WEBVTT

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 I have to tell you that some things give me cold chills.

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! I am an emotional person.

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 For you that don't know me, I'll just tell you that ahead of time.

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 But that's the way I'm wired.

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 And I get cold chills when something touches my heart

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 and kind of connects.

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 And this morning I have cold chills to be able to say to you,

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 open your Bibles.

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 I want you to turn your Bible this morning

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 to 2 Corinthians 13, verse 5.

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 I have said many times that I am thankful

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 for the Lord bringing us our pastor-elect.

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 And I don't know if you pay attention to his prayers,

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 but his prayers are well-formed scripturally.

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 There's always a healthy dose of the Word of God

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 woven into his prayer, both to instruct

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 and to frame his thinking and to govern the things

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 that we join him in praying about.

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 And I'm thankful for that.

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 I found myself this morning so thankful

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 that in his prayer he prayed for me

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 as I opened the Word.

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 I like that.

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 And the reason is, is he wasn't praying,

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 Lord, I hope Reverend Knoyer

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 has had a good time reading USA Today

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 or, you know, Huffington Post

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 or, you know, the Wall Street Journal,

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 whatever else, so he could bring you

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 some very interesting little comment

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 about the culture and blah, blah, blah.

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 His prayer was that God would help Pastor Knoyer

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 as he opened the Word.

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 That's my job.

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 That's my calling.

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 And so when we take 2 Corinthians chapter 13 in hand,

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 I want you to know that the Lord has commissioned me

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 and given me the responsibility of taking the Word of God

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 and making it clear and practical

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 for your sakes and for my sake.

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 God has also called you to have an active part to play

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 in what is going to take place

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 in the next hour and a half.

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 And that is that you're to be actively engaged.

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 See, I got some of you to...

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 Whoa.

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 Whoa.

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 That's all right.

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 Okay.

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 Hour and 20 minutes.

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 You have a part as well.

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 And I would appeal to you

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 to resist the natural tendency of the heart

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 to decide you're just going to sit there kind of passively

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 and wait to see if anything happens significant.

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 You are charged by the Word of God

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 to be active in prayer.

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 And if your heart and mind is not atypical,

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 it's needed.

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 And so I appeal to you to multitask

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 that as I preach, you pray and listen.

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 Well, here we are at the start of the new year.

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 And New Year's are times

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 that most people make resolutions.

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 Isn't that right?

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 I, for whatever reason,

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 I was doing a little research

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 on what kind of resolutions people make.

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 And probably one of the most common resolutions

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 people make is to exercise more.

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 I mean, I understand,

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 not from personal experience,

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 but from observation,

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 that the gyms just kind of are flooded

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 with about four or five weeks of people

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 who have made resolutions

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 to kind of improve their health

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 and physiology.

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 And so off they go to the gym

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 and it kind of really bugs the regulars

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 because there are people

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 that don't know how to run the treadmill

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 and are on the stepper and things.

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 And they're only there for a couple weeks,

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 but they really break the routine.

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 And the beginning of the year

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 is where some people decide

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 that they're going to quit smoking.

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 I trust that's not the general nature

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 of our fellowship,

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 but you know, people do.

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 And people think, well, okay,

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 in the new year,

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 I think I'm going to read through the Bible.

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 Or I'm going to make a different resolution.

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 I'm going to finish my degree

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 or I'm going to, whatever it is.

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 We have a tendency of doing that

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 at the beginning of the new year

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 and I want to take a completely different track.

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 I'd like us to look back

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 before we look forward.

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 And the purpose of a backward glance

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 is to help us think objectively

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 about where we have been

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 in order to frame what we do going forward.

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 I want to tell you that in this new year,

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 one of the things that is going to characterize

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 this fellowship is that Pastor Shearer

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 and I are going to share

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 about 50% of the preaching.

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 He is, we are going to, first of all,

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 tag team through January and February.

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 And what I mean by that

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 is back and forth, back and forth.

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 And then we'll settle into six weeks

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 that I will preach

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 and six weeks that he will preach.

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 And the first things

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 that we are going to look at

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 next week and the week after

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 relate to some of the objectives

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 and some of the things

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 that we as a fellowship want to focus on.

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 In relationship to that,

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 I think it's appropriate for us

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 to kind of look in the back

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 and say, all right, what is it?

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 What is it that we need?

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 And what are some of the things

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 that we need to pay attention to

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 in our own personal lives

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 and in our fellowship?

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 And that's what brings me

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 to this passage in 2 Corinthians 13, verse 5.

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 Examine yourselves

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 to see whether you are in the faith.

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 Test yourselves.

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 Or do you not realize this about yourselves,

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 that Jesus Christ is in you,

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 unless indeed you fail to meet the test?

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 Examining ourself is appropriate.

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 It's something that we all do fairly regularly.

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 This morning as I was finalizing the details

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 of getting dressed for the services,

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 one of the things that I did

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 was I stopped in the mirror

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 and I looked at my Christmas sweater.

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 I wanted to be sure that it kind of matched.

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 I decided, well, should I button it up?

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 Should I not button it?

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 Whatever.

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 You know, there are little details like that.

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 You pay attention.

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 Did my hair look right?

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 We all did that.

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 Am I right?

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 We pay attention to certain details.

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 We examine ourselves occasionally

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 when we're under pressure.

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 We stop and say, all right, what's going on?

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 Why am I responding this way?

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 I do want us to understand,

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 the passage tells us that we are to examine ourselves,

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 but I think we need to recognize

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 that it's fairly easy to examine yourself

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 and be quite deceived.

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 Think with me just for a moment.

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 You're there in 2 Corinthians,

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 but turn back.

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 2 Corinthians chapter 13,

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 go back to chapter 10.

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 In 2 Corinthians chapter 10,

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 Paul is in the process of defending

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 his apostolic ministry.

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 By the way, when people don't like what they hear,

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 one of the things that they tend to do

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 is become critical of the messenger,

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 and that's what had happened to Paul.

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 Well, look at what he says there in chapter 10, verse 12.

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 Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves

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 with some of those who are commending themselves,

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 but when they measure themselves,

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 and the term here in the Greek

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 could be taken one of two ways.

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 I prefer the way that is not here in the ESV.

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 When they measure themselves by themselves

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 instead of one another

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 and compare themselves with themselves,

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 they are without understanding.

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 Now, here's the point that I want to start with.

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 I want you to recognize that self-examination

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 can be quite deceiving.

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 In particular, when we measure ourselves

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 by our own standard,

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 and we rely upon our own lack of objectivity

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 to determine where we are

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 and how we're doing spiritually.

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 I mean, it's amazing.

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 The truth of the matter is,

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 is we're better at identifying sin in other people

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 than we are identifying it where?

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 In ourselves.

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 And Paul says, listen, don't make that mistake.

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 And so when I start out here at the beginning

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 by saying, listen, it's important for us

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 to engage in self-examination,

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 I want you to recognize that just going about doing it

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 in a natural and a carnal way

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 can end up being quite deceiving,

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 and it can cause you a great deal of heartache

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 if not done properly.

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 But just because it can be done improperly

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 doesn't mean it shouldn't be done.

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 And so let me kind of step into this a little further

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 by saying spirit-enabled self-examination

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 is an essential part of the believer's life.

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 Spiritual examination enabled by the Holy Spirit

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 is an essential part of the believer's life.

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 Let me kind of get into that a little further

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 by having you look at several different passages

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 that hammer that point.

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 Go back, if you will, in your Bibles

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 to Job chapter 13, verse 23.

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 Self-examination is beneficial,

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 though it is hard, and it's necessary,

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 in fact, it's characteristic of a thoughtful believer.

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 Here's what it says in Job.

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 How many are my iniquities and my sins?

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 Make me know my transgressions and my sin.

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 So let me ask you this.

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 When was the last time you prayed

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 and said, Lord, I am fairly good at fooling myself.

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 I need your help to be more discerning

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 about the issues of sin in my life.

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 Job prayed that way.

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 Let me have you look at another passage in Psalm 139

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 and turn to that, if you will.

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 We know Psalm 139 fairly well,

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 but mark what it says in verse 23 and 24.

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 Psalm 139, verse 23.

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 Search me, O God, and know my heart.

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 Try me and know my thoughts.

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 And see if there be any grievous way in me

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 and lead me in the way everlasting.

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 Hey, Lord, you be the one that searches me

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 and checks out my heart.

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 And I need your help to do it

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 because my natural tendency is not to do that objectively,

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 not to be honest with myself.

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 Let me read another passage to you

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 in Lamentations 3, verse 40.

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 It says this,

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 Let us test and examine our ways

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 and return to the Lord.

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 Let us test.

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 Lamentations 3, verse 40.

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 Let us test and examine our ways

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 and return to the Lord.

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 I'm curious.

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 I'm curious.

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 When was the last time

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 that you consciously and deliberately

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 took some time to think carefully

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 about where you were in your spiritual journey,

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 your walk with Christ,

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 your relationship with Him

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 and with the body of Christ?

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 Come to one more passage.

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 In 1 Corinthians chapter 11,

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 and last week I had the privilege

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 of having bronchitis that kept me in bed

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 until Sunday.

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 And I appreciate Pastor Shearer

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 on short notice

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 taking the Lord's table in communion.

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 And I don't know whether he used

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 1 Corinthians chapter 11,

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 but you certainly are aware of the text

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 because we on various occasions

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 have come to that text

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 being reminded in that passage

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 not only of the fact

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 that we're to remember the Lord's death,

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 but we're also to do what?

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 We're to engage in self-examination.

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 It says,

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 But let a man examine himself

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 The Scripture encourages us

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 every time we take the Lord's table

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 to engage in self-examination.

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 And I would propose that

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 the better time to do it

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 is not while the elements

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 are coming down the row

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 and you,

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 oh,

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 we are very,

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 very superficial on short notice.

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 Isn't that right?

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 In fact,

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 the matter,

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 the truth is

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 we probably give ourselves

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 a pass when we shouldn't.

00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:29.339
 Self-examination

00:12:29.339 --> 00:12:30.240
 is something that takes

00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:31.460
 some time and some care

00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:33.779
 and some real deliberate thinking

00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:35.080
 about where we are spiritually.

00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:35.759
 So let's kind of

00:12:35.759 --> 00:12:36.980
 get into that a little further

00:12:36.980 --> 00:12:37.580
 and say this.

00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:39.560
 Self-examination

00:12:39.560 --> 00:12:41.960
 is less painful

00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:42.960
 than the alternatives.

00:12:43.100 --> 00:12:43.899
 Will you note that down?

00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:45.500
 Self-examination

00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:47.220
 is less painful.

00:12:47.220 --> 00:12:47.779
 Less painful,

00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:49.779
 spirit-enabled self-examination

00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:51.139
 is less painful

00:12:51.139 --> 00:12:52.019
 than the alternatives.

00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:52.960
 What do I mean by that?

00:12:54.300 --> 00:12:55.279
 Just nod your head

00:12:55.279 --> 00:12:56.360
 if you know what I mean.

00:12:57.480 --> 00:12:58.259
 I'll say it again.

00:12:58.820 --> 00:13:00.620
 Spirit-enabled self-examination

00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:01.720
 is less painful

00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:02.660
 than the alternatives.

00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:03.800
 Everybody look up.

00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:04.779
 Nod your head

00:13:04.779 --> 00:13:06.440
 if you really do understand this.

00:13:06.779 --> 00:13:06.980
 Okay?

00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:07.740
 Here's what I'm saying.

00:13:08.779 --> 00:13:10.399
 If you're a child of God,

00:13:10.800 --> 00:13:12.420
 can you keep on

00:13:12.420 --> 00:13:13.460
 getting away with sin?

00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:14.460
 Now go this way.

00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:16.200
 No, you cannot.

00:13:16.680 --> 00:13:17.200
 You cannot.

00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:19.780
 And so if we are

00:13:19.780 --> 00:13:23.580
 persisting in disobedience

00:13:23.580 --> 00:13:24.920
 and sinful behavior,

00:13:25.340 --> 00:13:26.780
 what do we know

00:13:26.780 --> 00:13:29.019
 God will do for us?

00:13:30.320 --> 00:13:31.500
 What will He do?

00:13:32.360 --> 00:13:33.720
 Hebrews chapter 12,

00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:35.320
 13 rather,

00:13:35.740 --> 00:13:36.400
 says this.

00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:37.340
 Whom the Lord loves,

00:13:37.480 --> 00:13:39.639
 He chastens.

00:13:41.100 --> 00:13:42.280
 And so I want you

00:13:42.280 --> 00:13:43.200
 to understand that

00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:45.340
 spirit-enabled

00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:46.340
 self-examination

00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:47.740
 is always less painful

00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:48.560
 than the alternatives.

00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:49.580
 And so it's wise

00:13:49.580 --> 00:13:50.480
 for us to do that.

00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:52.620
 If we are persisting

00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:53.820
 in our disobedience,

00:13:54.560 --> 00:13:55.480
 you can be sure

00:13:55.480 --> 00:13:56.620
 that one of the things

00:13:56.620 --> 00:13:57.980
 that will flag you

00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:59.800
 as a genuine believer

00:13:59.800 --> 00:14:01.340
 is that He will not

00:14:01.340 --> 00:14:02.500
 let you get away with it.

00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:03.200
 Listen to me.

00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:07.259
 If you are a genuine believer

00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:08.280
 and you are walking

00:14:08.280 --> 00:14:09.200
 in disobedience,

00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:11.000
 you will not be able

00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:11.779
 to persist.

00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:15.200
 Let's come to another thing.

00:14:15.820 --> 00:14:16.659
 Spirit-enabled

00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:18.019
 self-examination

00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:19.039
 breeds humility

00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:20.399
 and joy.

00:14:22.200 --> 00:14:23.000
 Spirit-enabled,

00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:23.779
 and why would I say

00:14:23.779 --> 00:14:24.480
 spirit-enabled?

00:14:24.580 --> 00:14:25.340
 Why would I say that

00:14:25.340 --> 00:14:25.820
 at the beginning?

00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:26.740
 Does anybody have an idea?

00:14:27.679 --> 00:14:28.320
 How many of you

00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:29.600
 tried self-examination

00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:30.399
 without the enabling

00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:31.220
 of the Holy Spirit

00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:32.240
 and the governance

00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:33.100
 of the Word of God?

00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:33.799
 Have you ever done that?

00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:36.360
 It can be rather superficial

00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:38.480
 and very counterproductive.

00:14:39.340 --> 00:14:40.060
 Spirit-enabled

00:14:40.060 --> 00:14:41.180
 self-examination

00:14:41.180 --> 00:14:42.700
 is one that relies

00:14:42.700 --> 00:14:43.639
 upon the Holy Spirit

00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:44.379
 and relies upon

00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:45.060
 the Word of God.

00:14:45.419 --> 00:14:46.519
 And when those things

00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:47.580
 are actively at work

00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:48.300
 in our lives,

00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:49.639
 it breeds humility

00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:50.779
 and joy.

00:14:52.519 --> 00:14:54.419
 It invariably prompts us

00:14:54.419 --> 00:14:55.019
 to recognize

00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:56.220
 our dependence on Him

00:14:56.220 --> 00:14:57.919
 and to have a thankfulness

00:14:57.919 --> 00:14:58.779
 for His grace.

00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:01.019
 One of the things

00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:03.500
 that I did

00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:04.700
 last week in particular

00:15:04.700 --> 00:15:05.740
 was spend some time

00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:07.280
 in prayer and review

00:15:07.280 --> 00:15:09.200
 of what the last year

00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:11.020
 had been in my own life

00:15:11.020 --> 00:15:11.580
 and what are some

00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.000
 of the things

00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:13.500
 that God had brought

00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:14.160
 to the surface

00:15:14.160 --> 00:15:15.700
 and admonished

00:15:15.700 --> 00:15:16.720
 and rebuked me for

00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:17.340
 and dealt with.

00:15:17.540 --> 00:15:18.520
 What were some of the things

00:15:18.520 --> 00:15:19.660
 that He'd helped me grow in?

00:15:21.020 --> 00:15:22.259
 And without question,

00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:23.120
 as I look back

00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:23.600
 over the year,

00:15:23.680 --> 00:15:24.280
 there was a spirit

00:15:24.280 --> 00:15:24.960
 of thankfulness

00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:25.200
 to say,

00:15:25.300 --> 00:15:25.780
 wow, Lord,

00:15:25.940 --> 00:15:27.040
 I am thankful

00:15:27.040 --> 00:15:28.200
 for what You are doing

00:15:28.200 --> 00:15:28.780
 in my heart

00:15:28.780 --> 00:15:29.340
 and my life

00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:30.620
 and I want You

00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:31.120
 to be the one

00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:32.040
 who receives the praise

00:15:32.040 --> 00:15:32.580
 for that.

00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:35.680
 I want you to also

00:15:35.680 --> 00:15:36.620
 stop and recognize

00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:38.420
 that there are things

00:15:38.420 --> 00:15:39.140
 that help us

00:15:39.140 --> 00:15:39.740
 to identify

00:15:39.740 --> 00:15:42.020
 what self-examination

00:15:42.020 --> 00:15:43.900
 really is characterized by.

00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:45.040
 So let's talk about

00:15:45.040 --> 00:15:45.580
 that a little bit.

00:15:45.660 --> 00:15:46.420
 What are some things

00:15:46.420 --> 00:15:47.460
 that mark

00:15:47.460 --> 00:15:48.600
 spirit-enabled

00:15:48.600 --> 00:15:50.020
 self-examination?

00:15:51.780 --> 00:15:52.300
 Listen,

00:15:53.300 --> 00:15:55.940
 it's very easy

00:15:55.940 --> 00:15:56.600
 for us to be

00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:57.440
 quite superficial

00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:58.240
 and say,

00:15:58.460 --> 00:15:58.660
 well,

00:15:59.100 --> 00:16:00.160
 check this box.

00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:01.900
 I have been to church

00:16:01.900 --> 00:16:02.560
 consistently.

00:16:02.900 --> 00:16:03.220
 Check.

00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:05.480
 I have been faithful

00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:06.240
 in my giving.

00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:06.899
 Check.

00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:09.340
 I am one

00:16:09.340 --> 00:16:10.060
 who practices

00:16:10.060 --> 00:16:11.360
 all the externals

00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:12.000
 of religion.

00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:12.759
 Check.

00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:14.100
 Does that sound

00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:14.840
 a little bit like

00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:17.040
 the Pharisee?

00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:17.879
 Remember when he was

00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:18.700
 praying in the temple?

00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:20.279
 I thank God

00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:20.759
 I'm not,

00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:21.040
 you know.

00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:22.820
 So,

00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:24.440
 let's talk about

00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:26.220
 what are some things

00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:26.620
 that mark

00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.320
 spirit-enabled

00:16:27.320 --> 00:16:28.300
 self-examination?

00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:28.899
 For one,

00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:29.600
 honest prayer

00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:30.180
 to the Lord.

00:16:30.179 --> 00:16:30.259
 Lord,

00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:31.699
 not the garden

00:16:31.699 --> 00:16:32.279
 variety of

00:16:32.279 --> 00:16:32.679
 now I lay

00:16:32.679 --> 00:16:33.399
 me down to sleep.

00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.039
 I hope you give

00:16:34.039 --> 00:16:34.779
 me a nice pass

00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:35.399
 for being a good

00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:35.759
 guy.

00:16:36.099 --> 00:16:36.579
 It's like,

00:16:36.679 --> 00:16:36.779
 hey,

00:16:36.819 --> 00:16:37.000
 Lord,

00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:37.839
 I really want

00:16:37.839 --> 00:16:38.439
 to be honest

00:16:38.439 --> 00:16:39.179
 and I need

00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:39.519
 your help

00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:40.319
 to recognize

00:16:40.319 --> 00:16:40.799
 the things

00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:41.419
 in my heart

00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:42.019
 that need

00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:42.699
 to be changed.

00:16:43.079 --> 00:16:43.719
 And by the way,

00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:44.759
 at what age

00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:45.459
 is that no

00:16:45.459 --> 00:16:46.239
 longer necessary?

00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:49.739
 Listen to me

00:16:49.739 --> 00:16:50.079
 carefully.

00:16:51.599 --> 00:16:52.199
 Getting old

00:16:52.199 --> 00:16:52.699
 without the

00:16:52.699 --> 00:16:53.259
 enabling of the

00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:53.779
 Holy Spirit

00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:54.359
 can make you

00:16:54.359 --> 00:16:54.879
 just kind of

00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.679
 a crotchety,

00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:57.159
 unhappy individual.

00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:57.839
 Everybody said

00:16:57.839 --> 00:16:58.039
 amen,

00:16:58.039 --> 00:16:58.379
 right?

00:16:59.259 --> 00:16:59.740
 How do you

00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:00.120
 want to go

00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:00.399
 out?

00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:01.759
 Joyful,

00:17:02.459 --> 00:17:02.779
 humble,

00:17:03.439 --> 00:17:04.000
 thankful for

00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:04.399
 the power

00:17:04.399 --> 00:17:04.859
 of the Spirit

00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:05.240
 of God

00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:05.740
 to continue

00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:06.159
 the work

00:17:06.159 --> 00:17:06.659
 of progressive

00:17:06.659 --> 00:17:07.379
 sanctification

00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:08.299
 until he

00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:08.920
 shuts the

00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:09.779
 engine off.

00:17:12.899 --> 00:17:13.720
 Humble prayer

00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:14.359
 to the Lord.

00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:16.339
 Number one.

00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:17.700
 Number two.

00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:19.099
 Stop and think

00:17:19.099 --> 00:17:20.019
 about the depth

00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:20.960
 of your love

00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:21.839
 for your Savior.

00:17:22.879 --> 00:17:23.420
 When Jesus

00:17:23.420 --> 00:17:24.259
 spoke to Peter

00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:25.220
 at the very

00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:26.220
 end of John

00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:27.480
 about his

00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:28.240
 responsibility

00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:28.799
 of feeding

00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.579
 his sheep,

00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:30.960
 the context

00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:31.720
 and the frame

00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:32.400
 in which he

00:17:32.400 --> 00:17:33.240
 laid the

00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:34.000
 responsibility

00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:35.220
 of what Peter

00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:35.779
 was to do

00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:36.059
 with the

00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:36.559
 remainder of

00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:36.940
 his life

00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:37.380
 was what?

00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:39.360
 Do you

00:17:39.360 --> 00:17:41.259
 love me?

00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:43.339
 And so an

00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:44.039
 honest question

00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:44.519
 for you to

00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.559
 ask yourself

00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:46.480
 and ask the

00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:46.880
 Holy Spirit

00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:47.240
 to help you

00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:47.680
 think about

00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:48.200
 is,

00:17:48.640 --> 00:17:49.180
 so what is

00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:50.019
 my genuine

00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:51.140
 affection for

00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:52.400
 Christ like?

00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:54.019
 I want you

00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.440
 to think with

00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:54.940
 me again

00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:55.640
 to another

00:17:55.640 --> 00:17:56.200
 passage in

00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:56.960
 relationship to

00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:57.720
 this over in

00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:59.160
 Revelation chapter

00:17:59.160 --> 00:17:59.840
 three and don't

00:17:59.840 --> 00:18:00.360
 turn to it,

00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:00.920
 but remember

00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:01.880
 the church at

00:18:01.880 --> 00:18:02.860
 Laodicea when

00:18:02.860 --> 00:18:04.059
 the indictment

00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:04.880
 of Christ

00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:05.880
 actually fell on

00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:06.279
 their ears,

00:18:06.340 --> 00:18:06.840
 what was it?

00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:07.920
 You have lost

00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:10.680
 your first love.

00:18:13.600 --> 00:18:14.460
 And so I would

00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:15.000
 appeal to you

00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:15.620
 this morning as

00:18:15.620 --> 00:18:16.200
 you think about

00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:17.019
 how do I go

00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:17.759
 about examining

00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:18.299
 my heart

00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:18.860
 honestly?

00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:19.779
 The question

00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:20.340
 is this,

00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:21.440
 do I really

00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:22.380
 have a love

00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:22.920
 for the Lord

00:18:22.920 --> 00:18:23.240
 Jesus?

00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:23.840
 I'm not

00:18:23.840 --> 00:18:24.340
 talking about

00:18:24.340 --> 00:18:24.880
 are you

00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:25.660
 sitting here?

00:18:27.120 --> 00:18:27.900
 I'm talking

00:18:27.900 --> 00:18:28.660
 about does

00:18:28.660 --> 00:18:29.200
 the thought

00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:29.800
 of Jesus

00:18:29.800 --> 00:18:31.220
 actually fill

00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:31.640
 you with

00:18:31.640 --> 00:18:32.640
 satisfaction and

00:18:32.640 --> 00:18:33.500
 delight and

00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.140
 does it cause

00:18:34.140 --> 00:18:34.920
 you to smile

00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:35.820
 in the face

00:18:35.820 --> 00:18:36.539
 of the adversity

00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:37.200
 of life?

00:18:39.900 --> 00:18:40.380
 Yesterday,

00:18:41.880 --> 00:18:43.160
 as we were

00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:43.880
 passing out

00:18:43.880 --> 00:18:44.360
 oatmeal to

00:18:44.360 --> 00:18:44.800
 some people,

00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:45.480
 one under a

00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:45.920
 bridge and

00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:46.460
 another in a

00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:46.720
 tent,

00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:47.920
 very interesting,

00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:49.680
 Greg,

00:18:50.340 --> 00:18:50.860
 where's Greg?

00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:52.140
 He's not in

00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:52.540
 here, Connie,

00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:53.100
 she's in the

00:18:53.100 --> 00:18:53.320
 nursery,

00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:53.640
 okay.

00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:57.120
 One person,

00:18:57.660 --> 00:18:58.420
 one person,

00:18:58.780 --> 00:18:59.820
 how can I pray

00:18:59.820 --> 00:19:00.080
 for you?

00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:00.440
 That's one of

00:19:00.440 --> 00:19:00.740
 the things we

00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:01.400
 asked, so you're

00:19:01.400 --> 00:19:01.820
 trying to make a

00:19:01.820 --> 00:19:02.240
 conversation,

00:19:02.360 --> 00:19:02.780
 how can I pray

00:19:02.780 --> 00:19:03.100
 for you?

00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:04.540
 Well, pray for

00:19:04.540 --> 00:19:05.160
 our nation is

00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:05.780
 really divided

00:19:05.780 --> 00:19:06.920
 and the person

00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:07.500
 I voted for

00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:08.120
 did not win.

00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:08.340
 I mean,

00:19:08.360 --> 00:19:08.720
 that's what they

00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.020
 wanted me to

00:19:09.020 --> 00:19:09.360
 pray for.

00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.500
 Very interesting

00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:13.140
 opportunity to

00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:13.580
 pray in that

00:19:13.580 --> 00:19:14.140
 environment,

00:19:14.280 --> 00:19:14.480
 you know,

00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.040
 and so I took

00:19:15.040 --> 00:19:15.720
 advantage of it.

00:19:16.360 --> 00:19:17.140
 You can weave a

00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:17.740
 prayer into any

00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:18.200
 kind of prayer.

00:19:18.380 --> 00:19:19.160
 You can weave the

00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:19.900
 gospel into any

00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:20.380
 kind of prayer.

00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:20.780
 How many of you

00:19:20.780 --> 00:19:21.200
 learned that?

00:19:22.140 --> 00:19:22.660
 It's just like,

00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:23.440
 hey, thank you for

00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:23.759
 giving me an

00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:24.320
 opportunity here.

00:19:24.360 --> 00:19:24.600
 Bang.

00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:25.980
 The other guy,

00:19:26.380 --> 00:19:28.740
 living in a tent,

00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:30.060
 he said, yeah,

00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:30.759
 you need to pray

00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:32.080
 that the new

00:19:32.080 --> 00:19:32.900
 president comes in.

00:19:32.920 --> 00:19:33.520
 I thought, whoa,

00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.920
 I got one guy under

00:19:34.920 --> 00:19:35.759
 a bridge who wants

00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:37.160
 to pray for the

00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:38.200
 division because his

00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:40.000
 candidate didn't win.

00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:40.980
 That's the only thing

00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:41.560
 he wanted me to pray

00:19:41.560 --> 00:19:42.020
 for, right?

00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:42.900
 And the other guy

00:19:42.900 --> 00:19:43.640
 wants me to pray that

00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:44.240
 this thing would get

00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:44.759
 on sooner.

00:19:45.100 --> 00:19:46.500
 I thought, you guys

00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.540
 have no idea what's

00:19:47.540 --> 00:19:48.520
 really going on, do you?

00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:50.379
 Here's the truth.

00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:53.039
 At the center of our

00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:55.799
 confidence and security

00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:57.740
 is the sweetness of our

00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:59.059
 relationship with Christ.

00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:01.200
 And if you are a

00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:02.920
 believer, there is good

00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:04.319
 reason for your life to

00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:06.500
 be marked by joy in

00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:07.859
 Christ and joy in the

00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:08.299
 Holy Spirit.

00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:08.879
 Isn't that right?

00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:10.559
 So when you do a little

00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:12.160
 self-examination, ask

00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:13.119
 yourself the question,

00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:15.219
 how often am I a

00:20:15.219 --> 00:20:17.399
 moody, unhappy, sullen

00:20:17.399 --> 00:20:18.779
 person because things

00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:20.219
 aren't going my way?

00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:21.899
 Hmm?

00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:24.559
 If you're a believer,

00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:27.619
 that is where you need

00:20:27.619 --> 00:20:28.899
 to be spiritually, your

00:20:28.899 --> 00:20:29.879
 life is marked by

00:20:29.879 --> 00:20:31.119
 humility and by joy.

00:20:32.399 --> 00:20:33.479
 Here's another thing that

00:20:33.479 --> 00:20:34.500
 is a good test of where

00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:35.359
 we really are.

00:20:36.879 --> 00:20:38.479
 Give an honest review of

00:20:38.479 --> 00:20:39.359
 your attitudes and

00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:40.899
 responses to those who

00:20:40.899 --> 00:20:42.639
 are closest to you.

00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:44.239
 I'll go real slowly

00:20:44.239 --> 00:20:44.799
 from this one.

00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:48.219
 Ask the Holy Spirit to

00:20:48.219 --> 00:20:50.139
 help you in an honest

00:20:50.139 --> 00:20:52.299
 evaluation of your

00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:53.899
 attitudes and responses

00:20:53.899 --> 00:20:55.039
 to those who are

00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:56.939
 closest to you.

00:20:58.139 --> 00:20:58.939
 How many of you

00:20:58.939 --> 00:20:59.719
 understand that it's

00:20:59.719 --> 00:21:00.779
 fairly easy to be

00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.659
 pretty polite and

00:21:01.659 --> 00:21:02.619
 civil to your neighbor

00:21:02.619 --> 00:21:03.759
 that you only see very

00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.279
 occasionally?

00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:05.659
 Huh?

00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:08.239
 The one who really

00:21:08.239 --> 00:21:09.899
 knows your heart best

00:21:09.899 --> 00:21:12.259
 in a marital situation

00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:13.339
 goes to bed with you

00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:16.180
 at night and gets up

00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:16.879
 with you in the morning,

00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:18.400
 shares all the details

00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:18.940
 of life.

00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.519
 And if you're a grumpy

00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.400
 and sullen person,

00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.440
 guess who really knows

00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:22.940
 best?

00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:24.099
 Who?

00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:26.700
 Your husband, your wife,

00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.319
 your children.

00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:31.319
 And so ask yourself,

00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:33.639
 do I see in my life as I

00:21:33.639 --> 00:21:35.099
 engage in self-examination,

00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:37.119
 do I see a humble,

00:21:37.859 --> 00:21:39.159
 forgiving, tender,

00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:41.159
 forbearing spirit that

00:21:41.159 --> 00:21:43.259
 loves those who God has

00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:43.939
 put me in close

00:21:43.939 --> 00:21:44.960
 relationship with?

00:21:45.639 --> 00:21:46.799
 If not, then it's

00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:47.819
 appropriate for you to

00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:49.059
 come back and say,

00:21:49.139 --> 00:21:49.980
 Lord, I need your help

00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:50.700
 to have that kind of

00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.019
 attitude.

00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:53.799
 At the end of the day,

00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:55.200
 it's very interesting,

00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:56.059
 when you go through the

00:21:56.059 --> 00:21:56.920
 book of 1 John,

00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.599
 you'll find that 1 John

00:21:58.599 --> 00:21:59.700
 is a book that has

00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:01.619
 a recurring theme,

00:22:01.819 --> 00:22:02.180
 namely,

00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.579
 how do I know that

00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:04.500
 I'm really saved?

00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:07.599
 One of the ways that I

00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:08.420
 know that I'm really

00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:09.779
 saved is for my

00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:11.339
 ongoing affection

00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:12.900
 for the body of Christ

00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:14.160
 and for fellow believers.

00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:14.980
 Do you realize that?

00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.180
 People that are close

00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:18.519
 to me are the ones

00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:19.220
 that often are a

00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:19.980
 greater challenge than

00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:20.660
 those I only see

00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:21.160
 occasionally.

00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:22.980
 And so when I'm engaged

00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:24.099
 in self-examination,

00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:24.980
 I ask myself the

00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:25.299
 question,

00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:27.240
 so where's my heart

00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:28.519
 in relationship to

00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:29.319
 those who are close

00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:29.720
 to me?

00:22:31.380 --> 00:22:32.259
 Another thing that I

00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:32.980
 would encourage you to

00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.980
 do as you engage in

00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:35.079
 self-examination is

00:22:35.079 --> 00:22:35.920
 kind of check where

00:22:35.920 --> 00:22:37.860
 your confident joy in

00:22:37.860 --> 00:22:39.200
 the Lord is.

00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:41.440
 Those who walk in

00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:42.279
 communion with the

00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.920
 Lord will certainly

00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:44.980
 have storms around

00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:45.640
 them, but they don't

00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:46.480
 have to have the storm

00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:46.860
 in them.

00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.360
 I want you to think

00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:48.799
 about a couple

00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:49.799
 different passages in

00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.879
 relationship to this.

00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:52.299
 And if you will,

00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:53.119
 turn in your Bible.

00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:54.220
 You're there in 2 Corinthians

00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:54.740
 probably.

00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:56.240
 So turn in your Bible

00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:57.460
 to 1 Peter 1,

00:22:57.619 --> 00:22:58.259
 verse 6.

00:22:59.139 --> 00:22:59.720
 By the way,

00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:01.079
 when Peter wrote this,

00:23:02.419 --> 00:23:04.079
 was he kind of

00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:04.779
 sitting by the

00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:05.700
 Mediterranean Sea

00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:06.740
 kind of anticipating

00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:08.700
 a good retirement

00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:10.720
 and all the benefits

00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.980
 of his long-standing

00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:12.399
 ministry?

00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:12.940
 No, he was

00:23:12.940 --> 00:23:13.480
 expected.

00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.940
 He was expecting

00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:16.879
 to be executed.

00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:18.879
 Listen to what he says

00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:19.620
 in verse 6.

00:23:20.620 --> 00:23:22.200
 In this you rejoice,

00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:23.660
 though now for a little

00:23:23.660 --> 00:23:24.660
 while, if necessary,

00:23:24.800 --> 00:23:25.580
 you've been grieved by

00:23:25.580 --> 00:23:26.360
 various trials.

00:23:26.540 --> 00:23:27.880
 In the middle of the

00:23:27.880 --> 00:23:28.820
 heartaches and challenges

00:23:28.820 --> 00:23:30.160
 of life, are you one

00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:31.840
 who is rejoicing in what

00:23:31.840 --> 00:23:33.500
 God is doing and is

00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:35.240
 actively involved in doing

00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:35.780
 in your life?

00:23:36.260 --> 00:23:37.480
 Look at verse 8.

00:23:38.120 --> 00:23:39.860
 Though now, though you

00:23:39.860 --> 00:23:41.200
 have not seen him,

00:23:41.260 --> 00:23:42.040
 you love him.

00:23:42.600 --> 00:23:44.000
 Though you do not now

00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:45.320
 see him, you believe in

00:23:45.320 --> 00:23:47.140
 him and rejoice with joy

00:23:47.140 --> 00:23:49.000
 that is inexpressible

00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:50.240
 and filled with glory,

00:23:50.920 --> 00:23:52.520
 the characteristic

00:23:52.520 --> 00:23:54.620
 of a believer

00:23:54.620 --> 00:23:56.740
 that is in communion

00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:58.820
 and in sweet relationship

00:23:58.820 --> 00:24:00.200
 with the Lord Jesus Christ

00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:02.000
 is their life is marked

00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:03.420
 by confident joy

00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.320
 in the Lord.

00:24:05.320 --> 00:24:06.560
 Is that the way it is?

00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:08.600
 Confident joy

00:24:08.600 --> 00:24:09.520
 in the Lord.

00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:10.940
 One other thing

00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.640
 as we think about

00:24:11.640 --> 00:24:12.600
 self-examination.

00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:14.799
 Consider how quickly

00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:18.000
 Scripture comes

00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:19.639
 to be your counselor,

00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.139
 your correction,

00:24:21.659 --> 00:24:22.480
 and your comfort.

00:24:23.139 --> 00:24:24.159
 When you stop and think

00:24:24.159 --> 00:24:25.699
 about where am I spiritually,

00:24:25.899 --> 00:24:27.119
 ask yourself this question,

00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.939
 how quickly does Scripture

00:24:28.939 --> 00:24:30.579
 come to my mind

00:24:30.579 --> 00:24:31.819
 to be my counselor,

00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.559
 my comfort,

00:24:32.919 --> 00:24:33.779
 my encouragement,

00:24:34.219 --> 00:24:35.500
 the challenge to my heart?

00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.659
 Let me have you think

00:24:37.659 --> 00:24:38.219
 about a passage

00:24:38.219 --> 00:24:39.439
 in relationship to this.

00:24:39.879 --> 00:24:40.559
 You're in 1 Peter.

00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:41.359
 Turn over there

00:24:41.359 --> 00:24:43.179
 to Colossians 3,

00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.659
 verse 16.

00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:48.000
 Colossians 3,

00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:48.740
 verse 16.

00:24:48.879 --> 00:24:49.859
 Let the word of Christ

00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:51.019
 dwell in you richly.

00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:54.079
 Let the word of Christ

00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:56.700
 dwell in you richly,

00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:58.519
 teaching and admonishing

00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:59.659
 one another in all wisdom,

00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.940
 singing psalms and hymns

00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:01.899
 and spiritual songs

00:25:01.899 --> 00:25:03.259
 with thankfulness

00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:04.480
 in your hearts to God.

00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:06.960
 Let the word of Christ

00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:08.639
 dwell in you richly.

00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:09.960
 That word richly means there

00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:11.240
 to have complete,

00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.799
 to fill everything.

00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:15.160
 How many of you

00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:17.640
 have little pantries

00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:18.620
 at home where you keep

00:25:18.620 --> 00:25:20.000
 a couple extra cans

00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:20.819
 of whatever it is

00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:21.740
 that you're going to have

00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:22.980
 as part of your supper plan

00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:23.400
 or whatever?

00:25:24.620 --> 00:25:26.400
 And you go to that

00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:27.319
 and there's nothing there.

00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:28.819
 What do you have to do?

00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:30.000
 You have to make a journey

00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.799
 to go somewhere else

00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:31.180
 to get it.

00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:31.680
 Isn't that right?

00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:34.140
 You'd rather have it on site

00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:35.299
 when something comes up

00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:35.519
 and says,

00:25:35.600 --> 00:25:36.720
 oh, I need a couple extra

00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.460
 cans of beans

00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:38.860
 or I need this

00:25:38.860 --> 00:25:39.680
 or there it is.

00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:40.700
 It's in the pantry.

00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:44.220
 The scripture is giving us

00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:44.799
 encouragement

00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:46.120
 that we as believers

00:25:46.120 --> 00:25:47.940
 are to have the word of God

00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:49.160
 packed into our life

00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:50.740
 that it is the thing

00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:52.380
 that dominates us.

00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.840
 And so when you find yourself

00:25:54.840 --> 00:25:56.279
 in a moment of stress,

00:25:56.340 --> 00:25:57.380
 when you find yourself

00:25:57.380 --> 00:25:58.740
 needing encouragement,

00:25:58.740 --> 00:25:59.900
 when you find yourself

00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:00.600
 at that point

00:26:00.600 --> 00:26:01.779
 where you're challenged

00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.259
 by life,

00:26:02.360 --> 00:26:03.779
 what is it that you rely upon?

00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:04.500
 What do you go back

00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.539
 and cling to

00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:06.839
 and rely upon

00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:07.799
 to be the encourager

00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.420
 and the instructor

00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:09.039
 of your life?

00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:11.579
 This morning

00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:12.480
 as I was sitting here

00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.940
 on the platform

00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:15.279
 or sitting on the pew

00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:16.319
 thinking about

00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:17.019
 the responsibility

00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.680
 of preaching,

00:26:17.899 --> 00:26:19.619
 I had several different passages

00:26:19.619 --> 00:26:20.680
 going through my mind.

00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:23.259
 One was in Isaiah 8,

00:26:23.339 --> 00:26:23.759
 verse 20

00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.839
 after Pastor prayed

00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:26.099
 where it says this.

00:26:27.099 --> 00:26:27.660
 It says that

00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:28.700
 if the word of God

00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:30.079
 is not at the front and center

00:26:30.079 --> 00:26:30.859
 of the whole thing

00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:31.480
 being presented,

00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.639
 it's because there is

00:26:32.639 --> 00:26:33.539
 no light in it.

00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:35.220
 At the end of the day,

00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:35.980
 the word of God

00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:36.480
 is the thing

00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:38.099
 that is the benchmark,

00:26:38.379 --> 00:26:39.259
 the standard,

00:26:39.619 --> 00:26:40.579
 the measuring stick

00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:41.399
 against which we

00:26:41.399 --> 00:26:43.200
 evaluate all other things

00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:44.119
 to be true or not.

00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:45.500
 And I was thinking

00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.339
 about that passage

00:26:46.339 --> 00:26:47.299
 also in Isaiah

00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:48.819
 or in Deuteronomy

00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.619
 where it says this,

00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:51.079
 that the priest's lips

00:26:51.079 --> 00:26:51.480
 should get,

00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:52.240
 it's in Malachi,

00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:53.139
 sorry, sorry.

00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:54.519
 Malachi says this,

00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:55.399
 that the priest's lips

00:26:55.399 --> 00:26:56.379
 should keep knowledge

00:26:56.379 --> 00:26:57.819
 for they should seek

00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:59.259
 the law of God

00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.920
 at his lips.

00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:03.139
 When a pastor speaks,

00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:05.079
 at the end of the day,

00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:06.139
 the thing that should

00:27:06.139 --> 00:27:07.619
 characterize what he says

00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:08.879
 is a connection

00:27:08.879 --> 00:27:10.079
 to the word of God.

00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.899
 Now if that is true

00:27:11.899 --> 00:27:12.619
 for a pastor,

00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.799
 should it be true

00:27:13.799 --> 00:27:15.740
 for godly believers

00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:17.299
 that are part of the fellowship?

00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:18.000
 What's the answer?

00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:19.399
 Absolutely.

00:27:19.399 --> 00:27:19.599
 Absolutely.

00:27:20.839 --> 00:27:21.519
 Your counsel

00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:23.039
 should be framed,

00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:24.599
 you don't have to rattle off

00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:25.420
 the Bible verse,

00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.460
 but it has to be

00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:28.259
 the frame of reference

00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:29.240
 that you're relying upon

00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:30.019
 to make your point.

00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.559
 And so looking back,

00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:35.200
 doing some soul searching,

00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:37.759
 some self-examination

00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:39.180
 is valuable to the believer,

00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.140
 particularly when it's

00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:43.380
 complemented with a comfort

00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:44.740
 and confidence in the Lord.

00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:45.819
 And so I want us to do that

00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:47.039
 as a second piece

00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.680
 of our logic.

00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:49.279
 We're going to examine ourselves

00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:50.599
 to see whether in their faith,

00:27:51.599 --> 00:27:52.779
 we're going to examine ourselves

00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:53.700
 to see whether or not

00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.859
 our hearts are where

00:27:54.859 --> 00:27:55.720
 they need to be.

00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:58.680
 Let's do the second part

00:27:58.680 --> 00:28:00.380
 and that is rely upon Him

00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:01.079
 and have confidence

00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:01.779
 in His help.

00:28:02.620 --> 00:28:03.720
 Turn in your Bibles now

00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.180
 if you would

00:28:04.180 --> 00:28:05.779
 to 1 Samuel chapter 7

00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.500
 verse 12.

00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:10.579
 1 Samuel chapter 7

00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:11.059
 verse 12.

00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:12.500
 Self-examination

00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:14.120
 that is not enabled

00:28:14.120 --> 00:28:15.420
 by the Spirit of God

00:28:15.420 --> 00:28:17.140
 is going to breed

00:28:17.140 --> 00:28:19.120
 complete self-deception.

00:28:20.360 --> 00:28:21.779
 Self-examination

00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:24.339
 that does not bring us

00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:26.099
 to dependence upon Christ

00:28:26.099 --> 00:28:27.679
 is going to bring us

00:28:27.679 --> 00:28:29.019
 to discouragement.

00:28:30.199 --> 00:28:31.139
 And so I want us

00:28:31.139 --> 00:28:33.679
 to couple our self-examination

00:28:33.679 --> 00:28:35.519
 with a healthy dose

00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.319
 of confidence

00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:38.319
 in the Lord and His power.

00:28:38.439 --> 00:28:40.099
 Go to 1 Samuel chapter 7.

00:28:42.379 --> 00:28:44.039
 Any of you that have

00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:45.679
 worked your way through

00:28:45.679 --> 00:28:48.379
 Joshua, Judges,

00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:51.379
 1 and 2 Samuel, etc.,

00:28:51.379 --> 00:28:52.639
 would have to say

00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:54.280
 that the history of Israel

00:28:54.280 --> 00:28:57.140
 is marked by recurring failures.

00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:57.740
 Isn't that right?

00:28:58.680 --> 00:29:00.259
 I mean, you read the book

00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:00.900
 of Judges

00:29:00.900 --> 00:29:01.640
 and you just kind of

00:29:01.640 --> 00:29:02.320
 think to yourself,

00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.720
 man, that cycle

00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:05.660
 is so incessant.

00:29:06.120 --> 00:29:07.980
 They would kind of

00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:09.000
 depend upon the Lord.

00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:10.140
 They would see some progress

00:29:10.140 --> 00:29:10.800
 in their lives.

00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:11.780
 They would get confident

00:29:11.780 --> 00:29:12.320
 and arrogant

00:29:12.320 --> 00:29:13.420
 and they would fall

00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:14.240
 into deep sin

00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:15.440
 and then they would endure

00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:16.440
 the chastening of God

00:29:16.440 --> 00:29:17.940
 and just cycle back

00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:18.860
 and back and back.

00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:22.199
 1 Samuel chapter 7

00:29:22.199 --> 00:29:23.699
 is at one of those points

00:29:23.699 --> 00:29:24.359
 of heartache

00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:25.539
 in the nation's history.

00:29:27.119 --> 00:29:28.059
 They had endured

00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:30.039
 a very, very poor

00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:31.939
 high priest's ministry,

00:29:32.119 --> 00:29:32.399
 Eli,

00:29:32.879 --> 00:29:34.139
 who instead of

00:29:34.139 --> 00:29:35.599
 admonishing and correcting

00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:37.299
 his sons in their wickedness,

00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:38.419
 he had tolerated it.

00:29:39.219 --> 00:29:40.059
 And as a result,

00:29:40.899 --> 00:29:42.359
 he and his children

00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:44.199
 failed miserably,

00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:45.439
 but also the nation

00:29:45.439 --> 00:29:46.500
 struggled as well

00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:48.559
 in spiritual misbehavior

00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:49.660
 and idolatry.

00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:51.140
 And as a result of that,

00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:53.220
 God brought other people along

00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:54.640
 to discipline Israel

00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:55.460
 and to bring them

00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:56.039
 to humility.

00:29:56.380 --> 00:29:57.619
 He used the Philistines.

00:29:59.859 --> 00:30:01.059
 There was a great battle

00:30:01.059 --> 00:30:02.480
 and in the midst

00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:02.980
 of the battle,

00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:04.079
 the Israelites thought,

00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:04.759
 well, hey,

00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:05.900
 great idea would be

00:30:05.900 --> 00:30:07.000
 for us to bring the ark

00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:09.339
 because if the ark is there,

00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:10.380
 then God's got to

00:30:10.380 --> 00:30:11.640
 pull it off for us.

00:30:12.160 --> 00:30:13.900
 Kind of manipulating God

00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:14.680
 in this situation.

00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.500
 Have you ever tried that?

00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:17.220
 Don't raise your hand

00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:18.200
 and smile at me.

00:30:18.619 --> 00:30:18.980
 But you know,

00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:21.779
 Lord, I will do A, B, C

00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:23.240
 if you will, right?

00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:26.019
 Israel thought they could

00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:27.140
 kind of manipulate God

00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:28.400
 and it didn't work out well.

00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:30.880
 As a result of that

00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:31.799
 miserable failure

00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:32.720
 on the part of Israel,

00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:34.279
 they endured many years

00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:35.539
 of spiritual heartache.

00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:38.599
 And finally we find there

00:30:38.599 --> 00:30:40.440
 in 1 Samuel chapter 7

00:30:40.440 --> 00:30:43.500
 that the house of Israel

00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:44.720
 finally came to the place

00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:45.940
 where they lamented

00:30:45.940 --> 00:30:47.100
 after the Lord.

00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:49.539
 Look at 1 Samuel chapter 7

00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:50.079
 verse 2.

00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:51.600
 It says,

00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:53.180
 And all the house of Israel

00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:55.059
 lamented after the Lord.

00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:57.380
 How many of you ever been

00:30:57.380 --> 00:30:58.279
 at the point in your life

00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:59.460
 where you have been tired

00:30:59.460 --> 00:31:01.360
 of the consequences

00:31:01.360 --> 00:31:02.240
 of your sin

00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:03.440
 and you cried out

00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:03.819
 to the Lord

00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:04.120
 and said,

00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:04.400
 Lord,

00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:06.839
 do whatever you think best

00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:09.740
 but get this nasty heart

00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:11.799
 back to where it needs to be?

00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:14.960
 Israel lamented

00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:17.039
 after the Lord.

00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:18.319
 Samuel,

00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:19.980
 the faithful prophet,

00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:21.319
 comes into the picture

00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:22.680
 and he says there

00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:23.279
 in verse 3,

00:31:23.620 --> 00:31:24.299
 If you're returning

00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:24.839
 to the Lord

00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:25.660
 with all your heart,

00:31:25.740 --> 00:31:26.279
 then put away

00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:27.200
 the foreign gods,

00:31:27.660 --> 00:31:28.839
 the Asheroth

00:31:28.839 --> 00:31:29.900
 among you,

00:31:30.120 --> 00:31:31.140
 and direct your heart

00:31:31.140 --> 00:31:31.579
 to the Lord

00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.519
 and serve Him only.

00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:34.579
 And as a result

00:31:34.579 --> 00:31:37.259
 of their plea

00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:39.400
 and the counsel of Samuel,

00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.740
 the nation of Israel

00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:42.299
 obediently began

00:31:42.299 --> 00:31:43.339
 to pursue the Lord

00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:45.599
 and when that news

00:31:45.599 --> 00:31:47.079
 got out to the Philistines,

00:31:47.379 --> 00:31:48.519
 the Philistines decided,

00:31:48.660 --> 00:31:48.920
 All right,

00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:49.680
 we're going to come back

00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:51.579
 and try to oppress them again.

00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:53.339
 What happened?

00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:55.940
 Now God was on their side

00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:57.779
 and you read there

00:31:57.779 --> 00:31:58.420
 in verse 7,

00:31:58.480 --> 00:31:59.480
 Now when the Philistines,

00:31:59.559 --> 00:32:00.400
 this is verse 7

00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:01.619
 of chapter 7,

00:32:01.619 --> 00:32:02.979
 when the Philistines

00:32:02.979 --> 00:32:03.879
 heard that the people

00:32:03.879 --> 00:32:04.899
 of Israel had gathered

00:32:04.899 --> 00:32:05.539
 at Mizpah,

00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:07.359
 the lords of the Philistines

00:32:07.359 --> 00:32:08.399
 went up against Israel

00:32:08.399 --> 00:32:09.019
 and when the people

00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:10.059
 of Israel heard of it,

00:32:10.399 --> 00:32:11.239
 they were afraid.

00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:13.759
 The people of Israel

00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:14.519
 said to Samuel,

00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:15.819
 Do not cease to cry out

00:32:15.819 --> 00:32:16.719
 to the Lord our God

00:32:16.719 --> 00:32:18.719
 for us that He may save us

00:32:18.719 --> 00:32:19.299
 from the hand

00:32:19.299 --> 00:32:20.119
 of the Philistines.

00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:20.879
 What happened?

00:32:22.639 --> 00:32:23.519
 Samuel prayed.

00:32:24.439 --> 00:32:25.759
 Samuel offered sacrifice

00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:27.619
 and God divinely intervened

00:32:28.359 --> 00:32:29.819
 for the sake of the nation

00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:30.859
 and protected

00:32:30.859 --> 00:32:31.879
 and preserved them

00:32:31.879 --> 00:32:33.879
 and after that great battle

00:32:33.879 --> 00:32:34.979
 and that success,

00:32:37.159 --> 00:32:38.519
 we find that Samuel

00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:40.859
 called for a time

00:32:40.859 --> 00:32:41.559
 of offering

00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:42.279
 and sacrifice

00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:43.099
 and praise.

00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:44.139
 Look at verse 12.

00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:46.479
 Then Samuel took a stone

00:32:46.479 --> 00:32:47.099
 and set it up

00:32:47.099 --> 00:32:48.379
 between Mizpah and Shem

00:32:48.379 --> 00:32:49.919
 and called its name

00:32:49.919 --> 00:32:50.699
 Ebenezer.

00:32:51.179 --> 00:32:51.740
 Now, question,

00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:52.559
 how many of you remember

00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:53.779
 when we used to sing

00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:54.299
 that song,

00:32:54.619 --> 00:32:57.359
 Here I raise my Ebenezer?

00:32:57.359 --> 00:32:57.479
 Ebenezer.

00:32:58.279 --> 00:33:00.899
 And some of the modern hymn books

00:33:00.899 --> 00:33:01.699
 have just taken it out

00:33:01.699 --> 00:33:02.719
 because we don't make

00:33:02.719 --> 00:33:03.359
 that translation.

00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:04.159
 It's not hard.

00:33:04.439 --> 00:33:05.500
 Ebenezer means what?

00:33:06.219 --> 00:33:07.379
 Hitherto hath the Lord

00:33:07.379 --> 00:33:08.599
 brought us.

00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:10.219
 One of the things

00:33:10.219 --> 00:33:11.059
 that Israel did

00:33:11.059 --> 00:33:12.059
 on a regular basis,

00:33:12.399 --> 00:33:12.879
 they were into

00:33:12.879 --> 00:33:13.839
 stacking stones.

00:33:15.179 --> 00:33:15.759
 Now, one of the things

00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.719
 you know about stacks

00:33:16.719 --> 00:33:17.699
 of stones is they don't

00:33:17.699 --> 00:33:18.579
 happen by themselves.

00:33:18.659 --> 00:33:19.259
 Do you understand that?

00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:21.619
 They just don't pile up

00:33:21.619 --> 00:33:22.619
 by themselves.

00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.660
 They may do it

00:33:24.660 --> 00:33:25.460
 on cartoons,

00:33:25.619 --> 00:33:26.200
 but they don't do it

00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:26.700
 in real life.

00:33:26.799 --> 00:33:27.400
 And so when you saw

00:33:27.400 --> 00:33:28.099
 a pile of stones,

00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:28.359
 you thought,

00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:29.299
 that's about something.

00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:30.379
 I wonder what that is.

00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:32.339
 Classic illustration

00:33:32.339 --> 00:33:33.299
 of that would be

00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:34.619
 that when the nation

00:33:34.619 --> 00:33:35.039
 of Israel

00:33:35.039 --> 00:33:36.259
 crossed the Jordan

00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:38.539
 on dry land,

00:33:39.339 --> 00:33:40.500
 what did Joshua

00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:42.279
 tell the nation

00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:42.759
 to do?

00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:44.240
 Pick out 12

00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:46.000
 husky guys.

00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:46.819
 By the way,

00:33:46.819 --> 00:33:48.960
 I need four strong men

00:33:48.960 --> 00:33:50.400
 to help move a...

00:33:50.400 --> 00:33:52.420
 Some of you are

00:33:52.420 --> 00:33:53.000
 laughing at this,

00:33:53.059 --> 00:33:53.420
 but I do.

00:33:53.620 --> 00:33:54.759
 I need four strong men

00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:56.000
 after the morning service

00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:57.440
 to go into the

00:33:57.440 --> 00:33:58.360
 multipurpose room

00:33:58.360 --> 00:34:00.100
 to help bring a large

00:34:00.100 --> 00:34:02.860
 credenza into the

00:34:02.860 --> 00:34:03.519
 conference room.

00:34:03.579 --> 00:34:03.940
 There we go.

00:34:04.380 --> 00:34:05.620
 So Joshua said,

00:34:05.900 --> 00:34:07.460
 I want 12 strong guys.

00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:08.159
 I want each of them

00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:09.539
 to pick up a big stone

00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:11.380
 and carry it out

00:34:11.380 --> 00:34:12.500
 to dry land.

00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.199
 And what did they do

00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:13.800
 with those stones?

00:34:15.179 --> 00:34:17.559
 They built a pile of them

00:34:17.559 --> 00:34:18.539
 on dry land,

00:34:18.539 --> 00:34:19.519
 and there was another one

00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:20.400
 in the middle of the river.

00:34:21.800 --> 00:34:23.099
 So later on,

00:34:23.259 --> 00:34:24.219
 years from now

00:34:24.219 --> 00:34:25.659
 or years in the future,

00:34:26.139 --> 00:34:27.320
 the children of Israel

00:34:27.320 --> 00:34:28.259
 would look at that pile.

00:34:28.340 --> 00:34:29.199
 What's this all about?

00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:29.759
 Well,

00:34:30.119 --> 00:34:31.679
 there's a pile just like that

00:34:31.679 --> 00:34:32.579
 in the middle of the river,

00:34:32.699 --> 00:34:34.539
 and we crossed on dry land.

00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:36.259
 A reminder.

00:34:36.259 --> 00:34:39.779
 And here is Samuel saying,

00:34:40.460 --> 00:34:41.279
 I want us to build

00:34:41.279 --> 00:34:42.259
 this pile of stones,

00:34:42.739 --> 00:34:43.460
 and what I want...

00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:45.119
 I'll put a big stone up.

00:34:45.119 --> 00:34:45.359
 He says,

00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.599
 I want us to call

00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:47.319
 this stone

00:34:47.319 --> 00:34:50.179
 Ebenezer,

00:34:50.539 --> 00:34:52.420
 because this is how far

00:34:52.420 --> 00:34:53.900
 God has brought us.

00:34:55.279 --> 00:34:57.099
 On the heels of that great

00:34:57.099 --> 00:34:58.579
 and supernatural victory,

00:34:59.139 --> 00:35:00.519
 Samuel wanted the nation

00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:01.679
 of Israel to remember

00:35:01.679 --> 00:35:02.779
 for all time,

00:35:03.199 --> 00:35:04.359
 this is what God has done

00:35:04.359 --> 00:35:04.659
 for us.

00:35:04.659 --> 00:35:05.500
 Why is that important?

00:35:05.500 --> 00:35:09.119
 Because there will be

00:35:09.119 --> 00:35:09.800
 other times

00:35:09.800 --> 00:35:10.760
 where we will forget

00:35:10.760 --> 00:35:11.900
 what God has done.

00:35:12.360 --> 00:35:12.980
 And in the middle

00:35:12.980 --> 00:35:14.139
 of some of our heartache

00:35:14.139 --> 00:35:15.139
 and our difficulty,

00:35:15.380 --> 00:35:16.260
 we're going to forget

00:35:16.260 --> 00:35:17.440
 that He is on our side

00:35:17.440 --> 00:35:18.860
 and He's at work for us.

00:35:19.900 --> 00:35:20.679
 Right now,

00:35:21.800 --> 00:35:24.460
 if you read the news,

00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:26.199
 you will understand

00:35:26.199 --> 00:35:29.780
 that Israel is in a hard place.

00:35:29.940 --> 00:35:30.659
 Would you agree with that?

00:35:31.860 --> 00:35:33.500
 Israel is in a hard place

00:35:33.500 --> 00:35:35.739
 in our world perspective.

00:35:36.280 --> 00:35:37.440
 And as I look at that,

00:35:37.539 --> 00:35:38.280
 I am reminded

00:35:38.280 --> 00:35:39.599
 that the God of Abraham

00:35:39.599 --> 00:35:40.500
 who made a promise

00:35:40.500 --> 00:35:41.860
 in Genesis chapter 12

00:35:41.860 --> 00:35:43.840
 has not changed His mind

00:35:43.840 --> 00:35:44.960
 regarding His people.

00:35:45.840 --> 00:35:47.440
 And God will take care

00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:48.460
 of the nation of Israel.

00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:50.500
 And because of His faithfulness

00:35:50.500 --> 00:35:51.519
 to the nation of Israel,

00:35:51.980 --> 00:35:53.400
 Tim Kenoyer has confidence

00:35:53.400 --> 00:35:54.639
 that He will keep

00:35:54.639 --> 00:35:56.079
 His promises to me as well.

00:35:57.019 --> 00:35:58.719
 And that pile of stones

00:35:58.719 --> 00:36:00.079
 that Samuel set up,

00:36:00.300 --> 00:36:00.820
 that pile,

00:36:00.900 --> 00:36:01.400
 that big stone

00:36:01.400 --> 00:36:02.000
 that he set up,

00:36:02.000 --> 00:36:02.840
 he said, listen,

00:36:03.059 --> 00:36:03.960
 this is a reminder,

00:36:04.400 --> 00:36:05.460
 this is what God

00:36:05.460 --> 00:36:06.940
 has done for us.

00:36:07.619 --> 00:36:08.840
 And so it's fitting for us,

00:36:08.920 --> 00:36:09.960
 practically speaking,

00:36:10.159 --> 00:36:12.219
 as a group of people,

00:36:12.500 --> 00:36:13.440
 to stop and think,

00:36:13.500 --> 00:36:13.760
 all right,

00:36:13.800 --> 00:36:14.659
 what has God done?

00:36:15.260 --> 00:36:16.119
 What has He done?

00:36:16.760 --> 00:36:17.699
 And what are things

00:36:17.699 --> 00:36:19.039
 that we can give Him thanks for?

00:36:19.159 --> 00:36:20.400
 So let's think about

00:36:20.400 --> 00:36:21.059
 the things that we can

00:36:21.059 --> 00:36:21.679
 thank God for.

00:36:21.739 --> 00:36:22.219
 For one,

00:36:22.760 --> 00:36:23.599
 I have to tell you

00:36:23.599 --> 00:36:25.719
 as I think about 2016

00:36:25.719 --> 00:36:27.340
 and the years actually

00:36:27.340 --> 00:36:28.019
 behind that,

00:36:28.199 --> 00:36:29.239
 I am very thankful

00:36:29.239 --> 00:36:29.800
 to the Lord

00:36:29.800 --> 00:36:30.620
 that He directed

00:36:30.620 --> 00:36:32.120
 this congregation's heart

00:36:32.120 --> 00:36:34.380
 regarding a transition plan

00:36:34.380 --> 00:36:36.380
 and that this congregation

00:36:36.380 --> 00:36:38.320
 voted in complete unanimity

00:36:38.320 --> 00:36:40.180
 to proceed with that process.

00:36:40.580 --> 00:36:41.180
 And after about

00:36:41.180 --> 00:36:43.060
 a two-year search process,

00:36:43.300 --> 00:36:43.920
 He brought us

00:36:43.920 --> 00:36:44.960
 a senior pastor-elect.

00:36:45.200 --> 00:36:46.360
 That is not

00:36:46.360 --> 00:36:48.400
 some light thing.

00:36:48.780 --> 00:36:49.860
 And I'm thankful for it.

00:36:50.100 --> 00:36:51.400
 And I trust you remain

00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:52.840
 with that spirit of thankfulness.

00:36:53.640 --> 00:36:54.060
 Furthermore,

00:36:54.280 --> 00:36:54.920
 I would say that

00:36:54.920 --> 00:36:56.360
 as I look back over the year,

00:36:56.360 --> 00:36:57.280
 I am thankful

00:36:57.280 --> 00:36:58.620
 that He has worked

00:36:58.620 --> 00:36:59.280
 in our hearts

00:36:59.280 --> 00:36:59.820
 to give us

00:36:59.820 --> 00:37:01.039
 a deliberate attention

00:37:01.039 --> 00:37:02.440
 to the needs of others

00:37:02.440 --> 00:37:03.140
 and to help us grow

00:37:03.140 --> 00:37:03.660
 in this area.

00:37:03.800 --> 00:37:05.039
 We're not where we want to be,

00:37:05.640 --> 00:37:07.500
 but we're not where we used to be.

00:37:07.780 --> 00:37:08.820
 And I'm thankful for that.

00:37:09.260 --> 00:37:11.780
 I think of just this last fall

00:37:11.780 --> 00:37:14.519
 when we entertained

00:37:14.519 --> 00:37:15.440
 the Franklin County

00:37:15.440 --> 00:37:16.280
 Board of Elections

00:37:16.280 --> 00:37:17.480
 and week after week

00:37:17.480 --> 00:37:18.039
 after week,

00:37:18.420 --> 00:37:19.440
 our small groups

00:37:19.440 --> 00:37:20.539
 brought suppers in

00:37:20.539 --> 00:37:21.720
 for that group of people

00:37:21.720 --> 00:37:23.320
 and served them willingly.

00:37:23.539 --> 00:37:24.340
 Do you know what they did?

00:37:24.340 --> 00:37:24.500
 Instead,

00:37:25.019 --> 00:37:26.860
 they invited me to a banquet

00:37:26.860 --> 00:37:27.600
 that I tried to get

00:37:27.600 --> 00:37:28.340
 Pastor Shearer

00:37:28.340 --> 00:37:29.140
 or Pastor Andrew

00:37:29.140 --> 00:37:30.220
 to go to instead of me.

00:37:30.300 --> 00:37:31.320
 I even asked Pastor Saul

00:37:31.320 --> 00:37:31.860
 if he would go.

00:37:33.320 --> 00:37:34.559
 And in front of a whole

00:37:34.559 --> 00:37:35.760
 roomful of people,

00:37:36.240 --> 00:37:37.740
 they gave this church

00:37:37.740 --> 00:37:39.039
 an award for being

00:37:39.039 --> 00:37:40.900
 the most civic-minded group

00:37:40.900 --> 00:37:41.460
 of blah, blah, blah.

00:37:41.620 --> 00:37:41.780
 You know,

00:37:41.900 --> 00:37:42.519
 wow!

00:37:43.800 --> 00:37:44.820
 We served them.

00:37:45.180 --> 00:37:47.039
 Did we do it for a token

00:37:47.039 --> 00:37:48.180
 and a little plaque?

00:37:48.260 --> 00:37:49.240
 I don't even know where it is.

00:37:49.360 --> 00:37:50.140
 It's in my truck.

00:37:50.840 --> 00:37:51.519
 It's in my truck.

00:37:51.680 --> 00:37:52.500
 I'm not hanging it up.

00:37:55.200 --> 00:37:55.860
 We've grown.

00:37:56.800 --> 00:37:57.460
 We made headway.

00:37:58.000 --> 00:37:58.800
 Thank the Lord for that.

00:37:59.100 --> 00:37:59.720
 He has helped us

00:37:59.720 --> 00:38:00.640
 increase our impact

00:38:00.640 --> 00:38:01.240
 in the community

00:38:01.240 --> 00:38:02.640
 through things like Awana.

00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:04.720
 We've had a lot more

00:38:04.720 --> 00:38:06.000
 young people in Awana

00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:07.200
 this year than last year.

00:38:08.280 --> 00:38:09.820
 He has helped us

00:38:09.820 --> 00:38:11.620
 in Thursday evening basketball.

00:38:12.300 --> 00:38:13.360
 And I'm thankful for that.

00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:14.539
 Thursday evenings,

00:38:14.620 --> 00:38:15.900
 there is a crowd of guys

00:38:15.900 --> 00:38:16.600
 who come in here

00:38:16.600 --> 00:38:17.760
 and play basketball.

00:38:18.140 --> 00:38:18.640
 By the way,

00:38:18.680 --> 00:38:19.440
 since Joel Dobney

00:38:19.440 --> 00:38:20.160
 decided there's going

00:38:20.160 --> 00:38:21.019
 to be a police officer,

00:38:21.120 --> 00:38:21.539
 Lord willing,

00:38:21.880 --> 00:38:23.260
 he handed that off to me.

00:38:23.260 --> 00:38:25.620
 I went in a couple weeks ago

00:38:25.620 --> 00:38:26.980
 and I'm with the guys in there

00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:28.260
 and they said,

00:38:28.340 --> 00:38:29.560
 so you're Joel's replacement.

00:38:29.720 --> 00:38:29.980
 I said,

00:38:30.240 --> 00:38:30.500
 well,

00:38:31.180 --> 00:38:31.880
 yeah.

00:38:33.200 --> 00:38:33.660
 They said,

00:38:33.700 --> 00:38:33.840
 well,

00:38:33.860 --> 00:38:34.900
 you're going to have to sub in.

00:38:35.000 --> 00:38:35.320
 I said,

00:38:35.360 --> 00:38:36.060
 no way.

00:38:37.440 --> 00:38:38.380
 I'm sitting over here

00:38:38.380 --> 00:38:38.920
 on the side.

00:38:39.060 --> 00:38:39.820
 I'll be present,

00:38:39.960 --> 00:38:40.440
 but that's it.

00:38:41.020 --> 00:38:43.480
 And I have an opportunity

00:38:43.480 --> 00:38:44.320
 week after week

00:38:44.320 --> 00:38:45.080
 to share the gospel

00:38:45.080 --> 00:38:45.520
 with people

00:38:45.520 --> 00:38:46.160
 that don't hear it

00:38:46.160 --> 00:38:46.900
 any other way.

00:38:47.380 --> 00:38:47.800
 And by the way,

00:38:47.820 --> 00:38:48.840
 if you'd like to join me,

00:38:49.140 --> 00:38:49.880
 let me know.

00:38:50.240 --> 00:38:51.180
 I'll get you involved.

00:38:51.179 --> 00:38:53.239
 There are other ways

00:38:53.239 --> 00:38:54.259
 in which we are growing

00:38:54.259 --> 00:38:55.559
 in our attention

00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:56.799
 to the needs of people

00:38:56.799 --> 00:38:57.519
 around us

00:38:57.519 --> 00:38:59.359
 week after week.

00:39:00.440 --> 00:39:01.839
 Quiet little activities

00:39:01.839 --> 00:39:03.000
 that you engage in

00:39:03.000 --> 00:39:03.759
 as God's people

00:39:03.759 --> 00:39:04.500
 in meeting the needs

00:39:04.500 --> 00:39:04.919
 of people

00:39:04.919 --> 00:39:06.000
 that are right there

00:39:06.000 --> 00:39:06.639
 in your neighborhood

00:39:06.639 --> 00:39:08.460
 that you know

00:39:08.460 --> 00:39:09.239
 need Christ

00:39:09.239 --> 00:39:10.039
 and you're building

00:39:10.039 --> 00:39:10.619
 those bridges

00:39:10.619 --> 00:39:11.480
 for their sake.

00:39:12.819 --> 00:39:13.259
 Beloved,

00:39:13.379 --> 00:39:14.019
 all of this

00:39:14.019 --> 00:39:14.699
 has been the work

00:39:14.699 --> 00:39:15.500
 of God in us

00:39:15.500 --> 00:39:16.099
 and we want to give

00:39:16.099 --> 00:39:17.019
 Him credit for it.

00:39:17.559 --> 00:39:18.679
 And it's fitting for us

00:39:18.679 --> 00:39:19.980
 as we look back

00:39:19.980 --> 00:39:21.159
 by self-examination

00:39:21.159 --> 00:39:21.519
 to say,

00:39:21.619 --> 00:39:21.759
 man,

00:39:21.879 --> 00:39:22.779
 there's a ways

00:39:22.779 --> 00:39:23.539
 for me to go

00:39:23.539 --> 00:39:24.980
 and I need to grow.

00:39:25.539 --> 00:39:26.599
 But at the same time,

00:39:26.719 --> 00:39:27.419
 it's appropriate

00:39:27.419 --> 00:39:28.480
 for us to look back

00:39:28.480 --> 00:39:28.779
 and say,

00:39:28.919 --> 00:39:29.980
 look what God has done

00:39:29.980 --> 00:39:31.039
 and the blessings

00:39:31.039 --> 00:39:31.799
 that He's produced

00:39:31.799 --> 00:39:32.460
 in our life

00:39:32.460 --> 00:39:33.379
 and we're thankful

00:39:33.379 --> 00:39:33.940
 for that.

00:39:35.179 --> 00:39:35.960
 So let me bring it

00:39:35.960 --> 00:39:36.399
 to a close

00:39:36.399 --> 00:39:37.019
 and have you think

00:39:37.019 --> 00:39:38.239
 with me very practically

00:39:38.239 --> 00:39:39.460
 about how this applies

00:39:39.460 --> 00:39:39.919
 to you.

00:39:41.359 --> 00:39:42.079
 Truth of the matter

00:39:42.079 --> 00:39:43.179
 is that you are here

00:39:43.179 --> 00:39:44.460
 in one of two conditions.

00:39:44.460 --> 00:39:47.240
 I would believe

00:39:47.240 --> 00:39:48.340
 that the vast majority

00:39:48.340 --> 00:39:49.159
 of you are here today

00:39:49.159 --> 00:39:49.960
 and you know Christ

00:39:49.960 --> 00:39:50.619
 as your Savior

00:39:50.619 --> 00:39:52.420
 and self-examination

00:39:52.420 --> 00:39:53.960
 along with thanksgiving

00:39:53.960 --> 00:39:55.880
 is to characterize

00:39:55.880 --> 00:39:57.340
 your life moving forward.

00:39:58.740 --> 00:40:00.220
 I see what God has done.

00:40:00.960 --> 00:40:02.199
 I know there's more to do

00:40:02.199 --> 00:40:04.280
 and I renew my commitment

00:40:04.280 --> 00:40:04.780
 to Him

00:40:04.780 --> 00:40:06.019
 to grow to be the person

00:40:06.019 --> 00:40:07.019
 that He wants me to be.

00:40:07.320 --> 00:40:08.179
 That's a believer.

00:40:09.139 --> 00:40:10.599
 I don't want to play games

00:40:10.599 --> 00:40:11.099
 spiritually.

00:40:11.300 --> 00:40:11.900
 I want to be

00:40:11.900 --> 00:40:12.940
 who He wants me to be.

00:40:12.940 --> 00:40:14.780
 But there are some of you

00:40:14.780 --> 00:40:15.240
 here today

00:40:15.240 --> 00:40:16.480
 that do not know Christ

00:40:16.480 --> 00:40:18.720
 and so self-examination

00:40:18.720 --> 00:40:19.380
 this morning

00:40:19.380 --> 00:40:21.920
 is a matter of bringing you

00:40:21.920 --> 00:40:22.480
 to conviction

00:40:22.480 --> 00:40:23.200
 to recognize

00:40:23.200 --> 00:40:24.099
 that the truth of the matter

00:40:24.099 --> 00:40:24.700
 is this,

00:40:25.139 --> 00:40:26.079
 is that if you were

00:40:26.079 --> 00:40:26.860
 to die tonight

00:40:26.860 --> 00:40:27.740
 and God were to say

00:40:27.740 --> 00:40:28.519
 why should I let you

00:40:28.519 --> 00:40:28.900
 into heaven,

00:40:29.059 --> 00:40:30.179
 you wouldn't have an answer.

00:40:31.000 --> 00:40:31.880
 I got to tell you

00:40:31.880 --> 00:40:33.019
 if you would recommend to me

00:40:33.019 --> 00:40:33.539
 that you've been

00:40:33.539 --> 00:40:34.320
 a pretty good person,

00:40:34.420 --> 00:40:35.119
 I'll tell you this,

00:40:35.500 --> 00:40:36.700
 Jesus died on the cross

00:40:36.700 --> 00:40:37.579
 because there are

00:40:37.579 --> 00:40:38.320
 no good people.

00:40:39.179 --> 00:40:40.039
 Scripture says this,

00:40:40.079 --> 00:40:40.679
 all have sinned

00:40:40.679 --> 00:40:41.179
 and come short

00:40:41.179 --> 00:40:42.019
 of the glory of God

00:40:42.019 --> 00:40:43.480
 and there's no hope

00:40:43.480 --> 00:40:44.460
 for an individual

00:40:44.460 --> 00:40:45.719
 making it into heaven

00:40:45.719 --> 00:40:46.599
 on the basis

00:40:46.599 --> 00:40:47.659
 of their own efforts.

00:40:49.219 --> 00:40:50.059
 Christ Jesus came

00:40:50.059 --> 00:40:50.539
 into the world

00:40:50.539 --> 00:40:51.300
 to save sinners

00:40:51.300 --> 00:40:53.500
 and only those

00:40:53.500 --> 00:40:54.420
 who come to Christ

00:40:54.420 --> 00:40:55.019
 in humility

00:40:55.019 --> 00:40:55.559
 and say,

00:40:56.059 --> 00:40:57.159
 I know I'm a sinner

00:40:57.159 --> 00:40:57.980
 and need Jesus

00:40:57.980 --> 00:40:58.800
 as my Savior

00:40:58.800 --> 00:40:59.659
 are the ones

00:40:59.659 --> 00:41:01.039
 who find everlasting life.

00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:02.679
 So at the beginning

00:41:02.679 --> 00:41:03.179
 of the year,

00:41:03.280 --> 00:41:05.039
 this is January the 1st,

00:41:05.800 --> 00:41:06.840
 if you're a believer,

00:41:07.000 --> 00:41:07.699
 it's a matter of,

00:41:08.079 --> 00:41:08.239
 Lord,

00:41:08.860 --> 00:41:09.579
 is there work

00:41:09.579 --> 00:41:10.539
 to do in my life?

00:41:10.539 --> 00:41:10.900
 Yes.

00:41:11.099 --> 00:41:12.000
 Can I trust you

00:41:12.000 --> 00:41:12.579
 to help me?

00:41:12.759 --> 00:41:13.079
 Yes.

00:41:13.239 --> 00:41:14.519
 I am committed to grow.

00:41:15.539 --> 00:41:16.400
 And if you're here

00:41:16.400 --> 00:41:16.920
 as a person

00:41:16.920 --> 00:41:18.279
 who does not know Christ,

00:41:18.679 --> 00:41:20.480
 today is the day

00:41:20.480 --> 00:41:21.559
 to trust Him

00:41:21.559 --> 00:41:23.079
 and plead for salvation.

00:41:23.719 --> 00:41:24.639
 Let's close in prayer.

00:41:26.719 --> 00:41:27.440
 Our Father,

00:41:27.519 --> 00:41:28.119
 we are thankful

00:41:28.119 --> 00:41:28.699
 this morning

00:41:28.699 --> 00:41:29.539
 for the clarity

00:41:29.539 --> 00:41:31.239
 with which you make it

00:41:31.239 --> 00:41:32.900
 plain to us

00:41:32.900 --> 00:41:33.940
 that we are a people

00:41:33.940 --> 00:41:35.820
 who need the Lord Jesus Christ

00:41:35.820 --> 00:41:36.559
 as our Savior.

00:41:36.559 --> 00:41:38.299
 we're thankful

00:41:38.299 --> 00:41:39.619
 that you have saved

00:41:39.619 --> 00:41:40.480
 so many of us

00:41:40.480 --> 00:41:41.019
 here today.

00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:42.360
 We're thankful

00:41:42.360 --> 00:41:43.440
 that we can examine

00:41:43.440 --> 00:41:43.960
 ourselves

00:41:43.960 --> 00:41:44.699
 with the power

00:41:44.699 --> 00:41:45.480
 of the Holy Spirit

00:41:45.480 --> 00:41:46.799
 and make commitments

00:41:46.799 --> 00:41:48.440
 to grow in our walk

00:41:48.440 --> 00:41:48.920
 with you.

00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:52.079
 I'm thankful also,

00:41:52.259 --> 00:41:52.440
 Father,

00:41:52.539 --> 00:41:53.099
 for the privilege

00:41:53.099 --> 00:41:53.619
 of being able

00:41:53.619 --> 00:41:54.440
 to share the gospel

00:41:54.440 --> 00:41:54.880
 and to have

00:41:54.880 --> 00:41:55.920
 complete confidence

00:41:55.920 --> 00:41:57.880
 that Christ Jesus

00:41:57.880 --> 00:41:58.759
 came into the world

00:41:58.759 --> 00:41:59.599
 to save sinners

00:41:59.599 --> 00:42:01.799
 and that this morning

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 is the hour

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 in which people

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 may call upon

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 the name of the Lord

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 and find salvation

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 through Him alone.

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 We ask this in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.