WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.120 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.660 --> 00:00:09.540 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, 00:00:09.919 --> 00:00:15.300 redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.300 --> 00:00:22.679 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:29.740 Good morning. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.200 I'm Melissa Arsuniega, and I'm part of the North Berkeley Tuesday Night Community Group at the Wesolowskis. 00:00:36.960 --> 00:00:44.899 Today's scripture reading is from the book of Exodus, chapter 33, verses 12 through 18, as printed in the liturgy. 00:00:47.560 --> 00:00:49.620 A reading from the book of Exodus. 00:00:50.620 --> 00:00:52.340 Moses said to the Lord, 00:00:52.840 --> 00:00:59.859 You have been telling me, lead these people, but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:05.959 You have said, I know you by name, and you have found favor with me. 00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:14.439 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. 00:01:15.379 --> 00:01:17.879 Remember that this nation is your people. 00:01:17.879 --> 00:01:25.299 The Lord replied, my presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. 00:01:26.259 --> 00:01:34.219 Then Moses said to him, if your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 00:01:34.219 --> 00:01:42.159 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? 00:01:42.959 --> 00:01:48.319 What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth? 00:01:48.319 --> 00:01:59.959 And the Lord said to Moses, I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you, and I know you by name. 00:02:00.919 --> 00:02:05.219 Then Moses said, now show me your glory. 00:02:06.479 --> 00:02:12.060 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Lord the Lord stands forever. 00:02:12.060 --> 00:02:27.979 This week at our wonderful Wednesday gathering, we had about 20 people here, and we were talking in our adult breakout time about prayer and praying together. 00:02:27.979 --> 00:02:35.199 And I asked people to write down, you know, what's a question or a challenge that you have in your own prayers to God? 00:02:36.060 --> 00:02:42.620 And it was striking to me that out of this group of 20 people, a bunch of people mentioned the very same thing. 00:02:42.659 --> 00:02:45.599 And they said, do our prayers affect God? 00:02:46.679 --> 00:02:48.139 Do our prayers do anything? 00:02:49.120 --> 00:02:56.939 And this is so important, because this is a sermon series where we're inviting you and challenging you to think about this one word, revival. 00:02:56.939 --> 00:03:01.819 And particularly to pray this one simple prayer, revive us. 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:10.699 But of course, why would we pray this prayer if we're not sure that our prayers affect God, if we're not sure that our prayers actually do anything? 00:03:11.620 --> 00:03:19.259 So I want to begin by saying this morning that I believe God has given us the prayers of Scripture, the prayers of Abraham, Moses, and David, 00:03:19.379 --> 00:03:25.060 the prayers of the prophets, the prayers of Jesus and the apostles, so that we might learn how to pray like them. 00:03:25.060 --> 00:03:29.340 Because God wants to be affected by those prayers. 00:03:29.479 --> 00:03:39.340 God wants to take those prayers up to himself and pour them back down upon the church and pour them back down upon the world to accomplish his purposes. 00:03:40.580 --> 00:03:47.819 And I don't think God would have given us these visions of revival, these models of revival in the Bible and in church history, 00:03:47.819 --> 00:03:54.519 unless he intended for us to be inspired by them and therefore to pray earnestly for them. 00:03:55.819 --> 00:04:00.159 And some of you, if you're new today, you might think, gosh, revival, what's he talking about? 00:04:00.239 --> 00:04:03.019 This focus seems a little bit strange. 00:04:03.719 --> 00:04:09.979 But we've reached an age in which the vast majority of church members, at least in our part of the world, 00:04:10.099 --> 00:04:13.500 have ceased to think in terms of revival at all. 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:25.279 Up until about 1860, it was just instinctive to think in terms of revival, especially in our Reformed tradition. 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:31.740 If you hit a period of spiritual drought, if things were not going so well in the church or in society, 00:04:31.819 --> 00:04:33.500 what was the first thing that people thought? 00:04:34.279 --> 00:04:38.560 They thought to themselves, should we not enter into a time of confession? 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:41.959 Should we not humble ourselves? 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:46.339 Should we not enter into a season of prayer for God to come and visit us again? 00:04:47.259 --> 00:04:50.740 But in our modern time, you know, we see the church languishing, 00:04:51.160 --> 00:04:53.519 and our first thought is we should form a committee. 00:04:54.579 --> 00:04:55.779 You know, we should host a potluck. 00:04:55.860 --> 00:04:57.139 We should play more games. 00:04:57.879 --> 00:05:01.579 But our spiritual mothers and fathers were much wiser than us, 00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:04.000 and they said, you know, why are things so bad? 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:11.720 Why is it that we are seeing plagues and violence and drought? 00:05:12.620 --> 00:05:20.500 Why is there seemingly an increasing amount of spiritual confusion and moral decline 00:05:20.500 --> 00:05:27.480 and social division and economic crises and cultural breakdown and communal disasters? 00:05:27.579 --> 00:05:28.560 That's what they ask themselves. 00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:30.100 Why is it so bad? 00:05:30.100 --> 00:05:35.140 And why is the church not more alive to God and not more faithful to the gospel? 00:05:36.660 --> 00:05:39.720 And they thought to themselves, you know, we must have offended God. 00:05:40.420 --> 00:05:44.560 Like we collectively as a society, we must have offended God. 00:05:44.640 --> 00:05:46.420 We must have grieved him in some way. 00:05:47.300 --> 00:05:52.340 Perhaps we turned our backs on God, and so he's turned his back on us. 00:05:52.840 --> 00:05:55.680 And they thought, well, what can we do about this? 00:05:55.680 --> 00:06:00.280 And the church said, well, we, representing all the people around us, 00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:05.180 we can get down on our knees and we can ask God, please come back. 00:06:06.240 --> 00:06:08.019 Please, we're pleading with you. 00:06:08.100 --> 00:06:09.840 We're arguing with you. 00:06:09.980 --> 00:06:15.480 We're reasoning with you, God, to send your Holy Spirit and to send revival. 00:06:16.319 --> 00:06:17.759 And that's what the church would do. 00:06:17.840 --> 00:06:19.660 They would plead the promises of God. 00:06:19.660 --> 00:06:27.720 They would agonize in prayer until God heard them, until God visited them with the Holy Spirit, 00:06:27.820 --> 00:06:32.840 until God revived not only the church but the whole society around the church. 00:06:33.800 --> 00:06:39.879 And this is the pattern that's repeated over and over again in the prophets of Moses and Samuel and Elijah, 00:06:40.360 --> 00:06:45.340 and the kings like Asa and Jehoshaphat and Josiah and Hezekiah, 00:06:45.339 --> 00:06:51.699 and Ezra and Nehemiah, if you just go read the Bible, you'll see this pattern repeated, 00:06:52.379 --> 00:06:55.699 that God is affected by our prayers, 00:06:56.339 --> 00:07:01.039 and that God has designed things in such a way that he would take our prayers 00:07:01.039 --> 00:07:06.379 and he would use those to revive his people and therefore to revive the whole world. 00:07:06.379 --> 00:07:15.279 And so with that, I want to invite us to turn our attention to Moses and his great prayer for revival in Exodus chapter 33. 00:07:15.879 --> 00:07:18.800 And this text today tells us, 00:07:20.959 --> 00:07:22.719 ask God for more. 00:07:24.439 --> 00:07:30.259 Ask God for more assurance, power, and holiness. 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:33.319 That's what Moses' prayer is about. 00:07:33.459 --> 00:07:37.599 Ask God for more assurance, power, and holiness. 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:40.439 What does it mean to ask God for more assurance? 00:07:41.539 --> 00:07:46.920 We've seen in these last few weeks that God withdrew his presence from the church of the Old Testament. 00:07:47.139 --> 00:07:50.620 Israel, the people of God, they had this golden calf moment, 00:07:51.319 --> 00:07:57.439 and God withdrew his presence, and in response to that, the people repented. 00:07:57.439 --> 00:08:04.219 And Moses set up this tent of meeting, and he began to pray for God to have mercy on his people, 00:08:04.339 --> 00:08:09.379 and this cloudy pillar of God's presence began to return to the church. 00:08:10.019 --> 00:08:15.319 God was beginning to answer these prayers for revival, prayers that he would return, 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:19.579 prayers that he would not hold the sins of the church against her, 00:08:20.259 --> 00:08:24.259 and that God would not withhold his favor and withhold his face from his people. 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:28.279 And I think Moses was extremely grateful to God for this. 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:32.480 And I think the people of Israel were extremely grateful to God for this. 00:08:32.539 --> 00:08:37.439 They saw this cloudy pillar of God's presence come down upon the tent of meeting, 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:40.419 and we saw last week all the people began to worship. 00:08:41.539 --> 00:08:45.960 And every person began to turn their own homes into a little tent of meeting 00:08:45.960 --> 00:08:47.779 where they would pray and they would worship God. 00:08:47.779 --> 00:08:49.799 And why were they worshiping? 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:51.659 Because God was returning. 00:08:52.860 --> 00:08:56.939 Because God was listening to Moses and speaking to Moses. 00:08:57.319 --> 00:09:01.679 And you would think that Moses would stop here, 00:09:02.199 --> 00:09:06.579 and he would be content just to enjoy the answers to his prayers. 00:09:07.620 --> 00:09:10.720 But you can see that Moses is not satisfied, 00:09:11.319 --> 00:09:13.360 that Moses desires more, 00:09:13.459 --> 00:09:15.500 and that he in fact goes back to the tent of meeting, 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:17.460 and he keeps on praying. 00:09:18.360 --> 00:09:19.179 And he says, 00:09:19.379 --> 00:09:22.600 Lord, what we have is not enough. 00:09:23.559 --> 00:09:25.019 And that's the essence of revival. 00:09:25.740 --> 00:09:29.179 The essence of revival is pleading for something more. 00:09:30.039 --> 00:09:32.179 It's pleading for that which is additional, 00:09:32.840 --> 00:09:33.620 and unusual, 00:09:34.039 --> 00:09:34.700 and special, 00:09:34.860 --> 00:09:35.440 and exceptional, 00:09:36.100 --> 00:09:36.919 and extraordinary. 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:40.899 And this is not to say that we should be ungrateful to God 00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:42.620 for all the things that he's given us. 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:48.320 We should thank God when we see the church knows who she believes, 00:09:48.460 --> 00:09:50.419 and when the church is firm in the truth, 00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:52.080 and experiencing God's blessings. 00:09:52.720 --> 00:09:56.000 We should thank God when the church is conscious of his presence, 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:57.840 and full of the Holy Spirit, 00:09:57.940 --> 00:09:59.379 and empowered for his work, 00:09:59.460 --> 00:10:01.480 and seeing regular conversions. 00:10:01.700 --> 00:10:03.019 We should hope for that, 00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:04.779 and we should thank God for those things. 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:06.279 But that's not revival. 00:10:06.279 --> 00:10:06.360 Revival. 00:10:07.419 --> 00:10:08.720 That's just the regular, 00:10:09.159 --> 00:10:10.360 usual, 00:10:10.579 --> 00:10:10.939 normal, 00:10:11.100 --> 00:10:12.360 ordinary state of the church. 00:10:13.559 --> 00:10:15.819 But revival goes way beyond these things. 00:10:15.939 --> 00:10:17.279 Revival is something startling, 00:10:18.220 --> 00:10:18.959 something amazing, 00:10:19.199 --> 00:10:20.740 something extraordinary. 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:23.419 And if I don't draw your attention to that, 00:10:24.059 --> 00:10:25.699 you won't be concerned about it, 00:10:25.720 --> 00:10:28.199 and you won't know that you need to pray for it. 00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:30.120 You might think to yourself, 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:30.320 well, 00:10:30.379 --> 00:10:31.300 things are going fine. 00:10:32.379 --> 00:10:33.820 God is blessing us. 00:10:33.920 --> 00:10:35.259 We should just keep on as we are. 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:37.440 Revival is not really necessary. 00:10:37.980 --> 00:10:40.160 And Moses himself could have settled for that. 00:10:40.759 --> 00:10:43.300 But we see here that he pleads for more. 00:10:44.680 --> 00:10:46.500 And what did Moses pray for? 00:10:46.600 --> 00:10:46.700 Well, 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:48.860 he prays for that same thing 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:51.400 that men and women always pray for 00:10:51.400 --> 00:10:53.500 when they feel a burden for revival. 00:10:53.500 --> 00:10:56.100 This characteristic prayer 00:10:56.100 --> 00:10:58.480 that people who are praying for 00:10:58.480 --> 00:10:59.519 and preparing for revival, 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:00.559 they pray this way. 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:02.500 And the first thing Moses prays for 00:11:02.500 --> 00:11:04.919 is he asks for assurance. 00:11:05.960 --> 00:11:07.879 He asks God for assurance. 00:11:09.100 --> 00:11:10.539 And he says in verse 13, 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:13.279 if you are pleased with me, 00:11:13.399 --> 00:11:14.259 teach me your ways 00:11:14.259 --> 00:11:15.200 so I may know you 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:16.919 and continue to find favor with you. 00:11:17.559 --> 00:11:18.700 Remember that this nation 00:11:18.700 --> 00:11:20.419 is your people. 00:11:20.419 --> 00:11:23.199 Now that sounds strange 00:11:23.199 --> 00:11:24.620 because last week we saw 00:11:24.620 --> 00:11:28.360 that Moses was spoken to by God 00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:29.659 face to face 00:11:29.659 --> 00:11:30.639 and person to person 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:31.559 like a friend. 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:33.860 So doesn't Moses already know God? 00:11:33.959 --> 00:11:35.740 Doesn't he already have the favor of God? 00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:37.019 And the reality is 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:39.860 that Moses wants to know God more. 00:11:41.059 --> 00:11:42.059 He wants to experience 00:11:42.059 --> 00:11:43.879 the favor of God more. 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:47.360 He's not content with mere knowledge 00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:48.679 that God has accepted him 00:11:48.679 --> 00:11:50.019 or that God cares for him. 00:11:50.419 --> 00:11:51.620 He knows that. 00:11:51.719 --> 00:11:52.839 He knows God's concern 00:11:52.839 --> 00:11:54.079 and he knows God's kindness. 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:55.479 But what he wants 00:11:55.479 --> 00:11:56.199 is a deeper 00:11:56.199 --> 00:11:59.059 and a fuller knowledge of God. 00:11:59.139 --> 00:12:00.259 He wants more personal 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:02.059 and direct experience 00:12:02.059 --> 00:12:05.240 that God really loves him. 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:08.779 It's like a child. 00:12:08.860 --> 00:12:09.639 A child might know 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:10.439 that you love them 00:12:10.439 --> 00:12:13.279 but that child needs to hear from you. 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:15.860 You are my pride and joy. 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:20.300 I love you to the moon and back. 00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:21.000 Right? 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:25.259 A child desperately needs to hear those words 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:26.779 and that's what Moses is praying for. 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:29.840 Lord, press your love so deep into my heart 00:12:29.840 --> 00:12:31.440 that I'm confident of it, 00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:32.919 that I'm assured of it. 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:34.060 And Moses is like a, 00:12:34.340 --> 00:12:35.919 I imagine him like a little child 00:12:35.919 --> 00:12:38.899 playing at the edge of the water on the beach 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:40.100 and he's praying, 00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:41.299 Lord, I want to know 00:12:41.299 --> 00:12:43.319 the mighty ocean depths 00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:44.740 of your love for me. 00:12:45.579 --> 00:12:47.779 I'm not content to stay here in the shallows. 00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:50.439 Let me know beyond any doubt 00:12:50.439 --> 00:12:52.299 how vast 00:12:52.299 --> 00:12:53.799 and unmeasured 00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:54.100 and boundless 00:12:54.659 --> 00:12:55.519 is the ocean 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:58.639 of your deep, deep love for me. 00:12:58.959 --> 00:13:00.799 And if even Moses had to pray that, 00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:02.519 how much more do you and I 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:04.480 need to pray for this? 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:07.420 But Moses doesn't stop there. 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:09.320 He's like a daring child, right? 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:11.600 A daring child doesn't just ask for one thing. 00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:13.279 They keep going 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:15.220 and he asks God for more 00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:16.259 and he says in verse 13, 00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:16.659 he says, 00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:18.019 Lord, teach me your ways. 00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:20.259 Now that's also strange 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:22.180 because Moses of all people, 00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:23.920 does he not know the ways of God? 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.460 What does this mean? 00:13:27.539 --> 00:13:28.139 He's saying, 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:29.560 Lord, show me your purposes 00:13:29.560 --> 00:13:30.759 and your plans. 00:13:32.700 --> 00:13:33.700 You've told us, 00:13:33.700 --> 00:13:34.379 you've told Israel 00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:36.000 that we can go forward 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:37.200 into the promised land 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:38.080 without you. 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:39.780 That we can go ahead 00:13:39.780 --> 00:13:40.820 and have all the gifts 00:13:40.820 --> 00:13:41.480 without the giver. 00:13:41.560 --> 00:13:42.200 That we can go 00:13:42.200 --> 00:13:43.400 and have this kingdom 00:13:43.400 --> 00:13:44.420 without the king. 00:13:44.920 --> 00:13:45.480 But Lord, 00:13:46.540 --> 00:13:47.840 who can live with that? 00:13:48.620 --> 00:13:50.040 You've got to come with us. 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:52.440 You've made promises to us. 00:13:52.560 --> 00:13:54.040 You've sworn oath to us. 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:54.879 You've made a covenant 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:56.300 commitment to us. 00:13:56.340 --> 00:13:57.160 So Moses is saying, 00:13:57.520 --> 00:13:58.759 Lord, let me in. 00:13:58.820 --> 00:14:00.120 Teach me your ways. 00:14:00.920 --> 00:14:01.900 Show me your thoughts 00:14:01.900 --> 00:14:02.580 and your mind. 00:14:02.580 --> 00:14:03.700 I want to know 00:14:03.700 --> 00:14:07.540 what your secret plans are for us. 00:14:07.680 --> 00:14:09.820 Are you coming with us or not? 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:11.440 Is what he says. 00:14:12.660 --> 00:14:13.600 And don't we need 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:15.220 this kind of assurance from God? 00:14:16.440 --> 00:14:17.759 Don't we need this assurance 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:19.280 of his deep love for us? 00:14:19.320 --> 00:14:20.420 I mean, we know that God 00:14:20.420 --> 00:14:22.720 sent his son to die on the cross, 00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:23.920 but doesn't that need 00:14:23.920 --> 00:14:25.700 to be applied to me 00:14:25.700 --> 00:14:27.820 so that I experience it 00:14:27.820 --> 00:14:29.280 and so that I feel it 00:14:29.280 --> 00:14:30.379 in my bones? 00:14:30.379 --> 00:14:33.120 Don't we need this assurance 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.500 that God is going with us? 00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:35.960 Yes, he's given his spirit 00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:36.659 to the church, 00:14:36.820 --> 00:14:38.700 but is he going to fill us? 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:40.080 Is he going to enable us 00:14:40.080 --> 00:14:40.939 to move forward 00:14:40.939 --> 00:14:42.439 into the future together 00:14:42.439 --> 00:14:43.360 at Christ Church? 00:14:45.039 --> 00:14:45.860 Yes, of course, 00:14:45.919 --> 00:14:47.720 we all need this assurance. 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:50.439 It's one thing to know 00:14:50.439 --> 00:14:52.019 about the love of God 00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:52.919 and the presence of God, 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:53.879 but it's another thing 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:54.659 to know it, 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:57.360 to experience it, 00:14:57.419 --> 00:14:58.159 to feel it, 00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:59.860 to live in it. 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:02.399 Last night or this morning 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:04.419 as we were preparing ourselves 00:15:04.419 --> 00:15:05.139 to come here 00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:06.299 and meet with God, 00:15:07.439 --> 00:15:09.740 did you offer any special prayer 00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:12.559 that God might reveal 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:14.219 more of his love to us today? 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:16.299 That he might let us know 00:15:16.299 --> 00:15:17.279 in some special way 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:18.679 that he's going to be here 00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:20.019 with us? 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:21.419 Or did we just kind of show up 00:15:21.419 --> 00:15:23.379 assuming that he'll do it 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:24.500 without asking for it? 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:26.940 You see, Moses teaches us 00:15:26.940 --> 00:15:28.460 how to pray for revival. 00:15:28.600 --> 00:15:28.840 He says, 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:30.820 Lord, on the basis of your favor, 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:32.480 on the basis of your mercy 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:33.600 and your grace, 00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:34.580 and given everything 00:15:34.580 --> 00:15:36.179 that you've done for us, 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:38.220 everything you've spoken to us, 00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:39.600 I want to humbly ask 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:42.039 and yet boldly ask for more. 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:45.500 Will you please 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:48.059 build us up 00:15:48.059 --> 00:15:49.820 in a new confidence 00:15:49.820 --> 00:15:51.220 and a fresh certainty 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:52.840 and a blessed assurance 00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:54.560 of your affections for us? 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:56.879 And won't you show us 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:58.560 how much we matter to you? 00:15:59.680 --> 00:16:01.100 And won't you please 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:01.860 reveal to us 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:02.720 your intentions 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:04.800 and your specific purposes 00:16:04.800 --> 00:16:06.160 for us, 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:06.820 your people? 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:09.480 Friends, 00:16:09.560 --> 00:16:10.580 that type of praying 00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:11.779 affects God. 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:14.379 That is the type of praying 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.680 that God wants to hear 00:16:15.680 --> 00:16:17.360 and cause him to move 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:19.040 and pour himself out 00:16:19.040 --> 00:16:20.440 and answer to our prayers, 00:16:20.440 --> 00:16:21.360 and it's what he did 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:23.200 for Moses in verse 14. 00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:23.560 It says, 00:16:23.680 --> 00:16:24.360 the Lord replied, 00:16:25.540 --> 00:16:26.900 my presence will go with you 00:16:26.900 --> 00:16:29.080 and I will give you rest. 00:16:31.020 --> 00:16:31.500 Friends, 00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:34.960 are you feeling this desire 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:38.520 to be let into God's heart? 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:41.920 Are you wanting to know 00:16:41.920 --> 00:16:43.020 whether or not 00:16:43.020 --> 00:16:44.080 God is going to do 00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:45.820 something great for us 00:16:45.820 --> 00:16:47.100 here in the East Bay? 00:16:48.020 --> 00:16:49.460 Are you wanting to know, 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:50.300 Lord, 00:16:50.420 --> 00:16:51.500 are you going to revive us 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:51.920 or not? 00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:52.680 Are you going to revive 00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:53.379 your church 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.480 with a capital C 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.160 or not? 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:55.879 Are you going to revive 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:57.580 the city or not? 00:16:57.780 --> 00:16:58.680 Teach me your ways. 00:16:58.740 --> 00:17:00.200 Are you going with us 00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:01.900 or not? 00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:02.700 What's it going to be, 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:02.940 Lord? 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:04.539 That's the kind of praying 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:06.779 that we're meant to be doing 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:07.740 as a people. 00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:11.000 So we should ask for more. 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:13.259 We should ask for more assurance 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:15.180 and we shouldn't stop there. 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:17.019 We should ask for more assurance 00:17:17.019 --> 00:17:19.240 and we should ask for more power. 00:17:20.639 --> 00:17:21.559 So verse 15, 00:17:22.859 --> 00:17:25.359 Moses says to the Lord, 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:27.400 if your presence does not go with us, 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:30.319 then do not send us up from here. 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.779 And why does Moses say this? 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:34.559 Does he not hear God's answer 00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:36.220 to his prayer in the previous verse? 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.920 See, he does hear it, 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:40.639 but the problem there in verse 14 00:17:40.639 --> 00:17:41.539 is that God said, 00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:45.039 my presence will go with you singular. 00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:47.659 It doesn't say my presence 00:17:47.659 --> 00:17:49.559 will go with y'all plural 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:51.220 or you's guys, 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:52.339 depending on where you're from. 00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:54.460 And you see, 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:56.240 Moses doesn't just want to personally 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:58.599 be blessed as an individual. 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:01.359 Moses is praying for the church. 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:03.139 He's concerned to stress 00:18:03.139 --> 00:18:06.059 the collective good of God's people. 00:18:06.159 --> 00:18:07.159 He says in verse 13, 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:08.680 remember that this nation 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:10.420 is your people. 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:12.660 And do we pray in the plural like that? 00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:13.920 Are we praying for me 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:14.900 or will you go with me 00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:16.600 or will you go with us? 00:18:18.360 --> 00:18:18.900 And you see, 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:20.519 the other problem in verse 14 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:21.580 is that the Lord said, 00:18:21.820 --> 00:18:23.340 I will give you rest. 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:24.360 My presence will go with you 00:18:24.360 --> 00:18:26.120 and I will give you rest. 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:28.160 And that word rest 00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:30.080 got Moses praying for more 00:18:30.080 --> 00:18:31.440 because that phrase, 00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:32.660 I will give you rest, 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.620 can be translated as 00:18:33.620 --> 00:18:35.700 I will lighten your burden. 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:37.860 And that's the phrase 00:18:37.860 --> 00:18:39.700 continually found in the context 00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:42.240 where God is bringing relief 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:43.039 to Israel 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:45.140 and giving her rest 00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:46.980 from the burden of her enemies. 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:49.860 And this gets Moses thinking 00:18:49.860 --> 00:18:51.240 about the great difficulties 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:53.480 that are facing the people of God. 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:55.240 It gets him thinking 00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:56.460 about the great task 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.880 that lays before them 00:18:57.880 --> 00:18:59.039 to go in and claim 00:18:59.039 --> 00:18:59.940 the promised land, 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:00.960 the task to go 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:02.900 and set up the kingdom of God 00:19:02.900 --> 00:19:04.480 in the midst of hostile territory. 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:06.539 And you see, 00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:07.099 you got to remember 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:08.960 that this is a little ragtag group 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:09.960 of nomadic people. 00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:11.660 They've been slaves for 400 years. 00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:13.720 They've been wandering 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:15.819 without a home for 40 years. 00:19:16.620 --> 00:19:17.720 They're about to cross 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.480 into enemy territory 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:20.920 completely weak 00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:21.759 and vulnerable 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.579 and defenseless. 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:23.720 They're about to be attacked 00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:25.059 by strong and armed 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:26.559 and fortified people 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:27.799 and this is overwhelming. 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:30.360 This is a terrifying reality 00:19:30.360 --> 00:19:30.940 for Moses. 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:32.799 He's meditating 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:33.980 on the magnitude 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:37.180 and the immense problem 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:38.039 that confronts 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:39.440 the people of God, 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:40.859 the burden of her enemies. 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:42.899 And so he says, 00:19:43.159 --> 00:19:44.919 Lord, do not send us 00:19:44.919 --> 00:19:47.940 without your supernatural power, 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:48.919 without the power 00:19:48.919 --> 00:19:50.139 of your presence 00:19:50.139 --> 00:19:51.200 because we are going 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:52.180 to get crushed. 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:53.799 We're going to be destroyed. 00:19:54.599 --> 00:19:55.839 We're going to be annihilated 00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:57.659 without your strength 00:19:57.659 --> 00:19:58.720 and without your might 00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.859 and without your authority 00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:01.679 going with us. 00:20:02.899 --> 00:20:03.839 Now some of us today 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:04.319 might say, 00:20:04.439 --> 00:20:05.199 well it's a good thing 00:20:05.199 --> 00:20:05.939 that the church 00:20:05.939 --> 00:20:07.779 today doesn't have 00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:08.639 such big problems 00:20:08.639 --> 00:20:09.699 and such scary enemies. 00:20:10.959 --> 00:20:11.979 And if that's you, 00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:12.959 I want to encourage you 00:20:12.959 --> 00:20:13.819 to read the newspaper 00:20:13.819 --> 00:20:16.019 and to read the New Testament 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:18.259 because we're told 00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:18.740 that the church 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:20.479 has three great enemies. 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:21.919 The world, 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:23.159 the flesh, 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:24.099 and the devil. 00:20:25.219 --> 00:20:26.079 Think for a moment 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:27.039 about our enemies, 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:27.679 the world, 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.420 and the flesh. 00:20:29.340 --> 00:20:30.360 You're probably aware 00:20:30.360 --> 00:20:31.120 of the stats 00:20:31.120 --> 00:20:33.060 about church decline 00:20:33.060 --> 00:20:34.000 in the western world 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:35.799 over the past 150 years. 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:37.259 You're probably aware 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:38.279 that church membership 00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:39.200 in the United States 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:40.440 has gone down sharply 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:41.820 over the last two decades, 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:44.120 roughly the lifespan 00:20:44.120 --> 00:20:45.019 of Christ's church. 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:46.640 I won't bore you 00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:47.799 with all the data this morning. 00:20:47.860 --> 00:20:48.799 You can read the polls. 00:20:49.880 --> 00:20:50.500 You probably read 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.240 about the rise 00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:52.019 of the nuns, 00:20:52.120 --> 00:20:53.720 N-O-N-E-S, 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:55.000 people who no longer 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:56.480 have a religious identity 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:58.380 or a religious group affiliation. 00:20:58.880 --> 00:20:59.860 You're probably aware 00:20:59.860 --> 00:21:00.460 of this movement 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:01.599 in the Protestant world 00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:03.079 of deconstruction 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:04.160 and deconversion. 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:05.819 And, you know, 00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:07.319 those things didn't just happen 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:08.000 as a result 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:09.299 of the past few years. 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:11.200 The past few years 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:11.700 have not been 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.819 the cause of these things. 00:21:12.900 --> 00:21:14.279 They've just revealed to us 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:15.360 the depths of the problem 00:21:15.360 --> 00:21:16.079 of these things. 00:21:17.099 --> 00:21:17.819 It showed us 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:18.860 how much power 00:21:18.860 --> 00:21:20.000 the world is actually 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:21.839 exerting over the church. 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:23.640 It showed us 00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:24.799 how the world 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.799 is conforming us 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.639 to its patterns 00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:27.680 and squeezing us 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.619 into its mold. 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.440 It showed us 00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:31.279 in a fresh way 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:31.839 how the world 00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:32.879 is pulling us, 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:33.359 the church, 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:35.799 down into its secularity 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:37.200 and its functional atheism 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:38.180 and its godlessness. 00:21:40.419 --> 00:21:41.619 Listen to these words 00:21:41.619 --> 00:21:42.440 from the apostle 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:44.180 in his epistle 00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:44.919 to the Romans, 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:46.440 chapter 1. 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:48.200 He says, 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:50.000 For although they knew God, 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:52.379 they neither glorified him 00:21:52.379 --> 00:21:52.859 as God 00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:54.079 nor gave thanks to him, 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:55.519 but their thinking 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.639 became futile 00:21:56.639 --> 00:21:57.839 and their foolish hearts 00:21:57.839 --> 00:21:58.599 were darkened. 00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:01.000 They exchanged the truth 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:02.379 about God for a lie 00:22:02.379 --> 00:22:04.240 and worshipped and served 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.240 created things 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.359 rather than the creator. 00:22:07.719 --> 00:22:09.159 And the result of all this 00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:09.919 is that they become 00:22:09.919 --> 00:22:10.979 filled with every kind 00:22:10.979 --> 00:22:11.779 of wickedness, 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:12.979 evil, greed, 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:13.679 and depravity. 00:22:14.679 --> 00:22:15.819 They are full of envy, 00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:16.959 murder, strife, 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:18.259 deceit, and malice. 00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:20.000 They are gossips, 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:21.000 slanderers, 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:21.839 God-haters, 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:22.859 insolent, 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:23.339 arrogant, 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.180 and boastful. 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:25.680 They invent ways 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.400 of doing evil. 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.700 They disobey their parents. 00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:29.279 They have no understanding, 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:30.519 no fidelity, 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:31.759 no love, 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:33.380 no mercy. 00:22:34.380 --> 00:22:35.259 Now that's meant 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.039 to be a description 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:37.880 of the world, 00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:40.099 but does that not 00:22:40.099 --> 00:22:40.880 more and more 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:42.839 apply to the church 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:43.740 of North America? 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:45.819 No love, 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:47.460 no mercy. 00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:49.900 We're getting pulled down 00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:51.300 by this great enemy 00:22:51.300 --> 00:22:52.280 and can't you see 00:22:52.280 --> 00:22:53.680 our need for God's 00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:54.880 supernatural power 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.620 in the church? 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.700 Or what about 00:22:57.700 --> 00:22:58.720 our other great enemy, 00:22:59.620 --> 00:23:00.040 the devil? 00:23:01.800 --> 00:23:03.980 Jesus taught us to pray, 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:07.440 deliver us from the evil one. 00:23:08.900 --> 00:23:11.460 And his lead disciple, 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:11.980 Peter, 00:23:12.360 --> 00:23:14.400 says this in his first epistle. 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:14.759 He says, 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:16.379 be alert and of sober mind. 00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:18.240 Your enemy prowls around 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:19.319 like a roaring lion, 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.680 seeking those 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.879 whom he might devour. 00:23:23.180 --> 00:23:24.599 The apostle Paul says 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:25.359 in Ephesians 6, 00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:25.759 he says, 00:23:26.200 --> 00:23:27.019 take your stand 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.759 against the devil 00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:28.619 and his schemes. 00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:30.319 For our struggle 00:23:30.319 --> 00:23:31.339 is not against flesh 00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:31.759 and blood, 00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:32.559 but our struggle 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:34.180 is against rulers 00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:35.359 and against authorities. 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:36.920 It's against dark powers. 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:38.420 It's against spiritual forces 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:39.019 of evil 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:41.099 in high places. 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:41.640 Christchurch, 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:42.980 what if we believe that? 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:45.759 Would we not tremble 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.339 like Moses? 00:23:48.140 --> 00:23:49.519 Would we not pray 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:50.920 more like Moses? 00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:53.339 Would we not see 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:54.559 our need for God 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:55.640 to come down 00:23:55.640 --> 00:23:56.480 in his power 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:57.700 and to lighten 00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:58.380 our burden 00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:59.500 and give us rest 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.640 from our enemies? 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:03.920 We live in the most 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:05.019 unchurched region 00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:05.940 of the United States 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:06.539 of America 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:07.860 and we've been given 00:24:07.860 --> 00:24:09.339 the one task 00:24:09.339 --> 00:24:09.980 of making disciples 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:11.599 of Jesus Christ 00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:12.839 here in this place. 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.380 Do you think 00:24:14.380 --> 00:24:15.440 that we can do that 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.539 in our own resources 00:24:16.539 --> 00:24:17.779 and with our own power? 00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:19.700 You see, 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:21.160 Moses humbles himself 00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:23.140 and he realizes 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:24.279 his great weakness 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:25.319 and his inability 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:27.039 and he says to God, 00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:28.059 who am I 00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:29.319 to meet this situation? 00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:31.000 Lord, 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:31.880 I'm not enough. 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.360 I'm not, 00:24:32.620 --> 00:24:34.200 I'm totally inadequate. 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:35.700 And he says, 00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:35.940 Lord, 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:36.700 I'm not going to take 00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:37.559 another step 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:38.460 unless I know 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:40.140 that the power 00:24:40.140 --> 00:24:40.960 of your presence 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:42.420 is going to go with us. 00:24:42.420 --> 00:24:43.440 I'm not going to go on. 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:44.160 I'm not going to even 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:44.900 attempt to do 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:46.080 one more thing 00:24:46.080 --> 00:24:46.759 without you. 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.560 He's pleading 00:24:49.560 --> 00:24:50.500 for an unusual 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.200 manifestation 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:52.340 of God's 00:24:52.340 --> 00:24:53.740 supernatural power. 00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:55.620 And if we 00:24:55.620 --> 00:24:56.620 as a church 00:24:56.620 --> 00:24:57.720 in North America 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:59.580 are confident 00:24:59.580 --> 00:25:00.400 in ourselves 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:02.259 and we're proud 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:02.900 of our abilities, 00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:03.600 then number one, 00:25:03.660 --> 00:25:04.120 we don't know 00:25:04.120 --> 00:25:04.620 our enemies 00:25:04.620 --> 00:25:05.320 and number two, 00:25:05.380 --> 00:25:05.880 we don't know 00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:06.600 ourselves. 00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:08.879 and it's 00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:09.559 unless we 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.339 become aware 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:11.500 of our impotence, 00:25:11.939 --> 00:25:13.679 of our weakness, 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:15.559 of our desperate 00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:16.839 dependence on God 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:17.899 and his power 00:25:17.899 --> 00:25:18.719 to carry out 00:25:18.719 --> 00:25:20.059 his mission, 00:25:20.139 --> 00:25:20.719 then we simply 00:25:20.719 --> 00:25:21.839 won't pray for it. 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.740 The Apostle Paul 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:26.319 writes this 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.500 in 1 Thessalonians 1. 00:25:27.599 --> 00:25:27.899 He says, 00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:28.640 our gospel 00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:30.440 came to you 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:31.040 not simply 00:25:31.040 --> 00:25:31.759 with words 00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.620 but also 00:25:32.620 --> 00:25:33.460 with power 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:35.240 and with the Holy Spirit 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:36.320 and with deep 00:25:36.320 --> 00:25:36.960 conviction. 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:38.680 Now, 00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:38.980 do you think 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.780 the Apostle Paul 00:25:39.780 --> 00:25:40.660 just rolled up 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.300 into that 00:25:41.300 --> 00:25:42.200 Greco-Roman 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:43.040 pagan city 00:25:43.040 --> 00:25:43.860 of Thessalonica 00:25:43.860 --> 00:25:46.400 and he 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:48.680 just kind of 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:49.220 didn't pray 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:49.700 for anything 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:50.220 and stuff 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:50.900 started to happen? 00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:51.300 No, 00:25:52.560 --> 00:25:53.080 I imagine 00:25:53.080 --> 00:25:54.320 him agonizing 00:25:54.320 --> 00:25:54.800 in prayer 00:25:54.800 --> 00:25:55.360 beforehand 00:25:55.360 --> 00:25:55.900 just like 00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:56.220 Jesus 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:56.840 agonized 00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:57.220 in prayer 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:57.920 before every 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:58.600 great act 00:25:58.600 --> 00:25:59.340 of his ministry 00:25:59.340 --> 00:26:00.660 and I imagine 00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:01.180 Paul saying, 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:01.580 Lord, 00:26:02.040 --> 00:26:02.940 bring your gospel 00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:03.880 to this place 00:26:03.880 --> 00:26:04.980 and to these people 00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:06.200 with power 00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:07.700 and with the Holy Spirit 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.780 and with deep 00:26:08.780 --> 00:26:09.519 conviction. 00:26:11.820 --> 00:26:12.900 The Apostle 00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:13.720 also writes 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.940 in 1 Corinthians 2, 00:26:15.040 --> 00:26:15.320 he says, 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.400 I came to you, 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.400 I came to Corinth 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:19.560 in weakness 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:21.279 and with great 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:22.079 fear 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:22.799 and trembling 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:24.539 and my message 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.200 and my preaching 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:26.259 were not with wise 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:27.919 and persuasive words 00:26:27.919 --> 00:26:28.980 but with a demonstration 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:30.639 of the Spirit's power 00:26:30.639 --> 00:26:32.240 so that your faith 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:33.039 might not rest 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:34.039 on human wisdom 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:36.099 but on God's power. 00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:38.879 How in the world 00:26:38.879 --> 00:26:40.679 did his message 00:26:40.679 --> 00:26:42.019 of Christ crucified 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.759 penetrate 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:44.279 and transform 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.919 that pagan city, 00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:46.859 that port city 00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:47.799 of Corinth? 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.379 Don't we think 00:26:49.380 --> 00:26:50.080 the Apostle 00:26:50.080 --> 00:26:51.060 and some of his friends 00:26:51.060 --> 00:26:52.040 were agonizing 00:26:52.040 --> 00:26:52.760 in prayer 00:26:52.760 --> 00:26:53.760 and saying, 00:26:54.280 --> 00:26:54.560 Lord, 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.600 won't you please, 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.040 please, 00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:58.160 please accompany 00:26:58.160 --> 00:26:59.560 the message, 00:26:59.780 --> 00:27:00.800 accompany the preaching 00:27:00.800 --> 00:27:02.120 of your gospel 00:27:02.120 --> 00:27:03.180 with a demonstration 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:05.660 of your Spirit's power. 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.080 And oh, 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:08.960 how the church 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:11.080 needs to relearn 00:27:11.080 --> 00:27:12.580 how to pray 00:27:12.580 --> 00:27:14.500 for power. 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:17.280 It's the reason 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:18.099 we're so weak 00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:21.000 because we haven't 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.579 learned to pray 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.899 and need to pray 00:27:22.899 --> 00:27:23.559 for power. 00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:26.079 But I would suggest 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:27.119 you shouldn't stop there. 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:29.680 Ask God for more. 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:32.359 Ask Him for more assurance 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:34.379 and ask Him 00:27:34.379 --> 00:27:35.160 for more power. 00:27:36.399 --> 00:27:37.000 And the last thing 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.420 I want to say 00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:37.940 is ask Him 00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:39.160 for more holiness. 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:41.920 Revival's all about 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:42.539 asking God 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.420 for more holiness. 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:45.700 In our ordinary 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:46.460 conversations 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.279 at home 00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:47.880 or at work 00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:48.440 or at school, 00:27:48.560 --> 00:27:49.440 we often express 00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:50.200 our urgency 00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:51.560 to get something 00:27:51.560 --> 00:27:52.300 or to get something 00:27:52.300 --> 00:27:53.580 done by setting up 00:27:53.580 --> 00:27:55.019 reasons why 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:55.840 this other person 00:27:55.840 --> 00:27:56.759 should do this thing 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.380 for us. 00:27:57.820 --> 00:27:58.019 Right? 00:27:58.160 --> 00:27:59.300 We might even 00:27:59.300 --> 00:28:00.400 seek the advice 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:01.259 of other people 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:02.920 or plan beforehand 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:03.960 what we want to say 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:04.840 in our conversation. 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:05.820 And Moses is kind of 00:28:05.820 --> 00:28:06.200 like that. 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.940 He's like a lawyer 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:08.340 who's gone to court 00:28:08.340 --> 00:28:09.560 and he's building 00:28:09.560 --> 00:28:10.580 this great case 00:28:10.580 --> 00:28:11.380 before God, 00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:12.039 the judge, 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.980 and he's teaching us 00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:13.680 that we too 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:15.339 should pray like this. 00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:16.839 How do we communicate 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:19.019 our petitions to God 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:20.240 with the kind of intensity 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.680 and the persuasive 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:23.200 urgency of Moses? 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:25.779 His first step 00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:26.200 is he says, 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:26.399 God, 00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:26.879 I want to draw 00:28:26.879 --> 00:28:27.440 your attention 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:28.960 to our own needs 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.480 and desires. 00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:29.759 Lord, 00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:30.859 we want to know you more. 00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:32.119 We want to experience 00:28:32.119 --> 00:28:32.759 your favor 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:33.480 and your pleasure. 00:28:33.599 --> 00:28:34.480 We want to be assured 00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:35.420 that you are going 00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:37.279 to go with us. 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:40.720 And the second case 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.299 that he makes, 00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:42.059 the second step 00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:42.740 in his argument 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:43.519 is that he says, 00:28:43.619 --> 00:28:43.700 God, 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.180 I want to draw 00:28:44.180 --> 00:28:44.720 your attention 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:45.960 to your people. 00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:46.200 Lord, 00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:47.440 remember that this nation 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:49.659 is your special people. 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:52.839 And send us, 00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:53.119 Lord, 00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:54.799 with your power 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:55.299 and the power 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:55.899 of your presence 00:28:55.899 --> 00:28:56.779 because he knows 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.480 that the Israelites 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:58.639 are not just 00:28:58.639 --> 00:28:59.680 an ordinary people, 00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:00.980 that they're the apple 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:01.799 of God's eye. 00:29:01.899 --> 00:29:02.399 They're dear 00:29:02.399 --> 00:29:03.399 to his heart. 00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:03.759 He says, 00:29:03.879 --> 00:29:04.059 Lord, 00:29:04.119 --> 00:29:05.119 I want you to focus 00:29:05.119 --> 00:29:06.599 on the special character 00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:07.139 of your people. 00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:08.599 Do not let us face 00:29:08.599 --> 00:29:09.619 our powerful enemies 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:11.839 without your superior power. 00:29:13.379 --> 00:29:14.299 But then Moses 00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:15.939 takes his urgent prayer 00:29:15.939 --> 00:29:17.299 one step forward. 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:17.859 Actually, 00:29:17.959 --> 00:29:18.579 two steps forward. 00:29:18.639 --> 00:29:19.459 We'll see the next step 00:29:19.459 --> 00:29:20.000 next week. 00:29:20.959 --> 00:29:21.659 But he takes it 00:29:21.659 --> 00:29:22.379 one step forward 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.219 and this third step, 00:29:23.299 --> 00:29:24.299 he draws his attention 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:25.219 to God's glory 00:29:25.219 --> 00:29:26.619 among the nations. 00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:28.219 And he says this 00:29:28.219 --> 00:29:28.959 in verse 16. 00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:29.479 He says, 00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:32.120 How will anyone know 00:29:32.120 --> 00:29:33.759 that you are pleased 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.200 with me 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:35.000 and with your people 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:36.160 unless you go with us? 00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:36.860 What else 00:29:36.860 --> 00:29:38.500 will distinguish me 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:39.120 and your people 00:29:39.120 --> 00:29:40.400 from all the other people 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:42.099 on the face of the earth? 00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:44.940 Who is anyone? 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:47.259 It's all the peoples, 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:47.980 all the nations 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:48.599 of the earth. 00:29:49.599 --> 00:29:50.480 And Moses said, 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.420 How are they going 00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:51.960 to know 00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:53.599 that we are 00:29:53.599 --> 00:29:54.819 the people 00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:55.440 of your pleasure, 00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:56.460 that we are the people 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:57.160 of your favor 00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:57.980 and your grace? 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:59.799 The way they're going 00:29:59.799 --> 00:30:00.819 to come to know that 00:30:00.819 --> 00:30:01.779 is because you, 00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:02.200 Lord, 00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:03.640 distinguish us. 00:30:04.640 --> 00:30:05.400 You make us 00:30:05.400 --> 00:30:06.559 a different people 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:08.160 and a distinct people. 00:30:08.279 --> 00:30:08.920 They'll know it, 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:09.160 Lord, 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:09.960 when they see 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:11.640 that you separated us, 00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:12.860 you set us apart, 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:14.519 you made us holy. 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:17.200 They'll come to know you 00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:17.779 when they see 00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:18.539 that we've come 00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.120 to share 00:30:19.120 --> 00:30:19.799 in the honor 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:20.460 and the glory 00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:22.220 of your holiness. 00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:22.880 And that's what 00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:23.920 revival's all about. 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:25.559 Lord, 00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:27.779 if you allow 00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:28.720 your people 00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:29.579 to be diminished 00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:30.279 by the nations 00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:31.339 or to be assimilated 00:30:31.339 --> 00:30:32.299 into the nations, 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:33.480 that is going to bring 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:35.319 about an unacceptable result 00:30:35.319 --> 00:30:36.700 for your reputation. 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:39.500 But, 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:41.579 the nations of the earth 00:30:41.579 --> 00:30:42.819 will come to know you 00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.379 and they'll come 00:30:43.379 --> 00:30:45.079 to know your glory 00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:46.779 when they see 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.940 your holiness 00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:50.359 reflected in the distinct 00:30:50.359 --> 00:30:52.119 and distinguished holiness 00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:53.399 of your people. 00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:54.920 When they come 00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:55.680 to experience 00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:57.100 our holy lives 00:30:57.100 --> 00:30:57.660 individually 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:59.019 and our holy character 00:30:59.019 --> 00:31:00.100 collectively. 00:31:00.300 --> 00:31:01.259 And this is a prayer 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:02.500 that the church 00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:03.200 should be 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:04.240 as she's 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.240 meant to be. 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:07.100 Lord, 00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:07.800 make your church 00:31:07.800 --> 00:31:08.420 distinguished. 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:10.259 Make your church 00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:11.100 set apart. 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:11.960 Make your church 00:31:11.960 --> 00:31:12.880 unique. 00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:16.380 Robert Murray McShane 00:31:16.380 --> 00:31:16.920 is a great 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:18.420 Scottish pastor 00:31:18.420 --> 00:31:18.940 and preacher 00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:21.539 and he prayed 00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:22.039 this prayer. 00:31:22.180 --> 00:31:22.380 He said, 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:22.759 Lord, 00:31:23.820 --> 00:31:24.900 make me as holy 00:31:24.900 --> 00:31:26.120 as a pardoned sinner 00:31:26.120 --> 00:31:26.820 can be made. 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.420 And that's become 00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:30.600 my prayer for me 00:31:30.600 --> 00:31:31.580 and for my family. 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:32.420 It's become my prayer 00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:33.039 for our church. 00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:33.460 Lord, 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:35.180 make us as holy 00:31:35.180 --> 00:31:36.440 as pardoned sinners 00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:37.660 can be made. 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:39.680 Lord, 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.400 make it clear 00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:41.400 that we are not just 00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:42.140 one among 00:31:42.140 --> 00:31:43.279 many peoples 00:31:43.279 --> 00:31:44.180 and many nations 00:31:44.180 --> 00:31:44.660 in the world, 00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:45.440 but make it clear 00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:46.799 that we are the people 00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:47.460 who are blessed 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:48.359 by your pleasure 00:31:48.359 --> 00:31:49.480 and your favor 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:50.659 and your grace. 00:31:51.859 --> 00:31:52.259 Lord, 00:31:52.339 --> 00:31:52.779 make it clear 00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:53.519 that we belong 00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:54.339 to a holy 00:31:54.339 --> 00:31:55.599 and distinguished 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:56.740 God. 00:31:57.639 --> 00:31:58.460 And make us 00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:59.259 so different, 00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:00.259 so distinct, 00:32:00.419 --> 00:32:01.200 so distinguished 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:02.039 that it will arrest 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:02.659 the attention 00:32:02.659 --> 00:32:04.419 of the rest of the world 00:32:04.419 --> 00:32:05.059 and they will come 00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:05.899 to see the glory 00:32:05.899 --> 00:32:06.899 of your holiness 00:32:06.899 --> 00:32:09.259 expressed in us. 00:32:11.099 --> 00:32:11.879 Christ Church, 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:14.319 how different are we 00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:15.539 than other agencies 00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:17.920 other bodies, 00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:18.940 other institutions? 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.759 Is it clear 00:32:21.759 --> 00:32:22.519 to them that, 00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:23.799 to other people 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.639 that we're more 00:32:24.639 --> 00:32:25.819 than just nice people 00:32:25.819 --> 00:32:27.680 or respectable people 00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:28.899 or likable people, 00:32:29.399 --> 00:32:30.440 but that we're 00:32:30.440 --> 00:32:31.200 holy people? 00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:32.899 Is it clear 00:32:32.899 --> 00:32:33.500 that we're more 00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:34.920 than just a social club 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:36.700 or a community organization 00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:37.980 or a political 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:39.000 affinity group? 00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:43.000 Do people 00:32:43.000 --> 00:32:43.759 look at us 00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:44.000 and say, 00:32:44.119 --> 00:32:45.039 we don't really know 00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:46.079 what's going on 00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:46.960 over there, 00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:48.639 but we know 00:32:48.639 --> 00:32:49.480 that what's going on 00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:51.539 is not of human beings, 00:32:51.859 --> 00:32:52.559 it's of God. 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:56.119 In Acts chapter 4, 00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:58.940 shortly after Pentecost, 00:32:59.019 --> 00:32:59.759 this little church 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.319 is facing 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:01.379 great difficulty 00:33:01.379 --> 00:33:02.740 and they're experiencing 00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:05.180 incredible resistance 00:33:05.180 --> 00:33:05.980 to the gospel. 00:33:06.879 --> 00:33:07.440 People are being 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:08.259 thrown in jail 00:33:08.259 --> 00:33:09.299 and threatened 00:33:09.299 --> 00:33:10.940 with execution 00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:11.700 for preaching 00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:12.220 the gospel. 00:33:12.700 --> 00:33:13.180 And so what does 00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:13.720 the church do? 00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:14.740 the church gets together 00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.839 and has a prayer meeting 00:33:15.839 --> 00:33:16.339 and they say, 00:33:16.500 --> 00:33:16.700 Lord, 00:33:17.100 --> 00:33:18.259 do something special. 00:33:19.120 --> 00:33:20.600 Do something extraordinary. 00:33:21.319 --> 00:33:22.279 Distinguish us 00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:24.519 and glorify yourself 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:25.440 among the nations 00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:27.000 through us. 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:28.860 And what happens? 00:33:29.579 --> 00:33:30.700 The Holy Spirit 00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:31.420 came down. 00:33:32.120 --> 00:33:33.120 The Holy Spirit 00:33:33.120 --> 00:33:34.039 was poured out. 00:33:35.100 --> 00:33:36.140 And that whole place, 00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:36.640 it says, 00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:37.319 was shaken. 00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:38.440 And all the people there, 00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:39.579 they were shaken 00:33:39.579 --> 00:33:41.439 by the presence 00:33:41.439 --> 00:33:42.339 of the Holy Spirit 00:33:42.339 --> 00:33:43.019 in their midst. 00:33:44.379 --> 00:33:45.679 Is that how we're praying? 00:33:46.119 --> 00:33:46.480 Lord, 00:33:47.199 --> 00:33:48.119 distinguish us 00:33:48.119 --> 00:33:49.039 by your Holy Spirit. 00:33:49.179 --> 00:33:49.399 Lord, 00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:50.599 distinguish us 00:33:50.599 --> 00:33:52.279 by your Spirit 00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:53.419 of holiness 00:33:53.419 --> 00:33:55.599 in us. 00:33:56.879 --> 00:33:57.839 Because that's the prayer 00:33:57.839 --> 00:33:58.960 we know God likes 00:33:58.960 --> 00:34:00.179 to answer. 00:34:00.740 --> 00:34:01.619 We know that's the prayer 00:34:01.619 --> 00:34:03.019 God likes to have 00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:03.759 affect him 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:04.960 and likes to use 00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:05.919 to affect the world 00:34:05.919 --> 00:34:06.559 because we're told 00:34:06.559 --> 00:34:07.279 in verse 17, 00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:08.340 the Lord said to Moses, 00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:10.519 I will do this very thing 00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:11.179 you've asked 00:34:11.179 --> 00:34:13.380 because I am pleased 00:34:13.380 --> 00:34:13.900 with you 00:34:13.900 --> 00:34:15.279 and I know you 00:34:15.279 --> 00:34:15.759 by name. 00:34:17.279 --> 00:34:18.000 Christ Church, 00:34:18.099 --> 00:34:18.739 may we ask 00:34:18.739 --> 00:34:20.920 for more assurance, 00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:23.159 more power, 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:25.199 and more holiness. 00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:27.259 And may we ask 00:34:27.259 --> 00:34:28.219 with confidence 00:34:28.219 --> 00:34:30.360 knowing that God 00:34:30.360 --> 00:34:31.759 wants to give us 00:34:31.759 --> 00:34:32.860 this very thing 00:34:32.860 --> 00:34:34.860 because he's pleased 00:34:34.860 --> 00:34:35.480 with us 00:34:35.480 --> 00:34:37.420 and he knows us 00:34:37.420 --> 00:34:38.300 by name. 00:34:39.179 --> 00:34:40.219 In the name of the Father, 00:34:40.400 --> 00:34:41.280 Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:34:42.139 --> 00:34:42.400 Amen.