WEBVTT

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 Yeah, let's turn to Philippians 4.

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 And our sermon text today begins at verse 4,

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 goes through verse 9.

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 1 Timothy 3 says that the Word of God

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 is breathed out by the Holy Spirit.

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 Hebrews 4 says the Word of God is living,

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 powerful, and piercing.

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 If you receive it that way,

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 when I'm done reading our sermon text,

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 I'll say this is the Word of the Lord,

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 and you can say thanks be to God.

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 Philippians 4, 4 through 9.

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 Rejoice in the Lord always.

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 Again, I will say rejoice.

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 Let your gentleness be known to all.

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 The Lord is at hand.

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 Be anxious for nothing,

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 but in everything by prayer and supplication

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 with thanksgiving,

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 let your requests be made known to God.

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 And the peace of God,

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 which surpasses all understanding,

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 will guard your hearts and minds

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 through Christ Jesus.

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 Verse 8.

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 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,

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 whatever things are noble,

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 whatever things are just,

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 whatever things are pure,

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 whatever things are lovely,

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 whatever things are of good report,

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 if there is any virtue,

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 if there is anything praiseworthy,

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 meditate on these things.

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 The things which you learned and received

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 and heard and saw in me,

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 these do.

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 And the God of peace will be with you.

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 The Word of the Lord.

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 Thanks be to God.

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 You may be seated.

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 Isaiah 40 says that the grass withers,

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 the flower fades,

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 but the Word of the Lord stands forever.

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 Luke 1 tells us that no word from God

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 shall be void of power.

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 Would you pray with me?

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 Father, I ask simply today

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 that we will know your presence.

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 We will know what it is to be

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 in the presence of the God of peace

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 and to have the peace

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 that can only come from being in your presence.

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 Please teach us this, Father.

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 For your glory we pray.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Well, brothers and sisters and friends,

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 air is everywhere,

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 but only some species can fly.

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 They use the air to fly.

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 You know, think of birds and bats.

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 Are those the only two really that can fly?

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 And then we, if we're very generous,

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 we can say certain types of special squirrels can fly,

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 but it's really more like gliding.

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 And then even human beings that copy what the squirrels did

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 and put on wingsuits,

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 they can glide like that too.

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 But God didn't make every species to fly,

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 even though the air is everywhere.

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 Jeremiah 23, verses 23 and 24,

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 have a declaration from the creator.

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 And he says,

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 I am the God who is everywhere,

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 not in one place only.

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 So air is a wonderful illustration for us of God.

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 He's everywhere.

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 But we also see in scripture, for example, in 1 Samuel,

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 the devastation of the nation when the glory of God departs.

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 But the glorious presence of God no longer with his people.

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 And if you look at our sermon text in verse 9,

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 he says,

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 do these things and the God of peace will be with you.

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 So while God is everywhere,

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 there's a special promise for the church

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 as they obey the calling of Jesus.

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 And the promise is,

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 I will then be with you.

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 Isn't that what a church needs and depends on?

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 We should want nothing else

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 than the God of peace himself with us in a special way.

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 So, beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

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 the question we need to wrestle with and understand is this.

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 Which churches get the God of peace?

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 Which churches get the God of peace

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 to be in his presence in a special way?

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 I see in these verses the promises.

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 I want us to see together what is the exact audience

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 that these promises are given to.

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 And then finally, the commands that we're called to respond to.

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 The promises, the audience, the commands.

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 Number one,

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 God's spirit breathed out two glorious promises in this passage.

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 And it's a play on words.

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 Look at verse 7.

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 He says,

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 And the God,

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 I'm sorry, verse 7,

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 And the peace of God

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 will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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 And now look at verse 9.

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 He says,

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 And the God of peace

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 will be with you.

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 In verse 7, it's the peace of God.

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 In verse 9, it's the God of peace.

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 So let's look at each of those.

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 First, the peace of God from verse 7

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 that will guard you.

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 The peace of God

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 is only possible

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 through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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 And the reason for this is because

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 in Adam all died.

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 In Adam all live in constant terror

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 and disruption

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 and disorder.

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 At enmity with God

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 and in strife with fellow man.

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 That's the state we're born into under Adam.

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 But in Jesus Christ

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 comes the peace,

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 the restored relationship with God

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 and with man

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 that is not possible

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 outside of the person of Jesus Christ.

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 That's what the peace of God is.

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 Romans 14, 17 says

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 that the kingdom of God

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 which Jesus Christ ushered in and inaugurated,

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 it is righteousness

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 and peace

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 and joy

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 in the Holy Spirit.

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 This is exactly the mission of Jesus

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 for his people.

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 It's to bring the peace of God.

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 Some of our greatest

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 and favorite lines in our songs,

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 the hymns we love to sing,

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 they sing of this peace

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 because we knew how terrible it was

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 to be under Adam.

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 But now we have the peace

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 that's only possible in Christ.

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 For example,

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 come O sinner,

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 come rejoice.

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 Mercy fills this place of scorn

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 for he dies

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 to save his enemies

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 that all who draw near

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 may know his peace.

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 That's his mission.

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 The peace of God

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 is greater than anything

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 this fallen world can offer.

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 We want the peace of God.

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 But it doesn't stop

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 with the peace of God.

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 He says in verse 9,

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 this wonderful promise

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 that the God of peace

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 will be with you.

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 Even better,

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 as one pastor,

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 Brian Voss,

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 pointed out,

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 to have the peace of God

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 in verse 7

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 is to have the gift.

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 What a great gift.

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 But to have the God of peace

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 in verse 9

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 is to have the giver himself.

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 In verse 9,

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 the God of peace,

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 church,

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 will be with you.

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 In 1 Thessalonians 5.23,

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 this is one of my favorite

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 benedictions

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 or blessings

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 for God's people.

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 Now may the God

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 of peace himself

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 sanctify you completely.

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 May he preserve

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 your whole spirit,

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 soul,

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 and body

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 blameless

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 until the coming

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 of the Lord

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 Jesus Christ.

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 We sing of this

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 great truth also.

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 What heights of love,

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 what depths

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 of peace,

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 when fears are stilled,

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 when strivings

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 cease,

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 through God,

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 my comforter,

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 my all in all,

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 here in the love

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 of Christ I stand.

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 I'm in his presence.

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 It's the God of peace

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 himself

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 comforting me

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 and ministering to me.

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 Now the God of peace

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 himself promises

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 to bless

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 his true churches

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 with his own presence.

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 I will

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 be with you.

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 Aren't these wonderful,

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 glorious promises

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 that the Holy Spirit

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 breathed out?

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 Well the second thing

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 I need us to see then

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 is who are these

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 promises for?

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 Are these just abstract

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 things thrown out

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 in general?

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 Or do they have

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 a specific audience

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 in mind?

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 I'll try to do this

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 in as concise

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 of a way as possible

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 without you just

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 taking my word for it.

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 I want you to see this

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 in your own word,

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 your own copy

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 of God's word.

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 I think the audience

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 here is a gathered

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 congregation.

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 collectively together.

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 And so here's my proposition

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 then I'll walk you through

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 and you see if you arrive

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 at the same conclusion

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 or not.

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 And I'm sure it could be refined.

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 But here's what I want

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 to propose to you.

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 As we see over and over

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 we saw already this service.

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 There are the individual souls

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 that Christ redeemed.

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 They are forever secure

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 in him.

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 No disputing there.

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 However, individual churches

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 have no such security.

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 God's promises

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 to a congregation

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 hinge upon

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 their collective obedience

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 to God's commands.

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 Should I run it by us

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 one more time?

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 While individual souls

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 that Christ redeemed

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 are forever secure

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 in him,

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 individual churches

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 have no such security.

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 God promises

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 to a congregation,

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 you obey what I've commanded

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 and the blessings

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 that will come to you

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 as a gathered congregation

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 hinge upon your collective

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 obedience to these things.

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 So I want to show you

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 the audience

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 is the corporate

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 gathered congregation.

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 the first reason for this

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 is because

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 all of the times

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 in these two paragraphs

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 when Paul uses the word

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 you or your,

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 your,

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 they're all plural.

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 So very quickly,

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 verse 5,

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 your reasonableness.

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 I'm repeating it

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 because it helps us

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 to think of it

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 the way he intended it.

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 And in English

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 we just have the same

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 word,

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 you or your,

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 and it's hard to convey

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 a plural sense to that word.

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 Your reasonableness,

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 church together

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 being reasonable.

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 Verse 6,

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 your request.

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 What is burdening

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 the congregation

00:10:36.699 --> 00:10:37.500
 when we're together?

00:10:37.799 --> 00:10:39.019
 That's what we lift up to him.

00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:39.939
 Verse 7,

00:10:40.059 --> 00:10:41.319
 your hearts and your minds.

00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:42.179
 Yes,

00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:42.600
 it's the,

00:10:42.600 --> 00:10:43.879
 the inward life

00:10:43.879 --> 00:10:45.139
 of God's people

00:10:45.139 --> 00:10:46.100
 in a special way

00:10:46.100 --> 00:10:46.620
 in the plural

00:10:46.620 --> 00:10:47.639
 when you're gathered together.

00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:49.559
 In verse 9,

00:10:50.339 --> 00:10:51.419
 you have learned

00:10:51.419 --> 00:10:52.019
 together,

00:10:52.220 --> 00:10:52.299
 you,

00:10:52.399 --> 00:10:53.799
 you built this understanding,

00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:54.459
 this faith.

00:10:54.839 --> 00:10:55.600
 You built it up

00:10:55.600 --> 00:10:56.600
 in your own hearts and minds.

00:10:56.600 --> 00:10:58.000
 You've held on to this together.

00:10:58.720 --> 00:10:59.259
 In verse 9,

00:10:59.299 --> 00:10:59.579
 he says,

00:10:59.720 --> 00:11:00.399
 the God of peace

00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:01.740
 will be with you

00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:02.340
 in the plural,

00:11:02.560 --> 00:11:02.960
 together,

00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:04.340
 gathered in his name.

00:11:06.060 --> 00:11:07.460
 I think if that's not enough

00:11:07.460 --> 00:11:08.259
 to persuade you,

00:11:08.360 --> 00:11:09.560
 his address,

00:11:09.899 --> 00:11:11.419
 right here in the specific context

00:11:11.419 --> 00:11:12.120
 in verse 8,

00:11:12.180 --> 00:11:13.299
 is brethren,

00:11:13.720 --> 00:11:13.960
 plural.

00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:15.500
 He had,

00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:16.659
 he had spoken to individuals,

00:11:16.779 --> 00:11:17.899
 he caught out people by name,

00:11:18.180 --> 00:11:19.180
 but here he's addressing

00:11:19.180 --> 00:11:21.200
 the entire gathered congregation.

00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:24.320
 The second thing we can use

00:11:24.320 --> 00:11:25.400
 to answer this question

00:11:25.400 --> 00:11:26.259
 of who is the audience

00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:26.560
 is,

00:11:26.640 --> 00:11:28.020
 is the verbs.

00:11:28.640 --> 00:11:29.420
 So the verbs

00:11:29.420 --> 00:11:30.400
 in these two paragraphs,

00:11:30.860 --> 00:11:31.820
 all of these commands

00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:33.200
 are to all of the saints.

00:11:33.400 --> 00:11:34.100
 All of the verbs

00:11:34.100 --> 00:11:35.640
 are also in the plural.

00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:36.640
 In verse 4,

00:11:36.700 --> 00:11:37.100
 he says,

00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:37.980
 rejoice.

00:11:38.660 --> 00:11:39.379
 I'll say it again,

00:11:39.640 --> 00:11:40.000
 rejoice.

00:11:41.140 --> 00:11:42.140
 The Greek word

00:11:42.140 --> 00:11:43.280
 is best translated

00:11:43.280 --> 00:11:43.520
 if,

00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:44.180
 if we use that

00:11:44.180 --> 00:11:45.020
 older English word

00:11:45.020 --> 00:11:45.759
 that does have

00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:46.840
 a plural sense

00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:47.960
 of the second person.

00:11:47.960 --> 00:11:49.780
 It would be ye,

00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:50.680
 ye,

00:11:51.040 --> 00:11:51.620
 or y'all,

00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:52.200
 you know,

00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:52.620
 but ye.

00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:54.200
 So rejoice,

00:11:54.340 --> 00:11:54.660
 rejoice,

00:11:54.820 --> 00:11:56.519
 it's be ye together

00:11:56.519 --> 00:11:57.560
 rejoicing.

00:11:58.100 --> 00:11:59.320
 That's how it would be translated.

00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:00.379
 Verse 5,

00:12:00.740 --> 00:12:02.860
 let your plural gentleness

00:12:02.860 --> 00:12:04.200
 be known to all.

00:12:05.220 --> 00:12:05.759
 Modesty,

00:12:06.080 --> 00:12:06.740
 reasonableness,

00:12:07.180 --> 00:12:07.940
 that's a command,

00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:09.440
 a verb for the whole congregation

00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:10.500
 together to practice.

00:12:11.160 --> 00:12:12.960
 In verse 6,

00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:14.980
 do not be anxious.

00:12:15.580 --> 00:12:16.120
 It would be literally

00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:17.100
 translated this way,

00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:18.120
 in nothing

00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:20.220
 be ye worrying.

00:12:21.040 --> 00:12:22.159
 Let your requests,

00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:23.080
 your burdens

00:12:23.080 --> 00:12:23.740
 be lifted up.

00:12:24.159 --> 00:12:24.759
 In verse 8,

00:12:24.940 --> 00:12:26.420
 think about these things,

00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:28.240
 but it's in the plural as well.

00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:30.960
 Be ye taking into account.

00:12:31.680 --> 00:12:32.580
 All of you together,

00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:33.220
 wrestle with,

00:12:33.379 --> 00:12:33.600
 ponder,

00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:35.259
 take into account this together

00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:36.779
 as a gathered people.

00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:38.019
 And finally in verse 9,

00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:39.639
 practice these things.

00:12:39.779 --> 00:12:40.980
 It's be ye practicing.

00:12:41.480 --> 00:12:43.040
 All of you as one gathered people,

00:12:43.680 --> 00:12:44.120
 practicing,

00:12:44.300 --> 00:12:44.580
 marching

00:12:44.580 --> 00:12:46.540
 in a pattern together.

00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:49.820
 And now if you'll turn back

00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:50.980
 in Philippians,

00:12:51.040 --> 00:12:51.700
 a couple pages,

00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:53.820
 look at Philippians 1,

00:12:55.360 --> 00:12:57.100
 second part of verse 1,

00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:58.040
 he addresses this

00:12:58.040 --> 00:12:59.740
 to all the saints

00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:01.899
 in Christ Jesus

00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:03.779
 who are in Philippi

00:13:03.779 --> 00:13:04.960
 with the overseers

00:13:04.960 --> 00:13:05.600
 and deacons.

00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:07.860
 So he is addressing it

00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:09.040
 to the entire church.

00:13:09.040 --> 00:13:09.620
 Therefore,

00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:10.860
 the promises are for

00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:11.980
 the collective,

00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:13.379
 gathered congregation

00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:13.940
 as well.

00:13:13.940 --> 00:13:16.260
 Now look at verse 7,

00:13:16.780 --> 00:13:18.320
 this wonderful promise

00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:19.680
 that the peace of God

00:13:19.680 --> 00:13:20.260
 will guard you.

00:13:20.640 --> 00:13:21.760
 What's the very first word

00:13:21.760 --> 00:13:22.420
 in verse 7

00:13:22.420 --> 00:13:23.220
 in your translation?

00:13:24.600 --> 00:13:24.940
 And.

00:13:25.520 --> 00:13:26.700
 It's a conditionality.

00:13:27.540 --> 00:13:28.660
 So here are my commands

00:13:28.660 --> 00:13:30.440
 and the peace of God

00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:31.380
 will guard you.

00:13:31.760 --> 00:13:32.680
 Now look at verse 9.

00:13:33.160 --> 00:13:33.920
 That's what these two words

00:13:33.920 --> 00:13:34.500
 have in common,

00:13:34.700 --> 00:13:35.300
 these two verses

00:13:35.300 --> 00:13:35.960
 with promises.

00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:36.740
 Verse 9,

00:13:37.780 --> 00:13:38.720
 obey these commands,

00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:40.100
 think of these things,

00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:42.279
 and the God of peace

00:13:42.279 --> 00:13:43.259
 will be with you.

00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:47.920
 Church,

00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:50.680
 if we don't have

00:13:50.680 --> 00:13:51.680
 the presence of God

00:13:51.680 --> 00:13:52.279
 with us,

00:13:52.800 --> 00:13:53.960
 we cease to exist.

00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:56.960
 I mentioned in

00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:57.659
 the Old Testament

00:13:57.659 --> 00:13:58.320
 in 1 Samuel,

00:13:58.820 --> 00:14:00.200
 the greatest fear

00:14:00.200 --> 00:14:01.139
 of the people of God

00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:01.899
 was to lose

00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:02.940
 the glory of God

00:14:02.940 --> 00:14:03.960
 in their presence,

00:14:04.080 --> 00:14:04.639
 in their midst.

00:14:06.340 --> 00:14:07.940
 And the name of the child

00:14:07.940 --> 00:14:09.019
 in the Old Testament

00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:09.939
 was Ichabod,

00:14:10.079 --> 00:14:10.879
 which means the glory

00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:12.120
 of God has departed.

00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:13.759
 While God's everywhere,

00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:15.179
 this is a real warning,

00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:16.519
 a real invitation.

00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:18.319
 Practice what God

00:14:18.319 --> 00:14:19.079
 has called you to.

00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:20.439
 Stay close to Christ.

00:14:20.980 --> 00:14:22.240
 Don't take for granted

00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:23.319
 His presence.

00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:24.720
 Without Christ,

00:14:25.059 --> 00:14:26.460
 you are not a church.

00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:27.699
 You're individuals

00:14:27.699 --> 00:14:28.460
 that are saved

00:14:28.460 --> 00:14:29.799
 and He'll take care of you

00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:30.340
 somewhere else,

00:14:30.439 --> 00:14:31.960
 but for a local church,

00:14:32.439 --> 00:14:33.519
 obey these things

00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:35.000
 if you want the presence

00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:35.939
 and the peace

00:14:35.939 --> 00:14:37.039
 of God with you.

00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:38.960
 In Revelation 2,

00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:39.399
 5,

00:14:40.059 --> 00:14:41.340
 to the church in Ephesus,

00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:43.139
 which was solid in doctrine,

00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:44.279
 but had become

00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:45.939
 all about the wrong things.

00:14:47.539 --> 00:14:48.779
 Jesus Christ Himself

00:14:48.779 --> 00:14:49.779
 speaks these words.

00:14:49.899 --> 00:14:50.220
 He says,

00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:50.740
 you've taken

00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:52.579
 me for granted.

00:14:52.939 --> 00:14:53.620
 You've lost

00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:55.360
 the love

00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:56.659
 of the giver

00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:57.840
 of the good gifts.

00:14:57.899 --> 00:14:58.220
 He says,

00:14:58.220 --> 00:14:59.179
 remember therefore

00:14:59.179 --> 00:15:00.840
 from where you have fallen.

00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:01.519
 Repent

00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:02.639
 and do the works

00:15:02.639 --> 00:15:03.460
 you did at first.

00:15:03.579 --> 00:15:04.000
 If not,

00:15:04.259 --> 00:15:05.439
 I will come to you

00:15:05.440 --> 00:15:06.540
 and remove

00:15:06.540 --> 00:15:07.740
 your lampstand

00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:09.120
 from its place

00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:10.440
 unless you repent.

00:15:11.460 --> 00:15:12.660
 A lampstand represents

00:15:12.660 --> 00:15:14.320
 the presence of God

00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:15.000
 with His people

00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:17.080
 and it's the lampstand

00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:18.180
 being removed

00:15:18.180 --> 00:15:19.060
 out of the heaven

00:15:19.060 --> 00:15:19.600
 of heavens,

00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:20.980
 out of the presence

00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:21.500
 of God.

00:15:21.760 --> 00:15:22.500
 It's this congregation

00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:23.400
 no longer

00:15:23.400 --> 00:15:25.000
 enjoying that access

00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:26.420
 as a gathered people.

00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:27.920
 And to the church

00:15:27.920 --> 00:15:28.500
 in Smyrna,

00:15:28.760 --> 00:15:30.380
 it's even stronger warnings

00:15:30.380 --> 00:15:31.100
 about the church

00:15:31.100 --> 00:15:32.320
 being mixed with the world.

00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:33.840
 Revelation 2.9

00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:34.400
 Jesus says,

00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.520
 I know the blasphemy

00:15:35.520 --> 00:15:36.379
 of those who say

00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:37.400
 they are God's people

00:15:37.400 --> 00:15:38.480
 and are not

00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:40.360
 but are a synagogue

00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:41.280
 of Satan.

00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:43.920
 So don't mess around

00:15:43.920 --> 00:15:44.500
 with this church.

00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.160
 What you do

00:15:45.160 --> 00:15:45.900
 as a gathered

00:15:45.900 --> 00:15:46.840
 collective people

00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:47.840
 in the plural

00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:48.420
 together,

00:15:49.340 --> 00:15:50.720
 that's the hinge

00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:51.360
 upon which

00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:52.100
 God's promises

00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:53.379
 to a local church

00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:54.140
 depend.

00:15:55.340 --> 00:15:56.020
 So those are

00:15:56.020 --> 00:15:56.980
 the promises

00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:58.280
 in the audience.

00:15:58.780 --> 00:15:59.320
 Now what are these

00:15:59.320 --> 00:16:00.520
 important commands

00:16:00.520 --> 00:16:01.980
 that have so much

00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:02.480
 at stake?

00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:04.500
 Well the first command

00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:04.960
 is this,

00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:05.680
 God promises

00:16:05.680 --> 00:16:06.340
 His peace

00:16:06.340 --> 00:16:07.480
 to congregations

00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.700
 that rejoice

00:16:08.700 --> 00:16:09.440
 in the Lord.

00:16:10.560 --> 00:16:11.539
 God promises

00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:12.279
 His peace

00:16:12.279 --> 00:16:13.980
 to congregations

00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:15.080
 that rejoice

00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:16.060
 in the Lord.

00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:18.200
 He says in verse 4,

00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:19.820
 rejoice in the Lord

00:16:19.820 --> 00:16:20.659
 always.

00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:22.980
 He's already warned

00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:23.779
 them in this little letter

00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:24.860
 that many rejoice

00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:26.560
 in their own interests

00:16:26.560 --> 00:16:27.120
 instead.

00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:29.500
 Many use Christ's name

00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:31.379
 only for selfish ambition,

00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:33.580
 in Philippians 1.15

00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:34.379
 out of envy

00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:35.080
 and rivalry,

00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:37.440
 in Philippians 1.18

00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:38.340
 in pretense,

00:16:38.539 --> 00:16:39.259
 not sincerely,

00:16:39.800 --> 00:16:40.700
 Philippians 2.3

00:16:40.700 --> 00:16:42.080
 only for vain glory,

00:16:43.460 --> 00:16:44.500
 any glory

00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:45.639
 that does not go to God

00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:46.580
 is vain glory.

00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:48.680
 In Philippians 3.19

00:16:48.680 --> 00:16:49.139
 He says,

00:16:49.320 --> 00:16:49.899
 many walk

00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:50.539
 whose glory

00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:51.300
 is their shame,

00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:52.220
 who set their minds

00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:53.139
 on earthly things,

00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:54.120
 and these are enemies

00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:55.360
 of the cross.

00:16:55.440 --> 00:16:56.300
 But you, church,

00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:58.259
 rejoice in the Lord

00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:59.240
 always.

00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:03.740
 the times

00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:04.279
 when I've had

00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:05.200
 the least peace

00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:06.079
 in my own life,

00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:06.940
 my own soul,

00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:08.599
 it's when I was

00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:10.799
 not with a church

00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:12.559
 that consistently

00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.200
 rejoiced

00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:14.160
 in the Lord.

00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.359
 And our flesh

00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:17.299
 wants to pull us away

00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.259
 from rejoicing

00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:19.000
 in Christ,

00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:19.640
 doesn't it?

00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:20.880
 It's too easy

00:17:20.880 --> 00:17:21.420
 for churches

00:17:21.420 --> 00:17:22.019
 and for us

00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:22.960
 to rejoice

00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:23.960
 in some program,

00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:25.740
 rejoice in the success

00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:26.579
 in man's eyes,

00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:28.299
 rejoice in visible,

00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:29.740
 numeric growth.

00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:31.419
 It's too easy

00:17:31.419 --> 00:17:33.480
 to want to make sermons

00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:34.339
 or make our teaching

00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:35.240
 or our Bible study

00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:36.339
 therapeutic,

00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:38.119
 making it all about

00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:39.720
 sinful man

00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:40.940
 tickling the ear.

00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:44.180
 One of our dear brothers

00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:45.139
 here shared with me

00:17:45.139 --> 00:17:46.960
 in a town nearby

00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:47.839
 that we all know,

00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:49.139
 he's witnessed

00:17:49.139 --> 00:17:50.139
 30 churches

00:17:50.139 --> 00:17:51.220
 closing their doors,

00:17:52.119 --> 00:17:53.940
 and in every single case,

00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:56.099
 they were not rejoicing

00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:57.439
 in the Lord.

00:17:59.379 --> 00:18:00.659
 The lampstand goes out.

00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:01.759
 Now there's true believers,

00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:03.799
 there's true believers

00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:05.039
 that God will place them

00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:05.699
 somewhere else,

00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:07.740
 he'll find green pastures,

00:18:07.819 --> 00:18:08.359
 they might have to

00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:09.219
 commute a bit more,

00:18:10.219 --> 00:18:12.679
 but there's a world here

00:18:12.679 --> 00:18:13.500
 that's dark,

00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:15.619
 and churches that don't

00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:16.719
 rejoice in the Lord

00:18:16.719 --> 00:18:18.059
 become another graveyard

00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:19.740
 for the pulpit.

00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:23.920
 Paul says,

00:18:24.160 --> 00:18:25.220
 rejoice in the Lord,

00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:27.299
 and you're wanting

00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:28.220
 to say in your own mind,

00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:28.740
 when,

00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:29.940
 when do I not have to?

00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:30.400
 He says,

00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:30.819
 always,

00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:32.839
 and you're trying to think,

00:18:32.920 --> 00:18:33.539
 but what about

00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:34.079
 five,

00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:34.759
 ten years from now

00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:35.359
 when this is there?

00:18:35.900 --> 00:18:36.759
 Rejoice in the Lord,

00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:37.359
 always,

00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:38.940
 I will say again,

00:18:39.940 --> 00:18:40.839
 even if I'm dead,

00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:42.039
 the verb is

00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:43.319
 in the future tense,

00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:44.880
 I shall be declaring.

00:18:45.820 --> 00:18:46.620
 So Paul's saying,

00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:47.800
 even if my head

00:18:47.800 --> 00:18:48.720
 gets chopped off,

00:18:49.120 --> 00:18:49.880
 you can still hear

00:18:49.880 --> 00:18:50.660
 this echoing,

00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:51.860
 there's no excuse,

00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:52.840
 no conditions upon

00:18:52.840 --> 00:18:53.480
 which our church

00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.500
 should stop rejoicing

00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:55.200
 in the Lord.

00:18:55.660 --> 00:18:56.600
 I will say it again,

00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:57.540
 and I'll keep saying

00:18:57.540 --> 00:18:58.260
 forever,

00:18:58.480 --> 00:18:58.820
 rejoice.

00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:01.220
 Let your reasonableness

00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:02.220
 be known to everyone,

00:19:02.620 --> 00:19:03.740
 the Lord is at hand,

00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:05.480
 and the peace of God,

00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:06.640
 which surpasses

00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.460
 all understanding,

00:19:07.860 --> 00:19:08.820
 will guard your hearts

00:19:08.820 --> 00:19:09.480
 and your minds

00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:11.520
 in Christ Jesus.

00:19:13.060 --> 00:19:13.580
 Church,

00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.720
 do you want to enjoy

00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:16.240
 God's presence

00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:16.920
 with you?

00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:19.920
 Do you want to enjoy

00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:20.660
 God's presence

00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:21.700
 when you come together

00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:22.460
 in His name

00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.900
 every Sunday morning?

00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:27.440
 Then rejoice

00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.600
 in the Lord,

00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:29.640
 always.

00:19:30.360 --> 00:19:31.380
 I will say it again,

00:19:31.880 --> 00:19:32.259
 rejoice.

00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:35.259
 And you'll be reminded

00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:36.140
 of this every time

00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:36.839
 you open up

00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:37.740
 our bulletin

00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:38.299
 or liturgy,

00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:40.000
 and someone stands up here,

00:19:40.100 --> 00:19:41.140
 picks up the microphone,

00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:42.079
 and reads

00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:43.440
 when it calls to worship.

00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:44.840
 Because that's what the Bible

00:19:44.840 --> 00:19:46.059
 constantly calls

00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:46.880
 God's people to do.

00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:47.820
 Think of some that we

00:19:47.820 --> 00:19:48.559
 have used.

00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:50.720
 Psalm 95,

00:19:51.080 --> 00:19:51.620
 1 and 2.

00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:52.539
 O come,

00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:54.120
 let us sing to the Lord.

00:19:54.380 --> 00:19:56.080
 Let us shout joyfully

00:19:56.080 --> 00:19:56.799
 to the rock

00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:57.660
 of our salvation.

00:19:58.100 --> 00:19:59.000
 Let us come before

00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.620
 His presence

00:19:59.620 --> 00:20:00.460
 with thanksgiving.

00:20:00.820 --> 00:20:01.960
 Let us shout joyfully

00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:02.519
 to Him

00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.460
 with songs.

00:20:05.120 --> 00:20:06.759
 Psalm 101-3.

00:20:07.100 --> 00:20:08.039
 Make a joyful

00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:09.299
 shout to the Lord,

00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:10.320
 all you lands.

00:20:10.840 --> 00:20:11.400
 Serve the Lord

00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:12.180
 with gladness.

00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:13.280
 Come before

00:20:13.280 --> 00:20:14.220
 His presence

00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:15.340
 with singing.

00:20:16.340 --> 00:20:17.640
 Know that the Lord,

00:20:17.860 --> 00:20:18.780
 He is God.

00:20:19.100 --> 00:20:20.380
 It is He who has made us

00:20:20.380 --> 00:20:22.460
 and not we ourselves.

00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:26.440
 Let your reasonableness

00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:27.080
 be known

00:20:27.080 --> 00:20:28.100
 to everyone.

00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:30.019
 The Lord

00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:31.680
 is at hand.

00:20:33.300 --> 00:20:34.519
 Everything we do,

00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:35.920
 gathered in His name,

00:20:36.280 --> 00:20:37.240
 it's with the Lord

00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:38.140
 at hand.

00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:40.480
 If we're having

00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:41.160
 a Bible study

00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:41.780
 or a discussion

00:20:41.780 --> 00:20:42.259
 or prayer,

00:20:42.360 --> 00:20:44.520
 how can I say something

00:20:44.520 --> 00:20:46.060
 that would be out of step

00:20:46.060 --> 00:20:47.020
 with the mind of Christ

00:20:47.020 --> 00:20:47.680
 if I remember

00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:48.780
 that the Lord's at hand?

00:20:50.040 --> 00:20:51.060
 When we're singing,

00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:51.840
 when we're praying,

00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:53.160
 when we're doing our best

00:20:53.160 --> 00:20:54.340
 to disciple our children

00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:56.060
 and the flesh

00:20:56.060 --> 00:20:56.580
 or the pride

00:20:56.580 --> 00:20:57.400
 wants to creep in

00:20:57.400 --> 00:20:58.860
 and distort it,

00:20:59.400 --> 00:21:00.720
 the Lord is at hand.

00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:03.400
 We minister to one another

00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:04.380
 in that way.

00:21:05.560 --> 00:21:06.180
 And by remembering

00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:07.759
 that the Lord is with us,

00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:08.340
 His people,

00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:11.580
 we will be reasonable

00:21:11.580 --> 00:21:12.940
 with the help of His Spirit.

00:21:13.060 --> 00:21:13.860
 We will be gentle.

00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:16.640
 We will do it in such a way

00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:18.080
 that brings Him glory.

00:21:19.320 --> 00:21:20.799
 So Reformed Heritage Church

00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.500
 specifically

00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:23.259
 has one very small

00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:24.440
 little lampstand

00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:26.080
 in the courtroom of heaven.

00:21:27.140 --> 00:21:28.240
 Let us pray.

00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.160
 Let us sing.

00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:29.960
 Let us listen.

00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:32.160
 May we talk and eat

00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:33.720
 and fellowship and serve

00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:35.140
 knowing that the Lord

00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:37.240
 is at hand with us

00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.819
 together as His gathered people.

00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:41.059
 And then we can

00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:42.640
 be such a church

00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:44.980
 that knows with confidence

00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:46.700
 these promises are for us too.

00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:49.160
 The peace of God

00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:51.480
 which passes all understanding

00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:52.720
 will guard us.

00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:54.480
 So we don't live anxious

00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.900
 or fearful about the future

00:21:55.900 --> 00:21:57.400
 even of this one

00:21:57.400 --> 00:21:58.220
 little congregation.

00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.740
 We trust this promise.

00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.500
 We are rejoicing in the Lord

00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.299
 by His grace

00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:03.299
 with His help.

00:22:03.859 --> 00:22:04.819
 And we're not afraid.

00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:05.920
 We're not anxious.

00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:08.059
 He's guarding us together.

00:22:10.140 --> 00:22:11.680
 To guard in this way

00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:12.400
 in verse 7.

00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:13.980
 He will guard your hearts

00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.660
 and your minds.

00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.779
 It means to garrison.

00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:19.160
 It's like an ancient citadel.

00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:20.940
 A walled castle.

00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:23.220
 The banner over this,

00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:24.740
 if you make it through the gates,

00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:25.980
 the bridge comes down.

00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.819
 You make it inside.

00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:28.019
 The banner over us

00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:30.220
 is the peace of God.

00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:32.799
 And as the world

00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:34.120
 mounts all around it

00:22:34.120 --> 00:22:35.259
 and shakes and shoots,

00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.660
 we're under siege.

00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:38.660
 They're baffled

00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:40.519
 because this little outpost

00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.519
 of the kingdom of heaven

00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.700
 is unrattled.

00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:45.799
 It's beyond understanding.

00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:48.000
 It's Christ

00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:49.600
 guarding His church

00:22:49.600 --> 00:22:50.460
 with His peace.

00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:55.480
 Well, God promises also

00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:57.319
 His peace to churches

00:22:57.319 --> 00:22:58.799
 that bring their requests

00:22:58.799 --> 00:22:59.879
 to Him

00:22:59.879 --> 00:23:01.059
 in thankful prayer.

00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:03.159
 God promises His peace

00:23:03.159 --> 00:23:04.419
 to churches

00:23:04.419 --> 00:23:05.679
 that bring their requests

00:23:05.679 --> 00:23:06.659
 to Him

00:23:06.659 --> 00:23:08.000
 in thankful prayer.

00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:11.859
 It's good for us

00:23:11.859 --> 00:23:12.379
 as a church

00:23:12.379 --> 00:23:13.319
 to have requests.

00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:14.939
 What are the requests

00:23:14.939 --> 00:23:15.819
 that we all share

00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:16.779
 that would be the requests

00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:17.559
 of this congregation?

00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:19.579
 And it's good for us

00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:20.399
 to discuss that.

00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:21.599
 Learn from one another.

00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.960
 Let the burdens

00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:23.679
 that God has put

00:23:23.679 --> 00:23:24.179
 on the hearts

00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:25.539
 of a gathered congregation

00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:27.259
 become our shared burdens.

00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:28.560
 That's important.

00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:29.700
 We ought to have

00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:30.900
 shared requests

00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:31.380
 that we bring

00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:32.100
 before the Lord.

00:23:33.600 --> 00:23:35.080
 But we should not be anxious

00:23:35.080 --> 00:23:36.080
 about those things.

00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:37.840
 That's what Jesus

00:23:37.840 --> 00:23:38.680
 came to preach.

00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:41.259
 God the Father

00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:42.100
 loves you.

00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:43.960
 In Matthew 6,

00:23:44.060 --> 00:23:44.640
 Jesus said,

00:23:45.060 --> 00:23:46.480
 Therefore do not be anxious

00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:47.320
 about tomorrow,

00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:48.380
 for it will be anxious

00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.140
 for itself.

00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:50.880
 Sufficient for the day

00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:51.840
 is its own trouble.

00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:53.859
 Seek first the kingdom

00:23:53.859 --> 00:23:54.500
 of God

00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.779
 and His righteousness

00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:57.379
 and all these things

00:23:57.379 --> 00:23:58.539
 will be added unto you

00:23:58.539 --> 00:23:59.939
 because the Father

00:23:59.939 --> 00:24:00.879
 loves you.

00:24:02.439 --> 00:24:02.959
 Paul says,

00:24:03.159 --> 00:24:04.199
 So in everything,

00:24:04.939 --> 00:24:07.159
 by prayer and supplication,

00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.619
 with thanksgiving,

00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:10.439
 let your requests

00:24:10.439 --> 00:24:12.480
 be made known to God.

00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:14.099
 Yes, God knows all,

00:24:14.859 --> 00:24:16.199
 but He's a loving Father.

00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:17.299
 He wants you

00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:18.959
 to make your requests known

00:24:18.959 --> 00:24:20.259
 when you're together

00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:21.179
 gathered in His name.

00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:23.720
 Then the peace of God,

00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:25.599
 who surpasses all understanding,

00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:26.959
 will minister to you.

00:24:30.919 --> 00:24:31.779
 Isn't it true

00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:33.000
 you've been most settled,

00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.639
 most at peace

00:24:34.639 --> 00:24:36.179
 before the Lord

00:24:36.179 --> 00:24:37.500
 and with your family,

00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:38.459
 your loved ones,

00:24:39.139 --> 00:24:40.359
 when you're with a church

00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:42.500
 that prays in such a way,

00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:44.679
 when you're with God's people

00:24:44.679 --> 00:24:45.779
 gathered in His name,

00:24:46.379 --> 00:24:46.799
 and you know

00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:48.099
 the Father loves us.

00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.819
 We comfort one another

00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:50.779
 by praying this way.

00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:52.579
 It's that simple

00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:54.179
 childlike faith

00:24:54.179 --> 00:24:55.839
 depending on the love

00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:57.000
 of my Father in Heaven.

00:24:58.319 --> 00:24:58.799
 Polycarp,

00:24:58.859 --> 00:25:00.240
 a very, very early

00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:02.220
 saved sinner,

00:25:02.659 --> 00:25:03.460
 hero of the faith,

00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:04.839
 he ministered to the church

00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:05.259
 this way.

00:25:05.319 --> 00:25:05.639
 He said,

00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:06.319
 Don't worry,

00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:07.599
 just pray.

00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:10.119
 I love how simple it is.

00:25:10.939 --> 00:25:11.619
 And it's also

00:25:11.619 --> 00:25:12.519
 very deep,

00:25:12.659 --> 00:25:13.220
 very true.

00:25:13.860 --> 00:25:14.740
 Because the Lord

00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.539
 is near you,

00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:15.980
 church,

00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:18.279
 pray.

00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:20.720
 His Spirit

00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:21.980
 is so close to you.

00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:24.299
 Every need

00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.440
 that comes to you

00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:26.279
 through your body,

00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:27.559
 through this fallen world,

00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:29.720
 it reminds you

00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:31.259
 you need your Savior,

00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.860
 and He's near to you.

00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.799
 So those things

00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.860
 don't become the problem

00:25:35.860 --> 00:25:37.039
 to get out of anymore.

00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:38.640
 They become God's

00:25:38.640 --> 00:25:39.039
 gracious,

00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:41.059
 gentle shepherd's rod,

00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:42.500
 bringing you back

00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.759
 to lie down

00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.339
 in the presence

00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:45.200
 of your good shepherd.

00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.559
 And He says,

00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:50.159
 by prayer

00:25:50.159 --> 00:25:51.259
 and supplication,

00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.720
 let your requests

00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:53.460
 be made known

00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:54.519
 to God.

00:25:56.859 --> 00:25:57.980
 How do we pray

00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:59.399
 to a triune God?

00:26:01.619 --> 00:26:02.339
 What is it

00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:03.500
 that Scripture reveals

00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:05.159
 about Father,

00:26:05.399 --> 00:26:05.720
 Son,

00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:06.779
 and Holy Spirit?

00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:08.440
 And how we,

00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:09.019
 His people,

00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:10.000
 get to be part of that

00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:11.019
 and commune with Him?

00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:14.679
 Every time we pray,

00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.839
 we are practicing

00:26:16.839 --> 00:26:17.759
 the presence

00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:19.519
 of the triune God

00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.480
 with His people.

00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:23.579
 Every time we pray,

00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:25.419
 we are communing

00:26:25.419 --> 00:26:28.279
 as a human being,

00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.220
 body and soul,

00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:30.500
 with our Creator.

00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.659
 How do we pray

00:26:32.659 --> 00:26:34.440
 to our triune God?

00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.740
 This little book

00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.679
 by Fred Sanders

00:26:38.679 --> 00:26:39.319
 on the Trinity

00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.019
 was so helpful

00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.859
 to me this week.

00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:41.960
 And that's what I want

00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.940
 to try to briefly

00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:43.960
 summarize for us.

00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:44.879
 How to pray

00:26:44.879 --> 00:26:45.679
 as a church.

00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:47.579
 We pray following

00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:48.679
 the order

00:26:48.679 --> 00:26:49.899
 of our redemption.

00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:52.059
 God is a God

00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:52.559
 of order

00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.799
 and His own Word

00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:54.519
 gives us

00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.419
 the order

00:26:55.419 --> 00:26:57.399
 by which He redeems us

00:26:57.399 --> 00:26:57.980
 through Father,

00:26:58.139 --> 00:26:58.379
 Son,

00:26:58.460 --> 00:26:59.259
 and Holy Spirit.

00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.259
 God.

00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:01.779
 So here are the three

00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:04.160
 persons of the one God.

00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:05.079
 Father, Son,

00:27:05.140 --> 00:27:05.879
 and Holy Spirit.

00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:07.559
 Now, the New Testament,

00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:09.519
 God's full and final revelation,

00:27:10.039 --> 00:27:11.240
 gives us helpful words

00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:12.599
 to explain the order

00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:13.339
 among Father,

00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:14.259
 Son, and Holy Spirit

00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.140
 being one God.

00:27:16.359 --> 00:27:17.059
 Let me give you

00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:17.740
 this illustration.

00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:19.400
 If I wanted to tell you

00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:20.519
 about my car,

00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:23.160
 the Eisenhower Tunnel,

00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.799
 and the Western Slope,

00:27:24.859 --> 00:27:25.900
 those are three different things

00:27:25.900 --> 00:27:26.680
 I want to tell you about.

00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:27.660
 I'm going to use

00:27:27.660 --> 00:27:28.620
 these other words

00:27:28.620 --> 00:27:30.240
 to show how they're related

00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.580
 one to another.

00:27:32.560 --> 00:27:33.539
 I think they're called

00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.240
 prepositions.

00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:36.259
 I could say I came

00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:38.299
 from the Western Slope

00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:40.840
 through the tunnel

00:27:40.840 --> 00:27:44.080
 in my car.

00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:47.400
 Those three words

00:27:47.400 --> 00:27:48.560
 are a helpful way

00:27:48.560 --> 00:27:49.500
 for us to understand

00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.640
 how the Triune God

00:27:50.640 --> 00:27:51.360
 redeemed us

00:27:51.360 --> 00:27:52.580
 and then walking it

00:27:52.580 --> 00:27:53.420
 back the other direction,

00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:54.080
 how we pray

00:27:54.080 --> 00:27:55.019
 to a Triune God.

00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:57.539
 from God the Father

00:27:57.539 --> 00:28:00.000
 through God the Son

00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:03.099
 in God the Holy Spirit.

00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.500
 That's how we pray.

00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:06.279
 Let me try to show you

00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:06.900
 this from Scripture.

00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:08.359
 1 Corinthians 8.6

00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:10.339
 tells us that salvation

00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:11.240
 and life

00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:13.240
 are from God the Father.

00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.920
 This passage says,

00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:16.400
 there is one God,

00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.200
 the Father,

00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:19.740
 from whom are all things

00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:21.960
 and for whom we exist.

00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:24.100
 We also read in Scripture

00:28:24.100 --> 00:28:25.319
 the same passage,

00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:26.340
 salvation and life

00:28:26.340 --> 00:28:28.259
 are through God the Son.

00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:30.620
 In 1 Corinthians 8.6,

00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:31.259
 Paul writes,

00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.279
 there is one Lord,

00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.480
 Jesus Christ,

00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:37.019
 through whom all things

00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:38.120
 were made

00:28:38.120 --> 00:28:39.140
 and through whom

00:28:39.140 --> 00:28:39.980
 we exist.

00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:43.120
 And then salvation and life

00:28:43.120 --> 00:28:44.799
 are in God the Spirit.

00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:46.660
 1 Corinthians 12.3 says,

00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:48.299
 no one can say,

00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.660
 Jesus is my Lord

00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:51.660
 except in the Holy Spirit.

00:28:51.820 --> 00:28:52.000
 How?

00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:54.240
 1 Corinthians 6.11,

00:28:54.920 --> 00:28:55.860
 after telling the church,

00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.300
 you were all

00:28:56.300 --> 00:28:57.400
 the worst kinds of sinners,

00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:59.320
 such were some of you,

00:28:59.680 --> 00:29:01.259
 but you were washed,

00:29:01.400 --> 00:29:02.279
 you were sanctified,

00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:03.200
 you were justified

00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:04.259
 in the name

00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:05.480
 of the Lord Jesus Christ

00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:07.720
 by the Spirit

00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:09.460
 of our God.

00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:11.519
 So God redeems us

00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:12.540
 from the Father,

00:29:12.840 --> 00:29:13.620
 through the Son,

00:29:13.620 --> 00:29:14.900
 in the Holy Spirit.

00:29:14.900 --> 00:29:17.920
 since life and salvation

00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:19.280
 are from God the Father,

00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.600
 we ought to pray

00:29:20.600 --> 00:29:21.860
 to God the Father.

00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:23.640
 Luke 11.2,

00:29:24.060 --> 00:29:25.440
 Jesus taught His disciples that.

00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:25.820
 He said,

00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.660
 when you pray,

00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:28.120
 pray like this,

00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:29.480
 our Father

00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:30.800
 who is in heaven.

00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.780
 We address it to

00:29:32.780 --> 00:29:33.700
 God the Father.

00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:38.220
 Our Father

00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:39.380
 who art in heaven,

00:29:39.900 --> 00:29:41.040
 hallowed be thy name.

00:29:41.540 --> 00:29:42.500
 Thy kingdom come,

00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:43.799
 thy will be done

00:29:43.799 --> 00:29:45.019
 on earth as it is

00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:45.819
 in heaven.

00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:47.339
 So we pray to God the Father.

00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:48.900
 Now salvation and life

00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:50.579
 are through God the Son,

00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.519
 and so we pray

00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:53.400
 through God the Son,

00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.180
 Jesus Christ.

00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:55.759
 John 14.13,

00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:56.400
 Jesus said,

00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:58.180
 ask in my name

00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:59.680
 that the Father

00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:00.920
 may be glorified

00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:01.940
 in the Son.

00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.420
 And we ought to

00:30:03.420 --> 00:30:04.980
 then enjoy life

00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.839
 in God

00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:06.759
 through the Spirit.

00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:07.839
 And so we pray

00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:09.420
 in the Holy Spirit.

00:30:09.859 --> 00:30:11.059
 Ephesians 6.18,

00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:12.160
 we're told this,

00:30:12.160 --> 00:30:13.380
 pray in the Spirit

00:30:13.380 --> 00:30:14.660
 at all times

00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:15.720
 with all kinds

00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.240
 of prayers

00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:17.120
 and requests.

00:30:17.820 --> 00:30:19.160
 And Romans 8.26 says,

00:30:19.360 --> 00:30:20.480
 the Spirit helps us

00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:21.380
 in our weakness

00:30:21.380 --> 00:30:22.700
 for when we do not

00:30:22.700 --> 00:30:23.660
 know what to pray

00:30:23.660 --> 00:30:24.640
 as we ought,

00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.279
 the Spirit Himself

00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:28.420
 intercedes for us.

00:30:29.100 --> 00:30:30.340
 So that's how we pray

00:30:30.340 --> 00:30:31.600
 as a gathered congregation.

00:30:32.080 --> 00:30:32.940
 We practice this

00:30:32.940 --> 00:30:33.779
 on our own as well.

00:30:34.100 --> 00:30:34.720
 We pray,

00:30:35.100 --> 00:30:35.560
 going back

00:30:35.560 --> 00:30:36.519
 the opposite direction,

00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:38.460
 in the Holy Spirit.

00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:40.180
 By His power

00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:41.060
 working in His people,

00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:42.319
 we pray through

00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:43.299
 God the Son,

00:30:43.399 --> 00:30:44.139
 Jesus Christ.

00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:45.079
 And we pray

00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:47.000
 to the Father.

00:30:47.899 --> 00:30:48.899
 And the peace of God,

00:30:49.319 --> 00:30:50.139
 which surpasses

00:30:50.139 --> 00:30:51.039
 all understanding,

00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:53.039
 will guard your hearts

00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:54.200
 and your minds

00:30:54.200 --> 00:30:55.099
 in Christ Jesus.

00:30:56.119 --> 00:30:57.200
 So God promises

00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:57.879
 His peace

00:30:57.879 --> 00:30:58.839
 to churches

00:30:58.839 --> 00:31:00.159
 that bring their requests

00:31:00.159 --> 00:31:01.299
 to Him

00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:02.619
 in thankful prayer.

00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:12.159
 that practice

00:31:12.159 --> 00:31:13.259
 pondering

00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:15.259
 the praiseworthy one.

00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:18.899
 God promises

00:31:18.899 --> 00:31:20.299
 to be Himself,

00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:21.739
 His very presence

00:31:21.739 --> 00:31:22.559
 with churches

00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:23.399
 that practice

00:31:23.399 --> 00:31:24.959
 pondering Him,

00:31:25.399 --> 00:31:26.739
 the only praiseworthy one.

00:31:27.679 --> 00:31:28.459
 Would you look with me

00:31:28.459 --> 00:31:29.099
 at verse 8?

00:31:29.099 --> 00:31:31.919
 He says,

00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:32.759
 finally, brethren,

00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:34.740
 or could be translated

00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.939
 for the rest,

00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:37.019
 brothers and sisters,

00:31:37.179 --> 00:31:38.500
 or beyond that.

00:31:39.099 --> 00:31:39.679
 Here's what else

00:31:39.679 --> 00:31:40.459
 I want to add.

00:31:40.639 --> 00:31:41.240
 I want to conclude

00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:41.639
 with this,

00:31:41.679 --> 00:31:42.079
 He says.

00:31:42.939 --> 00:31:44.359
 Whatever is true,

00:31:45.299 --> 00:31:46.339
 whatever is honorable,

00:31:46.959 --> 00:31:48.079
 whatever is just,

00:31:48.639 --> 00:31:49.480
 whatever is pure,

00:31:49.619 --> 00:31:50.539
 whatever is lovely,

00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:52.159
 whatever is commendable,

00:31:52.439 --> 00:31:53.939
 if there is any virtue,

00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:55.299
 if there is anything

00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:56.919
 worthy of praise,

00:31:56.920 --> 00:31:59.380
 think about these things.

00:32:01.900 --> 00:32:02.779
 Well, knowing that

00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:03.220
 the audience

00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:04.060
 is the whole church,

00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:04.680
 the collective

00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:05.759
 gathered congregation,

00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:07.900
 I think we can conclude this.

00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.960
 Our thought life

00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:11.340
 as a gathered church

00:32:11.340 --> 00:32:12.720
 strengthens

00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:14.080
 our thought life

00:32:14.080 --> 00:32:15.600
 as a scattered church.

00:32:18.100 --> 00:32:19.220
 It's downstream.

00:32:19.360 --> 00:32:19.860
 How we think

00:32:19.860 --> 00:32:21.080
 individually scattered out

00:32:21.080 --> 00:32:21.500
 in the world,

00:32:21.620 --> 00:32:22.440
 stuck into this

00:32:22.440 --> 00:32:23.440
 decaying carcass

00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:25.000
 of this fallen world,

00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:26.579
 it will be

00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:27.839
 directly strengthened

00:32:27.839 --> 00:32:29.579
 by what we ponder.

00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:31.119
 The more excellent,

00:32:31.640 --> 00:32:32.480
 the more praiseworthy

00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:33.519
 is our time

00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:34.579
 when we're gathered together,

00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:35.839
 the more strength

00:32:35.839 --> 00:32:36.799
 each of us will have

00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:38.240
 as God scatters us

00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.680
 back out

00:32:38.680 --> 00:32:39.680
 into His mission field.

00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:44.420
 What we uphold,

00:32:44.839 --> 00:32:45.920
 what we discuss,

00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:47.380
 what we meditate

00:32:47.380 --> 00:32:48.319
 on together,

00:32:48.839 --> 00:32:50.279
 this is what God uses

00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:51.519
 to guard our thoughts

00:32:51.519 --> 00:32:52.539
 and our hearts

00:32:52.539 --> 00:32:53.599
 when we're not together,

00:32:53.599 --> 00:32:55.599
 to meditate on

00:32:55.599 --> 00:32:56.500
 means to deliberate,

00:32:57.079 --> 00:32:57.500
 evaluate,

00:32:57.899 --> 00:32:58.379
 compute,

00:32:59.019 --> 00:32:59.679
 ponder over

00:32:59.679 --> 00:33:01.119
 and over and over again.

00:33:02.299 --> 00:33:03.199
 And He wants the church

00:33:03.199 --> 00:33:04.480
 together to uphold

00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:06.399
 only that which is excellent

00:33:06.399 --> 00:33:07.139
 and praiseworthy,

00:33:07.719 --> 00:33:08.519
 what is true,

00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:09.259
 good,

00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:10.000
 and pure.

00:33:12.679 --> 00:33:13.959
 He uses the word

00:33:13.959 --> 00:33:15.899
 virtuous

00:33:15.899 --> 00:33:17.179
 among others

00:33:17.179 --> 00:33:18.599
 to describe

00:33:18.599 --> 00:33:19.240
 what it is

00:33:19.240 --> 00:33:19.679
 the church

00:33:19.679 --> 00:33:20.559
 ought to give

00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:21.439
 their thoughts to.

00:33:21.440 --> 00:33:24.759
 The word virtuous

00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:26.460
 in 1 Peter 2.9

00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:28.059
 is used to describe

00:33:28.059 --> 00:33:28.820
 God Himself,

00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:31.380
 the only perfectly

00:33:31.380 --> 00:33:32.380
 virtuous One.

00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:33.200
 We are to proclaim

00:33:33.200 --> 00:33:33.880
 the virtue

00:33:33.880 --> 00:33:35.000
 or the excellencies

00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:35.660
 of God

00:33:35.660 --> 00:33:36.820
 who called you

00:33:36.820 --> 00:33:37.600
 out of darkness

00:33:37.600 --> 00:33:38.779
 into His marvelous

00:33:38.779 --> 00:33:39.799
 light.

00:33:41.420 --> 00:33:42.279
 And this is one

00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:43.200
 of the only other places

00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:44.059
 the word virtue

00:33:44.059 --> 00:33:45.360
 is used in this sense.

00:33:47.840 --> 00:33:48.960
 2 Peter 1.3

00:33:48.960 --> 00:33:49.380
 teaches

00:33:49.380 --> 00:33:51.320
 that God's divine power

00:33:51.320 --> 00:33:51.980
 has granted

00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:52.700
 to us

00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:53.300
 all things

00:33:53.300 --> 00:33:53.880
 that pertain

00:33:53.880 --> 00:33:54.400
 to life

00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:55.000
 and godliness

00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:56.200
 through the knowledge

00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:56.620
 of Him

00:33:56.620 --> 00:33:57.460
 who called us

00:33:57.460 --> 00:33:58.780
 to His glory

00:33:58.780 --> 00:33:59.880
 and His excellence,

00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:01.440
 His virtuousness.

00:34:01.980 --> 00:34:02.840
 And it's only

00:34:02.840 --> 00:34:03.540
 by His

00:34:03.540 --> 00:34:05.400
 divine power.

00:34:07.800 --> 00:34:08.460
 So I think

00:34:08.460 --> 00:34:08.860
 there are a lot

00:34:08.860 --> 00:34:09.599
 of applications

00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:10.360
 for this truth,

00:34:10.460 --> 00:34:10.840
 but here's what

00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:11.559
 I want to draw out

00:34:11.559 --> 00:34:12.240
 for us today

00:34:12.240 --> 00:34:13.599
 in light of this passage.

00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:16.059
 Every one

00:34:16.059 --> 00:34:16.440
 of these

00:34:16.440 --> 00:34:17.519
 noble things

00:34:17.519 --> 00:34:18.059
 that we ought

00:34:18.059 --> 00:34:18.360
 to give

00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:18.860
 our thoughts

00:34:18.860 --> 00:34:19.179
 to,

00:34:20.239 --> 00:34:21.320
 it ought to begin

00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:22.239
 with the thought

00:34:22.239 --> 00:34:23.000
 of God Himself

00:34:23.000 --> 00:34:23.960
 as the supreme

00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:24.980
 good behind each

00:34:24.980 --> 00:34:25.300
 one.

00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:26.679
 And then

00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:27.840
 we think rightly

00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:28.480
 about God,

00:34:28.719 --> 00:34:29.539
 we're free

00:34:29.539 --> 00:34:30.679
 to go into the world

00:34:30.679 --> 00:34:31.420
 and think rightly

00:34:31.420 --> 00:34:32.400
 about other

00:34:32.400 --> 00:34:33.219
 expressions or

00:34:33.219 --> 00:34:34.460
 reflections of God

00:34:34.460 --> 00:34:34.820
 Himself

00:34:34.820 --> 00:34:36.019
 that we see.

00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:37.780
 So for example,

00:34:38.159 --> 00:34:39.259
 He lists truth,

00:34:39.420 --> 00:34:39.840
 nobility,

00:34:40.059 --> 00:34:40.360
 justice,

00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:40.860
 purity,

00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:41.500
 loveliness,

00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:42.840
 what is commendable,

00:34:43.019 --> 00:34:43.340
 virtuous,

00:34:43.619 --> 00:34:45.039
 and praiseworthy.

00:34:46.039 --> 00:34:46.779
 When we're gathered

00:34:46.779 --> 00:34:47.440
 as His church,

00:34:47.579 --> 00:34:48.699
 it's like the

00:34:48.699 --> 00:34:49.639
 Scripture reveals

00:34:49.639 --> 00:34:50.099
 by the help

00:34:50.099 --> 00:34:50.539
 of the Spirit,

00:34:50.719 --> 00:34:51.460
 God Himself,

00:34:51.940 --> 00:34:52.539
 His attributes,

00:34:52.679 --> 00:34:53.099
 His glory,

00:34:53.199 --> 00:34:53.860
 His essence,

00:34:54.239 --> 00:34:54.860
 and that's what

00:34:54.860 --> 00:34:55.659
 elevates the thoughts

00:34:55.659 --> 00:34:56.279
 of the church.

00:34:57.320 --> 00:34:58.159
 It's thinking of

00:34:58.159 --> 00:34:58.880
 God Himself,

00:34:59.000 --> 00:34:59.900
 the only praiseworthy

00:34:59.900 --> 00:35:00.279
 one,

00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:01.400
 the only virtuous

00:35:01.400 --> 00:35:01.820
 one.

00:35:02.719 --> 00:35:03.440
 But then when we go

00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:04.500
 back into the world,

00:35:04.920 --> 00:35:05.599
 He does help

00:35:05.599 --> 00:35:06.400
 each one of you

00:35:06.400 --> 00:35:07.440
 in different ways,

00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:08.239
 in different fields.

00:35:08.739 --> 00:35:09.099
 Students,

00:35:09.219 --> 00:35:09.920
 you'll see all of these

00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:10.719
 maybe in one day

00:35:10.719 --> 00:35:11.300
 in class,

00:35:11.759 --> 00:35:12.679
 in your different subjects.

00:35:12.800 --> 00:35:13.579
 You'll see truth.

00:35:13.579 --> 00:35:15.460
 You'll see nobility.

00:35:16.099 --> 00:35:16.960
 You'll see justice,

00:35:17.179 --> 00:35:17.500
 purity,

00:35:18.179 --> 00:35:18.659
 loveliness.

00:35:19.400 --> 00:35:20.940
 You'll see examples,

00:35:21.400 --> 00:35:22.460
 even in fallen sinners,

00:35:22.759 --> 00:35:24.000
 of something commendable,

00:35:25.179 --> 00:35:26.719
 something worthy of praise.

00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:28.159
 But it begins with

00:35:28.159 --> 00:35:29.199
 the elevated thoughts

00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:29.779
 of His people

00:35:29.779 --> 00:35:30.299
 as a church

00:35:30.299 --> 00:35:31.079
 on God Himself.

00:35:31.819 --> 00:35:32.619
 Only then will we

00:35:32.619 --> 00:35:33.380
 rightly read

00:35:33.380 --> 00:35:33.940
 and interpret

00:35:33.940 --> 00:35:35.259
 what we see reflected

00:35:35.259 --> 00:35:36.559
 in His creation.

00:35:38.219 --> 00:35:39.179
 In verse 9,

00:35:39.239 --> 00:35:39.500
 He says,

00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:40.420
 what you have learned

00:35:40.420 --> 00:35:41.039
 and received

00:35:41.039 --> 00:35:41.599
 and heard

00:35:41.599 --> 00:35:43.000
 and seen in me,

00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:45.559
 practice these things.

00:35:46.559 --> 00:35:48.039
 To have learned something,

00:35:48.340 --> 00:35:49.239
 it carries with it

00:35:49.239 --> 00:35:50.199
 the two meanings.

00:35:50.380 --> 00:35:51.659
 One is a clear understanding

00:35:51.659 --> 00:35:52.920
 and number two,

00:35:53.300 --> 00:35:53.820
 it's learning

00:35:53.820 --> 00:35:55.760
 by habitual practice.

00:35:56.420 --> 00:35:57.679
 Paul emphasizes both.

00:35:57.820 --> 00:35:58.119
 He says,

00:35:58.219 --> 00:35:59.480
 what you have seen

00:35:59.480 --> 00:35:59.960
 and witnessed

00:35:59.960 --> 00:36:00.619
 and understood

00:36:00.619 --> 00:36:01.619
 and soaked up,

00:36:02.000 --> 00:36:02.840
 now go practice

00:36:02.840 --> 00:36:03.579
 these things.

00:36:05.539 --> 00:36:07.340
 Practice what you have seen.

00:36:07.340 --> 00:36:10.720
 Have you seen

00:36:10.720 --> 00:36:11.320
 when you gather

00:36:11.320 --> 00:36:12.180
 with God's people

00:36:12.180 --> 00:36:14.140
 that God is praiseworthy?

00:36:15.160 --> 00:36:15.820
 Have you seen

00:36:15.820 --> 00:36:17.440
 how God is patient

00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:18.840
 and pure and good

00:36:18.840 --> 00:36:19.840
 and He alone

00:36:19.840 --> 00:36:21.120
 should be called good?

00:36:21.940 --> 00:36:22.519
 Have you seen

00:36:22.519 --> 00:36:24.120
 how Jesus is the way,

00:36:24.300 --> 00:36:24.900
 the truth,

00:36:25.000 --> 00:36:25.780
 and the life?

00:36:26.800 --> 00:36:27.600
 And how it does

00:36:27.600 --> 00:36:28.700
 truly transform

00:36:28.700 --> 00:36:29.700
 the lives of your

00:36:29.700 --> 00:36:30.500
 brothers and sisters

00:36:30.500 --> 00:36:31.640
 as they go back

00:36:31.640 --> 00:36:32.340
 into the world?

00:36:33.180 --> 00:36:34.480
 Think about these things.

00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:36.680
 Practice what you have

00:36:36.680 --> 00:36:37.280
 pondered here

00:36:37.280 --> 00:36:38.180
 with God's people.

00:36:39.500 --> 00:36:41.700
 Psalm 145.3 says,

00:36:41.860 --> 00:36:43.040
 great is the Lord

00:36:43.040 --> 00:36:44.860
 and most worthy

00:36:44.860 --> 00:36:45.660
 of praise.

00:36:46.060 --> 00:36:46.780
 His greatness

00:36:46.780 --> 00:36:48.740
 no one can fathom.

00:36:49.519 --> 00:36:50.540
 A fathom is a measurement

00:36:50.540 --> 00:36:51.680
 in the depths of the ocean.

00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:54.000
 So be with God's people

00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:54.720
 wondering,

00:36:55.320 --> 00:36:55.780
 fathoming

00:36:55.780 --> 00:36:57.019
 how good

00:36:57.019 --> 00:36:58.040
 and how praiseworthy

00:36:58.040 --> 00:36:59.160
 He is.

00:36:59.720 --> 00:37:00.700
 And practice that

00:37:00.700 --> 00:37:01.500
 throughout the week

00:37:01.500 --> 00:37:02.540
 when you're scattered.

00:37:04.340 --> 00:37:05.420
 And this glorious promise

00:37:05.420 --> 00:37:06.980
 that the God of peace

00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:08.280
 will be with you.

00:37:09.599 --> 00:37:10.860
 The peace of God

00:37:10.860 --> 00:37:12.280
 with His church

00:37:12.280 --> 00:37:13.260
 brings refreshing

00:37:13.260 --> 00:37:14.260
 from His presence.

00:37:14.760 --> 00:37:15.980
 But the God of peace

00:37:15.980 --> 00:37:17.340
 as His people gather

00:37:17.340 --> 00:37:18.300
 and proclaim Him

00:37:18.300 --> 00:37:19.480
 in a hostile world,

00:37:19.980 --> 00:37:20.920
 it's a language

00:37:20.920 --> 00:37:21.599
 of victory.

00:37:22.599 --> 00:37:23.679
 You don't get to raise

00:37:23.679 --> 00:37:24.860
 the white flag

00:37:24.860 --> 00:37:25.460
 of peace

00:37:25.460 --> 00:37:26.119
 in a war

00:37:26.119 --> 00:37:27.380
 until the victory

00:37:27.380 --> 00:37:28.400
 is secured.

00:37:28.400 --> 00:37:31.960
 You know this familiar

00:37:31.960 --> 00:37:32.639
 Bible verse.

00:37:32.720 --> 00:37:33.280
 Who is it

00:37:33.280 --> 00:37:35.079
 that God promises

00:37:35.079 --> 00:37:36.880
 will soon crush Satan

00:37:36.880 --> 00:37:38.099
 underneath your feet?

00:37:39.099 --> 00:37:40.200
 It's the God

00:37:40.200 --> 00:37:41.200
 of peace.

00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:42.559
 Peace

00:37:42.559 --> 00:37:43.639
 for victory.

00:37:44.920 --> 00:37:45.840
 He will do this.

00:37:47.340 --> 00:37:48.639
 My favorite fort,

00:37:48.780 --> 00:37:49.800
 I've only visited a couple

00:37:49.800 --> 00:37:50.320
 so it's not

00:37:50.320 --> 00:37:51.240
 a big scale

00:37:51.240 --> 00:37:51.740
 to choose from,

00:37:51.860 --> 00:37:53.079
 but I'm so,

00:37:53.079 --> 00:37:54.300
 I'm so mesmerized

00:37:54.300 --> 00:37:56.019
 by a fort

00:37:56.019 --> 00:37:58.039
 right on the waterfront

00:37:58.039 --> 00:37:58.780
 in Baltimore,

00:37:59.400 --> 00:37:59.679
 Maryland.

00:38:00.900 --> 00:38:01.780
 It's really cool

00:38:01.780 --> 00:38:02.679
 because of the shape

00:38:02.679 --> 00:38:03.239
 of this fort.

00:38:03.400 --> 00:38:04.679
 It's like buildings

00:38:04.679 --> 00:38:05.179
 in the shape

00:38:05.179 --> 00:38:05.940
 of a pentagon,

00:38:06.139 --> 00:38:07.500
 like a stop sign.

00:38:08.539 --> 00:38:09.739
 And then the fort itself

00:38:09.739 --> 00:38:11.059
 has these little mounds

00:38:11.059 --> 00:38:12.420
 with grass on top

00:38:12.420 --> 00:38:13.420
 and those form

00:38:13.420 --> 00:38:14.519
 basically a star

00:38:14.519 --> 00:38:16.159
 around the pentagon

00:38:16.159 --> 00:38:17.039
 and then each

00:38:17.039 --> 00:38:17.519
 of the points

00:38:17.519 --> 00:38:18.059
 of the star

00:38:18.059 --> 00:38:18.840
 has like a cool

00:38:18.840 --> 00:38:19.599
 spear shape

00:38:19.599 --> 00:38:20.840
 and you can go

00:38:20.840 --> 00:38:21.300
 in the tunnels

00:38:21.300 --> 00:38:22.000
 all underneath it

00:38:22.000 --> 00:38:22.740
 or climb on top

00:38:22.740 --> 00:38:23.780
 and looking down

00:38:23.780 --> 00:38:24.840
 you see these big cannons

00:38:24.840 --> 00:38:25.420
 firing out

00:38:25.420 --> 00:38:26.159
 against the water.

00:38:27.300 --> 00:38:27.820
 As some of you

00:38:27.820 --> 00:38:28.360
 know already

00:38:28.360 --> 00:38:29.440
 Fort McHenry

00:38:29.440 --> 00:38:30.579
 is the site

00:38:30.579 --> 00:38:31.860
 in the war of 1812

00:38:31.860 --> 00:38:33.119
 from where we get

00:38:33.119 --> 00:38:34.440
 the star-spangled banner.

00:38:35.280 --> 00:38:36.280
 That flag,

00:38:36.639 --> 00:38:37.139
 the victory,

00:38:37.380 --> 00:38:38.159
 it's still waving.

00:38:39.320 --> 00:38:40.220
 The war is over

00:38:40.219 --> 00:38:42.319
 and it's the God

00:38:42.319 --> 00:38:43.059
 of peace

00:38:43.059 --> 00:38:44.339
 with His people

00:38:44.339 --> 00:38:45.779
 inside the fort.

00:38:46.699 --> 00:38:47.639
 He's crushing

00:38:47.639 --> 00:38:48.099
 the enemy

00:38:48.099 --> 00:38:49.019
 under your feet.

00:38:49.119 --> 00:38:49.799
 You're part of this.

00:38:50.939 --> 00:38:51.819
 It's His cannons

00:38:51.819 --> 00:38:52.859
 that are firing off.

00:38:53.259 --> 00:38:53.980
 It's His gospel

00:38:53.980 --> 00:38:54.959
 that's being proclaimed

00:38:54.959 --> 00:38:56.339
 and His flag,

00:38:56.439 --> 00:38:56.859
 His banner

00:38:56.859 --> 00:38:57.639
 over His people

00:38:57.639 --> 00:38:58.599
 of peace.

00:38:58.779 --> 00:38:59.739
 It's not going

00:38:59.739 --> 00:39:00.659
 to be gone

00:39:00.659 --> 00:39:02.299
 because He is victorious.

00:39:02.799 --> 00:39:04.219
 He wins the battle.

00:39:05.459 --> 00:39:06.639
 He is with us

00:39:06.639 --> 00:39:08.159
 in His citadel,

00:39:08.939 --> 00:39:09.959
 the kingdom of heaven.

00:39:10.219 --> 00:39:11.159
 and His peace

00:39:11.159 --> 00:39:11.959
 guards us.

00:39:12.319 --> 00:39:13.219
 We're secure in Him.

00:39:13.739 --> 00:39:15.059
 He will crush

00:39:15.059 --> 00:39:16.059
 His enemy.

00:39:16.539 --> 00:39:17.379
 All things are being

00:39:17.379 --> 00:39:19.059
 brought under the feet

00:39:19.059 --> 00:39:19.919
 of King Jesus

00:39:19.919 --> 00:39:21.339
 on His throne in heaven

00:39:21.339 --> 00:39:22.139
 and He's doing this

00:39:22.139 --> 00:39:22.859
 through the humble,

00:39:23.339 --> 00:39:24.439
 self-sacrificing,

00:39:24.939 --> 00:39:25.659
 foolish means

00:39:25.659 --> 00:39:26.359
 of the cross

00:39:26.359 --> 00:39:27.239
 proclaimed

00:39:27.239 --> 00:39:28.579
 through His church,

00:39:28.959 --> 00:39:29.619
 through His people.

00:39:30.719 --> 00:39:32.139
 So Reformed Heritage Church,

00:39:33.219 --> 00:39:35.939
 may we never stop

00:39:35.939 --> 00:39:37.500
 rejoicing in the Lord.

00:39:37.500 --> 00:39:39.619
 may we never stop

00:39:39.619 --> 00:39:40.760
 encouraging and reminding

00:39:40.760 --> 00:39:41.340
 one another

00:39:41.340 --> 00:39:42.519
 we have pardon

00:39:42.519 --> 00:39:43.579
 for sin

00:39:43.579 --> 00:39:44.559
 and a peace

00:39:44.559 --> 00:39:45.960
 that endureth.

00:39:46.780 --> 00:39:48.579
 May we enjoy forever,

00:39:48.940 --> 00:39:49.699
 as long as we have

00:39:49.699 --> 00:39:50.579
 days on this earth,

00:39:50.940 --> 00:39:52.659
 God's own dear presence

00:39:52.659 --> 00:39:53.659
 with us

00:39:53.659 --> 00:39:54.539
 to cheer

00:39:54.539 --> 00:39:55.360
 and to guide.

00:39:55.920 --> 00:39:57.019
 Strength for today

00:39:57.019 --> 00:39:58.019
 and bright hope

00:39:58.019 --> 00:39:59.039
 for tomorrow.

00:39:59.659 --> 00:40:01.400
 Blessings all ours

00:40:01.400 --> 00:40:02.300
 in Christ

00:40:02.300 --> 00:40:03.940
 with 10,000 beside.

00:40:03.940 --> 00:40:05.760
 Let's pray.

00:40:07.159 --> 00:40:08.000
 Oh Lord,

00:40:08.260 --> 00:40:09.720
 thank you for these promises

00:40:09.720 --> 00:40:10.500
 that you will be

00:40:10.500 --> 00:40:11.320
 with your people

00:40:11.320 --> 00:40:12.960
 and you will give

00:40:12.960 --> 00:40:13.559
 your people

00:40:13.559 --> 00:40:14.599
 your peace.

00:40:15.300 --> 00:40:16.019
 Please teach us

00:40:16.019 --> 00:40:17.360
 to practice your presence,

00:40:18.000 --> 00:40:18.960
 especially when we're

00:40:18.960 --> 00:40:20.059
 gathered on the Lord's Day

00:40:20.059 --> 00:40:21.880
 in a worship service

00:40:21.880 --> 00:40:22.619
 like this, Lord,

00:40:22.720 --> 00:40:23.720
 and may that be

00:40:23.720 --> 00:40:24.300
 the strength

00:40:24.300 --> 00:40:24.980
 that we need

00:40:24.980 --> 00:40:26.280
 to march out

00:40:26.280 --> 00:40:27.780
 your kingdom orders

00:40:27.780 --> 00:40:29.019
 as you scatter us

00:40:29.019 --> 00:40:30.119
 to different places

00:40:30.119 --> 00:40:30.880
 throughout the week,

00:40:31.260 --> 00:40:31.780
 trusting that

00:40:31.780 --> 00:40:32.619
 according to your will

00:40:32.619 --> 00:40:33.240
 you'll continue

00:40:33.239 --> 00:40:34.419
 gathering people

00:40:34.419 --> 00:40:35.219
 in your name.

00:40:36.039 --> 00:40:36.599
 You will never

00:40:36.599 --> 00:40:37.559
 abandon your church.

00:40:38.079 --> 00:40:39.039
 Lo, you are with us

00:40:39.039 --> 00:40:39.579
 always,

00:40:40.059 --> 00:40:40.819
 even to the end

00:40:40.819 --> 00:40:41.419
 of the age.

00:40:41.939 --> 00:40:42.199
 Amen.