James 1:6 for the person who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
Main issues that come up when people doubt their personal faith, or doubt the claims of Jesus and discount faith in Jesus
Doubt 1-Bad example of other Christians, crusades, tv preachers, fallen Christians judgmental
3 Reponses
-Look to Jesus they stink Jesus doesn’t
-As a believer we should make a daily effort to live for Jesus
-That’s why we need Jesus, because we are sinners GOSPEL
Doubt 2 -Suffering in this world, If there is a good God everything should be good, so therefore there must not be a good God. This thought ignores the fact that we live in a sin affected world and God does not will for evil and bad to happen but allows it for a time. There are various reasons taught in Scripture of why message in July 07
Bottom line is that suffering does not disprove God but actually makes Him more evident. CS Lewis “My argument against God was that the universe seemed cruel and unjust but how had I gotten the idea of just and unjust”
Doubt 3-Unanswered questions/lack of knowledge 2 Tim 3:16-17
Sometimes the accusations on Christianity are just ignorant
The more you learn the less you doubt. I would say don’t wait till the questions come up from others, research on your own.
Doubt 4-Unanswered prayer-Matthew 21:20-22 This is not a promise that you will get anything you ask for but it is a comparison on what Faith does for you rather then Religion. No fruit in religion but there is the excitement and possibility that with God all things are possible.
Doubt 5- The unexplained/miracles Because there is scientific conflict people doubt biblical accounts because of the unexplained. If this were something that was man made wouldn’t they leave all that type of stuff out?
Lets look at what Jesus said when His disciples doubted His resurrection Luke 24:36-40
-Research His claims
Doubt 6 Fear, Matthew14:30-32 when we take our focus off Jesus we become afraid. We worry about things like. Who will I marry, what am I gonna do with my life, where am I gonna work, I need more money, will my kids be safe, will my parents be safe,
-We start to worry about all these things and it takes a toll on our faith
Fear causes us to not Trust Jesus and doubt that He can take care of our problems
Unfortunately doubt can take over and never allow people trust God Matt 28:16-20
What to do in times of doubt? Remember Ephesians 6:10-12
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Do you ever wonder why Jesus had a profound impact on history?
Christmas Eve Service
H.G. Wells historian said that “Jesus was the most dominant figure of history”
Tonight we are honoring the eve of the most important person to ever walk this earth
Luke 2 simple account, 30 years as a carpenter 3 years of ministry
Legacy is the most profound BC AD Ano domini (the year of our Lord)
Tonight billions of people are celebrating His birth into a simple and obscure life.
Jesus had such a profound impact on history because He inspired many people, not by force but by love
Jesus inspired people
1. Regarding children- in a day where abandonment was common and the average child only lived till they were 8yrs old-Jesus welcomed children- Joseph was his adoptive father, early days of the church Christians adopted children to save them from having no place to go, Adoption is a metaphor of what God did for us
Wherever Christianity is spread adoption and care for children also spread.
2. Regarding women-in a day where women were known as personal property of their husband and there was no legal recourse if they were mistreated. Some of Jesus closest friends were women, he included women in His ministry, He taught women which was not heard of in that day Jesus elevated the dignity and respect of women
Wherever Christianity was spread the respect and dignity of women would also spread
3. Education from the time the pilgrims landed in what we now call America, it was Christians who labored for education and literacy Harvard, Yale, Princton, Cambridge
Where Christianity spread so does education. Christians teach literacy so they can teach God’s Word.
4. Regarding Freedom & Equality Our nation understands the Rule of Law, because that is what Jesus taught, equality and justice He was not exclusive but inclusive to all people and Christianity to this day does not have a certain tribe or clan. Foundation of our nation was based upon freedom to worship Jesus.
Communism was birth out of Atheism and Freedom is inspired by Jesus, so where Christianity is spread so is freedom.
5. Regaurding Mercy & Compassion
Care of the sick, dying and elderly and poor, Jesus cared for those who were sick, poor and downtrodden Jesus was known as the great physician
At the Council of Nicea the early church fathers decided if there was a church there should be a hospital.
Red Cross Christian who signed up so that if people passed they would have people who told them the good news
6. Jesus inspired creativity More books have been written about him, paintings painted of Him and songs sung and written about Him then any other person The arts Michaelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael music, Handel, Bach, Chicofski, Books, Lewis, Tolken & Lew Wallace, former Atheist set out to disprove the claims of Christ, then trusted in him and wrote the novel Ben Hur, which is a famous novel set in Christ’s time about redemption
7. Jesus inspires generosity Jesus was generous with us He was willing to give Himself so that we may live. Christians actually poor and working class are the biggest givers in recent studies. Wherever Christianity spreads so does goodwill toward people
The power of Jesus knows no boundary of time or space.
Jesus lived a simple life but has a profound legacy
The real question is has Jesus made a profound impact on your history?
When I was 18 years old GOSPEL
If He has then your future will be profoundly impacted.
H.G. Wells historian said that “Jesus was the most dominant figure of history”
Tonight we are honoring the eve of the most important person to ever walk this earth
Luke 2 simple account, 30 years as a carpenter 3 years of ministry
Legacy is the most profound BC AD Ano domini (the year of our Lord)
Tonight billions of people are celebrating His birth into a simple and obscure life.
Jesus had such a profound impact on history because He inspired many people, not by force but by love
Jesus inspired people
1. Regarding children- in a day where abandonment was common and the average child only lived till they were 8yrs old-Jesus welcomed children- Joseph was his adoptive father, early days of the church Christians adopted children to save them from having no place to go, Adoption is a metaphor of what God did for us
Wherever Christianity is spread adoption and care for children also spread.
2. Regarding women-in a day where women were known as personal property of their husband and there was no legal recourse if they were mistreated. Some of Jesus closest friends were women, he included women in His ministry, He taught women which was not heard of in that day Jesus elevated the dignity and respect of women
Wherever Christianity was spread the respect and dignity of women would also spread
3. Education from the time the pilgrims landed in what we now call America, it was Christians who labored for education and literacy Harvard, Yale, Princton, Cambridge
Where Christianity spread so does education. Christians teach literacy so they can teach God’s Word.
4. Regarding Freedom & Equality Our nation understands the Rule of Law, because that is what Jesus taught, equality and justice He was not exclusive but inclusive to all people and Christianity to this day does not have a certain tribe or clan. Foundation of our nation was based upon freedom to worship Jesus.
Communism was birth out of Atheism and Freedom is inspired by Jesus, so where Christianity is spread so is freedom.
5. Regaurding Mercy & Compassion
Care of the sick, dying and elderly and poor, Jesus cared for those who were sick, poor and downtrodden Jesus was known as the great physician
At the Council of Nicea the early church fathers decided if there was a church there should be a hospital.
Red Cross Christian who signed up so that if people passed they would have people who told them the good news
6. Jesus inspired creativity More books have been written about him, paintings painted of Him and songs sung and written about Him then any other person The arts Michaelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael music, Handel, Bach, Chicofski, Books, Lewis, Tolken & Lew Wallace, former Atheist set out to disprove the claims of Christ, then trusted in him and wrote the novel Ben Hur, which is a famous novel set in Christ’s time about redemption
7. Jesus inspires generosity Jesus was generous with us He was willing to give Himself so that we may live. Christians actually poor and working class are the biggest givers in recent studies. Wherever Christianity spreads so does goodwill toward people
The power of Jesus knows no boundary of time or space.
Jesus lived a simple life but has a profound legacy
The real question is has Jesus made a profound impact on your history?
When I was 18 years old GOSPEL
If He has then your future will be profoundly impacted.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Why do people go to church?
Tonight we are going to talk about the question of practice, why do people go to church?
There is huge misconception about church and it stems from the concept of religion. The concept of religion is that we try to cover sin with religion, by doing good things, this is called a “Works based salvation” meaning you please God and He accepts you because of what you do.
What the Jesus teaches actually threatens religion its called GRACE = ill deserved favor from God. That means that Jesus is willing to not give us what we deserve. GOSPEL The reason why GRACE is a threat is to religion is because it is Jesus saying that He does the work, religion is that I do all the work.
Religion builds up pride, GRACE humbles us, Religion says I can do it, GRACE says I can’t do it,
Christianity is considered a religion so why do Christians religiously go to church, or why should they. I am just going to talk going to church on Sunday’s, actually after the new year I am going to spend a few weeks exploring what the Bible says about being a part of a church is all about.
Unfortunately many Christians feel that going to church is not a necessity.
I feel that in order to understand why we go to church, is to look at the ten commandments
1st three commands focus on God and last six commands focus our relationship to others, but command four is what I like to call the hinge commandment. Ex 20:8, Hebrews 10:24-25
Sabbath-1.time to stop and worship and hear from God 2. a time to rest
Interestingly enough people had to be commanded to rest J
Sunday church services have two general functions
1. Worship God… song, prayer, giving, communion, testimony, scripture readings, listening to The Word
2. Refocuses us to relate to others- hear the Word, reminded of the gospel which reminds us of grace and grace is what we need to relate to others, connect with others
Rest, relax and refreshment
1. A day of rest changes our perspective.
***The time of rest helps to reevaluate, how have I been living, who am I trusting, how am I treating the people around me. How does my schedule need to look this week to bring glory to God?
2. A day of rest helps us to find enjoyment in life.
***God created this world for our enjoyment and the only way we can fully enjoy those things is if we are willing to take a break.
So I have two challenges now that you know why we need church, in the new year don’t be a secret service agent, make a commitment to hinging your week on a day of rest, refocus and worship.
There is huge misconception about church and it stems from the concept of religion. The concept of religion is that we try to cover sin with religion, by doing good things, this is called a “Works based salvation” meaning you please God and He accepts you because of what you do.
What the Jesus teaches actually threatens religion its called GRACE = ill deserved favor from God. That means that Jesus is willing to not give us what we deserve. GOSPEL The reason why GRACE is a threat is to religion is because it is Jesus saying that He does the work, religion is that I do all the work.
Religion builds up pride, GRACE humbles us, Religion says I can do it, GRACE says I can’t do it,
Christianity is considered a religion so why do Christians religiously go to church, or why should they. I am just going to talk going to church on Sunday’s, actually after the new year I am going to spend a few weeks exploring what the Bible says about being a part of a church is all about.
Unfortunately many Christians feel that going to church is not a necessity.
I feel that in order to understand why we go to church, is to look at the ten commandments
1st three commands focus on God and last six commands focus our relationship to others, but command four is what I like to call the hinge commandment. Ex 20:8, Hebrews 10:24-25
Sabbath-1.time to stop and worship and hear from God 2. a time to rest
Interestingly enough people had to be commanded to rest J
Sunday church services have two general functions
1. Worship God… song, prayer, giving, communion, testimony, scripture readings, listening to The Word
2. Refocuses us to relate to others- hear the Word, reminded of the gospel which reminds us of grace and grace is what we need to relate to others, connect with others
Rest, relax and refreshment
1. A day of rest changes our perspective.
***The time of rest helps to reevaluate, how have I been living, who am I trusting, how am I treating the people around me. How does my schedule need to look this week to bring glory to God?
2. A day of rest helps us to find enjoyment in life.
***God created this world for our enjoyment and the only way we can fully enjoy those things is if we are willing to take a break.
So I have two challenges now that you know why we need church, in the new year don’t be a secret service agent, make a commitment to hinging your week on a day of rest, refocus and worship.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Do you ever wonder why we feel bad when we do something wrong?
The question I want to answer is… why we feel bad when we do something wrong? The first thing that we have to do is define what wrong is = sin is anything we think say or do which displeases God.
The interesting thing about sin is even people who do not believe in a God have a moral code.
I want to show you the reasons why people set a standard of goodness and standard of what is wrong.
1. Law is written on heart Romans 2:11-16 This is why almost every civilization had or has some code or rules and oddly enough they are very similar to the commands God teaches in His Word.
Conscience- which is the inner sense of right and wrong, brings guilt to even the unbelievers mind.
This helps us to realize there must be some kind of standard that someone set. This is why even the atheist observes something horrible and says that is wrong. Unbelievers call this morality.
But just by admitting there is right and wrong tells more of what the Bible teaches about the fact that all people sin.
Dorithy Sayers the English writer during WWII in her book Creed or Chaos speaks of the people who are most discouraged in this world are the ones who have moved away from the Biblical teaching that all sin. They believe in the greater good of people and are constantly let down because they keep seeing them doing bad things.
Because the law is on our hearts and God has placed this conscience in us there is going to be a struggle Rom 7:13-25. Thanks the Father for Jesus.
Conclusion: We feel bad because God wrote it on our hearts
2. The sin of Idol worship leaves us feeling unfulfilled Idol=something in the place of God
Martin Luther talks about how if we can keep the first two of the 10 commandments, No others God or no images. Keeping the others will be easier. “What we love will enslave us”
What we love will seduce us into running from what we hate.
What we love is something that takes us away from the things or ideas we hate, we want to escape that which we hate so we seek to be saved from it. Examples: fear of being poor-single-unpopular-unsuccessful-not having fun,
Thomas Oden writes about how when we feel are idols are threatened it shakes us to the core and spins us into despair, depression and causes us to sin. Zane illustration
Bottom line is when we get what we want it is un-fulfilling anyway
Ex. Famous person commits suicide “they had it all” but their “all” was an idol Tim Keller has questions how you can tell what is an Idol in your life
What is your biggest fear? What are you clinging on to save you from it
Where do you run for comfort when things go wrong? food
What do you complain about most? money
What Makes you happiest? vacation
How do you explain yourself to other people? Kirkagaurd says “Justify your existence”
What makes you angry with God? ex. He did not serve my false God, He did not make me rich
What do you brag about? achievements
What do you want more than anything? A spouse
What do you sacrifice for? A hobby
If you could change one thing what would that be? college
Whose approval are you seeking? peers
What do you want to control or master? career
What comfort do you treasure the most? home
As Christians we fall into a trap to idols Hebrews 12:1-2 “Sin easily ensnares us”
We have to live for Jesus with our focus on Him, the rest will fall into place & guess what, when it does not fall into place the way we expect it to, Jesus helps us deal with it and accept it.
Conclusion:We feel bad because the idol did not deliver
3. The Holy Spirit is at work. conviction John 16:8-9 (pumps don’t lie)
Doing wrong things gets harder
Matt 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Conclusion: you feel bad because God the Holy Spirit is at work
You might feel a little beat down
Psalm 42:11 why is your soul so down cast, hope in God
What is the hope we find in God?
Something theologians call Total Depravity
Depravity = people fail the test in pleasing God.
Total=sin effects all aspects of us and all people
Eph 2:1-9
Martin Luther called this “the great exchange”-Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins
Admit it for salvation and admit it to live a life pleasing to Him
The interesting thing about sin is even people who do not believe in a God have a moral code.
I want to show you the reasons why people set a standard of goodness and standard of what is wrong.
1. Law is written on heart Romans 2:11-16 This is why almost every civilization had or has some code or rules and oddly enough they are very similar to the commands God teaches in His Word.
Conscience- which is the inner sense of right and wrong, brings guilt to even the unbelievers mind.
This helps us to realize there must be some kind of standard that someone set. This is why even the atheist observes something horrible and says that is wrong. Unbelievers call this morality.
But just by admitting there is right and wrong tells more of what the Bible teaches about the fact that all people sin.
Dorithy Sayers the English writer during WWII in her book Creed or Chaos speaks of the people who are most discouraged in this world are the ones who have moved away from the Biblical teaching that all sin. They believe in the greater good of people and are constantly let down because they keep seeing them doing bad things.
Because the law is on our hearts and God has placed this conscience in us there is going to be a struggle Rom 7:13-25. Thanks the Father for Jesus.
Conclusion: We feel bad because God wrote it on our hearts
2. The sin of Idol worship leaves us feeling unfulfilled Idol=something in the place of God
Martin Luther talks about how if we can keep the first two of the 10 commandments, No others God or no images. Keeping the others will be easier. “What we love will enslave us”
What we love will seduce us into running from what we hate.
What we love is something that takes us away from the things or ideas we hate, we want to escape that which we hate so we seek to be saved from it. Examples: fear of being poor-single-unpopular-unsuccessful-not having fun,
Thomas Oden writes about how when we feel are idols are threatened it shakes us to the core and spins us into despair, depression and causes us to sin. Zane illustration
Bottom line is when we get what we want it is un-fulfilling anyway
Ex. Famous person commits suicide “they had it all” but their “all” was an idol Tim Keller has questions how you can tell what is an Idol in your life
What is your biggest fear? What are you clinging on to save you from it
Where do you run for comfort when things go wrong? food
What do you complain about most? money
What Makes you happiest? vacation
How do you explain yourself to other people? Kirkagaurd says “Justify your existence”
What makes you angry with God? ex. He did not serve my false God, He did not make me rich
What do you brag about? achievements
What do you want more than anything? A spouse
What do you sacrifice for? A hobby
If you could change one thing what would that be? college
Whose approval are you seeking? peers
What do you want to control or master? career
What comfort do you treasure the most? home
As Christians we fall into a trap to idols Hebrews 12:1-2 “Sin easily ensnares us”
We have to live for Jesus with our focus on Him, the rest will fall into place & guess what, when it does not fall into place the way we expect it to, Jesus helps us deal with it and accept it.
Conclusion:We feel bad because the idol did not deliver
3. The Holy Spirit is at work. conviction John 16:8-9 (pumps don’t lie)
Doing wrong things gets harder
Matt 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Conclusion: you feel bad because God the Holy Spirit is at work
You might feel a little beat down
Psalm 42:11 why is your soul so down cast, hope in God
What is the hope we find in God?
Something theologians call Total Depravity
Depravity = people fail the test in pleasing God.
Total=sin effects all aspects of us and all people
Eph 2:1-9
Martin Luther called this “the great exchange”-Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins
Admit it for salvation and admit it to live a life pleasing to Him
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Do you every wonder why people have faith?
Some will say faith is for the simple minded Nietzsche said Faith means not wanting to know what is true. “God is Dead” He was killed by human rationalism and science. There is no need for Him because we have self. Two things I would say to Nietzsche 1. That is faith and 2 Your dead
Some say faith is a crutch that people lean on because they don’t have the answers, Atheist Frater Ravus said Faith does not give you the answers, it just stops you asking the questions. I would say to Ravus, no we ask the same questions, we actually have better answers.
So why do people have faith?
Definition - confidence or trust in something, belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, belief that is not based on proof:
By definition everyone has faith in something and the reason why is, no one has a comprehensive list of all the answers. But I want to suggest to you tonight that faith in Jesus actually has the most comprehensive list.
It’s the Bible
1. Where does faith come from? Romans 10:17 The Word
Hebrews 11:1-3 Vrs 1 Faith treats things hoped for as reality. Vrs 2 that is how we keep a good testimony around others. Vrs 3 A core doctrine of the Bible is what we talked about last week faith in a creator God
Vrs 6 part of what we are rewarded for is trust without every detail
People have faith because it is necessary. Faith is what we need for salvation Eph 2:8-9 & 10 this faith also gives us purpose.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Jesus is not only the object of our faith but He is the example of our faith.
Whether you consider yourself a person of Faith or not you actually are. You have faith in what you believe is true, even if it is not a belief system.
2 challenges 1 is for those of you who do have faith in Jesus, Are you truly trusting Him in all aspects of your life.
Luke 17:4-5 Increase our faith so we can do things that seem impossible like forgiving other people. Faith in God comes in when He is asking us to do something that does not make sense to us but it is good for us. Jesus is saying “listen I know what is best for you, trust me on this one”
Does your lifestyle display your faith Or do people say What? Snoop dog My Heart Christ’s Home by Robert Munger. My spin on it. Let Christ into every area of you life. School, work, relationships-dating-marriage-sibling-friendships. Hobbies
Two things to remember
1. Bad things are going to happen and at that point people will say “where is your Good God” 1 Cor. 2:4-6 we place our faith is God’s power
2. We will not understand everything 2 Cor 5:7 walk by faith not by site
The writer Oliver Wendell Holmes Said It's faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living.
Faith in Jesus what sustains us Galatians 2:20 in turn our life become an act of faith.
2. For those of you that are not truly convinced that faith in Jesus is what every person needs.
Blaise Pascal’s challenge the “Wager” This has been highly criticized but Pascal developed this challenge for friends who were atheists.
He fully understood that this challenge could by no means convince someone of faith because he said “it is the heart which perceives God and not reason” But it he designed it to challenge their thinking
Option 1- trust in Jesus for salvation and live a life that is pleasing to Him. If that is true there is gain, Eternal life and a life well lived. If it is not and the claims of an Atheist are true you just die, the believer still had a life well lived. The gain is that life and loss is nothing.
Option 2- don’t trust in Jesus for salvation. If He is not real you gained nothing but if He is real you have lost everything
If someone wagers for Jesus they have nothing to lose but if against Him they stand to lose everything.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the person who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8
So people have “Faith” because it is unavoidable but then the question remains for each one of us is “who do you have faith in?”
Some say faith is a crutch that people lean on because they don’t have the answers, Atheist Frater Ravus said Faith does not give you the answers, it just stops you asking the questions. I would say to Ravus, no we ask the same questions, we actually have better answers.
So why do people have faith?
Definition - confidence or trust in something, belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, belief that is not based on proof:
By definition everyone has faith in something and the reason why is, no one has a comprehensive list of all the answers. But I want to suggest to you tonight that faith in Jesus actually has the most comprehensive list.
It’s the Bible
1. Where does faith come from? Romans 10:17 The Word
Hebrews 11:1-3 Vrs 1 Faith treats things hoped for as reality. Vrs 2 that is how we keep a good testimony around others. Vrs 3 A core doctrine of the Bible is what we talked about last week faith in a creator God
Vrs 6 part of what we are rewarded for is trust without every detail
People have faith because it is necessary. Faith is what we need for salvation Eph 2:8-9 & 10 this faith also gives us purpose.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Jesus is not only the object of our faith but He is the example of our faith.
Whether you consider yourself a person of Faith or not you actually are. You have faith in what you believe is true, even if it is not a belief system.
2 challenges 1 is for those of you who do have faith in Jesus, Are you truly trusting Him in all aspects of your life.
Luke 17:4-5 Increase our faith so we can do things that seem impossible like forgiving other people. Faith in God comes in when He is asking us to do something that does not make sense to us but it is good for us. Jesus is saying “listen I know what is best for you, trust me on this one”
Does your lifestyle display your faith Or do people say What? Snoop dog My Heart Christ’s Home by Robert Munger. My spin on it. Let Christ into every area of you life. School, work, relationships-dating-marriage-sibling-friendships. Hobbies
Two things to remember
1. Bad things are going to happen and at that point people will say “where is your Good God” 1 Cor. 2:4-6 we place our faith is God’s power
2. We will not understand everything 2 Cor 5:7 walk by faith not by site
The writer Oliver Wendell Holmes Said It's faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living.
Faith in Jesus what sustains us Galatians 2:20 in turn our life become an act of faith.
2. For those of you that are not truly convinced that faith in Jesus is what every person needs.
Blaise Pascal’s challenge the “Wager” This has been highly criticized but Pascal developed this challenge for friends who were atheists.
He fully understood that this challenge could by no means convince someone of faith because he said “it is the heart which perceives God and not reason” But it he designed it to challenge their thinking
Option 1- trust in Jesus for salvation and live a life that is pleasing to Him. If that is true there is gain, Eternal life and a life well lived. If it is not and the claims of an Atheist are true you just die, the believer still had a life well lived. The gain is that life and loss is nothing.
Option 2- don’t trust in Jesus for salvation. If He is not real you gained nothing but if He is real you have lost everything
If someone wagers for Jesus they have nothing to lose but if against Him they stand to lose everything.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the person who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8
So people have “Faith” because it is unavoidable but then the question remains for each one of us is “who do you have faith in?”
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