WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.560 Morning everyone. Most people make an absolute hames of it on the first try, so fair play to you. 00:00:08.160 --> 00:00:13.560 So, not too bad. So some of you know me. My name is Dan O'Stayes and I'm from the Middleton Baptist 00:00:13.560 --> 00:00:18.960 Church. I always love coming to Carragoline. It's always a privilege to come here. The first thing 00:00:18.960 --> 00:00:24.780 I hear when I come inside the door is the sound of children running around. And any church where 00:00:24.780 --> 00:00:30.640 you hear the sound of children running around, that's a healthy church. And I think we all pray 00:00:30.640 --> 00:00:34.880 that the next generation, not just here in Carragoline but in Middleton and all the other 00:00:34.880 --> 00:00:40.140 churches where the truth is faithfully proclaimed, would rise, that we would see these children grow 00:00:40.140 --> 00:00:45.859 and embrace the Lord, call out to him just like we did. So that's a fervent prayer for all of us. 00:00:46.620 --> 00:00:51.060 I'm especially glad to be here this morning because the first thing that was pointed out to me was I 00:00:51.060 --> 00:00:55.760 wasn't going to have to get up on that stage and to preach to you this morning. I'm happy standing 00:00:55.760 --> 00:01:00.400 behind here. And I'm not just happy to be here because it means I have an excuse to stop in Gloria 00:01:00.400 --> 00:01:05.740 Jeans and Douglas on the way home. But I've probably been thinking about that more than is spiritually 00:01:05.740 --> 00:01:09.740 acceptable for a man who's been charged with preaching the word to you this morning. But being 00:01:09.740 --> 00:01:13.719 a parent of a three and a half year old and a 15 month old, I was up at four o'clock this morning, 00:01:13.719 --> 00:01:18.840 so I will be stopping at Gloria Jeans. So in the words of Luther, here I stand, I can do no other. 00:01:18.840 --> 00:01:25.760 So let's pray this morning before we go to the word. Heavenly Father, thank you for this fellowship 00:01:25.760 --> 00:01:33.780 of believers here in Carragalline who love one another. Thank you for the love and the sharing 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:40.700 of your faith that is so evident when I visit this place, Lord. And again, Lord, thank you especially 00:01:40.700 --> 00:01:47.740 for the children of this church. May this church, just like my own and every church that proclaims your 00:01:47.739 --> 00:01:54.699 name, Lord. May we never be places where we view children as an inconvenience or as an extra, but 00:01:54.699 --> 00:02:04.079 may we view them as you view them, as precious and made in your holy image. With them, Lord, with 00:02:04.079 --> 00:02:11.599 everybody else in this church, may we edify and encourage one another today. And as I dare to teach 00:02:11.599 --> 00:02:17.879 from your word this morning, Lord, I pray that your spirit would be at work. May not my words be spoken, 00:02:18.560 --> 00:02:25.740 but may your words be lifted up and imprinted in the minds of your people. So calm our thoughts, 00:02:26.479 --> 00:02:33.900 still our minds, and blot out any distractions that we bring in this morning, Lord. And help us 00:02:33.900 --> 00:02:40.500 just to focus on who you are, the God of grace, the God of love, and the God of mercy. In Jesus' name, 00:02:41.060 --> 00:02:44.620 Amen. If you'd like to turn with me to Ephesians chapter 2, 00:02:47.740 --> 00:02:51.719 I'm going to look at a familiar portion of scripture this morning. Ephesians chapter 2, 00:02:52.740 --> 00:02:58.120 starting at verse 1 and going to verse 10. So Ephesians 2 verses 1 to 10. 00:02:58.120 --> 00:03:02.159 The apostle Paul writes to the church in Ephesus, 00:03:02.280 --> 00:03:05.039 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 00:03:05.460 --> 00:03:08.539 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world, 00:03:08.980 --> 00:03:14.080 and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 00:03:14.719 --> 00:03:19.759 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature, 00:03:20.200 --> 00:03:26.500 and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 00:03:26.500 --> 00:03:33.199 But because of his great love for us, God, who was rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ, 00:03:33.300 --> 00:03:40.120 even when we were dead in transgressions. It is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up 00:03:40.120 --> 00:03:45.479 with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming 00:03:45.479 --> 00:03:52.360 ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ 00:03:52.360 --> 00:03:58.160 Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves. 00:03:58.660 --> 00:04:05.120 It is the gift of God, not by work so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, 00:04:05.760 --> 00:04:13.120 created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Amen. 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:19.579 One of the greatest advocates for the Christian faith that this island has ever produced is a man by the 00:04:19.579 --> 00:04:25.660 name of C.S. Lewis. Many of you know that name. Many of you perhaps read some of his books. His series, 00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:30.680 The Chronicles of Narnia, is still one of the all-time selling series of all time. His most famous 00:04:30.680 --> 00:04:36.740 non-fiction book, Mere Christianity, remains a must-read book for anybody who wants to be able to answer 00:04:36.740 --> 00:04:42.459 objections that the world has to Christianity. If you haven't read it, I strongly recommend you go and read it. 00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:47.800 C.S. Lewis was a professor in Oxford, and one day he became involved in a discussion about religion. 00:04:48.800 --> 00:04:53.639 And the discussion turned to what made the Christian faith so unique compared to the religions of the 00:04:53.639 --> 00:05:00.360 world. Well, the incarnation of Jesus was suggested, but then other religions have different versions of 00:05:00.360 --> 00:05:05.360 their own gods that have appeared in human form, so that's not it. And likewise, the resurrection of 00:05:05.360 --> 00:05:12.300 Jesus was put forward. But this too was rejected because other religions have circumstances of 00:05:12.300 --> 00:05:16.800 resurrection at their heart. So what exactly is it that makes Christianity unique? What is it that 00:05:16.800 --> 00:05:22.379 you can point to in Christianity that says, that captures Christianity, that's what the basis of it is? 00:05:23.319 --> 00:05:28.620 Finally, C.S. Lewis piped up. Gentlemen, he said, there were no ladies present, sorry ladies, 00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:36.100 I'm just quoting verbatim. He said, gentlemen, the answer is a simple one. Grace. Grace. 00:05:36.100 --> 00:05:44.300 Grace. Undeserved favor. God's merciful love. This, Lewis said, is what makes Christianity so unique. 00:05:44.939 --> 00:05:49.760 And I think he's right, because you see, every other religion, I use that word just loosely, 00:05:50.040 --> 00:05:55.420 religion on the planet, requires you to make some kind of an effort to get yourself right with God. 00:05:55.420 --> 00:06:04.600 You hear things like this. Go to mass every Sunday. Fast during Ramadan. Keep your kitchen kosher. 00:06:05.840 --> 00:06:10.400 Pray the rosary once a day. If you're my grandfather, it was more like 100 times a day. 00:06:11.080 --> 00:06:17.680 Go to confession. Don't take communion if you sin that day. And just try harder. And maybe you'll earn 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:23.139 your way to heaven. Those are some of the things the religions of the world say you have to do. 00:06:23.139 --> 00:06:30.139 In other words, it's all about you. You have to roll up your sleeves, put your shoulder to the wheel, 00:06:30.659 --> 00:06:36.240 make every effort to get yourself right with God. Because if you work hard enough, then maybe, 00:06:36.579 --> 00:06:44.979 just maybe, God will accept you. You have the power and the capacity, religion tells you, to please God. 00:06:45.979 --> 00:06:50.319 But what does the Bible say? When the Bible talks about grace, what does it mean? 00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:54.459 A part of our text today, it's one of the most famous quotations in all of the Bible. 00:06:54.899 --> 00:07:00.579 It is by grace you have been saved. But saved from what? Saved for what? 00:07:01.500 --> 00:07:07.300 Why is it that grace makes us right in God's eyes? Why does it have to be grace? What does grace look like? 00:07:07.860 --> 00:07:11.500 Well, this morning, we're going to cover some old ground because it's fairly foundational, 00:07:11.779 --> 00:07:16.659 but we're going to try and find the answers to these questions, and maybe others that we have about 00:07:16.660 --> 00:07:22.500 our salvation. So I've entitled today's sermon, God's grace for God's glory. And the text before us 00:07:22.500 --> 00:07:29.920 tells us that your salvation and my salvation is entirely independent of any work that we do. 00:07:30.320 --> 00:07:37.280 It's entirely separate from your deeds or my deeds. It's entirely a work of God for his purposes 00:07:37.280 --> 00:07:42.440 and for his glory. If you want to take notes, if you're that kind of person like I am, 00:07:42.439 --> 00:07:46.439 surprise I'm not taking notes right now as I'm talking, but anyway, if you want to take notes, 00:07:46.680 --> 00:07:51.240 we'll be having a look at three different things in this text. The first one is the problem, 00:07:51.540 --> 00:07:58.180 the problem of man's condition. The second one is the prescription, the prescription of Christ's 00:07:58.180 --> 00:08:05.519 sacrifice. And thirdly, we'll be looking lastly at the purpose, the purpose of God's grace. So the 00:08:05.519 --> 00:08:10.279 problem, the prescription, and the purpose. I'll explain each of those as we go along, but for now, 00:08:10.279 --> 00:08:14.419 let's just dive into the text and let's see what the word of God has to teach us. So verses one and 00:08:14.419 --> 00:08:19.639 two. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins in which you used to live when you 00:08:19.639 --> 00:08:24.039 followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at 00:08:24.039 --> 00:08:29.699 work in those who are disobedient. So we know already from chapter one, right, that Paul is writing to 00:08:29.699 --> 00:08:34.620 the local church in Ephesus, to people who are believers in Jesus Christ. So what does he have to 00:08:34.620 --> 00:08:39.699 say? What's relevant to them is relevant to us. Well, this is the first point in today's sermon, 00:08:39.700 --> 00:08:46.060 the problem of man's condition. He starts off with a fairly startling, alarming kind of statement. 00:08:47.160 --> 00:08:54.500 You were dead. It's fairly strong stuff, isn't it? You see, growing up, my family business was a 00:08:54.500 --> 00:09:00.759 funeral home. So I've seen my fair share of death. Death isn't something that you generally think of 00:09:00.759 --> 00:09:06.420 as something positive. It's not something you, it's not a word you use or an image you invoke 00:09:06.419 --> 00:09:11.659 to describe anything positive. No matter what culture you're from or what language you speak, 00:09:11.719 --> 00:09:16.620 I think we all react to death in the same way. Well, that's what Paul says the readers of this 00:09:16.620 --> 00:09:23.319 letter were like. Dead. He doesn't mean that literally. He's using an image or an analogy 00:09:23.319 --> 00:09:26.659 because he says they were dead in their transgressions and sins. 00:09:26.659 --> 00:09:33.899 Have you ever heard anyone say that people are basically good? I think I hear that all the time. 00:09:33.959 --> 00:09:39.279 There's this idea that when push comes to shove, humans generally will do the right thing because 00:09:39.279 --> 00:09:46.100 humans are programmed to think righteousness is a virtue. And I think I know what people mean 00:09:46.100 --> 00:09:50.939 when they say that. I think you know what they mean when they say that. Because people are capable 00:09:50.940 --> 00:09:56.200 of good things. I've seen the kindness of strangers just as you have. I've seen people perform acts of 00:09:56.200 --> 00:10:02.460 love and charity. But it doesn't seem to gel with what Paul is writing here. What he says here, 00:10:02.660 --> 00:10:08.780 he's not so much commenting on the actions of a person. He's commenting on the nature of mankind. 00:10:09.700 --> 00:10:14.260 So when he says you were dead, he's talking to the Christian about his state of being before he 00:10:14.259 --> 00:10:22.500 became a Christian. You were in the past tense. It sounds a bit harsh, doesn't it? Paul doesn't just 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:30.720 say you were sinful. He doesn't just kind of leave it there. It's an interesting word, sin. In both 00:10:30.720 --> 00:10:34.580 Hebrew and Greek, and I promise this is the only time I'm going to mention Hebrew or Greek today, so 00:10:34.580 --> 00:10:40.559 we'll just get it out of the way now. But in both Hebrew and Greek, literally sin means to miss the mark, 00:10:40.559 --> 00:10:47.639 like to aim at something and to miss the target. I looked this up. Apparently there's 1,189 chapters 00:10:47.639 --> 00:10:55.919 in the Bible. And out of all of those, four of them don't mention sin. Genesis 1 and 2 and Revelation 00:10:55.919 --> 00:11:03.139 21 and 22. The very beginning of history and the very end of history. The creation of the universe 00:11:03.139 --> 00:11:09.819 and the final reign of Jesus Christ over the universe. In other words, the history of man is defined by 00:11:09.820 --> 00:11:16.300 this thing that we call sin. So when Paul says you were dead in sin, he's saying that before you 00:11:16.300 --> 00:11:23.379 became a believer, you were in such a condition of missing the mark. I was in such a condition of 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:31.060 missing the mark. It was completely impossible for me to hit the target. And the target, as is made clear 00:11:31.059 --> 00:11:38.819 all throughout the Bible, is being justified before God. Is being viewed in God's eyes as righteous, 00:11:39.479 --> 00:11:45.199 as worthy to live with him forever. Let me just give you a few other verses. Feel free to jot them 00:11:45.199 --> 00:11:52.099 down if you want. Kind of proves the same point. Romans 3, 23. All have sinned and fall short of the 00:11:52.100 --> 00:11:59.500 glory of God. Psalm 14, 3. All have turned aside. They have together become corrupt. There is no one 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:06.920 who does good, not even one. Isaiah 53, 6. All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned everyone 00:12:06.920 --> 00:12:14.639 to his own way. And perhaps most tellingly, the words of Jesus himself, Mark 10, 18. Why do you call me good? 00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:22.860 No one is good except God and God alone. Now don't get me wrong and don't get Paul wrong. Humans can do 00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:28.600 great things. Humans can build hospitals. They can shelter homeless people. They can feed the hungry, 00:12:29.199 --> 00:12:36.419 cure diseases. But friends, none of that makes us right in God's eyes. Because a holy God sees our 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:44.539 condition for what it really is. Sinners. Nothing that we do is good enough to shake off 00:12:44.539 --> 00:12:51.539 that shackle of sin that chains us forever. Paul continues this argument in verse 2. He says 00:12:51.539 --> 00:12:56.639 that's how we used to live when we followed, as he says, the ways of this world and of the ruler of 00:12:56.639 --> 00:13:01.959 the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work, and those who are disobedient. So Paul is doing 00:13:01.959 --> 00:13:07.379 a bit of theological mining here. So he's cracked through the surface at verse 1, and now he's drilling 00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:14.139 down into the stream. He's identified the reason why the unconverted sinner is, as he says, dead in sin. 00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:22.559 The reason is this. Man by nature follows the ways of this world. And if it's ruler, Satan, we know who 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:29.139 that is. We already know the world system is satanic, don't we? 1 John 2 says this. Love not the world, 00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:33.079 neither of the things that are in the world. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust 00:13:33.079 --> 00:13:39.120 of the eyes, and the pride of life are not from the Father. They're from the world. Jesus himself 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:44.960 called Satan in John 12, 31, the ruler of this world. And he rebuked the religious leaders of the 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:51.659 day for serving their father, Satan. And Paul himself, he called Satan the god of this age, 00:13:51.700 --> 00:13:57.019 or the god of this world. And in 2 Corinthians 4, 4, he went so far as to say this, that Satan has 00:13:57.019 --> 00:14:02.519 blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory 00:14:02.519 --> 00:14:12.120 of Christ. In verse 3, Paul includes himself here. He, a zealously religious Jew, a Hebrew of the Hebrew, 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:19.019 Pharisee of the Pharisees, descendant of Abraham from the tribe of Benjamin, circumcised on the eighth day 00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:24.860 in accordance with the law of Moses, was blind to the glory of God and his salvation because of the 00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:33.200 cravings of his flesh. He lived to gratify the cravings of his flesh. Even as one of the most 00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:40.560 religious people described in the Bible, he was dead in sin. And just look at the last words of verse 3. 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:47.779 Like all unbelievers, Paul admits this. He was by nature an object of wrath. You see, that's the 00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:54.659 problem of man's condition, friends. There's nothing here that says man is basically good. There's nothing 00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:59.399 here that says, well, man just kind of needs some gentle corrective action and he's kind of capable 00:14:59.399 --> 00:15:05.139 of getting himself back in the right track. You just need to encourage man to live a life that's 00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:12.219 holier or more righteous. There's no exhortation to live a better life or maybe to look like you're 00:15:12.219 --> 00:15:18.659 living a better life. In other words, there's nothing here that suggests you can in any way make 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:26.740 yourself acceptable to God. Do you think it? Do you think that there's anything you can do? Or do I think 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:33.559 there's anything I can do to make Dan from Middleton acceptable in God's eyes? Do I think that if I just 00:15:33.559 --> 00:15:39.659 try harder, if I make that bit of an extra effort every day to stop swearing or to stop losing my temper or 00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:46.259 stop whatever it is that I'm particularly good at sinning at, do you think if I just work as hard as I can, 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:52.960 I'll get right with God? I've got news for me and I've got news for you. It'll never work. 00:15:53.960 --> 00:16:01.939 No matter how hard you try, no matter how hard I try to clean up my act, if I, in my state of 00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:09.200 unconvertedness, that's a word, isn't it Ralph? We'll go with that, unconvertedness. In that state of being an 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:15.800 unconverted sinner, I will never measure up to God's standard of righteousness. 00:16:16.800 --> 00:16:23.460 James 2.10 says, if you break one part of God's law, you're guilty. It's like saying to a cop who pulls you 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:29.879 over, look, I know I was speeding officer, but I haven't been drinking. I didn't knock anyone down. And I stopped at 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:37.460 every red light on the way here. Well, guess what? You still sped. You still broke the law. You're guilty. 00:16:38.439 --> 00:16:44.039 That's us, friend. If we break one part of the law, we're guilty. Paul Washer, who's an American 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:48.519 preacher, some of you might be familiar with him, he does walk-up evangelism to people on the street. 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:53.779 And he likes to start off by saying this, do you know what the biggest problem in the Bible is? 00:16:53.779 --> 00:17:01.879 His answer shocks people. He says, the biggest problem in the Bible is that God is good. 00:17:03.179 --> 00:17:09.039 That's the biggest problem in the Bible. Because the second biggest problem in the Bible is that you are not. 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:16.619 So how do we reconcile these two things? We have a perfect, holy, good, righteous God with a sinner 00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:21.480 who is dead in transgression and sin and incapable of measuring up to God's standard. 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:28.440 See, when God's standard, friends, God's standard for righteousness is perfection because he, by definition, 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:35.160 is a perfect God. When sin entered the world with the fall of man in Genesis 3, that standard was made 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:42.220 impossible to reach by the best efforts of you and me. And not just that, but in verse 3, because of 00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:50.519 man's innateful sinness, we deserve punishment. I read an article in the paper this week about a man who 00:17:50.519 --> 00:18:02.059 received a suspended sentence for molesting two children. He abused two little girls and he'll 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:08.559 never see the inside of a prison. Maybe you're as incredulous as me and you think that the man's 00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:14.960 character or his life, such as it is, or his age, that don't matter and they should just lock him up 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:21.480 and punish him, he should be held accountable for his crime. And you know what? That's exactly God's 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:28.720 state of mind. If you break the law, no matter the extraneous circumstances of your character, 00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:36.600 of your deeds, of your seemingly external goodness, God cannot tolerate the breaking of his law 00:18:36.599 --> 00:18:43.959 because God is holy, perfect, and sinless. And because of mankind's condition, mankind deserves 00:18:43.959 --> 00:18:52.339 punishment or wrath. I'm not as posh as Alex. I say wrath, not wrath, but that's just me. Not as refined 00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:59.259 as some people are. We're powerless to do anything, to escape this wrath. We deserve this wrath, this 00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:04.839 punishment from God. I'll stop saying wrath now, Alex, I promise. So that's the first problem, 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:12.459 our first point, the problem of man's condition. Look at verse 4. What's the first word? What is it? 00:19:12.659 --> 00:19:19.459 First word in verse 4? But, there is, just like we saw in Titus 3 earlier, it's the most joy-inducing, 00:19:19.899 --> 00:19:28.839 jubilation-causing word in the entire story of God's plan for redeeming men and women. But, you see, 00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:35.919 dead men cannot bring themselves back to life. Lazarus, dead for four days, didn't just suddenly 00:19:35.919 --> 00:19:43.159 decide to bring himself back to life and hop wrapped in bandages out of the tomb. Because Jesus did that. 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:51.240 In the same manner, the walking dead of sinful mankind cannot give themselves new life. Something 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:59.200 has to do that for them, doesn't it? Someone has to do that for them. Verses 4 and 5. But, 00:19:59.420 --> 00:20:05.599 I love that word. It sets the tone for everything that comes after. But, because of his great love 00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:11.759 for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in transgressions. 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:22.019 It is by grace you have been saved. Why do you think Jesus resurrected dead people? Or Paul? Or Peter? Or Elijah? 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:27.440 You see, those miracles, friends, they were never ends and not themselves. They were physical, 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:34.960 visible demonstrations of God's resurrecting power. Because God brings the dead back to life. 00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:40.619 Jesus literally brought Lazarus back to life. I'm not saying it was a metaphor or anything like that. 00:20:40.619 --> 00:20:47.399 It literally happened. What I'm saying is, that is a stand-in, a symbol, or an explanation, or an illustration 00:20:47.399 --> 00:20:53.179 of God's power to bring someone back to life who is not capable of doing it themselves. 00:20:53.919 --> 00:20:58.839 And you see, everyone in the Bible who was ever brought back to life physically, Lazarus, Jairus, 00:20:58.839 --> 00:21:04.719 daughter, Tabitha, Eutychus, the son of the Shunammite woman, all of those people, they eventually died again, 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:10.599 physically speaking. But when God brings a dead sinner back to life, 00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:18.079 that person lives forever. They are truly resurrected unto eternal life. 00:21:19.239 --> 00:21:25.359 You see, we do deserve punishment. That's inescapable. We deserve wrath. I said it again, Alex, sorry. 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:36.419 We deserve death. We deserve hell. But God is a God of love. God is a God of mercy. God is a God of grace. 00:21:37.019 --> 00:21:45.059 Friends, even when you were dead in your sin, God loved you enough to make you alive, even when you were dead in your sin. 00:21:45.199 --> 00:21:49.659 You hadn't even done anything at this point. You were dead. There was nothing you could do. 00:21:49.660 --> 00:21:55.860 And God in his grace chose to make you alive. How did he do that? The text tells us, doesn't he? 00:21:57.160 --> 00:22:06.019 Made us alive with Christ. Christ came. Christ died. And Christ rose again. 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:12.940 So if we're made alive in Christ, then we have died to sin and we have risen again. 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:21.720 There's no work on our part, on your part or my part. There's no good deed we do to work our way out of spiritual death. 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:30.240 Christ did the only good deed that could ever satisfy the, it's written down here, but I'll say anger this time, the anger of God. 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:39.880 God demonstrates his own love for us in this, Roman 5a tells us, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us while we were still sinners. 00:22:39.880 --> 00:22:46.660 When Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. 00:22:47.860 --> 00:22:49.160 What do you think was in the cup? 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:53.620 Do you think Jesus was afraid of what the Romans were going to do to him? 00:22:54.840 --> 00:23:01.720 Do you think he was scared of the whips, the beatings, the thorns, the nails and the cross? 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:11.500 Do you honestly think that the second member of the Trinity, the one through whom and for whom all things that have ever been made were made, 00:23:12.380 --> 00:23:15.819 was scared of getting beaten up by a bunch of thugs? 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:26.720 That cup, friends, was full to the brim of the anger of God against sin, of disobedience against his law. 00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:32.640 And Christ drank that cup in to the fullest on the cross so that you and I don't have to. 00:23:33.600 --> 00:23:40.380 The just punishment for sin and disobedience is the full and total extent of God's anger poured out upon you. 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:49.279 And it was poured out completely and solely on the holy, perfect, sinless Lamb of God instead of you and me. 00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:55.319 If you want to turn to it, go to Isaiah chapter 53 or just listen if you'd like. 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:58.179 Isaiah 53 verse 4. 00:23:59.139 --> 00:24:01.439 Isaiah says this, speaking the word of the Lord. 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:09.019 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. 00:24:09.399 --> 00:24:12.480 But he was pierced for our transgressions. 00:24:12.899 --> 00:24:15.399 He was crushed for our iniquities. 00:24:15.659 --> 00:24:21.700 The punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed. 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:24.580 We all like sheep have gone astray. 00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:30.279 Each of us has turned to his own way and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 00:24:30.900 --> 00:24:32.420 Verse 10, if you're reading along. 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:38.720 Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer. 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:45.940 And though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days. 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:49.160 And the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:51.299 Do you know who that is? 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:53.259 Who his offspring are? 00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:55.000 That's you and me. 00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:56.839 It's us, friends. 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:59.640 Go back to Ephesians and look at verse 6. 00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:18.940 Do you really get what that means? 00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:22.880 Christ hasn't just raised you from the dead. 00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:26.759 He has raised you and seated you with Christ. 00:25:27.520 --> 00:25:28.400 Where is Christ seated? 00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:29.759 Where is he sitting? 00:25:29.800 --> 00:25:32.160 He sits with the Father in his heavenly kingdom. 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:36.340 The work of your salvation, friends, is not in your hands in the slightest. 00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:41.820 It was nailed into the hands of Jesus Christ on that hill 2,000 years ago. 00:25:42.320 --> 00:25:47.900 The fact that he hasn't just brought you back to life, he's seated you in heaven, means it's done. 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:50.300 That's what he meant when he said, 00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:52.420 It is finished. 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:54.300 Once for all. 00:25:54.620 --> 00:25:55.140 Completed. 00:25:55.140 --> 00:26:00.000 Are you starting to get a fuller appreciation of God's grace at work here? 00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:02.780 He knows you can't save yourself, friend. 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:07.920 He knows your natural condition prevents you from making yourself right in his eyes. 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:10.980 Just like my son Jack, he's three and a half years old. 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:13.820 He's not capable of doing everything I want him to do. 00:26:13.880 --> 00:26:15.060 He's three and a half years old. 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:17.420 I should have the grace to realize that. 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:21.840 Because I have a Father in heaven who is the perfect model of the perfect Father. 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:24.720 who understands your condition and my condition. 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:27.839 We cannot please him by ourselves. 00:26:28.359 --> 00:26:29.919 So that's why he sent his son. 00:26:30.699 --> 00:26:34.599 For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son, 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:39.679 that whomever believes in him will not die, but will live forever. 00:26:41.179 --> 00:26:45.819 He made him, who knew no sin, to be sin on our behalf, 00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:50.059 so that we would become the righteousness of God in him. 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:54.159 That's the prescription of Christ's sacrifice. 00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:58.899 Christ died once for all, Peter writes, the just for the unjust, 00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:03.259 so that he might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:05.559 but made alive in the spirit. 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:08.220 There's nothing you do. 00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:10.659 There's no work you perform. 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:16.480 There's no sacrifice you make except to bow your knee to Christ. 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:20.339 Paul writes in Romans 10, verses 9 and 10, 00:27:20.400 --> 00:27:23.059 if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, 00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:26.700 and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:28.700 then you will be saved. 00:27:29.360 --> 00:27:32.019 For out of the heart, you believe unto righteousness, 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:34.980 and from the mouth, you confess unto salvation. 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:40.160 Are you struggling with your standing before God this morning? 00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:43.759 Are you in fear for your life? 00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:48.099 Friend, if you're in Christ, you're a new creation. 00:27:48.900 --> 00:27:53.079 With the blood of his son, God has washed away your sins 00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:54.819 and made you clean again. 00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:59.960 He's taken your sin and he's thrown it as far away 00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:01.859 as the east is from the west. 00:28:02.419 --> 00:28:06.059 He's held up his outstretched hands and declared it is finished. 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:10.439 The great healer has filled the prescription of your condition 00:28:10.439 --> 00:28:12.079 on your behalf. 00:28:13.659 --> 00:28:14.579 So is that it? 00:28:15.619 --> 00:28:18.799 Do we just get on with our lives and twiddle our thumbs 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:21.759 until Jesus comes back or we go to meet him? 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.879 No, not at all. 00:28:23.659 --> 00:28:24.079 Verse 8. 00:28:25.439 --> 00:28:27.019 For it is by grace you have been saved, 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:30.299 through faith, and this not from yourselves. 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:33.319 It is the gift of God not by works, 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:34.799 so that no one can boast. 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:36.859 For we are God's workmanship, 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:39.579 some translations say handiwork, 00:28:40.139 --> 00:28:43.000 created in Christ Jesus to do good works, 00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:46.179 which God prepared in advance for us to do. 00:28:47.059 --> 00:28:48.259 This is our last point. 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:50.139 We've had the problem of man's condition, 00:28:50.679 --> 00:28:53.480 we've had the prescription of Christ's sacrifice, 00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:55.839 and now we have the purpose of God's grace. 00:28:57.240 --> 00:29:01.400 The Bible is emphatic in its proclamation that we are not saved, 00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:05.279 justified, made right in God's eyes because of anything we do. 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:09.079 It's completely, across the board, universally emphatic. 00:29:09.879 --> 00:29:12.339 Paul re-emphasizes the point here in what we just read, 00:29:12.399 --> 00:29:15.319 but let me give you three other places to say the same thing. 00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:16.859 1 Timothy 1.9 00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:19.019 God saved us, 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:21.740 and called us to a holy calling, 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:23.679 not because of our works, 00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:26.079 but because of his own purpose and grace, 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:28.379 which he gave us in Christ Jesus, 00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:30.220 before the ages began. 00:29:30.220 --> 00:29:32.740 Romans 3.28 00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:35.519 For we hold that one is justified by faith, 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:39.039 apart, separate, from works of the law. 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:41.360 Galatians 2.16 00:29:41.360 --> 00:29:44.940 Yet we know a person is not justified by works of the law, 00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:47.380 but through faith in Jesus Christ. 00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:49.940 So we also have believed in Christ Jesus 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:52.500 in order to be justified by faith, 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:54.480 and not by works of the law, 00:29:54.600 --> 00:29:56.019 because by works of the law, 00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:58.140 no one will be justified. 00:29:58.140 --> 00:30:00.180 I could give you dozens, 00:30:00.540 --> 00:30:01.520 hundreds more verses 00:30:01.520 --> 00:30:03.040 that confirm the same thing, 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:05.620 but Seneca's expecting me before sundown, 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:06.500 so we'll keep moving. 00:30:06.900 --> 00:30:07.940 I'll just rest my case here. 00:30:08.780 --> 00:30:10.240 Back here in verses 8 and 9, 00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:12.120 Paul emphasizes grace 00:30:12.120 --> 00:30:14.080 is the source of our salvation. 00:30:14.420 --> 00:30:15.620 It's not anything we've done, 00:30:16.100 --> 00:30:17.700 so that no one can boast. 00:30:19.040 --> 00:30:20.380 Those of us who are from Ireland 00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:22.340 are well familiar with the term Holy Joe. 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:25.060 It's a negative expression, 00:30:25.860 --> 00:30:26.900 in case you were wondering, 00:30:27.020 --> 00:30:27.700 if you don't know it. 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.980 It's used to refer to people 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:31.440 who are outwardly quite religious, 00:30:32.440 --> 00:30:34.820 maybe even quite sincere with their faith, 00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:36.540 but they tend to display that 00:30:36.540 --> 00:30:40.280 in a way that's arrogant or boastful. 00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:42.420 They give off the impression of themselves 00:30:42.420 --> 00:30:44.940 for being a person with whom God is happy 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:47.080 because of all the good things they do. 00:30:48.520 --> 00:30:51.000 I tend towards having a proud personality myself, 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:52.120 so I understand that. 00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:54.220 Speaking as a former Holy Joe, 00:30:54.420 --> 00:30:55.520 this is describing me. 00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:57.940 But those Holy Joes, 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.900 those old dens, 00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:00.039 those dead dens, 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.619 the holier-than-thou types, 00:31:02.379 --> 00:31:03.920 they've really got no cause to boast 00:31:03.920 --> 00:31:05.440 because we know that nothing we do 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:06.940 improves our standing in God's eyes. 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.879 We know that nothing we attempt 00:31:08.879 --> 00:31:10.660 will ever give us right standing 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:11.940 before him. 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:13.339 And so that's why Paul says 00:31:13.339 --> 00:31:15.779 we can't boast in anything we've done. 00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:18.160 Paul said if he was going to boast in anything, 00:31:18.399 --> 00:31:19.440 it would be the things that showed 00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:20.480 how weak he was, 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:22.379 how much he relied on Christ. 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:24.500 The only thing that Paul sought to boast in 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:26.339 was the fact that he was a sinner, 00:31:27.420 --> 00:31:28.399 undeserving of mercy, 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:29.379 and that God, 00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:31.399 in his unimaginable grace, 00:31:31.799 --> 00:31:32.339 saved him. 00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:34.119 One of my favourite hymns, 00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:35.000 Forbid it, Lord, 00:31:35.160 --> 00:31:36.299 that I should boast, 00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:38.359 save in the death of Christ my God. 00:31:38.359 --> 00:31:40.799 Paul didn't boast in anything 00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:42.559 except his death 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:43.959 in the death of Christ. 00:31:45.139 --> 00:31:46.240 But why are we saved? 00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:47.079 We're not saved for nothing. 00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:48.039 So look at verse 10. 00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:50.019 We are God's workmanship, 00:31:50.819 --> 00:31:51.859 created in Christ Jesus 00:31:51.859 --> 00:31:52.939 to do good works, 00:31:53.479 --> 00:31:55.099 which God prepared in advance 00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:56.379 for us to do. 00:31:57.179 --> 00:31:58.759 Here's a bit of a plot twist for you. 00:31:59.559 --> 00:32:01.199 We're not saved by good works. 00:32:01.939 --> 00:32:03.719 We're saved for good works. 00:32:04.839 --> 00:32:06.639 Works is actually the most important word 00:32:06.639 --> 00:32:07.819 in this entire section. 00:32:08.359 --> 00:32:08.939 Believe it or not. 00:32:09.159 --> 00:32:10.139 Because it identifies 00:32:10.139 --> 00:32:11.099 not only the reason 00:32:11.099 --> 00:32:12.659 why you can't be saved, 00:32:12.859 --> 00:32:14.879 but the reason why God saves you. 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.579 God saves us, 00:32:17.179 --> 00:32:18.179 makes us a new creation, 00:32:18.339 --> 00:32:19.379 takes out our heart of stone, 00:32:19.679 --> 00:32:20.699 gives us a heart of flesh, 00:32:20.859 --> 00:32:21.879 so that our energies 00:32:21.879 --> 00:32:22.779 and our efforts 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.779 are turned away 00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:24.919 from serving ourselves 00:32:24.919 --> 00:32:26.219 and turned away 00:32:26.219 --> 00:32:27.519 from gratifying the desires 00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:28.919 of our sinful flesh. 00:32:28.919 --> 00:32:30.599 We are made into new creatures 00:32:30.599 --> 00:32:32.500 so that we can love God, 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:34.419 we can love one another, 00:32:35.299 --> 00:32:36.419 and that we can prove it 00:32:36.419 --> 00:32:37.279 by our deeds. 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:38.660 Our good deeds are there 00:32:38.660 --> 00:32:40.700 to prove we are followers 00:32:40.700 --> 00:32:41.980 of Jesus Christ, 00:32:41.980 --> 00:32:43.420 not to earn our way 00:32:43.420 --> 00:32:44.299 to Jesus Christ. 00:32:44.639 --> 00:32:45.579 We can't do that. 00:32:46.019 --> 00:32:47.039 They're there to demonstrate 00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:48.639 that we are disciples. 00:32:48.859 --> 00:32:49.440 Jesus said, 00:32:49.680 --> 00:32:50.519 if you love me, 00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:52.039 keep my commandments. 00:32:53.139 --> 00:32:53.899 John wrote, 00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:55.759 the one who loves the brothers 00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:56.920 loves the Lord 00:32:56.920 --> 00:32:58.099 and the sisters. 00:32:58.299 --> 00:32:58.779 Sorry, ladies. 00:32:59.160 --> 00:32:59.740 I'm old school. 00:32:59.859 --> 00:33:00.500 I got the King James 00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:01.139 stuck in my head. 00:33:01.140 --> 00:33:04.020 We're not to keep on sinning. 00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:06.100 We're to offer ourselves 00:33:06.100 --> 00:33:06.700 to God, 00:33:07.180 --> 00:33:08.820 as Paul writes in Romans 6, 00:33:09.160 --> 00:33:10.540 as those who have been brought 00:33:10.540 --> 00:33:12.740 from death to life. 00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:14.240 I think the words 00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:15.040 of the Lord himself 00:33:15.040 --> 00:33:15.660 sum it up. 00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:16.780 I'll just read it to you. 00:33:16.800 --> 00:33:17.380 John 15. 00:33:17.620 --> 00:33:18.780 I am the true vine, 00:33:19.020 --> 00:33:20.400 and my Father is the gardener. 00:33:20.620 --> 00:33:21.920 He cuts off every branch 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:23.080 in me that bears no fruit, 00:33:23.080 --> 00:33:24.000 while every branch 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:24.920 that does bear fruit 00:33:24.920 --> 00:33:25.440 he prunes, 00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:26.460 so that it would be 00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:27.600 even more fruitful. 00:33:27.599 --> 00:33:29.799 You are already clean 00:33:29.799 --> 00:33:31.279 because of the word 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:32.299 I have spoken to you, 00:33:32.899 --> 00:33:34.159 so remain in me. 00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:35.819 I will remain in you. 00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:37.919 No branch can bear fruit 00:33:37.919 --> 00:33:38.519 by itself. 00:33:39.559 --> 00:33:40.599 It must remain in the vine. 00:33:40.839 --> 00:33:42.079 Neither can you bear fruit 00:33:42.079 --> 00:33:43.839 unless you remain in me. 00:33:43.980 --> 00:33:44.859 And verse 8 says, 00:33:45.539 --> 00:33:46.819 this is to my Father's glory, 00:33:47.740 --> 00:33:49.740 that you bear much fruit, 00:33:50.439 --> 00:33:51.339 showing yourselves 00:33:51.339 --> 00:33:52.819 to be my disciples. 00:33:54.199 --> 00:33:55.259 There we have it, friends. 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:57.460 Not only are we saved 00:33:57.460 --> 00:33:59.720 entirely by the efforts of God, 00:34:00.359 --> 00:34:01.579 but we're saved entirely 00:34:01.579 --> 00:34:03.839 for the glory of God. 00:34:04.359 --> 00:34:05.420 Not for us to boast. 00:34:06.099 --> 00:34:07.379 Not for us to lord it 00:34:07.379 --> 00:34:08.280 over somebody else, 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.340 as if somehow 00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:10.820 we're better than somebody 00:34:10.820 --> 00:34:11.940 because we go to church 00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:12.519 every Sunday, 00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:13.280 we got baptized, 00:34:13.519 --> 00:34:14.380 we lead a Bible study, 00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:15.579 we stack the chairs, 00:34:15.699 --> 00:34:16.539 serve the tea and coffee, 00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:17.239 whatever it is. 00:34:17.239 --> 00:34:18.579 None of that means anything, 00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:20.539 because God saved us 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:21.840 for good works, 00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:23.380 to bring glory to himself. 00:34:23.380 --> 00:34:25.380 He does the work, 00:34:26.099 --> 00:34:27.300 he gets the credit. 00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:28.559 Does it ever annoy you 00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:28.940 at work, 00:34:29.180 --> 00:34:29.800 you do something, 00:34:30.579 --> 00:34:31.420 you work really hard 00:34:31.420 --> 00:34:31.900 at something, 00:34:32.260 --> 00:34:33.619 and then your superior 00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:34.880 ends up getting the credit for it, 00:34:34.920 --> 00:34:36.059 their name goes on the report, 00:34:36.220 --> 00:34:37.619 and they get their increment, 00:34:37.780 --> 00:34:38.539 they get their bonus, 00:34:38.640 --> 00:34:39.360 all this kind of thing. 00:34:40.000 --> 00:34:40.860 Well, I'm a civil servant, 00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:41.760 so I don't get bonuses 00:34:41.760 --> 00:34:42.460 in the first place, 00:34:42.500 --> 00:34:42.880 but nevertheless, 00:34:43.380 --> 00:34:44.619 it happens probably worse to me 00:34:44.619 --> 00:34:45.680 than it does to many of you. 00:34:46.380 --> 00:34:47.200 That annoys me. 00:34:47.199 --> 00:34:50.139 I want to be able to boast 00:34:50.139 --> 00:34:51.339 in what I do. 00:34:52.359 --> 00:34:53.859 There's nothing we can boast in, 00:34:53.939 --> 00:34:54.139 friends, 00:34:54.179 --> 00:34:55.639 because we haven't done anything. 00:34:56.239 --> 00:34:57.579 God gets to boast 00:34:57.579 --> 00:34:58.559 in his glory. 00:34:59.699 --> 00:35:00.559 Our salvation 00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:02.000 lies not 00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:03.199 in our own merit, 00:35:03.859 --> 00:35:04.859 but in the very heart 00:35:04.859 --> 00:35:05.980 and mind of God 00:35:05.980 --> 00:35:07.639 with his plan 00:35:07.639 --> 00:35:08.699 to redeem 00:35:08.699 --> 00:35:09.500 his people, 00:35:09.960 --> 00:35:10.699 his plan 00:35:10.699 --> 00:35:11.939 to make his glory visible 00:35:11.939 --> 00:35:12.759 to all 00:35:12.759 --> 00:35:13.359 who would call 00:35:13.359 --> 00:35:14.000 on his name. 00:35:14.819 --> 00:35:15.879 He laid the foundation 00:35:15.880 --> 00:35:16.660 for that plan. 00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:18.180 Think about this. 00:35:18.220 --> 00:35:18.980 He laid the foundation 00:35:18.980 --> 00:35:19.660 for that plan 00:35:19.660 --> 00:35:21.000 before he laid 00:35:21.000 --> 00:35:21.579 the foundation 00:35:21.579 --> 00:35:22.180 of the universe. 00:35:23.640 --> 00:35:24.820 He's been thinking about you 00:35:24.820 --> 00:35:25.660 for a long time, 00:35:25.780 --> 00:35:25.980 friends. 00:35:27.140 --> 00:35:28.039 This isn't something 00:35:28.039 --> 00:35:28.640 that just happened 00:35:28.640 --> 00:35:29.680 when you came in this meeting 00:35:29.680 --> 00:35:30.900 or when you decided 00:35:30.900 --> 00:35:31.539 to get baptized. 00:35:32.380 --> 00:35:33.400 God has been thinking 00:35:33.400 --> 00:35:34.079 about you 00:35:34.079 --> 00:35:35.140 since before 00:35:35.140 --> 00:35:36.760 he laid the cornerstone 00:35:36.760 --> 00:35:37.940 of the universe. 00:35:39.280 --> 00:35:40.099 There's nothing left 00:35:40.099 --> 00:35:40.700 for you to do 00:35:40.700 --> 00:35:42.200 except give him 00:35:42.200 --> 00:35:42.640 the glory. 00:35:43.519 --> 00:35:44.599 Give him the praise 00:35:44.599 --> 00:35:45.760 by serving him. 00:35:46.579 --> 00:35:47.460 With your whole self. 00:35:48.760 --> 00:35:49.900 I'm going to finish now, 00:35:50.180 --> 00:35:50.960 but there's two groups 00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:51.820 of you I want to address. 00:35:53.059 --> 00:35:54.220 If you know the Lord 00:35:54.220 --> 00:35:55.300 this morning, 00:35:55.700 --> 00:35:57.619 if you proclaim 00:35:57.619 --> 00:35:58.960 Jesus is Lord, 00:35:59.340 --> 00:36:00.039 if you believe 00:36:00.039 --> 00:36:00.780 God raised him 00:36:00.780 --> 00:36:01.320 from the dead, 00:36:02.320 --> 00:36:02.680 honour him 00:36:02.680 --> 00:36:03.220 with your words. 00:36:04.519 --> 00:36:04.860 Honour him 00:36:04.860 --> 00:36:05.460 with your thoughts. 00:36:06.720 --> 00:36:07.400 I don't know 00:36:07.400 --> 00:36:07.940 how you do that 00:36:07.940 --> 00:36:08.420 in your life 00:36:08.420 --> 00:36:09.280 because I don't know you. 00:36:09.340 --> 00:36:10.119 Only you know you. 00:36:10.720 --> 00:36:11.619 But all I can tell you 00:36:11.619 --> 00:36:11.960 is this. 00:36:12.440 --> 00:36:13.380 Take all your gifts. 00:36:14.420 --> 00:36:15.400 Take all your resources. 00:36:15.880 --> 00:36:16.900 Take your time, 00:36:17.579 --> 00:36:18.059 your energy 00:36:18.059 --> 00:36:18.740 that I don't have 00:36:18.740 --> 00:36:19.240 because I was up 00:36:19.240 --> 00:36:20.180 at four o'clock this morning 00:36:20.180 --> 00:36:20.800 with a screaming 00:36:20.800 --> 00:36:21.619 fifteen month old. 00:36:21.920 --> 00:36:23.280 But take everything 00:36:23.280 --> 00:36:24.519 he has given to you 00:36:24.519 --> 00:36:26.059 and just lay it 00:36:26.059 --> 00:36:27.380 at the feet of Jesus 00:36:27.380 --> 00:36:28.500 and say, 00:36:28.900 --> 00:36:29.840 this is yours Lord. 00:36:30.720 --> 00:36:31.700 You did the work, 00:36:32.360 --> 00:36:32.900 not me. 00:36:33.700 --> 00:36:34.800 It's all for your glory. 00:36:36.240 --> 00:36:37.039 Do good works 00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:38.240 and give him glory. 00:36:38.239 --> 00:36:40.599 And secondly, 00:36:40.739 --> 00:36:41.199 if you're here 00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:42.319 and you don't know Jesus, 00:36:43.159 --> 00:36:44.639 if you've never called 00:36:44.639 --> 00:36:45.139 in his name, 00:36:45.739 --> 00:36:46.179 don't worry, 00:36:46.239 --> 00:36:46.839 I'm not going to ask you 00:36:46.839 --> 00:36:47.599 to come to the front. 00:36:47.699 --> 00:36:48.459 I'm not going to come down 00:36:48.459 --> 00:36:49.199 and lay hands on you 00:36:49.199 --> 00:36:49.819 or anything like that 00:36:49.819 --> 00:36:50.500 to embarrass you. 00:36:50.859 --> 00:36:52.119 I just want to say this to you. 00:36:52.179 --> 00:36:53.059 I don't know who you are 00:36:53.059 --> 00:36:53.879 or if you're even here 00:36:53.879 --> 00:36:55.699 or if you're listening online. 00:36:56.039 --> 00:36:56.739 But if that's you, 00:36:56.819 --> 00:36:57.519 let me just say this. 00:36:58.659 --> 00:37:00.479 Jesus told his disciples, 00:37:00.480 --> 00:37:03.019 no one comes to me 00:37:03.019 --> 00:37:04.420 unless the Father 00:37:04.420 --> 00:37:05.539 who sent me 00:37:05.539 --> 00:37:06.760 draws him. 00:37:07.960 --> 00:37:08.719 You're here 00:37:08.719 --> 00:37:10.559 in Carragoline Baptist Church 00:37:10.559 --> 00:37:11.639 on a Sunday 00:37:11.639 --> 00:37:13.260 when you could be doing 00:37:13.260 --> 00:37:14.119 anything else you want. 00:37:14.980 --> 00:37:16.079 I'm not a soccer fan 00:37:16.079 --> 00:37:16.659 but I'm sure someone 00:37:16.659 --> 00:37:17.079 could tell me 00:37:17.079 --> 00:37:17.980 there's probably a match on. 00:37:18.400 --> 00:37:18.980 You could be watching, 00:37:19.340 --> 00:37:20.280 you could be going out to lunch, 00:37:20.340 --> 00:37:21.179 you could just be getting up 00:37:21.179 --> 00:37:21.860 out of your own bed. 00:37:22.599 --> 00:37:23.599 But you're not doing that. 00:37:24.380 --> 00:37:24.980 You're here 00:37:24.980 --> 00:37:26.440 listening to 00:37:26.440 --> 00:37:28.079 some mad fella from Middleton 00:37:28.079 --> 00:37:29.219 you've never met before 00:37:29.219 --> 00:37:30.340 talk about 00:37:30.340 --> 00:37:30.900 a God 00:37:30.900 --> 00:37:32.100 you've never seen. 00:37:32.400 --> 00:37:33.700 Maybe never even heard of. 00:37:34.300 --> 00:37:35.120 But you're here 00:37:35.120 --> 00:37:36.440 because God 00:37:36.440 --> 00:37:37.760 has drawn you here 00:37:37.760 --> 00:37:38.300 friend 00:37:38.300 --> 00:37:40.240 so that you can hear 00:37:40.240 --> 00:37:41.019 the good news 00:37:41.019 --> 00:37:42.400 that Jesus 00:37:42.400 --> 00:37:43.240 died 00:37:43.240 --> 00:37:44.240 and Jesus 00:37:44.240 --> 00:37:44.780 rose 00:37:44.780 --> 00:37:45.640 and Jesus 00:37:45.640 --> 00:37:46.700 paid the penalty 00:37:46.700 --> 00:37:47.680 for your sin 00:37:47.680 --> 00:37:48.320 and my sin 00:37:48.320 --> 00:37:49.559 so that we can stand 00:37:49.559 --> 00:37:50.280 arm in arm 00:37:50.280 --> 00:37:51.100 in front of him 00:37:51.100 --> 00:37:52.160 righteous 00:37:52.160 --> 00:37:53.220 holy 00:37:53.220 --> 00:37:54.340 and blameless 00:37:54.340 --> 00:37:55.559 and live forever. 00:37:57.079 --> 00:37:58.100 Jesus has died 00:37:58.100 --> 00:37:58.880 and risen 00:37:58.880 --> 00:38:00.320 and paid that penalty 00:38:00.320 --> 00:38:02.720 so that we can stand 00:38:02.720 --> 00:38:03.320 before him 00:38:03.320 --> 00:38:06.820 as a royal priesthood 00:38:06.820 --> 00:38:08.180 holy 00:38:08.180 --> 00:38:09.120 and spotless 00:38:09.120 --> 00:38:09.860 in his sight 00:38:09.860 --> 00:38:12.019 and live with him forever. 00:38:12.880 --> 00:38:13.940 There's nothing you need to do. 00:38:13.940 --> 00:38:16.280 all that's left for you to do 00:38:16.280 --> 00:38:17.980 is to call on his name 00:38:17.980 --> 00:38:19.720 and say 00:38:19.720 --> 00:38:20.059 Lord 00:38:20.059 --> 00:38:21.360 have mercy on me 00:38:21.360 --> 00:38:22.159 a sinner. 00:38:23.539 --> 00:38:24.980 So there's another hymn I like 00:38:24.980 --> 00:38:25.920 it's kind of an old one 00:38:25.920 --> 00:38:27.500 glory to his name 00:38:27.500 --> 00:38:28.460 come to the fountain 00:38:28.460 --> 00:38:30.019 so rich and sweet 00:38:30.019 --> 00:38:31.360 cast thy poor soul 00:38:31.360 --> 00:38:32.840 at the saviour's feet 00:38:32.840 --> 00:38:34.039 plunge in 00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:34.659 today 00:38:34.659 --> 00:38:35.500 and be made 00:38:35.500 --> 00:38:36.260 complete. 00:38:37.220 --> 00:38:38.280 Glory to his name. 00:38:38.539 --> 00:38:38.740 Amen. 00:38:38.739 --> 00:38:40.279 Let's pray. 00:38:44.019 --> 00:38:45.139 Gracious heavenly father 00:38:45.139 --> 00:38:47.039 if anything has been said 00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:47.679 this morning 00:38:47.679 --> 00:38:49.479 that's not from you 00:38:49.479 --> 00:38:51.619 or that causes you 00:38:51.619 --> 00:38:52.079 offense 00:38:52.079 --> 00:38:54.139 or doesn't give you glory 00:38:54.139 --> 00:38:55.299 I pray you blot it 00:38:55.299 --> 00:38:56.039 out of our minds. 00:38:57.379 --> 00:38:58.000 I pray that you 00:38:58.000 --> 00:38:58.559 imprint 00:38:58.559 --> 00:38:59.419 and implant 00:38:59.419 --> 00:39:00.899 on our hearts 00:39:00.899 --> 00:39:02.019 and our minds 00:39:02.019 --> 00:39:03.619 the word of God 00:39:03.619 --> 00:39:04.199 that is living 00:39:04.199 --> 00:39:04.779 and active 00:39:04.779 --> 00:39:06.719 the word of God 00:39:06.719 --> 00:39:08.099 that is sufficient 00:39:08.099 --> 00:39:10.059 that is all we need 00:39:10.059 --> 00:39:10.819 to be trained 00:39:10.819 --> 00:39:12.219 to do every good work. 00:39:13.139 --> 00:39:14.559 The word of God 00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:15.819 that Jesus said 00:39:15.819 --> 00:39:16.959 washes us clean 00:39:16.959 --> 00:39:18.500 and makes us whole. 00:39:19.959 --> 00:39:20.500 Father 00:39:20.500 --> 00:39:21.339 for those who are here 00:39:21.339 --> 00:39:21.859 this morning 00:39:21.859 --> 00:39:23.059 and they share 00:39:23.059 --> 00:39:24.259 my profession of faith 00:39:24.259 --> 00:39:24.579 in you 00:39:24.579 --> 00:39:26.659 I pray that you would 00:39:26.659 --> 00:39:28.039 draw near to us 00:39:28.039 --> 00:39:29.579 in a very tangible 00:39:29.579 --> 00:39:30.299 real way. 00:39:32.199 --> 00:39:33.119 Maybe we think 00:39:33.119 --> 00:39:33.939 sometimes that the 00:39:33.939 --> 00:39:34.639 circumstances 00:39:34.639 --> 00:39:35.679 of our life 00:39:35.679 --> 00:39:37.319 demonstrate that 00:39:37.319 --> 00:39:39.599 we're not doing it right. 00:39:40.799 --> 00:39:42.039 Maybe we're afflicted 00:39:42.039 --> 00:39:43.319 with sickness 00:39:43.319 --> 00:39:44.839 or grief 00:39:44.839 --> 00:39:46.819 or joblessness 00:39:46.819 --> 00:39:48.199 or homelessness. 00:39:49.419 --> 00:39:50.099 Lord help us 00:39:50.099 --> 00:39:50.659 not to listen 00:39:50.659 --> 00:39:51.279 to the lie 00:39:51.279 --> 00:39:51.819 of the enemy 00:39:51.819 --> 00:39:53.579 that any material 00:39:53.579 --> 00:39:54.319 shortcomings 00:39:54.319 --> 00:39:55.079 in our part 00:39:55.079 --> 00:39:56.019 mean that 00:39:56.019 --> 00:39:57.219 you don't love us 00:39:57.219 --> 00:39:58.359 mean that you've 00:39:58.359 --> 00:39:58.879 forgotten us 00:39:58.879 --> 00:39:59.440 because we know 00:39:59.440 --> 00:40:00.179 you haven't Lord. 00:40:00.960 --> 00:40:01.879 We know that 00:40:01.879 --> 00:40:02.960 you sent your son 00:40:02.960 --> 00:40:04.800 so that none 00:40:04.800 --> 00:40:05.320 of those 00:40:05.320 --> 00:40:06.179 whom you give him 00:40:06.179 --> 00:40:07.679 would fall out 00:40:07.679 --> 00:40:08.199 of his hand. 00:40:09.519 --> 00:40:10.320 Once you wrap 00:40:10.320 --> 00:40:11.220 your arms around us 00:40:11.220 --> 00:40:11.480 Lord 00:40:11.480 --> 00:40:12.199 we're yours 00:40:12.199 --> 00:40:13.800 bought and paid for 00:40:13.800 --> 00:40:15.440 our debt paid in full 00:40:15.440 --> 00:40:16.820 so Lord draw near to us 00:40:16.820 --> 00:40:18.420 and give us the comfort 00:40:18.420 --> 00:40:19.559 of knowing that reality 00:40:19.559 --> 00:40:19.940 today. 00:40:21.699 --> 00:40:22.619 Help us to be 00:40:22.619 --> 00:40:24.000 real witnesses 00:40:24.000 --> 00:40:25.360 to the glory 00:40:25.360 --> 00:40:26.159 of your grace 00:40:26.159 --> 00:40:28.659 unshamingly 00:40:28.659 --> 00:40:31.420 and proudly 00:40:31.420 --> 00:40:32.659 proclaiming 00:40:32.659 --> 00:40:33.400 that Jesus 00:40:33.400 --> 00:40:34.000 is Lord. 00:40:34.860 --> 00:40:35.800 Use us Lord 00:40:35.800 --> 00:40:36.760 use us as broken 00:40:36.760 --> 00:40:37.219 vessels 00:40:37.219 --> 00:40:38.719 to bring people 00:40:38.719 --> 00:40:39.119 to you 00:40:39.119 --> 00:40:40.320 in the name 00:40:40.320 --> 00:40:41.159 of Jesus Christ 00:40:41.159 --> 00:40:41.820 by the power 00:40:41.820 --> 00:40:42.460 of your spirit. 00:40:43.320 --> 00:40:43.840 When people 00:40:43.840 --> 00:40:44.659 look at us Lord 00:40:44.659 --> 00:40:45.539 may they see 00:40:45.539 --> 00:40:45.980 the life 00:40:45.980 --> 00:40:46.539 of a Christian. 00:40:47.840 --> 00:40:48.639 When they listen 00:40:48.639 --> 00:40:49.199 to us Lord 00:40:49.199 --> 00:40:49.579 may they hear 00:40:49.579 --> 00:40:50.000 the words 00:40:50.000 --> 00:40:50.559 of a Christian 00:40:50.559 --> 00:40:52.340 see the deeds 00:40:52.340 --> 00:40:52.900 of a Christian 00:40:52.900 --> 00:40:53.440 the actions 00:40:53.440 --> 00:40:54.100 of a Christian 00:40:54.100 --> 00:40:54.840 and if they could 00:40:54.840 --> 00:40:55.820 read our minds Lord 00:40:55.820 --> 00:40:56.579 may they read 00:40:56.579 --> 00:40:57.100 the mind 00:40:57.100 --> 00:40:57.720 of a Christian. 00:40:59.000 --> 00:41:00.039 Father thank you 00:41:00.039 --> 00:41:01.500 for ripping out 00:41:01.500 --> 00:41:02.260 our heart of stone 00:41:02.260 --> 00:41:02.980 giving us a heart 00:41:02.980 --> 00:41:03.400 of flesh. 00:41:04.500 --> 00:41:05.140 Thank you 00:41:05.140 --> 00:41:06.059 for sending your son. 00:41:07.300 --> 00:41:07.840 Thank you 00:41:07.840 --> 00:41:08.940 for the wounds 00:41:08.940 --> 00:41:10.420 that pierced 00:41:10.420 --> 00:41:11.059 the veil 00:41:11.059 --> 00:41:12.940 while we were 00:41:12.940 --> 00:41:14.380 once far away 00:41:14.380 --> 00:41:14.800 Lord 00:41:14.800 --> 00:41:16.579 you've drawn us 00:41:16.579 --> 00:41:16.840 near. 00:41:18.900 --> 00:41:19.820 Father thank you 00:41:19.820 --> 00:41:20.420 for your grace. 00:41:21.440 --> 00:41:22.320 Father for those 00:41:22.320 --> 00:41:23.140 who don't know you 00:41:23.140 --> 00:41:25.440 I pray that even 00:41:25.440 --> 00:41:26.140 now we would be 00:41:26.140 --> 00:41:26.700 doing a work 00:41:26.700 --> 00:41:27.300 of your spirit 00:41:27.300 --> 00:41:27.940 in their hearts 00:41:27.940 --> 00:41:28.460 and minds. 00:41:29.300 --> 00:41:30.039 I pray 00:41:30.039 --> 00:41:31.059 whether they're 00:41:31.059 --> 00:41:31.580 in this room 00:41:31.580 --> 00:41:32.019 or listening 00:41:32.019 --> 00:41:32.700 or they're not 00:41:32.700 --> 00:41:33.820 our unbelieving 00:41:33.820 --> 00:41:34.539 family members 00:41:34.539 --> 00:41:35.140 our unbelieving 00:41:35.140 --> 00:41:35.559 friends 00:41:35.559 --> 00:41:36.300 our work colleagues 00:41:36.300 --> 00:41:37.080 or everybody 00:41:37.080 --> 00:41:37.940 we know Lord 00:41:37.940 --> 00:41:38.940 who doesn't 00:41:38.940 --> 00:41:39.740 profess you 00:41:39.740 --> 00:41:40.160 as Lord 00:41:40.160 --> 00:41:41.280 we pray that 00:41:41.280 --> 00:41:41.580 you would be 00:41:41.580 --> 00:41:42.220 doing a mighty 00:41:42.220 --> 00:41:42.880 work in their 00:41:42.880 --> 00:41:43.220 hearts 00:41:43.220 --> 00:41:44.320 that you would 00:41:44.320 --> 00:41:45.100 be softening 00:41:45.100 --> 00:41:45.980 their hearts 00:41:45.980 --> 00:41:46.960 that you would 00:41:46.960 --> 00:41:48.240 be piercing 00:41:48.240 --> 00:41:49.360 the veils 00:41:49.360 --> 00:41:50.200 in front of 00:41:50.200 --> 00:41:50.660 their eyes 00:41:50.660 --> 00:41:51.039 that you would 00:41:51.039 --> 00:41:51.519 be causing 00:41:51.519 --> 00:41:52.440 them to see 00:41:52.440 --> 00:41:53.079 the glory 00:41:53.079 --> 00:41:54.699 of your son 00:41:54.699 --> 00:41:55.420 Jesus Christ 00:41:55.420 --> 00:41:55.940 whom you sent 00:41:55.940 --> 00:41:56.340 to die 00:41:56.340 --> 00:41:56.840 for them 00:41:56.840 --> 00:42:00.639 Father 00:42:00.639 --> 00:42:02.679 we know 00:42:02.679 --> 00:42:03.300 that you 00:42:03.300 --> 00:42:03.679 came into 00:42:03.679 --> 00:42:04.099 the world 00:42:04.099 --> 00:42:05.599 not to 00:42:05.599 --> 00:42:06.139 treat the 00:42:06.139 --> 00:42:06.599 healthy 00:42:06.599 --> 00:42:08.059 but to 00:42:08.059 --> 00:42:08.460 treat the 00:42:08.460 --> 00:42:08.739 sick 00:42:08.739 --> 00:42:10.460 and Father 00:42:10.460 --> 00:42:10.960 we were all 00:42:10.960 --> 00:42:11.639 sick once 00:42:11.639 --> 00:42:12.059 in fact we 00:42:12.059 --> 00:42:12.380 were all 00:42:12.380 --> 00:42:13.019 dead once 00:42:13.019 --> 00:42:13.880 but you 00:42:13.880 --> 00:42:14.219 brought us 00:42:14.219 --> 00:42:14.559 back to 00:42:14.559 --> 00:42:14.780 life 00:42:14.780 --> 00:42:15.420 so for 00:42:15.420 --> 00:42:15.739 those who 00:42:15.739 --> 00:42:16.219 don't know 00:42:16.219 --> 00:42:16.719 you Lord 00:42:16.719 --> 00:42:18.459 call them 00:42:18.459 --> 00:42:19.559 please 00:42:19.559 --> 00:42:20.319 like you 00:42:20.319 --> 00:42:21.179 call Lazarus 00:42:21.179 --> 00:42:21.739 out of the 00:42:21.739 --> 00:42:22.079 grave 00:42:22.079 --> 00:42:22.879 Lazarus 00:42:22.879 --> 00:42:23.599 come forth 00:42:23.599 --> 00:42:23.879 and he 00:42:23.879 --> 00:42:24.599 came forth 00:42:24.599 --> 00:42:24.879 Lord 00:42:24.879 --> 00:42:25.559 we know 00:42:25.559 --> 00:42:25.799 that it 00:42:25.799 --> 00:42:26.179 is your 00:42:26.179 --> 00:42:26.539 call 00:42:26.539 --> 00:42:26.819 and your 00:42:26.819 --> 00:42:27.480 call only 00:42:27.480 --> 00:42:28.059 that will 00:42:28.059 --> 00:42:28.379 bring us 00:42:28.379 --> 00:42:28.819 to eternal 00:42:28.819 --> 00:42:29.239 life 00:42:29.239 --> 00:42:29.899 so may 00:42:29.899 --> 00:42:30.199 people 00:42:30.199 --> 00:42:30.639 answer 00:42:30.639 --> 00:42:31.239 that call 00:42:31.239 --> 00:42:31.980 even now 00:42:31.980 --> 00:42:32.319 Lord 00:42:32.319 --> 00:42:33.119 this morning 00:42:33.119 --> 00:42:34.219 as we 00:42:34.219 --> 00:42:34.639 pray for 00:42:34.639 --> 00:42:34.899 this 00:42:34.899 --> 00:42:36.179 we pray 00:42:36.179 --> 00:42:36.459 for the 00:42:36.459 --> 00:42:36.799 life of 00:42:36.799 --> 00:42:37.359 this church 00:42:37.359 --> 00:42:38.639 we pray 00:42:38.639 --> 00:42:39.119 for Johnny 00:42:39.119 --> 00:42:39.480 as he's 00:42:39.480 --> 00:42:39.899 not here 00:42:39.899 --> 00:42:40.619 we thank 00:42:40.619 --> 00:42:40.879 you for 00:42:40.879 --> 00:42:41.359 his faithful 00:42:41.359 --> 00:42:41.779 ministry 00:42:41.779 --> 00:42:42.299 of the word 00:42:42.300 --> 00:42:43.560 we thank 00:42:43.560 --> 00:42:44.000 you for 00:42:44.000 --> 00:42:44.780 the elders 00:42:44.780 --> 00:42:45.220 here and 00:42:45.220 --> 00:42:45.780 the deacons 00:42:45.780 --> 00:42:46.120 and all 00:42:46.120 --> 00:42:46.660 who faithfully 00:42:46.660 --> 00:42:47.060 serve 00:42:47.060 --> 00:42:47.980 we thank 00:42:47.980 --> 00:42:48.460 you for 00:42:48.460 --> 00:42:49.800 every hair 00:42:49.800 --> 00:42:50.160 and every 00:42:50.160 --> 00:42:50.600 head in 00:42:50.600 --> 00:42:51.000 this room 00:42:51.000 --> 00:42:51.500 this morning 00:42:51.500 --> 00:42:51.800 Lord 00:42:51.800 --> 00:42:52.860 we pray 00:42:52.860 --> 00:42:53.720 that our 00:42:53.720 --> 00:42:54.280 time after 00:42:54.280 --> 00:42:54.700 the meeting 00:42:54.700 --> 00:42:55.900 would be 00:42:55.900 --> 00:42:56.980 a time 00:42:56.980 --> 00:42:57.440 of joy 00:42:57.440 --> 00:42:59.039 and fellowship 00:42:59.039 --> 00:43:00.400 that we 00:43:00.400 --> 00:43:01.920 would find 00:43:01.920 --> 00:43:02.560 ways maybe 00:43:02.560 --> 00:43:03.039 where we can 00:43:03.039 --> 00:43:04.060 practically love 00:43:04.060 --> 00:43:04.440 one another 00:43:04.440 --> 00:43:04.880 and serve 00:43:04.880 --> 00:43:05.300 one another 00:43:05.300 --> 00:43:05.780 this week 00:43:05.780 --> 00:43:06.820 where there 00:43:06.820 --> 00:43:07.260 are needs 00:43:07.260 --> 00:43:07.539 in this 00:43:07.539 --> 00:43:07.800 church 00:43:07.800 --> 00:43:08.120 Lord 00:43:08.120 --> 00:43:09.700 may we 00:43:09.700 --> 00:43:10.200 seek them 00:43:10.200 --> 00:43:10.680 out to 00:43:10.680 --> 00:43:11.500 meet those 00:43:11.500 --> 00:43:11.800 needs 00:43:11.800 --> 00:43:12.080 and in 00:43:12.080 --> 00:43:12.440 my own 00:43:12.440 --> 00:43:12.700 church 00:43:12.700 --> 00:43:13.019 as well 00:43:13.019 --> 00:43:13.280 Lord 00:43:13.280 --> 00:43:14.539 we pray 00:43:14.539 --> 00:43:14.880 for all 00:43:14.880 --> 00:43:15.320 the churches 00:43:15.320 --> 00:43:15.720 in this 00:43:15.720 --> 00:43:16.039 land 00:43:16.039 --> 00:43:17.160 who faithfully 00:43:17.160 --> 00:43:17.780 proclaim the 00:43:17.780 --> 00:43:18.120 gospel 00:43:18.120 --> 00:43:20.019 and we 00:43:20.019 --> 00:43:21.060 thank you 00:43:21.060 --> 00:43:21.480 Lord 00:43:21.480 --> 00:43:24.039 all we can 00:43:24.039 --> 00:43:24.820 do that's 00:43:24.820 --> 00:43:25.240 left to do 00:43:25.240 --> 00:43:25.840 is thank you 00:43:25.840 --> 00:43:27.600 for sending 00:43:27.600 --> 00:43:28.120 your son 00:43:28.120 --> 00:43:30.060 to bring us 00:43:30.060 --> 00:43:31.100 out of the 00:43:31.100 --> 00:43:31.480 darkness 00:43:31.480 --> 00:43:32.539 out of the 00:43:32.539 --> 00:43:32.960 grave 00:43:32.960 --> 00:43:34.380 into new 00:43:34.380 --> 00:43:34.700 life 00:43:34.700 --> 00:43:36.920 not our 00:43:36.920 --> 00:43:37.240 will in 00:43:37.240 --> 00:43:37.720 any of these 00:43:37.720 --> 00:43:38.100 things we 00:43:38.100 --> 00:43:38.600 prayed for 00:43:38.600 --> 00:43:38.820 Lord 00:43:38.820 --> 00:43:39.340 but your 00:43:39.340 --> 00:43:40.019 perfect 00:43:40.019 --> 00:43:41.039 and holy 00:43:41.039 --> 00:43:42.179 and righteous 00:43:42.179 --> 00:43:42.599 will be 00:43:42.599 --> 00:43:42.840 done 00:43:42.840 --> 00:43:44.179 in Jesus 00:43:44.179 --> 00:43:44.599 name 00:43:44.599 --> 00:43:45.219 Amen