WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.980 Thank you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:49.620 Should I tell the same one again? 00:00:50.760 --> 00:00:51.359 Okay. 00:00:52.359 --> 00:00:52.719 Okay. 00:00:53.780 --> 00:00:57.840 There was this little baby that had come into this family, 00:00:57.840 --> 00:01:03.540 and Johnny was just not entirely ready to kind of adapt to this little baby. 00:01:03.680 --> 00:01:07.340 And the thing that was really just irking him was that the baby, 00:01:07.620 --> 00:01:09.960 when the baby was dirty or the baby was hungry, 00:01:10.320 --> 00:01:12.560 the baby would just, you know, bellow all the time. 00:01:12.659 --> 00:01:16.680 And one day when the baby was just carrying on like whoever, 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:20.460 you know, Johnny says to Mom, where did he come from? 00:01:21.400 --> 00:01:23.219 Mom says, well, heaven, of course. 00:01:23.520 --> 00:01:26.180 And he says, well, I can understand why they kicked him out. 00:01:27.840 --> 00:01:28.840 Okay. 00:01:33.480 --> 00:01:34.500 There's a third joke. 00:01:40.760 --> 00:01:42.140 Pastors don't tell jokes. 00:01:45.960 --> 00:01:47.439 And that's not an accident. 00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:53.799 I have a couple kids that are supposed to come up on cue, 00:01:53.920 --> 00:01:56.400 and they're kind of stunned by the drum roll. 00:01:57.859 --> 00:01:59.959 Doug, we should have practiced that a little bit more. 00:02:03.439 --> 00:02:04.099 Push it out. 00:02:08.460 --> 00:02:09.240 Right over here. 00:02:12.620 --> 00:02:13.319 Go slowly. 00:02:13.419 --> 00:02:14.139 Don't tip it over. 00:02:14.139 --> 00:02:16.759 I'll be in trouble with the sound guys. 00:02:19.500 --> 00:02:20.019 Thank you. 00:02:20.019 --> 00:02:20.019 00:02:20.019 --> 00:02:20.019 00:02:20.020 --> 00:02:45.120 Truth of the matter is, I didn't know if I could pull it off. 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:54.480 But I did want you to remember it. 00:03:00.280 --> 00:03:02.040 I never want you to forget it. 00:03:05.759 --> 00:03:09.939 It's not an accident that the pulpit is in the center of this room. 00:03:09.939 --> 00:03:16.259 And regardless of the man that stands at it, 00:03:17.259 --> 00:03:20.020 what you hear from it must be the same. 00:03:21.699 --> 00:03:24.219 And the day will come that I am no longer here. 00:03:26.719 --> 00:03:29.860 And you must guard the pulpit. 00:03:29.860 --> 00:03:44.340 I think there's a place for humor. 00:03:48.340 --> 00:03:52.300 I enjoy a good laugh. 00:03:52.300 --> 00:03:59.700 And thankfully, progressive sanctification has kind of narrowed the circle of things that I laugh about 00:03:59.700 --> 00:04:07.960 and brought some of the things that I think are humorous into a more focused text or context. 00:04:07.960 --> 00:04:16.439 But I have to tell you, when I come to the pulpit or when I see a man come to the pulpit, 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:22.280 I understand that he is coming to that place to preach. 00:04:22.279 --> 00:04:28.959 And truthfully, preaching is not an exercise in entertainment. 00:04:30.819 --> 00:04:35.039 Preaching is really nothing other than a call to worship. 00:04:36.239 --> 00:04:37.779 I want you to have that fixed in your mind. 00:04:37.879 --> 00:04:41.539 Preaching is nothing other than a call to worship. 00:04:41.540 --> 00:04:48.660 Martin Lloyd-Jones, who I have to confess has become one of my favorite authors, 00:04:50.280 --> 00:04:56.160 was asked, he preached, he actually was a surgeon that went into ministry. 00:04:56.160 --> 00:04:58.379 He resigned to his ministry. 00:05:11.980 --> 00:05:12.120 He died. 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:12.120 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:17.420 from perhaps one of the finest 00:05:42.120 --> 00:05:47.040 of interest in interest in interest 00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:51.220 of interest in interest 00:05:51.220 --> 00:05:54.220 interest interest 00:05:54.220 --> 00:05:54.220 00:05:54.220 --> 00:05:54.220 00:05:54.220 --> 00:05:54.220 00:05:54.220 --> 00:05:54.220 00:05:54.220 --> 00:05:54.220 00:05:54.220 --> 00:05:54.220 00:05:54.220 --> 00:05:54.220 00:05:54.220 --> 00:05:54.220 00:05:54.220 --> 00:05:54.220 00:05:54.220 --> 00:05:54.220 00:05:54.220 --> 00:05:54.220 00:05:54.220 --> 00:06:24.200 Thank you. 00:06:24.220 --> 00:06:54.200 Thank you. 00:06:54.220 --> 00:07:24.200 Thank you. 00:07:24.220 --> 00:07:29.960 And second is the place and work of the Holy Spirit in preaching. 00:07:29.959 --> 00:07:37.959 I want us to stop for a moment and ask God's help yet again. 00:07:37.959 --> 00:07:38.959 Amen. 00:07:38.959 --> 00:07:39.959 Amen. 00:07:39.959 --> 00:07:40.959 Amen. 00:07:40.959 --> 00:07:41.959 Amen. 00:07:41.959 --> 00:07:42.959 Amen. 00:07:42.959 --> 00:07:43.959 Amen. 00:07:43.959 --> 00:07:44.959 00:08:13.959 --> 00:08:24.219 that the preaching of the Word of God would be marked by the evidence of the Spirit of God's presence and enabling, 00:08:25.419 --> 00:08:35.500 that Jesus Christ might reign supreme in the hearts of His children, 00:08:35.500 --> 00:08:49.580 and that those who do not know Christ would be drawn from the desperation of their sinful state to become worshipers of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. 00:08:50.840 --> 00:08:54.360 We ask this in Your precious name. Amen. 00:08:57.000 --> 00:09:03.840 Well, context is important, so I want to begin by looking at this passage and recognizing the context of Paul's lesson 00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:11.660 that we are looking at, and we mark there in 19, that he is actually very, very close to the very end of a book. 00:09:11.740 --> 00:09:15.660 And sometimes when we come towards the end of the book, the tendency we have is to kind of, 00:09:15.960 --> 00:09:18.639 okay, fast forward, get it done, move on, we've got it covered. 00:09:20.080 --> 00:09:26.180 And I have to tell you that being as redundant as I am to always say this is the best text, 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:33.560 it is, I will say, a very, very important text, and it's important for us to pay attention and not blow past it. 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:42.139 I want you to understand that what Paul does in this case is he pled with people that they would pray for his preaching. 00:09:43.960 --> 00:09:45.300 That's what this is all about. 00:09:46.300 --> 00:09:50.540 He's bringing the letter to the Ephesian church to a close, and he says, 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:55.399 and by the way, in addition to praying for all these other people, I want you to do this for me. 00:09:55.399 --> 00:10:00.740 I want you to pray for my preaching of the Word of God. 00:10:00.799 --> 00:10:05.079 Now stop and think with me just for a moment of where Paul was at that time. 00:10:05.819 --> 00:10:06.519 He was in prison. 00:10:07.819 --> 00:10:10.459 And we're not talking about club fed. 00:10:11.220 --> 00:10:18.939 We're talking about a miserable, despicable condition in which he was waiting for all practical purposes 00:10:18.940 --> 00:10:25.700 for execution because, for the most part, prisons were not used for incarceration on long-term basis. 00:10:26.020 --> 00:10:30.900 They were simply used to kind of keep a person in a holding cell until the time of execution. 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:36.640 And so here was Paul in prison, miserably treated, 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:41.400 and yet he didn't say to people when he had an opportunity to write, 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:45.860 would you please pray about me getting out of this mess that I'm in? 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:50.620 We also know that Paul's health was not very good. 00:10:52.200 --> 00:10:56.720 And yet when the opportunity came for asking for prayer, 00:10:56.879 --> 00:10:59.560 he didn't say anything about the condition he was in, 00:10:59.779 --> 00:11:03.480 nor did he ask people to pray about his physical condition. 00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:07.860 What he said is this, there's the one thing I want, there's one thing I'm interested, 00:11:08.180 --> 00:11:10.879 there's one thing that I want you to keep before the Lord. 00:11:10.879 --> 00:11:16.179 It is this, that in those opportunities that God would give me, 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:26.779 that I would preach the Word of God clearly, according to his direction and his will. 00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:31.519 And so when you stop and look at this passage, 00:11:31.659 --> 00:11:36.360 you have to recognize that the apostle is making something rather clear here, 00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:38.919 that we have a tendency to overlook. 00:11:41.399 --> 00:11:45.180 Believers should pray incessantly for the preaching of the Word of God. 00:11:45.560 --> 00:11:49.659 And I want that anchored in your mind, regardless of who comes to this pulpit. 00:11:50.180 --> 00:11:54.480 One of the things that should be fixed in your heart as a believer 00:11:54.480 --> 00:12:00.860 is that the Holy Spirit calls you to an awesome task of doing something 00:12:00.860 --> 00:12:04.240 while the preacher is preaching, and it's praying. 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:05.960 It's praying. 00:12:09.680 --> 00:12:14.060 We're going to consider two reasons why that is so important. 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:16.460 One would be that preaching is important. 00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:24.180 As we take up verse 19, you would have to recognize that in 19, 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:27.159 there is no real indication of the word preaching. 00:12:27.159 --> 00:12:33.159 And I have taken, to a certain degree, an amount of liberty 00:12:33.699 --> 00:12:40.339 in putting together what Paul is saying with other places where he says similar things, 00:12:40.459 --> 00:12:42.339 when he says there in verse 19, 00:12:42.419 --> 00:12:47.159 and also for me that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:52.240 to proclaim the mystery of the gospel we understand from other places, 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:56.159 that what he's referencing is not just his having little anecdotal conversations 00:12:56.159 --> 00:13:01.199 with the guards, but he's talking about those moments where he has the opportunity 00:13:01.199 --> 00:13:07.379 of proclaiming the glory of Christ and the supremacy of God. 00:13:08.620 --> 00:13:16.879 The word preach is one that today actually has fallen to a certain amount of disfavor. 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:34.039 It's amazing how easily we take something that the Spirit of God sees as supremely important, 00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:37.580 and we kind of relegate it to something less than it should be. 00:13:37.580 --> 00:13:48.259 And here is Paul referring to this work that God has appointed him to do of being a preacher of righteousness, 00:13:49.020 --> 00:13:57.540 and he asks that those who care for him and are interested in his effect in doing so, 00:13:57.680 --> 00:13:59.180 he says, I want you to pray for me. 00:13:59.179 --> 00:14:07.759 Now, I actually understand that this word preach is a word that in the ancient world referred to someone who was a herald. 00:14:09.179 --> 00:14:14.379 And a herald was someone who, prior to having a lot of written communication, 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:18.179 and they certainly didn't have Facebook or whatever else to rely upon, 00:14:18.419 --> 00:14:21.719 when you wanted a message communicated accurately and carefully, 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:25.920 you would hire someone to go into the center of the town, 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:28.560 and he would blow a trumpet or he would beat a drum, 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:33.440 and he would say, hear ye, hear ye, thus saith the king, right? 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:35.800 He was a herald. 00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:42.940 And as a general rule, heralds were hired because they had clear voices. 00:14:44.440 --> 00:14:50.019 But they were also hired with the expectation that they would communicate passionately, 00:14:50.019 --> 00:14:55.960 and they would communicate with energy and enthusiasm the message of the king. 00:14:57.819 --> 00:15:01.079 I have always kind of Jim Carney. 00:15:01.899 --> 00:15:03.519 How many of you know who Jim Carney is? 00:15:04.199 --> 00:15:07.340 He was the press secretary for President Obama. 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:13.100 And I have to tell you, I have, with mixed adoration, 00:15:13.579 --> 00:15:19.159 appreciated the fact that he is such an adept prevaricator. 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:21.179 Do you understand what I mean? 00:15:21.819 --> 00:15:28.659 He, everything he says, he can say with sincerity and with enthusiasm and with passion, 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:31.000 like it is the gospel truth. 00:15:33.819 --> 00:15:42.379 A herald had the responsibility of communicating both authoritatively and passionately. 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:50.980 And so I want you to understand that preaching is important because it is the passionate heralding 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:52.379 of the king's message. 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:57.419 And if you would turn to a passage where I want to kind of flesh this out a little bit further, 00:15:57.820 --> 00:16:03.639 I want you to take the time to turn back to 1 Corinthians chapter 1, verse 17 through 23. 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:13.179 Let me explain to you as you are going there that actually a fair part of 1 Corinthians is taken up with this business of Paul 00:16:13.179 --> 00:16:17.879 explaining his ministry to a people that were not overly persuaded. 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:32.259 Paul, for one thing, was not a Joel Osteen handsome or slick. 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:33.639 Do you follow that? 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:37.080 I seriously thought about coming out here and saying, 00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:38.879 Hi, how y'all are you doing today? 00:16:38.919 --> 00:16:40.720 And I thought, I can't pull it off. 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:43.080 You know, I was like, okay, don't do that. 00:16:43.080 --> 00:16:47.500 But Paul was kind of a dumpy little guy. 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:51.120 He had bad eyesight, probably squinted. 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:55.520 And while he was a profoundly educated man, 00:16:56.780 --> 00:17:01.879 and he could have wowed the crowd with his brilliance and his logic, 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:11.519 he relied upon simplicity and clarity in announcing the truth of God with the power of the Spirit. 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:17.700 And we're looking here at 1 Corinthians chapter 1, verse 17, where he explains his ministry. 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:18.539 He says, 00:17:18.619 --> 00:17:21.819 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to what? 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:23.960 Preach the gospel. 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:30.119 And not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:34.619 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, 00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:37.559 but to us who are being saved, it's the power of God. 00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:41.559 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:44.539 and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart. 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:47.000 Where is the one who is wise? 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:47.940 Where is the scribe? 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:49.399 Where is the debater of this age? 00:17:49.679 --> 00:17:52.659 Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:58.220 For since in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, 00:17:58.220 --> 00:18:03.640 it pleased God through the folly of what we, what's the next word? 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:10.039 Preach to save those who believe. 00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:16.519 And so as Paul, over in Ephesians chapter 6, says, 00:18:16.600 --> 00:18:18.980 Hey, listen, I want you to pray for me, 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:23.940 that the words may be given to me. 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:27.880 He is referencing the issue of preaching, and he's saying, 00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:36.960 I want you to have a part in what I do in proclaiming with authority and with passion 00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:38.880 the express word of God. 00:18:39.940 --> 00:18:44.480 There are several different passages that my heart is drawn to this morning, 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:49.140 and over the years of ministry have been framed clearly in my mind 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:54.960 in relationship to the sober responsibility of coming to stand here 00:18:54.960 --> 00:19:00.400 in front of God's people and proclaim the word of God. 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:03.680 One is Malachi chapter 2, verse 7. 00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:07.120 Now I want you to turn back to that passage, if you would, please. 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:08.940 Malachi chapter 2, verse 7. 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:18.740 For the lips of the priest should guard knowledge, 00:19:19.640 --> 00:19:22.500 and people should seek instruction from his mouth, 00:19:22.599 --> 00:19:28.259 for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:33.960 The priest's lips should guard knowledge, 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:39.599 and people should seek instruction from his mouth, 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:43.500 for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:48.599 The second passage that comes to mind is over in 2 Timothy. 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:51.099 And I want you to look, if you will, 00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:55.619 at what we find at the very conclusion of 2 Timothy, 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:58.539 and let me give you a broad meta-picture of this. 00:19:58.619 --> 00:20:02.740 You'll remember that 1 Timothy is written predominantly to Timothy 00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:06.660 regarding what needs to take place in the church. 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:15.440 2 Timothy is written with a focus on what needs to take place in the pastor. 00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:20.620 And in that context, towards the very end of the book, 00:20:20.620 --> 00:20:26.220 we come to this absolutely sober charge that is given. 00:20:26.320 --> 00:20:29.160 And it is given in a series of imperatives. 00:20:29.300 --> 00:20:30.480 The word imperative means commands. 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:34.360 It's given in a series of this you must do. 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:36.299 Listen to the windup. 00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:39.559 I charge you in the presence of God in Christ Jesus, 00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:41.420 who is to judge the living and the dead, 00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:44.099 and by his appearing and his kingdom, 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:46.680 preach the word. 00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:53.960 In one sense, this passage makes it clear 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:59.140 that the one audience that counts is not sitting here in front of me, 00:20:59.600 --> 00:21:01.060 but is unseen, 00:21:02.060 --> 00:21:06.400 and is the one who will someday call me to task 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:11.660 for the fidelity of my preaching of the authoritative word of God, 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:15.800 and doing so under the enabling and the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:16.820 Do you understand that? 00:21:17.720 --> 00:21:19.100 Preach the word. 00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:22.360 So when a man comes to the pulpit, 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:24.480 he really comes to speak as a herald 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:29.360 or as an announcer of the king of kings, 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:32.440 and he comes to passionately announce truths 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:34.519 that are matters of life and death. 00:21:37.540 --> 00:21:40.480 So let me kind of summarize this for you a little bit 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:43.740 by pointing out that the king's message, for one, is convicting. 00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:46.720 In Romans 3.23, 00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:49.059 a passage that many of you are familiar with, 00:21:49.120 --> 00:21:51.579 I want to remind you that Paul says this. 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:52.960 He says, 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:58.559 All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. 00:21:58.579 --> 00:22:01.460 Let me help you understand that in one sense, 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:05.140 part of preaching is calling people to repentance. 00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:08.880 And you can't call people to repentance 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:14.260 so long as you're soft-pedaling the reality of the condition of their soul 00:22:14.260 --> 00:22:16.520 and the bankruptcy of their state 00:22:16.520 --> 00:22:23.380 and their desperate need for coming to grips with the heart that they have. 00:22:24.040 --> 00:22:24.720 Do you follow that? 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:30.260 I'm reminded of something that took place not too long ago. 00:22:30.360 --> 00:22:31.760 I had an individual come to me. 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:36.779 He was in a spiritual kind of a fog 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:40.579 and very, very kind of discouraged and brokenhearted. 00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:43.759 And as we were kind of talking through things, 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:47.039 he explained to me that he was deeply convicted 00:22:47.039 --> 00:22:48.660 because he was living with this woman. 00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:52.839 And practical question, you know, 00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:54.599 forget the fact that I'm a Baptist pastor. 00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:56.140 You know, I said, 00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:58.359 So why are you living with her? 00:22:58.359 --> 00:23:00.359 You know, without thinking, I thought, 00:23:00.439 --> 00:23:01.639 you know, the reasonable thing to do 00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:03.979 if you feel bad about living with her is what? 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.259 Huh? 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:08.759 Move out, that would be one practical thing. 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:09.799 But what would be another one? 00:23:10.699 --> 00:23:11.500 Well, marry her. 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:14.159 And so I said, 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:16.639 Well, why haven't you gotten married? 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.059 He says, 00:23:17.179 --> 00:23:20.479 Well, my first two marriages ended in divorce. 00:23:21.419 --> 00:23:21.740 Duh. 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:25.920 And I figured that if I don't get married, 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:26.940 I won't get divorced. 00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:28.579 Now, that is practical math. 00:23:28.640 --> 00:23:29.420 Do you understand that? 00:23:30.120 --> 00:23:31.420 I connect the dots. 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.380 It's like, duh. 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:33.819 I shouldn't have asked. 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:36.400 That was just absolutely brilliant logic. 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:41.160 I remember subsequently as this man 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:47.740 and his partner started coming sporadically to church, 00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:50.440 he made an insightful statement. 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:51.380 He says, I got to tell you, 00:23:52.100 --> 00:23:53.340 we started coming to church, 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.580 but every time we left, 00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:55.980 we felt worse than when we came. 00:23:59.360 --> 00:24:00.799 I thought, really? 00:24:01.860 --> 00:24:03.019 I'm not trying. 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:07.480 But when a person with the passion 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:09.100 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:24:09.100 --> 00:24:10.960 pleads with people to come to grips 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:12.100 with the sin of their soul 00:24:12.100 --> 00:24:14.900 because heaven and hell is at risk, 00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:17.019 you can understand. 00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:19.539 If he continued living in sin 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:22.099 and didn't walk home feeling bad about it, 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.259 then I failed. 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.639 Do you understand that? 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:31.319 So one is the king's message is convicting. 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:34.299 Number two, 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:36.660 the king's message is converting. 00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:41.540 One of the things I love to say to people, 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:44.200 not just in church. 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:47.140 You guys have heard me say this so many times here, 00:24:47.380 --> 00:24:52.120 but particularly when I am in my non-Baptist regalia. 00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:53.420 Do you know what regalia means? 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:55.100 It's the robe I wear, you know. 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:57.920 It's the thing that when you look at me, 00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:59.519 you can say, he's a pastor. 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:04.379 And when I am in shorts and a t-shirt 00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:06.680 and visiting at the nursing home 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:07.960 with my dad and my mom, 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:11.759 it's taken months for them to figure out 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.859 that I am who I am. 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:15.079 And in the meantime, 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:17.139 I have been able to creep up on them 00:25:17.139 --> 00:25:19.259 and let them know 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:21.680 the absolutely wonderful news 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:23.259 that Jesus saves sinners, 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:25.000 and I'm one of the examples. 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:31.359 Acts 16, verse 31, 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:34.319 the apostle Paul said to the Philippian jailer, 00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:36.940 believe on the Lord Jesus Christ 00:25:36.940 --> 00:25:38.420 and you will be what? 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:39.779 Saved. 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:41.160 Does it get any better than that? 00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:45.299 And I got to tell you something. 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:49.640 The truth of the matter is, 00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:51.039 is that apart from preaching, 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:57.399 whether it is a mother 00:25:57.399 --> 00:25:59.299 sharing the gospel 00:25:59.299 --> 00:26:00.980 in simplicity at home, 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:04.920 or Jonah stomping through 00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:06.420 a rebellious city, 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:11.519 God has always used preaching 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:15.220 to call broken-hearted people 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:16.899 to repentance 00:26:16.899 --> 00:26:18.539 and to redemption. 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:26.259 The king's message is conforming. 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:32.420 2 Corinthians 3, verse 18, 00:26:32.599 --> 00:26:33.700 Paul says this, 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:35.079 and I want you to look at it 00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:37.379 and let your heart just 00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:39.839 grasp and soak 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:42.319 and enjoy the sweet truth 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:45.619 that not only does preaching convict 00:26:45.619 --> 00:26:49.079 and not only does preaching convert, 00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:50.839 but preaching also 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:52.779 is part of the work of God 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:56.659 in helping the Lord Jesus' children 00:26:56.659 --> 00:26:57.699 conform. 00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.659 And we all, 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:02.980 with unveiled face, 00:27:03.099 --> 00:27:04.939 beholding the glory of the Lord, 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:06.740 are being transformed 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:08.699 from the same image, 00:27:08.859 --> 00:27:11.059 from one degree of glory to another, 00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:13.019 for this comes from the Lord 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:13.919 who is the Spirit. 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.980 Listen to me carefully. 00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:24.120 Preaching 00:27:24.120 --> 00:27:28.740 that is received with prayer 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:31.860 and is empowered with prayer 00:27:31.860 --> 00:27:34.480 and that is governed 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:36.500 by the authority of the Word of God 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:38.920 does a work 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:40.759 in the life of the believer. 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:44.279 And it brings about 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:45.700 progressive sanctification. 00:27:45.900 --> 00:27:46.660 One of the blessings 00:27:46.660 --> 00:27:48.059 that I know to be true 00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:48.839 in my life 00:27:48.839 --> 00:27:51.220 is that because of His salvation, 00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:54.839 I am not obligated, 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:57.079 nor can I stay the way 00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:58.299 I used to be. 00:27:59.400 --> 00:28:00.940 The Spirit of God is at work 00:28:00.940 --> 00:28:02.140 and the way in which He works 00:28:02.140 --> 00:28:03.559 is principally through 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:05.059 the preaching of the Word of God 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:07.640 and the exposure of the heart of man 00:28:07.640 --> 00:28:08.860 to the authority 00:28:08.860 --> 00:28:10.300 and the supremacy 00:28:10.300 --> 00:28:12.100 of the glory of Christ. 00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:15.539 Now, 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:18.240 understanding the importance 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.240 of preaching, 00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:21.959 we come to a truth 00:28:21.959 --> 00:28:24.240 that makes preaching difficult. 00:28:26.119 --> 00:28:27.480 God has chosen 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:30.240 to use the voice of a man 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:32.439 to touch the heart of men. 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:36.480 Because God uses the voice of a man 00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:37.779 to touch the heart of men, 00:28:37.879 --> 00:28:39.639 He has ordained prayer 00:28:39.640 --> 00:28:40.540 for the preacher. 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:42.180 And so, 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:43.580 I want us to come secondly. 00:28:43.860 --> 00:28:44.440 First is, 00:28:44.520 --> 00:28:45.460 preaching is important. 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:46.320 Secondly, 00:28:46.540 --> 00:28:47.320 your prayers 00:28:47.320 --> 00:28:49.160 are important 00:28:49.160 --> 00:28:50.320 to preaching. 00:28:51.340 --> 00:28:52.640 And I want you to understand 00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:53.780 as we look at this passage 00:28:53.780 --> 00:28:54.540 and break it down 00:28:54.540 --> 00:28:55.800 into practical statements, 00:28:56.200 --> 00:28:56.880 first of all, 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.680 you understand here 00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:58.860 that it's the Holy Spirit 00:28:58.860 --> 00:29:00.160 that calls you 00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:00.740 to pray 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.660 for preaching. 00:29:03.860 --> 00:29:04.960 Don't miss the truth. 00:29:06.020 --> 00:29:07.600 The preacher may forget 00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:09.480 to remind you. 00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:12.659 The preacher may not necessarily 00:29:12.659 --> 00:29:13.859 be persuaded 00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:14.759 of the importance 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:16.159 of praying 00:29:16.159 --> 00:29:17.219 in relationship 00:29:17.219 --> 00:29:17.919 to preaching. 00:29:19.199 --> 00:29:21.539 I graduated from seminary 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:23.879 before I came 00:29:23.879 --> 00:29:25.159 to understand fully 00:29:25.159 --> 00:29:26.679 how significant 00:29:26.679 --> 00:29:27.879 and important 00:29:27.879 --> 00:29:29.459 praying was 00:29:29.459 --> 00:29:30.099 to preaching. 00:29:31.719 --> 00:29:32.980 I can tell you 00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:33.980 where I was sitting 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:36.319 when I was first convicted 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:37.639 of the importance 00:29:37.639 --> 00:29:38.720 of Tim Knoyer 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:40.679 sitting way back there 00:29:40.679 --> 00:29:41.720 almost where 00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:43.379 Mark Holopeter is. 00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:44.720 And Judith and I 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:45.419 were sitting there 00:29:45.419 --> 00:29:46.740 back in 1980 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:49.559 when after Pastor Brock 00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:50.879 announced his resignation 00:29:50.879 --> 00:29:52.379 and that he would be 00:29:52.379 --> 00:29:53.539 leaving in two weeks 00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:54.859 or whatever it was, 00:29:55.059 --> 00:29:56.179 he then took time 00:29:56.179 --> 00:29:57.460 to preach 00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:59.740 on how people 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.319 could help 00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:01.439 their next pastor 00:30:01.439 --> 00:30:02.659 whoever he would be. 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:06.600 after a five-year 00:30:06.600 --> 00:30:07.140 hiatus. 00:30:09.820 --> 00:30:10.860 I remember 00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:11.720 Pastor Brock 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:12.380 making it 00:30:12.380 --> 00:30:13.500 undeniably clear 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.279 from the authority 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:14.800 of Scripture 00:30:14.800 --> 00:30:15.920 that God's people 00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:17.279 had a responsibility 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:19.080 to pray for the man 00:30:19.080 --> 00:30:19.880 who would preach 00:30:19.880 --> 00:30:21.440 the word of God. 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:25.360 I'm not sure 00:30:25.360 --> 00:30:26.000 what you will 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:26.940 ultimately remember 00:30:26.940 --> 00:30:27.440 about me. 00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:31.539 but one of the things 00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:32.240 that I hope 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:33.039 you have heard me 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.779 say enough 00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:34.580 that it's somewhere 00:30:34.580 --> 00:30:35.900 high on the list 00:30:35.900 --> 00:30:38.620 is pray for me. 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.279 I have to confess 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:43.559 that there are occasions 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.240 where people 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:44.779 who love me 00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:45.680 a great, great deal 00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:46.940 will let me know 00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:47.480 that I am 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:48.720 overly redundant. 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.900 Same, same. 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:53.340 Same, same. 00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:54.100 Do you follow that? 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.420 But if there is anything 00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:57.660 that I have small hesitation 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:59.440 about being redundant about 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:00.740 it is about the importance 00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:02.840 of asking for prayer 00:31:02.840 --> 00:31:03.820 in the preaching 00:31:03.820 --> 00:31:04.779 of the word of God. 00:31:04.900 --> 00:31:06.100 I remember at one point 00:31:06.100 --> 00:31:07.100 where I was asked 00:31:07.100 --> 00:31:07.860 if I would consider 00:31:07.860 --> 00:31:08.700 being the president 00:31:08.700 --> 00:31:09.640 of a Bible college 00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:11.300 and as I deliberated 00:31:11.300 --> 00:31:12.519 and prayed about that 00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:13.740 the one thing 00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:15.000 that I wrestled 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.640 with the most 00:31:15.640 --> 00:31:17.360 is if I do this 00:31:17.360 --> 00:31:19.019 who will pray 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:20.080 for me? 00:31:21.080 --> 00:31:22.080 Do you follow that? 00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:25.019 Who would pray? 00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:27.660 And I couldn't come up 00:31:27.660 --> 00:31:28.519 with a clear answer. 00:31:31.840 --> 00:31:32.960 So we recognize 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:33.720 that the Holy Spirit 00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:34.240 says hey 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:35.440 pray for the man 00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:36.100 who's preaching. 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:38.180 Secondly 00:31:38.180 --> 00:31:39.460 just mark how often 00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:40.960 Paul asked people 00:31:40.960 --> 00:31:42.240 to pray about this thing. 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:45.080 Let's do a little journey 00:31:45.080 --> 00:31:45.920 and I'm not going to touch 00:31:45.920 --> 00:31:46.480 on all of them 00:31:46.480 --> 00:31:47.840 but Colossians chapter 4 00:31:47.840 --> 00:31:48.320 verse 3 00:31:48.320 --> 00:31:49.380 just tag this. 00:31:49.460 --> 00:31:50.019 And by the way 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:51.360 I don't want to argue 00:31:51.360 --> 00:31:52.340 that in every case 00:31:52.340 --> 00:31:53.800 the amount of repetition 00:31:53.799 --> 00:31:55.220 is an automatic guarantee 00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:56.879 that it's oh so significant 00:31:56.879 --> 00:31:58.359 but it does teach us something. 00:31:59.339 --> 00:31:59.980 Chapter 4 00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:00.399 verse 3 00:32:00.399 --> 00:32:01.220 of Colossians 00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:03.379 at the same time 00:32:03.379 --> 00:32:04.720 pray also for us 00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:06.079 that God may open 00:32:06.079 --> 00:32:06.839 to us a door 00:32:06.839 --> 00:32:07.460 for the word 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:08.440 to declare the mystery 00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:08.940 of Christ 00:32:08.940 --> 00:32:10.339 on account of which 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:11.059 I'm in prison. 00:32:11.659 --> 00:32:12.139 He says hey 00:32:12.139 --> 00:32:13.019 pray. 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:15.059 1 Thessalonians 00:32:15.059 --> 00:32:15.839 chapter 5 00:32:15.839 --> 00:32:16.680 verse 25 00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:20.900 and by the way 00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:22.220 the church at Thessalonica 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:23.519 was a solid 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:24.980 good group of believers 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:25.820 and he says hey 00:32:25.820 --> 00:32:27.600 brothers pray for us. 00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:30.500 2 Thessalonians 00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:31.120 chapter 3 00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:32.000 verse 1 and 2 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:32.759 perhaps the one 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:33.560 that I have recited 00:32:33.560 --> 00:32:34.360 most often 00:32:34.360 --> 00:32:34.860 would be this 00:32:34.860 --> 00:32:35.960 brothers pray for us 00:32:35.960 --> 00:32:37.240 that the word of the Lord 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:38.060 may speed ahead 00:32:38.060 --> 00:32:38.820 and be honored 00:32:38.820 --> 00:32:40.440 as happened among you. 00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:41.980 In other words 00:32:41.980 --> 00:32:43.640 pray that the word of God 00:32:43.640 --> 00:32:44.560 would bring life 00:32:44.560 --> 00:32:45.820 transforming change 00:32:45.819 --> 00:32:46.480 into the lives 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.480 of those who hear it. 00:32:48.559 --> 00:32:49.559 And then verse 2 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:51.019 and that we may be 00:32:51.019 --> 00:32:52.079 delivered from wicked 00:32:52.079 --> 00:32:53.460 and evil men 00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:55.059 for not all have faith. 00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:55.980 And I got to tell you 00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:56.939 some of the times 00:32:56.939 --> 00:32:57.799 where I have faced 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:59.419 wicked evil men 00:32:59.419 --> 00:33:00.319 have been some 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:00.960 who have sat 00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:02.000 in our congregation 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:03.059 with a heart 00:33:03.059 --> 00:33:04.059 that is perverse 00:33:04.059 --> 00:33:05.000 and against God 00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:06.319 and have actively 00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:07.259 resisted 00:33:07.259 --> 00:33:08.240 the teaching 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:09.220 and the preaching 00:33:09.220 --> 00:33:10.619 of the word of God 00:33:10.619 --> 00:33:12.299 and have let me know it. 00:33:15.139 --> 00:33:15.659 Third 00:33:15.660 --> 00:33:20.160 your prayers 00:33:20.160 --> 00:33:23.820 respect the plan 00:33:23.820 --> 00:33:24.380 of God 00:33:24.380 --> 00:33:25.540 and the frailty 00:33:25.540 --> 00:33:26.640 of the instrument 00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:27.480 He has chosen. 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:34.060 Over in 1 Corinthians 00:33:34.060 --> 00:33:36.160 and also in 2 Corinthians 00:33:36.160 --> 00:33:37.600 Paul wrote about the fact 00:33:37.600 --> 00:33:39.759 that God had ordained 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:41.000 to bring salvation 00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:41.500 through 00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:43.700 the perceived foolishness 00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:44.259 of preaching. 00:33:44.259 --> 00:33:46.900 And can I tell you 00:33:46.900 --> 00:33:48.359 that if preaching 00:33:48.359 --> 00:33:49.180 was perceived 00:33:49.180 --> 00:33:49.799 as foolish 00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:51.500 back in the first century 00:33:51.500 --> 00:33:53.200 it is even perceived 00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:54.339 to be more foolish 00:33:54.339 --> 00:33:54.900 today. 00:33:58.200 --> 00:33:59.339 But when God 00:33:59.339 --> 00:34:00.000 wanted to touch 00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:00.940 the city of Nineveh 00:34:00.940 --> 00:34:02.079 He didn't send a band 00:34:02.079 --> 00:34:02.839 and He didn't send 00:34:02.839 --> 00:34:03.579 a drama team. 00:34:04.400 --> 00:34:05.680 He sent one 00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:06.599 crotchety 00:34:06.599 --> 00:34:08.260 low life 00:34:08.260 --> 00:34:10.559 to do one thing 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:11.760 repent. 00:34:11.760 --> 00:34:13.360 repent. 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:13.560 Repent. 00:34:14.320 --> 00:34:14.920 Repent. 00:34:16.200 --> 00:34:17.460 And there's a reason 00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:19.460 why when you work 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:20.080 your way 00:34:20.080 --> 00:34:21.320 through church history 00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:22.640 and mark this carefully 00:34:22.640 --> 00:34:23.820 if you sit here 00:34:23.820 --> 00:34:24.500 with a little bit 00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:24.960 of hesitation 00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:25.820 in your soul 00:34:25.820 --> 00:34:26.880 towards the truth 00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:28.740 there is no illustration 00:34:28.740 --> 00:34:30.260 there is no single 00:34:30.260 --> 00:34:30.780 illustration 00:34:30.780 --> 00:34:32.340 in all of 00:34:32.340 --> 00:34:33.900 recorded church history 00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:35.760 of over 2,000 years ago 00:34:35.760 --> 00:34:36.660 where anything 00:34:36.660 --> 00:34:38.040 but the authoritative 00:34:38.040 --> 00:34:38.960 preaching of the word 00:34:38.960 --> 00:34:39.320 of God 00:34:39.320 --> 00:34:40.400 ultimately bought 00:34:40.400 --> 00:34:41.139 transformation 00:34:41.139 --> 00:34:42.079 to the hearts 00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:42.599 of people 00:34:42.599 --> 00:34:43.760 and to nations 00:34:43.760 --> 00:34:44.539 and cultures 00:34:44.539 --> 00:34:45.440 families 00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.179 homes 00:34:46.179 --> 00:34:46.960 everything. 00:34:51.760 --> 00:34:53.099 But there is a problem 00:34:53.099 --> 00:34:53.659 with preaching 00:34:53.659 --> 00:34:57.320 because it has the treasure 00:34:57.320 --> 00:34:58.240 in an earthen vessel. 00:35:01.340 --> 00:35:02.360 I thought 00:35:02.360 --> 00:35:02.960 seriously 00:35:03.679 --> 00:35:05.720 about having 00:35:05.719 --> 00:35:06.899 a broken clay pot 00:35:06.899 --> 00:35:07.279 up here 00:35:07.279 --> 00:35:10.019 but I thought 00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:10.659 you'd had enough 00:35:10.659 --> 00:35:11.239 illustrations 00:35:11.239 --> 00:35:11.899 with the pulpit 00:35:11.899 --> 00:35:12.599 over to the side 00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:13.119 and that's probably 00:35:13.119 --> 00:35:14.519 unnerving for some of you 00:35:14.519 --> 00:35:15.719 and I thought 00:35:15.719 --> 00:35:16.439 the clay pot 00:35:16.439 --> 00:35:17.659 would just be over the top 00:35:17.659 --> 00:35:18.619 and so just forget it. 00:35:18.679 --> 00:35:19.679 You see the clay pot. 00:35:25.759 --> 00:35:26.980 And here's what it says 00:35:26.980 --> 00:35:28.079 in 2 Corinthians 00:35:28.079 --> 00:35:28.819 chapter 4 00:35:28.819 --> 00:35:29.379 verse 7 00:35:29.379 --> 00:35:30.319 it says 00:35:30.319 --> 00:35:31.559 for we have this glory 00:35:31.559 --> 00:35:32.879 this treasure 00:35:32.880 --> 00:35:34.640 in an earthen vessel 00:35:34.640 --> 00:35:35.320 that the glory 00:35:35.320 --> 00:35:36.200 may be of God 00:35:36.200 --> 00:35:37.180 and not of us. 00:35:38.000 --> 00:35:38.880 Now listen to me 00:35:38.880 --> 00:35:40.360 I don't go out 00:35:40.360 --> 00:35:41.079 of my way 00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:43.420 to look stupid 00:35:43.420 --> 00:35:45.920 or do things 00:35:45.920 --> 00:35:47.000 that are ill suited 00:35:47.000 --> 00:35:49.780 but you who know me 00:35:49.780 --> 00:35:50.700 know the clay 00:35:50.700 --> 00:35:52.740 earthy 00:35:52.740 --> 00:35:54.039 pot 00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:56.680 and one of the things 00:35:56.680 --> 00:35:57.340 that I pray 00:35:57.340 --> 00:35:58.340 I pray 00:35:58.340 --> 00:35:59.440 I pray 00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:00.720 would be that 00:36:00.720 --> 00:36:01.559 the thing that would 00:36:01.559 --> 00:36:02.420 stand out 00:36:02.420 --> 00:36:03.960 is the authority 00:36:03.960 --> 00:36:05.500 and the sufficiency 00:36:05.500 --> 00:36:07.119 and the supremacy 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:09.199 of the word of God. 00:36:13.199 --> 00:36:15.059 Earthiness is not an excuse 00:36:15.059 --> 00:36:16.639 for persistent sin 00:36:16.639 --> 00:36:20.340 but it is a reflection 00:36:20.340 --> 00:36:21.480 of the temporal 00:36:21.480 --> 00:36:24.279 fragile nature 00:36:24.279 --> 00:36:25.199 of the messenger 00:36:25.199 --> 00:36:26.019 and the weakness 00:36:26.019 --> 00:36:27.559 of the vessel. 00:36:29.079 --> 00:36:29.420 Fourth 00:36:29.420 --> 00:36:32.280 your prayers 00:36:32.280 --> 00:36:33.019 respect 00:36:33.019 --> 00:36:33.760 your own 00:36:33.760 --> 00:36:34.480 need. 00:36:35.280 --> 00:36:35.980 Why should you pray? 00:36:36.500 --> 00:36:37.200 Holy Spirit 00:36:37.200 --> 00:36:37.780 tells you to. 00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:39.400 Why should you pray? 00:36:39.559 --> 00:36:40.320 Because Paul 00:36:40.320 --> 00:36:41.500 asks all the time. 00:36:41.740 --> 00:36:42.460 Why should you pray? 00:36:42.659 --> 00:36:43.400 Because the man 00:36:43.400 --> 00:36:43.840 who preaches 00:36:43.840 --> 00:36:44.500 the word of God 00:36:44.500 --> 00:36:45.180 is pretty frail. 00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:46.119 Why should you pray? 00:36:46.260 --> 00:36:47.400 Because you desperately 00:36:47.400 --> 00:36:48.139 need help. 00:36:53.420 --> 00:36:54.460 I can't tell you 00:36:54.460 --> 00:36:55.039 how often 00:36:55.039 --> 00:36:58.000 I have sat 00:36:58.000 --> 00:37:01.219 listening to another man 00:37:01.219 --> 00:37:01.679 preach 00:37:01.679 --> 00:37:07.420 and found that I had 00:37:07.420 --> 00:37:08.219 failed in that 00:37:08.219 --> 00:37:09.099 very fundamental 00:37:09.099 --> 00:37:10.380 exercise of asking 00:37:10.380 --> 00:37:11.219 the Spirit of God 00:37:11.219 --> 00:37:12.239 to do something 00:37:12.239 --> 00:37:13.539 with this crass 00:37:13.539 --> 00:37:15.679 surly 00:37:15.679 --> 00:37:18.159 judgmental 00:37:18.159 --> 00:37:20.779 dissatisfied 00:37:20.779 --> 00:37:22.219 moody 00:37:22.219 --> 00:37:23.639 spirit. 00:37:23.639 --> 00:37:28.879 I can't tell you 00:37:28.879 --> 00:37:29.619 how many times 00:37:29.619 --> 00:37:31.179 that humility 00:37:31.179 --> 00:37:31.920 and prayer 00:37:31.920 --> 00:37:32.900 has brought fire 00:37:32.900 --> 00:37:33.639 down from heaven. 00:37:38.139 --> 00:37:39.319 Am I responsible 00:37:39.319 --> 00:37:39.819 to preach 00:37:39.819 --> 00:37:40.639 the word of God? 00:37:40.739 --> 00:37:41.440 Yes I am. 00:37:42.299 --> 00:37:43.299 Should I preach it 00:37:43.299 --> 00:37:43.879 with the enabling 00:37:43.879 --> 00:37:44.920 of the Spirit of God? 00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:45.940 Yes I should. 00:37:47.900 --> 00:37:48.879 But not all 00:37:48.879 --> 00:37:49.500 the problems 00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:50.339 with the sermons 00:37:50.339 --> 00:37:51.420 that you have heard 00:37:51.420 --> 00:37:52.420 have had to do 00:37:52.420 --> 00:37:52.940 with me. 00:37:53.639 --> 00:37:57.440 Some of them 00:37:57.440 --> 00:37:58.019 have been you. 00:38:00.779 --> 00:38:01.719 And so it is 00:38:01.719 --> 00:38:02.819 appropriate for you 00:38:02.819 --> 00:38:03.639 as you come 00:38:03.639 --> 00:38:04.480 to listen to the 00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:05.059 preaching of the 00:38:05.059 --> 00:38:05.619 word of God 00:38:05.619 --> 00:38:06.900 to have the 00:38:06.900 --> 00:38:07.400 humility 00:38:07.400 --> 00:38:08.420 and brokenness 00:38:08.420 --> 00:38:09.119 that we find 00:38:09.119 --> 00:38:10.639 in Psalm 119 00:38:10.639 --> 00:38:11.460 where the psalmist 00:38:11.460 --> 00:38:12.579 he says this 00:38:12.579 --> 00:38:12.859 he says 00:38:12.859 --> 00:38:13.759 bear with me 00:38:13.759 --> 00:38:14.279 King James 00:38:14.279 --> 00:38:14.779 here we go 00:38:14.779 --> 00:38:16.079 open thou mine 00:38:16.079 --> 00:38:16.420 eyes 00:38:16.420 --> 00:38:17.039 that I might 00:38:17.039 --> 00:38:17.480 behold 00:38:17.480 --> 00:38:18.440 wondrous truths 00:38:18.440 --> 00:38:19.299 out thy law. 00:38:19.300 --> 00:38:24.240 there was a time 00:38:24.240 --> 00:38:24.800 in my life 00:38:24.800 --> 00:38:25.640 where my devotion 00:38:25.640 --> 00:38:28.080 for the most part 00:38:28.080 --> 00:38:28.880 were fairly 00:38:28.880 --> 00:38:29.980 methodic 00:38:29.980 --> 00:38:33.160 and kind of 00:38:33.160 --> 00:38:34.840 marked by 00:38:34.840 --> 00:38:35.880 grudging obedience. 00:38:36.680 --> 00:38:36.980 Does anybody 00:38:36.980 --> 00:38:37.380 kind of 00:38:37.380 --> 00:38:39.019 feel my pain? 00:38:39.720 --> 00:38:40.360 You ever been there? 00:38:40.360 --> 00:38:42.500 Now it wasn't 00:38:42.500 --> 00:38:43.019 like I 00:38:43.019 --> 00:38:43.539 you know 00:38:43.539 --> 00:38:44.720 kept a check 00:38:44.720 --> 00:38:45.019 mark 00:38:45.019 --> 00:38:45.840 so I could 00:38:45.840 --> 00:38:46.400 say to people 00:38:46.400 --> 00:38:47.220 I had devotions 00:38:47.220 --> 00:38:48.079 for 17 minutes 00:38:48.079 --> 00:38:48.579 and I read 00:38:48.579 --> 00:38:49.240 nine verses 00:38:49.240 --> 00:38:50.660 and I prayed 00:38:50.660 --> 00:38:51.460 for four different 00:38:51.460 --> 00:38:52.000 people in the 00:38:52.000 --> 00:38:52.280 church 00:38:52.280 --> 00:38:55.300 and a changeover 00:38:55.300 --> 00:38:56.099 began to take 00:38:56.099 --> 00:38:56.640 place when 00:38:56.640 --> 00:38:57.200 Tim Kenoyer 00:38:57.200 --> 00:38:58.039 began praying 00:38:58.039 --> 00:39:00.880 almost every 00:39:00.880 --> 00:39:01.460 single time 00:39:01.460 --> 00:39:02.539 I sit down 00:39:02.539 --> 00:39:03.980 in my living 00:39:03.980 --> 00:39:04.340 room 00:39:04.340 --> 00:39:05.039 or actually 00:39:05.039 --> 00:39:05.699 family room 00:39:05.699 --> 00:39:06.179 to begin 00:39:06.179 --> 00:39:06.920 my time 00:39:06.920 --> 00:39:07.340 with God 00:39:07.340 --> 00:39:08.460 my prayer 00:39:08.460 --> 00:39:08.779 is 00:39:08.779 --> 00:39:10.279 Holy Spirit 00:39:10.279 --> 00:39:11.000 by the way 00:39:11.000 --> 00:39:12.000 I don't mind 00:39:12.000 --> 00:39:12.460 praying to the 00:39:12.460 --> 00:39:12.860 Holy Spirit 00:39:12.860 --> 00:39:13.199 I don't know 00:39:13.199 --> 00:39:13.659 if that bothers 00:39:13.659 --> 00:39:14.119 you but 00:39:14.119 --> 00:39:15.099 he is one 00:39:15.099 --> 00:39:15.639 of the triune 00:39:15.639 --> 00:39:15.960 God 00:39:15.960 --> 00:39:17.179 Holy Spirit 00:39:17.179 --> 00:39:17.500 would you 00:39:17.500 --> 00:39:17.779 help me 00:39:17.779 --> 00:39:18.300 this morning 00:39:18.300 --> 00:39:19.860 I gotta 00:39:19.860 --> 00:39:20.420 confess 00:39:20.420 --> 00:39:21.380 I would have 00:39:21.380 --> 00:39:21.980 liked to have 00:39:21.980 --> 00:39:22.739 slept a little 00:39:22.739 --> 00:39:23.199 longer 00:39:23.199 --> 00:39:23.519 but 00:39:23.519 --> 00:39:24.360 you know 00:39:24.360 --> 00:39:24.559 what 00:39:24.559 --> 00:39:25.019 I wanna 00:39:25.019 --> 00:39:25.579 have a heart 00:39:25.579 --> 00:39:26.099 that's tuned 00:39:26.099 --> 00:39:26.559 towards you 00:39:26.559 --> 00:39:26.920 and I need 00:39:26.920 --> 00:39:27.320 your help 00:39:27.320 --> 00:39:32.240 I gotta 00:39:32.240 --> 00:39:32.720 tell you 00:39:32.720 --> 00:39:36.039 he delights 00:39:36.039 --> 00:39:36.460 to answer 00:39:36.460 --> 00:39:36.980 that prayer 00:39:36.980 --> 00:39:39.600 he delights 00:39:39.600 --> 00:39:40.039 to answer 00:39:40.039 --> 00:39:40.620 that prayer 00:39:40.620 --> 00:39:43.500 and so 00:39:43.500 --> 00:39:43.920 I have to 00:39:43.920 --> 00:39:44.080 say 00:39:44.080 --> 00:39:44.360 if you're 00:39:44.360 --> 00:39:44.760 gonna show 00:39:44.760 --> 00:39:44.980 up 00:39:44.980 --> 00:39:45.340 and sit 00:39:45.340 --> 00:39:45.700 here 00:39:45.700 --> 00:39:49.300 it's 00:39:49.300 --> 00:39:49.780 intelligent 00:39:49.780 --> 00:39:50.200 to pray 00:39:50.200 --> 00:39:50.680 for me 00:39:50.680 --> 00:39:52.500 right 00:39:52.500 --> 00:39:54.840 now by 00:39:54.840 --> 00:39:55.220 the way 00:39:55.220 --> 00:39:55.660 one of the 00:39:55.660 --> 00:39:56.100 things that 00:39:56.100 --> 00:39:56.420 we as 00:39:56.420 --> 00:39:56.900 Baptists 00:39:56.900 --> 00:39:57.420 don't do 00:39:57.420 --> 00:39:57.800 is we 00:39:57.800 --> 00:39:58.360 don't say 00:39:58.360 --> 00:39:58.680 amen 00:39:58.680 --> 00:39:59.200 out loud 00:39:59.200 --> 00:39:59.440 and I'm 00:39:59.440 --> 00:39:59.840 not bothered 00:39:59.840 --> 00:40:00.340 by that 00:40:00.340 --> 00:40:01.820 but you 00:40:01.820 --> 00:40:02.139 ought to be 00:40:02.139 --> 00:40:02.720 saying amen 00:40:02.720 --> 00:40:03.260 in your heart 00:40:03.260 --> 00:40:03.519 do you know 00:40:03.519 --> 00:40:03.880 what amen 00:40:03.880 --> 00:40:04.300 means 00:40:04.300 --> 00:40:04.700 does anybody 00:40:04.700 --> 00:40:04.960 know what 00:40:04.960 --> 00:40:05.619 amen means 00:40:05.619 --> 00:40:07.180 it means 00:40:07.180 --> 00:40:07.840 this is 00:40:07.840 --> 00:40:08.260 true 00:40:08.260 --> 00:40:09.039 it's like 00:40:09.039 --> 00:40:09.860 right on 00:40:09.860 --> 00:40:10.400 you know 00:40:10.400 --> 00:40:10.660 if you're 00:40:10.660 --> 00:40:10.940 from the 00:40:10.940 --> 00:40:11.340 70s 00:40:11.340 --> 00:40:11.980 like I am 00:40:11.980 --> 00:40:14.360 preach it 00:40:14.360 --> 00:40:14.680 brother 00:40:14.679 --> 00:40:16.579 I gotta 00:40:16.579 --> 00:40:16.899 tell you 00:40:16.899 --> 00:40:17.839 some of 00:40:17.839 --> 00:40:18.159 the most 00:40:18.159 --> 00:40:18.419 fun 00:40:18.419 --> 00:40:18.619 I've 00:40:18.619 --> 00:40:18.799 ever 00:40:18.799 --> 00:40:19.059 had 00:40:19.059 --> 00:40:19.440 preaching 00:40:19.440 --> 00:40:19.759 was to 00:40:19.759 --> 00:40:20.039 a group 00:40:20.039 --> 00:40:20.179 of 00:40:20.179 --> 00:40:20.599 African 00:40:20.599 --> 00:40:21.139 Americans 00:40:21.139 --> 00:40:21.460 that 00:40:21.460 --> 00:40:21.619 were 00:40:21.619 --> 00:40:21.839 a little 00:40:21.839 --> 00:40:22.039 more 00:40:22.039 --> 00:40:22.699 enthusiastic 00:40:22.699 --> 00:40:23.039 than 00:40:23.039 --> 00:40:23.339 most 00:40:23.339 --> 00:40:23.519 of 00:40:23.519 --> 00:40:23.739 you 00:40:23.739 --> 00:40:28.699 I gotta 00:40:28.699 --> 00:40:29.099 tell you 00:40:29.099 --> 00:40:29.259 I 00:40:29.259 --> 00:40:29.960 probably 00:40:29.960 --> 00:40:30.279 played 00:40:30.279 --> 00:40:30.500 to the 00:40:30.500 --> 00:40:30.799 audience 00:40:30.799 --> 00:40:31.159 a little 00:40:31.159 --> 00:40:31.399 bit 00:40:31.399 --> 00:40:31.679 but 00:40:31.679 --> 00:40:32.579 I 00:40:32.579 --> 00:40:32.919 loved 00:40:32.919 --> 00:40:33.359 it 00:40:33.359 --> 00:40:34.019 now I 00:40:34.019 --> 00:40:34.239 love 00:40:34.239 --> 00:40:34.399 you 00:40:34.399 --> 00:40:34.619 too 00:40:34.619 --> 00:40:34.819 so 00:40:34.819 --> 00:40:35.019 it's 00:40:35.019 --> 00:40:35.879 alright 00:40:35.879 --> 00:40:36.179 you 00:40:36.179 --> 00:40:36.359 be 00:40:36.359 --> 00:40:36.519 who 00:40:36.519 --> 00:40:36.679 you 00:40:36.679 --> 00:40:36.899 are 00:40:36.899 --> 00:40:37.440 okay 00:40:37.440 --> 00:40:38.539 but 00:40:38.539 --> 00:40:38.820 here's 00:40:38.820 --> 00:40:38.940 the 00:40:38.940 --> 00:40:39.200 deal 00:40:39.200 --> 00:40:48.000 we 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.200 need 00:40:48.200 --> 00:40:48.280 to 00:40:48.280 --> 00:40:48.400 hear 00:40:48.400 --> 00:40:48.579 from 00:40:48.579 --> 00:40:48.920 God 00:40:48.920 --> 00:40:54.340 and 00:40:54.340 --> 00:40:54.500 we 00:40:54.500 --> 00:40:54.700 will 00:40:54.700 --> 00:40:54.920 not 00:40:54.920 --> 00:40:55.220 hear 00:40:55.220 --> 00:40:56.460 clearly 00:40:56.460 --> 00:40:58.519 if 00:40:58.519 --> 00:40:58.679 our 00:40:58.679 --> 00:40:58.980 hearts 00:40:58.980 --> 00:40:59.200 are 00:40:59.200 --> 00:40:59.820 sullied 00:40:59.820 --> 00:41:01.760 by the 00:41:01.760 --> 00:41:02.000 things 00:41:02.000 --> 00:41:02.260 of this 00:41:02.260 --> 00:41:02.619 world 00:41:02.619 --> 00:41:05.659 and 00:41:05.659 --> 00:41:05.800 if 00:41:05.800 --> 00:41:05.940 you 00:41:05.940 --> 00:41:06.179 sit 00:41:06.179 --> 00:41:06.480 there 00:41:06.480 --> 00:41:06.760 and 00:41:06.760 --> 00:41:07.260 struggle 00:41:07.260 --> 00:41:07.940 week 00:41:07.940 --> 00:41:08.280 after 00:41:08.280 --> 00:41:08.660 week 00:41:08.660 --> 00:41:08.880 with 00:41:08.880 --> 00:41:09.180 hearing 00:41:09.180 --> 00:41:09.620 much 00:41:09.620 --> 00:41:09.840 of 00:41:09.840 --> 00:41:10.360 anything 00:41:10.360 --> 00:41:13.340 it 00:41:13.340 --> 00:41:13.620 may 00:41:13.620 --> 00:41:13.800 be 00:41:13.800 --> 00:41:14.020 that 00:41:14.020 --> 00:41:14.240 part 00:41:14.240 --> 00:41:14.340 of 00:41:14.340 --> 00:41:14.460 the 00:41:14.460 --> 00:41:14.960 problem 00:41:14.960 --> 00:41:16.980 is 00:41:16.980 --> 00:41:17.140 your 00:41:17.140 --> 00:41:17.400 lack 00:41:17.400 --> 00:41:17.540 of 00:41:17.540 --> 00:41:17.800 prayer 00:41:17.800 --> 00:41:24.380 I 00:41:24.380 --> 00:41:24.620 love 00:41:24.620 --> 00:41:24.820 the 00:41:24.820 --> 00:41:25.220 quote 00:41:25.220 --> 00:41:30.140 that 00:41:30.140 --> 00:41:30.440 John 00:41:30.440 --> 00:41:30.780 Piper 00:41:30.780 --> 00:41:31.440 recites 00:41:31.440 --> 00:41:32.080 in his 00:41:32.080 --> 00:41:32.400 book 00:41:32.400 --> 00:41:32.620 on 00:41:32.620 --> 00:41:32.800 the 00:41:32.800 --> 00:41:33.160 sufficiency 00:41:33.160 --> 00:41:33.440 of 00:41:33.440 --> 00:41:33.640 God 00:41:33.640 --> 00:41:33.800 in 00:41:33.800 --> 00:41:34.100 preaching 00:41:34.100 --> 00:41:34.260 and 00:41:34.260 --> 00:41:34.380 I'll 00:41:34.380 --> 00:41:34.540 tell 00:41:34.540 --> 00:41:34.600 you 00:41:34.600 --> 00:41:34.680 a 00:41:34.680 --> 00:41:34.780 little 00:41:34.780 --> 00:41:35.080 story 00:41:35.080 --> 00:41:35.240 on 00:41:35.240 --> 00:41:35.400 that 00:41:35.400 --> 00:41:35.620 book 00:41:35.619 --> 00:41:37.380 number 00:41:37.380 --> 00:41:37.500 of 00:41:37.500 --> 00:41:37.679 years 00:41:37.679 --> 00:41:37.900 ago 00:41:37.900 --> 00:41:38.119 I 00:41:38.119 --> 00:41:38.380 was 00:41:38.380 --> 00:41:39.480 in 00:41:39.480 --> 00:41:39.699 the 00:41:39.699 --> 00:41:40.239 midst 00:41:40.239 --> 00:41:40.420 of 00:41:40.420 --> 00:41:40.659 reading 00:41:40.659 --> 00:41:40.940 it 00:41:40.940 --> 00:41:41.339 any 00:41:41.339 --> 00:41:41.440 of 00:41:41.440 --> 00:41:41.539 you 00:41:41.539 --> 00:41:41.719 know 00:41:41.719 --> 00:41:41.960 me 00:41:41.960 --> 00:41:42.139 I 00:41:42.139 --> 00:41:42.380 hate 00:41:42.380 --> 00:41:42.500 to 00:41:42.500 --> 00:41:42.699 be 00:41:42.699 --> 00:41:43.380 late 00:41:43.380 --> 00:41:43.559 to 00:41:43.559 --> 00:41:43.679 an 00:41:43.679 --> 00:41:44.019 appointment 00:41:44.019 --> 00:41:44.259 and 00:41:44.259 --> 00:41:44.480 so 00:41:44.480 --> 00:41:45.279 I 00:41:45.279 --> 00:41:45.579 had 00:41:45.579 --> 00:41:46.480 I 00:41:46.480 --> 00:41:46.900 do 00:41:46.900 --> 00:41:47.299 I 00:41:47.299 --> 00:41:47.460 will 00:41:47.460 --> 00:41:47.659 sit 00:41:47.659 --> 00:41:47.859 near 00:41:47.859 --> 00:41:47.980 a 00:41:47.980 --> 00:41:48.319 driveway 00:41:48.319 --> 00:41:48.539 if 00:41:48.539 --> 00:41:48.659 I 00:41:48.659 --> 00:41:48.839 happen 00:41:48.839 --> 00:41:49.000 to be 00:41:49.000 --> 00:41:49.219 a little 00:41:49.219 --> 00:41:49.480 early 00:41:49.480 --> 00:41:49.779 so I 00:41:49.779 --> 00:41:49.920 don't 00:41:49.920 --> 00:41:50.299 show up 00:41:50.299 --> 00:41:50.500 too 00:41:50.500 --> 00:41:50.759 early 00:41:50.759 --> 00:41:51.019 and 00:41:51.019 --> 00:41:51.880 sometimes 00:41:51.880 --> 00:41:52.199 I 00:41:52.199 --> 00:41:52.319 will 00:41:52.319 --> 00:41:52.599 drive 00:41:52.599 --> 00:41:52.859 around 00:41:52.859 --> 00:41:53.000 the 00:41:53.000 --> 00:41:53.299 block 00:41:53.299 --> 00:41:53.500 three 00:41:53.500 --> 00:41:53.619 or 00:41:53.619 --> 00:41:53.759 four 00:41:53.759 --> 00:41:54.099 times 00:41:54.099 --> 00:41:54.279 and 00:41:54.279 --> 00:41:54.579 park 00:41:54.579 --> 00:41:54.960 somewhere 00:41:54.960 --> 00:41:55.599 where 00:41:55.599 --> 00:41:55.719 I 00:41:55.719 --> 00:41:55.920 hope 00:41:55.920 --> 00:41:56.139 people 00:41:56.139 --> 00:41:56.359 won't 00:41:56.359 --> 00:41:56.460 ! 00:41:56.460 --> 00:41:56.579 call 00:41:56.579 --> 00:41:56.759 the 00:41:56.759 --> 00:41:57.059 police 00:42:05.619 --> 00:42:05.880 at the 00:42:05.880 --> 00:42:06.319 Mansfield 00:42:06.319 --> 00:42:06.799 exit 00:42:06.799 --> 00:42:08.039 on 00:42:08.039 --> 00:42:08.500 71 00:42:08.500 --> 00:42:11.699 I 00:42:11.699 --> 00:42:11.819 was 00:42:11.819 --> 00:42:12.019 reading 00:42:12.019 --> 00:42:12.199 that 00:42:12.199 --> 00:42:12.380 book 00:42:12.380 --> 00:42:12.539 on 00:42:12.539 --> 00:42:12.920 preaching 00:42:12.920 --> 00:42:17.779 I 00:42:17.779 --> 00:42:18.139 sat 00:42:18.139 --> 00:42:18.319 there 00:42:18.319 --> 00:42:18.440 in 00:42:18.440 --> 00:42:18.980 McDonald's 00:42:18.980 --> 00:42:19.559 weeping 00:42:19.559 --> 00:42:22.239 not 00:42:22.239 --> 00:42:22.480 for 00:42:22.480 --> 00:42:22.839 sorrow 00:42:22.839 --> 00:42:25.119 but 00:42:25.119 --> 00:42:25.420 because 00:42:25.420 --> 00:42:25.799 of the 00:42:25.799 --> 00:42:26.460 significance 00:42:26.460 --> 00:42:27.039 of what 00:42:27.039 --> 00:42:27.480 a preacher 00:42:27.480 --> 00:42:28.139 does 00:42:28.139 --> 00:42:31.279 here's 00:42:31.279 --> 00:42:31.579 what 00:42:31.579 --> 00:42:32.380 John 00:42:32.380 --> 00:42:32.739 Piper 00:42:32.739 --> 00:42:33.319 recorded 00:42:33.319 --> 00:42:35.199 he 00:42:35.199 --> 00:42:35.380 said 00:42:35.380 --> 00:42:35.519 I 00:42:35.519 --> 00:42:35.860 wake 00:42:35.860 --> 00:42:36.039 up 00:42:36.039 --> 00:42:36.180 in 00:42:36.180 --> 00:42:36.320 the 00:42:36.320 --> 00:42:36.740 morning 00:42:36.740 --> 00:42:38.800 of 00:42:38.800 --> 00:42:38.960 the 00:42:38.960 --> 00:42:39.320 Lord's 00:42:39.320 --> 00:42:39.579 day 00:42:39.579 --> 00:42:43.140 and 00:42:43.140 --> 00:42:43.280 I 00:42:43.280 --> 00:42:43.440 can 00:42:43.440 --> 00:42:43.820 smell 00:42:43.820 --> 00:42:44.079 the 00:42:44.079 --> 00:42:44.440 sweet 00:42:44.440 --> 00:42:44.880 breezes 00:42:44.880 --> 00:42:45.079 of 00:42:45.079 --> 00:42:45.440 heaven 00:42:45.440 --> 00:42:48.599 and 00:42:48.599 --> 00:42:48.780 I 00:42:48.780 --> 00:42:48.940 can 00:42:48.940 --> 00:42:49.660 also 00:42:49.660 --> 00:42:51.079 catch 00:42:51.079 --> 00:42:51.440 the 00:42:51.440 --> 00:42:52.119 whift 00:42:52.119 --> 00:42:53.740 of 00:42:53.740 --> 00:42:54.019 the 00:42:54.019 --> 00:42:55.079 sulfuric 00:42:55.079 --> 00:42:56.619 heat 00:42:56.619 --> 00:42:57.460 of 00:42:57.460 --> 00:42:57.840 hell 00:42:57.840 --> 00:42:59.900 and 00:42:59.900 --> 00:43:00.079 I 00:43:00.079 --> 00:43:00.579 realize 00:43:00.579 --> 00:43:00.820 that 00:43:00.820 --> 00:43:01.119 with 00:43:01.119 --> 00:43:02.380 soberness 00:43:02.380 --> 00:43:03.260 I 00:43:03.260 --> 00:43:03.700 go 00:43:03.700 --> 00:43:04.260 to 00:43:04.260 --> 00:43:04.660 plead 00:43:04.659 --> 00:43:05.139 with 00:43:05.139 --> 00:43:05.519 men 00:43:05.519 --> 00:43:05.940 who 00:43:05.940 --> 00:43:06.099 are 00:43:06.099 --> 00:43:06.679 dying 00:43:06.679 --> 00:43:12.399 so 00:43:12.399 --> 00:43:12.519 you 00:43:12.519 --> 00:43:12.619 can 00:43:12.619 --> 00:43:12.879 understand 00:43:12.879 --> 00:43:13.099 why 00:43:13.099 --> 00:43:13.219 I 00:43:13.219 --> 00:43:13.519 cried 00:43:13.519 --> 00:43:13.799 right 00:43:13.799 --> 00:43:16.940 here's 00:43:16.940 --> 00:43:17.139 what 00:43:17.139 --> 00:43:17.279 he 00:43:17.279 --> 00:43:17.819 recited 00:43:17.819 --> 00:43:18.460 from 00:43:18.460 --> 00:43:18.799 Cotton 00:43:18.799 --> 00:43:19.179 Mather 00:43:19.179 --> 00:43:20.879 in 00:43:20.879 --> 00:43:21.339 some 00:43:21.340 --> 00:43:21.480 ! 00:43:22.680 --> 00:43:25.019 the 00:43:25.019 --> 00:43:25.480 office 00:43:25.480 --> 00:43:25.880 of a 00:43:25.880 --> 00:43:26.300 Christian 00:43:26.300 --> 00:43:26.740 preacher 00:43:26.740 --> 00:43:27.220 is to 00:43:27.220 --> 00:43:27.700 restore 00:43:27.700 --> 00:43:27.980 the 00:43:27.980 --> 00:43:28.440 throne 00:43:28.440 --> 00:43:28.780 and 00:43:28.780 --> 00:43:29.500 dominion 00:43:29.500 --> 00:43:29.780 of 00:43:29.780 --> 00:43:30.440 God 00:43:30.440 --> 00:43:30.860 to 00:43:30.860 --> 00:43:31.160 the 00:43:31.160 --> 00:43:31.660 souls 00:43:31.660 --> 00:43:32.100 of 00:43:32.100 --> 00:43:32.539 men 00:43:32.539 --> 00:43:37.400 a 00:43:37.400 --> 00:43:37.720 preacher 00:43:37.720 --> 00:43:38.519 announces 00:43:38.519 --> 00:43:39.280 our 00:43:39.280 --> 00:43:40.519 God 00:43:40.519 --> 00:43:42.360 reigns 00:43:42.360 --> 00:43:49.180 so 00:43:49.180 --> 00:43:49.420 here's 00:43:49.420 --> 00:43:49.539 the 00:43:49.539 --> 00:43:49.980 question 00:43:49.980 --> 00:43:52.079 how 00:43:52.079 --> 00:43:52.559 often 00:43:52.559 --> 00:43:54.200 do you 00:43:54.200 --> 00:43:54.500 plead 00:43:54.500 --> 00:43:54.740 with 00:43:54.740 --> 00:43:55.140 heaven 00:43:55.140 --> 00:43:57.519 that the 00:43:57.519 --> 00:43:58.099 man who 00:43:58.099 --> 00:43:58.519 stands 00:43:58.519 --> 00:43:59.160 before you 00:43:59.160 --> 00:43:59.640 appointed 00:43:59.640 --> 00:44:01.000 with the 00:44:01.000 --> 00:44:01.579 task of 00:44:01.579 --> 00:44:02.059 holding up 00:44:02.059 --> 00:44:02.380 the word 00:44:02.380 --> 00:44:02.980 of God 00:44:02.980 --> 00:44:04.640 who you 00:44:04.640 --> 00:44:05.160 know to 00:44:05.160 --> 00:44:05.480 be an 00:44:05.480 --> 00:44:05.820 earthen 00:44:05.820 --> 00:44:06.260 vessel 00:44:06.260 --> 00:44:08.180 would be 00:44:08.180 --> 00:44:08.760 enabled by 00:44:08.760 --> 00:44:09.280 the spirit 00:44:09.280 --> 00:44:09.860 of God 00:44:09.860 --> 00:44:10.539 that through 00:44:10.539 --> 00:44:11.620 his power 00:44:11.620 --> 00:44:12.460 and for 00:44:12.460 --> 00:44:12.960 the glory 00:44:12.960 --> 00:44:13.740 of Christ 00:44:13.740 --> 00:44:14.840 the word 00:44:14.840 --> 00:44:15.559 would have 00:44:15.559 --> 00:44:16.420 free course 00:44:16.420 --> 00:44:17.260 to bear 00:44:17.260 --> 00:44:17.680 fruit 00:44:17.680 --> 00:44:18.660 in your 00:44:18.660 --> 00:44:19.099 life 00:44:19.099 --> 00:44:27.059 how 00:44:27.059 --> 00:44:27.500 often 00:44:27.500 --> 00:44:29.180 as we 00:44:29.180 --> 00:44:29.579 have the 00:44:29.579 --> 00:44:30.099 invitation 00:44:30.099 --> 00:44:30.539 do you 00:44:30.539 --> 00:44:31.200 find yourself 00:44:31.200 --> 00:44:31.720 praying 00:44:31.720 --> 00:44:32.059 oh 00:44:32.059 --> 00:44:32.640 Lord 00:44:32.640 --> 00:44:35.320 work in 00:44:35.320 --> 00:44:35.820 the lives 00:44:35.820 --> 00:44:36.320 of those 00:44:36.320 --> 00:44:36.579 that are 00:44:36.579 --> 00:44:37.039 here that 00:44:37.039 --> 00:44:37.500 do not 00:44:37.500 --> 00:44:37.720 know 00:44:37.720 --> 00:44:38.220 Christ 00:44:38.219 --> 00:44:40.639 that 00:44:40.639 --> 00:44:40.759 they 00:44:40.759 --> 00:44:41.059 would be 00:44:41.059 --> 00:44:41.439 terrified 00:44:41.439 --> 00:44:41.879 at the 00:44:41.879 --> 00:44:42.339 prospect 00:44:42.339 --> 00:44:42.679 of an 00:44:42.679 --> 00:44:42.980 eternal 00:44:42.980 --> 00:44:43.539 judgment 00:44:43.539 --> 00:44:45.559 that 00:44:45.559 --> 00:44:45.699 they 00:44:45.699 --> 00:44:46.000 would be 00:44:46.000 --> 00:44:46.639 overwhelmed 00:44:46.639 --> 00:44:47.099 with the 00:44:47.099 --> 00:44:47.439 sweetness 00:44:47.439 --> 00:44:47.859 of the 00:44:47.859 --> 00:44:48.159 offer 00:44:48.159 --> 00:44:48.899 of salvation 00:44:48.899 --> 00:44:49.359 through the 00:44:49.359 --> 00:44:49.659 finished 00:44:49.659 --> 00:44:50.139 work of 00:44:50.139 --> 00:44:50.639 Christ 00:44:50.639 --> 00:44:52.719 that 00:44:52.719 --> 00:44:52.859 they 00:44:52.859 --> 00:44:53.179 would be 00:44:53.179 --> 00:44:53.579 drawn 00:44:53.579 --> 00:44:54.019 by the 00:44:54.019 --> 00:44:54.359 spirit 00:44:54.359 --> 00:44:54.959 of God 00:44:54.959 --> 00:44:55.659 to plead 00:44:55.659 --> 00:44:56.539 with 00:44:56.539 --> 00:44:56.959 him 00:44:56.959 --> 00:44:58.480 to save 00:44:58.480 --> 00:44:58.819 them 00:44:58.819 --> 00:45:02.519 that 00:45:02.519 --> 00:45:03.059 Christ 00:45:03.059 --> 00:45:05.199 who 00:45:05.199 --> 00:45:05.819 enjoys 00:45:05.819 --> 00:45:06.039 the 00:45:06.039 --> 00:45:06.539 adoration 00:45:06.539 --> 00:45:07.219 of angels 00:45:07.219 --> 00:45:09.299 would be 00:45:09.299 --> 00:45:09.619 adored 00:45:09.619 --> 00:45:10.299 and worshipped 00:45:10.299 --> 00:45:11.619 in your 00:45:11.619 --> 00:45:12.079 life 00:45:12.079 --> 00:45:14.379 this 00:45:14.379 --> 00:45:14.719 morning 00:45:14.719 --> 00:45:17.399 let us 00:45:17.399 --> 00:45:17.859 pray 00:45:17.859 --> 00:45:23.579 father 00:45:23.579 --> 00:45:23.859 god 00:45:23.859 --> 00:45:24.159 i have 00:45:24.159 --> 00:45:24.579 no doubt 00:45:24.579 --> 00:45:24.959 that there 00:45:24.959 --> 00:45:25.439 are those 00:45:25.439 --> 00:45:25.719 who are 00:45:25.719 --> 00:45:25.919 here 00:45:25.919 --> 00:45:26.279 today 00:45:26.279 --> 00:45:26.759 that need 00:45:26.759 --> 00:45:27.079 the lord 00:45:27.079 --> 00:45:27.439 jesus 00:45:27.439 --> 00:45:27.939 christ 00:45:27.939 --> 00:45:28.379 and my 00:45:28.379 --> 00:45:28.779 plea 00:45:28.779 --> 00:45:29.439 would be 00:45:29.439 --> 00:45:29.919 this 00:45:29.919 --> 00:45:31.500 that 00:45:31.500 --> 00:45:31.819 while 00:45:31.819 --> 00:45:32.059 our 00:45:32.059 --> 00:45:32.819 conversation 00:45:32.819 --> 00:45:33.299 and our 00:45:33.299 --> 00:45:33.759 preaching 00:45:33.759 --> 00:45:34.259 has been 00:45:34.259 --> 00:45:34.899 predominantly 00:45:34.900 --> 00:45:35.980 to those 00:45:35.980 --> 00:45:36.420 who know 00:45:36.420 --> 00:45:36.860 the lord 00:45:36.860 --> 00:45:37.700 jesus christ 00:45:37.700 --> 00:45:38.360 and it 00:45:38.360 --> 00:45:38.720 has been 00:45:38.720 --> 00:45:38.920 the 00:45:38.920 --> 00:45:39.700 authoritative 00:45:39.700 --> 00:45:40.480 declaration 00:45:40.480 --> 00:45:41.539 that god 00:45:41.539 --> 00:45:42.280 wants people 00:45:42.280 --> 00:45:42.700 to pray 00:45:42.700 --> 00:45:43.519 for preaching 00:45:43.519 --> 00:45:48.980 that 00:45:48.980 --> 00:45:49.380 nevertheless 00:45:49.380 --> 00:45:50.280 your spirit 00:45:50.280 --> 00:45:50.880 would work 00:45:50.880 --> 00:45:51.380 to draw 00:45:51.380 --> 00:45:51.820 those 00:45:51.820 --> 00:45:52.199 people 00:45:52.199 --> 00:45:52.579 who are 00:45:52.579 --> 00:45:52.900 here 00:45:52.900 --> 00:45:53.559 that 00:45:53.559 --> 00:45:53.900 need 00:45:53.900 --> 00:45:54.340 christ 00:45:54.340 --> 00:45:54.800 as their 00:45:54.800 --> 00:45:55.159 savior 00:45:55.159 --> 00:45:55.579 to the 00:45:55.579 --> 00:45:56.139 cross 00:45:56.139 --> 00:45:59.219 and they 00:45:59.219 --> 00:45:59.639 would call 00:45:59.639 --> 00:46:00.059 upon the 00:46:00.059 --> 00:46:00.340 name of 00:46:00.340 --> 00:46:00.699 the lord 00:46:00.699 --> 00:46:01.099 and say 00:46:01.099 --> 00:46:01.579 i am a 00:46:01.579 --> 00:46:01.780 sinner 00:46:01.780 --> 00:46:02.320 who stands 00:46:02.320 --> 00:46:02.900 justly 00:46:02.900 --> 00:46:03.320 condemned 00:46:03.320 --> 00:46:04.239 and i 00:46:04.239 --> 00:46:04.519 need 00:46:04.519 --> 00:46:05.039 jesus 00:46:05.039 --> 00:46:05.420 to be 00:46:05.420 --> 00:46:05.659 my 00:46:05.659 --> 00:46:06.059 savior 00:46:06.059 --> 00:46:06.820 today 00:46:06.820 --> 00:46:08.599 now 00:46:08.599 --> 00:46:11.460 i pray 00:46:11.460 --> 00:46:11.799 also 00:46:11.799 --> 00:46:12.420 for those 00:46:12.420 --> 00:46:12.779 who are 00:46:12.779 --> 00:46:13.179 part of 00:46:13.179 --> 00:46:13.299 the 00:46:13.299 --> 00:46:13.619 family 00:46:13.619 --> 00:46:14.159 of god 00:46:14.159 --> 00:46:14.659 believers 00:46:14.659 --> 00:46:15.179 who have 00:46:15.179 --> 00:46:15.739 enjoyed 00:46:15.739 --> 00:46:16.880 the effect 00:46:16.880 --> 00:46:17.219 of the 00:46:17.219 --> 00:46:17.539 preaching 00:46:17.539 --> 00:46:17.860 of the 00:46:17.860 --> 00:46:18.159 word of 00:46:18.159 --> 00:46:18.420 god 00:46:18.420 --> 00:46:18.719 in their 00:46:18.719 --> 00:46:19.099 life 00:46:19.099 --> 00:46:19.819 but have 00:46:19.819 --> 00:46:20.299 allowed 00:46:20.299 --> 00:46:22.239 a loss 00:46:22.239 --> 00:46:22.980 of love 00:46:22.980 --> 00:46:24.299 and coldness 00:46:24.299 --> 00:46:24.980 of heart 00:46:24.980 --> 00:46:25.880 to distance 00:46:25.880 --> 00:46:26.500 themselves 00:46:26.500 --> 00:46:27.039 from the 00:46:27.039 --> 00:46:27.420 beauty 00:46:27.420 --> 00:46:28.559 of the 00:46:28.559 --> 00:46:28.739 lord 00:46:28.739 --> 00:46:29.079 jesus 00:46:29.079 --> 00:46:29.559 christ 00:46:29.559 --> 00:46:30.019 that this 00:46:30.019 --> 00:46:30.339 morning 00:46:30.339 --> 00:46:31.279 they would 00:46:31.279 --> 00:46:31.659 humble 00:46:31.659 --> 00:46:32.339 themselves 00:46:32.339 --> 00:46:32.860 yes 00:46:32.860 --> 00:46:34.900 be broken 00:46:34.900 --> 00:46:37.099 and restored 00:46:37.099 --> 00:46:37.759 and renewed 00:46:37.760 --> 00:46:39.300 and we 00:46:39.300 --> 00:46:39.800 ask this 00:46:39.800 --> 00:46:40.520 because of 00:46:40.520 --> 00:46:40.940 the lord 00:46:40.940 --> 00:46:41.640 jesus 00:46:41.640 --> 00:46:43.700 amen 00:46:43.700 --> 00:46:45.620 going to 00:46:45.620 --> 00:46:46.040 ask that 00:46:46.040 --> 00:46:46.380 as we 00:46:46.380 --> 00:46:46.840 sing this 00:46:46.840 --> 00:46:47.260 song in 00:46:47.260 --> 00:46:47.620 closing