Are we excusing the children?
The children are dismissed.
! That's all right.
!
Can you pray with your eyes open?
I hope.
Okay.
Let me ask you to turn to a passage that is kind of an overarching statement, and let
me tell you ahead of time, next week I'm going to preach on John.
Next week I'm going to preach on John in the eve of the national elections, which I think
is profoundly important.
What I mean is that preaching on John is profoundly important.
You didn't think that way, perhaps, and that was an error on your part.
I am going to speak this morning, I'm going to preach on the matter of what the Scriptures
have to say regarding the current environment we find ourselves in, and so I'm going to ask
that you pray through the sermon.
You ask that what I say is clear, that it is accurate scripturally, that it is uplifting
to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ that all of us someday are going to face.
I do want to read this passage and let it be one of those things that kind of stays in
the background as we work our way through.
1 Timothy chapter 2.
If you have your Bible there, I would ask that you open and follow along.
First of all.
The first rule of life saving is don't drown.
First of all.
I urge you that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving and thanksgiving be made for all
people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceable and
quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
This is good and is pleasing in the sight of God, our Savior, who desires all people to be
saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
For this, for this, for this, I was appointed a preacher and an apostle, and I'm telling the
truth and I'm not lying, a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
I desire that in every place that men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger and quarreling.
Let us pray.
Our Father God, we rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Savior of all mankind,
who came into the world, sent by your divine plan to die on the cross and to rise again,
that we may have redemption through his blood and forgiveness of sins.
We are thankful that we may rely upon the Scriptures to know with certainty those things that are
important today.
I pray, and I know others join me in praying, that the preaching of the Word of God this morning
might be clear.
It might be marked by simplicity, that it might communicate through the enabling of the Holy Spirit
that which God once heard today.
I ask this in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Well, over the last six months, the upcoming elections that are going to be taking place
on November the 8th have almost overwhelmed the normal news cycle.
It would seem that we've all ended up being affected in one way or another by the chatter that goes on all around us.
And I say this because of the number of times I've heard individuals speak to me directly,
or I've seen some of the Facebook posts and comments that have been made.
And I have to tell you, in all the years, I'm 68.
Some of you didn't know that.
I want you to know my age.
So I'm 68, and in all of my life, I can't think of a time that I've heard as much dissonance,
kind of nails on chalkboard kind of thing, about politics.
I've had people say to me, oh, man, I need you to tell me how to vote.
Not going to do that.
Well, I'm trying to figure out what to do.
Well, that's a good idea.
I don't plan to tell you how to vote this morning,
though what I do want to do is demonstrate the sufficiency and the accuracy,
the reliability of Scripture.
We all, at least most of us here this morning,
would say that we buy into 2 Timothy 3, verse 16 and 17, don't we?
I mean, all Scripture is given by inspiration of God.
And what's the takeaway?
Why did God give us this book?
Oh, one, to get to heaven,
to convince us that we're sinners that desperately need the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior.
And by the way, if we really don't come to grips with the darkness of our heart,
we don't think we need Jesus.
There's something profoundly deficient in preaching that does not exalt Jesus
and also help us understand our desperate spiritual need.
And so we look at 2 Timothy and it says,
Scripture is given by inspiration.
And at the end of that little run in those two verses,
it says that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped,
completely furnished to all good works.
It means that in that book that He has given to us is every piece of information and counsel
and wisdom that we need for all of it.
The other day I was doing a plumbing job helping a friend,
and actually it was one of those rare,
and I mean rare experiences,
where I arrived on site and did not have to go out to get parts.
Now, there's kind of a rumor that all plumbing jobs are three trips.
And I can tell you by experience that that has been true.
And this must have been a provision by God because I arrived and helped,
and actually it ended up where the pipe to reconnect the gas tank,
there was a four-inch piece and there was a three-inch piece,
and I was able to switch them out.
It was like, wow, and it worked!
You see, everything was on site provided.
And so when we read the Bible,
it tells us that God has given us everything we need.
And so my desire this morning is to equip you as a believer
to make God-honoring decisions that reflect your understanding of the Word and your conscience.
Now, as I take up this matter of where we are as a nation and believers,
I'm reminded that my principal task is really not to speak about politics.
I have under the glass right here a little statement that looks up at me every Sunday,
and here's what it says.
It says,
Do you follow that?
Right there.
John 5, verse 39.
How does this sermon testify to Christ?
And I would like to think that the main reason that I've not given more time to politics in this pulpit
is not because of fear or uncertainty of how it's going to be received,
but really because sanctification, salvation, and our eternal hope is not rooted in what takes place in Washington,
but is rooted in the finished work of Christ and the certainty we have that He is the Savior of mankind.
I have no intention of deviating from that purpose this morning.
And so our study is going to be aimed, first of all, at some rather sober truth I think we need to come to grips with.
Secondly, at some hope-filled truths.
And then finally, a couple practical things that I think God wants us as believers to be engaged in.
Let's talk, first of all, about some very sober truths.
Politics is the arena in which worldviews come into conflict.
Does that make sense?
Politics is the arena in which worldviews come into conflict.
You may wonder why it is that there is so much turmoil and tension today in politics.
And I've got to tell you that when it really comes down to it,
political parties and agendas propose blessings, peace, fairness, health, one way or another,
and you end up with differing opinions about how that should be accomplished
and what resources need to come to the table.
And so I want to fix it in your mind at the very beginning.
The fact of the matter is, is politics is an arena in which worldviews clash.
And while we may be alarmed at the level of division and turmoil in America,
I assure you that the problem is not unique to these shores or to our culture.
I grew up in India.
Never voted in an election in India, I can tell you that.
And I can remember listening to the political turmoil of the community around me
and recognizing that, you know what, I really, I didn't have anything to do with it.
It was just like, ha, I'm hoping this season will pass.
Yes.
I was driving to church this morning and praying,
and I couldn't help noticing all the signs that are in everybody's yard.
It reminded me of a number of years ago when I was much younger and lived over on Angaro.
One of the boys in our church took it upon himself like Saturday night.
I don't know when it happened, but he went around, this perverse boy,
went around and collected about 200 political signs.
And this is when I lived on Angaro, 1636, and I had the little orchard right out in the front there.
My entire yard was filled with every conceivable sign.
I mean, it's like I woke up in the morning and I'm having devotions.
I'm like, what?
I'd never, you know, it was a mess.
Yes.
So I had to delay my devotions to get out there and pull all these things out.
Ah!
And I found out the kid could not help but giggling so much that I figured out who it was.
So if you're going to pull one on me, just act like you didn't do it.
I've got to tell you, political turmoil is just the nature of the beast.
And so we recognize that until Christ returns, you're going to see the clash of worldviews.
With this in mind, let me point out several things that I think are worth remembering.
For one, righteousness leads to blessing.
Wickedness leads to much suffering.
This is true whether you're talking about Africa or India or China or America or wherever.
Look for a minute at a passage in Proverbs 29, verse 2.
Righteousness leads to blessing.
Wickedness leads to much suffering.
Proverbs 29, verse 2, it says this.
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice.
But when the wicked rule, the people groan.
I remember one of those political jokes told by two people who had shown up at the UN.
And by the way, just so you know, there's a reason why I seldomly tell jokes.
A couple reasons, actually.
One of them, they seldom bear on the sermon.
And number two, I don't do it very well.
And that's thankful.
You'll tell me afterwards how I did.
There were several politicians from a couple different banana republics that showed up at the UN for, you know,
one of those conflagrations that they had in conversations.
And so they said to each other, trading business cards,
Why don't you come and visit me in my country?
Of course, I'll do that.
And so, politician A, director of finance or whatever he was,
finally decided to come and visit politician B, who was director of finance in whatever country.
And as they're driving from the airport, going past all these nice properties and buildings and roads and everything.
And the one, they're sitting in the back of the Mercedes.
You know, I mean, if you're going to move around, you've got to do it comfortably.
And the one nudges the other and says, You see all this?
10%.
Impressive.
I am getting 10% off of everything that comes into this country.
It's a good thing.
And the other says, Well, when are you coming to visit me?
I'll come, I'll come, I'll come.
Well, politician A goes to visit politician B, lands there on a kind of broken down airport,
and gets in the Mercedes, you know, and there's a fleet of them that take them.
And as they're driving on down this dirt road, past these hovels, you know,
the politician B bumps politician A and says, You see all this?
90%.
You see, here's the deal.
Righteousness, no matter where it is, ends up being a blessing and a benefit to people.
Ungodliness ends up causing heartache and compromise in any place that it is participated in.
And what we are seeing happen in our country is something that should alarm us,
because unrighteousness and ungodliness across the face is a threat.
To people.
Secondly, I have to tell you that many believers have compromised their role.
I want you to look at Matthew chapter 13 just for a moment.
Pay attention to the passage, Matthew chapter 13.
Matthew chapter 5, that's what I meant.
Matthew chapter 5, verse 13 through 16.
Look at it in your Bible, if you would, please.
I want you to track this passage where Jesus is making a comment.
He says,
You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?
It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
Now, listen to me.
We're in a day and time where it doesn't matter what your political affections are.
It doesn't matter what your perspective is on the economy.
There is a common and universal acceptance that there is a progressive rottenness taking place in our culture.
Isn't that right?
It's a mess.
I would propose to you that when meat goes bad, the problem is not with the meat.
The problem is with the salt.
And when you stop and think about the things that are troubling to us as professing believers in our day,
I have to tell you that I sometimes hear people talking about the fact that they're watching the same crass, ungodly, vile,
you know, what's the word I want to use here?
Violent movies.
Their entertainment is no different than the unbeliever.
They laugh at the same crude jokes at work.
They really use the same vocabulary except when they're in the church lobby.
I don't know if you understand what I'm saying.
At the end of the day, if the meat goes bad,
it's fair for those who are concerned to ask the question, why is it?
There's another truth that I want you to hold on to this morning,
and it's this undeniable reality that God will not let sin go unchecked forever.
Kind of fix that in your minds.
First of all, let's recognize that,
and turn in your Bible so you kind of get the picture here,
but look at Romans chapter 2 just for a second.
Romans chapter 2.
And the reason I want you to turn to it is because, hey, listen,
my voice is not half as convicting, even when it's reading Scripture.
You see it for yourself.
Here's what God says.
Romans chapter 2, I don't think it's going to appear on the screen,
but here's what it says.
Verse 4.
Do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience,
not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
I think it's in Ecclesiastes, and off the top of my head, it says this,
because judgment for an evil deed is not speedily executed.
Are you following?
The heart of man is fully set in him to do it.
So here is God being forbearing and patient,
allowing time to pass for hearts to be hardened in stubborn rebellion and disobedience.
But the truth of the matter is, is that eventually God does deal with sin.
And when you stop and ask yourself the question,
how is it that in a nation our size, I want to say this respectfully,
two individuals whose character is undeniably flawed could rise to this high position of office?
That gives us pause to ask what's going on.
I think God's in the process of dealing with our nation.
And so you ask yourself, what are some of the things that really, really bother God?
And eventually, historically, Bible history is what I'm referring to here,
have led God to deal with the nation.
For one, it is the destruction of innocent blood.
What are things that really bother God a great deal?
Is God bothered about our tax code?
And I've got to tell you, in the righteousness and perfection of a holy God,
certainly He would like to see things balanced out in a fashion that modeled the Old Testament.
But here's the fact.
You don't find God dealing in Bible history with nations because of tax code.
And I don't think of any passage where it says that He's really worked up
about people driving on the other side of the road.
Do you follow that?
It's okay.
But here are a couple things that really do get God's attention.
One is the destruction of innocent blood.
And I want you to look at Genesis 6, verse 11 through 13, just for a moment.
Genesis 6, verse 11, it says this.
Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence.
Violence.
Can we get used to violence?
Can you get used to violence?
How many of you understand that you can get used to violence?
I've got to tell you, one of the things that I appreciate.
How many of you have noted that I appreciate the fact that God brought Pastor Shearer here?
Have I said that before?
Just checking.
I remember in the first month that Pastor Shearer was here,
he was, we were having conversation about a passage,
and he was used by God to challenge me about my growing.
I remember when I first watched my first MMA conflict.
How many of you know what MMA is?
Raise your hands.
Mixed martial arts.
I remember when I watched the first one, I thought,
those guys are incredibly cruel, and they're incredibly arrogant.
But over time, I'm a competitive person.
Did you know that?
I mean, just to let you know.
A little, I need God's help.
But he was used by God to challenge me.
I don't watch it anymore.
Why?
Because the God of this universe is not in favor of men smashing each other's faces.
I might say that slowly so you don't miss it.
God is not in favor of men smashing each other's faces and going around,
yeah, yeah.
You know, it's like, okay.
God hates violence.
Is he violent?
He will be against sin.
But he's, back off.
In Genesis 6, verse 11, it says,
Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence.
And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt.
For all flesh had corrupted their way in the earth.
And what did God do to that culture?
He judged it.
There's another thing that in history, the Bible history,
has led to God dealing with a people.
One is violence.
And I've got to tell you, the abortion of innocent, unborn children is an abomination to God.
It's an abomination to God.
I was thinking, as Seth and Joy were up here,
of the passage of Scripture where it says that
children are a heritage from God.
And happy is the man who has his quiver full.
When I'm going deer hunting, I want 10 arrows.
I don't want 9.
And 20 is better than 10.
You know, it's like, more is better in some cases.
God's the one who brings children into being.
And to snuff out their lives because of your personal inconvenience and decision
is unholy and deeply offending to God.
And don't think he doesn't care.
There's another thing, though.
And just kind of take a look, if you would, at Leviticus chapter 18.
Leviticus chapter 18 is where the God of this universe tells us what he thinks about morality.
And we live in a day where the immorality of our nation has just kind of slowly accelerated the point
that is profoundly troubling and offensive to God.
I'm not going to read the entire passage.
I just kind of frame it for you to take a look at.
But here's the deal.
God has something to say about gross immorality.
And I can tell you, if you read Bible history, you know that historically,
he's dealt with nations for these two things.
So here we are in the shadow of this nation's election for a leader to high office.
And we're sober to know that no matter who ends up winning on November the 8th,
this nation is in trouble and there is no remedy apart from the grace of God
and broken and contrite hearts on the part of God's people.
Well, let's come to some comforting thoughts.
You know, it's pretty sobering to realize,
he's looking bad in front.
Okay, let's kind of look at some other things.
Comforting thoughts.
The Word of God does challenge us to look truthfully at what's going on,
but the Word of God also offers us some hope and encouragement.
For one, remember God's in control.
How many of you every now and then have thought to yourself that it really all revolves around
what happens in Washington?
Have you ever gotten caught up by the tractor beam of the world's logic that whatever happens
in Washington at the end of the day, that is what is going to make all the difference in the world?
I saw a sign the other day.
It said, this is the most important election for gun rights.
And I thought to myself, hmm, I don't care.
Now, any of you who know me, I'll give you a little sidebar.
I don't care.
Because at the end of the day, I was not brought into this world to care about gun rights.
I was brought into this world to care about the Lord Jesus Christ and the gospel in which alone is hope.
Okay?
And so, here we are.
God's in control.
By the way, God has been in control.
And He will continue to be in control.
And He will not stop being in control.
And I think believers ought to act a little less like Chicken Little and a little more like they believe.
Okay?
The sky is not falling in.
I love the fact that as you read in Romans chapter 13, it says He's the one who's in control of this day.
He raises governments up.
He takes them down.
I don't remember the exact passage, but it also says that He sets the boundaries of nations.
Can you believe that He draws the lines that we respect on maps?
He does.
I can hear Twyla Parris in the background somewhere.
God is in control.
And some of you ought to go to the polling booths or our election place on Tuesday kind of singing that.
Just remember, God is in control.
Okay.
Secondly, God calls us to pray.
First, for repentance and revival in the lives of believers.
Let me have you turn to a passage.
It's interesting.
I was reading a blog.
Russ Moore is a man that I highly respect.
And he was kind of taking a whack at the fact that 2 Chronicles doesn't really apply.
I think it does.
Okay.
Anyway, that's off the page.
2 Chronicles chapter 7 verse 14.
Here's what it says.
I'll get there.
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face
and turn from their wicked way, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.
Now, the first application of that passage is directly, undeniably, to the nation of Israel.
It was given to advise God's people in a messy time.
God pays attention to the humility of His people.
But I want to remind you that it's not the only illustration of where the prayer of righteous individuals
had benefit and had an effect upon another group of people.
I mean, for one, Abraham's prayer for Sodom and Gomorrah, his pleading, his intercession was what?
If there's only 50, are you going to wipe them out?
No.
What about 40?
It would get down to how many?
Does anybody remember?
Down to 10.
There's nothing wrong with God's people with passion and humility saying,
Lord, first of all, we've got to deal with our own sin.
And then we pray for our nation.
I can't help but think about Nineveh.
Did God spare Nineveh?
Huh?
Why did God spare Nineveh?
Because of the passionate, sympathetic heart of Jonah.
Is it what it was?
You know?
Jonah came into town and he says, guys, you're going to get smoked.
And you got it coming in 40 days.
You know, that's the kind of preaching you don't want.
But it had its effect.
And I got to tell you, if God heard the people of Nineveh pray,
he's got to hear our prayers.
Why don't you pray?
I think it's another important thing.
I go back to that passage in 1 Timothy 2.
I want you to look at that text
and recognize that God calls us to pray for repentance in our own hearts.
But God also calls us to pray for the nation that we are in.
1 Timothy, go back to that passage again
and put your finger on it and hold on to it just for a second.
One of the things I want you to recognize
is here's God giving instruction to His people.
And He says, listen, I want you to pray
for those who are in high office.
I'm not praying for Him.
I got to remember, years ago,
probably the most discouraged I was politically
was a number of years ago
when a particular president came into office
and I knew and everybody knew that he was a philanderer.
Do you know what I mean by a philanderer?
Someone who was unfaithful to his covenant to his wife.
That counts big with Tim, you know.
And I remember being really discouraged by that.
And after that, I kind of fell into the trap,
the sinful behavior of saying snarky things about that president.
How many of you know what I'm talking about?
I had a bad attitude and I let it play out
and then I was convicted by God
that what I ought to do is quit acting that way
and I ought to start praying for the guy.
And by the way, when Paul wrote this,
Nero was on the throne.
Any of you who are wondering
if there is a comparison between Nero
and any of the current politicians
that favor us with their efforts,
Google it and say to yourself,
man, God, you've been pretty patient
and forbearing with us
to give us the kind of quasi-half-baked individuals
instead of Nero who was on steroids.
Okay.
Let's also remind ourselves of one other great thing
and that is this,
is that our sure hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ
who is the Savior of the world.
Here's what I'm holding on to.
You know, at the end of the day,
the thing that I have confidence in
is that Jesus came into the world
to save sinners of whom I have chief.
And all you have to do
is work your way through 1 Timothy
where the apostle is writing to people
in Ephesus
and giving them instructions
on how to behave
in a very nasty culture.
Does he say anything about investing
a profound matter of their energy
or their resources
in swaying things politically
one way or another?
And what's the answer?
No.
Let me have you look at it.
For this is good, verse 3,
and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior
who desires all people to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Listen to me.
People will not get to heaven
by your belligerent attitude
towards one party or another.
When I was on vacation,
I was up there at Lake Erie
fishing for perch
on an extended pier
that ran out into the lake
and ended up in conversation
with a man sitting next to me.
Well, I lent him my fishing pole.
That's why he was sitting next to me.
And we got to talking
and got to talking
and I failed to reveal
that under my shirt
I actually was a Baptist pastor
and I was just kind of,
I'm a fisherman with a dumpy hat on.
I was just kind of sitting there
doing my thing, you know.
And like the guy's kind of
getting his speed
and he let me know.
He wanted to tell me
all about himself
and he's going on
and letting me know
that he was a lobbyist for...
I don't want to go there.
Okay?
Now listen to me.
I'm ashamed to admit this.
We had a 30-minute wind-up
to an opportunity
to talk about Jesus
and he hit one of my
hot-button issues
and I went south on that one.
I had to ask forgiveness.
And I remember...
And very thankfully
the Lord pulled it back
real quickly.
How's that?
You know, it's like...
I said, you know what?
Let's not talk about
the Second Amendment.
Why don't we do that?
Let's not do that.
Let's talk about
corruption in Columbus.
Let's talk about
cocaine deaths.
I mean, because those
were other things
he was really worked up on.
How many of you know
lobbyists are really
kind of fired up?
I mean, they make their living
being fired up.
And so I was like...
And I found myself
drifting left of center
and I lost focus
for a moment
on the fact that
people don't get to heaven
by politics.
I remember coming back
to the house
and saying,
Judith...
I lost sight
of why I'm here.
It's good to vote.
I think believers
should vote.
But when you
in the process
of engaging
in the issues
that are on the table
today
lose sight
of why you draw breath,
you have lost
your purpose
temporarily.
Well,
let's get some
clear direction
and close.
Pray passionately
and humbly
to know where you've
lost your saltiness.
And that's a fair thing
to do.
There's not one of us
here that would say,
hey, listen,
we're clean as the
wind-driven snow
and we're on top of it
and there's nothing
in our life
that we need to
confess and forsake
if we're going to be
more effective
as salt.
it would help
for God's people
to return to their
first love.
Okay,
a little,
a little smile
at me just for a minute
so I know you're looking.
I don't understand
why people who profess
to know Jesus
can't sing enthusiastically.
Is that a fair statement?
I mean,
there I go left of center.
I understand,
but you can get all over me
afterwards.
Email.
But you know what?
I mean,
what are you doing?
You're saved?
I mean,
you know what kind of people
don't get fired up
at an OSU game?
The opponents.
I have to admit,
I didn't watch the whole game,
but I was watching
a couple of those
touchdown drives
and you know how,
I don't know about you,
but my body anguish
is right there with it.
How many of you do that?
It just,
you know,
it's like,
come on,
hit it,
hit it.
You know,
oh,
yeah.
So,
here.
Some of you lost
your first love
and how can I tell?
If you looked at yourself
in the mirror
that way in the morning,
you wouldn't go out.
Okay.
Well,
another thing to do.
God's people should exercise
the privilege
that God has given us
of voting.
Hello?
Vote!
And by the way,
vote with information
in hand.
Do not leave it
in the polling place.
Can I tell you that?
That's wrong.
Don't do that.
Do not do that.
You just go up there
and fill out your whatever
and vote,
your conscience,
but find out information
ahead of time.
There is so much stuff
out there.
You can figure it out.
There's worldviews
in conflict.
It's not hard
to sort them out.
Third,
we ought to be peacemakers
in a progressively
divisive
and belligerent world.
First,
among ourselves
and the fact
that we hold
differing political opinions.
Do you realize that?
You get to practice
here in the body
of Christ
how it is
to handle the fact
that everybody
doesn't agree with you
and do it
with a Christian decorum
and gentleness.
Fourth,
do recognize
that the Bible
calls out particular sins
as a sure cause
of judgment
and those are things
that count.
I remember my mother
who had no bumper stickers
on her car.
I have none.
But mom had
one bumper sticker
on her car.
Do you know what it was?
I vote pro-life.
There are things
that count
and God's made it clear.
Finally,
and I think
this is very important,
don't let politics
make enemies
of those we've been
called to love
to Christ.
Don't let politics
make enemies
of those that
we've been called
to love
to Christ.
There's a reason
why
God being my helper
I will never have
a political bumper sticker
on my car.
I will never have
a yard sign
in my lawn
except for the time
that I had 200 of them.
And anybody
who could figure out
what party
I was voting for
that time
that
that was
divining tea leaves.
Let me say it again.
Don't let politics
make enemies
of those we have been
called to love
to Christ.
Here's the undeniable
truth that we have
to hold on to.
God who is holy
will someday
judge sin.
Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sinners
Paul said
of whom I'm chief.
God who is holy
and this morning
we who know
Christ
should have it
fixed in our mind
that when we
close our eyes
for our eternal rest
until the return
of Christ
the one thing
that we should have
done well
is keep our eyes
on the only hope
there is
and that is
Jesus Christ.
Make much
of Him
and those of you
who are here
that do not know
Christ
some of you
have been deceiving
yourselves
and thinking
that you're okay.
I'm not the one
who calls you
to task
but your conscience
bears witness
the scriptures
bear witness
and there will be
a day
when God
who is holy
will judge
all sin
and condemn
sinners
who are unrepentant
forever
to hell
and I would
plead with you
and Christ did
be reconciled
to God.
Let's close
in prayer
and as I am
closing in prayer
I'm going to ask
that the candidates
for baptism
would come
at this time
and we will
have baptism
following that.
Our precious God
and Father
we are blessed
this morning
by the fact
that the scriptures
speak clearly
to us
and give us
hope in the Lord
Jesus Christ
and the confidence
that there is a day
when you are coming back
and you will be
King of Kings
and Lord of Lords
and we who know you
will rejoice
with inexpressible joy.
Help us not lose sight
of the supremely
important calling
that you've given
to us
to lift up
the Lord Jesus Christ
to make
His name
and gospel
clear.
I pray
Father
this morning
that believers
would be
humbly repentant
and sinners
drawn to the gospel.
Ask in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Stand together
as we sing.
sing together.
Let it be Jesus
Jesus
First name
that I call
Let it be Jesus
Smoked inside the storm
I'll never be
to love you
For me to live
this Christ
For me to live
this Christ
For me to live
this Christ
God I drink
Your name
God I drink
Your name
name above everything
let it be
Jesus
let it be
Jesus
from the rising
of the sun
let it be
Jesus
when all is
said and done
I'll never
be the best
world
for me
to live
this
life
for me
to live
this
cry
God I
greet your name
above everything
let it be
Jesus
let it be
holy
Should I ever be the best friend? Should I ever be the best friend? Should I ever be the best friend? I'm not even a friend.
And every night
Thank you.