WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.720 Hebrews 13, page 1009, if you're following the Black Church Bibles, and we are hopefully going 00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:16.960 ! to bring the plane into land this evening. You know that experience when somebody has been telling you 00:00:16.960 --> 00:00:23.120 ! what you shouldn't do, and they're super clear, they're really clear about what you shouldn't do 00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:28.240 in this situation, and they might even give you reasons why you shouldn't do it, but you find yourself at the 00:00:28.239 --> 00:00:33.439 end of the conversation thinking, well, what should I do? I know what I'm not supposed to do, well, what 00:00:34.000 --> 00:00:40.560 should I do? And there's a bit of that feeling, I think, when you get end of Hebrews 11, halfway 00:00:40.560 --> 00:00:46.879 through Hebrews 12. Don't give up. I get it. Okay, don't go back to your old religion. Right, super 00:00:46.879 --> 00:00:53.840 crystal clear. You've explained that to me. Don't wander away. Okay, I get it. The saints of old who 00:00:53.840 --> 00:00:57.920 line the way. There's a lot of people that have gone before you, and they are cheering you on. 00:00:58.240 --> 00:01:09.120 So don't go back. Get off the floor and keep going. And here's the reason. Jesus is better, way better. 00:01:10.560 --> 00:01:17.840 Okay. Okay, I get it. I've taken 12 and a bit chapters to tell me that. But what do you want me to 00:01:17.840 --> 00:01:23.439 actually do? What does it look like to get back up off the floor and keep going? What will keeping going 00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:28.640 look like? What will not wandering away? I get the not wandering away bit, but where do I wander to? 00:01:28.640 --> 00:01:37.120 What should my wandering now look like as I go in the right direction? As one, well, as our founder 00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:44.400 once famously asked, how shall we then live? We get it that we're not supposed to walk away. We get it that 00:01:44.400 --> 00:01:49.920 Jesus is better, way better than any of the alternatives we might look to. But how shall we then live? Well, 00:01:49.920 --> 00:01:57.040 that's where we come to this evening. As our author signs off his word of exhortation to these beleaguered 00:01:57.040 --> 00:02:04.960 and disillusioned Hebrew Christians, he tells us how we are to live. He left us last week, if you were 00:02:04.960 --> 00:02:11.099 here, with the charge to go and live for Christ wholeheartedly, chapter 12, verse 28. And here in 00:02:11.099 --> 00:02:16.980 chapter 13, we see what this life of acceptable worship. Go and live wholeheartedly a life of acceptable 00:02:16.979 --> 00:02:23.500 worship. Well, here is what this life devoted to God looks like. And he says, it is a life that is 00:02:23.500 --> 00:02:30.620 marked by four distinct qualities, four distinct qualities. And the first one is love. 00:02:32.659 --> 00:02:38.359 Point number one, love. Verses one to three, let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show 00:02:38.359 --> 00:02:44.979 hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison as 00:02:44.979 --> 00:02:50.159 though in prison with them and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. 00:02:51.280 --> 00:02:58.259 The Christian life is a self-giving, not a self-centered life. And the author calls us to put this into 00:02:58.259 --> 00:03:03.099 practice with three groups of people. Do you see that? Brothers and sisters in Christ, strangers, 00:03:03.699 --> 00:03:11.620 and those who have been imprisoned for their faith. Brotherly love in the New Testament isn't, 00:03:11.620 --> 00:03:18.280 first of all, something we feel. So Paul will say in Romans 12, show brotherly love with affection. 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:27.140 And the apostle Peter calls for brotherly love with sincerity. Brotherly love is a posture towards 00:03:27.140 --> 00:03:32.060 others expressed in sharing what you have. It is an active thing. It is not an emotional thing. 00:03:32.400 --> 00:03:38.580 It is sharing your life and your possessions with others. And the author says that this starts 00:03:38.580 --> 00:03:45.460 here in the church, brothers and sisters. Now for the first hearers, it was already happening. Do you 00:03:45.460 --> 00:03:52.800 see, let brotherly love continue. It's already going on. Keep going. They had their property plundered. 00:03:52.939 --> 00:03:58.200 We were told that back in chapter 10, verse 34. And so because of that, you have your property 00:03:58.200 --> 00:04:02.520 plundered. Well, the brothers and sisters come in and do what they can to help you get by. 00:04:02.520 --> 00:04:09.540 Come and stay at my house. You've had all your property taken. You've had the place looted. 00:04:09.980 --> 00:04:14.379 Come and stay at my house. I'll give you some food. I've got spare clothing. You can have that. 00:04:14.920 --> 00:04:21.660 I'll help you get back on your feet. This is a basic Christian value. Do good to everyone, 00:04:21.840 --> 00:04:28.259 says Paul in Galatians 6, verse 10, especially those who are of the household of faith. There is to be an 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:36.279 order to our loves. And top of that list is to be the brothers and sisters. Let brotherly love continue. 00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:46.060 I want to say it's striking to me how much I see this going on here at IPC. Without comment, without fuss, 00:04:46.639 --> 00:04:54.439 without anybody talking about them doing it, a need arises and people just step in and sort it out. 00:04:54.439 --> 00:05:00.980 And what's interesting to me is if I was foolish enough to go to the person that had done that 00:05:00.980 --> 00:05:05.540 and said, why did you help that person out? Just out of interest. Why did you do that? 00:05:06.740 --> 00:05:10.060 The person would say, I'm sorry, I don't actually even understand the question. 00:05:11.759 --> 00:05:12.779 It's what you do. 00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:17.040 Let brotherly love continue. 00:05:17.040 --> 00:05:22.860 I see it across the congregation in lots of different ways where people recognize that when 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:29.240 someone in the body has a need, if I can meet that need, I do. I step in. I put myself out in order 00:05:29.240 --> 00:05:34.879 to help them. It's very encouraging to see. So let me say, let this kind of love continue. 00:05:37.160 --> 00:05:42.939 But then this should spill out to others, verse 2, in hospitality. That is opening your home to 00:05:42.939 --> 00:05:48.660 strangers. That's what hospitality is. Hospitality is an act of love and grace that extends kindness, 00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:55.060 expecting nothing in return. Opening your doors to others, not expecting that they will pay you 00:05:55.060 --> 00:06:01.120 back in some way. And this should mark the home of a follower of Jesus. Come and eat with us. 00:06:02.199 --> 00:06:07.920 Come and stay at ours. It's just a sofa, but you're welcome. We'll provide a roof over your head. 00:06:07.920 --> 00:06:13.319 We'll give you what you need until you're back on your feet. And you see, verse 2, you never know 00:06:13.319 --> 00:06:19.100 who you might be entertaining. Look at verse 2. Don't neglect to show hospitality to strangers, 00:06:19.240 --> 00:06:29.460 for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. I don't know. Maybe one or two. I don't know. 00:06:29.459 --> 00:06:35.719 I can't tell. Now, of course, this may be a reference to Abraham's hospitality to the three 00:06:35.719 --> 00:06:40.039 men at Mamre back in Genesis 18, verse 2, one of whom turned out to be the angel of the Lord. 00:06:41.019 --> 00:06:47.379 But the fact is, the point is, Christian love expresses itself in hospitality to strangers. 00:06:49.179 --> 00:06:54.799 Our author returns to this theme of love down at verse 16. Can you see verse 16, where he connects 00:06:54.800 --> 00:07:01.520 it to our love for God in verse 15? So look at 15. Through him, then let us continually offer up a 00:07:01.520 --> 00:07:06.540 sacrifice of praise to God. That is the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good 00:07:06.540 --> 00:07:14.480 and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. He brings them together. Doing 00:07:14.480 --> 00:07:20.819 good and serving others please the Lord. The Christian life involves sacrifice. We don't offer 00:07:20.819 --> 00:07:27.540 animals anymore because the ultimate sacrifice has come. That's there in verse 12. The Lord Jesus has 00:07:27.540 --> 00:07:33.240 been sacrificed for sin once for all. But for those who have put their faith in Jesus, who come, verse 15, 00:07:33.379 --> 00:07:41.180 through him, there are two sacrifices that we do offer. One is a sacrifice of praise. We offer him 00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:47.079 thankful hearts full of gratitude. That's a sacrifice of praise. We're grateful to him. We praise him for all 00:07:47.079 --> 00:07:52.939 that he has done for us. And secondly, we offer the sacrifice of love for brothers and sisters and 00:07:52.939 --> 00:08:02.300 strangers alike. This is what pleases God. Do you want to bring a smile to God's face? 00:08:03.979 --> 00:08:13.319 Love and praise him and love others as well. It pleases God. So you can see why this kind of love that 00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:20.360 the writer of the Hebrews is asking for, calling for here is more than sentiment or emotion. In fact, 00:08:20.420 --> 00:08:27.199 as the author continues, we see that it will actually need to be steely. Biblical love, New 00:08:27.199 --> 00:08:32.340 Testament love requires us to be courageous. Look at verse 3. Back up at verse 3. Remember those who are 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:39.000 in prison as though in prison with them and those who are mistreated since you also are in the body. 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:45.039 Bear your brothers and sisters who are in prison. In mind, he's saying, because we belong to the one body. 00:08:45.320 --> 00:08:49.440 They're in prison. We're out of prison, but we all belong to the same body. 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:55.779 Now, what's interesting to me is that the people here that he's referring to would have been in that 00:08:55.779 --> 00:09:02.039 first category, the three categories. They would be brothers and sisters in Christ. So why then does he 00:09:02.039 --> 00:09:09.360 especially single them out? Let brotherly love continue. Don't neglect to show hospitality to 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:14.599 strangers. Remember those who are in prison as though in prison with them because you're part of 00:09:14.599 --> 00:09:19.659 the same body. Those are brothers and sisters. They're the ones that he's talking about initially. 00:09:19.819 --> 00:09:31.639 So why single them out? Because of the courage that it will take to do so. When members of the church 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:37.139 fall foul of the authorities, it will be costly to identify with the motor. If you visit someone in 00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:42.080 prison, you get vetted by the authorities. And if that person is in prison, because they have done 00:09:42.080 --> 00:09:48.819 something that you do, it could land you in the same predicament. It's the same in the case of real 00:09:48.819 --> 00:09:55.039 crime. That's true for real criminals. But it's also true when the state decides that saying what the 00:09:55.039 --> 00:10:03.519 Bible says is worthy of custody. And then, of course, there is the social sentence as well of being 00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:09.240 canceled. That's perhaps where we see that most clearly at the minute in our day. A few years ago, 00:10:09.299 --> 00:10:15.519 a friend of mine retweeted on his Twitter, on his ex, he retweeted a paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 6. 00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:23.639 Within minutes, his employer told him to delete it. His business associates cut him off. And the thing 00:10:23.639 --> 00:10:30.259 that he said was hardest of all was that his Christian friends evaporated. They vanished. 00:10:31.019 --> 00:10:40.620 They were nowhere to be seen. Nobody came to his aid. We can't do that. Love requires courage. 00:10:42.319 --> 00:10:46.580 And look at verse 13. This is actually regular discipleship. This isn't top-level discipleship. 00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:52.659 This is basic following Christ. Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people 00:10:52.659 --> 00:10:58.699 through his own blood. Therefore, let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 00:10:59.419 --> 00:11:04.959 If we identify with Christ and we want to follow him to glory, the only way to get there is along the 00:11:04.959 --> 00:11:13.379 same path that he walked. And just as he was killed outside the city in the place of ignominy and rejection 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:21.220 and disgrace, our love for him demands that we are willing to share in that same contempt. 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:28.000 For these first hearers, that meant walking away from the respectability of their religion and their culture. 00:11:29.220 --> 00:11:32.220 It meant leaving the security of all that that represented. 00:11:32.220 --> 00:11:35.840 And the fact is that it's no different for us. 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:41.759 The cultural expression is going to be different, but the opposition is the same. 00:11:43.620 --> 00:11:50.840 All those, the Apostle Paul says, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 00:11:50.840 --> 00:11:57.620 Now we see the reality of this is beginning to hit home for more and more people in our day. 00:11:58.600 --> 00:12:03.940 And we're discovering that we can't make our Christian faith fit with the orthodoxies of the culture anymore. 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:06.960 So we have to make a choice. 00:12:10.040 --> 00:12:13.600 And it's a choice that shows up what you actually really love. 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:16.779 It shows where your heart really is. 00:12:17.519 --> 00:12:19.639 Christ or your reputation. 00:12:20.840 --> 00:12:23.720 Christ or the acceptance of the cool crowd. 00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:26.759 And you define the cool crowd according to the people you want to be in with. 00:12:28.820 --> 00:12:31.519 Christ or your professional success. 00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:35.240 Christ or your credibility. 00:12:36.840 --> 00:12:37.840 It's a choice. 00:12:38.560 --> 00:12:39.879 We all have to make it. 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:42.139 The pressure is on more and more. 00:12:42.139 --> 00:12:44.460 And it's a choice that's going to require courage. 00:12:46.539 --> 00:12:48.299 Love for God and for others. 00:12:48.419 --> 00:12:50.419 That is to mark the life of the Christian. 00:12:51.059 --> 00:12:52.019 Requires courage. 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:54.939 Well the second quality. 00:12:55.580 --> 00:12:56.539 Then we need to see. 00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:58.419 The second quality that the Christian will embody. 00:12:58.539 --> 00:12:59.379 The first is love. 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:00.279 The second. 00:13:01.039 --> 00:13:01.759 Point number two. 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:02.819 Contentment. 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:04.279 Contentment. 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:05.259 Verses four to six. 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:07.139 Let marriage be held in honor among all. 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:09.439 And let the marriage bed be undefiled. 00:13:09.440 --> 00:13:12.960 For God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:14.760 Keep your life free from the love of money. 00:13:15.260 --> 00:13:16.540 And be content with what you have. 00:13:16.640 --> 00:13:19.020 For he has said I will never leave you nor forsake you. 00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:22.000 So we can confidently say the Lord is my helper. 00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:22.940 I will not fear. 00:13:23.380 --> 00:13:25.000 What can man do to me? 00:13:26.920 --> 00:13:27.980 At first glance here. 00:13:28.100 --> 00:13:30.280 We think about well how are we supposed to live. 00:13:30.680 --> 00:13:33.220 We can think that he's talking here about purity and greed. 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:35.200 Those are the issues that he seems to be raising. 00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:36.700 But if you go under there. 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:38.080 If you go deeper than that. 00:13:38.160 --> 00:13:42.860 The root problem is a lack of contentment with what God has given you. 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:45.180 That's really what's going on here. 00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:48.759 In ancient literature these two areas are often taken together for this reason. 00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:53.140 It is discontentment that leads to immorality and adultery. 00:13:54.320 --> 00:13:59.780 It is discontentment that leads to you wanting and longing for more than what you have. 00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:04.080 No one sleeps around if they are content with God's plan for sex. 00:14:04.080 --> 00:14:07.759 No one cheats on their spouse if they are content with them. 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:12.680 No one is greedy for more money if they are content with the level that they are living at. 00:14:13.180 --> 00:14:16.660 Immorality and greed flow from a discontented heart. 00:14:16.940 --> 00:14:19.820 And the author says there is no place for this in the Christian life. 00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:23.080 But he also says that we can easily reject it. 00:14:24.080 --> 00:14:29.300 And we can be content because we have God. 00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:37.740 Our discontented and covetous hearts want what other people have. 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:46.740 Whether that's a spouse or their spouse or a certain lifestyle or a particular quality of life. 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:49.779 We want those things. 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:51.500 We set our hearts on those things. 00:14:51.680 --> 00:14:55.360 Because we're convinced that contentment comes from having them. 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:59.779 We think that contentment comes from having something that is out there. 00:14:59.940 --> 00:15:00.759 Not in here. 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:02.180 It's about what's out there. 00:15:02.259 --> 00:15:03.620 And if we can get that thing. 00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:04.980 Well then we'll be content. 00:15:04.980 --> 00:15:12.659 And of course we're up against an absolutely massive advertising super industry that knows our hearts better than we do. 00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:18.899 And it is promising on us in all kinds of ways that we can have the dream that they are selling. 00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:23.579 If we just buy their product that discontentment will evaporate. 00:15:24.939 --> 00:15:28.419 If we just choose the way of life that they are selling to us. 00:15:28.939 --> 00:15:34.220 And it usually means, it always means money, pay here, sign here, do this. 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:36.399 And that will take you down the path to contentment. 00:15:36.459 --> 00:15:37.740 That's what advertising is. 00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:40.799 It's promising you contentment via their product. 00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:43.620 And we're up against that. 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:45.559 And they know our hearts better than we do. 00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:50.159 And despite the fact that we have consistently gone down that path. 00:15:50.319 --> 00:15:53.179 And our hopes have been dashed a hundred times out of a hundred. 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:54.759 We keep believing them. 00:15:55.479 --> 00:16:00.739 We keep believing that we will get contentment if we get something that is out there sorted out. 00:16:03.699 --> 00:16:06.379 If I just had a husband or a wife. 00:16:06.979 --> 00:16:09.599 If my husband or wife was like him or her. 00:16:10.359 --> 00:16:12.099 If we could have that house. 00:16:12.539 --> 00:16:13.159 Those holidays. 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.579 That bit of tech. 00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:15.639 That car. 00:16:16.040 --> 00:16:16.820 That upgrade. 00:16:17.160 --> 00:16:18.100 Whatever it might be. 00:16:18.900 --> 00:16:19.879 Then life would be good. 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:20.920 Then I'd be content. 00:16:21.900 --> 00:16:23.540 That is not a Christian way to think. 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:25.100 I hope I don't need to tell you that. 00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:27.060 That is not a Christian way to think. 00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:31.320 Because the Christian knows that whatever we are missing. 00:16:32.400 --> 00:16:33.720 We have all we need. 00:16:34.160 --> 00:16:35.139 Look at verse 5. 00:16:35.920 --> 00:16:38.180 Be content with what you have. 00:16:38.920 --> 00:16:39.280 For. 00:16:40.300 --> 00:16:41.060 Because. 00:16:41.420 --> 00:16:44.000 Here's the reason you can be content with what you have. 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:44.779 He has said. 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:46.519 I will never leave you nor forsake you. 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:51.919 Some of this first audience were in dire straits. 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:54.000 They had everything taken from them. 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:54.879 And he's saying. 00:16:55.019 --> 00:16:56.399 You can be content with what you have. 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:59.399 And the reason they can be content is because they have God. 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:02.720 He will never leave them. 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:05.019 He will never forsake them. 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:05.759 In verse 6. 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.940 He is their helper. 00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:08.420 Their strength. 00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:12.220 Just as he was for Israel when he rescued them out of slavery in Egypt. 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:14.240 Just as he was for the psalmist. 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:15.759 54 verse 4. 00:17:15.839 --> 00:17:16.639 When he prayed. 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:17.960 The Lord is my helper. 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:20.680 The Lord is the sustainer of my soul. 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:26.299 To talk about God as helper is to talk about his power and his control. 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:30.380 Whatever you are missing in life. 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:31.980 You have all you need. 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:37.120 You have all you need. 00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:42.179 The powerful sovereign Lord who is working out his good. 00:17:42.239 --> 00:17:44.119 If sometimes hard to understand plans. 00:17:44.899 --> 00:17:46.399 In his perfect timing. 00:17:46.739 --> 00:17:47.619 Is with you. 00:17:48.219 --> 00:17:48.899 He's with you. 00:17:49.199 --> 00:17:50.719 And he will not leave you. 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:54.279 If you don't have it. 00:17:54.979 --> 00:17:55.979 You don't need it. 00:17:57.599 --> 00:17:59.239 And whatever you don't have. 00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:00.839 You do have God. 00:18:01.239 --> 00:18:03.419 The only one you really need. 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:09.039 When you worry that you're missing out in some way. 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:11.279 Or if you worry. 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:14.700 Or get yourself all twisted up about the fact that if. 00:18:15.380 --> 00:18:16.480 Because you've convinced yourself. 00:18:16.600 --> 00:18:17.740 If you had this thing. 00:18:18.060 --> 00:18:19.880 Whatever this thing out there is. 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:21.140 And it could be anything. 00:18:22.820 --> 00:18:24.160 Remember that God is your helper. 00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:25.160 Not that thing. 00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:28.740 Remember that God will never leave you. 00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:29.779 Nor forsake you. 00:18:30.820 --> 00:18:31.900 And what then happens. 00:18:31.900 --> 00:18:34.420 When you feel that discontentment growing. 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:36.840 And you remind yourself that he is your helper. 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:38.019 And that you have with him. 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.160 All that you need. 00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:40.800 What happens? 00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:42.420 As you trust him more. 00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:43.580 Your contentment will grow. 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:45.840 The discontentment will evaporate. 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:47.300 And the contentment will grow. 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:50.340 One. 00:18:50.560 --> 00:18:50.840 Love. 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.160 Two. 00:18:51.320 --> 00:18:51.740 Contentment. 00:18:51.800 --> 00:18:52.640 The third quality. 00:18:53.780 --> 00:18:54.180 Faith. 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:55.700 Point number three. 00:18:55.880 --> 00:18:56.240 Faith. 00:18:56.780 --> 00:18:57.840 This is what ties together. 00:18:57.920 --> 00:18:59.000 Verses seven to fourteen. 00:18:59.000 --> 00:18:59.940 Remember your leaders. 00:18:59.940 --> 00:19:02.039 Those who spoke to you the word of God. 00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:03.840 Consider the outcome of their way of life. 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:04.960 And imitate their faith. 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:08.000 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:09.240 Do not be led away. 00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:12.539 By diverse and strange teachings. 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:15.600 For it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace. 00:19:15.880 --> 00:19:16.779 Not by foods. 00:19:17.340 --> 00:19:19.440 Which have not benefited those devoted to them. 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:22.860 Starts by looking back to their past leaders. 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:26.559 Those who first preached the gospel to them. 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:30.320 Perhaps those that established the church of which they were a part. 00:19:30.900 --> 00:19:32.840 And he calls them to consider the way they lived. 00:19:33.320 --> 00:19:35.960 And to imitate their life of faith. 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:40.779 Just the same way that those guys came preaching the gospel of grace to you. 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:43.440 And they were living by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:19:43.620 --> 00:19:44.240 Imitate that. 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:46.900 And even though they have died. 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:48.620 Or will in time die. 00:19:48.859 --> 00:19:49.620 Their savior. 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:52.720 The one in whom their faith was placed most certainly hasn't. 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:54.880 Do you see that verse eight? 00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:56.759 It's a favorite memory verse. 00:19:57.400 --> 00:20:00.400 It is what you could call a classic of the coffee cup genre. 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:04.000 It has graced a million calendars down through church history. 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:06.039 Speaks of the unchanging nature. 00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:07.519 The immutability of Christ. 00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:08.740 It is. 00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:09.599 It's beautifully true. 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:11.980 But the author puts it here to remind his hearers. 00:20:12.419 --> 00:20:15.139 That just as their former leaders look to faith in Christ. 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:16.059 So must they. 00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:19.159 And while verse nine. 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:21.399 There are other teachings. 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:25.319 Doing the rounds as there always are. 00:20:26.159 --> 00:20:28.219 And the references here refer it seems to me. 00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:29.919 To the ceremonies of the old covenant. 00:20:30.419 --> 00:20:32.379 That have been the draw for these hearers. 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:33.659 He's saying. 00:20:34.419 --> 00:20:36.139 Just like the leaders did before. 00:20:36.139 --> 00:20:38.779 You also need to stick with the gospel. 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:43.039 That's what the author means when he compares being strengthened by grace. 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:44.839 Rather than ceremonial foods. 00:20:44.959 --> 00:20:47.480 It's be strengthened by the grace of the gospel. 00:20:47.939 --> 00:20:51.219 Not the religion of the ceremonies that you're looking back to. 00:20:51.379 --> 00:20:54.439 And then he points them forward to the basis of their hope. 00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.199 Verse 14. 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:56.119 For here. 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:58.980 Where we do ceremonies and all that kind of thing. 00:20:59.079 --> 00:21:00.939 We have no lasting city. 00:21:01.459 --> 00:21:03.159 But we seek the city that is to come. 00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:07.960 So can you see what the author is doing here. 00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:10.820 Is pulling together the different aspects of the life of faith. 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:13.900 It is a life that is founded on Christ. 00:21:14.320 --> 00:21:15.000 His life. 00:21:15.320 --> 00:21:15.900 His death. 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:17.300 His resurrection and history. 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:18.660 For our salvation. 00:21:18.840 --> 00:21:21.000 Our faith is faith in him. 00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:23.540 And this life is then lived. 00:21:23.800 --> 00:21:25.420 In the power of God's grace. 00:21:25.540 --> 00:21:26.420 Not our efforts. 00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:30.720 Whether those efforts are religious or otherwise. 00:21:30.820 --> 00:21:31.360 Whatever they are. 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:34.560 We live in the power of God's grace. 00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:36.160 As we hold fast to Christ. 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.279 And then. 00:21:39.120 --> 00:21:40.100 It is driven. 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:40.779 This whole thing. 00:21:40.860 --> 00:21:41.900 It's founded on Christ. 00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:43.519 It is lived by grace. 00:21:43.580 --> 00:21:45.500 And then it is driven by the hope of the future. 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:47.860 The city that is to come. 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:48.820 The heavenly Jerusalem. 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:50.240 The home of righteousness. 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:53.500 That's the life of faith. 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:54.720 It's founded on Christ. 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:55.940 It is lived by grace. 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:57.620 Not by religious ceremonies. 00:21:58.099 --> 00:22:00.019 And it is driven by the hope of the future. 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:03.279 Now I hope this evening. 00:22:03.380 --> 00:22:04.279 You're not surprised to hear. 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:06.480 That the Christian faith requires us to live by faith. 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:08.599 I hope that's not a revelation. 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:12.420 Like those who have gone before us. 00:22:12.620 --> 00:22:13.700 The great cloud of witnesses. 00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:15.120 In chapter 11. 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:17.259 Our leaders that taught us. 00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:18.120 The gospel. 00:22:18.120 --> 00:22:20.220 Whoever it was that you heard the gospel from. 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:24.579 And they persevered to the end in faith. 00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:27.819 We are to sit light. 00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:29.799 To the things of this life. 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:31.240 With our eyes fixed. 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:32.980 On Jesus. 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:37.019 We are to take him at his word. 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.160 However unpopular. 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.700 That makes us. 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:43.000 And we are to live according to what is unseen. 00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:44.519 And we do that. 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:45.079 Knowing. 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:47.500 That whatever we have or don't have here. 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:48.099 There is. 00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:50.500 Unfathomable glory. 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:52.339 In the future. 00:22:56.159 --> 00:22:56.599 Love. 00:22:57.819 --> 00:22:58.259 Contentment. 00:22:58.819 --> 00:22:59.139 Faith. 00:22:59.259 --> 00:23:00.019 And then finally. 00:23:00.659 --> 00:23:01.480 Point number four. 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:02.959 Accountability. 00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:04.659 Verse 17. 00:23:06.219 --> 00:23:06.699 Accountability. 00:23:07.639 --> 00:23:09.699 The author closes out his letter. 00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:11.740 With some teaching on what it means to be the church. 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:15.519 So it's fitting that we affirm these questions from the Heidelberg Catechism. 00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:16.740 Earlier on. 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:19.140 Obey your leaders. 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:20.980 And submit to them. 00:23:21.620 --> 00:23:23.420 For they are keeping watch over your souls. 00:23:23.620 --> 00:23:25.000 As those who will give an account. 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:27.180 Let them do this with joy. 00:23:27.380 --> 00:23:28.460 And not with groaning. 00:23:28.640 --> 00:23:30.759 For that would be of no advantage to you. 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:33.640 He's talking here about an accountability. 00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:33.920 Accountability. 00:23:34.360 --> 00:23:37.040 That exists within the community of the church. 00:23:37.100 --> 00:23:38.100 And he's saying first of all. 00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:41.720 That members of the church are accountable to church leaders. 00:23:43.080 --> 00:23:43.600 Elders. 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:45.380 In the plural. 00:23:45.860 --> 00:23:46.340 Elders. 00:23:46.840 --> 00:23:48.980 Have authority in church life. 00:23:49.340 --> 00:23:49.620 Not. 00:23:50.600 --> 00:23:51.560 The minister says it. 00:23:51.600 --> 00:23:52.259 That settles it. 00:23:52.320 --> 00:23:53.020 Kind of authority. 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:54.100 In fact. 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:54.840 Verse 18. 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:57.040 Makes clear that leaders are also church members. 00:23:57.040 --> 00:23:58.360 Who need the prayers of the church. 00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.180 Do you see that? 00:23:59.280 --> 00:23:59.980 Pray for us. 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:02.079 For we are sure that we have a clear conscience. 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:04.259 Desiring to act honorably in all things. 00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:08.220 Elders have authority. 00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:11.380 Just because authority can and has been abused in churches. 00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:13.440 Doesn't remove the command. 00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:16.279 Church members are accountable to their elders. 00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:16.940 And notice. 00:24:17.960 --> 00:24:20.480 Members are to make this oversight a joy. 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:22.120 See that? 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.799 Do you ever think about that? 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.640 What. 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:28.160 Could you do. 00:24:28.339 --> 00:24:29.480 To make leading you. 00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:30.480 In church life. 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.059 A joy? 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.660 I'll tell you four things. 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.660 That make elders rejoice. 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:35.599 Here you go. 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.039 First of all. 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:37.460 Number one. 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:37.980 You turn up. 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:39.259 And play your part in church life. 00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:40.960 The ministry of turning up. 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.640 Is very encouraging. 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:44.059 To church elders. 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:46.259 You're not merely a consumer. 00:24:46.599 --> 00:24:47.960 And you serve where there's a need. 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.360 That's number one. 00:24:50.860 --> 00:24:51.559 Elders rejoice. 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:52.839 When they see that in church life. 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:54.279 And again. 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.920 As we look around here. 00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:57.099 At IPC Ealing. 00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:58.460 See it all the time. 00:24:58.460 --> 00:25:01.440 There's huge amounts for us to rejoice in that regard. 00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:02.680 Second one. 00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:05.180 You're hungry to be fed the word of God. 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:06.420 And God in order to grow. 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:09.600 You're dialed in during the sermon. 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.340 You're not asleep. 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:13.660 Nope. 00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:14.559 Good. 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:16.640 Number three. 00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:17.720 You sing. 00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:18.600 Well. 00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:19.880 When we worship. 00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:22.779 That brings joy to everyone. 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.559 Not just elders. 00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:24.720 But it's a very simple thing. 00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:25.440 That brings joy. 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:26.960 To elders. 00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:28.259 Number four. 00:25:28.360 --> 00:25:29.259 You join us to pray. 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:33.059 Join us to pray at our monthly prayer meeting. 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.819 When the church prays. 00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:35.559 You come and you pray. 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:37.720 And you especially pray. 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.500 Look at verse 18. 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.460 You pray for us. 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:43.380 However difficult. 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:45.079 Church leadership might get. 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:47.100 To know that the church are praying for us. 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:47.799 Brings joy. 00:25:47.900 --> 00:25:48.720 Because it means. 00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:49.880 That we know. 00:25:50.340 --> 00:25:51.460 That we've linked arms. 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.660 And we're in this thing together. 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.279 There you go. 00:25:55.340 --> 00:25:56.120 There are four things. 00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:58.620 If you'd like to be a joy. 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:01.160 Turn up and play your part in church life. 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:03.240 Be hungry to be fed the word of God. 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:04.120 Sing well. 00:26:04.360 --> 00:26:04.680 And pray. 00:26:04.680 --> 00:26:08.380 Easy peasy. 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:10.620 Second thing. 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:12.920 If members are accountable to church leaders. 00:26:13.060 --> 00:26:15.620 Leaders are accountable to God. 00:26:15.880 --> 00:26:16.420 Do you see that? 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:20.299 Obey your leaders and submit to them. 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:22.120 For they are keeping watch over your souls. 00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:25.600 As those who will have to give an account. 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.060 Elders. 00:26:28.120 --> 00:26:29.980 In the church of Jesus Christ. 00:26:30.180 --> 00:26:31.880 Have to answer to almighty God. 00:26:31.880 --> 00:26:33.820 For how they have shepherded those under their care. 00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:36.940 And those of us who serve as elders. 00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:37.960 Must never forget this. 00:26:38.080 --> 00:26:38.240 Brothers. 00:26:38.340 --> 00:26:39.060 Would you be happy. 00:26:40.060 --> 00:26:41.620 To offer that conversation. 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:43.340 Or that pastoral advice. 00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:44.620 That you gave to God. 00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:46.720 It's worth us thinking about it. 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:48.420 Because one day we'll have to. 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:49.860 We'll have to give an account for it all. 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:52.840 I just want to push this a bit more. 00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:54.160 And say that there are two implications. 00:26:54.320 --> 00:26:55.140 For us all. 00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:56.420 With regards to this. 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:58.460 Leaders are accountable to God. 00:26:58.980 --> 00:27:00.940 That should encourage members. 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.860 That there is safety. 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:05.019 In your submission to their leadership. 00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:08.259 If they are godly. 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:10.279 Because they understand this. 00:27:10.979 --> 00:27:12.779 Those leaders will lead in the fear of God. 00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:14.279 And that will be for your benefit. 00:27:15.979 --> 00:27:17.219 If they are ungodly. 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.719 And I can hand on heart say. 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.839 That's not the case here. 00:27:22.579 --> 00:27:23.399 But if they are. 00:27:23.479 --> 00:27:24.719 You can trust that God knows. 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.779 And God will deal with it. 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:29.420 The fact that leaders will answer to God. 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.279 Should encourage members. 00:27:30.379 --> 00:27:31.619 That there is safety in submission. 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.399 Secondly. 00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:34.259 This accountability presupposes. 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.859 A knowledge of the leaders. 00:27:35.859 --> 00:27:36.940 On the part of the members. 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:38.740 And a knowledge of the members. 00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:40.399 On the part of the leaders. 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:44.980 How can Christians do what is required of them. 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.920 In this verse. 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:47.240 Without knowing. 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:48.599 To whom they must submit. 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:51.980 And how can elders do what is required of them. 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:52.639 In this verse. 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:54.620 If they don't know who is under their care. 00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:58.040 That's why we have church membership here. 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:01.220 If you are a member of this church. 00:28:01.340 --> 00:28:03.259 You can do Hebrews 13.17. 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:05.100 You know who the elders are. 00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:06.520 And the elders know who you are. 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:08.220 We pray for you by name. 00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:10.680 And we seek to shepherd you towards growth and grace. 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:12.620 Because we take it very seriously. 00:28:12.620 --> 00:28:14.759 That we will have to give an account for your progress. 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:16.560 While you are under our care here. 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:20.340 And we expect you to submit to our leadership. 00:28:20.340 --> 00:28:21.560 Not because it's perfect. 00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:23.879 Not because there's a sense in which. 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:26.500 We can lord it over you. 00:28:26.619 --> 00:28:27.480 Quite the opposite. 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:29.759 We do it because this is how God has ordered things. 00:28:32.679 --> 00:28:34.440 Can I say if you're a baptized Christian. 00:28:34.559 --> 00:28:36.919 And you're not a member of a church. 00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:38.039 Doesn't have to be this one. 00:28:38.099 --> 00:28:39.440 But another Bible teaching church. 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:40.659 Where you know the elders. 00:28:40.899 --> 00:28:42.099 And they know you. 00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:45.259 I don't see how you can fulfill Hebrews 13.17. 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:47.539 And let me ask you. 00:28:47.599 --> 00:28:49.059 Who is keeping watch over your soul? 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:52.019 Even regular attendance at the same church doesn't work. 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:55.720 Because unless you recognize this submission in some formal way. 00:28:55.899 --> 00:28:58.519 When or if you get off track. 00:28:58.679 --> 00:29:01.879 Who has the permission to call you back to repentance? 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:05.579 If you know your heart. 00:29:05.659 --> 00:29:07.099 And you know the deceitfulness of sin. 00:29:08.359 --> 00:29:10.220 When you're deceived by sin. 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:13.279 Who will speak truth into your life? 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:16.660 Who has the authority to do that? 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:21.819 Meaningful church membership helps provide the accountability we all need. 00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:23.859 That's why we take seriously what we did this evening. 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:26.819 That's why it's a vital part of our church life. 00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:28.339 Second. 00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:31.879 That everyone is duty bound to use these gifts readily and cheerfully. 00:29:32.059 --> 00:29:35.000 For the benefit and well-being of the other members. 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:36.519 We're in this together. 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:37.400 Love. 00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:41.460 Love. 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:42.259 Faith. 00:29:49.379 --> 00:29:50.019 Hang on. 00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:51.639 Contentment. 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:51.920 Love. 00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:52.519 Contentment. 00:29:52.639 --> 00:29:52.920 Faith. 00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:53.599 Accountability. 00:29:53.859 --> 00:29:54.379 There we are. 00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:56.319 You had missed one. 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:59.379 So we come to the end of the letter. 00:29:59.380 --> 00:30:02.760 But when we land. 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:05.640 As we do at the end of this letter. 00:30:06.300 --> 00:30:08.960 It's not really a conclusion is it? 00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:11.600 With an instruction that says. 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.020 Okay. 00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:13.220 Don't wander away. 00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:16.760 Do now go and live a life of love. 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:17.260 Faith. 00:30:17.580 --> 00:30:18.020 Contentment. 00:30:18.300 --> 00:30:18.540 Love. 00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:19.000 Contentment. 00:30:19.100 --> 00:30:19.360 Faith. 00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:19.940 And accountability. 00:30:21.080 --> 00:30:22.160 It's pushing us on. 00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:24.840 It's not really drawing things to a close at all. 00:30:24.880 --> 00:30:26.720 It has a feel of that Churchill quote doesn't it? 00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:28.040 Now this is not the end. 00:30:28.039 --> 00:30:29.519 It's not even the beginning of the end. 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:30.779 But it is perhaps the end of the beginning. 00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:32.680 He's pushing us on. 00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:33.500 It's not. 00:30:34.359 --> 00:30:34.579 It's. 00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:35.899 I want to say to you. 00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:37.099 Don't just not give up. 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:39.659 But pursue lives that are marked by love. 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:40.940 Contentment. 00:30:41.420 --> 00:30:41.759 Faith. 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:45.159 And let's do it together as the church. 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.799 Spurring one another on. 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.799 As look at verse 21. 00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:50.980 As God equips us with all that we need. 00:30:51.579 --> 00:30:52.359 To do this. 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.779 May he help us. 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:56.879 By his goodness and grace. 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:57.440 Let's pray. 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:58.019 Or for a night. 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.019