One of the big challenges to the church today, is to make believers understand that the very right of existence of the Church, is defined by the great commission Christ gave to her: Go and disciple all the nations and teach them everything I taught you! This is always an awesome task, but a responsibility the Church can never run away from, for it is for this very reason that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Church of Christ. Acts.1: 8 is quite clear: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses to the end of the earth.
A congregation that claims to be part of the baptism of the Church by the Spirit on that very first Pentecost Sunday and thus claims to be part of the Body – and not disciple the unchurched nor witness to the unbeliever, has a lot of explaining to do about why it should be considered the instrument of the Lord and therefore claim His graceful blessings. If we then measure our “performance” also in terms of the Great Commandment, to love God more than anything else and other people as much as ourselves – how many Churches can still claim to be part of God’s most critical strategy in a lost world!
This is all challenging. What I do find to be the most challenging and probably the most critically important of all, is to not only involve the young generation – that I call the generation of excellence – with the Church, but to specifically get them to be excited about God’s strategic role for His Church in saving the lost, involving the unchurched and inspiring its ambitious young members through the teaching and the preaching of the Word in our congregations.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE
The young professional’s approach to life is very much a result of the culture of excellence in which they started their careers. Striving for excellence and professionalism and needing an external confirmation of them achieving this, is generally true. Being very busy with working on their careers, they often only want to get involved in projects and responsibilities that confirm their own excellence and success. One of their concerns about getting involved in anything, is the guarantee of success and a visible reward for their contribution.
For the Christian Bible student this does create a problem. Shouldn’t we be servants according to the example of Jesus Christ? If we look for external confirmation of our value and worth, shouldn’t we be looking at God whose children we are and find our assertiveness in our salvation and justification in Jesus Christ, outside of ourselves? Shouldn’t we like Paul in Romans Chapter 7, hate our own disabilities and only live through the confidence of Romans Chapter 8?
YOUNG CHRISTIAN PROFESSIONALS ALSO STRIVE FOR AND APPRECIATE EXCELLENCE
The challenge to the Christian church in reaching yuppies with God’s Good News and involve them in His commission, is to, without compromising the Biblical values of humility, help them understand the meaning of total dependence on God and His grace and the servant’s attitude of the Saviour. To communicate to them, in terms that make sense to them and address their needs as people and as sinners, the truth of the gospel and get these valuable resourses for the Lord’s calling, involved in our ministries and outreaches.
We probably should once again learn from Paul’s wisdom as he directs us to become a Jew for the Jews and a Gentile for the Gentiles. The question remains how to become a yuppie for the yuppies?
THE SOLUTION:
ONLY GOD CAN REALLY DO IT.
As the people of the Church, we can never impress the yuppies! Only God can! A most important teaching to these talented and well educated young adults, is to understand that God’s saving grace and His plan for His kingdom is neither dependent on the format or the content of the ministry, nor on the efficiency of the minister, but only and solely on God himself who saves through grace. Although God chose to use people, earthly instruments and even provide exiting opportunities through the technology that this generation often find so fascinating, to fulfil His promise to save His beloved bride from all peoples and cultures, God only is the excellent, perfect, reliable, omnipotent, infinite, perfect in wisdom, truth, love and mercy, almighty and sovereign Saviour, King, Minister and Pastor of His people.
The person who really strives to be instrumental in achieving infinitely excellent results with eternal consequences, cannot do it by trusting in their own ability, strategy or knowledge and expertise, but through faith, expects God to do it through our Churches and us. God only, through Christ, in the power of His Spirit, can to any person, even an imperfect one, give the outcome of the Commission He so solemnly gave to His Church.
Once they understand this, they can, in faith, risk to associate them with the Church of the Lord on earth and give their support, energy, time and means to a task so wonderful and glorious that we cannot expect mere human beings to be successful in accomplishing it. This, I find, the young, ambitious career orientated believer can and want to understand. Expectations become more reasonable, tolerance develops for the shortcomings of Gods children, but excitement is created to participate in the challenging expectation of the Great Commission of Jesus.
BEING GOD’S CHILDREN SHOULD MOTIVATE US TO BE EXCELLENT
This does not mean that yuppies will ever excuse mediocrity, slackness or not being professional. They would expect the Church to be at least as efficient and excellent as that of the financial, technological, business and commercial world in which they are striving for excellence on a daily basis in their professions and careers. If the God we serve is so most holy, blessed, trustworthy and perfect, how can His children strive for anything less than those who are serving a mere idol such as Mammon? They would ask...
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
After understanding this about this generation, we should be able to give answers to the following checklist of questions that I found during years of ministry that this generation wants to be answered well - and honestly, before they will become involved with any particular congregation. (Please also note that the answers must be given in such a way that it will inspire participation and create a desire to share in God’s excellence displayed through His Church.)
1. Does this congregation meet a recognised (or proven or measurable) need and address a universally acknowledged problem? (Yuppies are also children of the global village!)
2. What evidence do you have that this particular need that this congregation tries to address, exists, and has this, independently from the congregation inviting their involvement, been confirmed?
3. Does this particular Church have clear and concise objectives, relating to alleviating this need or to providing solutions to this problem?
4. Are the objectives stated in a way that prospective members will be able to see whether you can meet your objectives?
5. Can the Church meet its objectives, at a reasonable cost over a given period of time?
6. Does the Church have the staff, or access to people with required skills, to accomplish these objectives satisfactorily?
7. Does the Church have a budget, which is sufficiently detailed to reflect responsible utilisation of financial resources?
8. Does the Church have a method of measuring the effectiveness of its work during the course of its projects and outreaches and how will the members know that the objectives (humanly speaking, such as erecting a structure or implementing technology or broadcasting a program) have been achieved?
Now you can see why I am so excited about the generation of excellence! They could be the most responsible and gifted members Christ ever sent into the world for His sake! Never before were the questions that the Church had to answer so critical, but also so wise, as that of the young professionals of our day! Hopefully these exciting expectations will push us towards boundaries of professionalism and efficiency that the Church never dreamt of achieving before. The goals, objectives and strategies of our congregations should lead them to choose our outreaches and projects as the opportunity through which their obedience to Christ’s commission can be channelled. In this way, our interactions with the generation of excellence will be to the glory and honour of the most excellent God, wanting us to be His victorious Church – through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the conquering power of the risen Lord!
WHY DO BELIEVERS BECOME INVOLVED IN CHRISTIAN EVANGELISATION?
One more important thing we should always remember to ask is: Why do believers give of themselves and their resources, to a Christian cause? Why are Christians obedient to Christ’s commission! All real Christians know that God wants to use their potential and call them to serve in His Kingdom.
Sacrificial giving of my time, expertise, skills, energy, excitement and money, bring out the very best of the intentions in us. Church leaders have the satisfaction of helping people to accomplish for themselves the knowledge that they are obedient and useful to their Saviour.
At the heart of effectively mobilising the generation of excellence, is capturing this generation’s attention and persuading them on the level of their experience of being faithful to their Lord, to give and give of themselves– over and over again. Because I believe they do have the need to give, not to man - but to God, not to organisations - but to the Kingdom, not to earthly leadership - but to Jesus. This is what we must be able to do with the clearest conscience and as far as we know to the best of our ability. We must be able to tell them that – Giving to the Church, is giving to the Lord!!! Expressing your enthusiasm for the outreaches and the projects of the congregation, is loving the Lord, the excellent One! Our own obedience and commitment to the Lord’s commission must persuade us that we have the right to ask this trust from our members and must give us the confidence to state with a clear conscience that placing your offering to the disposal of the congregation’s budget - and making yourself available for this work – is an offering on the alter of the Lord.
Our Biblical teachings, excellence in service and excellence in applying of ourselves and the true knowledge of our own calling before God, only, can give us the right and the confidence to offer this opportunity to people hungry for results. Can we always with clear conscience state, that if you make yourself available to this congregation’s projects and outreaches, you make yourself available to the most powerful One of all, the one and only God, the almighty Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who through His Holy Spirit will accomplish what no man can, namely saving a lost world for Himself and gathering His harvest to the last individual that He in His sovereign grace and ultimate wisdom has chosen to redeem through the work of His Son, the Saviour of the world.
THE SOUTH AFRICAN CHALLENGE
The South African challenge is no easy one and the complexity of our diversity and development as a nation at this point in time, gives us a challenge and it creates an opportunity for God’s work, equal to few others. Let us apply our knowledge, skills and gifts, pray urgently and faithfully, act wisely and expect everything from the Lord, while we are willing to monitor and manage our strategies and the excellence of our performance.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Temptation
When Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane before his death and crucifixion in our place, he said this:
(Jn 17:14-15) I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. (15) My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
Jesus does not desire for his disciples to be taken out of the world and therefore avoid all temptation. His desire for us is that we remain in the world, but at the same time be protected from the evil one. In other words, Jesus prayed, "Father, give them the power to overcome the Devil's attacks."
When Peter and the other disciples were gathered with Christ for his last Passover meal, Jesus turned to Peter and said,
(Lk 22:31-32) "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. (32) But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
Satan had to get "permission" before he could tempt Peter. God determined whether or not Satan could tempt Peter; and, God set limits to what form the temptation could take. And, he made sure it was not beyond what Peter was able to bear. And when Peter failed, he already had the promise from Jesus that he could turn back – and be received with forgiveness and restoration!
Be blessed in the knowledge that Jesus prays for you in your struggle against temptation, that God sets limits to the level of temptation - and that through forgiveness and mercy, and the love of Christ – when you “return” from having “fallen”, you will be an inspiration to many others who also need to “turn back” to Jesus!
(Jn 17:14-15) I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. (15) My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
Jesus does not desire for his disciples to be taken out of the world and therefore avoid all temptation. His desire for us is that we remain in the world, but at the same time be protected from the evil one. In other words, Jesus prayed, "Father, give them the power to overcome the Devil's attacks."
When Peter and the other disciples were gathered with Christ for his last Passover meal, Jesus turned to Peter and said,
(Lk 22:31-32) "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. (32) But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
Satan had to get "permission" before he could tempt Peter. God determined whether or not Satan could tempt Peter; and, God set limits to what form the temptation could take. And, he made sure it was not beyond what Peter was able to bear. And when Peter failed, he already had the promise from Jesus that he could turn back – and be received with forgiveness and restoration!
Be blessed in the knowledge that Jesus prays for you in your struggle against temptation, that God sets limits to the level of temptation - and that through forgiveness and mercy, and the love of Christ – when you “return” from having “fallen”, you will be an inspiration to many others who also need to “turn back” to Jesus!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
THE POWER OF SUFFERING
Around the world more and more preachers claim that the basic message of the Gospel is: "Come to God, do things his way, and your quality of life will improve." Whether the emphasis is on the improvement of spiritual experience, prosperity, wisdom and knowledge, or even social issues, the promise is given that day to day life will change for the better if you believe in Jesus.
But is this Biblical? Is it actually what New Testament Christianity was – and is about? Was it really the experience of 1st century New Testament leaders and believers?
Remember the Apostles. History shows us that of the eleven left after the departure of Judas, ten were martyred for their faith while John was banished to the prison island of Patmos. No lives of any worldly success and improvement for these (faithful) followers of Jesus!
Just look at what Paul said about himself:
I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely,(than the other Apostles) and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).
Is this an ordinary story of success, happiness, prestige and fulfilment? No, certainly not! One is forced to conclude that Paul’s life, after meeting Jesus, was not one of great human happiness. Indeed, it finally resulted in martyrdom in Rome around 66/67 AD. This would not have been a surprise to him, as he would have been told by Ananias (on the day of his conversion!) what the Lord had said:
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9:15-16)
Jesus experienced suffering too, as was prophesied by Isaiah about 700 years earlier:
3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3)
Of course we know that after the suffering of his death Jesus rose in victory in his resurrection body, having crushed the power of Satan, sin and death. This is the eternal promise that we share in also. In the meantime however, we share in his sufferings and he shares in ours, for we are called to serve like Jesus.
It is not by chance that Christianity today is expanding in Muslim countries, China, and others where believers suffer persecution for their faith in Jesus. For true believers, suffering brings us closer to God! This is the power of suffering for Christ: Jesus shares in our suffering. It results in faithfulness, evangelistic zeal – and most of all the powerful energy that comes from sharing God’s desire that the perfectly holy Kingdom of Christ will come when he returns and all suffering will stop for ever. The dream of and passion for the coming of this Kingdom powerfully brings us, not prosperity and prestige, but true faithfulness, obedience and diligence for Christ’s sake.
As Paul said:
10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10).
The power of suffering is that that it changes selfish, greedy or lazy Christians, into good and faithful ones!
"Lord, give me the strength I need, when called upon to suffer for you, to work for you, to live for you and to sacrifice everything for the sake of your Kingdom. Amen."
But is this Biblical? Is it actually what New Testament Christianity was – and is about? Was it really the experience of 1st century New Testament leaders and believers?
Remember the Apostles. History shows us that of the eleven left after the departure of Judas, ten were martyred for their faith while John was banished to the prison island of Patmos. No lives of any worldly success and improvement for these (faithful) followers of Jesus!
Just look at what Paul said about himself:
I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely,(than the other Apostles) and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).
Is this an ordinary story of success, happiness, prestige and fulfilment? No, certainly not! One is forced to conclude that Paul’s life, after meeting Jesus, was not one of great human happiness. Indeed, it finally resulted in martyrdom in Rome around 66/67 AD. This would not have been a surprise to him, as he would have been told by Ananias (on the day of his conversion!) what the Lord had said:
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9:15-16)
Jesus experienced suffering too, as was prophesied by Isaiah about 700 years earlier:
3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3)
Of course we know that after the suffering of his death Jesus rose in victory in his resurrection body, having crushed the power of Satan, sin and death. This is the eternal promise that we share in also. In the meantime however, we share in his sufferings and he shares in ours, for we are called to serve like Jesus.
It is not by chance that Christianity today is expanding in Muslim countries, China, and others where believers suffer persecution for their faith in Jesus. For true believers, suffering brings us closer to God! This is the power of suffering for Christ: Jesus shares in our suffering. It results in faithfulness, evangelistic zeal – and most of all the powerful energy that comes from sharing God’s desire that the perfectly holy Kingdom of Christ will come when he returns and all suffering will stop for ever. The dream of and passion for the coming of this Kingdom powerfully brings us, not prosperity and prestige, but true faithfulness, obedience and diligence for Christ’s sake.
As Paul said:
10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10).
The power of suffering is that that it changes selfish, greedy or lazy Christians, into good and faithful ones!
"Lord, give me the strength I need, when called upon to suffer for you, to work for you, to live for you and to sacrifice everything for the sake of your Kingdom. Amen."
Monday, August 11, 2008
Faithfulness
The one quality that God looks for in us, his servants and stewards, is faithfulness.
(1Cor 4:2) Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
Paul says faithfulness “is required”. This picture is of God looking us over, putting us under his magnifying glass, looking for faithfulness and giving or withholding his blessings on the basis of faithfulness.
Faithfulness is the key word in the relationship between God and us. The Bible tells us that God is faithful to his covenant (his promise of salvation) with us.
(Deut 7:9) Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.
(2Tim 2:13 )If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
In his covenant faithfulness God is absolutely trustworthy and utterly dependable. He will keep covenant with us, and he will do so forever. He will keep covenant with us even though it demanded that he nailed his own eternal Son to a Roman cross. In describing God's covenant relationship with us, the Bible uses phrases like abiding faithfulness and eternal love.
“Great is your faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Now bless me, Lord, that I too will remain faithful to you and your work! Amen.”
(1Cor 4:2) Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
Paul says faithfulness “is required”. This picture is of God looking us over, putting us under his magnifying glass, looking for faithfulness and giving or withholding his blessings on the basis of faithfulness.
Faithfulness is the key word in the relationship between God and us. The Bible tells us that God is faithful to his covenant (his promise of salvation) with us.
(Deut 7:9) Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.
(2Tim 2:13 )If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
In his covenant faithfulness God is absolutely trustworthy and utterly dependable. He will keep covenant with us, and he will do so forever. He will keep covenant with us even though it demanded that he nailed his own eternal Son to a Roman cross. In describing God's covenant relationship with us, the Bible uses phrases like abiding faithfulness and eternal love.
“Great is your faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Now bless me, Lord, that I too will remain faithful to you and your work! Amen.”
Powerless
BE POWERLESS BEFORE CHRIST. IT MAKES THE WALLS OF JERICHO COME DOWN!
Being in a powerless position makes you feel weak, vulnerable, unable to change anything about your situation and it often makes you deeply depressed.
But in the strange ways of God, these emotions can become the most powerful position on earth. Just ask General Joshua, from the book in the Old Testament that bears his name, about this truth!
In Joshua 5, beginning with verse 13, Joshua is in what may be the most intimidating, fearful situation of his life. He has bravely led God's people into Canaan, only to be confronted with the massive walled city of Jericho, distressing God's people as an apparently impossible obstacle between them and the land that God has promised them. As their commanding general, Joshua went to explore the details of this humanly impossible commission.
The Bible says: "Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, 'Are you for us or for our enemies?' 'Neither,' he replied, ‘but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.' Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence and he asked him: 'What message does my Lord have for his servant?' The commander of the Lord's army replied, 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.' And Joshua did so."
This Commander of the Lord's forces is the eternal Son of God making one of his Old Testament appearances. No angel would have accepted worship, and Joshua calls him "my Lord." And Joshua falls on the ground, facedown, before him.
Joshua was competent, successful, skilled and brave. A man who never surrendered to anybody. But on this day he surrendered, and his surrender was going to be the reason for winning one of the most amazing battles of his career. From this moment of total surrender, of total powerlessness before the Lord, comes God's unusual plan for conquering Jericho. Before there could be the defeat of Jericho, there had to be the surrender of Joshua.
And before there can be the conquest of the challenges that emerge before you right now,there must be the conquest of you.
God sometimes allows things into our lives that will bring us to the end of ourselves; where all our experience, our talents and our connections are useless in finding a solution. God may have brought you to a moment of powerlessness, not that you would give up, but so that you would unconditionally give over the control to him! There is no condition God can do more with, than our complete dependence on him. When you and your inabilities, your human weaknesses, are out of the way finally, you are able to see what miracles the almighty God can do! Only when you surrender to Jesus, will you see what our all powerful Lord can do for you – and through you, for his church and for his Kingdom!
Do not hesitate to lie face down before Christ! When you are at the end of yourself, you are at the beginning of his all-powerfulness. Surrendering to the almighty Christ, is the Christian’s way of winning. Complete surrender to Christ is the most forceful position in the world.
Being in a powerless position makes you feel weak, vulnerable, unable to change anything about your situation and it often makes you deeply depressed.
But in the strange ways of God, these emotions can become the most powerful position on earth. Just ask General Joshua, from the book in the Old Testament that bears his name, about this truth!
In Joshua 5, beginning with verse 13, Joshua is in what may be the most intimidating, fearful situation of his life. He has bravely led God's people into Canaan, only to be confronted with the massive walled city of Jericho, distressing God's people as an apparently impossible obstacle between them and the land that God has promised them. As their commanding general, Joshua went to explore the details of this humanly impossible commission.
The Bible says: "Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, 'Are you for us or for our enemies?' 'Neither,' he replied, ‘but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.' Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence and he asked him: 'What message does my Lord have for his servant?' The commander of the Lord's army replied, 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.' And Joshua did so."
This Commander of the Lord's forces is the eternal Son of God making one of his Old Testament appearances. No angel would have accepted worship, and Joshua calls him "my Lord." And Joshua falls on the ground, facedown, before him.
Joshua was competent, successful, skilled and brave. A man who never surrendered to anybody. But on this day he surrendered, and his surrender was going to be the reason for winning one of the most amazing battles of his career. From this moment of total surrender, of total powerlessness before the Lord, comes God's unusual plan for conquering Jericho. Before there could be the defeat of Jericho, there had to be the surrender of Joshua.
And before there can be the conquest of the challenges that emerge before you right now,there must be the conquest of you.
God sometimes allows things into our lives that will bring us to the end of ourselves; where all our experience, our talents and our connections are useless in finding a solution. God may have brought you to a moment of powerlessness, not that you would give up, but so that you would unconditionally give over the control to him! There is no condition God can do more with, than our complete dependence on him. When you and your inabilities, your human weaknesses, are out of the way finally, you are able to see what miracles the almighty God can do! Only when you surrender to Jesus, will you see what our all powerful Lord can do for you – and through you, for his church and for his Kingdom!
Do not hesitate to lie face down before Christ! When you are at the end of yourself, you are at the beginning of his all-powerfulness. Surrendering to the almighty Christ, is the Christian’s way of winning. Complete surrender to Christ is the most forceful position in the world.
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