WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.839 It was very kind of Ian to include me amongst the young preachers. 00:00:06.879 --> 00:00:09.519 I could probably double the rage in some of them. 00:00:10.679 --> 00:00:15.560 Thank you for giving me the privilege of sharing God's Word tonight with you this evening. 00:00:16.399 --> 00:00:20.300 Thank you also for extending to me the courtesy of allowing me to sit to speak. 00:00:20.420 --> 00:00:24.740 Unfortunately, I have back trouble and that prevents me from standing for very long. 00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:26.760 So it would be a very short sermon if I did. 00:00:27.339 --> 00:00:29.260 That might be an option you wish you had taken later. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.500 Just a quick prayer. 00:00:33.299 --> 00:00:40.219 Father, as we turn to your Word, may your Holy Spirit take it and comfort us where we need to be comforted. 00:00:40.740 --> 00:00:42.500 Encourage us where we need to be encouraged. 00:00:43.159 --> 00:00:44.980 And challenge us where we need to be challenged. 00:00:45.500 --> 00:00:46.980 In Jesus' name, Amen. 00:00:47.600 --> 00:00:54.280 Can I ask you to take your Bibles please and open them at James chapter 5 as we continue our series in that book. 00:00:54.740 --> 00:00:57.460 Reading verses 7 to 12. 00:00:57.460 --> 00:01:02.039 So that's James chapter 5, verses 7 to 12. 00:01:02.259 --> 00:01:03.520 This is the Word of God. 00:01:03.520 --> 00:01:08.560 Be patient then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. 00:01:09.380 --> 00:01:13.600 See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop. 00:01:14.240 --> 00:01:17.700 How patient he is in the autumn and spring rains. 00:01:17.700 --> 00:01:22.180 Brothers, you too, be patient and stand firm. 00:01:22.379 --> 00:01:23.960 Because the Lord's coming is near. 00:01:24.960 --> 00:01:27.980 Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. 00:01:28.680 --> 00:01:30.500 The judge is standing at the door. 00:01:31.500 --> 00:01:35.219 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering. 00:01:35.219 --> 00:01:40.379 Take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 00:01:40.379 --> 00:01:48.099 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. 00:01:48.500 --> 00:01:49.920 You've heard of Job's perseverance. 00:01:50.560 --> 00:01:52.939 And have seen what the Lord finally brought about. 00:01:53.459 --> 00:01:55.819 The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. 00:01:56.659 --> 00:02:02.239 Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. 00:02:02.679 --> 00:02:05.479 Let your yes be yes and your no be no. 00:02:05.480 --> 00:02:07.939 Or you will be condemned. 00:02:08.960 --> 00:02:09.259 Amen. 00:02:11.659 --> 00:02:14.700 When I was a lad, and that wasn't yesterday, 00:02:15.379 --> 00:02:19.719 the only phone we had in the house was in the hall. 00:02:20.599 --> 00:02:25.860 And it was attached by a cord to the wall, to a box in the wall. 00:02:26.580 --> 00:02:29.719 It sat on a telephone table, especially because... 00:02:29.719 --> 00:02:32.960 And it had a seat as a part of its construction. 00:02:32.960 --> 00:02:35.820 Where you sat and made your calls. 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:40.960 If the person you were calling was not in, or was engaged in another call, 00:02:41.500 --> 00:02:43.140 you simply called them back later. 00:02:44.200 --> 00:02:48.000 It was a major step forward in technology when we got an answering machine. 00:02:48.760 --> 00:02:53.300 The nearest thing to a mobile phone was the call box at the end of most streets. 00:02:54.460 --> 00:02:58.060 Today, the majority of us probably carry one of these. 00:02:58.060 --> 00:03:08.500 With it, we can call, message, and send emails all over the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 00:03:09.860 --> 00:03:14.500 If you're anything like me, then when, for example, I send a WhatsApp message, 00:03:15.780 --> 00:03:19.439 and the message has been... 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:22.840 There's a marker there that shows that the message has been delivered. 00:03:22.840 --> 00:03:27.740 And then it changes colour when the person, the recipient, has read it. 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:33.360 Impatience then builds as I wait for the person to respond. 00:03:34.640 --> 00:03:37.740 The patience levels of our society have plummeted, 00:03:38.099 --> 00:03:41.000 and we live in a world demanding instant responses. 00:03:41.879 --> 00:03:47.280 During this period of lockdown, forcing many of us to work from home, 00:03:47.280 --> 00:03:54.539 one of the partners in the firm I work for found it necessary to send out an instruction to all staff 00:03:54.539 --> 00:03:59.139 saying that we were no longer allowed to use ASAP, i.e. as soon as possible, 00:03:59.560 --> 00:04:01.960 on any of our emails or Teams messages, 00:04:02.460 --> 00:04:06.379 and we had to start showing an increased level of patience. 00:04:07.379 --> 00:04:10.039 So as we study this passage in James chapter 5, 00:04:10.039 --> 00:04:13.699 God calls us, especially those within his church, 00:04:14.479 --> 00:04:17.939 to a life of patience in that world of urgency. 00:04:18.819 --> 00:04:21.159 Our key verse is found at verse 7, 00:04:21.579 --> 00:04:22.120 when it says, 00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:25.819 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. 00:04:26.599 --> 00:04:30.300 So I'd like us to consider this passage under three headings. 00:04:31.139 --> 00:04:32.620 First, faithful patience. 00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:35.180 Secondly, obedient patience. 00:04:35.860 --> 00:04:37.159 Thirdly, fulfilled patience. 00:04:37.160 --> 00:04:38.740 That's faithful patience. 00:04:39.280 --> 00:04:40.220 Obedient patience. 00:04:40.800 --> 00:04:41.700 Fulfilled patience. 00:04:42.540 --> 00:04:43.620 So faithful patience. 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:48.880 In verse 7, we are given the example of the farmer. 00:04:49.860 --> 00:04:52.640 He will have lovingly prepared the soil, 00:04:53.100 --> 00:04:56.420 ploughing it, removing all possible stones and weeds 00:04:56.420 --> 00:05:01.180 to ensure it gives the best environment possible for the seed to flourish. 00:05:01.980 --> 00:05:05.280 He will then have planted the best seed available to him, 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:07.839 but, and that's a big but, 00:05:08.839 --> 00:05:14.500 he is powerless in making that seed germinate and produce a crop. 00:05:15.239 --> 00:05:19.459 For that, he looks upwards in faith to his heavenly Father 00:05:19.459 --> 00:05:22.819 to bring the rains, and hopefully the sunshine, 00:05:23.819 --> 00:05:26.739 to allow that seed to grow and mature. 00:05:26.740 --> 00:05:29.540 Is that a blind faith? 00:05:30.139 --> 00:05:30.600 No. 00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:33.060 As a farmer in New Testament times, 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:36.360 he will have known the Old Testament promises of God, 00:05:36.420 --> 00:05:41.759 including those in Isaiah 55 that talk about God bringing the rains. 00:05:42.759 --> 00:05:44.180 Like most farmers of his day, 00:05:44.639 --> 00:05:46.939 he will be totally reliant on that crop 00:05:46.939 --> 00:05:49.939 to provide for his family for the coming year, 00:05:49.939 --> 00:05:53.639 and therefore his faith is absolute in God 00:05:53.639 --> 00:05:58.319 as he waits in expectation for what will happen later that year. 00:06:00.040 --> 00:06:02.139 We are then in verses 10 to 12, 00:06:02.519 --> 00:06:06.100 given the examples of Job and a number of the Old Testament prophets. 00:06:06.100 --> 00:06:13.379 The patience of Job is an expression that's used in our world today. 00:06:14.379 --> 00:06:15.160 If you Google it, 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:18.820 the dictionary definition is 00:06:18.820 --> 00:06:21.520 the ability to remain patient 00:06:21.520 --> 00:06:24.420 and do what you think you should do 00:06:24.420 --> 00:06:26.900 despite having many problems. 00:06:27.879 --> 00:06:31.120 Unfortunately, the dictionary has totally missed the point. 00:06:31.980 --> 00:06:34.379 As we've been discovering in our Sunday morning series, 00:06:34.379 --> 00:06:37.339 Job's patience and perseverance 00:06:37.339 --> 00:06:40.500 is rooted not in a self-reliance 00:06:40.500 --> 00:06:42.480 or the stiff upper lip 00:06:42.480 --> 00:06:44.279 to keep going through adversity, 00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:46.680 but has its foundations 00:06:46.680 --> 00:06:49.819 built on that rock that is God. 00:06:50.779 --> 00:06:52.060 It's his faith and knowledge 00:06:52.060 --> 00:06:55.000 and the promise that God would never forsake him 00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:58.699 that sees him through this period of trial and tribulation. 00:07:00.540 --> 00:07:03.379 Job may have voiced complaints about his circumstances, 00:07:03.379 --> 00:07:07.860 but he did not stop trusting and putting his faith in God. 00:07:08.219 --> 00:07:10.600 Job 1.21, for example, says, 00:07:11.199 --> 00:07:14.339 Naked I have come from my mother's womb, 00:07:14.800 --> 00:07:16.079 and naked I will depart. 00:07:16.540 --> 00:07:18.939 The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. 00:07:19.519 --> 00:07:21.259 May the name of the Lord be praised. 00:07:22.379 --> 00:07:26.079 The farmer Job and the other prophets referred to 00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:28.219 took God at his word 00:07:28.219 --> 00:07:30.379 and found him to be faithful. 00:07:31.300 --> 00:07:32.639 We have God's word 00:07:32.639 --> 00:07:34.740 in the form of our Bibles 00:07:34.740 --> 00:07:38.399 and that is full of his promises 00:07:38.399 --> 00:07:40.560 and that we can cling to 00:07:40.560 --> 00:07:42.419 and put our faith in 00:07:42.419 --> 00:07:43.740 as we live our lives. 00:07:44.740 --> 00:07:45.620 In some senses, 00:07:45.799 --> 00:07:47.199 we have it relatively easy 00:07:47.199 --> 00:07:48.299 in this country 00:07:48.299 --> 00:07:50.419 compared to the difficulties 00:07:50.419 --> 00:07:52.339 many of our brothers and sisters 00:07:52.339 --> 00:07:53.959 around the world face. 00:07:53.959 --> 00:07:55.839 Increasingly, however, 00:07:56.379 --> 00:07:58.339 there are battles to face 00:07:58.339 --> 00:08:00.199 and thankfully the Lord 00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:01.979 has blessed the Christian community 00:08:01.979 --> 00:08:03.279 in this country recently 00:08:03.279 --> 00:08:06.319 with some significant victories. 00:08:07.419 --> 00:08:08.799 There's a case of the advertising 00:08:08.799 --> 00:08:10.979 for the Festival of Hope Christian event 00:08:10.979 --> 00:08:11.740 in Lancashire 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:13.179 where Franklin Graham, 00:08:13.299 --> 00:08:14.019 son of Billy Graham, 00:08:14.419 --> 00:08:15.639 was to be the headline speaker. 00:08:16.479 --> 00:08:17.620 As a result of his views 00:08:17.620 --> 00:08:18.539 on biblical marriage, 00:08:19.179 --> 00:08:21.039 the local council banned 00:08:21.040 --> 00:08:23.100 the adverts for the event 00:08:23.100 --> 00:08:23.780 from their buses. 00:08:24.340 --> 00:08:25.220 Recently, a court 00:08:25.220 --> 00:08:27.060 found that the Christian organizers 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:27.939 of the event 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:30.020 had been unfairly discriminated against 00:08:30.020 --> 00:08:31.700 and ordered the council 00:08:31.700 --> 00:08:36.920 to pay over £100,000 in damages. 00:08:37.800 --> 00:08:39.420 Similarly, the case of the elder 00:08:39.420 --> 00:08:41.220 in Stirling Free Church 00:08:41.220 --> 00:08:43.300 who is the chief executive officer 00:08:43.300 --> 00:08:44.879 of the Robertson Trust 00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:47.800 was sacked after nine years at the helm. 00:08:47.799 --> 00:08:50.659 An industrial tribunal found 00:08:50.659 --> 00:08:52.120 that he had been unlawfully 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:53.339 discriminated against 00:08:53.339 --> 00:08:55.500 and again because of his 00:08:55.500 --> 00:08:56.620 Christian views on marriage. 00:08:58.399 --> 00:09:00.339 Job and the prophets 00:09:00.339 --> 00:09:01.819 such as Elijah and Daniel 00:09:01.819 --> 00:09:05.159 stood firm in the face of testing. 00:09:06.339 --> 00:09:06.939 And in verse 8, 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:08.339 we are called to do likewise 00:09:08.339 --> 00:09:09.719 when it says, 00:09:10.179 --> 00:09:11.199 you too be patient 00:09:11.199 --> 00:09:12.259 and stand firm 00:09:12.259 --> 00:09:13.979 because the Lord's coming 00:09:13.979 --> 00:09:14.899 is near. 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:17.179 Are there situations 00:09:17.179 --> 00:09:18.480 we are going through at work 00:09:18.480 --> 00:09:20.120 or in our personal lives 00:09:20.120 --> 00:09:21.899 that we are tempted 00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:22.819 to throw in the towel? 00:09:24.579 --> 00:09:25.600 We're encouraged here 00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:26.819 to look to our Heavenly Father 00:09:26.819 --> 00:09:27.919 in faith, 00:09:28.419 --> 00:09:29.120 in the knowledge 00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:30.659 that he's always there 00:09:30.659 --> 00:09:32.000 and he will carry us through 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:33.559 the trial we're going through 00:09:33.559 --> 00:09:35.199 just as he did with Job 00:09:35.199 --> 00:09:36.399 and the other prophets. 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:39.240 So secondly, 00:09:39.579 --> 00:09:40.980 we have obedient patience. 00:09:42.980 --> 00:09:44.240 Verse 7 says, 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:45.419 be patient. 00:09:45.899 --> 00:09:47.060 This is not a request 00:09:47.060 --> 00:09:48.460 or an optional extra. 00:09:49.180 --> 00:09:50.259 This is a command, 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:51.519 firstly for us 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:52.860 as a body of believers, 00:09:53.639 --> 00:09:55.480 but subsequently for us 00:09:55.480 --> 00:09:57.180 to be a shining example 00:09:57.180 --> 00:09:58.600 to our communities 00:09:58.600 --> 00:09:59.919 outside these four walls. 00:10:00.919 --> 00:10:02.039 The world we live in 00:10:02.039 --> 00:10:03.580 has increasingly become 00:10:03.580 --> 00:10:05.120 a place that seeks 00:10:05.120 --> 00:10:06.840 instant gratification. 00:10:07.700 --> 00:10:09.100 This can be quite innocently 00:10:09.100 --> 00:10:11.120 things like instant coffee 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:12.639 or that instant meal 00:10:12.639 --> 00:10:13.820 we zap in the microwave. 00:10:14.679 --> 00:10:15.000 However, 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:16.139 I doubt that many 00:10:16.139 --> 00:10:17.340 would say that 00:10:17.340 --> 00:10:18.539 an instant coffee 00:10:18.539 --> 00:10:19.899 trumps the freshly brewed 00:10:19.899 --> 00:10:20.820 version 00:10:20.820 --> 00:10:22.419 or a ready meal 00:10:22.419 --> 00:10:23.220 tastes as good 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:24.899 as one lovingly prepared 00:10:24.899 --> 00:10:25.919 from scratch 00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:28.159 by a talented cook or chef. 00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:30.179 As the world 00:10:30.179 --> 00:10:31.200 turns its back 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:32.060 on its creator, 00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:34.259 it tries to short circuit 00:10:34.259 --> 00:10:35.500 God's plans 00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:37.100 and aims to scratch 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:38.220 where it itches. 00:10:38.220 --> 00:10:40.019 There's a desire 00:10:40.019 --> 00:10:40.600 for sex 00:10:40.600 --> 00:10:41.440 without patiently 00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:42.680 waiting for the 00:10:42.680 --> 00:10:43.680 God-given relationship 00:10:43.680 --> 00:10:44.759 of marriage, 00:10:45.500 --> 00:10:46.580 the rise in casual 00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:47.220 relationships 00:10:47.220 --> 00:10:48.360 and the increased 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:49.540 availability and use 00:10:49.540 --> 00:10:50.720 of pornography 00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:52.259 bringing with it 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:53.139 a big impact 00:10:53.139 --> 00:10:54.220 on our society. 00:10:55.300 --> 00:10:56.279 There's the desire 00:10:56.279 --> 00:10:57.320 to have the latest 00:10:57.320 --> 00:10:58.360 and the best 00:10:58.360 --> 00:10:59.379 right now 00:10:59.379 --> 00:11:00.720 even if we can't 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:01.240 afford it. 00:11:02.040 --> 00:11:03.080 This has given rise 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:04.040 to a huge debt problem 00:11:04.040 --> 00:11:05.000 and people 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:06.639 attempt to keep up 00:11:06.639 --> 00:11:07.220 with the Joneses. 00:11:08.220 --> 00:11:10.000 But many have turned 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:10.980 to serious gambling 00:11:10.980 --> 00:11:11.779 in this respect 00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:13.120 to satisfy their 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:13.879 discontentment 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:14.899 with their present 00:11:14.899 --> 00:11:15.360 position. 00:11:15.820 --> 00:11:16.700 Our TV screens 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:18.160 are full of adverts 00:11:18.160 --> 00:11:19.720 attempting to 00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:20.340 reel vulnerable 00:11:20.340 --> 00:11:20.940 people in. 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:22.879 God would say to us 00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:24.259 to be content 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:26.120 with what we have 00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:27.160 and patiently work 00:11:27.160 --> 00:11:28.300 with what we'd like 00:11:28.300 --> 00:11:28.920 to achieve. 00:11:29.779 --> 00:11:30.180 However, 00:11:30.340 --> 00:11:31.080 in our passages, 00:11:31.560 --> 00:11:32.660 we as God's people 00:11:32.660 --> 00:11:34.360 are given two 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:35.720 very specific areas 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:36.920 to live out 00:11:36.920 --> 00:11:37.960 obedient patience. 00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:40.060 In verse 9 00:11:40.060 --> 00:11:40.639 it says, 00:11:40.779 --> 00:11:41.420 don't grumble 00:11:41.420 --> 00:11:42.820 against each other 00:11:42.820 --> 00:11:44.820 brothers 00:11:44.820 --> 00:11:46.279 or you will be judged. 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:47.420 The judge 00:11:47.420 --> 00:11:48.080 is standing 00:11:48.080 --> 00:11:48.720 at the door. 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:50.560 Why would there 00:11:50.560 --> 00:11:51.180 be grumbling 00:11:51.180 --> 00:11:52.060 amongst us? 00:11:52.940 --> 00:11:53.720 I would suggest 00:11:53.720 --> 00:11:54.379 it arises 00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:55.500 when we lose 00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:56.240 patience with one 00:11:56.240 --> 00:11:56.540 another. 00:11:57.180 --> 00:11:57.960 It leads us 00:11:57.960 --> 00:11:58.899 to putting ourselves 00:11:58.899 --> 00:12:00.399 on that pedestal 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:01.820 rising us up there 00:12:01.820 --> 00:12:03.639 as we look down 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:04.220 on our brothers 00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:04.680 or sister. 00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:06.239 It can be very 00:12:06.239 --> 00:12:07.019 easy to point 00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:07.539 the finger 00:12:07.539 --> 00:12:08.739 at somebody 00:12:08.739 --> 00:12:11.099 at someone's 00:12:11.099 --> 00:12:12.319 perceived shortcomings 00:12:12.319 --> 00:12:14.120 but we do not 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:14.859 always know 00:12:14.859 --> 00:12:15.839 the full story 00:12:15.839 --> 00:12:16.259 of what they're 00:12:16.259 --> 00:12:16.819 going through. 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:18.599 I read an 00:12:18.599 --> 00:12:19.239 interesting article 00:12:19.239 --> 00:12:20.259 recently that 00:12:20.259 --> 00:12:21.239 highlighted the fact 00:12:21.239 --> 00:12:22.039 that if you 00:12:22.039 --> 00:12:23.479 physically point 00:12:23.479 --> 00:12:24.000 the finger 00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:24.839 at somebody 00:12:24.839 --> 00:12:27.039 then three fingers 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:28.000 of your same hand 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:28.979 are pointing 00:12:28.979 --> 00:12:30.120 right back at you. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:32.019 Think about it. 00:12:32.159 --> 00:12:32.519 Try it. 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:34.360 The second half 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:37.039 of verse 9 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:37.740 warns us 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.299 that if we go 00:12:38.299 --> 00:12:38.860 about judging 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:39.340 one another 00:12:39.340 --> 00:12:40.819 then we face 00:12:40.819 --> 00:12:41.259 a judgment 00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:42.279 from God. 00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:43.759 Our command 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:44.720 is not to grumble 00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:46.480 but I believe 00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:48.059 that that 00:12:48.059 --> 00:12:48.720 should be evident 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:49.139 in the way 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:49.639 that we do 00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:50.419 the opposite 00:12:50.419 --> 00:12:52.039 and treat each 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:52.439 other with 00:12:52.439 --> 00:12:52.960 compassion 00:12:52.960 --> 00:12:54.139 and mercy 00:12:54.139 --> 00:12:56.299 just so 00:12:56.299 --> 00:12:57.019 as God 00:12:57.019 --> 00:12:57.480 treats each 00:12:57.480 --> 00:12:58.139 one of us. 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:01.500 Secondly 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.259 in verse 12 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:03.179 there's a command 00:13:03.179 --> 00:13:04.059 about our speech. 00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:06.039 Above all 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:06.779 my brothers 00:13:06.779 --> 00:13:07.539 do not swear 00:13:07.539 --> 00:13:08.080 by heaven 00:13:08.080 --> 00:13:09.259 or by earth 00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:10.220 or by anything 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:10.580 else. 00:13:11.179 --> 00:13:11.819 Let your yes 00:13:11.819 --> 00:13:12.360 be yes 00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:12.819 and your no 00:13:12.819 --> 00:13:13.120 no 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:14.319 or you will 00:13:14.319 --> 00:13:15.000 be condemned. 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:17.899 What we say 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:18.700 and how we say 00:13:18.700 --> 00:13:19.000 it 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:19.860 has been a 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:20.659 common thread 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:21.700 through the book 00:13:21.700 --> 00:13:22.100 of James 00:13:22.100 --> 00:13:22.679 so far. 00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:24.319 This parallels 00:13:24.319 --> 00:13:24.919 with Jesus' 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:25.759 words in Matthew 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:26.240 5 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:27.799 34 to 37 00:13:27.799 --> 00:13:28.840 and I encourage 00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:29.299 you to check 00:13:29.299 --> 00:13:29.759 these verses 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:30.580 out at your 00:13:30.580 --> 00:13:30.840 leisure. 00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:32.980 oaths in 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:34.280 this context 00:13:34.280 --> 00:13:35.320 were often 00:13:35.320 --> 00:13:35.820 used to 00:13:35.820 --> 00:13:36.660 sound impressive 00:13:36.660 --> 00:13:37.860 to puff 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:38.500 somebody up 00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:39.600 and give 00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:40.259 the impression 00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:40.920 of truth. 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:42.500 However 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.100 the honesty 00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:43.920 of these oaths 00:13:43.920 --> 00:13:44.680 was often 00:13:44.680 --> 00:13:45.220 questionable. 00:13:47.080 --> 00:13:47.540 James is 00:13:47.540 --> 00:13:48.160 therefore telling 00:13:48.160 --> 00:13:49.580 us that we 00:13:49.580 --> 00:13:49.920 should have 00:13:49.920 --> 00:13:50.480 no part 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:50.860 in that 00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:51.360 practice. 00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:53.399 We are to 00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:53.879 be people 00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:54.620 of integrity 00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:55.960 and what we 00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:56.879 say should 00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:57.519 be honest 00:13:57.519 --> 00:13:58.639 and trustworthy. 00:14:00.340 --> 00:14:01.179 As part 00:14:01.179 --> 00:14:01.579 of God's 00:14:01.579 --> 00:14:02.000 family 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:03.399 is our 00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:03.699 word 00:14:03.699 --> 00:14:04.279 our bond. 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:06.240 Are we 00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:07.100 totally honest 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:07.639 in all our 00:14:07.639 --> 00:14:08.100 dealings 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:10.199 when around 00:14:10.199 --> 00:14:10.600 us 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:11.679 others 00:14:11.679 --> 00:14:12.939 venture 00:14:12.939 --> 00:14:13.439 into those 00:14:13.439 --> 00:14:14.100 grey areas 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:14.579 of truth? 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:16.539 An added 00:14:16.539 --> 00:14:17.199 dimension is 00:14:17.199 --> 00:14:17.779 often found 00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:18.720 that when 00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:19.000 we have 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:19.500 lost our 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:20.000 patience 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:20.960 with someone 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:21.519 or in some 00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:22.019 situation 00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:23.059 we become 00:14:23.059 --> 00:14:23.919 exasperated 00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:25.219 and we lose 00:14:25.219 --> 00:14:25.879 self-control. 00:14:27.059 --> 00:14:27.399 This is 00:14:27.399 --> 00:14:28.079 evident to 00:14:28.079 --> 00:14:28.519 those 00:14:28.519 --> 00:14:30.259 around us 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:30.559 when we 00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:32.479 come out 00:14:32.479 --> 00:14:32.860 with some 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:33.439 form of 00:14:33.439 --> 00:14:34.000 expletive. 00:14:35.459 --> 00:14:35.860 Consistent 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.299 with the rest 00:14:36.299 --> 00:14:36.759 of scripture 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.759 God is 00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:38.459 calling us 00:14:38.459 --> 00:14:39.439 to exercise 00:14:39.439 --> 00:14:40.319 self-control 00:14:40.319 --> 00:14:41.459 and bring 00:14:41.459 --> 00:14:42.139 the situation 00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:42.860 that's causing 00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:44.219 us stress 00:14:44.219 --> 00:14:45.559 to him 00:14:45.559 --> 00:14:46.019 in prayer 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:47.099 and let him 00:14:47.099 --> 00:14:48.240 deal with it. 00:14:50.799 --> 00:14:51.620 So we've 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:52.219 got faithful 00:14:52.219 --> 00:14:52.839 patience 00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:52.960 patience 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:54.160 and got 00:14:54.160 --> 00:14:54.540 obedient 00:14:54.540 --> 00:14:55.019 patience 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:55.720 and thirdly 00:14:55.720 --> 00:14:56.800 fulfilled 00:14:56.800 --> 00:14:57.420 patience. 00:14:58.940 --> 00:14:59.759 For the 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:00.100 farmer 00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:00.560 fulfilled 00:15:00.560 --> 00:15:01.280 patience 00:15:01.280 --> 00:15:02.840 is seen 00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:04.060 in a crop 00:15:04.060 --> 00:15:04.420 to be 00:15:04.420 --> 00:15:05.000 harvested 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:06.840 and provide 00:15:06.840 --> 00:15:07.300 for his 00:15:07.300 --> 00:15:07.780 family 00:15:07.780 --> 00:15:08.800 over the 00:15:08.800 --> 00:15:09.399 coming year. 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:11.379 For Job 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:11.940 it was an 00:15:11.940 --> 00:15:12.780 end to 00:15:12.780 --> 00:15:13.379 that period 00:15:13.379 --> 00:15:14.100 of testing 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:15.100 and a 00:15:15.100 --> 00:15:15.660 restoration 00:15:15.660 --> 00:15:16.620 of God's 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:17.060 blessing. 00:15:18.560 --> 00:15:19.620 For many 00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:20.460 going through 00:15:20.460 --> 00:15:21.560 suffering 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:23.519 the fulfillment 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:23.859 of their 00:15:23.859 --> 00:15:24.339 patience 00:15:24.339 --> 00:15:25.359 may not 00:15:25.359 --> 00:15:25.859 be seen 00:15:25.859 --> 00:15:26.359 in these 00:15:26.359 --> 00:15:26.619 earthly 00:15:26.619 --> 00:15:27.039 lives 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:28.859 but when 00:15:28.859 --> 00:15:29.179 they are 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:29.439 called 00:15:29.439 --> 00:15:29.679 home 00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:30.179 by God. 00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:32.459 For me 00:15:32.459 --> 00:15:32.959 personally 00:15:32.959 --> 00:15:33.839 I can 00:15:33.839 --> 00:15:34.500 honestly say 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.479 that I 00:15:35.479 --> 00:15:35.899 had a real 00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:36.439 sense of 00:15:36.439 --> 00:15:36.739 joy 00:15:36.739 --> 00:15:37.699 at both 00:15:37.699 --> 00:15:38.259 the funerals 00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:38.539 of my 00:15:38.539 --> 00:15:38.859 dad 00:15:38.859 --> 00:15:40.079 and the 00:15:40.079 --> 00:15:40.619 more recently 00:15:40.619 --> 00:15:41.039 my mum. 00:15:42.359 --> 00:15:43.019 Yes for me 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:43.379 there was a 00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:43.599 deep 00:15:43.599 --> 00:15:44.219 grieving 00:15:44.219 --> 00:15:45.139 and a real 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:45.619 sense of 00:15:45.619 --> 00:15:46.019 loss 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:47.519 but I 00:15:47.519 --> 00:15:47.899 realised 00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:48.500 for them 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:50.139 for both 00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:50.500 of them 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:52.159 that they 00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:52.439 had been 00:15:52.439 --> 00:15:52.819 released 00:15:52.819 --> 00:15:53.199 from the 00:15:53.199 --> 00:15:53.579 suffering 00:15:53.579 --> 00:15:54.519 that they 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:54.779 had 00:15:54.779 --> 00:15:55.539 increasingly 00:15:55.539 --> 00:15:55.819 been 00:15:55.819 --> 00:15:56.379 experiencing 00:15:56.379 --> 00:15:57.379 as their 00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:57.679 earthly 00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:58.319 bodies 00:15:58.319 --> 00:15:59.439 deteriorated 00:15:59.439 --> 00:16:00.659 and now 00:16:00.659 --> 00:16:00.939 we're in 00:16:00.939 --> 00:16:01.399 the presence 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:01.740 of their 00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:02.679 Lord and 00:16:02.679 --> 00:16:03.079 Saviour 00:16:03.079 --> 00:16:03.879 which was 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:04.519 better by 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:04.899 far. 00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:05.939 I'm sure 00:16:05.939 --> 00:16:06.600 many here 00:16:06.600 --> 00:16:07.740 can echo 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.600 that experience. 00:16:10.299 --> 00:16:10.819 Verse 7 00:16:10.819 --> 00:16:11.600 commands us 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:12.439 to be 00:16:12.439 --> 00:16:12.939 patient 00:16:12.939 --> 00:16:14.039 until the 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:14.339 Lord's 00:16:14.339 --> 00:16:14.659 coming 00:16:14.659 --> 00:16:17.419 which means 00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:17.939 there is a 00:16:17.939 --> 00:16:18.740 finite point 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:19.279 in time 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:24.120 when God 00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:24.599 is going to 00:16:24.599 --> 00:16:25.459 make all 00:16:25.459 --> 00:16:26.039 things right 00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:27.199 it will be 00:16:27.199 --> 00:16:27.519 a total 00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:28.120 game changer 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:30.059 but the 00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:30.639 Lord has 00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:31.319 already been 00:16:31.319 --> 00:16:32.699 and when 00:16:32.699 --> 00:16:33.240 he came 00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:33.620 the first 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:34.620 time he 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:34.939 was the 00:16:34.939 --> 00:16:35.219 greatest 00:16:35.219 --> 00:16:35.799 fulfilment 00:16:35.799 --> 00:16:36.360 of patience 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:37.459 this world 00:16:37.459 --> 00:16:38.139 has ever 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:38.480 seen. 00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:40.399 Looking back 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:40.699 at our 00:16:40.699 --> 00:16:41.179 studies in 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:41.419 the book 00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:42.179 of Leviticus 00:16:42.179 --> 00:16:43.339 earlier this 00:16:43.339 --> 00:16:43.779 year we 00:16:43.779 --> 00:16:44.179 learnt that 00:16:44.179 --> 00:16:44.679 the ordained 00:16:44.679 --> 00:16:46.379 access into 00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:46.740 God's 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:47.399 presence was 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:47.860 once a 00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:49.159 year by 00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:49.720 one man 00:16:49.720 --> 00:16:50.980 the high 00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:51.779 priest and 00:16:51.779 --> 00:16:52.059 on the 00:16:52.059 --> 00:16:52.379 appointed 00:16:52.379 --> 00:16:53.500 day he 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:54.000 went behind 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:54.500 the curtain 00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:54.919 into the 00:16:54.919 --> 00:16:55.899 temple with 00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:56.220 the blood 00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:56.480 of a 00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:56.860 sacrificed 00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:58.019 animal and 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:58.539 offered it 00:16:58.539 --> 00:16:58.919 as a 00:16:58.919 --> 00:16:59.419 sin offering 00:16:59.419 --> 00:17:00.240 on behalf 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:00.500 of the 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:00.779 people. 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:03.500 On that 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:04.019 first Good 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:05.299 Friday when 00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:05.819 Jesus was 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:06.519 crucified on 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.119 that cross 00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:08.200 at Calvary 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:08.920 and exclaimed 00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:09.720 it is 00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:10.180 finished 00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:12.319 the curtain 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:12.619 in the 00:17:12.619 --> 00:17:13.180 temple was 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:14.060 torn from 00:17:14.060 --> 00:17:14.600 top to 00:17:14.600 --> 00:17:14.960 bottom 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:15.860 giving 00:17:15.860 --> 00:17:16.440 access 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:17.519 into 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:17.900 God's 00:17:17.900 --> 00:17:18.259 presence 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:18.840 to all 00:17:18.840 --> 00:17:19.460 who are 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:19.900 willing to 00:17:19.900 --> 00:17:20.400 repent 00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:21.420 and believe. 00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:22.880 The access 00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:23.500 is not there 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:24.140 just once a 00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:25.440 year but 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:26.080 every hour 00:17:26.080 --> 00:17:26.519 of every 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.440 day wherever 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.019 we are. 00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:30.460 When Jesus 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.960 returns as 00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:32.600 described in 00:17:32.600 --> 00:17:33.100 verse 7 00:17:33.100 --> 00:17:34.440 it won't be 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:35.080 as a baby 00:17:35.080 --> 00:17:35.700 in a manger 00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:36.980 but it will 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:37.740 be in all 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.380 his glory 00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:39.400 and majesty 00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:41.040 it will be 00:17:41.040 --> 00:17:41.660 both a 00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:42.380 fearful day 00:17:42.380 --> 00:17:43.400 and a 00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:43.700 day of 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:44.500 great joy 00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:46.340 fearful 00:17:46.340 --> 00:17:46.840 because it 00:17:46.840 --> 00:17:47.040 will be a 00:17:47.040 --> 00:17:47.300 day of 00:17:47.300 --> 00:17:47.640 judgment 00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:47.900 and 00:17:47.900 --> 00:17:48.520 accountability 00:17:48.520 --> 00:17:50.220 joyful 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:51.180 for those 00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:51.380 who are 00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:51.900 in Christ 00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:52.980 that they 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:53.380 will go 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:53.900 and spend 00:17:53.900 --> 00:17:54.400 eternity 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:55.160 in the 00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:55.580 presence of 00:17:55.580 --> 00:17:55.840 God. 00:17:57.100 --> 00:17:57.740 We live 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:59.100 today in 00:17:59.100 --> 00:17:59.520 a period 00:17:59.520 --> 00:18:00.120 of God's 00:18:00.120 --> 00:18:00.520 patience 00:18:00.520 --> 00:18:01.100 between the 00:18:01.100 --> 00:18:01.640 first coming 00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:02.940 of Jesus 00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:04.460 and his 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:04.920 return. 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:06.400 for all 00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:06.720 of us 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:08.019 today 00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:08.940 that has 00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:09.440 critical 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:10.440 significance. 00:18:11.640 --> 00:18:12.400 For the 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:12.700 believer 00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:15.080 who has 00:18:15.080 --> 00:18:15.380 already 00:18:15.380 --> 00:18:15.820 come in 00:18:15.820 --> 00:18:16.320 repentance 00:18:16.320 --> 00:18:17.700 and put 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.420 our trust 00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:19.200 in Jesus 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:19.660 the Savior 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.080 and Lord 00:18:20.080 --> 00:18:22.080 we are 00:18:22.080 --> 00:18:22.920 firstly 00:18:22.920 --> 00:18:23.600 commanded to 00:18:23.600 --> 00:18:23.940 live our 00:18:23.940 --> 00:18:24.900 lives with 00:18:24.900 --> 00:18:25.300 evident 00:18:25.300 --> 00:18:25.900 patience. 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:27.980 Borrowing a 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:28.460 phrase from a 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:28.860 preacher I 00:18:28.860 --> 00:18:29.360 heard recently 00:18:29.360 --> 00:18:30.460 we are to 00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:30.980 follow the 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:32.340 compass and 00:18:32.340 --> 00:18:32.660 not the 00:18:32.660 --> 00:18:33.039 clock. 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:33.779 Follow the 00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:34.900 compass and 00:18:34.900 --> 00:18:35.200 not the 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:35.540 clock. 00:18:36.280 --> 00:18:36.540 In other 00:18:36.540 --> 00:18:36.980 words live 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:37.740 faithfully in 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:39.100 accordance with 00:18:39.100 --> 00:18:40.380 the direction 00:18:40.380 --> 00:18:40.860 of God's 00:18:40.860 --> 00:18:42.180 word whilst 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:42.700 leaving the 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:43.960 timing of 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.800 our circumstances 00:18:44.800 --> 00:18:46.340 in God's 00:18:46.340 --> 00:18:46.680 hands. 00:18:48.320 --> 00:18:48.940 Following on 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:50.220 from that we 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:50.500 have been 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:51.019 given the 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:52.500 privilege of 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:52.980 sharing the 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:53.420 good news of 00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:54.620 the gospel to 00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:55.100 the world 00:18:55.100 --> 00:18:56.259 outside these 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:57.700 walls that 00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.420 desperately needs 00:18:58.420 --> 00:18:59.040 to hear it. 00:19:00.080 --> 00:19:00.660 Like the 00:19:00.660 --> 00:19:01.980 farmer we 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:02.780 can prepare the 00:19:02.780 --> 00:19:03.400 soil in our 00:19:03.400 --> 00:19:04.880 friends and 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:06.140 relatives and 00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:07.580 help them to 00:19:07.580 --> 00:19:08.180 remove some 00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:08.660 of the weeds 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.900 and stones of 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:11.220 issues that 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:11.620 may be a 00:19:11.620 --> 00:19:12.060 hindrance. 00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:13.380 We can plant 00:19:13.380 --> 00:19:14.420 the seed by 00:19:14.420 --> 00:19:15.220 introducing them 00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:16.680 to Jesus but 00:19:16.680 --> 00:19:17.660 just as the 00:19:17.660 --> 00:19:18.900 farmer had to 00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:20.300 look to his 00:19:20.300 --> 00:19:20.960 heavenly father 00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:21.940 to provide the 00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:22.980 weather to make 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:24.340 the seed germinate 00:19:24.340 --> 00:19:25.900 and grow, we 00:19:25.900 --> 00:19:26.840 too are totally 00:19:26.840 --> 00:19:27.840 reliant on God 00:19:27.840 --> 00:19:28.740 through the Holy 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:30.640 Spirit to work a 00:19:30.640 --> 00:19:31.700 miracle in the 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.520 lives of those 00:19:32.520 --> 00:19:35.120 we are seeking 00:19:35.120 --> 00:19:35.740 to reach out 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:35.940 to. 00:19:38.080 --> 00:19:38.720 We wait 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.380 patiently for 00:19:39.380 --> 00:19:39.759 the Lord. 00:19:41.040 --> 00:19:41.759 Our time on 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.340 this earth is 00:19:42.340 --> 00:19:43.640 short and 00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:45.640 temporary and 00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:46.120 it's not our 00:19:46.120 --> 00:19:48.220 forever home so 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:49.780 let's not get 00:19:49.780 --> 00:19:50.420 too comfortable. 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:55.000 if you may be 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:56.820 here today or 00:19:56.820 --> 00:19:58.300 tonight and 00:19:58.300 --> 00:20:00.340 you've not yet 00:20:00.340 --> 00:20:01.140 put your trust 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:02.860 in Jesus as 00:20:02.860 --> 00:20:03.620 your Saviour 00:20:03.620 --> 00:20:03.960 and Lord 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:05.539 then this passage 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.279 comes with a 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:06.539 warning. 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.519 God has an 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.320 appointed time 00:20:09.320 --> 00:20:11.200 when his son 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:11.759 the Lord Jesus 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.960 will return in 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.580 all his glory 00:20:13.580 --> 00:20:14.660 and as I said 00:20:14.660 --> 00:20:15.140 earlier it will 00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:15.620 be a day of 00:20:15.620 --> 00:20:16.140 judgment and 00:20:16.140 --> 00:20:16.600 accountability. 00:20:18.060 --> 00:20:18.519 None of us 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:19.140 know when that 00:20:19.140 --> 00:20:19.640 will happen. 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:20.560 It could be 00:20:20.560 --> 00:20:22.620 tomorrow or it 00:20:22.620 --> 00:20:23.020 might be a 00:20:23.020 --> 00:20:23.720 considerable time 00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:24.060 yet. 00:20:25.280 --> 00:20:26.200 The important 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:27.960 point is until 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:29.060 that happens 00:20:29.060 --> 00:20:30.120 there is still 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:30.860 an opportunity 00:20:30.860 --> 00:20:32.500 to respond and 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.600 accept the 00:20:33.600 --> 00:20:34.240 gift of a 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:35.340 restored relationship 00:20:35.340 --> 00:20:36.480 with God 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:37.560 through what 00:20:37.560 --> 00:20:38.520 Jesus accomplished 00:20:38.520 --> 00:20:39.580 in his death 00:20:39.580 --> 00:20:40.220 and resurrection. 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:41.900 If you're in 00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:42.480 that position 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.800 tonight then 00:20:43.800 --> 00:20:44.520 can I please 00:20:44.520 --> 00:20:45.600 urge you to 00:20:45.600 --> 00:20:46.340 take time out 00:20:46.340 --> 00:20:47.600 to consider the 00:20:47.600 --> 00:20:48.280 gift of eternal 00:20:48.280 --> 00:20:49.000 life that Jesus 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:49.539 offers you. 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:51.000 Don't put it 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:51.420 in the back 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:52.119 burner of your 00:20:52.119 --> 00:20:52.440 life. 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:53.700 If you want to 00:20:53.700 --> 00:20:54.220 talk further 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:54.900 then please 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:55.480 come speak to 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.400 me or speak 00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:56.759 to one of the 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.240 leaders of this 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.380 church or the 00:20:58.380 --> 00:20:58.880 person that's 00:20:58.880 --> 00:20:59.180 brought you 00:20:59.180 --> 00:21:00.440 along tonight. 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:01.880 Let's pray. 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:06.140 Father I just 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:06.619 thank you for 00:21:06.619 --> 00:21:07.339 this passage 00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:08.160 from scripture. 00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:09.599 I thank you for 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:10.059 what you've been 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:10.819 saying to us 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:12.039 and may Lord 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.720 by your Holy 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.619 Spirit cement in 00:21:13.619 --> 00:21:14.140 our hearts 00:21:14.140 --> 00:21:15.880 what's the 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:16.880 application of it 00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:17.720 to our lives. 00:21:18.260 --> 00:21:18.580 We pray in 00:21:18.580 --> 00:21:19.040 Jesus name. 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:19.920 Amen. 00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:21.540 Thank you.