WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.899 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, 00:00:02.899 --> 00:00:05.740 where we're dedicated to encouraging, equipping, 00:00:05.740 --> 00:00:07.980 and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:07.980 --> 00:00:10.080 Located in Ontario, Oregon, 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:12.679 Pastor Patrick Daley preaches insightful sermons 00:00:12.679 --> 00:00:13.939 from the Word of God, 00:00:13.939 --> 00:00:16.920 offering practical applications for modern living. 00:00:16.920 --> 00:00:19.980 We're delighted to share this sermon with you. 00:00:19.980 --> 00:00:21.620 Well, good morning, everyone, 00:00:21.620 --> 00:00:24.699 and happy New Year to all of you. 00:00:27.699 --> 00:00:29.820 It's great to be with all of you here 00:00:29.820 --> 00:00:33.840 this morning, the last day of 2023. 00:00:33.840 --> 00:00:38.240 We are closely approaching 2024. 00:00:38.240 --> 00:00:40.539 And I want to put this question up on the screen 00:00:40.539 --> 00:00:42.380 and something to think about in your notes. 00:00:42.380 --> 00:00:45.840 You'll see we have a two-pager this time. 00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:49.539 We have our notes, and then the other side, 00:00:49.539 --> 00:00:53.179 the questions, if you'd like to write in a response 00:00:53.179 --> 00:00:56.079 or a time for reflection. 00:00:56.079 --> 00:00:57.859 And so I want to ask you guys 00:00:57.859 --> 00:00:59.299 to kind of open up with this question, 00:00:59.299 --> 00:01:03.340 think about it, or feel free to respond when you'd like to. 00:01:03.340 --> 00:01:08.340 What blessing from God stood out to you this year in 2023? 00:01:09.879 --> 00:01:10.939 So I want you to take a moment, 00:01:10.939 --> 00:01:12.840 just think about that real quick. 00:01:12.840 --> 00:01:15.879 What was it that stuck out to you this year? 00:01:21.060 --> 00:01:24.120 You don't have to respond, that's all right. 00:01:24.120 --> 00:01:25.659 It's just something to think about, 00:01:25.659 --> 00:01:30.659 because you know what, time is flying by so quickly. 00:01:31.859 --> 00:01:33.700 I cannot believe my children as quick as they are growing. 00:01:33.700 --> 00:01:36.439 My son, Aaron, is almost four years old, 00:01:36.439 --> 00:01:38.239 which means that the boys will be three 00:01:38.239 --> 00:01:39.299 and the girls will be two, 00:01:39.299 --> 00:01:41.799 which is just a nice little progression 00:01:41.799 --> 00:01:43.780 that's happening on here. 00:01:43.780 --> 00:01:45.780 And you know what, this New Year's Eve, 00:01:45.780 --> 00:01:49.319 it is such a fun time for us to stay up late 00:01:49.319 --> 00:01:50.819 and to ring in the new year. 00:01:50.819 --> 00:01:54.259 How many of us are gonna stay up and tell the new year? 00:01:54.260 --> 00:01:56.160 And I don't see a lot of hands up there, 00:01:56.160 --> 00:01:59.719 so I know some of us have bedtimes. 00:01:59.719 --> 00:02:01.359 Look, I know with having five kids, 00:02:01.359 --> 00:02:03.200 I stay up late anyways. 00:02:03.200 --> 00:02:05.760 And so I'm probably gonna be ringing in the new year's, 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:07.800 putting the children to bed. 00:02:07.800 --> 00:02:09.800 But it's definitely a good time for us 00:02:09.800 --> 00:02:13.680 to watch different celebrations or parties 00:02:13.680 --> 00:02:15.879 or the ball dropping in New York. 00:02:15.879 --> 00:02:18.180 And it's just a really great way for us 00:02:18.180 --> 00:02:20.780 to celebrate the ending of a year 00:02:20.780 --> 00:02:23.580 and the beginning of the new year. 00:02:23.580 --> 00:02:26.560 And as we are ending this year 2023 00:02:26.560 --> 00:02:29.720 and entering into 2024, 00:02:29.720 --> 00:02:34.260 our sermon today is going to be based off of Psalm 65, 00:02:34.260 --> 00:02:37.860 which is known as the Harvest Hymn. 00:02:37.860 --> 00:02:41.560 It's the Harvest Hymn of Praise and Thanksgiving, 00:02:41.560 --> 00:02:44.640 which speaks to all people. 00:02:44.640 --> 00:02:49.640 This Psalm, it reveals the goodness and the glory of God. 00:02:50.740 --> 00:02:52.439 And what a great way for us to end this year 00:02:52.439 --> 00:02:55.979 with gratitude, with praise and thanksgiving 00:02:55.979 --> 00:02:59.919 for what God has done for us this year in our lives 00:02:59.919 --> 00:03:03.359 and the lives of our families or maybe people you know. 00:03:03.359 --> 00:03:05.960 But before we get any further, 00:03:05.960 --> 00:03:08.800 I'd actually like for us to let's open in prayer 00:03:08.800 --> 00:03:10.439 and then we'll get right to it. 00:03:10.439 --> 00:03:12.240 Let's pray together. 00:03:12.240 --> 00:03:14.900 Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving us this time 00:03:14.900 --> 00:03:18.879 and this opportunity to gather together here in this place 00:03:18.879 --> 00:03:20.979 at the end of the year in 2023, 00:03:20.979 --> 00:03:23.179 here on New Year's Eve. 00:03:23.179 --> 00:03:26.739 We thank you for giving us so much, this gift of life, 00:03:26.739 --> 00:03:27.879 and we are grateful. 00:03:27.879 --> 00:03:30.379 May we be grateful, may we be thankful. 00:03:30.379 --> 00:03:33.259 We pray that our hearts are filled with encouragement 00:03:33.259 --> 00:03:35.419 to believe in you, to love you 00:03:35.419 --> 00:03:38.199 and to love others as Christ has commanded. 00:03:39.159 --> 00:03:41.859 We thank you for being with us in the highs 00:03:41.859 --> 00:03:44.099 and in the lows of this life. 00:03:44.099 --> 00:03:46.659 We thank you for being a good and a faithful God 00:03:46.659 --> 00:03:49.239 and we ask that the Holy Spirit is with us today 00:03:49.240 --> 00:03:53.000 as we go through this message from Psalm 65, 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:54.939 the harvest hymn. 00:03:54.939 --> 00:03:57.939 May our hearts be opened to love you 00:03:57.939 --> 00:04:00.080 and may our ears be receptive 00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:02.280 to hearing the truth from your word 00:04:02.280 --> 00:04:06.219 and may our eyes be open to you and to your love. 00:04:06.219 --> 00:04:07.920 It is in Jesus' name that we pray 00:04:07.920 --> 00:04:09.520 and we all say together, amen. 00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:10.620 Amen. 00:04:10.620 --> 00:04:11.820 All right, so our scripture reading 00:04:11.820 --> 00:04:13.200 is gonna be here on the screen. 00:04:13.200 --> 00:04:14.760 It's gonna be Psalm 65. 00:04:14.759 --> 00:04:19.759 It's gonna be on page 567 to 568. 00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:33.879 So Psalm 65. 00:04:35.839 --> 00:04:38.420 Let's go ahead and read together or follow along. 00:04:39.819 --> 00:04:43.779 Praise is due to you, O God in Zion. 00:04:43.779 --> 00:04:47.519 And to you shall vows be performed. 00:04:47.519 --> 00:04:52.519 O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come. 00:04:53.459 --> 00:04:56.439 When iniquities prevail against me, 00:04:56.439 --> 00:05:00.139 you atone for our transgressions. 00:05:00.139 --> 00:05:03.739 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near 00:05:03.739 --> 00:05:05.979 to dwell in your courts. 00:05:05.979 --> 00:05:09.739 We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, 00:05:09.739 --> 00:05:12.419 the holiness of your temple. 00:05:12.420 --> 00:05:16.280 By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness. 00:05:16.280 --> 00:05:21.280 O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth 00:05:21.860 --> 00:05:24.660 and of the farthest seas. 00:05:24.660 --> 00:05:28.600 The one who by his strength established the mountains 00:05:28.600 --> 00:05:30.700 being girded with might. 00:05:30.700 --> 00:05:33.500 Who stills the roaring of the seas, 00:05:33.500 --> 00:05:37.639 the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, 00:05:37.639 --> 00:05:40.040 so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth 00:05:40.040 --> 00:05:42.740 are in awe of your signs. 00:05:42.740 --> 00:05:46.180 You make the going out of the morning and the evening 00:05:46.180 --> 00:05:48.319 to shout for joy. 00:05:49.580 --> 00:05:51.780 Now this part here is pretty significant here. 00:05:51.780 --> 00:05:53.760 You visit the earth and water it. 00:05:53.760 --> 00:05:55.920 We'll go further into that. 00:05:55.920 --> 00:05:58.520 You visit the earth and water it. 00:05:58.520 --> 00:06:00.700 You greatly enrich it. 00:06:00.700 --> 00:06:03.560 The river of God is full of water. 00:06:03.560 --> 00:06:07.360 You provide their grain for so you have prepared it. 00:06:07.360 --> 00:06:12.080 Your water it furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, 00:06:12.080 --> 00:06:16.680 softening it with showers and blessing its growth. 00:06:16.680 --> 00:06:19.720 You crown the year with your bounty. 00:06:19.720 --> 00:06:23.280 Your wagon tracks overflow with abundance. 00:06:23.280 --> 00:06:26.020 The pastors of the wilderness overflow. 00:06:26.020 --> 00:06:28.220 The hills gird themselves with joy. 00:06:28.220 --> 00:06:31.699 The meadows clothe themselves with flocks. 00:06:31.699 --> 00:06:35.620 The valleys deck themselves with grain. 00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:39.040 They shout and sing together for joy. 00:06:40.459 --> 00:06:43.660 What a beautiful Psalm that is speaking. 00:06:43.660 --> 00:06:46.939 It's known, as I said, it's known as the harvest hymn. 00:06:48.340 --> 00:06:50.340 Or the harvest psalm and for good reason 00:06:50.340 --> 00:06:52.639 because God is watering the earth. 00:06:52.639 --> 00:06:56.980 He is cultivating it and he takes care of creation. 00:06:58.139 --> 00:06:59.980 And as you have read this verse, 00:06:59.980 --> 00:07:02.920 I want you to think for yourself this question that 00:07:02.920 --> 00:07:05.960 it is where has God taken care of you? 00:07:05.960 --> 00:07:08.520 It's just like our opening question, right? 00:07:08.520 --> 00:07:12.360 Where can you think of where God has taken care of you? 00:07:13.400 --> 00:07:18.400 I chose this psalm because the closing of one year 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:20.939 and the beginning of another year, 00:07:20.939 --> 00:07:23.540 we should look back at all of the blessings 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:27.879 that God has given to us in the highs and the lows 00:07:27.879 --> 00:07:30.780 of this life, the good, the bad and even the ugly. 00:07:30.779 --> 00:07:35.419 God is there with us and he is for us. 00:07:35.419 --> 00:07:37.879 The imagery that is used throughout the Psalm, 00:07:37.879 --> 00:07:41.059 it uses agricultural language that speaks 00:07:41.059 --> 00:07:45.899 of how God provides and does so in abundance. 00:07:45.899 --> 00:07:48.359 And in order for us to understand this Psalm better, 00:07:48.359 --> 00:07:51.099 we need to break it down into three different categories 00:07:51.099 --> 00:07:52.799 and you'll find it in your notes. 00:07:52.799 --> 00:07:55.899 You'll see here approach to God, answer from God 00:07:55.899 --> 00:07:58.039 and adoration to God. 00:07:58.039 --> 00:07:59.799 So we'll start with that first section. 00:07:59.800 --> 00:08:01.040 Let's put that on the screen. 00:08:01.040 --> 00:08:03.280 It is approach to God. 00:08:03.280 --> 00:08:06.520 And this is the idea that we should approach God 00:08:06.520 --> 00:08:08.520 through our prayers. 00:08:08.520 --> 00:08:11.720 We know that God hears our prayers through worship 00:08:11.720 --> 00:08:15.560 and praise, specifically as the verse is saying, 00:08:15.560 --> 00:08:16.800 praise is due. 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:18.800 And let's put that next part on there. 00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:20.519 Praise is due. 00:08:20.519 --> 00:08:23.560 Such an interesting wording that we find in this Psalm. 00:08:23.560 --> 00:08:27.600 It's speaking of praying to God in silence. 00:08:27.600 --> 00:08:30.640 The silent prayer is something that is found 00:08:30.640 --> 00:08:32.899 throughout scripture, just as mentioned in your notes. 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:35.980 And for Samuel chapter one verse 13 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:39.080 and Psalm 139 verse 23, 00:08:39.080 --> 00:08:41.980 you have Hannah's silent prayer where she is praying 00:08:41.980 --> 00:08:43.960 with intentionality to the Lord. 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:46.519 She's speaking with her lips and some people are thinking 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:48.220 she's drunk when she's doing that, 00:08:48.220 --> 00:08:50.560 which when I read that, I think that's kind of funny 00:08:50.560 --> 00:08:52.399 that someone is thinking that, 00:08:52.399 --> 00:08:55.160 but she's praying to the Lord with such intentionality. 00:08:55.159 --> 00:08:57.939 And then on Psalm 139, 00:08:57.939 --> 00:09:02.179 there's David's invitation for God to search his thoughts. 00:09:02.179 --> 00:09:04.639 God knows our thoughts and to invite God 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:06.839 to know your thoughts is, 00:09:06.839 --> 00:09:08.679 that's a little bit challenging, I admit. 00:09:08.679 --> 00:09:10.279 Do you want God to know your thoughts 00:09:10.279 --> 00:09:12.339 or have you asked God to search your thoughts? 00:09:12.339 --> 00:09:14.279 That's certainly a challenge, 00:09:14.279 --> 00:09:18.159 but we see in that Psalm David's invitation. 00:09:18.159 --> 00:09:21.919 And just as we sing, we make a joyful noise 00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:24.659 through worship and praise, through lifting our hands, 00:09:24.659 --> 00:09:26.659 through singing together, 00:09:26.659 --> 00:09:29.899 there's also a time for those moments of silence 00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:32.459 and reverence to our God. 00:09:32.459 --> 00:09:33.839 And so what I want us to do, 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:38.740 I want us to take a moment of silent prayer right now. 00:09:38.740 --> 00:09:41.639 I want to set a timer right now for one minute. 00:09:41.639 --> 00:09:43.779 And I want you to think of something 00:09:43.779 --> 00:09:46.779 or someone that you can pray for. 00:09:46.779 --> 00:09:48.779 We'll do this for one minute 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:54.279 because how important it is for us to pray together. 00:09:54.279 --> 00:09:55.620 So let's pray in silence. 00:09:55.620 --> 00:10:24.620 This can be for your friends or your family. 00:10:25.620 --> 00:10:53.120 All right. 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:54.620 That's one minute. 00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:57.419 And it certainly seems kind of dragged on, doesn't it? 00:10:57.419 --> 00:10:59.659 We think of times of being silent. 00:10:59.659 --> 00:11:01.159 You know, for some of us, 00:11:01.159 --> 00:11:03.919 doing something like this isn't easy, 00:11:03.919 --> 00:11:07.000 but for others, it can be difficult. 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:10.159 It just kind of depends on where you are at. 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:12.139 These things definitely take practice, 00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:15.279 but there's such an importance of taking time 00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:18.840 with the Lord in praying in silence. 00:11:18.840 --> 00:11:22.220 And this week, I invite you to take a moment 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:25.720 and take time to pray in silence to the Lord. 00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:27.680 That can be opening your Bible. 00:11:27.680 --> 00:11:31.879 That can be maybe calling someone earlier 00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:33.460 and say, hey, how can I pray for you? 00:11:33.460 --> 00:11:35.060 And when you're done with the phone call, 00:11:35.060 --> 00:11:37.420 then taking time to pray in silence. 00:11:37.420 --> 00:11:41.000 It takes, it seems certainly harder to do that, 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:43.060 you know, with these little things we call phones 00:11:43.060 --> 00:11:45.139 that we love so much, right? 00:11:45.139 --> 00:11:47.060 They can ping and ring 00:11:47.060 --> 00:11:50.680 and they can do all these things that kind of distract us. 00:11:50.679 --> 00:11:52.839 And sometimes we need to either turn it off 00:11:52.839 --> 00:11:54.139 or put it in airplane mode 00:11:54.139 --> 00:11:56.579 or maybe put it away in the car for a little bit. 00:11:56.579 --> 00:11:59.279 I've done that before, but certainly, 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:02.979 I invite you sometime this week to take a moment, 00:12:02.979 --> 00:12:04.819 maybe even if it's just a few minutes, 00:12:04.819 --> 00:12:09.359 to pray in silence and connect with the Lord. 00:12:09.359 --> 00:12:12.259 You'd be surprised how the Lord will speak to you 00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:14.299 in those silent moments. 00:12:14.299 --> 00:12:16.799 And when bad occurrences happen to us 00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:19.759 in our family, in our community, 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:22.740 it is God who is the answer. 00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:26.539 It is God who provides salvation in Jesus Christ. 00:12:26.539 --> 00:12:28.679 God provides safety. 00:12:28.679 --> 00:12:30.679 He provides security 00:12:30.679 --> 00:12:34.080 and quite honestly a better alternative. 00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:37.480 When hearing about things that are happening in the world 00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:40.120 or happening in this country or in the community, 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:44.019 I cannot help but think of how there is such messiness, 00:12:44.019 --> 00:12:48.259 how there is such sin and there's such division 00:12:48.259 --> 00:12:50.259 in our world. 00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:53.759 Just hearing even about what happened here in Ontario, 00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:58.399 these young teenagers fighting amongst each other. 00:12:58.399 --> 00:13:00.899 They need to come to the Lord 00:13:00.899 --> 00:13:02.539 and see that there's a better alternative 00:13:02.539 --> 00:13:05.279 than fighting amongst each other. 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:08.340 Just think about how important it is 00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:12.620 to see that God provides a better alternative. 00:13:12.620 --> 00:13:16.279 And how blessed are we to all be called by God 00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:18.519 and to draw near to Him. 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:22.259 Because God extends an invitation for all of us 00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:25.199 to have that relationship with Him. 00:13:25.199 --> 00:13:29.799 God extends this invitation for us to believe in the Lord. 00:13:29.799 --> 00:13:34.639 For as Scripture says, believe in the Lord and be saved. 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:36.600 And as we believe in Him, 00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:39.579 as we place our faith and trust in the Lord, 00:13:39.579 --> 00:13:43.519 it is God who provides for all that we need. 00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:46.879 God will put us on a trajectory, a better path, 00:13:46.879 --> 00:13:50.319 a better alternative, for God is the provider 00:13:50.319 --> 00:13:53.720 and He is faithful to us. 00:13:53.720 --> 00:13:56.759 And although the language in the verse is speaking of 00:13:56.759 --> 00:14:00.000 the temple, we can see that there's a connection 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:02.199 even with spiritual feeding today 00:14:02.199 --> 00:14:04.539 that we find when we attend church 00:14:04.539 --> 00:14:08.100 or we attend as a congregation together. 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:11.740 Because God gives us spiritual feeding through His word 00:14:11.740 --> 00:14:14.240 and that can be through preaching and teaching 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:17.940 of the word of God and there's fulfillment that comes to Him. 00:14:17.940 --> 00:14:21.379 When we come to God, we worship Him in the church. 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:25.720 And I know in the future we worship the Lord in heaven. 00:14:25.720 --> 00:14:29.659 We will be satisfied with the goodness of God. 00:14:29.659 --> 00:14:31.700 And this leads us to our second part, 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:34.360 which is answer from God. 00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:38.639 You see, our God is the God of salvation. 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:42.199 And like I was saying, He provides the answer 00:14:42.199 --> 00:14:44.699 with righteousness through Jesus Christ. 00:14:44.699 --> 00:14:48.199 And God does this through His awesome deeds. 00:14:48.199 --> 00:14:50.939 When we were reading in there in Psalm 65, 00:14:50.939 --> 00:14:52.679 I actually wanna open it real quick. 00:15:02.559 --> 00:15:04.460 Something that's very interesting in here. 00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:09.000 It's in that verse five. 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:14.840 By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, 00:15:14.840 --> 00:15:19.200 oh God of salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:21.280 and of the farthest seas. 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:25.540 What's so interesting is that word awesome deeds. 00:15:25.540 --> 00:15:28.120 I wanna go ahead and put that on the screen here. 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:33.519 Awesome deeds, it speaks of the power that God has, right? 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:34.919 You probably think of the song, 00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:37.059 our God is an awesome God, right? 00:15:37.059 --> 00:15:40.120 Or how God is awesome in power. 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:42.259 What's very interesting about that wording though, 00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:45.159 is very similar to the fear of the Lord. 00:15:45.159 --> 00:15:47.299 When we hear the fear of the Lord, some of us think, 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:49.699 oh, you need to be afraid of the Lord? 00:15:49.699 --> 00:15:52.240 Well, be afraid of the Lord if you don't know Him. 00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:54.179 But when we're talking about the fear of the Lord, 00:15:54.179 --> 00:15:56.639 it's having that awe and that sense of reverence 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:59.220 and respect for who God is. 00:15:59.220 --> 00:16:03.079 The awesome attribute of God, it speaks of God's power. 00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:04.620 It speaks of being in awe, 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:07.879 but it's also a reverential fear, right? 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:10.560 Being reverent to God, it's very similar 00:16:10.560 --> 00:16:11.720 to the fear of the Lord. 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:14.600 So when you're reading the awesome deeds of the Lord, 00:16:14.600 --> 00:16:17.759 think of the power that God has. 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:19.560 God's might, God's strength, 00:16:19.560 --> 00:16:21.840 His ability to create the universe. 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:25.940 Think of that awe-inspiring ability that God has. 00:16:25.940 --> 00:16:30.540 So His awesome deeds is very powerful. 00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:33.579 And God gives us hope to all the ends of the earth. 00:16:33.579 --> 00:16:35.179 You know that reminds me of? 00:16:35.179 --> 00:16:40.079 It reminds me of how the message of the gospel 00:16:40.079 --> 00:16:43.719 is to be proclaimed to all of the world. 00:16:44.959 --> 00:16:46.860 By awesome deeds, right? 00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:50.459 That reverential power, you answer us with righteousness 00:16:50.459 --> 00:16:54.240 and that righteousness is Jesus Christ. 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:59.079 Oh, God of salvation, because our God provides salvation, 00:16:59.080 --> 00:17:01.040 the hope of all the ends of the earth. 00:17:01.040 --> 00:17:05.680 And the farthest seas, it stretches to all of the earth. 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:09.319 And that's very powerful language here. 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:11.319 That the gospel message is to be proclaimed 00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:13.680 to all of the earth just as Christ commands us 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:16.460 to go out into the world and to make disciples 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:19.100 and to baptize them in the name of the Father, 00:17:19.100 --> 00:17:21.860 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 00:17:21.860 --> 00:17:24.860 The rest of the verse speaks an ancient language 00:17:24.860 --> 00:17:26.740 of God making the mountains. 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:30.299 And God is so powerful that He can calm the seas. 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:32.339 Remember when Jesus said, 00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:35.940 peace be still when He's out in the boat, right? 00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:39.539 That same power from the Lord is manifest in Christ, 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:43.980 saying peace be still and that power to calm the seas. 00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:47.220 It speaks of the depths of God's power. 00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:49.160 And this leads us to the third part, 00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:51.819 which is adoration to God. 00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:55.359 And because of the hope that God gives to us, 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:59.099 we should respond with appreciation, 00:17:59.099 --> 00:18:02.059 with thanksgiving and with adoration. 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:05.839 And what beautiful language it's used to describe God. 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:08.379 It says here, okay? 00:18:08.379 --> 00:18:12.579 Verse nine, you visit the earth and water it. 00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:15.679 And I love, let's put that wording on there. 00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:20.059 When you read that, you visit the earth and water it. 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:22.819 The first thing that I think of is like a gardener 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:25.559 who has a, what is that called? 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:26.960 Like a little bucket or something, right? 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:29.759 They're watering the plants, right? 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:31.039 Watering can, okay. 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:35.399 So how, when you're going to tend your garden, right? 00:18:35.399 --> 00:18:36.839 You're gonna use your watering can, 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:39.899 little drips are coming out and watering the plant, right? 00:18:39.899 --> 00:18:41.700 Well, when you read that on the surface, 00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:43.139 you're thinking, okay, well, that's how God 00:18:43.139 --> 00:18:46.079 is taking care of that, but there's much more depth to that. 00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:49.879 That word that is being used that God waters the earth 00:18:49.879 --> 00:18:52.679 is speaking how God is cultivating. 00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:54.279 How God is taking care of it. 00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:57.660 So it's much more than just rain that's being, 00:18:57.660 --> 00:18:58.960 you know, put on the ground, right? 00:18:58.960 --> 00:19:00.900 How God is in control of the clouds 00:19:00.900 --> 00:19:02.360 and rains is coming down. 00:19:02.360 --> 00:19:05.759 It's talking about how God is taking care, 00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:08.700 cultivating the earth. 00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:10.340 So it's a much deeper word than that. 00:19:10.340 --> 00:19:13.380 And I mean, that's, it's a fine translation in our ESV, 00:19:13.380 --> 00:19:16.600 but it's something that is just very interesting. 00:19:16.600 --> 00:19:20.120 It's an unusual Hebrew word, God cultivating, 00:19:20.119 --> 00:19:24.319 providing for enriching the earth, so to speak. 00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:28.059 This verse is speaking of how God takes care of the earth 00:19:28.059 --> 00:19:30.459 and provides for it abundantly. 00:19:30.459 --> 00:19:33.899 God visits the earth and some translations say, 00:19:33.899 --> 00:19:35.759 causes it to overflow. 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:38.899 That word waters it is found four times in scripture. 00:19:38.899 --> 00:19:41.299 And in the other verses, it's talking about 00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:44.379 an overflowing of abundance. 00:19:44.379 --> 00:19:48.879 So it's a beautiful imagery of watering it, right? 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:51.940 So it's much more than a watering can for the earth. 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:54.020 It's how God is overflowing. 00:19:54.020 --> 00:19:56.880 He's sharing his love to the earth 00:19:56.880 --> 00:19:58.580 and taking care of it abundantly. 00:19:59.820 --> 00:20:03.220 The verse goes further into talking about the river of God 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:06.620 being full of water, preparing the grain 00:20:06.620 --> 00:20:08.260 and preparing the earth. 00:20:08.260 --> 00:20:11.700 If you look at, let's see here, 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:16.640 the end of verse nine, you provide their grain 00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:19.840 for so you have prepared it. 00:20:19.840 --> 00:20:22.980 Now, not to get too much into the Hebrew, 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:25.340 it's referencing the earth. 00:20:25.340 --> 00:20:28.820 It's actually not a repetition of grain, 00:20:28.820 --> 00:20:31.420 but it's speaking of the earth. 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:34.759 So you prepare or provide their grain 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:37.560 and so you have prepared the earth. 00:20:37.560 --> 00:20:39.600 That's what the it is referring to. 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:44.900 Our earth having the ability to have life goes to show 00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:47.940 God's blessing and provision over the earth. 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:51.540 God crowns the year with his bounty, 00:20:51.540 --> 00:20:54.519 which speaks of how God continues to give 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:57.820 by providing for the earth and for humanity. 00:20:57.820 --> 00:20:59.680 And I know there are some people out there 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:02.460 who believe that God set the earth into motion 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:04.019 and just left. 00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:07.400 Well, that's not true because God is still there with us, 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:09.160 everlasting to everlasting. 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:11.240 He is faithful. 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:14.100 So God still is there with us 00:21:14.099 --> 00:21:15.399 just as the verse says, 00:21:15.399 --> 00:21:17.699 where two or three are gathered in my name, 00:21:17.699 --> 00:21:20.240 there I am in the midst of them. 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:22.980 God didn't just create the earth and left it, 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:25.679 he is still there with us, 00:21:25.679 --> 00:21:30.480 taking care of the earth and taking care of us. 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:32.859 And even though we live in a world where there is sin, 00:21:32.859 --> 00:21:35.919 there's greed, there's darkness and imperfections, 00:21:35.919 --> 00:21:39.500 we can still see that God is at work. 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:42.259 Year after year, God sees to it 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:44.400 that what has been set into motion 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:46.539 will be set into completion. 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:49.400 Because of all that God has done for nature, 00:21:49.400 --> 00:21:53.099 the last two verses speak of how they will sing 00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:54.879 and shout for joy. 00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:58.039 And because of the blessings that we receive from God, 00:21:58.039 --> 00:22:00.740 from nature providing for us 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:03.180 and how God has blessed you, 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:05.960 I want us to be encouraged to exhibit thankfulness 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:09.220 and gratitude for all that God has done for us. 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:12.480 And our closing question for today is, 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:16.460 what are ways you can bring the love of Christ 00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:19.220 to your neighbor and to your community? 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:21.799 Because when we're talking about approaching to God 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:23.500 with everything that we are, 00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:27.640 that God responds by providing salvation for us 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:30.240 and we continue to worship the Lord. 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:32.440 We continue to be thankful. 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:34.579 And I want you to think about that. 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:37.240 Because of this saving grace that we receive 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:39.240 by believing in Jesus Christ, 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:42.980 that should be a call for us to share in our faith 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:46.519 with others, to share the gospel message. 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:49.359 It is more critical than ever before 00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:52.259 for us to share in the good news of the gospel 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:54.900 so that people will make a decision for Christ 00:22:54.900 --> 00:22:57.160 that lives will be transformed 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:59.900 and that we love our community through service 00:22:59.900 --> 00:23:01.339 and through prayer. 00:23:01.339 --> 00:23:06.339 I'm reminded of how we should pray without ceasing. 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:11.079 And like I had mentioned, I chose Psalm 65 00:23:12.119 --> 00:23:17.119 as a way to end 2023 and to begin to enter into 2024. 00:23:18.619 --> 00:23:21.699 We do not know what the future holds, 00:23:21.699 --> 00:23:24.240 but one thing is certain, my friends, 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:26.539 is that God is with us. 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:31.299 This Psalm 65, the harvest hymn or the harvest song, 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:34.539 teaches us that God keeps his promises 00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:39.539 and provides salvation to all who believe in him. 00:23:40.919 --> 00:23:43.220 Our Lord invites us into a relationship with him 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:46.319 to taste and see his goodness. 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:49.319 And sometimes we worry so much about the future. 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:51.659 What is my one year plan going to look like? 00:23:51.659 --> 00:23:53.819 What am I doing in the first or the second quarter 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:55.000 of this year? 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:56.759 Or what am I going to wear, right? 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:58.599 Whatever it is. 00:23:58.599 --> 00:24:03.339 I'm reminded of how Christ tells us not to worry 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:06.779 about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have its own troubles, 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.799 won't it? 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:11.779 May we place our trust in him as we approach this new year. 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:15.119 Certainly, the world that we live in is not perfect. 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:17.859 And life has its challenges, it has its highs 00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:18.859 and its lows, right? 00:24:18.859 --> 00:24:20.419 It's hills and its valleys. 00:24:20.419 --> 00:24:23.519 It's good and bad and sometimes it's ugly. 00:24:24.919 --> 00:24:28.000 Which is why we need to place our faith in that, 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:30.200 which is constant. 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:33.039 Put your faith in Jesus Christ. 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:36.240 Christ offers eternal security, 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:38.599 salvation through belief in him. 00:24:38.599 --> 00:24:41.980 And it is in this saving grace that we are called 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:44.640 as to be disciples, to grow as disciples, 00:24:44.640 --> 00:24:47.920 and to do good in his name. 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:52.720 I urge us as a church not to be ashamed of the word of God, 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:55.460 not to be ashamed of the gospel, 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:58.559 but to engage our neighbor and our community 00:24:58.559 --> 00:25:02.059 through sharing in our faith, our testimony, 00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:04.200 and through service. 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:06.660 As we have gone over Psalm 65, 00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:09.740 we have learned that the Lord takes care of the earth 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:12.279 much like he takes care of us. 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:16.579 God provides for his creation and the animals as well. 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:19.480 You know what's so interesting, kind of a fun fact. 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:22.319 Isn't it interesting that the birds and the fish of the sea, 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:23.960 the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:26.559 they know where to go, right? 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:29.620 It's almost as though God programmed them, right? 00:25:29.620 --> 00:25:31.600 Told them where they need to go in the winter 00:25:31.600 --> 00:25:32.960 or in the spring or the summer. 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:35.860 But for us, how common is it for people 00:25:35.860 --> 00:25:38.059 to not know what they want in life? 00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:41.779 That is because God gives us the ability to choose him, 00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:44.039 to have a relationship, to discover him 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:46.079 through the word of God. 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:48.640 That we have that free will, so to speak, 00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:52.519 as opposed to the programming that exists with, 00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:54.319 I mean, you see the birds that are flying, 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:57.379 they're going through their migrational patterns, right? 00:25:57.379 --> 00:25:58.859 They know what they're gonna do. 00:25:58.859 --> 00:26:01.920 Now, I don't know about you, I don't know where the birds go. 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:05.000 And every single, what is it, a flock of geese 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:07.160 that's flying or the fish in the sea 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:09.059 when they're going from one area to the next, 00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:10.139 it's very profound. 00:26:10.139 --> 00:26:11.940 And try doing that without a GPS 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:13.139 or try doing that without a map 00:26:13.139 --> 00:26:17.339 and just knowing your instincts, where you need to go, 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:18.440 be rather difficult. 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:20.180 I don't think everyone can do that. 00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:22.720 I'm sure some people may know how to do that, 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:24.380 but it's just thinking about that, 00:26:24.380 --> 00:26:27.279 that these animals know where to go. 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:29.660 But for us as human beings, 00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:33.200 God gives us this desire to draw near to him, 00:26:33.200 --> 00:26:34.860 to find more to this life. 00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:37.860 And for a lot of us that feel a sense of emptiness 00:26:37.860 --> 00:26:39.299 or we don't feel fulfilled 00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:41.259 or we feel like something's missing in our life, 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:46.240 that void, that emptiness can be fulfilled in Christ. 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:49.039 God set into motion the universe, the stars, 00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:50.879 the rotation of the earth 00:26:50.879 --> 00:26:53.480 and the growth of the plants and the animals. 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:56.180 When we think of those plants that we're watering, right, 00:26:56.180 --> 00:26:57.779 that we're taking care of, 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:59.779 the end of the day, you can give it all the sunlight 00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:01.019 and the nutrients you want 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:03.460 and sometimes you just have a bad plant. 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:05.819 But it is God who allows that plant to grow 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:08.659 and become fruitful. 00:27:08.659 --> 00:27:11.460 Something for us to keep in mind. 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:15.000 2024 will undoubtedly bring its own challenges. 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:16.099 I don't know what they are gonna be. 00:27:16.099 --> 00:27:18.399 I don't know the future. 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:23.400 But like I said, Christ tells us not to worry about tomorrow. 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:27.280 In Matthew chapter six, verses 25 through 34, 00:27:27.280 --> 00:27:30.780 is where Christ is saying that we should seek first 00:27:30.780 --> 00:27:33.420 the kingdom of God and his righteousness 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:36.320 and all of these things shall be added unto you. 00:27:36.320 --> 00:27:39.800 And therefore we should not worry about tomorrow. 00:27:39.800 --> 00:27:42.759 Today has enough troubles of its own. 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:44.460 Look forward to the future 00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:46.500 and know that it will have its valleys, 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.960 its hills and its valleys, 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:50.100 its highs and its low. 00:27:50.100 --> 00:27:53.799 I want us to focus on how we can love our neighbor 00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:55.240 and love our city. 00:27:56.579 --> 00:28:00.279 And the question that has been on my mind and on my heart, 00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:01.420 let's put this on the screen. 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:04.380 It's kind of our question to think about 00:28:04.380 --> 00:28:05.880 for this next year is, 00:28:05.880 --> 00:28:10.720 how can we share the love of Christ with our neighbors? 00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:14.900 It's not an easy question to answer 00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:18.200 because how you may respond to that may differ 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:20.240 than the next person. 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:23.600 Your story is different than the person sitting next to you. 00:28:23.600 --> 00:28:27.140 How you came to the Lord may be different. 00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:31.840 And how we can share in our faith and love our neighbors, 00:28:31.840 --> 00:28:34.580 that is the call for us to do. 00:28:34.580 --> 00:28:36.380 I felt moved by this question 00:28:36.380 --> 00:28:39.880 that maybe this should be our emphasis for the next year 00:28:39.880 --> 00:28:42.380 on how we can be present in the community 00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:45.020 and extend an invitation for people 00:28:45.020 --> 00:28:47.720 to come through the doors of the church, 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:51.700 to come and see the love that Jesus Christ has for them, 00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:56.240 and to love one another as Christ has loved us. 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.700 And this year, we'll be launching 00:28:57.700 --> 00:28:59.640 a new children's ministry program, 00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:02.340 and we will be exploring ways that our church 00:29:02.340 --> 00:29:07.080 can be present in the community to love Ontario. 00:29:07.080 --> 00:29:08.440 Our goal for this next year 00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:12.580 is to be a beacon of Christ's light to others, 00:29:12.580 --> 00:29:14.180 by sharing in the word of God, 00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:15.620 by sharing in the gospel, 00:29:15.620 --> 00:29:19.059 sharing in our testimony, and through service. 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:21.620 And in the coming weeks, I will be speaking more 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:23.299 about these new programs, 00:29:23.299 --> 00:29:25.900 these new initiatives that we will be doing 00:29:25.900 --> 00:29:29.000 to be present, to invite children to come. 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:31.500 And I want us to think about our empty pews 00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.900 that we have next to us. 00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:35.740 And I want us to imagine who could be sitting there 00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:39.940 next to us, next week, or in the coming weeks. 00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:42.880 Imagine children or teenagers. 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:45.620 Imagine young people, imagine older people. 00:29:45.620 --> 00:29:47.819 Imagine us all coming together, 00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:50.319 singing praises to our Lord and our God, 00:29:51.779 --> 00:29:55.500 knowing that we are doing good in the name of the Lord. 00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:57.299 Now, I have to remind us, 00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:59.400 we're not saved by what we do. 00:29:59.400 --> 00:30:01.460 We're saved by grace through faith, 00:30:01.460 --> 00:30:04.000 but there's still the call after being saved 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:06.039 to do good in the name of the Lord. 00:30:09.839 --> 00:30:13.380 I want us to be passionate and on fire for the Lord, 00:30:13.380 --> 00:30:14.940 to have that faith in Christ, 00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:17.640 to be on fire for the word of God, 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:22.019 encouraging people to make a decision for Christ, 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:24.059 and about loving one another. 00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:26.500 Let us find ways this year to share 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:28.920 in our testimonies in the word of God, 00:30:28.920 --> 00:30:30.819 and how we can love our neighbor. 00:30:30.819 --> 00:30:33.660 And just as God cares for the universe, 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:36.240 He gives us the great commission 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:39.800 to go into the world and to make disciples. 00:30:39.800 --> 00:30:43.240 He calls us to love our neighbors and to serve them. 00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:49.200 This is our mission and our joy as we step into 2024. 00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:51.820 Let's pray together. 00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:57.320 And Heavenly Father, as we close this year, 00:30:57.320 --> 00:31:01.720 this 2023, may we learn, may we be grateful and thankful 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:04.900 for your love, for your provision, and your cultivation, 00:31:04.900 --> 00:31:07.700 how you take care of us and the world. 00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:10.740 In every high and every low, in every hill and every valley, 00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:12.380 you are there for us. 00:31:12.380 --> 00:31:15.180 Your love is everlasting and it is sustaining, 00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:18.140 and you provide hope in Jesus Christ. 00:31:18.140 --> 00:31:22.180 We ask for your guidance as we step into 2024 00:31:22.180 --> 00:31:25.680 as a church and for each of us individually. 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:29.680 May we carry the lessons of this past year into the future. 00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:32.120 May we learn to trust in you more deeply 00:31:32.120 --> 00:31:34.160 and follow you more faithfully. 00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:38.460 Help us to be beacons of your love in our community, 00:31:38.460 --> 00:31:42.039 sharing the hope of Christ, the gospel message. 00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:45.539 May others see that there is a better way, 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:48.840 that there is a better alternative that exists in you. 00:31:48.840 --> 00:31:51.680 Let us do all of these things in your name. 00:31:51.680 --> 00:31:55.320 May we be your hands and feet in the world. 00:31:55.320 --> 00:31:59.660 May our actions reflect your love and your word of truth. 00:31:59.660 --> 00:32:02.759 Give us the courage to share our faith, 00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:07.279 to share it with others, and know that in sharing, 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:11.480 it's the planting of seeds to others. 00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:12.960 And as we close this service, 00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:15.759 we ask for your blessing upon us. 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:18.860 May your peace that surpasses all understanding guard 00:32:18.860 --> 00:32:20.920 our minds and our hearts. 00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:23.720 May your love inspire us to love others, 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:25.480 just as you have loved us. 00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:28.420 And may your joy be our strength in the days to come. 00:32:28.420 --> 00:32:31.160 It is in the precious name of Jesus that we pray 00:32:31.160 --> 00:32:32.960 and we all say together, amen. 00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:35.519 Thank you for tuning in 00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:38.519 to the Ontario Community Church sermon podcast. 00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:40.039 For more about our church 00:32:40.039 --> 00:32:42.720 and how you can get involved or support our mission, 00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:46.440 please visit ontariocommunitychurch.org. 00:32:46.440 --> 00:32:58.720 May God's blessings be with you.