WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.760 I was sinking deep in sin far from the peaceful shore, isn't that right? 00:00:03.760 --> 00:00:15.660 ! And Christ Jesus in His kindness died for my sins, gave me everlasting life, a new home in 00:00:15.660 --> 00:00:28.719 ! Unbelievable. Should we ever become used to that fact? No. Earlier in the week in my devotional life, 00:00:28.719 --> 00:00:35.519 I was reading in Matthew where Jesus healed ten people. How many of you know that story? 00:00:36.579 --> 00:00:43.259 And only one turned around and said thank you. By the way, He was a Samaritan. One of the things 00:00:43.259 --> 00:00:48.560 that I was kind of chewing on in my own prayer life was, you know, sometimes, I mean, those other 00:00:48.560 --> 00:00:53.420 Jews, you know, they had all kinds of blessings. They had the law and the prophets. They had a lot 00:00:53.420 --> 00:00:59.400 of good things that God had given to them, and they had become quite settled in just kind of assuming 00:00:59.400 --> 00:01:07.579 that it was owed to them. The Samaritan was overwhelmed with thanksgiving. I want to stay 00:01:07.579 --> 00:01:15.159 like that, don't you? Forever thankful for His salvation. Second thing that I am incredibly 00:01:15.159 --> 00:01:20.579 thankful for, and as I was singing that song, Count Your Many Blessings, the second thing that I was 00:01:20.579 --> 00:01:27.579 counting as a blessing is that Jesus has never stopped loving me, and He's kept on bearing up with me. 00:01:28.819 --> 00:01:37.239 Anybody else kind of identify with that? I love the fact that His covenant love never, ever changes. 00:01:37.239 --> 00:01:49.939 That is a song that this church sang often on Anniversary Sunday. And we are going to look together 00:01:49.939 --> 00:01:56.979 at Psalm 105. I want you to turn in your Bibles this morning to Psalm 105. We are going to look at it, 00:01:57.259 --> 00:02:03.859 and one of the things that I trust happens as we look at this passage that will take place is that 00:02:03.859 --> 00:02:14.000 you as a believer are informed, instructed, about those things are at the heart of what a church is 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:20.439 to be engaged in. Let me read the passage to you, and then we will dive into the text. Psalm 105, 00:02:20.699 --> 00:02:21.680 beginning in verse 1. 00:02:21.680 --> 00:02:28.199 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the peoples, 00:02:28.199 --> 00:02:35.839 sing to Him, sing praises to Him, tell of all His wondrous works. 00:02:37.739 --> 00:02:39.399 I want you to join me with me in prayer. 00:02:43.799 --> 00:02:46.659 Our Father God, this morning as we come to You, we come 00:02:46.659 --> 00:02:50.079 with a happy dependence upon You, 00:02:52.019 --> 00:02:54.500 upon the sufficiency of Your Word, 00:02:54.500 --> 00:03:00.400 the ministry of the indwelling Spirit in the believer's life. 00:03:02.400 --> 00:03:05.860 And what we ask this morning is that You would touch our hearts 00:03:05.860 --> 00:03:09.740 with the beauty of Your name and glory, 00:03:09.840 --> 00:03:13.280 and cause us to delight in the salvation that You've given to us, 00:03:13.500 --> 00:03:17.439 and the privilege of being part of a body of believers that You've brought together 00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:19.719 for Your glory and for Your testimony. 00:03:19.719 --> 00:03:25.139 And that as we allow the Scriptures to instruct and inform us this morning, 00:03:25.639 --> 00:03:30.340 that there is a strengthening of our heart for the things of God 00:03:30.340 --> 00:03:33.520 and a desire that in the days that You give to us, 00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:36.379 that Jesus Christ would have preeminence. 00:03:37.659 --> 00:03:41.000 And that our affection and our delight in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:03:41.259 --> 00:03:44.939 who is our joy and our Savior, 00:03:44.939 --> 00:03:49.560 that that delight and that satisfaction would make us 00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:53.439 unbelievable in our testimony and our witness 00:03:53.439 --> 00:03:58.400 in a broken, a ruined, despairing world. 00:03:59.199 --> 00:04:03.319 We pray, Lord, this morning that as a result of the preaching of the Word of God, 00:04:03.419 --> 00:04:05.479 that those who are here that are believers 00:04:05.479 --> 00:04:08.139 would have their hearts stirred 00:04:08.139 --> 00:04:14.199 and grow in their commitment to walk in obedience and joy before You. 00:04:14.479 --> 00:04:16.699 And those who are here that do not know Christ, 00:04:16.800 --> 00:04:19.659 that today they would be drawn by Your Spirit 00:04:19.659 --> 00:04:22.899 first to conviction and then to salvation. 00:04:23.919 --> 00:04:27.339 And we ask this dependent as we are upon You, 00:04:27.979 --> 00:04:30.500 and we pray it in Jesus' name and for His glory. 00:04:31.399 --> 00:04:31.719 Amen. 00:04:31.719 --> 00:04:31.839 Amen. 00:04:32.699 --> 00:04:35.659 Well, as I said earlier, today is a very historic day 00:04:35.660 --> 00:04:39.180 because it's a day that marks the 50th anniversary of our fellowship. 00:04:40.180 --> 00:04:45.080 And if you were to have been here probably 25, 30 years ago, 00:04:45.400 --> 00:04:48.320 some of you may still remember the large blue sign 00:04:48.320 --> 00:04:49.540 that was out on Treview Road. 00:04:49.620 --> 00:04:50.240 Remember that one? 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:54.580 There were three words in particular across the bottom of that large sign 00:04:54.580 --> 00:04:58.820 that characterized what was taking place on this fellowship 00:04:58.820 --> 00:05:01.280 when you left Treview Road and drove south. 00:05:01.379 --> 00:05:02.460 It said Bible obedient. 00:05:02.740 --> 00:05:03.300 Remember that? 00:05:03.300 --> 00:05:06.939 But Bible teaching, Bible practicing. 00:05:07.520 --> 00:05:10.620 And a reminder of that passage or that little statement was, 00:05:10.960 --> 00:05:14.860 this is what this congregation was dependent on, 00:05:15.020 --> 00:05:17.080 and I trust that one of the things that happens 00:05:17.080 --> 00:05:18.580 as we study together this morning 00:05:18.580 --> 00:05:20.660 is that your heart kind of resonates and says, 00:05:20.720 --> 00:05:22.060 hey, you guys are still doing that. 00:05:22.360 --> 00:05:23.180 You're doing that. 00:05:23.400 --> 00:05:28.180 You are relying upon the Word to inform, instruct, encourage, direct, 00:05:28.180 --> 00:05:33.459 and you are relying upon it to lead you in your walk before the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:34.439 --> 00:05:38.920 Now, I confess that I've never preached a 50th anniversary sermon. 00:05:39.680 --> 00:05:40.699 It's the first one. 00:05:41.780 --> 00:05:45.100 And I really, when I do the math, I understand I won't preach another one. 00:05:46.079 --> 00:05:46.519 Okay? 00:05:46.519 --> 00:05:48.759 This is not going to happen twice in my lifetime. 00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:51.000 So this is entirely new for me. 00:05:51.060 --> 00:05:55.519 It's not like, you know, I've done communion for 35 years, 12 months, 12 months a year, 00:05:55.599 --> 00:05:56.839 and I've got that one down. 00:05:56.919 --> 00:06:00.060 But this was a brand new one, and I have to tell you that as I was praying, 00:06:00.399 --> 00:06:06.079 it's far harder to prepare for a one-time sermon than it is for when you're in the book of John. 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:09.479 I start studying for John actually about two years ago, 00:06:09.620 --> 00:06:12.439 and I was kind of studied up before we got there, 00:06:12.459 --> 00:06:14.399 and I get to dump some of it out week by week. 00:06:15.019 --> 00:06:17.519 An anniversary sermon is something completely different. 00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:19.339 It's like, all right, Lord, help me here. 00:06:19.379 --> 00:06:20.139 What are we going to do? 00:06:21.479 --> 00:06:27.699 And as I was praying, I have to tell you, I had this song begin to come to my mind. 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:30.719 I was one of those old, I am one of those old guys. 00:06:30.779 --> 00:06:31.599 I shouldn't say that. 00:06:31.719 --> 00:06:34.860 And I remember singing this song in the good old days, right? 00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:36.480 And I know some of you are thinking, really? 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:37.840 Yes. 00:06:39.259 --> 00:06:43.060 The truth of the matter is, is that Judith and I arrived here back in 1980. 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:46.500 I got relocated by International Harvester, 00:06:46.500 --> 00:06:49.139 and I remember the first service that I attended. 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:52.240 I came in here on Wednesday night to come to prayer meeting. 00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:55.920 Judith was still living in Fort Wayne, and I was down here for work, 00:06:56.439 --> 00:07:01.560 and I was stunned at what this congregation did in corporate prayer. 00:07:01.560 --> 00:07:06.819 I came here Wednesday night, rode a bike from Red Roof End over here on Rome Hilliard. 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:13.120 And I came in here, and I remember walking into a men, men prayed together, women prayed together. 00:07:13.240 --> 00:07:15.220 I walked into a men's prayer room. 00:07:15.660 --> 00:07:20.199 Someone closed the room, the door, and I felt like the door of the ark had been shut. 00:07:20.439 --> 00:07:21.939 And then people started praying. 00:07:22.079 --> 00:07:25.959 And 30 minutes later, without anybody saying a word, everybody said words, 00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:28.019 30 minutes later, we'd finish praying. 00:07:28.959 --> 00:07:33.539 I'd never been in a prayer meeting where people actually prayed most of the time. 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:37.620 I'd been in an environment where when you said you were going to have a prayer meeting, 00:07:38.060 --> 00:07:42.159 someone dragged a chalkboard out and kind of stood there in the center and said, 00:07:42.219 --> 00:07:43.979 all right, I don't think we're going to pray about. 00:07:44.259 --> 00:07:46.199 And you'd write down kind of an organ recital. 00:07:46.279 --> 00:07:47.599 Do you know what an organ recital is? 00:07:49.599 --> 00:07:51.099 We're not talking about that. 00:07:51.100 --> 00:07:54.939 We're talking about all the physiological things that happen in people's lives. 00:07:55.560 --> 00:08:00.620 And by the time you had taken all of that for about 27 minutes, the leader would say, 00:08:00.700 --> 00:08:02.660 oh, my goodness, we better get to prayer. 00:08:02.800 --> 00:08:03.760 And you'd do three minutes. 00:08:03.939 --> 00:08:05.860 Oh, Lord, will you help everybody on that list? 00:08:06.400 --> 00:08:07.280 That's what I was used to. 00:08:07.900 --> 00:08:12.100 And I walked into this room, and the men prayed 30 minutes nonstop, 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:14.240 just prayed one thing after another. 00:08:15.240 --> 00:08:17.700 I remembered Larry Brady. 00:08:18.340 --> 00:08:18.800 Hi, Larry. 00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:25.180 Larry felt bad for me riding my bicycle on Trebut night at night, 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:30.720 so he packed my bike into the trunk of his little Dodge Dart or whatever he had 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:31.699 and took me down there. 00:08:32.120 --> 00:08:35.659 And I remember thinking to myself, I didn't have the nerve to ask Larry 00:08:35.659 --> 00:08:38.360 if I had accidentally wandered in with the deacons. 00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:43.440 I mean, I thought, you know, you expect deacons to pray without kind of being coached 00:08:43.440 --> 00:08:44.060 with a chalkboard. 00:08:44.059 --> 00:08:50.359 And I thought, so next week, I thought, I'll come back, and I'm going to a different room. 00:08:52.439 --> 00:08:54.000 It was pretty much the same thing. 00:08:54.059 --> 00:08:55.959 I thought, I'll try it one more time. 00:08:57.079 --> 00:09:03.079 I came to about four weeks of prayer because Friday I would leave and go back to Fort Wayne 00:09:03.079 --> 00:09:04.339 and spend it with my family. 00:09:04.340 --> 00:09:07.660 But on Wednesday night, I'd come in here, and week after week, 00:09:07.980 --> 00:09:12.980 the first thing that drew me to this fellowship was its unrelenting commitment to prayer. 00:09:14.300 --> 00:09:20.200 Later on, I had the privilege of coming on Sundays and listening to the teaching of the Word of God, 00:09:20.519 --> 00:09:24.879 and Judith and I became members of this fellowship long before I became a pastor here. 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:35.139 And so when I celebrate with you this 50th anniversary, I come as an individual who has a great thankfulness 00:09:35.139 --> 00:09:41.700 for the foundation that this congregation was built on in attention to the Word of God 00:09:41.700 --> 00:09:46.379 and a dependency upon prayer and a desire to be obedient to the Scriptures 00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:49.220 in every place that the Word of God instructs us. 00:09:49.220 --> 00:09:54.360 And so what I'd like us to do this morning is actually look at this psalm 00:09:54.360 --> 00:10:01.399 because it gives to us a picture of what the body of believers are to be engaged in. 00:10:02.500 --> 00:10:07.139 Now, I want to give you a little bit of background that actually this psalm, 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:15.899 which we find in Psalm 105, was also a psalm or a song that David had sung 00:10:15.899 --> 00:10:22.379 at the time in which the Ark of the Covenant was brought back to Jerusalem properly, 00:10:22.579 --> 00:10:24.679 carried on the shoulders of the Levites. 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:30.600 You'll remember that the first attempt at bringing back the Ark had been put on a cart. 00:10:30.720 --> 00:10:32.360 Remember, that didn't work well for Uzzah. 00:10:32.459 --> 00:10:37.459 He reached out to stop the Ark from falling, and he was struck dead. 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:44.620 Later, David kind of double-checked the instructions on how to move the Ark, 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:50.200 and they brought it back with sacrifice and with singing and with praise and adoration, 00:10:50.560 --> 00:10:54.539 and this song was sung at that time. 00:10:54.740 --> 00:10:57.000 You find it in 1 Chronicles 16. 00:10:57.919 --> 00:11:04.299 What this passage does is gives to us a clear indication 00:11:04.299 --> 00:11:09.060 of what is to characterize God's people in their time together. 00:11:09.059 --> 00:11:18.459 And I trust that not only do we remind ourselves that that's what God's people did centuries in the past, 00:11:18.679 --> 00:11:23.759 and not only do we remind ourselves that that is what God's people did 50 years ago, 00:11:23.899 --> 00:11:29.559 I trust that it becomes something that helps us with our compass point and direction 00:11:29.559 --> 00:11:32.539 in the days to come until Jesus returns. 00:11:32.539 --> 00:11:36.599 So what are the things that we find here in this passage? 00:11:36.679 --> 00:11:38.819 Let me kind of roll it out for you in a big picture. 00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:45.459 I want you to understand that the first several verses are kind of informative and give us an overview. 00:11:45.740 --> 00:11:47.480 They remind us of thanks. 00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:54.480 They remind us of sharing in prayer, and they remind us of making His deeds known. 00:11:54.559 --> 00:11:55.279 Look at verse 1. 00:11:55.539 --> 00:11:58.799 Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name, that's prayer, 00:11:59.159 --> 00:12:01.219 and make known His deeds among the people. 00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:11.040 What takes place after that opening statement is that the psalmist then kind of builds on those three thematic issues 00:12:11.040 --> 00:12:16.879 and helps us understand what are the characteristics that we as God's people are to engage in 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:20.420 when we come together for corporate worship. 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:29.000 So let's recognize that first, the psalmist reminds us that we are to be focused on God-driven thanks. 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:34.159 Our first instruction in worship is thankfulness. 00:12:34.820 --> 00:12:40.820 The Holy Spirit who inspired the author of this psalm makes it clear that we are instructed, 00:12:40.820 --> 00:12:46.000 no, we are actually commanded, that when we gather together as God's people, 00:12:46.100 --> 00:12:50.419 that we are to be engaged in actually thanking Him. 00:12:50.460 --> 00:12:52.179 Now let me ask you a question just for a moment. 00:12:52.179 --> 00:12:59.859 How many of you, don't raise your hands, but how many of you just every Sunday morning are just exuberant and thankful automatically? 00:13:01.339 --> 00:13:02.299 Do you understand what I'm saying? 00:13:03.439 --> 00:13:07.019 I mean, how many of us have any trouble being grumpy or moody? 00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:09.500 I mean, it's like, I've got to work at this. 00:13:09.679 --> 00:13:10.939 Being grumpy is real hard. 00:13:11.319 --> 00:13:13.379 I just am, I'm always thankful. 00:13:13.479 --> 00:13:15.299 How many of you just, no, you understand that? 00:13:15.299 --> 00:13:23.219 In fact, earlier this morning as I was praying, I was reminding myself, hey, listen, this passage is given to us in the imperative. 00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:25.139 Do you know what an imperative is? 00:13:25.659 --> 00:13:28.240 It means an explicit instruction. 00:13:29.559 --> 00:13:31.159 It's an expectation. 00:13:32.199 --> 00:13:36.159 Friday, I got to go down to a Bureau of Motor Vehicles. 00:13:36.299 --> 00:13:42.319 We were over here down at the end of Treview, and I had to register the truck and the trailer, 00:13:42.320 --> 00:13:47.740 and everybody had advised me, listen, over on that side of town, there's never a line. 00:13:50.680 --> 00:13:51.720 I mean, you know what? 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:55.720 I've been in lines that go on forever, and I thought, I'm going. 00:13:56.140 --> 00:14:00.540 Nobody wants to do these kind of things on Friday, and I'm going in around about 930. 00:14:00.620 --> 00:14:02.440 You know, it's like everybody else should be at work. 00:14:02.660 --> 00:14:04.620 I walk in there, and guess what I find? 00:14:05.700 --> 00:14:08.320 A line that's got a double loop, and it's like, what? 00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:14.820 One of the things I did notice is that there was this little marker that said, please wait here. 00:14:15.420 --> 00:14:19.760 Now, how many of you know that when you go to a place that the civil government is engaged in, 00:14:20.020 --> 00:14:22.680 you want to always smile and comply with all the rules? 00:14:22.760 --> 00:14:23.640 How many of you understand that? 00:14:24.580 --> 00:14:28.140 If they say, keep your feet behind that line, you know, I noticed. 00:14:28.300 --> 00:14:32.040 I mean, people all kinds of dress and all kinds of attitude, but when they were there, 00:14:32.160 --> 00:14:33.780 they kept their feet right behind the line. 00:14:33.880 --> 00:14:35.980 They were following instructions. 00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:37.600 Do you know why they were following instructions? 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:43.420 Because they were waiting desperately to hear those little words, I can help the next person. 00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:50.220 And if you kind of violate the basic instructions of the civil servants, guess what could happen to you? 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:56.800 How many of you have ever been in an environment like that where somebody did not decide to comply, 00:14:56.800 --> 00:15:00.379 and they found out that it wasn't a good career path? 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:08.100 Now, I bring this to your attention because when God gives us, His children, an explicit direction, 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:11.460 He's not asking us if He'd kind of like to try it. 00:15:11.700 --> 00:15:13.000 He's telling us, do this. 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:14.740 Do it. 00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:18.320 Give thanks to the Lord. 00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:20.139 Give thanks. 00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:27.179 Let me kind of build on that thought by having you recognize that thankfulness is actually a picture of where we are spiritually. 00:15:28.379 --> 00:15:29.779 Say it to yourself just quietly. 00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:32.779 Thankfulness is actually a picture of where I am spiritually. 00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:50.100 An absence of thankfulness is a clear indication of a lack of regard for the Lord. 00:15:50.100 --> 00:15:56.639 It's a missed focus in the person's life. 00:15:57.300 --> 00:16:06.180 And one of the facts in relationship to the matter of thankfulness is that when there is a disregard for thankfulness, 00:16:06.300 --> 00:16:10.960 it may really rise as a natural consequence of an unregenerate heart. 00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:14.540 And there are some of you sitting here this morning that really when it comes down to it, 00:16:14.540 --> 00:16:18.120 you may have come to church on a regular basis, 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:23.720 but the truth of the matter is you've never, ever had a thankful heart. 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:28.379 That is a characteristic of an unbeliever. 00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:34.740 In Romans 1, verse 21, I want you to take a minute, keep your finger there in Psalm, 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:37.159 but I want you to go over to Romans 1, verse 21. 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:42.860 One of the things that goes with being a pastor, and I would say it this way, 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:46.680 one of the things that goes, everybody look up so you know I'm talking to you, okay? 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:54.879 One of the things that goes with being a believer is you're actually responsible for encouraging other believers in their walk. 00:16:54.939 --> 00:16:56.199 Everybody understands that, right? 00:16:57.699 --> 00:17:02.559 Also, you are responsible to help other people come to Christ. 00:17:03.419 --> 00:17:10.359 And so as you're listening to people, one of the things that you're doing is you're kind of serving in a diagnostic fashion 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:13.459 to figure out, hey, does this person know Jesus or not? 00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:16.339 Romans 1, verse 21, 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:22.619 For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him. 00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:29.539 When I hear an individual that is persistently unthankful, 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:33.500 I ask myself the question, 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:38.359 does this person as a believer need some stout encouragement 00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:41.599 in remembering the blessings of their salvation, 00:17:41.879 --> 00:17:45.440 or does this person need the sweetness of the gospel? 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:50.019 The characteristic of an obedient Christian 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:53.039 is that they have a thankful spirit, 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:57.779 and that thankful spirit rises because of who God is and what He's done. 00:17:57.779 --> 00:17:59.859 I would add this, 00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:02.839 that thankfulness also reflects our view of God and our Savior. 00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:05.259 When you have a thankful heart, 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:10.519 it doesn't arise on the basis of all the blessings that you have received. 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:14.240 It rises on the basis of who He is and what He's done. 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:16.819 It comes from Him. 00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:18.700 It is for His glory, 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:21.940 and it is you who are the recipient of all of His goodness. 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:24.220 I would put it this way. 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:27.460 Thankfulness is a right response to the character and goodness of God. 00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:32.200 And so you take a look here going back to Psalm 105 00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:33.920 and mark what it says, 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.200 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:36.559 call upon His name, 00:18:36.759 --> 00:18:39.460 make known His deeds among the people. 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:41.920 And as you look at that in verse 2, 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:42.600 it says, 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:43.460 Sing to Him, 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:45.279 sing praises to Him. 00:18:45.579 --> 00:18:46.779 And remember what I said, 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:49.640 the first opening part of the psalm 00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:52.980 kind of gives us an overview of what the characteristic 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:55.380 of the believer is to be in corporate worship. 00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:59.120 It then begins to play it out and expand, 00:18:59.620 --> 00:19:01.840 and I want you to understand that one of the ways 00:19:01.840 --> 00:19:04.259 that God's people express their thankfulness 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:05.540 is by singing. 00:19:06.560 --> 00:19:07.080 By singing. 00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:09.880 I have to tell you, 00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:11.120 as I sat up here in the morning, 00:19:11.520 --> 00:19:12.000 right there, 00:19:12.300 --> 00:19:12.620 John, 00:19:12.660 --> 00:19:13.040 where are you, 00:19:13.100 --> 00:19:13.300 John? 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:15.960 John and I make eye contact a lot of times, 00:19:16.020 --> 00:19:16.259 don't we, 00:19:16.320 --> 00:19:16.500 John? 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:21.200 John and I enjoy what we do together. 00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:23.599 We partner for the glory of Christ, 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:26.000 and we partner to lift up the testimony 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:28.160 of the Lord Jesus in our congregation. 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:30.960 And we love to hear our people sing, 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:31.380 don't we? 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:33.900 Why should people sing? 00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:36.720 Well, the psalm says this, 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:38.200 He's put a new song in my mouth, 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:39.420 even praising to our God. 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:43.079 There was a day when I knew no hope, 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:44.799 and when I knew no hope, 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:46.420 there was not much to sing about. 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.740 Positive, 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:48.720 thankful, 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:51.500 but when Christ came into my life, 00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:52.700 He gave me a new song, 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:54.059 and singing it together 00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:55.619 is a characteristic of expressing 00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:56.980 my thanksgiving to Him. 00:19:58.920 --> 00:20:01.380 A thankful people invariably 00:20:01.380 --> 00:20:02.720 show their gratitude, 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:03.500 and they sing. 00:20:04.380 --> 00:20:06.160 People that have full hearts 00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:08.799 cannot help but sing to the Lord. 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:09.700 It's the way it is. 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:11.359 You don't have to be prodded. 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:12.559 You don't have to be coerced. 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:14.559 Your heart responds musically 00:20:15.139 --> 00:20:17.259 with a desire to lift up the Lord. 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.019 By the way, 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:19.119 have you ever paid attention 00:20:19.119 --> 00:20:20.159 to how little children sing? 00:20:21.919 --> 00:20:23.500 Was it two Sunday nights ago 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:24.779 we had all those kids up here 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.779 just rocking the house 00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:26.819 right across the front here, 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:28.559 and what song were they singing? 00:20:29.819 --> 00:20:30.599 Happy Day. 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:30.939 I mean, 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:31.799 here, 00:20:32.379 --> 00:20:32.899 everybody look. 00:20:33.899 --> 00:20:34.619 Can you imagine 00:20:34.619 --> 00:20:35.599 one of those kids up here 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:35.980 going like this? 00:20:36.419 --> 00:20:36.859 Oh, 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:38.119 happy day, 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:40.200 happy day, 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:43.359 took my sins away, 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:44.359 you know. 00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:49.679 How many of you 00:20:49.679 --> 00:20:50.939 have ever sung a song like that? 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:51.179 You know, 00:20:51.219 --> 00:20:51.539 it's like, 00:20:51.679 --> 00:20:51.959 oh, 00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:52.939 happy day, 00:20:53.899 --> 00:20:55.359 happy day. 00:20:56.939 --> 00:20:57.959 There's something missing, 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:58.279 isn't it? 00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:58.839 Would you agree? 00:20:59.639 --> 00:21:00.539 I'm really curious. 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.659 What happens between 00:21:01.659 --> 00:21:02.619 childhood and adulthood? 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:06.559 Some of you have been waiting 00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:07.879 an entire generation 00:21:07.879 --> 00:21:09.619 for your second childhood 00:21:09.619 --> 00:21:10.159 to come around 00:21:10.159 --> 00:21:10.740 where you can sing 00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.379 like that again. 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:13.500 Go ahead and let it out. 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:14.840 Do you follow me? 00:21:15.380 --> 00:21:16.420 Why should you do that? 00:21:17.560 --> 00:21:18.800 Give thanks unto the Lord. 00:21:19.520 --> 00:21:21.660 Give thanks unto the Lord. 00:21:22.060 --> 00:21:22.740 By the way, 00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:23.760 here's the thing 00:21:23.760 --> 00:21:25.120 that we need to remind ourselves of. 00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:25.800 When we sing, 00:21:25.900 --> 00:21:26.340 we sing 00:21:26.340 --> 00:21:29.120 to the Lord. 00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:29.780 You got me? 00:21:30.760 --> 00:21:32.280 We're not singing for each other. 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:34.760 We're not singing for other people 00:21:34.760 --> 00:21:35.040 to, 00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:35.340 you know, 00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:36.180 give us high fives 00:21:36.180 --> 00:21:36.520 and say, 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.220 yes, 00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:38.740 I can hear you 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:40.180 five rows in front. 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:40.540 You know, 00:21:40.580 --> 00:21:40.800 it's like, 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:41.359 no, 00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:42.019 we're just singing 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:42.700 to the Lord. 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:45.899 And this morning, 00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:46.700 as you think about 00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:47.579 what a church 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:48.379 is to be involved 00:21:48.379 --> 00:21:48.559 in, 00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:49.399 I want you to understand 00:21:49.399 --> 00:21:50.159 that at the heart 00:21:50.159 --> 00:21:51.079 of what we're engaged in 00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:51.819 is we're here 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:52.740 to give thanks to God. 00:21:53.559 --> 00:21:54.159 By the way, 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:54.720 we're going to spend 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:55.759 all eternity doing that, 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:56.159 isn't it right? 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:57.819 We're going to do that. 00:21:59.159 --> 00:22:00.759 Let's recognize 00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:02.159 a second characteristic 00:22:02.159 --> 00:22:03.779 of corporate worship. 00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:05.279 Look there at 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.339 the first, 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.379 the second part 00:22:07.379 --> 00:22:08.599 of the first verse 00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:08.980 that says, 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:09.859 give thanks to the Lord, 00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:11.659 call upon His name. 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:14.039 And so, 00:22:14.119 --> 00:22:14.899 I want you to understand 00:22:14.899 --> 00:22:16.000 that not only is 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:17.879 a thankful spirit 00:22:17.879 --> 00:22:18.759 something that is 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.879 commanded by the Word 00:22:19.879 --> 00:22:20.240 of God, 00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:21.019 but secondly, 00:22:21.659 --> 00:22:22.639 corporate prayer 00:22:22.639 --> 00:22:24.699 is a biblical command. 00:22:25.419 --> 00:22:26.019 And that's what 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:27.219 Psalm 105 00:22:27.219 --> 00:22:28.339 reminds us of, 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.959 that corporate prayer 00:22:29.959 --> 00:22:31.619 is really a part 00:22:31.619 --> 00:22:32.379 and parcel 00:22:32.379 --> 00:22:34.219 of what we engage in 00:22:34.219 --> 00:22:35.059 as a family 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:35.639 of believers. 00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:38.259 this church 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.240 was built on prayer. 00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:41.440 Prayer laid the foundation 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:42.780 of its first 00:22:42.780 --> 00:22:44.040 public meetings. 00:22:45.100 --> 00:22:45.920 Prayer was often 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:46.540 referred to 00:22:46.540 --> 00:22:47.780 as the most important 00:22:47.780 --> 00:22:48.620 meeting of the week. 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:49.700 I can remember 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:51.500 when I sat there 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:52.259 in the pews 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.440 where you are sitting 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:53.940 today, 00:22:54.320 --> 00:22:55.500 I think they were 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.320 green back then. 00:22:56.360 --> 00:22:57.080 Does anybody remember 00:22:57.080 --> 00:22:58.100 the green pews? 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:58.880 Okay. 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.000 Am I right, 00:23:00.100 --> 00:23:00.280 Mike? 00:23:00.320 --> 00:23:00.880 Was it green? 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:01.660 Yeah. 00:23:02.300 --> 00:23:03.140 Pearl verified 00:23:03.140 --> 00:23:03.960 it was green. 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:04.559 Okay, 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:05.160 I got that. 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.299 You know, 00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:07.299 I remember sitting 00:23:07.299 --> 00:23:07.799 back there 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:09.360 and Pastor Brock, 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:10.299 who was the founding 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:11.079 pastor, 00:23:11.579 --> 00:23:12.900 he would refer often 00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:13.660 to the fact that 00:23:13.660 --> 00:23:14.340 Wednesday night 00:23:14.340 --> 00:23:16.000 was the hour of power. 00:23:16.120 --> 00:23:16.759 It was the time 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.920 when God's people 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.319 prayed. 00:23:18.600 --> 00:23:19.340 And he would say this, 00:23:19.360 --> 00:23:19.579 he said, 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:19.799 listen, 00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:20.980 if you have to miss 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:22.039 a service in the week, 00:23:22.380 --> 00:23:23.480 go ahead and skip Sunday. 00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:26.519 Don't skip Wednesday. 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:28.480 And here was his logic. 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:29.980 His logic is, 00:23:30.360 --> 00:23:30.880 by the way, 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.360 if you pray for it 00:23:32.360 --> 00:23:33.059 on Wednesday, 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:35.779 we have a higher 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.940 expectation that 00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:37.960 he'll do it on Sunday. 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:39.059 And people who are 00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:39.980 praying about something 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.500 on Wednesday 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.779 usually like to come 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.420 and see it happen 00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:42.980 on Sunday. 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:44.960 So if you're not 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:46.100 praying about it, 00:23:47.100 --> 00:23:48.340 you don't have any 00:23:48.340 --> 00:23:49.000 skin in the game. 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:49.660 Let it happen. 00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:50.660 I don't care. 00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:52.860 I want you to understand 00:23:52.860 --> 00:23:54.279 that prayer not only 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:55.200 was at the heart 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:55.840 of this fellowship, 00:23:56.100 --> 00:23:56.759 but it still 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:58.279 characterizes what we do. 00:23:59.140 --> 00:24:00.079 It's a reason that 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:00.920 we have Wednesday 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:01.559 night prayer. 00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:02.980 And when we have 00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:04.079 Wednesday night prayer 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:04.500 together, 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:06.059 our focus is 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:07.440 upon prayer. 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:09.940 We're in a search 00:24:09.940 --> 00:24:10.480 process 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:14.000 for an associate 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:14.720 to become senior 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.119 pastor. 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.980 And we're actually 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:18.039 talking with someone. 00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:18.799 We're praying, 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:19.119 praying, 00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:19.440 praying, 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:19.720 right? 00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:21.599 But one of the questions 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:22.519 that this potential 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.460 candidate asked, 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.379 one of our deacons, 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:24.659 was, 00:24:25.099 --> 00:24:26.259 does this congregation 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:27.379 have any sacred 00:24:27.379 --> 00:24:27.759 cows? 00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:31.039 I just really 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:31.740 chuckled at that, 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:32.460 sacred cows. 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:32.759 You know, 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:33.720 what's a sacred cow? 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.519 And you know what 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:35.119 one of our deacons 00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:35.420 said? 00:24:35.619 --> 00:24:36.019 Actually, 00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:36.900 Wednesday night prayer 00:24:36.900 --> 00:24:37.779 is a pretty sacred 00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:38.460 cow to us. 00:24:39.379 --> 00:24:40.440 We think corporate 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:40.839 prayer. 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:43.359 Can God's people 00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:44.079 pray on a different 00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:45.059 night besides Wednesday 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:45.960 and have God smile? 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:46.619 What's the answer? 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:48.619 The answer is yes. 00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:50.059 Okay? 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.440 Corporate prayer 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.379 is non-negotiable. 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.140 The night in which 00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:53.799 you do it on 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:55.920 is subject to change. 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:57.680 But corporate 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:59.220 prayer is a biblical 00:24:59.220 --> 00:24:59.800 command. 00:25:00.380 --> 00:25:00.820 I want you to 00:25:00.820 --> 00:25:01.660 understand that what 00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:02.759 our prayers do 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.539 together is our 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:04.300 prayers affirm 00:25:04.300 --> 00:25:05.039 His supremacy. 00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.800 At the heart of 00:25:07.800 --> 00:25:08.700 biblical prayer 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:10.060 is a happy 00:25:10.060 --> 00:25:11.039 confidence in who 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:11.860 we're praying to. 00:25:12.820 --> 00:25:13.900 He's in control. 00:25:14.600 --> 00:25:15.740 He's in charge. 00:25:16.120 --> 00:25:16.840 He's running the 00:25:16.840 --> 00:25:17.160 show. 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.220 And when we have 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:19.380 a concern and an 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:20.560 interest, we have a 00:25:20.560 --> 00:25:21.560 right to go to our 00:25:21.560 --> 00:25:21.920 Father. 00:25:22.320 --> 00:25:23.140 And as it says in 00:25:23.140 --> 00:25:23.759 Hebrews, it says, 00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:24.640 let's come boldly 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:25.380 before the throne of 00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:25.660 grace. 00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:26.220 Why? 00:25:27.320 --> 00:25:28.220 To find help in 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:28.860 time of need. 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:31.060 Our prayer time 00:25:31.060 --> 00:25:32.460 together expresses our 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:33.900 dependency and our 00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:34.779 confidence in His 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.180 supremacy. 00:25:36.620 --> 00:25:37.860 Secondly, our prayer 00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:39.279 also declares His 00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:39.900 sufficiency. 00:25:41.360 --> 00:25:42.400 A lack of prayer, 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:46.920 both personal and 00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:49.259 congregational, are 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:50.860 indicators of a lack 00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:52.180 of confidence in His 00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:53.640 ability to meet the 00:25:53.640 --> 00:25:54.680 needs that we actually 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.200 have. 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:57.040 And so I would ask 00:25:57.040 --> 00:25:57.960 you a question this 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:58.759 morning as you think 00:25:58.759 --> 00:25:59.940 about the issue of 00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:00.180 prayer. 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:01.980 What does your prayer 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:03.160 life look like? 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:05.080 Turn over in your 00:26:05.080 --> 00:26:05.840 Bible, if you would, to 00:26:05.840 --> 00:26:07.019 James chapter 4 just for 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:07.920 a moment as we consider 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:09.980 this issue of prayer and 00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:10.720 His sufficiency. 00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:12.320 James chapter 4. 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:25.639 verse 2 and 3. 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:29.379 You desire and do not have, so you 00:26:29.379 --> 00:26:29.679 murder. 00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:33.299 You covet and cannot obtain, so you 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:34.559 fight and quarrel and you do not 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:36.319 have because you do not ask. 00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:40.619 You ask and do not receive because you ask 00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:43.779 wrongly to spend it on your passions. 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:48.200 So if we don't ask for those things that 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:50.480 are according to His will, do we have a 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:52.519 right to expect Him to provide them? 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:54.980 I'll tell you what, it is our prayer life that 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:57.279 is an indication of whether or not we 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:59.319 believe that God can provide those things. 00:26:59.319 --> 00:27:04.720 Our prayers also are an expression of our 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:05.319 dependency. 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:08.740 Self-sufficient people are not challenged 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.200 to pray. 00:27:10.599 --> 00:27:12.799 It's people that are entirely dependent 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:15.539 and inadequate in themselves that have a 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.839 prayer life that is substantial. 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:20.960 Hey, when you have it all together and all 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:23.720 that you could possibly imagine is ready and 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:26.720 available at your own hand, why would you 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:27.639 ask for anything? 00:27:27.640 --> 00:27:31.020 How many of you have ever been in a 00:27:31.020 --> 00:27:33.160 restaurant and been really thirsty and 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:35.300 noticed that the waitress wasn't paying 00:27:35.300 --> 00:27:36.060 attention to you? 00:27:36.120 --> 00:27:36.600 Ever been there? 00:27:37.640 --> 00:27:37.880 Okay. 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:40.460 I mean, you're not a glass is half empty 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:41.100 kind of person. 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:41.960 There's none in it. 00:27:42.540 --> 00:27:43.700 And you want water. 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:45.420 So what do you do when you want that 00:27:45.420 --> 00:27:45.720 water? 00:27:45.840 --> 00:27:46.200 How many of you? 00:27:48.100 --> 00:27:50.060 You're getting signals because you want 00:27:50.060 --> 00:27:51.380 that glass filled. 00:27:52.800 --> 00:27:55.259 When we recognize the dependency we have 00:27:55.259 --> 00:27:57.580 upon God, there is a heart that leads 00:27:57.579 --> 00:28:00.119 us to cry out to Him and say, listen, I've 00:28:00.119 --> 00:28:02.299 got to have it and you're the only one who 00:28:02.299 --> 00:28:03.359 can provide it. 00:28:05.179 --> 00:28:07.240 I want you to understand that God allows 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:09.179 challenges to come into our life and one of 00:28:09.179 --> 00:28:11.279 the reasons that He does that is that He 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:13.519 allows those challenges to drive us to the 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:15.960 point of recognizing that apart from Him, we 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:17.019 can't meet those needs. 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:19.339 We can't be sustained on our own effort. 00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:22.439 I've got to say this in relationship to our 00:28:22.439 --> 00:28:22.799 fellowship. 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:26.779 The enduring commitment of this fellowship to 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:30.359 corporate prayer is one of the things that has been so 00:28:30.359 --> 00:28:34.220 precious and so vital to what God has had us do among this 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:34.619 fellowship. 00:28:35.339 --> 00:28:39.819 Everything, so that you know, everything that we engage in 00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:44.179 corporately has its early announcements in our prayer 00:28:44.179 --> 00:28:44.599 bulletins. 00:28:44.659 --> 00:28:45.879 How many of you already figured that out? 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:47.720 Not at me if you know that, okay? 00:28:48.280 --> 00:28:52.240 The first time you get a hint that something's coming is we're 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:53.840 starting to pray about it. 00:28:55.040 --> 00:28:56.100 I'll give you an illustration. 00:28:57.440 --> 00:29:00.440 We've already started praying about our annual budget. 00:29:00.540 --> 00:29:02.080 Now, when do we vote on our annual budget? 00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:04.000 Does anybody besides the budget committee know? 00:29:07.380 --> 00:29:10.480 Our annual meeting, everybody may pay attention to this so 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:14.000 that you know, is on the second Wednesday of December. 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.599 Right? 00:29:17.599 --> 00:29:19.220 And by the way, what is Wednesday night? 00:29:19.400 --> 00:29:20.039 What is Wednesday night? 00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:23.099 It's when God's people get together to pray. 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:27.180 And so we would rather do business in the context and frame 00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:29.920 of prayer than just kind of having a business meeting, right? 00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:32.039 Pray, a little bit of voting. 00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:36.180 Before we ever come to you with a proposed budget and say, 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:38.779 by the way, here's how we think we probably need to think about 00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:41.819 spending God's money, the first thing we do is we ask you to 00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:42.299 pray about it. 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:43.259 We've already started that. 00:29:43.299 --> 00:29:44.099 How many of you noticed that? 00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:44.960 It's in the bulletin. 00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:48.180 Start praying about the budget and the things that we need to 00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:50.700 decide and what are the things that we've got to be sensitive 00:29:50.700 --> 00:29:51.000 to. 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:54.720 And we ask you to pray about it together and we ask you to share 00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:55.180 those things. 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:56.759 Say, hey, we're praying about that. 00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:58.119 We want you to consider this. 00:29:58.119 --> 00:30:04.659 So long as this congregation is a praying church, praying according to 00:30:04.659 --> 00:30:10.359 the scriptures, praying for his glory and his name, it will stay on point 00:30:10.359 --> 00:30:12.519 and know the sufficiency of his provision. 00:30:12.599 --> 00:30:14.500 I want to say that and have you understand it. 00:30:15.059 --> 00:30:20.619 So long as this church is a praying church and stays focused on his 00:30:20.619 --> 00:30:26.159 sufficiency and his provision and pray according to his word, God will provide. 00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:33.180 I am not tired of praying for the man that will someday be our associate and senior. 00:30:34.340 --> 00:30:36.120 And we're into it for two years. 00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:37.660 Can I tell you something? 00:30:38.120 --> 00:30:39.920 I don't want to do this search ever again. 00:30:40.560 --> 00:30:40.860 Right? 00:30:40.859 --> 00:30:46.919 I'd rather spend two and a half years getting it right, pray, pray, pray, pray, pray, pray, 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:49.959 pray, then take a false start and end up being sorry. 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:51.919 And God's people said, amen. 00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:59.819 Finally, the third characteristic of a Bible-believing church is that they are 00:30:59.819 --> 00:31:02.019 God-motivated in their testimony. 00:31:04.139 --> 00:31:10.619 Psalm 105 says, make known his deeds among the peoples. 00:31:10.859 --> 00:31:15.659 And so the final thought that I want you to focus on this morning is recognize this, 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:26.599 that what the psalmist was saying in this frame is that God's people first are thankful 00:31:26.599 --> 00:31:29.000 because of who he is and what he's done in their lives. 00:31:29.459 --> 00:31:36.399 Secondly, God's people are deliberate and faithful in their incessant prayer and dependency upon him. 00:31:36.400 --> 00:31:43.280 And third, there are people that talk joyfully and confidently about what God has done. 00:31:44.540 --> 00:31:50.400 I like the way in which the psalm rolls out the evidence of God's works. 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:51.880 I'm just going to touch on it and highlight. 00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:56.660 You look first of all there at the statement that is made there in verse 6, 00:31:56.660 --> 00:32:09.040 As the psalmist gets into the flow of this business of expressing, thankfully, the testimony of God's goodness, 00:32:09.320 --> 00:32:10.800 he starts at the beginning with Abraham. 00:32:11.680 --> 00:32:16.360 He reminds the nation, listen, the God that we are testifying to 00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:22.059 is a God who has been actively engaged in our lives and working for us. 00:32:24.159 --> 00:32:30.559 Characteristic of God's people when they testify is that they speak of the things that are part and parcel to their life. 00:32:31.819 --> 00:32:32.419 Listen to me. 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:38.440 You can't bear testimony to something you've never seen or heard of. 00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:39.180 Can you do that? 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:42.539 I mean, you might be able to refer to, 00:32:42.660 --> 00:32:47.720 I saw these pictures in National Geographic, 00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:50.340 or I happened to Google it, but I wasn't there. 00:32:51.019 --> 00:32:51.880 That's distant. 00:32:52.880 --> 00:32:56.940 At the heart of our testimony is we bear testimony of the things that God's done for us. 00:32:57.580 --> 00:32:58.500 Look in your Bible. 00:32:58.500 --> 00:33:02.980 Keep your finger there in Psalm. 00:33:03.140 --> 00:33:05.200 But I want you to look over to Acts chapter 4. 00:33:05.819 --> 00:33:06.920 Acts chapter 4. 00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:12.759 I love what takes place in this context. 00:33:12.960 --> 00:33:16.259 You find that Peter and John are brought before the Sanhedrin, 00:33:16.660 --> 00:33:20.220 and the Sanhedrin, that's the leadership of Israel, 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:23.839 are all bent out of shape because they've been talking about Jesus. 00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:26.619 Excited. 00:33:26.619 --> 00:33:29.219 They're fired up talking about Jesus, 00:33:29.419 --> 00:33:31.259 and the Sanhedrin wants to tamp it down, 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:33.879 and so they come to him, and they say, 00:33:33.939 --> 00:33:35.500 Listen, you better not be doing this anymore. 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:37.039 And look at verse 13. 00:33:37.379 --> 00:33:38.379 Acts 4, 13. 00:33:38.659 --> 00:33:40.659 Now, when they saw the boldness of Peter and John 00:33:40.659 --> 00:33:45.039 and perceived that they were uneducated men, common men, 00:33:45.259 --> 00:33:46.000 they were astonished. 00:33:46.059 --> 00:33:47.699 They recognized that they'd been with Jesus. 00:33:47.839 --> 00:33:48.879 And then look at verse 20. 00:33:49.599 --> 00:33:50.439 Here's what they say. 00:33:50.559 --> 00:33:52.519 Don't you be talking about Jesus anymore. 00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:54.399 Their answer, verse 20. 00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:59.620 We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard. 00:34:01.060 --> 00:34:01.540 Listen. 00:34:02.860 --> 00:34:05.840 God doesn't want you to bear testimony to what you haven't experienced. 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:11.079 He wants you to testify to the power that he has exerted 00:34:11.079 --> 00:34:14.019 in bringing you out of darkness into his marvelous light, 00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:16.240 in what he has done in changing your life, 00:34:16.539 --> 00:34:18.139 in turning your heart around, 00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:21.700 taking you out of the misery and the despair that you were in, 00:34:21.699 --> 00:34:23.599 and giving you an eternal home. 00:34:24.939 --> 00:34:26.179 Not only has he done that, 00:34:26.419 --> 00:34:29.419 but he is actively at work in changing you 00:34:29.419 --> 00:34:32.239 from who you were to who you will be. 00:34:33.500 --> 00:34:34.319 Let me tell you something. 00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:39.199 When you get your hands around the reality of what he has done in your life, 00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:43.980 and you are overwhelmed with thanksgiving for what he has done, 00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:50.400 it doesn't make it very hard to be pretty bubbly about his good work. 00:34:51.440 --> 00:34:51.800 Agreed? 00:34:52.920 --> 00:34:54.500 I hate to touch on this, but I will. 00:34:55.519 --> 00:34:58.960 How many of you are really, really enthused about the football game last night? 00:35:00.800 --> 00:35:04.719 I mean, just, it was a stellar performance by the Buckeyes, 00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:05.599 and you know, it's one of those, 00:35:05.880 --> 00:35:11.539 you're going to be replaying that loop on your computer or whatever, 00:35:11.539 --> 00:35:13.440 you're going to play it again and again and again, 00:35:13.519 --> 00:35:16.559 and watch the absolute fiasco of missteps. 00:35:16.840 --> 00:35:17.840 How many of you are going to do that? 00:35:17.960 --> 00:35:18.980 Just over and over again. 00:35:19.480 --> 00:35:21.119 On the other hand, how many of you, 00:35:21.639 --> 00:35:23.719 after that miserable muff-up, 00:35:23.980 --> 00:35:26.539 actually had to go back and kind of think, 00:35:26.719 --> 00:35:28.860 well, they did end the season pretty well. 00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:31.940 You know, what we do 00:35:31.940 --> 00:35:35.400 when we bear testimony 00:35:35.400 --> 00:35:39.119 is we speak about the great things that God has done in our lives. 00:35:39.159 --> 00:35:39.679 Isn't that right? 00:35:39.679 --> 00:35:42.539 When was the last time you did that? 00:35:43.859 --> 00:35:45.239 When was the last time you did that? 00:35:46.199 --> 00:35:47.699 When was the last time that, 00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:48.779 first of all, 00:35:49.019 --> 00:35:50.480 you had a thankful heart 00:35:50.480 --> 00:35:51.759 when you stopped and considered 00:35:51.759 --> 00:35:56.159 that he found you absolutely broken and ruined in your sin, 00:35:56.319 --> 00:35:58.299 and he rescued you from the pit, 00:35:58.440 --> 00:36:00.919 and he's given you a new song and new hope, 00:36:01.079 --> 00:36:03.359 and all he asks of you 00:36:03.359 --> 00:36:05.839 is that you bear open testimony 00:36:05.839 --> 00:36:07.339 to his goodness and his glory. 00:36:08.279 --> 00:36:08.940 That's all. 00:36:08.940 --> 00:36:12.980 He hasn't asked you to fabricate any pipe dream 00:36:12.980 --> 00:36:15.179 about how wonderful he is. 00:36:16.019 --> 00:36:18.579 All he's asked is that you speak honestly 00:36:18.579 --> 00:36:20.980 and truthfully about the power 00:36:20.980 --> 00:36:23.000 that rescued you from the pit 00:36:23.000 --> 00:36:24.820 and put a new song in your life. 00:36:24.860 --> 00:36:25.360 Isn't that right? 00:36:27.559 --> 00:36:28.780 Listen to me carefully. 00:36:31.179 --> 00:36:32.380 We're commanded 00:36:32.380 --> 00:36:34.980 to give thanks. 00:36:34.980 --> 00:36:38.320 We're commanded to pray. 00:36:39.019 --> 00:36:42.059 We're commanded to bear testimony. 00:36:42.059 --> 00:36:45.840 But not one of those commands 00:36:45.840 --> 00:36:47.340 is based upon 00:36:47.340 --> 00:36:49.519 a vain, 00:36:50.799 --> 00:36:51.380 hopeless, 00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:52.920 worthless 00:36:52.920 --> 00:36:54.059 religion 00:36:54.820 --> 00:36:57.759 that you and I 00:36:57.759 --> 00:36:59.779 know nothing about 00:36:59.779 --> 00:37:01.219 and have no reason 00:37:01.219 --> 00:37:02.380 to have confidence in. 00:37:02.380 --> 00:37:06.320 And so I would appeal to you 00:37:06.320 --> 00:37:06.840 this morning 00:37:06.840 --> 00:37:07.619 as we think about 00:37:07.619 --> 00:37:08.340 the 50 years 00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:09.200 that God has blessed 00:37:09.200 --> 00:37:10.400 this congregation with 00:37:10.400 --> 00:37:11.940 that you remind yourself 00:37:11.940 --> 00:37:13.240 these people 00:37:13.240 --> 00:37:14.760 who produced 00:37:14.760 --> 00:37:16.160 by the grace of God 00:37:16.160 --> 00:37:17.440 what we enjoy together 00:37:17.440 --> 00:37:18.360 did so 00:37:18.360 --> 00:37:18.740 because, 00:37:19.220 --> 00:37:19.840 first of all, 00:37:20.079 --> 00:37:22.640 they had thankful hearts. 00:37:22.639 --> 00:37:24.579 and you resolve 00:37:24.579 --> 00:37:25.279 in your own heart 00:37:25.279 --> 00:37:26.099 I, 00:37:26.259 --> 00:37:27.500 because of who God is 00:37:27.500 --> 00:37:28.539 and what he's done for me, 00:37:28.879 --> 00:37:30.279 I am going to move forward 00:37:30.279 --> 00:37:31.339 with thankfulness 00:37:31.339 --> 00:37:32.960 in my day 00:37:32.960 --> 00:37:34.099 because of who he is 00:37:34.099 --> 00:37:34.719 and what he's done. 00:37:35.679 --> 00:37:36.460 They were a people 00:37:36.460 --> 00:37:37.079 that prayed. 00:37:37.559 --> 00:37:38.819 I will commit myself 00:37:38.819 --> 00:37:39.259 to prayer 00:37:39.259 --> 00:37:40.379 because I recognize 00:37:40.379 --> 00:37:42.079 prayer comes to the God 00:37:42.079 --> 00:37:42.799 who is sufficient 00:37:42.799 --> 00:37:44.279 and asks him 00:37:44.279 --> 00:37:45.179 to do things 00:37:45.179 --> 00:37:46.039 that are marvelous 00:37:46.039 --> 00:37:46.920 for his glory. 00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:48.440 Third, 00:37:48.639 --> 00:37:49.759 I am going to be a person 00:37:49.759 --> 00:37:50.819 who bears testimony 00:37:50.819 --> 00:37:51.940 to his goodness. 00:37:51.940 --> 00:37:52.960 When was the last time 00:37:52.960 --> 00:37:53.519 you did that? 00:37:55.579 --> 00:37:56.599 When was the last time 00:37:56.599 --> 00:37:57.519 that you bore testimony 00:37:57.519 --> 00:37:58.220 to his goodness 00:37:58.220 --> 00:37:59.280 and his power 00:37:59.280 --> 00:38:00.519 to take someone 00:38:00.519 --> 00:38:02.000 broken and ruined by sin 00:38:02.000 --> 00:38:03.960 and share with them 00:38:03.960 --> 00:38:05.760 the hope of the gospel? 00:38:06.740 --> 00:38:07.400 Listen to me. 00:38:09.179 --> 00:38:11.300 Scripture instructs us 00:38:11.300 --> 00:38:12.240 to do that 00:38:12.240 --> 00:38:15.420 and the purpose of preaching 00:38:15.420 --> 00:38:16.720 is what? 00:38:17.119 --> 00:38:17.820 Do you know what it is? 00:38:18.360 --> 00:38:19.840 It is to put God's people 00:38:19.840 --> 00:38:20.800 on the spot of saying 00:38:20.800 --> 00:38:21.659 yes or no to God. 00:38:21.659 --> 00:38:22.239 Isn't that right? 00:38:23.279 --> 00:38:24.399 And so I would plead 00:38:24.399 --> 00:38:25.179 with you this morning 00:38:25.179 --> 00:38:26.059 as we bring things 00:38:26.059 --> 00:38:26.639 to a close 00:38:26.639 --> 00:38:27.899 that you consciously 00:38:27.899 --> 00:38:28.759 and deliberately say 00:38:28.759 --> 00:38:29.739 alright God I hear you. 00:38:29.799 --> 00:38:30.219 You're telling me 00:38:30.219 --> 00:38:30.699 to be thankful. 00:38:30.859 --> 00:38:31.179 I will. 00:38:31.819 --> 00:38:32.519 You're telling me 00:38:32.519 --> 00:38:33.179 to be consistent 00:38:33.179 --> 00:38:33.920 in my prayer life. 00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:34.460 I will. 00:38:34.899 --> 00:38:35.559 You're telling me 00:38:35.559 --> 00:38:36.339 to bear testimony 00:38:36.339 --> 00:38:37.159 to your goodness. 00:38:37.519 --> 00:38:38.099 I will. 00:38:38.440 --> 00:38:39.440 And I can count on 00:38:39.440 --> 00:38:40.019 your spirit 00:38:40.019 --> 00:38:40.819 to work in me 00:38:40.819 --> 00:38:41.980 to do those things 00:38:41.980 --> 00:38:42.960 for the glory of God 00:38:42.960 --> 00:38:43.940 until the day 00:38:43.940 --> 00:38:44.859 you take me home 00:38:44.859 --> 00:38:45.519 or you return. 00:38:45.859 --> 00:38:46.899 And God's people said 00:38:46.899 --> 00:38:47.539 amen. 00:38:47.539 --> 00:38:47.820 Amen. 00:38:49.019 --> 00:38:49.699 Let's pray. 00:38:53.000 --> 00:38:53.840 Our Father God 00:38:53.840 --> 00:38:54.659 we are very thankful 00:38:54.659 --> 00:38:55.639 that the word of God 00:38:55.639 --> 00:38:57.460 clear and explicit 00:38:57.460 --> 00:38:59.639 calls us to be something 00:38:59.639 --> 00:39:00.500 and do things 00:39:00.500 --> 00:39:01.279 that are beyond 00:39:01.279 --> 00:39:03.239 our natural ability 00:39:03.239 --> 00:39:04.659 and yet you have given 00:39:04.659 --> 00:39:06.059 to us ample reason 00:39:06.059 --> 00:39:07.440 in your character 00:39:07.440 --> 00:39:08.239 and your goodness 00:39:08.239 --> 00:39:09.800 to proclaim your name 00:39:09.800 --> 00:39:11.800 and you've filled us 00:39:11.800 --> 00:39:12.539 with your spirit. 00:39:12.539 --> 00:39:14.139 you've given us 00:39:14.139 --> 00:39:15.460 the indwelling ministry 00:39:15.460 --> 00:39:16.519 of the spirit of God 00:39:16.519 --> 00:39:17.360 to enable us 00:39:17.360 --> 00:39:18.360 to do these things 00:39:18.360 --> 00:39:19.019 for your glory. 00:39:19.940 --> 00:39:21.079 We want to be a people 00:39:21.079 --> 00:39:23.219 that when we gather together 00:39:23.219 --> 00:39:24.199 we are thankful 00:39:24.199 --> 00:39:25.400 we are prayerful 00:39:25.400 --> 00:39:27.059 and we are willing 00:39:27.059 --> 00:39:27.840 to testify 00:39:27.840 --> 00:39:29.119 here among the fellowship 00:39:29.119 --> 00:39:30.179 to your goodness 00:39:30.179 --> 00:39:31.340 and to carry 00:39:31.340 --> 00:39:32.759 that vibrancy 00:39:32.759 --> 00:39:33.820 and that satisfaction 00:39:33.820 --> 00:39:35.119 with the Lord Jesus Christ 00:39:35.119 --> 00:39:36.279 who saved us 00:39:36.279 --> 00:39:37.000 from the pit 00:39:37.000 --> 00:39:39.199 out into the world 00:39:39.199 --> 00:39:41.159 to share with others 00:39:41.159 --> 00:39:42.579 the joy and the hope 00:39:42.579 --> 00:39:43.199 of the gospel. 00:39:43.639 --> 00:39:46.079 Let our hearts be resolved today 00:39:46.079 --> 00:39:47.339 for your glory 00:39:47.339 --> 00:39:48.059 and your testimony 00:39:48.059 --> 00:39:48.759 we ask this 00:39:48.759 --> 00:39:49.779 in your precious name. 00:39:50.179 --> 00:39:50.399 Amen.