WEBVTT

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 Let's now begin our worship this evening. We're going to sing, first of all, in Psalm 107.

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 Psalm 107 on page 143, and we're singing to a tune Peter some, verses 1 to 9.

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 O thank the Lord, for He is good, His love endures always. Let those whom God redeemed

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 say this, those rescued by His grace. He saved them from their enemies and brought them from the

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 lands, from east and west, from north and south, safe from oppressing hands. And so on, singing down

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 as far as verse 9 to tune Peter some, that's Psalm 107. We stand to sing these verses.

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 O thank the Lord, for He is good, His love endures always. Let those whom God redeemed say this,

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 those rescued by His grace. He saved them from their enemies and brought them from the lands,

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 from east and west, from north and south, safe from oppressing hands.

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 Some wondered in the desert ways, not finding any way, to reach a city where they might obtain

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 a place to stay. Their life unspent, dwelling past, in thirst and emptiness. Then in despair they saw the Lord,

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 who saved them from distress.

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 who saved them from distress.

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 Straight was the path He led them on, a city to attain.

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 So for the Lord's unfailing love, let them give thanks again. And for the awesome deeds of power,

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 which He for them achieved, for hungry souls He filled with good, the thirsty He released.

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 Let's now engage in prayer. Let's call upon the Lord in prayer.

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 Almighty and gracious God, help us as we bow in your presence to truly take note of these words that we have been singing in your praise.

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 O Lord our God, we give thanks to you tonight, that your mercy and your grace are so abundant toward us.

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 And we give thanks for the way that you constantly lead your people, for the way that you have this glorious end in view for them,

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 that you will bring them into that city that has foundations, of which you are the builder and maker.

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 We acknowledge, O Lord, that much happens from the time of our birth to our leaving this world.

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 But we thank you that by your grace you guide your people,

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 and all the things that take place in their experience are experiences by which they return their thanks and draw near to your independence.

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 Forgive us, Lord, we pray, for our shortcomings, even in regard to this.

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 There are so many ways in which you bless us from day to day.

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 You bless us in the ordinary course of life, which we cannot itself separate from those spiritual blessings that are in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

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 We give thanks, O Lord, that tonight we gather to worship you, to fall down in adoration before you,

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 the God who created heaven and earth and all that is in them,

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 the God who counts the number of the stars and names them every one.

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 We cannot, Lord, even reach in our own vision to the stars around us in the universe in the way in which we seek, Lord, in admiration to look upon the work of your hand.

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 We thank you, Lord, that you know them each one.

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 And we give thanks that your greatness is thereby described for us as your word sets out for us those aspects of your being and of your works that your people admire.

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 Lord, help us, we pray, to come believing that you are God and believing that you are the rewarder of those who faithfully seek you.

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 We thank you tonight, Lord, that we come in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.

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 We thank you for the assurance that you give us that all who come in his name and pleading, O Lord, his merits before you are accepted by you and received into fellowship with himself and with you as our Father.

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 We bless you, Lord, for the work of your Holy Spirit and for the way that we can look back upon even this congregation itself and know with gratitude and give thanks that your Spirit has been at work here over many generations.

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 As many congregations, as many congregations also can say.

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 Lord, we thank you that this gives us encouragement.

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 What you have promised to your people is that as you have blessed them in the past, so your blessing will continue through the generations to come of your people.

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 We take encouragement, O Lord, tonight from the assurance of your own work, the assurance of your promises toward us, the assurance that you will bring your people to know yourself.

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 And that you know those that are yours and that you know those that are yours and that your foundation stands sure, having this seal that the Lord knows those who are his.

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 And let all who name the name of God depart from wickedness.

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 Bless us, Lord, we pray under your word.

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 Sanctify us under your word.

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 Set us apart once again in such a way that would be aware of your claim upon us.

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 To be your people, to be your witnesses in this world.

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 Continue to bless us, we pray, as a congregation.

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 Bless us, O Lord, under your word especially.

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 May we find that the fruit of righteousness is produced steadily in our own lives and our experience.

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 May we prove to be, O Lord, faithful and willing, a testimony to the world around us of your grace and of your love.

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 And we ask, Lord, that we may prize those things by which you reveal yourself to us.

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 Help us especially in these days when so much change is taking place around us.

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 When we hear of so many changes taking place amongst your own believing people.

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 Lord, we pray that you would enable us to hold firm to the rock that is Jesus himself.

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 And help us to carry forward those great truths that you have delivered unto us.

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 That were delivered once for all to the saints of God.

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 Help us, O Lord, to be proud of them.

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 To hold on to them in such a way that would truly commend them steadfastly to the generation we belong to.

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 And we ask, O Lord, that the gospel may come to flourish once again in our midst.

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 We pray that the power of your Holy Spirit will apply the teaching of your word, the preaching of your word to this generation we belong to.

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 Remember our young people.

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 And while we pray, O Lord, for those who are of an older age group as well.

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 We do remember, O Lord, that those young ones who are coming up now to be taught under the gospel.

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 Are those who would carry the banner of Christ in the future.

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 We thank you that they belong to your church even from their infancy as your promises reach them in your grace.

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 And we pray that as they are nurtured under the gospel, that their own lives, Lord, may develop in such a way that they will be themselves increasingly known as the people of God.

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 Remember each and every family who faithfully bring their children to worship, to the Sunday school, to other activities.

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 And we pray, O Lord, for each and every family that you would bless them.

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 Bless them, we pray, with your own protective care in days when we know there is so much around us that seeks to bring our children and our young people away from the things of God.

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 Away from the things that make for a wholesome and steady life.

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 And we ask that you would protect them to help them walk in the ways of your truth.

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 Bless, we pray, all who tonight need you in particular ways as we think of those who tonight mourn the passing of loved ones in our congregation here and in the community.

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 O Lord, draw near to them, we pray.

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 Give them the grace and the strength that they require.

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 Give them a sense of their need of you, a sense of drawing their strength from you so that they will come to seek you with all their heart and seek your comfort and your direction at this time.

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 We pray, O Lord, not only for those but for others we hear of as well.

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 Remember the family of the diver who tragically died in these past days here in the harbor.

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 We ask that you would, Lord, draw near to them, though we don't know them.

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 We thank you that you know them and you're able to console their hearts and bring to them the comfort which you alone are able to bring.

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 We ask, Lord, your blessing too for those of our number who experience illness at this time.

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 We pray for them.

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 Those recovering from illness, from surgery, those anticipating treatment in the days to come.

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 Lord, remember them, we pray.

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 Give them that calmness of heart that would trust and rely upon you.

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 And we pray, O Lord, that you would grant us your blessing now as we seek here to remain faithful,

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 as we seek to remain active in our faith and in our hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 And so we ask that your blessing will go with us now through the week ahead,

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 that all the activities that are anticipated taking place in the congregation will know your blessing.

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 And we ask, O God, that all of this will ultimately work towards your glory and your praise,

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 and that we may have that as our great aim and the purpose for our lives and for all that we do,

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 to bring glory and honor to the name of God, our Savior.

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 Receive us, we pray, and pardon our sins.

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 For Jesus' sake.

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 Amen.

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 We're going to sing again to God's praise.

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 Our singing this time is Psalm 102, the second version.

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 Psalm 102.

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 That's on page 368.

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 Singing to a tune, Herongate.

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 And it's verses 16 to 22.

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 God in his glory shall appear when Zion he builds and repairs.

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 He shall regard and lend his ear unto the needy's humble prayers.

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 The afflicted's prayer he will not scorn.

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 All times this shall be on record.

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 And generations yet unborn shall praise and magnify the Lord.

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 The focus tonight is going to be on prayer as we turn to God's Word shortly.

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 So these psalms themselves speak in different ways about prayer,

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 the place of prayer, the importance of prayer,

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 the purpose of prayer,

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 different other aspects of prayer as well,

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 in the psalms we're singing tonight.

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 So Psalm 102, page 368, from verse 16.

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 God in his glory shall appear.

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 God in his glory shall appear.

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 When Zion he builds and prepares,

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 He shall regard and lend his ear unto the needy's humble prayers.

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 The afflicted's prayer he will not scorn.

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 All times this shall be on record.

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 And generations yet unborn shall praise and magnify the Lord.

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 He promised,

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 He promised,

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 He promised,

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 He blessed,

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 Looked out,

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 The earth he knew,

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 From heaven on high,

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 To hear the prisoners' warning groan,

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 and feed them that are doomed to die.

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 That Zion and Jerusalem too,

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 his name and rich may well record.

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 When people and their kingdoms do,

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 assemble all to praise the Lord.

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 Now let's turn to read God's Word as we find that in Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians, chapter 3.

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 Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians, reading chapter 3 of that letter.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 of Christ. Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away

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 from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received

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 from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were

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 with you. Nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked

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 night and day that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right,

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 but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you

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 this command, if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you

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 walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busy bodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the

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 Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not

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 grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person

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 and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him

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 as a brother. Now may the God of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with

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 you all. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is a sign of genuineness in every letter

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 of mine. It is the way I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And so may God follow

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 with his blessing once again this reading of his own word. Now before we turn to this passage, let's

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 sing again. We're singing in Psalm 31. Psalm 31 in Sing Psalms, that's on page 36.

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 Singing verses 1 to 6. It's shown as Marel.

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 In you I've taken refuge, Lord. You are my shelter in distress. Oh, let me never be ashamed, but save me

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 in your righteousness. Lord, turn your ear to hear my cry. Come quickly to deliver me, and be my rock and

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 firm defense, my stronghold and security. You are my fortress and my rock. For your name's sake, be my

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 sure guide. Preserve me from the trap that's set. You are the refuge where I hide. Redeem me, Lord,

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 O God of truth. My spirit I commit to you. I hate all those who trust false gods. I trust the Lord,

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 for he is true. These verses, Psalm 31. In you I've taken refuge, Lord.

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 In you I've taken refuge, Lord. You are my shelter in distress. Oh, let me never be ashamed, but

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 save me in your righteousness. Lord, turn you here to hear my cry. Come quickly to deliver me,

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 and be my rock and firm defense. You are my fortress and my rock. For your

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 save me, be my sure guide. Preserve me from the top of the sand. You are the refuge where I hide.

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 redeem me, Lord, O God of truth. My spirit I commit to you. I hate all those who trust false gods. I trust the Lord.

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 So, you are my hope and I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.

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 Now if you turn with me please to the passage we read in 2 Thessalonians chapter 3 and reading

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 again from the beginning. Finally brothers pray for us that the word of God may speed ahead and

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 be honored as happened among you that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men for not all

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 have faith but the Lord is faithful he will establish you and guard you against the evil one

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 and we have confidence in the Lord about you that you are doing and will do the things that we

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 command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

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 Well the Bible gives us many topics for prayer. It gives us much information indeed as to what we

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 should pray for both in our own individuals in the individual sense and also in a congregational

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 setting. Those things that we find emphasized as Paul and others wrote to these churches to draw

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 their minds to the importance of prayer and the reasons that they needed to give such attention

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 to prayer. But the Bible also gives us God also gives us not only things to pray for, subjects for

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 prayer, topics for prayer, he also gives us motives for prayer, the purpose of prayer, what prayer is for,

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 what promises are attached to prayer, how we should pray, how we should not pray, and even sometimes

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 what not to pray for. But this is the information we have for our benefit in these verses as well. And in

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 verses 1 and 2 we find a request there for two things that Paul is actually commanding as he puts it in

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 the passage these Christians in the Thessalonican church to pray for. He's saying first of all pray for us and

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 there's a purpose behind that request. Pray for us so that the Word of God may speed ahead and be

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 honored as happened among you. So he's praying first of all he asks them to pray for them, for the gospel

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 messengers, himself and those who carry the message of the gospel and proclaim the message of the gospel.

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 And then he goes on to secondly ask that they pray that they may be delivered from wicked and evil men

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 for not all men have faith. In other words there's a prayer for the gospel message to be blessed and a

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 prayer for the gospel messenger to be protected. And they both fit very nicely together. You can't

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 separate the one from the other. And it's interesting some of the detail that you find in regard to this

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 as we go to these verses now as they appear there before us. First of all he's saying pray for us.

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 Now as he wrote his first letter to the Thessalonians Paul makes it clear that he was very much aware

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 himself where his enabling came from, where the power that was required for the gospel to be effective

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 came from. In the first chapter of the first epistle he said we give thanks to God that he has chosen you

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 brothers loved by God because our gospel came to you not in word only but also in power and in the Holy

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 Spirit and with full conviction. He knew that the gospel as it was effective in Thessalonica and in

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 every other place was effective precisely because God blessed it. There wasn't any methodology on the

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 part of Paul himself though he didn't actually shy away from thinking about the methods he used to present

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 the gospel and in fact you find that he presented the gospel in various ways. For example in the city

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 of Athens he presented the gospel to the Jews as he always did to the Jews going to the Old Testament

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 and arguing from the Old Testament towards Jesus and his identity and the gospel in Christ. But when he

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 spoke to the people of Athens themselves these pagan people he took as a starting point the altar that

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 he came across in the city that he came across in the city that was dedicated in the inscription to the

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 unknown God. He didn't start with the Old Testament he didn't start with the law of God he didn't start with

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 the promises that God had established in covenant with his people in the days of the Old Testament he

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 started with this. That was the starting point he worked from this altar that they had that they had erected and I

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 suppose they were amongst all the many idols that Athens was crammed full of there was maybe something

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 in the minds of these Athenians that perhaps they must they must actually dedicate this to the unknown

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 God in case they missed one out. And that's where Paul started and he he said I'm going to present to you

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 the God that I know the God who created all things that was a starting point God as creator

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 and he moved from there to to set out for them God as the Savior God in grace in Jesus Christ.

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 There's a lot of teaching in that itself for us that we don't just rush into presenting the gospel

00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:07.919
 in exactly the same way whatever our context is. Anyway coming back to 2 Thessalonians you find here

00:27:07.919 --> 00:27:15.279
 pray for us where the power of God had established a church in Thessalonica now he's saying

00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:23.839
 pray for us that the word of God may speed ahead and be honored. Because even in Paul's day the word

00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:30.879
 was not advancing even as Paul himself would desire and pray for there were times when the word was not

00:27:30.879 --> 00:27:36.799
 advancing in the way that Paul himself would have liked and it's true even of an apostle that there

00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:42.480
 were disappointments that there were things which he would bring to God and sometimes even ring out his

00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:49.279
 heart as he saw resistance to the gospel and opposition to the gospel and twisting of the gospel

00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:56.079
 and defections from the gospel things which themselves prevented the word from running ahead effectively

00:27:56.079 --> 00:28:05.039
 in the experience of these people. And so what he's saying is pray for us that the word of God may speed

00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:14.559
 ahead and be honored. Now he's not just saying to these Christians pray for us full stop. He's giving a

00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:21.519
 reason and a purpose why they should pray for him and for his companions and for those like-minded who are

00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:27.759
 preaching the gospel. It's so that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored. His purpose is

00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:33.519
 the gospel itself. His purpose is the advance of the word of God, the effectiveness of the word of God.

00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:40.000
 But he's saying pray for us. He's not just saying pray for the gospel to advance. He knows that he is

00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:46.559
 the instrument of God in order to proclaim the gospel to the world of his day. And so he's asking pray that

00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:54.079
 God will bless us so that the gospel will advance. And that's how it is down to the present day as you very well

00:28:54.079 --> 00:29:03.039
 know. And when there's perhaps more of a danger that preaching itself will be more and more set aside

00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:09.839
 as such a central part of the worship, the gathered worship of God, we have to take note of these very

00:29:09.839 --> 00:29:16.159
 important passages of the apostle where he sets out the importance of preaching, the purpose of preaching,

00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:22.319
 all the things that are attached to the preaching of the gospel. And we have to retain these and keep these,

00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:27.919
 and we have to emphasize these and promote these. And we have to actually show the word of our day

00:29:27.919 --> 00:29:34.720
 that we agree with the word of God that this is the method, the primary method that God uses

00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:40.819
 in order to bring people to know himself. It's a wonderful thing, isn't it, that the gospel that

00:29:40.819 --> 00:29:47.200
 God uses, the preaching of God's word, the preaching of the gospel that he uses to bring people to know

00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:54.799
 himself, to bring them to be converted, to be born again. That very same gospel is the gospel through

00:29:54.799 --> 00:30:00.960
 which these people are then fed spiritually. He doesn't bring the gospel just so that people can

00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:07.680
 be converted and then turn to something else. And Paul is not saying to pray for him and for his

00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:13.600
 companions, for one or the other. He's saying pray for us that the word of God may speed ahead

00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:18.879
 and be honored. And that's going to include new converts. It's going to include those who are

00:30:18.879 --> 00:30:27.439
 already converted to be built up in the faith. And that's why he's saying, brethren, pray for us.

00:30:27.439 --> 00:30:35.279
 Now, he's using what seems to be athletic language or imagery here. Paul, as you know, uses that from

00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:42.000
 time to time. And these words that he's using here, the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored.

00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:50.880
 Something you could illustrate perhaps by what you see when there are major athletic games such as the

00:30:50.880 --> 00:30:58.160
 Olympics or the World Championships. I think it's still the case that when a marathon is run, it's run

00:30:58.160 --> 00:31:03.599
 around the streets of whatever city or place the games are taking place in. But then for the final

00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:08.400
 part of the race, those who are running the marathon will actually come and enter the stadium

00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:13.040
 where the crowd are waiting for them. The other things are going on and they're waiting for them

00:31:13.040 --> 00:31:19.759
 to appear. They've run all of these miles. What is it, 26 something miles? And they've run all these

00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:24.800
 miles. And here they are the final stage doing a lap or maybe two of the stadium when they come back.

00:31:24.800 --> 00:31:30.720
 And as soon as the first one appears at the head of the race, whoever's first into the stadium,

00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:35.120
 running the marathon as they appear through the gates of the stadium, this mighty shout goes up.

00:31:35.119 --> 00:31:39.439
 There's a wonderful acclaim. There's a wonderful reception. There's an acknowledgement. Well,

00:31:39.439 --> 00:31:45.439
 they're back. And here's the first one. And let's acclaim them. Let's actually applaud what they've done.

00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:48.479
 Let's show out praise for their achievement.

00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:55.679
 And that's the kind of imagery that you find here that Paul is actually using when he's saying,

00:31:55.679 --> 00:32:02.479
 pray for us that the word of God may speed ahead and be honored. Because out in that world tonight,

00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:08.960
 the word of God is not in most of it, at least speeding ahead and honored. There isn't a welcome

00:32:08.960 --> 00:32:14.319
 given to the word of God. There isn't a welcome given to the gospel such as we would want, such as

00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:19.759
 we would desire, such as we pray for. But this is what Paul is reminding us of. For that welcome to

00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:25.200
 actually be produced and come to take place, what do we need to do? We need to pray for the preaching of

00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:31.279
 the gospel. We need to pray for the gospel, however it's actually disseminated amongst people. Not just

00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:36.400
 the preaching of it, though that's primarily what Paul has in mind, but everything that accompanies

00:32:36.400 --> 00:32:42.080
 the preaching of the word in order to actually present the truth of God to the current generation.

00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:50.639
 He's saying, pray for us that the reception given to the word may be one of great welcome, that be a

00:32:50.639 --> 00:32:57.759
 great acclaim and applause in the hearts of human beings, bringing into their own experience through

00:32:57.759 --> 00:33:07.439
 faith the provision God has made in grace and the gospel in Jesus Christ. Stornoway needs the gospel.

00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:17.920
 Our country areas need the gospel. Glasgow needs the gospel. Areas of the country where the gospel has

00:33:17.920 --> 00:33:26.720
 receded so much over the years needs the gospel. We have church plants going on different parts of our

00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:32.400
 land, our own denomination planting churches. What's that about? Well, the purpose for that is that the

00:33:32.400 --> 00:33:38.400
 word of God may speed ahead and be honored, that people will come in receiving the message of the

00:33:38.400 --> 00:33:43.920
 word of God, come to turn to God, come to turn to Christ, come to give their lives to the Savior. That's

00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:50.560
 what it's about. But he's saying, pray for us. Pray for those who actually bring the gospel before

00:33:51.360 --> 00:33:58.960
 people like yourselves in these days as well. Now, this is not, therefore, about praise and honor for the

00:33:58.960 --> 00:34:05.279
 messenger for the church. It's not about bringing ourselves into the picture, as it were, so that

00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:11.119
 we will be elevated. Whatever you do, don't elevate ministers. Don't elevate us beyond what God's own

00:34:11.119 --> 00:34:18.240
 calling does. We're not here to receive praise from you for ourselves. We're here as ambassadors for

00:34:18.240 --> 00:34:24.159
 Christ. We're here as those who present the gospel in the name of Christ and for the glory of Christ. And

00:34:24.159 --> 00:34:29.779
 what he's saying is, oh, pray for us, brothers, so that the word of God may speed. He's not saying,

00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:35.179
 pray for us so that we'll have great prestige. There are preachers in the world tonight, and really,

00:34:35.279 --> 00:34:42.599
 most of what they're about is prestige for themselves. Prestige and honor and a place,

00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:49.839
 celebrity preachers, if you like. This is not what Paul is about. He's not interested in being

00:34:49.840 --> 00:34:56.600
 a celebrity preacher. He's not interested in personal prestige. He's interested in Christ,

00:34:57.019 --> 00:35:02.860
 and Christ actually being made known to people. He's interested and concerned for people to be saved,

00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:09.880
 for people in the churches that he's writing to hold on to the truth tenaciously, to promote that truth,

00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:14.720
 not to defect from that truth. All of these things Paul is seeking their prayers for,

00:35:14.719 --> 00:35:21.159
 not for himself, not for himself per se, but for himself for this purpose,

00:35:21.899 --> 00:35:31.639
 that the word may be received and recognized and honored. And that tonight is what we ourselves

00:35:31.639 --> 00:35:38.299
 also appeal for. And you see, Paul is not in any way embarrassed by presenting himself in this way

00:35:38.300 --> 00:35:43.800
 to the people that he's writing to. And while certainly we have to be careful in presenting

00:35:43.800 --> 00:35:49.800
 ourselves as preachers of the gospel to the likes of yourselves in what we say and what we do,

00:35:50.700 --> 00:35:56.460
 we should never be embarrassed in saying, pray for us, pray for me, pray for Calamordo,

00:35:56.600 --> 00:36:02.120
 pray for us, and pray for all who are presenting the gospel, but especially in our own context here

00:36:02.119 --> 00:36:08.579
 in this congregation. Brothers, sisters, pray for us. Why? So that the word of God may actually

00:36:08.579 --> 00:36:14.059
 flow forth with power and be received with honor and speed ahead and be honored.

00:36:18.099 --> 00:36:24.019
 So that our young people may come to turn to the Lord and give themselves to the Lord.

00:36:25.359 --> 00:36:31.299
 So the families in this congregation may come to be believing families, worshiping families,

00:36:31.300 --> 00:36:41.480
 witnessing families, lights in this dark world, so that we see the blessing of God of his word

00:36:41.480 --> 00:36:46.980
 in these contexts. And you see, what he's saying is that as it happened among you,

00:36:48.039 --> 00:36:53.300
 so that this will again happen elsewhere. He's drawing their minds to the fact that what happened

00:36:53.300 --> 00:37:00.019
 with themselves, that the word of God did indeed speed ahead and was honored as they knew its blessing

00:37:00.019 --> 00:37:04.860
 from God in their midst. Now he's saying, you've known that, but you're not to keep that to yourselves.

00:37:05.420 --> 00:37:08.980
 Pray for us so that this may be repeated, that this may spread forth.

00:37:10.800 --> 00:37:14.800
 And that's how it is for ourselves as well.

00:37:16.159 --> 00:37:23.320
 We pray for individuals to be converted, to be saved. We pray for the people of God to be

00:37:23.320 --> 00:37:29.740
 nourished and fed and grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:37.320
 We pray for families. We pray that the gospel may speed ahead in the context of families,

00:37:37.400 --> 00:37:42.039
 that they come under its blessing. We pray that the gospel may speed ahead and be blessed in terms of

00:37:42.039 --> 00:37:44.760
 marriages, relationships.

00:37:44.760 --> 00:37:56.940
 The word of God may speed abroad and be blessed by God to our children, to our teenagers, to those who

00:37:56.940 --> 00:38:01.060
 are at that stage in between childhood and adulthood.

00:38:03.300 --> 00:38:04.200
 There's so much

00:38:04.200 --> 00:38:06.520
 to hinder the gospel.

00:38:07.800 --> 00:38:08.780
 But one thing

00:38:08.780 --> 00:38:12.900
 that we might say hinders it as much as anything else is prayerlessness.

00:38:12.900 --> 00:38:16.240
 There's lack of prayer for its

00:38:16.240 --> 00:38:20.760
 speeding ahead and its being blessed through the preaching of the word.

00:38:22.619 --> 00:38:29.000
 So, that's Paul's appeal to the Thessalonians. That's the appeal of Scripture to ourselves

00:38:29.000 --> 00:38:34.139
 tonight. It's not me making the appeal, though I would hope to actually say this is my appeal as

00:38:34.139 --> 00:38:40.320
 well as I fall into line with the thinking of the apostle as it is right and becoming of me to do so

00:38:40.320 --> 00:38:43.080
 as a minister of the gospel, as your minister of the gospel.

00:38:43.860 --> 00:38:46.180
 Brethren, pray for us.

00:38:47.160 --> 00:38:49.059
 Pray for us so that the word of God

00:38:49.059 --> 00:38:51.000
 may speed ahead

00:38:51.000 --> 00:38:52.480
 and be honored.

00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:55.100
 And let me just make an appeal

00:38:55.100 --> 00:38:57.740
 here for prayer,

00:38:57.820 --> 00:39:00.120
 not just for individual, private prayer,

00:39:00.260 --> 00:39:00.960
 personal prayer,

00:39:01.320 --> 00:39:03.100
 but also for our prayer meetings.

00:39:04.039 --> 00:39:05.240
 You know, if you go online to

00:39:05.239 --> 00:39:07.279
 just Google in,

00:39:07.919 --> 00:39:09.519
 why is the prayer meeting important?

00:39:10.779 --> 00:39:12.539
 You'll actually find lots of responses

00:39:12.539 --> 00:39:14.719
 in different parts of the world,

00:39:14.839 --> 00:39:16.399
 and I only just checked it very briefly.

00:39:17.179 --> 00:39:17.799
 But sadly,

00:39:18.139 --> 00:39:20.239
 so much of these responses is

00:39:20.239 --> 00:39:22.159
 on the part of

00:39:22.159 --> 00:39:23.059
 individuals,

00:39:23.299 --> 00:39:24.419
 whether they're ministers

00:39:24.419 --> 00:39:26.339
 or congregations,

00:39:26.439 --> 00:39:27.579
 that really just say,

00:39:27.679 --> 00:39:29.599
 well, the percentage of their people

00:39:29.599 --> 00:39:31.719
 who actually attend

00:39:31.719 --> 00:39:33.599
 regularly

00:39:33.599 --> 00:39:35.279
 the prayer meetings of the church

00:39:35.279 --> 00:39:37.179
 is very much less

00:39:37.179 --> 00:39:38.219
 than it ought to be.

00:39:39.239 --> 00:39:41.000
 And you'll find different percentages there.

00:39:41.519 --> 00:39:42.799
 And virtually all of these

00:39:42.799 --> 00:39:44.279
 are complaining about the same thing,

00:39:44.380 --> 00:39:45.759
 that it's so difficult

00:39:45.759 --> 00:39:46.719
 to persuade people

00:39:46.719 --> 00:39:48.019
 to attend the prayer meetings.

00:39:48.380 --> 00:39:50.019
 Now, we all have duties.

00:39:50.159 --> 00:39:51.319
 We all have family duties.

00:39:51.519 --> 00:39:52.980
 We all have various things

00:39:52.980 --> 00:39:54.199
 that would legitimately

00:39:54.199 --> 00:39:55.319
 keep us at times

00:39:55.319 --> 00:39:56.839
 from attending the weekly meeting,

00:39:57.079 --> 00:39:58.279
 the weekly meeting for prayer,

00:39:58.280 --> 00:39:59.860
 for study of the Bible

00:39:59.860 --> 00:40:00.700
 in more depth.

00:40:01.080 --> 00:40:01.519
 But remember,

00:40:01.640 --> 00:40:02.500
 the prayer meeting

00:40:02.500 --> 00:40:05.000
 contributes to your personal growth,

00:40:05.340 --> 00:40:06.780
 but it also strengthens

00:40:06.780 --> 00:40:07.720
 the bonds

00:40:07.720 --> 00:40:09.800
 between the believing people of God

00:40:09.800 --> 00:40:11.080
 when they gather together

00:40:11.080 --> 00:40:12.600
 in the setting of prayer

00:40:12.600 --> 00:40:14.900
 and of studying the Bible together

00:40:14.900 --> 00:40:15.560
 and its teaching.

00:40:15.900 --> 00:40:17.019
 It's really part of

00:40:17.019 --> 00:40:18.240
 what the apostle elsewhere

00:40:18.240 --> 00:40:19.080
 calls bearing

00:40:19.080 --> 00:40:20.880
 one another's burdens.

00:40:21.360 --> 00:40:22.040
 We cannot bear

00:40:22.040 --> 00:40:23.140
 one another's burdens

00:40:23.140 --> 00:40:24.760
 meaningfully and fully

00:40:24.760 --> 00:40:26.340
 just by praying on our own

00:40:26.340 --> 00:40:26.700
 at home

00:40:26.699 --> 00:40:27.359
 and never coming

00:40:27.359 --> 00:40:28.419
 to meet together

00:40:28.419 --> 00:40:28.980
 for prayer.

00:40:29.199 --> 00:40:30.419
 We bear one another's burdens

00:40:30.419 --> 00:40:31.579
 when we are together

00:40:31.579 --> 00:40:32.859
 sharing these burdens,

00:40:33.219 --> 00:40:34.339
 praying over these burdens,

00:40:34.639 --> 00:40:35.599
 presenting these burdens

00:40:35.599 --> 00:40:36.239
 to God.

00:40:37.980 --> 00:40:38.500
 The prayer meeting

00:40:38.500 --> 00:40:39.419
 is where we share

00:40:39.419 --> 00:40:40.339
 needs

00:40:40.339 --> 00:40:41.859
 and requests

00:40:41.859 --> 00:40:43.039
 and praises,

00:40:43.839 --> 00:40:45.199
 where we engage

00:40:45.199 --> 00:40:45.719
 together

00:40:45.719 --> 00:40:46.839
 in prayer

00:40:46.839 --> 00:40:47.679
 for the gospel

00:40:47.679 --> 00:40:48.639
 to advance.

00:40:49.819 --> 00:40:51.059
 Paul is not suggesting here

00:40:51.059 --> 00:40:52.000
 that this is something

00:40:52.000 --> 00:40:52.919
 these Christians do

00:40:52.919 --> 00:40:53.480
 privately

00:40:53.480 --> 00:40:55.980
 or only privately.

00:40:56.900 --> 00:40:57.740
 There's no suggestion

00:40:57.740 --> 00:40:58.719
 at all of that.

00:40:59.159 --> 00:40:59.860
 And I'm sure, in fact,

00:40:59.920 --> 00:41:01.380
 that the main emphasis is

00:41:01.380 --> 00:41:02.380
 when you come together

00:41:02.380 --> 00:41:03.400
 is what he would mean,

00:41:03.699 --> 00:41:04.639
 pray for us.

00:41:06.300 --> 00:41:07.380
 And it's a way, too,

00:41:07.460 --> 00:41:09.199
 of expressing

00:41:09.199 --> 00:41:10.460
 our concern

00:41:10.460 --> 00:41:11.159
 for the gospel

00:41:11.159 --> 00:41:11.820
 to advance,

00:41:11.940 --> 00:41:12.880
 to plead with God

00:41:12.880 --> 00:41:14.320
 for His blessing

00:41:14.320 --> 00:41:15.059
 of the gospel,

00:41:16.139 --> 00:41:17.320
 for His direction

00:41:17.320 --> 00:41:18.760
 in the ways

00:41:18.760 --> 00:41:20.000
 of evangelism

00:41:20.000 --> 00:41:20.719
 and outreach

00:41:20.719 --> 00:41:22.420
 and witnessing.

00:41:23.760 --> 00:41:25.320
 We pray all these things

00:41:25.320 --> 00:41:26.340
 before God

00:41:26.340 --> 00:41:26.900
 together.

00:41:28.039 --> 00:41:28.760
 It's a way

00:41:28.760 --> 00:41:29.340
 of expressing

00:41:29.340 --> 00:41:29.840
 as well

00:41:29.840 --> 00:41:30.880
 and experiencing

00:41:30.880 --> 00:41:32.639
 and valuing

00:41:32.639 --> 00:41:33.579
 our unity

00:41:33.579 --> 00:41:34.659
 in Christ.

00:41:35.599 --> 00:41:36.239
 If we value

00:41:36.239 --> 00:41:37.219
 our unity in Christ,

00:41:37.280 --> 00:41:37.780
 then we value

00:41:37.780 --> 00:41:38.539
 being together.

00:41:39.059 --> 00:41:39.719
 We value what

00:41:39.719 --> 00:41:41.280
 the writer

00:41:41.280 --> 00:41:41.900
 to the Hebrews,

00:41:42.380 --> 00:41:43.139
 as he put it,

00:41:43.219 --> 00:41:44.039
 do not neglect

00:41:44.039 --> 00:41:45.719
 the gathering

00:41:45.719 --> 00:41:46.320
 of yourselves

00:41:46.320 --> 00:41:46.780
 together

00:41:46.780 --> 00:41:47.780
 as the manner

00:41:47.780 --> 00:41:48.920
 of some is.

00:41:48.920 --> 00:41:50.000
 and what was

00:41:50.000 --> 00:41:50.460
 his purpose

00:41:50.460 --> 00:41:51.180
 in doing that?

00:41:51.460 --> 00:41:52.500
 It was precisely

00:41:52.500 --> 00:41:53.680
 that they stimulate

00:41:53.680 --> 00:41:54.280
 one another

00:41:54.280 --> 00:41:54.960
 to love

00:41:54.960 --> 00:41:56.480
 and to good works.

00:41:57.900 --> 00:41:58.619
 It wasn't just

00:41:58.619 --> 00:41:59.300
 something that

00:41:59.300 --> 00:42:00.760
 they enjoyed fellowship,

00:42:00.960 --> 00:42:01.619
 they enjoyed having

00:42:01.619 --> 00:42:02.559
 a cup of tea

00:42:02.559 --> 00:42:03.340
 or a cup of coffee

00:42:03.340 --> 00:42:03.740
 or something,

00:42:03.860 --> 00:42:04.780
 maybe that comes into it,

00:42:04.800 --> 00:42:05.380
 there's nothing wrong

00:42:05.380 --> 00:42:05.780
 with that,

00:42:06.000 --> 00:42:07.059
 but his main concern

00:42:07.059 --> 00:42:07.940
 was so that they

00:42:07.940 --> 00:42:09.000
 stimulate each other

00:42:09.000 --> 00:42:09.880
 to love

00:42:09.880 --> 00:42:10.960
 and to good works.

00:42:11.659 --> 00:42:12.280
 It's very difficult

00:42:12.280 --> 00:42:13.639
 to stimulate yourself

00:42:13.639 --> 00:42:14.440
 to love

00:42:14.440 --> 00:42:15.860
 when you're on your own,

00:42:16.340 --> 00:42:16.780
 when you're not

00:42:16.780 --> 00:42:17.519
 with the Lord's

00:42:17.519 --> 00:42:18.300
 believing people.

00:42:18.920 --> 00:42:20.240
 So here's,

00:42:20.820 --> 00:42:21.380
 you might say,

00:42:21.420 --> 00:42:21.900
 our appeal

00:42:21.900 --> 00:42:22.960
 tonight.

00:42:23.740 --> 00:42:24.119
 Brethren,

00:42:25.079 --> 00:42:25.579
 sisters,

00:42:26.579 --> 00:42:27.539
 pray for us.

00:42:28.500 --> 00:42:29.260
 Pray for us

00:42:29.260 --> 00:42:29.800
 together.

00:42:30.000 --> 00:42:30.440
 Pray for us.

00:42:30.860 --> 00:42:31.519
 Come together

00:42:31.519 --> 00:42:32.200
 for prayer.

00:42:33.159 --> 00:42:33.680
 Come together

00:42:33.680 --> 00:42:34.579
 to plead with God

00:42:34.579 --> 00:42:35.360
 for his word,

00:42:35.920 --> 00:42:37.139
 to speed ahead

00:42:37.139 --> 00:42:38.220
 and be honored

00:42:38.220 --> 00:42:39.960
 so that the blessing

00:42:39.960 --> 00:42:40.400
 of God

00:42:40.400 --> 00:42:41.320
 will flow

00:42:41.320 --> 00:42:42.639
 through this congregation

00:42:42.639 --> 00:42:43.180
 and out

00:42:43.180 --> 00:42:43.960
 into the world

00:42:43.960 --> 00:42:47.780
 because through prayer

00:42:47.780 --> 00:42:50.019
 lots of things

00:42:50.019 --> 00:42:52.780
 by God's blessing

00:42:52.780 --> 00:42:55.179
 can be seen

00:42:55.179 --> 00:42:56.019
 to take place.

00:42:57.440 --> 00:42:58.079
 But then secondly,

00:42:58.840 --> 00:42:59.340
 he's saying

00:42:59.340 --> 00:43:01.380
 pray for the gospel

00:43:01.380 --> 00:43:02.000
 messenger

00:43:02.000 --> 00:43:03.539
 to be protected.

00:43:03.960 --> 00:43:04.920
 Pray for us

00:43:04.920 --> 00:43:06.159
 that the word of the Lord

00:43:06.159 --> 00:43:07.019
 may speed ahead

00:43:07.019 --> 00:43:07.639
 and be honored

00:43:07.639 --> 00:43:09.579
 as happened among you

00:43:09.579 --> 00:43:11.360
 and that we may be delivered

00:43:11.360 --> 00:43:12.559
 from wicked

00:43:12.559 --> 00:43:13.559
 and evil men

00:43:13.559 --> 00:43:15.139
 for not all

00:43:15.139 --> 00:43:16.019
 have faith.

00:43:16.920 --> 00:43:17.599
 But the Lord

00:43:17.599 --> 00:43:18.400
 is faithful.

00:43:18.980 --> 00:43:20.039
 He will establish you.

00:43:20.400 --> 00:43:21.039
 Now it's not

00:43:21.039 --> 00:43:21.739
 obvious

00:43:21.739 --> 00:43:22.639
 what the opposition

00:43:22.639 --> 00:43:23.559
 is there,

00:43:23.639 --> 00:43:24.840
 though at other times

00:43:24.840 --> 00:43:25.599
 Paul mentions

00:43:25.599 --> 00:43:26.440
 more specifically

00:43:26.440 --> 00:43:27.960
 what his opponents,

00:43:28.099 --> 00:43:29.000
 whose opponents are

00:43:29.000 --> 00:43:29.880
 and what they're like.

00:43:30.400 --> 00:43:31.039
 It may well be

00:43:31.039 --> 00:43:31.940
 that this was also

00:43:31.940 --> 00:43:33.279
 from within the church

00:43:33.280 --> 00:43:35.720
 and it's really

00:43:35.720 --> 00:43:38.280
 quite a thought-provoking thing

00:43:38.280 --> 00:43:40.560
 to actually take note

00:43:40.560 --> 00:43:41.660
 of how soon

00:43:41.660 --> 00:43:43.140
 heresies

00:43:43.140 --> 00:43:44.140
 and departures

00:43:44.140 --> 00:43:44.880
 from the faith

00:43:44.880 --> 00:43:46.000
 set in

00:43:46.000 --> 00:43:47.220
 even while the apostles

00:43:47.220 --> 00:43:48.100
 were still living

00:43:48.100 --> 00:43:50.320
 and how much more

00:43:50.320 --> 00:43:51.100
 since then.

00:43:52.000 --> 00:43:52.660
 So as he's saying

00:43:52.660 --> 00:43:53.820
 pray for us

00:43:53.820 --> 00:43:55.080
 that we may be delivered

00:43:55.080 --> 00:43:55.720
 from wicked

00:43:55.720 --> 00:43:56.720
 and evil men.

00:43:57.480 --> 00:43:58.019
 And what he means

00:43:58.019 --> 00:43:58.600
 by that

00:43:58.600 --> 00:44:00.300
 includes the likes

00:44:00.300 --> 00:44:01.760
 of false teaching.

00:44:02.240 --> 00:44:02.840
 Look at how often

00:44:02.840 --> 00:44:03.760
 false teaching

00:44:03.760 --> 00:44:04.960
 is mentioned

00:44:04.960 --> 00:44:05.940
 in these letters

00:44:05.940 --> 00:44:06.620
 of the apostle.

00:44:07.280 --> 00:44:07.960
 Whether it's to

00:44:07.960 --> 00:44:08.519
 these churches

00:44:08.519 --> 00:44:09.120
 or to the likes

00:44:09.120 --> 00:44:10.340
 of Timothy and Titus.

00:44:11.019 --> 00:44:11.740
 False teaching

00:44:11.740 --> 00:44:12.519
 that was spreading

00:44:12.519 --> 00:44:13.500
 as he put it to Timothy

00:44:13.500 --> 00:44:14.559
 like a gangrene

00:44:14.559 --> 00:44:16.760
 which if it's left alone

00:44:16.760 --> 00:44:17.760
 just makes its way

00:44:17.760 --> 00:44:18.340
 and spreads

00:44:18.340 --> 00:44:19.400
 throughout any body

00:44:19.400 --> 00:44:20.000
 of people

00:44:20.000 --> 00:44:21.019
 any church.

00:44:21.840 --> 00:44:22.240
 Well he's saying

00:44:22.240 --> 00:44:22.880
 pray for us

00:44:22.880 --> 00:44:24.140
 that the word of God

00:44:24.140 --> 00:44:24.980
 may speed ahead

00:44:24.980 --> 00:44:25.480
 and be honored

00:44:25.480 --> 00:44:26.620
 because the more

00:44:26.620 --> 00:44:27.380
 the word of God

00:44:27.380 --> 00:44:28.579
 is blessed to you

00:44:28.579 --> 00:44:29.980
 the more you pray

00:44:29.980 --> 00:44:30.539
 together

00:44:30.539 --> 00:44:31.820
 that your own life

00:44:31.820 --> 00:44:33.600
 life will be protected

00:44:33.600 --> 00:44:34.500
 against decay

00:44:34.500 --> 00:44:35.440
 and defection

00:44:35.440 --> 00:44:36.740
 so the more

00:44:36.740 --> 00:44:37.580
 that will contribute

00:44:37.580 --> 00:44:38.640
 to the wholesomeness

00:44:38.640 --> 00:44:39.519
 and the well-being

00:44:39.519 --> 00:44:40.280
 of the church.

00:44:41.840 --> 00:44:42.760
 Pray for us

00:44:42.760 --> 00:44:43.320
 that it may

00:44:43.320 --> 00:44:44.940
 speed ahead

00:44:44.940 --> 00:44:45.940
 and be honored

00:44:45.940 --> 00:44:47.100
 among you

00:44:47.100 --> 00:44:48.039
 for not all

00:44:48.039 --> 00:44:49.519
 have faith.

00:44:51.320 --> 00:44:53.000
 That's a very solemn statement.

00:44:54.260 --> 00:44:55.860
 Not all have faith.

00:44:56.539 --> 00:44:57.620
 Especially if the apostle

00:44:57.620 --> 00:44:58.220
 was thinking

00:44:58.219 --> 00:44:59.559
 and including

00:44:59.559 --> 00:45:00.719
 as I'm sure he was

00:45:00.719 --> 00:45:02.199
 some within

00:45:02.199 --> 00:45:03.039
 the church

00:45:03.039 --> 00:45:04.879
 as it was seen

00:45:04.879 --> 00:45:05.939
 in places like

00:45:05.939 --> 00:45:06.699
 Thessalonica.

00:45:07.299 --> 00:45:07.939
 Not all

00:45:07.939 --> 00:45:09.939
 have faith.

00:45:10.739 --> 00:45:11.639
 Not all are committed

00:45:11.639 --> 00:45:12.339
 to Christ.

00:45:13.299 --> 00:45:13.959
 What he's saying here

00:45:13.959 --> 00:45:14.619
 is far from it.

00:45:14.679 --> 00:45:15.500
 Some are even opposed

00:45:15.500 --> 00:45:15.899
 to him.

00:45:17.079 --> 00:45:17.939
 Some do their best

00:45:17.939 --> 00:45:19.000
 to stand

00:45:19.000 --> 00:45:20.259
 against the progress

00:45:20.259 --> 00:45:21.000
 of the gospel.

00:45:23.099 --> 00:45:24.259
 And it's no different

00:45:24.259 --> 00:45:25.619
 in our day

00:45:25.619 --> 00:45:25.939
 is it?

00:45:25.940 --> 00:45:26.340
 In fact,

00:45:26.760 --> 00:45:27.460
 it's very obvious

00:45:27.460 --> 00:45:28.599
 that that's still the case.

00:45:29.360 --> 00:45:29.860
 The gospel

00:45:29.860 --> 00:45:31.340
 is hindered

00:45:31.340 --> 00:45:31.840
 though God

00:45:31.840 --> 00:45:32.240
 of course

00:45:32.240 --> 00:45:32.960
 is ultimately

00:45:32.960 --> 00:45:33.960
 sovereignly

00:45:33.960 --> 00:45:34.460
 in control

00:45:34.460 --> 00:45:35.220
 of all things

00:45:35.220 --> 00:45:35.880
 of all events

00:45:35.880 --> 00:45:36.840
 but the gospel

00:45:36.840 --> 00:45:37.579
 is certainly

00:45:37.579 --> 00:45:38.860
 effectively hindered

00:45:38.860 --> 00:45:39.800
 when people

00:45:39.800 --> 00:45:40.599
 actually defect

00:45:40.599 --> 00:45:41.519
 from the gospel

00:45:41.519 --> 00:45:42.400
 when ministers

00:45:42.400 --> 00:45:43.159
 of the gospel

00:45:43.159 --> 00:45:44.480
 certainly defect

00:45:44.480 --> 00:45:45.139
 from the gospel

00:45:45.139 --> 00:45:45.940
 begin teaching

00:45:45.940 --> 00:45:46.960
 things which are

00:45:46.960 --> 00:45:47.519
 at odds

00:45:47.519 --> 00:45:48.200
 with the teaching

00:45:48.200 --> 00:45:48.760
 of scripture

00:45:48.760 --> 00:45:49.220
 whether it's

00:45:49.220 --> 00:45:50.240
 about human behavior

00:45:50.240 --> 00:45:52.159
 or certain doctrines

00:45:52.159 --> 00:45:53.099
 that are foundational

00:45:53.099 --> 00:45:54.220
 to an understanding

00:45:54.219 --> 00:45:55.059
 of salvation

00:45:55.059 --> 00:45:56.519
 all of those things

00:45:56.519 --> 00:45:57.539
 hinder the gospel

00:45:57.539 --> 00:45:59.219
 and we need

00:45:59.219 --> 00:46:00.139
 your prayer

00:46:00.139 --> 00:46:00.959
 for us

00:46:00.959 --> 00:46:01.759
 to be protected

00:46:01.759 --> 00:46:02.919
 against that decline

00:46:02.919 --> 00:46:04.559
 against that slide

00:46:04.559 --> 00:46:05.279
 into heresy.

00:46:07.980 --> 00:46:09.000
 Martin Lloyd-Jones

00:46:09.000 --> 00:46:09.519
 once said

00:46:09.519 --> 00:46:10.480
 somewhere in his writings

00:46:10.480 --> 00:46:12.339
 every institution

00:46:12.339 --> 00:46:14.000
 has in itself

00:46:14.000 --> 00:46:14.759
 the capacity

00:46:14.759 --> 00:46:15.939
 to turn into

00:46:15.939 --> 00:46:16.399
 the opposite

00:46:16.399 --> 00:46:17.159
 of itself

00:46:17.159 --> 00:46:19.500
 and that's

00:46:19.500 --> 00:46:20.019
 quite true

00:46:20.019 --> 00:46:21.199
 of a church

00:46:21.199 --> 00:46:21.779
 and a congregation

00:46:21.779 --> 00:46:22.500
 as well

00:46:22.500 --> 00:46:24.000
 because we're

00:46:24.000 --> 00:46:24.659
 human beings

00:46:24.659 --> 00:46:27.099
 we're flawed

00:46:27.099 --> 00:46:27.920
 human beings

00:46:27.920 --> 00:46:28.739
 even as Christians

00:46:28.739 --> 00:46:30.420
 we have

00:46:30.420 --> 00:46:31.359
 a tendency

00:46:31.359 --> 00:46:33.359
 towards

00:46:33.359 --> 00:46:34.940
 things which

00:46:34.940 --> 00:46:35.639
 we ought to shun

00:46:35.639 --> 00:46:36.739
 and put behind us

00:46:36.739 --> 00:46:38.719
 and what we

00:46:38.719 --> 00:46:40.159
 pray for is

00:46:40.159 --> 00:46:40.839
 that we will be

00:46:40.839 --> 00:46:41.619
 kept from that

00:46:41.619 --> 00:46:42.440
 that you'll be

00:46:42.440 --> 00:46:43.139
 kept from that

00:46:43.139 --> 00:46:43.980
 that we as

00:46:43.980 --> 00:46:44.920
 preachers of the gospel

00:46:44.920 --> 00:46:45.980
 will be kept

00:46:45.980 --> 00:46:48.619
 from teaching

00:46:48.619 --> 00:46:49.480
 or coming to

00:46:49.480 --> 00:46:50.280
 understand anything

00:46:50.280 --> 00:46:50.740
 other than

00:46:50.740 --> 00:46:51.960
 apostolic doctrine

00:46:51.960 --> 00:46:53.780
 apostolic teaching

00:46:53.780 --> 00:46:55.099
 that was passed

00:46:55.099 --> 00:46:56.159
 on by the apostles

00:46:56.159 --> 00:46:57.199
 to those who

00:46:57.199 --> 00:46:57.760
 came after him

00:46:57.760 --> 00:46:58.460
 to these churches

00:46:58.460 --> 00:46:59.199
 that were taught

00:46:59.199 --> 00:47:00.400
 under their ministry.

00:47:01.760 --> 00:47:02.320
 Brethren

00:47:02.320 --> 00:47:02.740
 he says

00:47:02.740 --> 00:47:03.579
 pray for us

00:47:03.579 --> 00:47:04.860
 that the word

00:47:04.860 --> 00:47:05.380
 of God

00:47:05.380 --> 00:47:07.240
 may speed ahead

00:47:07.240 --> 00:47:08.260
 and be honored

00:47:08.260 --> 00:47:09.059
 for not all

00:47:09.059 --> 00:47:09.719
 have faith

00:47:09.719 --> 00:47:11.119
 that we may

00:47:11.119 --> 00:47:11.619
 be delivered

00:47:11.619 --> 00:47:12.260
 from wicked

00:47:12.260 --> 00:47:14.019
 and evil men.

00:47:14.019 --> 00:47:16.079
 He uses words

00:47:16.079 --> 00:47:16.659
 here which

00:47:16.659 --> 00:47:18.579
 sometimes

00:47:18.579 --> 00:47:19.440
 maybe today

00:47:19.440 --> 00:47:21.380
 are words

00:47:21.380 --> 00:47:22.759
 which folk

00:47:22.759 --> 00:47:23.280
 find it very

00:47:23.280 --> 00:47:24.219
 difficult to accept

00:47:24.219 --> 00:47:25.800
 you wouldn't

00:47:25.800 --> 00:47:27.219
 find the ordinary

00:47:27.219 --> 00:47:27.920
 man in the street

00:47:27.920 --> 00:47:28.880
 tonight in Stornway

00:47:28.880 --> 00:47:31.000
 accepting of

00:47:31.000 --> 00:47:31.599
 himself or

00:47:31.599 --> 00:47:32.259
 of herself

00:47:32.259 --> 00:47:33.579
 that actually

00:47:33.579 --> 00:47:34.239
 essentially

00:47:34.239 --> 00:47:35.239
 in their inner

00:47:35.239 --> 00:47:36.119
 spiritual being

00:47:36.119 --> 00:47:36.699
 they're wicked

00:47:36.699 --> 00:47:38.659
 regard wickedness

00:47:38.659 --> 00:47:39.300
 as something done

00:47:39.300 --> 00:47:40.159
 by great criminals

00:47:40.159 --> 00:47:41.599
 someone who's

00:47:41.599 --> 00:47:42.019
 gone out to

00:47:42.019 --> 00:47:42.880
 murder someone

00:47:42.880 --> 00:47:43.480
 someone who's

00:47:43.480 --> 00:47:44.320
 actually committed

00:47:44.320 --> 00:47:45.000
 murder or a

00:47:45.000 --> 00:47:45.619
 serious crime

00:47:45.619 --> 00:47:46.019
 like that

00:47:46.019 --> 00:47:47.059
 that's wickedness

00:47:47.059 --> 00:47:47.720
 but don't tell me

00:47:47.720 --> 00:47:48.320
 there's wickedness

00:47:48.320 --> 00:47:48.900
 in my heart

00:47:48.900 --> 00:47:49.640
 I've never done

00:47:49.640 --> 00:47:50.360
 anything like that

00:47:50.360 --> 00:47:51.280
 that's the reaction

00:47:51.280 --> 00:47:52.460
 that's the kind

00:47:52.460 --> 00:47:53.079
 of understanding

00:47:53.079 --> 00:47:53.940
 you meet with

00:47:53.940 --> 00:47:55.340
 whereas God

00:47:55.340 --> 00:47:57.059
 sets out in his word

00:47:57.059 --> 00:47:58.360
 the word

00:47:58.360 --> 00:47:58.880
 wicked

00:47:58.880 --> 00:47:59.640
 doesn't mean

00:47:59.640 --> 00:48:00.760
 just desperately

00:48:00.760 --> 00:48:01.260
 wicked

00:48:01.260 --> 00:48:02.180
 in a public

00:48:02.180 --> 00:48:03.039
 and open sense

00:48:03.039 --> 00:48:03.740
 in that way

00:48:03.740 --> 00:48:05.400
 wickedness

00:48:05.400 --> 00:48:05.900
 is whatever

00:48:05.900 --> 00:48:06.360
 is turned

00:48:06.360 --> 00:48:07.300
 against God

00:48:07.300 --> 00:48:09.099
 whatever

00:48:09.099 --> 00:48:09.780
 is turned

00:48:09.780 --> 00:48:10.559
 effectively

00:48:10.559 --> 00:48:11.599
 against the gospel

00:48:11.599 --> 00:48:12.500
 whatever

00:48:12.500 --> 00:48:13.179
 is deliberately

00:48:13.179 --> 00:48:14.339
 seeking to

00:48:14.339 --> 00:48:15.460
 thwart the gospel

00:48:15.460 --> 00:48:17.519
 seeking to stand

00:48:17.519 --> 00:48:17.880
 in the way

00:48:17.880 --> 00:48:18.779
 of its advance

00:48:18.779 --> 00:48:19.920
 wherever it is

00:48:19.920 --> 00:48:20.639
 wherever it

00:48:20.639 --> 00:48:21.619
 comes from

00:48:21.619 --> 00:48:22.719
 wherever you find it

00:48:22.719 --> 00:48:23.880
 Paul is not ashamed

00:48:23.880 --> 00:48:24.360
 to say

00:48:24.360 --> 00:48:25.380
 that all men

00:48:25.380 --> 00:48:26.239
 have not faith

00:48:26.239 --> 00:48:27.039
 please

00:48:27.039 --> 00:48:27.460
 he says

00:48:27.460 --> 00:48:28.699
 I appeal to you

00:48:28.699 --> 00:48:29.039
 he's actually

00:48:29.039 --> 00:48:29.960
 commanding them

00:48:29.960 --> 00:48:31.159
 pray for us

00:48:31.159 --> 00:48:32.339
 so that we be

00:48:32.339 --> 00:48:33.039
 delivered from

00:48:33.039 --> 00:48:34.199
 wicked and evil men

00:48:34.199 --> 00:48:35.699
 you see

00:48:35.699 --> 00:48:36.500
 because Paul was

00:48:36.500 --> 00:48:38.039
 concerned that the gospel

00:48:38.039 --> 00:48:39.139
 would advance

00:48:39.139 --> 00:48:39.940
 all the time

00:48:39.940 --> 00:48:40.400
 and when you read

00:48:40.400 --> 00:48:41.139
 the book of Acts

00:48:41.139 --> 00:48:41.579
 and you read

00:48:41.579 --> 00:48:43.420
 his imprisonments

00:48:43.420 --> 00:48:43.860
 and you read

00:48:43.860 --> 00:48:44.820
 the way that even

00:48:44.820 --> 00:48:45.480
 in Philippi

00:48:45.480 --> 00:48:45.900
 as he wrote

00:48:45.900 --> 00:48:46.639
 to the Philippians

00:48:46.639 --> 00:48:47.179
 as we saw

00:48:47.179 --> 00:48:47.800
 going through

00:48:47.800 --> 00:48:48.220
 Philippians

00:48:48.220 --> 00:48:49.119
 not so long ago

00:48:49.119 --> 00:48:50.440
 he was concerned

00:48:50.440 --> 00:48:50.900
 of course

00:48:50.900 --> 00:48:52.340
 to set out

00:48:52.340 --> 00:48:53.099
 for the Philippians

00:48:53.099 --> 00:48:55.059
 that even in

00:48:55.059 --> 00:48:55.840
 Caesar's households

00:48:55.840 --> 00:48:56.700
 there were Christians

00:48:56.700 --> 00:48:57.300
 there were people

00:48:57.300 --> 00:48:58.000
 that come to know

00:48:58.000 --> 00:48:58.460
 the Lord

00:48:58.460 --> 00:48:59.139
 the gospel

00:48:59.139 --> 00:48:59.599
 had reached

00:48:59.599 --> 00:49:00.320
 and penetrated

00:49:00.320 --> 00:49:00.659
 there

00:49:00.659 --> 00:49:01.480
 but Paul is

00:49:01.480 --> 00:49:02.320
 under no illusion

00:49:02.320 --> 00:49:05.039
 that wickedness

00:49:05.039 --> 00:49:05.920
 and wicked people

00:49:05.920 --> 00:49:07.019
 are set

00:49:07.019 --> 00:49:07.840
 and determined

00:49:07.840 --> 00:49:09.480
 against the gospel

00:49:09.480 --> 00:49:10.619
 and he's saying

00:49:10.619 --> 00:49:12.059
 pray that we may be

00:49:12.059 --> 00:49:13.039
 delivered from them

00:49:13.039 --> 00:49:15.019
 that the gospel

00:49:15.019 --> 00:49:17.119
 will not be thwarted

00:49:17.119 --> 00:49:18.860
 that the gospel

00:49:18.860 --> 00:49:20.199
 will advance

00:49:20.199 --> 00:49:21.239
 but you see how he

00:49:21.239 --> 00:49:22.759
 also counters this

00:49:22.759 --> 00:49:23.639
 this reality

00:49:23.639 --> 00:49:24.940
 and it's a reality

00:49:24.940 --> 00:49:26.199
 that we ourselves

00:49:26.199 --> 00:49:27.079
 know in our day

00:49:27.079 --> 00:49:29.039
 wicked and evil men

00:49:29.039 --> 00:49:30.920
 people who

00:49:30.920 --> 00:49:32.519
 are marked by

00:49:32.519 --> 00:49:35.360
 by a determined

00:49:35.360 --> 00:49:36.739
 opposition to God

00:49:36.739 --> 00:49:38.639
 a determined

00:49:38.639 --> 00:49:40.179
 opposition to

00:49:40.179 --> 00:49:41.659
 elevate ungodliness

00:49:41.659 --> 00:49:42.759
 remember

00:49:42.759 --> 00:49:43.940
 ungodliness

00:49:43.940 --> 00:49:44.639
 is no mere

00:49:44.639 --> 00:49:45.519
 negative thing

00:49:45.519 --> 00:49:47.179
 it's a positive

00:49:47.179 --> 00:49:47.880
 sinfulness

00:49:47.880 --> 00:49:50.940
 and the ungodliness

00:49:50.940 --> 00:49:52.500
 of our day

00:49:52.500 --> 00:49:54.139
 is an ungodliness

00:49:54.139 --> 00:49:54.840
 that seeks

00:49:54.840 --> 00:49:56.300
 in a very determined

00:49:56.300 --> 00:49:56.759
 way

00:49:56.759 --> 00:49:58.139
 if it doesn't

00:49:58.139 --> 00:49:58.519
 actually

00:49:58.519 --> 00:50:00.639
 undermine the gospel

00:50:00.639 --> 00:50:01.279
 and certainly

00:50:01.279 --> 00:50:02.920
 divert or deflect

00:50:02.920 --> 00:50:03.420
 it away

00:50:03.420 --> 00:50:04.219
 from its

00:50:04.219 --> 00:50:05.119
 essential teaching

00:50:05.119 --> 00:50:06.579
 then it becomes

00:50:06.579 --> 00:50:07.159
 no gospel

00:50:07.159 --> 00:50:07.719
 at all

00:50:07.719 --> 00:50:09.619
 so pray for us

00:50:09.619 --> 00:50:10.579
 that we be kept

00:50:10.579 --> 00:50:12.420
 that we be protected

00:50:12.420 --> 00:50:13.339
 that we be guarded

00:50:13.339 --> 00:50:14.659
 that God

00:50:14.659 --> 00:50:15.559
 will look after us

00:50:15.559 --> 00:50:15.980
 that God

00:50:15.980 --> 00:50:17.159
 will see to it

00:50:17.159 --> 00:50:18.099
 that we don't defect

00:50:18.099 --> 00:50:19.000
 that we don't actually

00:50:19.000 --> 00:50:20.000
 in any way

00:50:20.000 --> 00:50:21.299
 prove to be untrue

00:50:21.299 --> 00:50:21.920
 to the God

00:50:21.920 --> 00:50:22.819
 who has called us

00:50:22.819 --> 00:50:23.960
 pray that for yourself

00:50:23.960 --> 00:50:24.239
 too

00:50:24.239 --> 00:50:25.859
 pray that for the congregation

00:50:25.859 --> 00:50:27.139
 pray that we will

00:50:27.139 --> 00:50:27.719
 continue

00:50:27.719 --> 00:50:28.699
 in seeking

00:50:28.699 --> 00:50:29.400
 to be faithful

00:50:29.400 --> 00:50:29.940
 to God

00:50:29.940 --> 00:50:30.320
 to look

00:50:30.320 --> 00:50:31.280
 to God's own

00:50:31.280 --> 00:50:31.860
 faithfulness

00:50:31.860 --> 00:50:32.639
 as he's putting it here

00:50:32.639 --> 00:50:33.900
 not all have faith

00:50:33.900 --> 00:50:34.539
 but the Lord

00:50:34.539 --> 00:50:35.280
 is faithful

00:50:35.280 --> 00:50:36.619
 he says

00:50:36.619 --> 00:50:37.400
 not all

00:50:37.400 --> 00:50:38.240
 have faith

00:50:38.240 --> 00:50:38.639
 there are some

00:50:38.639 --> 00:50:39.599
 who don't have faith

00:50:39.599 --> 00:50:39.900
 at all

00:50:39.900 --> 00:50:41.039
 but God is faithful

00:50:41.039 --> 00:50:42.639
 he's full of faithfulness

00:50:42.639 --> 00:50:44.679
 he's never unfaithful

00:50:44.679 --> 00:50:46.800
 now there's a great truth

00:50:46.800 --> 00:50:49.659
 God is never unfaithful

00:50:49.659 --> 00:50:52.179
 you can depend on God

00:50:52.179 --> 00:50:53.420
 what God says

00:50:53.420 --> 00:50:54.639
 is what God will do

00:50:54.639 --> 00:50:56.119
 what God says

00:50:56.119 --> 00:50:56.619
 he is like

00:50:56.619 --> 00:50:57.280
 that is what he's

00:50:57.280 --> 00:50:58.119
 truly like

00:50:58.119 --> 00:51:00.920
 and so you can come

00:51:00.920 --> 00:51:02.019
 at all times

00:51:02.019 --> 00:51:03.480
 to depend on what God

00:51:03.480 --> 00:51:03.880
 is saying

00:51:03.880 --> 00:51:05.380
 that it is the very truth

00:51:05.380 --> 00:51:07.779
 take that as truth

00:51:07.779 --> 00:51:09.279
 not as the world today

00:51:09.279 --> 00:51:10.699
 would define truth

00:51:10.699 --> 00:51:11.500
 and as some elements

00:51:11.500 --> 00:51:12.079
 in the church

00:51:12.079 --> 00:51:12.880
 would define truth

00:51:12.880 --> 00:51:14.359
 as just something relative

00:51:14.359 --> 00:51:15.819
 something that moves

00:51:15.819 --> 00:51:16.759
 and is malleable

00:51:16.759 --> 00:51:18.500
 and changes from generation

00:51:18.500 --> 00:51:19.159
 to generation

00:51:19.159 --> 00:51:20.519
 depending on what's current

00:51:20.519 --> 00:51:22.420
 in the culture of the day

00:51:22.420 --> 00:51:26.340
 God is faithful

00:51:26.340 --> 00:51:28.079
 and he is faithful

00:51:28.079 --> 00:51:29.380
 in keeping us

00:51:29.380 --> 00:51:30.139
 in his truth

00:51:30.139 --> 00:51:31.099
 and by his truth

00:51:31.099 --> 00:51:33.260
 to actually keep on

00:51:33.260 --> 00:51:34.519
 presenting the gospel

00:51:34.519 --> 00:51:36.280
 the word of Christ

00:51:36.280 --> 00:51:37.240
 to the generation

00:51:37.240 --> 00:51:38.700
 we belong to

00:51:38.700 --> 00:51:39.760
 and you see

00:51:39.760 --> 00:51:40.360
 that's a deliberate

00:51:40.360 --> 00:51:41.200
 contrast then

00:51:41.200 --> 00:51:41.519
 between

00:51:41.519 --> 00:51:43.280
 not all have faith

00:51:43.280 --> 00:51:44.460
 but the Lord

00:51:44.460 --> 00:51:45.860
 is faithful

00:51:45.860 --> 00:51:48.340
 oh how many times

00:51:48.340 --> 00:51:50.599
 we in our lives

00:51:50.599 --> 00:51:52.219
 I mean we in terms

00:51:52.219 --> 00:51:53.239
 of our Christian life

00:51:53.239 --> 00:51:53.960
 not just preaching

00:51:53.960 --> 00:51:54.460
 the gospel

00:51:54.460 --> 00:51:55.900
 how many times

00:51:55.900 --> 00:51:56.719
 we as Christians

00:51:56.719 --> 00:51:57.539
 you and I

00:51:57.539 --> 00:52:00.400
 just have to stop

00:52:00.400 --> 00:52:00.719
 and say

00:52:00.719 --> 00:52:02.219
 Lord I'm so thankful

00:52:02.219 --> 00:52:03.179
 that you are faithful

00:52:03.179 --> 00:52:05.319
 that you are faithful

00:52:05.319 --> 00:52:06.099
 to your word

00:52:06.099 --> 00:52:07.259
 that you are faithful

00:52:07.259 --> 00:52:08.159
 to your promises

00:52:08.159 --> 00:52:09.759
 that when I see

00:52:09.759 --> 00:52:11.420
 of my own tendency

00:52:11.420 --> 00:52:12.420
 when I see the sin

00:52:12.420 --> 00:52:13.259
 of my own heart

00:52:13.259 --> 00:52:14.519
 when I see how slow

00:52:14.519 --> 00:52:15.480
 I am to learn

00:52:15.480 --> 00:52:16.900
 when I see how often

00:52:16.900 --> 00:52:17.460
 I go back

00:52:17.460 --> 00:52:18.380
 to the same things

00:52:18.380 --> 00:52:19.159
 that I do

00:52:19.159 --> 00:52:20.339
 that I should not have done

00:52:20.339 --> 00:52:21.539
 and I keep repeating

00:52:21.539 --> 00:52:22.639
 the mistakes that I've made

00:52:22.639 --> 00:52:23.299
 and the sins

00:52:23.299 --> 00:52:24.440
 that I've actually

00:52:24.440 --> 00:52:26.379
 committed in your presence

00:52:26.379 --> 00:52:27.420
 Lord I thank you

00:52:27.420 --> 00:52:28.659
 that you are faithful

00:52:28.659 --> 00:52:30.420
 that your faithfulness

00:52:30.420 --> 00:52:32.699
 will never ever be changed

00:52:32.699 --> 00:52:34.699
 of course

00:52:34.699 --> 00:52:36.500
 God's faithfulness means

00:52:36.500 --> 00:52:38.000
 he's faithful

00:52:38.000 --> 00:52:39.639
 against those

00:52:39.639 --> 00:52:40.960
 who oppose him as well

00:52:40.960 --> 00:52:42.920
 he will do

00:52:42.920 --> 00:52:44.779
 as he has spoken

00:52:44.779 --> 00:52:47.139
 and so he's saying

00:52:47.139 --> 00:52:47.920
 pray for us

00:52:47.920 --> 00:52:49.639
 for God himself

00:52:49.639 --> 00:52:50.440
 is faithful

00:52:50.440 --> 00:52:51.539
 in other words

00:52:51.539 --> 00:52:52.260
 that's a great

00:52:52.260 --> 00:52:53.579
 motive to prayer

00:52:53.579 --> 00:52:53.940
 isn't it

00:52:53.940 --> 00:52:55.300
 that God is really

00:52:55.300 --> 00:52:56.260
 saying through that

00:52:56.260 --> 00:52:57.659
 that your prayers

00:52:57.659 --> 00:52:58.780
 are heard by him

00:52:58.780 --> 00:52:59.559
 that your prayers

00:52:59.559 --> 00:53:01.019
 will be answered by him

00:53:01.019 --> 00:53:02.340
 maybe not exactly

00:53:02.340 --> 00:53:04.000
 when or how

00:53:04.000 --> 00:53:05.680
 you actually anticipate them

00:53:05.680 --> 00:53:06.900
 but God hears

00:53:06.900 --> 00:53:08.180
 and God takes note

00:53:08.180 --> 00:53:09.720
 and God puts in his diary

00:53:09.720 --> 00:53:10.920
 every single moment

00:53:10.920 --> 00:53:11.800
 the prayers

00:53:11.800 --> 00:53:12.400
 that his people

00:53:12.400 --> 00:53:13.220
 pray to him

00:53:13.220 --> 00:53:14.220
 the requests

00:53:14.220 --> 00:53:14.960
 that they make to him

00:53:14.960 --> 00:53:15.760
 the thanksgivings

00:53:15.760 --> 00:53:17.099
 that they send up to him

00:53:17.099 --> 00:53:18.559
 they're not lost

00:53:18.559 --> 00:53:19.119
 on God

00:53:19.119 --> 00:53:21.199
 and as God

00:53:21.199 --> 00:53:22.159
 takes note of them

00:53:22.159 --> 00:53:24.039
 so we can seek God

00:53:24.039 --> 00:53:24.679
 to answer

00:53:24.679 --> 00:53:25.679
 our prayers

00:53:25.679 --> 00:53:27.219
 he will establish you

00:53:27.219 --> 00:53:28.519
 and guard you

00:53:28.519 --> 00:53:29.759
 against the evil one

00:53:29.759 --> 00:53:31.159
 we have confidence

00:53:31.159 --> 00:53:31.659
 in the Lord

00:53:31.659 --> 00:53:32.239
 about you

00:53:32.239 --> 00:53:33.400
 that you are doing

00:53:33.400 --> 00:53:33.960
 and will do

00:53:33.960 --> 00:53:34.420
 the things

00:53:34.420 --> 00:53:35.239
 that we command

00:53:35.239 --> 00:53:35.579
 now

00:53:35.579 --> 00:53:37.239
 we can't command you

00:53:37.239 --> 00:53:38.500
 as preachers of the gospel

00:53:38.500 --> 00:53:39.219
 only an apostle

00:53:39.219 --> 00:53:40.099
 could say that

00:53:40.099 --> 00:53:41.880
 coming with that force

00:53:41.880 --> 00:53:42.500
 and authority

00:53:42.500 --> 00:53:43.980
 that God gave

00:53:43.980 --> 00:53:44.500
 the apostle

00:53:44.500 --> 00:53:46.079
 to say such a thing

00:53:46.079 --> 00:53:46.940
 we command you

00:53:46.940 --> 00:53:48.280
 what we are doing

00:53:48.280 --> 00:53:48.760
 is following

00:53:48.760 --> 00:53:49.880
 the command of scripture

00:53:49.880 --> 00:53:50.219
 and saying

00:53:50.219 --> 00:53:51.860
 this is what God commands

00:53:51.860 --> 00:53:53.900
 this is what he requires

00:53:53.900 --> 00:53:56.119
 and so tonight

00:53:56.119 --> 00:53:57.059
 that's what he requires

00:53:57.059 --> 00:53:57.360
 of us

00:53:57.360 --> 00:53:58.719
 we have confidence

00:53:58.719 --> 00:53:59.719
 he says in the Lord

00:53:59.719 --> 00:54:01.199
 that you are doing

00:54:01.199 --> 00:54:01.880
 and will do

00:54:01.880 --> 00:54:02.460
 the things

00:54:02.460 --> 00:54:03.619
 that we command

00:54:03.619 --> 00:54:05.380
 and he finishes

00:54:05.380 --> 00:54:05.880
 by saying

00:54:05.880 --> 00:54:07.139
 may the Lord

00:54:07.139 --> 00:54:08.320
 direct your hearts

00:54:08.320 --> 00:54:10.179
 to the love of God

00:54:10.179 --> 00:54:12.500
 and to the steadfastness

00:54:12.500 --> 00:54:13.960
 of Christ

00:54:13.960 --> 00:54:16.379
 well how many sermons

00:54:16.379 --> 00:54:16.919
 are in that

00:54:16.919 --> 00:54:18.879
 final verse alone

00:54:18.879 --> 00:54:20.919
 may the Lord

00:54:20.919 --> 00:54:21.919
 direct your hearts

00:54:21.919 --> 00:54:23.619
 to the love of God

00:54:23.619 --> 00:54:25.879
 and to the steadfastness

00:54:25.879 --> 00:54:26.399
 of Christ

00:54:26.399 --> 00:54:27.679
 and commentators

00:54:27.679 --> 00:54:28.339
 are divided

00:54:28.339 --> 00:54:29.359
 as to whether

00:54:29.359 --> 00:54:30.059
 Paul means

00:54:30.059 --> 00:54:32.579
 the love of God himself

00:54:32.579 --> 00:54:34.399
 or the love of his people

00:54:34.399 --> 00:54:35.159
 for God

00:54:35.159 --> 00:54:36.539
 or whether he means

00:54:36.539 --> 00:54:37.899
 the steadfastness

00:54:37.899 --> 00:54:39.059
 of Christ himself

00:54:39.059 --> 00:54:40.940
 or steadfastness

00:54:40.940 --> 00:54:42.960
 on the part

00:54:42.960 --> 00:54:43.880
 of his people

00:54:43.880 --> 00:54:44.880
 as the people

00:54:44.880 --> 00:54:45.559
 of Christ

00:54:45.559 --> 00:54:47.239
 it seems best

00:54:47.239 --> 00:54:47.980
 to take it as

00:54:47.980 --> 00:54:50.779
 in the first sense

00:54:50.779 --> 00:54:51.299
 that this is

00:54:51.299 --> 00:54:53.259
 the love of God himself

00:54:53.259 --> 00:54:56.259
 that God will direct you

00:54:56.259 --> 00:54:57.559
 direct your hearts

00:54:57.559 --> 00:54:58.699
 to the love of God

00:54:58.699 --> 00:54:59.840
 because that ultimately

00:54:59.840 --> 00:55:00.500
 really is where

00:55:00.500 --> 00:55:01.420
 our security is

00:55:01.420 --> 00:55:01.920
 isn't it

00:55:01.920 --> 00:55:03.199
 it's not my love

00:55:03.199 --> 00:55:03.860
 for God

00:55:03.860 --> 00:55:05.519
 because that sometimes

00:55:05.519 --> 00:55:06.900
 sadly comes and goes

00:55:06.900 --> 00:55:08.079
 or wanes at least

00:55:08.079 --> 00:55:09.380
 sometimes

00:55:09.380 --> 00:55:10.539
 as far less

00:55:10.539 --> 00:55:11.340
 than it should be

00:55:11.340 --> 00:55:12.079
 and is never

00:55:12.079 --> 00:55:13.239
 as much as it should be

00:55:13.239 --> 00:55:15.179
 but you can never say

00:55:15.179 --> 00:55:16.259
 that of God's love

00:55:16.259 --> 00:55:17.960
 and the provision

00:55:17.960 --> 00:55:18.719
 that God's love

00:55:18.719 --> 00:55:19.279
 has made

00:55:19.279 --> 00:55:20.440
 for his people

00:55:20.440 --> 00:55:22.219
 when God

00:55:22.219 --> 00:55:23.239
 as he has

00:55:23.239 --> 00:55:24.319
 has loved his people

00:55:24.319 --> 00:55:25.239
 he has loved them

00:55:25.239 --> 00:55:26.319
 with that love

00:55:26.319 --> 00:55:27.500
 that has provided

00:55:27.500 --> 00:55:28.579
 everything they need

00:55:28.579 --> 00:55:29.099
 for them

00:55:29.099 --> 00:55:30.840
 a saviour

00:55:30.840 --> 00:55:31.840
 and all that comes

00:55:31.840 --> 00:55:32.319
 with him

00:55:32.320 --> 00:55:33.800
 and you remember

00:55:33.800 --> 00:55:35.480
 how these

00:55:35.480 --> 00:55:38.559
 probably little used

00:55:38.559 --> 00:55:39.260
 and I'm speaking

00:55:39.260 --> 00:55:40.080
 to myself too

00:55:40.080 --> 00:55:42.440
 little used epistle

00:55:42.440 --> 00:55:43.460
 the epistle of Jude

00:55:43.460 --> 00:55:44.760
 near the end

00:55:44.760 --> 00:55:45.320
 of the Bible

00:55:45.320 --> 00:55:46.800
 remember how Jude

00:55:46.800 --> 00:55:47.980
 sets out there

00:55:47.980 --> 00:55:48.500
 remember he

00:55:48.500 --> 00:55:49.760
 he had it in mind

00:55:49.760 --> 00:55:51.420
 to write about

00:55:51.420 --> 00:55:52.420
 some things

00:55:52.420 --> 00:55:53.460
 which belonged to

00:55:53.460 --> 00:55:55.320
 foundational things

00:55:55.320 --> 00:55:56.019
 of the gospel

00:55:56.019 --> 00:55:57.160
 the things about

00:55:57.160 --> 00:55:58.120
 our common salvation

00:55:58.120 --> 00:55:58.400
 he says

00:55:58.400 --> 00:55:59.380
 but I found it necessary

00:55:59.380 --> 00:56:01.079
 to write appealing

00:56:01.079 --> 00:56:01.619
 to you

00:56:01.619 --> 00:56:02.700
 to contend

00:56:02.700 --> 00:56:03.599
 for the faith

00:56:03.599 --> 00:56:04.880
 that was once

00:56:04.880 --> 00:56:05.519
 for all

00:56:05.519 --> 00:56:05.980
 delivered

00:56:05.980 --> 00:56:07.140
 to the saints

00:56:07.140 --> 00:56:08.039
 for certain people

00:56:08.039 --> 00:56:09.320
 have crept

00:56:09.320 --> 00:56:10.619
 in unnoticed

00:56:10.619 --> 00:56:11.160
 he's talking about

00:56:11.160 --> 00:56:11.780
 the church

00:56:11.780 --> 00:56:14.140
 crept in unnoticed

00:56:14.140 --> 00:56:15.480
 who long ago

00:56:15.480 --> 00:56:16.619
 were designated

00:56:16.619 --> 00:56:17.780
 for this condemnation

00:56:17.780 --> 00:56:18.700
 ungodly people

00:56:18.700 --> 00:56:19.480
 who pervert

00:56:19.480 --> 00:56:20.519
 the grace

00:56:20.519 --> 00:56:21.420
 of our God

00:56:21.420 --> 00:56:22.640
 into sensuality

00:56:22.640 --> 00:56:23.880
 and deny

00:56:23.880 --> 00:56:24.840
 our only Master

00:56:24.840 --> 00:56:25.360
 and Lord

00:56:25.360 --> 00:56:26.860
 Jesus Christ

00:56:26.860 --> 00:56:28.280
 but what I'm

00:56:28.280 --> 00:56:28.960
 concerned is

00:56:28.960 --> 00:56:29.920
 how he actually

00:56:29.920 --> 00:56:30.740
 finishes that

00:56:30.740 --> 00:56:32.119
 short letter

00:56:32.119 --> 00:56:34.179
 you he says

00:56:34.179 --> 00:56:34.659
 beloved

00:56:34.659 --> 00:56:36.740
 building yourselves

00:56:36.740 --> 00:56:37.619
 up in your most

00:56:37.619 --> 00:56:38.380
 holy faith

00:56:38.380 --> 00:56:40.039
 praying in the

00:56:40.039 --> 00:56:40.760
 Holy Spirit

00:56:40.760 --> 00:56:42.820
 keep yourselves

00:56:42.820 --> 00:56:44.260
 in the love

00:56:44.260 --> 00:56:44.940
 of God

00:56:44.940 --> 00:56:47.119
 you see how

00:56:47.119 --> 00:56:47.940
 that goes together

00:56:47.940 --> 00:56:49.559
 you beloved

00:56:49.559 --> 00:56:50.340
 despite all

00:56:50.340 --> 00:56:50.820
 that you see

00:56:50.820 --> 00:56:51.740
 of defections

00:56:51.740 --> 00:56:52.699
 despite all

00:56:52.699 --> 00:56:53.159
 that you know

00:56:53.159 --> 00:56:53.679
 is happening

00:56:53.679 --> 00:56:54.240
 in the world

00:56:54.240 --> 00:56:54.880
 or even in the

00:56:54.880 --> 00:56:55.599
 church elsewhere

00:56:55.599 --> 00:56:56.780
 this is

00:56:56.780 --> 00:56:57.199
 he says

00:56:57.199 --> 00:56:58.659
 what you must do

00:56:58.659 --> 00:56:59.899
 building yourselves

00:56:59.899 --> 00:57:00.399
 up in your

00:57:00.399 --> 00:57:00.899
 most holy

00:57:00.899 --> 00:57:01.359
 faith

00:57:01.359 --> 00:57:04.379
 using God's

00:57:04.379 --> 00:57:04.739
 truth

00:57:04.739 --> 00:57:06.000
 to advance

00:57:06.000 --> 00:57:06.899
 in your

00:57:06.899 --> 00:57:07.399
 godliness

00:57:07.399 --> 00:57:09.000
 in your

00:57:09.000 --> 00:57:09.619
 Christianity

00:57:09.619 --> 00:57:10.759
 in your

00:57:10.759 --> 00:57:11.440
 commitment to

00:57:11.440 --> 00:57:11.819
 Christ

00:57:11.819 --> 00:57:12.440
 in your service

00:57:12.440 --> 00:57:13.039
 for the Lord

00:57:13.039 --> 00:57:14.239
 in your holiness

00:57:14.239 --> 00:57:14.899
 of life

00:57:14.899 --> 00:57:15.899
 doing that

00:57:15.899 --> 00:57:16.239
 he says

00:57:16.239 --> 00:57:17.739
 praying in the

00:57:17.739 --> 00:57:18.399
 Holy Spirit

00:57:18.399 --> 00:57:20.359
 keep yourselves

00:57:20.359 --> 00:57:21.739
 in the love

00:57:21.739 --> 00:57:22.359
 of God

00:57:22.360 --> 00:57:24.039
 how do you

00:57:24.039 --> 00:57:24.920
 keep yourself

00:57:24.920 --> 00:57:26.059
 in the love

00:57:26.059 --> 00:57:26.420
 of God

00:57:26.420 --> 00:57:26.740
 what does

00:57:26.740 --> 00:57:27.440
 that mean

00:57:27.440 --> 00:57:29.120
 well it means

00:57:29.120 --> 00:57:29.680
 essentially

00:57:29.680 --> 00:57:31.079
 the love

00:57:31.079 --> 00:57:31.440
 with which

00:57:31.440 --> 00:57:31.860
 God has

00:57:31.860 --> 00:57:32.559
 loved his

00:57:32.559 --> 00:57:32.980
 people

00:57:32.980 --> 00:57:34.019
 and the

00:57:34.019 --> 00:57:34.420
 provision

00:57:34.420 --> 00:57:34.800
 that he's

00:57:34.800 --> 00:57:35.260
 made for

00:57:35.260 --> 00:57:35.700
 in that

00:57:35.700 --> 00:57:36.160
 love

00:57:36.160 --> 00:57:36.980
 including

00:57:36.980 --> 00:57:37.720
 the gospel

00:57:37.720 --> 00:57:39.640
 keep yourselves

00:57:39.640 --> 00:57:40.280
 in that

00:57:40.280 --> 00:57:41.740
 don't be

00:57:41.740 --> 00:57:42.460
 led away

00:57:42.460 --> 00:57:43.700
 from something

00:57:43.700 --> 00:57:44.039
 that is

00:57:44.039 --> 00:57:44.559
 other than

00:57:44.559 --> 00:57:45.019
 God's

00:57:45.019 --> 00:57:45.380
 loving

00:57:45.380 --> 00:57:45.860
 provision

00:57:45.860 --> 00:57:46.519
 for you

00:57:46.519 --> 00:57:47.900
 and keep

00:57:47.900 --> 00:57:48.599
 yourselves

00:57:48.599 --> 00:57:49.920
 under this

00:57:49.920 --> 00:57:50.500
 conviction

00:57:50.500 --> 00:57:52.000
 that in

00:57:52.000 --> 00:57:52.679
 God's

00:57:52.679 --> 00:57:53.319
 love

00:57:53.319 --> 00:57:54.719
 everything

00:57:54.719 --> 00:57:55.559
 is provided

00:57:55.559 --> 00:57:56.639
 that sinners

00:57:56.639 --> 00:57:57.159
 need for

00:57:57.159 --> 00:57:57.699
 salvation

00:57:57.699 --> 00:58:00.380
 there is no

00:58:00.380 --> 00:58:01.279
 greater subject

00:58:01.279 --> 00:58:03.039
 than the

00:58:03.039 --> 00:58:03.440
 love of

00:58:03.440 --> 00:58:03.799
 God

00:58:03.799 --> 00:58:05.039
 in Christ

00:58:05.039 --> 00:58:05.599
 Jesus

00:58:05.599 --> 00:58:07.000
 our Lord

00:58:07.000 --> 00:58:08.460
 which is

00:58:08.460 --> 00:58:08.900
 why Paul

00:58:08.900 --> 00:58:09.299
 finishes

00:58:09.299 --> 00:58:10.339
 that great

00:58:10.339 --> 00:58:10.779
 chapter in

00:58:10.779 --> 00:58:11.059
 Romans

00:58:11.059 --> 00:58:11.719
 chapter 8

00:58:11.719 --> 00:58:13.279
 where he's

00:58:13.279 --> 00:58:13.719
 persuaded

00:58:13.719 --> 00:58:14.139
 that neither

00:58:14.139 --> 00:58:14.579
 death

00:58:14.579 --> 00:58:15.679
 nor life

00:58:15.679 --> 00:58:16.480
 nor angels

00:58:16.480 --> 00:58:18.139
 nor principalities

00:58:18.139 --> 00:58:18.619
 nor things

00:58:18.619 --> 00:58:19.000
 present

00:58:19.000 --> 00:58:19.440
 nor things

00:58:19.440 --> 00:58:19.900
 to come

00:58:19.900 --> 00:58:21.139
 nor height

00:58:21.139 --> 00:58:21.679
 nor depth

00:58:21.679 --> 00:58:22.559
 shall be

00:58:22.559 --> 00:58:23.299
 able to

00:58:23.299 --> 00:58:24.759
 separate us

00:58:24.759 --> 00:58:26.359
 from the

00:58:26.359 --> 00:58:27.359
 love of

00:58:27.359 --> 00:58:27.879
 God

00:58:27.879 --> 00:58:29.699
 that is in

00:58:29.699 --> 00:58:30.500
 Christ Jesus

00:58:30.500 --> 00:58:31.139
 our Lord

00:58:31.139 --> 00:58:31.659
 and interestingly

00:58:31.659 --> 00:58:32.460
 he put it that way

00:58:32.460 --> 00:58:33.920
 it doesn't just say

00:58:33.920 --> 00:58:35.480
 able to separate us

00:58:35.480 --> 00:58:36.019
 from God

00:58:36.019 --> 00:58:36.519
 or able to

00:58:36.519 --> 00:58:37.000
 separate us

00:58:37.000 --> 00:58:37.619
 from Jesus

00:58:37.619 --> 00:58:38.159
 Christ

00:58:38.159 --> 00:58:39.079
 able to

00:58:39.079 --> 00:58:39.559
 separate us

00:58:39.559 --> 00:58:40.319
 from the

00:58:40.319 --> 00:58:40.879
 love of

00:58:40.879 --> 00:58:41.279
 God

00:58:41.279 --> 00:58:42.460
 that's in

00:58:42.460 --> 00:58:43.119
 Christ Jesus

00:58:43.119 --> 00:58:43.739
 our Lord

00:58:43.739 --> 00:58:44.819
 the love

00:58:44.819 --> 00:58:45.779
 that sent

00:58:45.779 --> 00:58:46.199
 his son

00:58:46.199 --> 00:58:46.639
 into this

00:58:46.639 --> 00:58:46.839
 world

00:58:46.839 --> 00:58:47.299
 to die

00:58:47.299 --> 00:58:47.699
 the death

00:58:47.699 --> 00:58:48.299
 of the cross

00:58:48.299 --> 00:58:49.480
 the love

00:58:49.480 --> 00:58:49.960
 that looks

00:58:49.960 --> 00:58:50.219
 in a

00:58:50.219 --> 00:58:50.879
 fatherly way

00:58:50.879 --> 00:58:51.399
 that looks

00:58:51.399 --> 00:58:51.879
 after his

00:58:51.879 --> 00:58:52.239
 people

00:58:52.239 --> 00:58:53.779
 the love

00:58:53.779 --> 00:58:54.199
 of God

00:58:54.199 --> 00:58:55.339
 that's where

00:58:55.339 --> 00:58:56.039
 your security

00:58:56.039 --> 00:58:56.739
 the base

00:58:56.739 --> 00:58:57.099
 of your

00:58:57.099 --> 00:58:57.539
 security

00:58:57.539 --> 00:58:58.119
 is

00:58:58.119 --> 00:58:59.939
 and as you

00:58:59.939 --> 00:59:00.439
 know that

00:59:00.439 --> 00:59:00.799
 and as you

00:59:00.799 --> 00:59:01.319
 work from

00:59:01.319 --> 00:59:01.639
 that

00:59:01.639 --> 00:59:02.960
 you're building

00:59:02.960 --> 00:59:03.559
 up yourself

00:59:03.559 --> 00:59:04.000
 in your most

00:59:04.000 --> 00:59:04.559
 holy faith

00:59:04.559 --> 00:59:06.179
 keep yourselves

00:59:06.179 --> 00:59:07.419
 in the love

00:59:07.419 --> 00:59:08.019
 of God

00:59:08.019 --> 00:59:11.079
 pray for us

00:59:11.079 --> 00:59:12.539
 pray for

00:59:12.539 --> 00:59:13.159
 yourselves

00:59:13.159 --> 00:59:15.059
 keep on

00:59:15.059 --> 00:59:15.460
 praying

00:59:15.460 --> 00:59:17.059
 don't stop

00:59:17.059 --> 00:59:17.500
 praying

00:59:17.500 --> 00:59:19.119
 add to

00:59:19.119 --> 00:59:19.559
 the praying

00:59:19.559 --> 00:59:19.760
 you're

00:59:19.760 --> 00:59:20.219
 presently

00:59:20.219 --> 00:59:20.599
 doing

00:59:20.599 --> 00:59:21.659
 come

00:59:21.659 --> 00:59:22.079
 together

00:59:22.079 --> 00:59:23.079
 for

00:59:23.079 --> 00:59:23.599
 prayer

00:59:23.599 --> 00:59:25.860
 don't

00:59:25.860 --> 00:59:26.400
 ever lose

00:59:26.400 --> 00:59:27.139
 an opportunity

00:59:27.139 --> 00:59:28.519
 to be

00:59:28.519 --> 00:59:28.840
 together

00:59:28.840 --> 00:59:29.480
 for prayer

00:59:29.480 --> 00:59:31.820
 and pray

00:59:31.820 --> 00:59:32.360
 that we

00:59:32.360 --> 00:59:32.920
 be kept

00:59:32.920 --> 00:59:34.679
 for not

00:59:34.679 --> 00:59:35.179
 all

00:59:35.179 --> 00:59:36.360
 have

00:59:36.360 --> 00:59:37.420
 faith

00:59:37.420 --> 00:59:38.219
 let's

00:59:38.219 --> 00:59:38.420
 pray

00:59:38.420 --> 00:59:41.220
 we

00:59:41.220 --> 00:59:41.420
 give

00:59:41.420 --> 00:59:41.720
 thanks

00:59:41.720 --> 00:59:42.039
 Lord

00:59:42.039 --> 00:59:42.420
 for

00:59:42.420 --> 00:59:43.340
 all

00:59:43.340 --> 00:59:43.500
 the

00:59:43.500 --> 00:59:43.900
 appeals

00:59:43.900 --> 00:59:44.220
 and

00:59:44.220 --> 00:59:44.380
 all

00:59:44.380 --> 00:59:44.519
 the

00:59:44.519 --> 00:59:44.920
 commands

00:59:44.920 --> 00:59:45.139
 of

00:59:45.139 --> 00:59:45.280
 your

00:59:45.280 --> 00:59:45.619
 word

00:59:45.619 --> 00:59:47.119
 and we

00:59:47.119 --> 00:59:47.280
 give

00:59:47.280 --> 00:59:47.599
 thanks

00:59:47.599 --> 00:59:48.200
 that as you

00:59:48.200 --> 00:59:48.720
 give faith

00:59:48.720 --> 00:59:49.039
 to your

00:59:49.039 --> 00:59:49.380
 people

00:59:49.380 --> 00:59:50.380
 so you

00:59:50.380 --> 00:59:50.820
 give them

00:59:50.820 --> 00:59:51.519
 that faith

00:59:51.519 --> 00:59:51.800
 that

00:59:51.800 --> 00:59:52.840
 itself

00:59:52.840 --> 00:59:53.639
 knows

00:59:53.639 --> 00:59:53.860
 of

00:59:53.860 --> 00:59:54.440
 these

00:59:54.440 --> 00:59:54.820
 aspects

00:59:54.820 --> 00:59:55.180
 of your

00:59:55.180 --> 00:59:55.440
 word

00:59:55.440 --> 00:59:56.039
 registering

00:59:56.039 --> 00:59:56.659
 in their

00:59:56.659 --> 00:59:57.059
 hearts

00:59:57.059 --> 00:59:58.380
 we

00:59:58.380 --> 00:59:58.779
 ask that

00:59:58.779 --> 00:59:58.880
 you

00:59:58.880 --> 00:59:59.019
 would

00:59:59.019 --> 00:59:59.320
 enable

00:59:59.320 --> 00:59:59.539
 us

00:59:59.539 --> 00:59:59.779
 Lord

00:59:59.779 --> 01:00:00.079
 in the

01:00:00.079 --> 01:00:00.460
 exercise

01:00:00.460 --> 01:00:01.019
 of our

01:00:01.019 --> 01:00:01.360
 faith

01:00:01.360 --> 01:00:02.639
 to rejoice

01:00:02.639 --> 01:00:03.259
 at all the

01:00:03.259 --> 01:00:03.599
 things you

01:00:03.599 --> 01:00:03.920
 give us

01:00:03.920 --> 01:00:04.420
 to rejoice

01:00:04.420 --> 01:00:04.739
 in

01:00:04.739 --> 01:00:06.179
 to tremble

01:00:06.179 --> 01:00:06.500
 at your

01:00:06.500 --> 01:00:07.239
 threatenings

01:00:07.239 --> 01:00:08.299
 to take

01:00:08.299 --> 01:00:08.820
 note of the

01:00:08.820 --> 01:00:09.519
 warnings that you

01:00:09.519 --> 01:00:10.039
 give us in

01:00:10.039 --> 01:00:10.360
 scripture

01:00:10.360 --> 01:00:12.039
 to hold to your

01:00:12.039 --> 01:00:12.840
 great and glorious

01:00:12.840 --> 01:00:13.400
 promises

01:00:13.400 --> 01:00:14.860
 and to look

01:00:14.860 --> 01:00:15.179
 forward

01:00:15.179 --> 01:00:16.000
 expectantly

01:00:16.000 --> 01:00:17.139
 that you will

01:00:17.139 --> 01:00:17.599
 indeed

01:00:17.599 --> 01:00:19.000
 establish us

01:00:19.000 --> 01:00:19.719
 that you will

01:00:19.719 --> 01:00:20.400
 continue to

01:00:20.400 --> 01:00:21.440
 provide for us

01:00:21.440 --> 01:00:22.779
 receive our

01:00:22.779 --> 01:00:23.440
 thanks now we

01:00:23.440 --> 01:00:23.840
 pray and

01:00:23.840 --> 01:00:24.400
 cleanse us

01:00:24.400 --> 01:00:25.059
 from the

01:00:25.059 --> 01:00:25.619
 many sins

01:00:25.619 --> 01:00:26.199
 for Jesus

01:00:26.199 --> 01:00:26.659
 sake

01:00:26.659 --> 01:00:27.480
 amen

01:00:27.480 --> 01:00:30.900
 we're going

01:00:30.900 --> 01:00:31.400
 to sing now in

01:00:31.400 --> 01:00:32.099
 conclusion in

01:00:32.099 --> 01:00:33.500
 psalm 71

01:00:33.500 --> 01:00:35.659
 psalm 71

01:00:35.659 --> 01:00:36.139
 this is on

01:00:36.139 --> 01:00:37.299
 page 310

01:00:37.299 --> 01:00:43.559
 verses 1

01:00:43.559 --> 01:00:44.199
 to 5

01:00:44.199 --> 01:00:51.039
 O Lord

01:00:51.039 --> 01:00:51.579
 my hope

01:00:51.579 --> 01:00:52.279
 and confidence

01:00:52.279 --> 01:00:52.839
 is placed

01:00:52.839 --> 01:00:53.219
 in thee

01:00:53.219 --> 01:00:53.599
 alone

01:00:53.599 --> 01:00:55.019
 then let

01:00:55.019 --> 01:00:55.239
 thy

01:00:55.239 --> 01:00:55.559
 servant

01:00:55.559 --> 01:00:56.219
 never be

01:00:56.219 --> 01:00:56.659
 put to

01:00:56.659 --> 01:00:57.239
 confusion

01:00:57.239 --> 01:00:58.679
 let me

01:00:58.679 --> 01:00:58.980
 in thy

01:00:58.980 --> 01:00:59.480
 righteousness

01:00:59.480 --> 01:01:00.079
 from thee

01:01:00.079 --> 01:01:00.679
 deliverance

01:01:00.679 --> 01:01:01.099
 have

01:01:01.099 --> 01:01:02.320
 cause me

01:01:02.320 --> 01:01:02.840
 escape

01:01:02.840 --> 01:01:03.380
 incline

01:01:03.380 --> 01:01:03.599
 thy

01:01:03.599 --> 01:01:03.860
 ear

01:01:03.860 --> 01:01:04.440
 unto me

01:01:04.440 --> 01:01:05.440
 and me

01:01:05.440 --> 01:01:06.079
 save

01:01:06.079 --> 01:01:07.019
 so on

01:01:07.019 --> 01:01:07.340
 down to

01:01:07.340 --> 01:01:07.920
 verse 5

01:01:07.920 --> 01:01:08.360
 free me

01:01:08.360 --> 01:01:08.840
 my God

01:01:08.840 --> 01:01:09.299
 from wicked

01:01:09.299 --> 01:01:09.759
 hands

01:01:09.759 --> 01:01:11.059
 hands cruel

01:01:11.059 --> 01:01:11.920
 and unjust

01:01:11.920 --> 01:01:13.299
 for thou

01:01:13.299 --> 01:01:13.799
 O Lord

01:01:13.799 --> 01:01:14.159
 God

01:01:14.159 --> 01:01:14.659
 art my

01:01:14.659 --> 01:01:15.039
 hope

01:01:15.039 --> 01:01:16.019
 and from

01:01:16.019 --> 01:01:16.679
 my youth

01:01:16.679 --> 01:01:18.079
 my trust

01:01:18.079 --> 01:01:39.179
 obedience

01:01:39.179 --> 01:01:41.179
 confidence.

01:01:44.179 --> 01:01:56.179
 O Lord, my hope and confidence is placed in thee alone.

01:01:56.179 --> 01:02:08.179
 Then let thy servant ever be new to your future.

01:02:10.399 --> 01:02:22.179
 And let me in thy righteousness from the given the time.

01:02:22.179 --> 01:02:36.279
 Cause me escape, then find my ear unto me and be saved.

01:02:37.119 --> 01:02:48.179
 Be thou my dwelling hope to which I ever may resort.

01:02:48.179 --> 01:03:02.179
 Thou give'st commandment me to save, for thou'rt my rock and fort.

01:03:02.179 --> 01:03:16.440
 Free me, my God, from wicked hands, and through the land of just.

01:03:16.819 --> 01:03:28.179
 For thou, O Lord, art my hope, and from my youth my trust.

01:03:28.179 --> 01:03:29.179
 Amen.

01:03:30.179 --> 01:03:32.139
 I'll go to the main door after the benediction.

01:03:33.259 --> 01:03:37.879
 And now may grace and mercy and peace from God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

01:03:37.879 --> 01:03:40.179
 be with you now and evermore.

01:03:40.639 --> 01:03:41.019
 Amen.

01:03:41.019 --> 01:03:41.759
 Amen.

01:03:41.759 --> 01:03:42.019
 Amen.

01:03:42.019 --> 01:03:42.719
 Amen.

01:03:43.219 --> 01:03:43.719
 Amen.

01:03:43.719 --> 01:03:44.759
 Amen.

01:03:44.759 --> 01:03:45.659
 Amen.

01:03:45.659 --> 01:03:46.179
 Amen.

01:03:46.840 --> 01:03:47.199
 Amen.

01:03:47.199 --> 01:03:47.280
 Amen.

01:03:55.880 --> 01:03:58.539
 Amen.

01:03:59.139 --> 01:04:09.320
 Amen.

01:04:09.320 --> 01:04:10.699
 Amen.