Full Transcript for A Kingdom that Grows

sown by me, by my family members, in his life for many, many years. 00:03:23.599 --> 00:03:26.639 But I don't know what happened in the end. 00:03:26.639 --> 00:03:32.979 Whether he responded to the gospel, accepted the invitation to come and repent and trust in Jesus. 00:03:33.219 --> 00:03:34.859 I don't know what happened in the end. 00:03:35.359 --> 00:03:39.479 And perhaps you can relate and you've had similar experience. 00:03:40.259 --> 00:03:46.279 You've shared the gospel and you have prayed for other people, perhaps your family members, 00:03:46.280 --> 00:03:53.219 and faithfully sown the seed of God's word for many, many years without seeing much fruit. 00:03:54.159 --> 00:03:56.780 It seems as though nothing is happening. 00:03:58.379 --> 00:04:02.759 Now, every time someone repents and believes in Jesus, 00:04:03.300 --> 00:04:05.080 God's kingdom expands. 00:04:05.080 --> 00:04:14.140 As another person confesses Jesus is their king, is his king. 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:18.240 The question I want us to consider this morning is this. 00:04:19.439 --> 00:04:24.460 Is the kingdom of God growing around us? 00:04:24.459 --> 00:04:30.579 Is the kingdom of God growing around you? 00:04:33.060 --> 00:04:40.759 In our family, in our neighborhood, at a school, at work, in Hong Kong, is the kingdom of God growing? 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:47.199 In Japan, there's an increasing number of churches that have aging congregations, 00:04:47.319 --> 00:04:49.719 and some churches are disappearing. 00:04:49.720 --> 00:04:54.440 Some are without pastors and shepherds to lead them. 00:04:55.100 --> 00:04:58.360 In the post-World War II history of the church in Japan, 00:04:58.760 --> 00:05:04.720 the evangelical Christian population in Japan has never exceeded 1% of the population. 00:05:08.180 --> 00:05:12.320 So is the kingdom of God growing in Japan? 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:15.820 What about Hong Kong? 00:05:15.819 --> 00:05:22.620 Now, because I know Kevin, and he tells me about what God is doing in your midst, 00:05:22.819 --> 00:05:28.000 and I know you have seen baptisms, and people coming to faith, and getting baptized, 00:05:28.420 --> 00:05:33.180 and becoming followers, committed followers of Jesus, and that's wonderful. 00:05:33.319 --> 00:05:35.959 The church is growing, and praise God for that. 00:05:36.300 --> 00:05:42.159 I'm so excited to hear all these good news and good things happening in this church. 00:05:42.160 --> 00:05:47.439 But in Hong Kong, at large, according to one research, 00:05:47.600 --> 00:05:56.620 between 2014 and 2024, evangelical churches' worship attendance dropped by 35%. 00:05:56.620 --> 00:06:00.580 I'm sure there are many, many reasons for that. 00:06:01.060 --> 00:06:06.360 But the question is, is the kingdom of God growing around us? 00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:11.639 Now, we might still pray, 00:06:11.639 --> 00:06:18.240 Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 00:06:18.360 --> 00:06:21.300 We might still pray those words and pray those prayers, 00:06:21.920 --> 00:06:29.840 but do we pray your kingdom come with the same passion and expectation we had once before? 00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:35.439 When we don't see much visible growth and fruit from our sowing of the gospel seeds, 00:06:35.859 --> 00:06:40.439 and have our hopes for God to save those people around us, 00:06:41.319 --> 00:06:47.659 have our expectations and passion, have those things slowly grown cold? 00:06:49.659 --> 00:06:54.779 When God's kingdom, Jesus' saving reign as king, 00:06:54.779 --> 00:06:58.719 when God's kingdom doesn't seem to be advancing around us, 00:06:59.619 --> 00:07:05.219 it might be easy for us to lose sight of who we really are, 00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:09.939 lose sight of and forget that we are citizens of God's kingdom, 00:07:10.759 --> 00:07:17.319 and we lose sight of the mission our King Jesus has entrusted to us. 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:25.839 Instead, we might begin to live as though we belong entirely to the kingdom of this world, 00:07:26.120 --> 00:07:32.519 and we begin to pursue the things that everybody else in this world is pursuing, 00:07:33.300 --> 00:07:35.319 whatever it may be. 00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:37.899 Our concern for sharing the good news of Jesus, 00:07:38.339 --> 00:07:42.899 and for being salt and light on earth begins to fade, 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:46.899 and rather than longing for the growth and expansion of God's kingdom, 00:07:47.319 --> 00:07:53.159 become more concerned and more focused on making our own lives here and now 00:07:53.159 --> 00:07:57.719 a little bit more easier, a little bit more comfortable, 00:07:58.519 --> 00:08:00.639 a little bit more enjoyable. 00:08:01.519 --> 00:08:04.860 Now, these comforts in life and enjoyments in life, 00:08:05.039 --> 00:08:07.399 they're not bad things necessarily, 00:08:08.180 --> 00:08:12.959 but our lives can easily become more about us 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:18.199 than about God's kingdom and about the expansion and the growth of God's kingdom. 00:08:18.739 --> 00:08:24.419 So this morning, we want our hearts and minds to be renewed and reshaped 00:08:24.419 --> 00:08:30.599 by God's word and the vision of the kingdom of God that God has given us in his word. 00:08:31.299 --> 00:08:32.860 In Mark chapter 4, 00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:38.100 Jesus teaches what the kingdom of God looks like through many parables, 00:08:38.519 --> 00:08:41.639 and in today's passage, which we just heard, 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:48.440 we see that the growth of the kingdom of God is certain. 00:08:50.019 --> 00:08:54.500 The growth of the kingdom of God is certain. 00:08:54.500 --> 00:09:01.519 And we're going to see this certain growth of God's kingdom in four words. 00:09:01.659 --> 00:09:02.740 Those are my four points. 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:08.700 And these four words describe how the kingdom grows for certain.

00:09:09.440 --> 00:09:10.179 These four words, 00:09:11.320 --> 00:09:11.779 mysterious, 00:09:13.159 --> 00:09:13.600 gradual, 00:09:15.039 --> 00:09:16.179 disproportionate, 00:09:16.720 --> 00:09:17.840 and participatory. 00:09:19.399 --> 00:09:20.000 Mysterious, 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:20.580 gradual, 00:09:21.200 --> 00:09:22.200 disproportionate, 00:09:22.200 --> 00:09:23.600 and participatory. 00:09:24.100 --> 00:09:24.660 I can't even say. 00:09:25.800 --> 00:09:28.920 And I wish I was smart enough to come up with some, 00:09:28.920 --> 00:09:29.720 you know, 00:09:29.879 --> 00:09:31.040 alliteration or something. 00:09:31.120 --> 00:09:32.259 So it's easy to remember, 00:09:32.560 --> 00:09:33.100 but I couldn't. 00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:33.860 So here we go. 00:09:34.100 --> 00:09:35.000 That's all I got. 00:09:36.020 --> 00:09:36.900 So here we go. 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:37.440 Number one, 00:09:37.820 --> 00:09:40.960 the growth of God's kingdom is mysterious. 00:09:41.940 --> 00:09:43.900 Look back at verse 26. 00:09:44.620 --> 00:09:48.660 Jesus says that the kingdom of God is like when a man scatters seed on the ground. 00:09:48.659 --> 00:09:50.839 And verse 27 says, 00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:53.959 we're told what happens to the seed that man sows. 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:54.500 Look at, 00:09:54.539 --> 00:09:55.740 look at verse 27. 00:09:57.079 --> 00:09:59.639 He sleeps and rises night and day, 00:09:59.839 --> 00:10:02.459 and the seed sprouts and grows. 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:05.480 He knows not how. 00:10:07.159 --> 00:10:10.799 The man doesn't know how the seed grows, 00:10:11.059 --> 00:10:12.120 but it does. 00:10:12.339 --> 00:10:13.179 It grows. 00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:13.819 It's, 00:10:13.899 --> 00:10:15.299 it's a mysterious growth. 00:10:15.299 --> 00:10:17.519 And in verse 28, 00:10:17.699 --> 00:10:18.259 Jesus says, 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:21.599 the earth produces by itself. 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:22.659 Now this, 00:10:22.759 --> 00:10:31.000 this phrase by itself in the original language is the word that became the source for our English word automatic. 00:10:32.699 --> 00:10:33.379 In other words, 00:10:33.979 --> 00:10:40.339 what Jesus is saying here is that the seed sown on the ground will automatically grow. 00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:43.139 Without any help, 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:45.639 it will grow. 00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:46.779 That's what Jesus is saying. 00:10:48.019 --> 00:10:48.600 You know what, 00:10:48.659 --> 00:10:49.080 uh, 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:51.960 morning glory is morning glories. 00:10:52.120 --> 00:10:52.980 You guys have that here. 00:10:53.159 --> 00:10:53.679 Okay. 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:54.480 All right. 00:10:54.860 --> 00:10:55.179 Uh, 00:10:55.179 --> 00:10:55.679 in Japanese, 00:10:55.879 --> 00:10:56.819 it's called Asagao. 00:10:57.259 --> 00:11:00.860 And every elementary school student in Japan, 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:05.960

at least once during the course of elementary school, 00:11:06.100 --> 00:11:07.259 at least once they, 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:12.899 they have to grow morning glory asagao in a science class or something. 00:11:12.899 --> 00:11:13.819 Now, 00:11:14.019 --> 00:11:21.360 I think they use that particular flower in science class because it's so easy to grow that. 00:11:21.939 --> 00:11:24.059 Anybody can grow morning glory. 00:11:24.819 --> 00:11:25.159 Um, 00:11:26.039 --> 00:11:35.860 but even morning glories that anybody can grow need to be watered and placed in the sun for it to, 00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:36.139 to, 00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:36.960 to grow. 00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:37.019 No. 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:47.660 But what is surprising in what Jesus is saying is that the seed sown by the person grows by itself. 00:11:48.219 --> 00:11:49.839 Even if that person does nothing. 00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:50.939 Now, 00:11:50.980 --> 00:11:51.539 it doesn't, 00:11:51.579 --> 00:11:52.319 it doesn't say he, 00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:53.079 this, 00:11:53.199 --> 00:11:54.860 this farmer who went out and sowed a seed, 00:11:54.860 --> 00:12:02.120 it doesn't say that he prepared the soil or applied fertilizer or provided adequate water and sunlight, 00:12:02.379 --> 00:12:03.179 anything like that. 00:12:03.179 --> 00:12:04.139 It doesn't say anything like that. 00:12:04.139 --> 00:12:04.419 He, 00:12:04.419 --> 00:12:08.399 he just simply scatters the seed and it grows. 00:12:11.199 --> 00:12:12.259 And Jesus says, 00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:16.580 that person who scatters the seed doesn't know how it grows. 00:12:17.319 --> 00:12:18.259 There's nothing, 00:12:18.840 --> 00:12:20.419 but he doesn't know how it grows. 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:31.919 That means that it is not by the efforts of the person who sowed the seed or by the wisdom and skill and knowledge he possesses to make the seed grow. 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:32.000 So, 00:12:32.479 --> 00:12:43.679 what Jesus is teaching here is that the growth of God's kingdom does not ultimately depend on human effort or human wisdom. 00:12:44.199 --> 00:12:45.159 We don't know how, 00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:49.719 but the kingdom grows mysteriously by the power and wisdom of God. 00:12:50.679 --> 00:12:50.899 Now, 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:52.079 when you hear that, 00:12:52.719 --> 00:12:57.179 when you hear God's kingdom grows by God's power and God's wisdom, 00:12:57.519 --> 00:12:58.179 we might think, 00:12:58.279 --> 00:12:58.500 well, 00:12:58.740 --> 00:12:59.480 of course, 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:01.579 of course we know that. 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:02.379 Of course, 00:13:02.459 --> 00:13:04.279 the kingdom of God grows by God's power. 00:13:04.779 --> 00:13:05.059 Duh. 00:13:07.299 --> 00:13:09.199 But the question is, 00:13:09.459 --> 00:13:11.819 do we really believe that? 00:13:13.059 --> 00:13:14.259 And more importantly, 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:19.039 do we really

live as though we believe that? 00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:24.620 When someone comes to faith through our evangelism, 00:13:24.719 --> 00:13:26.120 our sharing of good news, 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:31.120 or when our children embrace their faith because we taught them the gospel, 00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:32.320 when that happens, 00:13:32.320 --> 00:13:35.759 aren't we sometimes tempted to give too much, 00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:40.240 a little too much credit to what we did rather than God's power, 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:41.460 what God has done? 00:13:41.460 --> 00:13:42.500 Or, 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.600 on the other hand, 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:50.220 don't we sometimes act as if it's our responsibility and it's up to us to make the seed grow, 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:52.580 especially when it comes to our children. 00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:57.120 we pour ourselves into teaching, 00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:58.600 teaching them, 00:13:58.700 --> 00:13:59.520 praying for them, 00:13:59.520 --> 00:14:00.920 and setting an example. 00:14:01.060 --> 00:14:03.360 And these are wonderful things that we must do. 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:05.519 But before long, 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:11.779 we can begin to feel as though the outcome rests on us. 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:16.779 But the kingdom of God expands automatically, 00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:18.139 by itself, 00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:19.279 without help. 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:23.019 It just grows mysteriously by the power of God. 00:14:23.180 --> 00:14:24.080 So that's the first one. 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:25.800 Second, 00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:28.920 the growth of God's kingdom is gradual. 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:31.120 Look again at verse 28. 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:35.559 The earth produces by itself, 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.699 first the blade, 00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:38.019 then the ear, 00:14:38.419 --> 00:14:40.019 then the full grain in the ear. 00:14:41.079 --> 00:14:45.000 Do you hear the gradual nature of this growth? 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:46.519 First this, 00:14:46.919 --> 00:14:47.819 then this, 00:14:48.179 --> 00:14:49.039 then this. 00:14:50.599 --> 00:14:52.919 A crop grows through distinct stages. 00:14:53.719 --> 00:14:54.679 It takes time. 00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:57.719 There's no shortcut that you can take. 00:14:57.720 --> 00:15:00.500 You can't skip from planting the, 00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:00.860 the, 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:03.399 the seed to harvest in the grain overnight. 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:05.420 That's what Jesus is trying to say here. 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:07.779 Jesus says that the growth of kingdom is, 00:15:07.920 --> 00:15:09.320 God's kingdom is much the same. 00:15:09.660 --> 00:15:11.340 It unfolds gradually. 00:15:12.700 --> 00:15:14.560 According to God's timing, 00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:18.340 there are seasons and stages. 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:19.340 It must go through. 00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:22.680 And these seasons and stages

that it goes through, 00:15:22.820 --> 00:15:23.300 they, 00:15:23.300 --> 00:15:26.620 they cannot be skipped or rushed or even delayed. 00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:32.019 But if we're honest though, 00:15:32.500 --> 00:15:34.600 that's not what we want, 00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:34.960 is it? 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:44.960 We want the seeds that we sow to bear fruit immediately. 00:15:47.179 --> 00:15:48.299 Wouldn't it be great? 00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:48.940 You know, 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:49.799 if you like tomatoes, 00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:50.639 I love tomatoes. 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:52.199 You sow the, 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:53.519 sow tomato seeds. 00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:54.679 And next day, 00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:55.220 next morning, 00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:55.580 boop, 00:15:56.539 --> 00:15:57.679 ripe juicy tomatoes. 00:15:58.460 --> 00:15:59.480 We want that, 00:15:59.600 --> 00:15:59.879 right? 00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:04.460 Wouldn't it be wonderful 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:05.799 if 00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:08.519 we share the gospel with our neighbors, 00:16:09.419 --> 00:16:10.279 with our children, 00:16:10.939 --> 00:16:11.620 the coworkers, 00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:15.639 and almost overnight revival sweep through? 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:18.120 Wouldn't that be wonderful? 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:20.899 Revival in Hong Kong, 00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:22.200 revival in Tokyo. 00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:26.519 Wouldn't it be amazing to see entire communities 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:29.060 transformed spiritually, 00:16:29.320 --> 00:16:29.620 morally, 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:30.360 and socially 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:32.279 in a matter of days? 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:33.360 Wouldn't that be wonderful? 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:33.960 But, 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:37.759 perhaps, 00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:38.480 our 00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:40.159 expectations, 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:42.019 our timetable, 00:16:42.320 --> 00:16:43.639 for the growth of God's kingdom, 00:16:43.800 --> 00:16:45.519 is not God's timetable. 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:47.180 Jesus says, 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:48.399 just as 00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:49.340 a farmer 00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:50.740 patiently waits 00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:52.139 for the crop to mature, 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:53.360 Jesus teaches his disciples 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:55.000 to wait 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:55.360 patiently 00:16:56.039 --> 00:16:57.860 for the growth of God's kingdom. 00:16:59.100 --> 00:17:00.639 He wants us to trust 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.539 that his kingdom 00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:02.519 will grow 00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:03.600 and spread 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:04.599 according to God's 00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:05.339 perfect timing, 00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:07.259 not according to the schedule 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.200 we would have chosen. 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:12.019 And in verse 29, 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:13.879 Jesus tells us 00:17:13.879 --> 00:17:15.259 how long this kingdom 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.000 of God 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:17.420 will continue to grow. 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:19.059 29 again. 00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:21.960 But when the grain is ripe, 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:23.160 at once 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.759 he puts in the sickle 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:26.139 because the harvest 00:17:26.139 --> 00:17:27.200 has come. 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:28.819 Now, 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:29.879 at first glance, 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:30.579 we 00:17:30.579 --> 00:17:31.960 might not see 00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:32.640 the significance 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:33.860 of these words, 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:35.220 but the first readers 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:36.299 of Mark, 00:17:36.620 --> 00:17:38.200 who were much more familiar 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:39.000 with the Old Testament 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:40.220 than we are, 00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:40.680 perhaps, 00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:41.880 they would have 00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:42.819 likely 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:43.819 recognized 00:17:43.819 --> 00:17:44.620 that Jesus 00:17:44.620 --> 00:17:46.220 was echoing 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:46.799 the language 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:49.340 of an Old Testament passage, 00:17:49.620 --> 00:17:50.039 particularly 00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:52.079 in Joel chapter 3, 00:17:52.140 --> 00:17:52.920 verse 13. 00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:53.640 This, 00:17:53.840 --> 00:17:54.880 in Joel chapter 3, 00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:55.680 verse 13, 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:57.200 the same expression, 00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:58.420 putting in the sickle 00:17:58.420 --> 00:17:59.180 at harvest time. 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.160 The same expression 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:00.740 is used. 00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:01.640 Now, 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:02.700 in Joel 3, 00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:03.360 13, 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.600 there the image 00:18:04.600 --> 00:18:05.380 of putting in 00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:05.860 the sickle 00:18:05.860 --> 00:18:06.380 at harvest 00:18:06.380 --> 00:18:07.600 points to 00:18:07.600 --> 00:18:08.920 this day 00:18:08.920 --> 00:18:09.940 when God 00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:10.519 will judge 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.180 the nations 00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:12.039 and bring 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:12.779 his people 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:13.840 from all corners 00:18:13.840 --> 00:18:14.700 of the earth 00:18:14.700 --> 00:18:15.539 to be with him 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:15.920 forever. 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:17.820 That day 00:18:17.820 --> 00:18:18.960 when God 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:19.500 will bring 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:20.460 his saving work 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.200 to completion. 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.519 It refers 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:23.060 to that day. 00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:23.279 So, 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:24.420 when Jesus speaks 00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:25.560 of the harvest 00:18:25.559

--> 00:18:26.319 in this passage, 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.139 he's pointing 00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:28.759 beyond an ordinary 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:29.440 harvest 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:30.779 to the final day 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:32.480 when he will return. 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:35.299 On that day, 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:37.319 this broken world 00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:38.399 filled with sin 00:18:38.399 --> 00:18:39.819 and full of brokenness, 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:42.059 he will fully 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:43.179 restore this world 00:18:43.179 --> 00:18:44.079 and God's kingdom 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:45.220 will be revealed 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:46.379 in all of its fullness 00:18:46.379 --> 00:18:47.200 and everyone 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:47.980 who trusted 00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:48.919 in Jesus 00:18:48.919 --> 00:18:50.159 will be gathered 00:18:50.159 --> 00:18:50.799 from the ends 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:51.359 of the earth 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:52.379 to live with him 00:18:52.379 --> 00:18:52.740 forever. 00:18:52.859 --> 00:18:53.279 He's pointing 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:54.200 to that day 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:55.880 and Jesus' 00:18:56.100 --> 00:18:56.980 point here 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:57.799 is that the kingdom 00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:58.400 of God 00:18:58.400 --> 00:19:00.000 will continue 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:00.720 to grow 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.759 until that day. 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:03.759 It will not 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:04.319 stop short. 00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:05.420 It will not fail 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:06.720 and by God's power 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:07.120 the kingdom 00:19:07.120 --> 00:19:08.720 will keep advancing 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:10.740 but gradually 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:13.860 until the harvest 00:19:13.860 --> 00:19:14.600 that God 00:19:14.600 --> 00:19:15.240 has appointed. 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:16.600 So, 00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:16.940 the kingdom 00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.860 of God, 00:19:18.360 --> 00:19:18.880 the growth 00:19:18.880 --> 00:19:19.319 of the kingdom 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:19.720 of God 00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:20.400 is gradual 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:21.600 and third, 00:19:22.080 --> 00:19:22.720 the growth 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:23.640 of God's kingdom 00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:25.900 is disproportionate. 00:19:27.020 --> 00:19:28.000 Look back 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:29.120 at verse 30, 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:32.100 32, 32. 00:19:32.600 --> 00:19:33.540 And he said, 00:19:33.780 --> 00:19:34.600 with what can we 00:19:34.600 --> 00:19:35.440 compare the kingdom 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:35.920 of God 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:36.820 or what parable 00:19:36.820 --> 00:19:37.460 shall we use 00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:37.820 for it? 00:19:38.100 --> 00:19:39.140 It is like a grain 00:19:39.140 --> 00:19:40.220 of mustard seed 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:41.520 which when sown 00:19:41.520 --> 00:19:42.120 on the ground 00:19:42.120 --> 00:19:42.980 is the smallest 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:44.160 of all the seeds 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:44.680 on earth 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:47.100 yet when it is sown 00:19:47.100 --> 00:19:48.180 it grows up 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:49.340 and becomes larger 00:19:49.340 --> 00:19:50.340 than all the garden 00:19:50.340 --> 00:19:50.759 plants 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.740 and puts out 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.600 large branches 00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:53.879 so that the 00:19:53.879 --> 00:19:54.819 birds of the air 00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:55.899 can make nests 00:19:55.899 --> 00:19:56.899 in its shade. 00:19:58.579 --> 00:19:59.139 Now, 00:19:59.219 --> 00:19:59.859 I know that 00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:00.879 many of us 00:20:00.879 --> 00:20:01.500 are familiar 00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:03.039 with this parable 00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:04.179 and Jesus' words 00:20:04.179 --> 00:20:05.279 and so 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:06.459 because we're 00:20:06.459 --> 00:20:07.199 so familiar 00:20:07.199 --> 00:20:07.980 with this parable 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:09.219 we tend to miss 00:20:09.219 --> 00:20:10.559 the shock factor 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:11.879 when we read it. 00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:13.900 but let's not 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:15.160 skip over 00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:16.800 how ridiculously 00:20:16.800 --> 00:20:18.760 disproportionate 00:20:18.760 --> 00:20:20.180 the size difference 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:20.920 is between 00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:21.840 a mustard seed 00:20:21.840 --> 00:20:22.880 and a fully 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:24.340 grown tree. 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:27.460 A mustard seed 00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:29.660 I looked it up 00:20:29.660 --> 00:20:31.200 is about 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:32.220 one millimeter 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:34.020 it's tiny 00:20:34.020 --> 00:20:37.320 a fully grown tree 00:20:37.320 --> 00:20:38.840 about three meters 00:20:38.840 --> 00:20:39.260 tall 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:40.519 and three meters 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:40.920 wide. 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:41.559 Now, 00:20:41.660 --> 00:20:42.799 when you hear 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:43.660 three meters 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.500 by three meters 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.440 you might think 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:46.000 huh 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:47.980 okay 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:49.799 it doesn't sound 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:50.420 like a big tree 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:50.920 to me 00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:52.059 right? 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:53.579 But, 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.200 however 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:58.500 in terms of 00:20:58.500 --> 00:21:00.339 the ratio 00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:02.339 in terms of 00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:03.079 the volume 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:03.859 difference 00:21:03.859 --> 00:21:05.279 I realized 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:05.579 that 00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:06.599 a fully 00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:07.500 grown tree 00:21:07.500 -->

00:21:08.259 is 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:09.379 billions 00:21:09.379 --> 00:21:10.519 of times 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.399 bigger 00:21:11.399 --> 00:21:12.219 heavier 00:21:12.219 --> 00:21:14.679 than the seed 00:21:14.679 --> 00:21:15.839 the difference 00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:16.619 is 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:17.619 astronomical 00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:19.899 I was with 00:21:19.899 --> 00:21:21.019 mainland 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:21.819 Chinese 00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:22.439 pastors 00:21:22.439 --> 00:21:23.919 who are 00:21:23.919 --> 00:21:24.299 faithfully 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:25.079 preaching the gospel 00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:26.099 for a preaching 00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:26.439 workshop 00:21:26.439 --> 00:21:27.439 this past 00:21:27.439 --> 00:21:28.279 week 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:30.299 here in 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:30.759 Hong Kong 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:31.940 and 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:32.759 I've 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.119 always 00:21:33.119 --> 00:21:33.359 been 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:33.940 fascinated 00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:34.579 by 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:35.539 the 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:36.000 Chinese 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:36.980 culture 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:37.480 Chinese 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.180 history 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:40.460 who 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:41.079 here 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:45.299 any of you 00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:45.900 seen 00:21:45.900 --> 00:21:46.900 the Great Wall 00:21:46.900 --> 00:21:47.259 of China 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:47.960 have you 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.440 visited 00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:49.339 the Great Wall 00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:49.779 of China 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:51.559 oh wow 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:52.019 so many 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:52.339 of you 00:21:52.339 --> 00:21:54.240 that's 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:54.700 wonderful 00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:55.660 I would love 00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:56.019 to go 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.500 at some 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:56.779 point 00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:58.240 who can 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:58.819 tell me 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.599 how long 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:00.639 it actually 00:22:00.639 --> 00:22:01.099 is 00:22:01.099 --> 00:22:05.019 no one 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:06.039 all right 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:06.519 here we go 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:10.500 21,196 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.059 kilometers 00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:13.859 it's 00:22:13.859 --> 00:22:15.359 it's so 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:16.119 mind-boggling 00:22:16.119 --> 00:22:16.819 it's hard 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:17.419 to imagine 00:22:17.419 --> 00:22:18.399 how long 00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:19.220 that is 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:20.379 and it 00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:21.059 was built 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:21.419 over 00:22:21.419 --> 00:22:22.679 2,000 00:22:22.679 --> 00:22:23.339 years 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:25.700 brick 00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:26.759 by brick 00:22:26.759

--> 00:22:28.879 stone 00:22:28.879 --> 00:22:29.319 block 00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:30.019 by stone 00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:30.420 block 00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:31.680 it was 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:32.019 built 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:33.779 and 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.339 it's 00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:35.019 estimated 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:37.099 42 00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:38.259 billion 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.579 bricks 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.500 or stones 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:41.339 were used 00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:42.279 in the 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:42.740 construction 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.980 of this 00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:44.440 Great Wall 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:46.599 now I bet 00:22:46.599 --> 00:22:46.879 you 00:22:46.879 --> 00:22:47.879 the people 00:22:47.879 --> 00:22:48.319 who 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:49.119 laid the 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:49.720 first 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:50.240 brick 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:51.980 they had 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.900 no idea 00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:53.900 how massive 00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:54.940 this thing 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.720 will turn out 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.100 to be 00:22:56.100 --> 00:22:59.059 Jesus 00:22:59.059 --> 00:22:59.500 says 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.920 just as 00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:01.640 something 00:23:01.640 --> 00:23:02.680 as small 00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:03.480 as a grain 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:03.980 of sand 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:04.680 like a mustard 00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.160 seed 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:06.660 grows into 00:23:06.660 --> 00:23:07.259 a large 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:07.759 tree 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:09.420 so the 00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:09.700 kingdom 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:10.059 of God 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:10.360 no matter 00:23:10.360 --> 00:23:11.140 how small 00:23:11.140 --> 00:23:11.680 and how 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.360 insignificant 00:23:12.360 --> 00:23:13.039 it may 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.339 seem 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:13.900 now 00:23:13.900 --> 00:23:14.680 he says 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:15.339 it will 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:16.160 grow 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:19.480 now when 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:20.019 Mark's 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:20.640 gospel was 00:23:20.640 --> 00:23:20.920 written 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:21.680 the church 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:23.039 lived under 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:23.740 the rule 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.420 and influence 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:24.920 of the Roman 00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:25.480 empire 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.160 and Christians 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:27.100 were a 00:23:27.100 --> 00:23:28.160 tiny minority 00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:28.700 and from 00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:29.840 their perspective 00:23:29.840 --> 00:23:30.500 from human 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.039 perspective 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:31.640 it must have 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:32.080 seemed like 00:23:32.080 --> 00:23:32.640 as though 00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:34.000 God's kingdom 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:35.320 was making 00:23:35.320 --> 00:23:36.340 very little 00:23:36.340 --> 00:23:36.980 progress 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:39.019 the reality 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:39.740 they experienced 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.500 probably fell 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.259 far short 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:41.900 of what they 00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:43.100 had expected 00:23:43.100 --> 00:23:45.100 now at times 00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:45.660 we may feel 00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:46.320 the same way 00:23:46.320 --> 00:23:47.380 in our 00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:48.080 context 00:23:48.080 --> 00:23:49.360 we look 00:23:49.360 --> 00:23:49.600 at our 00:23:49.600 --> 00:23:50.140 society 00:23:50.140 --> 00:23:51.560 and we 00:23:51.560 --> 00:23:51.820 see 00:23:51.820 --> 00:23:52.640 increasing 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:53.700 turmoil 00:23:53.700 --> 00:23:54.720 increasing 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.360 division 00:23:55.360 --> 00:23:55.940 instead of 00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:56.259 peace 00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:57.080 increasing 00:23:57.080 --> 00:23:57.980 hostility 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.640 toward one 00:23:58.640 --> 00:23:59.060 another 00:23:59.060 --> 00:24:00.040 instead of 00:24:00.040 --> 00:24:00.420 love 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:01.120 and moral 00:24:01.120 --> 00:24:01.780 confusion 00:24:01.780 --> 00:24:02.380 instead of 00:24:02.380 --> 00:24:02.820 righteousness 00:24:02.820 --> 00:24:03.759 and when we 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.340 see all these 00:24:04.340 --> 00:24:05.040 things it can 00:24:05.040 --> 00:24:05.620 seem as though 00:24:05.620 --> 00:24:06.060 the kingdom 00:24:06.060 --> 00:24:07.240 of this world 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:08.100 is gaining 00:24:08.100 --> 00:24:08.520 ground 00:24:08.520 --> 00:24:10.580 and the kingdom 00:24:10.580 --> 00:24:11.420 of God 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:12.180 is standing 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:12.660 still 00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:14.820 but Jesus 00:24:14.820 --> 00:24:16.900 tells us 00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:17.680 to see 00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:18.320 things very 00:24:18.320 --> 00:24:18.779 differently 00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:21.540 God's word 00:24:21.540 --> 00:24:22.180 tells us 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:22.900 that even 00:24:22.900 --> 00:24:23.720 when nothing 00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.340 seems to be 00:24:24.340 --> 00:24:24.680 happening 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:25.660 from a human 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.200 perspective 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:27.259 he says 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:28.259 no no no 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:29.540 God's at work 00:24:29.540 --> 00:24:31.320 God is growing 00:24:31.320 --> 00:24:32.100 his kingdom 00:24:32.100 --> 00:24:32.880 so that means 00:24:32.880 --> 00:24:34.019 we must not 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:34.840 judge the 00:24:34.840 --> 00:24:35.180 kingdom 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:36.040 by 00:24:36.040 -->

00:24:37.940 its appearance 00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:38.720 right now 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:41.320 Jesus says 00:24:41.320 --> 00:24:42.120 the kingdom 00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:43.419 will grow 00:24:43.419 --> 00:24:44.299 and in the 00:24:44.299 --> 00:24:44.719 end 00:24:44.719 --> 00:24:45.979 oh it 00:24:45.979 --> 00:24:46.319 will be 00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:46.799 so 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:48.099 disproportionate 00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:49.099 to how 00:24:49.099 --> 00:24:49.659 it started 00:24:49.659 --> 00:24:50.559 that's what 00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:51.059 Jesus is 00:24:51.059 --> 00:24:51.579 teaching us 00:24:51.579 --> 00:24:51.819 here 00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:53.439 but Jesus 00:24:53.439 --> 00:24:53.959 is not 00:24:53.959 --> 00:24:54.419 telling us 00:24:54.419 --> 00:24:55.199 to just 00:24:55.199 --> 00:24:56.079 sit back 00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:56.399 and do 00:24:56.399 --> 00:24:56.759 nothing 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.439 and simply 00:24:57.439 --> 00:24:58.000 wait for 00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:58.339 the kingdom 00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:58.839 to grow 00:24:58.839 --> 00:24:59.599 he has 00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:00.199 given us 00:25:00.199 --> 00:25:01.159 something 00:25:01.159 --> 00:25:01.879 to participate 00:25:01.879 --> 00:25:02.179 in 00:25:02.179 --> 00:25:02.699 so number 00:25:02.699 --> 00:25:03.000 four 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.599 last point 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:04.359 the growth 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:05.059 of God's 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.339 kingdom 00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:06.959 is participatory 00:25:06.959 --> 00:25:09.500 when Jesus 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:10.479 told his 00:25:10.479 --> 00:25:11.019 parable 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.679 he wanted 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:12.480 his listeners 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:13.019 to ask 00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:13.500 themselves 00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:14.340 where am I 00:25:14.340 --> 00:25:14.640 in this 00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:14.960 story 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:15.940 what character 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:16.340 am I 00:25:16.340 --> 00:25:19.700 now notice 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:22.620 there's a role 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:23.060 for us 00:25:23.060 --> 00:25:23.820 in this 00:25:23.820 --> 00:25:24.140 parable 00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:24.539 we're 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:24.940 we're 00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:25.420 we're this 00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:25.960 man 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.860 who 00:25:26.860 --> 00:25:27.840 goes out 00:25:27.840 --> 00:25:28.700 and scatters 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:29.160 seed on the 00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:29.460 ground 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:31.039 notice that 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:31.680 the growth 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:32.600 of God's 00:25:32.600 --> 00:25:32.940 kingdom 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:34.259 begins 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:36.000 with someone 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.660 sowing 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.480 the seed 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:39.559 so

00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:40.940 what does 00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:41.299 it mean 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:41.660 to sow 00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:42.099 the seed 00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:42.779 well 00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:43.079 Jesus 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:43.559 answers 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:43.759 that 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.140 question 00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:44.539 earlier 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:44.860 in Mark 00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:45.160 chapter 00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:45.660 four 00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:47.200 he 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:48.000 explained 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.660 this 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.099 parable 00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:49.700 of the 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:49.980 sower 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:50.880 to his 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.319 disciples 00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:52.019 and he 00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:52.460 says in 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.039 verse 14 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.380 Mark 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:53.620 chapter 00:25:53.620 --> 00:25:53.920 four 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.480 the 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:55.019 sower 00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:56.079 sows 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:56.960 the word 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:58.360 so the 00:25:58.360 --> 00:25:58.839 seed 00:25:58.839 --> 00:25:59.579 in this 00:25:59.579 --> 00:25:59.900 parable 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:00.599 and earlier 00:26:00.599 --> 00:26:00.980 parable 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:02.259 represents 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:02.960 God's 00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:03.440 word 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.079 and to 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:04.460 sow 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.079 the seed 00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:05.579 is to 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:06.119 proclaim 00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:07.960 God's 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.259 word 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:09.159 to share 00:26:09.159 --> 00:26:09.559 the good 00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:09.919 news 00:26:09.919 --> 00:26:10.460 of the 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:10.839 gospel 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:12.319 now 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:12.919 ultimately 00:26:12.919 --> 00:26:14.079 Jesus 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:14.759 himself 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.579 is the 00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:16.179 first 00:26:16.179 --> 00:26:16.819 sower 00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:17.439 of the 00:26:17.439 --> 00:26:17.659 word 00:26:17.659 --> 00:26:18.000 at the 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:18.240 beginning 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.139 of Mark's 00:26:19.139 --> 00:26:19.500 gospel 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.079 he went 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:20.519 throughout 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:20.960 Galilee 00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:21.559 proclaiming 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:21.919 the gospel 00:26:21.919 --> 00:26:22.220 of God 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:22.539 saying 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.059 Mark 00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:23.259 chapter 00:26:23.259 --> 00:26:23.519 one 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:23.779 verse 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:24.179 15 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.579 the 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:24.939 time 00:26:24.939 --> 00:26:25.139 is 00:26:25.139 --> 00:26:25.639 fulfilled 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:26.039 and the 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:26.259 kingdom 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.659 of God 00:26:26.659 --> 00:26:26.980 is at 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.220 hand 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:27.579 repent 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.519 and believe 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.079 in the 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:29.339 gospel 00:26:29.339 --> 00:26:29.599 so 00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:30.099 Jesus 00:26:30.099 --> 00:26:30.699 himself 00:26:30.699 --> 00:26:31.240 is the 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:31.759 ultimately 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.639 first 00:26:32.639 --> 00:26:33.159 sower 00:26:33.159 --> 00:26:33.619 of the 00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:33.819 word 00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:34.259 then 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:34.960 through 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:35.220 the 00:26:35.220 --> 00:26:35.440 great 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:35.859 commission 00:26:35.859 --> 00:26:36.379 as we 00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:36.660 know 00:26:36.660 --> 00:26:37.220 Jesus 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:38.019 entrusted 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:38.379 that 00:26:38.379 --> 00:26:38.879 same 00:26:38.879 --> 00:26:39.379 mission 00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:39.839 to 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:40.460 his 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:40.900 disciples 00:26:40.900 --> 00:26:41.299 to 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:42.640 go out 00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:43.299 and to 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:43.980 proclaim 00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:45.619 God's 00:26:45.619 --> 00:26:46.119 word 00:26:46.119 --> 00:26:46.879 proclaim 00:26:46.879 --> 00:26:47.359 the gospel 00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:47.799 and to 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:48.180 continue 00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:48.740 sowing 00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:49.700 the seed 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.240 of God's 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:50.420 word 00:26:50.420 --> 00:26:50.879 until he 00:26:50.879 --> 00:26:51.359 returns 00:26:51.359 --> 00:26:52.640 so 00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:53.220 God 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:53.480 has 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.240 graciously 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:55.019 ordained 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:55.680 our 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.799 participation 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:58.539 in the 00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:58.859 growth 00:26:58.859 --> 00:26:59.319 of God's 00:26:59.319 --> 00:26:59.500 kingdom 00:26:59.500 --> 00:26:59.960 isn't that 00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:00.460 amazing 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:01.599 God 00:27:01.599 --> 00:27:01.980 can do 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.400 it all 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.240 but he 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:03.779 invites 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:04.440 to 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.099 participate 00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:05.779 in the 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.180 growth 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:06.619 of 00:27:06.619 --> 00:27:06.920 God's 00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:07.240 kingdom 00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:08.099 and 00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:08.279 giving 00:27:08.279 -->

00:27:08.480 us 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:08.619 a 00:27:08.619 --> 00:27:09.059 task 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:12.200 but when 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:12.440 we 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:12.779 preach 00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:12.940 the 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:13.200 gospel 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:13.480 when 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:13.680 we 00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:13.980 share 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.359 God's 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:14.579 word 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:14.819 when 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:15.079 we 00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:15.599 talk 00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:15.839 about 00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:16.319 God 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:17.140 and 00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:17.319 his 00:27:17.319 --> 00:27:17.700 word 00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:17.960 with 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.420 others 00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:19.000 and 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:19.299 sow 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:19.519 the 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:19.819 seed 00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:20.079 of 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:20.359 God's 00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:20.640 word 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:21.119 we 00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:21.500 often 00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:21.980 feel 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:22.319 as 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:22.779 though 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:24.400 nothing 00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:25.180 is 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:25.539 happening 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:28.200 even 00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:28.559 after 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:29.200 many 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:29.660 many 00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:30.220 years 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:30.680 of 00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:31.759 effort 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.839 nothing 00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:34.579 there 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:34.980 may be 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:35.420 very 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.319 little 00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:36.819 visible 00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:37.440 change 00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:39.720 in our 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:40.119 own 00:27:40.119 --> 00:27:41.440 community 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:41.879 in 00:27:41.879 --> 00:27:42.279 Tokyo 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:42.839 there 00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:42.980 have 00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:43.099 been 00:27:43.099 --> 00:27:43.539 people 00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:43.960 who 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:45.000 studied 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.160 the 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:45.339 Bible 00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:45.640 with 00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:46.099 us 00:27:46.099 --> 00:27:46.920 attended 00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:47.180 our 00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:47.420 Sunday 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:48.039 gathering 00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:48.779 heard 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:48.940 the 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:49.379 gospel 00:27:49.379 --> 00:27:50.079 for a 00:27:50.079 --> 00:27:50.420 time 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:50.900 and 00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:51.140 then 00:27:51.140 --> 00:27:51.579 suddenly 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:53.039 people 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:53.259 might 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:53.539 stop 00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:53.900 coming 00:27:53.900 --> 00:27:54.680 or 00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:54.839 they 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.079 move 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:55.440 away 00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:55.779 before 00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:56.019 their 00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:56.319 faith 00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:56.599 ever 00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:56.879 seemed 00:27:56.879 --> 00:27:57.039 to 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:57.240 take 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:57.500 root 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:59.440 isn't 00:27:59.440 --> 00:27:59.619 it 00:27:59.619 --> 00:28:00.059 true 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:00.799 that 00:28:00.799 --> 00:28:01.180 from 00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:01.839 our 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.460 perspective 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.240 we 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:03.680 often 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.599 sow 00:28:04.599 --> 00:28:05.039 gospel 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:05.380 seeds 00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:05.660 but 00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:06.160 rarely 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:06.480 get 00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:06.680 to 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.059 see 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.539 the 00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:07.920 fruit 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:08.380 right 00:28:08.380 --> 00:28:08.720 away 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.259 in 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:09.380 our 00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:09.720 children 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.039 in 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:10.160 our 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:10.480 friends 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:10.640 in 00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:10.759 our 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.039 family 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:11.640 co-workers 00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:13.240 and yet 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:14.819 Jesus 00:28:14.819 --> 00:28:15.339 teaches 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:15.740 us 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.099 that 00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:16.680 something 00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:17.900 real 00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:18.799 something 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:19.079 is 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:19.619 happening 00:28:19.619 --> 00:28:20.019 actually 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:20.480 happening 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:20.819 even 00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:21.059 when 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:21.579 nothing 00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:22.460 appears 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:22.759 to be 00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:23.099 happening 00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:23.480 from 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:23.819 our 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:24.380 perspective 00:28:24.380 --> 00:28:25.700 when 00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:25.980 we 00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:26.279 sow 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:26.519 the 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:26.839 seed 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:27.019 of 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:27.140 the 00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:27.400 gospel 00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:27.680 we're 00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:27.820 not 00:28:27.820 --> 00:28:28.220 we're 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:28.360 not 00:28:28.360 --> 00:28:28.540 the 00:28:28.540 --> 00:28:28.980 ones 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:29.680 that 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:29.860 can 00:28:29.860 --> 00:28:30.360 make 00:28:30.360

--> 00:28:31.660 the 00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:31.920 seed 00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:32.300 grow 00:28:32.300 --> 00:28:33.180 that 00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:33.600 power 00:28:33.600 --> 00:28:33.940 to 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:34.300 grow 00:28:34.300 --> 00:28:34.600 the 00:28:34.600 --> 00:28:34.840 seed 00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:34.980 that 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.140 we 00:28:35.140 --> 00:28:35.600 sow 00:28:35.600 --> 00:28:36.620 that 00:28:36.620 --> 00:28:36.880 power 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:37.280 belongs 00:28:37.280 --> 00:28:37.460 to 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:37.780 God 00:28:37.780 --> 00:28:38.200 and 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:38.640 his 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:39.160 word 00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:39.540 and 00:28:39.540 --> 00:28:39.759 so 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:39.960 we 00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:40.100 don't 00:28:40.100 --> 00:28:40.240 need 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:40.320 to 00:28:40.320 --> 00:28:40.519 be 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:41.300 anxious 00:28:41.300 --> 00:28:41.780 we 00:28:41.780 --> 00:28:41.920 don't 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:42.060 need 00:28:42.060 --> 00:28:42.160 to 00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:42.420 be 00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:43.259 we 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:43.400 don't 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:43.519 need 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:43.620 to 00:28:43.620 --> 00:28:43.740 be 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.200 forcing 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:45.320 things 00:28:45.320 --> 00:28:46.140 to 00:28:46.140 --> 00:28:46.480 grow 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:47.420 only 00:28:47.420 --> 00:28:47.640 God 00:28:47.640 --> 00:28:47.800 can 00:28:47.800 --> 00:28:47.940 do 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:48.160 that 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:50.080 and 00:28:50.080 --> 00:28:50.259 when 00:28:50.259 --> 00:28:50.440 I 00:28:50.440 --> 00:28:50.800 look 00:28:50.800 --> 00:28:51.060 back 00:28:51.060 --> 00:28:51.180 on 00:28:51.180 --> 00:28:51.380 my 00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:51.600 own 00:28:51.600 --> 00:28:51.880 story 00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:52.060 I 00:28:52.060 --> 00:28:52.380 realize 00:28:52.380 --> 00:28:52.640 how 00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:52.880 many 00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:53.300 different 00:28:53.300 --> 00:28:53.860 people 00:28:53.860 --> 00:28:54.519 God 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:54.839 had 00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:55.519 placed 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:55.720 in 00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:55.900 my 00:28:55.900 --> 00:28:56.299 life 00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:56.859 and 00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:58.200 God 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:58.599 used 00:28:58.599 --> 00:28:58.819 those 00:28:58.819 --> 00:28:59.059 people 00:28:59.059 --> 00:28:59.279 to 00:28:59.279 --> 00:28:59.519 sow 00:28:59.519 --> 00:28:59.720 the 00:28:59.720 --> 00:28:59.980 seed 00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:00.200 of 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:00.519 the 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.960 gospel 00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:02.119 in 00:29:02.119 --> 00:29:02.240 my 00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:02.599 life 00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:03.680 more 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:03.839 than 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.160 30 00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:04.480 years 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:04.799 ago 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:05.559 I 00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:05.700 was 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:05.779 a 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:05.920 high 00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:06.119 school 00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:06.500 student 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:06.859 I 00:29:06.859 --> 00:29:07.259 went 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:08.180 on 00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:08.400 this 00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:08.700 home 00:29:08.700 --> 00:29:08.920 stay 00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:09.379 program 00:29:09.379 --> 00:29:09.720 during 00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.480 summer 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.019 vacation 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:11.460 and 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.079 my 00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:12.319 host 00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:12.660 family 00:29:12.660 --> 00:29:13.299 in 00:29:13.299 --> 00:29:13.900 LA 00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:14.599 they 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:14.920 took 00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:15.059 me 00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:15.240 to 00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:15.619 church 00:29:15.619 --> 00:29:17.240 as 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:17.379 my 00:29:17.379 --> 00:29:17.660 very 00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:18.160 first 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:19.019 exposure 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.339 to 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:19.960 anything 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.599 Christian 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:21.980 then 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:22.139 in 00:29:22.139 --> 00:29:22.279 my 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:22.740 final year 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:22.839 of 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:23.000 high 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.180 school 00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:23.359 my 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:23.599 home 00:29:23.599 --> 00:29:23.639 ! 00:29:23.639 --> 00:29:24.160 teacher 00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:24.180 ! 00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:24.799 gave 00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:25.080 me 00:29:25.080 --> 00:29:25.360 a 00:29:25.360 --> 00:29:25.720 Bible 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:27.120 which 00:29:27.120 --> 00:29:27.660 I 00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:27.740 don't 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:27.900 think 00:29:27.900 --> 00:29:27.980 it 00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:28.100 was 00:29:28.100 --> 00:29:28.519 allowed 00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:29.580 but 00:29:29.580 --> 00:29:29.680 he 00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:29.880 did 00:29:29.880 --> 00:29:29.980 it 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.380 anyway 00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:31.920 and 00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:32.019 it 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.200 was 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:32.500 through 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:32.880 that 00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:33.460 Bible 00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:35.100 God 00:29:35.100 --> 00:29:35.360 would 00:29:35.360 --> 00:29:35.720 later 00:29:35.720 --> 00:29:36.019 lead 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.180 me 00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:36.360 to 00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:36.720 faith 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:36.980 in 00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:37.299 Jesus 00:29:37.299 --> 00:29:38.720 now 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:38.960 at

00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:39.160 that 00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:39.440 time 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:39.640 I 00:29:39.640 --> 00:29:39.799 don't 00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:40.019 think 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:40.320 any 00:29:40.320 --> 00:29:40.460 of 00:29:40.460 --> 00:29:40.640 those 00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:40.960 people 00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:41.820 who 00:29:41.820 --> 00:29:42.240 sow 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:42.480 the 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:42.860 seed 00:29:42.860 --> 00:29:43.080 of 00:29:43.080 --> 00:29:43.400 God's 00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:43.640 word 00:29:43.640 --> 00:29:43.840 and 00:29:43.840 --> 00:29:43.960 the 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:44.220 gospel 00:29:44.220 --> 00:29:44.400 in 00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:44.539 my 00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:44.779 life 00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:45.299 I 00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:45.460 don't 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:45.740 think 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.759 anybody 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.600 had 00:29:47.600 --> 00:29:47.920 any 00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:48.340 idea 00:29:48.340 --> 00:29:49.400 what 00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:49.759 God 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:50.019 would 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:50.500 eventually 00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:50.980 do 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.460 through 00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:52.060 those 00:29:52.060 --> 00:29:52.860 small 00:29:52.860 --> 00:29:53.299 acts 00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:53.620 of 00:29:53.619 --> 00:29:54.079 sowing 00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:55.119 God's 00:29:55.119 --> 00:29:55.399 word 00:29:55.399 --> 00:29:57.159 but 00:29:57.159 --> 00:29:58.379 God 00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:58.739 was at 00:29:58.739 --> 00:29:59.099 work 00:29:59.099 --> 00:30:00.059 quietly 00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:01.139 and 00:30:01.139 --> 00:30:01.699 faithfully 00:30:01.699 --> 00:30:02.599 bringing 00:30:02.599 --> 00:30:03.139 me 00:30:03.139 --> 00:30:03.819 to 00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:04.299 salvation 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:04.799 and 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:05.139 faith 00:30:05.139 --> 00:30:05.419 in 00:30:05.419 --> 00:30:05.699 Jesus 00:30:05.699 --> 00:30:06.659 and 00:30:06.659 --> 00:30:07.079 welcoming 00:30:07.079 --> 00:30:07.500 me 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:07.819 into 00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:08.059 his 00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:08.359 kingdom 00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:08.639 and 00:30:08.639 --> 00:30:08.899 now 00:30:08.899 --> 00:30:09.259 three 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:09.659 decades 00:30:09.659 --> 00:30:10.119 later 00:30:10.119 --> 00:30:11.779 there's 00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:11.919 a 00:30:11.919 --> 00:30:12.259 small 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:12.559 but 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:13.139 healthy 00:30:13.139 --> 00:30:13.899 local 00:30:13.899 --> 00:30:14.339 church 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:14.659 in 00:30:14.659 --> 00:30:15.000 Tokyo 00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:15.339 and 00:30:15.339 --> 00:30:15.539 the 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:15.879 kingdom 00:30:15.879 --> 00:30:16.299 of 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:16.659 God 00:30:16.659 --> 00:30:17.019 is 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.500 still 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.379 growing 00:30:18.380 --> 00:30:20.760 now 00:30:20.760 --> 00:30:21.040 three 00:30:21.040 --> 00:30:21.540 summers 00:30:21.540 --> 00:30:21.860 ago 00:30:21.860 --> 00:30:22.360 I 00:30:22.360 --> 00:30:23.720 happened 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.300 to 00:30:24.300 --> 00:30:25.440 be 00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:25.640 back 00:30:25.640 --> 00:30:25.760 in 00:30:25.760 --> 00:30:26.000 LA 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:26.280 as 00:30:26.280 --> 00:30:26.400 a 00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:26.720 family 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.180 and 00:30:27.180 --> 00:30:27.300 I 00:30:27.300 --> 00:30:27.420 had 00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:27.540 the 00:30:27.540 --> 00:30:27.940 opportunity 00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:28.440 to 00:30:28.440 --> 00:30:29.060 reunite 00:30:29.060 --> 00:30:29.260 with 00:30:29.260 --> 00:30:29.380 the 00:30:29.380 --> 00:30:29.560 host 00:30:29.560 --> 00:30:29.960 family 00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:31.180 after 00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:31.780 for 00:30:31.780 --> 00:30:31.900 the 00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:32.060 first 00:30:32.060 --> 00:30:32.260 time 00:30:32.260 --> 00:30:33.280 you know 00:30:33.280 --> 00:30:33.540 after 00:30:33.540 --> 00:30:33.940 more 00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:34.060 than 00:30:34.060 --> 00:30:34.300 30 00:30:34.300 --> 00:30:34.660 years 00:30:34.660 --> 00:30:35.060 I 00:30:35.060 --> 00:30:35.180 was 00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:35.340 able 00:30:35.340 --> 00:30:35.520 to 00:30:35.520 --> 00:30:35.880 introduce 00:30:35.880 --> 00:30:36.140 them 00:30:36.140 --> 00:30:36.280 to 00:30:36.280 --> 00:30:36.660 Emma 00:30:36.660 --> 00:30:37.280 and 00:30:37.280 --> 00:30:37.980 my 00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:38.340 children 00:30:38.340 --> 00:30:38.820 and 00:30:38.820 --> 00:30:39.200 shared 00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:39.640 with 00:30:39.640 --> 00:30:39.880 them 00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:40.140 how 00:30:40.140 --> 00:30:40.460 God 00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:40.640 had 00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:40.840 been 00:30:40.840 --> 00:30:41.220 leading 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:41.840 me 00:30:41.840 --> 00:30:42.320 and 00:30:42.320 --> 00:30:42.440 my 00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:42.740 family 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:42.940 all 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:43.120 these 00:30:43.120 --> 00:30:43.480 years 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:47.599 but 00:30:47.599 --> 00:30:47.920 this 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:48.740 raises 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:49.299 an 00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:49.620 important 00:30:49.620 --> 00:30:50.160 question 00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:51.900 those 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:52.140 people 00:30:52.140 --> 00:30:52.299 had 00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:52.500 no 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:52.759 idea 00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:52.940 what 00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:53.180 happened 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:53.319 to 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:53.620 me 00:30:53.620 --> 00:30:54.519 what 00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:54.779 happened 00:30:54.779 -->

00:30:54.940 to 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.140 the 00:30:55.140 --> 00:30:55.380 seed 00:30:55.380 --> 00:30:55.559 that 00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:55.740 they 00:30:55.740 --> 00:30:56.259 sowed 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:57.519 so 00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:58.440 how 00:30:58.440 --> 00:30:58.680 can 00:30:58.680 --> 00:30:58.839 we 00:30:58.839 --> 00:30:59.440 believe 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:00.620 how 00:31:00.620 --> 00:31:00.819 can 00:31:00.819 --> 00:31:01.059 we 00:31:01.059 --> 00:31:01.819 believe 00:31:01.819 --> 00:31:02.039 that 00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:02.380 something 00:31:02.380 --> 00:31:02.720 is 00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:03.039 truly 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:03.400 happening 00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:03.640 when 00:31:03.640 --> 00:31:03.799 we 00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:04.079 see 00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:04.539 no 00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:05.059 visible 00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:05.980 growth 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:06.559 in 00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:06.799 the 00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:07.059 seeds 00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:07.319 we 00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:07.660 sow 00:31:07.660 --> 00:31:08.539 how 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:08.740 can 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:08.860 we 00:31:08.860 --> 00:31:09.099 be 00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:10.039 confident 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:10.640 how 00:31:10.640 --> 00:31:10.779 can 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:10.880 we 00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:11.039 be 00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:11.240 so 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:11.680 confident 00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:11.680 00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:11.920 in 00:31:11.920 --> 00:31:12.140 saying 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:12.380 that 00:31:12.380 --> 00:31:12.640 the 00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:13.099 growth 00:31:13.099 --> 00:31:13.420 of 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:13.820 God's 00:31:13.820 --> 00:31:14.120 kingdom 00:31:14.120 --> 00:31:14.680 is 00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:15.140 certain 00:31:15.140 --> 00:31:15.800 when 00:31:15.800 --> 00:31:16.640 from 00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:17.400 our 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:18.039 perspective 00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:19.060 nothing 00:31:19.060 --> 00:31:19.420 seems 00:31:19.420 --> 00:31:19.660 to be 00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:20.060 changing 00:31:20.060 --> 00:31:22.800 I 00:31:22.800 --> 00:31:23.060 believe 00:31:23.060 --> 00:31:23.620 Jesus 00:31:23.620 --> 00:31:24.100 would 00:31:24.100 --> 00:31:24.320 say 00:31:24.320 --> 00:31:24.500 to 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:24.900 us 00:31:24.900 --> 00:31:26.380 look 00:31:26.380 --> 00:31:26.700 at 00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:27.039 me 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:30.640 let's 00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:30.840 think 00:31:30.840 --> 00:31:31.039 about 00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:31.400 this 00:31:31.400 --> 00:31:32.320 Jesus 00:31:32.320 --> 00:31:33.279 came 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:33.640 into 00:31:33.640 --> 00:31:33.920 this 00:31:33.920 --> 00:31:34.240 broken 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:34.640 world 00:31:34.640 --> 00:31:35.180 as a 00:31:35.180 --> 00:31:35.700 small 00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:36.660 helpless 00:31:36.660 --> 00:31:37.800 baby 00:31:37.800 --> 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00:31:52.300 this 00:31:52.300 --> 00:31:52.620 small 00:31:52.620 --> 00:31:52.920 town 00:31:52.920 --> 00:31:53.160 called 00:31:53.160 --> 00:31:53.740 Nazareth 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.940 and 00:31:54.940 --> 00:31:55.180 when 00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:55.420 he 00:31:55.420 --> 00:31:55.720 died 00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:55.840 on 00:31:55.840 --> 00:31:55.960 the 00:31:55.960 --> 00:31:56.180 cross 00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:56.660 most 00:31:56.660 --> 00:31:57.000 people 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:57.240 saw 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:57.780 nothing 00:31:57.780 --> 00:31:58.680 more 00:31:58.680 --> 00:31:59.200 than 00:31:59.200 --> 00:31:59.880 the 00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:00.440 execution 00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:00.980 of 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:01.300 another 00:32:01.300 --> 00:32:01.720 criminal 00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:02.800 even 00:32:02.800 --> 00:32:03.080 his 00:32:03.080 --> 00:32:03.360 own 00:32:03.360 --> 00:32:03.900 disciples 00:32:03.900 --> 00:32:04.620 who 00:32:04.620 --> 00:32:05.160 thought 00:32:05.160 --> 00:32:05.440 okay 00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:05.640 we 00:32:05.640 --> 00:32:06.720 think 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:06.960 he's 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:07.080 the 00:32:07.080 --> 00:32:07.340 Messiah 00:32:07.340 --> 00:32:07.580 but 00:32:07.580 --> 00:32:07.960 he 00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:08.520 died 00:32:08.519 --> 00:32:09.460 and 00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:09.619 they 00:32:09.619 --> 00:32:09.920 thought 00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:10.460 everything 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:10.819 had 00:32:10.819 --> 00:32:11.000 come 00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:11.119 to 00:32:11.119 --> 00:32:11.259 an 00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:11.519 end 00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:13.879 and 00:32:13.879 --> 00:32:14.400 yet 00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:16.579 underneath 00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:17.420 what 00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:18.200 many 00:32:18.200 -->

00:32:18.559 people 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:18.960 thought 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:19.779 was an 00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:20.579 insignificant 00:32:20.579 --> 00:32:21.379 death 00:32:21.379 --> 00:32:23.039 something 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:24.259 massive 00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:25.379 was happening 00:32:25.380 --> 00:32:28.500 Jesus 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.540 himself 00:32:29.540 --> 00:32:30.560 became 00:32:30.560 --> 00:32:31.020 the 00:32:31.020 --> 00:32:31.520 seed 00:32:31.520 --> 00:32:31.960 that 00:32:31.960 --> 00:32:32.260 fell 00:32:32.260 --> 00:32:32.440 to 00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:32.580 the 00:32:32.580 --> 00:32:32.960 ground 00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:33.580 and 00:32:33.580 --> 00:32:34.080 died 00:32:34.080 --> 00:32:35.020 and 00:32:35.020 --> 00:32:35.360 through 00:32:35.360 --> 00:32:35.680 that 00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:36.080 death 00:32:36.080 --> 00:32:36.980 came 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:37.820 eternal 00:32:37.820 --> 00:32:38.200 life 00:32:38.200 --> 00:32:38.420 for 00:32:38.420 --> 00:32:38.860 all 00:32:38.860 --> 00:32:39.020 who 00:32:39.020 --> 00:32:39.420 believe 00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:40.780 that's 00:32:40.780 --> 00:32:40.940 what 00:32:40.940 --> 00:32:41.060 he 00:32:41.060 --> 00:32:41.260 was 00:32:41.260 --> 00:32:41.600 doing 00:32:41.600 --> 00:32:42.520 and 00:32:42.520 --> 00:32:42.700 not 00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:42.920 only 00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:43.200 that 00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:43.480 Jesus 00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:43.900 didn't 00:32:43.900 --> 00:32:44.200 stay 00:32:44.200 --> 00:32:44.460 dead 00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:44.640 he 00:32:44.640 --> 00:32:45.120 rose 00:32:45.120 --> 00:32:45.340 from 00:32:45.340 --> 00:32:45.500 the 00:32:45.500 --> 00:32:45.720 dead 00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.020 and 00:32:46.020 --> 00:32:46.240 now 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:46.560 he's 00:32:46.560 --> 00:32:46.920 seated 00:32:46.920 --> 00:32:47.860 in 00:32:47.860 --> 00:32:48.200 heaven 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.840 on 00:32:48.840 --> 00:32:49.200 his 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:49.520 throne 00:32:49.520 --> 00:32:50.040 so 00:32:50.040 --> 00:32:50.500 we 00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:50.860 sang 00:32:50.860 --> 00:32:51.440 earlier 00:32:51.440 --> 00:32:52.120 Jesus 00:32:52.120 --> 00:32:52.880 is 00:32:52.880 --> 00:32:53.060 the 00:32:53.060 --> 00:32:53.320 king 00:32:53.320 --> 00:32:53.520 of 00:32:53.520 --> 00:32:53.840 kings 00:32:53.840 --> 00:32:54.220 forever 00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:55.220 he's 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:55.380 the 00:32:55.380 --> 00:32:55.680 king 00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:55.880 of 00:32:55.880 --> 00:32:56.279 kings 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:58.360 forever 00:32:58.360 --> 00:32:58.660 more 00:32:58.660 --> 00:32:59.039 Jesus 00:32:59.039 --> 00:32:59.700 is 00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:00.279 the 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:00.680 king 00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:00.960 of 00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:01.160 an 00:33:01.160 --> 00:33:01.900

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00:33:33.860 nothing 00:33:33.860 --> 00:33:35.279 like 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:35.519 we 00:33:35.519 --> 00:33:35.720 have 00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:36.240 ever 00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:37.100 imagined 00:33:37.100 --> 00:33:43.019 if 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:43.460 you 00:33:43.460 --> 00:33:43.779 are 00:33:43.779 --> 00:33:44.220 here 00:33:44.220 --> 00:33:45.080 and 00:33:45.080 --> 00:33:45.500 you're 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:45.880 not 00:33:45.880 --> 00:33:46.299 yet 00:33:46.299 --> 00:33:46.620 a 00:33:46.620 --> 00:33:46.960 follower 00:33:46.960 --> 00:33:47.480 of 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:47.820 Jesus 00:33:47.820 --> 00:33:49.980 I 00:33:49.980 --> 00:33:50.120 don't 00:33:50.120 --> 00:33:50.259 know 00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:50.400 who 00:33:50.400 --> 00:33:50.519 you 00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:50.700 are 00:33:50.700 --> 00:33:50.920 I 00:33:50.920 --> 00:33:51.120 haven't 00:33:51.120 --> 00:33:51.320 met 00:33:51.320 --> 00:33:51.580 you 00:33:51.579 --> 00:33:52.599 but 00:33:52.599 --> 00:33:52.899 if 00:33:52.899 --> 00:33:53.059 you 00:33:53.059 --> 00:33:53.199 are 00:33:53.199 --> 00:33:53.500 here 00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:53.899 and 00:33:53.899 --> 00:33:54.059 if 00:33:54.059 --> 00:33:54.259 you're 00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:54.639 not 00:33:54.639 --> 00:33:54.919 a 00:33:54.919 --> 00:33:55.220 follower 00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:55.619 of 00:33:55.619 --> 00:33:55.960 Jesus 00:33:55.960 --> 00:33:56.379 I 00:33:56.379 --> 00:33:56.579 want 00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:56.679 you 00:33:56.679 --> 00:33:56.779 to 00:33:56.779 --> 00:33:57.019 know 00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:57.639 Jesus 00:33:57.639 --> 00:33:58.159 is 00:33:58.159 --> 00:33:58.659 inviting 00:33:58.659 --> 00:33:58.919 you 00:33:58.919 --> 00:33:59.220 into 00:33:59.220 --> 00:33:59.579 his 00:33:59.579 --> 00:33:59.980 kingdom 00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:01.179 Jesus 00:34:01.179 --> 00:34:01.899 wants 00:34:01.899 --> 00:34:02.019 you 00:34:02.019 --> 00:34:02.159 to 00:34:02.159 --> 00:34:02.519 come 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:03.279 he 00:34:03.279 --> 00:34:03.799 has 00:34:03.799 --> 00:34:04.199 opened 00:34:04.199 --> 00:34:04.359 the 00:34:04.359 --> 00:34:04.539 door 00:34:04.539 --> 00:34:04.960 wide 00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:05.279 open 00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:05.500 for 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:05.720 you 00:34:05.720 --> 00:34:05.919 to 00:34:05.919 --> 00:34:06.279 come 00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:06.599 into 00:34:06.599 --> 00:34:06.859 his 00:34:06.859 --> 00:34:07.220 kingdom 00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:07.740 all 00:34:07.740 --> 00:34:07.899 you 00:34:07.899 --> 00:34:08.079 have 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:08.199 to 00:34:08.199 --> 00:34:08.400 do 00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:08.759 is 00:34:08.759 --> 00:34:08.920 to 00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:09.279 accept 00:34:09.279 --> 00:34:09.539 his 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:10.039 invitation 00:34:10.039 --> 00:34:10.619 to 00:34:10.619 --> 00:34:10.900 come 00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:11.699 all 00:34:11.699 --> 00:34:11.819 you 00:34:11.819 --> 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