WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.400 And so I want to speak tonight from really the last part of the whole armour of God. 00:00:08.679 --> 00:00:14.419 And I'm not convinced it is really the armour of God, although I'm not treated that way. 00:00:14.580 --> 00:00:21.699 ! So verse 18, praying at all times in the Spirit with all prayer and supplication. 00:00:22.620 --> 00:00:26.679 To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. 00:00:26.679 --> 00:00:33.359 And also for me the words may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the Gospel. 00:00:34.539 --> 00:00:40.019 For which I'm an ambassador in chains that I may declare it boldly as I ought to speak. 00:00:41.439 --> 00:00:45.700 Praying at all times in the Spirit. 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:48.079 So is it armour or not? 00:00:50.079 --> 00:00:54.579 Well, I think what I want to say is that as you think of this Christian warfare, 00:00:54.579 --> 00:00:58.579 that in many ways this is the most important weapon of all. 00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:02.420 If it's not a weapon, it's certainly the foundation of all the others. 00:01:03.700 --> 00:01:07.340 And so each piece you put on with prayer. 00:01:08.560 --> 00:01:13.180 So if you look at verse 14, you pray as you put on the belt of truth. 00:01:14.319 --> 00:01:17.180 And you pray as you put on the breastplate of righteousness. 00:01:17.180 --> 00:01:24.680 And you pray as you put those shoes on your feet that are given readiness by the Gospel of Peace. 00:01:25.920 --> 00:01:29.040 And you pray as you grab hold of the shoes of faith. 00:01:30.300 --> 00:01:33.420 You pray as you put on the helmet of salvation. 00:01:33.420 --> 00:01:37.599 And you pray as you hold the sword of the Spirit. 00:01:39.540 --> 00:01:41.859 Because if you don't, none of them will work. 00:01:43.120 --> 00:01:43.760 None of them will work. 00:01:43.840 --> 00:01:47.960 If the Christian life is a battle, which I want to maintain that it is, and I hope you do as well. 00:01:49.019 --> 00:01:51.599 If the Christian life is a battle, 00:01:51.599 --> 00:01:54.359 if we are soldiers, 00:01:55.579 --> 00:01:59.019 it is of the utmost importance that the lines of communication 00:01:59.019 --> 00:02:02.819 with our Captain, the Lord Jesus, who is the Captain of our salvation, 00:02:03.419 --> 00:02:04.039 are upheld. 00:02:05.079 --> 00:02:07.079 If communication breaks down in a war, 00:02:07.199 --> 00:02:09.340 it ends in disorder and disaster. 00:02:09.560 --> 00:02:12.379 And our communication line is prayer. 00:02:13.719 --> 00:02:15.439 And again, we've seen, and we acted quite healthily, 00:02:15.519 --> 00:02:18.060 that the Lord Jesus is the great example in all of these things. 00:02:18.060 --> 00:02:23.400 And so we see the Lord Jesus, don't we, often in prayer. 00:02:25.199 --> 00:02:29.180 Matthew's Gospel presents the Lord Jesus as a king who goes forth into battle. 00:02:29.819 --> 00:02:32.580 And at every point, and particularly at the crisis points, 00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:33.900 we see the king at prayer. 00:02:35.180 --> 00:02:37.259 And so when the Lord Jesus is baptised, 00:02:37.259 --> 00:02:39.020 he is praying. 00:02:40.280 --> 00:02:42.980 He prays after works of healing. 00:02:43.199 --> 00:02:46.180 He prays before choosing the twelve, 00:02:46.180 --> 00:02:48.900 after the great achievement of feeding the five thousands. 00:02:50.060 --> 00:02:52.980 We see him at prayer when he was very busy indeed, 00:02:53.280 --> 00:02:55.540 at the very time when we usually need prayer out. 00:02:56.020 --> 00:02:57.939 We see him pray in the transfiguration. 00:02:58.159 --> 00:03:01.300 We see him in prayer in the upper room of his disciples. 00:03:01.580 --> 00:03:04.040 We see him praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. 00:03:04.879 --> 00:03:06.600 We see him praying at the cross. 00:03:06.740 --> 00:03:10.200 And the Lord Jesus left us an example to follow in his steps. 00:03:10.199 --> 00:03:15.799 This prayer is both defensive and attacking, isn't it? 00:03:15.859 --> 00:03:18.799 And so when we pray defensively, 00:03:18.799 --> 00:03:21.879 when we are asking the Lord to protect us, 00:03:22.319 --> 00:03:24.179 or to protect our loved ones, 00:03:25.119 --> 00:03:28.120 even that is an attack on Satan. 00:03:29.579 --> 00:03:31.859 Even a defensive prayer is attacking. 00:03:32.419 --> 00:03:35.500 It foils Satan's designs upon God's people. 00:03:35.679 --> 00:03:38.199 Every defence is an attack. 00:03:38.199 --> 00:03:41.419 Remember the Lord Jesus with Simon Peter. 00:03:42.119 --> 00:03:42.859 Jesus said to him, 00:03:42.919 --> 00:03:47.259 Simon, Simon, Satan has desired to have you, 00:03:47.359 --> 00:03:49.639 that he may sift you as wheat, 00:03:49.759 --> 00:03:51.579 but I have prayed for you, 00:03:52.459 --> 00:03:53.799 that your faith may not fire. 00:03:55.120 --> 00:03:56.239 And that is Christ, isn't it? 00:03:56.299 --> 00:03:59.639 Making use of this weapon of all prayer. 00:03:59.799 --> 00:04:00.159 I can see. 00:04:00.979 --> 00:04:02.299 To protect Peter. 00:04:02.979 --> 00:04:03.539 I can see. 00:04:03.539 --> 00:04:06.560 I think what Paul has in mind 00:04:06.560 --> 00:04:08.699 is a kind of attacking nature of prayer. 00:04:09.979 --> 00:04:10.840 It's a positive thing. 00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:12.459 I say that because of verse 19. 00:04:12.739 --> 00:04:13.459 Because then he says, 00:04:13.560 --> 00:04:14.299 pray for me. 00:04:15.239 --> 00:04:17.120 Pray for me that words may be given to me 00:04:17.120 --> 00:04:18.639 in opening my mouth boldly 00:04:18.639 --> 00:04:20.959 to proclaim the mystery of the gospel 00:04:20.959 --> 00:04:22.740 as I wield the sword of the spirit. 00:04:24.740 --> 00:04:25.420 In other words, 00:04:25.480 --> 00:04:26.300 he gives in verse 19 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:27.600 an instance of what it means 00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:30.420 to pray as an integral part 00:04:30.420 --> 00:04:31.519 of proclamation of the gospel. 00:04:31.519 --> 00:04:33.599 Three points. 00:04:34.479 --> 00:04:35.060 First of all, 00:04:35.159 --> 00:04:36.379 the word always. 00:04:36.719 --> 00:04:37.180 Can you see that? 00:04:38.719 --> 00:04:40.779 Praying at all times. 00:04:40.939 --> 00:04:42.019 Pray always. 00:04:44.339 --> 00:04:46.979 That's something that Paul says again, 00:04:47.060 --> 00:04:48.259 listening in 1 Thessalonians 5, 00:04:48.500 --> 00:04:50.000 it's an echo of that passage, 00:04:50.139 --> 00:04:50.959 pray without ceasing. 00:04:52.379 --> 00:04:53.579 There's an echo again 00:04:53.579 --> 00:04:55.379 of our Lord's words in New Chapter 80 00:04:55.379 --> 00:04:57.399 that men ought always to pray 00:04:57.399 --> 00:04:58.620 and not to give up. 00:04:58.620 --> 00:05:01.740 You have a parable in view 00:05:01.740 --> 00:05:03.560 of the unjust judge 00:05:03.560 --> 00:05:05.780 in Luke 18. 00:05:05.899 --> 00:05:07.079 And the widow goes to him 00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:08.259 and goes to him again. 00:05:08.360 --> 00:05:09.379 At the start of Luke 18, 00:05:09.500 --> 00:05:10.000 Jesus says, 00:05:10.060 --> 00:05:11.120 he tells that parable 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:13.800 so that you ought always to pray 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:14.740 and not to give up. 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:16.740 But it's interesting, 00:05:16.840 --> 00:05:17.540 in Luke 17, 00:05:17.800 --> 00:05:18.480 before that, 00:05:18.759 --> 00:05:21.120 you have this pattern 00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:22.600 of tribulation 00:05:22.600 --> 00:05:23.720 and trouble 00:05:23.720 --> 00:05:24.960 and distress 00:05:24.960 --> 00:05:26.100 and difficult times. 00:05:26.200 --> 00:05:27.420 That's the end of Luke 17. 00:05:29.100 --> 00:05:29.980 And then straight away 00:05:29.980 --> 00:05:30.760 in Chapter 18, 00:05:30.860 --> 00:05:31.540 Jesus says, 00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:32.520 I tell you this parable 00:05:32.520 --> 00:05:33.840 that you ought always to pray 00:05:33.840 --> 00:05:34.800 and not to give up. 00:05:35.160 --> 00:05:35.860 But Paul is saying 00:05:35.860 --> 00:05:37.020 exactly the same thing 00:05:37.020 --> 00:05:38.460 in Ephesians 6. 00:05:39.740 --> 00:05:40.260 He's saying, 00:05:40.379 --> 00:05:41.400 in the midst of this battle, 00:05:41.540 --> 00:05:42.220 can you see it? 00:05:43.420 --> 00:05:44.780 The end of verse 13, 00:05:44.980 --> 00:05:45.860 stand firm. 00:05:46.220 --> 00:05:47.600 Start of verse 14, 00:05:47.600 --> 00:05:49.100 stand therefore. 00:05:50.600 --> 00:05:51.500 Keep standing. 00:05:53.980 --> 00:05:55.520 In the midst of this battle, 00:05:56.180 --> 00:05:58.500 stand, 00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:00.100 and you are to pray 00:06:00.100 --> 00:06:01.340 at all times. 00:06:04.060 --> 00:06:05.260 Now, this can't mean, 00:06:05.360 --> 00:06:05.560 can it, 00:06:05.620 --> 00:06:06.780 that you and I tonight 00:06:06.780 --> 00:06:07.140 think, right, 00:06:07.180 --> 00:06:07.640 we've got to pray 00:06:07.640 --> 00:06:08.420 a little bit more tomorrow. 00:06:08.920 --> 00:06:10.120 It can't mean that. 00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:12.540 That's a good thing to do, 00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:13.340 if you want to do that. 00:06:13.800 --> 00:06:14.260 But I don't think 00:06:14.260 --> 00:06:14.960 it means that. 00:06:16.640 --> 00:06:17.260 And I don't think 00:06:17.259 --> 00:06:18.000 it means about us 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:19.219 going into our closet, 00:06:19.420 --> 00:06:20.279 as Jesus would say, 00:06:20.459 --> 00:06:21.000 and praying. 00:06:21.180 --> 00:06:22.019 Jesus teaches us, 00:06:22.180 --> 00:06:23.139 that all of us 00:06:23.139 --> 00:06:24.480 should have a time 00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:25.159 and a place 00:06:25.159 --> 00:06:26.000 where we get along 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:26.699 with God. 00:06:27.920 --> 00:06:28.659 Each of us 00:06:28.659 --> 00:06:29.539 should have a time 00:06:29.539 --> 00:06:30.060 of prayer 00:06:30.060 --> 00:06:31.560 and a place of prayer. 00:06:32.899 --> 00:06:33.759 But there is also 00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:34.259 such a thing 00:06:34.259 --> 00:06:35.620 as a spirit of prayer. 00:06:36.459 --> 00:06:37.159 There's an attitude 00:06:37.159 --> 00:06:37.740 of prayer. 00:06:39.099 --> 00:06:39.360 And so, 00:06:39.779 --> 00:06:40.279 some of you 00:06:40.279 --> 00:06:41.360 have work tomorrow. 00:06:42.860 --> 00:06:43.639 And some of you 00:06:43.639 --> 00:06:45.079 have school tomorrow. 00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:47.180 And some of you 00:06:47.180 --> 00:06:48.000 have duties tomorrow 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:49.519 that you are unavoidable. 00:06:49.620 --> 00:06:49.899 Some of you 00:06:49.899 --> 00:06:50.759 have appointments tomorrow 00:06:50.759 --> 00:06:51.839 that you can't get out on. 00:06:52.019 --> 00:06:53.219 You cannot always 00:06:53.219 --> 00:06:54.399 be in the secret place. 00:06:55.859 --> 00:06:57.060 You can't neglect 00:06:57.060 --> 00:06:58.079 the duties that God 00:06:58.079 --> 00:06:58.620 has given you, 00:06:58.699 --> 00:06:59.579 whether they be at home 00:06:59.579 --> 00:07:01.199 or whether they be at work. 00:07:02.919 --> 00:07:04.079 There is a spirit of prayer 00:07:04.079 --> 00:07:05.279 and an attitude of prayer. 00:07:06.339 --> 00:07:07.039 And this verse 00:07:07.039 --> 00:07:07.620 is telling us 00:07:07.620 --> 00:07:09.039 that we can be praying 00:07:09.039 --> 00:07:09.079 always. 00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:11.199 So if that is so, 00:07:11.199 --> 00:07:12.259 what does it apply to 00:07:12.259 --> 00:07:13.939 and what does it imply? 00:07:15.360 --> 00:07:16.839 And it implies this, 00:07:16.920 --> 00:07:17.899 it is the quality 00:07:17.899 --> 00:07:19.139 of our lives. 00:07:21.000 --> 00:07:22.279 What we are 00:07:22.279 --> 00:07:23.279 that will determine 00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:24.379 our prayer 00:07:24.379 --> 00:07:25.219 and our contact 00:07:25.219 --> 00:07:26.099 with God. 00:07:27.959 --> 00:07:29.319 And our ability 00:07:29.319 --> 00:07:30.480 to draw 00:07:30.480 --> 00:07:32.579 on the divine resources. 00:07:32.779 --> 00:07:34.360 It is a moral reference. 00:07:36.180 --> 00:07:36.680 So what I'm trying 00:07:36.680 --> 00:07:37.159 to say is this, 00:07:37.240 --> 00:07:38.659 if we are right people, 00:07:38.659 --> 00:07:40.659 we will pray always. 00:07:40.660 --> 00:07:42.800 And if we're not 00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:43.600 right people 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:44.860 and the right with God, 00:07:45.500 --> 00:07:46.480 we will not 00:07:46.480 --> 00:07:47.660 and we cannot pray. 00:07:49.420 --> 00:07:50.160 And so this isn't 00:07:50.160 --> 00:07:50.980 giving you techniques 00:07:50.980 --> 00:07:52.020 on how to pray 00:07:52.020 --> 00:07:54.060 or what to pray for. 00:07:55.520 --> 00:07:57.200 But what we are 00:07:57.200 --> 00:07:58.240 when we pray 00:07:58.240 --> 00:07:59.200 is decisive. 00:08:01.620 --> 00:08:02.140 It's saying to you 00:08:02.140 --> 00:08:02.360 and I, 00:08:02.420 --> 00:08:03.200 very challengingly, 00:08:03.280 --> 00:08:05.420 our life is our prayer. 00:08:06.780 --> 00:08:07.920 And if our life 00:08:07.920 --> 00:08:09.400 is not right, 00:08:09.399 --> 00:08:10.699 neither will our prayer 00:08:10.699 --> 00:08:11.359 be right. 00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:14.039 And that's 00:08:14.039 --> 00:08:14.560 the importance 00:08:14.560 --> 00:08:15.639 of the first part 00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:16.399 of Ephesians. 00:08:18.459 --> 00:08:19.439 That Paul is so 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:20.259 concerned with me 00:08:20.259 --> 00:08:21.219 that we should 00:08:21.219 --> 00:08:22.139 enter into 00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:23.839 all our wealth 00:08:23.839 --> 00:08:25.239 in Christ 00:08:25.239 --> 00:08:26.399 and make it our own. 00:08:26.579 --> 00:08:27.179 So look at 00:08:27.179 --> 00:08:28.039 chapter 1 00:08:28.039 --> 00:08:28.659 and verse 3. 00:08:28.779 --> 00:08:29.839 Blessed be the God 00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:30.219 and Father 00:08:30.219 --> 00:08:31.259 of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:08:31.259 --> 00:08:32.639 who has blessed us 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:33.419 in Christ 00:08:33.419 --> 00:08:34.460 with every 00:08:34.460 --> 00:08:35.399 spiritual blessing 00:08:35.399 --> 00:08:37.059 in the heavenly realms. 00:08:37.059 --> 00:08:40.819 and we are 00:08:40.819 --> 00:08:41.539 to make 00:08:41.539 --> 00:08:42.359 those blessings 00:08:42.359 --> 00:08:42.979 of Christ 00:08:42.979 --> 00:08:43.719 our own. 00:08:45.199 --> 00:08:46.179 Because then 00:08:46.179 --> 00:08:47.159 we will be right. 00:08:47.500 --> 00:08:48.159 And so here is 00:08:48.159 --> 00:08:48.559 a believer 00:08:48.559 --> 00:08:49.139 who is living 00:08:49.139 --> 00:08:50.959 close to God. 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:53.279 Here is a believer 00:08:53.279 --> 00:08:54.139 who has exposed 00:08:54.139 --> 00:08:54.839 her life 00:08:54.839 --> 00:08:55.779 to the discipline 00:08:55.779 --> 00:08:57.039 of the word of God 00:08:57.039 --> 00:08:57.879 to the sword 00:08:57.879 --> 00:08:58.479 of the spirit. 00:09:00.119 --> 00:09:00.819 Here is a Christian 00:09:00.819 --> 00:09:02.079 and she has let 00:09:02.079 --> 00:09:03.039 God's word 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:04.219 do its work 00:09:04.219 --> 00:09:04.699 and actually 00:09:04.699 --> 00:09:05.919 it's been quite costly. 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:09.199 but she has responded 00:09:09.199 --> 00:09:10.500 and been renewed 00:09:10.500 --> 00:09:11.839 and been transformed 00:09:11.839 --> 00:09:12.360 within 00:09:12.360 --> 00:09:13.479 and God's word 00:09:13.479 --> 00:09:14.299 continues 00:09:14.299 --> 00:09:15.500 to shape 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:16.799 and to challenge her. 00:09:17.819 --> 00:09:18.620 And she is 00:09:18.620 --> 00:09:20.179 a crucified woman 00:09:20.179 --> 00:09:21.539 day by day. 00:09:23.099 --> 00:09:23.979 And that life 00:09:23.979 --> 00:09:25.179 in practical terms 00:09:25.179 --> 00:09:26.519 is a living sacrifice 00:09:26.519 --> 00:09:27.179 to God 00:09:27.179 --> 00:09:28.019 that is holy 00:09:28.019 --> 00:09:29.000 and acceptable. 00:09:29.599 --> 00:09:30.839 That life 00:09:30.839 --> 00:09:31.919 that she lives 00:09:31.919 --> 00:09:33.099 is a constant prayer. 00:09:33.100 --> 00:09:36.019 God hears 00:09:36.019 --> 00:09:37.320 that life. 00:09:37.460 --> 00:09:37.879 It's a wonderful 00:09:37.879 --> 00:09:38.600 thought isn't it? 00:09:40.360 --> 00:09:41.320 It speaks 00:09:41.320 --> 00:09:41.940 to God 00:09:41.940 --> 00:09:42.879 that life. 00:09:44.759 --> 00:09:45.540 And it speaks 00:09:45.540 --> 00:09:46.100 with God 00:09:46.100 --> 00:09:46.360 you see 00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:47.240 and that is 00:09:47.240 --> 00:09:47.820 the secret 00:09:47.820 --> 00:09:48.440 to prayer. 00:09:48.580 --> 00:09:48.680 He said 00:09:48.680 --> 00:09:49.980 you would love me 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:50.840 and I would love 00:09:50.840 --> 00:09:51.300 to find 00:09:51.300 --> 00:09:52.860 10 great keys 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:53.720 to making prayer 00:09:53.720 --> 00:09:54.200 easier. 00:09:56.540 --> 00:09:57.420 You would love that 00:09:57.420 --> 00:09:57.940 and I would love it. 00:09:58.080 --> 00:09:58.700 If I could give you 00:09:58.700 --> 00:09:59.879 top 10 tips 00:09:59.879 --> 00:10:00.420 on prayer 00:10:00.420 --> 00:10:01.200 have you heard that? 00:10:01.200 --> 00:10:02.500 those kind of talks. 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:03.720 But actually 00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:04.680 they're not very helpful. 00:10:06.140 --> 00:10:07.080 What is the secret 00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:08.960 of the prayer giants 00:10:08.960 --> 00:10:09.820 in the Bible? 00:10:12.400 --> 00:10:13.620 Men who move 00:10:13.620 --> 00:10:14.420 the world 00:10:14.420 --> 00:10:15.140 from God. 00:10:16.780 --> 00:10:18.440 It's what they were 00:10:18.440 --> 00:10:19.580 that really matters. 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:21.660 So you think 00:10:21.660 --> 00:10:22.080 of Elijah 00:10:22.080 --> 00:10:22.980 on Mount Carmel. 00:10:23.840 --> 00:10:24.520 A simple 00:10:24.520 --> 00:10:26.020 sentence of prayer 00:10:26.020 --> 00:10:27.160 brings the fire 00:10:27.160 --> 00:10:28.100 of God down. 00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:30.379 but it wasn't 00:10:30.379 --> 00:10:31.399 just a simple 00:10:31.399 --> 00:10:32.379 sentence was it? 00:10:33.860 --> 00:10:35.120 It was the prayer 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:36.080 of his life. 00:10:37.940 --> 00:10:38.620 Elijah speaks 00:10:38.620 --> 00:10:39.019 to God 00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:39.440 in that way. 00:10:39.560 --> 00:10:39.899 Moses, 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:40.440 Abraham, 00:10:40.720 --> 00:10:41.259 a life. 00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:43.300 And that is 00:10:43.300 --> 00:10:44.120 what Paul means 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:45.060 by praying 00:10:45.060 --> 00:10:46.000 always. 00:10:47.700 --> 00:10:48.700 That if we are 00:10:48.700 --> 00:10:49.740 living like that 00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:50.480 we will be 00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:51.300 praying always. 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:52.180 Our lives 00:10:52.180 --> 00:10:52.720 will be 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:53.440 sending 00:10:53.440 --> 00:10:54.139 signal 00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:55.700 up to God. 00:10:55.700 --> 00:10:58.180 what is 00:10:58.180 --> 00:10:58.480 prayer? 00:10:58.600 --> 00:10:59.060 Prayer is 00:10:59.060 --> 00:11:00.320 being conformed 00:11:00.320 --> 00:11:01.140 to the mind 00:11:01.140 --> 00:11:01.600 of Christ. 00:11:01.680 --> 00:11:02.140 So Philippians 00:11:02.140 --> 00:11:02.960 to let this 00:11:02.960 --> 00:11:03.900 mind be in you 00:11:03.900 --> 00:11:04.600 which was 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:05.640 in Christ Jesus. 00:11:05.860 --> 00:11:06.820 It is intimacy 00:11:06.820 --> 00:11:08.580 and fellowship 00:11:08.580 --> 00:11:09.660 with God. 00:11:11.940 --> 00:11:12.320 And so 00:11:12.320 --> 00:11:13.080 we'll never 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:13.660 pray 00:11:13.660 --> 00:11:14.420 unless we're 00:11:14.420 --> 00:11:14.800 a certain 00:11:14.800 --> 00:11:15.600 type of person. 00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:21.160 For you to go 00:11:21.160 --> 00:11:21.840 home tonight 00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:22.100 and think 00:11:22.100 --> 00:11:22.440 well I'm just 00:11:22.440 --> 00:11:22.800 going to pray 00:11:22.800 --> 00:11:23.160 a little bit 00:11:23.160 --> 00:11:23.920 more every day 00:11:23.920 --> 00:11:25.120 you've missed 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:25.480 the point. 00:11:26.580 --> 00:11:27.060 Praying more 00:11:27.060 --> 00:11:27.980 has its place. 00:11:29.220 --> 00:11:29.960 But God 00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:30.340 is looking 00:11:30.340 --> 00:11:31.040 on the life. 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:33.000 And it is 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:33.560 a life 00:11:33.560 --> 00:11:34.379 that speaks 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:35.420 and not a 00:11:35.420 --> 00:11:35.720 voice 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:36.080 like a 00:11:36.080 --> 00:11:36.240 little 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:36.600 like that. 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:39.520 What we 00:11:39.520 --> 00:11:39.960 are. 00:11:41.640 --> 00:11:42.460 That prayer 00:11:42.460 --> 00:11:43.340 really is 00:11:43.340 --> 00:11:44.080 the end 00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:44.640 product 00:11:44.640 --> 00:11:46.240 of the 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:46.720 discipline 00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:47.840 of our 00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:48.300 souls 00:11:48.300 --> 00:11:48.740 by the 00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:49.080 word and 00:11:49.080 --> 00:11:49.220 the 00:11:49.220 --> 00:11:49.600 spirit of 00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:49.900 God. 00:11:52.480 --> 00:11:52.780 And so 00:11:52.780 --> 00:11:53.259 if we are 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:53.680 willing to 00:11:53.680 --> 00:11:54.680 open ourselves 00:11:54.679 --> 00:11:56.259 unreservedly 00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:57.179 to the 00:11:57.179 --> 00:11:57.539 soul of 00:11:57.539 --> 00:11:57.859 God's 00:11:57.859 --> 00:11:58.259 spirit 00:11:58.259 --> 00:12:01.819 in our 00:12:01.819 --> 00:12:02.279 hearts 00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:02.739 that will 00:12:02.739 --> 00:12:03.099 make us 00:12:03.099 --> 00:12:03.519 into praying 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:03.879 men and 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:04.079 women. 00:12:06.319 --> 00:12:07.139 Paul goes 00:12:07.139 --> 00:12:07.539 on to say 00:12:07.539 --> 00:12:07.779 this and 00:12:07.779 --> 00:12:08.179 secondly 00:12:08.179 --> 00:12:08.939 we pray at 00:12:08.939 --> 00:12:09.599 all times 00:12:09.599 --> 00:12:09.919 in the 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:10.239 spirit 00:12:10.239 --> 00:12:10.879 with all 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:11.479 prayer and 00:12:11.479 --> 00:12:12.099 supplication 00:12:12.099 --> 00:12:13.679 to that end 00:12:13.679 --> 00:12:14.279 keep alert 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:14.739 of all 00:12:14.739 --> 00:12:15.319 perseverance 00:12:15.319 --> 00:12:15.959 making 00:12:15.959 --> 00:12:16.899 supplications 00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:17.500 for all 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:18.120 the saints. 00:12:20.199 --> 00:12:20.740 The end 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:21.019 of that 00:12:21.019 --> 00:12:21.319 verse I 00:12:21.319 --> 00:12:21.620 want you 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:22.139 to see 00:12:22.139 --> 00:12:22.340 that I 00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:22.579 think it's 00:12:22.579 --> 00:12:23.079 very very 00:12:23.079 --> 00:12:23.539 helpful that 00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:23.899 we are to 00:12:23.899 --> 00:12:24.179 pray for 00:12:24.179 --> 00:12:24.919 all the 00:12:24.919 --> 00:12:25.379 saints. 00:12:30.019 --> 00:12:30.480 I do 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:32.759 I despair 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:33.759 of emails 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:34.579 coming in 00:12:34.579 --> 00:12:36.019 for prayer 00:12:36.019 --> 00:12:36.439 letters. 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:38.500 There's a 00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:39.240 great story of 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:39.699 John Chapman 00:12:39.699 --> 00:12:40.199 the Australian 00:12:40.199 --> 00:12:40.919 evangelist who 00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:41.879 went all the 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:42.799 missionary magazines 00:12:42.799 --> 00:12:43.259 were coming 00:12:43.259 --> 00:12:43.779 and once a 00:12:43.779 --> 00:12:44.159 month he'd 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:44.659 pick them all 00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:45.019 up because 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:45.559 he'd sign up 00:12:45.559 --> 00:12:45.979 them all and 00:12:45.979 --> 00:12:46.519 he'd walk to 00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:46.959 the bin and 00:12:46.959 --> 00:12:47.279 he'd say 00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:47.979 Lord bless 00:12:47.979 --> 00:12:48.339 them all. 00:12:49.959 --> 00:12:50.519 And I 00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:54.419 do a great 00:12:54.419 --> 00:12:54.859 work with 00:12:54.859 --> 00:12:55.539 Barber's Fund 00:12:55.539 --> 00:12:56.159 Release 00:12:56.159 --> 00:12:56.719 International 00:12:56.719 --> 00:12:57.079 and Open 00:12:57.079 --> 00:12:57.379 Doors. 00:12:57.519 --> 00:12:58.839 I just 00:12:58.839 --> 00:12:59.599 can't pray 00:12:59.599 --> 00:13:00.479 for all 00:13:00.479 --> 00:13:00.679 of them. 00:13:00.819 --> 00:13:00.919 And so 00:13:00.919 --> 00:13:02.059 you read 00:13:02.059 --> 00:13:02.699 the end of 00:13:02.699 --> 00:13:03.679 verse 18 00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:04.559 all the 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:04.859 saints. 00:13:04.959 --> 00:13:05.219 Well there's 00:13:05.219 --> 00:13:05.759 millions of 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:06.019 Christians. 00:13:06.199 --> 00:13:07.139 How do I 00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:07.639 do that? 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:09.399 I think it's 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:10.219 really striking. 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:14.500 Paul could 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:14.799 have talked 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:15.079 about what 00:13:15.079 --> 00:13:15.359 was going 00:13:15.359 --> 00:13:15.539 on in 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:15.919 Ephesus. 00:13:16.099 --> 00:13:16.299 He could 00:13:16.299 --> 00:13:17.939 have pointed 00:13:17.939 --> 00:13:18.360 them to 00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:19.379 the spiritual 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:19.899 battle that 00:13:19.899 --> 00:13:20.159 they were 00:13:20.159 --> 00:13:20.639 facing. 00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:22.279 He could 00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:22.659 have talked 00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:23.339 about their 00:13:23.339 --> 00:13:24.319 needs but 00:13:24.319 --> 00:13:24.959 he doesn't 00:13:24.959 --> 00:13:26.019 because Paul's 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:26.500 mind is on 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.279 something different. 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:30.419 His mind is 00:13:30.419 --> 00:13:32.139 on outward 00:13:32.139 --> 00:13:33.439 objective 00:13:33.439 --> 00:13:35.000 prayer rather 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:36.059 than inward 00:13:36.059 --> 00:13:36.879 subjective 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:37.439 prayer. 00:13:37.440 --> 00:13:37.540 prayer. 00:13:42.540 --> 00:13:42.760 And what I 00:13:42.760 --> 00:13:43.220 mean by that 00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:44.500 is naturally 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:46.000 our prayers 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:46.660 focus on 00:13:46.660 --> 00:13:47.180 ourselves 00:13:47.180 --> 00:13:47.800 and on 00:13:47.800 --> 00:13:47.980 our 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:48.520 personal 00:13:48.520 --> 00:13:49.240 concerns. 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:51.980 And 00:13:51.980 --> 00:13:53.460 prayer is 00:13:53.460 --> 00:13:54.220 not to be 00:13:54.220 --> 00:13:55.400 used exclusively 00:13:55.400 --> 00:13:56.660 or primarily 00:13:56.660 --> 00:13:57.480 for our 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:57.960 personal 00:13:57.960 --> 00:13:58.340 battle. 00:13:58.560 --> 00:13:58.680 I think 00:13:58.680 --> 00:13:59.040 that's what 00:13:59.040 --> 00:13:59.380 Paul is 00:13:59.380 --> 00:13:59.900 getting at. 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:02.139 I'm not 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:02.459 saying that 00:14:02.459 --> 00:14:02.720 you don't 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:02.959 pray for 00:14:02.959 --> 00:14:03.360 yourself. 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:04.439 I'm not 00:14:04.439 --> 00:14:04.699 saying that 00:14:04.699 --> 00:14:04.899 you don't 00:14:04.899 --> 00:14:05.159 pray for 00:14:05.159 --> 00:14:05.439 your loved 00:14:05.439 --> 00:14:05.659 ones. 00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:05.939 But I 00:14:05.939 --> 00:14:06.379 am saying 00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:07.019 that prayer 00:14:07.019 --> 00:14:07.740 is not 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:08.519 to be used 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.360 exclusively 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:10.279 and primarily 00:14:10.279 --> 00:14:10.679 for our 00:14:10.679 --> 00:14:11.240 personal 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:11.980 battle. 00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:12.579 Now where 00:14:12.579 --> 00:14:12.879 do I get 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:13.199 that from? 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:13.480 I think 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:13.720 you get 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:13.960 that from 00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:14.320 the Lord's 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:14.580 prayer. 00:14:16.860 --> 00:14:17.300 So when 00:14:17.300 --> 00:14:18.000 you pray 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:18.360 the Lord 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:18.759 Jesus says 00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:19.600 say our 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:20.080 Father who 00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:20.680 is in 00:14:20.680 --> 00:14:21.020 heaven 00:14:21.020 --> 00:14:21.620 hallowed 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:22.500 be your 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:22.879 name 00:14:22.879 --> 00:14:23.460 your 00:14:23.460 --> 00:14:23.740 kingdom 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:24.160 come 00:14:24.160 --> 00:14:25.060 your 00:14:25.060 --> 00:14:25.640 will be 00:14:25.640 --> 00:14:25.980 done 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:26.660 on earth 00:14:26.660 --> 00:14:26.920 as it 00:14:26.920 --> 00:14:27.160 is in 00:14:27.160 --> 00:14:27.379 heaven. 00:14:29.320 --> 00:14:29.900 What is 00:14:29.900 --> 00:14:30.320 the first 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:30.600 part of 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:31.000 that prayer 00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:31.240 about? 00:14:31.340 --> 00:14:31.640 The first 00:14:31.640 --> 00:14:31.879 part of 00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:32.220 that prayer 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:32.700 is about 00:14:32.700 --> 00:14:33.180 God 00:14:33.180 --> 00:14:33.620 isn't it? 00:14:34.900 --> 00:14:35.700 And the 00:14:35.700 --> 00:14:36.100 first part 00:14:36.100 --> 00:14:36.259 of the 00:14:36.259 --> 00:14:36.560 Lord's 00:14:36.560 --> 00:14:37.040 prayer 00:14:37.040 --> 00:14:38.180 are taken 00:14:38.180 --> 00:14:38.420 up with 00:14:38.420 --> 00:14:38.840 the things 00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:39.220 of God 00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:39.420 and the 00:14:39.420 --> 00:14:39.780 concerns 00:14:39.780 --> 00:14:40.280 of God 00:14:40.280 --> 00:14:40.940 and their 00:14:40.940 --> 00:14:41.280 concerns 00:14:41.280 --> 00:14:41.600 with the 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:41.900 honour 00:14:41.900 --> 00:14:42.379 and the 00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:42.960 glory of 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:43.280 God's 00:14:43.280 --> 00:14:43.519 great 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:43.780 name 00:14:43.780 --> 00:14:44.160 and the 00:14:44.160 --> 00:14:44.460 coming 00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:45.280 of God's 00:14:45.280 --> 00:14:45.560 kingdom 00:14:45.560 --> 00:14:46.379 and God's 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:46.800 will being 00:14:46.800 --> 00:14:47.139 done. 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:50.280 And it's 00:14:50.280 --> 00:14:50.700 only then 00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:51.340 when that 00:14:51.340 --> 00:14:52.160 divine order 00:14:52.160 --> 00:14:53.019 is established 00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:53.879 that personal 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:54.420 needs come 00:14:54.420 --> 00:14:54.620 in. 00:14:54.900 --> 00:14:55.160 And so 00:14:55.160 --> 00:14:55.560 then he 00:14:55.560 --> 00:14:55.940 says give 00:14:55.940 --> 00:14:56.259 us this 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:56.580 day our 00:14:56.580 --> 00:14:57.100 daily bread. 00:14:59.620 --> 00:15:00.220 Forgive us 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:00.940 our trespasses. 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:02.519 Deliver us 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:02.940 from evil. 00:15:04.280 --> 00:15:04.759 And that 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:05.379 cuts across 00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:05.680 doesn't it 00:15:05.680 --> 00:15:06.320 by natural 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:06.780 heart. 00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:09.280 Because when 00:15:09.280 --> 00:15:09.500 there's a 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:09.820 time of 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:10.379 testing and 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:10.720 a time of 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:11.860 trouble or 00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:12.180 a time of 00:15:12.180 --> 00:15:12.560 pressure, 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:13.019 my 00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:14.839 tendencies, 00:15:15.079 --> 00:15:15.419 I become 00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:16.399 preoccupied 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:16.839 with my 00:15:16.839 --> 00:15:17.359 own battle. 00:15:17.559 --> 00:15:17.979 When I'm 00:15:17.979 --> 00:15:18.679 really struggling 00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:19.419 with temptation, 00:15:20.979 --> 00:15:21.599 I can so 00:15:21.599 --> 00:15:22.159 easily just 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:22.679 concentrate on 00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:23.199 my own 00:15:23.199 --> 00:15:23.799 needs and 00:15:23.799 --> 00:15:24.419 my own 00:15:24.419 --> 00:15:24.859 pressures. 00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:28.459 But don't 00:15:28.459 --> 00:15:29.159 concentrate your 00:15:29.159 --> 00:15:29.619 prayers on 00:15:29.619 --> 00:15:29.939 that. 00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:31.419 Pray not 00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:32.099 just for 00:15:32.099 --> 00:15:32.579 yourself, 00:15:33.119 --> 00:15:33.479 but for 00:15:33.479 --> 00:15:33.739 all the 00:15:33.739 --> 00:15:34.099 saints. 00:15:36.239 --> 00:15:36.479 And the 00:15:36.479 --> 00:15:36.779 more I've 00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:37.039 thought about 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:37.359 this week, 00:15:37.419 --> 00:15:37.759 the more I 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:38.379 can understand 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:38.839 why. 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:40.160 I think 00:15:40.160 --> 00:15:40.480 we can 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:41.200 hear Paul 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:41.899 saying that 00:15:41.899 --> 00:15:43.740 self-preoccupying 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:44.620 prayer leads 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.320 to morbidity. 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.019 Leads to 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:47.519 morbidity. 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:51.540 So let me 00:15:51.540 --> 00:15:52.000 tell you, 00:15:52.060 --> 00:15:52.379 this is the 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:53.040 very worst 00:15:53.040 --> 00:15:53.580 thing that you 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:53.960 can do 00:15:53.960 --> 00:15:54.660 sometimes is 00:15:54.660 --> 00:15:55.000 to pray 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:55.320 about your 00:15:55.320 --> 00:15:55.860 temptations. 00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:58.300 And the 00:15:58.300 --> 00:15:58.899 very worst 00:15:58.899 --> 00:15:59.300 thing that you 00:15:59.300 --> 00:15:59.580 can do 00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:00.040 sometimes is 00:16:00.040 --> 00:16:00.320 to pray 00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:00.680 about your 00:16:00.680 --> 00:16:00.960 sins. 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:01.060 things. 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:04.200 Because when 00:16:04.200 --> 00:16:04.560 you pray 00:16:04.560 --> 00:16:04.820 about them, 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:05.519 you focus 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:06.280 your attention 00:16:06.280 --> 00:16:06.680 on them, 00:16:06.740 --> 00:16:06.940 and you 00:16:06.940 --> 00:16:07.680 get bogged 00:16:07.680 --> 00:16:08.480 down with 00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:08.720 them. 00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:11.420 And Paul's 00:16:11.420 --> 00:16:13.300 advice here 00:16:13.300 --> 00:16:15.259 is really 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:15.600 to say 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:15.780 this, 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:16.960 your personal 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:17.500 battle, 00:16:17.680 --> 00:16:18.340 join your 00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:19.180 personal battle 00:16:19.180 --> 00:16:19.680 to the great 00:16:19.680 --> 00:16:20.019 battle. 00:16:21.800 --> 00:16:22.500 Strike a 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:22.940 blow for 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:23.400 the larger 00:16:23.400 --> 00:16:23.860 cause. 00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:26.120 Look at 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:26.759 the main 00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:27.580 strategy of 00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:28.040 what God 00:16:28.040 --> 00:16:28.500 is doing, 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.019 not the 00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:29.980 tiny little 00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:30.240 bits. 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:30.639 That is 00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:31.580 your problem, 00:16:31.680 --> 00:16:31.980 isn't it? 00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:32.659 So the 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:33.120 struggle in 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:33.600 my Christian 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:33.860 life, 00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:34.200 and in 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:34.440 yours, 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:35.039 is very 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:35.580 real. 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:37.779 I look back 00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:38.480 at this year, 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:39.039 and what 00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:39.700 grand have 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:40.440 I gained? 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:42.159 Millimetres, 00:16:42.220 --> 00:16:42.620 not even 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.200 inch by 00:16:43.200 --> 00:16:43.700 inch. 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:45.759 What 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.299 progress 00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:46.580 have I 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:46.899 made? 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:48.860 But I 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.320 must lift 00:16:49.320 --> 00:16:49.899 my eyes 00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:50.240 to the 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:50.700 kingdom of 00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:51.159 Christ, 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:51.580 and I 00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:51.940 see that 00:16:51.940 --> 00:16:52.899 my struggle 00:16:52.899 --> 00:16:54.299 is just 00:16:54.299 --> 00:16:55.799 one tiny 00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:56.379 little 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.419 cabbage patch 00:16:57.419 --> 00:16:58.680 in the 00:16:58.680 --> 00:16:59.120 field of 00:16:59.120 --> 00:16:59.460 God's 00:16:59.460 --> 00:16:59.680 war. 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:02.039 Paul's 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:02.480 advice is 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.039 to relate 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:03.899 your battle 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:04.460 to the 00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:04.960 battle, 00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:05.920 and strike 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:06.279 a blow 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:06.579 for the 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:06.920 larger 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:07.460 cause. 00:17:08.620 --> 00:17:09.140 Look at 00:17:09.140 --> 00:17:09.460 the main 00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:09.940 strategy, 00:17:10.120 --> 00:17:10.660 Paul says. 00:17:12.620 --> 00:17:13.059 Relate, 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:13.759 says Paul, 00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:14.500 your little 00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:14.859 battle, 00:17:14.980 --> 00:17:15.220 and they 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:15.819 are real, 00:17:15.940 --> 00:17:16.180 I'm not 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:16.640 minimising 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:16.920 that, 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:17.759 your battle 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:18.120 to the 00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:18.319 main 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:18.680 battle. 00:17:20.099 --> 00:17:20.480 And ask 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:20.859 yourself, 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:21.240 why are you 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:21.839 under attack? 00:17:23.120 --> 00:17:23.620 And ask 00:17:23.620 --> 00:17:23.880 yourself, 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:24.180 why are you 00:17:24.180 --> 00:17:24.519 struggling? 00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:26.279 Why are you 00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:26.400 under 00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:26.720 pressure? 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:29.359 What 00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:30.079 relation does 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:30.920 this attack 00:17:30.920 --> 00:17:31.579 upon literally 00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:32.500 you have 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:32.779 with the 00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:33.259 great cosmic 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:33.799 battle in 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:34.059 the heavenly 00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:34.460 places? 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.139 What does 00:17:37.139 --> 00:17:37.700 this have to 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.079 do with the 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:38.799 larger purposes 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.379 of God? 00:17:42.099 --> 00:17:42.519 And it may 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:42.960 be tonight that 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:43.160 you're in 00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:43.660 really deep 00:17:43.660 --> 00:17:44.160 waters, 00:17:45.639 --> 00:17:46.160 we meet 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:46.539 here tonight 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:46.960 in different 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:47.400 states, 00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:50.359 different 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:50.759 tunnels, 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:50.920 tunnels, 00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:52.379 but they 00:17:52.379 --> 00:17:53.000 can all 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:53.279 of them 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:53.859 be related 00:17:53.859 --> 00:17:54.240 to a 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:54.700 larger 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:55.319 work 00:17:55.319 --> 00:17:55.779 on a 00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:56.019 bigger 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:56.539 canvas 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.000 and you're 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:57.480 part in 00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:57.660 it. 00:17:59.160 --> 00:17:59.539 And you 00:17:59.539 --> 00:17:59.920 pray for 00:17:59.920 --> 00:18:00.379 the larger 00:18:00.379 --> 00:18:00.859 work that 00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:01.319 it may go 00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:01.839 forward and 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:02.460 be fulfilled 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:03.160 and when it 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:03.420 does, 00:18:03.619 --> 00:18:03.940 we'll be 00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:04.440 carried along 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:04.759 with it. 00:18:06.619 --> 00:18:07.039 And we 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:07.579 will find 00:18:07.579 --> 00:18:08.379 our little 00:18:08.379 --> 00:18:09.319 problem dealt 00:18:09.319 --> 00:18:09.779 with in the 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:10.480 larger victory. 00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:12.660 Let me try 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:13.200 and illustrate it. 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:14.599 Let's say 00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:15.460 that God 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.660 plans a 00:18:16.660 --> 00:18:18.279 work of 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:18.920 grace in 00:18:18.920 --> 00:18:19.500 a congregation. 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:21.859 He plans 00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:22.240 to do a 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:22.759 work where 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:23.619 he'll bless 00:18:23.619 --> 00:18:24.000 a church 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:24.420 family. 00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:26.420 When God 00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:26.819 begins a 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:26.980 work, 00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:27.500 he's never 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:27.859 in a hurry 00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:28.279 to do that, 00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:28.539 we know 00:18:28.539 --> 00:18:28.700 that, 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:29.039 don't we? 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:29.900 And Satan, 00:18:30.539 --> 00:18:31.200 he sets out 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:32.000 to frustrate it. 00:18:34.680 --> 00:18:35.240 Behind the 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:35.440 scenes, 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.160 that's what's 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:36.519 going on. 00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:36.920 We don't 00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:37.359 see that, 00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:37.799 but that's 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.259 behind the 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:38.579 scenes what 00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:38.839 is going 00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:39.119 on. 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:41.519 And so 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:42.059 in the 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:42.400 concrete 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:42.940 situation, 00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:43.539 what we 00:18:43.539 --> 00:18:43.920 see, 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:44.440 we suddenly 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:45.140 see various 00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:45.720 people come 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:46.480 under pressure 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:47.519 in different 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:47.839 ways. 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:48.400 One believer 00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:48.940 suffers with 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:49.319 terrible 00:18:49.319 --> 00:18:50.059 temptations. 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:52.879 is in 00:18:52.879 --> 00:18:53.140 deep, 00:18:53.339 --> 00:18:53.680 deep water 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:54.240 and another 00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:54.640 believer has 00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:54.879 got a 00:18:54.879 --> 00:18:55.799 major 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:56.480 crisis in 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:57.039 her home. 00:18:59.640 --> 00:19:00.099 Another 00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:00.660 believer has 00:19:00.660 --> 00:19:01.240 got terrible 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:01.940 trouble in 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:02.619 work. 00:19:04.920 --> 00:19:05.160 One 00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:05.500 Christian is 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:05.740 passing 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:06.339 through doubt 00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:07.140 and difficulty. 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:09.759 One is just 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.519 being gripped by 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:10.960 a really 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:11.619 dark, 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.019 dark, 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:12.379 dark 00:19:12.379 --> 00:19:13.099 discouragement. 00:19:15.539 --> 00:19:16.200 There's one 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:16.619 believer and 00:19:16.619 --> 00:19:16.980 they just 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.859 seem to slack 00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:18.980 off completely 00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:19.359 in their 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:19.720 commitment. 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:22.220 there's another 00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:22.700 believer that 00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:23.819 suddenly is 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.140 very, 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:24.640 very sick 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:24.980 and so 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:25.160 on. 00:19:25.359 --> 00:19:25.660 And on 00:19:25.660 --> 00:19:26.140 the surface 00:19:26.140 --> 00:19:26.519 they bear 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:27.039 no relation 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:27.400 to each 00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:27.619 other. 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:29.559 But that 00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:29.839 is how 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:30.140 the enemy 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:30.740 works. 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:33.879 Well at 00:19:33.879 --> 00:19:34.460 first they 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:35.500 don't know 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:37.000 that they're 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:37.839 not aware of 00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:38.599 God's plans 00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:39.019 of grace. 00:19:39.140 --> 00:19:39.740 They're just 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.240 aware of their 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.839 own personal 00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:41.799 problems and 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:42.599 they cry out 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:43.359 to God 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:44.619 about it. 00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:46.619 please 00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:47.259 sort this 00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:47.719 out Lord 00:19:47.719 --> 00:19:48.159 please 00:19:48.159 --> 00:19:48.839 deal with 00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:49.000 it. 00:19:49.179 --> 00:19:49.519 Please 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:49.819 Lord 00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:50.339 take it 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:50.819 away. 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:51.639 And Paul 00:19:51.639 --> 00:19:52.099 says to 00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:52.599 you look 00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:53.039 up for a 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:53.719 moment and 00:19:53.719 --> 00:19:54.119 see the 00:19:54.119 --> 00:19:55.019 wider horizon 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:56.819 and ask 00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:57.599 yourself why 00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:58.179 is this 00:19:58.179 --> 00:19:58.779 happening to 00:19:58.779 --> 00:19:59.199 me? 00:20:02.399 --> 00:20:02.699 And of 00:20:02.699 --> 00:20:03.059 course that's 00:20:03.059 --> 00:20:03.299 where the 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:03.919 advantage of 00:20:03.919 --> 00:20:04.779 the real 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.379 fellowship 00:20:05.379 --> 00:20:06.119 comes in. 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:08.719 Fellowship 00:20:08.719 --> 00:20:09.879 means sharing 00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:14.000 it is 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:14.520 certainly 00:20:14.520 --> 00:20:15.360 not the 00:20:15.360 --> 00:20:15.700 will of 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:16.460 God that 00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:16.920 in a time 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:17.260 of trouble 00:20:17.260 --> 00:20:17.620 we should 00:20:17.620 --> 00:20:18.280 lock up our 00:20:18.280 --> 00:20:18.880 problems in 00:20:18.880 --> 00:20:19.200 our own 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:19.940 hearts and 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:20.300 share them 00:20:20.300 --> 00:20:20.740 with nobody. 00:20:25.020 --> 00:20:25.680 Now what 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:26.580 is fellowship? 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.340 Fellowship is 00:20:27.340 --> 00:20:28.960 bearing one 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:29.300 another's 00:20:29.300 --> 00:20:29.720 burdens. 00:20:31.840 --> 00:20:32.260 It is 00:20:32.260 --> 00:20:33.200 opening up 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:33.620 to your 00:20:33.620 --> 00:20:34.160 brothers and 00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:34.480 sisters. 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:38.120 And when 00:20:38.120 --> 00:20:38.400 they are 00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:39.020 shared it 00:20:39.020 --> 00:20:39.600 is there 00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:40.079 isn't there 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:40.859 that there 00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:41.099 is the 00:20:41.099 --> 00:20:41.599 possibility 00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:42.379 of people 00:20:42.379 --> 00:20:42.859 putting two 00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:43.119 and two 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:43.559 together 00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:44.139 so and 00:20:44.139 --> 00:20:44.459 so is 00:20:44.459 --> 00:20:45.199 under fire. 00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:47.539 She is 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:48.299 really struggling. 00:20:48.459 --> 00:20:48.919 Why are all 00:20:48.919 --> 00:20:49.659 these things 00:20:49.659 --> 00:20:50.119 happening? 00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:51.399 Well this is 00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:51.839 the enemy's 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:52.219 strategy. 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:54.779 And Paul 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.399 says ask 00:20:55.399 --> 00:20:56.119 these questions 00:20:56.119 --> 00:20:56.819 and see 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.519 where your 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:58.439 problems fit 00:20:58.439 --> 00:20:59.299 into the 00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:00.459 wider strategy 00:21:00.459 --> 00:21:01.219 of God. 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:03.740 And pray 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:04.659 for all 00:21:04.659 --> 00:21:05.359 the saints. 00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:07.119 Get into 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:07.839 gear for the 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:08.439 main battle 00:21:08.439 --> 00:21:08.859 the real 00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:09.179 battle. 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:10.839 play your 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:11.379 part in it. 00:21:11.439 --> 00:21:12.379 Let your 00:21:12.379 --> 00:21:13.219 own victory 00:21:13.219 --> 00:21:14.079 be won 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:16.139 by looking 00:21:16.139 --> 00:21:16.439 to the 00:21:16.439 --> 00:21:16.659 greater 00:21:16.659 --> 00:21:17.059 victory. 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:18.939 Play your 00:21:18.939 --> 00:21:20.939 part in 00:21:20.939 --> 00:21:21.219 the big 00:21:21.219 --> 00:21:21.559 battle. 00:21:24.859 --> 00:21:25.379 It's a 00:21:25.379 --> 00:21:25.639 great way 00:21:25.639 --> 00:21:25.980 to think. 00:21:27.599 --> 00:21:28.119 It's a 00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:28.379 great way 00:21:28.379 --> 00:21:28.619 to live 00:21:28.619 --> 00:21:29.000 next time 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.399 you're under 00:21:29.399 --> 00:21:29.719 pressure 00:21:29.719 --> 00:21:30.319 related to 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:30.579 the work 00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:30.819 of the 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:31.159 church. 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:33.199 Think of 00:21:33.199 --> 00:21:33.480 the church 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:33.759 as a 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.099 unit. 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:36.259 God 00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:36.759 has unified 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:37.219 us into 00:21:37.219 --> 00:21:37.519 a 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.019 working 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.579 fighting 00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:39.339 force. 00:21:39.619 --> 00:21:39.959 So no 00:21:39.959 --> 00:21:40.379 attack 00:21:40.379 --> 00:21:41.019 comes to 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:41.179 you 00:21:41.179 --> 00:21:41.639 personally 00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:42.019 out of 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:42.299 relation 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:42.459 to 00:21:42.459 --> 00:21:42.639 anything 00:21:42.639 --> 00:21:43.059 else. 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:44.539 It is 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:44.879 all in 00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:45.339 relation to 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:45.559 what we're 00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:45.859 committed 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:46.519 to and we 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.339 pray for 00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:47.819 the larger 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.139 work. 00:21:48.219 --> 00:21:48.480 Remember 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:48.919 what God 00:21:48.919 --> 00:21:49.219 is doing 00:21:49.219 --> 00:21:49.419 in the 00:21:49.419 --> 00:21:49.719 world. 00:21:51.179 --> 00:21:51.579 Thirdly 00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:52.039 and lastly 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:52.599 pray for 00:21:52.599 --> 00:21:52.919 me. 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.299 Paul says 00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:54.679 to his name. 00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.079 Jesus 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:56.839 actually focuses 00:21:56.839 --> 00:21:57.519 in pray 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:58.480 for me 00:21:58.480 --> 00:22:00.420 that words 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:00.700 may be 00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:01.059 given to 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:01.180 me 00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:01.440 opening 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:01.639 my 00:22:01.639 --> 00:22:01.960 mouth 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:03.379 boldly 00:22:03.379 --> 00:22:03.480 to 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:03.720 proclaim 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:03.940 the 00:22:03.940 --> 00:22:04.400 mystery 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:04.539 of 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:04.599 the 00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:04.839 gospel. 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.039 He gives 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.420 a particular 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:07.799 instance 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:08.019 and a 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.240 particular 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:08.700 example. 00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:11.279 Focus 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:11.559 your 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:11.799 prayers. 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:12.339 Here he 00:22:12.339 --> 00:22:12.819 says 00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.599 and this 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:13.940 will give 00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:14.379 the gospel 00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:14.720 word 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:15.460 power to 00:22:15.460 --> 00:22:16.200 make inroads 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:16.579 into the 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:16.859 kingdom 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:17.619 of darkness 00:22:17.619 --> 00:22:17.859 and it 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:18.180 will help 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:18.379 you. 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:20.339 So see 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:20.700 the pattern. 00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:21.160 Paul is 00:22:21.160 --> 00:22:21.639 gently 00:22:21.639 --> 00:22:23.119 and firmly 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:23.759 lifting the 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.139 Ephesian 00:22:24.139 --> 00:22:24.799 hearts and 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:25.160 minds 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:26.099 from their 00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:26.859 own woes 00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:27.519 but related 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.219 he says 00:22:28.219 --> 00:22:28.500 to the 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:28.719 greater 00:22:28.719 --> 00:22:29.139 work. 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.479 Here is 00:22:31.479 --> 00:22:31.659 the 00:22:31.659 --> 00:22:32.240 spearhead 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:32.419 the 00:22:32.419 --> 00:22:32.699 preaching 00:22:32.699 --> 00:22:32.939 of the 00:22:32.939 --> 00:22:33.299 gospel. 00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:35.579 He writes 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:35.859 from 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:36.459 Corinth 00:22:36.459 --> 00:22:36.959 he's up 00:22:36.959 --> 00:22:37.579 against it 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.500 in Corinth. 00:22:39.699 --> 00:22:39.839 Do you 00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:40.000 remember 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:40.559 what he 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:40.939 says 00:22:40.939 --> 00:22:41.199 in 00:22:41.199 --> 00:22:43.079 Thessalonians 00:22:43.079 --> 00:22:43.839 pray for 00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:44.219 me 00:22:44.219 --> 00:22:45.299 that I 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:45.679 may be 00:22:45.679 --> 00:22:46.039 given 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:47.199 boldness 00:22:47.199 --> 00:22:49.459 sorry 00:22:49.459 --> 00:22:49.679 two 00:22:49.679 --> 00:22:50.319 Thessalonians 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:55.719 chapter 00:22:55.719 --> 00:22:56.319 three 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:59.419 verses 00:22:59.419 --> 00:22:59.740 one 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:00.039 and two 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:00.359 finally 00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:00.659 brothers 00:23:00.659 --> 00:23:01.039 pray for 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.220 us 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:01.519 that the 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:01.879 word of 00:23:01.879 --> 00:23:01.980 the 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:02.099 Lord 00:23:02.099 --> 00:23:02.319 may 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:02.839 speed 00:23:02.839 --> 00:23:03.240 ahead 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:03.500 and be 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:03.859 honored 00:23:03.859 --> 00:23:04.879 as 00:23:04.879 --> 00:23:05.240 happened 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:05.460 among 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:05.859 you 00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:06.500 and that 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:06.799 we may 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:06.939 be 00:23:06.939 --> 00:23:07.220 delivered 00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:07.500 from 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:07.980 wicked 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:08.779 and 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.500 evil 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.079 men 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:11.859 but not 00:23:11.859 --> 00:23:12.099 all 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:12.399 have 00:23:12.399 --> 00:23:12.879 faith. 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:14.819 What's 00:23:14.819 --> 00:23:15.319 he praying 00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:15.559 there? 00:23:15.639 --> 00:23:15.859 He's 00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:16.119 praying 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:16.460 that the 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:17.259 word of 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:17.379 the 00:23:17.379 --> 00:23:17.619 Lord 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:17.899 may 00:23:17.899 --> 00:23:18.480 run. 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:21.319 It's 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:21.579 the kind 00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:21.960 of prayer 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:22.339 that will 00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:22.819 set the 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.299 gospel 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:23.939 word 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:24.640 word 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:25.480 like a 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:25.759 fire 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:26.240 blazing 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:26.500 through 00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:26.640 the 00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:27.019 place. 00:23:29.100 --> 00:23:29.360 He said 00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:29.620 I want 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:29.820 you to 00:23:29.820 --> 00:23:30.120 pray that 00:23:30.120 --> 00:23:30.299 the 00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:30.840 word of 00:23:30.840 --> 00:23:30.960 the 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:31.259 gospel 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:31.539 might 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:31.799 have 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:32.420 free 00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:33.140 course 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:33.759 like 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.080 wild 00:23:34.080 --> 00:23:34.460 fire. 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.000 Remains 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:35.220 true 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:35.420 after 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:36.440 20 00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:36.920 centuries 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:37.160 doesn't 00:23:37.160 --> 00:23:37.380 it? 00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:40.580 there is 00:23:40.580 --> 00:23:40.980 one 00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:41.580 effectual 00:23:41.580 --> 00:23:41.860 way 00:23:41.860 --> 00:23:42.160 for the 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:42.500 work of 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:42.700 God 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:42.960 to be 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:43.160 done. 00:23:43.260 --> 00:23:43.480 You can 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:43.620 have 00:23:43.620 --> 00:23:43.780 the 00:23:43.780 --> 00:23:44.160 finest 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:44.680 orator 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:45.120 you can 00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:45.300 have 00:23:45.300 --> 00:23:45.480 the 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:45.940 greatest 00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:46.680 rhetorician 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:47.080 but if 00:23:47.080 --> 00:23:47.520 there isn't 00:23:47.520 --> 00:23:48.000 prayer 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.580 behind the 00:23:48.580 --> 00:23:48.900 preaching 00:23:48.900 --> 00:23:49.320 it will 00:23:49.320 --> 00:23:50.120 fall to 00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:50.240 the 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:50.660 ground. 00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:55.240 Every 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:55.660 preacher 00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:56.460 is entitled 00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:58.380 as of 00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:58.920 right to 00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.340 plead with 00:23:59.340 --> 00:23:59.800 his people 00:23:59.800 --> 00:24:00.280 and say 00:24:00.280 --> 00:24:00.960 pray for 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:01.400 me that 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:01.800 I may 00:24:01.800 --> 00:24:02.120 speak 00:24:02.120 --> 00:24:02.420 as I 00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:02.640 ought 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:02.880 to. 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:06.100 2 Corinthians 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:06.899 4 that 00:24:06.899 --> 00:24:07.599 great 00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:08.119 passage 00:24:08.119 --> 00:24:08.679 talks 00:24:08.679 --> 00:24:09.219 about 00:24:09.219 --> 00:24:10.579 the 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:10.899 gospel 00:24:10.899 --> 00:24:11.179 being 00:24:11.179 --> 00:24:11.740 veiled. 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:13.439 He 00:24:13.439 --> 00:24:13.559 says 00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:13.879 even if 00:24:13.879 --> 00:24:14.039 our 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:14.279 gospel 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:14.459 is 00:24:14.459 --> 00:24:14.779 veiled 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.039 it is 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.379 veiled 00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:15.799 to those 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.079 who are 00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:16.579 perishing 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.119 in their 00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:17.579 case the 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:17.980 God of 00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:18.419 this world 00:24:18.419 --> 00:24:19.199 has blinded 00:24:19.199 --> 00:24:19.639 the minds 00:24:19.639 --> 00:24:20.279 of unbelievers 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:20.699 to keep 00:24:20.699 --> 00:24:21.000 them from 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.480 seeing the 00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:21.819 light of 00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:22.219 the gospel 00:24:22.219 --> 00:24:22.859 of the 00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:23.299 glory of 00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:23.619 Christ 00:24:23.619 --> 00:24:24.500 who is 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:24.659 the 00:24:24.659 --> 00:24:24.959 image 00:24:24.959 --> 00:24:25.240 of 00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:25.579 God. 00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:27.359 For 00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:27.599 what we 00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:27.899 proclaim 00:24:27.899 --> 00:24:28.179 is not 00:24:28.179 --> 00:24:28.639 ourselves 00:24:28.639 --> 00:24:28.859 but 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:29.119 Jesus 00:24:29.119 --> 00:24:29.439 Christ 00:24:29.439 --> 00:24:29.659 as 00:24:29.659 --> 00:24:30.019 Lord 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.240 and 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:30.679 ourselves 00:24:30.679 --> 00:24:30.899 as 00:24:30.899 --> 00:24:31.059 your 00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:31.439 savants 00:24:31.439 --> 00:24:31.639 for 00:24:31.639 --> 00:24:31.939 Jesus 00:24:31.939 --> 00:24:32.359 sake. 00:24:33.179 --> 00:24:33.359 For 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:33.619 God 00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:33.759 who 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:33.939 said 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:34.140 let 00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:34.420 light 00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:34.779 shine 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.059 out of 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:35.460 darkness 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:35.720 that 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.039 shone 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:36.360 in our 00:24:36.360 --> 00:24:36.700 hearts 00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:36.940 to give 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:37.080 the 00:24:37.080 --> 00:24:37.299 light 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:37.440 and 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:37.539 the 00:24:37.539 --> 00:24:38.320 glory 00:24:38.320 --> 00:24:38.500 of 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:38.720 God 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:38.960 in the 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.180 face 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:39.320 of 00:24:39.320 --> 00:24:39.580 Jesus 00:24:39.580 --> 00:24:40.000 Christ. 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:42.360 So 00:24:42.360 --> 00:24:42.600 what's 00:24:42.600 --> 00:24:42.759 Paul 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.080 saying 00:24:43.080 --> 00:24:43.360 there? 00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:43.680 He's 00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:43.940 saying 00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:44.140 will 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:44.279 you 00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:44.759 pray 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:45.019 that 00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:45.480 eyes 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:45.660 would 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:45.799 be 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.120 opened 00:24:46.120 --> 00:24:46.340 that 00:24:46.340 --> 00:24:46.480 the 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:46.720 veil 00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:46.880 would 00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:46.980 be 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.480 withdrawn. 00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:49.559 It's 00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:49.680 the 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:49.880 weapon 00:24:49.880 --> 00:24:50.019 of 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.180 all 00:24:50.180 --> 00:24:50.559 prayer. 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:54.740 Pray 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.380 always. 00:24:57.820 --> 00:24:58.259 Pray 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:58.660 for all 00:24:58.660 --> 00:24:58.820 the 00:24:58.820 --> 00:24:59.200 saints. 00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:01.340 Pray 00:25:01.340 --> 00:25:01.500 for 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:01.759 me. 00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:04.420 Pray 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:04.840 always. 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.080 It's 00:25:05.080 --> 00:25:05.220 a 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:05.620 challenge 00:25:05.620 --> 00:25:05.960 for 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:06.259 what 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:06.519 we 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:07.039 are 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:07.299 that 00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:07.940 matters. 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:10.000 Not 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.320 just 00:25:10.320 --> 00:25:10.700 more 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:11.160 prayer. 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.180 Pray 00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:13.420 for 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:13.660 all 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:13.860 the 00:25:13.860 --> 00:25:14.140 saints 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:14.340 which 00:25:14.340 --> 00:25:14.559 means 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:15.039 relating 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:15.519 our 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:15.920 battle 00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:16.220 to 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:16.420 the 00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:16.820 great 00:25:16.820 --> 00:25:17.279 battle. 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:18.900 And 00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:19.019 then 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:19.180 that 00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:19.539 focal 00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:19.920 point 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:20.299 pray 00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:20.539 for 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:20.660 the 00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:20.920 preaching 00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:21.039 of 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.120 the 00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:21.360 gospel. 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:21.539 He 00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:21.759 doesn't 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:21.920 mean 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:22.500 utterance. 00:25:22.660 --> 00:25:22.720 He 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.000 doesn't 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.380 mean 00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:24.420 eloquence. 00:25:26.940 --> 00:25:27.360 You 00:25:27.360 --> 00:25:27.900 as 00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:28.680 people of 00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:28.860 God 00:25:28.860 --> 00:25:29.039 here 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.200 are 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:29.720 responsible 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:29.779 ! 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.680 My 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:31.440 responsibility 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.039 is to 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.299 preach 00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:32.779 the word 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:33.039 and to 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:33.200 dig 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:33.539 it. 00:25:34.680 --> 00:25:35.279 And 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:35.460 your 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:35.920 responsibility 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:36.320 is to 00:25:36.320 --> 00:25:36.720 thrust 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:36.900 the 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:37.100 preacher 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.240 of 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:37.279 the 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.559 gospel 00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:38.100 forward 00:25:38.100 --> 00:25:38.299 like 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:38.440 a 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:38.720 sword. 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:39.980 That 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.519 preachers 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:40.840 would 00:25:40.840 --> 00:25:41.059 speak 00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:41.559 boldly. 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:43.259 And 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:43.420 I 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:44.059 cannot 00:25:44.059 --> 00:25:44.779 fulfill 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:45.059 my 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:45.740 responsibility 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:46.860 before 00:25:46.860 --> 00:25:47.279 God 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:48.580 unless 00:25:48.580 --> 00:25:48.820 you 00:25:48.820 --> 00:25:49.100 fulfill 00:25:49.100 --> 00:25:49.480 yours. 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.080 Let's 00:25:51.080 --> 00:25:51.299 pray. 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:51.740 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:51.740 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:51.740 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:51.740 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:51.740 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:51.740 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:51.740 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:51.740 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:51.740 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:51.740 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:51.740 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:51.740 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:51.740 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:51.740 00:25:51.740 --> 00:26:21.720 Thank you.