.74 --> 2520.08]  As Christians and followers of you, we sit here at the start of 2022.
[2521.10 --> 2525.94]  With you, Lord, on our corner, we can say about 2022, bring it on.
[2526.84 --> 2530.20]  We look forward to this year to see blessings you will shower on us.
[2530.84 --> 2533.50]  Help us to start this year with this sense of optimism.
[2533.50 --> 2539.68]  If we struggle with loneliness or sickness, maybe we struggle with mental health issues
[2539.68 --> 2541.30]  or know someone who is struggling.
[2542.14 --> 2544.40]  Maybe we know of or are dealing with addictions.
[2545.70 --> 2548.54]  My prayer is that, or our prayer is that, all of us will challenge,
[2549.78 --> 2553.50]  all of us with our challenges can enter this next year with a sense of optimism
[2553.50 --> 2558.70]  and be able to open our hearts to let God's power in to heal and to cause change.
[2560.42 --> 2562.52]  We thank you, Lord, for all you have given us.
[2562.52 --> 2564.82]  We eagerly await your return.
[2565.38 --> 2569.84]  But as we wait, Lord, may we continue to strive to be a light for you in this world,
[2570.30 --> 2574.56]  at work, at play, or just walking down the street or at the mall.
[2575.70 --> 2577.76]  We ask all this in your name alone.
[2578.02 --> 2578.22]  Amen.
[2592.52 --> 2611.74]  We're going to spend some time together this morning in God's Word in Ephesians 1.
[2612.04 --> 2618.42]  I'm going to encourage you to have a Bible in front of you as we'll spend some significant time there.
[2618.42 --> 2620.94]  It will be on the screen behind me.
[2622.22 --> 2626.26]  But, of course, I think it's better to have something in your hands,
[2626.32 --> 2630.44]  whether it's a Bible or your phone device on the text there.
[2633.96 --> 2638.58]  Before I read this text, let me set up a bit of a context for you.
[2638.58 --> 2641.66]  We've just come out of the Christmas season here,
[2642.38 --> 2647.68]  a season where most of us got or gave gifts.
[2647.68 --> 2655.34]  And I want to know if you got what you wanted.
[2656.92 --> 2660.78]  Did you get what was on your list, right?
[2660.86 --> 2663.52]  Did everything that you submitted get crossed off?
[2663.58 --> 2665.12]  Now, some of you are shaking your head yes.
[2665.44 --> 2667.54]  Some of you are too scared to shake your head no.
[2667.86 --> 2671.58]  And you're wondering what mom or dad or the person beside you is going to think.
[2671.84 --> 2673.46]  I can tell you I got what I wanted.
[2673.46 --> 2676.60]  I got this beautiful set of knife sharpening stones.
[2677.64 --> 2680.58]  Maybe you don't know this about me, but usually not on Sundays,
[2680.72 --> 2683.60]  but I carry a folding knife in my pocket with me wherever I go.
[2684.42 --> 2688.02]  And it has gotten really dull, and I needed to sharpen it.
[2688.22 --> 2692.64]  And so my mother-in-law got me this beautiful set of four different thousand grit
[2692.64 --> 2695.20]  to 8,000 grit sharpening stones.
[2695.26 --> 2699.12]  And I'm super excited to spend time getting my knife to that razor.
[2699.32 --> 2700.54]  Anyway, you don't care about that.
[2700.54 --> 2705.00]  I got what I wanted, and my list was checked off.
[2707.10 --> 2714.02]  As we read this text, I want you to think about getting what you wanted
[2714.02 --> 2717.76]  or getting what you need or thinking you got what you need
[2717.76 --> 2719.86]  or having more or needing more.
[2720.04 --> 2726.58]  And then through that lens, hear what Paul says to the church at Ephesus.
[2727.74 --> 2729.62]  Ephesians 1, I'm going to start in verse 3.
[2730.54 --> 2736.28]  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
[2736.42 --> 2743.80]  who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
[2745.10 --> 2751.70]  For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
[2751.70 --> 2759.96]  In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ,
[2759.96 --> 2765.50]  in accordance with his pleasure and will, to the praise of his glorious grace,
[2765.64 --> 2769.36]  which he has freely given us in the one he loves.
[2770.44 --> 2775.64]  In him, we have the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
[2775.64 --> 2780.94]  in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us.
[2782.10 --> 2787.16]  With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will,
[2787.48 --> 2790.90]  according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
[2790.96 --> 2794.02]  to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment,
[2794.02 --> 2799.16]  to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
[2799.16 --> 2805.78]  In him, you were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him
[2805.78 --> 2809.58]  who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
[2810.14 --> 2814.20]  in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ,
[2814.58 --> 2818.12]  might be for the praise of his glory.
[2818.90 --> 2822.88]  And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth,
[2822.98 --> 2824.86]  the gospel of your salvation.
[2824.86 --> 2829.22]  When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,
[2829.42 --> 2831.44]  the promised Holy Spirit,
[2831.78 --> 2835.26]  who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance
[2835.26 --> 2840.32]  until the redemption of those who are God's possession,
[2841.02 --> 2844.80]  to the praise of his glory.
[2845.82 --> 2847.10]  This is the word of the Lord.
[2849.92 --> 2852.10]  Like we said, we just came through Christmas,
[2852.10 --> 2855.86]  and more recently, even than that, we just celebrated.
[2856.86 --> 2861.10]  Maybe celebrated is too strong a word for the kinds of things we got to do on New Year's Eve,
[2861.22 --> 2866.56]  but we just celebrated New Year's Eve and this new year.
[2866.82 --> 2872.42]  And as Eric mentioned, at the end of a year, we tend to take stock.
[2872.78 --> 2876.94]  We take a look at our life and we see what is.
[2877.04 --> 2879.98]  We tend to make plans and have hopes for the future.
[2879.98 --> 2884.00]  We look at our life, we look at the things that we have,
[2884.04 --> 2886.26]  or the things that we have just recently got,
[2886.42 --> 2890.56]  and we begin to identify something that is lacking,
[2890.88 --> 2893.12]  or something that we want to change,
[2893.24 --> 2896.88]  or something that we want to make more of, or experience more of.
[2896.96 --> 2899.32]  And so we make resolutions.
[2900.44 --> 2902.90]  We make plans, we make resolutions,
[2902.90 --> 2904.86]  we look at what we have,
[2904.86 --> 2912.78]  and we begin to chart a path forward into the new year.
[2913.82 --> 2916.60]  And we're going to do the same thing together this morning,
[2916.60 --> 2923.20]  but in reference to our identity in Christ,
[2923.56 --> 2926.30]  as Christians, as those who believe.
[2926.30 --> 2930.06]  And so if you are here this morning and you're not sure you are a Christian,
[2930.74 --> 2935.68]  I hold this out to you to whet your spiritual appetites.
[2935.78 --> 2941.54]  I hold this out to you as a picture of what could be in your heart and in your mind.
[2941.64 --> 2945.62]  And if you are here this morning as a Christian or watching online,
[2945.62 --> 2949.54]  I hope that this is an encouragement and a reminder,
[2949.84 --> 2958.12]  and you find yourself firmly in who God has created you and recreated you to be.
[2960.18 --> 2961.60]  Now the thing is,
[2962.12 --> 2965.80]  the longer you've been in a church community,
[2966.94 --> 2972.14]  it seems to me the more familiar you are with Jesus,
[2972.14 --> 2978.50]  the easier it is to forget what he says about you.
[2980.96 --> 2984.98]  The more familiar you are with these teachings
[2984.98 --> 2987.50]  or with coming to church for a lifetime,
[2987.90 --> 2992.92]  the easier it is to forget or to take for granted who he says you are.
[2994.32 --> 2999.72]  I want to start this way because I want to set up for us this morning a contrast, right?
[2999.72 --> 3004.36]  Because things like resolutions and Christmas lists and gift exchange,
[3004.46 --> 3007.46]  things like Boxing Day that follows up, right?
[3007.48 --> 3009.08]  When you didn't get everything on your list,
[3009.14 --> 3010.82]  you're like, well, it's 70% off now,
[3010.88 --> 3012.20]  so I'm going to go get that new TV
[3012.20 --> 3014.00]  because my kid threw a chair at the one in the basement.
[3016.22 --> 3017.30]  There's a story there
[3017.30 --> 3024.06]  that implies something about what we think about life here and now,
[3024.06 --> 3027.04]  about what we have,
[3027.14 --> 3028.08]  about what we need,
[3028.32 --> 3031.14]  about what we believe we need to have.
[3032.52 --> 3034.68]  And into that context,
[3035.56 --> 3036.32]  Paul writes,
[3037.36 --> 3042.16]  praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
[3042.16 --> 3046.00]  who has blessed us in the heavenly realms
[3046.00 --> 3052.70]  with every spiritual blessing.
[3052.70 --> 3054.68]  Now, first of all,
[3054.78 --> 3056.78]  he has blessed us.
[3057.46 --> 3058.94]  That's past tense.
[3059.24 --> 3059.86]  He has.
[3059.94 --> 3060.86]  It is done.
[3062.40 --> 3067.60]  And he has blessed us with every spiritual blessing.
[3069.50 --> 3071.26]  So, right at the outset,
[3071.68 --> 3075.16]  Paul is saying that you have everything you need
[3075.16 --> 3076.46]  for life and faith,
[3076.54 --> 3078.58]  for spirituality and relationship to God.
[3078.66 --> 3081.38]  He has already given that to you.
[3081.38 --> 3084.80]  There's no more need for lists or gifts or resolutions.
[3084.80 --> 3087.66]  No need to look for that one more thing,
[3087.82 --> 3088.76]  that secret thing,
[3088.88 --> 3089.62]  that extra thing,
[3089.70 --> 3090.64]  that special thing,
[3090.94 --> 3091.10]  right?
[3091.22 --> 3092.08]  What you need,
[3092.18 --> 3092.80]  you've got.
[3093.48 --> 3094.74]  It's already here.
[3095.08 --> 3097.00]  And the Bible tells us that by grace,
[3097.22 --> 3098.08]  through faith,
[3098.46 --> 3100.58]  you have received it already
[3100.58 --> 3102.40]  if you believe.
[3107.04 --> 3107.64]  But,
[3108.32 --> 3110.94]  so often,
[3111.94 --> 3113.56]  we forget.
[3114.84 --> 3115.70]  So often,
[3115.80 --> 3117.00]  we don't feel it.
[3117.08 --> 3118.30]  We don't live it.
[3118.38 --> 3120.38]  We don't really believe it
[3120.38 --> 3121.40]  to be true.
[3121.68 --> 3121.96]  And look,
[3121.96 --> 3125.24]  I'm not trying to shame anyone here
[3125.24 --> 3126.94]  who has doubts,
[3126.94 --> 3128.24]  right?
[3128.24 --> 3130.88]  And I'm not trying to say that there's something wrong with you
[3130.88 --> 3132.00]  if you don't feel it.
[3132.04 --> 3132.36]  At least,
[3132.50 --> 3133.76]  there's not anything wrong with you
[3133.76 --> 3135.40]  that isn't wrong with all of us,
[3135.44 --> 3135.62]  right?
[3135.62 --> 3136.42]  Because the truth is,
[3136.58 --> 3137.68]  we all have doubts.
[3137.84 --> 3138.38]  We all have struggles
[3138.94 --> 3140.22]  when it comes to faith.
[3140.32 --> 3142.36]  We all have short memories
[3142.36 --> 3146.16]  when it comes to our new creation identities.
[3146.16 --> 3149.58]  We all have competing loves
[3149.58 --> 3153.50]  that want to captivate our heart's affection.
[3155.78 --> 3162.38]  The human heart has a religious impulse,
[3163.60 --> 3163.70]  right?
[3163.72 --> 3168.44]  A religious sense that is inescapable and unavoidable.
[3169.70 --> 3170.88]  The reality is,
[3170.98 --> 3173.16]  if it isn't given proper expression
[3173.16 --> 3177.66]  or proper object to land on,
[3178.10 --> 3179.90]  your life,
[3180.90 --> 3182.40]  something in your life,
[3182.56 --> 3184.90]  will rush in to fill that void.
[3186.44 --> 3187.72]  Now, in today's world,
[3188.00 --> 3189.68]  maybe it has become politics,
[3190.58 --> 3190.74]  right?
[3190.74 --> 3192.14]  As we look to leaders
[3192.14 --> 3194.74]  to make decisions for us on our behalf.
[3194.82 --> 3198.50]  But maybe it is personal power or status.
[3198.78 --> 3199.94]  Maybe it's stuff.
[3199.94 --> 3203.36]  Maybe it's sex or pornography.
[3204.46 --> 3206.04]  Maybe it's work, right?
[3206.12 --> 3209.04]  And the status that comes with accomplishing something.
[3209.16 --> 3210.22]  Maybe it's education.
[3211.10 --> 3212.08]  Point is,
[3212.30 --> 3215.42]  whenever we remove the object
[3215.42 --> 3217.42]  of our religious affections
[3217.42 --> 3219.98]  from the one whom it is properly directed,
[3220.16 --> 3221.30]  that is the one true God,
[3221.44 --> 3223.66]  Father, incarnate Son, and Holy Spirit,
[3224.18 --> 3226.54]  whenever we remove our religious affections
[3226.54 --> 3227.94]  from God,
[3227.94 --> 3229.36]  they don't just disappear.
[3230.48 --> 3231.94]  They become misdirected.
[3232.78 --> 3235.24]  They become inappropriately filled.
[3236.90 --> 3240.24]  Your life is that you love something
[3240.24 --> 3242.22]  or someone as ultimate.
[3242.98 --> 3244.94]  That's just how you are built.
[3246.46 --> 3249.78]  And when the object of your ultimate religious affection
[3249.78 --> 3253.18]  isn't God revealed in Jesus Christ,
[3253.18 --> 3255.88]  whatever you make it
[3255.88 --> 3258.48]  can't handle the weight
[3258.48 --> 3260.22]  that you are putting on it.
[3261.22 --> 3263.74]  It itself will be destroyed
[3263.74 --> 3265.20]  by your need
[3265.20 --> 3266.54]  for it to be ultimate
[3266.54 --> 3268.18]  in your heart and life.
[3268.24 --> 3269.02]  Let me illustrate this.
[3269.10 --> 3269.70]  Think practically
[3269.70 --> 3270.94]  with me.
[3271.94 --> 3274.18]  If you make your spouse
[3274.18 --> 3275.42]  ultimate,
[3275.82 --> 3278.48]  or if you make getting a spouse
[3278.48 --> 3279.32]  ultimate,
[3279.54 --> 3280.26]  getting married
[3280.26 --> 3281.02]  ultimate,
[3281.02 --> 3282.96]  you will crush that person
[3282.96 --> 3284.80]  under the weight of glory
[3284.80 --> 3286.58]  that you are trying to put on them.
[3288.16 --> 3289.76]  The same is true with your family.
[3290.16 --> 3291.94]  If you think having a family
[3291.94 --> 3292.82]  or if you think
[3292.82 --> 3295.08]  reconciling your broken family
[3295.08 --> 3297.00]  will finally fill you up,
[3298.00 --> 3300.26]  you will crush your kids
[3300.26 --> 3302.08]  with the weight of responsibility
[3302.08 --> 3303.98]  that you are putting on them.
[3305.50 --> 3307.08]  And we do it with our jobs.
[3307.30 --> 3308.46]  We do it with beauty,
[3308.46 --> 3309.66]  with our talents,
[3309.78 --> 3309.92]  right?
[3309.96 --> 3311.20]  We make good things,
[3311.28 --> 3312.40]  we take these good things,
[3312.56 --> 3313.54]  and we make them
[3313.54 --> 3314.84]  into ultimate things.
[3315.06 --> 3316.36]  And not only will they
[3316.36 --> 3317.40]  disappoint us
[3317.40 --> 3318.22]  time and time again,
[3318.34 --> 3319.88]  they will crush us
[3319.88 --> 3321.42]  and those around us
[3321.42 --> 3322.28]  with the weight
[3322.28 --> 3323.12]  of responsibility
[3323.12 --> 3324.18]  that they weren't
[3324.18 --> 3325.24]  created to handle.
[3329.74 --> 3331.04]  And even as you hear me
[3331.04 --> 3331.74]  say that,
[3332.22 --> 3333.14]  some of you are going,
[3333.60 --> 3334.48]  yeah, I know that.
[3334.48 --> 3337.40]  Some of you are going,
[3338.90 --> 3340.98]  I needed to be reminded of that.
[3341.58 --> 3343.20]  Because we forget it, right?
[3343.24 --> 3344.48]  Despite knowing better,
[3344.74 --> 3345.48]  we do it anyway.
[3346.26 --> 3347.44]  And so we need
[3347.44 --> 3348.48]  a regular reminder.
[3349.48 --> 3350.72]  We need to regularly,
[3351.16 --> 3352.48]  habitually, ritually
[3353.16 --> 3354.88]  recalibrate
[3354.88 --> 3356.38]  our religious impulse.
[3356.58 --> 3357.48]  We need to pull
[3358.12 --> 3359.64]  our heart's attention
[3359.64 --> 3361.72]  back to the right object
[3361.72 --> 3362.48]  of our worship.
[3362.48 --> 3363.12]  worship.
[3363.50 --> 3364.92]  Only God can handle
[3364.92 --> 3365.82]  the weight of your
[3365.82 --> 3366.92]  religious affection.
[3368.18 --> 3369.54]  Only God is the right
[3369.54 --> 3372.70]  focus of your heart's
[3372.70 --> 3373.38]  attention.
[3375.02 --> 3376.54]  And each week in worship,
[3377.12 --> 3378.66]  that's what we are doing.
[3380.24 --> 3380.44]  Right?
[3380.52 --> 3381.46]  Each week at church,
[3381.60 --> 3383.02]  we remind ourselves
[3383.02 --> 3384.40]  of these truths,
[3384.58 --> 3385.46]  and we go through
[3385.46 --> 3387.18]  the habitual and ritual
[3387.18 --> 3388.54]  forming practices
[3388.54 --> 3390.28]  of being made new,
[3390.40 --> 3391.40]  of locating our
[3391.40 --> 3392.40]  religious affections
[3392.40 --> 3394.14]  on the right being.
[3395.10 --> 3396.04]  This first Sunday
[3396.04 --> 3396.78]  of the new year
[3396.78 --> 3398.78]  is exactly that.
[3399.00 --> 3399.18]  Right?
[3399.22 --> 3400.68]  We are being reminded
[3400.68 --> 3401.64]  by God
[3401.64 --> 3402.72]  of who we are
[3402.72 --> 3403.30]  in Him
[3403.30 --> 3404.44]  and who He has
[3404.44 --> 3405.84]  declared us to be.
[3407.56 --> 3408.32]  And let me be
[3408.32 --> 3409.12]  really clear.
[3410.24 --> 3410.42]  Right?
[3410.54 --> 3411.74]  Hearing it once
[3411.74 --> 3413.54]  isn't enough
[3413.54 --> 3414.34]  to sustain you
[3414.34 --> 3414.86]  for the year.
[3414.86 --> 3417.46]  So if you're the kind
[3417.46 --> 3417.78]  of person
[3417.78 --> 3418.38]  who is checking
[3418.38 --> 3419.16]  the church box
[3419.16 --> 3419.96]  on the first Sunday
[3419.96 --> 3420.48]  available,
[3420.80 --> 3421.34]  and you think
[3421.34 --> 3422.04]  that's enough,
[3423.32 --> 3423.88]  I'm sorry,
[3424.54 --> 3425.10]  it's not.
[3426.06 --> 3427.22]  We need to immerse
[3427.22 --> 3428.76]  ourselves in these
[3428.76 --> 3429.56]  truths because
[3429.56 --> 3430.86]  the reality is
[3430.86 --> 3431.56]  we live
[3431.56 --> 3432.26]  immersed
[3432.26 --> 3433.42]  in competing
[3433.42 --> 3434.26]  affections.
[3435.74 --> 3436.44]  And so,
[3436.58 --> 3437.48]  while this is a great
[3437.48 --> 3438.58]  way to start the year,
[3439.38 --> 3441.14]  it can't be the only time
[3441.14 --> 3442.46]  you hear it this year,
[3442.50 --> 3443.44]  or even this month.
[3443.44 --> 3446.98]  Praise be to the God
[3446.98 --> 3447.38]  and Father
[3447.38 --> 3448.60]  of our Lord Jesus Christ
[3448.60 --> 3449.74]  who has blessed us
[3449.74 --> 3451.04]  in the heavenly realms
[3451.04 --> 3452.28]  with every spiritual
[3452.28 --> 3453.96]  blessing in Christ.
[3454.12 --> 3454.72]  And so,
[3455.62 --> 3457.04]  what are those
[3457.04 --> 3457.94]  blessings?
[3460.06 --> 3460.94]  Knowing the answer
[3460.94 --> 3461.82]  to that question
[3461.82 --> 3463.18]  is how we will answer
[3463.18 --> 3464.32]  our bigger question
[3464.32 --> 3464.80]  this morning,
[3465.32 --> 3467.18]  who am I?
[3469.42 --> 3470.64]  The answer to the question
[3470.64 --> 3471.32]  who am I
[3471.32 --> 3472.94]  from Ephesians 1 here
[3472.94 --> 3473.72]  is this.
[3473.88 --> 3474.96]  Our identity
[3474.96 --> 3476.06]  in Jesus
[3476.06 --> 3478.14]  means that you are
[3478.14 --> 3479.10]  adopted,
[3480.32 --> 3480.88]  redeemed,
[3481.54 --> 3482.88]  you are given a purpose
[3482.88 --> 3484.30]  in God's plan,
[3484.72 --> 3486.04]  you are made into
[3486.04 --> 3487.32]  true and real
[3487.32 --> 3488.22]  worshipers,
[3488.38 --> 3489.86]  and you are filled
[3489.86 --> 3492.02]  with God's power.
[3493.24 --> 3493.44]  And so,
[3493.52 --> 3494.28]  quickly this morning,
[3494.50 --> 3495.80]  I have five points
[3495.80 --> 3496.20]  for you.
[3497.80 --> 3499.16]  Let's start with the first.
[3500.20 --> 3500.88]  You are
[3500.88 --> 3502.10]  adopted.
[3502.10 --> 3505.48]  He chose us
[3505.48 --> 3506.28]  in Him
[3506.28 --> 3508.38]  before the creation
[3508.38 --> 3509.08]  of the world
[3509.08 --> 3510.22]  to be holy
[3510.22 --> 3511.06]  and blameless
[3511.06 --> 3511.88]  in His sight.
[3512.32 --> 3512.90]  In love,
[3513.04 --> 3514.42]  He predestined us
[3514.42 --> 3515.60]  for adoption
[3515.60 --> 3517.00]  to sonship
[3517.00 --> 3519.78]  through Jesus Christ.
[3522.26 --> 3522.98]  Now,
[3523.02 --> 3523.82]  I think sometimes
[3523.82 --> 3525.10]  we lose
[3525.10 --> 3526.04]  the majesty
[3526.04 --> 3528.10]  of this truth.
[3528.10 --> 3530.56]  before there was
[3530.56 --> 3531.24]  anything,
[3532.24 --> 3533.46]  before God said,
[3533.68 --> 3534.38]  let there be light
[3534.38 --> 3535.16]  and then bang,
[3535.26 --> 3536.56]  there was light.
[3537.20 --> 3538.26]  Before God said,
[3538.64 --> 3539.64]  let the waters
[3539.64 --> 3540.42]  come together
[3540.42 --> 3541.06]  and the land
[3541.06 --> 3542.22]  be separated out.
[3542.52 --> 3543.42]  Before God said,
[3543.52 --> 3544.60]  let there be animals
[3544.60 --> 3545.62]  to walk on the land
[3545.62 --> 3546.50]  and birds to fly
[3546.50 --> 3546.94]  in the air.
[3547.02 --> 3547.96]  Before God said,
[3548.04 --> 3549.24]  let there be man
[3549.24 --> 3549.80]  and woman
[3549.80 --> 3551.16]  in my image.
[3551.22 --> 3551.44]  And so,
[3551.48 --> 3552.14]  in the image of God,
[3552.20 --> 3553.06]  He created them,
[3553.12 --> 3553.78]  male and female,
[3553.88 --> 3554.46]  He created them.
[3554.46 --> 3556.02]  Before any of that,
[3558.54 --> 3559.10]  God,
[3559.86 --> 3560.78]  Father,
[3561.00 --> 3561.22]  Son,
[3561.34 --> 3562.10]  and Holy Spirit
[3562.10 --> 3563.04]  in perfect harmony
[3563.04 --> 3564.12]  with each other
[3564.12 --> 3565.82]  thought
[3565.82 --> 3567.54]  of you.
[3569.98 --> 3571.16]  God thinks
[3571.16 --> 3572.90]  of you
[3572.90 --> 3574.92]  before the foundation
[3574.92 --> 3575.60]  of the world.
[3576.60 --> 3577.60]  And it's more than
[3577.60 --> 3578.80]  just to save you,
[3579.04 --> 3579.16]  right?
[3579.18 --> 3579.72]  It's more than just
[3579.72 --> 3580.92]  to call you to His own.
[3581.02 --> 3582.54]  It's to sanctify you.
[3582.62 --> 3583.72]  It is to grow you
[3583.72 --> 3584.36]  in Him
[3584.36 --> 3585.16]  to be,
[3585.32 --> 3586.44]  what we read,
[3586.54 --> 3588.18]  holy and blameless
[3588.18 --> 3589.62]  in His sight.
[3590.72 --> 3591.88]  God thought about
[3591.88 --> 3593.46]  your beginning in Him
[3593.46 --> 3595.12]  and your continuing
[3595.12 --> 3596.12]  in Him.
[3596.20 --> 3597.22]  In theological terms,
[3597.32 --> 3598.08]  this is justification
[3598.08 --> 3599.44]  and sanctification.
[3599.70 --> 3600.40]  This is the start
[3600.40 --> 3601.40]  to the finish.
[3601.78 --> 3602.66]  There is now
[3602.66 --> 3603.74]  no time
[3603.74 --> 3604.46]  when God
[3604.46 --> 3605.68]  is not with you,
[3606.06 --> 3606.82]  working you,
[3606.98 --> 3607.94]  working in you,
[3608.04 --> 3609.64]  and working for you,
[3609.90 --> 3611.96]  and working through you
[3611.96 --> 3613.12]  to the world.
[3614.42 --> 3615.24]  Surely I am with you
[3615.24 --> 3616.12]  always to the very
[3616.12 --> 3617.56]  end of the age,
[3617.80 --> 3618.40]  says Jesus.
[3618.54 --> 3619.92]  There is no time
[3619.92 --> 3620.64]  when God
[3620.64 --> 3622.12]  is not with you,
[3622.20 --> 3622.80]  when God,
[3623.12 --> 3623.86]  who is love,
[3623.94 --> 3625.38]  is not thinking
[3625.38 --> 3626.26]  of you.
[3626.38 --> 3627.76]  You are adopted.
[3629.10 --> 3630.36]  You are a son.
[3631.68 --> 3632.62]  You are a daughter
[3632.62 --> 3635.68]  of God.
[3635.68 --> 3637.18]  You are adopted,
[3637.18 --> 3643.36]  you are redeemed.
[3645.20 --> 3646.10]  In Him,
[3646.46 --> 3647.40]  we have redemption
[3647.40 --> 3648.50]  through His blood,
[3649.12 --> 3650.16]  the forgiveness of sins,
[3650.32 --> 3650.74]  in accordance
[3650.74 --> 3651.44]  with the riches
[3651.44 --> 3652.56]  of God's grace
[3652.56 --> 3654.28]  that He lavished
[3654.28 --> 3656.32]  on us.
[3658.00 --> 3659.60]  I love that word,
[3660.00 --> 3660.86]  lavished.
[3662.28 --> 3662.68]  That word,
[3662.80 --> 3663.66]  in my mind and heart,
[3663.74 --> 3664.56]  just sings.
[3664.56 --> 3666.04]  It is plentiful,
[3666.16 --> 3666.96]  it is abundant,
[3667.18 --> 3668.88]  it is extravagant.
[3669.16 --> 3669.80]  So how do you
[3669.80 --> 3671.40]  experience God's grace
[3671.40 --> 3673.98]  as lavish today?
[3676.36 --> 3677.54]  We have received
[3677.54 --> 3678.80]  redemption
[3678.80 --> 3680.82]  through His blood.
[3680.88 --> 3680.98]  Now,
[3681.08 --> 3681.96]  the word redemption
[3681.96 --> 3685.58]  means to take out from.
[3686.74 --> 3687.10]  In fact,
[3687.14 --> 3687.70]  if you think of
[3687.70 --> 3689.14]  a redemption center,
[3689.60 --> 3689.82]  right,
[3689.82 --> 3690.88]  you bring something there
[3690.88 --> 3691.66]  to take it out
[3691.66 --> 3692.84]  of circulation,
[3693.10 --> 3693.28]  right,
[3693.30 --> 3694.56]  to make a change
[3694.56 --> 3695.54]  of where it is.
[3696.44 --> 3696.70]  And so,
[3696.84 --> 3697.42]  this morning,
[3697.52 --> 3698.78]  how do you experience
[3698.78 --> 3700.70]  lavish redemption?
[3702.74 --> 3703.64]  I want to suggest
[3703.64 --> 3704.78]  a quick way
[3704.78 --> 3706.24]  to remember
[3706.24 --> 3707.24]  that,
[3707.96 --> 3708.20]  right,
[3708.24 --> 3708.74]  to experience
[3708.74 --> 3709.78]  lavish redemption.
[3710.04 --> 3711.70]  You are fully forgiven,
[3712.06 --> 3713.32]  you are freely forgiven,
[3713.32 --> 3715.02]  and you are forever forgiven.
[3715.02 --> 3717.66]  So you are fully forgiven.
[3717.86 --> 3720.02]  In Romans 8,
[3720.08 --> 3720.56]  verse 1,
[3721.30 --> 3721.84]  we read,
[3722.18 --> 3722.78]  there is now
[3722.78 --> 3723.98]  no condemnation
[3723.98 --> 3724.94]  for those who are
[3724.94 --> 3726.58]  in Christ Jesus.
[3727.86 --> 3729.56]  There is no condemnation.
[3730.20 --> 3731.66]  He has paid it all.
[3732.56 --> 3733.84]  All of your sins,
[3735.52 --> 3735.80]  gone.
[3737.46 --> 3737.64]  Right,
[3737.68 --> 3738.64]  you have no sin,
[3738.78 --> 3739.10]  past,
[3739.42 --> 3739.64]  present,
[3739.70 --> 3740.20]  or future,
[3740.38 --> 3741.64]  that has more power
[3741.64 --> 3743.14]  than the cross of Christ.
[3743.14 --> 3743.22]  past.
[3744.60 --> 3745.26]  And here's
[3745.26 --> 3746.12]  what that means.
[3746.96 --> 3747.56]  It means that
[3747.56 --> 3748.50]  your salvation
[3748.50 --> 3749.52]  was not just
[3749.52 --> 3750.72]  a past thing,
[3750.94 --> 3751.74]  it means that
[3751.74 --> 3752.42]  your salvation
[3752.42 --> 3753.86]  is a continuing
[3753.86 --> 3755.72]  now to save you
[3755.72 --> 3756.44]  thing.
[3757.74 --> 3758.52]  But so often,
[3758.88 --> 3759.20]  we say,
[3759.28 --> 3760.10]  but not me,
[3760.70 --> 3760.82]  right,
[3760.84 --> 3762.16]  not that sin,
[3762.24 --> 3763.24]  not that thing
[3763.24 --> 3764.58]  that nobody knows about,
[3764.66 --> 3765.54]  that secret thing,
[3765.76 --> 3765.88]  right,
[3765.92 --> 3766.80]  you just don't know,
[3766.80 --> 3767.14]  pastor,
[3767.24 --> 3768.46]  how bad it has been.
[3771.18 --> 3772.08]  Even there,
[3772.08 --> 3773.54]  you are fully
[3773.54 --> 3774.90]  forgiven.
[3776.40 --> 3777.56]  And you are freely
[3777.56 --> 3778.32]  forgiven.
[3778.40 --> 3778.88]  And what we mean there
[3778.88 --> 3779.58]  is that you cannot
[3779.58 --> 3781.16]  earn the forgiveness
[3781.16 --> 3781.86]  of God.
[3781.96 --> 3782.74]  Ephesians 2,
[3782.88 --> 3783.66]  8 and 9,
[3783.78 --> 3785.18]  for it is by grace
[3785.18 --> 3787.46]  you have been saved.
[3788.18 --> 3789.60]  And this is not by works,
[3789.84 --> 3790.68]  but it is the gift
[3790.68 --> 3791.16]  of God.
[3792.72 --> 3792.90]  Now,
[3792.92 --> 3793.50]  in the midst of
[3793.50 --> 3795.14]  this free offer
[3795.14 --> 3796.18]  of forgiveness
[3796.18 --> 3796.98]  and grace
[3796.98 --> 3798.42]  in our world
[3798.42 --> 3799.12]  and in our culture
[3799.12 --> 3800.02]  and in our hearts,
[3800.54 --> 3802.10]  we so often say
[3802.10 --> 3803.60]  nothing worth having
[3803.60 --> 3804.44]  is free.
[3806.18 --> 3806.60]  Right?
[3806.62 --> 3807.46]  If I don't earn it,
[3807.62 --> 3808.78]  if I don't work for it,
[3808.92 --> 3810.00]  if I don't bend over
[3810.00 --> 3810.76]  backwards in order
[3810.76 --> 3811.20]  to get it,
[3811.30 --> 3812.26]  it's not real.
[3815.58 --> 3816.44]  And yes,
[3817.44 --> 3818.32]  hear the gospel,
[3819.34 --> 3820.44]  this grace
[3820.44 --> 3821.86]  is free
[3821.86 --> 3822.94]  to you.
[3824.08 --> 3825.00]  Make no mistake
[3825.00 --> 3825.42]  about it,
[3825.44 --> 3826.12]  it costs
[3826.12 --> 3826.82]  God
[3826.82 --> 3827.92]  everything.
[3829.50 --> 3830.18]  It's free
[3830.18 --> 3830.68]  to you,
[3830.78 --> 3831.18]  but it's
[3831.18 --> 3831.82]  not
[3831.82 --> 3832.78]  cheap.
[3835.36 --> 3836.12]  You are
[3836.12 --> 3836.60]  fully
[3836.60 --> 3837.24]  forgiven,
[3837.38 --> 3837.60]  you are
[3837.60 --> 3838.02]  freely
[3838.02 --> 3838.50]  forgiven,
[3838.66 --> 3839.36]  and you are
[3839.36 --> 3840.10]  forever
[3840.10 --> 3841.10]  forgiven.
[3842.54 --> 3843.06]  Hebrews
[3843.06 --> 3844.12]  says,
[3844.48 --> 3845.50]  Christ died
[3845.50 --> 3846.06]  once
[3846.06 --> 3847.20]  for all.
[3848.24 --> 3848.88]  The altar
[3848.88 --> 3849.60]  is closed.
[3849.96 --> 3850.54]  You've got
[3850.54 --> 3851.20]  nothing more
[3851.20 --> 3852.46]  to lay on it.
[3852.54 --> 3853.04]  There's nothing
[3853.04 --> 3853.40]  left.
[3853.52 --> 3853.90]  It is
[3853.90 --> 3855.00]  already
[3855.00 --> 3856.04]  paid for.
[3856.14 --> 3856.40]  It is
[3856.40 --> 3856.92]  all
[3856.92 --> 3857.52]  already
[3857.52 --> 3858.54]  paid for.
[3860.48 --> 3861.16]  But here's
[3861.16 --> 3861.56]  the struggle
[3861.56 --> 3862.14]  that so many
[3862.14 --> 3862.56]  of us
[3862.56 --> 3863.42]  who are
[3863.42 --> 3863.86]  familiar
[3863.86 --> 3864.72]  with this
[3864.72 --> 3865.26]  and yet
[3865.26 --> 3865.88]  who continue
[3865.88 --> 3866.96]  to live
[3866.96 --> 3867.46]  in the midst
[3867.46 --> 3867.88]  of this
[3867.88 --> 3869.24]  hard truth
[3869.24 --> 3869.98]  and reality,
[3870.20 --> 3870.86]  so many
[3870.86 --> 3871.46]  of us
[3871.46 --> 3872.54]  try to
[3872.54 --> 3873.56]  stay
[3873.56 --> 3874.36]  forgiven.
[3876.64 --> 3877.24]  And you
[3877.24 --> 3877.80]  hear the
[3877.80 --> 3879.16]  oxymoron
[3879.16 --> 3879.38]  there,
[3879.46 --> 3879.66]  right?
[3879.70 --> 3880.06]  For those
[3880.06 --> 3880.40]  of us
[3880.40 --> 3880.90]  who are
[3880.90 --> 3881.78]  fully
[3881.78 --> 3882.12]  forgiven,
[3882.28 --> 3882.48]  freely
[3882.48 --> 3882.86]  forgiven,
[3883.02 --> 3883.30]  forever
[3883.30 --> 3883.68]  forgiven,
[3883.68 --> 3884.08]  the idea
[3884.08 --> 3884.32]  of trying
[3884.32 --> 3884.98]  to stay
[3884.98 --> 3885.52]  forgiven
[3885.52 --> 3887.06]  sounds strange,
[3887.20 --> 3887.92]  but we
[3887.92 --> 3888.46]  continue to
[3888.46 --> 3888.74]  do it,
[3888.78 --> 3888.86]  right?
[3888.90 --> 3889.08]  And what
[3889.08 --> 3889.52]  that means
[3889.52 --> 3890.88]  is that we
[3890.88 --> 3892.18]  set up these
[3892.18 --> 3893.78]  impossible moral
[3893.78 --> 3894.88]  standards for
[3894.88 --> 3895.74]  ourselves and
[3895.74 --> 3896.78]  then we destroy
[3896.78 --> 3898.96]  ourselves emotionally
[3898.96 --> 3899.66]  and spiritually
[3899.66 --> 3900.66]  when we sin
[3900.66 --> 3901.40]  or when we fall
[3901.40 --> 3901.80]  short.
[3901.94 --> 3902.68]  And we think
[3902.68 --> 3903.24]  that it means
[3903.24 --> 3903.86]  that we haven't
[3903.86 --> 3904.56]  then received
[3904.56 --> 3905.28]  the redemption
[3905.28 --> 3905.98]  through his
[3905.98 --> 3906.32]  blood.
[3907.70 --> 3908.38]  But here's
[3908.38 --> 3908.98]  what happens,
[3909.76 --> 3910.22]  and I want you
[3910.22 --> 3910.88]  to listen closely
[3910.88 --> 3911.46]  to this because
[3911.46 --> 3911.86]  this is going
[3911.86 --> 3912.30]  to hit home
[3912.30 --> 3912.64]  for some
[3912.64 --> 3912.98]  of you,
[3913.72 --> 3914.06]  especially
[3914.06 --> 3914.48]  for those
[3914.48 --> 3914.76]  of you who
[3914.76 --> 3914.98]  have been
[3914.98 --> 3915.40]  around the
[3915.40 --> 3915.82]  church for
[3915.82 --> 3916.08]  a really
[3916.08 --> 3916.66]  long time,
[3917.24 --> 3917.38]  right?
[3917.42 --> 3917.80]  In that
[3917.80 --> 3918.50]  fight in
[3918.50 --> 3919.04]  our hearts
[3919.04 --> 3920.06]  to stay
[3920.06 --> 3920.68]  forgiven,
[3921.26 --> 3922.16]  the fight
[3922.16 --> 3923.00]  that motivates
[3923.00 --> 3924.02]  us to make
[3924.02 --> 3925.18]  these impossibly
[3925.18 --> 3925.88]  high moral
[3925.88 --> 3926.62]  standards for
[3926.62 --> 3927.28]  ourselves,
[3928.72 --> 3929.24]  right,
[3929.32 --> 3929.76]  what that means
[3929.76 --> 3930.58]  is we don't
[3930.58 --> 3931.36]  give ourselves
[3931.36 --> 3931.96]  grace or we
[3931.96 --> 3932.66]  don't let the
[3932.66 --> 3933.16]  grace of God
[3933.16 --> 3933.70]  fill us up,
[3933.84 --> 3934.64]  that fight
[3934.64 --> 3935.66]  is hard and
[3935.66 --> 3936.34]  it is long
[3936.34 --> 3936.98]  and it is
[3936.98 --> 3937.46]  work and
[3937.46 --> 3938.16]  honestly it's
[3938.16 --> 3938.96]  too much work
[3938.96 --> 3939.60]  to keep up.
[3939.86 --> 3940.48]  It is impossible
[3940.48 --> 3941.18]  for us to do.
[3941.18 --> 3941.78]  And so,
[3941.90 --> 3942.20]  what do we
[3942.20 --> 3942.48]  do?
[3943.10 --> 3943.76]  Instead of
[3943.76 --> 3944.30]  turning back
[3944.30 --> 3945.00]  to the gospel
[3945.00 --> 3945.78]  that tells me
[3945.78 --> 3946.48]  I am freely,
[3946.94 --> 3948.36]  fully forgiven
[3948.36 --> 3949.94]  and forever
[3949.94 --> 3950.44]  forgiven,
[3950.86 --> 3951.78]  that Jesus has
[3951.78 --> 3952.12]  done it,
[3952.18 --> 3952.52]  instead of
[3952.52 --> 3953.24]  turning back
[3953.24 --> 3954.42]  to that gospel,
[3955.12 --> 3955.62]  what we do
[3955.62 --> 3956.30]  is we start
[3956.30 --> 3957.20]  pushing our
[3957.20 --> 3957.94]  moralisms,
[3958.06 --> 3958.38]  we start
[3958.38 --> 3958.92]  pushing our
[3958.92 --> 3959.46]  legalisms,
[3959.60 --> 3960.28]  our high
[3960.28 --> 3960.96]  standards of
[3960.96 --> 3961.64]  morality out
[3961.64 --> 3962.00]  on other
[3962.00 --> 3962.48]  people.
[3963.94 --> 3964.56]  And what
[3964.56 --> 3965.24]  started as an
[3965.24 --> 3966.28]  impossible standard
[3966.28 --> 3967.30]  for ourselves
[3967.30 --> 3968.46]  becomes the
[3968.46 --> 3969.52]  impossible standard
[3969.52 --> 3970.54]  by which we
[3970.54 --> 3971.42]  look at other
[3971.42 --> 3972.70]  people because
[3972.70 --> 3973.86]  it's easier to
[3973.86 --> 3974.86]  judge them
[3974.86 --> 3976.42]  than to admit
[3976.42 --> 3977.04]  the truth about
[3977.04 --> 3978.58]  myself to
[3978.58 --> 3979.06]  myself.
[3980.64 --> 3981.76]  We blind
[3981.76 --> 3982.64]  ourselves to
[3982.64 --> 3983.36]  our need,
[3983.50 --> 3984.24]  to our sin,
[3984.46 --> 3985.44]  by highlighting
[3985.44 --> 3986.14]  the sin of
[3986.14 --> 3986.48]  others.
[3987.26 --> 3988.28]  We judge
[3988.28 --> 3989.00]  others so that
[3989.00 --> 3989.62]  we can feel
[3989.62 --> 3990.40]  better about
[3990.40 --> 3990.74]  our own
[3990.74 --> 3991.18]  garbage.
[3992.52 --> 3993.16]  At least I'm
[3993.16 --> 3993.84]  not that bad.
[3994.80 --> 3995.40]  At least I
[3995.40 --> 3995.94]  didn't cheat.
[3997.02 --> 3997.54]  At least I
[3997.54 --> 3997.82]  don't,
[3998.82 --> 3999.18]  whatever,
[3999.74 --> 4000.14]  fill in your
[4000.14 --> 4000.44]  blank.
[4001.44 --> 4002.28]  Instead of
[4002.28 --> 4003.04]  God's word
[4003.04 --> 4003.52]  being the
[4003.52 --> 4003.88]  truth by
[4003.88 --> 4004.24]  which we
[4004.24 --> 4004.78]  see and
[4004.78 --> 4005.10]  measure
[4005.10 --> 4005.90]  ourselves,
[4006.08 --> 4006.60]  we turn
[4006.60 --> 4007.04]  to these
[4007.04 --> 4007.98]  self-judgments
[4007.98 --> 4008.70]  and we turn
[4008.70 --> 4009.04]  them into
[4009.04 --> 4010.40]  weapons against
[4010.40 --> 4011.00]  others.
[4013.50 --> 4014.20]  And the
[4014.20 --> 4014.64]  world has
[4014.64 --> 4015.12]  noticed.
[4016.48 --> 4017.26]  If the
[4017.26 --> 4018.10]  world judges
[4018.10 --> 4019.16]  Christians as
[4019.16 --> 4020.10]  judgmental,
[4020.34 --> 4021.36]  as holier than
[4021.36 --> 4022.36]  now, it's
[4022.36 --> 4023.36]  because we
[4023.36 --> 4023.80]  have done
[4023.80 --> 4024.10]  this.
[4024.22 --> 4024.44]  We've
[4024.44 --> 4024.94]  blinded
[4024.94 --> 4026.02]  ourselves to
[4026.02 --> 4026.42]  our own
[4026.42 --> 4026.90]  hearts and
[4026.90 --> 4027.48]  our own
[4027.48 --> 4028.34]  needs and
[4028.34 --> 4028.62]  we've just
[4028.62 --> 4029.14]  projected it
[4029.14 --> 4029.70]  onto others
[4029.70 --> 4031.28]  because it's
[4031.28 --> 4032.54]  easier to
[4032.54 --> 4033.00]  not deal
[4033.00 --> 4033.54]  with me.
[4035.94 --> 4036.58]  Instead,
[4037.58 --> 4038.64]  you have
[4038.64 --> 4039.46]  been blessed
[4039.46 --> 4040.60]  with every
[4040.60 --> 4041.78]  spiritual
[4041.78 --> 4042.80]  blessing.
[4043.84 --> 4044.42]  You have
[4044.42 --> 4045.32]  been redeemed.
[4045.70 --> 4046.10]  You have
[4046.10 --> 4046.84]  redemption
[4046.84 --> 4047.70]  which he
[4047.70 --> 4049.10]  lavished on
[4049.10 --> 4049.38]  you.
[4050.64 --> 4051.40]  How did
[4051.40 --> 4051.70]  he do
[4051.70 --> 4052.06]  that?
[4052.96 --> 4053.48]  He did
[4053.48 --> 4053.72]  it by
[4053.72 --> 4054.14]  Jesus
[4054.14 --> 4054.74]  living the
[4054.74 --> 4055.14]  life that
[4055.14 --> 4055.52]  you should
[4055.52 --> 4056.04]  have lived
[4056.04 --> 4057.50]  and by
[4057.50 --> 4058.20]  dying the
[4058.20 --> 4058.88]  death that
[4058.88 --> 4059.56]  you deserved.
[4060.00 --> 4060.92]  Jesus did
[4060.92 --> 4061.70]  what I
[4061.70 --> 4062.54]  can't.
[4062.78 --> 4063.28]  He lived
[4063.28 --> 4064.38]  perfectly and
[4064.38 --> 4065.18]  he gives
[4065.18 --> 4065.70]  that to
[4065.70 --> 4065.94]  me.
[4066.02 --> 4066.96]  His perfect
[4066.96 --> 4067.70]  righteousness
[4067.70 --> 4068.82]  he freely
[4068.82 --> 4069.46]  gives.
[4069.60 --> 4070.68]  Jesus died
[4070.68 --> 4071.26]  what I
[4071.26 --> 4072.00]  deserve.
[4072.22 --> 4072.74]  On the
[4072.74 --> 4073.36]  cross he
[4073.36 --> 4074.02]  took my
[4074.02 --> 4075.04]  punishment for
[4075.04 --> 4075.56]  sin, for
[4075.56 --> 4076.64]  your sin.
[4076.82 --> 4077.32]  That's the
[4077.32 --> 4077.78]  gospel.
[4078.32 --> 4079.12]  Short and
[4079.12 --> 4079.40]  sweet.
[4079.78 --> 4080.16]  Simple.
[4080.58 --> 4081.20]  Jesus did
[4081.20 --> 4081.92]  what I can't
[4081.92 --> 4082.48]  and Jesus
[4082.48 --> 4083.06]  died what
[4083.06 --> 4083.70]  I deserve.
[4085.28 --> 4085.86]  And because
[4085.86 --> 4086.52]  of that
[4086.52 --> 4088.90]  you, even
[4088.90 --> 4092.56]  you, can
[4092.56 --> 4093.22]  be fully
[4093.22 --> 4094.22]  forgiven.
[4094.74 --> 4095.36]  Freely
[4095.36 --> 4096.46]  forgiven and
[4096.46 --> 4097.18]  forever
[4097.18 --> 4098.34]  forgiven.
[4099.90 --> 4100.48]  Here just a
[4100.48 --> 4101.32]  quick application
[4101.32 --> 4101.92]  before I move
[4101.92 --> 4102.06]  on.
[4103.26 --> 4104.14]  How can
[4104.14 --> 4104.90]  you know
[4104.90 --> 4106.48]  that you
[4106.48 --> 4107.56]  are fully,
[4107.98 --> 4108.28]  freely,
[4108.60 --> 4109.00]  forever
[4109.00 --> 4109.82]  forgiven?
[4109.82 --> 4112.88]  Now here's
[4112.88 --> 4113.24]  what Jesus
[4113.24 --> 4114.64]  taught when
[4114.64 --> 4114.94]  he taught
[4114.94 --> 4115.42]  his disciples
[4115.42 --> 4115.90]  to pray.
[4116.10 --> 4116.22]  And
[4116.22 --> 4117.04]  providence of
[4117.04 --> 4117.56]  God, Eric,
[4117.66 --> 4118.02]  you starting
[4118.02 --> 4118.42]  your prayer
[4118.42 --> 4118.92]  that way was
[4118.92 --> 4119.40]  perfect.
[4121.62 --> 4121.94]  Jesus
[4121.94 --> 4122.60]  prays,
[4123.44 --> 4124.12]  forgive us
[4124.12 --> 4124.92]  our sins.
[4125.54 --> 4125.86]  What's the
[4125.86 --> 4126.24]  next line?
[4131.92 --> 4132.44]  As,
[4132.64 --> 4134.74]  as we
[4134.74 --> 4135.52]  forgive those
[4135.52 --> 4135.98]  who sinned
[4135.98 --> 4136.60]  against us.
[4136.98 --> 4137.56]  Did you hear
[4137.56 --> 4137.86]  that?
[4138.70 --> 4139.48]  As you
[4139.48 --> 4140.00]  forgive those
[4140.00 --> 4140.56]  again, one
[4140.56 --> 4140.94]  of the
[4140.94 --> 4141.56]  marks that
[4141.56 --> 4142.18]  you are
[4142.18 --> 4142.92]  forgiven,
[4143.52 --> 4144.32]  right, and
[4144.32 --> 4144.72]  this is from
[4144.72 --> 4145.66]  Jesus himself,
[4146.30 --> 4146.86]  one of the
[4146.86 --> 4147.32]  marks that
[4147.32 --> 4147.72]  you are
[4147.72 --> 4148.76]  forgiven is
[4148.76 --> 4149.28]  that you
[4149.28 --> 4150.16]  are forgiving.
[4152.50 --> 4153.38]  And so,
[4153.98 --> 4154.92]  who do you
[4154.92 --> 4155.52]  need to
[4155.52 --> 4156.64]  fully forgive,
[4157.08 --> 4158.06]  freely forgive,
[4158.52 --> 4159.30]  and forever
[4159.30 --> 4160.38]  forgive?
[4162.42 --> 4163.20]  I'm serving
[4163.20 --> 4163.74]  that up to you.
[4163.74 --> 4164.22]  You can think
[4164.22 --> 4164.70]  on that over
[4164.70 --> 4165.00]  the next
[4165.00 --> 4165.48]  couple days.
[4165.48 --> 4166.48]  God's
[4166.48 --> 4167.48]  will.
[4167.48 --> 4167.64]  We are
[4167.64 --> 4168.10]  adopted,
[4168.94 --> 4169.42]  we are
[4169.42 --> 4169.94]  redeemed,
[4170.34 --> 4170.86]  we are
[4170.86 --> 4171.48]  given a
[4171.48 --> 4172.50]  purpose in
[4172.50 --> 4173.32]  God's
[4173.32 --> 4174.00]  will.
[4176.00 --> 4176.88]  He made
[4176.88 --> 4177.36]  known to
[4177.36 --> 4177.88]  us the
[4177.88 --> 4178.56]  mystery of
[4178.56 --> 4179.08]  his will
[4179.08 --> 4179.68]  according to
[4179.68 --> 4180.06]  his good
[4180.06 --> 4180.38]  pleasure,
[4180.64 --> 4181.30]  which he
[4181.30 --> 4182.16]  purposed
[4182.16 --> 4183.82]  in Christ,
[4184.30 --> 4184.76]  to be put
[4184.76 --> 4185.40]  into effect
[4185.40 --> 4185.86]  when the
[4185.86 --> 4186.46]  times reach
[4186.46 --> 4186.62]  their
[4186.62 --> 4187.00]  fulfillment,
[4187.42 --> 4187.82]  to bring
[4187.82 --> 4188.62]  unity to
[4188.62 --> 4189.80]  all things
[4189.80 --> 4190.26]  in heaven
[4190.26 --> 4191.02]  and on
[4191.02 --> 4192.22]  earth under
[4192.22 --> 4193.24]  Christ.
[4197.30 --> 4197.94]  God's
[4197.94 --> 4199.82]  will can
[4199.82 --> 4200.20]  be
[4200.20 --> 4200.86]  mysterious,
[4201.74 --> 4202.98]  and God's
[4202.98 --> 4203.92]  plan can
[4203.92 --> 4206.46]  be weird
[4206.46 --> 4207.58]  and strange,
[4207.72 --> 4209.10]  and to be
[4209.10 --> 4209.84]  honest, and
[4209.84 --> 4210.84]  to be truthful
[4210.84 --> 4211.46]  here, you
[4211.46 --> 4212.44]  can question
[4212.44 --> 4212.76]  it.
[4213.34 --> 4214.22]  God invites
[4214.22 --> 4215.04]  your questions
[4215.04 --> 4216.14]  as you
[4216.14 --> 4216.88]  struggle through
[4216.88 --> 4218.04]  the day-to-day
[4218.04 --> 4218.84]  things of
[4218.84 --> 4219.20]  life.
[4220.02 --> 4220.74]  But even
[4220.74 --> 4221.54]  as you ask
[4221.54 --> 4222.40]  those questions,
[4222.84 --> 4223.70]  also know
[4223.70 --> 4224.28]  that God
[4224.28 --> 4225.18]  does indeed
[4225.18 --> 4225.78]  have a
[4225.78 --> 4226.18]  plan.
[4227.28 --> 4227.60]  And that
[4227.60 --> 4228.22]  plan not
[4228.22 --> 4229.44]  only includes
[4229.44 --> 4230.40]  you, right,
[4230.44 --> 4231.30]  God's plan
[4231.30 --> 4231.98]  is made
[4231.98 --> 4232.76]  known to
[4232.76 --> 4233.04]  you.
[4234.04 --> 4234.42]  In the
[4234.42 --> 4234.92]  end, there
[4234.92 --> 4235.44]  is no
[4235.44 --> 4236.36]  surprise for
[4236.36 --> 4236.90]  the Christian
[4236.90 --> 4237.74]  man or
[4237.74 --> 4238.90]  woman about
[4238.90 --> 4239.52]  what God
[4239.52 --> 4240.02]  is doing
[4240.02 --> 4240.36]  in the
[4240.36 --> 4240.62]  world.
[4241.18 --> 4241.70]  God has
[4241.70 --> 4242.44]  a plan to
[4242.44 --> 4243.38]  bring all
[4243.38 --> 4243.90]  things in
[4243.90 --> 4244.40]  heaven and
[4244.40 --> 4244.70]  on earth
[4244.70 --> 4245.40]  together under
[4245.40 --> 4246.08]  one head,
[4246.68 --> 4246.98]  Christ.
[4250.28 --> 4251.02]  God has
[4251.02 --> 4252.88]  a plan and
[4252.88 --> 4253.30]  God is
[4253.30 --> 4254.44]  sovereign over
[4254.44 --> 4255.50]  that plan and
[4255.50 --> 4256.08]  that means
[4256.08 --> 4257.00]  that everything
[4257.00 --> 4257.86]  that happens,
[4258.92 --> 4261.22]  everything is
[4261.22 --> 4261.92]  accounted for
[4261.92 --> 4262.40]  in God's
[4262.40 --> 4262.66]  plan.
[4264.16 --> 4265.68]  Now, some
[4265.68 --> 4266.08]  of you don't
[4266.08 --> 4266.46]  like that
[4266.46 --> 4266.78]  idea.
[4267.82 --> 4268.34]  Some of you
[4268.34 --> 4268.86]  think that
[4268.86 --> 4269.22]  that makes
[4269.22 --> 4269.74]  God out to
[4269.74 --> 4270.42]  be a tyrant
[4270.42 --> 4271.44]  or malevolent,
[4271.84 --> 4272.00]  right?
[4272.04 --> 4272.66]  If God has
[4272.66 --> 4273.26]  a plan, if
[4273.26 --> 4273.72]  God was
[4273.72 --> 4274.58]  sovereign, if
[4274.58 --> 4275.04]  God really
[4275.04 --> 4276.32]  loved me or
[4276.32 --> 4277.14]  loved her or
[4277.14 --> 4277.66]  loved him,
[4277.88 --> 4278.30]  he wouldn't
[4278.30 --> 4278.66]  have let
[4278.66 --> 4279.34]  cancer come.
[4279.34 --> 4280.70]  Grandma wouldn't
[4280.70 --> 4281.26]  have died.
[4281.50 --> 4281.98]  I wouldn't
[4281.98 --> 4282.42]  have lost
[4282.42 --> 4283.00]  my job.
[4286.20 --> 4286.54]  Now, if you
[4286.54 --> 4287.00]  try to
[4287.00 --> 4288.94]  suggest that
[4288.94 --> 4290.06]  things happen
[4290.06 --> 4291.68]  outside of
[4291.68 --> 4292.48]  the will of
[4292.48 --> 4294.58]  God, your
[4294.58 --> 4295.38]  God isn't
[4295.38 --> 4296.12]  big enough to
[4296.12 --> 4296.62]  be God.
[4297.98 --> 4298.46]  Right?
[4298.48 --> 4298.94]  If you want
[4298.94 --> 4299.52]  a God who
[4299.52 --> 4300.40]  is big enough
[4300.40 --> 4301.52]  to be angry
[4301.52 --> 4302.42]  at when things
[4302.42 --> 4303.54]  go wrong, you
[4303.54 --> 4304.42]  also have to
[4304.42 --> 4305.22]  accept a God
[4305.22 --> 4306.10]  who is sovereign
[4306.10 --> 4306.70]  enough, who
[4306.70 --> 4307.52]  is God
[4307.52 --> 4308.72]  enough, who
[4308.72 --> 4309.66]  is big enough
[4309.66 --> 4310.48]  to have
[4310.48 --> 4312.00]  reasons that
[4312.00 --> 4312.56]  you can't
[4312.56 --> 4313.90]  understand, to
[4313.90 --> 4314.68]  have a purpose
[4314.68 --> 4315.64]  for you needing
[4315.64 --> 4316.70]  to endure this,
[4317.08 --> 4317.54]  that, or the
[4317.54 --> 4318.22]  other thing, things
[4318.22 --> 4319.06]  that appear wrong
[4319.06 --> 4320.54]  or unjust, God
[4320.54 --> 4321.12]  has a plan.
[4323.20 --> 4324.00]  The book of
[4324.00 --> 4324.62]  Job in the
[4324.62 --> 4325.16]  Old Testament
[4325.16 --> 4326.36]  deals with this
[4326.36 --> 4327.16]  entire question,
[4327.28 --> 4328.00]  and right at the
[4328.00 --> 4329.70]  very beginning, Job
[4329.70 --> 4330.54]  asks a question.
[4330.64 --> 4331.18]  In chapter 2,
[4331.24 --> 4331.78]  verse 10, he
[4331.78 --> 4332.52]  says, shall we
[4332.52 --> 4333.76]  accept only good
[4333.76 --> 4334.92]  from God and
[4334.92 --> 4335.82]  not trouble?
[4335.82 --> 4338.50]  So, at the
[4338.50 --> 4339.12]  beginning of this
[4339.12 --> 4340.42]  new year, right,
[4340.48 --> 4341.48]  after this past
[4341.48 --> 4342.04]  year, which we're
[4342.04 --> 4342.72]  all quite content
[4342.72 --> 4343.56]  to leave in the
[4343.56 --> 4345.02]  past, is your
[4345.02 --> 4346.66]  conception of God
[4346.66 --> 4347.88]  big enough to
[4347.88 --> 4349.16]  include the
[4349.16 --> 4349.80]  things that we
[4349.80 --> 4350.78]  can't or that we
[4350.78 --> 4351.54]  don't even want
[4351.54 --> 4352.82]  to understand?
[4353.90 --> 4354.72]  Because that's
[4354.72 --> 4355.70]  what it means to
[4355.70 --> 4356.30]  be given a
[4356.30 --> 4358.14]  purpose in God's
[4358.14 --> 4360.58]  will, that he
[4360.58 --> 4362.14]  has a plan for
[4362.14 --> 4363.40]  you, a purpose
[4363.40 --> 4364.24]  for you.
[4364.24 --> 4365.10]  And right here,
[4365.48 --> 4366.24]  right now, he
[4366.24 --> 4367.36]  is working that
[4367.36 --> 4368.20]  out.
[4370.48 --> 4371.44]  Who am I?
[4372.92 --> 4373.44]  Adopted,
[4374.02 --> 4374.44]  redeemed,
[4374.88 --> 4375.72]  given a purpose
[4375.72 --> 4376.82]  and a plan in
[4376.82 --> 4377.76]  God's will, and
[4377.76 --> 4379.48]  for you are a
[4379.48 --> 4381.14]  true worshiper.
[4385.94 --> 4386.94]  In him we were
[4386.94 --> 4387.94]  also chosen, having
[4387.94 --> 4388.72]  been predestined
[4388.72 --> 4389.34]  according to the
[4389.34 --> 4390.10]  plan of him who
[4390.10 --> 4390.96]  works out everything
[4390.96 --> 4392.40]  in conformity with
[4392.40 --> 4393.18]  the purpose of his
[4393.18 --> 4394.18]  will, verse 12,
[4394.24 --> 4395.82]  in order that we,
[4396.50 --> 4396.92]  who were the
[4396.92 --> 4397.78]  first to put our
[4397.78 --> 4398.66]  hope in Christ,
[4399.08 --> 4400.14]  might be for the
[4400.14 --> 4401.56]  praise of his
[4401.56 --> 4402.58]  glory.
[4403.88 --> 4405.36]  For the praise
[4405.36 --> 4406.66]  of his
[4406.66 --> 4407.78]  glory.
[4408.62 --> 4410.24]  God chose you,
[4410.42 --> 4411.72]  he predestined
[4411.72 --> 4412.82]  you, he adopted
[4412.82 --> 4414.22]  you, he planned
[4414.22 --> 4415.56]  for you before the
[4415.56 --> 4416.58]  foundation of the
[4416.58 --> 4417.88]  world in order
[4417.88 --> 4418.82]  that for the
[4418.82 --> 4419.86]  purpose of, so
[4419.86 --> 4421.34]  that you might be
[4421.34 --> 4422.72]  for the praise of
[4422.72 --> 4424.28]  his glory, so
[4424.28 --> 4425.26]  that you might be
[4425.26 --> 4426.48]  a true
[4426.48 --> 4427.26]  worshiper.
[4428.78 --> 4429.46]  There is nothing
[4429.46 --> 4430.78]  bigger or
[4430.78 --> 4432.38]  better than the
[4432.38 --> 4433.78]  glory of
[4433.78 --> 4434.54]  God.
[4435.46 --> 4435.66]  Right?
[4435.80 --> 4437.00]  God who is
[4437.00 --> 4438.72]  all in all, is
[4438.72 --> 4440.02]  most magnificent,
[4440.26 --> 4440.98]  is most
[4440.98 --> 4442.02]  marvelous, is
[4442.02 --> 4442.94]  most amazing,
[4443.14 --> 4443.84]  most worthy
[4443.84 --> 4444.60]  of praise.
[4444.68 --> 4445.58]  He is most
[4445.58 --> 4446.30]  awesome.
[4446.42 --> 4447.14]  There is none
[4447.14 --> 4447.54]  greater.
[4447.72 --> 4448.70]  He alone is
[4448.70 --> 4449.40]  worthy of all
[4449.40 --> 4450.56]  glory and honor
[4450.56 --> 4451.32]  and praise.
[4451.48 --> 4452.26]  He is the
[4452.26 --> 4453.46]  most beautiful.
[4453.66 --> 4454.30]  There is no
[4454.30 --> 4455.88]  being better or
[4455.88 --> 4457.08]  more worthy of my
[4457.08 --> 4458.28]  love and affection
[4458.28 --> 4460.06]  and he is big
[4460.06 --> 4461.24]  enough, he alone
[4461.24 --> 4462.56]  is big enough, to
[4462.56 --> 4463.76]  handle the weight
[4463.76 --> 4464.96]  of my ultimate
[4464.96 --> 4465.72]  affections.
[4466.70 --> 4467.76]  That's who God
[4467.76 --> 4468.14]  is.
[4469.38 --> 4470.32]  That means
[4470.32 --> 4471.42]  something for who
[4471.42 --> 4472.30]  you are in
[4472.30 --> 4473.00]  him.
[4474.24 --> 4475.60]  I really like the
[4475.60 --> 4476.56]  way the Westminster
[4476.56 --> 4477.88]  Shorter Confession
[4477.88 --> 4478.34]  puts it.
[4479.02 --> 4479.38]  You've probably
[4479.38 --> 4479.86]  heard me say
[4479.86 --> 4480.42]  this before.
[4480.50 --> 4480.90]  It asks the
[4480.90 --> 4481.94]  question, what
[4481.94 --> 4482.86]  is the chief
[4482.86 --> 4483.78]  end of
[4483.78 --> 4484.76]  humanity?
[4485.44 --> 4486.08]  Why are you
[4486.08 --> 4486.36]  here?
[4487.00 --> 4487.52]  Why were you
[4487.52 --> 4487.90]  created?
[4488.00 --> 4488.34]  What is your
[4488.34 --> 4489.30]  purpose, your
[4489.30 --> 4490.08]  telos?
[4490.46 --> 4491.56]  The answer, to
[4491.56 --> 4493.24]  glorify God and
[4493.24 --> 4494.50]  enjoy him
[4494.50 --> 4495.48]  forever.
[4496.08 --> 4497.44]  To glorify God
[4497.44 --> 4498.24]  and enjoy him
[4498.24 --> 4499.42]  forever in order
[4499.42 --> 4500.68]  that we might be
[4500.68 --> 4502.36]  for the praise of
[4502.36 --> 4503.90]  his glory.
[4505.78 --> 4507.24]  John Piper is a
[4507.24 --> 4507.82]  pastor and
[4507.82 --> 4508.38]  theologian.
[4508.38 --> 4510.40]  he has a line,
[4510.50 --> 4511.00]  a quote that
[4511.00 --> 4512.70]  says, God is
[4512.70 --> 4514.12]  most glorified in
[4514.12 --> 4515.74]  us when we are
[4515.74 --> 4517.86]  most satisfied in
[4517.86 --> 4518.18]  him.
[4519.76 --> 4521.80]  You glorify God by
[4521.80 --> 4522.96]  making him your
[4522.96 --> 4524.56]  all in all.
[4525.38 --> 4526.20]  That's real
[4526.20 --> 4526.62]  worship.
[4527.64 --> 4528.28]  That's what this
[4528.28 --> 4528.80]  is about.
[4529.14 --> 4530.00]  Here, right here
[4530.00 --> 4530.94]  we get a taste.
[4531.36 --> 4532.32]  Next week at the
[4532.32 --> 4533.12]  Lord's Supper where
[4533.12 --> 4534.00]  we gather together,
[4534.20 --> 4534.84]  we're going to get
[4534.84 --> 4535.50]  even more of a
[4535.50 --> 4535.84]  taste.
[4535.84 --> 4537.70]  This is supposed
[4537.70 --> 4538.88]  to be a place
[4538.88 --> 4539.74]  where you can
[4539.74 --> 4540.58]  encounter the
[4540.58 --> 4541.64]  living God in a
[4541.64 --> 4542.34]  way that you can
[4542.34 --> 4544.00]  see and hear and
[4544.00 --> 4545.20]  taste and know.
[4545.52 --> 4546.40]  That's what real
[4546.40 --> 4547.48]  worship is about.
[4548.52 --> 4550.10]  And you are made
[4550.10 --> 4551.56]  to be a real
[4551.56 --> 4552.46]  worshiper.
[4552.46 --> 4559.14]  I'm going to
[4559.14 --> 4559.84]  offend some of you
[4559.84 --> 4560.26]  right now.
[4561.58 --> 4562.50]  I just want to
[4562.50 --> 4562.90]  warn you.
[4563.34 --> 4563.86]  Trigger warning.
[4565.22 --> 4565.96]  You were created,
[4566.14 --> 4566.90]  redeemed, adopted,
[4567.00 --> 4567.76]  and chosen before the
[4567.76 --> 4568.48]  foundation of the
[4568.48 --> 4569.88]  world for the
[4569.88 --> 4570.50]  praise of his
[4570.50 --> 4570.86]  glory.
[4571.36 --> 4572.00]  You have been
[4572.00 --> 4572.62]  blessed with an
[4572.62 --> 4573.42]  opportunity to
[4573.42 --> 4574.40]  worship God in
[4574.40 --> 4575.38]  spirit and in
[4575.38 --> 4576.44]  truth to come into
[4576.44 --> 4577.74]  this space and
[4577.74 --> 4579.10]  witness Jesus coming
[4579.10 --> 4579.64]  to you.
[4579.64 --> 4581.10]  And sometimes
[4581.10 --> 4583.76]  your attitude
[4583.76 --> 4585.26]  sucks.
[4588.60 --> 4589.40]  Let me be clear,
[4589.46 --> 4589.94]  I'm preaching to
[4589.94 --> 4591.04]  myself as well.
[4592.56 --> 4593.44]  When you come to
[4593.44 --> 4594.40]  church on Sunday
[4594.40 --> 4596.06]  and the first thing
[4596.06 --> 4596.70]  out of your mouth
[4596.70 --> 4597.50]  or the first thought
[4597.50 --> 4598.02]  in your head,
[4598.28 --> 4599.00]  the first feeling
[4599.00 --> 4599.90]  in your heart is a
[4599.90 --> 4600.74]  grumbling about
[4600.74 --> 4601.60]  something you don't
[4601.60 --> 4601.94]  like.
[4602.72 --> 4603.50]  I don't like the
[4603.50 --> 4604.12]  way that stage
[4604.12 --> 4604.44]  looks.
[4605.08 --> 4605.94]  I don't like being
[4605.94 --> 4606.56]  told to wear a
[4606.56 --> 4606.90]  mask.
[4607.50 --> 4608.22]  I don't like this
[4608.22 --> 4608.58]  band.
[4608.58 --> 4610.00]  I don't like that
[4610.00 --> 4610.40]  song.
[4611.20 --> 4611.88]  I don't like that
[4611.88 --> 4612.20]  preacher.
[4613.62 --> 4614.66]  When you come here
[4614.66 --> 4615.44]  grumbling and
[4615.44 --> 4616.40]  complaining and
[4616.40 --> 4617.28]  your heart attitude
[4617.28 --> 4619.70]  sucks, you are
[4619.70 --> 4621.74]  denying yourself the
[4621.74 --> 4623.16]  very purpose for
[4623.16 --> 4623.80]  which you have been
[4623.80 --> 4624.20]  adopted.
[4624.96 --> 4626.04]  The praise and
[4626.04 --> 4627.16]  glory of God.
[4627.74 --> 4628.64]  And your selfish
[4628.64 --> 4630.02]  attitude is stopping
[4630.02 --> 4631.18]  you from that
[4631.18 --> 4631.54]  purpose.
[4633.20 --> 4634.10]  Here's what I know.
[4634.38 --> 4635.14]  For some of you,
[4635.26 --> 4636.36]  for probably most of
[4636.36 --> 4637.14]  you, if statistics
[4637.14 --> 4637.96]  bear it out, no, you
[4637.96 --> 4638.60]  guys are better than
[4638.60 --> 4639.48]  statistics, so maybe
[4639.48 --> 4640.22]  there's a few more.
[4641.00 --> 4642.10]  But for most of you,
[4642.26 --> 4643.94]  this here and now,
[4644.02 --> 4644.96]  this hour, hour and
[4644.96 --> 4645.84]  a half, depending on
[4645.84 --> 4647.36]  how things go, is the
[4647.36 --> 4648.74]  only time of the week
[4648.74 --> 4649.38]  where you will open
[4649.38 --> 4649.84]  your Bible.
[4651.02 --> 4652.22]  The only chance you
[4652.22 --> 4653.52]  have to give yourself
[4653.52 --> 4655.00]  to hear God, to talk
[4655.00 --> 4656.44]  to God, to listen for
[4656.44 --> 4656.90]  his leading.
[4658.30 --> 4659.46]  And for some of you,
[4659.72 --> 4660.64]  right, this is the only
[4660.64 --> 4661.68]  chance that you have
[4661.68 --> 4662.92]  to gather with
[4662.92 --> 4664.88]  Christians until next
[4664.88 --> 4666.48]  week when we do it
[4666.48 --> 4666.82]  again.
[4668.36 --> 4669.58]  Don't take that for
[4669.58 --> 4670.08]  granted.
[4671.56 --> 4672.80]  Don't come, whether in
[4672.80 --> 4674.46]  person or online, with
[4674.46 --> 4675.86]  grumbling hearts.
[4676.12 --> 4677.44]  Yes, come authentically.
[4677.78 --> 4678.56]  Come as you are.
[4678.68 --> 4680.26]  Bring everything you have
[4680.26 --> 4682.08]  into this space, even if
[4682.08 --> 4683.38]  that's your anger, even if
[4683.38 --> 4684.18]  that's your disappointment,
[4684.54 --> 4686.02]  even if that's your rage at
[4686.02 --> 4687.28]  everything that's going on.
[4688.04 --> 4690.12]  But come ready to meet
[4690.12 --> 4690.90]  God.
[4691.48 --> 4693.60]  Come expecting that God has
[4693.60 --> 4695.40]  something for you in this
[4695.40 --> 4696.20]  time together.
[4696.60 --> 4697.88]  Don't come grumbling and
[4697.88 --> 4699.20]  putting up walls that are
[4699.20 --> 4699.78]  going to make it even
[4699.78 --> 4701.22]  harder to hear the voice of
[4701.22 --> 4702.22]  Jesus in our gathering.
[4705.42 --> 4706.44]  Do you do that for the
[4706.44 --> 4706.84]  next year?
[4710.20 --> 4711.28]  You are adopted.
[4712.28 --> 4713.46]  You are redeemed.
[4713.88 --> 4715.22]  You are given a purpose in
[4715.22 --> 4716.36]  the plan of God, and you
[4716.36 --> 4717.92]  are a real worshiper.
[4717.92 --> 4719.84]  And then fifth, finally, you
[4719.84 --> 4722.98]  are filled with God's
[4722.98 --> 4723.70]  power.
[4726.44 --> 4728.86]  When you believed, you
[4728.86 --> 4730.42]  were marked in him with a
[4730.42 --> 4732.24]  seal, the promised Holy
[4732.24 --> 4734.08]  Spirit, who is a deposit
[4734.08 --> 4735.66]  guaranteeing our inheritance
[4735.66 --> 4737.38]  until the redemption of
[4737.38 --> 4738.54]  those who are God's
[4738.54 --> 4741.36]  possessions to the praise of
[4741.36 --> 4742.92]  his glory.
[4742.92 --> 4747.06]  Lastly, most importantly,
[4747.26 --> 4750.66]  perhaps, you are filled with
[4750.66 --> 4752.50]  the Holy Spirit.
[4753.74 --> 4755.00]  Okay, the only way that you
[4755.00 --> 4756.56]  can be adopted, let alone
[4756.56 --> 4757.70]  know that you are adopted,
[4757.94 --> 4759.46]  the only way that you can be
[4759.46 --> 4761.02]  united to the redemption
[4761.02 --> 4762.62]  bought by his blood, the
[4762.62 --> 4763.78]  only way that you are given
[4763.78 --> 4765.36]  a purpose and a plan and
[4765.36 --> 4766.38]  that you can know that
[4766.38 --> 4767.94]  purpose, the only way that
[4767.94 --> 4768.88]  you can worship in the
[4768.88 --> 4770.48]  Spirit and in truth as a real
[4770.48 --> 4772.58]  worshiper is because of the
[4772.58 --> 4773.38]  Holy Spirit.
[4775.62 --> 4777.26]  Now, years ago, Francis
[4777.26 --> 4778.82]  Chan wrote a great little
[4778.82 --> 4780.46]  book called Forgotten God.
[4780.56 --> 4782.16]  The idea was that sometimes
[4782.16 --> 4784.14]  it is easy to overlook the
[4784.14 --> 4785.82]  role and power and presence
[4785.82 --> 4788.54]  of the Holy Spirit and his
[4788.54 --> 4790.82]  necessity for life and faith
[4790.82 --> 4791.46]  in Jesus.
[4792.38 --> 4794.90]  And I think, generally, in our
[4794.90 --> 4797.32]  tradition, we are guilty of
[4797.32 --> 4797.70]  the same.
[4798.88 --> 4800.48]  Now, let me be clear, okay?
[4800.54 --> 4802.06]  I'm not talking about special
[4802.06 --> 4803.38]  gifts or tongues or prophecy
[4803.38 --> 4804.80]  or healing, right?
[4804.80 --> 4805.82]  I'm not talking about
[4805.82 --> 4807.52]  everybody needing to be
[4807.52 --> 4808.82]  happy, clappy, or dancing
[4808.82 --> 4810.48]  in the aisles, slain in the
[4810.48 --> 4811.36]  Spirit, right?
[4811.38 --> 4812.62]  I am talking about the
[4812.62 --> 4814.28]  ordinary life and faith
[4814.28 --> 4814.98]  stuff.
[4815.12 --> 4816.86]  The Holy Spirit is necessary
[4816.86 --> 4818.78]  and required, an absolute
[4818.78 --> 4820.76]  must for all of that.
[4821.52 --> 4822.72]  How do I come to new
[4822.72 --> 4823.10]  belief?
[4823.94 --> 4825.14]  The work of the Holy Spirit.
[4825.38 --> 4826.54]  How do I come to renewed
[4826.54 --> 4827.02]  belief?
[4827.20 --> 4828.30]  The work of the Holy Spirit.
[4828.44 --> 4829.94]  How has my life changed for
[4829.94 --> 4830.22]  Jesus?
[4830.22 --> 4831.16]  The Holy Spirit.
[4831.28 --> 4833.26]  How do I endure testing or
[4833.26 --> 4833.74]  trial?
[4833.96 --> 4834.74]  The Holy Spirit.
[4835.28 --> 4837.24]  How does the Word of God
[4837.24 --> 4839.00]  become living and active in
[4839.00 --> 4839.58]  my life?
[4839.76 --> 4840.72]  The Holy Spirit.
[4841.50 --> 4842.74]  How is my prayer made
[4842.74 --> 4844.34]  effective in the will of God
[4844.34 --> 4845.08]  for the world?
[4845.40 --> 4846.42]  The Holy Spirit.
[4847.44 --> 4849.66]  How do I use my gifts to
[4849.66 --> 4851.70]  serve and edify the church?
[4852.88 --> 4854.14]  With the Holy Spirit.
[4855.40 --> 4857.52]  God promises to equip you with
[4857.52 --> 4859.24]  every spiritual blessing.
[4860.50 --> 4864.04]  That is the Holy Spirit.
[4866.68 --> 4868.68]  You can't do this on your own.
[4869.60 --> 4871.04]  You can't do it at all, in
[4871.04 --> 4871.34]  fact.
[4871.78 --> 4874.04]  But God gives you himself, the
[4874.04 --> 4875.64]  promised Holy Spirit, so that
[4875.64 --> 4878.20]  it is him doing it in you and
[4878.20 --> 4879.64]  with you and by your side.
[4880.98 --> 4882.76]  Philippians 2, Paul says,
[4883.16 --> 4884.58]  continue to work out your
[4884.58 --> 4886.10]  salvation with fear and
[4886.10 --> 4887.44]  trembling, so hear that, continue
[4887.44 --> 4889.34]  to do this work, for it is
[4889.34 --> 4891.74]  God who works in you to will
[4891.74 --> 4893.46]  and to act in order to
[4893.46 --> 4895.58]  fulfill his good purposes.
[4897.18 --> 4899.54]  So maybe you've said, I don't
[4899.54 --> 4900.48]  know if I can do this.
[4901.24 --> 4902.30]  I don't know if I can handle
[4902.30 --> 4902.76]  this.
[4903.92 --> 4904.90]  Truth is, you can't.
[4905.98 --> 4908.26]  On your own, you can't.
[4909.58 --> 4911.34]  But you are not on your own
[4911.34 --> 4913.32]  because you are not your own.
[4913.32 --> 4915.74]  You were bought with a price.
[4916.24 --> 4916.32]  Right?
[4916.40 --> 4918.08]  God's Holy Spirit isn't just a
[4918.08 --> 4920.02]  companion enabling you to
[4920.02 --> 4920.44]  endure.
[4920.68 --> 4922.16]  The Holy Spirit in you and with
[4922.16 --> 4923.94]  you is a promise that you will
[4923.94 --> 4924.62]  endure.
[4924.94 --> 4927.98]  He is a deposit guaranteeing our
[4927.98 --> 4928.86]  inheritance.
[4933.56 --> 4936.10]  That's God's promise to you.
[4936.10 --> 4941.28]  I don't want to overstate the
[4941.28 --> 4941.56]  case.
[4942.84 --> 4943.90]  So I'll put it this way.
[4944.38 --> 4945.88]  The second most important
[4945.88 --> 4948.54]  question anyone will ever ask
[4948.54 --> 4950.18]  is, who am I?
[4951.94 --> 4952.88]  Now you're wondering what the
[4952.88 --> 4954.48]  first most important question is.
[4954.54 --> 4955.44]  Well, that's who is Jesus?
[4956.34 --> 4957.50]  But the answers are intimately
[4957.50 --> 4957.92]  related.
[4959.58 --> 4960.44]  Who am I?
[4960.44 --> 4966.48]  Today and every day, you are
[4966.48 --> 4970.14]  adopted sons and daughters, God.
[4970.88 --> 4974.74]  You are redeemed by his lavish
[4974.74 --> 4975.50]  love.
[4976.26 --> 4978.22]  You are given a purpose and a
[4978.22 --> 4980.20]  plan in his sovereign power.
[4980.38 --> 4983.10]  You are a real worshiper of the
[4983.10 --> 4983.88]  one true God.
[4984.02 --> 4986.06]  And you have the power of that
[4986.06 --> 4988.80]  God himself inside of you.
[4988.80 --> 4992.20]  No matter what 2022 brings,
[4992.84 --> 4994.80]  nothing can change that.
[4996.74 --> 5000.16]  But imagine how much you would
[5000.16 --> 5002.80]  be changed if you remembered this
[5002.80 --> 5003.68]  truth all year long.
[5004.76 --> 5005.80]  Let me pray for you.
[5009.54 --> 5016.00]  Lord Jesus, speak the truth of our
[5016.00 --> 5019.46]  identity in you and from you over
[5019.46 --> 5022.18]  each of us this morning.
[5024.66 --> 5027.80]  Give us new eyes to see and to be
[5027.80 --> 5031.52]  encouraged and to go in your power.
[5033.44 --> 5036.00]  And God, for those of us here this
[5036.00 --> 5038.00]  morning or hearing this morning,
[5038.84 --> 5041.12]  for whom this is new, or this is the
[5041.12 --> 5042.82]  first time we're wondering about our
[5042.82 --> 5045.94]  identity in Jesus, I pray, Holy Spirit,
[5046.12 --> 5048.06]  break down walls of hostility.
[5048.22 --> 5050.36]  I pray, Holy Spirit, transform hearts
[5050.36 --> 5051.90]  of stone into hearts of flesh.
[5052.22 --> 5053.64]  I pray, Holy Spirit, that our hearts
[5053.64 --> 5056.64]  might beat and course in love for you.
[5059.64 --> 5063.24]  Transform each and every one of us
[5063.24 --> 5065.50]  into the image of your Son.
[5065.50 --> 5069.40]  That we might know ourselves as adopted
[5069.40 --> 5072.08]  and redeemed, as part of your plan,
[5072.82 --> 5075.54]  as true worshipers, and as filled
[5075.54 --> 5077.68]  with your power.
[5078.86 --> 5082.22]  Come what may, this truth remains.
[5082.84 --> 5089.00]  We are yours and you are mine.
[5089.00 --> 5091.84]  Jesus Christ, we pray.
[5092.54 --> 5092.88]  Amen.
[5104.88 --> 5106.16]  Please stand with us.
[5106.16 --> 5126.74]  Who am I that the highest
[5126.74 --> 5127.74]  God, that the highest
[5127.74 --> 5128.74]  He is.
[5128.74 --> 5129.74]  He is.
[5129.74 --> 5130.74]  He is.
[5130.74 --> 5131.74]  He is.
[5131.74 --> 5132.74]  He is.
[5132.74 --> 5135.88]  I was lost, but He brought me in.
[5135.88 --> 5138.74]  Oh, His love for me.
[5138.74 --> 5143.74]  Oh, His love for me.
[5143.74 --> 5148.14]  The sun sets free.
[5148.14 --> 5151.98]  Oh, His free indeed.
[5151.98 --> 5156.98]  I'm a child of God.
[5156.98 --> 5160.58]  Yes, I am.
[5162.48 --> 5166.42]  Free at last, He has ransomed me.
[5166.74 --> 5169.98]  His grace runs deep.
[5171.76 --> 5174.94]  While I was a slave to sin,
[5175.08 --> 5178.44]  Jesus died for me.
[5178.44 --> 5183.44]  Yes, He died for me.
[5183.44 --> 5187.44]  Who the sun sets free.
[5187.44 --> 5191.44]  Oh, His free indeed.
[5191.44 --> 5196.34]  I'm a child of God.
[5196.34 --> 5200.32]  Yes, I am.
[5200.32 --> 5205.22]  In my Father's house,
[5205.22 --> 5209.22]  There's a place for me.
[5209.22 --> 5213.22]  I'm a child of God.
[5214.22 --> 5217.22]  Yes, I am.
[5218.22 --> 5222.22]  I am chosen, not forsaken.
[5223.22 --> 5226.22]  I am who you say I am.
[5226.22 --> 5227.22]  I am who you say I am.
[5227.22 --> 5229.22]  I am who you say I am.
[5229.22 --> 5231.22]  You are for me, not against me.
[5231.22 --> 5235.22]  I am who you say I am.
[5235.22 --> 5239.22]  I am chosen, not forsaken.
[5239.22 --> 5243.22]  I am who you say I am.
[5243.22 --> 5244.22]  I am who you say I am.
[5244.22 --> 5248.22]  I am who you say I am.
[5248.22 --> 5253.22]  I am who you say I am.
[5253.22 --> 5256.22]  I am who you say I am.
[5256.22 --> 5261.22]  Who the sun sets free.
[5261.22 --> 5265.22]  Oh, His free indeed.
[5265.22 --> 5270.22]  I'm a child of God.
[5270.22 --> 5275.22]  Yes, I am.
[5275.22 --> 5280.22]  In my Father's house,
[5280.22 --> 5285.22]  There's a place for me.
[5285.22 --> 5290.22]  I'm a child of God.
[5290.22 --> 5294.78]  Yes, I am.
[5302.58 --> 5307.58]  And so go, as children of God,
[5308.28 --> 5313.50]  into his world to fulfill his plan and purposes in his power.
[5313.94 --> 5316.40]  Receive God's blessing.
[5316.40 --> 5320.32]  May God go before you to lead you.
[5321.08 --> 5323.42]  May God go behind you to guard you.
[5323.82 --> 5326.40]  May God go beneath you to support you.
[5326.72 --> 5329.46]  May God go beside you to befriend you.
[5329.80 --> 5332.26]  Do not be afraid.
[5333.04 --> 5335.06]  Let the blessing of God come upon you today.
[5335.18 --> 5336.90]  Do not be afraid.
[5337.48 --> 5342.50]  Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
[5343.90 --> 5344.58]  Amen.
[5346.40 --> 5351.56]  In Psalm 103, we read,
[5352.56 --> 5354.44]  From everlasting to everlasting,
[5354.92 --> 5357.64]  the Lord's love is with those who fear him.
[5358.50 --> 5363.64]  We can't find a greater hope or encouragement in this new year ahead
[5363.64 --> 5369.04]  than knowing that our eternal, immortal, invisible God
[5369.04 --> 5371.16]  will always be with us.
[5371.56 --> 5372.14]  Let's sing.
[5372.14 --> 5383.08]  From everlasting to everlasting,
[5383.08 --> 5389.30]  You are God.
[5389.30 --> 5397.90]  From everlasting to everlasting,
[5397.90 --> 5404.12]  You are God.
[5404.12 --> 5405.12]  You are God.
[5405.12 --> 5406.12]  You are God.
[5406.12 --> 5413.50]  In holiness, you stand secure through culture-shifting sands.
[5414.22 --> 5420.72]  Unchanged by all the vanities of man.
[5420.72 --> 5428.76]  And as the nations rise and fall, your sovereignty remains.
[5428.76 --> 5441.80]  You are, you are, you are, you are, you are the one true God.
[5441.80 --> 5442.80]  You are God.
[5442.80 --> 5443.80]  You are God.
[5443.80 --> 5444.80]  From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
[5444.80 --> 5448.80]  From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
[5448.80 --> 5449.80]  You are God.
[5449.80 --> 5455.80]  From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
[5455.80 --> 5458.80]  God.
[5458.80 --> 5462.80]  From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
[5462.80 --> 5469.24]  From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
[5469.24 --> 5473.80]  You are God.
[5473.80 --> 5487.30]  Faithfulness your love extends through times of turbulence, adopting those who call upon your name.
[5487.30 --> 5510.74]  And every generation joins in songs of grateful praise. You are, you are, you are the one true God.
[5510.74 --> 5523.10]  From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
[5523.10 --> 5538.10]  From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
[5538.10 --> 5553.10]  Eternal, immortal, invisible God.
[5553.10 --> 5568.10]  Eternal, immortal, invisible God.
[5568.10 --> 5571.10] owiadift, immortal, invisible God.
[5571.10 --> 5572.10]  Eternal, immortal, invisible God.
[5572.10 --> 5573.10]  Eternal, immortal, invisible God.
[5573.10 --> 5575.10]  Eternal, immortal, invisible God.
[5575.10 --> 5577.10]  stallion, immortal, immortal, immortal God.
[5577.10 --> 5587.10]  Eternal, immortal, immortal God.
[5587.10 --> 5589.10]  Eternal, immortal God.
[5589.10 --> 5591.74]  To everlasting
[5591.74 --> 5598.10]  You are gone
[5598.10 --> 5606.10]  You are gone
[5619.10 --> 5649.08]  You are gone
[5649.10 --> 5679.08]  You are gone
[5679.10 --> 5709.08]  You are gone
[5709.10 --> 5739.08]  You are gone
[5739.08 --> 5741.08]  You are gone
[5741.08 --> 5745.08]  You are gone
[5745.08 --> 5749.08]  You are gone
[5749.08 --> 5751.08]  You are gone
[5751.08 --> 5753.08]  You are gone
[5753.08 --> 5757.08]  You are gone
[5757.08 --> 5759.08]  You are gone
[5759.08 --> 5761.08]  You are gone
[5761.08 --> 5771.08]  You are gone
[5771.08 --> 5773.08]  You are gone
[5773.08 --> 5783.08]  You are gone
[5783.08 --> 5785.08]  You are gone
[5785.08 --> 5787.08]  You are gone
[5787.08 --> 5797.08]  You are gone
[5797.08 --> 5799.08]  You are gone
[5799.08 --> 5801.08]  You are gone
[5801.08 --> 5803.08]  You are gone
[5803.08 --> 5817.02]  You are gone
[5817.08 --> 5819.08]  You are gone
[5819.08 --> 5825.08]  You are gone