WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.580 for a moment. If holidays were people, if holidays were people, Thanksgiving would be 00:00:11.580 --> 00:00:23.400 mad, wouldn't it? Or just plain depressed because it gets ignored. It gets, this year 00:00:23.400 --> 00:00:29.620 in particular, skipped over. Think about it. What has happened to Thanksgiving? 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:40.759 It seems, maybe it's because of the pandemic, it seems people, many people are ignoring this 00:00:40.759 --> 00:00:47.340 Thanksgiving season, this Thanksgiving week, and they've already zeroed in on Christmas. 00:00:48.780 --> 00:00:58.659 This past week, I heard Christmas music playing in a store. I mean, over, it wasn't just one 00:00:58.659 --> 00:01:03.859 song over and over and over again. It just sort of surprised me, shocked me. I've never 00:01:03.859 --> 00:01:10.019 heard Christmas music this early. I've noticed Christmas decorations are out. Friday night, 00:01:10.420 --> 00:01:16.659 as I came on 123 at the intersection of 93, the city of Easley has Christmas decorations 00:01:16.659 --> 00:01:24.739 out, and Santa Claus was lit up in that intersection. Some of you already have your Christmas trees, 00:01:24.959 --> 00:01:35.259 trees even, out, decorated. Now, I know that some of the experts are saying that it's good 00:01:35.259 --> 00:01:41.579 for us to go ahead and start celebrating Christmas early this year after all the turmoil that we've 00:01:41.579 --> 00:01:50.060 gone through with the pandemic, the social unrest, all the election stuff we have to deal with. 00:01:50.780 --> 00:02:00.819 Well, that may be true. It may be good for us, but it's also true that we need to make time as 00:02:00.819 --> 00:02:10.379 Christians for Thanksgiving. We need to take time. It's a national holiday. People get out of school, 00:02:10.519 --> 00:02:19.419 get out of work for Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving holiday. We need to take some time as Christians to 00:02:19.419 --> 00:02:29.799 literally count our blessings and acknowledge that they come from God and thank Him. I want to encourage 00:02:29.800 --> 00:02:37.540 you, set aside some time this week. Maybe after everybody leaves, if you have a family gathering on 00:02:37.540 --> 00:02:47.700 Thursday or Friday or Saturday, take some time, really, to just think about some of the good things 00:02:47.700 --> 00:02:54.640 in your life. In fact, take a day where you don't say anything negative, where you don't complain about 00:02:54.639 --> 00:02:59.939 how you feel, about your aches and pains. You don't complain about who you have to live with, 00:03:00.299 --> 00:03:06.239 what they do or don't do for you. Take some time when you don't focus on anything that's bad 00:03:06.239 --> 00:03:16.079 and just think about good, good things that God has put in your life, things that you enjoy. 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:28.520 People, whatever it is, take some time to acknowledge it. Just think about it. And then thank God. 00:03:29.800 --> 00:03:41.480 Thank God for how He has blessed you personally. Maybe even as a family do it. As the line in the 00:03:41.479 --> 00:03:49.939 old hymn says, do this this week, count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise 00:03:49.939 --> 00:03:58.079 you what the Lord hath done. If you take the time to do that, it very well could surprise you. 00:03:58.919 --> 00:04:06.839 Think about the good things that you do have in joy that you're experiencing right now. 00:04:06.840 --> 00:04:14.920 Life is not all bad, negative, hurtful right now. This morning I want us to focus our attention 00:04:14.920 --> 00:04:22.220 on one of the greatest blessings that we have if we're Christians, and that is the goodness of God. 00:04:23.959 --> 00:04:30.000 As I was thinking about today, I wanted to preach some kind of positive message going into 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:35.759 Thanksgiving and in light of all that's going on now. And I can't think of a better subject 00:04:35.759 --> 00:04:43.759 during Thanksgiving for us to think about, look at from what the Bible teaches. Think about it from 00:04:43.759 --> 00:04:51.500 our own experience. The goodness of God. You know, there are people, there's even Christians, 00:04:51.500 --> 00:05:02.000 they don't have a positive view of God. Some people think that God's just always ready to see what's wrong 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:13.060 and punish. Inflict guilt or something like that. Certainly, God is holy. God has standards. 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:21.240 And God does discipline His children when we disobey Him, when we don't cooperate with Him. 00:05:22.240 --> 00:05:29.600 There is something called the wrath of God, but that's just part of who God is. God is also a good 00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:40.740 God. He does good things in this world. He does good things in everybody's life by common grace. 00:05:41.740 --> 00:05:47.520 But He does a lot of good things in our lives as His people. And so that's what I want us to look at 00:05:47.520 --> 00:05:52.980 this morning. And we're going to start off very simply with how the Bible just clearly says, 00:05:52.980 --> 00:06:01.040 God is good. Look at it with me. The Bible repeatedly says things like this. The Psalms are a great place 00:06:01.040 --> 00:06:12.040 to find a lot of it. For the Lord is good. His steadfast love endures forever. And then in Psalm 106 and 107, 00:06:12.180 --> 00:06:21.160 same statement. Oh, give thanks to the Lord for He is good. For His steadfast love endures forever. 00:06:21.160 --> 00:06:28.439 As the psalmist writes, He's talking about God's good. We need to thank Him and praise Him. And one of 00:06:28.439 --> 00:06:37.140 the ways He is bringing out is God's steadfast love. You can always count on God's stability in 00:06:37.140 --> 00:06:45.040 everything He does. It's not fleeting. It's not based on how He feels one day or the circumstances or how 00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:54.200 people respond. The Lord is good. His steadfast love endures forever. And then 106 and 7, 00:06:54.560 --> 00:07:01.259 give thanks to the Lord for He is good. For His steadfast love endures forever. Now you think about that. 00:07:03.040 --> 00:07:10.320 The God that we serve, the God that we are worshiping here this morning, the God that you talk to in 00:07:10.319 --> 00:07:21.139 prayer, He is good. It's just a part of His nature. In fact, Jesus goes on to say, no one is good but God alone. 00:07:22.600 --> 00:07:32.480 I want you to think about that. A lot of people like to talk about the good of humanity. My favorite president 00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:41.780 was Ronald Reagan. Love Ronald Reagan. A lot of great things he did. A lot of great quotes we can make 00:07:41.780 --> 00:07:49.819 today. If we could get another Ronald Reagan, if we could clone Ronald Reagan, he'd be my guy. 00:07:51.680 --> 00:08:00.600 But Ronald Reagan said something that was 100% wrong. He said it many times. Reagan used to say 00:08:00.600 --> 00:08:12.680 that I believe in the goodness of the American people. I believe that the American people, deep down, are good. 00:08:15.560 --> 00:08:26.720 But God says we're sinful. We have a sinful nature, which is why we do sinful things. 00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:32.860 You don't have to teach a child to be selfish, do you? You don't have to teach a child to lie, do you? 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:41.899 You don't have to teach a child to kick or bite or hurt someone else. Why? It's just a part of who 00:08:41.899 --> 00:08:50.379 they are as little sinners. And then we all grow up into just being selfish people who like to live our 00:08:50.379 --> 00:09:02.379 lives our way instead of God's way. We're not basically good. You cannot believe the Bible and think 00:09:02.379 --> 00:09:13.620 truly that people are basically good. That is wrong. Only God is good. Now, even sinful people can do some 00:09:13.620 --> 00:09:21.480 good things. We won't debate that. That's true. We're, and even as Christians, we're supposed to do 00:09:21.480 --> 00:09:29.620 good works. But only God is good. Now, what does it mean, though? What does it mean to say that God's good? 00:09:29.620 --> 00:09:38.700 Well, some Christian teachers describe all of God's moral qualities under the heading of God's goodness. 00:09:38.700 --> 00:09:47.580 Miller Derrickson's Baptist theologian. He is a real intellectual. He writes on a level where you can 00:09:47.580 --> 00:09:57.960 understand him, but he is a sharp, sharp individual written much on theology. You know how in his big, 00:09:57.960 --> 00:10:07.220 thick theology book, how he basically describes God? God is great and God is good. 00:10:08.700 --> 00:10:18.200 The great theologian teaching us about the nature of God. God is great. God is sovereign. God is 00:10:18.200 --> 00:10:32.720 powerful. God is the creator. God's in control. But God is good. God is loving. God is holy. God is good. 00:10:32.720 --> 00:10:42.320 Now, think about that. Some of the qualities about God's goodness are just sort of put together in 00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:51.879 scripture in a real impressive way to describe God's goodness. Look at this, for example. And he passed, 00:10:51.940 --> 00:11:00.080 this is from Exodus, and he passed God, and he passed in front of Moses proclaiming, the Lord, 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:11.400 the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Look at the 00:11:11.400 --> 00:11:22.920 psalmist. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. How do you picture God? 00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:35.059 Well, Moses and the psalmist is telling us, here's a picture of God. Here is a clear, true picture. God is 00:11:35.059 --> 00:11:48.559 compassionate and gracious. God is slow to anger. A lot of us, we need to learn that. I'll be honest, 00:11:48.559 --> 00:11:59.979 I'm at the top of the list. There's times that I just fly off a handle. My boys can tell you that. 00:12:02.339 --> 00:12:14.119 I wish I had learned from my heavenly father a long time ago how to be slow to anger, 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:29.799 to be more patient, to be more compassionate. See, that is a part of God's character, of His nature. 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:41.940 I've got a better, I've got the best illustration that you can have that God's this way. Look in the mirror. 00:12:41.940 --> 00:12:55.120 If God wasn't gracious, slow to anger, and patient, I wouldn't be here right now. You wouldn't either, 00:12:55.200 --> 00:13:04.620 would you? God is this way. The scripture makes it clear. Think this morning about God's goodness. 00:13:05.340 --> 00:13:10.200 Wayne Grudem describes God's goodness in terms of three things, His mercy, His grace, 00:13:10.200 --> 00:13:18.800 and His patience. Look at this. God's mercy is His goodness toward those in misery and distress. 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:27.379 You ever experience God's mercy in a time like that? God's grace is His goodness toward those who 00:13:27.379 --> 00:13:36.640 deserve only punishment. That's us because of our sin, our rebellion, our selfishness. God's patience 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:44.199 is His goodness in withholding punishment toward those who continue in sin over a period of time. 00:13:46.819 --> 00:13:53.799 I want you to think about how God has demonstrated His goodness to you in each of those ways. Just look at it 00:13:53.799 --> 00:14:04.639 for a moment. Look at it. Think about it. Think of times, examples of how God has shown you His goodness 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:14.199 by being merciful, by being just gracious, and by being patient. 00:14:16.819 --> 00:14:26.240 Pause right now. Thank God for each of those demonstrations of His goodness that He has shown you. 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:35.899 God is good. God is good. He is good by nature. He's a good God, and He does good things. So let's look at this. 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:40.080 The way God works in our lives is good. God's plans are good. 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:43.180 Why don't you look at this passage in Romans 2. 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:49.419 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 00:14:49.419 --> 00:14:53.819 Then you will be able to test and approve of what God's will is. 00:14:54.279 --> 00:14:57.699 His good, pleasing, and perfect will. 00:14:59.219 --> 00:15:05.479 God's will for our lives as individuals, as Christians living in this world, 00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:11.459 it is good, it is pleasing, and it is perfect. 00:15:11.460 --> 00:15:17.660 That does not mean that if you seek to do God's will, it will be easy. 00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:20.600 It doesn't mean you won't suffer at times. 00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:23.200 It doesn't mean that life won't sometimes be hard. 00:15:25.560 --> 00:15:27.000 If you do God's will, 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:31.060 that will be the best life for you, 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:32.120 and I want you to understand that. 00:15:33.700 --> 00:15:37.220 If God is who He's revealed Himself in Scripture to be, 00:15:37.320 --> 00:15:38.240 Almighty God, 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:39.899 who is good, 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:43.580 then His plan for your life 00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:46.720 is the best plan, 00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:48.080 the best way 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:50.299 for you to live. 00:15:51.100 --> 00:15:53.419 And if you will embrace that 00:15:53.419 --> 00:15:55.879 with His help seek to live life 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:57.100 God's way, 00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:59.399 you will find 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:01.899 it is good, it is pleasing, 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:02.899 it is perfect. 00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:04.720 It may not make you wealthy. 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:07.299 It may not mean 00:16:07.299 --> 00:16:08.039 you're going to have 00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:09.639 good health, 00:16:10.319 --> 00:16:12.159 never battle cancer. 00:16:12.959 --> 00:16:13.879 It may not mean 00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:15.240 that everybody around you 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:16.299 is going to treat you 00:16:16.299 --> 00:16:19.099 in a good and pleasing way. 00:16:20.699 --> 00:16:21.240 But God 00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:22.620 will be with you 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:24.679 as you 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:26.179 seek to work out 00:16:26.179 --> 00:16:28.059 His plan in your life. 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:29.759 He'll be within you, 00:16:29.859 --> 00:16:31.359 He'll be with you from within, 00:16:31.459 --> 00:16:32.599 His Spirit living within you 00:16:32.599 --> 00:16:33.219 if you're a Christian. 00:16:33.220 --> 00:16:35.800 He will guide you 00:16:35.800 --> 00:16:37.000 in that process. 00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:38.840 I want to just say, 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:41.680 following God's plan 00:16:41.680 --> 00:16:44.320 is an everyday thing. 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:46.720 Seeking to live life 00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:47.460 God's way 00:16:47.460 --> 00:16:48.100 as He's revealed 00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:49.139 in His Word. 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:51.200 But some of you, 00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:54.000 you're going to look to God 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:55.920 for some major life decisions. 00:16:57.040 --> 00:16:58.000 Some of you are looking 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:58.840 and thinking about 00:16:58.840 --> 00:17:00.220 who am I going to marry? 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:01.899 When should I marry? 00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:02.840 If I should marry. 00:17:03.659 --> 00:17:04.619 Some of you are thinking about 00:17:04.619 --> 00:17:07.440 what should I do vocationally? 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.740 What kind of career path 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.160 should I take? 00:17:09.379 --> 00:17:10.740 What kind of education 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:11.440 do I need? 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:13.299 Some of you 00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:14.200 may be thinking about 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:16.200 downsizing your house. 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:18.420 It's time to get 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:19.200 into something smaller. 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:21.859 Some of you are making 00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:24.019 major life decisions 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:26.319 when you're young, 00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:27.299 when you're middle age, 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:28.740 when you're older. 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:31.180 I want to encourage you 00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:32.779 to seek God's guidance. 00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:36.000 Seek His wisdom. 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:38.099 Don't look for a feeling. 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:40.480 Evaluate who you are, 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:41.440 where you are, 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:43.099 how things are, 00:17:44.120 --> 00:17:45.480 how God's made you. 00:17:46.859 --> 00:17:47.960 Seek His wisdom 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:52.799 and follow the wise path 00:17:52.799 --> 00:17:54.759 in all of these things 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:56.180 and you will find 00:17:56.180 --> 00:17:58.980 that this is the best way. 00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:02.059 This is the good 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:02.960 and pleasing 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:05.759 and perfect will of God, 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:08.039 the best way for your, 00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:09.519 best plan for your life. 00:18:10.840 --> 00:18:12.240 Now, I want you to think about this 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:13.819 because all of us 00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:14.400 have been there 00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:15.200 at some point. 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:17.500 Even when we don't follow 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:19.059 God's plan as we should, 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:22.299 He doesn't give up on us. 00:18:23.840 --> 00:18:25.660 God doesn't wash His hands, 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:26.779 throw us away, 00:18:26.900 --> 00:18:27.779 forget about us 00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:31.759 when we rebel against Him, 00:18:32.140 --> 00:18:33.080 sin against Him, 00:18:33.400 --> 00:18:34.580 or even ignore Him. 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.279 God still, 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:37.380 at every point in life, 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:38.720 wants to work out 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:40.019 His good plan 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:42.759 in our lives. 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:44.039 And we see that 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:44.720 throughout the Bible. 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.680 A good example 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:46.600 is the people of Israel. 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:48.539 The people of Israel, 00:18:49.319 --> 00:18:50.460 God's chosen people, 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:52.200 they, 00:18:52.380 --> 00:18:53.660 they just lived in a, 00:18:53.860 --> 00:18:55.100 over a period of time, 00:18:55.299 --> 00:18:56.839 they lived in a continuous cycle 00:18:56.839 --> 00:18:58.460 of being faithful to God, 00:18:58.860 --> 00:19:00.279 then rebelling against God, 00:19:00.440 --> 00:19:01.240 sinning against Him, 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:03.759 God disciplining them, 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:04.700 punishing them, 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:06.000 them repenting, 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:07.240 and then coming back. 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:08.720 Just a vicious cycle. 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:10.279 Vicious cycle. 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:11.279 Well, 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:13.180 as a result, 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:16.460 of their sin and rebellion, 00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:18.000 there were times, 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:20.299 that God punished them, 00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:23.319 by allowing foreign powers, 00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:26.359 to defeat them. 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:28.339 And, 00:19:28.879 --> 00:19:30.240 a few times, 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:32.399 take the people of Israel, 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:33.779 from their land, 00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:34.899 as captives, 00:19:35.379 --> 00:19:36.660 and live in a foreign land, 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:37.100 and exile. 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:39.800 But, 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:40.900 even then, 00:19:42.420 --> 00:19:43.259 God did not, 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:44.300 give up on His people. 00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:46.720 He still had a plan for them, 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:47.580 if they would repent, 00:19:47.660 --> 00:19:48.320 and turn to Him. 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:50.080 I want to show you something here, 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:51.660 from Jeremiah chapter 29. 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:53.340 We've looked at this chapter, 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:54.259 on other occasions, 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:56.200 but this is what the Lord says, 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:57.200 to His people, 00:19:57.340 --> 00:19:58.480 who had rebelled. 00:19:58.740 --> 00:20:00.019 They were being punished. 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.660 They were living in exile. 00:20:01.660 --> 00:20:03.100 But, 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:04.360 God had not forgotten them, 00:20:04.380 --> 00:20:05.040 or given up on them. 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:06.019 Look at this. 00:20:07.100 --> 00:20:08.400 This is what the Lord says. 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:11.240 When 70 years are completed, 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.240 for Babylon, 00:20:13.060 --> 00:20:14.019 I will come to you, 00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:14.840 and fulfill, 00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:16.360 my gracious promise, 00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:18.120 to bring you back, 00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:19.620 to this place. 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:20.180 Bring them back, 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:20.820 to their homeland. 00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:23.220 For I know the plans, 00:20:23.320 --> 00:20:23.900 I have for you, 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:24.580 declares the Lord. 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:26.620 Plans to prosper you, 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.920 and not to harm you. 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:29.240 Plans to give you hope, 00:20:29.300 --> 00:20:29.880 and a future. 00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:33.620 Then you will call upon me, 00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:35.920 and come and pray to me, 00:20:36.080 --> 00:20:37.720 and I will listen to you. 00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:40.180 You will seek me, 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:42.020 and find me, 00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:43.820 when you seek me, 00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:45.480 with all your heart. 00:20:46.260 --> 00:20:47.360 I will be found by you, 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:48.080 declares the Lord. 00:20:48.820 --> 00:20:49.660 I want you to look here. 00:20:50.620 --> 00:20:52.500 This is not some kind of blanket, 00:20:53.780 --> 00:20:57.040 open, good news to everybody, 00:20:57.120 --> 00:20:57.920 no matter what you do, 00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:58.600 promise. 00:20:58.599 --> 00:20:59.779 He doesn't say, 00:21:00.219 --> 00:21:02.039 for I know the plans I have for you, 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:03.339 plans to prosper you, 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:03.980 and not harm you, 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:04.959 plans to give you hope. 00:21:05.639 --> 00:21:07.599 He doesn't say that alone. 00:21:10.139 --> 00:21:11.559 He says that to people, 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:14.799 who have been broken, 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:16.819 humbled, 00:21:18.879 --> 00:21:20.199 who are ready, 00:21:20.459 --> 00:21:22.500 and when they are ready to repent, 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:25.779 and truly seek his will, 00:21:25.880 --> 00:21:26.420 his way, 00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:27.059 and truly seek him, 00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:29.619 that's when all this will happen. 00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:30.779 Look at there again, 00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:31.440 in that middle, 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:32.940 what we just read. 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:35.559 You will seek me, 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:37.220 and find me, 00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:39.119 when you seek me, 00:21:39.880 --> 00:21:40.819 with all your heart. 00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:43.799 All your heart. 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:45.220 Not half-hearted. 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:49.500 If you're not close to God today, 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:54.000 it's because of something half-hearted 00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:57.059 in your life. 00:21:58.720 --> 00:22:01.180 It's because you're not seeking to love him 00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:02.900 with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:06.200 You're not seeking his will first and foremost. 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:09.299 That means that there's sin in your life, 00:22:10.140 --> 00:22:12.539 rebellion, indifference maybe. 00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:16.659 We need to learn from the people of Israel 00:22:16.659 --> 00:22:20.399 that God disciplines his unfaithful children. 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:25.440 God disciplines his unfaithful children. 00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:26.420 He did it to them. 00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:29.099 He talks about it in the New Testament, 00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:30.519 in Hebrews chapter 12. 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:33.700 But God, when he disciplines us, 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:34.980 he doesn't give up on us. 00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:38.920 God disciplines us to get our attention, 00:22:38.920 --> 00:22:41.559 to humble us, 00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:44.139 to turn us away from our sin, 00:22:44.679 --> 00:22:47.539 and bring us back to himself. 00:22:48.619 --> 00:22:51.179 God wants us in this room right now 00:22:51.179 --> 00:22:55.639 to seek him with all of our heart. 00:22:57.059 --> 00:23:00.440 He does want, according to his plan, 00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:03.200 to prosper us and not harm us. 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:08.759 He wants to give us hope and a future. 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:12.539 We don't know what the future holds until we get there, 00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:15.079 but God will have what we need, 00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:16.379 what he wants us to have. 00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.980 I want to say to you, 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:20.759 if you're far from God right now, 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:24.299 or you might just say you're not close to him 00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:25.700 like you once were, 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:28.559 you can come back. 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:31.759 You can confess your sin, 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:34.779 repent, turn from whatever it is, 00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:37.319 and come back to him, 00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:40.139 knowing that God will forgive you. 00:23:40.660 --> 00:23:43.059 He has this plan for your life. 00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:46.460 But you're only going to discover it 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:48.099 and experience it and enjoy it 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:49.440 if you live life your way. 00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:51.940 I mean, if you live life God's way, 00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:54.799 not your way. 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:57.180 God's plan is good. 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:57.539 Look at this. 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:59.700 God's providence is good. 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:02.720 That word providence is an old word. 00:24:02.940 --> 00:24:04.299 It's not used much. 00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:06.460 We've looked at it before, 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:09.740 but I'm sure there's one or two in here 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:11.360 that you've forgotten the meaning of it, 00:24:11.400 --> 00:24:13.580 so let's look at it again today. 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:16.000 The word providence refers to the way God works 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:17.860 in this world to bring about his purpose. 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:19.559 Think about it this way. 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:23.920 Creation refers to the way God created everything. 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:27.920 Providence refers to the way God continually works, 00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:32.840 guides, directs everything 00:24:32.840 --> 00:24:36.380 according to his plan. 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:41.980 God is always working out his good plan 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:46.680 in this world and in our lives, 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:48.860 but a lot of times we can't see it. 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:51.860 A lot of times we cannot understand it. 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:54.379 A well-known verse of scripture teaches us 00:24:54.379 --> 00:24:56.019 about God's providence 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:57.959 and the fact that everything's not good. 00:24:58.219 --> 00:24:59.619 You know it, Romans 8, 28. 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:01.559 And we know that in all things, 00:25:01.919 --> 00:25:04.319 God works for the good of those who love him, 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:06.679 who've been called according to his purpose. 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:08.859 This verse helps us understand 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:11.219 that nothing just happens. 00:25:12.639 --> 00:25:14.179 Whatever's going on in your life, 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:17.439 never think, well, you know, 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:19.699 this just happened. 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:22.539 It was just by circumstances, 00:25:22.840 --> 00:25:25.140 by luck of the draw or something like that. 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:27.120 God is sovereign. 00:25:27.620 --> 00:25:30.700 God is working actively in this world. 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:34.400 Nothing just happens. 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.960 God works in all things. 00:25:37.580 --> 00:25:43.880 God micromanages all that occurs in our lives 00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:45.660 and in this world. 00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:48.259 God micromanages everything 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:51.380 to bring about ultimate good. 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:53.940 And God shows us in the next verse 00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:55.540 what that ultimate good is. 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:57.600 You know, God's doing a lot of good things 00:25:57.600 --> 00:25:58.980 in this world and in our lives, 00:25:59.360 --> 00:26:01.840 but his ultimate good for you 00:26:01.840 --> 00:26:05.500 and for me is right here in the next verse, 29. 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:08.400 For God, for those God foreknew, 00:26:08.820 --> 00:26:12.040 he also predestined to be conformed 00:26:12.040 --> 00:26:13.759 to the likeness of his son. 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:16.359 That's what God's doing in your life and mine 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:18.660 through the good times and the bad, 00:26:18.879 --> 00:26:20.119 through the hard times, 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.579 through the coronavirus, 00:26:22.420 --> 00:26:25.160 through all that's going on around about us. 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:30.019 God is at work shaping and molding us 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:31.879 if we're his children 00:26:31.879 --> 00:26:36.480 more and more into the image of Jesus, his son. 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:38.839 In heaven, when it's all over, 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:40.640 we will be like Jesus completely, 00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:42.780 but right now we're all in process 00:26:42.780 --> 00:26:46.220 and that is God's main work in you and me, 00:26:46.620 --> 00:26:47.880 developing our character, 00:26:48.060 --> 00:26:49.120 making us more like Jesus 00:26:49.120 --> 00:26:50.440 and he works in everything. 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:52.280 The best illustration of this 00:26:52.280 --> 00:26:54.960 is found in the story of Joseph 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:58.120 in Genesis chapter 37 through 50. 00:26:58.560 --> 00:27:00.900 If you've never read the story of Joseph, 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:03.360 I want to encourage you during this holiday, 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.440 if you've got some time off, 00:27:05.020 --> 00:27:05.860 sit down with your Bible, 00:27:06.080 --> 00:27:06.640 open to Genesis 37 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:10.440 and just read through the end of the book 00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:13.980 and you'll be reading about the life of Joseph. 00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:16.400 In a nutshell here, 00:27:17.400 --> 00:27:19.720 Joseph was a young man, 17 years old, 00:27:20.060 --> 00:27:21.320 the pride of his father, 00:27:21.580 --> 00:27:23.460 a true man of God, 00:27:24.120 --> 00:27:26.400 but because of the favoritism 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:27.740 his father had shown him, 00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:29.920 his brothers were jealous, 00:27:30.320 --> 00:27:31.360 they hated him, 00:27:31.560 --> 00:27:33.940 they thought about killing him on one occasion, 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:38.500 but instead they sold him into slavery. 00:27:38.820 --> 00:27:41.160 They sold him to a caravan 00:27:41.160 --> 00:27:43.299 of what we might call slave traders 00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:46.180 who took him from their homeland 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:47.240 down into Egypt. 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:51.000 In Egypt as a slave, 00:27:51.860 --> 00:27:53.440 Joseph was still faithful to God 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:56.120 and he made the best of the situation 00:27:56.120 --> 00:27:57.720 and the man who bought him 00:27:57.720 --> 00:28:00.640 recognized Joseph's skills and abilities 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:02.340 and elevated him, 00:28:02.620 --> 00:28:04.000 put him in charge of his household. 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:06.060 But that man's wife 00:28:06.060 --> 00:28:09.180 falsely accused Joseph of some things 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:11.560 and Joseph wound up in prison. 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:15.300 In prison, he still trusted God. 00:28:15.860 --> 00:28:17.120 It wasn't where he wanted to be, 00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:18.240 but it was where he was 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.800 and being the man of God that he was, 00:28:19.840 --> 00:28:20.660 he trusted God. 00:28:20.900 --> 00:28:21.700 And so in prison, 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:23.940 he made the best of the situation 00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:27.299 and he became, you know, 00:28:28.019 --> 00:28:29.259 a trusted prisoner, 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.980 put in charge of some things. 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:33.080 Well, there in prison, 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:35.680 there was a guy from the king's court. 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:38.160 It was a short time he was going to be there 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:39.700 and he was impressed with Joseph, 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:41.299 some of the things Joseph had said and done. 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:42.380 And he told Joseph, 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:44.340 when I get out and I'm back before Pharaoh, 00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:46.259 I'm going to tell him about you. 00:28:46.420 --> 00:28:47.340 But he forgot him. 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:49.620 He forgot him for two years. 00:28:49.619 --> 00:28:55.399 Finally, as God worked in all these circumstances, 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:58.319 Joseph came out of the prison, 00:28:59.459 --> 00:29:02.519 was elevated to be second in command 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:04.379 over all of Egypt. 00:29:06.139 --> 00:29:09.500 And after he became this powerful figure in Egypt, 00:29:10.359 --> 00:29:12.719 his brothers came from the homeland 00:29:12.719 --> 00:29:13.979 to try to buy grain. 00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:16.059 And to make a long story short, 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:19.439 they finally figured out who Joseph was. 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:20.720 He revealed himself to them. 00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:23.580 And as they stood before him, 00:29:23.779 --> 00:29:27.160 afraid he was going to kill them in revenge. 00:29:28.620 --> 00:29:31.320 Joseph said this to his brothers, 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:33.820 you intended to harm me, 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:36.740 but God intended for good, 00:29:37.340 --> 00:29:40.019 intended it for good to accomplish 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:41.980 what is now being done, 00:29:42.320 --> 00:29:44.340 the saving of many lives. 00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:48.259 God works in all kinds of situations. 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:51.660 It may be that you have, 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:54.740 or are going through a time of disappointment, 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.740 mistreatment, 00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:59.960 or some kind of suffering. 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:02.920 Maybe this has been a terrible year, 00:30:03.360 --> 00:30:04.860 not just because of the coronavirus. 00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:08.019 I want you to understand, 00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:11.039 your troubles do not mean 00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:13.820 that God has not been with you. 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:16.319 Your troubles do not mean 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:18.460 that God has not been working out his good plan. 00:30:19.579 --> 00:30:21.339 Your troubles certainly do not mean 00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:22.939 that God is not good. 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:26.720 If you are a Christian, 00:30:26.859 --> 00:30:27.819 a child of God, 00:30:28.939 --> 00:30:31.819 God is using those whatever circumstances 00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:36.679 to make you the person he wants you to be 00:30:36.679 --> 00:30:39.559 and to put you where he wants you to be, 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:42.960 to serve the purpose he has for you. 00:30:43.919 --> 00:30:45.279 That's why we've got to learn, 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:46.359 no matter what, 00:30:47.359 --> 00:30:48.839 to trust God, 00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.159 to love him, 00:30:50.659 --> 00:30:52.519 to obey him. 00:30:53.399 --> 00:30:55.679 Jerry Bridges puts this in a good way. 00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:58.059 This was in the newsletter a few weeks ago 00:30:58.059 --> 00:31:00.539 when I had a column about the sovereignty of God. 00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:01.399 Look at what he says. 00:31:01.919 --> 00:31:03.299 God in his love 00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:05.960 always wills what is best for us. 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:07.399 In his wisdom, 00:31:07.679 --> 00:31:09.639 he always knows what is best for us. 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:11.059 In his sovereignty, 00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:13.679 he has the power to bring it about. 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.740 Trust God. 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.419 One more thing. 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:20.859 God's patience is good. 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:23.279 God reveals himself 00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:26.399 by his patience toward us 00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:28.220 even when we sin, 00:31:28.820 --> 00:31:30.160 even when we rebel 00:31:30.160 --> 00:31:32.420 or just ignore him. 00:31:33.160 --> 00:31:35.280 As much as we may deserve 00:31:35.280 --> 00:31:38.519 his hot, quick wrath, 00:31:39.340 --> 00:31:40.220 he doesn't unleash it. 00:31:41.160 --> 00:31:42.300 That's not how he works. 00:31:43.120 --> 00:31:44.380 God, as we saw a while ago, 00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.640 identifies himself 00:31:45.640 --> 00:31:48.259 as the compassionate and gracious God, 00:31:48.820 --> 00:31:50.120 slow to anger, 00:31:50.820 --> 00:31:52.280 abounding in love and faithfulness. 00:31:52.820 --> 00:31:55.080 Peter picks up on this 00:31:55.079 --> 00:31:56.299 and explains it. 00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:57.319 The Lord is not slow 00:31:57.319 --> 00:31:58.439 in keeping his promise. 00:31:58.659 --> 00:32:00.079 As some understand slowness, 00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:02.199 he is patient with you, 00:32:02.699 --> 00:32:04.619 not wanting anyone to perish, 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:07.079 but everyone to come to repentance. 00:32:08.639 --> 00:32:09.839 God's goodness 00:32:09.839 --> 00:32:11.980 is seen in our lives 00:32:11.980 --> 00:32:14.519 every day by his patience. 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:17.099 But don't presume upon it. 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:19.220 Don't take it for granted. 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:23.460 God's patience does have a limit. 00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:30.299 God does unleash his wrath at times. 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:34.279 God does discipline his children at times. 00:32:36.779 --> 00:32:38.640 Paul warns us 00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:41.920 about presuming upon God's goodness. 00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:43.200 Look at this in Romans 2. 00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:44.980 He says, 00:32:45.580 --> 00:32:46.819 do you show contempt 00:32:46.819 --> 00:32:49.279 for the riches of his kindness, 00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:50.660 tolerance, 00:32:51.420 --> 00:32:52.299 and patience, 00:32:52.779 --> 00:32:54.720 not realizing that God's kindness 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:56.920 leads you to repentance? 00:32:57.580 --> 00:32:58.740 I want you to think. 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:02.740 If you are right now 00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:05.539 living in rebellion against God, 00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:09.059 or you're just refusing to do something 00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:11.619 that you know he's called you to do, 00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:14.779 or you won't quit doing something 00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:17.279 that you know displeases him. 00:33:19.859 --> 00:33:22.119 But everything's really going okay in your life. 00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:24.440 You're disobeying him. 00:33:24.559 --> 00:33:25.460 You're ignoring him. 00:33:25.539 --> 00:33:26.059 You're rebelling. 00:33:27.460 --> 00:33:29.980 But life's going on pretty good. 00:33:31.059 --> 00:33:32.359 I want you to think. 00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:33.659 Look at that verse on the screen. 00:33:33.660 --> 00:33:38.140 God's kindness and tolerance 00:33:38.140 --> 00:33:39.560 and patience, 00:33:40.240 --> 00:33:42.380 that's just one way 00:33:42.380 --> 00:33:43.820 he's trying to get your attention. 00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:47.200 He wants you to think about 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:49.140 how good he is being 00:33:49.140 --> 00:33:51.519 in that patience and kindness 00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:53.980 and wake up. 00:33:55.560 --> 00:33:56.940 Turn from your sin. 00:33:57.880 --> 00:33:59.860 Don't make him discipline you. 00:33:59.859 --> 00:34:04.199 Don't force him 00:34:04.199 --> 00:34:05.519 to cause you 00:34:05.519 --> 00:34:07.759 to experience punishment. 00:34:10.259 --> 00:34:11.759 Will you do that right now 00:34:11.759 --> 00:34:13.639 if that's what you need to do? 00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:16.440 If you're away from the Lord 00:34:16.440 --> 00:34:17.139 in any way, 00:34:19.019 --> 00:34:20.339 I want to encourage you 00:34:20.339 --> 00:34:21.299 to confess it, 00:34:22.579 --> 00:34:23.839 change your mind 00:34:23.839 --> 00:34:24.460 about how you're living, 00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:25.420 turn from it, 00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:28.859 and make a new commitment 00:34:28.860 --> 00:34:31.140 to Jesus Christ 00:34:31.140 --> 00:34:32.160 as the Lord of your life. 00:34:33.380 --> 00:34:35.539 Thank God for his patience. 00:34:37.140 --> 00:34:39.180 Draw close to him now. 00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:41.800 If you're not a Christian, 00:34:42.800 --> 00:34:44.059 you're here. 00:34:44.940 --> 00:34:46.340 Good enough health to be here. 00:34:46.860 --> 00:34:47.640 Probably some good things 00:34:47.640 --> 00:34:48.660 going on in your life. 00:34:50.160 --> 00:34:52.240 That's a sign of God's being good 00:34:52.240 --> 00:34:53.460 and patient and kind 00:34:53.460 --> 00:34:54.740 and slow 00:34:54.740 --> 00:34:57.720 to do anything 00:34:57.720 --> 00:34:59.420 of a punishment nature 00:34:59.420 --> 00:35:00.579 in your life. 00:35:01.740 --> 00:35:02.740 Let God's kindness 00:35:02.740 --> 00:35:03.980 get your attention 00:35:03.980 --> 00:35:05.039 and wake you up. 00:35:06.460 --> 00:35:07.559 Turn from your sin, 00:35:07.740 --> 00:35:09.079 your rebellion against God. 00:35:09.980 --> 00:35:11.059 Put your trust in Jesus 00:35:11.059 --> 00:35:12.199 as your Savior 00:35:12.199 --> 00:35:13.059 and your Lord. 00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:14.880 Call upon him 00:35:14.880 --> 00:35:16.320 to save you now. 00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:19.280 I want to ask you, 00:35:19.280 --> 00:35:22.280 God has been good 00:35:22.280 --> 00:35:23.840 in your life. 00:35:25.380 --> 00:35:27.640 How have you responded? 00:35:28.760 --> 00:35:30.840 How are you responding? 00:35:32.900 --> 00:35:35.180 How will you respond now 00:35:35.180 --> 00:35:37.660 to the goodness 00:35:37.660 --> 00:35:40.320 that God is showing you? 00:35:41.140 --> 00:35:42.000 Would you pray with me? 00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:43.080 Father, 00:35:44.360 --> 00:35:46.000 thank you 00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:48.079 for your goodness, 00:35:48.920 --> 00:35:50.099 your mercy, 00:35:51.019 --> 00:35:53.460 your patience, 00:35:54.559 --> 00:35:57.119 your love. 00:36:01.920 --> 00:36:02.840 Father, 00:36:02.960 --> 00:36:03.960 help each one of us 00:36:03.960 --> 00:36:04.559 right now 00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:08.800 to thank you 00:36:08.800 --> 00:36:12.219 for showing us 00:36:12.219 --> 00:36:13.159 such goodness. 00:36:16.000 --> 00:36:19.880 help us to praise you. 00:36:21.159 --> 00:36:21.820 Help us, dear God, 00:36:21.840 --> 00:36:22.619 to be motivated 00:36:22.619 --> 00:36:23.880 by your goodness 00:36:23.880 --> 00:36:27.079 to honor you 00:36:27.079 --> 00:36:27.619 every day 00:36:27.619 --> 00:36:28.539 by the way that we live, 00:36:29.619 --> 00:36:31.139 to do your will. 00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:35.039 If there are people 00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:35.900 in this room, dear God, 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:39.019 who are away from you, 00:36:39.659 --> 00:36:40.980 draw them close now. 00:36:42.619 --> 00:36:43.239 Motivate them 00:36:43.239 --> 00:36:44.239 by your goodness. 00:36:46.000 --> 00:36:48.139 But Lord, 00:36:48.699 --> 00:36:50.199 help us all 00:36:50.199 --> 00:36:50.940 to understand 00:36:50.940 --> 00:36:53.739 that your discipline 00:36:53.739 --> 00:36:54.480 is real. 00:36:57.659 --> 00:36:58.940 Help us all 00:36:58.940 --> 00:36:59.460 to understand 00:36:59.460 --> 00:37:00.079 that you 00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:02.400 do 00:37:02.400 --> 00:37:04.440 humble us 00:37:04.440 --> 00:37:06.119 when we refuse 00:37:06.119 --> 00:37:07.159 to humble ourselves. 00:37:10.039 --> 00:37:11.400 Help us not 00:37:11.400 --> 00:37:11.780 to 00:37:11.780 --> 00:37:15.159 put things off 00:37:15.159 --> 00:37:16.779 and have to 00:37:16.779 --> 00:37:17.460 experience 00:37:17.460 --> 00:37:18.259 that discipline. 00:37:20.460 --> 00:37:20.879 Lord, 00:37:20.920 --> 00:37:21.420 if there are people 00:37:21.420 --> 00:37:21.739 in this room 00:37:21.739 --> 00:37:22.480 who are not Christians, 00:37:22.619 --> 00:37:23.339 help them to understand 00:37:23.339 --> 00:37:25.599 that your wrath 00:37:25.599 --> 00:37:26.420 against sin 00:37:26.420 --> 00:37:27.119 is real. 00:37:30.779 --> 00:37:31.440 And unless 00:37:31.440 --> 00:37:31.980 they turn 00:37:31.980 --> 00:37:32.440 to Jesus 00:37:32.440 --> 00:37:33.099 in faith, 00:37:33.199 --> 00:37:34.199 they will experience 00:37:34.199 --> 00:37:35.119 your wrath 00:37:35.119 --> 00:37:36.639 for all eternity 00:37:36.639 --> 00:37:37.359 in hell. 00:37:39.359 --> 00:37:40.359 But help them 00:37:40.359 --> 00:37:40.719 to see 00:37:40.719 --> 00:37:41.440 that by turning 00:37:41.440 --> 00:37:42.099 from their sin, 00:37:42.239 --> 00:37:43.239 truly repenting 00:37:43.239 --> 00:37:43.959 and trusting 00:37:43.959 --> 00:37:44.599 Jesus, 00:37:45.539 --> 00:37:48.259 they're forgiven. 00:37:49.819 --> 00:37:50.559 The penalty 00:37:50.559 --> 00:37:51.079 for sin 00:37:51.079 --> 00:37:51.879 is paid 00:37:51.879 --> 00:37:53.659 by Jesus. 00:37:55.739 --> 00:37:56.039 Dear God, 00:37:56.139 --> 00:37:57.000 show us all 00:37:57.000 --> 00:37:57.419 right now 00:37:57.419 --> 00:37:58.399 how we should 00:37:58.399 --> 00:37:59.119 respond 00:37:59.119 --> 00:38:01.399 as your 00:38:01.399 --> 00:38:02.119 thankful, 00:38:02.659 --> 00:38:03.059 grateful 00:38:03.059 --> 00:38:04.619 people 00:38:04.619 --> 00:38:08.359 overwhelm us 00:38:08.360 --> 00:38:10.240 with 00:38:10.240 --> 00:38:10.260 with 00:38:10.260 --> 00:38:11.460 an awareness 00:38:11.460 --> 00:38:12.059 of, 00:38:12.840 --> 00:38:13.320 a heartfelt 00:38:13.320 --> 00:38:14.220 appreciation 00:38:14.220 --> 00:38:14.720 of 00:38:14.720 --> 00:38:15.500 your 00:38:15.500 --> 00:38:16.140 goodness. 00:38:17.220 --> 00:38:17.680 Let's just 00:38:17.680 --> 00:38:18.079 in an attitude 00:38:18.079 --> 00:38:18.519 of prayer 00:38:18.519 --> 00:38:19.099 listen to the 00:38:19.099 --> 00:38:19.360 Lord 00:38:19.360 --> 00:38:20.539 and respond 00:38:20.539 --> 00:38:21.059 to Him 00:38:21.059 --> 00:38:21.599 personally 00:38:21.599 --> 00:38:22.380 in these 00:38:22.380 --> 00:38:22.820 next few 00:38:22.820 --> 00:38:23.200 minutes. 00:38:23.199 --> 00:38:53.179 Let's go.