1 00:00:01,320 --> 00:00:06,920 All right well, again, welcome great to see you friends and I'm 2 00:00:06,920 --> 00:00:11,400 so excited to be continuing this series this morning called the 3 00:00:11,400 --> 00:00:13,920 story so the. Story is this. 4 00:00:13,920 --> 00:00:16,640 This ten week journey that we're on, where we're, we're going all 5 00:00:16,640 --> 00:00:19,240 the way from Genesis, the very beginning. 6 00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:22,600 Of the Bible to. Revelation that the final. 7 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:26,920 Chapters, the end where we see God's final renewal and this 8 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:30,320 city. And this morning, we're in 9 00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:32,439 Genesis 3. Part 2 of this. 10 00:00:32,439 --> 00:00:35,960 Ten week journey and guys, I'm sorry to name this. 11 00:00:35,960 --> 00:00:38,800 For you this morning, this morning is kind of a downer, OK? 12 00:00:39,200 --> 00:00:42,920 Like every every good plot has to have. 13 00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:45,880 A problem. Right, there has to be conflict. 14 00:00:45,880 --> 00:00:47,400 There has to be challenge, and that's what we're. 15 00:00:47,400 --> 00:00:51,880 Looking at this morning. We're looking at how things have 16 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:56,240 unraveled and, and man, do they unravel quickly. 17 00:00:57,400 --> 00:01:01,360 I don't know about you, but I have sometimes in my life, 18 00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:03,840 sometimes in my history. Where I've. 19 00:01:03,840 --> 00:01:06,080 Experienced a pattern that I think it's kind of similar. 20 00:01:06,080 --> 00:01:08,640 To what we're. Discussing this morning. 21 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:12,200 This is a bit of a a throwback, but I'll never, I think forget 22 00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:15,960 like to would never. Probably forget the the. 23 00:01:15,960 --> 00:01:19,160 Year that my family went on vacation when I was I think 14 24 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:22,400 years old. And my memory of. 25 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:24,360 This vacation is not because of the amazing. 26 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:26,320 Place we went. To or all of the things. 27 00:01:26,320 --> 00:01:27,840 That we did. It's because. 28 00:01:28,080 --> 00:01:30,560 Me and my younger. Brother who's two years. 29 00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:33,360 Younger than me, Daniel had, I think. 30 00:01:33,680 --> 00:01:37,320 The largest fight that we. Ever had in all? 31 00:01:37,320 --> 00:01:39,320 Of the years. Growing up and it. 32 00:01:39,400 --> 00:01:42,000 It started it's. It was my fault basically. 33 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:45,720 See what happened is. Is we were away. 34 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:49,320 From home staying. In this resort and and and my 35 00:01:49,320 --> 00:01:52,760 brother and I were given a a really unique opportunity. 36 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:54,880 See, mom and dad, we're going to stay in. 37 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:58,480 One bedroom 11. Hotel room and me and Daniel got 38 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:01,080 to stay in the adjacent room. By. 39 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:02,920 Ourselves. So this was. 40 00:02:02,920 --> 00:02:05,640 Like this is some. Scary level freedom for 14. 41 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:07,880 Year old boy. And to make matters worse, 42 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:10,840 honestly, the hotel. Room had cable TV OK. 43 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:12,840 And I was. You know I was. 44 00:02:12,840 --> 00:02:14,960 A 14 year old. Boy, we were pretty sheltered at 45 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:15,720 the. Time my parents. 46 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:17,880 Were really strict. About screens I had. 47 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:23,120 Very limited access certainly to like private TV access cable TV. 48 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:26,280 And I think my parents correctly understood that. 49 00:02:26,360 --> 00:02:29,120 This was just like this could easily go badly. 50 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:32,040 So they named for. Us just right out the gate they 51 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:34,680 were like. The TV in the room stays off. 52 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:37,200 Like do not turn the TV on, you are not allowed. 53 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:39,960 To use the TV. And so we, of course, my brother 54 00:02:39,960 --> 00:02:43,800 and I nodded, and then I immediately made plans. 55 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:46,840 To turn the TV on as soon as people were. 56 00:02:46,840 --> 00:02:48,480 Asleep. And sure enough, that's exactly 57 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:49,720 what happened, right Mom and dad? 58 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:51,120 Crash out. The lights go out. 59 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:53,400 My brother is like. Maybe. 60 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:55,000 Starting to fall asleep and I snag. 61 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:56,400 The remote and turn it on. And just go. 62 00:02:56,400 --> 00:02:59,600 Looking for whatever horrible. Thing I could get myself into. 63 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:05,000 So I'm flipping through the channels and as it turns out, 64 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:06,720 there. Is still 1 obstacle. 65 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:09,160 Between. Me and my nefarious intent. 66 00:03:09,160 --> 00:03:11,920 Which is of course. My younger. 67 00:03:11,920 --> 00:03:14,440 Brother as younger brothers. Often are in the lives of older 68 00:03:14,440 --> 00:03:15,720 siblings. Some of you older siblings out 69 00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:16,600 here know what I'm talking about. 70 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:19,640 So. You know I don't. 71 00:03:19,640 --> 00:03:22,080 Know if it was because my brother had a firmer moral. 72 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:24,120 Compass than I did. And was really committed. 73 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:26,560 To obeying our parents. Because he craved sleep. 74 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:29,680 Or as I think honestly is probably more likely. 75 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:33,560 He just loved to see his older. Brother get in trouble, but no 76 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:35,600 sooner than I'd go flipping through the channels. 77 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:39,000 But Daniel is. Like bro no TV. 78 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:42,080 Mom and dad said turn it off. And I'm like. 79 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:45,280 Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. Dismiss you keep my keep, you 80 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:49,520 know, I keep flipping through things and so like moments. 81 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:51,760 Pass and Daniel is like. That's it. 82 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:54,000 He. Jumps out of bed and says I'm 83 00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:59,080 telling mom and dad and that's where everything went. 84 00:03:59,240 --> 00:04:04,040 Very sideways because guys, I. I was like. 85 00:04:04,160 --> 00:04:08,240 I was panicking internally. First of all, the wrath of Dad. 86 00:04:08,240 --> 00:04:10,040 Is no small thing to worry about. 87 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:13,960 I was I was seriously concerned about direct disobedience, but. 88 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:15,880 But secondly. Also, I knew I was. 89 00:04:15,880 --> 00:04:18,399 Up to no good. And I knew that like trying to 90 00:04:18,399 --> 00:04:21,760 explain why I was channel surfing at like at 11:00 at 91 00:04:21,760 --> 00:04:23,880 night was it was just like I was going to be. 92 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:26,440 In trouble it was. Going to be embarrassing and 93 00:04:26,440 --> 00:04:28,880 everything in my. Body and skull screamed like. 94 00:04:28,880 --> 00:04:31,960 You have to stop this like. It cannot come out what has 95 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:34,000 happened. So I dive. 96 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:36,560 Between my. Brother and the doorway and 97 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:38,320 become a shield. He. 98 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:40,360 Dives to go past. I. 99 00:04:40,360 --> 00:04:43,920 Block him right and we're in a full on wrestling match. 100 00:04:43,920 --> 00:04:46,160 I don't know how thick those. Walls were but. 101 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:48,960 Somehow my parents do not hear this and but it just. 102 00:04:49,480 --> 00:04:51,360 You know, sometimes things just like. 103 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:53,280 Start to really spiral. And then the. 104 00:04:53,280 --> 00:04:55,920 Worse they get. The more you're thinking. 105 00:04:55,920 --> 00:05:00,040 To yourself like well. Now I really can't get in 106 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:00,880 trouble. For does anybody? 107 00:05:00,880 --> 00:05:02,560 Ever, ever had this? Experience, right? 108 00:05:02,840 --> 00:05:04,440 Like well, now I really. Have to. 109 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:06,720 Make sure that. This doesn't come out and so I 110 00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:08,520 like. He dives for the. 111 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:10,960 Phone. I unplug the phone and stash it 112 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:11,560 under the. Bed. 113 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:14,720 He's on the balcony trying to see it from the 5th floor. 114 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:18,400 He can climb across the balcony into my parents suite. 115 00:05:18,920 --> 00:05:21,560 I don't know. How we both survived the night 116 00:05:22,840 --> 00:05:24,360 and not only did we survive the night like. 117 00:05:24,360 --> 00:05:26,880 Somehow I in my. Older brother evil. 118 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:30,960 Managed to keep my brother from telling my parents by convincing 119 00:05:30,960 --> 00:05:33,480 him I think that he would ruin. Vacation for everyone. 120 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:38,160 But it was not OK, like it was not OK at all. 121 00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:39,560 The next morning we. Had to. 122 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:42,400 Explain to my parents why there. Was now a hole in the hotel 123 00:05:42,400 --> 00:05:46,960 room. Drywall like you know and my 124 00:05:46,960 --> 00:05:50,880 relationship with my brother was like things were not OK like for 125 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:53,600 a while we. Repaired and since laughed about 126 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:55,040 it, but you know, that was like 20. 127 00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:59,680 Years later. So I tell. 128 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:02,800 You this anecdote. Which is still profoundly. 129 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:04,600 Embarrassing that we don't abuse your siblings. 130 00:06:07,280 --> 00:06:11,960 But I I share this because. I think it's such an emblematic 131 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:16,440 pattern of the familiar story. That we see. 132 00:06:16,440 --> 00:06:21,760 Play out here in Genesis 3. Because we see this, this. 133 00:06:21,760 --> 00:06:24,320 Pattern happen in Genesis 3 in the following chapters that 134 00:06:24,320 --> 00:06:27,920 we're going to look at today and it all begins with like a. 135 00:06:27,920 --> 00:06:29,280 Longing. A hunger. 136 00:06:29,280 --> 00:06:33,240 A desire for something that we then choose. 137 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:35,040 To to take to. Snatch. 138 00:06:35,040 --> 00:06:40,960 To seize, To grab. In our own way, selfishly, and 139 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:45,800 things inevitably go wrong. Right. 140 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:49,360 Fallout begins. There's hurt, there's 141 00:06:49,360 --> 00:06:53,400 brokenness, there's hiding. Which just makes matters. 142 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:56,400 Worse. And ultimately there's 143 00:06:56,400 --> 00:07:02,320 separation, and this is what we see transpire here in Genesis. 144 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:05,760 3. And this passage that we look at 145 00:07:05,760 --> 00:07:08,640 today is not just about history. As we talked about last week. 146 00:07:09,280 --> 00:07:11,400 This is arc arc tipple. I don't know if I can. 147 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:12,720 Say that correctly like this is a. 148 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:15,080 This is a pattern. It's an image that's relevant 149 00:07:15,080 --> 00:07:17,560 for us. Genesis 3 is is not just. 150 00:07:17,560 --> 00:07:22,160 About history, it's also. About you and about me, and at 151 00:07:22,160 --> 00:07:22,840 the. Beginning. 152 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:25,160 Of the story we. Find. 153 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:30,200 That that God sets like just. One boundary, like there's only 154 00:07:30,200 --> 00:07:31,600 one thing that he's concerned about. 155 00:07:31,600 --> 00:07:34,520 He says it in chapter 2 and verse 17. 156 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:38,480 You must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. 157 00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:42,760 Adam and Eve are in the midst. Of paradise they have. 158 00:07:43,160 --> 00:07:47,120 Everything that they could possibly want, there's just one 159 00:07:47,160 --> 00:07:51,320 limit. And it's this limit that becomes 160 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:54,400 a test for them, becomes a temptation at the. 161 00:07:54,400 --> 00:07:58,880 First verse of chapter 3. We meet the serpent, and the 162 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:03,280 serpent brings into focus that the profound drama that is 163 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:08,320 present in Genesis chapter 3 and the question that is faced not 164 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:11,320 only by Adam and Eve, but. Also by you. 165 00:08:11,360 --> 00:08:13,720 And by me and simply the question is. 166 00:08:13,720 --> 00:08:19,080 This will we trust God's? Wisdom and goodness. 167 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:21,520 Or will we distrust? And disobey. 168 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:26,160 Will we trust and obey God's goodness? 169 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:29,840 Or will we distrust? And disobey. 170 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:34,200 Of course. You know what happens here in 171 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:35,840 Genesis. Chapter 3 we see. 172 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:38,679 This serpent, which Christians throughout history have 173 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:41,360 understood as either the embodiment. 174 00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:42,840 Of. Of evil of. 175 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:47,240 Satan. Perhaps an animal like somehow? 176 00:08:47,240 --> 00:08:50,480 Possessed by this spiritual force or evil. 177 00:08:50,920 --> 00:08:52,320 In any. Case what we see. 178 00:08:52,320 --> 00:08:57,080 Here is opposition to God, and we see this in the words that 179 00:08:57,080 --> 00:09:00,440 come out of the serpent's mouth. Right away. 180 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:06,400 The serpent immediately asks, Did God really say? 181 00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:10,880 Like are are you so sure that he really? 182 00:09:11,120 --> 00:09:15,200 Said that he he begins to sew down and then in verse 4 the 183 00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:17,240 serpent. Outright contradicts. 184 00:09:17,240 --> 00:09:20,800 What God has said. You will not. 185 00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:25,600 Surely die, the serpent says. God has told you that if you 186 00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:27,520 take this pathway. It will result. 187 00:09:27,520 --> 00:09:30,480 In harm to you it will result in a consequence. 188 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:34,560 But really that's not true. Not only. 189 00:09:34,560 --> 00:09:37,600 Will you not experience? The pain that God is warning you 190 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:39,120 against, but. Catch. 191 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:43,960 This God is actually holding out on you, right? 192 00:09:44,160 --> 00:09:48,120 This boundary here is is really a limit to to to. 193 00:09:48,120 --> 00:09:51,240 Somehow God just wants to. Selfishly keep you back. 194 00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:53,800 From the good that's available to you. 195 00:09:54,760 --> 00:09:58,200 Instead, the serpent promises that this. 196 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:02,560 Fruit will help. The first humans become like God 197 00:10:04,200 --> 00:10:06,320 and Eve sees. The fruit we see. 198 00:10:06,320 --> 00:10:09,000 Here and and. Notices that it's it's good for 199 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:11,040 food, it's. Pleasing to the eye. 200 00:10:11,040 --> 00:10:13,920 It's desirable for wisdom. It's something that. 201 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:17,200 Appeals physically to the appetite aesthetically. 202 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:20,560 It's beautiful and there's this, this ego motivation. 203 00:10:20,560 --> 00:10:23,680 In some way I'll get to be somebody else. 204 00:10:23,680 --> 00:10:24,560 I'll have the knowledge. I'll. 205 00:10:24,560 --> 00:10:28,360 Have the power. Augustine, the North African 206 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:31,920 Bishop of the faith, famously linked this to 1st John 216. 207 00:10:32,240 --> 00:10:34,120 The lust of the flesh. The lust. 208 00:10:34,440 --> 00:10:39,360 Of the eyes, the pride of life. Look, I think this is important 209 00:10:39,360 --> 00:10:42,240 IA. Lot of people have asked. 210 00:10:42,240 --> 00:10:43,920 Questions. And maybe you have to. 211 00:10:44,480 --> 00:10:46,680 I know I have. Like like. 212 00:10:46,680 --> 00:10:48,440 First of all, like. Why do we? 213 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:50,360 Have a. Poison tree in the middle of the 214 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:53,000 garden, like what's necessary? What's going on here? 215 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:54,200 Right? And then? 216 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:56,800 If there is this. Like bad tree, right? 217 00:10:56,800 --> 00:10:58,320 That we're not supposed to eat of like. 218 00:10:59,640 --> 00:11:02,040 Knowledge of good and evil doesn't sound like a terror. 219 00:11:02,040 --> 00:11:04,880 Like it does not murder, right? Like it doesn't sound like a bad 220 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:07,360 thing, like. Moral knowledge seems like 221 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:09,280 something that we should. You know, want. 222 00:11:09,280 --> 00:11:10,400 To have. That could be. 223 00:11:10,400 --> 00:11:14,080 Good to have and. I'll tell you, there's a lot of 224 00:11:14,080 --> 00:11:17,280 theories. On this, I'll give you my take. 225 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:20,000 Not scripture, just Josh's opinion. 226 00:11:21,440 --> 00:11:24,640 You know, I'm not entirely sure what's going on here. 227 00:11:24,640 --> 00:11:26,600 With this tree. Of the knowledge of good and 228 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:30,040 evil, but fundamentally. It it. 229 00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:33,600 Represents not necessarily something evil in and of. 230 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:37,040 Itself right. The moral. 231 00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:38,720 Knowledge is not bad. Right. 232 00:11:39,160 --> 00:11:41,240 Greater. Awareness is not bad. 233 00:11:42,040 --> 00:11:45,680 I think what the problem is here is, is this temptation, this 234 00:11:45,680 --> 00:11:48,600 tendency to seize control, to be. 235 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:52,040 Like God. To try and take things into our 236 00:11:52,040 --> 00:11:54,720 own control and command and and to be in. 237 00:11:54,720 --> 00:11:58,240 Charge. Of how to make sense of things, 238 00:11:58,400 --> 00:12:02,360 to do things our own way. And so often friends like. 239 00:12:03,440 --> 00:12:05,560 Part of the reason I believe this is not just the clues that 240 00:12:05,560 --> 00:12:09,520 are embedded here in Genesis. Chapter 3 but the fact that so. 241 00:12:09,520 --> 00:12:13,800 Often when you think about sin, right, this is what sin? 242 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:17,200 Is right. Very often I would. 243 00:12:17,200 --> 00:12:20,760 Actually suggest to you. Basically, never is sin 244 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:24,520 fundamentally about something bad, right? 245 00:12:24,680 --> 00:12:30,320 Because Son sin, Satan cannot create, he can only distort. 246 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:36,120 And so ultimately, we are. All motivated and driven. 247 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:38,640 By desires that have been given to us by God. 248 00:12:39,320 --> 00:12:41,080 And God wants. For us, good. 249 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:43,440 Things God wanted. For our first. 250 00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:47,200 Parents good things he places them in the garden surrounded 251 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:50,600 with everything that they need they have abundance they have 252 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:53,920 intimacy they. Have purpose. 253 00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:59,240 Right, God is not holding out on them, and yet what sin? 254 00:12:59,240 --> 00:13:02,320 Does here. In the story and also in our 255 00:13:02,320 --> 00:13:05,960 lives, right it it tempts. Us to believe. 256 00:13:05,960 --> 00:13:09,640 That God is holding out on you. And then if you really want this 257 00:13:09,640 --> 00:13:12,640 thing, maybe it's intimacy, maybe it's. 258 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:15,240 Prestige. Maybe it's security? 259 00:13:15,240 --> 00:13:21,160 Maybe it's happiness. Things that aren't bad, sin 260 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:22,560 always tells us. Hey, there's a. 261 00:13:22,560 --> 00:13:27,160 Shortcut that's available. Right, there's a shortcut. 262 00:13:27,160 --> 00:13:28,080 You can. You can. 263 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:32,640 Actually get that? Here's the way to do that. 264 00:13:33,760 --> 00:13:36,560 And it invites us down a distorted. 265 00:13:36,560 --> 00:13:40,000 Pathway to a good. Thing some scholars. 266 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:42,000 Have actually suggested. That the tree of the knowledge 267 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:43,880 of good and evil. It was, in fact. 268 00:13:43,880 --> 00:13:46,440 Just such a shortcut that. That this kind of moral 269 00:13:46,440 --> 00:13:48,840 knowledge was something that God wanted to teach people that. 270 00:13:48,840 --> 00:13:51,400 He wanted to invite. People into an overtime. 271 00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:53,760 This would have been something that was a gift that would have 272 00:13:53,760 --> 00:13:57,920 been given to Adam and Eve in their relationship with God had 273 00:13:57,920 --> 00:14:02,760 they stayed in their integrity. But of course in the story they 274 00:14:02,760 --> 00:14:08,000 don't Adam and then Eve or even then Adam take. 275 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:11,840 The fruit they distrust. And disobey God and humanity 276 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:15,800 falls. And this is the the pattern that 277 00:14:15,800 --> 00:14:18,720 we see over and over again. Throughout all of scripture. 278 00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:21,040 Going to see this again and again through this and it's also 279 00:14:21,040 --> 00:14:23,600 the pattern that I think. Is at the heart of what is. 280 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:28,240 Happening in Genesis. Three through. 11 See, no sooner 281 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:30,960 than do we grasp for control, no sooner than we. 282 00:14:30,960 --> 00:14:35,760 Opt for the shortcut. Then we taste the consequences. 283 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:40,240 We find out that it's not. Actually, what we hoped. 284 00:14:40,240 --> 00:14:44,640 For and longed for here in the text today in Genesis. 3 we see 285 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:48,280 that. In fact, Satan, the deceiver had 286 00:14:48,280 --> 00:14:50,840 given them a. Partial truth, right? 287 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:52,280 Their eyes were. Open. 288 00:14:52,280 --> 00:14:54,920 They did see something. Because of this fruit. 289 00:14:54,920 --> 00:14:57,600 That they had not seen before and. 290 00:14:58,160 --> 00:15:01,720 If you've ever. Sinned if you've ever taken your 291 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:03,880 own course, if you ever disobeyed God, I'm. 292 00:15:03,920 --> 00:15:07,880 Sure, as the book of Hebrews talks about there, there are 293 00:15:08,160 --> 00:15:10,120 pleasures. Of sin for a season. 294 00:15:11,120 --> 00:15:14,400 Right, that fruit upfront tastes. 295 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:17,200 Sweet like when you. Just. 296 00:15:17,200 --> 00:15:20,280 Crush some candy you get. That sugar high. 297 00:15:20,280 --> 00:15:21,720 The dopamine in your brain lights. 298 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:25,560 Up right, Like your body is like, yeah, this is where it's 299 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:26,480 at. I love it. 300 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:30,720 But then there's always. The crash, right? 301 00:15:31,600 --> 00:15:34,480 Because it doesn't actually have what we need for health, for 302 00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:36,160 wholeness. It can't fill us. 303 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:38,200 It can't nourish us when we take. 304 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:39,120 The. Shortcut. 305 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:44,360 When we circumvent God's way of doing things, inevitably we end. 306 00:15:44,360 --> 00:15:47,000 Up with damage. And that's. 307 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:49,480 What we see. Here in Genesis chapter 3, no 308 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:51,480 sooner have they bitten into the. 309 00:15:51,480 --> 00:15:54,800 Fruit their eyes are. Open than they begin to perceive 310 00:15:54,800 --> 00:15:58,120 something that they didn't perceive before their nakedness. 311 00:15:59,160 --> 00:16:02,320 They look at themselves now with a new insecurity, a new 312 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:04,600 vulnerability. They begin to understand 313 00:16:04,600 --> 00:16:07,840 something that wasn't like the reality of their nakedness was 314 00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:11,320 present before, but now somehow it hits different. 315 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:13,760 There's shame attached. To it. 316 00:16:15,760 --> 00:16:19,840 And they do what we all do when we experience shame, right? 317 00:16:19,880 --> 00:16:23,520 Our default. They hide, right? 318 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:24,680 They try. To cover it up with some. 319 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:26,200 Fig leaves. They dip. 320 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:29,240 Out and try to hide on God they try to. 321 00:16:29,240 --> 00:16:35,440 Hide by way of. Blame and we love that right? 322 00:16:35,440 --> 00:16:38,160 The woman's like or. The man's like is the woman. 323 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:39,960 The woman's like is the snake. Right. 324 00:16:40,800 --> 00:16:42,880 Everybody is responsible for how we got. 325 00:16:42,880 --> 00:16:45,880 Here but me somebody. Else. 326 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:50,320 Hiding and then inevitably. Of course, what we see is. 327 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:52,160 Separation. At the end of this chapter we 328 00:16:52,160 --> 00:16:55,480 find exile. Exile from the presence of God. 329 00:16:55,480 --> 00:16:57,440 Exile from the tree. Of life, God says. 330 00:16:57,720 --> 00:17:02,240 Hey you guys, now that now that corruption has infected you, now 331 00:17:02,240 --> 00:17:05,079 that death has taken up residence in you, you can't go 332 00:17:05,079 --> 00:17:07,800 on eating from the. Tree of Life. 333 00:17:09,240 --> 00:17:13,720 It will just. Spread interminably, and this is 334 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:18,599 in fact what happens across the following chapters of Genesis 335 00:17:18,599 --> 00:17:23,480 chapter. 4 through. 11 in chapter. 4 we see. 336 00:17:24,040 --> 00:17:26,800 Immediately next generation right? 337 00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:32,840 Cain murders Abel later in the chapter of Genesis. 4 we see. 338 00:17:32,840 --> 00:17:37,120 Violence being celebrated and promoted, Lamech basically says, 339 00:17:37,120 --> 00:17:39,120 hey, this guy wounded me and I killed him, ha. 340 00:17:39,120 --> 00:17:40,600 I'm going to write a song about it, guys. 341 00:17:43,280 --> 00:17:46,520 As we move into the following chapters, we just continue to 342 00:17:46,520 --> 00:17:49,560 see this pattern unravel. Chapter 5 is this. 343 00:17:49,560 --> 00:17:54,240 Genealogy that has this recurring refrain, this drum 344 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:58,440 beat that each generation over and over and over is repeated. 345 00:17:58,480 --> 00:18:05,600 And he died, and he died and he. Died see this is. 346 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:10,880 The consequence When we seize control, when we go our own way, 347 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:12,240 when we say. God, I I. 348 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:14,160 I don't. Trust that you really. 349 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:15,520 Have what's best for me, I'm going to. 350 00:18:15,520 --> 00:18:19,120 Grab this shortcut here. I'm going to try to. 351 00:18:19,120 --> 00:18:21,960 Fulfill these appetites. And longings that you have given 352 00:18:21,960 --> 00:18:23,560 me in this. Distorted way. 353 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:30,360 Inevitably, there's shame, there's hiding, there's blame, 354 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:33,880 there's separation. And we see this. 355 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:36,920 Here the fundamental rifts. That are still at play. 356 00:18:36,920 --> 00:18:38,440 That are still. Present in our society. 357 00:18:38,440 --> 00:18:43,600 All go back to this text here. Right, we see the rift. 358 00:18:43,920 --> 00:18:47,760 Between man and woman, the division in conflict between 359 00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:52,640 genders shows up here. The division between humanity 360 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:56,200 and the environment. All of a sudden, where before 361 00:18:56,200 --> 00:18:59,000 there was flourishing and abundance and harmony and 362 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:02,960 synergy, now we've got thorns. We got animals dying. 363 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:09,040 We've got conflicts and of course, most importantly between 364 00:19:09,840 --> 00:19:14,440 people and the very source of life, God himself, because of 365 00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:17,560 our sin, because of our pushing away from God. 366 00:19:17,560 --> 00:19:23,160 Just like a plant is uprooted unnecessarily, begins to wither 367 00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:27,240 and die, cut off from its root system, so too humanity in 368 00:19:27,240 --> 00:19:28,600 these. Chapters we see. 369 00:19:29,120 --> 00:19:33,920 Cut off from its root system, attempting to go it alone, we 370 00:19:33,920 --> 00:19:36,680 began to wither and die. And I don't know about you. 371 00:19:36,680 --> 00:19:38,480 But if it. Feels almost like. 372 00:19:39,560 --> 00:19:41,960 Like the, the, the. Consequence is not fitting of 373 00:19:41,960 --> 00:19:44,080 the crime to me here sometimes when I read. 374 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:46,280 This. It's like, holy cow. 375 00:19:47,440 --> 00:19:48,640 Right. They they, you know, ate. 376 00:19:48,920 --> 00:19:50,280 An apple. Or whatever this fruit. 377 00:19:50,280 --> 00:19:53,240 Was, I don't know. And all of a sudden, like we 378 00:19:53,240 --> 00:19:54,200 got. People. 379 00:19:54,200 --> 00:19:58,360 Dying people killing each other By Genesis 11, we got the. 380 00:19:58,360 --> 00:20:01,600 Flood. Right, humanity is is wiped 381 00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:04,360 clean and basically. God starts over. 382 00:20:05,840 --> 00:20:08,360 And I think in. All of this. 383 00:20:09,240 --> 00:20:15,720 What is actually true is sin is so much worse than we think it 384 00:20:15,720 --> 00:20:18,000 is. Like so. 385 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:22,000 Often when we choose to go our own way, we imagine that we can 386 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:24,120 control it. We imagine that we can contain 387 00:20:24,120 --> 00:20:26,240 it. We imagine that we can keep it 388 00:20:26,240 --> 00:20:29,280 under wraps, that it won't spread, that it won't impact. 389 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:32,400 Others that it's just. It's like I'm going to get some 390 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:36,320 and it it really is not going to damage anyone else. 391 00:20:37,960 --> 00:20:41,000 And Genesis. Chapter 3 to. 11 is really 392 00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:42,880 basically an ODE. To the reality. 393 00:20:43,200 --> 00:20:46,480 That that is not the case. Old preachers used to say like 394 00:20:46,480 --> 00:20:48,440 sin. Will take you farther. 395 00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:50,840 Than you wanted. To go, it will keep you longer 396 00:20:51,160 --> 00:20:53,960 than you wanted to stay and it will cost you more than you 397 00:20:53,960 --> 00:20:57,320 wanted to pay like this is sin. It's. 398 00:20:57,560 --> 00:20:59,400 It's it's a bait. It's a hook. 399 00:21:00,120 --> 00:21:01,960 That it tastes sweet. In the moment, but. 400 00:21:01,960 --> 00:21:05,440 Once it's got you, you are no longer in charge. 401 00:21:05,960 --> 00:21:07,600 It takes up. Dominion and. 402 00:21:07,600 --> 00:21:12,400 Control within you, and all of a sudden, like a snowball rolling 403 00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:15,760 down a hill, it's hard to tell how. 404 00:21:15,760 --> 00:21:19,880 Big The avalanche will grow. Before SO. 405 00:21:19,880 --> 00:21:22,080 Much is. Taken out in its wake. 406 00:21:23,120 --> 00:21:25,600 And I think. Sometimes we. 407 00:21:26,240 --> 00:21:28,080 Have a tendency. To to. 408 00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:31,080 Read texts like this one to look at. 409 00:21:31,080 --> 00:21:35,680 Passages of scripture like this and and almost see God as like 410 00:21:35,680 --> 00:21:39,520 the agent who is imposing these. Consequences on to people. 411 00:21:39,880 --> 00:21:41,800 I think sometimes I think about things that way. 412 00:21:41,880 --> 00:21:45,520 Maybe you were raised similarly to me and, and, and kind of a 413 00:21:45,520 --> 00:21:47,920 household where there's like some, some punishment like we 414 00:21:47,920 --> 00:21:53,200 got to we got to pay for some things here and I I really like 415 00:21:53,200 --> 00:21:56,640 there are for sure, for sure. There's some consequences here, 416 00:21:57,760 --> 00:22:02,000 heavy consequences. But I actually think. 417 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:04,360 Throughout. This that, that, God's heart. 418 00:22:04,720 --> 00:22:08,000 From the. Very beginning is towards 419 00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:12,400 restoration, is towards redemption, even like in the in 420 00:22:12,400 --> 00:22:16,680 the midst of the anguish and the pain and the separation and the 421 00:22:16,680 --> 00:22:21,320 brokenness, we see God reaching for people in in Genesis chapter 422 00:22:21,320 --> 00:22:24,360 3, we see. This proto evangelium. 423 00:22:24,360 --> 00:22:29,640 That that in the curse of the serpent God says I will like 424 00:22:29,680 --> 00:22:34,120 you. Essentially you will catch his 425 00:22:34,120 --> 00:22:35,280 heel but. He's going to he's. 426 00:22:35,280 --> 00:22:38,200 Going to crush your head, an illusion to what will ultimately 427 00:22:38,200 --> 00:22:41,920 happen in and through Jesus. God's redemptive plan starts 428 00:22:41,920 --> 00:22:45,800 like at the moment when the relationship has been fractured. 429 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:49,800 Adam and Eve. Here we see hiding and shame 430 00:22:50,320 --> 00:22:53,200 trying to avoid, and yet God comes close. 431 00:22:53,960 --> 00:22:57,360 He's curious where. Are you guys? 432 00:22:57,800 --> 00:22:59,320 What's going on? What did you do? 433 00:23:00,360 --> 00:23:03,720 I don't think those words are laced with disdain or contempt. 434 00:23:04,680 --> 00:23:07,600 I think he's he's searching, he's trying to bring it back. 435 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:12,320 Even even covered in shame, God comes in and he makes some 436 00:23:12,320 --> 00:23:13,920 clothes to cover it. Clothes that. 437 00:23:13,920 --> 00:23:17,320 Become we'll talk about this. In following weeks, but clothes 438 00:23:17,320 --> 00:23:21,120 that end up represented in the Levitical priesthood and 439 00:23:21,760 --> 00:23:24,680 coverings that allow us to continue to access the presence 440 00:23:24,680 --> 00:23:26,280 of God. God is. 441 00:23:26,600 --> 00:23:29,920 All the way from. This very moment of disunity and 442 00:23:29,920 --> 00:23:33,240 disrepair, this moment where everything is unraveling already 443 00:23:33,240 --> 00:23:36,480 God is in the midst of it beginning to work and move 444 00:23:36,480 --> 00:23:41,440 towards redemption, to move towards reconciliation and 445 00:23:41,440 --> 00:23:43,760 friends is I've been sitting with this text of. 446 00:23:43,760 --> 00:23:49,040 Scripture this week, honestly. It's been, it's been a tough 447 00:23:49,040 --> 00:23:52,000 week, guys. And I don't, I don't know about 448 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:54,800 you, but I've been really upset by just. 449 00:23:55,520 --> 00:23:58,520 Being glued. To screens noticing the just 450 00:23:58,520 --> 00:24:02,960 destruction that is happening across our country right now on 451 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:06,400 on Wednesday of course many of you know that the political. 452 00:24:06,400 --> 00:24:07,680 Activist and commentator Charlie. 453 00:24:07,680 --> 00:24:10,720 Kirk was assassinated at an event in Utah. 454 00:24:12,240 --> 00:24:17,920 And I, when I, when I'm exposed to things like that, which, you 455 00:24:17,920 --> 00:24:20,560 know, I saw the headline and before I even knew what 456 00:24:20,560 --> 00:24:24,600 happened, I followed an impulse which now I wish I would not 457 00:24:24,600 --> 00:24:28,480 have and watched the video. Actually watched the shooting. 458 00:24:29,920 --> 00:24:33,320 And immediately my my, my stomach turned, My anxiety 459 00:24:33,320 --> 00:24:36,360 spiked. You know, I could feel in my. 460 00:24:36,360 --> 00:24:40,040 Body like the like. Watching people kill. 461 00:24:40,040 --> 00:24:43,800 Each other is a horrible. Horrific thing. 462 00:24:45,320 --> 00:24:48,080 And then? Whatever you think of of of. 463 00:24:48,280 --> 00:24:52,800 Charlie and his influence. And his politics, the the 464 00:24:52,800 --> 00:24:55,440 dynamic, the spiral that. I think. 465 00:24:55,520 --> 00:24:59,800 Both what happened on Wednesday and what has happened on the 466 00:24:59,800 --> 00:25:02,000 Internet. Sense, right? 467 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:05,240 Represents this spiral. Right, you could just. 468 00:25:05,320 --> 00:25:09,360 Watch it playing out. Like violence be getting more 469 00:25:09,360 --> 00:25:13,360 violence, hate be getting more hate. 470 00:25:13,840 --> 00:25:17,520 People immediately going. In and manufacturing blame 471 00:25:17,520 --> 00:25:19,880 everybody reaching for what was this guy's motives? 472 00:25:19,880 --> 00:25:22,360 Why did he do it? These folks are saying. 473 00:25:22,360 --> 00:25:23,200 It's because of. This. 474 00:25:23,200 --> 00:25:26,080 These folks are saying it's because of this clearly. 475 00:25:26,080 --> 00:25:28,040 Before anybody. Actually knows what's going on 476 00:25:29,760 --> 00:25:32,920 and these these impulses that we have. 477 00:25:33,360 --> 00:25:35,040 These impulses. That we see play. 478 00:25:35,040 --> 00:25:37,680 Out here in. Genesis chapter 3 are still. 479 00:25:38,120 --> 00:25:40,600 Friends they're. So, so with us. 480 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:44,280 Aren't they? The impulse is to when we see 481 00:25:44,280 --> 00:25:46,480 something that isn't working, when we see something that we 482 00:25:46,480 --> 00:25:49,200 don't like or prefer to. Grasp for control to try. 483 00:25:49,200 --> 00:25:54,240 And seize it in some way. For me, part of my grasping for 484 00:25:54,240 --> 00:25:56,840 control this week was I have a. Tendency when? 485 00:25:57,120 --> 00:26:00,160 I see something that is distressing to me that is 486 00:26:00,200 --> 00:26:01,960 overwhelming to me. I have like this. 487 00:26:02,240 --> 00:26:04,360 Maybe if I just ingest every piece of? 488 00:26:04,360 --> 00:26:07,280 Information on the Internet about it I will somehow, you 489 00:26:07,280 --> 00:26:09,120 know, be. Able to control the situation. 490 00:26:10,400 --> 00:26:12,600 News flash doesn't work very well but but still. 491 00:26:12,600 --> 00:26:15,840 Like I noticed myself. Just like some of us have the 492 00:26:15,840 --> 00:26:18,720 opposite reaction, right? We see something awful and we're 493 00:26:18,720 --> 00:26:21,440 like, OK, I'm out. Like back up. 494 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:26,120 I'm going to get as far away as possible, but we have these. 495 00:26:26,440 --> 00:26:29,920 These reactions, this reactivity evil begets more. 496 00:26:29,920 --> 00:26:34,680 Reactivity. More violence, more separation, 497 00:26:34,680 --> 00:26:36,920 more death. And there is a very real death. 498 00:26:36,920 --> 00:26:38,320 Spiral. It's a scary thing, friends, 499 00:26:38,320 --> 00:26:41,160 right now. Our country think is in a bit of 500 00:26:41,160 --> 00:26:46,160 a spiral. The people reading Genesis Three 501 00:26:47,080 --> 00:26:47,800 were. In a bit. 502 00:26:47,800 --> 00:26:48,880 Of a spiral. We talked about this. 503 00:26:48,880 --> 00:26:53,440 Last week, right The community. Reading this for the first time. 504 00:26:53,520 --> 00:26:56,640 Lived in Babylon. In exile. 505 00:26:57,120 --> 00:26:59,240 They were the people of. God, who had watched their. 506 00:26:59,240 --> 00:27:03,520 Country, their civilization fall apart at the seams because they 507 00:27:03,520 --> 00:27:05,200 had. Distrusted and disobeyed. 508 00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:08,200 Things had broken and collapsed. They had. 509 00:27:08,640 --> 00:27:11,080 Watched Family. Members die and they were 510 00:27:11,200 --> 00:27:12,840 carried. Away into. 511 00:27:12,840 --> 00:27:16,480 Slavery into a foreign land, into exile. 512 00:27:18,560 --> 00:27:23,920 And here God's people are reading about this first. 513 00:27:23,920 --> 00:27:27,000 Story This first story that God instructs. 514 00:27:27,280 --> 00:27:29,640 His prophets, His people. To tell again. 515 00:27:30,120 --> 00:27:33,680 To the community, a story about how. 516 00:27:33,680 --> 00:27:36,680 We disobeyed. How we distrusted. 517 00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:39,080 And how? It brought such devastating 518 00:27:39,400 --> 00:27:43,840 consequences. Friends I. 519 00:27:44,280 --> 00:27:47,680 Don't want to project or necessarily declare where we're 520 00:27:47,680 --> 00:27:49,040 at as a. Country or get into. 521 00:27:49,040 --> 00:27:53,320 All of the what's and why's about that if. 522 00:27:53,320 --> 00:27:56,560 You want to talk? About it come find me, but I do 523 00:27:56,560 --> 00:27:57,200 think. That. 524 00:27:58,160 --> 00:28:01,400 Wherever you at you can look. At the headlines, look at what's 525 00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:03,560 playing. Out and see these same patterns 526 00:28:05,040 --> 00:28:07,760 and these patterns that we see here in Genesis 3. 527 00:28:08,920 --> 00:28:11,160 Are not necessary. They're not avoidable. 528 00:28:11,920 --> 00:28:13,240 But they. Are because of what? 529 00:28:13,240 --> 00:28:17,720 Happened in this. Story are defaults are defaults 530 00:28:17,720 --> 00:28:21,320 to reach for, to control, to not trust God. 531 00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:24,880 To try and take things. Into our own hands, even if it's 532 00:28:24,880 --> 00:28:27,040 a shortcut to get. What we want? 533 00:28:28,600 --> 00:28:32,640 So for us, as we move into a time of invitation, a time of a 534 00:28:32,640 --> 00:28:37,040 response this morning, I want to invite you to consider. 535 00:28:38,800 --> 00:28:44,480 What does this look? Like for you because the 536 00:28:44,480 --> 00:28:47,400 temptation. For Eve. 537 00:28:48,120 --> 00:28:50,600 Was one thing it's. Going to be very different for 538 00:28:50,600 --> 00:28:53,360 you. Right, but. 539 00:28:53,360 --> 00:28:56,440 The the challenge. To trust in God is the same for 540 00:28:56,440 --> 00:29:00,080 all of us. But but I'm curious for you and 541 00:29:00,080 --> 00:29:02,120 for me to to really reckon with to wrestle. 542 00:29:02,120 --> 00:29:05,920 With for you to. Consider this morning like, what 543 00:29:05,920 --> 00:29:07,840 does that actually look like? Where? 544 00:29:07,840 --> 00:29:10,680 Where is the rub for you? The challenge? 545 00:29:11,320 --> 00:29:16,120 In trusting God, like where does that prove problematic? 546 00:29:16,120 --> 00:29:20,800 Maybe this morning you look at. Your life and. 547 00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:24,960 And you wonder. Like your your. 548 00:29:24,960 --> 00:29:27,560 Compulsion. To to be righteous. 549 00:29:27,560 --> 00:29:31,040 To be good, to, to, to, to make. Sure that you were. 550 00:29:31,200 --> 00:29:34,280 Above reproach has you so driven to just be a? 551 00:29:34,280 --> 00:29:38,480 Perfectionist to be judgmental and harsh with yourself. 552 00:29:38,520 --> 00:29:40,960 And others. You want a good thing, but 553 00:29:40,960 --> 00:29:43,080 you're you're taking a shortcut to get there. 554 00:29:43,960 --> 00:29:45,960 Maybe you want to be? Loved and valued. 555 00:29:45,960 --> 00:29:50,000 This morning you want to be wanted, but you end up. 556 00:29:50,600 --> 00:29:54,000 Carrying. With a side of manipulation like 557 00:29:54,000 --> 00:29:56,360 a a side of. Expectation and resentment. 558 00:29:57,120 --> 00:29:58,200 Shortcut to. Try and. 559 00:29:58,600 --> 00:30:00,960 Get the kind of belonging in community that you want. 560 00:30:01,960 --> 00:30:04,200 Maybe this morning for you it it looks like a. 561 00:30:04,200 --> 00:30:07,280 Desire to be worthy. To, to, to. 562 00:30:07,280 --> 00:30:11,560 Live a life that makes a. Difference for others and and so 563 00:30:11,600 --> 00:30:13,600 you strive at that, but you're. Always. 564 00:30:13,960 --> 00:30:18,600 Noticing this, pull to to spin. The truth to to just foreground. 565 00:30:18,600 --> 00:30:21,240 The pretty parts to. To to present and. 566 00:30:21,240 --> 00:30:25,520 Cast an image that isn't really real for others. 567 00:30:26,320 --> 00:30:30,480 Maybe you noticed the temptation for you is is to to self. 568 00:30:30,480 --> 00:30:34,440 Protect and retreat maybe? It's to to numb by way of. 569 00:30:34,600 --> 00:30:38,080 Just finding more fun. Things more distracting, things 570 00:30:38,080 --> 00:30:41,600 more cool experiences. So you never have to, really. 571 00:30:41,720 --> 00:30:46,680 Sit with grief. Maybe for you? 572 00:30:47,360 --> 00:30:50,400 The tendency or the? Temptation is just to disengage. 573 00:30:52,440 --> 00:30:53,840 Friends, the rub. Of what it. 574 00:30:53,840 --> 00:30:57,280 Takes for us to trust God. What it actually looks like will 575 00:30:57,280 --> 00:30:59,160 be different for you than it. Is for me. 576 00:30:59,760 --> 00:31:02,000 Probably doesn't look. Like the temptation to. 577 00:31:02,440 --> 00:31:05,320 Grab a fruit. But at the. 578 00:31:05,360 --> 00:31:06,080 End of the. Day. 579 00:31:06,080 --> 00:31:09,160 There's a reason why this Christian life is all about 580 00:31:09,240 --> 00:31:12,640 faith. It's all about this. 581 00:31:12,640 --> 00:31:16,040 Question. At the end of the day, will I 582 00:31:16,040 --> 00:31:17,840 believe? Will I trust? 583 00:31:18,680 --> 00:31:23,360 That what God says is true. That what he wants is good. 584 00:31:24,200 --> 00:31:26,280 That his. Way is trustworthy. 585 00:31:28,200 --> 00:31:30,400 Or will I take? Things into my own hands and go 586 00:31:30,400 --> 00:31:33,800 my own way. And friends this. 587 00:31:33,800 --> 00:31:36,000 Pattern. Fortunately, because of Jesus. 588 00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:40,160 Can be broken. In your life, you can make a 589 00:31:40,160 --> 00:31:43,120 different choice than our first parents did. 590 00:31:45,520 --> 00:31:47,080 And I believe that. We can do that. 591 00:31:47,080 --> 00:31:51,440 We can trust God because of who He is. 592 00:31:52,720 --> 00:31:54,760 The one who places. The tree of life at the center. 593 00:31:54,760 --> 00:31:57,240 Of the garden the. Creator who endows us. 594 00:31:57,240 --> 00:32:00,120 With his own image. And this gift to? 595 00:32:00,120 --> 00:32:03,200 Rule and to rest. With him, the purpose that we 596 00:32:03,200 --> 00:32:04,480 talked. About last week. 597 00:32:06,360 --> 00:32:08,760 As we move into a time of communion this morning. 598 00:32:10,200 --> 00:32:11,320 God is. Also. 599 00:32:12,080 --> 00:32:16,680 The same one who who comes near in Jesus there's. 600 00:32:16,680 --> 00:32:17,480 Another tree. We're going. 601 00:32:17,480 --> 00:32:19,120 To talk about later in this series. 602 00:32:20,480 --> 00:32:22,920 A tree which? Creates and once again. 603 00:32:22,920 --> 00:32:25,760 Nude opportunity for the pathway back to God. 604 00:32:25,760 --> 00:32:29,280 To be reopened. And once again, just as Adam and 605 00:32:29,280 --> 00:32:31,640 Eve had the opportunity to, to feast. 606 00:32:31,640 --> 00:32:33,200 On this tree. Of life. 607 00:32:33,200 --> 00:32:35,840 Prior to their decision. To distrust and disobey. 608 00:32:36,120 --> 00:32:41,560 You and me have an invitation, an opportunity to feast. 609 00:32:41,560 --> 00:32:42,760 On. Jesus. 610 00:32:43,480 --> 00:32:46,320 Of course, through our. Intimacy with him and also in 611 00:32:46,320 --> 00:32:49,160 this right that we practice each week called communion. 612 00:32:50,000 --> 00:32:51,040 It's a. Physical. 613 00:32:51,040 --> 00:32:53,680 Embodiment of this truth, of this reality. 614 00:32:53,680 --> 00:32:56,120 Of what it means. To say I trust. 615 00:32:56,120 --> 00:32:59,880 You God I believe. You, God, I want to receive. 616 00:32:59,880 --> 00:33:01,120 You God. I want to follow. 617 00:33:01,120 --> 00:33:03,000 You. I want. 618 00:33:03,000 --> 00:33:04,000 To say yes to you.