Latest / RESHAPED / Episode 8: RESHAPED Review Ft. Tysen Nguyen | Sermon review, Good take or bad take? & Halloween
Transcript
- Aaron: Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the Reshaped Podcast. Super excited for today's episode. This is the very first format change, I guess you could say. So today we're doing what's called the Reshaped Review. format episode and so basically what this format is I wanna do these c kinda regularly but what this format basically is is myself and a guest, normally a good friend, will basically sit down, react and discuss everything from sermon sermons, sermon reviews, Christian content online things happening in culture, whatever's going on, current topics, just with the desire to think through those things carefully, biblically, and to be able to hopefully be, yeah, reshaped and to examine, examine our thoughts and and hopefully help us to have deeper convictions about certain things and help us to think about things. so anyway, I'm really excited today for our special guest that's joining us for our very first episode of the Reshaped Review. I'll do a little bit of an intro for him and he'll get into his story. but our guest today, he's a good friend, been a good friend for a very, very long time. He was actually one of the first teenagers that I got to work with when Esther and I started leading the teens ministry here in our church. And have been able to have the privilege of going through life with him, high school, uni, seeing him date and now be married to his incredible wife Jazz. And yeah, it's so funny because we actually do also About this in a sec here, but we actually do also work our offices in the city of Melbourne are literally two minutes apart, and we so we we are very, very close, proximity-wise, and we catch up a lot. and he also and Jazz have taken over and led the teens ministry after Esther and I stepped out of the teens. Him and Jazz are now leading the teens ministry and doing an incredible job with that. and I'm so so grateful for his heart. and so I'm really excited. to to have him on the episode today because we talk. We talk all the time about a lot of things and so I'm excited to to have him on for the first episode of the Reshape review. So please welcome to the Reshaped podcast. Tyson Newen. Tys, how you doing brother? Tysen: Good man. Thanks for the intro. I remember listening to one of the earlier episodes, I think it was Ollie, and it was like, yeah, when you say all that, it's like, it sounds Aaron: Yeah. Tysen: really good. So thanks for the thanks for the pump up and excited Aaron: The little hutch Tysen: to be on the on the podcast. No, I know we've talked about it quite a bit, so yeah, it's exciting to be on. Aaron: Yeah, dude. Nah, it's cool. It's yeah, dude. It's cool that we could have to have you on, bro. I mean, dude, it's it's crazy. It's literally crazy how we do work lit okay, we just how do make that up? I mean, it's Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: crazy to think about how you're leading teens now and when that all transition was all happening and you know, and and the work thing, how it just worked out that you were yeah, the op the the place that you work for is literally two minutes from my office And so we get together we do get together every week to have lunch and Tysen: Hm. Aaron: and our God worked that out so we could just chat about all these things and catch up, but then also talk about teens and talk about all the stuff going on. So do you ever think that's crazy how the hell happened? Tysen: Yeah. I know, I know, I feel like that's a that's a blessing I think. Like like Jazz and Esther they talk about all the time and we joke all the time, but it's like well, you know, I was like, I we really need to get time with the with Aaron and Esther and I've got s we've got so many things to talk about and then we're both like, What do mean? I I go Aaron: This is right. Tysen: and then they're like, yeah, but you they roll their eyes. It's like, okay, you guys get yeah. Aaron: I know there yeah, 'cause we li we literally every week and so like it feels like we ev ev ever since we've caught up and you and I look at each other and go, Didn't we like to talk like in any way? So they they they wish we had what we had, but Nah dude, it's so cool. Alright bro, I'm doing the reminiscing thing, Tysen: That's it. That's it. Aaron: right? Where like I'm, you know, trying to go back to like the first time that we met or had like an idea of each other. Tysen: Mm. Aaron: and it was back, bro, it was ages ago. I don't even know what year that was. It must have been two thousand and th Seventeen, was it? Eighteen, something like that. You were in what year were you in? Tysen: The first time I the first time we met I think would have been maybe two thousand and Well, obviously I knew you like we you know, I grew up we grew up going the same church, so I knew who you were and stuff. But then Aaron: yeah, that's right. Yep. Yep. Tysen: I think the fur one of the first interactions we had was I I I would have been in year seven, so I'd have been thirteen, fourteen years old, thirteen years old. And yeah, I remember I actually yeah, I don't really remember much to be honest. But I remember I remember yeah, Aaron: That's what that's what I'm saying. Tysen: yeah. I I kinda just remember you you know, you always being there, like, you know. Like I've always known Aaron: Ha ha ha. Tysen: known of Aaron and No, I don't I don't remember the first time we met. I remember certain things, but no, I don't remember the first time we met. Yeah. Aaron: Yeah, I don't remember yeah, Sam Yeah. Yeah, I don't remember exactly the first moment. But I don't I you kinda just I feel like you guys kinda just spawned from nowhere. 'Cause you were in Sydney, right? You weren't you guys in Sydney for a a bit? Tysen: Ooh yeah. Yeah yeah. We were in Sydney. yeah, Aaron: So Melbourne, Melbourne, Melbourne, then Sydney. Tysen: yeah, yeah. Yeah. I was born in Melbourne and then We moved to Sydney when I was two. That's when my brother Toby was born. So he he was born in Sydney and then we we lived there for a couple of years and then moved back. I started primary school, in Melbourne. So yeah, I moved back w yeah, when I was five. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No. Aaron: Okay. okay. So you're here for a little bit. Yeah, okay, okay. Yeah, I guess we just went in those circles, And then eventually you come to teens ministry and then yeah, then we end Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: up yeah, connecting there. And I feel like bro, I feel like always you and I Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: were always it'll I don't know about you, but it was always felt I was always chill with you. Like there are and you know this, we could talk about this, but it's you know, like there are people that you know, we l I love everyone, love all the teens, love all my teens, but there are people that you always connect just a l it's a little bit easier. You might connect on certain hobbies or s like things like sport or whatever it might be. and so I felt like Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: you and I had a little bit of that already. Like same music, same like love sport. You're whitewashed Asian like me. Like we you know we kinda had all that going. Tysen: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that's it. That's it. Yeah. Like basketball, footy. I remember, yeah. We you know, and then and then actually it's funny, like when we you know, as I grew up a little bit more, like it turned into like the Pokemon Go days and then man, th those are some good times. Yeah, yeah. Aaron: dude, Pokemon Go was crazy. That was a crazy time in the teens ministry. Yeah. Dude. Yeah, bro. Insane man. Yeah. Nah, it's so cool. I always look back and I go, like I remember earlier this year, was it this year or last year we went to Mornington? I think it was this year. Yeah, yeah, yeah. 'Cause how long have you been married for now? Tysen: that was that was yeah. ye just over a year and a half. No, it would have been last year. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Aaron: Yeah, just so Yeah. okay. It was twenty twenty five. Okay, okay. Yeah. And I remember, yeah, you know, you Esther and I, you and Jazz, we went to Mornington. Obviously you guys are married and so and we're hanging out and Esther studied the Bible with with Jazz, right? And then I got to s you know, study the Bible and and help you and Esther, you know, disciple jazz. And so it was just crazy to see how yeah, like you guys were teenagers and that you guys were grown Tysen: Yeah. Yeah. Aaron: into these incredible, faithful men you know, men and women and And to be married and now and then to be hanging out as a married couple is is was so cool. It like blew my mind. It made me feel old, not gonna lie, for sure. It made me feel old for sure. But I Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: think that's just such a cool thing about being in the kingdom and just seeing the Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: relationships develop and how, yeah, our relationship when you were younger was, you know, definitely more, yeah, sure. Like me, I'm older, your younger mentor, whatever it is. But then to see you grow into your own man, have your own convictions and now you help me so much and just to see the development of relationship is so I'm super grateful for it and Tysen: Mm. Aaron: yeah and it it's just so cool, man. So and then one day, you know, there'll Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: be little Jazzies and little Tysons running around and they're gonna have, you know, Tysen: Mm-hmm. Aaron: Uncle Auntie Beth and Auntie Thea and it'll be crazy, bro. So nah man. Praise the Lord. It's so cool. Tysen: Yeah, th that's gonna be crazy, yeah. Yeah. Aaron: It's so cool. alright, I'm sure we could talk a lot. But so I'll just say what the docket is and then we'll get into your testimony a little bit here, right? So for on the docket for today, what we're gonna do for our first reshape review episode Tyson is gonna share a bit about himself, his story, it his journey to Christ and and what that was like. Then after that, we're gonna do a bit of a sermon review. So I had the privilege to preach just last week in time of recording, on Second Corinthians chapter twelve, verse one to ten. and so and Tyson was there for that. And so we'll have a bit of a chat about the sermon. he might give me some feedback, also talk about any Tysen: Mm-hmm. Aaron: ideas that we thought about that he thought about. because it's a really cool, powerful text. and yeah, just have some time of discussion there. And then we're gonna do what's called Reshape Real Reviews, where we're gonna review a couple of social media clips, Christian social media clips, kind of funny, and then one kind of serious, and yeah, and just have a discussion about that and get each other's thoughts on on those kinds of things as well. So that's on the Docker for today. but without further ado, Tyson, bro, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey to Christ and yeah. Go into as much or a little depth as you want. Go ahead. Tysen: Mm. Yeah, for sure. So I think for me I I would say my story would probably be similar to yours a little bit. I grew up so my parents I I grew up in our are you saying, tradition of churches. here in Melbourne. My my parents I think they they were ma they were they were married and then they were converted. into this tradition of churches I wanna say in maybe like nineteen ninety eight. and then I was born Aaron: geez. Okay, yeah. Tysen: in two thousand and two. So yeah, growing up I grew up in this church, very much yeah, very much like a kingdom kid, I suppose, like going to the Sunday school lessons. Yeah, been around like sort of you know, this church kinda like my family, you know, I don't Aaron: Hmm. Tysen: think knowing all these different people for such a long time and so I think it it was always something that I remember in the early days when I was you know, probably in primary school, I really didn't like church that much. I remember just I remember just going 'cause like yeah, that's just it's just something that we did. I Aaron: So we did. Yeah. Tysen: yeah, it's just something that we did, yeah. And yeah, it was alright. W I had we had good friends. I had good friends in when I was that age in in the church. but yeah I think as I grew up I think yeah you sort of get to that age where well personally for me yeah you I guess you you kinda have to you come you could you become a bit more aware I think of like the implications maybe of Aaron: Mm. Tysen: if if if this faith is real or not. And and then I think that was something that I personally really wanted to figure out. yeah, to understand if it was real or not and like I said, the the implications of that on my life if it was. And so I remember yeah, I remember we we went to like our fur the first teen camp, like my first teen camp when I was thirteen years old I would have been in in Aaron: Mm-hmm. Tysen: in Sydney and I c yeah, like that was that was pretty impactful. I remember a lot of fired up young people, like a lot of people my age and older, really, really loving God and Jesus. And at that point I didn't really know like much and I didn't really know what it was all about. But I remember that kick kind of kick starting. Aaron: Hmm. Tysen: my yeah, I guess like it prompted me to look into it further, I think, and And I think that I remember coming back from that and it would have been, yeah, twenty sixteen. I rem yeah, coming back from that. I remember it was actually it was actually Brandon Vasala that I I said I asked him if I could study the Bible with him. I remember that. Aaron: Mm. Tysen: and then I think we did like one like one short study and And then nothing really happened after that. I think you know, school started and then I forgot about it all. Yeah, a couple of months later so I just yeah. Aaron: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Classic, classic team camp move, yeah. Tysen: Yeah, yeah, yeah. So yeah, g I got inspired for like one month and then yeah, forgot about it. No, I was in year eight. Yeah. Yeah, I'd I'd already done one year high school. Aaron: Wait, were you in were you in year seven that year? Or were you say, okay, so yeah, you'd done one year of high school at that point. Yeah, okay, yeah, cool, cool, cool. Yeah. Tysen: Yeah. Yeah, forgot about it all and then it would have probably been like another three to six months later. Yeah, as I said, it's just becoming more aware of it. I think g you know, getting a bit older in high school, probably like under like seeing a few more things, understanding a few more things, maybe about culture, you know, maybe the world, society in general, and just growing up. Like, yeah, it prompted me, I think again, to want to look into it. And then I think that's how I remember asking you or you ask you asking me to ask you. I think that's how it went. Yeah. That's like one of the my earliest memories. It's like yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. It it was like I I can't remember how it went, Aaron: Classic. I don't see I don't remember this part. Okay, okay, I don't remember this, so go ahead. Yeah yeah yeah. classic Tysen: but I think you knew that I wanted to study the Bible or something, maybe Brandon told you. I don't know how how it went down. and Aaron: I to ask Baraz, yeah. Tysen: then and then you I remember you coming up to me on like a Wednesday night where we we had one of we had a midweek lesson and y and I think you said to me, I think you said Like, we'll study the Bible. Like I I'll study the Bible with you when you when you when you asked me, like when you asked me to study the Bible. I remember that. I remember that was like when I f that was like how it all started. And then I would have like asked you in the next Aaron: That's so funny. Tysen: like the next week or something and that's how it started. So yeah, study the Bible for I think it I can't even remember now. Maybe like Aaron: Yeah, seven a ramble. Tysen: s yeah, four months ish. Aaron: Mm-hmm. Tysen: I can't really remember. And I found it really good. Like I I mean, yeah, I think to me w what I like to say about it now is that it just like felt right. You know, I think Aaron: Mm. Tysen: like obviously now I understand a bit more about my faith, than back then. I think I was fourteen. and so but it just felt like the right thing to do. you know, I didn't feel Like yeah, I didn't really feel like pressured or like that I had to or anything like that. But I remember feeling like, yeah, this is it just felt like the right thing to do. Aaron: Yeah. Yeah. Tysen: and so, yeah, I think I I got I w I got baptized on December eighteenth, twenty twenty no, sorry, not twenty twenty, twenty sixteen. Aaron: Seventeen, right? Twenty sixteen? yeah, sixteen, yeah, yeah, yeah. 'Cause was the year that we got married. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I remember it was like the next week Esther and I Yeah, we got yeah. Yeah, we got married. That yeah, dude. Dude, crazy man. Tysen: Sixteen. Yeah, twenty sixteen. Yeah, 'cause this year this is year ten. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So yeah, I think baptized at fourteen and it was really it was it was good. Life was good like life was good. I mean life wasn't that complex as a fourteen year old, like biggest worries was school and sport and that sort of thing and I think Yeah, what I'm really grateful for, I think getting baptized early, w or making that decision to become a Christian early in my life was that it held me in good stead, I think, for the more challenging years of my life. Aaron: Yeah. Tysen: I think yeah, i like growing up a bit more, like later high school days, yeah, facing challenges and temptations and Yeah, just like all the things that the the the world kind of or culture kind of throws at, yeah, like a sixteen or seventeen or eighteen year old kid. Aaron: Mm. Tysen: I think yeah, I always say that I if I think if I hadn't made that decision, early on, I think it would have been really difficult to make it later on. Like Aaron: Yeah. Tysen: later on in high school, you know, and I think I had l like a lot of the a lot of the things that kept me coming back to and like following Christ was like the early conviction that was built, from making a decision early on. Aaron: Mm. Yeah. Tysen: And so yeah, I think faced faced some challenges, like some ups and downs, in my in my faith and which I think is, yeah, completely normal and expected I think at that age. And then, Aaron: Mm. Tysen: I remember yeah, after high school, like yeah, that was probably like probably the hardest time in my faith I would say. but then after that I remember just like like I feeling pretty really grateful. I think that I have my faith through through through those later years of of high school. And then I Aaron: Hmm. Tysen: remember yeah, just ever ever since then I feel like every year, like I feel like I'm growing like more and more and just like maturing more and more. Aaron: Yeah, awesome. Hmm. Tysen: and like a big part of just b yeah, building on faith and relationships. in church and with with like, you know, close friends and just growing and going in and it's like the whole idea of spurring one on Aaron: Yeah. Tysen: one another on, I feel like I feel pretty grateful that in my life probably over the last yeah, five years and I feel like that's really helped me a lot. So I feel like that's kind Aaron: That's good. Amen. Tysen: of yeah, my my journey, so far. So yeah. Aaron: Yeah, amen, bro. No, that's awesome. Yeah. That's so good, bro. It's yeah, again, I just it's cool here to retell it and and obviously I got to walk so much of that with you, which is amazing and I'm super grateful for that. It is one of those interesting things, right? Like, I was I recorded with Chelsea and that's gonna come out probably after this though. But we're talking Tysen: Mm. Aaron: about how in when when she was sharing her testimony, how like I think God knew that G I mean, not I think. I know. God knew we go God knows exactly where to put the right people, in the right places to help them to find Christ, right? Like to you know, that's that's Act Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: seventeen and and we're talking about how Chelsea knew that knows that for her, that she needed to be with her family, like to be a kingdom kid to become a Christian. I know for me, like Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: I needed to be in my family and to be a kingdom kid to become a Christian because if I if if I was I don't know if I would have let someone stop me and talk to me about Jesus, you know, and and Tysen: Hmm. Yeah. yeah. Aaron: knowing my character and my heart, like I would be I'd be arrogant, I'd respond very poorly. I wouldn't be responsive. But Tysen: Ha Aaron: like that that's what I was thinking about when you said, Yeah, like I I think for me do obviously being a kingdom kid as well, it's like, well, yeah, I I I felt similar to you. There wasn't necessarily this massive like like, you know, clouds opened up from heaven and Jesus is, you know. I was like, I knew, I believed it, I knew it and I felt right and I knew it was right. Amen. I I'm I need to get right with Jesus. Like, let me be in Christ. Like that's all I really thought about, I think looking back. It Tysen: Mm. Aaron: wasn't necessarily some magical moment and some people have that and praise the Lord for that. but I think that's similar. It's like, yeah, this is the right thing. Amen. And the journey begins. Like that's really where it begins, Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: right? When you make that decision. And so do you ever can I ask you, do you ever look back and go, maybe it was a bit early, like that I became a Christian, or do you ever think about that? Or not really? Just kinda like, nah man, like got it was it was there and Tysen: Nah, I I I don't I don't 'cause I I feel like I remember distinct decisions that I made, I think. Aaron: Mm. Tysen: that to me I can always go back to and be like, yeah, I feel like I in that i like in with the understanding that I had, like I made decisions, to change and yeah. Aaron: yeah, for sure. Yeah. Tysen: And I had faith and and yeah, that's like why I got baptized, I suppose. So I I feel like I don't really I I'm grateful for that because I I mean I think like yeah, I'm grateful that it was some of that stuff like some of those decisions were scary, like scary decisions to make and things like that. So but Aaron: Absolutely. Yeah. Tysen: I remembered very clearly so I feel like I don't really think it was too early. I think that yeah. I think any earlier may have been too early, I don't know, 'cause I didn't really I probably Aaron: Mm. Tysen: wouldn't have been mature enough maybe, but yeah, but I think it's just person to person. I think some people yeah. Aaron: Yeah. Yeah, for sure. Yeah. And I feel like you're you were mature and you are you you know, you kind of mature for your age kind of thing, you know. and I know like you're a guy that you when you make a decision, like you're like you stick to that decision. You got that conviction and so and I think that's testament to yeah, there was some ups and downs definitely after you became a Christian, but yeah, you always seem rooted. Like you always seem rooted. Like I was never Tysen: Mm. Aaron: personally, like I was never concerned. I was like, Yeah, there's ups and downs, but Tysen: Mm. Aaron: you had such a great backing. And I mean testament to to your mum and dad and to you know just Tysen: Mm. Aaron: the way they raised you and just to have that integrity and and your conviction. and I think you're just deeply rooted Tysen: Hm. Yeah. Aaron: in your faith. So that's awesome. Can I ask how's it how's it been leading teens now? Like being you know being Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: the you're not you so just for clarif clarification, you're not on staff. You're you and Jazz are volunteers. Tysen: Hm. Aaron: you guys have your b full time jobs and you lead the teens ministry with a bunch of awesome other volunteers who are good friends as well. but yeah Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: how's that been leading the teens ministry now becoming a Christian as a teen and then now being a part of it, like how do you Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: how d does it help you? Do you feel like it's it's yeah, like how how has it been? Tysen: Yeah, I l I I think it's it's been so awesome. Like when when we had the yes, twenty twenty six. Yeah, Aaron: And you just started this year, twenty twenty six. Yeah, yeah. Just started started this year. Yeah. Tysen: when we had the conversation late last year, and you and you guys asked us if we wanted to wanted to do it. It was a bit scary, but it's it's gone like it's been like more everything everything that we could have I guess imagine or ask and and more I think. Like it's been so rewarding. I think sometimes people and it and it can be it definitely can be true, talk about the teens ministry and that it can be You know, you're giving a lot. 'cause I remember when I was a teen, I would have been yeah and you can you you know Aaron: Ha ha ha. Tysen: you c you probably remember I was sh I was shocking, like I would have been so difficult to talk to. I would have s I would have given like yeah the most dead one word answers and never smiled and yeah. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Aaron: Yeah, bro. You're too cool for school. That's you know what, that's probably why I asked you to ask me to study, 'cause I was like, man, I this guy f I feel like this guy just has everything come to him. Let me let's see if he's gonna go for it. 'Cause you know, so n too nonchalant. So yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure, for sure. Tysen: Yeah, yeah. I and I like I would have I would have been the worst and but but Aaron: Ha ha ha. Tysen: I think we've got like such a really great group of kids. I'm I'm I'm surprised at like how mature emotionally these like the teams that we look after are even some of the year sevens and year eights, like they're really they're really, really good and and it's been great. Like we I feel so fulfilled, I think, so privileged and lucky to be able to have well, have an impact I suppose, but just like I Aaron: Yeah, for sure. Tysen: guess guide these guys a little bit to God. and help them sort of develop their own their understanding of it. And, yeah, it's been awesome. Like it's been a good learning experience for sure. Like balancing, my job, my secular job and then sort of also balancing yeah, leading the teens ministry with jazz. but yeah, it's it's challenged me, like to it's challenged me to lead jazz in my marriage, ch challenged me to lead maybe sort of people that are older than me as well, like seen more life than me, but Aaron: Hm. Tysen: Yeah, it's it's been such a great experience and yeah, I I guess I can't really s can't really speak more highly of it. I think you you guys left it in a really good spot to come in and take over. Like it was I think yeah, it was a really easy transition. and I think we're blessed that a lot of the teens, their families are so like yeah, faithful, and helpful and they you know, they ultimately want the best for their their children and that makes Aaron: Yeah, for sure. Yeah. Tysen: our job really easy. you know, we're Aaron: Yeah, it's awesome. Tysen: I always say like we we're with them like we're with them like five percent of the time and they're with their families ninety five percent of the time. So we really don't have that much we're just like the cool Aaron: Yeah That's right. Hmm. Tysen: I don't maybe they don't maybe they probably don't Aaron: cool. Tysen: even think we're cool. Yeah. You should, yeah. No, we're probably just like the yeah. Yeah, I don't know. But it's been awesome. It's been awesome. Yeah. Aaron: I'll ask I'll ask a team to wear Yeah, I should. No, it's true. That's a good point. No, it's good, man. Yeah, dude. I've yeah, I've heard great feedback about you guys and what you're doing and obviously we talk very regularly. We you know, we catch up yeah, again, like pretty regularly and so Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: yeah, you guys are doing an awesome job. When we Ernestor and I thought about asking you guys, we knew we knew you guys would do a great job. It was more about if it would be something you want to do right now, you know, and prayed about it and I loved your heart, yours and Jazz's heart about it. You know, you guys prayed about it, got advice and there was concern, but he Hey man, like this is things where God wants us to be right now and and he took that on. So yeah, amazing hearts, man, and and you guys are doing a great job. So shout out to you guys, bro. doing awesome Tysen: Thank you. Aaron: man. So anyway, we could talk a lot more about teens and maybe we'll have to have a maybe an episode where we just talk teen ministry, bro. I can just, you know, talk about stuff and things you're learning. I'll ask you like what's what's one of the main things that you've just learned from being doing like leading the teens or Tysen: Mm. Aaron: being involved as you are? What's anything you've anything that shocked you in a good way that you're like, wow, I didn't learn I've learned this. This Tysen: Mm. Aaron: is a big takeaway I'm learning right now or something like that. Tysen: I think I've learnt how to work with with people with different personalities. I think like you said earlier, some teens like some people you just get along like, you know, p people get along with people, you know, that they have things in common with and Aaron: Yeah. Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. Tysen: people wouldn't get along with me, like, you know, if they if we had different interests and stuff and and Aaron: Mm. Tysen: what I've learnt is it's kind of like when Paul says like all things to all people, all Aaron: For sure. Absolutely. Yeah. Tysen: things to all men. And and I think I've learnt you know, it's like I'm learning how to do that and Aaron: Mm. Tysen: you know be be like a role model and somebody that the somebody that can guide the teens to God in different ways, like y y you know, ha using different skill sets or engaging with different interests that aren't like my own. And that's that's pushed me that's like it's also pushed me in a different way. It's like doing things that I actually maybe like I don't really like or I'm not really interested in and then having Aaron: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Tysen: to but y that's the only level I connect with Aaron: Connect. Yep. Tysen: with some of these teens with. Like I Aaron: Mm. Tysen: it's pushed me to you know I think one one of the things I feel like I struggle with is is selfishness and then it's pushed me to put the the needs of the teen above mine. Like, you Aaron: Mm. Tysen: know, you know, I'm that's my job, sort of thing. And yeah, I feel like that's one thing that I I'm learning and is you know, is challenging I suppose, but I feel like God knows that I need it. yeah. So Aaron: Amen. That's great, bro. Yeah, it is. It's a it's a great ministry for learning. I mean, every ministry is good to learn sacrifice and Tysen: Mm. Aaron: you know that. But I think particularly with the teens ministry, you know, yeah, it's really, really good. It kind of is it I think it really it escalates it even quicker, right? Like exponentially, Tysen: Mm. Aaron: learning to connect and yeah, nah, it's such a such an important thing. So Anyway, great stuff, bro. Great stuff with that. All right, man. Thanks for sharing testimony and all that. Really, really cool. All right, let's let's jump into the second part. let's Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: talk about the sermon. The sermon, Second Corinthians chapter twelve, verse one to ten. So yeah, I preached that again as a recording the previous Sunday. and I think maybe it'd be helpful for us to just read the text and then Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: I'll kind of just summarize what I talked about a little bit and then we can talk a bit about the the the the sermon and any ideas or things you were thinking throughout it as well. so do you do you wanna read it? 'cause I'm gonna talk a little bit afterwards. Do you wanna read the text? If you pull it up? Second Corinthians twelve. I'll just give a tiny Tysen: Yeah, sure, I'll rate it. I'll rate it. Yeah. Aaron: bit of context so that people can catch us up. So in church Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: we're doing a sermon series on first in Corinthian first Corinthians and second Corinthians. and so right now in we're in different places in different regions, but that's all good. but for the sermon I was given, yeah, Second Corinthians twelve verse one to ten for this section. And just a tiny little bit of context before we we we read it. So let me pull up my notes here 'cause it's not There you go. Yeah. so Corinth, I'll just do this very, very quickly. But Corinth was this very, very wealthy city. very multi ethnic, multi-religious, had a was very wealthy because of its its kind of geographical location. kinda had the had the it was a land bridge. It's on the ith isthmus of Corinth, then also had connections on on water as well. So really good for trade. really great spot. So really, really rich city. highly valued w talk about wisdom and rhetoric and philosophy, ideology, very big obviously in Greco-Roman culture. And so that was something that was highly esteemed in that culture. Now Paul, when he comes to Corinth to to plant the church, probably around 5051 AD, during his second missionary journey, he plants a church there. You can read about that in Acts chapter eighteen, seventeen and and no Acts chapter eighteen, sorry. And It's it's great. He stays eighteen months there teaching the cr Christians in Corinth, helps them to grow, awesome. Then he gets moving. Anyway, they don't know exactly how long, but a little while later, while Paul is in Ephesus, he gets note that Corinth is not doing too great from perhaps another Christian, says a Christian from Chloe's household is what it says in First Corinthians chapter one. and it gets word that some stuff's going on in Corinth, and so it's not that great. Anyway, Paul writes what we know as First Corinthians. As a way to instruct and to redirect the Corinthians so they can kind of get back to what they're supposed to be doing right. anyway, so he writes that letter. Anyway, I'm not gonna get into the whole debate. There's other there's other letters as well that's probably mentioned. So there's a there's a letter that that seems to be what we ha so we have 2nd Corinthians as a letter. but there was probably a letter written before 2nd Corinthians that would technically be 2nd Corinthians and make 2nd Corinthians 3rd Corinthians. But basically that that letter that is maybe in between First and Second Corinthians is this letter called the letter of tears or the letter of sorrow, where Paul writes this to be really, really strong with the Corinthians because they're going through some they're going, yeah, they're still not getting things right. So it's a really, really strong letter. Tysen: Mm. Aaron: And Paul like rebukes them really, really strongly. And we read about that in Second Corinthians chapter two, verse one to four. Also in Second Corinthians seven, a very famous passage where Paul says. You know, even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I regret it, but I I kinda don't regret it 'cause I know it that sorrow led you to repentance. So that letter there that that made them feel sorrowful, that was probably that that letter that we don't have. anyway, Paul writes that that letter to them and anyway he gets word back that yeah, they're doing better. And they're doing better after that letter of sorrow. And then that's where we get the letter of Second Corinthians. So there's still some issues there that's going on. But one of the big things that Paul's dealing with in 2nd Corinthians, even though the Corinthians have kind of repented a little bit and done better with that, one of the big things Paul's dealing with is his the legitimacy around his apostolic ministry. So there were these people in the Corinthian church, they're c they're called like super apostles. So Paul talks about these like super apostles and and even some just normal believers We're kind of struggling with Paul as a legitimate apostle because he wasn't really showing the the wisdom and the the the rhetoric and the the yeah, the wisdom that they valued, right? Like that that you know, at the time there was a lot of word and I guess you could say value on, yeah, your wisdom, how you taught, the eloquence, or the rhetoric, all those kinds of things, spiritual revelations, spiritual visions that the superap the the super apostles in the Corinthian church were saying they were having, and so they seemed like they were saying they were legit and Paul wasn't having much of that. or seemingly so they thought, and they just thought Paul came and taught a message that was a bit crazy, right? The message of the gospel, which is what Paul talks about in First Corinthians chapter one. you know, the the message of the gospel is Seems like seems foolish to the world, but to to to those that are in Christ, it's the power of God, right? That Jesus, this this Jewish Messiah, comes in, lives a perfect life, dies on the dies on the cross, a shameful death, and then he rose from the dead. That's that was a message Paul came with. And the Corinthians and the super apostles were like, That's a crazy message. People in the world were saying that's a bit of a crazy message. How can that really be a legitimacy towards your apostleship? And so that's one of the big, big issues Paul is dealing with. How can he show his legitimacy if he doesn't have the wisdom and the rhetoric supposedly and the spiritual revelations and knowledge? and that's what he's dealing with in this section that we're about to read, in Second Corinthians chapter twelve. So he's been dealing with it throughout the first part of this letter, but now he's getting to this point. So, Tyson, do you wanna read yeah, Second Corinthians chapter twelve, verse one to ten? Tysen: Yes, sure. So it says I must go on boasting although there is nothing to be gained. I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body, I do not know. God knows. And I know that this man, whether in the body or apart from the body, I do not know, but God knows, was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things. Things that no one is permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool because I would be speaking the truth, but I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh A messenger of Satan to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's Aaron: Mm. Tysen: power may rest in me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults and hardships, in persecutions and difficulties, for when Aaron: Mm. Tysen: I am weak then I am strong. Aaron: Awesome. Thank you. Thank you. Yes, amazing text. Very famous passage of especially that verse there, you know, w for when I'm my grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness, and when I'm weak, that's when I'm strong. And I love this because Paul in this section, I talked about a lot, obviously, I'm not gonna review the whole sermon, but yeah, the the idea that Paul goes down here, he doesn't succumb to what they see as power and and legitimacy, right? But he does kind of cheekily go into it. He goes, Look, all right, let me go to talk about some visions and some revelations. And he goes, I love it. He says, Man, I know a man. He's like, I know a guy. I know a man in Christ who 14 years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether in the body, don't know. Only God knows. And I know this man, he was caught up to paradise. and he heard inexpressible things that no one's permitted to tell. And so what he's doing there is he's like, 'Cause they valued that, right? Like that's what they thought. This is if someone has this, Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: they have legitimacy. And so Paul goes, Yeah, I let me let me do this. And so he says that he knows a guy. Now, who is this guy? Well, scholars and and commentators majority basically say, and I agree with this, that the person that he knows that he's talking about is him, right? And it's actually Paul that Paul had this revelation, this vision 14 years ago. This is not referring to his time Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: in Damascus because the dates wouldn't match up. It seems to be another another time, another vision or revelation. That he got where he went up to the third heaven, he was caught up. Rapturo, that's raptured, and not gonna get into that, but to the third heaven, the highest of high heavens, and and saw stuff that he just it's inexpressible could all of these incredible things. And that would have been the thing where they were like, Yes, okay, this is it, this Tysen: Mm. Aaron: is an amazing thing. Like, yes, but the Corinthians, the super apostles would have like, Okay, this is now makes you legitimate. But Paul, he he deliberately Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: doesn't want to say it's him, even though. They probably even have an idea it's him, but he doesn't even want to make that claim that it's him. Tysen: Do do you think do you think in verse seven that he he says, or because of these surpassingly great revelations, do you think Aaron: Mm-hmm. Tysen: that he's speaking about that rev like Aaron: That is more. Tysen: what he's talking about in verse in verse one? No, that he's saying like because of this great revelation that I have, do you think he's referencing himself there as well? Aaron: in verse six, sorry, he says, But I refrain so f so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say. So I think that's Tysen: Mm. Aaron: kind of showing that, yeah, it it is referring to him. that yeah. But it's cheeky because he's he sa he's making the point he could claim Tysen: Mm. Aaron: Like he had the and he it obviously says he has more revelations, more surpassing ones, but he's saying I don't he's not even wanting to connect himself to that. And this is the point that I made on in the sermon was that because he doesn't want his identity in Christ, or his apostolic ministries authority to be based on spiritual experiences and revelation, right? He doesn't want it to be that, but rather he wants it to be based on his weaknesses being turned to strength, the power of Christ transforming him and making him strong. and you know, he talks about all of his persecution in in the that first part of in chapter eleven there. So I really love that point of that I talked about not not that I made it, it's from the Bible and other people make the point. But yeah, that his identity, he didn't want it to be tied to spiritual experience, revelation, even spiritual achievements. He wanted to to be su like just based on his relationship with Christ, and his power g being shown through his weak Paul's weaknesses. so I think that's really, really Tysen: Mm. Aaron: cool. I don't did you have did you have any thoughts on that when you were when you were yeah, when you were reflecting on that idea of identity? Yeah. Tysen: Yeah. I I yeah, I think that it's funny, like when you talk about it being cheeky, i in verse six, he says multiple times when he starts like boasting about his sufferings, Aaron: Mm. Tysen: in sor in sorry, chapter eleven. like verse I think he starts in verse sixteen and he says multiple times like I'm speaking as a fool. I like Aaron: Mm. Tysen: I'm out of my mind to talk like this. That's verse twenty three of the previous Aaron: That's right, yeah. Tysen: chapter and I think it's yeah, it's funny that he he's like disclaiming multiple times that you know, it's not about my I'm a fool to even talk about. this like in this way. I'm a fool to even I'm Aaron: Mm. Yeah. Tysen: out of my mind to even talk in this way, but you know, it it's almost kind of like out of out of love and protection for the for the church there. It's like, hey, I don't want you guys to be focused on the wrong thing or like caught up with these Aaron: Yeah. Tysen: super apostles. Like, let me sh like sh prove to you my legitimacy even though like it's so I'm so foolish to talk about it in this way. Aaron: Yeah, yeah. Tysen: but like I'm doing this 'cause I r I want you guys to focus on the gospel sort of Aaron: Yeah. Tysen: thing. And I think I think that w was really cool. Aaron: Yeah, it's it so some some people think that he's which I think it's true. I think he's being really like sarcastic as he as he like in tone when he says all those things. Cause he is I th I think so. It Tysen: Mmm. Mm. Mm. Aaron: just makes sense, right? Like, well yeah, I'm a fool to be like this 'cause they're that's what they're saying about him, right? poor Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: you're silly, poor you're this and he's like, Yeah, I guess I'm a fool. I guess I'm this but he's showing the po yeah, and he comes in and he just goes, I could talk about revelation and stuff, but no man, here's the power of God. Like here is is my weaknesses. You know what? Yeah, you're right, I am a fool. You know what? Yeah, I am weak. But that actually is how that actually shows my legitimacy because it's Christ's power through my weakness. yeah. Tysen: Mm. Mm. Aaron: Do you what do you think? 'Cause I was thinking about like and I talked about this in the sermon, but the idea of like what do you think are the main challenges that we can maybe be maybe put our spiritual identity in or kind of like get our spiritual kudos from? You know, like Paul's here obviously talking Tysen: Mm. Aaron: about spiritual revelation, and and vision, kind of being like, Yeah, that makes me legit. What do you think that there's some things maybe Tysen: Mm. Aaron: even now you know, in our church, but even just Christianity in general that we can put too much stock in and and try and get identity from. Anything you were thinking about think about? Tysen: Yeah. That's a good question. I think I think like if I think about myself I think I can get caught up in th you know what I do. Aaron: Mm. Tysen: and don't get me wrong, like I think that, you know, I'm like I wanna serve and I wanna Yeah, like i in in in this instance, like help out in the teens ministry. But I don't know, I feel like it's human nature. There there is a certain level of maybe pride that you just like you know, put into it. like stock that Aaron: Yeah. Tysen: you put into it that hey like we we do lead the teens ministry or Aaron: Hm. Tysen: we are helping people come to Jesus and be saved and baptized and it's hard not to 'cause those are such like Aaron: Yeah. Tysen: yeah, like serving is such like a great and pure thing but I think like if I just think about myself here, I can put stock into what I do. And I think it more so it's more so what what it then says about me, like about my like what how other people then perceive me because I'm doing these things. Maybe it's not necessarily like Aaron: Hmm. Tysen: it's not even maybe about like the things that we do but more how people look at us or how we want people to look at us because of those things. Aaron: Because of those things. Yeah. Things that we do, yeah. Yeah. Tysen: so I think yeah, to answer your question, yeah. Yeah. Aaron: Yeah. Yeah. That's a huge one. I th that's a big one I thought about. I just think again, 'cause these are not inherently they're all inherently good things, right? Like serving, yeah, helping people become Christians, evangelism, serving the poor, serving in the church. They're all incredible things and really, really good things. But Tysen: Mm. Aaron: but the whole point is and I mean, spiritual revelation and vision that Paul's would get that Paul would get, that's great that's great stuff. But it just needs to be put in its rightful place. Like that's not our identity Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: because I th if if our identity becomes those things, then the question becomes, well, if you take those things away, then who are you? Right? Like what what do you do? And Tysen: Hmm. Hmm. Aaron: I think that was something that I knew, like Esther and I f reflected on as as we come came off staff was like, like okay, like, you know, 'cause we normally yeah, we're you know, we lead the teens ministry, we lead this region and we're part of this and but take that away, then who am I? Like, you know, who who Tysen: Hm. Aaron: who are we and And praise the Lord, like I haven't personally had to wrestle with that all too much. I think I've had like similar to what you said, I've had to work on all that for many, many, many, many, many years. So I think it kinda prepared me for that transition. Tysen: Mm. Aaron: but yeah, I think what we talk about, when we talk about, yeah, what we do and and all of our like our spiritual achievements, incredible things and things to be really grateful for. Tysen: Mm. Aaron: But again, that should just it it's not who we are. Like we're we're we're Tysen: Mm. Aaron: we're weak people that that that Jesus is saved and we're made in the image of God and that's where like we get our identity. It's it's from that. and Tysen: Hm, yeah. Aaron: I think that's a really secure thing. yeah. Tysen: Mm. Aaron: And I th you know what I was thinking about, bro, I was like, I think I mentioned this really quickly on the Sunday, but I talked about the idea of like good news sharing, right? And Tysen: Mm. Aaron: and how you know, obviously I believe good news when we do like, you know, and normally when we have Devos and and midweeks and things, we have a time of good news sharing in our in our I think a lot of churches do this. and it's a great thing Tysen: Mm, mm. Aaron: because, you know, Proverbs talks about good news, refreshes the bones. It is good to hear good news about how God is working. But I think in I think maybe particularly i with us in our in our tradition, we kind of maybe elevate certain things as like like really, really good good news and then then other things that that maybe are not. So for instance, and correct push back on this if you think I'm wrong. But I think Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: we And I do this too, is I think we do think like things like evangelism, Bible study, and sharing of faith with people is like the top echelon of like good news. Like if you have something like that Tysen: Mm. Aaron: going on, share that thing. 'Cause and I think you should. I absolutely think you should. but then I think when we think about other things, like you're having a victory over I don't know, over some sin or helping someone understand something in the scriptures or wrestling with someone or going to serve the I think those things that we kind of We tear it down a little bit, like, okay, that's really cool. And then they there you go. Like, you know what I mean? Tysen: Mm. Aaron: I don't know. Do you would you and okay if you don't agree with it? But yeah, I I think that's what can Tysen: Mm mm. Aaron: that that's what can happen. And why I'll tell you why I'm sharing this is because I think whatever we share in good news that's public and that's gets heard by everyone, that creates a a framework of what we think is, this is what it means to be like Tysen: Mm. Aaron: a really str strong Christian or to be like have a really good, successful walk with Christ or something like that. Tysen: Mm. Yeah, I think like I think that I would I would agree to like to an extent. I think like it it is like you're right, it that is great news. and I think that Yeah, like evangelism and yeah, studying the Bible and sharing your faith and Aaron: Absolutely, yeah. Tysen: helping someone to be saved, it is like good news worthy. It's Aaron: Absolutely. Tysen: it's interesting 'cause I think we share about it I mean, if I just think about like the different levels, like maybe Yeah, like helping somebody understand something or or or, you know, you're you've you figured something out maybe like in your own faith that you were trying to wrestle with. I feel like for me personally, I find like evangelism really difficult. Like not really difficult, Aaron: Mm-hmm. Tysen: I find it like there's like a resistance to do it. So I think like maybe maybe we share it like maybe we top tier it 'cause it's like Aaron: One of the hardest things to do. absolutely. Sure. Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. Tysen: It's one of the hardest things to do. You know? and then and then like it gets it it's it then it gets tricky with our own like s like sinful nature when when you think about like how when you know and then I I'm sure like I've done this, everyone's like I feel like I'm sure everyone's done it where you sort of like well, I I sort of like insert myself into that like like I've had that impact. Like I've done like I did this. Like I I Aaron: Right. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Tysen: and that's not really the whole reason you're sharing about it, but for me Aaron: That's right. Tysen: there's like always a little like part of my heart that's like like I said before, ooh yeah, like people probably like think of me like think good of me, like because I'm sharing this. And I think good of others actually. Like when Aaron: Yeah, because I'm doing those things. Yeah. Ab yeah, sure. Tysen: yeah, you know you know when and and so, you know, maybe maybe we just want that for yourself maybe like maybe I just want that for myself. I I think it's interesting it's an interesting point, that you raise. So I think I agree to an extent, Aaron: Yeah. Tysen: yeah, yeah. I'm I'm trying to think like how to 'cause there's no perfect way to do it, you know? There's no perfect way to do it. Aaron: 'Cause I think I think the the No, it's not. And I'm not saying I I I don't want to get it wrong, like don't we're not sharing this stuff. No, we we need the good news. We need it. But I Tysen: Mm. Aaron: I think it's more I think my point was like when we do that, when I I guess my point would be if if we're sharing a whole bunch of like a whole vast array of good news and people feel like they can. I just feel like there have been things that and I've actually heard this from people and I thought it too where I've had something where it's like, man, like I I had some there was something great that happened the other day. Like, you know, it wasn't necessarily evangelism related, but yeah, it's just I won't share it. You know. And I've heard people say that, you know. And I was like, dude, it's we can share about everything. It doesn't just have to be Tysen: Mm. Mm. Aaron: evangelism and outreach related. That's just our our how what we value. And I think we value all things, absolutely. I know we do as a church. Tysen: Mm. Aaron: but I guess, yeah, if we have more of a a balanced not balanced, but you know, then I think it just it the identity markers then become wow, yeah, everything is Yeah, okay, great. Like everything Tysen: Mm. Aaron: and everything is important. and and people can feel encouraged about that, I think. And yeah. Tysen: Mm. Aaron: So I guess it's just more about the cause Paul's point is like his identity didn't he didn't want it to be tied to that. He actually wanted to be Tysen: Mm. Aaron: about Christ's power helping him in weakness. So I don't know if we have to necessarily share Tysen: Mm, mm. Aaron: all the time about man, I was sinning so bad and and now God Tysen: Is it Aaron: God helped me conquer that. But why couldn't we? Like why couldn't we share that? Or someone Tysen: Hm, it's true. Aaron: said, like, man, you know, we've been I And it can depend on obviously the environment, but yeah, like, okay, yeah, our marriage has been we've been trying to work on being more serving in our marriage, and and we did this t we did this on the weekend, you know, and Tysen: Mm. Aaron: we went down here or we've been trying to work on getting time together as as a married couple and we did that. And we had it was hard, but it was very exciting and okay, man. You know what I mean? So I I I Tysen: Mm. Aaron: yeah, I'm not saying we don't share that stuff. I know people do share some those th kinds of things, Tysen: Mm mm. Aaron: but anyway, so yeah, I just think sp spiritual ident those identity markers are interesting. I think what we talk about in public Tysen: Mm. Aaron: kind of sets up that culture or the framework of what we do value is. Yeah. So Tysen: Yeah, for sure. Yeah. Aaron: do you think of anything else that you thought maybe yeah, like we can put our stock in these other things? Our identity? Tysen: Mm. spiritually. Aaron: Knowledge. I was talk I I've shared about knowledge, like yeah, ex like spiritual knowledge. Tysen: I think yeah, knowledge yeah. Aaron: That's one I can fall into for sure. Like theological knowledge and being like Tysen: Yeah. I Aaron: I'm secure in how much I know. So I'm I'm that's who Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: I am. I know that stuff. Tysen: I think one thing th that's it can be interesting growing up like as a Christian I don't know. Like you can put stock in l maybe like how like your struggles with sin and like how well or not well you're doing, like with sin. Aaron: Mm. Tysen: Like I think like you can put your identity and it can be any sin, like Really? I think you can put put your identity in that. And I feel like I did that for the longest time where it's like Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. Yeah. Aaron: Like like if you're conquering it, if you're doing good with it or not doing good with it, yeah, and that determines everything. Tysen: And I think that that's a that can be a big thing, like you can put your identity in that 'cause you can swing like so far, like up and down, Aaron: Yeah. Tysen: based off of that, but it's interesting because if you do put your identity in that then like your whole life is just so it'd be so up and down because we're so sinful by nature. Aaron: Yeah. Tysen: so I thought of that. yeah. Yeah. Aaron: Mm. No, that's a good point. I like that too. Yeah. Yeah. Like how how how we're doing with conquering sin. Tysen: Mm. Aaron: well managing sin, I guess, because Jesus con Jesus conquered, right? Jesus conquered. But yeah, no, that's true. Yeah. And and I felt I felt that too, where it's like, well, Tysen: Managing, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Aaron: I've been doing great this week, so I feel super spiritual. And it's like, Tysen: Mm. Aaron: why? It's like, well, because I haven't been doing that thing that I've been trying not to do. It's like, okay. But like I say, I I have been praying, haven't been reading, or haven't really felt connected to God. Tysen: Mm. Aaron: But it's because of that success in that area. Tysen: Mm. Aaron: yeah. So it's obviously we should be battling sin and we should be fighting against it. But again, Tysen: Yeah, of course. Aaron: our I think the challenge Paul's is presenting here is that no, it's even with good news, even with having victory in sin, it's it's actually about we gotta point it to Christ. Like Christ Tysen: Mm. Aaron: It he it's everything. He's the one that's giving us the strength. He's the one giving us the victory. He's the one giving us the power to conquer and do all these things. So, putting it in Christ. Tysen: Mm. Mm. Aaron: So how would you say if we talk about how to do that, what do you think? How how do we actually do that? 'Cause Paul's point right is, yeah, look, it when I'm weak, Tysen: Hm. Aaron: I am strong. He's got Jesus Jesus said to him, My grace is sufficient for you in this weakness. Tysen: Mm. Aaron: So actually before we talk about that, so Paul talks about this thorn, right? The thorn in the flesh. Let Tysen: Hmm, mm. Aaron: Thought in the flesh, right? What it is. And what does he say? He says in verse Tysen: Mm. Aaron: where is it? verse yeah, verse six verse seven, sorry. He says, Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan Tysen: Mm. Aaron: to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me, but he said, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Okay, like let's do a little rabbit trail, just just for a couple minutes. Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: Do you have any thoughts on what that thorn is in his flesh? Tysen: I I don't have any thoughts that are like super out there or I I think you briefly touched on it in the lesson on Sunday and you talked about the idea of a physical ailment. yeah. Aaron: yeah, I should mention that, shouldn't I? Yeah. Yeah. So the main view the main views of it, I'll just say then you then you can continue with your thought. Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: but the main views are that it either that it was probably some kind of physical ailment, that the thorn in the flesh was a physical ailment or illness. Galatians four thirteen, Paul talks about he mentioned this kind of illness he had when he was in Galatia. some people think specifically it was something eyesight related and I Tysen: Mm. Aaron: was listening to something today about it more that it was talking about because of the Greek word and specifically i i it's in reference to something above the like the shoulders or something so someone thinks it's an eye thing. Galatians 4 connection there too. So that's one of the main views. That's probably actually the majority view. The Tysen: Mm. Aaron: second view is that it refers to like persistent persecution that he was facing from Tysen: Mm. Aaron: everyone and ev and anyone about being, you know, about preaching the gospel and and yeah, so the persistent persecution. And then the third view it's kind of more a minority view, is it was like spiritual harassment from a messenger of Satan. it's a messenger of Satan to torment me. messenger there is actually the word the Greek word ang angalos, which is an actually we get the word angel. It's like, you know, so that's where we get Tysen: Mm. Aaron: it also gets translated messenger. but yeah, so those are kind of the three mainish views. So yeah, did you have any thoughts on that at all? Tysen: Hmm I think well briefly thinking about that last part, I mean what if it was like a I don't know, he just had terrible dreams all the time, couldn't sleep or something like that. I don't know, that'd be pretty f freaky. But Aaron: Sure. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Tysen: I think, yeah, I don't have like a crazy opinion, but I like the idea of a physical ailment because I think that being having a physical ailment and like I've never really been super sick before or like have had Aaron: Mm-hmm. Tysen: anything you know, praise you like anything wrong with my health. but I think that's something that's that I'm sure would be very humbling, like very difficult. Aaron: Mm. Tysen: you know, to like I don't know. I I read somewhere that it might be eyesight, I guess. Well I guess I'm wearing glasses, so maybe I do have a physical ailment, you know? It was like Yeah, like Aaron: Yeah. true, bro. If you got you got a got a thorn in your Yeah Tysen: I can't you know, I can't see properly, right? But Aaron: Yeah. Tysen: I think it's very humbling. I think it's like Because it's something that you just have no control over whatsoever. Like you have zero control over. Especially back then, like what, two thousand years ago, the the medical treatment probably wouldn't have been that good. And I think that yeah, I I mean, I th I think it's just something you have no control over, something that would have been really yeah, like a thorn a thorn in the flesh. Like Aaron: Yeah. Yeah. Tysen: Yeah, like if it was eyesight, like and you and you and Paul couldn't really see properly, it's like, man, Aaron: That is super humbling. Yeah, that is super humbling, yeah. Tysen: that would be super humbling and you would feel weak, I think. Aaron: Yeah. Tysen: you know, you just couldn't you just can't do what what you used to do or something like that. So I just I think it was something physical. and I and Aaron: Yeah. Yeah. Tysen: I think yeah, if I was if that was me, like, yeah, I'd probably pray about like, yeah. Pray to God to take it away or something like that. Yeah. I w I I think it that yeah. Aaron: Yeah. Yeah, yeah, I I I hold that view too. I think that's probably the the most logi like logical one. And again I we can't go into all of it here, but in Galatians four twelve, Paul writes this, he says, I plead with you brothers and sisters, become like become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. And even though my illness was a trial to you It's interesting. You did not treat me with contempt Tysen: Mm. Aaron: or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. where then is your blessing for of me now? I can testify, if you could have done so, this is what he says, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now Tysen: Mm. Aaron: become your enemy by telling you the truth? And so he mentions there that man that he has an illness and Like you guys it would have been something that was really it was difficult for them, which is really interesting, right? Like his eyesight became an issue Tysen: Mm. Aaron: for them and he says, Yeah, you guys would have torn out your eyes for me. It's like, So Tysen: Mm. Aaron: that's why a lot of people think it it's probably an eyesight related thing. But whatever whatever Tysen: Probably not such a thing. Aaron: it might be. And s and then people make the link like similarly that it could be related to a spiritual thing too. Like in the way Tysen: Hm. Aaron: that Job, you know, Satan got in in the book of Job, Satan got a got permission from God to to to send things to Job to challenge him. and some of those things were physical Tysen: Mm. Aaron: things, right? Physical illnesses and stuff. So Tysen: Mm. Aaron: some people think similarly the eyesight thing that he had was because, yeah, similar that God allowed it to be a thing for him that probably did come from Satan. So that's kind of like a a a combination view there. But like you said, Tysen: Mm. Yeah. Aaron: whatever I d yeah, it it it was all about humbling. What whatever the thing was, it wasn't really bad. He prayed for it three times to go away. and Jesus said no. Like no, which is an amazing Tysen: Hm. Aaron: thing, right? To think that there are things in our lives that God allows in his sovereignty, as hard as it might be, Tysen: Hm. Aaron: physical, financial, whatever it might be, God allows it to be there to humble us. And that's a really, really, Tysen: Hm, yeah, for sure. Aaron: really difficult thing to hear. because we want yeah, we want to be comfortable, we want no pain. but Paul saw it, his his viewpoint, his perspective was this was here to keep him humble. To keep him Tysen: Mm. Aaron: humble, to keep him rel continually reliant on God. and Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: yeah. So how do you think we do that? Like when you think about, yeah, now we tie this together, like the and we'll wrap up here, but the idea of my power is made perfect in weakness, how do we as Christians actually like experience that from your perspective? Like what what do you think? How do we how do we do that as Christians? 'Cause it's nice to say, right, yeah, my grace is sufficient, Tysen: Mm. Aaron: power is made perfect in weakness, but how do we actually walk that out in our day to day life? Do you have any thoughts on that? Tysen: yeah, I think like it's for me I'd I think it's important to be aware, like, really of my weaknesses in the first place. I think that Aaron: Mm. Tysen: yeah, I think f I think yeah, if if if I wasn't aware or if I didn't have people in my life helping me become aware of the things that I struggle with then I think it would be pretty hard to rely on God. Like, I don't know, when things are going well you c y yeah, I don't know, you just like, Aaron: Yeah, always so. Yeah. Tysen: yeah, things are going well and you know, you feel like you you feel like you're on top of everything and on top of the world. And Aaron: Mm. Tysen: I think that when if you're aware of the areas that you fall short and like for me I feel like I c I just if I'd tried like in my own power to change certain things or, you know, repent of sin, it just like wouldn't really work. Aaron: Yeah. Tysen: and I and that's how like I've experienced that in my life. Like th like of you know, overcoming sin like is so much easier, I suppose, when you know, when I'm like in prayer a lot, like consistently, and reading consistently and just yeah, being honest with God in my prayers and spending a lot of time with him, things like that, I think. Aaron: Yeah. Yeah. Tysen: I mean it sounds so simple but it's yeah, for me it's like f firstly just being aware of it, yeah. Aaron: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that's that's good. I I I I think it's like we we gotta we gotta have an I don't know what word should I use? An obsessive reliance on Jesus for everything. Like for Tysen: Mm. Mm. Aaron: everything. Like it is a it is like the reality is I cannot do it without him. Like whatever s whatever financial if it's a financial thing, if it's a physical thing, if it's a spiritual thing, whatever the thorn in the flesh is, knowing the desperation, that's the word, desperation, like I cannot do it without Jesus. I can't. and Tysen: Hmm. Yeah. Aaron: I think just like what you and that's going back in prayer, going back, you know, being around Christians, I can help you and encourage you, but just being desperately, Lord, I need you to do it. I can't do it without you and keeping that dependence that dependence on him. because yeah, it's so easy to go about it with our own, you know, yeah, white knuckling it, like let me just get through it. I can do it myself, I can do this myself and but no the grace, the grace that comes from Jesus, our salvation, the joy, the peace, his power, tapping into that, yeah, is is just so so important. And I think we have to yeah, it's it's that dependence on Tysen: Mm, yeah. Aaron: on his power. So yeah, man. No, it's good bro. It's good. I love that. I love that. Dave any final thoughts on on any of that? Any thoughts on anything from the sermon that I I I I might have not even mentioned that you thought from that text or anything like that? All good if not. Tysen: No, I had a quick one on like the th on the third heaven thing, but Aaron: gosh, yeah, we didn't even go down that. Yeah, go ahead. What did you why did you look into the third heaven? Tysen: I don't know, I found it inch I found it like interesting. I I don't know, I just googled I just Googled it. Aaron: yeah. Tysen: but the the idea of like first, second and third heaven being like Aaron: Mm-hmm. Tysen: back then in back then, like two thousand years ago, I I read that it said like it was understood within Jewish cosmology as little th the third heaven was the highest realm o realm of heaven, the dwelling place of God, beyond Aaron: Yep. Of God, yeah. Tysen: the atmospheric and stellar heavens. And then I thought like the way I sort of understood that was that like the levels of heaven thing maybe is like a h a human originated understanding of like The sky. I don't know. Like the first Aaron: Yeah, sure. Tysen: level of heaven is the sky. I think there are references in the Bible, you know, they it uses the same Greek or Hebrew word, like birds in the sky. and then Aaron: Yeah, yeah. Tysen: second is like the stars, or like the the cosmos, I think Jesus talks about the stars shaking, the sun the sun, moon and the stars Aaron: Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm. Tysen: and then maybe it's maybe like this whole I and then third is like if you if you're to think about like we have no idea what's beyond the stars, Aaron: Yeah. Tysen: but like, okay, that must be the third heaven, like the the where God dwells. Aaron: Yeah, where God dwells. Yeah. Yeah, that's right. That's right. Yeah. Tysen: But then like back then there's no way to conceptualise or experience like there were no planes back then, there were no skyscrapers, so it's like, you know, it's just a way to understand like no one had ever been to space or seen a photo of space, like yeah. Yeah. Aaron: Yeah, yeah. Yeah, it's ancient Jewish conception. Yeah, that's right. Yeah, I think it's yeah, 'cause heavens is just a generic term, partic and like ev you know, God created the heavens and the earth. It it just means sky and land, right? Heavens means sky. Tysen: Mm. Mm-hmm. Aaron: and yeah, then yeah, then you have this sky, then you have yeah, what you said above that, like the next layer up the next layer up, the star the stars and what that is, and then the third heaven, which is where yeah, God resides. So yeah, that's prop that's Tysen: Mm. Aaron: maybe again, we're not scholars, but that that's what s people seem to think. Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: I mean, I mentioned it but Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: 'cause I looked into it a little bit, but it was like Second Enoch, which is an inter test inter testamental book, but kinda has similar language there, like uses the idea of a third heaven, like the same way that Paul does in second second Corinthians twelve. So it's the dwelling place of God. Like the highest high. Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: which makes sense 'cause he says it's y you heard inexpressible things like that that couldn't be repeated. It's like I don't know if I hear that in the sky, like in but Tysen: Hm. Yeah. Yeah. Aaron: any man, whatever it is, it'll be it'll be cool. Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: Some people even think there's like seven levels, you know, of of heaven. It's like, okay, what do we people people Tysen: Mm. Aaron: talk people talk about s different like several levels of hell as well. and that's maybe a conversation definitely for another day. which actually would make sense. But anyway, all right, bro. Thanks for that, man. Thanks for the thoughts there. All dude, let's do this last little bit here. reshaped, real Tysen: That's it. Aaron: review. Okay, so I got two clips Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: I wanna do. So let's do this first one. Yeah, let's see this one let's see this one first. So have you ever heard of the in the there's like a guy who does reel Insta, and he it's like it's like things men sh grown men shouldn't do. Have you s seen that? Those reels? Okay, yeah, yeah. So he there's like a guy who Tysen: I think I've seen like similar stuff. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Aaron: d he's like he's like really famous for his like These are things that grown men shouldn't do. And it's kind of, you know, it's it's pretty funny actually. anyway, this is kind of the Christian version of it. So not necessarily men related, Tysen: Mm-hmm. Aaron: it's just Christian related. So let's watch it and then we'll go run it back and then we'll just kind of get our quick thoughts on his takes. All right. So this guy's Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: his name's Nate Nate Thompson. All right, here we go. Ready? First. Okay. Okay. Here you go, ready? No. I like it. I like it. Mm. Mm. And then maybe at year five we can start talking about Year five is crazy. Tysen: Q five. Aaron: Alright. So that's real bro. Always. Ooh, that's good. I Tysen: Ha ha ha. Aaron: like that. Okay. honorable mention. Tysen: Ooh. Aaron: dang dang. Alright, all right. Good take. Good take. Good take. Alright, let's talk about Tysen: that's funny. That's funny. Aaron: all right. I reckon overall good takes. Overall good takes. Alright. First one. First one he said was Tysen: Yeah, those are all good takes. Aaron: everyone but three things Christians shouldn't do. Number one, becoming a theologian or content creator after two seconds of being a Christian. No, that's good. Tysen: That's funny. I I like I I don't think I've ever seen anybody do that. Like, Novia I don't know. No yeah. Aaron: No two seconds. But nah, dude, that's good. That's crazy. But it is a good point. I think I think it's one of those interesting ones, right? Like social media wise. Obviously I do social media stuff Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: and all this kind stuff. But there I think this normally happens with people that already have a following and then they become a Christian. So like for instance, it's like Joe Schmo random person, I don't think they're generally making a Instagram account or a so YouTube and then starting to teach and stuff. They wouldn't know any it's whatever. But I think what I've seen with mo a lot of people and the ones that get a lot of criticism is like famous people, influencers, that that have already a big following and then they become a Christian and then they start saying things that they're just learning and they're journeying and then but because they have already a big following, people start, you know, getting getting at Tysen: Mm. That's interesting. I I I I follow somebody like that. Aaron: Yeah. Tysen: and I I at the start I was like probably a bit like that dude, the guy that made that real was like, dude, what does this guy do? Like, I see you do all these other things, like how y Aaron: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tysen: and then you post like all this other Christian content too. But Aaron: Yeah. Tysen: then I was like, he only yeah, like he only came a Christian not that long ago. He's Aaron: Mm. Tysen: probably y his platform like reaches millions of people, so Maybe on the balance it's b it's good, like I don't know. And he doesn't post like theological stuff. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Aaron: Yeah. Yeah. Does he yeah, yeah. Okay, and that's the other thing too. I think it's it's just playing to your playing to your strengths and knowing. So I like his point. I think overall the it's a good take because I think at the end of the day, someone should become Tysen: Mm. Aaron: a Christi just focus on becoming Christian, getting the character, your theology, like just knowing the script, get those basic things right. And then it's like an elder, right? Like in First Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: Timothy three when when Paul talks about appointing elders and in Titus chapter three as well, it's it she shouldn't be a recent convert. Yeah. Like the idea is it shouldn't you Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: shouldn't appoint someone to leadership that or have authority when they're just new to the faith. Right. Now the thing is with social media, Tysen: Mm. Yeah. Aaron: anyone can have it's not author it's not an authority thing, obviously, social Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: media's not, but it can be viewed like that. and even I've had people speak Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: to me about, you know, just yeah, with things that I'm doing on, you know, obviously with the podcast and things like, you know, on reels and stuff. Just like, yeah, just know that it does come with an authority. In a in a way. And I think yeah, it's a great point. I have to be I have to be cautious of that for sure. but Tysen: Mm. Aaron: yeah, but I think it it is good. I think at the end of the day, as long as you get your heart right, get the character right. I mean at the yeah, 'cause like even for me, like starting this bro, this was yeah, I mean, I've been a Christian now. Come in November, bro, it'll be two thousand eight. So Tysen: Mm. Aaron: crazy, bro. Crazy. and there's been a lot of mistakes, ups Tysen: There you go. A vet. Aaron: and downs and I think for me though doing this, 'cause like even the podcast and doing social media stuff. It was kind of a blend of like I loved teaching and people have in the past have mentioned to me and okay, I'm not trying to toot my own horn or anything that've been really encouraging about yeah, like they they love the fact that I can teach and they they get a lot out of it and it's helpful. And even people asking like do you have stuff online? Like, no. Like before I'd no Tysen: Mm. Aaron: I didn't like I didn't, right? But then I love YouTube, I love video stuff and so it was kind of this blend, that kind of Tysen: Mm. Aaron: just all came together in a in a really good way. I like having conversations with people hence the podcast. So I think playing to your strengths is is a good thing. I I think it's good. I think Tysen: Mm. Aaron: I think more people should do it. Like I definitely think there sh we should Tysen: Hm. Aaron: there should be a lot of cr there should be. I want there to be Christian content, Christian musicians, Christian like Yeah. An elders podcast, bro. Go get the elders on, bro. Yeah, dude. Because Tysen: I would love to hear like elders like an elders like an elders podcast. Yeah. Aaron: I think I mean on social media, what else is gonna be on there? So Christian should we Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: should redeem it. Like I think it's good to be on there and Tysen: Mm. Aaron: But then I think it's also just playing to your strengths. Like me knowing I'm not a theologian, I'm not a scholar, so I'm not gonna go down that route. But having conversations, trying to question and think through things, that's something I I kinda do. And teaching like simplifying Tysen: Mm. Aaron: con like complicated ideas into easy to understand 'cause, you know, doing teens ministry and trying to all those kinds of things kind of all come together. So I think people should definitely do it. Tysen: Mm mm. Aaron: would you ever do it? Tysen: Nah, I don't think I would. Not built for it. I'm not b I'm not nah. I'm not built for it. Aaron: No way at Tyson Newen. At Tyson Newen followed. Well you're on now, bro. Must might start something. Who knows? Who knows? Yeah, Tysen: Yeah, who knows? Aaron: dude. But I for shout out man. I reckon I I want to see more people. Like I know people in that that are that have started like that have cr like that do content, but not like Christian content. So Tysen: Mm. Aaron: which I think is great either way. But I think yeah, I'd love to see more and more Christian content creators and yeah, man. It ha I think the effect of it is awesome. It obviously social media has its downfa down down downfalls as well, but I think the reach is awesome. So I think it's a good thing for people Tysen: Mm. Aaron: to do. So definitely get on it. If you're thinking about it, I encourage you. Do Tysen: Mm-hmm. Aaron: it, bro. Not you, but just whoever's listening. All right, let's do the next so his second take. What was his second take? He said buying a book. yeah, that's what you said. He said buying a books when you haven't even finished finished Tysen: Reading. Aaron: the first one. Yeah, dude, absolutely. Do you do that? Yeah. Tysen: Yeah, sure. It's good say I don't I don't I th I haven't read I don't think I've read like more than one or two spiritual books, to be honest. I don't know if that's bad. I don't think it I re I I Aaron: Fair enough. Fair enough. Tysen: don't know, I I I don't know if that's bad or not, but Aaron: Nah dude. Some people yeah. Tysen: no, I'm not a I'm not I don't know, I think I've read I I listen to a lot of like podcasts. Aaron: Do you rem do remember the names of the book? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Tysen: I don't I don't remember the names. I Aaron: Yeah, yeah, yeah fair enough, fair enough. Tysen: don't remember the names of the books. I listen to a lot of like Christian podcasts. Aaron: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tysen: but no no books. yeah, just the Bible. Aaron: Nah, that's fair. That's fair. Yeah, I I don't read I do read books, but I'm a guy that like I have to r I can only do one book at a time. Like, so I obviously read in the Bible, but then I can own I can't do like multiple books. There are some people I know that can like read like three books at a time and Tysen: Hm. yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No. No. Aaron: not finish it. That just like that stresses me out, dude. Like I have to finish the Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: one book. Even if it takes me six months whatever, finish that, finish the content, finish the topic, then move on to another book. And normally it's like Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: When I have a book another book I want to read, it motivates me to finish the book I'm on so I can move on to the next book. So yeah. Tysen: Fi yeah. Yeah, yeah. No and and it's fiction as well. I I like fiction books. You know, like I I read I read I I have plenty of fiction books and stuff and I read plenty of Yeah, yeah. I just I Aaron: yeah, true, true. Hollo, yeah, you do read you Yeah, you do read fiction. That's right, I remember. Tysen: just haven't yeah, maybe it well, most n Christian books are non fiction, I suppose, so yeah, I just have never never really. Yeah. Aaron: Yeah, yeah. Have you read Lion Lion Witch in the Wardrobe? C. S. Lewis. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's good. Yeah, that's a good that's a good yeah, I love that. Tysen: Yes. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that's good. Yeah, that's good. Yeah. Aaron: That was that was a good I actually read that. yeah. Yeah, all right, cool. Okay. Well we're not much reading, so maybe that take us a little bit. How you going? all right, then the third one he said was number three was blame Satan for your bad decisions. Bro, that's tough. That's tough. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Go ahead. You you take what's your thoughts? Tysen: It's a good take. I feel like that's a good take. I don't know, it's I feel like it's a good take. I think like the Bible talks about it's it is from within evil desires coming. I remember when Aaron: Mark seven, twenty one. Yeah. Tysen: yeah, I remember when you Remember that when you you would have taught me this and then when we sat down and did Bible studies with other people, like and I was learning how to study the Bible with people, it was like the emphasis was that yeah, it's like our own sin, like we're responsible. You know. Like Aaron: Mm. Tysen: the classic one was like yeah, yeah, I don't know. I can't even remember the examples that we we used to use and teach, but Yeah, I think that's a good it's a good taste. It's biblical, I suppose. Yeah. Yeah. Aaron: Yeah. R yeah. Yeah, it's our responsibility. Yeah, the the passage I thought of is in James one, verse thirteen. It says there James says, When tempted, no one should say, God is tempting me, for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone, but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and Tysen: Hm. Aaron: enticed. Then after desire has conceived it gives birth to sin, and sin when it is full grown, gives birth to death. So Tysen: Mm. Aaron: yeah, I think that Yeah, it's important to understand th that we have responsibility in our sin. Like and it is Tysen: Mm. Aaron: yeah, it's interesting because I do understand what pe I think I understand what people mean when people say, Yeah, man, Satan put like a put a stumbling block in my way. It's like it's like, okay, I I understand what you're saying, but as long as we're not using that phrase to kind of get out of owning, owning our sin, right? 'Cause I think that can be the mmm. Yeah, that's true. He absolutely did. 'Cause it's not coming from God, right? God doesn't tempt towards sin, right? God doesn't tempt towards sin. Tysen: Hmm. Yeah, 'cause you probably did. He probably did put a stumbling block, you know? And then it's like Yeah. No. But you still like we still fall over, like even though Aaron: Mm. Tysen: like that's we still trip over our own feet. Like it's yeah. Yeah. Aaron: Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. So I th I think it's it's just it and again, what's who cares? Like even if we try to play Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: like blame distribution percentages, right? Like who cares? Like so what if it was it's let's say Sat Satan was ninety percent and you were ten percent? Or you we would that we were ten percent we were ninety percent and Satan was ten percent. It doesn't matter. It's it's our responsibility to Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: own our sin, right? I think it's interesting. I I just literally thinking the end of Genesis Genesis three, right? Because one of the first things that happens when sin enters the picture, the blame shift game happens, right? It's like when when and Tysen: Mm. Aaron: God comes to Adam and he's like, Adam, what what happened with eating the the fruit? And it's like, the woman that you put here, she she gave it to me. And then Eve goes, the serpent that you put here, right? It's like we're just it's like, Hold on, what Tysen: Hmm. Yeah. Aaron: what are we doing? Like and again, I've probably done the same thing, but I think it is Yeah, and it's just we gotta be c I think it's good to be careful with our language, not to try and use it to try and get out and just go, Amen, like yeah, maybe there was a a stumbling block, but bro, I gotta Yeah, no, I gotta own that. Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: 'Cause I think if you don't own it then you won't really take it as serious to repent of it. So yeah. no it's good. All right. Good to any other then the bonus one. What was a bonus one? He said a bonus one. He said the bonus one was doing the bare minimum as a Christian. Doing just enough as a Christian. Tysen: Just enough. yeah, just enough Christian. Ooh. Aaron: Yeah. What are we doing? That's a good take. That's a good take. Tysen: Yeah. It's a good take. It's a good take, I think like Aaron: Doing just enough, yeah. Tysen: Yeah, it's it's it's but it's on it's on each person. Like Aaron: Mm. Tysen: I feel like I I can have that view of other people. Wrong I can wrongly have that view of other people but often I don't know what's really going on, you know. So Aaron: Yeah, that's true. Yeah. It's an i it's an individual thing for sure. I th where do you think that heart comes from to just do the minimum? I think my theory is I think we 'cause we're so busy, we just wanna do the next Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: thing or we wanna just we wanna balance all of these things and so we just just go, Yeah, okay, we just all right. I I need to do the bare minimum to make sure I'm up to standard, Tysen: Still the minnow. Aaron: up to par and then I can keep moving. Tysen: Mm. Yeah, I I I think maybe 'cause you just like know that it's the right thing to do. Like on some level. So you Yeah, you just keep it like you just keep it in there, like you just yeah. I mean Aaron: Yeah. Tysen: let me hang in there, yeah. Let me just yeah. 'Cause it's the right thing to do. I don't know. Aaron: Yeah. Yeah, that's true. And again, every everyone's overseas situation is different and no one can determine whether or not you're doing the minimum except yourself, right? I guess at the end of the day. So, Tysen: Yeah, yourself. Yeah. Aaron: as long as we're, you know, in our heart trying to do the best that we can. I gotta think that was a passage I was thinking about. yeah, in Romans twelve where Paul talks about service in the body of Christ. He says, Ugh verse twelve, verse four for each of us, has one body with many members and these members do not all have the same function. So in Christ though many form one body. Each member belongs to all the others. I love this part he says we have different gifts according to the grace given. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith. If it is serving then serve. If it is teaching then teach. If it is to encourage and give encouragement. If it is to give, give generously and if it is to lead, do it diligently. If it is to show mercy, then do it cheerfully. I just love the idea that Paul's saying, whatever gift you have, just do it to the best that you can. Like just don't just do the minimum. Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: Like do Give, give generously. Don't just give the bare minimum, right? That's a whole other thing talking about money and tithing or how we give. Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: But yeah, I think it's a great heart. So but I like, yeah, Tysen: Mm. Aaron: I think it's a good point. It is on each person. So all right. Let's do this other let's do this last reel, bro. This one and we'll Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: we'll see how we go. 125. Alright, we probably did like 10, 15 minutes here. This probably won't go that long. But all right, let me share this one. This one's about Halloween, bro. my gosh, hot topic. Hot button topic. Hot button topic, baby. All Tysen: Halloween. It's coming up. Aaron: Let's react to this. Should we celebrate Halloween? Halloween is the highest day on the Satanic Halloween. Halloween, should we celebrate it or not? There are simply not enough Satanists in the world for us to have a satanic holiday, and yet every October we act The Satan administration just legally owns this part of the calendar and it sends Christians into a panic. Think about this logic for like five seconds. You bring your kids with you to church week after weekend every summer. Alright, so pretty much this guy makes a point. His name's Josh Farrell about about Halloween and he talks about his view is that yeah, it's it's fine for Christians to shel celebrate Halloween, obviously given the reas what whatever re making sure you're doing it for you know, the the right reasons, and being careful about it. Alright, we're gonna watch we're gonna watch all of it 'cause that'll take way too long. Tysen: Hm. Aaron: but it I mean d it does bring up a good a good question. get your thoughts on it quickly. What do you think? Like, should Christians celebrate Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: Halloween? Halloween, bro. I think I'm gonna drop we're gonna drop this on Tysen: Halloween. Aaron: the Monday. So yeah. So I think it's like a few days till Halloween. So what do you what do you think? Tysen: Okay. I personally like don't really I don't really have any strong thoughts on it either way. Like Aaron: Mm-hmm. Tysen: I'd I think I'm more like I'm more upright on like if it goes against your conscience then sure, like don't celebrate it. If you've Aaron: Yeah, Romans f Romans fourteen. Yeah. Tysen: if you feel like it's alright then fine, like celebrate it like n no problems. Aaron: Mm. Tysen: I think I like what that guy said where it's like if just like putting on a cape and getting some candy, like it's fairly harmless. I actually I and I agree with that 'cause I think it's like I think if you took it further it could be like a little bit weird, it could get a little weird. You know, like I personally something that I've done, like I don't maybe it's 'cause I don't really like certain horror movies. But I like don't really watch horror movies now that have got to do with like I don't know, like Ouija boards and stuff. Yeah, like like that Aaron: Demonic and Yeah, demonic stuff, yeah. Tysen: stuff. Like I don't I personally don't like I don't know, maybe it's just 'cause I'm scared of watching horror movies. I don't know. But like but I personally Aaron: You know, I I I hate horror movies. I yeah. Tysen: don't like I I I used to watch like some of that stuff. I personally like don't Aaron: Mm-hmm. Tysen: yeah, kinda don't watch that stuff anymore. Aaron: Yeah, yeah. Tysen: so but I think yeah, it's like it's it's For me, like I I love getting some like lollies too, so yeah, yeah. Aaron: Get some candy, baby. Get some lollies, baby. Yeah. Yeah, no, that that's that's good. I mean, I think I'm I'm in a similar boat. So I think firstly I'd I would put this in the category of a non-salvation issue, right? Whether or not someone celebrates Christians celebrate Halloween or not. I don't think it's part of the gospel. I don't think it's part whether or not someone does or doesn't affects your salvation. but yeah, I think I like your point. I think it is a Romans 14 conscience issue between someone and God and and being aware of that. I think the two views are, just for people who aren't aware of this, is like so you have one side where it's kind of like, you shouldn't celebrate Halloween because it has ties to paganism and the occult, and like you said, Ouija boards and yeah, it's it's a high satanic day, things like that. So that's one view. And then the other view, the other end is is yeah, it's it's nothing. Like it's a nothing day, it's totally fine. you know, don't have to worry about it at all because, you know, g God's God's Jesus is the Lord of all days and and you know, all of that. Which I agree too, right? But I I think both sides are unhealthy, right? J because it's like, okay, y you should think about what you do, right? Like you on this side Tysen: Hm. Aaron: of thing, like, no, it doesn't matter, we don't even to think about it. It's like, no, you should think about what you do, because being a Christian, we're meant to represent Christ, right? 2 Corinthians 5, 21, we're ambassadors of Christ. Tysen: Mm. Aaron: and so we should consider what we're doing and how we're operating and all that in our day to day life. but then on the other end too, I I do think that God, Jesus is above all. Like Satan doesn't own any days, bro. He doesn't own any days Tysen: Mm. Aaron: on the calendar. Okay. Every day is Jesus's day. It's the Lord's day, right? He's got the victory, all those kinds Tysen: Hm. Aaron: of things. so yeah. So I there's a lot of different routes people go down and you can find way med way more i in depth videos on YouTube and podcasts about about Halloween. But I think at the end of the day you know, people look at the origins, where did it come from? Is it does it have ties to paganism? And it there is some things there, like it could goes back to some Celtic tradition apparently where they celebrate the dead and some things like that. But then also it seems like the Catholics, the Roman Catholic Church, maybe like I think it was like the n the ninth century AD, they they they took it and made it a they called it All Hallows All Hallows Eve. I don't know if you've ever heard of that, the idea of it became Tysen: No. Aaron: about celebrating the saints, right? Like the saints in the Catholic Church. Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: so they kinda redeemed that, Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: similar to qu qu Christmas did. Tysen: Hmm. Aaron: you know, where it's kind of this murky kind of thing that kinda has origin origins in paganism, maybe, but then the church kinda flipped it and made it something, redeemed it and made it something that's not that. Tysen: Mm. Aaron: You know, anyway, it's pretty murky apparently, historically. But either way, I I don't think an origin of a thing necessarily determines what the thing is today, right? Like so even if something Tysen: Mm. Aaron: started really, really in bad faith But if that thing over centuries changed into something that's really good today, does that mean you should not do that thing today because of its origins? Like I Tysen: Mm. Aaron: don't think that I think that's doesn't follow logically. Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: But I like what you said. I think at the end of the day, you gotta think about like what we're t talking about here. It's gotta be what you what your conscience says, right? If you if Tysen: Hmm, mm. Aaron: you are celebrating Halloween and you're celebrating the demonic and you're celebrating like evil spirits and all that, that To me as a Christian is like a complete no go zone. Like that's like that's why are you doing that? Like what are you what are we doing? Like definitely Tysen: Hm. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Aaron: not. and yeah. You know, because like, but you it's high satanic calendar, people are doing those as high levels of well, guess what? People are doing that every day. Like it's not like sure it's high high Tysen: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Aaron: yeah, but everyone's doing that every people are doing that every day. There's evil every day. Tysen: Mm. Aaron: but then it's like, what am I doing as a Christian? And so I've had to think about this a little bit Tysen: Mm. Aaron: more. Like we do celebrate Halloween, we've got the kids, we've got Beth and Thea, they Tysen: Hm. Aaron: love dressing up and getting chocolate. But Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: that's the extent of it. Right? Like we're not Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: we you know, they dressed up as K pop demon hunters last year. Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: I think she wants to dress up as K pop mir I think she wants to dress up as Roomy again from K pop demon hunters again and you know, and Tysen: Hmm. Mm-hmm. Aaron: my mum and dad take her take them around the neighborhood and they get some candy. Yes, they walk past some scary spiders and stuff and Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: but that's it, right? And and to Tysen: Yeah. Aaron: me personally that that that's fine and you know I I think it's it's that's okay in in in in my opinion. Tysen: Yeah, yeah, it's a yeah. Aaron: That it's we're not trying to yeah, we're not getting to get weird into weird stuff, so Tysen: Yeah. Yeah, we're having a costume party as well. Like Aaron: Mm. Tysen: the the professionals, the campus and the teens ministry are having a costume party. We call a costume party. We call it a costume party. Deliberately, deliberately. To avoid controversy maybe. I don't know. Aaron: Do you guys call it a you guys don't call it a Halloween party though? Yeah. Deliberately, right? Deliberately. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Tysen: But we're de but it probably is more of a we're not we're not celebrating Halloween. We're we're Gathering for fellowship and like eating food and like having fun, you know? Yeah. Aaron: Exactly. And that's the means, right? It can just be a means. Like the day could be something that's like, okay, this is it. This is a day that people celebrate for th people do anything on this day. Like we're but we're gonna use it to glorify God or we're gonna use it to to do something positive. and I know a lot of churches do Tysen: Hmm. Mm. Aaron: like I heard people pi pla some churches do like truco treat or something where they give away stuff, you know, like that that's awesome. That's an awesome thing. Tysen: nice, yeah. Yeah. Aaron: so I think yeah, it's about how we're using what we have in our day. and not just not just Halloween, but any holiday I guess 'cause you could you could make the argument about Christmas that Christmas is like makes us greedy and like super you know Tysen: Mm. Aaron: and and makes us super selfish. Right like that we that we that that we teach that, right? That that Tysen: Gluttony. Aaron: could be a thing that comes from that. And so but no, Christmas needs to be about Christ and about Jesus and, you know, and people talk about that I'll do another maybe we'll do an episode on whether or not you should tell your kids about Santo. No, maybe we'll leave that. I don't know. I don't Tysen: Ha ha ha Aaron: know. But yeah, nah I think I think yeah, absolutely. It depends what you're doing with that day. in everything that we do, do it for the glory of God, right? Like I think that's the you know, Colushans Colossus three. Tysen: Mm. Aaron: in everything we do. I think that's that yeah, that should be the heart behind it. So yeah, dude. Do you have any other Tysen: Mm. Aaron: final thoughts on that one? Costume party That's the way bro, costume party. Nah, dude. Tysen: No, no, I don't. I the costume party. That's it. That's it. Costume party. I gotta figure out what I'm wearing. Aaron: What are you thinking of wearing? that doesn't that's a good point though. Wait, that's Tysen: Don't know. Aaron: a good point. That's a good point too, right? Like even with our costumes, even with our costumes, like that's Tysen: Yeah, it's true. Hmm. Aaron: something to again, how are we glorifying Christ with that or are we yeah. Like similar to tattoos, right? Like w w Tysen: Mm. Aaron: not dressing up as stuff that's probably contradictory to what God would want us to do, right? So Yeah. So So Tysen: Mm, mm, mm. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, for sure. Yeah. Aaron: you gotta figure out your costume? Tysen: Go figure it out. Yeah. Aaron: Come as she come as. You guys gonna do a matching thing? Like that's not what couples do, you know? Like yeah. Do a little you and Jazz match. Yeah, fair, fair. Nah, I like that. I like that bro. I Tysen: Yeah, yeah, we got it, we got it. Yeah, we got it. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Aaron: like that. Nah bro, good. Hey bro, well thanks so much for joining me, man, for this episode, dude. Appreciate you man, it's a good fun. Tysen: Yeah, no, thank you for having me on. Yeah, it's good to get on after speaking about it to you so much, so Aaron: Yeah, dude. We'll have to run a might you might have to become a regular on the on the Reshape review, bro. We'll have to we'll have to we'll see. That'll be sick. Yeah, we'll have to specialist specialist guest. Everyone's gonna find their niche. So appreciate it, man. Friend of the pod. That's I I've to start saying that. I haven't had a double up yet. So I'll have yeah, friend of the pod, Tyson Newen. All right, man. Well, thanks everyone for listening. Tysen: That'd be sick. That'd be sick. Friend of the pod, yeah. Friend of the pod, yeah. That's it. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, friend of the pod, yeah. Aaron: Hope this was edifying, helpful. And again, any of these things that you you hope these helps you to think, pray about it. Talk about it with people that you trust and that you really respect. Don't just listen to Tyson and I. We're not anything. We're not authority. We're just two guys, two brothers, having a chat and trying to think through things. So definitely talk to people that you trust and that know you well. So anyway, thanks so much for joining us on Reshaped. We'll see you in the next one. Peace.