WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.700 So 1 Thessalonians 5, 16 to 18, very simply, Paul says, 00:00:04.700 --> 00:00:10.880 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, 00:00:11.460 --> 00:00:15.480 for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 00:00:16.240 --> 00:00:20.460 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, 00:00:20.740 --> 00:00:26.199 for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 00:00:26.199 --> 00:00:32.780 Well, clearly at the heart of this text is this pronouncement 00:00:32.780 --> 00:00:40.700 that what is being said or what is being commanded is the, quote, will of God. 00:00:41.759 --> 00:00:44.439 And that brings a weightiness to this, doesn't it? 00:00:45.200 --> 00:00:47.200 Of course, we understand the Bible is God's word. 00:00:47.320 --> 00:00:49.859 Everything that we read there is the will of God in some way, 00:00:49.939 --> 00:00:52.679 and there are various ways to understand that. 00:00:52.679 --> 00:00:56.299 But whenever we come to a statement like this in the Scripture, 00:00:56.859 --> 00:01:00.759 it really is functioning like a giant flashing sign. 00:01:00.920 --> 00:01:06.560 It's urging us to pay careful attention to what's being said. 00:01:07.760 --> 00:01:10.180 This is the will of God for you. 00:01:10.340 --> 00:01:12.120 This is what God wants for you. 00:01:12.659 --> 00:01:19.299 To do anything less is to sin, to be in rebellion against Him. 00:01:19.299 --> 00:01:23.679 And we've seen the phrase once before in this very letter. 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:26.859 If you remember back in chapter 4 and verse 3, 00:01:27.620 --> 00:01:31.959 Paul wrote that the will of God is the Christian's sanctification. 00:01:32.359 --> 00:01:33.659 Why don't you just set your eyes on it? 00:01:33.979 --> 00:01:35.840 It may even be on the same page for you there. 00:01:36.280 --> 00:01:37.519 Chapter 4, verse 3, 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:41.840 This is the will of God, your sanctification. 00:01:42.539 --> 00:01:43.239 Very plain. 00:01:43.239 --> 00:01:49.000 Sanctification, of course, refers to our progress in holiness, 00:01:49.659 --> 00:01:51.859 our progress in purity. 00:01:52.859 --> 00:01:56.000 We might understand it in the context of this book 00:01:56.000 --> 00:01:57.780 and the way that Paul has used it here. 00:01:58.119 --> 00:02:01.359 We might understand it as living consistently 00:02:01.359 --> 00:02:06.379 with the purposes for which God has saved us 00:02:06.379 --> 00:02:09.359 and set us apart for His glory. 00:02:10.560 --> 00:02:12.659 Of course, that too has been echoed in the letter. 00:02:13.240 --> 00:02:17.379 Just turn again back to chapter 2 and verse 12. 00:02:18.980 --> 00:02:22.240 We exhorted each one of you, encouraged you, 00:02:22.680 --> 00:02:27.960 and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God 00:02:27.960 --> 00:02:32.020 who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. 00:02:32.820 --> 00:02:34.580 That's really what this is about, isn't it? 00:02:35.080 --> 00:02:38.960 This sanctification, it really means to walk worthy of God, 00:02:38.960 --> 00:02:43.820 to live consistently with the calling on our life. 00:02:43.820 --> 00:02:46.420 That is our calling to salvation. 00:02:47.580 --> 00:02:50.219 That since we belong to Him as His people, 00:02:50.300 --> 00:02:51.120 if you're a Christian, 00:02:51.719 --> 00:02:55.000 there is a particular way that He desires for you to live your life 00:02:55.000 --> 00:02:57.520 in purity and in holiness. 00:02:58.520 --> 00:02:59.980 This is His will, 00:03:00.760 --> 00:03:03.180 Paul says plainly in chapter 4 and verse 3. 00:03:03.180 --> 00:03:10.260 Well, when Paul speaks of God's will again here in chapter 5 and verse 18, 00:03:10.520 --> 00:03:15.200 it's also in relation to the believer's sanctification. 00:03:15.900 --> 00:03:18.640 And we know that because of verses 23 and 24. 00:03:19.020 --> 00:03:21.520 They are working as the climax, 00:03:21.800 --> 00:03:22.719 not only of this section, 00:03:22.819 --> 00:03:24.340 really the climax of the whole letter, 00:03:24.540 --> 00:03:26.280 but especially this section. 00:03:26.520 --> 00:03:27.560 Just set your eyes on them. 00:03:27.560 --> 00:03:29.159 Paul offers this prayer. 00:03:29.620 --> 00:03:35.099 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. 00:03:35.400 --> 00:03:37.580 This whole idea of walking worthy, 00:03:38.640 --> 00:03:40.439 of living a life that is consistent, 00:03:40.539 --> 00:03:42.620 of having an existence that is consistent 00:03:42.620 --> 00:03:45.520 with the calling of God on our lives, 00:03:45.860 --> 00:03:46.500 he says, 00:03:46.900 --> 00:03:49.000 may God bring it to completion. 00:03:49.960 --> 00:03:55.599 And may your whole spirit and body and soul be kept blameless. 00:03:55.599 --> 00:03:57.659 Blameless being another word for sanctification. 00:03:58.120 --> 00:04:01.939 May it be blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus. 00:04:02.560 --> 00:04:04.219 He who calls you is faithful. 00:04:05.060 --> 00:04:06.060 He will surely do it. 00:04:06.759 --> 00:04:07.719 That's the climax, 00:04:07.979 --> 00:04:08.699 not only of the letter, 00:04:08.799 --> 00:04:09.719 but of this section. 00:04:09.879 --> 00:04:13.500 That's what helps inform us of what Paul is doing with this section. 00:04:13.859 --> 00:04:16.100 It has to do with our sanctification. 00:04:17.639 --> 00:04:22.939 God will be faithful to complete that work when Christ returns. 00:04:22.939 --> 00:04:24.800 But until that time, 00:04:24.899 --> 00:04:29.000 the challenge for us is to pursue sanctification, 00:04:29.279 --> 00:04:31.279 to pursue holiness and purity, 00:04:31.620 --> 00:04:34.360 blamelessness in the context of verse 23. 00:04:34.759 --> 00:04:36.160 That is our part. 00:04:36.459 --> 00:04:37.639 We are to do that. 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:39.879 We are to pursue that in His grace 00:04:39.879 --> 00:04:42.360 and of course in the power of His Spirit. 00:04:43.300 --> 00:04:44.959 So again, when we get to chapter 5, 00:04:45.060 --> 00:04:46.360 there's this repetition. 00:04:46.980 --> 00:04:48.199 This is the will of God. 00:04:48.240 --> 00:04:49.500 And what is it in relation to? 00:04:49.500 --> 00:04:53.399 Well, ultimately it's in relation to our sanctification again, 00:04:53.480 --> 00:04:56.360 but it has a narrow focus as well. 00:04:57.680 --> 00:05:03.480 Here, sanctification means constant joy, 00:05:05.019 --> 00:05:06.920 persistent prayer, 00:05:08.600 --> 00:05:11.579 grateful praise in every circumstance. 00:05:11.579 --> 00:05:14.919 The bottom line of all of this is 00:05:14.919 --> 00:05:18.039 that God desires for His people 00:05:18.039 --> 00:05:19.740 to actually live like His people. 00:05:20.979 --> 00:05:22.060 And in these verses, 00:05:22.699 --> 00:05:25.620 to live as if you belong to God 00:05:25.620 --> 00:05:27.879 is to rejoice always, 00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:29.959 to pray without ceasing, 00:05:30.639 --> 00:05:32.399 and to give thanks in all circumstances. 00:05:33.539 --> 00:05:35.199 So it's not very hard to see that, is it? 00:05:35.259 --> 00:05:36.259 It's easy to see, 00:05:36.360 --> 00:05:38.060 okay, this is what God wants for me. 00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:39.959 And though as His people, 00:05:40.319 --> 00:05:41.459 it is always, 00:05:41.560 --> 00:05:42.740 or at least it should always be, 00:05:42.819 --> 00:05:43.759 our delight 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:46.420 to do the will of God, 00:05:47.060 --> 00:05:48.560 that doesn't mean 00:05:48.560 --> 00:05:50.519 that obedience to God's will 00:05:50.519 --> 00:05:51.480 is always easy. 00:05:52.620 --> 00:05:53.639 In fact, 00:05:54.139 --> 00:05:55.779 there are times where 00:05:55.779 --> 00:05:58.220 God's commands 00:05:58.220 --> 00:05:59.220 actually, 00:05:59.480 --> 00:06:01.480 they seem downright impossible 00:06:01.480 --> 00:06:03.399 to obey, 00:06:03.660 --> 00:06:04.980 impossible to fulfill. 00:06:04.980 --> 00:06:08.460 And I think this is one of those times. 00:06:10.620 --> 00:06:11.980 We're so familiar 00:06:11.980 --> 00:06:13.040 with these three verses 00:06:13.040 --> 00:06:14.379 that we may take for granted 00:06:14.379 --> 00:06:18.220 exactly what God is telling us to do here. 00:06:19.720 --> 00:06:21.560 Consider the Thessalonian Christians 00:06:21.560 --> 00:06:23.680 who were the first recipients 00:06:23.680 --> 00:06:24.900 of these instructions. 00:06:26.460 --> 00:06:28.540 That they face significant suffering 00:06:28.540 --> 00:06:30.120 in their lives 00:06:30.120 --> 00:06:31.879 for their faith in particular 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:34.240 is well established. 00:06:34.240 --> 00:06:34.960 We know that. 00:06:36.139 --> 00:06:37.420 From the very beginning, 00:06:38.699 --> 00:06:40.060 their faith 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:41.240 was rocked 00:06:42.300 --> 00:06:43.199 by persecution. 00:06:44.360 --> 00:06:45.220 Paul himself 00:06:45.220 --> 00:06:45.900 and his team 00:06:45.900 --> 00:06:47.780 being chased out of town 00:06:47.780 --> 00:06:48.879 at threat of their life. 00:06:49.319 --> 00:06:50.639 Those who had allowed 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:51.620 Paul and his team 00:06:51.620 --> 00:06:52.319 to stay with him, 00:06:52.500 --> 00:06:53.720 Jason in particular 00:06:53.720 --> 00:06:54.439 was one man 00:06:54.439 --> 00:06:55.900 that's named in Acts 17, 00:06:56.259 --> 00:06:57.879 are dragged before a mob 00:06:57.879 --> 00:06:58.780 and beaten. 00:07:00.400 --> 00:07:00.740 Why? 00:07:01.579 --> 00:07:02.980 Because they were Christians. 00:07:04.240 --> 00:07:05.199 And of course, 00:07:05.259 --> 00:07:06.199 as we've studied the letter, 00:07:06.319 --> 00:07:06.840 we have found 00:07:06.840 --> 00:07:07.840 that that has continued. 00:07:08.840 --> 00:07:11.019 Not only has the persecution continued 00:07:11.019 --> 00:07:12.420 and not only is it severe, 00:07:13.060 --> 00:07:14.100 but now they're starting 00:07:14.100 --> 00:07:15.120 to notice that 00:07:15.120 --> 00:07:16.780 people that they love, 00:07:17.160 --> 00:07:17.660 Christians, 00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:19.420 their brothers and sisters in Christ, 00:07:19.480 --> 00:07:20.259 are beginning to die 00:07:20.259 --> 00:07:21.639 and that's brought confusion. 00:07:21.800 --> 00:07:22.759 That's brought a different kind 00:07:22.759 --> 00:07:23.319 of grief to them 00:07:23.319 --> 00:07:25.040 that Paul has dealt with 00:07:25.040 --> 00:07:25.720 in the letter. 00:07:25.960 --> 00:07:27.199 Everything that we know 00:07:27.199 --> 00:07:28.439 about the Thessalonians 00:07:28.439 --> 00:07:29.699 and about their context 00:07:29.699 --> 00:07:30.840 is hard. 00:07:30.839 --> 00:07:33.000 It's a struggle. 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:35.139 It's suffering. 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:38.719 And their suffering, 00:07:38.899 --> 00:07:41.119 both physical and emotional, 00:07:41.359 --> 00:07:42.759 showed no signs of letting up. 00:07:43.679 --> 00:07:45.639 Now it is to those people 00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:47.939 that Paul writes, 00:07:48.879 --> 00:07:50.159 God wants you to rejoice. 00:07:50.160 --> 00:07:54.020 God wants you to continue praying. 00:07:55.020 --> 00:07:56.840 God wants you to express 00:07:56.840 --> 00:07:58.220 thanksgiving. 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:00.480 And surely, 00:08:00.640 --> 00:08:02.040 as they heard this letter read 00:08:02.040 --> 00:08:03.020 in one of their gatherings, 00:08:03.260 --> 00:08:05.480 somebody in that worship service 00:08:05.480 --> 00:08:06.020 would have thought, 00:08:06.460 --> 00:08:08.360 God's asking too much. 00:08:09.480 --> 00:08:10.800 How is that even possible? 00:08:12.980 --> 00:08:14.620 Perhaps you're in a season of life 00:08:14.620 --> 00:08:16.280 that is somewhat like that, 00:08:16.279 --> 00:08:19.179 where instructions like these, 00:08:19.279 --> 00:08:20.539 while you get them 00:08:20.539 --> 00:08:21.759 and maybe you can feign 00:08:21.759 --> 00:08:23.039 some type of obedience to them, 00:08:23.339 --> 00:08:24.479 you really know 00:08:24.479 --> 00:08:27.139 or at least think 00:08:27.139 --> 00:08:28.439 that I can't do this. 00:08:32.500 --> 00:08:33.699 Sure, you know how to get on 00:08:33.699 --> 00:08:35.339 well enough in Christian settings, 00:08:35.899 --> 00:08:39.500 but genuinely expressing joy to God, 00:08:39.699 --> 00:08:41.120 continuing in faithful 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:42.839 dependence on Him, 00:08:43.059 --> 00:08:44.839 offering sincere thanks 00:08:44.839 --> 00:08:45.879 from the heart, 00:08:45.879 --> 00:08:46.840 just isn't happening. 00:08:47.939 --> 00:08:49.120 And maybe you've concluded 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:51.159 that God asked too much. 00:08:52.240 --> 00:08:53.340 He asked too much of you. 00:08:54.320 --> 00:08:56.059 Or that these attitudes and actions 00:08:56.059 --> 00:08:56.860 can only be true 00:08:56.860 --> 00:08:58.320 of a certain kind of Christian, 00:08:58.519 --> 00:09:00.519 some kind of super Christian 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:01.519 that just has something 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:02.539 that you don't have. 00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:05.100 Neither of those things 00:09:05.100 --> 00:09:06.659 is true. 00:09:09.259 --> 00:09:11.100 We tend to think of these precepts 00:09:11.100 --> 00:09:12.580 in terms of what we must do. 00:09:12.679 --> 00:09:14.639 I want to try to correct that, 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:15.899 but not entirely, 00:09:16.299 --> 00:09:17.460 because it's not all wrong, 00:09:17.539 --> 00:09:18.379 but it is incomplete. 00:09:19.379 --> 00:09:21.039 These are not merely things 00:09:21.039 --> 00:09:21.960 that we must do, 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:23.480 actions that we must perform. 00:09:24.819 --> 00:09:25.819 By God's grace, 00:09:25.819 --> 00:09:26.720 I want to show you 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:27.759 from this text 00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:29.620 that it is not only 00:09:29.620 --> 00:09:31.439 what we must do 00:09:31.439 --> 00:09:32.720 or that we must do them, 00:09:32.980 --> 00:09:34.620 but that we can do them. 00:09:35.319 --> 00:09:36.419 You actually can. 00:09:36.419 --> 00:09:39.019 not in a way that is 00:09:39.019 --> 00:09:40.899 a fake it till you make it 00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:41.860 kind of situation, 00:09:41.860 --> 00:09:43.599 but you, 00:09:43.919 --> 00:09:45.659 those who are in Christ, 00:09:46.319 --> 00:09:47.559 you can actually do 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:49.259 what God is commanding you 00:09:49.259 --> 00:09:50.279 to do in this text. 00:09:51.559 --> 00:09:54.639 You can have authentic joy 00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:56.699 in the midst of grief. 00:09:57.339 --> 00:10:00.099 You can have confident, 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:01.240 hopeful prayer. 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:04.180 You can have grateful praise 00:10:04.180 --> 00:10:06.120 even in the most difficult 00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:07.299 moments of your life. 00:10:07.680 --> 00:10:09.159 You can suffer with joy. 00:10:09.940 --> 00:10:11.440 You can pray with confidence. 00:10:12.139 --> 00:10:13.340 You can find reasons 00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:14.039 for gratitude 00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:15.519 when all of your faith, 00:10:15.700 --> 00:10:16.419 love, and hope 00:10:16.419 --> 00:10:20.039 rest and are at rest 00:10:20.039 --> 00:10:21.680 in the person 00:10:21.680 --> 00:10:23.440 and the work of Jesus Christ. 00:10:24.180 --> 00:10:25.220 That's what these verses 00:10:25.220 --> 00:10:25.820 are about. 00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:27.220 That's what I hope to point out 00:10:27.220 --> 00:10:27.919 to you this morning. 00:10:28.500 --> 00:10:29.620 First thing I want to do, 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:31.220 just two main things, 00:10:31.340 --> 00:10:32.740 but the first thing is this. 00:10:33.060 --> 00:10:34.299 I want us to look at 00:10:34.299 --> 00:10:37.259 the essence of the commands here. 00:10:37.960 --> 00:10:39.320 The essence of the commands. 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:40.139 Look again, 00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:41.259 verse 16 to 18. 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:42.539 Rejoice always, 00:10:43.019 --> 00:10:44.419 pray without ceasing, 00:10:45.320 --> 00:10:48.419 give thanks in all circumstances. 00:10:49.659 --> 00:10:51.440 Now I want to try to get ahead 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:52.740 of a potential misunderstanding 00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:54.680 that I've witnessed before 00:10:54.680 --> 00:10:55.919 in some Christians. 00:10:55.919 --> 00:10:58.919 some have misunderstood 00:10:59.439 --> 00:11:01.000 these three commands 00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:04.299 to mean that expressing grief 00:11:04.299 --> 00:11:10.159 or acknowledging a serious struggle, 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:12.000 maybe even a struggle of the soul, 00:11:12.199 --> 00:11:13.299 darkness of the soul 00:11:13.299 --> 00:11:14.179 as we would call it, 00:11:14.919 --> 00:11:16.659 that to experience those things, 00:11:16.779 --> 00:11:17.620 to feel those things, 00:11:17.659 --> 00:11:18.779 and to express those things 00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:19.980 is actually sinful. 00:11:19.980 --> 00:11:23.980 They wrongly believe 00:11:23.980 --> 00:11:26.960 or at least wrongly behave 00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:31.200 as if joy cannot exist with grief, 00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:34.620 as if prayers cannot be made 00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:36.720 in moments of confusion 00:11:36.720 --> 00:11:37.700 or maybe even doubt, 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:40.820 or that thanksgiving cannot 00:11:40.820 --> 00:11:42.860 be true thanksgiving 00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:45.460 if it also admits hardship 00:11:45.460 --> 00:11:46.840 and difficulty. 00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:50.040 And what that kind of thinking 00:11:50.040 --> 00:11:50.980 results in 00:11:50.980 --> 00:11:53.600 is the appearance of joy 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:54.840 that's not actually real. 00:11:57.360 --> 00:11:58.840 Prayer that is hollow, 00:12:00.100 --> 00:12:00.540 vain. 00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:03.840 Jesus said it of unbelievers 00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:06.840 that it is vain repetition 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:09.600 that they think that they will be heard 00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:10.840 for their much speaking, 00:12:11.660 --> 00:12:12.780 but it's not prayer 00:12:12.780 --> 00:12:14.220 that's genuine from the heart. 00:12:14.300 --> 00:12:16.160 It's not informed by reality. 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:18.539 It's just words, 00:12:18.719 --> 00:12:20.799 religious forms. 00:12:22.439 --> 00:12:24.360 It also results in displays 00:12:24.360 --> 00:12:27.379 of gratitude that may be misguided. 00:12:27.659 --> 00:12:29.360 They may express gratitude 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:30.240 for something that God 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:32.620 doesn't actually instruct us 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:33.519 to be grateful for. 00:12:34.199 --> 00:12:35.919 Perhaps you've seen somebody 00:12:35.919 --> 00:12:37.519 who just out of confusion about this, 00:12:37.899 --> 00:12:40.319 they have the intention of obedience. 00:12:40.439 --> 00:12:41.679 They want to be obedient to the passage, 00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:42.879 but because they misunderstand 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:45.059 what God has actually commanded here, 00:12:45.059 --> 00:12:46.479 they look at their suffering 00:12:46.479 --> 00:12:47.719 and they express gratitude 00:12:47.719 --> 00:12:49.099 for the suffering itself 00:12:49.099 --> 00:12:51.679 as if that's what God's asking them 00:12:51.679 --> 00:12:52.199 to do here. 00:12:52.379 --> 00:12:54.079 I don't think that's what God is asking. 00:12:54.439 --> 00:12:55.779 Now, I understand there is a way 00:12:55.779 --> 00:12:56.519 to do that 00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:57.519 that is genuine 00:12:57.519 --> 00:12:58.759 and good, 00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:00.359 but there are some 00:13:00.359 --> 00:13:01.019 who feel like 00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:02.619 what God is actually asking them to do 00:13:02.619 --> 00:13:03.779 is express this kind of 00:13:03.779 --> 00:13:06.359 feigned thanksgiving and joy 00:13:06.359 --> 00:13:06.799 for something 00:13:06.799 --> 00:13:08.219 that he hasn't actually told them 00:13:08.219 --> 00:13:09.819 that they must be thankful for. 00:13:09.820 --> 00:13:12.240 The result of all of that, 00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:14.360 the aura of all of that, 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:16.540 it reeks of vain religion 00:13:16.540 --> 00:13:19.160 that is out of touch with reality. 00:13:20.600 --> 00:13:21.600 Now, I'm not suggesting 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:23.100 that any of you think that way, 00:13:23.180 --> 00:13:24.220 but I have seen that. 00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:25.120 I've seen Christians 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:25.600 who just, 00:13:25.940 --> 00:13:27.480 they don't have a good understanding 00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:28.140 of suffering, 00:13:28.300 --> 00:13:29.360 therefore they have 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:30.360 a complete misunderstanding 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:32.500 of what God's actually asking for here. 00:13:34.160 --> 00:13:35.760 That's not how we're to understand 00:13:35.760 --> 00:13:37.860 the essence of these commands. 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:41.019 To ignore or to deny 00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:42.700 the experience of suffering, 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:45.159 it actually robs these virtues 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:46.039 of their meaning 00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:47.019 and of their power. 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:51.740 Suffering is the backdrop 00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:54.519 against which Christian joy 00:13:54.519 --> 00:13:56.680 and hope and gratitude 00:13:56.680 --> 00:13:58.700 shine the brightest. 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:01.779 A couple of weeks ago, 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:03.200 I can't remember what brought it on. 00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:04.779 Maybe the girls were asking about it 00:14:04.779 --> 00:14:06.240 or Julie and I were talking 00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:07.320 about her engagement ring. 00:14:07.320 --> 00:14:08.520 One of the girls asked 00:14:08.520 --> 00:14:09.480 how much I paid for it. 00:14:09.780 --> 00:14:10.280 I don't know, 00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:11.040 a quarter, 00:14:11.400 --> 00:14:12.600 whatever it cost 00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:13.780 at the vending machine, right? 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:16.700 We were talking about it. 00:14:16.700 --> 00:14:19.160 I remember when I would go 00:14:19.160 --> 00:14:20.660 to Jared's, 00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:21.500 that's the only place 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.440 that I will allow myself 00:14:22.440 --> 00:14:23.120 to buy jewelry. 00:14:23.920 --> 00:14:25.180 We'll go to Jared's 00:14:25.180 --> 00:14:27.460 and what is it that they do 00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:28.180 with the jewelry? 00:14:28.740 --> 00:14:30.500 They pull it out of the case, right? 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:32.460 They put it on that black felt thing 00:14:32.460 --> 00:14:33.360 or at least it's what they used to do. 00:14:33.400 --> 00:14:34.360 It's probably been 16 years 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:35.260 since I've been in a jewelry store. 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:37.299 They put it on the black. 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:38.000 Why do they do that? 00:14:38.319 --> 00:14:39.720 They got the spotlights right above. 00:14:40.279 --> 00:14:41.179 They shine it down 00:14:41.179 --> 00:14:42.240 against the backdrop 00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:44.200 of that black felt board. 00:14:45.319 --> 00:14:47.220 The diamond shines brightest, 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:47.720 doesn't it? 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:51.379 When we think about Christian joy 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:52.539 and Christian hope 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:54.559 and Christian prayer, 00:14:54.819 --> 00:14:56.659 Christian gratitude, 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:58.699 it shines brightest 00:14:58.699 --> 00:14:59.759 against the backdrop 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:01.779 of suffering. 00:15:03.559 --> 00:15:05.000 It's not in ignorance 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:06.539 or denial of grief 00:15:06.539 --> 00:15:08.600 but in the perseverance of joy 00:15:08.600 --> 00:15:11.179 through incredible grief 00:15:11.179 --> 00:15:13.100 that is the essence 00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:14.639 of these commands. 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:17.699 And Paul affirmed this routinely 00:15:17.699 --> 00:15:19.699 when he spoke of his own suffering. 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:21.159 I want to just read to you 00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:22.039 this one paragraph 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:22.839 that he wrote 00:15:22.839 --> 00:15:24.779 in 2 Corinthians 1. 00:15:24.779 --> 00:15:26.600 He said, 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:27.559 We do not want you 00:15:27.559 --> 00:15:28.879 to be unaware, brothers, 00:15:29.299 --> 00:15:30.480 of the affliction 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:32.079 we experienced in Asia. 00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:33.299 He's being honest 00:15:33.299 --> 00:15:34.120 about his circumstance. 00:15:35.819 --> 00:15:40.220 We were so utterly burdened 00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:41.980 beyond our strength 00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:44.699 that we despaired 00:15:44.699 --> 00:15:46.939 of life itself. 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:50.039 This is the Apostle Paul, 00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:51.240 the great Apostle. 00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:52.559 He's supposed to always 00:15:52.559 --> 00:15:53.519 be happy, right? 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:55.659 I mean, that's who this guy is 00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:56.120 and he's saying, 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:57.299 No, there's been some times 00:15:57.299 --> 00:15:58.279 it's been so hard 00:15:58.279 --> 00:16:00.019 that I just wanted to die. 00:16:00.939 --> 00:16:02.340 I just wanted to die. 00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:05.299 Indeed, he says, 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:06.699 we felt that we had received 00:16:06.699 --> 00:16:07.759 the sentence of death. 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:11.679 Oh, but that was to make us rely 00:16:11.679 --> 00:16:12.659 not on ourselves 00:16:12.659 --> 00:16:14.600 but on God 00:16:14.600 --> 00:16:16.819 who raises the dead. 00:16:17.159 --> 00:16:18.500 He delivered us 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:20.539 from such a deadly peril 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:21.939 and he will deliver us. 00:16:21.940 --> 00:16:24.840 On him we have set our hope 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:27.180 that he will deliver us again. 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:30.400 You also must help us by prayer 00:16:30.400 --> 00:16:34.160 so that many will give thanks 00:16:34.160 --> 00:16:35.740 on our behalf 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:37.560 for the blessing granted to us 00:16:37.560 --> 00:16:39.120 through the prayers of many. 00:16:39.220 --> 00:16:40.200 Do you see what he's doing there? 00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:43.260 He's not denying serious suffering 00:16:43.260 --> 00:16:46.140 but he is showing that it is possible 00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:48.059 for a Christian 00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:50.279 to have true hope 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:51.580 and joy 00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:53.120 and gratitude 00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:56.240 in the midst of intense suffering. 00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:57.779 The kind of suffering 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:59.679 that when you lay at bed tonight 00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:01.220 you just ask God, 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:03.720 Will you just take me already? 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:07.759 These three commands 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:09.160 are about more than 00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:11.360 outward religious performance. 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:13.559 That's not what God is interested in. 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:16.680 All of them are written as actions. 00:17:16.860 --> 00:17:17.860 They're verbs, aren't they? 00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:19.799 We are to rejoice. 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:22.039 We are to pray. 00:17:22.360 --> 00:17:23.860 We are to give thanks. 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:24.819 All of those are verbs. 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.600 All of them, however, 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:28.579 each action flows 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:30.680 from an attitude toward God 00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:33.200 that is not manufactured. 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.660 It's actually something 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.759 that is settled 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:37.299 in the heart 00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:38.640 of a believer 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:40.980 and of a believer alone. 00:17:43.140 --> 00:17:44.539 There's a transformation 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:46.140 of heart and mind 00:17:46.140 --> 00:17:48.460 that God graciously gives 00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:49.580 to those he saves. 00:17:49.880 --> 00:17:50.740 We read about it 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:52.380 in 2 Corinthians 5 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:53.299 in verse 17. 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:53.920 Paul says, 00:17:54.320 --> 00:17:55.940 If anyone is in Christ, 00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:57.799 he is a new creation. 00:17:58.360 --> 00:17:59.799 The old has passed away. 00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:01.759 Behold, the new has come. 00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:03.659 All things made new. 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:06.599 And we are to put on 00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:07.419 this new man. 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:09.619 What does that actually mean? 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:11.960 It means that we live 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:13.180 consistently 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:14.720 with what God 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:16.359 has already done 00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:17.899 in us. 00:18:19.379 --> 00:18:20.940 This new creation, 00:18:21.139 --> 00:18:22.019 it includes 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:23.399 the disposition 00:18:23.399 --> 00:18:24.359 of our heart 00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:25.059 toward God. 00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:26.980 God does that work in us. 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:27.480 We don't do that 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:28.059 for ourselves. 00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:29.359 He does that. 00:18:30.639 --> 00:18:32.000 So when God says 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.740 that his will 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:33.720 is that we rejoice, 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:36.339 he is instructing us 00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:38.659 to express the joy 00:18:38.659 --> 00:18:40.519 that he has put 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:41.259 in our hearts. 00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:43.359 To give voice 00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:44.019 to something 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:45.599 that he has put 00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:45.980 in us. 00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:46.599 It's there. 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:47.359 If you're in Christ, 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:47.980 it's there. 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:49.079 It may be hard to see 00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:49.539 at times, 00:18:49.659 --> 00:18:50.579 but it's there. 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:51.599 And he says, 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:52.859 I want you to give voice 00:18:52.859 --> 00:18:53.299 to it. 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:55.180 I want you to rejoice. 00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:58.460 When he tells us 00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:59.060 to pray, 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:01.220 he means for us 00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:02.380 to act upon 00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:03.600 the hope 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:05.000 and faith 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:07.039 that he's put in us. 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:10.440 When he commands 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:11.240 our thanksgiving, 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.820 he is instructing us 00:19:12.820 --> 00:19:13.840 to give voice 00:19:13.840 --> 00:19:15.060 to the heart 00:19:15.060 --> 00:19:15.960 of worship 00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:18.220 that goes 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:19.400 far beyond 00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:20.759 our present circumstance. 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:23.819 What am I saying? 00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:26.519 These three commands 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:28.599 are not about performance. 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:30.460 So we need not 00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:31.019 look at them 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:31.379 and say, 00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:31.740 well, 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:33.319 if I'm going to obey God, 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:34.480 I've got to find a way 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:35.879 to fame joy 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:37.680 and continue 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:38.840 in hopeful prayer 00:19:38.840 --> 00:19:40.100 even when prayer 00:19:40.100 --> 00:19:41.300 is quite difficult 00:19:41.300 --> 00:19:43.280 and to just come up 00:19:43.280 --> 00:19:44.120 with some random thing 00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:44.900 that I can express 00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:45.580 thanksgiving for. 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:45.860 No, 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:47.100 that's not what this is about. 00:19:48.360 --> 00:19:49.720 It's not about performance. 00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:51.440 It's about our attitude 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:52.320 of heart 00:19:52.320 --> 00:19:53.940 towards God. 00:19:55.560 --> 00:19:56.420 These commands 00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:57.220 don't require 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:58.160 that we ignore 00:19:58.160 --> 00:19:59.220 or deny 00:19:59.220 --> 00:19:59.860 the reality 00:19:59.860 --> 00:20:00.480 of hardship, 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:02.420 but that we faithfully 00:20:02.420 --> 00:20:03.280 persevere 00:20:03.280 --> 00:20:05.380 in genuine worship 00:20:05.380 --> 00:20:06.620 through 00:20:06.620 --> 00:20:08.580 our various sufferings. 00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:11.260 And it's in this way 00:20:11.260 --> 00:20:13.140 that God wills 00:20:13.140 --> 00:20:14.140 our sanctification 00:20:14.140 --> 00:20:15.020 in this text, 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:17.320 preparing us 00:20:17.320 --> 00:20:18.920 for Christ's return 00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:19.640 when he will 00:20:19.640 --> 00:20:20.680 complete 00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:21.880 our joy 00:20:21.880 --> 00:20:22.980 and he will 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:23.880 complete 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:24.720 our hope 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.660 and he will 00:20:25.660 --> 00:20:26.460 complete 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:28.120 our thanksgiving 00:20:28.120 --> 00:20:29.280 in eternity. 00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:31.040 But of course, 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:31.720 we understand 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:32.300 when we come 00:20:32.300 --> 00:20:33.320 to a text like this, 00:20:33.800 --> 00:20:34.220 we understand 00:20:34.220 --> 00:20:34.900 God has done 00:20:34.900 --> 00:20:35.420 this work, 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:36.200 he's asking us 00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:37.280 to give voice 00:20:37.280 --> 00:20:37.700 to something 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.700 that he has done 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.160 in us, 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:40.080 but then we also 00:20:40.080 --> 00:20:40.680 know that 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.580 our hearts 00:20:41.580 --> 00:20:43.500 can grow cold. 00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:47.820 Which is exactly 00:20:47.820 --> 00:20:48.620 why we need 00:20:48.620 --> 00:20:49.680 this kind of instruction 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:50.680 again and again. 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:52.820 Paul wrote 00:20:52.820 --> 00:20:53.380 these things 00:20:53.380 --> 00:20:54.480 to the Thessalonians 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.480 in order to 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.980 awaken in them 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.820 something that 00:20:57.820 --> 00:20:58.660 may have become 00:20:58.660 --> 00:20:59.240 dull, 00:20:59.840 --> 00:21:00.920 but why would it 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:01.759 have become dull? 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:03.019 Well, 00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:03.519 some of them 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.099 we know 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:05.160 are living 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:06.079 in sinful 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:06.839 behaviors. 00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:08.859 Sin can make 00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:09.279 your heart 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:10.079 grow dull. 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:11.160 When you have 00:21:11.160 --> 00:21:12.000 sin in your life, 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.319 it's going to be 00:21:12.319 --> 00:21:13.279 hard to express 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:14.180 genuine joy 00:21:14.180 --> 00:21:15.539 and you probably 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.440 won't want to 00:21:16.440 --> 00:21:17.819 pray very much 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:18.220 because you 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.099 understand the 00:21:19.099 --> 00:21:19.640 contradiction 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:21.279 between your life 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:21.779 and prayer. 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:22.819 It will be hard 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:23.400 to even think 00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:24.140 about thanksgiving 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:24.720 because you're 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:25.319 obsessed with 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:25.859 this other thing 00:21:25.859 --> 00:21:26.319 that you want 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:27.059 more than you want 00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:28.420 obedience to Christ. 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:29.779 sin dulls our 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.420 hearts to these 00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:30.779 things. 00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:31.660 It's not just 00:21:31.660 --> 00:21:31.960 sin, 00:21:32.340 --> 00:21:33.060 there's intense 00:21:33.060 --> 00:21:34.380 distress happening 00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:35.060 in the church. 00:21:36.360 --> 00:21:36.920 Distress, 00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:38.440 suffering, 00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:40.400 can dull our 00:21:40.400 --> 00:21:40.820 hearts. 00:21:42.140 --> 00:21:42.700 It's hard to 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:43.620 find joy when 00:21:43.620 --> 00:21:44.960 you can't see a 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:47.120 reason to feel 00:21:47.120 --> 00:21:47.460 joy. 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:50.039 It's hard to 00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:51.720 pray when you've 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:52.500 prayed again and 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:53.420 again and again 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:54.200 and it seems like 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:54.620 God isn't 00:21:54.620 --> 00:21:55.000 listening. 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:58.440 it's hard to 00:21:58.440 --> 00:21:59.319 express gratitude 00:21:59.319 --> 00:22:00.160 when you're 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.579 finding it 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:01.180 difficult to 00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:01.680 find anything 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.220 that's worth 00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:02.740 being thankful 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.059 for. 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:04.880 Of course, 00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:06.079 we can pull 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.619 out all kinds 00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.000 of random 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:07.660 things that we 00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:08.059 know we're 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:08.700 supposed to be 00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.180 thankful for 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:09.680 but that doesn't 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.160 mean that we're 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:10.700 actually doing it. 00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:11.539 Our hearts can 00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:13.200 grow dull and 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:13.519 cold. 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:16.119 Of course, 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:16.759 the difficulty 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.960 here is not 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:18.660 so much the 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:19.619 commands themselves, 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:21.059 it's the 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:22.039 modifiers that 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:22.680 follow them. 00:22:22.680 --> 00:22:25.380 we aren't 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:26.320 told simply to 00:22:26.320 --> 00:22:26.900 rejoice. 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:28.740 We're told to 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:30.420 rejoice always. 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:32.519 We aren't 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:34.220 told simply 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:34.960 to pray. 00:22:35.600 --> 00:22:36.600 We're instructed 00:22:36.600 --> 00:22:37.620 to never stop 00:22:37.620 --> 00:22:38.080 praying. 00:22:40.360 --> 00:22:41.080 We're not 00:22:41.080 --> 00:22:41.900 told to give 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:42.620 thanks, we're 00:22:42.620 --> 00:22:43.500 told to do so 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:43.880 in every 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:44.440 circumstance. 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:47.180 That's why 00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:48.279 these commands, 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:48.840 we come to it 00:22:48.840 --> 00:22:49.259 and we think, 00:22:49.320 --> 00:22:49.660 if we're being 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:50.120 honest with 00:22:50.120 --> 00:22:50.539 ourselves, we 00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:50.900 come to it 00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:51.299 and we think, 00:22:51.600 --> 00:22:52.320 this is not 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:53.059 possible, how 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.419 can this 00:22:53.419 --> 00:22:54.139 actually be 00:22:54.139 --> 00:22:54.759 possible to 00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:55.039 do the 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.200 things? 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:56.439 God's asking 00:22:56.439 --> 00:22:57.579 too much. 00:22:58.659 --> 00:22:59.179 Who can 00:22:59.179 --> 00:23:00.019 genuinely do 00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:00.599 these things 00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:01.679 at all times? 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:02.839 We want to 00:23:02.839 --> 00:23:03.159 do these 00:23:03.159 --> 00:23:03.639 things at all 00:23:03.639 --> 00:23:04.019 times but 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:04.639 who truly 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:05.359 can? 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.259 And the 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.759 answer comes 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:09.220 at the end 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:09.619 of verse 00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:10.159 18. 00:23:11.159 --> 00:23:11.700 So we've 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.179 seen the 00:23:12.179 --> 00:23:12.740 essence of 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:13.179 the commands, 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:13.579 now I'm 00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:13.700 going to 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.159 show you 00:23:14.159 --> 00:23:15.339 the basis 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:15.919 for the 00:23:15.919 --> 00:23:16.299 commands. 00:23:17.379 --> 00:23:17.980 That God 00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:18.480 is not 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.119 asking too 00:23:19.119 --> 00:23:19.460 much of 00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:19.700 you, he's 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.259 actually 00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:21.200 commanding you 00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:21.779 to do 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.240 something that 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:22.539 he's made 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.000 possible. 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:23.700 Look again 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.000 at verse 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:24.480 18. 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.000 For this 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:26.559 is the 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:26.960 will of 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:28.440 God in 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.259 Christ Jesus 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:31.099 for you. 00:23:31.899 --> 00:23:32.599 For this 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:32.859 is the 00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.180 will of 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:34.559 God in 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.319 Christ Jesus 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:36.720 for you. 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:39.220 What seems 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:40.240 impossible is 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:41.579 suddenly made 00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.420 possible when we 00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:43.539 think about this 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.440 last statement. 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:46.700 Think about how 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:47.440 Paul could have 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:48.059 said this. 00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:49.339 He could have 00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:50.819 said, rejoice 00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:52.619 always, pray 00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:53.599 without ceasing, 00:23:54.099 --> 00:23:55.139 give thanks in 00:23:55.139 --> 00:23:56.099 all circumstances 00:23:56.099 --> 00:23:57.500 for this is the 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:58.139 will of God 00:23:58.139 --> 00:23:58.799 for you. 00:23:59.639 --> 00:24:00.319 He could have 00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:00.939 said that. 00:24:01.379 --> 00:24:02.000 He doesn't 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:02.799 say that. 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:05.459 It would be 00:24:05.459 --> 00:24:06.259 incomplete if he 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:06.779 said that. 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:08.679 Oh, the 00:24:08.679 --> 00:24:09.539 addition of 00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:10.879 in Christ 00:24:10.879 --> 00:24:11.859 Jesus is of 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:13.339 utmost importance 00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:14.220 to the 00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:14.799 instructions. 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:17.000 It roots the 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:18.299 command for 00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:19.380 constant joy 00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:20.160 and persistent 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:20.940 prayer and 00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:21.700 continual 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.279 thanksgiving. 00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:23.019 It roots it 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:24.880 solely in the 00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:25.819 good news of 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.160 Jesus. 00:24:27.660 --> 00:24:28.579 The impossible 00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:30.160 is made 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:32.319 possible in 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:34.059 Christ alone. 00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:37.079 God doesn't 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:38.019 command us to 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:39.559 rejoice because 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:40.700 of our sorrow 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:41.920 but to rejoice 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:43.579 in our sorrow 00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:44.819 because Jesus 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:45.680 has conquered 00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:46.960 our grief and 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:47.820 will bring it 00:24:47.820 --> 00:24:48.420 to an end 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:49.039 that is coming. 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:51.180 That's how we 00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:52.620 can rejoice in 00:24:52.620 --> 00:24:53.039 Christ. 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:55.200 God doesn't 00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:56.080 instruct us to 00:24:56.080 --> 00:24:57.400 pray because he 00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:58.460 will always grant 00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:59.100 our request. 00:24:59.580 --> 00:25:00.400 He makes no 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:01.320 such promises. 00:25:02.920 --> 00:25:04.259 He invites us 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:04.740 to pray. 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:07.039 We know that 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:07.779 prayer is a 00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.460 means by which 00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:09.140 he does very 00:25:09.140 --> 00:25:10.200 often grant 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:11.500 our request. 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:12.960 But that's not 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.720 why he says to 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:14.740 pray without 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.200 ceasing. 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:15.720 He says to 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.339 pray without 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:17.120 ceasing because 00:25:17.120 --> 00:25:17.980 in Christ 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:19.180 Jesus we 00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:20.339 can pray. 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:21.539 We have 00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:23.099 access to 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:23.640 the throne 00:25:23.640 --> 00:25:24.339 of God 00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:25.180 through our 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:25.920 great high 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:27.740 priest Jesus 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.440 Christ. 00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:30.339 Why wouldn't 00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:31.000 we pray 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:32.660 when we have 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:34.160 such wonderful 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:34.839 privilege? 00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:38.519 God doesn't 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:40.799 demand our 00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:41.400 thanksgiving 00:25:41.400 --> 00:25:42.380 because life is 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.380 always good. 00:25:46.120 --> 00:25:47.440 He commands 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:48.180 our thanksgiving 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:49.120 because Jesus 00:25:49.120 --> 00:25:50.200 is always good 00:25:50.200 --> 00:25:52.120 even when life 00:25:52.120 --> 00:25:52.700 is not. 00:25:55.360 --> 00:25:56.500 The radical 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.660 call to rejoice 00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:58.640 always and pray 00:25:58.640 --> 00:25:59.460 without ceasing 00:25:59.460 --> 00:26:00.280 and give thanks 00:26:00.280 --> 00:26:01.480 in all circumstances 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.360 really it's 00:26:02.360 --> 00:26:03.800 fundamentally a 00:26:03.800 --> 00:26:04.520 call to view 00:26:04.520 --> 00:26:06.280 every moment 00:26:06.280 --> 00:26:07.760 in light of the 00:26:07.760 --> 00:26:09.240 fact that you 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:10.420 belong to Jesus. 00:26:10.420 --> 00:26:11.620 that's what 00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:12.340 this is about. 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:15.080 Living every 00:26:15.080 --> 00:26:15.700 moment of our 00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.600 life understanding 00:26:16.600 --> 00:26:18.480 every circumstance 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:19.740 viewing all of 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:21.019 life and all 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:21.820 that we see 00:26:21.820 --> 00:26:22.640 and experience 00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:23.759 viewing it with 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.740 the understanding 00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:26.400 that I belong 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:27.039 to Jesus. 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:29.460 I am his 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.800 and he is 00:26:30.800 --> 00:26:31.480 mine. 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.620 Isn't that the 00:26:33.620 --> 00:26:34.440 message that 00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:35.480 seems to be 00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.220 coursing through 00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:36.860 this entire 00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:37.220 letter? 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:39.640 Christ is 00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:40.299 coming back 00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:40.759 to redeem 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.319 his people 00:26:41.319 --> 00:26:42.259 and judge 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:42.700 his enemies. 00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:44.240 Things may be 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.200 tough right now 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:46.559 but take heart 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:48.120 you belong to 00:26:48.120 --> 00:26:49.440 Jesus and he 00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:50.640 will not forsake 00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:51.940 you over 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:53.079 and over 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:53.900 and over 00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:55.700 this is the 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.279 theme that 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:56.920 comes to the 00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:57.980 surface in 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:58.559 this letter 00:26:58.559 --> 00:26:59.579 to the 00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:00.559 Thessalonians. 00:27:01.360 --> 00:27:02.640 So you can 00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:03.579 keep rejoicing 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:04.680 in the pain. 00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:06.279 You can 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:07.039 keep praying 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.519 through the 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.000 confusion. 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:08.980 You can 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.820 give thanks 00:27:09.820 --> 00:27:10.560 in the 00:27:10.560 --> 00:27:11.140 suffering 00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:12.480 because you 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:13.160 belong to 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:14.539 him and 00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:14.980 he's coming 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:16.440 back and 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:16.779 he's going to 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:17.200 make all 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:17.960 things right 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:19.320 and we will 00:27:19.320 --> 00:27:19.820 be with him 00:27:19.820 --> 00:27:20.380 in eternity. 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.660 That's 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.700 1 Thessalonians. 00:27:24.600 --> 00:27:25.840 The reality 00:27:25.840 --> 00:27:26.240 of the 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:26.940 Thessalonians 00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:28.500 suffering made 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:29.420 these attitudes 00:27:29.420 --> 00:27:30.160 and actions 00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:31.900 difficult but 00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:33.160 the fact of 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:34.100 their salvation 00:27:34.100 --> 00:27:35.759 made them 00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:36.500 possible. 00:27:37.580 --> 00:27:37.940 I want to 00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:38.400 say that 00:27:38.400 --> 00:27:38.840 again. 00:27:40.300 --> 00:27:41.060 The reality 00:27:41.060 --> 00:27:41.580 of the 00:27:41.580 --> 00:27:42.340 Thessalonians 00:27:42.340 --> 00:27:44.180 suffering made 00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:44.960 these attitudes 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:45.840 and actions 00:27:45.840 --> 00:27:46.840 difficult, 00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:47.880 maybe even 00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:48.480 seemingly 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:50.259 impossible but 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:51.140 the fact of 00:27:51.140 --> 00:27:52.140 their salvation 00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:54.019 made them 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:55.019 very possible. 00:27:56.860 --> 00:27:57.220 Yes, 00:27:57.380 --> 00:27:57.880 they were 00:27:57.880 --> 00:27:58.820 enduring 00:27:58.820 --> 00:27:59.800 significant 00:27:59.800 --> 00:28:01.279 hardship but 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:01.980 consider what 00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:02.620 else the letter 00:28:02.620 --> 00:28:03.740 says was 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:04.440 true of them. 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:05.640 In chapter 00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:06.079 1 and 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:06.640 verse 4 00:28:06.640 --> 00:28:07.099 we're told 00:28:07.099 --> 00:28:07.519 that they 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.740 are loved 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:09.900 and chosen 00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:10.620 by God. 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:12.740 In several 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.559 places we are 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:14.099 told that they 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:15.180 are filled 00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:16.880 by the Holy 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:17.299 Spirit. 00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:18.279 In chapter 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.240 1 verses 5 00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:19.740 and 6 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:20.559 they are filled 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.259 with the power 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:21.640 of the Holy 00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:21.960 Spirit. 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:22.819 A few verses 00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:23.900 later they are 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:24.980 given the joy 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.900 of the Holy 00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:26.279 Spirit. 00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:27.059 When we get 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.019 to chapter 4 00:28:28.019 --> 00:28:29.299 we find that 00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:30.000 they have been 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:31.440 given by God 00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:32.440 His Holy 00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:32.779 Spirit. 00:28:32.920 --> 00:28:33.339 That's true 00:28:33.339 --> 00:28:33.680 of them. 00:28:35.400 --> 00:28:36.180 In chapter 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:36.559 1 and 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:37.039 verse 10 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.779 we find that 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:38.460 they have 00:28:38.460 --> 00:28:39.559 been delivered 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:40.440 by Christ 00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:41.519 from God's 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:42.279 future wrath. 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.880 In chapter 00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:44.319 2 and 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:44.980 verse 12 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:45.819 they've been 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.779 called into 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.660 God's kingdom 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:48.740 and glory. 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:50.119 In chapter 00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:50.579 2 and 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:51.319 verse 13 00:28:51.319 --> 00:28:51.940 they were 00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:53.140 being transformed 00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:54.500 by God's 00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:54.900 word. 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:56.140 In chapter 00:28:56.140 --> 00:28:56.720 3 and 00:28:56.720 --> 00:28:57.259 verse 8 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:57.940 they were 00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:58.400 standing 00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:59.140 firm 00:28:59.140 --> 00:28:59.660 in the 00:28:59.660 --> 00:29:00.019 Lord. 00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:01.140 In chapter 00:29:01.140 --> 00:29:01.700 3 and 00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:02.379 verse 13 00:29:02.379 --> 00:29:02.839 they were 00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:03.819 being established 00:29:03.819 --> 00:29:04.579 in holiness 00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:05.759 by God 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.299 Himself. 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:07.539 In chapter 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:08.079 4 and 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:08.819 verse 14 00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:09.779 they received 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:10.559 the promise 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:12.039 of resurrection 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:13.359 on the basis 00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:14.420 of Jesus' 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.259 resurrection. 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:16.579 In chapter 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.099 4 and 00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:17.839 verse 17 00:29:17.839 --> 00:29:18.940 they received 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.619 the promise 00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:20.339 that whether 00:29:20.339 --> 00:29:20.920 living or 00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:21.240 dead 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:22.160 they will 00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:22.680 spend 00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:23.680 forever 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:25.059 in the 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:25.640 presence of 00:29:25.640 --> 00:29:26.140 Christ. 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:27.780 chapter 5 00:29:27.780 --> 00:29:28.520 verses 9 00:29:28.520 --> 00:29:29.040 and 10 00:29:29.040 --> 00:29:29.820 they are 00:29:29.820 --> 00:29:30.440 destined 00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:31.160 not for 00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:31.540 wrath 00:29:31.540 --> 00:29:32.340 but to 00:29:32.340 --> 00:29:32.700 obtain 00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.300 salvation. 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:35.280 If we 00:29:35.280 --> 00:29:35.820 spend all 00:29:35.820 --> 00:29:36.120 of our 00:29:36.120 --> 00:29:36.660 time 00:29:36.660 --> 00:29:37.500 looking at 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.440 1 Thessalonians 00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:38.880 and thinking 00:29:38.880 --> 00:29:39.420 wow 00:29:39.420 --> 00:29:40.800 what a 00:29:40.800 --> 00:29:41.800 hard life 00:29:41.800 --> 00:29:42.540 they lived. 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:43.940 What a 00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:44.560 shame for 00:29:44.560 --> 00:29:44.980 us. 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.200 They didn't 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:46.740 think that 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.120 way. 00:29:48.340 --> 00:29:48.640 You hear 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:49.120 all of that 00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:49.720 encouragement. 00:29:50.380 --> 00:29:50.680 Yes 00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:51.180 things were 00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:51.880 hard but 00:29:51.880 --> 00:29:52.360 that's not 00:29:52.360 --> 00:29:52.840 all that was 00:29:52.840 --> 00:29:53.240 true of 00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:53.420 them. 00:29:53.560 --> 00:29:53.759 No 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.680 they were 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:55.480 in Christ 00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:56.059 and they 00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:56.319 were going 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:56.759 to receive 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.319 all the 00:29:57.319 --> 00:29:57.980 benefits and 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:59.279 privileges of 00:29:59.279 --> 00:30:00.279 being in 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:00.799 Christ. 00:30:01.120 --> 00:30:02.120 That is what 00:30:02.120 --> 00:30:02.740 was true of 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:02.920 them. 00:30:03.360 --> 00:30:04.099 That's why 00:30:04.099 --> 00:30:04.660 Paul could 00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:05.059 write and 00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:05.500 say it's 00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:06.240 God's will 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.880 that you 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:07.839 keep rejoicing 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:08.160 in your 00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:08.740 hardship and 00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:09.000 that you 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:09.740 keep praying 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.059 in your 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:10.559 doubt and 00:30:10.559 --> 00:30:10.839 that you 00:30:10.839 --> 00:30:11.740 keep giving 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.400 thanks in 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:13.360 all circumstances 00:30:13.360 --> 00:30:14.220 because you 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:14.900 belong to 00:30:14.900 --> 00:30:15.220 him. 00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:16.279 You can 00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:16.940 do this 00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:18.000 in Christ. 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:20.640 And if 00:30:20.640 --> 00:30:21.000 you're a 00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:21.700 Christian this 00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:23.279 morning everything 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:24.099 that we just 00:30:24.099 --> 00:30:24.940 read about the 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:25.700 Thessalonians 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:26.680 that's true 00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:27.140 of you. 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:29.320 You too 00:30:29.320 --> 00:30:30.180 have been 00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:30.880 delivered from 00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:31.460 the wrath to 00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:31.740 come. 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:33.380 You too 00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:34.120 have been 00:30:34.120 --> 00:30:36.220 given the 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:37.019 presence and 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:37.559 power of the 00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:38.059 Holy Spirit. 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:39.299 He is in 00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:39.820 you. 00:30:41.340 --> 00:30:42.200 He has put 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:42.820 joy in your 00:30:42.820 --> 00:30:43.200 heart. 00:30:45.059 --> 00:30:45.759 His word 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:46.600 is at work 00:30:46.600 --> 00:30:46.900 in you. 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:47.720 It's transforming 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.120 you. 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:49.779 You have the 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:50.440 promise of a 00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:51.279 future resurrection. 00:30:51.880 --> 00:30:52.940 You will be 00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:53.799 forever with 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.419 the Lord. 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:55.539 You are 00:30:55.539 --> 00:30:57.399 destined by 00:30:57.399 --> 00:30:58.039 God, 00:30:58.639 --> 00:31:00.379 determined by 00:31:00.379 --> 00:31:01.440 God to 00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:02.460 obtain salvation 00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:03.099 in the end. 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.240 That's true 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:04.680 of you. 00:31:06.879 --> 00:31:07.879 God's will is 00:31:07.879 --> 00:31:08.240 that you 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:09.700 remember who 00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:10.480 you are in 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:11.779 Christ at 00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:13.379 all times so 00:31:13.379 --> 00:31:14.460 that in every 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:16.079 circumstance you 00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:17.039 can give voice 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:18.220 to what he has 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:19.379 done for you 00:31:19.380 --> 00:31:21.000 and what he 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:22.540 has done in 00:31:22.540 --> 00:31:23.020 you. 00:31:24.520 --> 00:31:25.160 Truly, 00:31:25.760 --> 00:31:27.380 at all times 00:31:27.380 --> 00:31:28.840 and in all 00:31:28.840 --> 00:31:29.560 circumstances, 00:31:30.120 --> 00:31:31.800 you can rejoice. 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:34.240 You can pray 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:36.100 and you can give 00:31:36.100 --> 00:31:38.240 thanks because 00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:39.020 you're in 00:31:39.020 --> 00:31:39.540 Christ. 00:31:39.539 --> 00:31:39.619 Christ. 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.460 Now, if you're 00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:42.899 not a 00:31:42.899 --> 00:31:43.279 Christian, 00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:45.819 I'm glad 00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:46.319 you're here 00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:48.399 and I hope 00:31:48.399 --> 00:31:48.839 you will come 00:31:48.839 --> 00:31:49.599 to understand 00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:50.259 the wonder 00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:51.299 of this 00:31:51.299 --> 00:31:51.859 gospel that 00:31:51.859 --> 00:31:52.299 I'm speaking 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:52.799 of now. 00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:55.139 But what I 00:31:55.139 --> 00:31:55.619 want to say 00:31:55.619 --> 00:31:56.119 to you now 00:31:56.119 --> 00:31:56.799 is that Jesus 00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:57.899 really is this 00:31:57.899 --> 00:31:58.200 good. 00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:00.379 He really 00:32:00.379 --> 00:32:00.879 is. 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:03.720 Listen to 00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.119 how he 00:32:04.119 --> 00:32:05.039 described the 00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:05.839 salvation that 00:32:05.839 --> 00:32:06.619 he gives in 00:32:06.619 --> 00:32:07.779 Matthew's gospel. 00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:08.819 These are two 00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:09.379 of my favorite 00:32:09.379 --> 00:32:09.899 parables. 00:32:10.879 --> 00:32:11.279 In Matthew 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:11.839 13, 00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:12.519 Jesus said, 00:32:12.700 --> 00:32:12.980 the kingdom 00:32:12.980 --> 00:32:13.519 of heaven 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:14.339 is like a 00:32:14.339 --> 00:32:15.460 treasure hidden 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:16.179 in a field 00:32:16.179 --> 00:32:17.960 which a man 00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:18.799 found and 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:19.419 covered up. 00:32:20.859 --> 00:32:21.399 Then in his 00:32:21.399 --> 00:32:21.839 joy, 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.599 he goes and 00:32:22.599 --> 00:32:23.539 he sells all 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:24.139 that he has 00:32:24.139 --> 00:32:24.779 and he buys 00:32:24.779 --> 00:32:25.559 that field. 00:32:26.839 --> 00:32:27.159 And then he 00:32:27.159 --> 00:32:27.700 continues, 00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:29.700 again, 00:32:29.859 --> 00:32:30.259 the kingdom 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:30.779 of heaven 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:31.379 is like a 00:32:31.379 --> 00:32:32.619 merchant in 00:32:32.619 --> 00:32:33.059 search of 00:32:33.059 --> 00:32:33.799 fine pearls 00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:35.240 who on 00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:36.179 finding one 00:32:36.179 --> 00:32:36.779 pearl of 00:32:36.779 --> 00:32:37.659 great value 00:32:37.660 --> 00:32:38.880 went and 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:39.519 sold all 00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:39.820 that he 00:32:39.820 --> 00:32:40.220 had 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:42.080 and bought 00:32:42.080 --> 00:32:42.360 it. 00:32:43.320 --> 00:32:43.440 Now, 00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:43.720 what's the 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:44.019 point? 00:32:45.560 --> 00:32:46.380 Jesus is 00:32:46.380 --> 00:32:46.980 the treasure 00:32:46.980 --> 00:32:47.360 in the 00:32:47.360 --> 00:32:47.620 field. 00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:50.140 Jesus is 00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:50.860 the pearl 00:32:50.860 --> 00:32:52.240 of immeasurable 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:52.860 value. 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:54.480 He really 00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:55.779 is as good 00:32:55.779 --> 00:32:57.400 as the word 00:32:57.400 --> 00:32:58.080 says that he 00:32:58.080 --> 00:32:58.480 is. 00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:01.320 Apart from 00:33:01.320 --> 00:33:01.640 him, 00:33:02.320 --> 00:33:03.540 we are all 00:33:03.540 --> 00:33:05.340 destined for 00:33:05.339 --> 00:33:06.159 God's wrath. 00:33:07.500 --> 00:33:08.459 We're destined 00:33:08.459 --> 00:33:09.039 for that 00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:09.639 because God 00:33:09.639 --> 00:33:10.159 is holy 00:33:10.159 --> 00:33:11.819 and we 00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:12.339 are born 00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:12.980 sinners. 00:33:13.699 --> 00:33:14.099 We are in 00:33:14.099 --> 00:33:14.619 rebellion 00:33:14.619 --> 00:33:15.539 against him. 00:33:17.059 --> 00:33:17.639 But on 00:33:17.639 --> 00:33:18.339 the cross, 00:33:20.019 --> 00:33:20.379 Jesus, 00:33:20.639 --> 00:33:21.299 the sinless 00:33:21.299 --> 00:33:21.740 son of 00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:22.199 God, 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:24.000 bore 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:24.599 God's 00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:25.179 wrath 00:33:25.179 --> 00:33:26.500 in our 00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.139 place. 00:33:29.079 --> 00:33:30.019 He took 00:33:30.019 --> 00:33:30.799 the place 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.319 of every 00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:31.759 sinner 00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:31.960 sinner 00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:33.220 who will 00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:33.779 believe, 00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:35.059 who will 00:33:35.059 --> 00:33:35.700 trust in 00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:37.039 him and 00:33:37.039 --> 00:33:37.759 follow him 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:38.279 as Lord. 00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:40.920 Only those 00:33:40.920 --> 00:33:41.740 who are safe 00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:43.079 in Christ 00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:43.759 can rejoice 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:45.059 always and 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:45.680 pray without 00:33:45.680 --> 00:33:46.779 ceasing and 00:33:46.779 --> 00:33:47.940 give thanks in 00:33:47.940 --> 00:33:48.740 every circumstance. 00:33:50.099 --> 00:33:51.119 And you 00:33:51.119 --> 00:33:53.099 can be safe 00:33:53.099 --> 00:33:53.700 in Christ 00:33:53.700 --> 00:33:54.759 today 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:57.500 and forever. 00:33:57.500 --> 00:33:59.519 if you 00:33:59.519 --> 00:34:00.220 will be like 00:34:00.220 --> 00:34:00.940 that man 00:34:00.940 --> 00:34:01.460 in the 00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:01.839 field 00:34:01.839 --> 00:34:03.079 and like 00:34:03.079 --> 00:34:03.920 that merchant 00:34:03.920 --> 00:34:05.200 searching for 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:05.579 pearls. 00:34:07.099 --> 00:34:08.159 This life, 00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.800 it offers a 00:34:09.800 --> 00:34:10.059 lot of 00:34:10.059 --> 00:34:10.440 things. 00:34:11.139 --> 00:34:11.619 And you 00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:12.019 may be 00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:12.760 satisfied to 00:34:12.760 --> 00:34:13.320 some extent 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:13.719 with what 00:34:13.719 --> 00:34:14.159 it's offered 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:14.480 you. 00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:16.880 But when 00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:17.340 you finally 00:34:17.340 --> 00:34:18.099 see Jesus 00:34:18.099 --> 00:34:18.619 for who 00:34:18.619 --> 00:34:19.039 he really 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:19.559 is and 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:19.980 what he 00:34:19.980 --> 00:34:20.559 really is 00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:20.940 and what 00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:21.760 he has 00:34:21.760 --> 00:34:22.139 done, 00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:23.599 everything 00:34:23.599 --> 00:34:24.039 else in 00:34:24.039 --> 00:34:24.639 this life, 00:34:25.300 --> 00:34:25.639 as Paul 00:34:25.639 --> 00:34:26.039 said to 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:26.679 the Philippians, 00:34:26.800 --> 00:34:27.159 will feel 00:34:27.159 --> 00:34:27.380 like 00:34:27.380 --> 00:34:27.980 rubbish. 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:33.460 And the 00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:33.840 great thing 00:34:33.840 --> 00:34:34.320 about it 00:34:34.320 --> 00:34:34.619 is he 00:34:34.619 --> 00:34:37.500 just invites 00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:38.539 us to 00:34:38.539 --> 00:34:39.260 receive it. 00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:41.220 He does 00:34:41.220 --> 00:34:41.519 all of 00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:42.660 this and 00:34:42.660 --> 00:34:43.000 he doesn't 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:43.519 even put a 00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:44.079 cover charge. 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:45.800 He says, 00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:46.260 just come 00:34:46.260 --> 00:34:46.660 to me. 00:34:47.960 --> 00:34:48.640 All who 00:34:48.640 --> 00:34:50.420 are burdened 00:34:50.420 --> 00:34:50.820 and heavy 00:34:50.820 --> 00:34:51.240 laden, 00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:51.900 I will 00:34:51.900 --> 00:34:52.400 give you 00:34:52.400 --> 00:34:52.920 rest. 00:34:53.019 --> 00:34:53.300 You will 00:34:53.300 --> 00:34:54.200 find rest 00:34:54.200 --> 00:34:54.880 for your 00:34:54.880 --> 00:34:56.000 soul in 00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:56.780 me alone 00:34:56.780 --> 00:34:57.380 so that 00:34:57.380 --> 00:34:57.500 when 00:34:57.500 --> 00:34:57.820 everything 00:34:57.820 --> 00:34:58.120 else 00:34:58.120 --> 00:34:58.500 around 00:34:58.500 --> 00:34:58.680 you 00:34:58.680 --> 00:34:58.780 is 00:34:58.780 --> 00:34:59.100 falling 00:34:59.100 --> 00:34:59.480 apart 00:34:59.480 --> 00:34:59.640 and 00:34:59.640 --> 00:34:59.800 all 00:34:59.800 --> 00:34:59.980 the 00:34:59.980 --> 00:35:00.519 suffering 00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:01.019 that 00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:01.240 you're 00:35:01.240 --> 00:35:01.560 enduring, 00:35:01.720 --> 00:35:02.140 you can 00:35:02.140 --> 00:35:02.980 actually have 00:35:02.980 --> 00:35:03.880 true joy 00:35:03.880 --> 00:35:04.600 because you 00:35:04.600 --> 00:35:05.340 have rest 00:35:05.340 --> 00:35:06.019 in your 00:35:06.019 --> 00:35:06.560 soul 00:35:06.560 --> 00:35:07.960 because Jesus 00:35:07.960 --> 00:35:08.980 has put it 00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:09.200 there. 00:35:12.340 --> 00:35:13.400 In the end, 00:35:14.240 --> 00:35:14.900 to rejoice 00:35:14.900 --> 00:35:15.440 always, 00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:16.200 to pray 00:35:16.200 --> 00:35:17.200 without ceasing, 00:35:17.860 --> 00:35:18.440 to give 00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:19.100 thanks in 00:35:19.100 --> 00:35:20.040 all circumstances 00:35:20.039 --> 00:35:22.460 is to live 00:35:22.460 --> 00:35:22.820 like you 00:35:22.820 --> 00:35:23.340 belong to 00:35:23.340 --> 00:35:23.639 God. 00:35:26.000 --> 00:35:26.659 That's what 00:35:26.659 --> 00:35:27.619 sanctification is 00:35:27.619 --> 00:35:28.019 all about, 00:35:28.079 --> 00:35:28.460 isn't it? 00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:29.500 It's God's 00:35:29.500 --> 00:35:30.179 people living 00:35:30.179 --> 00:35:31.440 like God's 00:35:31.440 --> 00:35:32.259 people. 00:35:35.019 --> 00:35:35.739 But it's 00:35:35.739 --> 00:35:36.320 not an easy 00:35:36.320 --> 00:35:37.199 task and we 00:35:37.199 --> 00:35:37.960 know that and I 00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:38.900 don't mean to 00:35:38.900 --> 00:35:39.759 present it as if 00:35:39.759 --> 00:35:40.460 it is easy. 00:35:41.199 --> 00:35:41.980 We do 00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:43.119 regularly fail 00:35:43.119 --> 00:35:43.900 to live up to 00:35:43.900 --> 00:35:44.119 it. 00:35:44.119 --> 00:35:46.000 we're grateful 00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:46.980 that the promise 00:35:46.980 --> 00:35:48.159 even of this 00:35:48.159 --> 00:35:49.420 chapter is 00:35:49.420 --> 00:35:50.339 that God is 00:35:50.339 --> 00:35:50.579 going to 00:35:50.579 --> 00:35:51.179 complete all 00:35:51.179 --> 00:35:51.679 of this in 00:35:51.679 --> 00:35:52.279 us one day 00:35:52.279 --> 00:35:53.019 and this 00:35:53.019 --> 00:35:53.739 will not be a 00:35:53.739 --> 00:35:54.400 struggle anymore. 00:35:55.039 --> 00:35:55.960 But for now, 00:35:56.619 --> 00:35:57.359 it will be a 00:35:57.359 --> 00:35:57.980 daily struggle. 00:36:00.659 --> 00:36:01.460 I think that's 00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:02.099 why God is 00:36:02.099 --> 00:36:02.859 pleased for us 00:36:02.859 --> 00:36:03.839 to grow in 00:36:03.839 --> 00:36:05.359 Christian community 00:36:05.359 --> 00:36:06.380 and I want to 00:36:06.380 --> 00:36:07.119 zoom out just 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:07.859 for a moment 00:36:07.859 --> 00:36:10.339 from 16 to 00:36:10.339 --> 00:36:11.139 18 to see 00:36:11.139 --> 00:36:11.980 its place 00:36:11.980 --> 00:36:12.679 in this 00:36:12.679 --> 00:36:13.079 section. 00:36:14.119 --> 00:36:15.119 The verse 00:36:15.119 --> 00:36:15.659 before it, 00:36:15.719 --> 00:36:17.219 it led with 00:36:17.219 --> 00:36:18.579 see to it 00:36:18.579 --> 00:36:21.380 that no one, 00:36:21.460 --> 00:36:22.460 that is other 00:36:22.460 --> 00:36:22.839 believers, 00:36:23.319 --> 00:36:24.159 see to it 00:36:24.159 --> 00:36:26.079 that we will 00:36:26.079 --> 00:36:26.880 not repay evil 00:36:26.880 --> 00:36:28.000 for evil but 00:36:28.000 --> 00:36:28.420 that we will 00:36:28.420 --> 00:36:29.259 always do good. 00:36:29.719 --> 00:36:29.859 Well, 00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:30.779 there's no break 00:36:30.779 --> 00:36:31.440 in the thought 00:36:31.440 --> 00:36:32.519 between verse 15 00:36:32.519 --> 00:36:33.339 and verse 16. 00:36:33.739 --> 00:36:34.739 It is a different 00:36:34.739 --> 00:36:36.159 unit that Paul 00:36:36.159 --> 00:36:37.079 is focused on 00:36:37.079 --> 00:36:37.859 but all of it's 00:36:37.859 --> 00:36:38.579 working together. 00:36:38.920 --> 00:36:39.279 We might 00:36:39.279 --> 00:36:40.219 understand this 00:36:40.219 --> 00:36:41.059 rejoicing and 00:36:41.059 --> 00:36:41.819 this prayer and 00:36:41.819 --> 00:36:42.799 this thanksgiving 00:36:42.799 --> 00:36:44.079 as flowing out 00:36:44.079 --> 00:36:45.159 of our responsibility 00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:46.239 in verse 15 00:36:46.239 --> 00:36:47.559 to ensure 00:36:47.559 --> 00:36:48.619 that one another 00:36:48.619 --> 00:36:49.239 are doing it. 00:36:49.500 --> 00:36:49.679 You know what 00:36:49.679 --> 00:36:50.159 that means? 00:36:50.480 --> 00:36:50.900 That means we 00:36:50.900 --> 00:36:51.679 need to see to 00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:53.840 it that each 00:36:53.840 --> 00:36:55.039 other are 00:36:55.039 --> 00:36:55.840 always rejoicing, 00:36:56.840 --> 00:36:58.299 always praying, 00:36:59.679 --> 00:37:00.299 that are always 00:37:00.299 --> 00:37:01.039 giving thanks. 00:37:02.239 --> 00:37:02.719 And when we 00:37:02.719 --> 00:37:04.199 understand our 00:37:04.199 --> 00:37:04.719 own hearts, 00:37:04.819 --> 00:37:05.659 we understand that 00:37:05.659 --> 00:37:06.579 we actually need 00:37:06.579 --> 00:37:07.259 one another to 00:37:07.259 --> 00:37:08.099 help encourage us 00:37:08.099 --> 00:37:08.420 in this, 00:37:08.480 --> 00:37:08.779 don't we? 00:37:08.780 --> 00:37:11.180 we need each 00:37:11.180 --> 00:37:11.440 other. 00:37:13.660 --> 00:37:14.519 This section 00:37:14.519 --> 00:37:15.300 that flows out 00:37:15.300 --> 00:37:16.080 of that instruction 00:37:16.080 --> 00:37:16.740 and we must 00:37:16.740 --> 00:37:17.940 see to it 00:37:17.940 --> 00:37:19.160 that everyone 00:37:19.160 --> 00:37:20.160 lives in light 00:37:20.160 --> 00:37:20.940 of their standing 00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:21.620 in Christ, 00:37:22.600 --> 00:37:23.180 rejoicing, 00:37:23.460 --> 00:37:23.780 praying, 00:37:23.920 --> 00:37:24.620 giving thanks. 00:37:25.940 --> 00:37:26.900 In Christ, 00:37:27.080 --> 00:37:28.040 it's possible 00:37:28.040 --> 00:37:30.440 and we should 00:37:30.440 --> 00:37:31.280 continue in these 00:37:31.280 --> 00:37:33.300 things as we 00:37:33.300 --> 00:37:34.220 eagerly await 00:37:34.220 --> 00:37:34.860 his return. 00:37:34.860 --> 00:37:36.400 Let's pray.