WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 I'm going to take a bit of a departure this morning from the book of Colossians. 00:00:05.759 --> 00:00:11.179 Let me ask you to take out your copy of God's Word and turn to the book of Deuteronomy chapter 8. 00:00:12.839 --> 00:00:16.000 At the rate we're going, I fear that we're never going to get through Colossians 3. 00:00:17.400 --> 00:00:23.100 Although at some point here will happen, I've made so many adjustments to the original schedule. 00:00:24.940 --> 00:00:26.019 But we'll get there. 00:00:26.019 --> 00:00:32.399 There are two reasons today. We're going to take a bit of a break, a little step away from Colossians 3. 00:00:32.920 --> 00:00:34.920 The first has been mentioned now a few times. 00:00:35.579 --> 00:00:38.799 This is the minor reason, and that is that I'm not feeling well. 00:00:38.980 --> 00:00:42.739 I think I have quite a cold. I really probably shouldn't be here right now. 00:00:42.939 --> 00:00:48.840 I'm always and ever sustained by God's grace, and part of His grace to me this morning is cold medicine. 00:00:49.679 --> 00:00:52.460 I'm having a bit of an out-of-body experience right now. 00:00:52.460 --> 00:00:58.359 So, the late missionary Jim Elliott once said, 00:00:58.780 --> 00:01:01.260 wherever you are, be all there. 00:01:01.660 --> 00:01:04.560 And I try to do that wherever I am. 00:01:04.700 --> 00:01:09.579 I would like to add to that, though, unless you're on cold medicine, then go home and go to sleep. 00:01:09.579 --> 00:01:12.939 But nonetheless, I'm here. 00:01:13.019 --> 00:01:17.219 The second reason, and the major reason that I am here not feeling well, 00:01:17.579 --> 00:01:22.780 is that this Sunday is likely this Wimke family's last Sunday with us. 00:01:23.939 --> 00:01:27.719 They have been preparing for a bit over a year now, 00:01:28.079 --> 00:01:31.519 believing that the Lord is leading them to go to Germany, 00:01:31.519 --> 00:01:37.939 the south of Germany to a rather whimsical part of Germany called the Black Forest, 00:01:38.299 --> 00:01:42.920 through an organization called Teach Beyond to serve with Black Forest Academy. 00:01:43.939 --> 00:01:47.140 And Black Forest Academy is a boarding school for missionary kids, 00:01:47.679 --> 00:01:53.280 for parents who are on the field in places that are particularly dangerous, 00:01:53.759 --> 00:01:59.000 or in places that don't offer the education necessary for their children. 00:01:59.000 --> 00:02:02.060 And it's a great organization. 00:02:02.459 --> 00:02:05.579 We had some misgiving about it at the beginning, 00:02:05.579 --> 00:02:07.659 but as we've grown to know it more, 00:02:07.739 --> 00:02:11.180 and as the Zwimpies particularly have invested themselves there, 00:02:11.659 --> 00:02:14.419 we have grown to love what they're doing. 00:02:15.139 --> 00:02:16.219 And so the Zwimpies are going to be going. 00:02:16.340 --> 00:02:18.580 Ryan is going to be teaching chorus. 00:02:19.699 --> 00:02:21.580 Kathleen's going to get to be, at least for some time, 00:02:21.639 --> 00:02:23.620 a stay-at-home, which will be really wonderful, 00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:27.580 both to minister to those kids that are there at Black Forest Academy, 00:02:27.580 --> 00:02:30.200 as well as the people in the region. 00:02:31.320 --> 00:02:36.380 We have been joining with them in this effort in a number of ways. 00:02:36.840 --> 00:02:40.640 Wes mentioned during our time of offering ministry partners, 00:02:40.840 --> 00:02:42.600 and the Zwimpies are one of those for us, 00:02:42.620 --> 00:02:44.460 a portion of our church budget. 00:02:44.640 --> 00:02:49.000 So if you give here, a portion of that goes to help the support of the Zwimpies. 00:02:49.140 --> 00:02:51.100 They were asked to raise their own support. 00:02:51.200 --> 00:02:53.580 This is the way Black Forest Academy functions. 00:02:53.580 --> 00:02:57.740 So they had to raise their living expenses for the time that they'll be there. 00:02:57.840 --> 00:03:01.160 And I know that many of you individually, personally, 00:03:01.380 --> 00:03:04.700 have encouraged and supported them as well. 00:03:05.240 --> 00:03:07.460 We as a church have been praying for this. 00:03:07.580 --> 00:03:09.860 We've been eagerly looking for this, 00:03:09.900 --> 00:03:12.540 and they've done such a great job of including in this effort, 00:03:12.700 --> 00:03:15.040 of keeping us updated about where they were, 00:03:15.180 --> 00:03:17.580 and percentage, and posting consistently. 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:21.280 Kathleen shared with me that she was concerned she was doing it too much. 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:22.699 And I said, no, it's been great. 00:03:22.800 --> 00:03:25.259 We've wanted to know exactly where you were. 00:03:25.500 --> 00:03:30.460 And coming into this week, they were at 76%. 00:03:30.460 --> 00:03:32.979 24% is a long way to go, 00:03:33.060 --> 00:03:35.360 but trusting that the Lord would provide. 00:03:35.560 --> 00:03:37.300 They've sold their house. 00:03:37.900 --> 00:03:39.060 They've been waiting. 00:03:39.259 --> 00:03:42.860 We've got tons of their stuff boxed and ready to be shipped downstairs 00:03:42.860 --> 00:03:43.819 here at the building. 00:03:45.920 --> 00:03:50.920 Faithfully believing that God intended for them to go and be in this place. 00:03:50.919 --> 00:03:53.959 And Sam and I had the pleasure this weekend, 00:03:54.299 --> 00:03:56.079 Friday evening and into Saturday, 00:03:56.299 --> 00:03:57.280 of going to a wedding. 00:03:57.639 --> 00:04:00.319 Some precious young people in our church. 00:04:01.019 --> 00:04:02.379 And the Zwimkies went as well. 00:04:02.459 --> 00:04:04.299 And so we decided to make a bit of a weekend of it. 00:04:04.359 --> 00:04:05.619 And we went away together. 00:04:06.539 --> 00:04:11.539 And we're just joyful to be renting a house together, 00:04:11.539 --> 00:04:14.599 to wake up on Saturday morning and have Kathleen share 00:04:14.599 --> 00:04:20.079 that they're now 100% funded to be able to go to Black Forest Academy. 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:22.759 And Amen is right. 00:04:23.659 --> 00:04:30.600 And it's incredible to see the way they have devoted themselves to this effort, 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:35.079 the way that this church has come around them in devoting to the effort. 00:04:35.079 --> 00:04:39.439 Even though it was my great task at the beginning to convince them not to leave, 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:45.659 to have my heart turned and be desirous for them to get to go and to serve in this way, 00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:51.680 to even have my joy complete in seeing them go and to serve. 00:04:52.620 --> 00:04:55.099 And my mind just very quickly as they were sharing 00:04:55.099 --> 00:04:58.000 all of the individuals in our church that have been giving, 00:04:58.939 --> 00:05:01.860 just the way that they've been blown away by it, 00:05:01.860 --> 00:05:07.879 my mind was just moved to how very good God is to us 00:05:07.879 --> 00:05:10.860 and how consistent He is in His promises. 00:05:11.060 --> 00:05:14.960 And so I just want to, in brief, keep my comments short this morning, 00:05:15.639 --> 00:05:18.400 but in brief, talk a bit about that. 00:05:18.520 --> 00:05:23.319 So in Deuteronomy 8, God commands Israel, His people, 00:05:23.620 --> 00:05:26.759 to remember what He has done for them. 00:05:26.759 --> 00:05:29.699 And I'll begin reading in verse 10. 00:05:31.860 --> 00:06:01.840 Verse 11. 00:06:01.860 --> 00:06:31.840 Verse 12. 00:06:31.839 --> 00:06:53.199 So post-Exodus and the Israelites being established in the land, 00:06:53.199 --> 00:06:54.719 God is saying to them, 00:06:55.039 --> 00:06:56.839 be careful, be warned, 00:06:56.939 --> 00:06:59.019 because as things go well with you, 00:06:59.560 --> 00:07:04.219 you may forget who has caused things to go well with you. 00:07:04.939 --> 00:07:06.599 And as we have endeavored, 00:07:06.839 --> 00:07:12.519 particularly as Ryan and Kathleen have been throwing their energy into the fundraising effort, 00:07:12.759 --> 00:07:14.480 and as we have joined around them, 00:07:14.480 --> 00:07:20.560 it would be easy to think that this was a thing that they or we accomplished. 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:21.600 And it was not. 00:07:21.660 --> 00:07:24.580 It was a thing that the Lord accomplished. 00:07:24.580 --> 00:07:28.300 Be careful lest you forget, lest you say, 00:07:28.300 --> 00:07:34.220 my power and the might of my power and the might of my hand have done this or that. 00:07:34.720 --> 00:07:43.800 And the Israelites were faithful to this, to the recording and to the reminding one another of the good things that God has done. 00:07:43.800 --> 00:07:49.660 And the Psalms are full of Psalms that are a recounting of what God had done for the people of Israel. 00:07:49.660 --> 00:07:56.600 Listen to Psalm 63 as David talks about the effect that the remembering has for him. 00:07:56.680 --> 00:07:57.740 Beginning in verse 5, 00:07:57.740 --> 00:08:01.940 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, 00:08:02.100 --> 00:08:08.180 and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips when I remember you upon my bed 00:08:08.180 --> 00:08:11.440 and meditate you on the watches of the night. 00:08:11.940 --> 00:08:16.900 For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:19.000 My soul clings to you. 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:21.920 Your right hand upholds me. 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:24.620 And this is when David was in a time of great trouble. 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:29.180 He was in the wilderness of Judah escaping for his life. 00:08:29.279 --> 00:08:29.699 And he says, 00:08:29.879 --> 00:08:33.960 When I remember the things that the Lord has done for me, 00:08:34.360 --> 00:08:35.899 a number of things happen. 00:08:36.019 --> 00:08:37.100 He sings for joy. 00:08:37.220 --> 00:08:43.340 His soul clings to the Lord because he knows that the Lord's good right hand or His mighty hand 00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:46.340 is what upholds and supports him. 00:08:46.340 --> 00:08:50.180 You see the effect that remembering has. 00:08:50.899 --> 00:08:56.300 And the Lord throughout the Old Testament commanded Israel to do this physically. 00:08:56.480 --> 00:09:04.040 To set up altars that would remind them as they traveled in the land of the things that God had done. 00:09:04.039 --> 00:09:05.679 So let's look at an example of that, if you will. 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:07.279 Turn to Joshua chapter 4. 00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:27.519 And here we see an example of this. 00:09:27.519 --> 00:09:31.139 It's God commanding, after accomplishing something for Israel, 00:09:31.299 --> 00:09:34.019 commanding that they do a particular thing. 00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:35.600 Beginning in verse 1, 00:09:35.659 --> 00:09:39.299 When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan. 00:09:39.299 --> 00:09:41.240 So the people of God, Israel, 00:09:41.359 --> 00:09:45.019 being brought out of the wilderness and into the land that God had promised them, 00:09:45.099 --> 00:09:46.039 through the Jordan River, 00:09:46.339 --> 00:09:47.639 the Lord said to Joshua, 00:09:47.779 --> 00:09:48.299 Verse 2, 00:09:48.759 --> 00:09:52.199 Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, 00:09:52.319 --> 00:09:53.699 and command them, saying, 00:09:54.099 --> 00:09:56.679 Take twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, 00:09:56.779 --> 00:09:59.339 from the very place where the priests' feet stood firmly, 00:09:59.859 --> 00:10:01.219 and bring them over with you, 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:03.959 and lay them down in the place where you lodged tonight. 00:10:04.699 --> 00:10:06.859 Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, 00:10:06.859 --> 00:10:09.079 whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. 00:10:09.579 --> 00:10:10.639 And Joshua said to them, 00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:13.819 Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, 00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:16.579 and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, 00:10:17.059 --> 00:10:19.179 according to the number of tribes of the people of Israel, 00:10:19.559 --> 00:10:21.319 that this may be a sign among you. 00:10:21.599 --> 00:10:23.959 When your children ask in time to come, 00:10:24.339 --> 00:10:26.279 what do these stones mean to you? 00:10:26.759 --> 00:10:29.339 Then you will tell them that the waters of the Jordan 00:10:29.339 --> 00:10:31.819 were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. 00:10:31.859 --> 00:10:33.000 When it passed over the Jordan, 00:10:33.419 --> 00:10:35.419 the waters of the Jordan were cut off, 00:10:35.419 --> 00:10:38.559 so these stones shall be to the people of Israel 00:10:38.559 --> 00:10:40.719 a memorial forever. 00:10:41.219 --> 00:10:44.239 To remember what God had done for them, 00:10:44.299 --> 00:10:45.539 so that when the children would ask, 00:10:45.599 --> 00:10:48.539 they could pass on and they could impart that truth. 00:10:49.679 --> 00:10:51.019 Beloved, now as the people of God, 00:10:51.079 --> 00:10:52.179 we have the record of it. 00:10:52.219 --> 00:10:53.819 While we don't physically see the stones, 00:10:53.899 --> 00:10:56.759 and ask what does this pile of twelve stones mean, 00:10:56.799 --> 00:10:59.559 we see the story and the record of what happened, 00:10:59.659 --> 00:11:01.599 and what God had done for His people, 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:05.279 and the way He has commanded them to remember. 00:11:06.560 --> 00:11:08.740 Another example is found in 1 Samuel. 00:11:08.840 --> 00:11:10.420 If you will turn there with me. 00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:14.019 This will be the last text for this morning. 00:11:15.040 --> 00:11:16.440 1 Samuel 7. 00:11:16.440 --> 00:11:24.700 If you only have a New Testament with you today, 00:11:24.760 --> 00:11:26.300 you only have a third of the Bible with you. 00:11:35.180 --> 00:11:36.600 Samuel was a prophet of God. 00:11:36.760 --> 00:11:38.620 Samuel was the one who anointed Saul, 00:11:38.740 --> 00:11:40.100 and then David. 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:41.820 I'll frame this for you. 00:11:41.820 --> 00:11:45.240 This is pre-Saul and David. 00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:48.220 So that Saul is chosen in chapter 9. 00:11:48.340 --> 00:11:50.180 This is chapter 7, verse 3. 00:11:52.200 --> 00:11:54.519 And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, 00:11:55.399 --> 00:11:57.899 If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, 00:11:58.360 --> 00:12:01.480 then put away the foreign gods and the Ashteroth, 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:02.600 which was a Canaanite god. 00:12:02.659 --> 00:12:05.480 This would have been an idol of Ashteroth. 00:12:05.820 --> 00:12:06.779 From among you, 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:08.620 and direct your heart to the Lord, 00:12:08.680 --> 00:12:09.980 and serve Him only. 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:13.680 And He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. 00:12:13.679 --> 00:12:17.539 So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashteroth, 00:12:17.679 --> 00:12:19.699 and they served the Lord only. 00:12:20.639 --> 00:12:21.479 Then Samuel said, 00:12:22.219 --> 00:12:24.299 Gather all Israel at Mizpah, 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:26.079 and I will pray to the Lord for you. 00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:27.620 So they gathered at Mizpah, 00:12:27.699 --> 00:12:28.219 and drew water, 00:12:28.319 --> 00:12:29.379 and poured it out before the Lord, 00:12:29.439 --> 00:12:30.620 and fasted on that day, 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:31.539 and said there, 00:12:31.859 --> 00:12:34.079 We have sinned against the Lord. 00:12:34.679 --> 00:12:36.899 And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah. 00:12:37.219 --> 00:12:39.339 Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel 00:12:39.339 --> 00:12:40.419 had gathered at Mizpah, 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:43.199 the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel, 00:12:43.599 --> 00:12:45.620 and when the people of Israel heard of it, 00:12:45.959 --> 00:12:48.799 they were afraid of the Philistines. 00:12:49.319 --> 00:12:51.339 And the people of Israel said to Samuel, 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:54.579 Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:56.779 that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines. 00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:59.179 So Samuel took a nursing lamb, 00:12:59.259 --> 00:13:01.399 and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. 00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:03.740 And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, 00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:05.580 and the Lord answered him. 00:13:06.539 --> 00:13:08.440 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, 00:13:08.560 --> 00:13:10.560 the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:13.960 But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day 00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:15.100 against the Philistines, 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:17.080 and threw them into confusion, 00:13:17.320 --> 00:13:18.820 and they were routed before Israel, 00:13:18.919 --> 00:13:20.299 destroyed before Israel. 00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:23.120 And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah, 00:13:23.220 --> 00:13:24.659 and pursued the Philistines, 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:28.500 and struck them as far as below Bethcot. 00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:31.440 Then Samuel took a stone, 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:34.379 and set it up between Mizpah and Shin, 00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:36.980 and called its name Ebenezer. 00:13:37.440 --> 00:13:38.360 For he said, 00:13:38.700 --> 00:13:42.179 Till now the Lord has helped us. 00:13:42.940 --> 00:13:44.200 So he did this thing, 00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:46.259 not commanded by the Lord this time, 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:48.399 but rather in praise of God. 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:50.059 He set up a stone, 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:51.879 and I think that would probably mean 00:13:51.879 --> 00:13:54.320 he took a stone maybe that was a long stone, 00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:55.879 and set it up on its end. 00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:57.860 He did something with it 00:13:57.860 --> 00:14:00.659 to make people take note of this stone, 00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:02.439 and he called it Ebenezer. 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:05.200 It's actually a phrase in Hebrew. 00:14:05.679 --> 00:14:07.139 Eben Ha-Ezer. 00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:09.639 A stone of help. 00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:11.159 That's what it means literally. 00:14:11.899 --> 00:14:13.600 We sing a song here quite often 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:16.059 that talks about an Ebenezer. 00:14:16.580 --> 00:14:17.539 Are your minds going to it? 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.720 It's called Come Thou Fount. 00:14:19.539 --> 00:14:20.860 The second verse says, 00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:24.539 Here I raise my Ebenezer. 00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:28.240 Here by Thy great help I've come, 00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:31.399 and I hope by Thy good pleasure 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:33.759 safely to arrive at home. 00:14:34.679 --> 00:14:36.480 Jesus sought me when a stranger 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:38.539 wandering from the fold of God, 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:41.000 He to rescue me from danger, 00:14:41.659 --> 00:14:43.679 interposed His precious blood. 00:14:43.839 --> 00:14:45.259 And that verse is about 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:48.939 establishing in our minds and our hearts, 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:50.719 not a physical stone raising, 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:53.399 but rather raising an Ebenezer 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:54.660 in our mind and heart 00:14:54.660 --> 00:14:56.800 to the redemptive work of Christ. 00:14:56.920 --> 00:14:58.379 That's what this song is about, 00:14:58.460 --> 00:15:00.220 and that's where this comes from. 00:15:00.320 --> 00:15:02.139 This Eben Ha-Ezer, 00:15:02.540 --> 00:15:03.200 our God, 00:15:03.300 --> 00:15:06.259 our stone of help. 00:15:08.139 --> 00:15:09.899 And so my exhortation to you today, 00:15:10.320 --> 00:15:12.279 setting the stage for you, 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:14.660 beginning with what's been going on 00:15:14.660 --> 00:15:15.440 with the Zwimpies, 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:16.440 and the way that we've been 00:15:16.440 --> 00:15:18.640 participating with them, 00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:20.780 is that we use this 00:15:20.780 --> 00:15:22.540 as a great reminder 00:15:22.540 --> 00:15:25.140 of God's faithfulness to us 00:15:25.140 --> 00:15:27.060 in a couple of ways. 00:15:28.200 --> 00:15:29.100 Firstly, God, 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:31.060 in the life of our church, 00:15:31.420 --> 00:15:33.300 has always been faithful 00:15:33.300 --> 00:15:34.460 to provide to us 00:15:34.460 --> 00:15:36.100 the people we needed 00:15:36.100 --> 00:15:37.560 for our church. 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:41.900 At the most particular of times, 00:15:42.140 --> 00:15:44.020 and in the most special of ways, 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:47.419 God has brought each and every one of you here. 00:15:48.600 --> 00:15:49.699 I'm thankful today, 00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:51.500 particularly for the Zwimpies. 00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:52.939 They have told me 00:15:52.939 --> 00:15:53.899 that they came at a time 00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:54.799 that they were hurting, 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:57.659 that they needed close fellowship, 00:15:57.819 --> 00:15:59.659 that they needed to be served, 00:15:59.799 --> 00:16:03.079 but the opposite is absolutely true. 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:05.340 At a time where we were incredibly hungry 00:16:05.340 --> 00:16:07.439 for families to come along 00:16:07.439 --> 00:16:10.059 and to invest and to serve young people. 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:12.740 What a blessing they have been. 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:14.220 And I know, 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:15.120 at least for me, 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:16.120 maybe not for you, 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:16.740 but for me, 00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:18.759 when a family leaves our congregation 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:21.639 that is so single people full, 00:16:22.180 --> 00:16:23.659 it hurts a little bit. 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:25.460 Oh, but we need families. 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:27.019 We need families so much 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:29.259 as if the Lord doesn't know what we need. 00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:30.960 But He certainly does. 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:32.019 And just as He's taking 00:16:32.019 --> 00:16:33.919 the Zwimpies from us, 00:16:34.580 --> 00:16:35.279 I am confident 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:36.740 that He will continue to provide 00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:39.139 exactly what we need. 00:16:39.180 --> 00:16:40.740 And we ought to remember this. 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:41.180 This. 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:44.460 The financial provision 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:45.460 for the Zwimpies 00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:48.639 is a thing we should remember. 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:50.560 I am amazed. 00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:52.259 I believe Ryan's going to share in a bit 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:55.100 the degree to which our church 00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:56.379 is sending them. 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:58.399 It is wonderful as a church 00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.960 with a tiny, tiny budget, 00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:02.440 able collectively out of our budget 00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:04.519 to just take 2% of our giving, 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:06.220 with the way in which you guys 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.700 have sacrificially gone 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:08.960 above and beyond that 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:10.740 to continue to give 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:12.759 and to support and to go. 00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:15.379 We as a collective body 00:17:15.379 --> 00:17:17.519 are the major senders 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.579 of the Zwimpies. 00:17:18.879 --> 00:17:20.319 That is a great encouragement 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:21.460 to me. 00:17:22.339 --> 00:17:24.079 We run on a tight budget around here. 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:25.279 Praise God, 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:26.920 we have a building and property 00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:27.720 that's paid for. 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:29.039 It doesn't take a lot 00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:30.859 to take care of this, 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:32.019 the physical things 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:33.539 that we see. 00:17:34.359 --> 00:17:36.139 He has always, always, always 00:17:36.139 --> 00:17:37.839 provided just what we've needed 00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:39.039 over the past 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:41.279 six and a half plus years. 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:43.079 We've never been 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:45.240 without those things necessary 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:46.819 for the work being done here. 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:48.299 I'll give you one quick 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:49.240 physical example. 00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:50.420 Those of you who were here 00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:51.660 months ago heard the story 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:54.599 that the pullout on the street 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:55.539 was struck by lightning. 00:17:55.859 --> 00:17:56.819 I got here one morning 00:17:56.819 --> 00:17:57.879 and the internet was down. 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.519 Couldn't figure out 00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.420 what was going on. 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:00.920 Called AT&T up. 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:03.680 Everything that was electronic 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:05.060 downstairs fried. 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:07.240 So all of the modems 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:09.000 and the wireless broadcasters 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:10.360 and the really expensive 00:18:10.360 --> 00:18:11.680 copy machine that we lease, 00:18:12.380 --> 00:18:14.640 everything in that line got hit. 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.320 And yes, it was all 00:18:15.320 --> 00:18:16.480 service protected properly. 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:18.940 Just sometimes things 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:20.640 don't go as expected. 00:18:21.080 --> 00:18:22.700 We had to fix the copier. 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:24.100 We had to replace 00:18:24.100 --> 00:18:25.340 the things downstairs. 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:26.980 And the very day 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:27.880 that I realized this, 00:18:27.940 --> 00:18:28.480 that it happened, 00:18:28.560 --> 00:18:29.340 and I was calling 00:18:29.339 --> 00:18:30.259 the insurance company 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:30.919 and figuring out 00:18:30.919 --> 00:18:31.859 what we were going to have to do. 00:18:31.919 --> 00:18:32.699 We have a thousand dollar 00:18:32.699 --> 00:18:33.819 deductible on the insurance. 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:35.500 We got a check in the mail 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:37.459 from a dad, I think, 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:38.119 I'm just connecting 00:18:38.119 --> 00:18:39.039 the last name, 00:18:39.199 --> 00:18:40.599 I believe the dad 00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:42.079 of a young man 00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:43.459 who came here for a while 00:18:43.459 --> 00:18:44.319 and I hadn't seen 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:45.339 in months and months 00:18:45.339 --> 00:18:45.919 and months and months. 00:18:46.459 --> 00:18:47.519 No clue why 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.759 this father was compelled 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.299 to sit down 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:49.879 and write a check 00:18:49.879 --> 00:18:51.159 to our church. 00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:52.399 Maybe he thinks 00:18:52.399 --> 00:18:53.480 his son is still in church 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.399 and this is where he's at. 00:18:54.459 --> 00:18:55.459 I'm not really sure. 00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:57.980 But he was compelled 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:59.039 to write a check 00:18:59.039 --> 00:19:00.960 for a thousand dollars, 00:19:01.180 --> 00:19:01.940 which was the amount 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:03.440 of that deductible payment. 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:05.480 So here on the very day 00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:06.680 that my mind goes, 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:07.460 oh, geez, 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:08.440 how in the world? 00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:10.200 God goes, 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.100 like this. 00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:13.120 And it shows right up. 00:19:14.860 --> 00:19:16.079 The Zwingke's last bit 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:16.880 that they needed 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:18.660 was given 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:21.039 through a kind of a stranger, 00:19:21.160 --> 00:19:22.079 a person that they met 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:23.360 in recent times 00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:24.159 who anonymously 00:19:24.159 --> 00:19:25.719 didn't want his name 00:19:25.719 --> 00:19:26.279 to be known, 00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:27.579 filled the gap 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:28.559 for them 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:30.279 in this last week. 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:31.839 Their original goal 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:32.419 was to leave 00:19:32.419 --> 00:19:33.539 on August 1st 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.719 and that money came in 00:19:34.719 --> 00:19:36.439 on August 1st. 00:19:36.939 --> 00:19:37.819 Just incredible 00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:38.679 to see the way 00:19:38.679 --> 00:19:40.639 in which God provided. 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:41.859 As I said, 00:19:41.919 --> 00:19:43.319 we were with the Zwingke's 00:19:43.319 --> 00:19:44.979 and rejoicing with them. 00:19:45.399 --> 00:19:46.599 They fairly quickly 00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:48.240 put up on Facebook 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:49.559 that they were 100% funded 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.459 and the responses 00:19:50.459 --> 00:19:51.959 began to just pour in. 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:53.759 We were at Alex 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:54.460 and Lizzie's wedding 00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:54.920 yesterday 00:19:54.920 --> 00:19:57.240 and we had to get going 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.319 so we went up 00:19:58.319 --> 00:19:59.500 to say hi to them 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.779 and bye to them as well. 00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:01.779 And the first thing 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:02.860 that Alex and Lizzie said 00:20:02.860 --> 00:20:03.039 was, 00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:04.420 it's their wedding day 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:04.720 and they said, 00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:05.519 we're so excited 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:07.440 that you got 100% funded. 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:09.400 Just the rejoicing 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:11.500 around that thing happened 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:13.140 was incredibly special 00:20:13.140 --> 00:20:14.279 and what they shared 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:14.940 with us 00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:15.559 is that their prayer 00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:16.200 has been through 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:17.180 this entire process 00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:18.700 that their faith 00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:19.460 would be increased, 00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:21.600 that their children's faith 00:20:21.600 --> 00:20:22.240 would be increased 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.600 and that the church's faith 00:20:23.600 --> 00:20:24.579 would be increased. 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:26.500 And I don't know, 00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:27.799 I can't speak for everybody here, 00:20:27.860 --> 00:20:28.660 but I can certainly say 00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:29.700 that that has been true 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:31.000 for me. 00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:33.000 Hebrews 11.1, 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:33.960 the writer of Hebrews says, 00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:36.180 the faith is the assurance 00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:37.920 of things hoped for, 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:38.759 the conviction 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:40.960 of things not seen. 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:42.460 So he says that faith 00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:43.940 is an assurance 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:46.580 and it is a conviction. 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:48.720 It's not a vague hope 00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:51.299 grounded in wishful thinking, 00:20:51.600 --> 00:20:53.740 but rather it's a settled confidence 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:55.340 that God will do 00:20:55.340 --> 00:20:58.019 what God said He will do. 00:20:58.440 --> 00:20:59.200 And He has promised 00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:01.539 to provide for our need. 00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:04.360 And so we can trust Him in that. 00:21:04.820 --> 00:21:05.500 And certainly, 00:21:05.840 --> 00:21:08.960 we can raise a stone of remembrance 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:11.220 for this moment to remember. 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:12.660 Remember the way 00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:14.079 that the Lord provided 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:15.519 for the Zwingke's. 00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:16.500 Remember the way 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.680 that He used us, 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:19.200 that He gave to us 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:21.240 to meet our living needs 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:22.440 and that we had an abundance 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:24.240 that we could give to them. 00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:25.660 God is faithful 00:21:25.660 --> 00:21:27.519 to the things He had said 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.319 He will do. 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.620 In front of your bulletin, 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.579 I've got a quote 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:32.740 from John Calvin. 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:35.259 And I'm going to close with that. 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:37.980 He wrote, 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:39.220 we should ask God 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:40.860 to increase our faith 00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:42.419 when it is small. 00:21:43.139 --> 00:21:43.879 Awaken it 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:45.199 when it is dormant. 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.579 Confirm it 00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:47.779 when it is wavering. 00:21:48.439 --> 00:21:49.240 Strengthen it 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:50.479 when it is weak. 00:21:50.939 --> 00:21:52.019 And raise it up 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:53.740 when it is overthrown. 00:21:54.139 --> 00:21:54.919 Let's pray together.