WEBVTT

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 Well, good morning, church.

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 Turn with me and your Bibles to the book of Colossians, Colossians page 984, 985 in the

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 Pew Bibles.

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 Colossians chapter 4, we're looking at verses 2 through 6 as we've been going through this

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 short but very powerful and wonderful letter of Paul this fall.

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 And we are nearing the end.

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 So we come to the end of Paul's instructions.

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 Next week will be his closing and greetings.

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 We'll see some of his friendships and the people, his co-workers in ministry.

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 But today we're looking at the end of his instructions to the church.

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 So let's read Colossians chapter 4, verses 2 through 6.

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 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

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 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare

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 the mystery of Christ on account of which I am in prison, that I may make it clear which

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 is how I ought to speak.

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 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

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 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought

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 to answer each person.

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 Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his letters and papers from prison wrote this.

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 He said,

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 The church is the church only when it exists for others.

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 Not dominating, but helping and serving.

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 It must tell people of every calling what it means to live in Christ, to exist for others.

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 And as long as we're on earth, that's true.

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 The church is the church only when it exists for others.

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 Now, I think we would all admit the church has often struggled to live out this calling.

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 Bonhoeffer was writing in a time and place where the church, when the church in Germany

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 had become very powerful and very privileged, and as a result, it became self-serving.

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 It became entangled with the power structures of the day and lost its distinctive witness.

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 Now, in other times and places, the church has been marginalized and powerless and ridiculed,

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 a small minority, and the church has been tempted to simply withdraw in fear from the world.

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 Now, I think we're somewhere in the middle in the United States today.

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 Christianity still has a privileged place in American history.

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 But in certain sectors of society, Christianity is increasingly marginalized.

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 So I think we can face both temptations.

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 The temptation to compromise with the world, because we want to be accepted by it.

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 And the temptation to withdraw from the world in fear, to make our faith just a private matter.

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 Something that we do just on Sundays, and we don't tell anyone else about it the rest of the week.

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 Last year, I was talking to another pastor in New Haven, and he said to me,

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 the church is both a family and an army.

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 And in order to be a healthy church, we need to hold both of those values together.

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 As a church, we're called to be a family.

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 We're called to be a refuge, a place of comfort and healing and community,

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 of personal renewal and growth.

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 But we're also called to be an army in the sense of a people on the mission to reach the world for Jesus.

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 And to carry out the commission he's given us.

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 So how do we live out this calling, this mission to the world to exist for others?

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 And this morning's passage gives us some very practical instructions about how to do that.

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 Now before we jump in, let me briefly review what we've seen in Colossians already.

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 Or if you haven't been here, if you're here for the first time,

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 this will sort of overview what we've looked at the last couple of months.

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 The main idea of Colossians is chapter 2, verse 6.

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 As you receive Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.

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 Now the first chapter of Colossians is about who is Christ Jesus the Lord,

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 and what does it mean that we have received Him,

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 and been brought into His kingdom, and belong to His family,

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 and the gospel is growing in us.

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 Chapter 2, starting at verse 8, we see Paul's warnings to the church in Colossae.

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 He warned them, don't be taken captive by people who claim to offer you something better than Jesus.

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 He says, there's nothing better than what Jesus has to offer you.

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 You don't need to go somewhere else to find something that you can't get

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 from knowing Jesus more deeply and fully.

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 Chapter 3 is Paul's positive instructions.

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 How do we live as people who have died and risen with Christ?

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 And if you've noticed, Paul's instructions go from the inside out.

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 So chapter 3, verses 1 to 4, he says,

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 set your minds on things above.

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 He starts with our own hearts and minds,

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 and what we're seeking,

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 and where we're directed, where we're focused.

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 And then verses 5 to 17 of chapter 3,

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 he focuses on the internal life of the Christian community.

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 How we should be putting off sin,

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 and putting on the character of Christ,

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 and how we express that in our community together.

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 Last week, we looked at verse 18 of chapter 3 to chapter 4, verse 1,

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 which covers the household,

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 which in the ancient world covered,

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 was included both the home and work.

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 And what does it mean to live in Christ in our home and work settings?

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 And finally, the passage we're looking at today

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 focuses on how do we relate to the outside world?

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 How do we relate to people who are outside of the Christian community,

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 who do not identify as believers in Christ?

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 And the other thing Paul's doing here,

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 as he sort of brings his letter to a close,

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 is he's inviting the Colossian Christians to join in with him.

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 In chapter 1, Paul began with praying with thanksgiving for the Colossians.

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 And now here in chapter 4, verse 2, he says,

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 join me in praying with thanksgiving,

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 and praying for me.

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 At the end of chapter 1,

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 Paul spoke about his efforts in deed and word

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 on behalf of the Colossians.

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 And now in verses 5 and 6,

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 he's going to urge them in their walk and talk,

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 in our deed and word,

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 to make efforts to share the gospel with their neighbors.

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 So this section sort of wraps up the letter

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 in a few different ways.

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 So how do we, as the church of Jesus Christ,

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 how do we exist for others?

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 And Paul gives us two basic commands.

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 Number one, be devoted in prayer.

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 This is verse 2 to 4.

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 And number two, be deliberate in witness.

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 So that's what we're going to look at this morning.

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 Prayer.

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 You could also call this sermon,

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 Pray, Walk, and Talk.

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 Pray, verses 2 to 4.

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 Walk, verse 5.

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 Talk, verse 6.

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 How do we relate to people outside the church?

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 Those are Paul's three words for us today.

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 So let's jump in.

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 Verse 2, Paul tells us how to pray.

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 He says three words.

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 Be steadfast, be watchful, and be thankful.

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 So first, be steadfast.

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 What does that mean?

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 It means to continue in prayer.

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 It's a word that means pray with strength,

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 pray with devotion, pray with endurance,

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 with dedication and discipline.

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 Jesus said like the persistent widow in the parable,

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 we ought always to pray and not lose heart.

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 We need to keep on praying even when we don't see answers

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 to our prayers yet.

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 Sam Storms has a book of meditations

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 on the book of Colossians.

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 And he gives a few reasons why God doesn't always

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 answer our prayers immediately.

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 Here are a few of them.

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 He says sometimes we're too entitled.

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 And through steadfast prayer, God wants to teach us

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 that everything we receive is a gift.

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 Sometimes he says we're too impatient.

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 And through steadfast prayer, God wants to teach us

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 patient dependence on him and not instant gratification.

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 Sometimes we're too immature.

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 We're not yet ready to handle the answers we're asking for.

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 And through steadfast prayer, God prepares us

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 to receive the answers that we're looking for to our prayers.

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 Sometimes our motives are mixed.

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 And through steadfast prayer, God starts to sort through our motives.

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 Have you ever been praying for something?

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 And then the Holy Spirit sort of starts to check your motives.

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 And you sort of realize,

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 my motives aren't quite right here.

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 I really want this, but I need to sort those out before the Lord.

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 Sometimes God wants to purify our hearts.

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 Sometimes there's a spiritual battle going on that we're not even aware of,

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 like it refers to in the book of Daniel.

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 Sometimes God has his own sovereign reasons that we don't fully understand.

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 But whatever the situation God's command to us is,

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 be steadfast in prayer.

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 But also, be watchful in prayer.

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 Again, this goes back to the teaching of Jesus.

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 Jesus taught his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane,

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 watch and pray that you may not fall into temptation.

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 Luke 21 for 34, Jesus says,

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 watch yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation,

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 that is distraction and drunkenness and the cares of this life.

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 And that day, the day when the Son of Man will return,

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 come upon you suddenly like a trap.

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 He says, watch yourselves.

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 Watch and pray.

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 Now, some Christians have misunderstood this command a little bit.

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 Some Christians have gotten into the habit of watching for signs

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 that supposedly indicate when Jesus will return.

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 But that's not what Jesus said.

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 Jesus didn't say, watch for signs and then make guesses about when I'll return.

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 He said, no, you're not going to know.

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 I'm going to comment unexpectedly.

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 You won't be able to anticipate it.

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 He says, watch yourselves.

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 Sort of like a security guard working the night shift.

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 You know the morning's going to come,

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 but you're to be watchful in the face of potential spiritual dangers

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 in this present evil age.

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 We're to watch our lives and be in prayer, be watchful in prayer.

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 Prayer helps us remain alive to the will of God

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 and aware of the needs of the world,

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 even as we await the glorious coming of our King.

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 So be steadfast, be watchful,

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 and third, be thankful in prayer.

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 Paul says, pray with thanksgiving.

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 You know, every once in a while,

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 I've talked with Christians who are pretty persistent in prayer

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 and perhaps watchful.

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 Maybe they even are up in the middle of the night praying,

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 but they're also anxious and restless.

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 And you know, interestingly,

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 prayer by itself doesn't always seem to make things better.

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 Sometimes prayer even seems to make that anxiety worse.

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 Because, you know, it's possible for our prayers

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 to become a sort of meditation on our problems.

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 But that's why Paul urges us to pray with thanksgiving.

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 You see, giving thanks to God is one of the best ways

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 to resist the dominance of anxiety and worry

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 and restlessness and self-pity.

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 Giving thanks to God reminds us of God's faithfulness in the past,

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 and it points us towards God's promises in the future,

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 and in doing so, it lifts us beyond our present circumstances.

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 So Paul says, pray with steadfastness,

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 pray with watchfulness,

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 and also pray with thankfulness.

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 So that's how we should pray.

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 Now, before I go on to verse three and four,

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 which gives us, which tells us what we should pray for,

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 let me pause for a moment to speak to you.

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 Perhaps you're not a Christian.

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 Perhaps you're a skeptical or secular person.

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 This week, we're celebrating Thanksgiving, right?

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 We're talking about Thanksgiving here.

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 And at one level, Thanksgiving's a great holiday

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 because everyone can participate, right?

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 People of all religious faith and none

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 can agree that feeling and expressing gratitude

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 is a good thing.

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 It's one thing that almost all sociologists

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 and psychologists agree.

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 The practice of gratitude will make

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 for a happier and healthier life.

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 And so we can all take time to honor friends and family

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 by thanking them this week.

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 But I think practicing gratitude

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 also raises a deeper question.

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 If you're an atheist,

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 if you're an agnostic,

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 or if you believe in a higher power

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 or a distant force

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 rather than the personal and living God of the Bible,

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 let me ask you a question.

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 Where do you direct your feelings of gratitude

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 aside from other human beings?

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 Who do you thank

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 when you feel overwhelmingly lucky to be alive?

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 Gifted far beyond anything you've deserved.

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 Rescued from a seemingly impossible predicament.

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 Sustained and nourished in body and mind.

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 Awaken to beauty and love

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 and the mysteries of human life.

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 Don't all those things make us

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 intuitively want to thank someone?

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 Not only have feelings of gratitude inside

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 that have no object,

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 or feeling grateful to the random variations

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 of the universe.

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 Don't our feelings of gratitude

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 point us to someone

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 whose wisdom astounds us

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 and whose kindness beckons us.

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 That's who the Bible speaks about.

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 The Bible speaks about

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 the infinitely wise God

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 who made us for himself.

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 And the Bible says

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 that the kindness of God,

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 the many gifts that all of us receive,

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 whether we recognize them

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 as coming from God or not,

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 the kindness of God

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 leads us toward repentance.

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 That is towards turning to God.

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 To look beyond ourselves

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 and turn to the God who made us

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 and the God who sent his son

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 to reconcile us to himself

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 so that we may know him

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 as our heavenly father

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 and as the source of every blessing.

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 So let me challenge you

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 as you celebrate Thanksgiving

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 to consider

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 who are you thankful to?

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 And is the truly fitting object

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 of your gratitude

00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:56.040
 the God who is revealed

00:15:56.040 --> 00:15:56.860
 in Jesus Christ?

00:15:56.860 --> 00:15:56.940
 Christ.

00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:59.440
 That's what the Bible

00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:00.820
 has to offer.

00:16:01.800 --> 00:16:03.419
 But moving on to verse 3 and 4,

00:16:04.940 --> 00:16:06.120
 for those of us

00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:07.200
 who are believers in Christ,

00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:07.860
 Paul tells us

00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:09.379
 not only how we should pray,

00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.659
 but also what we should pray for.

00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:14.320
 Now verses 3 and 4

00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:15.759
 are not a comprehensive teaching

00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:17.220
 on Christian prayer.

00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:18.919
 There are many aspects of prayer

00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:19.659
 that are not covered

00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:20.320
 in these verses,

00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:21.519
 but these verses tell us

00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:23.620
 to pray for two things.

00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:25.679
 Verse 3,

00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:26.919
 Paul says,

00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:28.419
 pray that God

00:16:28.419 --> 00:16:29.820
 would open doors

00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:31.039
 for his word.

00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:33.019
 Now that phrase

00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:34.379
 of God opening things

00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:35.700
 that are previously closed

00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:36.799
 is used in at least

00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:37.700
 three ways

00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:38.460
 in the New Testament.

00:16:40.220 --> 00:16:41.519
 God opens the door

00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:42.240
 to his kingdom.

00:16:43.159 --> 00:16:44.019
 God opens the door

00:16:44.019 --> 00:16:44.700
 to his family

00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:45.200
 so that people

00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:46.060
 from all nations

00:16:46.060 --> 00:16:46.679
 can come in.

00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:48.940
 So Acts 14.27 says,

00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:50.120
 they declared

00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:51.299
 how God had opened

00:16:51.299 --> 00:16:52.360
 a door of faith

00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:53.519
 to the Gentiles.

00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:54.100
 to the nations

00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:54.679
 of the world.

00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.319
 But also God

00:16:57.319 --> 00:16:58.419
 opens up opportunities

00:16:58.419 --> 00:16:59.579
 for the gospel message

00:16:59.579 --> 00:17:00.399
 to go out

00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:01.720
 into all the world.

00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:03.600
 Paul writes

00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:05.619
 in 2 Corinthians 2.12,

00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:06.680
 when I came to Troas

00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.500
 to preach the gospel

00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:07.960
 of Christ,

00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:08.960
 a door was opened

00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.799
 for me in the Lord.

00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:11.099
 Or 1 Corinthians 16,

00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:11.700
 verse 8,

00:17:12.119 --> 00:17:13.139
 I will stay in Ephesus

00:17:13.139 --> 00:17:14.859
 for a wide door

00:17:14.859 --> 00:17:15.839
 for effective work

00:17:15.839 --> 00:17:16.859
 has opened to me.

00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:18.200
 And there are

00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:19.019
 many adversaries.

00:17:20.099 --> 00:17:21.000
 So God opens up

00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:21.460
 opportunities

00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:22.079
 for the gospel

00:17:22.079 --> 00:17:22.740
 to go out

00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:23.799
 and also God

00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:24.680
 opens the hearts

00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:25.160
 of people

00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:26.319
 to respond.

00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:28.960
 Acts 16.14,

00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:29.819
 the Lord opened

00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:30.579
 Lydia's heart

00:17:30.579 --> 00:17:31.579
 to pay attention

00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:32.519
 to what was said

00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:32.980
 by Paul.

00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:33.599
 So God opens

00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:33.839
 the door

00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:34.400
 to his kingdom.

00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:35.799
 He's done that

00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:36.839
 in Christ Jesus.

00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:37.839
 God opens up

00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:38.259
 opportunities

00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:38.940
 for the message

00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:39.579
 to go out

00:17:39.579 --> 00:17:40.460
 and God opens up

00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:41.039
 people's hearts

00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:41.640
 and minds

00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:43.599
 so that Christ

00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:44.200
 can come in.

00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:46.200
 And in all these cases,

00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:46.920
 God is the one

00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:48.620
 who opens doors.

00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:50.079
 Revelation 3.7

00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:51.259
 describes Jesus

00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:52.659
 as the one

00:17:52.659 --> 00:17:53.439
 who has the key

00:17:53.439 --> 00:17:54.359
 of David,

00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:55.799
 who opens

00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:56.419
 and no one

00:17:56.419 --> 00:17:56.919
 will shut,

00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.359
 who shuts

00:17:58.359 --> 00:17:59.359
 and no one

00:17:59.359 --> 00:17:59.819
 opens.

00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:01.699
 And so when Paul

00:18:01.699 --> 00:18:02.460
 prays here

00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:03.359
 that God would

00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:03.960
 open a door

00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:04.819
 for his word,

00:18:05.919 --> 00:18:06.599
 Paul is praying

00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:07.059
 for God

00:18:07.059 --> 00:18:07.699
 to do something

00:18:07.699 --> 00:18:08.480
 that only God

00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:08.879
 can do.

00:18:10.939 --> 00:18:11.819
 And we too

00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:12.460
 should pray

00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.939
 earnestly

00:18:13.939 --> 00:18:14.619
 for God

00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:15.019
 to do

00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:15.960
 what only God

00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:16.420
 can do.

00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:19.140
 To open hearts

00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:19.920
 that are closed

00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:20.559
 and resistant

00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.259
 and hardened.

00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:22.420
 To open doors

00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:23.100
 for his word

00:18:23.100 --> 00:18:23.799
 to go forth

00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:24.319
 in places

00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:25.079
 where there are

00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:25.640
 barriers

00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:26.400
 and hindrances

00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:27.400
 and opposition.

00:18:27.900 --> 00:18:28.400
 Now if you've been

00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:28.880
 coming to our

00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:29.980
 adult Sunday school

00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.460
 class,

00:18:30.860 --> 00:18:31.840
 you've heard stories

00:18:31.840 --> 00:18:32.440
 about this

00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:33.620
 just this morning

00:18:33.620 --> 00:18:34.340
 and last week.

00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:35.380
 Last Sunday,

00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:36.340
 Kelechi was teaching

00:18:36.340 --> 00:18:38.240
 and he told about

00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:39.259
 his friend in Nigeria

00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:40.319
 who had a dream

00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:41.579
 two years ago.

00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:44.279
 And this young man

00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:45.240
 felt that in his dream

00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:45.839
 God impressed

00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:46.559
 upon his heart

00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:47.539
 to go to a certain

00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.299
 village in one of

00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:49.039
 the most dangerous

00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.420
 provinces in Nigeria.

00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:51.859
 The headquarters

00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:52.859
 of Boko Haram

00:18:52.859 --> 00:18:54.299
 which is sort of

00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:56.059
 a violent group

00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:57.559
 felt that God

00:18:57.559 --> 00:18:58.680
 was impressing

00:18:58.680 --> 00:18:59.140
 upon him

00:18:59.140 --> 00:19:00.059
 to go to this village

00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:00.700
 and tell people

00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:01.400
 there about Jesus.

00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:01.859
 They had never

00:19:01.859 --> 00:19:02.620
 been there before.

00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.480
 They prayed

00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:05.200
 about it together

00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:06.579
 and four days later

00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:07.680
 three people

00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:08.720
 got in a car.

00:19:09.019 --> 00:19:09.299
 Kelechi,

00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:09.839
 his friend,

00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:10.500
 another friend,

00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:11.940
 they decided to go.

00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:13.539
 And as they went

00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:14.039
 they prayed

00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:14.960
 because they realized

00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:16.500
 that this was

00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:17.880
 a very risky venture.

00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.240
 They traveled

00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:20.120
 eight hours by car

00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:20.600
 to a place

00:19:20.600 --> 00:19:21.579
 they'd never been before.

00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:22.720
 They arrived

00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:23.140
 at the village

00:19:23.140 --> 00:19:23.819
 at night time.

00:19:23.920 --> 00:19:24.340
 They met with

00:19:24.340 --> 00:19:25.259
 the village chief

00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:26.299
 who is a devout Muslim

00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:27.539
 and they said,

00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:29.779
 we're just visiting here

00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:31.100
 and we weren't sure

00:19:31.100 --> 00:19:32.079
 if people knew

00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:33.400
 what Christmas was about.

00:19:33.799 --> 00:19:34.120
 It was around

00:19:34.120 --> 00:19:34.640
 Christmas time

00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:35.100
 they were visiting.

00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:35.860
 We'd like to share

00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:36.480
 with you why

00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:37.539
 Christians celebrate

00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:37.940
 Christmas.

00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:39.960
 And the chief said,

00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:41.200
 sure.

00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:44.080
 I'll get my boys

00:19:44.080 --> 00:19:44.960
 to round everybody up

00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:45.779
 and bring them

00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.480
 to my palace

00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:48.019
 and you can talk

00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:48.680
 to them tomorrow.

00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:51.420
 So the next day

00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:52.100
 the chief summons

00:19:52.100 --> 00:19:53.100
 everyone to his palace

00:19:53.100 --> 00:19:54.620
 and they share

00:19:54.620 --> 00:19:55.240
 for hours

00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.100
 about why Jesus

00:19:56.100 --> 00:19:56.960
 came into the world

00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:57.860
 and the kind of life

00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:58.360
 he lived

00:19:58.360 --> 00:19:59.279
 and why he died

00:19:59.279 --> 00:19:59.920
 on the cross.

00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.299
 They had brought

00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:02.539
 t-shirts with Bible verses

00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:04.059
 in the local

00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:04.860
 tribal language

00:20:04.860 --> 00:20:05.720
 about Jesus

00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.819
 as the prince of peace

00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:08.420
 and about that province

00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:09.019
 as a place

00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:10.059
 of peace.

00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:12.000
 They also talked

00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:12.460
 to the chief

00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.480
 about the possibility

00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:14.639
 of opening a health clinic

00:20:14.639 --> 00:20:15.539
 in the village

00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.200
 at some point

00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:17.019
 in the future.

00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:19.400
 God opened a door

00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:20.099
 for his word

00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:22.339
 in a very unlikely place.

00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:24.720
 And now we can pray

00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.599
 that God would continue

00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:26.799
 to open doors

00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:27.539
 for his word

00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:29.019
 in that village.

00:20:30.139 --> 00:20:31.200
 That it would grow

00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:31.879
 and bear fruit.

00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:34.740
 So we should pray

00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.900
 that God would open doors

00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:36.639
 for his word.

00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:38.980
 But the second thing

00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:39.559
 Paul tells us

00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.259
 to pray for

00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:44.079
 is to pray

00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:45.299
 that Christian missionaries

00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:46.099
 and preachers

00:20:46.099 --> 00:20:47.400
 would proclaim Christ

00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:48.099
 with power

00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:49.079
 and clarity.

00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:50.700
 To declare

00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.839
 the mystery of Christ

00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:53.200
 on account

00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:54.220
 of which I am in prison

00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:56.000
 that I may make it clear

00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:57.000
 which is how I ought

00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:57.860
 to speak.

00:20:59.339 --> 00:20:59.980
 So Paul says

00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:00.960
 pray that God would do

00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:01.860
 what only God can do

00:21:01.860 --> 00:21:02.980
 that he would open the doors

00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:04.200
 that no one else

00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:05.019
 can open

00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:05.480
 or shut

00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:06.400
 once he opens them.

00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:08.180
 But Paul also says

00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:08.960
 pray that God

00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.920
 would enable me

00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:11.420
 to carry out

00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:12.279
 the responsibility

00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:13.799
 that God

00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:14.640
 has given to me.

00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.840
 Now on a side note

00:21:17.840 --> 00:21:18.880
 if Paul asked people

00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:19.799
 to pray for him

00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:22.039
 we shouldn't be above

00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:22.740
 asking people

00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:23.680
 to pray for us.

00:21:26.560 --> 00:21:27.000
 Occasionally

00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:28.420
 I talk with Christians

00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:29.620
 who almost

00:21:29.620 --> 00:21:30.320
 seem to almost

00:21:30.320 --> 00:21:31.580
 never ask anyone else

00:21:31.580 --> 00:21:32.340
 to pray for them.

00:21:33.100 --> 00:21:33.360
 You say

00:21:33.360 --> 00:21:34.180
 can I pray for you?

00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:34.700
 And they say

00:21:34.700 --> 00:21:35.620
 no don't pray for me

00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:37.339
 pray for somebody else.

00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:38.299
 But you know what?

00:21:40.139 --> 00:21:40.739
 Paul knew

00:21:40.739 --> 00:21:41.119
 that God

00:21:41.119 --> 00:21:41.799
 often chooses

00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.279
 to work

00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:42.819
 through the prayers

00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:43.459
 of his people.

00:21:44.459 --> 00:21:44.919
 And so we should

00:21:44.919 --> 00:21:46.199
 ask others to pray

00:21:46.199 --> 00:21:47.739
 that God

00:21:47.739 --> 00:21:48.219
 would give us

00:21:48.219 --> 00:21:48.779
 the strength

00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.699
 to carry out

00:21:49.699 --> 00:21:50.619
 the responsibilities

00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:51.359
 he has set

00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:52.279
 before us.

00:21:53.659 --> 00:21:54.839
 All of us need that.

00:21:55.199 --> 00:21:56.239
 Need others to pray

00:21:56.239 --> 00:21:57.159
 that God would help us

00:21:57.159 --> 00:21:57.959
 to be faithful

00:21:57.959 --> 00:21:59.759
 in the mission

00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.219
 he's given

00:22:00.219 --> 00:22:01.279
 to each of us.

00:22:02.179 --> 00:22:02.839
 That we'd have

00:22:02.839 --> 00:22:03.339
 the courage

00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:03.899
 and wisdom

00:22:03.899 --> 00:22:04.419
 and power

00:22:04.419 --> 00:22:04.879
 and love

00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:06.099
 to fulfill

00:22:06.099 --> 00:22:06.879
 all responsibilities

00:22:06.879 --> 00:22:07.480
 before God.

00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:08.079
 Now Paul's

00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:08.599
 responsibility

00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:09.480
 was to preach

00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:10.339
 the gospel

00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:11.959
 and to go

00:22:11.959 --> 00:22:13.159
 to new places

00:22:13.159 --> 00:22:14.980
 and begin churches.

00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:16.679
 As he says

00:22:16.679 --> 00:22:17.179
 in verse 3

00:22:17.179 --> 00:22:17.679
 to declare

00:22:17.679 --> 00:22:18.259
 the mystery

00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:19.079
 of Christ.

00:22:19.159 --> 00:22:19.699
 Now the mystery

00:22:19.699 --> 00:22:20.299
 of Christ

00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:21.339
 is simply

00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:21.879
 the gospel

00:22:21.879 --> 00:22:22.559
 of Christ.

00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:23.839
 Romans 16

00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:24.279
 25

00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:25.459
 Paul describes

00:22:25.459 --> 00:22:25.939
 the gospel

00:22:25.939 --> 00:22:26.699
 as the mystery

00:22:26.699 --> 00:22:27.279
 that was kept

00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.299
 secret for long

00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:28.879
 ages

00:22:28.879 --> 00:22:29.759
 but has now

00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.819
 been disclosed

00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:32.759
 to all nations.

00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:35.139
 And in Colossians 2

00:22:35.139 --> 00:22:35.819
 verse 2

00:22:35.819 --> 00:22:36.980
 Paul says

00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:37.679
 God's mystery

00:22:37.679 --> 00:22:38.619
 is Christ

00:22:38.619 --> 00:22:39.740
 in whom are hidden

00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:40.480
 all the treasures

00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:40.980
 of wisdom

00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:41.919
 and knowledge.

00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:42.939
 So when Paul talks

00:22:42.939 --> 00:22:43.539
 about the mystery

00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:44.179
 of Christ

00:22:44.179 --> 00:22:45.740
 he's simply referring

00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.720
 to it as something

00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.500
 that had been hidden

00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:48.559
 in the past

00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:49.359
 in the Old Testament

00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:50.500
 before Jesus came

00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.639
 and now

00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:52.299
 the curtain

00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.039
 has been opened.

00:22:54.399 --> 00:22:55.679
 In Jesus coming

00:22:55.679 --> 00:22:56.179
 to earth

00:22:56.179 --> 00:22:56.919
 in his life

00:22:56.919 --> 00:22:57.599
 in his death

00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:58.399
 in his resurrection

00:22:58.399 --> 00:22:59.259
 in his ascension

00:22:59.259 --> 00:22:59.839
 to glory

00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:00.939
 the heavenly curtain

00:23:00.939 --> 00:23:01.980
 has been drawn back

00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:03.360
 and now the whole world

00:23:03.360 --> 00:23:04.860
 can see God's plan.

00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.360
 God's plan

00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:07.200
 to reconcile

00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.420
 sinful people

00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:09.019
 to himself

00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.900
 by his grace

00:23:09.900 --> 00:23:11.180
 and God's plan

00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:12.000
 to renew

00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:13.420
 all of his creation

00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:14.460
 for his glory.

00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:16.940
 Now Paul's role

00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.779
 and every Christian

00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.759
 preacher's role

00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:19.380
 is simply

00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:19.860
 to make

00:23:19.860 --> 00:23:20.860
 that gospel

00:23:20.860 --> 00:23:21.380
 known

00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:23.039
 to make it clear

00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:25.279
 to preach it

00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:25.900
 true

00:23:25.900 --> 00:23:26.980
 truly

00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:28.519
 as it is

00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:31.900
 and not

00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:32.579
 to mix it up

00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.500
 with other things.

00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.980
 One writer said

00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:36.480
 the gospel

00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.559
 is a summons

00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.839
 to faith

00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:39.420
 and obedience.

00:23:40.379 --> 00:23:41.339
 It is an offer

00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:42.720
 of reconciliation

00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.639
 and peace

00:23:43.639 --> 00:23:44.160
 with God.

00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.759
 It is a warning

00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.299
 of judgment

00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:46.819
 to those who

00:23:46.819 --> 00:23:47.900
 continue in sin

00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:49.720
 and it is a gift

00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.220
 of hope

00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:51.200
 in a world

00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:51.839
 that is brutal

00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:52.619
 cold

00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:53.400
 and dark.

00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:55.819
 So we should pray

00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:57.899
 that missionaries

00:23:57.899 --> 00:23:58.599
 and preachers

00:23:58.599 --> 00:23:59.299
 and evangelists

00:23:59.299 --> 00:23:59.980
 throughout the world

00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.740
 would make the gospel

00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.240
 clear

00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:03.059
 in all these ways

00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:05.000
 as a summons

00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:06.039
 as an offer

00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:06.679
 as a warning

00:24:06.679 --> 00:24:07.819
 and as a gift

00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:08.740
 of hope.

00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:10.759
 We should pray

00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.220
 that through

00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:12.500
 as the gospels

00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:12.839
 preach

00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.259
 that people

00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:14.399
 would see Jesus

00:24:14.399 --> 00:24:15.839
 in his glory

00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:16.539
 and be drawn

00:24:16.539 --> 00:24:17.359
 to him

00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:20.099
 across all the barriers

00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:21.659
 across cultural barriers

00:24:21.659 --> 00:24:22.859
 across language barriers

00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:24.480
 across intellectual barriers

00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:25.619
 above the noise

00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.639
 of all the distractions

00:24:26.639 --> 00:24:27.339
 that clutter

00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:29.000
 our modern world.

00:24:30.579 --> 00:24:31.479
 We should pray

00:24:31.479 --> 00:24:32.079
 particularly

00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:33.559
 for believers

00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:34.219
 who are suffering

00:24:34.219 --> 00:24:35.259
 like Paul was.

00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:36.759
 Paul mentions here

00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:37.939
 he's in prison

00:24:37.939 --> 00:24:40.219
 or at least

00:24:40.219 --> 00:24:41.679
 literally that means bound.

00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.219
 He was probably

00:24:42.219 --> 00:24:43.099
 under house arrest

00:24:43.099 --> 00:24:44.519
 on account of the gospel.

00:24:46.139 --> 00:24:47.139
 Now at some times

00:24:47.139 --> 00:24:48.939
 Paul did ask

00:24:48.939 --> 00:24:50.119
 other Christians

00:24:50.119 --> 00:24:51.879
 to pray for his release.

00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:53.979
 Philippians 1.19

00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:55.640
 Paul encourages

00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:57.079
 the Philippian Christians

00:24:57.079 --> 00:24:58.120
 to continue praying

00:24:58.120 --> 00:24:59.079
 for his deliverance.

00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:01.279
 But here

00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.240
 in Colossians

00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:03.900
 Paul's prayer

00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:04.460
 is not

00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:05.599
 that God

00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.319
 would open the door

00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:07.360
 so that I can go free

00:25:07.360 --> 00:25:08.079
 ASAP.

00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:10.559
 No,

00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:11.819
 Paul's primary concern

00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:12.460
 is that God

00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:13.180
 would open a door

00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:13.920
 for his word.

00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:15.900
 And Paul knows

00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:16.700
 that even if he's

00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.500
 sitting there

00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.519
 under house arrest

00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:19.720
 chained to a guard

00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:22.079
 that they're still

00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:23.100
 letting him have visitors.

00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:25.059
 And so the gospel

00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:25.799
 and they're still

00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:26.860
 letting him write letters.

00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:28.140
 And so the gospel's

00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:29.240
 going forward

00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:30.059
 even through

00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:31.400
 his imprisonment.

00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:35.940
 That's actually

00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:37.740
 the last word

00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.680
 of the book of Acts.

00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:40.380
 The last sentence

00:25:40.380 --> 00:25:41.039
 of the book of Acts

00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:42.279
 says Paul was

00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:43.019
 under house arrest

00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.420
 and it says

00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:44.019
 he proclaimed

00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.980
 the kingdom of God

00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:45.799
 and taught about

00:25:45.799 --> 00:25:46.940
 the Lord Jesus Christ

00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:47.960
 boldly

00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:50.259
 and unhindered.

00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:52.200
 The word of

00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:52.980
 even though Paul

00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:54.299
 was confined

00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:56.240
 the word of God

00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:57.460
 was going forth

00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:58.279
 and Paul

00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:59.200
 could rejoice

00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:00.120
 in that.

00:26:01.600 --> 00:26:02.559
 And Paul was released

00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:04.140
 from that imprisonment

00:26:04.140 --> 00:26:04.620
 we think.

00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:07.400
 The New Testament

00:26:07.400 --> 00:26:09.080
 doesn't give us

00:26:09.080 --> 00:26:10.080
 the chronology of that

00:26:10.080 --> 00:26:11.100
 but as we put

00:26:11.100 --> 00:26:11.779
 some things together

00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.880
 it seems most likely

00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:13.820
 that Paul was released

00:26:13.820 --> 00:26:15.019
 from that particular

00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:15.940
 imprisonment.

00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.920
 He was able to go

00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:17.460
 and travel

00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.259
 and preach the gospel

00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:19.440
 in other places

00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:20.160
 again.

00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:21.580
 But regardless

00:26:21.580 --> 00:26:23.740
 we should pray

00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:24.259
 for Christians

00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.060
 who like Paul

00:26:25.060 --> 00:26:26.320
 are persecuted.

00:26:26.600 --> 00:26:26.960
 Who are

00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:29.960
 pray for the persecuted

00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:30.860
 church around the world

00:26:30.860 --> 00:26:31.800
 that they would be relieved

00:26:31.800 --> 00:26:32.539
 and comforted

00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.240
 and released

00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:33.920
 but also pray

00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:34.539
 that they would be

00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:35.140
 emboldened

00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:35.820
 and empowered

00:26:35.820 --> 00:26:36.660
 and encouraged

00:26:36.660 --> 00:26:38.440
 like Paul.

00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:41.240
 Now there's lots

00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:41.840
 of opportunities

00:26:41.840 --> 00:26:42.480
 that we have

00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:43.259
 right here at Trinity

00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:44.580
 to be reminded

00:26:44.580 --> 00:26:45.460
 to pray for the church

00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:46.080
 around the world.

00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:47.159
 If you just go

00:26:47.159 --> 00:26:47.539
 downstairs

00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:48.399
 in the fellowship hall

00:26:48.399 --> 00:26:49.039
 there's a bulletin

00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:49.779
 board on the wall.

00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:50.859
 It's just been

00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:51.639
 nicely redone.

00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.159
 It's called

00:26:52.159 --> 00:26:53.179
 Trinity Around the World

00:26:53.179 --> 00:26:54.819
 and you can see

00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:57.359
 some of the ministries

00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:58.079
 that we support

00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:58.960
 and pray for

00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:00.539
 throughout the world.

00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:01.980
 In the month

00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.439
 of December

00:27:02.439 --> 00:27:04.059
 we'll be highlighting

00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.759
 some of our global

00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:06.240
 ministry partners

00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:06.960
 in the bulletin

00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.460
 each week

00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.439
 so you can take

00:27:08.439 --> 00:27:08.839
 your bulletin

00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:09.359
 home with you

00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:10.199
 and pray for them.

00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:11.799
 We'll also be continuing

00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:12.939
 our adult Sunday school.

00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:13.740
 Next week we're not

00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:14.559
 having Sunday school

00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:16.000
 just the morning service

00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.480
 at 10

00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.600
 but again

00:27:17.600 --> 00:27:18.920
 once December comes

00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:20.240
 we have three more

00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:21.120
 weeks of our

00:27:21.120 --> 00:27:21.799
 global missions

00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:23.000
 Sunday school class

00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.759
 at 9 o'clock.

00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.360
 You can join

00:27:25.360 --> 00:27:26.559
 the prayer email list

00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:28.360
 email Michelle

00:27:28.360 --> 00:27:29.720
 call the office

00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:30.940
 so you can receive

00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:31.700
 email updates

00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.220
 from the ministry

00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:33.039
 partners we support

00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:33.640
 as a church.

00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.380
 There's all kinds

00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:35.940
 of ways.

00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:37.600
 We'll be having

00:27:37.600 --> 00:27:38.320
 some people visit

00:27:38.320 --> 00:27:39.460
 Joseph and Michelle

00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:40.059
 coming we'll be

00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:40.799
 visiting in a few

00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:42.039
 weeks in December

00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:42.740
 to share about

00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:43.339
 their ministry.

00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:49.159
 So let me just

00:27:49.159 --> 00:27:49.659
 encourage you

00:27:49.659 --> 00:27:50.359
 to take advantage

00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.220
 of these opportunities

00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:52.000
 to be reminded

00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:52.559
 to pray

00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:54.519
 for the church

00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:55.159
 around the world

00:27:55.159 --> 00:27:56.440
 and to remember

00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:57.039
 that what God

00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:57.799
 is doing is much

00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:58.480
 bigger than what's

00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:59.480
 going on in our

00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.319
 individual lives

00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:00.960
 or even in this

00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:01.559
 local church

00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:03.299
 but to pray

00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:04.299
 as Paul encouraged

00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:04.920
 the Colossians

00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:05.399
 to pray

00:28:05.399 --> 00:28:07.559
 for the work

00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:08.000
 of God

00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.879
 throughout the world.

00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.460
 We've tried

00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:11.860
 to start doing

00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:12.319
 this with our

00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:12.620
 kids

00:28:12.620 --> 00:28:14.460
 with one or two

00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:14.980
 of the families

00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.539
 that they have

00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:16.039
 met who have

00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.460
 been part of

00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:16.860
 this church

00:28:16.860 --> 00:28:17.440
 who are now

00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:18.460
 serving in other

00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:19.120
 parts of the world

00:28:19.120 --> 00:28:19.620
 and so we try

00:28:19.620 --> 00:28:20.200
 to pray for

00:28:20.200 --> 00:28:21.620
 those missionaries

00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:23.240
 maybe once a week

00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:24.100
 or at least

00:28:24.100 --> 00:28:26.079
 every so often

00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:26.559
 when we pray

00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:27.240
 together at night

00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:28.039
 to pray specifically

00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:28.600
 for them

00:28:28.600 --> 00:28:29.900
 and our kids

00:28:29.900 --> 00:28:30.500
 pray for them.

00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.900
 So let's find

00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:32.440
 ways to be

00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:33.220
 doing that

00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:35.400
 and remembering

00:28:35.400 --> 00:28:36.000
 that together.

00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:37.640
 So that's

00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:38.420
 Paul's first

00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:39.000
 command

00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.599
 be devoted

00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.420
 in prayer

00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:41.859
 for the church

00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.440
 around the world

00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:43.359
 but Paul's second

00:28:43.359 --> 00:28:44.480
 command

00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.619
 in verse 5

00:28:45.619 --> 00:28:46.000
 and 6

00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:47.299
 is not only

00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:47.740
 be devoted

00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:48.160
 in prayer

00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:48.799
 for the church

00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:49.779
 in other parts

00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:50.180
 of the world

00:28:50.180 --> 00:28:50.759
 but also be

00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:51.180
 deliberate

00:28:51.180 --> 00:28:51.960
 in witness

00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:52.940
 to your neighbors

00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.740
 next door.

00:28:55.839 --> 00:28:56.640
 Verse 6

00:28:56.640 --> 00:28:57.460
 this is the walk

00:28:57.460 --> 00:28:58.119
 and talk

00:28:58.119 --> 00:28:58.700
 part.

00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:00.279
 You see

00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:00.740
 the gospel

00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.839
 the point is

00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:02.480
 that the gospel

00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:03.000
 of Jesus

00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:05.200
 does not only

00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:06.039
 go forth

00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:07.740
 through missionaries

00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:08.720
 and preachers

00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:09.879
 and traveling evangelists

00:29:09.879 --> 00:29:10.399
 like Paul.

00:29:11.899 --> 00:29:12.440
 The gospel

00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:13.059
 goes forth

00:29:13.059 --> 00:29:13.759
 through the walk

00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.359
 and talk

00:29:14.359 --> 00:29:15.200
 of ordinary

00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:16.639
 followers of Jesus.

00:29:18.099 --> 00:29:18.639
 In verses 2

00:29:18.639 --> 00:29:19.480
 to 4

00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.940
 prayer supports

00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:21.940
 the church's mission

00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:22.899
 of proclaiming

00:29:22.899 --> 00:29:24.039
 the gospel abroad

00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:25.220
 and verses 5

00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:25.659
 and 6

00:29:25.659 --> 00:29:26.599
 wise living

00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:27.799
 supports the church's

00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.659
 mission of spreading

00:29:28.659 --> 00:29:29.180
 the gospel

00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:30.000
 at home.

00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:32.599
 So let's

00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:34.180
 look at verse 5

00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:36.019
 about our walk

00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.860
 and then we'll get

00:29:36.860 --> 00:29:37.420
 to verse 6

00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:38.200
 about our talk.

00:29:39.420 --> 00:29:40.039
 Verse 5

00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:41.039
 walk in wisdom

00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:42.700
 toward outsiders

00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:43.660
 making the best

00:29:43.660 --> 00:29:45.360
 use of the time.

00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:46.880
 Now when Paul

00:29:46.880 --> 00:29:47.860
 talks about our walk

00:29:47.860 --> 00:29:49.600
 he's talking about

00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:50.560
 our pattern of life

00:29:50.560 --> 00:29:51.620
 our attitude

00:29:51.620 --> 00:29:52.560
 our behavior

00:29:52.560 --> 00:29:54.460
 and notice

00:29:54.460 --> 00:29:55.080
 that when Paul

00:29:55.080 --> 00:29:56.259
 gives instructions here

00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.620
 about sharing

00:29:57.620 --> 00:29:58.200
 our faith

00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:58.620
 with people

00:29:58.620 --> 00:29:59.580
 outside the church

00:29:59.580 --> 00:30:00.580
 he begins

00:30:00.580 --> 00:30:01.320
 with our walk.

00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:04.480
 Bonhoeffer said

00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:04.879
 the church

00:30:04.879 --> 00:30:05.500
 must not

00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:06.119
 underestimate

00:30:06.119 --> 00:30:06.859
 the importance

00:30:06.859 --> 00:30:08.079
 of human example.

00:30:09.059 --> 00:30:09.619
 It is not

00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:10.700
 abstract argument

00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:11.419
 but example

00:30:11.419 --> 00:30:11.960
 that gives

00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:12.480
 its word

00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:13.000
 emphasis

00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:14.179
 and power.

00:30:14.960 --> 00:30:15.279
 I mean think

00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:15.919
 about it this way.

00:30:17.079 --> 00:30:17.839
 What was Jesus'

00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:18.559
 primary goal

00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:19.319
 in coming to earth?

00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:21.000
 Well most of us

00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:21.700
 would say something like

00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:22.439
 to die on the cross

00:30:22.439 --> 00:30:23.119
 for our sins.

00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:24.480
 That's certainly

00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.579
 very central

00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:26.759
 to why Jesus came.

00:30:28.159 --> 00:30:28.679
 But if Jesus'

00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:29.319
 primary goal

00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:29.939
 in coming to earth

00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:30.920
 was to offer

00:30:30.920 --> 00:30:31.360
 his life

00:30:31.360 --> 00:30:32.039
 as a sacrifice

00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:33.019
 for us

00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:34.940
 why did he spend

00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:36.120
 33 years

00:30:36.120 --> 00:30:37.539
 obeying his parents

00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:39.500
 working as a carpenter

00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:41.140
 teaching the crowds

00:30:41.140 --> 00:30:42.360
 healing the sick

00:30:42.360 --> 00:30:43.720
 casting out demons

00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:45.580
 instructing his disciples

00:30:45.580 --> 00:30:46.980
 praying to his father?

00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:49.580
 Well one reason is

00:30:49.580 --> 00:30:50.480
 because Jesus'

00:30:50.660 --> 00:30:51.779
 life and example

00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.539
 matters.

00:30:53.820 --> 00:30:54.860
 We see

00:30:54.860 --> 00:30:55.420
 from the way

00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:56.240
 Jesus lived

00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:57.279
 that he is

00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:58.380
 uniquely qualified

00:30:58.380 --> 00:30:59.680
 to be our savior.

00:31:00.900 --> 00:31:01.640
 We see

00:31:01.640 --> 00:31:01.960
 that he's

00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:02.759
 utterly wise

00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.720
 and fully trustworthy.

00:31:04.420 --> 00:31:05.240
 We see

00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:05.640
 that he's

00:31:05.640 --> 00:31:06.100
 a merciful

00:31:06.100 --> 00:31:06.680
 and faithful

00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:07.460
 high priest

00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:08.120
 who has been

00:31:08.120 --> 00:31:09.000
 tempted in every way

00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:09.880
 just as we are

00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:10.680
 yet without sin

00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.420
 so we can approach

00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:12.120
 him with confidence.

00:31:13.059 --> 00:31:13.299
 You see

00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:13.660
 Jesus'

00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:14.980
 walk matters

00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:17.400
 and our walk

00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:18.500
 matters too.

00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:21.259
 Someone said

00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:22.900
 we are the only

00:31:22.900 --> 00:31:23.299
 Bible

00:31:23.299 --> 00:31:24.140
 that some people

00:31:24.140 --> 00:31:24.920
 will ever read.

00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:28.960
 what does it

00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:29.400
 mean to walk

00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:29.900
 in wisdom?

00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:33.039
 Well John

00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:33.720
 Piper described

00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:34.279
 wisdom as

00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:35.039
 knowing what to

00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.539
 do for the

00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:36.220
 glory of God

00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:36.820
 when the rule

00:31:36.820 --> 00:31:38.000
 book runs out.

00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:39.960
 Knowing how to

00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:40.700
 become all things

00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.300
 to all people

00:31:41.300 --> 00:31:42.440
 without compromising

00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:43.900
 holiness and truth.

00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:46.360
 Creativity

00:31:46.360 --> 00:31:47.400
 and tact

00:31:47.400 --> 00:31:48.680
 and thoughtfulness.

00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:51.299
 It's a good

00:31:51.299 --> 00:31:52.720
 picture of

00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.539
 biblical wisdom.

00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.700
 It's not just

00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:56.259
 following the

00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:56.720
 rules

00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:59.779
 but it's

00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:00.320
 seeking to

00:32:00.320 --> 00:32:00.860
 live out the

00:32:00.860 --> 00:32:01.620
 mission that

00:32:01.620 --> 00:32:02.140
 God has given

00:32:02.140 --> 00:32:02.299
 us.

00:32:02.380 --> 00:32:02.799
 Seeking to

00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:03.740
 live out

00:32:03.740 --> 00:32:03.880
 the

00:32:03.880 --> 00:32:05.100
 live according

00:32:05.100 --> 00:32:05.840
 to the character

00:32:05.840 --> 00:32:07.120
 that God is

00:32:07.120 --> 00:32:08.200
 developing in

00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:08.580
 us.

00:32:08.579 --> 00:32:10.399
 And Piper

00:32:10.399 --> 00:32:10.819
 went on to

00:32:10.819 --> 00:32:11.199
 say there are

00:32:11.199 --> 00:32:11.939
 four sources

00:32:11.939 --> 00:32:12.460
 of wisdom.

00:32:12.599 --> 00:32:13.379
 Four ways we

00:32:13.379 --> 00:32:13.980
 can grow

00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:15.119
 in wisdom.

00:32:16.179 --> 00:32:16.639
 First,

00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:17.559
 meditating on

00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:17.960
 scripture.

00:32:18.159 --> 00:32:18.720
 Psalm 19

00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:19.439
 7 says the

00:32:19.439 --> 00:32:20.259
 testimony of

00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:20.839
 the Lord is

00:32:20.839 --> 00:32:21.259
 sure,

00:32:21.659 --> 00:32:22.439
 making wise

00:32:22.439 --> 00:32:22.980
 the simple.

00:32:24.619 --> 00:32:25.139
 That word

00:32:25.139 --> 00:32:25.740
 simple means

00:32:25.740 --> 00:32:26.059
 those who

00:32:26.059 --> 00:32:26.779
 are naive.

00:32:28.259 --> 00:32:28.819
 And the

00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:29.259
 word of God

00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:29.740
 can help us

00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:30.159
 grow and

00:32:30.159 --> 00:32:31.059
 become wise.

00:32:32.659 --> 00:32:33.279
 Especially as

00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:34.159
 we meditate on

00:32:34.159 --> 00:32:34.319
 it.

00:32:34.659 --> 00:32:35.439
 Not just read

00:32:35.439 --> 00:32:36.599
 it quickly and

00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:37.059
 forget about

00:32:37.059 --> 00:32:37.599
 it but chew

00:32:37.599 --> 00:32:38.019
 on it.

00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:39.480
 Maybe that

00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:40.220
 means write

00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:40.699
 a verse

00:32:40.699 --> 00:32:42.419
 down and

00:32:42.419 --> 00:32:44.079
 repeat it and

00:32:44.079 --> 00:32:44.699
 read the same

00:32:44.699 --> 00:32:45.319
 verse for a

00:32:45.319 --> 00:32:46.879
 week so that

00:32:46.879 --> 00:32:47.539
 it gets into

00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:48.019
 us.

00:32:49.759 --> 00:32:50.139
 Prayer.

00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:51.639
 James 1 5,

00:32:51.699 --> 00:32:52.119
 if any of you

00:32:52.119 --> 00:32:52.759
 lacks wisdom,

00:32:52.899 --> 00:32:53.319
 let him ask

00:32:53.319 --> 00:32:53.679
 God.

00:32:55.059 --> 00:32:55.599
 Prayer is a

00:32:55.599 --> 00:32:55.960
 source of

00:32:55.960 --> 00:32:56.259
 wisdom.

00:32:57.859 --> 00:32:58.480
 Listening to

00:32:58.480 --> 00:32:59.220
 wise counselors,

00:32:59.460 --> 00:33:00.399
 Proverbs 19 20,

00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.240
 listen to advice

00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:01.699
 and accept

00:33:01.699 --> 00:33:02.399
 instruction and

00:33:02.399 --> 00:33:02.879
 at the end

00:33:02.879 --> 00:33:03.220
 you'll be

00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:03.740
 counted among

00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.299
 the wise.

00:33:06.619 --> 00:33:07.099
 Fourth,

00:33:07.419 --> 00:33:07.839
 constant

00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:08.559
 practice.

00:33:08.579 --> 00:33:10.899
 Hebrews 5 14

00:33:10.899 --> 00:33:11.379
 says that

00:33:11.379 --> 00:33:12.379
 mature Christians

00:33:12.379 --> 00:33:13.119
 have trained

00:33:13.119 --> 00:33:13.799
 themselves to

00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:14.500
 distinguish good

00:33:14.500 --> 00:33:15.299
 from evil by

00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:17.039
 constant use

00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:18.039
 of God's

00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.359
 word.

00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:19.740
 That is by

00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.779
 obeying biblical

00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:21.539
 commands and

00:33:21.539 --> 00:33:22.379
 applying biblical

00:33:22.379 --> 00:33:23.500
 principles day

00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:24.619
 by day just

00:33:24.619 --> 00:33:25.480
 like an athlete

00:33:25.480 --> 00:33:27.279
 trains for the

00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:28.319
 game by

00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:29.859
 constantly daily

00:33:29.859 --> 00:33:31.659
 practicing the

00:33:31.659 --> 00:33:32.839
 principles that

00:33:32.839 --> 00:33:33.199
 they've learned

00:33:33.199 --> 00:33:33.500
 from their

00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:33.839
 coach.

00:33:33.839 --> 00:33:33.879
 church.

00:33:35.099 --> 00:33:36.059
 So meditating

00:33:36.059 --> 00:33:36.639
 on scripture,

00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:37.240
 praying,

00:33:37.599 --> 00:33:38.039
 listening to

00:33:38.039 --> 00:33:38.819
 wise counselors

00:33:38.819 --> 00:33:39.639
 and seeking

00:33:39.639 --> 00:33:40.379
 out wise

00:33:40.379 --> 00:33:41.220
 counsel and

00:33:41.220 --> 00:33:42.059
 constant practice,

00:33:42.179 --> 00:33:42.859
 those are ways

00:33:42.859 --> 00:33:43.240
 that we can

00:33:43.240 --> 00:33:44.240
 grow in

00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:44.799
 wisdom.

00:33:44.959 --> 00:33:45.259
 And Paul

00:33:45.259 --> 00:33:45.859
 says walk

00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:46.480
 in wisdom.

00:33:49.439 --> 00:33:50.099
 All right,

00:33:50.139 --> 00:33:50.500
 the question

00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:51.699
 is does your

00:33:51.699 --> 00:33:52.959
 walk increasingly

00:33:52.959 --> 00:33:54.480
 reflect the

00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:55.339
 wisdom of God

00:33:55.339 --> 00:33:56.500
 in your

00:33:56.500 --> 00:33:57.279
 interactions with

00:33:57.279 --> 00:33:57.899
 people outside

00:33:57.899 --> 00:33:58.439
 the church?

00:33:58.440 --> 00:34:00.460
 can people who

00:34:00.460 --> 00:34:00.820
 are not

00:34:00.820 --> 00:34:01.460
 Christians look

00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:02.100
 at your life

00:34:02.100 --> 00:34:03.320
 and see not

00:34:03.320 --> 00:34:06.400
 perfection and

00:34:06.400 --> 00:34:06.940
 not someone

00:34:06.940 --> 00:34:07.700
 pretending that

00:34:07.700 --> 00:34:08.119
 they have it

00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:08.559
 all together

00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:08.940
 when they

00:34:08.940 --> 00:34:09.440
 don't?

00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:11.440
 Because none

00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:13.679
 of us will be

00:34:13.679 --> 00:34:14.659
 perfect and so

00:34:14.659 --> 00:34:15.099
 we shouldn't try

00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:15.559
 to pretend that

00:34:15.559 --> 00:34:15.880
 we are.

00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:16.659
 But can people

00:34:16.659 --> 00:34:17.519
 see sincerity

00:34:17.519 --> 00:34:20.360
 and can they

00:34:20.360 --> 00:34:21.300
 see growth over

00:34:21.300 --> 00:34:21.679
 time?

00:34:23.700 --> 00:34:24.480
 That's what Paul

00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:25.099
 is challenging

00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:25.579
 us to.

00:34:26.099 --> 00:34:27.260
 To walk and

00:34:27.260 --> 00:34:28.360
 to be growing

00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:29.300
 in wisdom.

00:34:32.700 --> 00:34:33.579
 He also says

00:34:33.579 --> 00:34:34.200
 making the best

00:34:34.200 --> 00:34:34.700
 use of the

00:34:34.700 --> 00:34:35.099
 time.

00:34:36.960 --> 00:34:37.440
 Think about

00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:37.880
 how do you

00:34:37.880 --> 00:34:38.300
 use your

00:34:38.300 --> 00:34:38.559
 time.

00:34:38.640 --> 00:34:39.039
 The best

00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:39.480
 use of our

00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:40.220
 time requires

00:34:40.220 --> 00:34:41.320
 intentionality.

00:34:41.539 --> 00:34:42.420
 Not just going

00:34:42.420 --> 00:34:43.059
 with the flow,

00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:44.140
 not just doing

00:34:44.140 --> 00:34:44.780
 whatever you feel

00:34:44.780 --> 00:34:45.280
 like doing in

00:34:45.280 --> 00:34:45.740
 the moment.

00:34:47.380 --> 00:34:48.059
 Now that doesn't

00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:48.519
 mean you have to

00:34:48.519 --> 00:34:49.860
 be type A and

00:34:49.860 --> 00:34:50.539
 have every hour

00:34:50.539 --> 00:34:51.000
 of your life

00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:51.620
 scheduled three

00:34:51.620 --> 00:34:52.380
 weeks in advance

00:34:52.380 --> 00:34:52.880
 and never be

00:34:52.880 --> 00:34:53.420
 spontaneous.

00:34:54.539 --> 00:34:54.720
 Right?

00:34:54.800 --> 00:34:55.340
 Type A people

00:34:55.340 --> 00:34:55.820
 have our own

00:34:55.820 --> 00:34:56.240
 problems.

00:34:56.720 --> 00:34:57.360
 We know that.

00:34:58.360 --> 00:35:00.960
 Even Jesus

00:35:00.960 --> 00:35:02.640
 accepted interruptions

00:35:02.640 --> 00:35:03.480
 from people.

00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:04.780
 It's a good

00:35:04.780 --> 00:35:05.360
 example for us

00:35:05.360 --> 00:35:05.740
 to follow.

00:35:06.620 --> 00:35:07.340
 But it does

00:35:07.340 --> 00:35:07.940
 mean that the

00:35:07.940 --> 00:35:08.640
 time we have

00:35:08.640 --> 00:35:09.140
 on earth is

00:35:09.140 --> 00:35:10.740
 short and we

00:35:10.740 --> 00:35:11.480
 ought to use it

00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:13.019
 well in light

00:35:13.019 --> 00:35:13.500
 of eternity.

00:35:13.660 --> 00:35:13.840
 You see,

00:35:13.900 --> 00:35:14.320
 the way we

00:35:14.320 --> 00:35:15.019
 use our time

00:35:15.019 --> 00:35:15.880
 is ultimately

00:35:15.880 --> 00:35:16.660
 a reflection of

00:35:16.660 --> 00:35:17.320
 our priorities.

00:35:17.320 --> 00:35:17.460
 priorities.

00:35:19.120 --> 00:35:19.920
 And the Bible

00:35:19.920 --> 00:35:20.440
 says that our

00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:21.300
 priorities ought

00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:21.900
 to be shaped

00:35:21.900 --> 00:35:22.980
 by eternal

00:35:22.980 --> 00:35:23.780
 realities.

00:35:25.340 --> 00:35:25.860
 You know,

00:35:25.900 --> 00:35:26.500
 Paul wrote this

00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:27.019
 letter to the

00:35:27.019 --> 00:35:27.880
 church in Colossae

00:35:27.880 --> 00:35:29.920
 and just a few

00:35:29.920 --> 00:35:31.080
 months or at

00:35:31.080 --> 00:35:31.760
 most a few

00:35:31.760 --> 00:35:33.059
 years after they

00:35:33.059 --> 00:35:33.320
 would have

00:35:33.320 --> 00:35:33.920
 received this

00:35:33.920 --> 00:35:34.880
 letter, the

00:35:34.880 --> 00:35:35.660
 entire city was

00:35:35.660 --> 00:35:36.440
 decimated by an

00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:36.720
 earthquake.

00:35:40.019 --> 00:35:40.880
 The time was

00:35:40.880 --> 00:35:42.420
 short and they

00:35:42.420 --> 00:35:43.360
 probably had no

00:35:43.360 --> 00:35:44.260
 idea how short

00:35:44.260 --> 00:35:44.720
 it was.

00:35:44.719 --> 00:35:47.239
 Here's a

00:35:47.239 --> 00:35:47.980
 question for us.

00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:52.079
 If your life

00:35:52.079 --> 00:35:52.859
 were unexpectedly

00:35:52.859 --> 00:35:53.519
 cut short

00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:56.199
 tomorrow, would

00:35:56.199 --> 00:35:57.059
 you have regrets

00:35:57.059 --> 00:35:58.179
 about how you

00:35:58.179 --> 00:35:58.759
 were using your

00:35:58.759 --> 00:35:59.359
 time today?

00:36:02.639 --> 00:36:03.319
 Are there

00:36:03.319 --> 00:36:04.379
 things that God

00:36:04.379 --> 00:36:05.139
 has commanded you

00:36:05.139 --> 00:36:05.759
 to do that you

00:36:05.759 --> 00:36:06.939
 are procrastinating

00:36:06.939 --> 00:36:09.599
 on or delaying?

00:36:11.359 --> 00:36:12.480
 Are there words

00:36:12.480 --> 00:36:15.240
 of comfort,

00:36:16.579 --> 00:36:16.940
 repentance,

00:36:17.900 --> 00:36:18.260
 forgiveness,

00:36:18.860 --> 00:36:20.119
 that you need

00:36:20.119 --> 00:36:21.480
 to speak to

00:36:21.480 --> 00:36:22.139
 someone else

00:36:22.139 --> 00:36:26.119
 and not keep

00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:27.300
 delaying?

00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:30.500
 Paul says,

00:36:30.679 --> 00:36:31.099
 make the best

00:36:31.099 --> 00:36:31.920
 use of the time

00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:32.860
 because the time

00:36:32.860 --> 00:36:35.500
 is short and we

00:36:35.500 --> 00:36:36.260
 will never know

00:36:36.260 --> 00:36:38.740
 how short it

00:36:38.740 --> 00:36:39.199
 might be.

00:36:39.199 --> 00:36:42.899
 But if verse

00:36:42.899 --> 00:36:43.679
 five focuses on

00:36:43.679 --> 00:36:44.239
 our walk,

00:36:44.359 --> 00:36:44.919
 verse six

00:36:44.919 --> 00:36:45.539
 focuses on

00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:46.099
 our talk.

00:36:49.299 --> 00:36:49.899
 Now, there's

00:36:49.899 --> 00:36:50.379
 a quotation

00:36:50.379 --> 00:36:51.539
 that is frequently

00:36:51.539 --> 00:36:53.139
 repeated and

00:36:53.139 --> 00:36:54.000
 it's almost

00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:54.739
 always attributed

00:36:54.739 --> 00:36:55.500
 to St. Francis

00:36:55.500 --> 00:36:56.319
 of Assisi that

00:36:56.319 --> 00:36:56.839
 says, preach

00:36:56.839 --> 00:36:57.839
 the gospel always

00:36:57.839 --> 00:36:58.739
 when necessary

00:36:58.739 --> 00:36:59.599
 use words.

00:37:01.059 --> 00:37:01.699
 There are at

00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:02.019
 least two

00:37:02.019 --> 00:37:02.719
 problems with

00:37:02.719 --> 00:37:03.319
 this quotation.

00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:05.799
 First, St.

00:37:05.879 --> 00:37:06.460
 Francis never

00:37:06.460 --> 00:37:06.939
 said it.

00:37:06.940 --> 00:37:09.619
 Okay?

00:37:10.280 --> 00:37:11.440
 Don't say

00:37:11.440 --> 00:37:12.019
 that somebody

00:37:12.019 --> 00:37:12.820
 said something

00:37:12.820 --> 00:37:13.260
 when they

00:37:13.260 --> 00:37:13.960
 didn't because

00:37:13.960 --> 00:37:14.659
 you wouldn't

00:37:14.659 --> 00:37:15.340
 want someone

00:37:15.340 --> 00:37:15.920
 saying that

00:37:15.920 --> 00:37:16.500
 about you

00:37:16.500 --> 00:37:17.119
 after you

00:37:17.119 --> 00:37:17.460
 die.

00:37:19.900 --> 00:37:20.679
 In fact,

00:37:20.760 --> 00:37:21.260
 St. Francis

00:37:21.260 --> 00:37:22.159
 preached a lot,

00:37:22.800 --> 00:37:23.599
 sometimes up

00:37:23.599 --> 00:37:24.360
 to five times

00:37:24.360 --> 00:37:24.840
 in a day,

00:37:24.860 --> 00:37:25.360
 so he didn't

00:37:25.360 --> 00:37:25.860
 even live

00:37:25.860 --> 00:37:26.380
 according to

00:37:26.380 --> 00:37:26.980
 this principle.

00:37:28.659 --> 00:37:29.179
 Second,

00:37:29.539 --> 00:37:30.280
 in order to

00:37:30.280 --> 00:37:31.000
 proclaim the

00:37:31.000 --> 00:37:31.599
 gospel of

00:37:31.599 --> 00:37:31.820
 Jesus,

00:37:32.019 --> 00:37:32.639
 words are

00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:33.260
 necessary

00:37:33.260 --> 00:37:35.200
 in some

00:37:35.200 --> 00:37:35.619
 form or

00:37:35.619 --> 00:37:35.860
 other,

00:37:35.860 --> 00:37:36.340
 whether it's

00:37:36.340 --> 00:37:37.059
 written down

00:37:37.059 --> 00:37:38.340
 or whether

00:37:38.340 --> 00:37:39.000
 it's spoken.

00:37:41.320 --> 00:37:41.519
 Now,

00:37:41.599 --> 00:37:41.760
 Paul,

00:37:41.900 --> 00:37:42.940
 a better

00:37:42.940 --> 00:37:43.660
 quotation is

00:37:43.660 --> 00:37:43.920
 this,

00:37:44.019 --> 00:37:44.519
 a godly

00:37:44.519 --> 00:37:45.660
 walk must

00:37:45.660 --> 00:37:46.240
 be accompanied

00:37:46.240 --> 00:37:47.140
 by godly

00:37:47.140 --> 00:37:47.559
 talk.

00:37:50.160 --> 00:37:50.720
 They have

00:37:50.720 --> 00:37:50.920
 to go

00:37:50.920 --> 00:37:51.320
 together.

00:37:52.160 --> 00:37:52.460
 That's why

00:37:52.460 --> 00:37:52.880
 Paul is

00:37:52.880 --> 00:37:53.860
 talking about

00:37:53.860 --> 00:37:54.280
 our walk

00:37:54.280 --> 00:37:54.599
 in verse

00:37:54.599 --> 00:37:55.019
 five,

00:37:55.480 --> 00:37:55.860
 and in

00:37:55.860 --> 00:37:56.240
 some ways

00:37:56.240 --> 00:37:56.500
 that's

00:37:56.500 --> 00:37:56.980
 foundational,

00:37:57.200 --> 00:37:57.700
 but talk

00:37:57.700 --> 00:37:58.220
 in verse

00:37:58.220 --> 00:37:58.640
 six needs

00:37:58.640 --> 00:37:58.840
 to go

00:37:58.840 --> 00:37:59.240
 along with

00:37:59.240 --> 00:37:59.360
 it.

00:37:59.620 --> 00:37:59.740
 Now,

00:37:59.800 --> 00:38:00.120
 Paul is

00:38:00.120 --> 00:38:00.599
 not saying

00:38:00.599 --> 00:38:00.900
 that all

00:38:00.900 --> 00:38:01.160
 of us

00:38:01.160 --> 00:38:02.079
 must stand

00:38:02.079 --> 00:38:02.360
 up in

00:38:02.360 --> 00:38:02.640
 front of

00:38:02.640 --> 00:38:02.960
 groups of

00:38:02.960 --> 00:38:03.440
 people and

00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:03.620
 give

00:38:03.620 --> 00:38:04.000
 speeches.

00:38:04.000 --> 00:38:06.619
 No,

00:38:06.880 --> 00:38:07.420
 but what

00:38:07.420 --> 00:38:07.719
 he does

00:38:07.719 --> 00:38:08.139
 say here

00:38:08.139 --> 00:38:08.420
 is that

00:38:08.420 --> 00:38:08.960
 our talk

00:38:08.960 --> 00:38:09.639
 matters.

00:38:10.119 --> 00:38:10.260
 Our

00:38:10.260 --> 00:38:11.000
 conversations

00:38:11.000 --> 00:38:11.599
 matter.

00:38:12.719 --> 00:38:12.980
 Let your

00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:13.400
 speech

00:38:13.400 --> 00:38:14.639
 always be

00:38:14.639 --> 00:38:15.099
 gracious,

00:38:15.760 --> 00:38:16.039
 seasoned

00:38:16.039 --> 00:38:16.639
 with salt,

00:38:16.739 --> 00:38:16.980
 so that

00:38:16.980 --> 00:38:17.260
 you may

00:38:17.260 --> 00:38:17.699
 know

00:38:17.699 --> 00:38:18.300
 how to

00:38:18.300 --> 00:38:18.679
 answer

00:38:18.679 --> 00:38:19.300
 each one.

00:38:19.360 --> 00:38:19.500
 Now,

00:38:19.559 --> 00:38:19.840
 Paul's

00:38:19.840 --> 00:38:20.159
 assumption

00:38:20.159 --> 00:38:20.639
 here is

00:38:20.639 --> 00:38:21.239
 that Christians

00:38:21.239 --> 00:38:21.980
 will regularly

00:38:21.980 --> 00:38:23.000
 be in

00:38:23.000 --> 00:38:23.800
 conversation

00:38:23.800 --> 00:38:24.840
 with people

00:38:24.840 --> 00:38:25.159
 who do

00:38:25.159 --> 00:38:26.000
 not identify

00:38:26.000 --> 00:38:26.639
 as believers

00:38:26.639 --> 00:38:27.280
 in Christ.

00:38:28.780 --> 00:38:29.139
 Right?

00:38:29.219 --> 00:38:29.679
 Earlier in

00:38:29.679 --> 00:38:30.039
 Colossians,

00:38:30.139 --> 00:38:30.780
 Paul warned

00:38:30.780 --> 00:38:31.420
 the Colossians.

00:38:31.519 --> 00:38:31.719
 He said,

00:38:31.719 --> 00:38:32.159
 don't be

00:38:32.159 --> 00:38:32.339
 led

00:38:32.339 --> 00:38:32.879
 astray

00:38:32.879 --> 00:38:34.079
 by deceptive

00:38:34.079 --> 00:38:35.000
 philosophies.

00:38:35.619 --> 00:38:36.379
 But here

00:38:36.379 --> 00:38:36.719
 we see

00:38:36.719 --> 00:38:37.480
 very clearly

00:38:37.480 --> 00:38:38.439
 that Paul's

00:38:38.439 --> 00:38:39.039
 warning not

00:38:39.039 --> 00:38:39.480
 to be led

00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:40.039
 astray

00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.959
 by false

00:38:40.959 --> 00:38:41.379
 teachers

00:38:41.379 --> 00:38:42.000
 does not

00:38:42.000 --> 00:38:42.799
 mean that

00:38:42.799 --> 00:38:43.119
 Christians

00:38:43.119 --> 00:38:43.439
 should

00:38:43.439 --> 00:38:44.039
 disengage

00:38:44.039 --> 00:38:44.959
 and withdraw

00:38:44.959 --> 00:38:46.059
 from all

00:38:46.059 --> 00:38:46.299
 of our

00:38:46.299 --> 00:38:46.819
 relationships

00:38:46.819 --> 00:38:47.219
 with people

00:38:47.219 --> 00:38:47.799
 who don't

00:38:47.799 --> 00:38:48.299
 identify

00:38:48.299 --> 00:38:48.959
 as Christians.

00:38:49.419 --> 00:38:49.779
 No.

00:38:51.459 --> 00:38:52.159
 We should

00:38:52.159 --> 00:38:52.859
 be engaged

00:38:52.859 --> 00:38:53.579
 in ongoing

00:38:53.579 --> 00:38:54.179
 relationship

00:38:54.179 --> 00:38:54.919
 and conversation.

00:38:55.059 --> 00:38:55.319
 That's a

00:38:55.319 --> 00:38:56.099
 basic assumption.

00:38:57.359 --> 00:38:57.779
 Paul doesn't

00:38:57.779 --> 00:38:59.179
 even need

00:38:59.179 --> 00:38:59.639
 to say it.

00:38:59.739 --> 00:39:00.279
 It's the

00:39:00.279 --> 00:39:00.639
 assumption

00:39:00.639 --> 00:39:01.199
 behind what

00:39:01.199 --> 00:39:01.659
 he's saying.

00:39:01.719 --> 00:39:03.519
 And in

00:39:03.519 --> 00:39:03.739
 fact,

00:39:03.839 --> 00:39:04.039
 Paul's

00:39:04.039 --> 00:39:04.500
 instructions

00:39:04.500 --> 00:39:05.279
 about how

00:39:05.279 --> 00:39:05.519
 we should

00:39:05.519 --> 00:39:05.939
 speak to

00:39:05.939 --> 00:39:06.439
 one another

00:39:06.439 --> 00:39:07.539
 inside the

00:39:07.539 --> 00:39:08.439
 church in

00:39:08.439 --> 00:39:09.139
 chapter 3

00:39:09.139 --> 00:39:10.000
 are quite

00:39:10.000 --> 00:39:10.679
 similar to

00:39:10.679 --> 00:39:11.299
 his instructions

00:39:11.299 --> 00:39:12.359
 here about

00:39:12.359 --> 00:39:12.839
 how to speak

00:39:12.839 --> 00:39:13.239
 with people

00:39:13.239 --> 00:39:13.879
 outside the

00:39:13.879 --> 00:39:14.079
 church.

00:39:14.179 --> 00:39:14.339
 So,

00:39:14.619 --> 00:39:14.899
 if you look

00:39:14.899 --> 00:39:15.500
 at chapter 3

00:39:15.500 --> 00:39:16.159
 verse 12,

00:39:16.539 --> 00:39:16.919
 Paul says,

00:39:17.159 --> 00:39:17.579
 put on

00:39:17.579 --> 00:39:18.559
 kindness,

00:39:18.779 --> 00:39:19.079
 humility,

00:39:19.259 --> 00:39:19.539
 meekness,

00:39:19.559 --> 00:39:20.099
 and patience.

00:39:21.559 --> 00:39:22.199
 And then here

00:39:22.199 --> 00:39:22.779
 in chapter 4

00:39:22.779 --> 00:39:23.199
 verse 6,

00:39:23.259 --> 00:39:23.539
 he says,

00:39:23.699 --> 00:39:24.219
 let your speech

00:39:24.219 --> 00:39:24.879
 always be

00:39:24.879 --> 00:39:25.199
 gracious.

00:39:26.779 --> 00:39:27.299
 Chapter 3

00:39:27.299 --> 00:39:27.980
 verse 16,

00:39:28.480 --> 00:39:28.819
 again,

00:39:29.139 --> 00:39:29.639
 within the

00:39:29.639 --> 00:39:29.919
 church,

00:39:30.000 --> 00:39:30.399
 we should be

00:39:30.399 --> 00:39:31.139
 teaching and

00:39:31.139 --> 00:39:31.980
 admonishing one

00:39:31.980 --> 00:39:32.359
 another.

00:39:33.940 --> 00:39:34.739
 And that

00:39:34.739 --> 00:39:37.139
 corresponds in

00:39:37.139 --> 00:39:37.920
 chapter 4

00:39:37.920 --> 00:39:38.400
 verse 6,

00:39:38.480 --> 00:39:39.039
 let your speech

00:39:39.039 --> 00:39:39.759
 be seasoned

00:39:39.759 --> 00:39:40.619
 with salt.

00:39:41.819 --> 00:39:42.179
 Right?

00:39:42.219 --> 00:39:42.319
 So,

00:39:42.420 --> 00:39:43.000
 there's a

00:39:43.000 --> 00:39:43.359
 parallel.

00:39:44.139 --> 00:39:44.359
 Right?

00:39:44.420 --> 00:39:44.799
 There shouldn't

00:39:44.799 --> 00:39:45.579
 be a huge

00:39:45.579 --> 00:39:46.379
 difference between

00:39:46.379 --> 00:39:47.199
 how we speak to

00:39:47.199 --> 00:39:47.579
 one another

00:39:47.579 --> 00:39:48.199
 inside the

00:39:48.199 --> 00:39:48.679
 church and how

00:39:48.679 --> 00:39:49.879
 we conversate

00:39:49.879 --> 00:39:50.239
 with people

00:39:50.239 --> 00:39:50.839
 outside the

00:39:50.839 --> 00:39:51.159
 church.

00:39:52.159 --> 00:39:52.960
 We shouldn't

00:39:52.960 --> 00:39:54.079
 only ever talk

00:39:54.079 --> 00:39:54.699
 about anything

00:39:54.699 --> 00:39:55.420
 spiritual with

00:39:55.420 --> 00:39:56.000
 only other

00:39:56.000 --> 00:39:56.539
 Christians and

00:39:56.539 --> 00:39:57.339
 never even

00:39:57.339 --> 00:39:57.819
 mention to

00:39:57.819 --> 00:39:58.319
 anyone else

00:39:58.320 --> 00:39:58.539
 that we

00:39:58.539 --> 00:39:58.860
 even go

00:39:58.860 --> 00:39:59.420
 to church.

00:40:01.860 --> 00:40:02.240
 No,

00:40:02.300 --> 00:40:02.519
 there should

00:40:02.519 --> 00:40:02.800
 be a

00:40:02.800 --> 00:40:03.420
 wholeness to

00:40:03.420 --> 00:40:04.019
 our life.

00:40:05.080 --> 00:40:05.480
 Right?

00:40:05.559 --> 00:40:05.960
 Christians are

00:40:05.960 --> 00:40:06.440
 not supposed to

00:40:06.440 --> 00:40:07.260
 be schizophrenic

00:40:07.260 --> 00:40:07.760
 and sort of

00:40:07.760 --> 00:40:10.000
 multiple personalities

00:40:10.000 --> 00:40:10.500
 in multiple

00:40:10.500 --> 00:40:10.940
 places.

00:40:11.059 --> 00:40:11.380
 No.

00:40:11.380 --> 00:40:11.500
 No.

00:40:12.500 --> 00:40:13.300
 Our life is

00:40:13.300 --> 00:40:13.720
 supposed to be

00:40:13.720 --> 00:40:14.500
 integrated and

00:40:14.500 --> 00:40:16.820
 whole and

00:40:16.820 --> 00:40:17.539
 truthful wherever

00:40:17.539 --> 00:40:18.320
 we are.

00:40:19.660 --> 00:40:20.460
 And we

00:40:20.460 --> 00:40:20.840
 shouldn't be

00:40:20.840 --> 00:40:21.440
 putting on a

00:40:21.440 --> 00:40:23.200
 show in front

00:40:23.200 --> 00:40:23.519
 of other

00:40:23.519 --> 00:40:26.079
 Christians when

00:40:26.079 --> 00:40:26.559
 we're not

00:40:26.559 --> 00:40:28.619
 living honestly

00:40:28.619 --> 00:40:30.179
 in the world.

00:40:30.480 --> 00:40:30.739
 Right?

00:40:30.860 --> 00:40:31.519
 There needs to

00:40:31.519 --> 00:40:31.900
 be a unity

00:40:31.900 --> 00:40:32.219
 here.

00:40:32.980 --> 00:40:33.579
 The only

00:40:33.579 --> 00:40:34.840
 difference I

00:40:34.840 --> 00:40:35.840
 can find is

00:40:35.840 --> 00:40:36.219
 Paul does

00:40:36.219 --> 00:40:36.820
 not say that

00:40:36.820 --> 00:40:37.099
 we should

00:40:37.099 --> 00:40:38.199
 sing psalms,

00:40:38.300 --> 00:40:38.579
 hymns, and

00:40:38.579 --> 00:40:39.179
 spiritual songs

00:40:39.179 --> 00:40:39.420
 to our

00:40:39.420 --> 00:40:39.880
 non-believing

00:40:39.880 --> 00:40:40.280
 neighbors.

00:40:41.639 --> 00:40:42.039
 Okay?

00:40:42.159 --> 00:40:42.980
 Probably in

00:40:42.980 --> 00:40:43.739
 most contexts

00:40:43.739 --> 00:40:44.179
 that would be

00:40:44.179 --> 00:40:46.159
 weird to go

00:40:46.159 --> 00:40:46.699
 up to your

00:40:46.699 --> 00:40:49.519
 non-Christian

00:40:49.519 --> 00:40:49.960
 neighbor and

00:40:49.960 --> 00:40:50.500
 start singing

00:40:50.500 --> 00:40:51.440
 one of the

00:40:51.440 --> 00:40:51.840
 songs that we

00:40:51.840 --> 00:40:52.219
 sang this

00:40:52.219 --> 00:40:52.460
 morning.

00:40:52.659 --> 00:40:53.039
 They'd

00:40:53.039 --> 00:40:53.519
 probably think

00:40:53.519 --> 00:40:53.739
 you're a

00:40:53.739 --> 00:40:54.579
 little odd.

00:40:56.179 --> 00:40:56.840
 And Paul's

00:40:56.840 --> 00:40:57.199
 saying, no,

00:40:57.239 --> 00:40:57.480
 you don't

00:40:57.480 --> 00:40:57.880
 need to be

00:40:57.880 --> 00:40:58.219
 odd.

00:40:58.679 --> 00:40:58.900
 You don't

00:40:58.900 --> 00:40:59.239
 need to be

00:40:59.239 --> 00:40:59.639
 deliberately

00:40:59.639 --> 00:41:00.099
 weird.

00:41:04.440 --> 00:41:05.139
 But here in

00:41:05.139 --> 00:41:05.679
 verse 6, what

00:41:05.679 --> 00:41:06.659
 we do see is

00:41:06.659 --> 00:41:07.779
 a picture of

00:41:07.779 --> 00:41:08.559
 how ordinary

00:41:08.559 --> 00:41:09.900
 non-weird

00:41:09.900 --> 00:41:10.880
 conversations can

00:41:10.880 --> 00:41:11.619
 unfold in a

00:41:11.619 --> 00:41:12.059
 way that leads

00:41:12.059 --> 00:41:12.759
 to opportunities

00:41:12.759 --> 00:41:14.199
 to share about

00:41:14.199 --> 00:41:14.639
 Christ.

00:41:17.279 --> 00:41:17.840
 Let your

00:41:17.840 --> 00:41:18.340
 speech always

00:41:18.340 --> 00:41:18.880
 be gracious.

00:41:20.239 --> 00:41:20.719
 What does

00:41:20.719 --> 00:41:21.039
 that word

00:41:21.039 --> 00:41:21.340
 mean?

00:41:21.920 --> 00:41:22.219
 It means

00:41:22.219 --> 00:41:22.800
 overflowing

00:41:22.800 --> 00:41:23.420
 with God's

00:41:23.420 --> 00:41:23.780
 grace.

00:41:24.180 --> 00:41:24.620
 Attractive,

00:41:24.740 --> 00:41:25.039
 gentle,

00:41:25.200 --> 00:41:25.560
 kind,

00:41:25.660 --> 00:41:26.260
 not harsh,

00:41:26.360 --> 00:41:27.200
 not overbearing.

00:41:27.960 --> 00:41:28.320
 Gracious

00:41:28.320 --> 00:41:28.920
 talk as

00:41:28.920 --> 00:41:29.300
 well as

00:41:29.300 --> 00:41:29.580
 gracious

00:41:29.580 --> 00:41:30.060
 listening,

00:41:30.260 --> 00:41:30.780
 because James

00:41:30.780 --> 00:41:31.140
 says we

00:41:31.140 --> 00:41:31.460
 should be

00:41:31.460 --> 00:41:31.860
 quick to

00:41:31.860 --> 00:41:34.100
 listen and

00:41:34.100 --> 00:41:34.440
 not just

00:41:34.440 --> 00:41:34.960
 to speak.

00:41:35.880 --> 00:41:36.180
 Gracious

00:41:36.180 --> 00:41:36.820
 talk as

00:41:36.820 --> 00:41:37.120
 well as

00:41:37.120 --> 00:41:37.400
 gracious

00:41:37.400 --> 00:41:38.019
 listening is

00:41:38.019 --> 00:41:38.500
 a testimony

00:41:38.500 --> 00:41:38.940
 to the

00:41:38.940 --> 00:41:39.460
 grace and

00:41:39.460 --> 00:41:39.960
 kindness that

00:41:39.960 --> 00:41:40.200
 we have

00:41:40.200 --> 00:41:40.660
 received from

00:41:40.660 --> 00:41:40.940
 God.

00:41:42.680 --> 00:41:43.120
 Someone said

00:41:43.120 --> 00:41:43.560
 people don't

00:41:43.560 --> 00:41:44.140
 care how much

00:41:44.140 --> 00:41:45.200
 you know until

00:41:45.200 --> 00:41:45.680
 they know that

00:41:45.680 --> 00:41:46.120
 you care.

00:41:47.340 --> 00:41:48.060
 So let your

00:41:48.060 --> 00:41:48.860
 speech always be

00:41:48.860 --> 00:41:49.220
 gracious.

00:41:49.219 --> 00:41:50.359
 But second,

00:41:50.480 --> 00:41:51.000
 our talk is

00:41:51.000 --> 00:41:51.679
 to be seasoned

00:41:51.679 --> 00:41:52.500
 with salt.

00:41:52.599 --> 00:41:52.759
 Now,

00:41:52.959 --> 00:41:53.899
 what does that

00:41:53.899 --> 00:41:54.179
 mean?

00:41:54.739 --> 00:41:54.899
 Well,

00:41:54.939 --> 00:41:55.419
 think about the

00:41:55.419 --> 00:41:55.939
 difference that

00:41:55.939 --> 00:41:56.779
 salt makes.

00:41:58.259 --> 00:41:59.399
 It adds flavor

00:41:59.399 --> 00:42:00.019
 to a meal.

00:42:01.459 --> 00:42:02.459
 It stimulates

00:42:02.459 --> 00:42:02.980
 appetite.

00:42:03.639 --> 00:42:04.179
 It makes you

00:42:04.179 --> 00:42:04.959
 want more.

00:42:05.459 --> 00:42:05.980
 In the ancient

00:42:05.980 --> 00:42:06.679
 world, salt was

00:42:06.679 --> 00:42:07.659
 also a preservative,

00:42:07.779 --> 00:42:08.459
 even today,

00:42:08.719 --> 00:42:08.899
 right?

00:42:08.899 --> 00:42:09.219
 If you have

00:42:09.219 --> 00:42:09.659
 sausages,

00:42:10.379 --> 00:42:10.559
 right?

00:42:10.559 --> 00:42:11.000
 They're probably

00:42:11.000 --> 00:42:11.619
 preserved with

00:42:11.619 --> 00:42:12.219
 salt and some

00:42:12.219 --> 00:42:13.539
 other things that

00:42:13.539 --> 00:42:14.219
 prevent the meat

00:42:14.219 --> 00:42:15.000
 from spoiling.

00:42:15.000 --> 00:42:17.239
 So Paul's

00:42:17.239 --> 00:42:17.519
 saying our

00:42:17.519 --> 00:42:18.079
 talk shouldn't

00:42:18.079 --> 00:42:19.099
 just be sweet

00:42:19.099 --> 00:42:20.199
 and inoffensive,

00:42:20.619 --> 00:42:21.619
 never challenging

00:42:21.619 --> 00:42:22.500
 the status quo,

00:42:22.639 --> 00:42:23.340
 never confronting

00:42:23.340 --> 00:42:23.980
 anyone, never

00:42:23.980 --> 00:42:24.840
 taking any risks.

00:42:24.960 --> 00:42:25.340
 No, our

00:42:25.340 --> 00:42:26.000
 talk also needs

00:42:26.000 --> 00:42:26.719
 to be salty.

00:42:28.019 --> 00:42:28.619
 It needs to be

00:42:28.619 --> 00:42:29.559
 sweet and gracious,

00:42:29.679 --> 00:42:30.199
 but it also needs

00:42:30.199 --> 00:42:31.000
 to be salty and

00:42:31.000 --> 00:42:31.400
 provocative.

00:42:34.059 --> 00:42:34.599
 You know,

00:42:34.679 --> 00:42:35.420
 invite someone to

00:42:35.420 --> 00:42:35.880
 come to the

00:42:35.880 --> 00:42:36.460
 Christmas carol

00:42:36.460 --> 00:42:37.219
 service with you.

00:42:38.099 --> 00:42:38.500
 Really?

00:42:38.719 --> 00:42:39.420
 What do you have

00:42:39.420 --> 00:42:39.940
 to lose?

00:42:40.460 --> 00:42:41.059
 They might even

00:42:41.059 --> 00:42:41.679
 say yes.

00:42:41.679 --> 00:42:45.319
 Look for

00:42:45.319 --> 00:42:46.219
 connections between

00:42:46.219 --> 00:42:47.219
 biblical truths

00:42:47.219 --> 00:42:48.539
 and ordinary

00:42:48.539 --> 00:42:49.359
 conversations.

00:42:50.519 --> 00:42:51.500
 And point them

00:42:51.500 --> 00:42:52.319
 out sometimes.

00:42:54.159 --> 00:42:55.000
 Learn to ask

00:42:55.000 --> 00:42:55.679
 thought-provoking

00:42:55.679 --> 00:42:56.399
 questions like

00:42:56.399 --> 00:42:56.940
 Jesus did.

00:42:57.019 --> 00:42:57.599
 Look at all the

00:42:57.599 --> 00:42:57.859
 questions.

00:42:57.940 --> 00:42:58.480
 Read through one

00:42:58.480 --> 00:42:59.000
 of the Gospels

00:42:59.000 --> 00:42:59.519
 and look at all

00:42:59.519 --> 00:42:59.940
 the questions

00:42:59.940 --> 00:43:00.879
 Jesus asks.

00:43:01.799 --> 00:43:02.699
 He asks people

00:43:02.699 --> 00:43:03.279
 a lot of

00:43:03.279 --> 00:43:03.859
 thought-provoking

00:43:03.859 --> 00:43:04.399
 questions.

00:43:05.679 --> 00:43:06.659
 And we can ask

00:43:06.659 --> 00:43:07.279
 questions like,

00:43:07.599 --> 00:43:07.919
 what are the

00:43:07.919 --> 00:43:08.559
 things you value

00:43:08.559 --> 00:43:09.480
 most in life?

00:43:10.319 --> 00:43:11.179
 Sincere questions

00:43:11.179 --> 00:43:11.599
 that help us

00:43:11.599 --> 00:43:12.039
 get to know

00:43:12.039 --> 00:43:12.759
 someone else

00:43:12.759 --> 00:43:13.839
 and get to

00:43:13.839 --> 00:43:14.639
 know what are

00:43:14.639 --> 00:43:14.980
 some of their

00:43:14.980 --> 00:43:15.860
 core concerns?

00:43:16.579 --> 00:43:17.099
 What's your

00:43:17.099 --> 00:43:17.920
 spiritual background?

00:43:19.259 --> 00:43:20.099
 Or maybe even

00:43:20.099 --> 00:43:20.679
 who do you think

00:43:20.679 --> 00:43:21.519
 Jesus was?

00:43:23.279 --> 00:43:24.339
 Or where are

00:43:24.339 --> 00:43:25.880
 you with God

00:43:25.880 --> 00:43:27.059
 in relationship

00:43:27.059 --> 00:43:27.500
 to God

00:43:27.500 --> 00:43:27.900
 if someone

00:43:27.900 --> 00:43:29.579
 is there?

00:43:29.659 --> 00:43:30.360
 Or even

00:43:30.360 --> 00:43:31.019
 this question.

00:43:32.239 --> 00:43:32.900
 If you were

00:43:32.900 --> 00:43:33.659
 to die tonight

00:43:33.659 --> 00:43:34.719
 and stand

00:43:34.719 --> 00:43:35.420
 before God

00:43:35.420 --> 00:43:36.420
 and God were

00:43:36.420 --> 00:43:36.719
 to say,

00:43:36.860 --> 00:43:37.259
 why should I

00:43:37.259 --> 00:43:37.759
 let you into

00:43:37.759 --> 00:43:38.000
 heaven?

00:43:38.119 --> 00:43:38.380
 How would

00:43:38.380 --> 00:43:38.940
 you respond?

00:43:38.940 --> 00:43:39.019
 God?

00:43:40.460 --> 00:43:40.900
 Now,

00:43:41.099 --> 00:43:41.980
 that's probably

00:43:41.980 --> 00:43:42.579
 not the most

00:43:42.579 --> 00:43:43.119
 helpful question

00:43:43.119 --> 00:43:44.000
 to ask an

00:43:44.000 --> 00:43:44.340
 atheist,

00:43:44.920 --> 00:43:46.240
 right?

00:43:46.280 --> 00:43:46.539
 Because they

00:43:46.539 --> 00:43:46.720
 would say,

00:43:46.780 --> 00:43:46.820
 well,

00:43:46.820 --> 00:43:47.179
 I don't believe

00:43:47.179 --> 00:43:47.380
 in God

00:43:47.380 --> 00:43:47.800
 at all.

00:43:49.200 --> 00:43:49.940
 But if someone

00:43:49.940 --> 00:43:50.480
 comes from a

00:43:50.480 --> 00:43:51.179
 nominally Christian

00:43:51.179 --> 00:43:51.519
 background,

00:43:51.519 --> 00:43:52.300
 that's actually a

00:43:52.300 --> 00:43:52.800
 really helpful

00:43:52.800 --> 00:43:53.740
 question to ask

00:43:53.740 --> 00:43:54.800
 because it's

00:43:54.800 --> 00:43:55.380
 really asking,

00:43:55.599 --> 00:43:56.039
 what are you

00:43:56.039 --> 00:43:56.760
 depending on

00:43:56.760 --> 00:43:57.119
 for your

00:43:57.119 --> 00:43:57.579
 salvation

00:43:57.579 --> 00:43:59.820
 and for being

00:43:59.820 --> 00:44:00.200
 right with

00:44:00.200 --> 00:44:00.500
 God?

00:44:00.500 --> 00:44:04.420
 those are

00:44:04.420 --> 00:44:04.699
 just some

00:44:04.699 --> 00:44:05.079
 examples.

00:44:05.300 --> 00:44:05.780
 But think

00:44:05.780 --> 00:44:06.019
 of your

00:44:06.019 --> 00:44:06.340
 own,

00:44:07.539 --> 00:44:07.780
 right?

00:44:07.840 --> 00:44:08.480
 What questions

00:44:08.480 --> 00:44:09.460
 can you ask

00:44:09.460 --> 00:44:10.820
 people that

00:44:10.820 --> 00:44:12.679
 will offer

00:44:12.679 --> 00:44:13.320
 an opportunity

00:44:13.320 --> 00:44:13.719
 for the

00:44:13.719 --> 00:44:14.340
 conversation to

00:44:14.340 --> 00:44:14.780
 go deeper?

00:44:16.519 --> 00:44:16.940
 But you know,

00:44:16.980 --> 00:44:17.519
 the only way

00:44:17.519 --> 00:44:18.099
 that our talk

00:44:18.099 --> 00:44:18.539
 will really

00:44:18.539 --> 00:44:19.760
 be both

00:44:19.760 --> 00:44:20.920
 gracious and

00:44:20.920 --> 00:44:21.559
 seasoned with

00:44:21.559 --> 00:44:23.679
 salt is if

00:44:23.679 --> 00:44:24.920
 we are resting

00:44:24.920 --> 00:44:25.420
 in the grace

00:44:25.420 --> 00:44:26.119
 of Jesus and

00:44:26.119 --> 00:44:26.500
 if we are

00:44:26.500 --> 00:44:27.679
 savoring Him.

00:44:28.300 --> 00:44:28.800
 If we've

00:44:28.800 --> 00:44:29.400
 tasted and

00:44:29.400 --> 00:44:30.000
 seen that He's

00:44:30.000 --> 00:44:30.719
 good and we

00:44:30.719 --> 00:44:31.679
 want more of

00:44:31.679 --> 00:44:32.079
 Him because

00:44:32.079 --> 00:44:32.440
 you know what?

00:44:32.480 --> 00:44:33.179
 You can't give

00:44:33.179 --> 00:44:33.699
 what you don't

00:44:33.699 --> 00:44:34.119
 have.

00:44:35.320 --> 00:44:35.659
 And so if

00:44:35.659 --> 00:44:36.019
 you're a

00:44:36.019 --> 00:44:36.340
 miserable

00:44:36.340 --> 00:44:36.840
 Christian,

00:44:37.320 --> 00:44:39.599
 you're not

00:44:39.599 --> 00:44:40.360
 going to be

00:44:40.360 --> 00:44:40.900
 able to share

00:44:40.900 --> 00:44:41.579
 it very well.

00:44:42.780 --> 00:44:43.380
 If you're

00:44:43.380 --> 00:44:44.159
 angry at God,

00:44:44.239 --> 00:44:44.679
 you need to

00:44:44.679 --> 00:44:45.320
 deal with being

00:44:45.320 --> 00:44:45.780
 angry and

00:44:45.780 --> 00:44:46.119
 bitter with

00:44:46.119 --> 00:44:47.340
 God before

00:44:47.340 --> 00:44:47.840
 you try to

00:44:47.840 --> 00:44:48.780
 go share the

00:44:48.780 --> 00:44:49.219
 gospel with

00:44:49.219 --> 00:44:49.820
 somebody else.

00:44:50.139 --> 00:44:51.619
 Although God

00:44:51.619 --> 00:44:53.260
 can sometimes

00:44:53.260 --> 00:44:53.920
 draw a

00:44:53.920 --> 00:44:54.400
 straight line

00:44:54.400 --> 00:44:54.619
 with a

00:44:54.619 --> 00:44:55.159
 crooked stick,

00:44:55.500 --> 00:44:56.280
 as they say.

00:44:56.280 --> 00:45:00.780
 But if

00:45:00.780 --> 00:45:02.580
 you're not

00:45:02.580 --> 00:45:03.920
 desiring more

00:45:03.920 --> 00:45:04.400
 of Jesus,

00:45:04.920 --> 00:45:05.680
 start there.

00:45:06.840 --> 00:45:07.360
 Because someone

00:45:07.360 --> 00:45:08.140
 who's hungry for

00:45:08.140 --> 00:45:08.680
 more of Jesus

00:45:08.680 --> 00:45:09.280
 and who's

00:45:09.280 --> 00:45:10.500
 finding satisfaction

00:45:10.500 --> 00:45:11.040
 in Jesus,

00:45:11.980 --> 00:45:12.980
 it'll overflow

00:45:12.980 --> 00:45:13.560
 naturally.

00:45:15.000 --> 00:45:15.860
 You might not

00:45:15.860 --> 00:45:16.500
 even need this

00:45:16.500 --> 00:45:16.980
 passage.

00:45:18.019 --> 00:45:18.740
 It'll just

00:45:18.740 --> 00:45:19.680
 start coming

00:45:19.680 --> 00:45:20.140
 out of you.

00:45:20.139 --> 00:45:22.440
 You might

00:45:22.440 --> 00:45:23.099
 sometimes need

00:45:23.099 --> 00:45:23.480
 some wisdom

00:45:23.480 --> 00:45:24.079
 and discernment,

00:45:24.159 --> 00:45:25.000
 but that's

00:45:25.000 --> 00:45:26.699
 another sermon

00:45:26.699 --> 00:45:27.079
 for another

00:45:27.079 --> 00:45:27.339
 day.

00:45:28.319 --> 00:45:28.739
 Finally,

00:45:28.920 --> 00:45:29.579
 verse 6 ends

00:45:29.579 --> 00:45:29.940
 with this,

00:45:29.960 --> 00:45:30.299
 so that you

00:45:30.299 --> 00:45:30.859
 may know how

00:45:30.859 --> 00:45:31.259
 you ought to

00:45:31.259 --> 00:45:31.719
 answer each

00:45:31.719 --> 00:45:32.099
 person.

00:45:33.599 --> 00:45:33.879
 I mean,

00:45:33.920 --> 00:45:34.440
 I think that

00:45:34.440 --> 00:45:34.799
 this verse

00:45:34.799 --> 00:45:35.519
 almost gives a

00:45:35.519 --> 00:45:35.920
 picture of

00:45:35.920 --> 00:45:36.839
 sort of a

00:45:36.839 --> 00:45:37.579
 relationship or

00:45:37.579 --> 00:45:38.079
 a conversation

00:45:38.079 --> 00:45:39.400
 that progresses,

00:45:39.659 --> 00:45:39.940
 right?

00:45:40.739 --> 00:45:41.420
 Someone sees

00:45:41.420 --> 00:45:42.599
 your walk,

00:45:42.859 --> 00:45:43.359
 you're growing

00:45:43.359 --> 00:45:43.859
 in wisdom,

00:45:44.179 --> 00:45:44.699
 your speech

00:45:44.699 --> 00:45:45.239
 is gracious,

00:45:45.619 --> 00:45:46.460
 you're building

00:45:46.460 --> 00:45:47.079
 a relationship,

00:45:47.339 --> 00:45:47.779
 your speech

00:45:47.779 --> 00:45:48.199
 is seasoned

00:45:48.199 --> 00:45:48.659
 with salt,

00:45:48.739 --> 00:45:49.059
 you ask

00:45:49.059 --> 00:45:49.440
 provocative

00:45:49.440 --> 00:45:50.000
 questions,

00:45:50.139 --> 00:45:50.679
 and then

00:45:50.679 --> 00:45:52.279
 eventually

00:45:52.279 --> 00:45:53.359
 someone asks

00:45:53.359 --> 00:45:54.119
 you a question

00:45:54.119 --> 00:45:54.599
 or they say,

00:45:54.659 --> 00:45:54.799
 you know,

00:45:54.859 --> 00:45:55.279
 I want to

00:45:55.279 --> 00:45:55.819
 know more

00:45:55.819 --> 00:45:56.759
 or,

00:45:57.460 --> 00:45:58.319
 sure,

00:45:58.400 --> 00:45:58.679
 I'll come

00:45:58.679 --> 00:45:58.900
 with you

00:45:58.900 --> 00:45:59.359
 to church.

00:46:00.299 --> 00:46:01.139
 I sort of

00:46:01.139 --> 00:46:01.779
 want to see

00:46:01.779 --> 00:46:02.759
 what it's

00:46:02.759 --> 00:46:03.239
 all about.

00:46:05.639 --> 00:46:06.159
 And then

00:46:06.159 --> 00:46:06.400
 you'll have

00:46:06.400 --> 00:46:06.819
 an opportunity

00:46:06.819 --> 00:46:07.480
 to answer.

00:46:09.259 --> 00:46:10.059
 And as 1 Peter

00:46:10.059 --> 00:46:10.960
 3, 15 says,

00:46:11.000 --> 00:46:11.319
 you'll have an

00:46:11.319 --> 00:46:11.799
 opportunity to

00:46:11.799 --> 00:46:12.440
 give a reason

00:46:12.440 --> 00:46:13.199
 for the hope

00:46:13.199 --> 00:46:13.699
 that we have

00:46:13.699 --> 00:46:14.239
 in Christ

00:46:14.239 --> 00:46:14.920
 and to do

00:46:14.920 --> 00:46:15.259
 this with

00:46:15.259 --> 00:46:15.679
 gentleness

00:46:15.679 --> 00:46:16.839
 and respect.

00:46:17.579 --> 00:46:18.079
 You see,

00:46:18.199 --> 00:46:19.179
 in verses 5 and 6,

00:46:19.219 --> 00:46:19.920
 we see a picture

00:46:19.920 --> 00:46:20.760
 of how the gospel

00:46:20.760 --> 00:46:21.220
 of Jesus

00:46:21.220 --> 00:46:22.220
 goes forth,

00:46:22.720 --> 00:46:23.920
 not only by

00:46:23.920 --> 00:46:24.539
 preachers,

00:46:25.240 --> 00:46:26.119
 not only by

00:46:26.119 --> 00:46:27.000
 missionaries,

00:46:27.440 --> 00:46:28.180
 not only by

00:46:28.180 --> 00:46:29.880
 famous Christians

00:46:29.880 --> 00:46:30.720
 like Paul,

00:46:31.860 --> 00:46:32.559
 but they're

00:46:32.559 --> 00:46:33.500
 ordinary people

00:46:33.500 --> 00:46:36.659
 in one-to-one

00:46:36.659 --> 00:46:37.420
 conversations,

00:46:37.860 --> 00:46:38.000
 in,

00:46:40.059 --> 00:46:40.740
 through ordinary

00:46:40.740 --> 00:46:41.420
 Christian believers

00:46:41.420 --> 00:46:42.360
 who walk in wisdom

00:46:42.360 --> 00:46:43.159
 and whose talk

00:46:43.159 --> 00:46:43.980
 is gracious

00:46:43.980 --> 00:46:45.039
 and salty.

00:46:45.039 --> 00:46:46.679
 so brothers

00:46:46.679 --> 00:46:47.179
 and sisters,

00:46:47.940 --> 00:46:48.300
 pray,

00:46:48.779 --> 00:46:49.179
 walk,

00:46:49.579 --> 00:46:49.960
 talk,

00:46:49.960 --> 00:46:51.739
 because the church

00:46:51.739 --> 00:46:52.259
 is a church

00:46:52.259 --> 00:46:52.940
 only when it

00:46:52.940 --> 00:46:53.900
 exists for

00:46:53.900 --> 00:46:54.279
 others.

00:46:54.679 --> 00:46:55.320
 Let's pray.

00:46:58.219 --> 00:46:58.960
 Lord, we pray

00:46:58.960 --> 00:46:59.300
 that you would

00:46:59.300 --> 00:46:59.980
 help us to be

00:46:59.980 --> 00:47:00.980
 people of prayer,

00:47:02.019 --> 00:47:03.179
 people who pray

00:47:03.179 --> 00:47:04.259
 with steadfastness

00:47:04.259 --> 00:47:05.179
 and watchfulness

00:47:05.179 --> 00:47:06.239
 and thankfulness.

00:47:07.239 --> 00:47:08.079
 We pray for

00:47:08.079 --> 00:47:08.599
 open doors

00:47:08.599 --> 00:47:09.340
 for the gospel

00:47:09.340 --> 00:47:09.440
 people,

00:47:10.440 --> 00:47:13.579
 in other parts

00:47:13.579 --> 00:47:14.079
 of the world,

00:47:14.180 --> 00:47:15.460
 especially where

00:47:15.460 --> 00:47:15.740
 there are

00:47:15.740 --> 00:47:16.180
 hindrances.

00:47:16.179 --> 00:47:16.339
 churches,

00:47:17.339 --> 00:47:19.619
 but we pray

00:47:19.619 --> 00:47:20.159
 also that your

00:47:20.159 --> 00:47:20.679
 word would go

00:47:20.679 --> 00:47:21.199
 forth through

00:47:21.199 --> 00:47:21.659
 us.

00:47:23.619 --> 00:47:24.359
 Lord, we pray

00:47:24.359 --> 00:47:24.960
 that each of us

00:47:24.960 --> 00:47:25.619
 would be growing

00:47:25.619 --> 00:47:27.199
 in our walk

00:47:27.199 --> 00:47:28.899
 and in wisdom

00:47:28.899 --> 00:47:32.119
 as we meditate

00:47:32.119 --> 00:47:32.779
 on your word

00:47:32.779 --> 00:47:33.259
 and pray

00:47:33.259 --> 00:47:34.440
 and seek out

00:47:34.440 --> 00:47:35.219
 wise counsel

00:47:35.219 --> 00:47:36.460
 and seek to

00:47:36.460 --> 00:47:37.879
 constantly practice.

00:47:39.919 --> 00:47:40.699
 Lord, we pray

00:47:40.699 --> 00:47:42.299
 that our speech,

00:47:42.799 --> 00:47:43.399
 our talk,

00:47:43.460 --> 00:47:44.139
 would be gracious

00:47:44.139 --> 00:47:46.239
 and it would be

00:47:46.239 --> 00:47:46.659
 salty,

00:47:47.019 --> 00:47:48.500
 that our speech

00:47:48.500 --> 00:47:49.179
 would be truthful

00:47:49.179 --> 00:47:49.980
 and sincere.

00:47:52.299 --> 00:47:53.059
 And we pray

00:47:53.059 --> 00:47:53.659
 that many would

00:47:53.659 --> 00:47:54.879
 come to saving

00:47:54.879 --> 00:47:55.719
 faith in Jesus

00:47:55.719 --> 00:47:56.239
 Christ.

00:47:57.539 --> 00:47:58.420
 In his name we

00:47:58.420 --> 00:47:58.679
 pray.

00:47:59.440 --> 00:47:59.719
 Amen.