WEBVTT 00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:01.600 We're in a series together called Torn. 00:00:02.120 --> 00:00:09.240 This is the last part of the series that we have gone through together, began on Resurrection Sunday or on Easter, talking about the 00:00:09.240 --> 00:00:10.300 lamb that was torn. 00:00:11.740 --> 00:00:18.800 And then last Sunday, referring to the veil that was torn when Jesus was torn as the Lamb of God who 00:00:18.800 --> 00:00:20.820 took away the sins of the world, we examined together. 00:00:20.820 --> 00:00:26.160 We know that the reason for his coming, the reason that the lamb was torn, was for the forgiveness of sin. 00:00:26.200 --> 00:00:29.500 So those who put their faith or apply the blood of the lamb to their lives. 00:00:29.600 --> 00:00:36.750 It was an illustration of Exodus chapter 12, and the way the people of Israel applied the blood of the lamb to rescue slavery from Israel, 00:00:37.060 --> 00:00:43.160 relating to the Messiah who would come and give his life on our behalf, that we may experience the freedom in him that we were created for. 00:00:44.540 --> 00:00:47.900 Jesus symbolically represented this by his death on the cross. 00:00:48.040 --> 00:00:55.300 It tells us the end of Matthew, when Jesus gave up his life, that he breathed his last breath and the veil was torn in Jewish um, 00:00:56.400 --> 00:00:59.420 understanding, the temple was the place where God's presence was made known. 00:00:59.440 --> 00:01:02.100 If you wanted to worship the Lord, you went to the temple. 00:01:03.500 --> 00:01:10.780 And when the veil was torn, it symbolized that the temple was no longer the place where God's presence dwelt, at least the physical temple the Israel gathered 00:01:10.780 --> 00:01:12.160 to worship around in Jerusalem. 00:01:12.580 --> 00:01:17.500 The veil was torn, and the New Testament tells us that we as believers have become the temple. 00:01:17.520 --> 00:01:23.090 God's presence dwells within us with the lamb, and the veil was torn. 00:01:24.460 --> 00:01:25.770 That's not the only thing that was torn. 00:01:27.080 --> 00:01:34.340 In fact, the lamb and the veil were torn to represent something else that would also be 00:01:34.340 --> 00:01:34.720 torn. 00:01:36.600 --> 00:01:43.660 Bible tells us in Isaiah chapter nine and verse six, unto us a child is born, unto us a son will be given. 00:01:44.640 --> 00:01:46.460 He shall be called wonderful God Almighty. 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:53.220 Excuse me, wonderful counselor, Almighty God, everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. 00:01:55.020 --> 00:02:01.280 So when Jesus was coming to offer through through his life on earth, was him being a prince. 00:02:01.480 --> 00:02:04.860 He's coming to offer us as people peace. 00:02:06.720 --> 00:02:13.420 Sometimes when we think about salvation as it relates to Christ being the lamb that was slain for our behalf, we think of our rescuing, our salvation in him. 00:02:13.520 --> 00:02:18.340 But Jesus's death was larger than just my immediate need and salvation. 00:02:19.720 --> 00:02:26.120 In fact, the Bible describes this world as representing a kingdom and Christ representing his kingdom. 00:02:26.360 --> 00:02:33.400 And this world is contrary to the kingdom in which Christ desires and which Christ has brought forth, being the Prince of 00:02:33.400 --> 00:02:33.500 Peace. 00:02:37.320 --> 00:02:37.940 Jesus. 00:02:38.980 --> 00:02:40.240 When he came as king. 00:02:42.020 --> 00:02:42.840 And he died as lamb. 00:02:44.080 --> 00:02:45.090 And the veil was torn. 00:02:46.900 --> 00:02:48.660 The kingdom of this world. 00:02:49.940 --> 00:02:50.500 Was destroyed. 00:02:52.100 --> 00:02:52.940 It was fatally torn. 00:02:55.000 --> 00:03:00.020 But sin, Satan and death Christ became victorious over. 00:03:02.200 --> 00:03:11.060 Bible tells us in Hebrews chapter two and verse 14, through death he might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. 00:03:11.200 --> 00:03:14.240 In First Corinthians 15 and referencing to death. 00:03:14.240 --> 00:03:19.680 Romans 623 says this the wages of sin is death, meaning the ultimate result of sin we see in death. 00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:24.050 And in first Corinthians 15 it says, the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 00:03:24.260 --> 00:03:28.740 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:28.840 --> 00:03:34.720 Christ came and he conquered, and fatally, Satan is torn and sin and death along with it. 00:03:36.280 --> 00:03:38.310 Jesus and his coming heralded his victory. 00:03:40.120 --> 00:03:43.200 He said in John 11, I am the resurrection and the life. 00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:50.200 He who believes in me will live, even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. 00:03:52.400 --> 00:03:57.130 A theme that is related throughout all of the Bible is that of God's kingdom. 00:03:58.600 --> 00:04:00.920 And we as people. 00:04:01.680 --> 00:04:03.330 Being created for his kingdom. 00:04:05.060 --> 00:04:06.960 Matthew chapter ten and verse seven. 00:04:08.900 --> 00:04:11.420 Jesus gave the declaration of his kingdom. 00:04:11.680 --> 00:04:17.180 He says this as you go talking to his people, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 00:04:18.399 --> 00:04:22.460 The Prince of Peace has come to deliver this kingdom for people. 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:27.220 And Matthew 28 and verse 19, he and his. 00:04:27.720 --> 00:04:34.620 After his resurrection, he goes before his disciples, and he says, go into all the world and preach the gospel. 00:04:37.320 --> 00:04:38.940 In John 20 and verse 21. 00:04:41.200 --> 00:04:43.040 Jesus said, peace be with you. 00:04:43.840 --> 00:04:45.520 As the father has sent me. 00:04:45.520 --> 00:04:46.680 I am sending you. 00:04:49.220 --> 00:04:56.300 These words that Jesus uses to express his kingdom, his painting a picture within the idea of what he of 00:04:56.300 --> 00:04:58.490 what he wants to accomplish with his people. 00:04:59.830 --> 00:05:01.620 So this word gospel. 00:05:03.420 --> 00:05:04.190 It's a message of declaration. 00:05:06.420 --> 00:05:10.080 It's not even an argumentation and trying to convince it's a message of declaration. 00:05:10.320 --> 00:05:11.620 It's a message of victory. 00:05:13.980 --> 00:05:15.470 Literally means good news. 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:19.480 This word in John chapter 20, verse 21. 00:05:19.540 --> 00:05:22.930 This word for sent and sending comes from the same Greek word, which is apostolo. 00:05:23.720 --> 00:05:25.820 The word we use today as apostle. 00:05:28.160 --> 00:05:30.980 Jesus sending out apostles into the world. 00:05:31.020 --> 00:05:33.340 And this is apostle lowercase, not apostle office. 00:05:33.940 --> 00:05:34.700 uppercase. 00:05:34.860 --> 00:05:37.600 But God is saying he came into this world. 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:39.020 He was sent as an apostle. 00:05:39.020 --> 00:05:44.800 And so he is sending us as apostolo, as apostles, declaring this message, this gospel, this good news. 00:05:45.240 --> 00:05:48.320 The picture that Jesus is painting is one of a victorious king. 00:05:48.420 --> 00:05:49.050 Let me tell you why. 00:05:52.270 --> 00:05:53.330 When a king would go to battle. 00:05:56.160 --> 00:05:57.460 The people that were a part of the kingdom. 00:05:59.180 --> 00:05:59.780 They would want to know. 00:06:01.200 --> 00:06:01.680 Was our king victorious? 00:06:04.320 --> 00:06:07.420 They didn't have internet, they didn't have news. 00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:09.590 They didn't have text messaging. 00:06:12.100 --> 00:06:19.440 And when a king would go out into battle and would fight this fight, the people within the city they wanted to know, do 00:06:19.440 --> 00:06:21.150 we belong to another king? 00:06:21.280 --> 00:06:21.440 Now? 00:06:21.460 --> 00:06:22.080 Was our king victorious? 00:06:22.420 --> 00:06:23.060 Is our kingdom expanding? 00:06:24.020 --> 00:06:24.800 Give us the news. 00:06:24.860 --> 00:06:25.490 Let us know. 00:06:25.560 --> 00:06:26.050 Is there victory? 00:06:26.800 --> 00:06:27.870 Are we able to celebrate? 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:33.880 And when the King would fight the battle and the victory was won, the king would send someone out to proclaim the good news. 00:06:33.880 --> 00:06:40.880 And the person sent out was the apostle, the apostle, who would go sharing the gospel within the city, saying in declaration, the king is victorious, and 00:06:40.880 --> 00:06:43.760 the people would go into the cities and celebrate that the king had won the battle. 00:06:47.770 --> 00:06:50.350 I should say for us as people. 00:06:52.220 --> 00:06:54.560 Jesus has called you to be a part of his 18. 00:06:57.080 --> 00:07:00.860 Both being an apostle being sent forth in Second Corinthians verse five. 00:07:01.320 --> 00:07:06.360 Chapter five and verse 20 says this we are ambassadors, both a apostles and ambassadors. 00:07:06.360 --> 00:07:13.240 You're part of the A team being called by God to go into the world to proclaim this message, the kingdom of victorious, that sin, Satan and death has lost. 00:07:15.500 --> 00:07:16.220 And Jesus. 00:07:17.560 --> 00:07:18.040 He has one. 00:07:20.520 --> 00:07:21.840 He is a Prince of Peace. 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:25.180 His kingdom. 00:07:26.220 --> 00:07:28.200 Has come to establish peace. 00:07:30.920 --> 00:07:32.400 In our terminology today. 00:07:32.400 --> 00:07:38.900 Many times we don't use the word apostle because often it's abused and neglected and according to the way that Scripture communicates it to us in the Bible. 00:07:40.280 --> 00:07:42.360 And so rather today, many times we'll use the word missionary. 00:07:45.020 --> 00:07:52.580 God sends everyone into the world to declare this message of beauty that Christ has accomplished on 00:07:52.580 --> 00:07:53.120 your behalf. 00:07:55.200 --> 00:08:02.520 Both Apostolow and ambassadors, and second Corinthians 520 it says this we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an 00:08:02.520 --> 00:08:03.300 appeal through us. 00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:07.120 Be reconciled to God. 00:08:08.040 --> 00:08:10.690 And this is what it's recognizing for us as reconciled. 00:08:12.700 --> 00:08:13.780 The job of an ambassador. 00:08:15.400 --> 00:08:20.160 Is to work on the relationships between one country and another, right? 00:08:20.220 --> 00:08:27.520 When an ambassador represents the United States in another country, the job of the ambassador is really, honestly 00:08:27.520 --> 00:08:31.400 not to represent the holistic approach of the United States trying to get everyone's a view. 00:08:31.440 --> 00:08:32.850 But do you know who the ambassador represents? 00:08:35.080 --> 00:08:35.909 President of the United States. 00:08:38.400 --> 00:08:40.640 What is it he desires to accomplish in this country? 00:08:43.280 --> 00:08:50.440 When the Bible uses the word ambassador for us as people, it gives us very plainly the idea that we are going a part 00:08:50.440 --> 00:08:52.390 of a into another country. 00:08:52.640 --> 00:08:57.650 Our kingdom is not of this world, but we go into this world to represent our King as ambassadors. 00:08:58.000 --> 00:09:02.480 And it says this at the very end to be reconciled to God. 00:09:04.080 --> 00:09:05.460 What it's saying to us is people. 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:11.750 So we belong to the kingdom that is contrary to him. 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:20.870 And God, as a gracious, peaceful king in his victory, is giving us the opportunity to be reconciled to his kingdom. 00:09:22.740 --> 00:09:24.460 He has opened the door. 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:30.400 There's a problem with that when you study Biblical Christianity as it resides today. 00:09:31.780 --> 00:09:32.180 Then is this. 00:09:32.180 --> 00:09:35.600 They say 90% of the world's preachers preach to 10% of the world's population. 00:09:38.200 --> 00:09:41.170 And of that 10%, it's the majority of where Christians live. 00:09:43.800 --> 00:09:50.840 And God has called us as light into darkness, and to places and to people that do not know him, to proclaim this message and listen how 00:09:50.840 --> 00:09:52.020 the early church did it. 00:09:52.020 --> 00:09:53.540 Acts chapter five, verse 42. 00:09:53.580 --> 00:09:56.460 They continue teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. 00:09:57.100 --> 00:10:01.120 Acts chapter eight and verse five Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. 00:10:01.520 --> 00:10:06.400 Acts chapter 17 and verse three Paul, This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah. 00:10:08.880 --> 00:10:10.420 For lack of a better thought. 00:10:10.800 --> 00:10:16.220 You, as God's people are called on a rescue mission in this world. 00:10:17.040 --> 00:10:17.620 And our message. 00:10:19.660 --> 00:10:20.940 The kingdom is here. 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:27.020 The Prince of Peace has won with his own life. 00:10:27.240 --> 00:10:30.320 He is paid as a lamb who was slaughtered, and the veil was torn. 00:10:30.320 --> 00:10:34.720 That his presence may be indwelling you because you were created for him. 00:10:36.520 --> 00:10:43.280 And the kingdom of this world, of which sin, Satan, and death resides, is passing away. 00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:51.920 In Romans 510 it says this while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his son much 00:10:52.020 --> 00:10:57.440 more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 00:10:57.680 --> 00:11:02.880 In Second Corinthians 518 now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ. 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:04.450 And he gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:10.040 And the thought in Scripture goes this way judicially Jesus has won. 00:11:10.080 --> 00:11:17.120 The victory has been accomplished through Christ on the cross, and we're waiting for the future when all things will be cast 00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:23.030 and punished before the King who will fulfill the ultimate of his kingdom. 00:11:24.880 --> 00:11:26.860 Believe Scripture communicates it like this for us. 00:11:28.140 --> 00:11:29.820 The kingdom is already, but not yet. 00:11:31.300 --> 00:11:37.440 Meaning Jesus has brought the kingdom to us, and we're awaiting the fruition of that kingdom to be completely fulfilled. 00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:43.460 And it says in Hebrews ten verse 13, talking about Jesus, he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 00:11:45.900 --> 00:11:52.900 And Jesus said things like this and talking about the coming of King of the kingdom of Matthew four, Jesus said, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:59.580 But in Luke 11 and verse two, he says this pray your kingdom come, and your will be done. 00:12:00.880 --> 00:12:01.700 The kingdom is here. 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:10.120 We're waiting for the fullness of the kingdom to be made known as Jesus has judicially won the 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:10.520 victory. 00:12:11.740 --> 00:12:15.720 And ultimately, we'll celebrate that victory by bringing his kingdom to its fullness. 00:12:18.140 --> 00:12:19.180 The story goes like this. 00:12:19.240 --> 00:12:21.620 We talked about this with the firm of justification last week. 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:22.840 But if you were to stand in a courtroom. 00:12:24.720 --> 00:12:31.760 And the judge were to pronounce that you are guilty of offending and violating the law that governs the 00:12:31.760 --> 00:12:34.460 land, you've come against the King. 00:12:35.760 --> 00:12:43.060 And Jesus, and being pronounced in that judgment now gives you the opportunity by his grace, because he has paid your penalty for 00:12:43.060 --> 00:12:50.100 you against a king in his own justice, offering you his grace by his life to give you the opportunity to come to the Prince of 00:12:50.100 --> 00:12:52.320 Peace, which you were created for and worship. 00:12:55.040 --> 00:12:57.140 And ultimately. 00:12:57.300 --> 00:12:58.560 The king will get the victory. 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:04.420 But currently the Bible tells us in first John 519, the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 00:13:05.680 --> 00:13:12.360 In first Peter chapter five and verse eight, it says this be sober in spirit, be on the alert. 00:13:12.440 --> 00:13:16.340 Your adversary the devil prowls around like a lion seeking someone to devour. 00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:21.600 Ephesians 611 put on the armor of God that you may stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 00:13:21.900 --> 00:13:28.800 And Romans 620 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. 00:13:30.560 --> 00:13:34.880 Jesus said in Matthew 1618, I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against. 00:13:37.040 --> 00:13:44.040 Meaning there is a battle that is being waged, a spiritual battle by God's apostles, God's ambassadors being sent forth in this 00:13:44.040 --> 00:13:44.340 world. 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:47.980 He says he will build his church, and the gates of hell will not prosper against it. 00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:56.500 This idea of the gates of hell, symbolizing that the forces of Satan and his kingdom is this mighty fortress, and the power 00:13:56.500 --> 00:14:01.340 of God is so powerful that it can knock down these gates to go on the inside and on the inside. 00:14:01.340 --> 00:14:06.800 What we rescue are the people of God as we proclaim the message of God. 00:14:06.800 --> 00:14:07.620 The good news. 00:14:09.260 --> 00:14:09.960 The king has been victorious. 00:14:11.020 --> 00:14:16.400 In Romans 1013 it says, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 00:14:16.920 --> 00:14:19.300 You are being sent on a rescue mission. 00:14:21.300 --> 00:14:24.680 In Romans 1014 it goes on and says, but how can they call on him? 00:14:24.680 --> 00:14:27.880 They have not believed, and how can they believe without hearing about him? 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:31.480 And how can they hear without a preacher? 00:14:33.540 --> 00:14:35.480 How do we represent this kingdom well? 00:14:37.580 --> 00:14:43.280 What does God desire for us to do as it relates to Scripture and representing our King and His kingdom? 00:14:45.460 --> 00:14:47.380 Bible tells us in First Peter chapter three. 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:56.520 Verse 15, Peter writes to the believers within this passage of Scripture, outlining for them their 00:14:56.520 --> 00:15:03.660 desire, his desire, according to the Lord, to stand for Christ, and in a kingdom that may be contrary to him, 00:15:03.900 --> 00:15:04.640 this world. 00:15:04.800 --> 00:15:09.660 How do we stand for the Lord representing this new kingdom, this King in this world? 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:18.580 If you were to read the verse just before first Peter three and verse 15, you see in verse 14 that when Peter writes these three chapters, he's 00:15:18.580 --> 00:15:20.120 writing to a church that's going through persecution. 00:15:21.780 --> 00:15:29.260 He's writing to a church that finds challenges and representing this new king, because this world does not belong to him and therefore fights against him. 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:30.700 Can I remind you? 00:15:33.080 --> 00:15:34.020 Ephesians chapter six. 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:36.980 Verse ten, 11 and 12. 00:15:38.560 --> 00:15:41.560 Begins by telling us to put on the whole armor of God. 00:15:41.680 --> 00:15:42.220 But it says this. 00:15:43.920 --> 00:15:45.440 We wrestle not against flesh and blood. 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:48.840 But against principalities and powers. 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:52.220 Spiritual forces of darkness. 00:15:54.640 --> 00:15:58.720 It's a spiritual battle God causes us to wage or calls us to wage. 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:06.240 Fighting against the kingdom of Satan and sin and death according to the power of Christ that rests within us. 00:16:06.300 --> 00:16:09.240 Because the Bible tells us, greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world. 00:16:11.420 --> 00:16:18.670 And so when Peter writes chapter three and verse 14, he says, but even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. 00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:21.540 And do not fear intimidation, and do not be troubled. 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:28.000 But he goes on in verse 15, and he gives us three ways to stand for the Lord in the midst of adversity and kingdoms that are contrary to Christ. 00:16:28.180 --> 00:16:29.960 And it's marked off by commas. 00:16:30.040 --> 00:16:31.140 But this is what he says at first. 00:16:31.540 --> 00:16:38.120 But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, to stand for Christ in a kingdom that's contrary to Christ. 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:40.800 He says, Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:46.750 We talked last week about the significance of the heart. 00:16:48.760 --> 00:16:50.380 Your heart. 00:16:51.920 --> 00:16:53.570 It was not created to lead. 00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:56.460 Your heart was created to be led. 00:16:58.560 --> 00:17:03.040 So we said in our culture today, we sometimes will say to one another, follow your heart or just follow your heart. 00:17:03.140 --> 00:17:08.300 But the problem with that is whatever is leading your heart is where your heart is ultimately going to go. 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:11.619 Your heart isn't created to lead. 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:12.960 It's created to be led. 00:17:13.040 --> 00:17:17.060 Jeremiah 17 nine says, the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it? 00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:19.300 And here's the reason your heart was created to be led. 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:23.520 It's because you as a person were created to worship. 00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:27.510 You're created as a worshipper. 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:30.960 And the beauty of your heart is that it was designed for God. 00:17:31.020 --> 00:17:34.700 And when your heart is being led by the Lord, it magnifies the beauty of who he is in this world. 00:17:36.560 --> 00:17:43.280 And so Peter gives this picture of our lives saying, in your heart today there is a throne. 00:17:44.900 --> 00:17:51.820 And that throne was not designed for you to sit upon it, but rather that throne was designed for Christ to reign upon it. 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:56.460 He was created to direct your heart. 00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:59.540 Not that you should lead it, but that he should lead it. 00:17:59.580 --> 00:18:02.380 And so he says, Sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart. 00:18:02.380 --> 00:18:05.040 And this word Lord acknowledges the King and his kingdom. 00:18:07.260 --> 00:18:12.460 Jesus is King and Jesus is Lord, and my heart is created for him and worship. 00:18:15.580 --> 00:18:18.150 Sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart. 00:18:19.380 --> 00:18:23.860 He goes on in first Peter chapter three and verse 15, he says this always. 00:18:26.520 --> 00:18:31.180 Always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you. 00:18:34.680 --> 00:18:36.600 This concludes it with the thought of an attitude. 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:39.340 With gentleness and reverence. 00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:43.820 Let me speak about gentleness and reverence for just a moment. 00:18:46.760 --> 00:18:48.180 God calls us to allow him. 00:18:50.580 --> 00:18:51.280 To reign in our hearts. 00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:55.420 God also calls us as people. 00:18:57.300 --> 00:18:58.080 To reach hearts. 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:02.160 Gods after our hearts. 00:19:04.300 --> 00:19:06.720 The greatest gift you can give God this morning. 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:09.300 It's the throne of your heart. 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:13.520 We as people. 00:19:13.520 --> 00:19:18.130 It's going to tell us in the middle of this section to give a defense to everyone who asks to give an account. 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:21.080 Listen, in Christianity, our truth is solid. 00:19:23.620 --> 00:19:25.050 Here's the reality of it. 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:32.060 Sometimes we use that truth as a Billy club to beat people up, to prove that I'm right and you're wrong. 00:19:32.860 --> 00:19:34.800 Right. 00:19:35.080 --> 00:19:37.710 God doesn't give us truth to elevate ourselves. 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:41.760 God doesn't give us his truth to prove to people I'm right and wrong. 00:19:41.820 --> 00:19:43.040 So that makes me better than you. 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:48.100 God gives us his truth to serve the hearts of others. 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:57.120 And when you look at the way it's painted within Scripture and Philippians chapter two, Jesus says, have this mind in you, which is also in Christ Jesus, who, 00:19:57.120 --> 00:20:04.000 though being the form of God, thought it nothing but became in the form of a servant, he humbled himself to the cross even. 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:06.830 Even death on the cross, the Bible tells us. 00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:12.740 God's desire. 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:15.800 It's for us to use our position in him to serve as he served. 00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:24.920 To lower our selves, to reach the hearts of other people in the attitude you carry in the way 00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:30.300 that you use truth determines how you're doing that right. 00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:34.400 God, you've created me in this world as a heart that belongs to you. 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:36.580 There's a heart that reflects you. 00:20:38.320 --> 00:20:44.700 And with gentleness and reverence, recognizing that me, I was once an alienated from you and your kingdom. 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:47.860 I was once, as it says in Romans 510, an enemy. 00:20:48.100 --> 00:20:50.250 And you've called me as an ambassador to reconcile. 00:20:52.940 --> 00:21:00.160 And your desire, and being Lord of my heart is to be able to use me and surrender to you to reach the hearts of others, 00:21:00.260 --> 00:21:02.260 just as you reach my heart by serving me. 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:07.150 And we use truth to lift people up in him. 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:09.020 Not to bash them. 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:12.240 In Christianity. 00:21:12.320 --> 00:21:15.230 This is how we know that we're living mature lives. 00:21:17.040 --> 00:21:19.280 Spy living selfless lives. 00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:22.560 When you look within. 00:21:24.060 --> 00:21:24.760 The idea of religion. 00:21:27.620 --> 00:21:28.620 Religion in itself. 00:21:29.060 --> 00:21:36.100 It comes up with a system of laws and rules and the whole, the whole purpose of the laws and rules are to create a standing for 00:21:36.100 --> 00:21:38.840 you where God owes you, right? 00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:46.480 I mean, you live this religious law, and then it puts God in this position where he has to give you something like he's the one that's intended to serve 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:49.420 you because you've obeyed the system of rules. 00:21:52.310 --> 00:21:52.820 It's not selflessness. 00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:57.620 But really it becomes about selfishness. 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:01.860 I give for the only purpose of so I can get. 00:22:02.780 --> 00:22:03.400 And God owes me. 00:22:05.860 --> 00:22:08.200 You know, within Christianity, we do the same thing with grace. 00:22:11.760 --> 00:22:13.120 First Corinthians chapter nine. 00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:18.080 Paul's wrestling with the body of believers over this idea of grace and the liberty that we have in Christ, the freedom that we have in Jesus. 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:23.260 All things are lawful for us, but all things are expedient. 00:22:24.040 --> 00:22:28.040 Paul says there is liberty that you have in Jesus. 00:22:30.080 --> 00:22:33.340 But there are things that we can do in Jesus that don't speak to the hearts of others. 00:22:35.320 --> 00:22:38.720 Matter of fact, it becomes such a stumbling block that the message that we are to carry. 00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:43.400 Becomes a backseat over the message that we are carrying in our selfishness rather than. 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:45.400 Selflessness. 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:46.180 I'm not. 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:48.660 I'm not even going to go through a list of things that are and aren't and what they are. 00:22:50.620 --> 00:22:51.550 I don't even think it matters. 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:52.960 But what matters is this. 00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:55.560 Proclamation of the King. 00:22:58.280 --> 00:22:58.760 That message. 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:02.060 And laying myself down. 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:06.780 But others may hear the beauty of who Christ is. 00:23:08.620 --> 00:23:10.780 I don't need to put other stumbling blocks ahead of Jesus. 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:17.910 First Corinthians chapter nine and verse 19, Paul says, I become all things to all people, that they may come to know Christ. 00:23:20.320 --> 00:23:25.830 It's about looking to the world and just simply saying in gentleness and reverence, what is it for you to come to know Jesus? 00:23:27.300 --> 00:23:30.040 How can God use me to speak to your heart? 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:35.300 When Peter writes this, he says, Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:37.350 If someone's going to have the throne room, let it be Jesus. 00:23:37.560 --> 00:23:40.080 When you speak to people, do so in gentleness and reverence. 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:47.120 But this is what he summarizes all of it in the middle here, he says, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you. 00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:55.160 This word of giving an account or an answer is where we come up with a thought of apology or apologetics in Scripture. 00:23:56.060 --> 00:23:57.780 It's a reasonable defense. 00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:02.160 I don't want to say this arrogantly as people. 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:03.380 I just want to say this honestly. 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:10.100 But when it comes to Christianity in regards to truth, there is nothing you need to be afraid of. 00:24:11.560 --> 00:24:15.900 There's nothing hiding underneath some hidden blanket somewhere that we're trying to keep covered up. 00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:18.260 Because our pursuit as people is truth. 00:24:20.340 --> 00:24:23.800 And when it comes to God and being able to make a difference, God created you. 00:24:23.800 --> 00:24:25.180 Body, soul, spirit. 00:24:25.280 --> 00:24:27.900 God said, love him with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:30.890 When it comes to faith. 00:24:32.780 --> 00:24:33.720 Faith isn't blind. 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.860 Ignorance. 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:36.990 Face should be logical. 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.640 Faith makes sense. 00:24:41.760 --> 00:24:43.500 God paved the way for him. 00:24:44.640 --> 00:24:45.180 Let me give you an illustration. 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:48.680 I listen to Ravi Zacharias a lot. 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:55.880 He's a Christian apologist, and he had just visited an area of the world that has a predominant belief 00:24:55.880 --> 00:24:59.110 system, and they asked him about it afterwards. 00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:05.720 And he compared it to pink elephants hunting pink elephants. 00:25:06.040 --> 00:25:12.000 Right now, if you YouTube pink elephants or Google pink elephants, I know there's one video that pops up on YouTube of a pink elephant. 00:25:13.120 --> 00:25:13.580 It's not pink. 00:25:13.800 --> 00:25:14.300 I checked it out. 00:25:15.340 --> 00:25:16.540 There's no such thing as a pink elephant. 00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:19.580 But what he was saying is this. 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:22.660 He said faith to a lot of people. 00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:25.090 It's like pink elephants. 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:27.090 And he gave a story. 00:25:27.280 --> 00:25:33.140 He said there was a man who left the place, and he went out and he met his friends and he said, listen, God showed up to me, and he was a pink elephant. 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:35.780 And God said that this is now the new truth. 00:25:35.860 --> 00:25:36.840 And all of us want to follow that. 00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:38.640 And his friends and all of us should follow it. 00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:44.500 And his friends looked at this man, and he and they said to him, okay, well, we want to talk to this pink elephant to validate whether or not it's true. 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.750 So where did you see this pink elephant? 00:25:46.860 --> 00:25:48.240 He said, I met him in the bar. 00:26:00.040 --> 00:26:00.600 He said, let's go meet the pink elephant in the bar. 00:26:00.600 --> 00:26:00.600 And they said, well, there's a problem with meeting the pink elephant in the bar. 00:26:00.600 --> 00:26:00.600 If you go to talk to the pink elephant, wouldn't you know it? 00:26:00.600 --> 00:26:00.600 The pink elephant disappears before you get there. 00:26:00.600 --> 00:26:01.260 The pink elephant does not accept conversations. 00:26:04.060 --> 00:26:05.670 How do you validate what's true? 00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:09.220 Simple trust of someone else. 00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:13.170 So I think when God created truth. 00:26:15.520 --> 00:26:17.390 He created it in a way that we could know it. 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:20.080 We could test it. 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:25.090 Beyond someone else's validation of it. 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:26.780 Sometimes I had a. 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:35.900 I got a degree in philosophy and theology, and one of the things that required me to do is go to Washington, DC and study under religious leaders and ask them questions about 00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:38.460 faith and reasoning and life. 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:40.420 And this is what I found out. 00:26:42.820 --> 00:26:43.840 When you start asking questions. 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:48.680 There's a lot of faiths that just begin to crumble. 00:26:51.540 --> 00:26:53.590 A lot of beliefs that are important to us. 00:26:55.120 --> 00:26:58.000 I have no foundation beyond a spiritual acknowledgement. 00:26:58.880 --> 00:27:00.840 Right. 00:27:02.260 --> 00:27:04.480 When it comes to God's Word. 00:27:06.100 --> 00:27:13.640 When it comes to testing truth, there is a validation outside of an individual's truth claim that we can 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:13.740 investigate. 00:27:16.780 --> 00:27:20.180 Meaning if the pink elephant isn't there to test and ask questions, and you could ask. 00:27:20.560 --> 00:27:23.340 Ask the question where is your historical accuracy? 00:27:23.340 --> 00:27:24.580 Where is your archaeological evidence? 00:27:24.940 --> 00:27:31.220 Where is your manuscript evidence that what you're proclaiming as truth has been historically related to us as truth? 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:34.260 Now when it comes to the Bible. 00:27:36.580 --> 00:27:39.300 Comparatively to every belief in the world. 00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:42.120 And I don't say this to mock. 00:27:42.120 --> 00:27:43.680 I just say this honestly to you as people. 00:27:45.800 --> 00:27:46.300 Nothing holds a candle. 00:27:48.120 --> 00:27:51.540 And there is nothing even close to the validation of Scripture and God. 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.700 For Christ is. 00:27:56.020 --> 00:27:57.220 What that says for us as people. 00:27:59.340 --> 00:28:00.450 Don't be afraid of truth. 00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:03.880 Don't be afraid to ask the hard questions. 00:28:05.580 --> 00:28:09.100 I mean, if you're here this morning, you're wrestling with questions like, I mean, how do I even know God's words? 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:10.740 Real. 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:12.450 How do I know Jesus is who he said he is? 00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:14.560 How do I know that's not a pink elephant? 00:28:16.340 --> 00:28:16.560 Ask. 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:20.180 Now I can't read everyone's heart. 00:28:20.360 --> 00:28:22.420 Come ask me if you got a friend that's known the Lord. 00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:24.480 Ask them if they don't know. 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.690 Come ask me to write. 00:28:28.780 --> 00:28:29.440 And truth. 00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:30.920 Faith. 00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:32.960 You don't throw your mind away. 00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:37.500 In fact, Peter saying the exact opposite here. 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:44.320 Always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you. 00:28:46.140 --> 00:28:46.760 It's reasonable. 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:55.540 Trusting in Christ isn't this blind ignorance, but it's a matter of embracing the reality of the truth that's there. 00:28:58.520 --> 00:28:59.220 I don't. 00:28:59.320 --> 00:29:02.030 To be honest, when I came to know a Christian, I don't follow Jesus. 00:29:04.020 --> 00:29:05.040 I didn't follow Jesus. 00:29:06.800 --> 00:29:08.330 Because I just had a feeling to follow Jesus. 00:29:11.600 --> 00:29:12.390 I followed Jesus. 00:29:13.860 --> 00:29:15.210 Because I tried to disprove Jesus. 00:29:17.620 --> 00:29:18.800 A point in my life. 00:29:19.040 --> 00:29:23.080 I was at a place where sin and living for the world had left me empty. 00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:27.830 But if I were being honest with you, I still loved living for it. 00:29:29.730 --> 00:29:31.640 Sin, though temporary, brought me joy. 00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:37.140 But I was a point in my life where I wanted to look for a career that would bring me peace. 00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:43.180 Feel like at the end of life, I could hang up my hat and feel like I did something important. 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:45.830 And so I started investigating religions. 00:29:47.400 --> 00:29:48.380 And try to disprove them all. 00:29:49.920 --> 00:29:51.220 And that Jesus. 00:29:54.930 --> 00:29:56.380 Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. 00:29:58.420 --> 00:29:59.650 Always be ready to make a defense. 00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:03.340 Don't chase pink elephants, but look at the truth of who God is. 00:30:05.060 --> 00:30:09.460 And when you go into this world, recognize what God has called you to reach his hearts. 00:30:12.040 --> 00:30:19.120 The greatest gift that we give to God this morning, and being sanctified as his people or hearts, and what God has called us to, and reaching this 00:30:19.120 --> 00:30:26.240 world as we wage the spiritual battle, is not to fight against people and not to beat up people, but to reach their hearts as Christ desires to reach 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:26.900 their hearts. 00:30:29.320 --> 00:30:30.320 Luke chapter 15. 00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:35.340 It was a beautiful portion of Scripture that defines the heart of Christ. 00:30:35.810 --> 00:30:38.140 It's three parables. 00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:43.130 Jesus tells one of the lost sheep, the other of the lost talents, and finally the lost son or the prodigal son. 00:30:44.400 --> 00:30:49.030 All three of these stories carry one theme for us as people and understanding God's position. 00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:53.500 Being in his kingdom is seeking us and our lostness to come and know him. 00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:56.280 He is giving everything to pursue us. 00:30:58.220 --> 00:31:01.920 I love at the end of those three stories in Luke chapter 15, The Prodigal Son. 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:08.360 It records that the father is looking for the son who has left the family, and he sees him coming down the street. 00:31:08.360 --> 00:31:14.220 And then it says to us that the father takes off running for his son, and he's been clothed in pig filth. 00:31:15.780 --> 00:31:19.880 If you know anything about pigs and Jewish people, those two don't mix. 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:27.620 If you know anything about Jewish custom and patriarchs, it is offensive for the patriarch to be seen working and running down the street. 00:31:27.640 --> 00:31:31.640 And here he is running after his son, who is clothed in pig filth. 00:31:35.280 --> 00:31:36.670 So it is with a picture of Christ. 00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:43.400 I want that heart for this world. 00:31:45.820 --> 00:31:50.120 King of Kings and Lord of Lords who has won the victory. 00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:59.020 Prince of Peace, who has given me the opportunity to be reconciled to a kingdom, to enjoy him forever in a faith that isn't just blindness, but makes sense 00:31:59.020 --> 00:31:59.850 that I can share. 00:32:01.300 --> 00:32:04.180 With gentleness and meekness just reaching hearts. 00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:13.840 Jesus has this idea of comparing things that were lost so that we can best understand his kingdom and what its pursuit is after. 00:32:13.880 --> 00:32:16.760 And so I started thinking this week, what are what are some things I lost? 00:32:16.760 --> 00:32:20.160 What are some things that were important to my kingdom that I wish I could have held on to? 00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:26.740 I wish I could continue to see, and I just started immediately thinking about my family and just one of the losses that we went through. 00:32:29.040 --> 00:32:34.030 When I was 23, Stacey and I had gotten married. 00:32:35.760 --> 00:32:36.420 And we were. 00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:38.460 Getting ready to move to Utah. 00:32:40.400 --> 00:32:42.560 And our desire was to see churches in Utah. 00:32:42.840 --> 00:32:45.640 And I remember just married just a week in the marriage. 00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:52.720 I went to this class, my church was putting on church putting on about about marriage and how to understand biblical marriage and what God desires for marriage. 00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:53.760 I'm like, sign me up. 00:32:53.840 --> 00:32:54.980 I'm going to knock this baby out of the park. 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:56.720 Ours is going to be perfect, right? 00:32:58.980 --> 00:32:59.160 Hey. 00:32:59.160 --> 00:32:59.300 It is. 00:32:59.900 --> 00:33:00.180 I'm just kidding. 00:33:03.320 --> 00:33:04.960 And I remember I'm sitting there for the very first session. 00:33:07.280 --> 00:33:10.960 And I look across the room and wait until my wife, she's late from work, coming in. 00:33:10.960 --> 00:33:13.680 She's supposed to do this with me because we're going to do this perfectly together, right? 00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:13.780 And. 00:33:14.560 --> 00:33:18.110 And all of a sudden she walks in the room and she's just streaming with tears down her face. 00:33:19.860 --> 00:33:23.900 And I get up and I immediately walk over and we walk out and she tells me her mom, her mom just passed. 00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:28.720 Unexpectedly, we lose her mother. 00:33:28.720 --> 00:33:30.320 And we're planning this move across the country. 00:33:30.320 --> 00:33:32.920 And now we're dealing with this devastation, loss. 00:33:32.920 --> 00:33:37.580 And I remember at the end of the service, she had this specific song that Stacy's mother loved. 00:33:38.280 --> 00:33:39.030 It was by bread. 00:33:39.120 --> 00:33:40.760 It was everything I own. 00:33:40.760 --> 00:33:48.020 And I remember we played it at this message, at this service at the end, just to express our hearts on the loss that we experienced in our little kingdom 00:33:48.020 --> 00:33:48.900 in this world. 00:33:49.140 --> 00:33:49.980 And this is how it goes. 00:33:50.040 --> 00:33:51.120 You guys probably already know it. 00:33:51.160 --> 00:33:53.880 So you younger or older generation, right? 00:33:54.180 --> 00:33:56.040 You want to sing in your head, just go ahead. 00:33:56.040 --> 00:33:58.500 But is this is there someone you know? 00:33:59.600 --> 00:34:01.700 You're loving them so, but taking them all for granted. 00:34:03.140 --> 00:34:04.540 You may lose them one day. 00:34:04.560 --> 00:34:08.580 Someone takes them away and they don't hear the words you long to say. 00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:10.040 Ready? 00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:14.340 I would give anything I own. 00:34:15.300 --> 00:34:19.540 I give up my life, my heart, my home. 00:34:20.639 --> 00:34:24.620 I would give everything I own. 00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:27.760 Just have you. 00:34:28.719 --> 00:34:30.139 Back in. 00:34:31.400 --> 00:34:32.830 Just a touch you. 00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:34.199 Once again. 00:34:38.239 --> 00:34:39.179 I think that's the heart of Christ. 00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:42.940 It's a secular song, but I think it's the heart of Christ. 00:34:45.280 --> 00:34:47.600 Coming to a world for redemption. 00:34:50.040 --> 00:34:54.130 Coming as a king who recognizes the kingdom of which we belong. 00:34:54.600 --> 00:34:56.100 It's one of sin. 00:34:56.199 --> 00:34:57.400 It's one of death. 00:34:57.540 --> 00:34:58.820 It's one of sorrow. 00:34:58.820 --> 00:34:59.940 It's one of heartache. 00:34:59.960 --> 00:35:01.500 It's one of brokenness. 00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:03.850 And he is a prince of peace. 00:35:03.960 --> 00:35:10.670 And he has given his people a message of declaration of reconciliation to a king who has already paid everything. 00:35:10.720 --> 00:35:15.420 There's nothing to worry about owing this king, but what he is after is your heart. 00:35:15.640 --> 00:35:20.680 He just wants your heart and surrendering to him because he has paid your debt on the cross. 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:25.900 His kingdom. 00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:32.860 Romans chapter nine and verse one, I see Paul reflecting a similar thought of his kingdom for people that he desires and brokenness. 00:35:33.440 --> 00:35:34.820 Just to know this King. 00:35:34.820 --> 00:35:39.580 He says this in verse one With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. 00:35:39.580 --> 00:35:42.360 My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. 00:35:42.360 --> 00:35:48.200 My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. 00:35:48.200 --> 00:35:54.580 I would be willing to be cursed forever cut off from Christ if that would save them. 00:35:58.720 --> 00:36:02.980 First Peter three. 00:36:03.480 --> 00:36:04.250 Gives us the outline. 00:36:05.960 --> 00:36:12.360 Of identity for us as people to wrap our heads around being called in this world to make the proclamation of what's been torn. 00:36:14.640 --> 00:36:21.760 Aleichem was torn on your behalf, symbolizing through the veil that was torn that you may know him personally, and he has demonstrated 00:36:21.760 --> 00:36:24.280 this by conquering sin, Satan, and death. 00:36:24.480 --> 00:36:27.500 The Prince of Peace has come that you may know him. 00:36:27.620 --> 00:36:30.920 And so as people this morning, this is the way it's made known. 00:36:30.940 --> 00:36:38.020 To recognize your heart belongs to something, but it's designed to belong to the Lord, to allow him to be Lord of your heart 00:36:38.020 --> 00:36:39.100 and Lord of your life. 00:36:39.180 --> 00:36:42.330 The greatest gift you give to him today is your heart. 00:36:42.420 --> 00:36:49.480 Being ready then, to defend this King and the beauty of who he is, and reasonably answering to the world of the hope that we have in 00:36:49.480 --> 00:36:49.980 Christ. 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:50.860 And this is how we do it. 00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:52.780 By serving their hearts. 00:36:55.960 --> 00:36:59.860 The maturity of the mark of the believer is seen and your selflessness. 00:37:03.060 --> 00:37:04.880 Our humility as people in Christ. 00:37:06.520 --> 00:37:07.380 It's not weakness. 00:37:09.100 --> 00:37:10.200 It's confidence. 00:37:11.640 --> 00:37:16.350 It's confidence in the identity that we have in a king that has already declared his victory, which we know we belong. 00:37:17.500 --> 00:37:23.160 So with ease, we can go into a world that's falling apart and serve it in its heart for the sake of Christ.