WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.799 So his sermon passage for today is Hebrews chapter 3, verses 1 through 6. 00:00:06.900 --> 00:00:08.460 ! Hebrews 3, 1 through 6. 00:00:09.259 --> 00:00:10.359 I'll read this aloud. 00:00:10.779 --> 00:00:14.040 Please follow along, and then I encourage you to keep God's word open in front of you 00:00:14.040 --> 00:00:18.059 as you can follow and hear what Pastor Brett preaches to us. 00:00:19.400 --> 00:00:25.740 I'll read this trusting it's God's inspired, inerrant, infallible, clear, sufficient, powerful word for you and me, his church. 00:00:26.800 --> 00:00:28.359 Hebrews 3, 1 through 6. 00:00:28.359 --> 00:00:38.780 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the apostle and the high priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 00:00:39.759 --> 00:00:46.960 who was faithful to him, who appointed him as Moses was also faithful in all his house. 00:00:47.539 --> 00:00:56.460 For this one has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who built the house has more honor than the house. 00:00:56.460 --> 00:01:03.259 For every house is built by someone, and he who built all things is God. 00:01:03.980 --> 00:01:12.019 And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward. 00:01:12.019 --> 00:01:25.079 But Christ, as a son over his own house, whose house we are, if we hold fast, the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope, firm to the end. 00:01:25.539 --> 00:01:27.280 The word of God for the people of God. 00:01:27.819 --> 00:01:28.859 Thanks be to God. 00:01:29.120 --> 00:01:29.719 Please be seated. 00:01:29.719 --> 00:01:40.939 Oh God, we thank you for how you have stooped down so low to make a covenant with your creatures, with men and women lost in our sin, 00:01:41.400 --> 00:01:43.879 but in Jesus Christ brought into your house. 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:50.599 We thank you that your house, Lord, is the place where we get to meet with you, to commune with you, 00:01:50.599 --> 00:01:54.579 and for how our Lord Jesus Christ lives for this ministry. 00:01:55.679 --> 00:01:59.859 Lord, we pray that today, by the preaching of your word through your servant, 00:01:59.979 --> 00:02:05.579 that you'll help us to receive your great love, to see how great your love is for the church. 00:02:06.179 --> 00:02:08.259 That we can receive this by faith, Lord. 00:02:08.819 --> 00:02:14.419 We pray that even as Pastor Brett preaches Christ to us, that you'll strengthen our faith, 00:02:14.519 --> 00:02:17.000 that you'll grow our faith in Christ, Lord, where we're weak. 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:19.479 That you'll help us to behold our Lord Jesus. 00:02:20.219 --> 00:02:24.240 And as we do, you'll settle our lives into the order that's pleasing to you. 00:02:24.620 --> 00:02:28.460 We ask all of this for your glory, for our good, and for Christ's sake we pray. 00:02:28.919 --> 00:02:29.360 Amen. 00:02:31.219 --> 00:02:36.360 One of the great themes of the book of Hebrews is to hold fast. 00:02:37.139 --> 00:02:39.219 To hold fast to Christ. 00:02:39.520 --> 00:02:41.020 To remain in Him. 00:02:41.020 --> 00:02:47.200 And here in our passage, we're called to remain in Christ by considering Him. 00:02:48.080 --> 00:02:49.740 To consider Jesus. 00:02:50.740 --> 00:02:55.400 To consider all that He is and all that He has done for the church. 00:02:56.260 --> 00:02:59.000 So that we would hold fast to Christ. 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:02.340 And in fact, the letter to Hebrews is a sermon. 00:03:03.180 --> 00:03:07.200 In chapter 13, 22, it's called a word of exhortation. 00:03:07.439 --> 00:03:08.700 And it's a brief word. 00:03:08.699 --> 00:03:12.659 If you read through the book of Hebrews, it would be about 45 minutes. 00:03:12.979 --> 00:03:15.939 A brief sermon to the people of God. 00:03:16.139 --> 00:03:19.579 So that they would hold fast to Christ. 00:03:20.599 --> 00:03:26.120 The church in the first century was tempted to forsake Christ. 00:03:26.219 --> 00:03:29.079 To turn away from Him and the truths of the gospel. 00:03:29.579 --> 00:03:31.000 And to go back to Judaism. 00:03:31.919 --> 00:03:33.479 They wanted the tangible. 00:03:33.479 --> 00:03:35.780 They wanted a tangible priesthood. 00:03:35.859 --> 00:03:36.859 A tangible temple. 00:03:37.139 --> 00:03:40.219 With a physical sacrifice before their eyes. 00:03:41.219 --> 00:03:45.859 So the author of Hebrews is exhorting them to hold fast to Christ. 00:03:47.099 --> 00:03:51.659 To see that He is the fulfillment of all of those promises and prophecies. 00:03:52.319 --> 00:03:55.620 So that they would look to Him and Him alone. 00:03:55.620 --> 00:04:04.480 Therefore, in chapter 1, we are to consider how Jesus is superior to the old covenant prophets. 00:04:05.099 --> 00:04:07.980 Even from the beginning of the exhortation. 00:04:08.719 --> 00:04:13.939 Jesus is the final and fullest revelation of God given to the church. 00:04:14.800 --> 00:04:16.100 He's greater than the prophets. 00:04:16.959 --> 00:04:19.000 He is superior to the angels. 00:04:19.620 --> 00:04:21.319 Because He's not a mere messenger. 00:04:21.800 --> 00:04:24.540 He's the eternal Son of God who took on flesh. 00:04:24.540 --> 00:04:28.800 He is the creator of all things who rules the world. 00:04:29.860 --> 00:04:33.460 The unchangeable God who came down to us. 00:04:34.780 --> 00:04:38.140 He is superior as the Son as you go into chapter 2. 00:04:38.400 --> 00:04:40.220 Because He rules over all His enemies. 00:04:41.540 --> 00:04:44.259 He took on our flesh so that He might sit on His throne. 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:47.420 And all things are being put under His feet. 00:04:47.820 --> 00:04:48.800 He's ruling. 00:04:49.720 --> 00:04:52.220 And He's ruling for the sake of His church. 00:04:52.840 --> 00:04:53.560 His people. 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:58.920 We are called to consider Jesus in His incarnation in chapter 2. 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:01.360 As He is the mediator and Savior. 00:05:02.480 --> 00:05:04.220 He became one of us. 00:05:04.459 --> 00:05:05.459 Took on our flesh. 00:05:05.819 --> 00:05:06.759 Flesh and blood. 00:05:06.840 --> 00:05:08.019 In order to redeem us. 00:05:08.939 --> 00:05:10.300 To redeem His church. 00:05:10.420 --> 00:05:13.459 And to gather them as one through Him. 00:05:13.459 --> 00:05:19.239 We're to consider Jesus, therefore, in His person, His work, in offices. 00:05:19.719 --> 00:05:22.079 So that we would hold fast to Christ. 00:05:23.339 --> 00:05:28.359 So my hope this morning, brothers and sisters, as we consider this text. 00:05:29.019 --> 00:05:32.159 Is that the Lord would preserve you as a church. 00:05:32.160 --> 00:05:37.980 As He has called you and gathered you out of darkness into one church, one people. 00:05:39.320 --> 00:05:43.820 That you would see that Christ is at work on your behalf. 00:05:43.820 --> 00:05:46.480 For your good as His church, His house. 00:05:47.480 --> 00:05:49.860 Which we are if we hold fast to Christ. 00:05:49.860 --> 00:05:54.960 But how often do we lose sight of the glory of Jesus? 00:05:54.959 --> 00:05:59.719 How often do we think of Him? 00:05:59.779 --> 00:06:01.639 Or how little do we think of Him? 00:06:02.599 --> 00:06:05.060 The world often lures us away. 00:06:05.239 --> 00:06:08.399 Or we get so preoccupied with this age. 00:06:08.399 --> 00:06:14.719 And our minds are flooded with the consideration of so many temporary things. 00:06:15.239 --> 00:06:17.339 That we think little of Jesus. 00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:20.319 That we consider Him little. 00:06:21.899 --> 00:06:25.560 We are often so much affected by this age. 00:06:25.659 --> 00:06:29.839 That we think little of unseen and eternal realities. 00:06:31.479 --> 00:06:34.259 And so Hebrews is calling us to consider Christ. 00:06:34.259 --> 00:06:38.719 To not get so bogged down with this age and this world. 00:06:38.879 --> 00:06:39.879 You think of those Hebrews. 00:06:40.120 --> 00:06:43.620 They wanted something that they could hold on to in this age. 00:06:45.120 --> 00:06:49.060 And He's saying your glory is found in the age to come where Christ is. 00:06:50.439 --> 00:06:51.300 Consider Him. 00:06:52.639 --> 00:06:54.420 Consider who Christ is. 00:06:55.560 --> 00:06:59.599 We're called to consider Christ so that we would hold fast to Him. 00:06:59.599 --> 00:07:02.839 To love Him and adore Him for who He is. 00:07:02.839 --> 00:07:05.259 As the Savior of the church. 00:07:06.439 --> 00:07:09.599 Charles Spurgeon, the great Reformed Baptist pastor in London. 00:07:10.219 --> 00:07:14.459 In 1855 he preaches his first sermon at the age of 20. 00:07:14.899 --> 00:07:19.439 And he spoke of the necessity of considering Jesus Christ from all Scripture. 00:07:21.179 --> 00:07:21.979 Spurgeon said, 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:25.659 I take my text and I make my confession at once. 00:07:26.479 --> 00:07:29.879 I have nothing to tell you but Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:35.600 He is the all glorious person who is the content of our confession. 00:07:36.519 --> 00:07:39.659 Christ is the great theme of the whole of Scripture. 00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:43.360 He is the highest intellectualism. 00:07:43.779 --> 00:07:47.560 He is the grandest philosophy to which my mind can attain. 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:52.779 He's the pinnacle that rises loftier than my highest aspirations. 00:07:52.779 --> 00:07:59.059 And deeper this great truth of God I could ever fathom. 00:07:59.899 --> 00:08:01.599 That is what we're to consider. 00:08:02.459 --> 00:08:07.059 From all of Scripture we are to consider Christ as the content of our confession. 00:08:08.139 --> 00:08:12.059 And to hold fast to our confession of faith without wavering. 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:16.060 Jesus is the loftiest intellectualism. 00:08:16.899 --> 00:08:18.180 The greatest philosophy. 00:08:18.360 --> 00:08:23.360 It's all found in Christ as the full revelation of God to us. 00:08:24.819 --> 00:08:29.220 So we are to consider Christ and how He is superior. 00:08:30.840 --> 00:08:35.639 Superior as the one who came down to us to reveal God to us. 00:08:36.179 --> 00:08:38.159 To redeem us as His house. 00:08:39.440 --> 00:08:41.220 And to keep us as His people. 00:08:42.059 --> 00:08:48.500 And so in our text this morning we are to consider how Christ is superior to Moses. 00:08:49.759 --> 00:08:54.079 As He is the faithful Son over the house of God. 00:08:54.979 --> 00:08:59.279 And it's Christ's faithfulness that is the very ground of our salvation. 00:09:00.599 --> 00:09:06.579 It's Christ's faithfulness that's the ground of the church by which we're being built upon as His house. 00:09:06.580 --> 00:09:13.420 And so Christ is the faithful Son who is building His people even now. 00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:16.100 Through the preaching of the Word of God. 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:25.200 And so again my hope is that by beholding the glory of Christ, by considering Him, the Lord might not only keep us. 00:09:26.540 --> 00:09:27.379 Keep you. 00:09:28.420 --> 00:09:31.120 But that He would give you a greater love for Christ. 00:09:31.659 --> 00:09:33.120 A greater trust in all. 00:09:33.680 --> 00:09:34.300 In Him. 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:35.040 In Him alone. 00:09:35.480 --> 00:09:38.300 In all of His sufficiency for His people. 00:09:38.299 --> 00:09:40.839 And so we're going to consider this. 00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:42.620 This is our main point this morning. 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:47.079 Because Jesus is greater than Moses and the old covenant. 00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:52.719 As the Son who accomplished our redemption in order to build the house. 00:09:53.659 --> 00:09:55.819 We must hold fast to Christ. 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:59.399 And to submit to Him in all things. 00:10:00.039 --> 00:10:01.120 Because He's greater. 00:10:01.659 --> 00:10:04.479 Because He accomplished redemption in His building, His church. 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:09.300 We must trust Him and obey Him in all things. 00:10:09.960 --> 00:10:11.740 We'll consider this under three points. 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:17.300 First, we are to consider the nature and offices of Christ. 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:19.240 We are to consider who He is. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:22.480 And what He's been tasked to do. 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:28.700 And so the author of Hebrews exhorts us here to consider Jesus. 00:10:28.700 --> 00:10:37.160 In chapter 2, He already exhorted the church to pay closer attention to what we have heard. 00:10:37.620 --> 00:10:41.100 He already told them to pay close attention to the gospel. 00:10:41.700 --> 00:10:47.360 Lest you not enter by unbelief as those Israelites did in the wilderness. 00:10:47.640 --> 00:10:50.680 He wants us to pay close attention to the gospel. 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:57.680 When we tend to consider something, it's often just a passing thought. 00:10:57.679 --> 00:11:00.479 That's how we use the language at times. 00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:01.899 Well, I considered it. 00:11:02.079 --> 00:11:05.839 And even now, you might be considering what you're going to have for lunch. 00:11:06.179 --> 00:11:06.339 Right? 00:11:06.439 --> 00:11:08.699 You consider what you're going to do in the afternoon. 00:11:08.939 --> 00:11:10.199 You consider something. 00:11:10.359 --> 00:11:12.759 It comes into your mind and it goes away. 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:16.679 This is more than just a passing thought. 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:23.159 The word for consider is to diligently apply your mind to it. 00:11:23.159 --> 00:11:29.399 To give serious, prolonged, and careful attention to Jesus. 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:32.659 He's the object of our consideration. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:38.879 To apply all of our mind to the highest intellectualism of Jesus Christ. 00:11:40.339 --> 00:11:46.419 To see that He is the one who would fill our hearts and minds with all that we need. 00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:51.419 And so the author of Hebrews is, he does this throughout the whole book. 00:11:51.579 --> 00:11:53.579 He's telling us to consider Christ. 00:11:54.199 --> 00:11:55.279 To see Him. 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:56.740 To look upon Him. 00:11:58.519 --> 00:12:04.479 In chapter 2, he says, although we don't see all things in subjection to Jesus. 00:12:05.479 --> 00:12:06.599 He says, you look around. 00:12:06.759 --> 00:12:08.899 You see all this chaos going around the world. 00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:12.120 All the enemies are not under His feet as of yet. 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:16.519 The author of Hebrews says, but you do see Jesus. 00:12:17.840 --> 00:12:21.500 You see Christ high and lifted up, reigning and ruling now. 00:12:21.799 --> 00:12:22.759 Well, how do we see Him? 00:12:23.580 --> 00:12:24.620 How do we consider Him? 00:12:25.940 --> 00:12:26.860 It's by faith. 00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:33.759 By faith we behold Him in His word that He is reigning and ruling over His church. 00:12:34.620 --> 00:12:39.799 So he says in chapter 12, in verse 2, to look upon Jesus. 00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:44.099 And so faith is a type of sight. 00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:51.579 It's the beholding of the soul through a knowledge, a sense, and trust in Jesus. 00:12:51.699 --> 00:12:55.539 It's a beholding of the soul of the truths of Jesus Christ. 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:58.219 We are called to behold Him. 00:12:58.939 --> 00:13:00.819 To consider Him by faith. 00:13:00.820 --> 00:13:12.100 Jesus says in John 6, verse 40, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life. 00:13:12.160 --> 00:13:12.800 That's a promise. 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:16.580 If you look upon Jesus, you'll have life in His name. 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:18.120 How do you look upon Him? 00:13:18.920 --> 00:13:20.200 How do you consider Him? 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:22.360 By faith. 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:24.720 By faith we see Jesus. 00:13:25.660 --> 00:13:27.180 It's what John the Baptist said. 00:13:27.179 --> 00:13:29.739 He said, Behold the Lamb, look upon Him. 00:13:30.979 --> 00:13:32.399 Many people saw Jesus. 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:34.899 They looked upon Him, which is the eyes of sight. 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:36.959 But they didn't behold His glory. 00:13:37.139 --> 00:13:38.979 They weren't transformed by it. 00:13:40.339 --> 00:13:42.099 They didn't see Him for who He was. 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:43.979 They didn't have the eyes of faith. 00:13:45.199 --> 00:13:50.039 So Hebrews says to consider Jesus by looking upon Him by faith. 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:52.899 Exercising your faith in Jesus. 00:13:52.899 --> 00:13:57.259 And this is why He calls us holy brethren. 00:13:58.480 --> 00:14:02.539 The church are those who are made up of those who are brothers of Christ. 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:03.959 We have been sanctified. 00:14:04.100 --> 00:14:04.720 We're holy. 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:11.620 We have a holy and heavenly calling because we are united to Christ by faith. 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:15.919 What a wonderful identity that He calls the church here. 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:18.500 He calls you His brother. 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:23.860 In fact, in chapter 2 He says He's not ashamed to call us His brother. 00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:29.240 He was not ashamed to take on our flesh to come to save the children of Abraham. 00:14:29.419 --> 00:14:31.860 He wasn't ashamed to call you His brother. 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:36.679 He actually took on our flesh so that we might be united to Him. 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:41.600 And so as we consider Jesus, we consider Him as our brother. 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:48.820 That is, as the eternal Son of God who became man in order to save us. 00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:59.279 We must consider that He is perfect God and perfect man who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven. 00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:03.200 And that we are by faith united to Christ. 00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:10.340 He identified with us in our weak humanity in order to redeem our humanity. 00:15:10.340 --> 00:15:12.500 We must consider Jesus. 00:15:13.700 --> 00:15:15.639 He came to take away our sins. 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:17.300 That is, in His humanity. 00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:20.399 One born of Mary, born of the Virgin. 00:15:21.060 --> 00:15:23.100 In order to save sinners. 00:15:24.899 --> 00:15:28.200 But more than that, He's also given us a heavenly calling. 00:15:29.560 --> 00:15:32.100 He is the one who came down from heaven. 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:37.400 And that He pours out the Spirit from heaven so that we might be born from above. 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:43.399 As Jesus Himself had a heavenly calling, He has given us that same calling. 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:48.519 Hebrews will go on to call Jesus the forerunner of our faith. 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:53.620 He is the one who has actually entered into heaven already as our brother in heaven. 00:15:54.959 --> 00:16:01.360 And so as He has entered into the Holy of Holies for us, as our great high priest, 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:04.340 we too are given this heavenly calling. 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:07.379 And so what is this heavenly calling? 00:16:07.580 --> 00:16:13.100 It's the fact that, brothers and sisters, the church lives as pilgrims in this age. 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:15.419 We're just passing through. 00:16:17.060 --> 00:16:20.300 Again, we get so bogged down with all that goes on with this age. 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:22.000 But we're made for the age to come. 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:26.860 We have a heavenly and holy calling with Jesus. 00:16:28.059 --> 00:16:32.080 We're set on this new trajectory to live for Christ. 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:38.899 And so the church must not lose sight of this glorious and heavenly calling. 00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:43.220 That is, we must fix our eyes upon Jesus. 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:47.960 We're to look at things that are above where Christ is seated. 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:50.720 That's what Hebrews is saying. 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:56.000 And continually, by faith, look upon Christ and see that you're set on this trajectory. 00:16:56.660 --> 00:16:58.040 To heaven with Him. 00:16:59.460 --> 00:17:03.100 That the church consists of those who've been born from above. 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:06.220 We are holy brethren who are made for another world. 00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:08.360 For the new creation. 00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:13.579 What He began here will He not complete in glory. 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:18.380 But we're also to consider the offices of Christ. 00:17:18.380 --> 00:17:21.680 Look at what it speaks about who Jesus is. 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:27.440 Jesus is the apostle and high priest of our confession. 00:17:28.840 --> 00:17:34.540 As our mediator, He took on our flesh that He might fulfill His office as mediator. 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:36.140 As prophet, priest, and king. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:40.060 And here, as the apostle who's been sent from God. 00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:45.359 Now we're used to the language of Christ's high priestly work. 00:17:46.359 --> 00:17:48.940 We are alienated from God in our sin. 00:17:49.139 --> 00:17:50.579 So how can we be restored? 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.460 We need a priest. 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:56.679 We need Jesus to offer the perfect sacrifice for our sins. 00:17:57.599 --> 00:17:59.839 As we already read, as we confessed our sins. 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:04.159 He who knew no sin became sin for us. 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:07.220 So offer Himself for us. 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:09.220 He's the priest. 00:18:10.100 --> 00:18:17.079 He's the priest who ever lives as a resurrected Lord in the presence of God to make intercession for you. 00:18:18.660 --> 00:18:23.700 So our salvation is founded upon His once for all priestly sacrifice. 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:26.400 Giving us an eternal hope with God. 00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:31.720 But this is the only place where Jesus is called an apostle. 00:18:33.280 --> 00:18:35.300 We're familiar with the twelve apostles. 00:18:35.580 --> 00:18:39.940 Those who are called by Christ and commissioned to go preach the gospel. 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:43.700 Paul as well is one who's untimely born. 00:18:43.820 --> 00:18:45.400 He's called later as an apostle. 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:47.420 He says, I'm the least of the apostles. 00:18:48.140 --> 00:18:50.519 So they were called by Christ and commissioned. 00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:53.280 But what about Jesus? 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:58.460 Jesus was called by His Father from all eternity. 00:18:58.940 --> 00:19:01.039 The Son of God who would take on our flesh. 00:19:01.379 --> 00:19:02.160 And He was commissioned. 00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:06.960 The Son of God willingly taking on that commission. 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:11.759 Willingly going from heaven to earth to come down to us. 00:19:12.619 --> 00:19:15.180 He's an apostle sent out with a task. 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:19.619 This is the language of the eternal covenant of redemption. 00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:22.919 Read chapter 8, paragraph 1 of our confession. 00:19:23.099 --> 00:19:27.299 It says that the Father made a covenant with the Son to redeem sinners. 00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:30.179 He was sent to us. 00:19:31.639 --> 00:19:34.539 Think of all those places in the Gospels. 00:19:34.679 --> 00:19:37.099 We read the Gospel of John and see how He's sent. 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:38.179 He's the sent one. 00:19:39.299 --> 00:19:40.959 God so loved the world that He gave. 00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:42.119 He gave His Son. 00:19:42.179 --> 00:19:42.979 He sent Him. 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:46.579 He was sent to destroy the work of Satan. 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:48.779 He was sent from heaven to us. 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:51.759 As our great apostle. 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:52.960 And so why was He sent? 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:58.000 He was sent in order to fulfill the covenant that the Father gave Him. 00:19:58.279 --> 00:20:00.619 He was sent to save all of the elect. 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:03.700 All of those the Father gave Him from all eternity. 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.139 He must gather in. 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:07.940 That's what He prays in John 17. 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:10.799 As He's the apostle sent out. 00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:12.779 He must do the will of His Father. 00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:15.440 So He says in Hebrews 10, 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:19.039 I've come to do your will, O God, to fulfill that task. 00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:22.160 And so we must consider Jesus. 00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:30.119 We must consider what He came to do for us as the priest and apostle in order to save sinners. 00:20:30.119 --> 00:20:35.179 But holy brethren, consider Christ. 00:20:36.339 --> 00:20:37.339 Consider Jesus. 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:38.500 Consider Him often. 00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:43.719 Apply all of your mind and heart to the person and work of Jesus. 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:48.919 We get so anxious about all the things going on in this life. 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:51.000 We need to stop and just consider Him. 00:20:52.179 --> 00:20:54.419 He's already gone before us into glory. 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:56.519 He's already given us the victory. 00:20:57.640 --> 00:21:00.420 And where He is, we will be with Him also. 00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:03.400 We must consider what He came to do. 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:05.200 To fulfill it all. 00:21:05.320 --> 00:21:06.519 To fulfill our redemption. 00:21:08.060 --> 00:21:09.519 And so as you go read the book of Hebrews, 00:21:09.660 --> 00:21:13.680 Hebrews is going to expand on this idea that He's the high priest and apostle 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:17.320 who fulfilled the covenant for us. 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:21.700 We must consider Him that we would confess Him. 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:25.600 Is He not the content of our confession of faith? 00:21:26.340 --> 00:21:27.880 Is He not what a heart loves? 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:30.340 Do you have a love for Christ? 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:33.799 The more that we consider Him in His word, 00:21:33.900 --> 00:21:37.799 the more we will love Him and confess Him openly before the world. 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:43.279 We must believe in our hearts and confess with our mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord. 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:45.200 He was raised from the dead. 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:49.539 We must confess Him, believe Him, trust in Him. 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:52.440 So that's the first thing He calls us to do. 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:55.539 Consider Jesus, His person and His offices. 00:21:56.859 --> 00:21:59.879 But also consider Christ's faithfulness. 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:03.000 As you read this text, this is what we see. 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:07.240 We see a comparison between Moses and His faithfulness 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:11.139 and that of Jesus and His faithfulness. 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:17.379 That Christ is superior to Moses as the new covenant is superior to the old. 00:22:17.380 --> 00:22:21.580 Because Jesus was not faithful as a servant alone, 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:24.000 but as a son. 00:22:24.700 --> 00:22:29.660 As the son who's been sent to redeem and to build this house. 00:22:30.820 --> 00:22:32.760 Think about Moses for a moment. 00:22:34.100 --> 00:22:38.540 Moses was one of the greatest Old Testament prophets and priests. 00:22:39.600 --> 00:22:41.700 He was a mediator of the old covenant 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:44.480 who served to represent the old covenant. 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:49.120 And so as these Hebrews were tempted to go back to the old covenant, 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.620 to the Levitical laws, 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:52.380 they're tempted to go back to Moses. 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.220 We have Moses. 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:55.420 Why do we need Jesus? 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:58.420 So this is the comparison 00:22:58.420 --> 00:23:02.539 so that they would see how great Jesus is in the new covenant. 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:07.920 Moses was set apart in a special way in Numbers 12, 6. 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:11.259 We're told he was not like the other prophets 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:13.340 whom God spoke in dreams. 00:23:14.360 --> 00:23:17.140 No, but God spoke with him mouth to mouth. 00:23:17.360 --> 00:23:19.779 For he was faithful in all my house. 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:22.980 And he beholds the form of the Lord. 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:26.400 It was a special calling in Numbers chapter 12. 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:28.980 He had a distinct calling in the old covenant 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:32.380 in a unique relationship to God as the mediator. 00:23:32.380 --> 00:23:37.020 And Numbers says he was faithful in the house of God. 00:23:38.140 --> 00:23:42.280 He served the people of God as a mouthpiece of the old covenant. 00:23:43.060 --> 00:23:45.020 But he did so as a servant. 00:23:46.100 --> 00:23:47.720 How does a servant serve? 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:52.220 Well, he serves by his obligation to fulfill the law. 00:23:52.340 --> 00:23:54.840 He serves as one who's under the master, 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:57.380 who's faithful in the house of God 00:23:57.380 --> 00:24:01.300 because he's been put there as a servant of that house. 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:04.359 But consider Jesus. 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:09.359 Jesus at times is called the servant of the Lord. 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:12.960 He came to not just to be served, but to serve. 00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:17.319 But here the contrast is the fact that he wasn't just a servant. 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.599 He's a son. 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:22.759 And as the son, he's the one who builds the house, 00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:24.839 not just serves in the house. 00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:28.680 In other words, he has more glory than Moses. 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:31.139 Moses was a servant in the house. 00:24:32.159 --> 00:24:34.899 But Jesus is the one who actually builds the house 00:24:34.899 --> 00:24:36.960 and reigns over that house. 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:40.200 You see the continuity there. 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:42.700 They both served God and there was one house. 00:24:44.139 --> 00:24:47.419 I'll get into more in a moment what that fullness of that house is, 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:48.960 but really it's just the church. 00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:50.159 It's the people of God. 00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:53.680 They both served unto that same end, 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:56.960 and yet Jesus is the builder of the house 00:24:56.960 --> 00:25:00.420 as all things are built by God. 00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:03.680 And so which one is worthy of more honor? 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:08.279 Which one is greater, the architect or the building? 00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:10.560 The creator or the creature? 00:25:11.820 --> 00:25:15.860 Which is greater, the pyramids themselves or the one who built them? 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:16.359 Right? 00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:17.000 Right? 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:19.899 The honor goes to the builder of the house 00:25:19.899 --> 00:25:25.759 so that no one thinks the house then is superior to the one who designed it 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:28.199 and who rules over it. 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:28.640 Moses. 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:30.559 And that is Christ. 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.640 Now you might say, 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:36.279 well, how could he tell the Hebrews that Moses was faithful? 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:39.700 Moses didn't even get to enter into the promised land. 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:40.779 He didn't enter into Canaan 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:42.700 because he wasn't completely faithful. 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.379 And that's the point is, 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:46.740 as much as he was faithful to the covenant, 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:49.059 he could not actually build the house. 00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:52.639 He was a sinner just like us, and he failed. 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:55.639 But consider the son. 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:59.440 Consider Jesus' faithfulness. 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:03.079 Moses was faithful only as a servant 00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:05.259 because he testified to Jesus. 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.660 That's what Hebrews says. 00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:10.820 Moses comes as one who is a witness of Christ. 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:14.720 In fact, in Deuteronomy 18.15, 00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:20.380 Moses says that there is a prophet like him that is going to come. 00:26:21.560 --> 00:26:22.640 You must listen to him. 00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:25.279 Who are you going to listen to, Moses? 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:27.980 Or the one that Moses testified to? 00:26:29.100 --> 00:26:30.640 Do you listen to Christ? 00:26:32.160 --> 00:26:35.160 Or the Pharisees in John 5 and verse 45, 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:38.019 they thought they were obedient to Moses. 00:26:38.580 --> 00:26:39.900 We don't need to listen to Jesus. 00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:40.860 We have Moses. 00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:43.960 Jesus says, 00:26:44.120 --> 00:26:45.960 Do not think I will accuse you to the Father. 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:48.320 There is one who accuses you, 00:26:49.340 --> 00:26:51.960 Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:54.940 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me. 00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:57.960 For he wrote about me. 00:26:57.960 --> 00:27:01.740 And so what was Moses' ministry in the house of God? 00:27:02.380 --> 00:27:06.140 What was the role of the law that Moses gave in the house of God? 00:27:07.100 --> 00:27:09.380 All of it was to testify of Christ. 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:15.299 Paul says in Romans 10.4 that Christ is the end of the law for all who believe. 00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:20.460 And so the law of God in Moses' ministry was meant to drive us to Christ. 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:22.700 It's just a tutor. 00:27:23.120 --> 00:27:25.299 It's a teacher leading us to Jesus. 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:29.119 That's how Moses served in the house of God. 00:27:29.419 --> 00:27:32.799 God gave the law as a tutor to lead us to Christ. 00:27:33.619 --> 00:27:36.579 To see all of his faithfulness. 00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:41.759 And so the Son of God came to fulfill the task the Father gave him. 00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:44.460 He was faithful over the house. 00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:48.500 Where Moses failed, Jesus fulfilled. 00:27:49.940 --> 00:27:53.240 But even more so, think of other sons in the Old Testament. 00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:57.319 Think of Adam in the garden who was called to obey the covenant. 00:27:57.779 --> 00:27:59.039 He's called God's son. 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:01.220 But what did he do? 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:01.839 He failed. 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:03.620 He wasn't faithful in the house. 00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:07.400 You think of Israel as they're brought into the land of Canaan. 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:11.220 In Exodus 4, they're referred to as a son of God. 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:14.920 They too were faithless. 00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:17.779 They failed to build the house. 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:22.839 But brothers and sisters, holy brethren, consider Jesus. 00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:26.099 He is perfectly faithful. 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:31.460 All that the Father gave him to do, he fulfills. 00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:34.660 He was faithful in the house of God. 00:28:34.819 --> 00:28:37.019 In fact, he could pray in John 17. 00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:43.240 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:48.440 He is the faithful son who would build the house of God. 00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:54.740 In fact, in 2 Samuel 7, David wanted to be that faithful son. 00:28:55.139 --> 00:28:58.639 David asked the Lord and says, I want to build you a house, a temple. 00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:01.519 What did the Lord tell David? 00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:04.180 It's not you who are going to build the house. 00:29:04.180 --> 00:29:07.080 I will build the house for you. 00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:09.460 I'm the one who's going to build it. 00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:10.539 And how will he do that? 00:29:11.380 --> 00:29:13.019 By sending his son. 00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:19.840 By Jesus Christ taking on our flesh to be the faithful son who would actually build the house of God. 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:23.680 He would gather his people from the ends of the earth. 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:28.620 And so we must see that Jesus is the faithful son. 00:29:28.619 --> 00:29:36.039 In other words, brethren, our salvation is founded not upon our own faithfulness, 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:39.239 but upon the faithfulness of Christ. 00:29:40.419 --> 00:29:44.119 He's the one who obeyed the covenant on our behalf, 00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:47.000 that we might become the righteousness of God in him. 00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:51.419 That his righteousness would be imputed to us. 00:29:52.419 --> 00:29:54.879 Through one man's disobedience to Adam, 00:29:54.879 --> 00:29:57.419 the many were made unrighteous, condemned. 00:29:58.619 --> 00:30:01.439 But through the one man's righteousness, 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:03.459 through his obedience, 00:30:04.879 --> 00:30:06.159 he could justify many. 00:30:07.399 --> 00:30:12.039 And so our salvation is founded not upon how faithful we are in the house. 00:30:12.659 --> 00:30:13.819 We all fail. 00:30:15.679 --> 00:30:16.979 It's founded upon Jesus. 00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:19.799 Consider him and what he did for us. 00:30:20.939 --> 00:30:25.179 Consider his active obedience that he obeyed the law on our behalf. 00:30:25.180 --> 00:30:27.580 That is what will give us hope. 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:31.920 In fact, it was Gretchen Mation on his deathbed. 00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:33.240 He writes a letter to a friend. 00:30:33.340 --> 00:30:36.279 He was president of Westminster Theological Seminary. 00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:38.539 He writes to a friend as he's dying. 00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:39.160 He says, 00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:43.440 I'm so thankful for the active obedience of Christ. 00:30:44.080 --> 00:30:45.600 Christ's faithfulness to the law. 00:30:46.320 --> 00:30:46.640 He said, 00:30:46.740 --> 00:30:47.900 There's no hope without it. 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:51.279 What will give you comfort in life and in death? 00:30:51.600 --> 00:30:52.980 That we belong to Jesus. 00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:56.800 That we've been united to him as holy brethren, 00:30:56.800 --> 00:30:59.360 and he fulfilled the covenant for us. 00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:03.320 It's Christ's faithfulness that is the foundation, then, 00:31:03.360 --> 00:31:05.440 of the church, of our salvation. 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:07.400 So Hebrews says, 00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:11.160 Consider him and all that he is and all that he has done. 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:14.240 And then finally for us this morning, 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:18.240 he tells us to consider Christ's house. 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:21.140 Consider the offices of Christ. 00:31:21.340 --> 00:31:24.320 Consider his faithfulness in the house of God. 00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:27.480 But also consider the house. 00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:28.900 He says, 00:31:28.900 --> 00:31:38.340 What is this house? 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.759 Well, in the Old Testament, 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:44.040 the word for house was used in a few different ways. 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:48.460 One, it's the temple and tabernacle of God. 00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:51.700 You can see that even in the language in Psalm 27. 00:31:52.740 --> 00:31:54.540 Or 2 Samuel 7. 00:31:54.660 --> 00:31:57.360 God promised David he would build the house. 00:31:57.359 --> 00:31:58.919 He would build him a temple. 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:02.299 But that language of temple and tabernacle 00:32:02.299 --> 00:32:04.879 actually expands in the Old Testament 00:32:04.879 --> 00:32:07.079 to include all of God's people. 00:32:07.919 --> 00:32:10.359 So not only was he going to build a temple for David, 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:12.679 he was going to build a dynasty for David. 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:15.740 And one of his sons was going to sit on his throne, 00:32:16.039 --> 00:32:17.579 and he was going to gather a people 00:32:17.579 --> 00:32:19.579 through the son of David. 00:32:20.839 --> 00:32:21.659 In other words, 00:32:21.819 --> 00:32:25.139 the language of a house speaks of God's presence there. 00:32:25.140 --> 00:32:27.220 It's where God dwells. 00:32:28.020 --> 00:32:29.600 As he dwelled in the tabernacle, 00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:30.720 dwelled in the temple, 00:32:31.080 --> 00:32:33.340 he dwells with the people of God. 00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:35.540 That is why they were his house. 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:38.680 But think what Hebrews is saying now. 00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:41.940 He's saying the church is the house of God. 00:32:43.140 --> 00:32:45.100 That's what Paul says in the letter of Timothy, 00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:45.920 in 1 Timothy, 00:32:46.120 --> 00:32:48.700 that we will learn how to behave in the household of God. 00:32:48.800 --> 00:32:49.980 We are his house, 00:32:50.100 --> 00:32:52.280 his church where God dwells. 00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:56.359 And so the temple and the tabernacle 00:32:56.359 --> 00:32:57.980 and the Israel of old 00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:59.819 were only types pointing us 00:32:59.819 --> 00:33:02.319 to the fulfillment of that same house. 00:33:03.180 --> 00:33:05.980 One people of God throughout history 00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:08.599 united through faith in Christ. 00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:12.079 And so the language of house is not just temple. 00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:14.059 In fact, it's the church. 00:33:15.119 --> 00:33:17.960 It's the fulfillment of what God promised to Adam 00:33:17.960 --> 00:33:18.599 in the garden, 00:33:18.599 --> 00:33:21.559 that God, Adam, was to extend that house 00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:22.879 to the ends of the earth. 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:26.159 What Adam failed to do, 00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:28.639 Jesus Christ is fulfilling. 00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:31.179 So what we need to see 00:33:31.179 --> 00:33:33.339 in that in the Old and New Testaments, 00:33:33.879 --> 00:33:37.500 there is only ever one true spiritual people of God. 00:33:38.359 --> 00:33:39.919 Moses served in the house, 00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:42.559 and so did Jesus over the house. 00:33:42.559 --> 00:33:46.139 There's one true spiritual people of God, 00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:47.579 one plan of God, 00:33:47.659 --> 00:33:49.179 one salvation of God 00:33:49.179 --> 00:33:51.339 in the Old and New Testaments. 00:33:52.559 --> 00:33:54.259 Moses was looking forward to it, 00:33:54.659 --> 00:33:57.419 and Christ has fulfilled it. 00:33:58.619 --> 00:34:00.220 And so what was promised of old 00:34:00.220 --> 00:34:01.740 is fulfilled in Christ 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:04.259 as we are gathered from the ends of the earth 00:34:04.259 --> 00:34:06.519 as the house of God. 00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:09.840 That's why Peter can refer to the church 00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:11.579 as a holy nation 00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:13.460 or a true temple. 00:34:14.780 --> 00:34:17.079 That's what Paul says in Ephesians 2.21. 00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:18.259 He says, 00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:20.320 The church is the house of God, 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:22.519 which we are told grows 00:34:22.519 --> 00:34:24.320 into a holy temple in the Lord. 00:34:24.759 --> 00:34:27.259 In him you also are being built together 00:34:27.259 --> 00:34:30.420 into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. 00:34:32.059 --> 00:34:34.000 And so, again, brothers and sisters, 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:36.179 what makes you a church? 00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:39.139 It's because God dwells there. 00:34:40.239 --> 00:34:40.840 In Revelation, 00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:43.679 it's because Christ walks amongst his lampstands. 00:34:43.880 --> 00:34:44.659 He's there. 00:34:45.820 --> 00:34:47.239 It's because he gathers you 00:34:47.239 --> 00:34:49.059 as his holy people, 00:34:49.219 --> 00:34:50.400 visible saints, 00:34:51.539 --> 00:34:53.940 to be in the very presence of God. 00:34:54.639 --> 00:34:56.259 You've been brought into his house 00:34:56.259 --> 00:34:59.619 to enjoy communion with God forever. 00:35:00.780 --> 00:35:02.159 The church is a temple, 00:35:02.159 --> 00:35:03.179 not just individually, 00:35:03.460 --> 00:35:04.619 but corporately, 00:35:04.619 --> 00:35:07.319 as Christ dwells with us. 00:35:08.579 --> 00:35:10.480 This is why the particular Baptist, 00:35:10.699 --> 00:35:11.460 Benjamin Keech, 00:35:11.539 --> 00:35:12.039 could say 00:35:12.039 --> 00:35:14.539 that the beauty and glory 00:35:14.539 --> 00:35:17.859 of which each congregation does consist 00:35:17.859 --> 00:35:20.539 in there being all converted persons, 00:35:21.279 --> 00:35:22.359 lively stones, 00:35:23.239 --> 00:35:25.739 being by the Holy Spirit united to Jesus, 00:35:26.460 --> 00:35:27.719 the precious cornerstone 00:35:27.719 --> 00:35:28.960 and only foundation 00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:30.880 of every Christian 00:35:30.880 --> 00:35:34.659 as well as every particular congregation. 00:35:35.340 --> 00:35:37.119 What's the beauty and glory of the church? 00:35:37.240 --> 00:35:39.019 It consists of believers 00:35:39.019 --> 00:35:41.019 who are united to Christ 00:35:41.019 --> 00:35:42.119 upon the cornerstone. 00:35:42.579 --> 00:35:43.900 It consists of those 00:35:43.900 --> 00:35:45.059 who've been called out of darkness 00:35:45.059 --> 00:35:47.059 into the kingdom of light. 00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:49.980 And so every particular congregation 00:35:50.659 --> 00:35:53.259 is founded upon Jesus Christ. 00:35:54.259 --> 00:35:56.980 And we are being built up as lively stones 00:35:57.659 --> 00:36:00.820 into this glorious house of God. 00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:03.460 That's what God is doing amongst you. 00:36:04.799 --> 00:36:06.420 He's calling you out of the world. 00:36:06.539 --> 00:36:08.380 He's called you together as his people 00:36:08.380 --> 00:36:10.320 to dwell in his midst, 00:36:10.420 --> 00:36:11.579 to glorify him, 00:36:12.139 --> 00:36:13.860 to see other sinners saved 00:36:13.860 --> 00:36:15.880 as lively stones built up 00:36:15.880 --> 00:36:17.260 as a glorious temple 00:36:17.260 --> 00:36:19.480 fit for worship, 00:36:19.599 --> 00:36:21.599 the worship of our glorious God. 00:36:22.720 --> 00:36:24.640 But did you notice here in our text, 00:36:25.340 --> 00:36:27.500 who is it that builds this house? 00:36:28.619 --> 00:36:30.220 Who builds the church? 00:36:31.200 --> 00:36:32.079 Who's the builder? 00:36:32.380 --> 00:36:33.760 Here it says it's God. 00:36:34.680 --> 00:36:35.940 And Hebrews' point is that 00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:37.800 Jesus is the Son of God 00:36:37.800 --> 00:36:39.640 who came to build the house. 00:36:40.420 --> 00:36:41.519 He has more glory 00:36:41.519 --> 00:36:43.619 because he's God, the builder. 00:36:43.619 --> 00:36:46.679 And so we must come to see 00:36:46.679 --> 00:36:47.699 that the church 00:36:47.699 --> 00:36:50.339 is divinely instituted 00:36:50.339 --> 00:36:52.380 and divinely built. 00:36:53.579 --> 00:36:54.859 Yes, we're to labor. 00:36:55.699 --> 00:36:57.880 We're to be faithful servants. 00:36:58.839 --> 00:37:00.199 But the church is not built 00:37:00.199 --> 00:37:02.159 by our ingenuity, 00:37:02.359 --> 00:37:04.279 strength, wisdom, or merit. 00:37:04.619 --> 00:37:06.099 It's built upon none of that. 00:37:06.099 --> 00:37:09.719 It's built upon Jesus Christ. 00:37:11.199 --> 00:37:12.619 That's what he promised to Peter, 00:37:12.699 --> 00:37:13.219 did he not, 00:37:13.279 --> 00:37:14.159 to Matthew 16, 00:37:14.559 --> 00:37:16.159 that he would build the church. 00:37:17.000 --> 00:37:18.900 He would build his house. 00:37:19.940 --> 00:37:21.079 And the gates of hell 00:37:21.079 --> 00:37:23.079 would not stand against her. 00:37:24.279 --> 00:37:25.639 Herman Boving put it this way. 00:37:27.139 --> 00:37:27.679 Says, 00:37:27.679 --> 00:37:28.539 The church, therefore, 00:37:28.679 --> 00:37:30.119 is not a human institution 00:37:30.119 --> 00:37:31.699 or social structure. 00:37:32.500 --> 00:37:34.639 It's a creation of God's grace. 00:37:35.739 --> 00:37:36.859 A community formed 00:37:36.859 --> 00:37:38.299 through the preaching of the gospel 00:37:38.299 --> 00:37:40.299 by the working of the Holy Spirit 00:37:40.299 --> 00:37:42.460 and called into fellowship 00:37:42.460 --> 00:37:43.779 with the triune God. 00:37:44.759 --> 00:37:46.579 The church is a creature of grace. 00:37:47.639 --> 00:37:48.980 That we've been saved by grace 00:37:48.980 --> 00:37:50.839 to be gathered as his people. 00:37:51.279 --> 00:37:52.440 God called us out of the world 00:37:52.440 --> 00:37:53.359 to be one body 00:37:53.359 --> 00:37:55.259 and to join ourselves 00:37:55.259 --> 00:37:57.099 to particular congregations. 00:37:58.679 --> 00:38:00.299 So your church is founded 00:38:00.299 --> 00:38:01.419 upon the Lord Jesus. 00:38:03.079 --> 00:38:05.299 As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3.11, 00:38:06.179 --> 00:38:07.539 For no one can lay a foundation 00:38:07.539 --> 00:38:09.099 other than that which was laid, 00:38:09.379 --> 00:38:10.619 which is Jesus Christ. 00:38:12.480 --> 00:38:14.299 So the church is not built up 00:38:14.299 --> 00:38:16.460 nor founded upon the preacher, 00:38:17.500 --> 00:38:18.239 upon men, 00:38:18.399 --> 00:38:19.319 upon celebrities. 00:38:19.679 --> 00:38:21.339 It's built up upon Christ 00:38:21.339 --> 00:38:23.639 and his word faithfully proclaimed. 00:38:24.639 --> 00:38:26.819 It's built by Jesus Christ. 00:38:27.679 --> 00:38:28.960 The weight of the church 00:38:28.960 --> 00:38:30.219 cannot be held upon 00:38:30.219 --> 00:38:31.619 the shoulders of men. 00:38:31.919 --> 00:38:32.699 It will crumble. 00:38:33.919 --> 00:38:35.799 It cannot be found upon our wisdom. 00:38:36.219 --> 00:38:37.539 That's but foolishness. 00:38:38.460 --> 00:38:39.659 The church is not built 00:38:39.659 --> 00:38:41.399 because of our faithfulness even, 00:38:42.359 --> 00:38:43.659 but upon Christ. 00:38:44.980 --> 00:38:46.859 He's the builder of the house. 00:38:46.860 --> 00:38:50.120 Unless the Lord builds the house, 00:38:50.240 --> 00:38:52.039 we labor in vain. 00:38:53.599 --> 00:38:54.440 Holy brethren, 00:38:54.579 --> 00:38:55.900 do you believe that here in Parker? 00:38:56.980 --> 00:38:58.059 Do you believe that's what the Lord 00:38:58.059 --> 00:38:59.260 is doing amongst you? 00:38:59.780 --> 00:39:01.720 That he is building his church? 00:39:02.599 --> 00:39:04.480 That he is the one who's promised 00:39:04.480 --> 00:39:06.220 to do so to save his elect? 00:39:07.519 --> 00:39:10.519 Do we believe that he will gather his people 00:39:10.519 --> 00:39:11.980 from the ends of the earth 00:39:11.980 --> 00:39:14.340 and to care for his people? 00:39:15.619 --> 00:39:16.800 That's why he came 00:39:16.800 --> 00:39:18.740 as the apostle and high priest 00:39:18.740 --> 00:39:19.559 of our profession. 00:39:20.240 --> 00:39:21.820 That's why he loved us 00:39:21.820 --> 00:39:23.320 and gave himself for us, 00:39:23.440 --> 00:39:24.639 his brides. 00:39:26.039 --> 00:39:28.059 And he must receive all of his people. 00:39:29.159 --> 00:39:30.940 That's why he was the faithful son, 00:39:31.519 --> 00:39:32.519 so that he would build 00:39:32.519 --> 00:39:35.179 and receive his church. 00:39:35.179 --> 00:39:38.139 And so our faithfulness, 00:39:38.819 --> 00:39:40.940 while it's not the ground of the church 00:39:40.940 --> 00:39:42.639 or the ground of our salvation, 00:39:43.960 --> 00:39:44.559 brothers and sisters, 00:39:44.739 --> 00:39:46.559 it is the proper response 00:39:46.559 --> 00:39:48.059 to God's grace. 00:39:48.899 --> 00:39:51.419 If we truly are creatures of God's grace 00:39:51.419 --> 00:39:53.079 who've been united to Christ, 00:39:54.019 --> 00:39:56.579 then if Christ was faithful over the house, 00:39:57.579 --> 00:39:58.539 how should we live? 00:39:59.859 --> 00:40:02.659 We too ought to be faithful servants 00:40:02.659 --> 00:40:03.799 in the house of God. 00:40:03.800 --> 00:40:06.300 We are called out of the world 00:40:06.300 --> 00:40:08.180 to be faithful in his house, 00:40:08.320 --> 00:40:09.440 to serve Christ, 00:40:09.620 --> 00:40:11.480 not from the outside looking in, 00:40:12.760 --> 00:40:14.480 but to join ourselves 00:40:14.480 --> 00:40:16.200 to particular congregations 00:40:16.200 --> 00:40:18.700 to live faithful in that house of God. 00:40:19.620 --> 00:40:21.320 That is what Christ is doing. 00:40:22.820 --> 00:40:24.140 And so our faithfulness 00:40:24.140 --> 00:40:25.900 is but a response of gratitude 00:40:25.900 --> 00:40:28.580 to the glorious gospel of Christ. 00:40:30.000 --> 00:40:32.600 Therefore, we must labor and strive, 00:40:32.599 --> 00:40:35.299 knowing that our labor is not in vain, 00:40:35.400 --> 00:40:36.500 for Christ is risen, 00:40:37.239 --> 00:40:39.079 and he's at the right hand of God. 00:40:39.980 --> 00:40:42.699 We are to labor for the souls of men, 00:40:42.839 --> 00:40:45.400 to persuade others of the truth of the gospel, 00:40:46.400 --> 00:40:48.039 knowing that we cannot save anyone, 00:40:48.159 --> 00:40:49.299 but Christ can. 00:40:50.699 --> 00:40:52.559 We are to labor for the edification 00:40:52.559 --> 00:40:54.659 of the brethren in our common good. 00:40:54.659 --> 00:41:00.000 We are to be found faithful in God's house. 00:41:01.639 --> 00:41:03.819 One of the ways that we respond to the gospel 00:41:03.819 --> 00:41:06.139 is to be faithful churchmen, 00:41:06.779 --> 00:41:09.859 to love the church that Christ has united you to, 00:41:09.960 --> 00:41:12.079 and God's providence he's brought you here. 00:41:13.039 --> 00:41:15.440 Will we seek to be faithful in his house? 00:41:16.440 --> 00:41:18.759 Will we respond to the faithfulness of Christ 00:41:18.760 --> 00:41:22.180 by using our gifts and graces and resources 00:41:22.180 --> 00:41:25.060 to strive unto the end 00:41:25.060 --> 00:41:29.720 that Christ will be glorified in the household of God? 00:41:30.920 --> 00:41:33.640 Let us be found faithful to Christ. 00:41:35.180 --> 00:41:37.780 But finally, this also means, brothers and sisters, 00:41:38.540 --> 00:41:41.280 that as Christ is over the house of God, 00:41:41.280 --> 00:41:46.660 we must also submit to him in all things. 00:41:48.220 --> 00:41:49.940 In other words, Christ is the one 00:41:49.940 --> 00:41:53.480 who sets the rules, the agenda in his house. 00:41:54.580 --> 00:41:55.900 If I go over to your house, 00:41:56.000 --> 00:41:57.820 you might have a lot of different house rules. 00:41:58.300 --> 00:42:00.200 You set the rules in your own house. 00:42:01.040 --> 00:42:02.680 We have a lot of house rules 00:42:02.680 --> 00:42:04.420 for all the games I play with our children. 00:42:04.540 --> 00:42:05.420 We get to set the rules. 00:42:05.519 --> 00:42:07.960 These are the Shah's rules in their house. 00:42:09.080 --> 00:42:10.560 Who gets to set the agenda, 00:42:10.559 --> 00:42:12.759 the rules in Christ's house? 00:42:13.900 --> 00:42:16.880 Who gets to order and structure and design 00:42:16.880 --> 00:42:19.880 and guide the house of God? 00:42:21.519 --> 00:42:22.559 It's Christ. 00:42:23.940 --> 00:42:25.559 He's the ruler of the house. 00:42:27.019 --> 00:42:31.779 And so the church is to submit to Christ in all things. 00:42:32.719 --> 00:42:34.139 We are to submit to Christ 00:42:34.139 --> 00:42:35.779 knowing that it has been designed 00:42:35.779 --> 00:42:39.360 and structured by Christ who made the rules. 00:42:40.559 --> 00:42:42.039 Or Thomas Goodwin states, 00:42:43.039 --> 00:42:44.480 as it is God's house, 00:42:44.920 --> 00:42:46.659 he hath not left it unto man 00:42:46.659 --> 00:42:48.019 to frame this building 00:42:48.019 --> 00:42:50.019 to what proportion he pleases. 00:42:51.299 --> 00:42:53.279 In fact, we read from Exodus 40 00:42:53.279 --> 00:42:55.779 where Moses didn't get to do that either. 00:42:56.400 --> 00:42:57.980 He got to design everything 00:42:57.980 --> 00:42:59.659 that was designed in the old covenant 00:42:59.659 --> 00:43:01.699 was according to the pattern above, 00:43:01.880 --> 00:43:03.840 something already given to him from God. 00:43:03.840 --> 00:43:06.920 So your pastor here, 00:43:07.039 --> 00:43:07.980 your elders here, 00:43:08.100 --> 00:43:09.160 the church here 00:43:09.160 --> 00:43:11.440 has no right to pattern this church 00:43:11.440 --> 00:43:12.400 however you feel. 00:43:13.160 --> 00:43:15.079 It's not according to your own wisdom. 00:43:16.579 --> 00:43:18.800 It's according to the pattern of Christ 00:43:18.800 --> 00:43:19.740 in his word. 00:43:20.680 --> 00:43:21.300 His order, 00:43:21.460 --> 00:43:22.120 his discipline, 00:43:22.240 --> 00:43:22.900 his structure. 00:43:23.100 --> 00:43:24.160 And so our whole ecclesiology, 00:43:25.000 --> 00:43:26.220 the doctrine of the church 00:43:26.220 --> 00:43:27.860 and how we govern it, 00:43:27.920 --> 00:43:28.559 our polity, 00:43:28.900 --> 00:43:30.300 is founded upon Christ 00:43:30.300 --> 00:43:31.079 and his word. 00:43:31.079 --> 00:43:33.579 How are we to live together 00:43:33.579 --> 00:43:34.659 as the people of God? 00:43:34.799 --> 00:43:36.480 We must learn how to do so 00:43:36.480 --> 00:43:39.619 according to the word of God. 00:43:40.699 --> 00:43:42.039 John Cotton said, 00:43:42.239 --> 00:43:42.900 no one has power 00:43:42.900 --> 00:43:45.739 to erect any other church frame 00:43:45.739 --> 00:43:48.099 than as his master builder 00:43:48.099 --> 00:43:49.199 has left us, 00:43:49.739 --> 00:43:51.039 a pattern thereof 00:43:51.039 --> 00:43:52.299 in the gospel. 00:43:53.500 --> 00:43:54.840 You think of many churches today 00:43:54.840 --> 00:43:55.980 who just think we could structure 00:43:55.980 --> 00:43:56.940 however we want 00:43:56.940 --> 00:43:58.139 according to our own wisdom. 00:43:58.139 --> 00:44:00.719 What we want to do 00:44:00.719 --> 00:44:01.559 as Christians, 00:44:01.679 --> 00:44:02.139 as a church, 00:44:02.379 --> 00:44:03.799 is just submit to Christ, 00:44:04.359 --> 00:44:05.539 to his authority 00:44:05.539 --> 00:44:06.359 and his word 00:44:06.359 --> 00:44:08.019 as he rules over 00:44:08.019 --> 00:44:10.219 the household of God. 00:44:10.980 --> 00:44:11.859 The elders 00:44:11.859 --> 00:44:13.079 and the brethren together 00:44:13.079 --> 00:44:13.819 are to strive 00:44:13.819 --> 00:44:15.219 to use all of our gifts 00:44:15.219 --> 00:44:18.460 for the good of this house. 00:44:19.460 --> 00:44:21.199 Which means we need to be careful 00:44:21.199 --> 00:44:22.099 how we plant, 00:44:22.980 --> 00:44:23.839 how we build, 00:44:24.559 --> 00:44:26.179 and how we water our churches. 00:44:26.179 --> 00:44:28.379 that it's all done 00:44:28.379 --> 00:44:29.559 according to the pattern 00:44:29.559 --> 00:44:30.359 of the gospel 00:44:30.359 --> 00:44:32.839 in the word of God. 00:44:34.199 --> 00:44:34.440 In fact, 00:44:34.519 --> 00:44:35.639 the greatest privilege 00:44:35.639 --> 00:44:37.099 as Christians in the church, 00:44:37.739 --> 00:44:38.739 the greatest authority 00:44:38.739 --> 00:44:40.419 that we have in the church 00:44:40.419 --> 00:44:41.799 is nothing other 00:44:41.799 --> 00:44:43.799 than to obey Jesus Christ. 00:44:44.599 --> 00:44:45.679 That's the power 00:44:45.679 --> 00:44:46.819 and authority he's given 00:44:46.819 --> 00:44:47.839 to your elders 00:44:47.839 --> 00:44:49.119 and to the brethren. 00:44:49.819 --> 00:44:52.099 It's nothing but obeying Jesus. 00:44:53.659 --> 00:44:54.940 I need to submit to him. 00:44:54.940 --> 00:44:57.519 And so as we're persuaded 00:44:57.519 --> 00:44:58.599 according to the truth 00:44:58.599 --> 00:44:59.320 of God's word, 00:44:59.420 --> 00:45:00.039 as your elders 00:45:00.039 --> 00:45:01.099 take that word 00:45:01.099 --> 00:45:02.840 to persuade you of truth, 00:45:03.579 --> 00:45:05.200 you submit to Jesus Christ 00:45:05.200 --> 00:45:06.220 in his church. 00:45:07.500 --> 00:45:09.099 So Christ is 00:45:09.099 --> 00:45:10.800 not only the foundation 00:45:10.800 --> 00:45:11.940 of the church, 00:45:12.340 --> 00:45:13.380 whose faithfulness 00:45:13.380 --> 00:45:15.119 is what builds us up, 00:45:16.200 --> 00:45:17.019 he is the one 00:45:17.019 --> 00:45:19.440 who rules over his house 00:45:19.440 --> 00:45:21.059 and we must submit 00:45:21.059 --> 00:45:22.320 to him. 00:45:22.320 --> 00:45:24.780 And so may you here 00:45:24.780 --> 00:45:25.400 in Parker, 00:45:26.059 --> 00:45:27.740 may you as holy brethren 00:45:27.740 --> 00:45:29.640 continue to consider Jesus. 00:45:30.960 --> 00:45:32.480 Never lose sight of him, 00:45:32.960 --> 00:45:33.940 of who he is, 00:45:34.059 --> 00:45:35.460 the eternal son of God 00:45:35.460 --> 00:45:36.760 who took on our flesh, 00:45:37.580 --> 00:45:38.820 of what he came to do 00:45:38.820 --> 00:45:39.559 as the prophet 00:45:39.559 --> 00:45:40.300 and apostle 00:45:40.300 --> 00:45:41.680 of our confession, 00:45:42.220 --> 00:45:44.080 as the faithful son 00:45:44.080 --> 00:45:45.240 whose righteousness 00:45:45.240 --> 00:45:46.620 has been imputed to us, 00:45:46.660 --> 00:45:47.320 who we've been clothed 00:45:47.920 --> 00:45:48.780 with his righteousness 00:45:48.780 --> 00:45:49.700 in the gospel. 00:45:49.699 --> 00:45:51.759 Never lose sight 00:45:51.759 --> 00:45:52.439 of his person 00:45:52.439 --> 00:45:53.259 or his work. 00:45:54.439 --> 00:45:55.559 But don't lose sight 00:45:55.559 --> 00:45:56.980 of the accomplishment 00:45:56.980 --> 00:45:57.879 of his work, 00:45:58.579 --> 00:45:59.899 which was to build a house, 00:46:00.659 --> 00:46:02.500 to build a glorious temple 00:46:02.500 --> 00:46:03.399 unto God, 00:46:03.699 --> 00:46:04.919 to call you together 00:46:04.919 --> 00:46:06.259 as a particular church 00:46:06.259 --> 00:46:06.779 and house 00:46:06.779 --> 00:46:07.659 to worship 00:46:07.659 --> 00:46:09.219 and glorify his name. 00:46:10.679 --> 00:46:12.519 Continue to consider Christ. 00:46:13.299 --> 00:46:14.239 Week in and week out 00:46:14.239 --> 00:46:14.939 as he's preached 00:46:14.939 --> 00:46:16.379 from this pulpit unto you, 00:46:16.859 --> 00:46:18.399 receive him with great joy. 00:46:18.400 --> 00:46:19.720 See him, 00:46:19.840 --> 00:46:21.700 behold his glory by faith 00:46:21.700 --> 00:46:24.099 that you would continue 00:46:24.099 --> 00:46:26.559 to hold fast to Christ 00:46:26.559 --> 00:46:28.780 with great hope. 00:46:29.980 --> 00:46:32.099 And so it is Christ's faithfulness 00:46:32.099 --> 00:46:33.740 that is the foundation, 00:46:33.940 --> 00:46:34.480 not our own. 00:46:35.280 --> 00:46:37.000 And so may we cling to Christ 00:46:37.000 --> 00:46:38.500 and who he is in the gospel, 00:46:39.160 --> 00:46:41.099 even as he builds this house 00:46:41.099 --> 00:46:42.680 amongst you. 00:46:43.599 --> 00:46:44.599 And so brothers and sisters, 00:46:44.720 --> 00:46:45.920 I praise God for you. 00:46:45.920 --> 00:46:47.880 Praise God for the work 00:46:47.880 --> 00:46:48.800 that he's doing here. 00:46:48.940 --> 00:46:50.700 You're a testimony of his grace 00:46:50.700 --> 00:46:52.420 that this church 00:46:52.420 --> 00:46:54.200 has been divinely instituted 00:46:54.200 --> 00:46:54.800 and called. 00:46:55.180 --> 00:46:56.800 You are a creature of his grace, 00:46:57.480 --> 00:46:59.559 built by Christ for his glory. 00:47:00.619 --> 00:47:02.019 Continue to submit to him. 00:47:02.099 --> 00:47:03.360 Let us all learn 00:47:03.360 --> 00:47:04.019 what that means 00:47:04.019 --> 00:47:05.380 to submit to Christ 00:47:05.380 --> 00:47:08.220 who rules over this house. 00:47:09.300 --> 00:47:09.579 Amen. 00:47:09.579 --> 00:47:09.740 Amen. 00:47:11.059 --> 00:47:11.860 Let's pray. 00:47:11.860 --> 00:47:17.640 Our gracious God and Father, 00:47:17.720 --> 00:47:18.200 we thank you 00:47:18.200 --> 00:47:19.460 for the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:47:19.559 --> 00:47:20.420 the one you sent 00:47:20.420 --> 00:47:21.420 to redeem sinners. 00:47:22.240 --> 00:47:22.940 We thank you 00:47:22.940 --> 00:47:23.820 for the eternal son 00:47:23.820 --> 00:47:24.960 and his faithfulness 00:47:24.960 --> 00:47:26.240 to that covenant 00:47:26.240 --> 00:47:28.039 that he might be 00:47:28.039 --> 00:47:28.960 the faithful son 00:47:28.960 --> 00:47:30.200 who would build the house, 00:47:30.460 --> 00:47:31.700 which indeed we are 00:47:31.700 --> 00:47:33.039 if we hold fast to Christ. 00:47:33.820 --> 00:47:34.820 Thank you for the work 00:47:34.820 --> 00:47:35.980 that you're doing here, Lord, 00:47:36.079 --> 00:47:37.320 and how you're building them up 00:47:37.320 --> 00:47:38.880 for your glory. 00:47:38.880 --> 00:47:41.280 Give them much grace, O God, 00:47:41.360 --> 00:47:42.720 through the means of grace 00:47:42.720 --> 00:47:44.460 to continue to build them 00:47:44.460 --> 00:47:45.480 as lively stones, 00:47:45.559 --> 00:47:46.840 a temple fit for you, 00:47:47.420 --> 00:47:49.000 so that you would be glorified 00:47:49.000 --> 00:47:49.760 in their midst. 00:47:50.900 --> 00:47:52.200 And as they continue to learn 00:47:52.200 --> 00:47:53.700 what it is to submit to Christ, 00:47:53.780 --> 00:47:54.579 to obey him, 00:47:55.320 --> 00:47:56.340 may you be honored 00:47:56.340 --> 00:47:57.640 and glorified by them 00:47:57.640 --> 00:47:59.740 as they structure and order 00:47:59.740 --> 00:48:00.780 and govern their church 00:48:00.780 --> 00:48:01.880 according to your word. 00:48:02.920 --> 00:48:05.099 May Christ receive all the glory 00:48:05.099 --> 00:48:08.260 as head and ruler of his house. 00:48:08.880 --> 00:48:10.180 So we thank you, Lord, 00:48:10.559 --> 00:48:12.440 that we could consider Christ this day. 00:48:13.260 --> 00:48:15.400 May your spirit stir us up 00:48:15.400 --> 00:48:17.240 for the rest of the Lord's Day, 00:48:17.320 --> 00:48:17.980 for this week, 00:48:18.079 --> 00:48:20.119 to continue to consider Christ 00:48:20.119 --> 00:48:21.980 and all of his glory 00:48:21.980 --> 00:48:22.680 and who he is 00:48:22.680 --> 00:48:23.840 and what he came to do. 00:48:24.700 --> 00:48:25.840 We thank you for Christ. 00:48:26.599 --> 00:48:27.599 It's in his name we pray. 00:48:28.320 --> 00:48:28.619 Amen. 00:48:28.619 --> 00:48:28.760 Amen. 00:48:28.760 --> 00:48:28.800 Amen. 00:48:29.160 --> 00:48:29.019 Amen. 00:48:29.019 --> 00:48:29.019 00:48:29.019 --> 00:48:29.019 00:48:29.019 --> 00:48:29.019 00:48:29.019 --> 00:48:29.019 00:48:29.019 --> 00:48:29.019 00:48:29.019 --> 00:48:29.019 00:48:29.019 --> 00:48:29.019