WEBVTT

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 Well, so glad to be able to open God's Word with you this morning.

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 You can get your Bibles out. We'll turn in just a second.

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 As we begin this morning, I wonder how many of us who have been married

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! Can remember the gifts that you received on that day long ago.

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 For me, it was about 15 years ago, just two weeks ago.

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 And I was thinking about it.

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 The only thing that I can remember that we received as a gift that day

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 were some blue wedding plates that have no longer survived.

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 Now, this is funny to think about.

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 If you go to a birthday party, you can see on the expression of your kid's face

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 if they were hopeful for a particular gift.

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 We can see it in their eyes, their expression.

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 This even happens in our marriages when we are giving gifts on anniversaries.

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 Some of us have missed the mark, haven't we?

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 You see, it's often true that the giver and the receiver are on different pages.

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 But this morning, we are going to consider that God is not like us in giving gifts.

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 God never once gives bad gifts to His people.

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 Now, how we make use of those gifts, if they are used towards their intended purpose,

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 is a helpful way for us to think about what we're discussing this morning,

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 the biblical idea of stewardship.

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 This morning, we will give attention, especially to one form of stewardship,

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 and that's the stewardship of pastors and elders

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 that have been gifted to each local congregation to lead the body.

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 Now, if you're newer with us this morning,

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 you may not know that we have just recently appointed and affirmed new elders in this local body.

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 Now, it's helpful for us to remember that this is only the beginning for us with these new elders.

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 See, there are a lifetime of transactions that occur between a pastor and a church member,

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 those church members to their pastor.

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 So that's our goal this morning, as we're going to open God's Word in just a second,

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 to consider and to prayerfully ask the Lord,

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 is there room for me to grow in embracing the gift of elders that God has given to this body?

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 So let's do that.

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 We're going to pray this morning, and we will open in just a second to our first text.

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 So let's pray.

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 Father, we, today, this morning, recognize that it is by Your Word that You lead us.

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 Lord, Your Word, by Your Holy Spirit, brings new light to our lives.

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 There are new ways that the Gospel is intended to transform us,

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 to increase our joy, to increase our longing for the day that You will come back.

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 And so we pray this morning we would do that.

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 Lord, would You give us humble hearts that are no longer blinded to some of the areas that we fall short.

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 And Lord, we thank You that we can do this as sons and daughters,

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 not under condemnation if we put our trust in Christ,

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 but Lord with joyful thanksgiving.

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 So would You accomplish that and more as we spend our time together in Christ's name. Amen.

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 Now there's a few reasons that we don't normally think much about stewarding our elders and other leaders within the church.

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 We don't normally assume that elders and pastors in our life belong in the same category

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 that something like a checkbook or a calendar do.

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 We don't have a system of evaluating whether or not we are using them correctly,

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 only a system in our minds of evaluating how they serve us.

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 So sometimes we forget our responsibility.

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 We also are more familiar with the biblical qualifications and calling that we see across Scripture.

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 So many of us are familiar with the qualifications from 1 Timothy 3, 1 Peter 5, or Titus 1.

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 These qualifications are essential for the health and proper care of the body.

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 But there's even more that should be considered as a congregation.

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 So we're going to turn to a couple of different passages this morning.

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 But let me first give you the outline for what we will be looking at this morning.

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 So the very first point that we will be covering is actually a question.

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 And the question is, why does God give the church elders and leaders?

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 And we'll look at Ephesians 4 to answer that question.

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 We'll also look at three other points from Hebrews chapter 13.

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 These points, how we steward our elders and pastors, are the following.

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 Number one, by considering and imitating.

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 Number two, by obeying and submitting.

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 And by number three, by pursuing the joy of our elders.

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 So please turn with me first to Ephesians chapter 4.

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 Although most of our time will be in the book of Hebrews, it's helpful to start here.

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 And the reason is because this chapter, really, this section of verses helps to lay the foundation and the groundwork for how to understand why God gives qualified men to local congregations.

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 So let's read Ephesians chapter 4.

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 We'll start in verse 4.

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 There is one body and one spirit.

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 Just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call.

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 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.

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 Who is over all and through all and in all.

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 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.

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 Therefore, it says,

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 When he ascended on high, he led a host of captives and he gave gifts to men.

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 In saying he ascended, what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth.

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 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens that he might fill all things.

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 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry,

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 for building up the body of Christ.

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 Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to mature manhood.

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 To the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

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 As we head towards understanding how we are called to embrace the gift of leadership in the body,

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 we first want to understand why elders and leaders are given to the church.

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 So first consider with me that this is not a man-made idea.

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 Notice in our text who is the primary actor, the origin, and the one who is actively setting his course to achieve a particular goal.

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 Verse 7 says,

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 But grace was given to each one of us, and it was according to the measure of whose gift?

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 Of Christ's gifts.

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 At this point, we don't exactly know what is being given, but we can see that the one responsible is the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 Because the gifts belong to him.

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 And he is given from his own heart, and what we see is from his grace.

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 This means that Jesus is not being compelled and he's not being forced.

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 But this giving of gifts comes from his own heart.

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 But notice also with me, what is the occasion that these gifts are given to?

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 So we tend to think of giving out gifts on special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or other reasons to celebrate.

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 But this particular celebration, it comes in response to what the text describes as an ascension and a descension.

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 Do you see that in verse 9 and verse 10?

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 Notice it says,

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 He descended into the lower regions, the earth.

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 Now, kids, if you aren't familiar with what the word descension is,

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 Think of somebody coming down from a position of great power, like a king.

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 And they come down to make themselves known to you.

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 Now, that's a powerful picture.

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 And that's what Jesus has done.

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 So Jesus has descended in history from his place of glory to become clothed in flesh, like you and I,

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 In order that he might ascend and go back.

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 Back to glory with his Father.

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 So what we have again here is we have the occasion of a celebration.

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 A celebration of descension and ascension.

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 And Jesus is celebrating the conquering of sin and death that he accomplished on the cross.

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 Now, as he accomplishes this great work,

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 What Jesus does is he shares the spoils with his people.

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 See, it's unlike a birthday party that you go to,

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 Where we give gifts to the person being celebrated here.

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 What we see is Jesus gives gifts to his body through his accomplishment.

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 Jesus has won a triumphant victory.

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 And we are the ones who receive the benefit.

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 You're familiar with this line.

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 It says,

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 Why should I gain from his reward?

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 I cannot give an answer.

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 But this I know with all my heart,

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 His wounds have paid my ransom.

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 We receive gifts from what he's done for us.

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 Now, we're getting closer to answering this question

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 of why does God give pastors and elders?

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 We've seen that Jesus gives gifts to his people.

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 And he does it to further enjoy,

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 to further satisfy the things that he has accomplished for us.

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 And we also see that Jesus,

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 when he gives gifts in this text,

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 he's giving to two different categories of people.

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 If you look at verse 7,

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 he is giving specific gifts.

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 And it says,

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 For building up the entire body.

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 Oh, I'm sorry.

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 Let me back up.

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 We see that in verse 7,

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 he's giving gifts to specific people.

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 But in verse 12,

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 he is giving gifts to the entire body of the church,

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 the collective group of people

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 that assembles together to worship the Lord.

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 Now, look again with me at verse 11 through 13.

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 It says,

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 He gave apostles and prophets,

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 evangelists, shepherds, and teachers

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 to equip the saints for the work of ministry,

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 for building up the body of Christ,

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 until we all attain to the unity of the faith

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 and of the knowledge of the Son of God,

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 to mature manhood,

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 to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

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 See, our corporate gifts are the leaders

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 that God has put amongst us.

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 They are the ones we are called to steward.

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 They have been specifically created and designed and placed

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 within each local congregation

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 so that the body can progressively enjoy the full bounty

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 of the soul-satisfying work of the gospel.

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 Now, many churches don't enjoy the benefit

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 of seeing those called and appointed

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 as elders and leaders in their congregation.

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 Perhaps you grew up in one of these churches as well.

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 You may have picked up habits from these earlier days

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 and become accustomed to viewing pastors

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 only on a horizontal level.

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 See, the danger that we walk into when we do this

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 is we can actually only start relating to our pastors

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 in a form of compliance to their leadership,

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 perhaps tolerance for their ministry,

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 but worse, what can happen is disdain and resistance

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 can creep in towards authority,

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 and this can have great consequences on the church.

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 So I ask you, brothers and sisters,

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 do you receive your pastors and elders

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 as gifts that we see from Ephesians chapter 4?

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 These are for your good,

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 and their placement is a primary means of grace

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 so that we can know Christ more.

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 Now we're going to switch,

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 and you can flip over to Hebrews chapter 13.

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 We're going to read through a short section here,

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 but before we get that,

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 those of you who may be a little bit unfamiliar

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 with the book of Hebrews,

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 it's helpful to remember

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 that the author of Hebrews

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 spends a lot of his time laboring

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 to challenge, exhort,

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 and uphold the superior hope of the gospel

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 as the end that the Old Testament anticipates.

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 So the sacrificial system of the Old Testament

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 has been replaced

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 by the once and for all sacrifice

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 of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

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 But the book of Hebrews

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 doesn't just hold out the hope of Christ.

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 It also warns us

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 about drifting in our own hearts.

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 So chapter 2, verse 1 says,

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 Therefore we must pay closer attention

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 to what we have heard

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 lest we drift away from it.

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 Chapter 4 says,

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 Let us therefore strive to enter the rest

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 so that no one may fall

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 by the same sort of disobedience.

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 In Hebrews 10,

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 For if we go on sinning deliberately,

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 after receiving the knowledge of the truth,

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 there no longer remains

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 a sacrifice for sins,

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 but a fearful expectation of judgment.

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 These sober reminders

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 are attention worthy.

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 They call us to shackle

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 the hidden areas of self-confidence

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 and to root out any drifting of the heart

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 that exists within us.

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 The closing words of Hebrews

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 then are intended to protect us,

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 to point us towards

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 God's preserving grace

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 that we receive

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 through conduits

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 of the Great Shepherd Himself,

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 namely our leaders.

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 So point one

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 is how to embrace biblical leadership

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 to consider and imitate.

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 Chapter 13, verse 7,

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 we read this.

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 It says,

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 Remember your leaders,

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 those who spoke to you

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 the Word of God,

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 and consider

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 the outcome

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 of their way of life,

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 and imitate their faith.

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 There is a progression

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 within this verse

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 that's important for us to follow.

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 The progression begins

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 with the idea

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 of first remembering

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 leaders of the past.

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 The past tense word spoke

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 and the focus on the outcome

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 of their way of life

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 leads us to assume

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 that these particular leaders

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 being referenced

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 have now gone on

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 to be with the Lord.

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 Now, our text alerts us

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 that the call

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 to remember our leaders

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 does not stop

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 only with admiration

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 of our leaders.

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 You see,

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 the world celebrates

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 and it memorializes leaders

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 in an outward way.

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 But we are called

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 to a different type

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 of remembering.

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 We remember leaders

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 of the body

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 with an eye

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 towards consideration

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 and imitation.

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 It says,

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 consider the outcome

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 of their way of life

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 and imitate

00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:51.460
 their faith.

00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:54.079
 Now, why would God

00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:55.000
 call us

00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:56.319
 to imitate men?

00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:58.539
 Doesn't that put us

00:17:58.539 --> 00:17:59.259
 in a position

00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:00.339
 of vulnerability

00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:02.819
 to their own failures?

00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:05.220
 Well, consider

00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:06.539
 just a few chapters

00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:07.200
 before.

00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:09.119
 In the chapter

00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:11.500
 called the Hall of Faith,

00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:12.359
 chapter 11,

00:18:12.359 --> 00:18:14.000
 those mentioned

00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:16.740
 are extremely flawed men

00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:18.519
 with flawed resumes.

00:18:19.639 --> 00:18:21.039
 So, we recall

00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:22.099
 Moses was a man

00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:22.779
 who struggled

00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:24.079
 with anger

00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:25.519
 such that he

00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:26.500
 was guilty

00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:27.419
 of murder.

00:18:28.219 --> 00:18:28.919
 Now, David

00:18:28.919 --> 00:18:29.899
 was the same

00:18:29.899 --> 00:18:30.500
 as well.

00:18:31.159 --> 00:18:31.939
 He succumbed

00:18:31.939 --> 00:18:32.539
 to the pleasures

00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.379
 of his flesh

00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:34.939
 by committing adultery.

00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:36.799
 in themselves,

00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:38.320
 these are

00:18:38.320 --> 00:18:40.600
 ordinary men

00:18:40.600 --> 00:18:42.259
 and so

00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:43.160
 are your

00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:43.960
 elders.

00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:46.279
 But why

00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:47.299
 do we remember?

00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:48.200
 Why does God

00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:48.759
 call us

00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.480
 to remember

00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:50.200
 these leaders

00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.000
 of the past?

00:18:51.380 --> 00:18:52.799
 What is actually

00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:53.360
 worthy

00:18:53.360 --> 00:18:54.980
 of being considered

00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:56.360
 and imitated?

00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:58.320
 The point

00:18:58.320 --> 00:18:58.980
 of remembering

00:18:58.980 --> 00:18:59.620
 our leaders

00:18:59.620 --> 00:19:00.539
 is found

00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:01.680
 in the connection

00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:03.460
 to verse 8.

00:19:04.600 --> 00:19:05.160
 It says,

00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:06.700
 Jesus Christ

00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:07.779
 is the same

00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:09.259
 yesterday,

00:19:10.060 --> 00:19:11.180
 today,

00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:13.220
 and forever.

00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:14.920
 The verse

00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:15.779
 is intentionally

00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:16.519
 positioned

00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:17.700
 right here

00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:19.140
 in the context

00:19:19.140 --> 00:19:20.019
 of imitating

00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:20.840
 our leaders

00:19:20.840 --> 00:19:21.799
 because

00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:23.100
 we remember

00:19:23.100 --> 00:19:24.660
 in such a way

00:19:24.660 --> 00:19:25.900
 that we fix

00:19:25.900 --> 00:19:26.580
 our gaze

00:19:26.580 --> 00:19:28.039
 not on men,

00:19:28.580 --> 00:19:29.480
 but on the

00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:30.240
 faithfulness

00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:31.099
 of the one

00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:32.099
 who sustained

00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:32.559
 them

00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:34.120
 until the

00:19:34.120 --> 00:19:34.880
 very end.

00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:36.339
 See,

00:19:36.460 --> 00:19:37.819
 Jesus is the one

00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:38.720
 who gives

00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.319
 pastors

00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:40.920
 as gifts

00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:42.380
 to demonstrate

00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:44.400
 not sufficiency

00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:45.440
 in men,

00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.460
 but the

00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.000
 sufficiency

00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:48.579
 of his grace

00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:49.359
 which works

00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.720
 within them.

00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:52.120
 We should

00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:52.720
 expect

00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:53.720
 a particular

00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.380
 way

00:19:54.380 --> 00:19:55.059
 that God

00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:55.579
 will show

00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:56.400
 us Christ

00:19:56.400 --> 00:19:57.779
 in the men

00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.680
 that are called

00:19:58.680 --> 00:19:59.400
 to lead

00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:00.519
 the church.

00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:01.940
 So,

00:20:02.080 --> 00:20:02.640
 how is the

00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:03.060
 gospel

00:20:03.060 --> 00:20:03.940
 manifested

00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:04.900
 in their

00:20:04.900 --> 00:20:05.360
 public

00:20:05.360 --> 00:20:05.940
 and in

00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:06.100
 their

00:20:06.100 --> 00:20:06.539
 private

00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:07.160
 lives?

00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.660
 Where do

00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:09.400
 we witness

00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.340
 their strength

00:20:10.340 --> 00:20:11.240
 coming from

00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:12.080
 when their

00:20:12.080 --> 00:20:12.560
 flesh

00:20:12.560 --> 00:20:13.740
 is weak

00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:15.100
 and exposed?

00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.440
 Hebrews 11

00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:18.480
 verse 13

00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.380
 reminds us

00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:19.779
 of these

00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:20.220
 leaders.

00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.680
 These all

00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:22.500
 died in

00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:23.000
 faith,

00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:24.779
 not having

00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.519
 received the

00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.220
 things which

00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:26.940
 were promised,

00:20:27.120 --> 00:20:27.620
 but having

00:20:27.620 --> 00:20:28.460
 seen them,

00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:29.640
 they greeted

00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:30.180
 them from

00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:30.720
 afar,

00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:32.000
 having

00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.580
 acknowledged

00:20:32.580 --> 00:20:33.140
 that they

00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:33.900
 were strangers

00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:35.480
 and exiles

00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:35.920
 on the

00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.240
 earth.

00:20:39.600 --> 00:20:40.440
 Now,

00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:40.940
 these are

00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:42.039
 the types

00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:42.460
 of leaders

00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:43.080
 who bring

00:20:43.080 --> 00:20:44.180
 great benefit

00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:45.500
 to the

00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:45.900
 body of

00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:46.259
 Christ.

00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:47.580
 Many

00:20:47.580 --> 00:20:48.080
 leaders

00:20:48.080 --> 00:20:48.560
 clothe

00:20:48.560 --> 00:20:49.120
 themselves

00:20:49.120 --> 00:20:50.039
 in signs

00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:50.799
 of external

00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.920
 strength,

00:20:52.560 --> 00:20:53.660
 but look

00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:54.340
 to leaders,

00:20:55.120 --> 00:20:55.400
 imitate

00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:55.980
 leaders,

00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:57.440
 and pray

00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:58.660
 for our

00:20:58.660 --> 00:20:59.099
 leaders,

00:20:59.099 --> 00:21:00.960
 that they

00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:01.360
 would be

00:21:01.360 --> 00:21:01.819
 the type

00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:02.319
 of men

00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:03.339
 who wear

00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:03.880
 the banner

00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:04.900
 of Jesus

00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:05.500
 Christ

00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.839
 yesterday,

00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:07.599
 today,

00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.839
 and forever.

00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:10.460
 So,

00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.180
 our flesh,

00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:11.700
 it's good for

00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.220
 us to think

00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:12.440
 about,

00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.000
 our flesh

00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:13.680
 naturally

00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.839
 wants to

00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:15.640
 resist the

00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:17.220
 call to

00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:17.599
 imitate,

00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:19.259
 to submit,

00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:19.799
 and to

00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:20.420
 obey and

00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:21.240
 follow our

00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:21.579
 leaders.

00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:21.659
 leaders.

00:21:22.399 --> 00:21:22.619
 Now,

00:21:22.659 --> 00:21:22.980
 at least in

00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.419
 my own

00:21:23.419 --> 00:21:23.679
 heart,

00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:24.019
 there are

00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:24.399
 a couple

00:21:24.399 --> 00:21:25.299
 reasons why

00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:26.039
 this happens

00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.759
 so naturally.

00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:28.359
 The first

00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:29.139
 is because

00:21:29.139 --> 00:21:30.419
 individualism

00:21:30.419 --> 00:21:31.299
 reigns

00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:31.779
 supreme

00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:32.799
 in our

00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.220
 country.

00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:34.639
 We place

00:21:34.639 --> 00:21:35.379
 value on

00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:35.699
 thinking

00:21:35.699 --> 00:21:36.399
 independently,

00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:37.619
 on being

00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:38.139
 able to

00:21:38.139 --> 00:21:39.000
 navigate our

00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:39.779
 course without

00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.439
 needing help

00:21:40.439 --> 00:21:41.220
 from outsiders,

00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.059
 and this

00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:43.899
 can be very

00:21:43.899 --> 00:21:45.259
 sneaky within

00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:45.740
 our own

00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.119
 hearts.

00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.879
 What does

00:21:47.879 --> 00:21:48.220
 it look

00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:48.519
 like?

00:21:49.439 --> 00:21:49.819
 Well,

00:21:49.899 --> 00:21:50.419
 thoughts can

00:21:50.419 --> 00:21:51.379
 quietly enter

00:21:51.380 --> 00:21:51.900
 and say

00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:52.360
 to us,

00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.240
 we would

00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:53.800
 do things

00:21:53.800 --> 00:21:54.360
 just a

00:21:54.360 --> 00:21:54.540
 little

00:21:54.540 --> 00:21:55.060
 differently.

00:21:56.020 --> 00:21:56.660
 They don't

00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:57.520
 exactly see

00:21:57.520 --> 00:21:57.980
 the things

00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.360
 that we

00:21:58.360 --> 00:21:58.760
 see.

00:21:59.160 --> 00:21:59.780
 They might

00:21:59.780 --> 00:22:00.260
 have a

00:22:00.260 --> 00:22:00.500
 funny

00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.260
 personality.

00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:03.020
 And slowly,

00:22:03.300 --> 00:22:03.680
 our

00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:04.440
 imitation

00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:07.280
 turns only

00:22:07.280 --> 00:22:08.240
 outward towards

00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:08.980
 observation,

00:22:09.840 --> 00:22:10.880
 or even

00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:11.820
 reservation.

00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:13.700
 Is the

00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:14.280
 Lord calling

00:22:14.280 --> 00:22:15.360
 us to

00:22:15.360 --> 00:22:16.160
 repent in

00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:16.700
 this area?

00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:17.140
 Could it

00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:17.980
 be that

00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.500
 the grace

00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.060
 of receiving

00:22:19.060 --> 00:22:20.280
 care from

00:22:20.280 --> 00:22:20.860
 our Father

00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:21.500
 means to

00:22:21.500 --> 00:22:23.039
 fight against

00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:23.799
 the spirit

00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:25.299
 of individualism

00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:25.919
 in our own

00:22:25.919 --> 00:22:26.319
 hearts?

00:22:26.979 --> 00:22:27.759
 The second

00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:28.719
 reason is

00:22:28.719 --> 00:22:29.240
 that our

00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:30.359
 leaders are

00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:31.339
 sinful,

00:22:31.719 --> 00:22:32.359
 as we

00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:33.599
 well know.

00:22:34.719 --> 00:22:35.419
 While it's

00:22:35.419 --> 00:22:35.959
 good to be

00:22:35.959 --> 00:22:36.939
 discerning about

00:22:36.939 --> 00:22:37.559
 the direction

00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:38.199
 that our

00:22:38.199 --> 00:22:38.779
 leaders will

00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.139
 take,

00:22:39.199 --> 00:22:39.500
 we can

00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.419
 easily fall

00:22:40.419 --> 00:22:41.719
 prey to

00:22:41.719 --> 00:22:42.339
 the schemes

00:22:42.339 --> 00:22:43.139
 of the evil

00:22:43.139 --> 00:22:43.579
 one,

00:22:43.639 --> 00:22:44.199
 which tell

00:22:44.199 --> 00:22:45.219
 us to

00:22:45.219 --> 00:22:46.439
 resist their

00:22:46.439 --> 00:22:47.859
 influence for

00:22:47.859 --> 00:22:48.639
 our safety.

00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:50.540
 can you

00:22:50.540 --> 00:22:51.320
 imagine the

00:22:51.320 --> 00:22:52.020
 sheep coming

00:22:52.020 --> 00:22:53.920
 together with

00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:54.800
 a call to

00:22:54.800 --> 00:22:55.600
 resist the

00:22:55.600 --> 00:22:56.800
 care of

00:22:56.800 --> 00:22:57.000
 their

00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.700
 shepherds?

00:22:58.700 --> 00:23:00.320
 This is a

00:23:00.320 --> 00:23:01.440
 very dangerous

00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:02.160
 point,

00:23:02.160 --> 00:23:03.240
 place to

00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:03.480
 be,

00:23:03.600 --> 00:23:03.900
 church.

00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:06.360
 You see,

00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:06.960
 God has

00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.540
 ordained

00:23:07.540 --> 00:23:08.100
 biblical

00:23:08.100 --> 00:23:10.020
 standards for

00:23:10.020 --> 00:23:10.920
 our elders

00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:12.300
 amongst us.

00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:14.180
 Paul says,

00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:15.460
 even if an

00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:16.480
 angel comes

00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.480
 proclaiming

00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.480
 another gospel,

00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:19.180
 let him be

00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:19.720
 a curse.

00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.220
 God gives

00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:21.799
 our leaders

00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:22.660
 guidelines.

00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:24.460
 How we

00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.080
 are to be

00:23:25.080 --> 00:23:25.740
 influenced

00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:27.220
 should be

00:23:27.220 --> 00:23:28.620
 very similar

00:23:28.620 --> 00:23:29.299
 to the

00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:30.039
 words of

00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.660
 Paul in

00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:31.440
 1 Corinthians

00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:32.420
 chapter 11.

00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:33.640
 It says

00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:33.960
 this,

00:23:34.120 --> 00:23:35.460
 follow me,

00:23:36.360 --> 00:23:37.420
 but follow

00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.759
 me as I

00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:40.060
 follow Christ.

00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.440
 Our

00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:42.060
 imitation

00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:43.299
 is grounded

00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:44.919
 in Christ.

00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:46.960
 Point two,

00:23:47.119 --> 00:23:47.440
 how to

00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:48.139
 embrace

00:23:48.139 --> 00:23:48.639
 biblical

00:23:48.639 --> 00:23:49.139
 leadership

00:23:49.139 --> 00:23:50.279
 by obeying

00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:50.960
 and submitting.

00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:52.119
 So for the

00:23:52.119 --> 00:23:52.700
 sake of time,

00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.079
 we're not

00:23:53.079 --> 00:23:53.279
 going to

00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:54.299
 unpack all

00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:54.779
 the verses

00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:55.419
 here in

00:23:55.419 --> 00:23:55.799
 the next

00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:58.099
 section of

00:23:58.099 --> 00:23:58.399
 Hebrews

00:23:58.399 --> 00:23:59.220
 chapter 13,

00:23:59.220 --> 00:23:59.700
 but in

00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.519
 brief fashion,

00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:02.000
 notice verse

00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:04.240
 9 and the

00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:04.879
 warning that

00:24:04.879 --> 00:24:05.579
 is mentioned

00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:07.279
 in this

00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:07.940
 particular

00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:08.440
 verse.

00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:10.140
 One of

00:24:10.140 --> 00:24:10.720
 the primary

00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:11.460
 reasons we're

00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:11.920
 called to

00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:12.480
 embrace

00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.519
 leaders by

00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:14.180
 obeying and

00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:15.160
 submitting to

00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:16.080
 them is

00:24:16.080 --> 00:24:16.660
 because there

00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:17.200
 is no

00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:18.120
 shortage of

00:24:18.120 --> 00:24:18.660
 what verse

00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.600
 9 calls

00:24:19.600 --> 00:24:21.279
 strange and

00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:21.759
 diverse

00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.720
 teachings.

00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:24.420
 Now we

00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:25.039
 aren't told

00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.980
 precisely what

00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.980
 these teachings

00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:27.900
 are, but we

00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:28.539
 do know that

00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:29.279
 believers are

00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:30.100
 being threatened

00:24:30.100 --> 00:24:31.940
 to find false

00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:33.160
 strength in

00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:34.380
 some custom

00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:35.559
 of food

00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.779
 observance.

00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:38.299
 notice that

00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:38.779
 the writer

00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:39.759
 says halfway

00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.420
 through this

00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:41.319
 verse, it

00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:42.259
 is good for

00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:43.180
 the heart to

00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:43.920
 be strengthened

00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:45.000
 by grace

00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:46.519
 rather than

00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:47.379
 by foods

00:24:47.379 --> 00:24:49.339
 prepared at

00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:49.940
 altars.

00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:51.980
 So pastors

00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:53.299
 are called

00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:53.960
 to do

00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:55.399
 exactly what

00:24:55.399 --> 00:24:56.180
 we find

00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:58.059
 here by

00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:58.639
 the author

00:24:58.639 --> 00:24:59.779
 of Hebrews.

00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:01.160
 They warn

00:25:01.160 --> 00:25:01.539
 us to

00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:02.440
 protect us

00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:03.680
 from reaching

00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:04.740
 for false

00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.819
 strength.

00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:07.240
 The gospel

00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:08.579
 is indeed

00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:10.039
 sufficient, the

00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:11.039
 elders must

00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:12.539
 declare, and

00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.399
 that is their

00:25:13.399 --> 00:25:14.720
 only banner.

00:25:15.460 --> 00:25:16.259
 Now why is

00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:16.899
 this important?

00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.179
 It's because we

00:25:18.179 --> 00:25:19.599
 all reach for

00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:20.500
 something when

00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.599
 weaknesses are

00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:22.700
 exposed in our

00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.139
 life.

00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:24.720
 That is built

00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.200
 within our

00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:25.579
 fabric.

00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:27.000
 I am weak,

00:25:27.419 --> 00:25:28.139
 I need

00:25:28.139 --> 00:25:28.700
 strength.

00:25:29.220 --> 00:25:30.119
 I'm not

00:25:30.119 --> 00:25:31.179
 content with my

00:25:31.179 --> 00:25:31.939
 circumstances,

00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:34.000
 what hope can

00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:35.319
 I find in

00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:36.539
 other circumstances

00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:38.059
 where I've

00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:38.839
 fallen down,

00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:39.980
 what will

00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:41.180
 lift me up?

00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:43.019
 I see this

00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:44.180
 example in my

00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:45.079
 beautiful daughter

00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:46.140
 Savannah that

00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:46.680
 many of you

00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:47.019
 know.

00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:48.279
 So she's not

00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.160
 quite comfortable

00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:50.339
 in a pool

00:25:50.339 --> 00:25:52.099
 all by herself.

00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.140
 And while she

00:25:54.140 --> 00:25:55.019
 reaches for her

00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:56.099
 mom continually

00:25:56.099 --> 00:25:56.819
 around the

00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:57.940
 house, it can

00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:58.859
 be hard for me

00:25:58.859 --> 00:26:00.400
 to even capture

00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:01.539
 a moment of

00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:02.159
 her attention.

00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:04.159
 But when we

00:26:04.159 --> 00:26:05.379
 head over to

00:26:05.379 --> 00:26:05.960
 the pool,

00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:07.319
 there's only

00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:08.480
 one person

00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:09.639
 that she

00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:10.500
 wants to be

00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:10.899
 with.

00:26:11.659 --> 00:26:12.379
 See, she

00:26:12.379 --> 00:26:13.279
 reaches for

00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:14.119
 the strongest

00:26:14.119 --> 00:26:15.539
 thing that

00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:17.079
 she can when

00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:17.940
 her weakness

00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:18.839
 is exposed.

00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.159
 And thankfully,

00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.399
 that's her

00:26:21.399 --> 00:26:21.819
 dad.

00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:24.639
 Now, us

00:26:24.639 --> 00:26:25.500
 elders are

00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:27.539
 called to

00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:28.559
 do just like

00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.399
 I do for

00:26:29.399 --> 00:26:29.879
 Savannah.

00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:31.380
 I do not

00:26:31.380 --> 00:26:32.400
 let her reach

00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:32.900
 for her

00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:33.960
 brothers and

00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:34.640
 her sisters.

00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:35.720
 The pool

00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.340
 noodle that

00:26:36.340 --> 00:26:37.460
 looks really

00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.620
 easy to

00:26:38.620 --> 00:26:40.120
 hang on is

00:26:40.120 --> 00:26:41.520
 just a trap.

00:26:42.260 --> 00:26:43.040
 And that is

00:26:43.040 --> 00:26:43.940
 what elders

00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:45.060
 do for the

00:26:45.060 --> 00:26:45.720
 congregation.

00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:47.100
 When we

00:26:47.100 --> 00:26:47.920
 are weak

00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:49.860
 only, Christ

00:26:49.860 --> 00:26:50.940
 is sufficient

00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:52.160
 to sustain

00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:53.200
 us until

00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:53.740
 the end.

00:26:55.080 --> 00:26:56.160
 Now, God's

00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:56.940
 under-shepherds

00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:57.640
 have this

00:26:57.640 --> 00:26:59.140
 glorious privilege

00:26:59.140 --> 00:27:00.400
 of upholding

00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:01.000
 the worth

00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:02.140
 of Jesus.

00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:03.700
 But it

00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:04.620
 also says

00:27:04.620 --> 00:27:05.220
 in verse

00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:06.200
 17,

00:27:07.060 --> 00:27:07.880
 obey your

00:27:07.880 --> 00:27:08.640
 leaders and

00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:09.280
 submit to

00:27:09.280 --> 00:27:10.180
 them, for

00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:10.960
 they are

00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:12.000
 keeping watch

00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.620
 over your

00:27:12.620 --> 00:27:14.140
 souls as

00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:15.020
 those who

00:27:15.020 --> 00:27:15.740
 will give

00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.960
 an account.

00:27:18.040 --> 00:27:18.740
 So be

00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.640
 encouraged,

00:27:19.880 --> 00:27:20.180
 church.

00:27:20.600 --> 00:27:20.840
 Our

00:27:20.840 --> 00:27:21.780
 obedience and

00:27:21.780 --> 00:27:22.660
 our submission

00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:23.400
 to elders

00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:24.780
 is grounded

00:27:24.780 --> 00:27:25.720
 in their

00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.460
 accountability

00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:27.799
 ability before

00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:29.200
 God Almighty.

00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.539
 They are

00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:32.680
 only stewards

00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:33.420
 themselves,

00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:34.980
 and God

00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:36.000
 is presiding

00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.960
 over their

00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:37.720
 care for

00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:38.100
 you.

00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:39.980
 Oh, how

00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.480
 the Lord

00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.319
 loves you.

00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:42.660
 Having not

00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:43.420
 spared his

00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:45.400
 son, he

00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:45.840
 can be

00:27:45.840 --> 00:27:47.279
 trusted with

00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:48.079
 the ones that

00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:48.900
 he has put in

00:27:48.900 --> 00:27:50.039
 charge of

00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:50.700
 your care.

00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:52.740
 our last

00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.360
 point this

00:27:53.360 --> 00:27:54.019
 morning is

00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:55.059
 how to

00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:55.819
 embrace

00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:56.680
 biblical

00:27:56.680 --> 00:27:57.200
 leadership

00:27:57.200 --> 00:27:59.539
 by pursuing

00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.620
 the joy

00:28:00.620 --> 00:28:01.680
 of our

00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:02.080
 leaders.

00:28:03.080 --> 00:28:03.700
 And this

00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.519
 also comes

00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.000
 from verse

00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:05.759
 17.

00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.380
 It says

00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:07.799
 this,

00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:09.019
 obey your

00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:10.559
 leaders and

00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:11.259
 submit to

00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:12.460
 them, for

00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:12.940
 they are

00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:13.680
 keeping watch

00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:14.259
 over your

00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.660
 souls as

00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:16.140
 those who

00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:16.460
 will give

00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:16.960
 an account,

00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:18.100
 but let

00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:18.740
 them do

00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.420
 this with

00:28:19.420 --> 00:28:21.259
 joy and

00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:21.860
 not with

00:28:21.860 --> 00:28:22.400
 groaning,

00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:23.500
 because that

00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:24.920
 would be of

00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:26.759
 no advantage

00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:28.079
 to you.

00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:29.819
 So there

00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:30.480
 are two

00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:31.360
 goals in

00:28:31.360 --> 00:28:32.079
 mind here

00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:32.480
 with this

00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.440
 final instruction,

00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:34.519
 and the

00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.039
 first of

00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:36.579
 which is

00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.200
 to pursue

00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:38.420
 the joy

00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:39.240
 of your

00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:39.799
 pastors.

00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.720
 Let them

00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.640
 do this

00:28:42.640 --> 00:28:43.860
 with joy.

00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.779
 This is a

00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:46.259
 call,

00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:46.740
 church,

00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:47.639
 to us,

00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:49.160
 to you,

00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:49.920
 to care

00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:50.899
 specifically

00:28:50.899 --> 00:28:51.660
 for the

00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:53.019
 hearts of

00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:53.559
 your leaders.

00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:55.220
 You see,

00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:56.480
 our groanings,

00:28:56.899 --> 00:28:58.039
 our complaints,

00:28:58.339 --> 00:29:00.019
 our

00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:01.200
 dissatisfaction

00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:01.680
 has the

00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:02.940
 potential to

00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:04.240
 deplete the

00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:04.899
 heart of

00:29:04.899 --> 00:29:06.059
 those who

00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:07.160
 care for

00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:07.559
 us.

00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:09.019
 So fill

00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.599
 them with

00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:09.980
 joy,

00:29:10.160 --> 00:29:10.480
 church.

00:29:11.079 --> 00:29:11.680
 Refuel

00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:13.440
 and replenish

00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:14.720
 and guard

00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.559
 your words

00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:16.259
 against

00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:16.839
 groaning.

00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:18.059
 Measure

00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:18.779
 the ambition

00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.319
 of your

00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:20.419
 heart by

00:29:20.419 --> 00:29:21.460
 setting your

00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:22.759
 course for

00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:24.059
 joy in

00:29:24.059 --> 00:29:24.819
 their ministry.

00:29:26.059 --> 00:29:26.720
 And secondly,

00:29:27.119 --> 00:29:28.200
 remember that

00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:29.700
 this is also

00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:31.759
 designed for

00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.859
 your good.

00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.819
 Verse 17

00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:36.099
 reminds us

00:29:36.099 --> 00:29:36.859
 that we

00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:38.319
 are advantaged.

00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:40.519
 We are best

00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.440
 cared for.

00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:43.460
 we are best

00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:44.600
 stewards

00:29:44.600 --> 00:29:45.380
 ourselves

00:29:45.380 --> 00:29:46.680
 when we

00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:48.100
 are pursuing

00:29:48.100 --> 00:29:49.440
 their joy.

00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:51.799
 Now let me

00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:52.440
 say this,

00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:53.460
 I am brand

00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:54.180
 new to the

00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:54.759
 role of

00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.120
 being an

00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:55.400
 elder,

00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:55.799
 as you

00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:56.140
 know,

00:29:56.620 --> 00:29:57.100
 but from

00:29:57.100 --> 00:29:58.039
 talking to

00:29:58.039 --> 00:29:58.660
 those who

00:29:58.660 --> 00:29:59.320
 have labored

00:29:59.320 --> 00:30:00.140
 faithfully

00:30:00.140 --> 00:30:01.600
 year after

00:30:01.600 --> 00:30:02.539
 year at

00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:02.980
 Christ's

00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:03.400
 family,

00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:05.519
 they find

00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.299
 it a joy

00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:06.900
 to serve

00:30:06.900 --> 00:30:07.600
 you because

00:30:07.600 --> 00:30:08.539
 you do

00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.319
 these things

00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:11.079
 very well.

00:30:12.299 --> 00:30:12.720
 You

00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:13.359
 increase

00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:14.460
 our joy

00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:15.119
 in Christ

00:30:15.119 --> 00:30:15.579
 by the

00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:16.240
 way that

00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:16.920
 you live,

00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:17.980
 by the

00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:18.319
 way that

00:30:18.319 --> 00:30:18.659
 you are

00:30:18.659 --> 00:30:19.240
 gracious

00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:19.839
 with our

00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:20.339
 weaknesses,

00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:22.099
 and by

00:30:22.099 --> 00:30:23.139
 your desire

00:30:23.139 --> 00:30:23.639
 to be

00:30:23.639 --> 00:30:24.299
 led

00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:25.420
 towards

00:30:25.420 --> 00:30:26.159
 streams

00:30:26.159 --> 00:30:26.879
 of living

00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:27.539
 waters.

00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:29.700
 But as

00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.200
 we strive

00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:30.500
 to do

00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:31.319
 this even

00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:31.940
 more,

00:30:32.659 --> 00:30:33.159
 there are

00:30:33.159 --> 00:30:34.019
 just a

00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:34.619
 few

00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:35.339
 practical

00:30:35.339 --> 00:30:35.899
 steps

00:30:35.899 --> 00:30:37.019
 for us

00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:37.240
 to

00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:37.680
 consider.

00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.700
 So four

00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.940
 steps for

00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:41.180
 our

00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:41.899
 consideration.

00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:42.619
 The first,

00:30:42.680 --> 00:30:42.960
 you don't

00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:43.339
 have to

00:30:43.339 --> 00:30:43.839
 turn there,

00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:45.139
 comes from

00:30:45.139 --> 00:30:46.279
 3 John

00:30:46.279 --> 00:30:47.220
 chapter 1

00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:47.960
 verse 4.

00:30:52.420 --> 00:30:53.279
 It says

00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:53.619
 this,

00:30:53.819 --> 00:30:54.519
 I have

00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:55.480
 no greater

00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:56.119
 joy

00:30:56.119 --> 00:30:57.939
 than to

00:30:57.939 --> 00:30:58.819
 hear that

00:30:58.819 --> 00:30:59.219
 my

00:30:59.219 --> 00:30:59.759
 children

00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.779
 are

00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.319
 walking

00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:02.419
 in the

00:31:02.419 --> 00:31:02.899
 truth.

00:31:03.679 --> 00:31:04.339
 The first

00:31:04.339 --> 00:31:05.139
 step is

00:31:05.139 --> 00:31:05.879
 to walk

00:31:05.879 --> 00:31:06.279
 in the

00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:06.679
 truth.

00:31:07.739 --> 00:31:08.339
 What is

00:31:08.339 --> 00:31:08.839
 your compass

00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:09.959
 church that

00:31:09.959 --> 00:31:10.779
 navigates

00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.359
 your

00:31:11.359 --> 00:31:12.179
 relationship

00:31:12.179 --> 00:31:13.419
 with your

00:31:13.419 --> 00:31:13.759
 elders?

00:31:14.719 --> 00:31:15.099
 Do your

00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:15.559
 engagement

00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:16.079
 with your

00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:16.459
 pastors

00:31:16.459 --> 00:31:16.979
 demonstrate

00:31:16.979 --> 00:31:17.539
 that you

00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:18.219
 are hungry

00:31:18.219 --> 00:31:19.639
 for intimacy

00:31:19.639 --> 00:31:21.159
 with Christ?

00:31:21.939 --> 00:31:22.279
 Does

00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:22.959
 truth

00:31:22.959 --> 00:31:24.099
 preside

00:31:24.099 --> 00:31:24.919
 over

00:31:24.919 --> 00:31:25.599
 preference?

00:31:26.119 --> 00:31:27.739
 step

00:31:27.739 --> 00:31:27.979
 number

00:31:27.979 --> 00:31:28.479
 two,

00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:29.319
 pray.

00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:31.339
 Second

00:31:31.339 --> 00:31:32.199
 Thessalonians

00:31:32.199 --> 00:31:32.779
 3

00:31:32.779 --> 00:31:33.879
 verse 1

00:31:33.879 --> 00:31:34.539
 says this,

00:31:34.659 --> 00:31:35.139
 finally

00:31:35.139 --> 00:31:35.719
 brothers,

00:31:36.459 --> 00:31:37.159
 pray for

00:31:37.159 --> 00:31:37.939
 us that

00:31:37.939 --> 00:31:38.739
 the word

00:31:38.739 --> 00:31:39.519
 of the

00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:40.179
 Lord may

00:31:40.179 --> 00:31:40.859
 speed

00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:42.099
 ahead

00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:42.539
 and be

00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:42.939
 honored

00:31:42.939 --> 00:31:44.139
 and that

00:31:44.139 --> 00:31:44.879
 we may

00:31:44.879 --> 00:31:45.619
 be delivered

00:31:45.619 --> 00:31:46.500
 from wicked

00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:47.339
 and from

00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:47.879
 evil

00:31:47.879 --> 00:31:48.819
 men.

00:31:50.399 --> 00:31:51.119
 Are

00:31:51.119 --> 00:31:51.479
 you

00:31:51.479 --> 00:31:52.179
 praying

00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:53.860
 for your

00:31:53.860 --> 00:31:54.320
 pastors?

00:31:55.320 --> 00:31:56.460
 A couple

00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:57.620
 specific ways,

00:31:57.799 --> 00:31:58.380
 pray that

00:31:58.380 --> 00:31:58.860
 God would

00:31:58.860 --> 00:31:59.680
 fuel us,

00:32:00.080 --> 00:32:00.799
 that we

00:32:00.799 --> 00:32:01.420
 ourselves

00:32:01.420 --> 00:32:02.200
 would hunger

00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:03.039
 for more

00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:04.340
 of Christ.

00:32:05.180 --> 00:32:05.759
 Pray that

00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:06.600
 God would

00:32:06.600 --> 00:32:07.480
 protect us

00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:07.900
 from the

00:32:07.900 --> 00:32:08.660
 schemes of

00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:09.120
 the evil

00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:10.160
 one that

00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:10.680
 are many

00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:11.740
 times directed

00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:12.680
 precisely

00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:14.860
 at your

00:32:14.860 --> 00:32:15.200
 elders.

00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:16.960
 And pray

00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.799
 for grace

00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:18.580
 within our

00:32:18.580 --> 00:32:19.080
 families,

00:32:19.079 --> 00:32:20.179
 that our

00:32:20.179 --> 00:32:21.500
 wives and

00:32:21.500 --> 00:32:21.759
 that our

00:32:21.759 --> 00:32:22.960
 children would

00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:23.599
 be healthy

00:32:23.599 --> 00:32:25.079
 and established

00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:26.179
 in the truth

00:32:26.179 --> 00:32:27.099
 of the

00:32:27.099 --> 00:32:27.500
 gospel.

00:32:28.399 --> 00:32:29.359
 Number

00:32:29.359 --> 00:32:29.799
 three,

00:32:31.179 --> 00:32:31.919
 provide.

00:32:32.980 --> 00:32:33.799
 1 Timothy

00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:34.839
 chapter 5

00:32:34.839 --> 00:32:35.779
 verse 17

00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:37.299
 says,

00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:37.839
 let the

00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:38.599
 elders who

00:32:38.599 --> 00:32:39.799
 rule well

00:32:39.799 --> 00:32:41.500
 be considered

00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:42.939
 worthy of

00:32:42.939 --> 00:32:43.439
 double

00:32:43.439 --> 00:32:44.359
 honor,

00:32:45.220 --> 00:32:45.819
 especially

00:32:45.819 --> 00:32:46.879
 those who

00:32:46.879 --> 00:32:47.399
 labor

00:32:47.400 --> 00:32:49.000
 in preaching

00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:50.140
 and in

00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:50.519
 teaching.

00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:52.620
 This is a

00:32:52.620 --> 00:32:53.660
 great verse

00:32:53.660 --> 00:32:54.680
 that probably

00:32:54.680 --> 00:32:55.720
 deserves more

00:32:55.720 --> 00:32:56.900
 time than

00:32:56.900 --> 00:32:57.420
 we are giving

00:32:57.420 --> 00:32:57.940
 it this

00:32:57.940 --> 00:32:58.280
 morning.

00:32:59.240 --> 00:33:00.340
 But consider

00:33:00.340 --> 00:33:01.420
 what is this

00:33:01.420 --> 00:33:02.140
 verse calling

00:33:02.140 --> 00:33:02.560
 us to?

00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:04.940
 Those who

00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:05.900
 labor in

00:33:05.900 --> 00:33:06.800
 teaching and

00:33:06.800 --> 00:33:08.220
 preaching are

00:33:08.220 --> 00:33:08.680
 those who

00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:09.300
 make their

00:33:09.300 --> 00:33:10.220
 living by

00:33:10.220 --> 00:33:11.140
 proclaiming

00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:11.780
 the gospel.

00:33:12.540 --> 00:33:13.120
 We are

00:33:13.120 --> 00:33:13.920
 privileged to

00:33:13.920 --> 00:33:14.800
 have two

00:33:14.800 --> 00:33:15.640
 men who

00:33:15.640 --> 00:33:16.180
 are currently

00:33:16.180 --> 00:33:16.860
 doing that

00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:17.219
 in our

00:33:17.219 --> 00:33:17.599
 body.

00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:19.159
 What a

00:33:19.159 --> 00:33:19.859
 gift to

00:33:19.859 --> 00:33:20.799
 excel in

00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:22.019
 providing for

00:33:22.019 --> 00:33:22.639
 these men.

00:33:23.659 --> 00:33:24.159
 See, we

00:33:24.159 --> 00:33:24.819
 can be

00:33:24.819 --> 00:33:25.679
 intentional and

00:33:25.679 --> 00:33:25.979
 do our

00:33:25.979 --> 00:33:26.519
 best to

00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:27.759
 remove any

00:33:27.759 --> 00:33:28.740
 obstacles of

00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:30.059
 provision that

00:33:30.059 --> 00:33:30.799
 a full-time

00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:32.199
 pastor may

00:33:32.199 --> 00:33:32.679
 feel.

00:33:33.639 --> 00:33:34.459
 We want

00:33:34.459 --> 00:33:35.019
 them to be

00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:36.279
 freed from

00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:37.059
 the concerns

00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:38.179
 of outside

00:33:38.179 --> 00:33:38.699
 work.

00:33:39.459 --> 00:33:40.759
 By God's

00:33:40.759 --> 00:33:41.659
 grace, our

00:33:41.659 --> 00:33:43.179
 pastors do

00:33:43.179 --> 00:33:44.000
 not seek

00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:45.000
 riches,

00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:46.099
 marriages, but

00:33:46.099 --> 00:33:46.559
 they do

00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.480
 have families,

00:33:48.000 --> 00:33:48.619
 they do

00:33:48.619 --> 00:33:49.319
 have weddings

00:33:49.319 --> 00:33:50.259
 of the future

00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:50.980
 to prepare

00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:52.880
 for, and

00:33:52.880 --> 00:33:53.279
 they do

00:33:53.279 --> 00:33:53.559
 have

00:33:53.559 --> 00:33:54.259
 retirements

00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:54.940
 that one

00:33:54.940 --> 00:33:56.339
 day they

00:33:56.339 --> 00:33:57.019
 need just

00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:57.519
 like we

00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:57.759
 do.

00:33:59.359 --> 00:34:00.299
 Number four,

00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:00.980
 clothe

00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:02.619
 yourselves in

00:34:02.619 --> 00:34:03.180
 humility.

00:34:04.579 --> 00:34:05.440
 First Peter

00:34:05.440 --> 00:34:06.400
 chapter five

00:34:06.400 --> 00:34:07.220
 says this,

00:34:07.400 --> 00:34:07.759
 likewise,

00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:09.300
 sorry,

00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:10.019
 verse five,

00:34:10.019 --> 00:34:11.400
 likewise you

00:34:11.400 --> 00:34:11.920
 who are

00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:12.340
 younger.

00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:13.800
 Be subject

00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:14.380
 to the

00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:14.820
 elders.

00:34:15.699 --> 00:34:16.079
 Clothe

00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:16.659
 yourselves,

00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:17.619
 all of you,

00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:18.619
 with humility

00:34:18.619 --> 00:34:20.480
 toward one

00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:20.880
 another.

00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:22.840
 For God

00:34:22.840 --> 00:34:23.699
 opposes the

00:34:23.699 --> 00:34:24.679
 proud, but

00:34:24.679 --> 00:34:26.280
 he gives

00:34:26.280 --> 00:34:28.280
 grace to

00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:28.800
 the humble.

00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:30.500
 Are you

00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:31.300
 humble in

00:34:31.300 --> 00:34:31.880
 the way

00:34:31.880 --> 00:34:33.000
 that you

00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:33.500
 speak of

00:34:33.500 --> 00:34:34.519
 things that

00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:35.059
 you see

00:34:35.059 --> 00:34:35.500
 differently?

00:34:36.699 --> 00:34:37.579
 Are you

00:34:37.579 --> 00:34:38.860
 inclined to

00:34:38.860 --> 00:34:39.760
 be persuaded

00:34:39.760 --> 00:34:40.880
 by the

00:34:40.880 --> 00:34:41.940
 direction and

00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:42.720
 the encouragement

00:34:42.720 --> 00:34:44.680
 that you

00:34:44.680 --> 00:34:45.420
 receive?

00:34:45.880 --> 00:34:46.660
 Are you

00:34:46.660 --> 00:34:47.760
 quicker to

00:34:47.760 --> 00:34:49.120
 share a

00:34:49.120 --> 00:34:49.760
 different

00:34:49.760 --> 00:34:50.780
 opinion or

00:34:50.780 --> 00:34:51.280
 way of

00:34:51.280 --> 00:34:51.760
 looking at

00:34:51.760 --> 00:34:52.140
 things?

00:34:53.079 --> 00:34:53.800
 One last

00:34:53.800 --> 00:34:54.180
 question,

00:34:54.360 --> 00:34:54.940
 how would

00:34:54.940 --> 00:34:55.440
 your elders

00:34:55.440 --> 00:34:56.740
 feel if

00:34:56.740 --> 00:34:57.460
 they heard

00:34:57.460 --> 00:34:58.079
 the way

00:34:58.079 --> 00:34:58.780
 that was

00:34:58.780 --> 00:34:59.380
 spoken of

00:34:59.380 --> 00:34:59.800
 them in

00:34:59.800 --> 00:35:00.200
 private?

00:35:01.680 --> 00:35:02.440
 Church,

00:35:02.660 --> 00:35:03.200
 remember,

00:35:03.780 --> 00:35:04.500
 there are

00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:05.620
 many other

00:35:05.620 --> 00:35:06.760
 ways to

00:35:06.760 --> 00:35:07.920
 care for

00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:08.519
 our elders.

00:35:08.860 --> 00:35:10.000
 But the

00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:10.860
 way as

00:35:10.860 --> 00:35:11.800
 stewards of

00:35:11.800 --> 00:35:12.340
 a great

00:35:12.340 --> 00:35:14.039
 gift, we

00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:14.460
 are to

00:35:14.460 --> 00:35:15.760
 honor and

00:35:15.760 --> 00:35:16.620
 pursue the

00:35:16.620 --> 00:35:17.160
 joy of

00:35:17.160 --> 00:35:17.880
 our pastors

00:35:17.880 --> 00:35:18.980
 is also to

00:35:18.980 --> 00:35:19.780
 pursue the

00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:21.039
 joy that

00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:21.960
 we find in

00:35:21.960 --> 00:35:22.380
 Christ

00:35:22.380 --> 00:35:23.120
 ourselves.

00:35:23.820 --> 00:35:24.840
 There are

00:35:24.840 --> 00:35:25.760
 many other

00:35:25.760 --> 00:35:27.460
 ways that

00:35:27.460 --> 00:35:28.000
 we can

00:35:28.000 --> 00:35:29.599
 consider how

00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:30.220
 to walk in

00:35:30.220 --> 00:35:30.920
 faithfulness

00:35:30.920 --> 00:35:32.220
 with our

00:35:32.220 --> 00:35:32.579
 elders.

00:35:33.440 --> 00:35:33.840
 But let

00:35:33.840 --> 00:35:34.519
 me close

00:35:34.519 --> 00:35:35.260
 with this

00:35:35.260 --> 00:35:36.200
 encouragement

00:35:36.199 --> 00:35:38.279
 from 1

00:35:38.279 --> 00:35:39.159
 Peter 3.

00:35:39.879 --> 00:35:40.500
 It says

00:35:40.500 --> 00:35:40.799
 this,

00:35:40.879 --> 00:35:41.199
 finally,

00:35:41.379 --> 00:35:41.819
 all of

00:35:41.819 --> 00:35:43.159
 you have

00:35:43.159 --> 00:35:43.980
 unity of

00:35:43.980 --> 00:35:44.480
 mind,

00:35:45.359 --> 00:35:45.799
 sympathy,

00:35:46.799 --> 00:35:47.279
 brotherly

00:35:47.279 --> 00:35:47.799
 love,

00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:48.779
 and a

00:35:48.779 --> 00:35:49.659
 tender heart,

00:35:50.319 --> 00:35:50.699
 and a

00:35:50.699 --> 00:35:51.519
 humble mind.

00:35:52.299 --> 00:35:53.119
 I am

00:35:53.119 --> 00:35:53.980
 confident you

00:35:53.980 --> 00:35:54.779
 will continue,

00:35:55.019 --> 00:35:55.480
 church, to

00:35:55.480 --> 00:35:56.039
 do this

00:35:56.039 --> 00:35:57.439
 because you

00:35:57.439 --> 00:35:58.339
 know what

00:35:58.339 --> 00:35:59.059
 good gifts

00:35:59.059 --> 00:35:59.659
 our Father

00:35:59.659 --> 00:36:00.219
 gives.

00:36:00.219 --> 00:36:02.179
 and you

00:36:02.179 --> 00:36:02.719
 know that

00:36:02.719 --> 00:36:03.299
 your ultimate

00:36:03.299 --> 00:36:04.419
 trust is not

00:36:04.419 --> 00:36:04.959
 in men,

00:36:05.379 --> 00:36:06.259
 but it is

00:36:06.259 --> 00:36:06.939
 in the one

00:36:06.939 --> 00:36:07.819
 who upholds

00:36:07.819 --> 00:36:08.419
 these men

00:36:08.419 --> 00:36:09.799
 for your

00:36:09.799 --> 00:36:10.639
 good and

00:36:10.639 --> 00:36:11.399
 for his

00:36:11.399 --> 00:36:12.319
 great glory.

00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:13.739
 We love

00:36:13.739 --> 00:36:14.219
 you, church.

00:36:14.359 --> 00:36:14.980
 Let's pray

00:36:14.980 --> 00:36:15.439
 together.

00:36:15.439 --> 00:36:15.559
 Amen.

00:36:15.559 --> 00:36:15.559