WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.599 I'm with me now to Matthew chapter 13, and today I'd like to consider together the words of verse 33, Matthew 13 and verse 33. 00:00:15.599 --> 00:00:27.420 ! He told them another parable, the kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour till it was all leavened. 00:00:27.420 --> 00:00:38.280 As you'd expect, I'm usually asked a number of questions about my retirement, the most common one being, how is retirement? 00:00:39.000 --> 00:00:45.180 How many times I've answered that question, I'm sure everybody who's retired has found the same after they retire. 00:00:45.320 --> 00:00:49.420 But another question is, what are you doing with yourself in your retirement? 00:00:49.420 --> 00:00:59.060 Well, I'm preaching most weeks, but one thing I've taken up doing since I retired is making bread. 00:01:00.400 --> 00:01:03.540 Making bread. And I enjoy making bread. 00:01:04.500 --> 00:01:06.540 Making bread is a very interesting process. 00:01:06.540 --> 00:01:08.700 Okay, I've got a bread machine. 00:01:09.320 --> 00:01:17.000 I don't have to do all that kneading, all that pulling and manipulating of dough and waiting for ages until the whole thing's ready to go in the oven. 00:01:17.380 --> 00:01:21.740 You shove it all into the machine and it does the work for you. 00:01:22.500 --> 00:01:24.040 Even the baking of it. 00:01:24.260 --> 00:01:25.800 You just take out the finished loaf. 00:01:25.799 --> 00:01:32.039 But you need to be sure that you've put all the ingredients in that the loaf requires. 00:01:32.679 --> 00:01:41.719 And that they are in exactly the right measurements according to what you're given in the guidance for making the different types of bread. 00:01:41.859 --> 00:01:48.120 If you don't keep to the guidance accurately, your bread's not going to turn out the way it should be at all. 00:01:48.659 --> 00:01:49.920 But it's an interesting process. 00:01:49.920 --> 00:01:58.079 And one of the most interesting things about it, as in making of bread at any time, is the use of yeast. 00:01:59.120 --> 00:02:05.859 Yeast nowadays, you can still get the old type of yeast, but yeast nowadays is mostly dried yeast, just powder. 00:02:06.939 --> 00:02:11.400 And that has to be added to all the other ingredients or else the bread will not rise. 00:02:11.539 --> 00:02:15.580 And yeast has fascinating properties. 00:02:15.580 --> 00:02:19.260 It's a fascinating material. 00:02:20.340 --> 00:02:24.140 It has a fascinating in its substance, in the way it works. 00:02:24.840 --> 00:02:34.320 Because as soon as it begins to work, it affects, as we'll see today from the study, the whole batch of ingredients or the dough, if you like, as it's mixed together. 00:02:34.320 --> 00:02:42.880 The yeast does its own work so that eventually it produces what turns out to be a loaf of bread. 00:02:42.879 --> 00:02:49.159 And the Bible uses yeast, or leaven as it is here. 00:02:49.259 --> 00:02:52.939 This is the word leaven that's used, the same thing, leaven, yeast. 00:02:53.500 --> 00:02:56.500 The Bible uses that illustratively. 00:02:57.340 --> 00:03:01.680 It uses yeast to illustrate, for example, the workings of sin. 00:03:01.680 --> 00:03:13.939 Because just as yeast works and spreads through the whole batch of dough, so sin is like that in our lives individually or in the life of any group of people. 00:03:14.420 --> 00:03:20.420 If it's left unrepented of, undisturbed, it'll grow in its own way. 00:03:21.439 --> 00:03:22.860 Sin is never static. 00:03:23.620 --> 00:03:25.879 It's never a neutral negative thing. 00:03:25.879 --> 00:03:35.199 It always has growth properties unless the growth is stemmed by the addition of grace or the power of God. 00:03:36.400 --> 00:03:40.560 But yeast is also used positively, as it is in this verse here. 00:03:41.060 --> 00:03:48.000 The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour until it was all leavened. 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:55.939 The positive element that yeast is, is also used here in the Bible to emphasize a positive result. 00:03:56.719 --> 00:04:05.860 The yeast was put into the batch of dough until the whole batch was leavened and ready just to be put in the oven to be baked as bread. 00:04:07.020 --> 00:04:12.939 That's the good use of this illustration, the use of the illustration in a good sense in the Bible. 00:04:12.939 --> 00:04:15.379 So what does that actually tell us today? 00:04:15.520 --> 00:04:20.500 What are we learning from this brief verse or reference to yeast? 00:04:20.759 --> 00:04:21.600 Well, two things. 00:04:22.079 --> 00:04:23.379 Look at the second one mostly. 00:04:23.540 --> 00:04:27.959 But first of all, yeast is actually a living organism. 00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:34.659 You might not think that as you take the wee sachet of powdered yeast or dried yeast and put it into the dough. 00:04:34.660 --> 00:04:45.100 But yeast retains its own properties so that when the liquid is added to it, it begins then to use, it begins then to affect the whole batch of dough. 00:04:45.439 --> 00:04:52.000 And if you take what used to be the yeast that was kept in a little jar or a little bottle, you just took a little bit of it, added it to the dough, 00:04:52.160 --> 00:04:55.760 and the bit that you left behind still kept on growing, you could use it again and again. 00:04:57.040 --> 00:04:59.680 It has in itself this property. 00:04:59.800 --> 00:05:01.840 It is itself a living organism. 00:05:01.839 --> 00:05:04.019 That's what makes it so fascinating. 00:05:04.979 --> 00:05:10.459 That yeast has within it the properties that it shows once it begins to work. 00:05:11.259 --> 00:05:13.500 And that's true of the kingdom of God. 00:05:13.560 --> 00:05:20.620 Now, the kingdom of God, we could spend ages actually trying to define what the Bible means by the kingdom of God. 00:05:20.620 --> 00:05:30.399 But the kingdom of God is essentially where God's influence or God's grace reigns and spreads throughout humanity, 00:05:30.939 --> 00:05:34.160 spreads throughout any people or even any individual. 00:05:34.699 --> 00:05:39.480 Where the grace of God is at work, the kingdom of God is in that person, 00:05:40.019 --> 00:05:42.860 the kingship of God is being shown in that person, 00:05:42.860 --> 00:05:47.340 allegiance to God as king is evident in that person, 00:05:47.340 --> 00:05:53.520 or in a congregation like yourselves, where you find that congregation growing spiritually. 00:05:53.819 --> 00:05:57.439 That's the advancement of the kingdom of God. 00:05:57.939 --> 00:06:05.199 The God as king is made evident through the way you're showing allegiance to him as a congregation. 00:06:05.199 --> 00:06:10.420 And whenever you find the influence of God through his people advancing, 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:12.939 the kingdom of God is seen in that. 00:06:13.039 --> 00:06:16.839 The kingdom of God shows itself and grows in that. 00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:18.339 Well, here is what he's saying. 00:06:18.420 --> 00:06:20.180 The kingdom of God is like leaven, 00:06:21.060 --> 00:06:25.060 like this yeast that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour. 00:06:25.060 --> 00:06:27.199 And as it's true of the yeast that it has, 00:06:27.519 --> 00:06:30.780 as a living organism that has this property in itself, 00:06:30.920 --> 00:06:34.939 it makes it a very suitable illustration for the kingdom of God. 00:06:35.220 --> 00:06:39.639 Because the kingdom of God, it doesn't depend on us to grow. 00:06:40.579 --> 00:06:43.480 Yes, it's something in which we contribute our life, 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:50.180 and in which we contribute as we'll see the things that we can bring to others about the gospel and about Christ. 00:06:50.180 --> 00:06:56.340 But the kingdom of God has within itself the properties of growth. 00:06:57.980 --> 00:07:01.560 Because God is at work in the growth of his kingdom. 00:07:01.939 --> 00:07:05.500 The spirit of God is at work in the growth of his kingdom. 00:07:06.079 --> 00:07:07.620 Where you have the word of God, 00:07:07.980 --> 00:07:10.379 where you have the faithful preaching of the word of God, 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:12.040 where you have the sacraments, 00:07:12.399 --> 00:07:13.340 where you have prayer, 00:07:13.759 --> 00:07:15.740 where you have God's people worshiping together, 00:07:15.740 --> 00:07:22.400 where you have that witness and commitment to God going on in any congregation or any individual. 00:07:22.840 --> 00:07:26.560 There you have, within that commodity, 00:07:26.920 --> 00:07:30.699 the principles, if you like, of growth, of effectiveness. 00:07:31.199 --> 00:07:34.680 You add the power of God. 00:07:34.800 --> 00:07:36.160 You add the grace of God. 00:07:36.519 --> 00:07:40.420 And all of that comes together for the advance of the kingdom. 00:07:40.420 --> 00:07:45.600 The kingdom has within itself the capacity, the influence, 00:07:46.140 --> 00:07:49.340 that by the grace of God, by the work of God's Spirit, 00:07:49.780 --> 00:07:51.500 it becomes a living force. 00:07:52.600 --> 00:07:57.800 It moves in such a way as to bring people into its provisions. 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:02.400 The kingdom of God is like leaven. 00:08:03.960 --> 00:08:06.319 It has in itself that capacity. 00:08:06.500 --> 00:08:08.500 It's a living organism. 00:08:08.500 --> 00:08:10.199 It's not neutral. 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:11.279 It's not static. 00:08:11.579 --> 00:08:12.540 It's not negative. 00:08:12.920 --> 00:08:14.060 It's positive. 00:08:15.259 --> 00:08:17.279 And it has that capacity. 00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:20.040 But secondly, more fully, 00:08:20.720 --> 00:08:22.540 the kingdom of God, like yeast, 00:08:22.720 --> 00:08:25.819 yeast is a change-bringing organism. 00:08:26.259 --> 00:08:27.600 Not just a living organism. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:30.279 It's a change-bringing organism. 00:08:30.439 --> 00:08:33.220 When you add yeast to the batch of dough, 00:08:33.620 --> 00:08:36.100 it immediately begins to change things. 00:08:36.100 --> 00:08:39.080 It permeates for a start. 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:41.379 It permeates the whole batch. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:43.200 You see what the verse is saying? 00:08:43.620 --> 00:08:47.560 This woman took this leaven and she hid it. 00:08:47.620 --> 00:08:52.540 She placed it in three measures of flour until it was all leavened. 00:08:52.539 --> 00:09:01.480 She didn't actually do this and then almost immediately try and bake the dough into bread. 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:04.919 She left it until it was all leavened, 00:09:04.919 --> 00:09:08.899 until the yeast had done its work through that whole batch of dough. 00:09:09.319 --> 00:09:10.579 And Jesus is saying, 00:09:10.919 --> 00:09:13.659 that is what the kingdom of God is like. 00:09:13.659 --> 00:09:14.419 In other words, 00:09:14.679 --> 00:09:19.600 your Christian influence is designed to permeate that society, 00:09:19.939 --> 00:09:21.959 that batch of human dough, if you like, 00:09:22.259 --> 00:09:24.500 into which God has placed you as an individual, 00:09:24.919 --> 00:09:26.799 into which God has placed you as a congregation. 00:09:27.299 --> 00:09:28.579 You are here in this town, 00:09:28.839 --> 00:09:30.000 you are here in this community, 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:32.179 as God's living organism, 00:09:33.299 --> 00:09:34.699 God's living yeast, 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:37.839 God's living leaven, 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:41.639 so that you see yourselves as a congregation, 00:09:42.300 --> 00:09:44.420 as actually placed for a purpose, 00:09:44.740 --> 00:09:46.899 where God has placed you here in Stornoway, 00:09:47.160 --> 00:09:51.259 so that the influence of your life will permeate the whole batch of humanity, 00:09:51.540 --> 00:09:52.580 hopefully, prayerfully, 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:54.399 that God has placed you amongst. 00:09:56.180 --> 00:10:00.139 That's the growth that you're praying for and looking for. 00:10:01.860 --> 00:10:06.580 It's designed to permeate the whole of society around you. 00:10:06.580 --> 00:10:10.300 You don't leave any aspect of that society out. 00:10:10.379 --> 00:10:13.400 You don't leave any kind of person out of that influence 00:10:13.400 --> 00:10:16.240 of the grace of God working through you. 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:20.240 The doctrines that you believe in, 00:10:21.060 --> 00:10:22.600 the lifestyle of a Christian, 00:10:23.440 --> 00:10:28.379 all of those things are designed to act as the leaven in the part of the dough. 00:10:28.639 --> 00:10:33.379 And your part and my part is to be that leaven in our society. 00:10:33.500 --> 00:10:35.340 You leave the change to the Holy Spirit. 00:10:35.340 --> 00:10:38.560 You can't bring about the conversion of any individual. 00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:39.600 Nobody can. 00:10:42.220 --> 00:10:43.600 But you have to be, 00:10:43.940 --> 00:10:45.259 as Jesus put it elsewhere, 00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:48.480 in the position of making disciples. 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:53.320 Bringing the leaven of your Christian life and influence 00:10:53.320 --> 00:10:55.720 to bear upon the people around you. 00:10:57.160 --> 00:10:59.160 You're leaving the work of regeneration, 00:10:59.580 --> 00:11:01.340 the work of bringing to life spiritually, 00:11:02.080 --> 00:11:02.940 to the Holy Spirit. 00:11:02.940 --> 00:11:03.960 You can't do it anyway. 00:11:04.620 --> 00:11:06.880 But the Holy Spirit is not going to do 00:11:06.880 --> 00:11:09.840 what the Bible requires you and me to do. 00:11:10.360 --> 00:11:12.920 That's to be leaven in society. 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:15.100 It's a bit like what Jesus says elsewhere, 00:11:15.260 --> 00:11:17.540 you are the salt of the earth. 00:11:18.200 --> 00:11:20.820 Just like salt has an influence 00:11:20.820 --> 00:11:22.100 on the whole, 00:11:22.380 --> 00:11:25.800 whatever food you're adding salt to, 00:11:25.799 --> 00:11:28.179 it doesn't just salt a tiny wee bit of it, 00:11:28.519 --> 00:11:30.019 it spreads through the whole lot. 00:11:30.019 --> 00:11:32.419 It affects the savor of the whole thing. 00:11:33.059 --> 00:11:35.299 So the leaven spreads throughout the dough. 00:11:35.620 --> 00:11:38.439 So the congregation that you are in this world, 00:11:38.599 --> 00:11:40.079 that God has given you to be, 00:11:40.299 --> 00:11:41.579 and where God has placed you, 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:44.859 you're a congregation to act as leaven 00:11:44.859 --> 00:11:47.819 in this society around you. 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:53.220 And just like the leaven begins to activate the moment, 00:11:53.920 --> 00:11:58.280 you actually add the water to it, 00:11:58.860 --> 00:12:01.879 so actually you are to seek the blessing of God, 00:12:02.420 --> 00:12:03.340 as you've been doing. 00:12:03.440 --> 00:12:04.960 I mean, this congregation itself 00:12:04.960 --> 00:12:07.900 has so many things going on, 00:12:07.940 --> 00:12:09.420 as I've mentioned, in prayer. 00:12:09.540 --> 00:12:10.540 And as I came to know, 00:12:10.960 --> 00:12:12.160 when I was ministered here, 00:12:12.260 --> 00:12:14.480 these eight happy years that I was with you, 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:18.700 the number of things that are going on alongside with, 00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:21.259 alongside of the preaching of the gospel, 00:12:21.399 --> 00:12:23.620 the worship of God every Lord's Day, 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:24.460 every midweek, 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:26.060 alongside of that, 00:12:26.139 --> 00:12:27.539 fits all of these activities 00:12:27.539 --> 00:12:30.200 that you have going on in the congregation. 00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:32.500 That is really part of the way 00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:35.539 the leavening influence of the gospel is at work. 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:39.000 Because in the work you have with young folks, 00:12:39.539 --> 00:12:42.519 with older young folks, 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:44.039 with the smaller ones, 00:12:44.100 --> 00:12:45.000 the tiny ones, 00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:49.220 think of all that as leavening influence. 00:12:50.220 --> 00:12:53.519 Think of all that as an activity that's going on 00:12:53.519 --> 00:12:56.220 with a view to bringing about the leavening, 00:12:56.519 --> 00:13:00.740 the spiritual development of the whole batch of people 00:13:00.740 --> 00:13:01.699 that you are. 00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:07.179 And everybody has their own bit to contribute to that. 00:13:08.199 --> 00:13:11.699 You know, that's how it is for our situation in life as well. 00:13:11.700 --> 00:13:15.640 We're placed by the Lord in order to seek to bring 00:13:15.640 --> 00:13:19.940 an influence by his blessing to the community around us. 00:13:20.820 --> 00:13:21.640 You know, our tendency, 00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:24.220 the tendency certainly of the world around you 00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:27.660 is to think that people's problems are entirely external. 00:13:29.280 --> 00:13:33.240 And that if you improve people's conditions externally, 00:13:33.700 --> 00:13:37.460 then you'll find a difference in their way of life, 00:13:37.780 --> 00:13:39.100 in their outlook on life, 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:40.840 in their behavior in life. 00:13:41.620 --> 00:13:45.060 Well, people's behavior may to some small extent 00:13:45.060 --> 00:13:46.680 be affected by their environment 00:13:46.680 --> 00:13:50.700 and by the situations that they have from day to day outwardly. 00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:53.320 But people's behavior begins from in here. 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:56.240 It begins from within the soul. 00:13:56.240 --> 00:14:01.539 And unless that is turned around and changed, 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:03.860 that person's not going to be much different 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:05.060 to what they always have been. 00:14:06.340 --> 00:14:08.200 But here is where the leavening influence 00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:10.759 of the gospel, of the Christian gospel, 00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:12.000 of the Christian life, 00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:13.879 as it's set in society, 00:14:14.180 --> 00:14:16.460 it's aiming at, by God's blessing, 00:14:16.860 --> 00:14:18.440 affecting people so that they'll begin 00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:20.299 to think deeply about life, 00:14:20.560 --> 00:14:22.019 that they'll turn to the Lord, 00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:24.600 they'll become new creations in Christ. 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:27.340 And you're a leavening influence 00:14:27.340 --> 00:14:29.120 towards that objective. 00:14:31.560 --> 00:14:33.120 And if I may say so, 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:35.860 one of the rewarding things 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:38.159 that I've done more recently 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:39.940 is to speak at the Road to Recovery 00:14:39.940 --> 00:14:42.560 that David leads here in the town. 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:46.759 And one of the encouraging 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:49.480 and really thrilling things about it 00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:52.360 is that that work is based on the gospel. 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:55.200 That work is based not on changing 00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:57.019 people's outward circumstances, 00:14:57.399 --> 00:14:59.259 though, of course, that's not neglected. 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:01.639 But the work is that people 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:03.000 will come to know the Lord, 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:05.580 that people will come to have their lives 00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:07.840 changed by the grace of God. 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:09.940 And the leavening influence 00:15:09.940 --> 00:15:11.500 of a Christian influence 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:14.100 is designed to bring people 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:15.539 to that point, 00:15:15.680 --> 00:15:16.940 by God's blessing, 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:19.420 that the leaven of the lives 00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:20.419 of those who are seeking 00:15:20.419 --> 00:15:22.079 to help those with needs 00:15:22.079 --> 00:15:23.579 such as addictions, 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:26.620 will come to see them converted, 00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:27.519 come to see them 00:15:27.519 --> 00:15:30.519 coming into the kingdom themselves 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:32.559 and becoming part of it. 00:15:33.179 --> 00:15:35.079 The kingdom is like leaven, 00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:36.979 which a woman took 00:15:36.979 --> 00:15:39.639 and hid in these measures of flow 00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:41.839 until it was all leavened. 00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:44.500 And you know that should be 00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:47.259 our objective as well. 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:49.680 Even if we're convinced 00:15:49.680 --> 00:15:50.940 that the world is not going to be 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:52.120 completely changed 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:53.780 before the Lord comes, 00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:56.300 we should still have it as our objective 00:15:56.300 --> 00:15:58.240 to see as much change 00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:59.740 as possible taking place. 00:16:01.040 --> 00:16:02.740 And that means through your influence 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.759 as a congregation, 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:05.580 through your influence as individuals, 00:16:06.340 --> 00:16:07.940 that you seek God's blessing 00:16:07.940 --> 00:16:09.759 to bring the change about. 00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:12.139 So that permeates, 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:14.759 the leaven as it permeates, 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:15.580 the whole measure 00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:17.480 of the batch of dough, 00:16:17.620 --> 00:16:19.399 so the kingdom is designed 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:20.799 to infiltrate, 00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:22.039 to permeate, 00:16:22.580 --> 00:16:24.220 to go through society 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:26.039 and communities. 00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:28.279 But secondly, 00:16:28.939 --> 00:16:30.519 it's a change-bringing organism 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:32.559 because as you see yeast at work, 00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:33.379 one of the things you see 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:35.539 is that the yeast transfers 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:37.399 its own properties, 00:16:37.559 --> 00:16:38.039 if you like, 00:16:38.039 --> 00:16:39.879 to the whole batch of dough 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:41.360 into which you place it. 00:16:42.179 --> 00:16:44.500 Because the batch of dough 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:46.179 is there static. 00:16:47.799 --> 00:16:48.779 It doesn't move. 00:16:49.339 --> 00:16:50.299 It doesn't change. 00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:53.699 As soon as you add the yeast to it, 00:16:54.199 --> 00:16:55.519 it begins to change. 00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:57.620 And the change is brought about, 00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:59.740 not just brought about by the yeast, 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:01.240 but the yeast is seeking 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:03.879 to transform that batch of dough 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:05.019 into like itself, 00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:06.579 to grow, 00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:07.920 to increase, 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:10.859 to change in its substance indeed, 00:17:11.359 --> 00:17:12.859 to some extent. 00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:16.559 And that's the same with the gospel. 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:19.440 When you introduce the gospel 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:20.740 into human society, 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:22.539 into human communities, 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:25.440 into human individual experiences, 00:17:25.900 --> 00:17:28.420 that gospel enters into that life 00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:29.440 or these lives 00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:30.859 as yeast is entered 00:17:30.859 --> 00:17:32.259 into the batch of dough. 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.900 It immediately begins, 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:35.539 if God blesses it as we pray, 00:17:35.879 --> 00:17:37.720 to influence the whole batch. 00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:39.920 And it begins to transform 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:41.359 that whole batch 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:42.799 into what it's like itself 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:45.119 because the yeast of God's gospel 00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:46.640 or the life that God gives 00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:47.400 to his people 00:17:47.400 --> 00:17:49.740 is something that has 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:51.000 divine properties. 00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:56.079 You could be mistaken about that 00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:57.200 and I don't want to mislead you, 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:57.700 but of course, 00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.900 it doesn't mean we are made 00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:01.900 into something other than human beings 00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:04.040 when we come to know the Lord, 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:06.259 when we have a spirit working within us, 00:18:06.600 --> 00:18:09.640 when we're changed from being dead sinners 00:18:09.640 --> 00:18:13.259 into living disciples, saints. 00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:16.900 But it does mean 00:18:16.900 --> 00:18:18.720 this gospel, 00:18:20.360 --> 00:18:21.800 this grace of God 00:18:21.800 --> 00:18:23.120 that works through the gospel, 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:24.560 this grace of God 00:18:24.560 --> 00:18:25.200 that is at work 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:26.860 in the life of God's people, 00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:29.519 it has its own divine properties. 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:31.079 It's not been manufactured 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:32.199 by human beings. 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.259 It's not something 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:34.559 the church has brought about 00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:35.619 in the course of history. 00:18:35.959 --> 00:18:36.719 It's not something 00:18:36.719 --> 00:18:37.839 that any individual, 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:38.819 however talented, 00:18:39.139 --> 00:18:40.740 is actually able to produce 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.619 or reproduce. 00:18:43.519 --> 00:18:45.000 It is God at work. 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:46.859 And God's work 00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:48.079 is always like himself. 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:50.839 It always bears a similarity 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:51.599 to him. 00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:54.199 And as the yeast 00:18:54.199 --> 00:18:54.980 is entered into 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:55.939 the batch of dough, 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:58.399 so it begins to change 00:18:58.399 --> 00:19:00.859 that batch of dough 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:02.319 to be like itself. 00:19:03.099 --> 00:19:05.019 It transforms that batch 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:06.159 from within 00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:08.339 and it spreads out 00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:08.859 throughout it, 00:19:08.879 --> 00:19:09.419 as we've said, 00:19:10.119 --> 00:19:11.159 until the whole batch 00:19:11.159 --> 00:19:11.799 is affected. 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:14.539 You don't find 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:16.939 any other philosophy 00:19:16.939 --> 00:19:18.619 that has that capacity. 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.159 It doesn't matter 00:19:19.159 --> 00:19:20.019 what religion 00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:21.200 you look at in the world 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:22.579 with Christianity. 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:24.039 Whatever influences 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:24.859 it has, 00:19:25.680 --> 00:19:26.759 it may very well 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:27.740 have a lot of influence 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.440 as you can see 00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:29.539 in our own society. 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:30.920 There are many religions 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:31.819 and ideologies 00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:33.240 that have influences 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:34.359 that bring people 00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:35.480 to follow them. 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:38.220 But it doesn't have 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:39.920 the divine capacity 00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:41.720 to change human life 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.420 from within. 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:44.779 It doesn't have 00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.240 within it 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:45.940 that capacity, 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:47.379 that divine power 00:19:47.380 --> 00:19:48.480 which the Spirit 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:49.160 of God 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:51.300 uses and shows 00:19:51.300 --> 00:19:52.340 in people 00:19:52.340 --> 00:19:53.780 being born again. 00:19:56.380 --> 00:19:57.220 That's why 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:58.860 it's so important 00:19:58.860 --> 00:20:00.600 that you and I 00:20:00.600 --> 00:20:01.720 and this congregation 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:03.400 act as leaven 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:04.780 in this community. 00:20:05.340 --> 00:20:06.160 Because you're 00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:07.260 carrying with you 00:20:07.260 --> 00:20:08.400 in the gospel, 00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:10.120 in your own Christian life, 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:10.740 when you're committed 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:11.400 to the Lord, 00:20:11.660 --> 00:20:12.720 you're carrying with you 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:13.280 a power 00:20:13.280 --> 00:20:14.540 that cannot be 00:20:14.540 --> 00:20:15.380 reproduced 00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:16.540 or replicated 00:20:16.540 --> 00:20:17.860 by any other power 00:20:17.860 --> 00:20:18.480 on earth. 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:20.360 And you have to believe 00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:21.420 that that power 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:22.500 is the power 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:23.760 that's able to change 00:20:23.760 --> 00:20:24.780 people's lives 00:20:24.780 --> 00:20:26.180 radically. 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:30.600 What's going to change 00:20:30.600 --> 00:20:32.520 this society 00:20:32.520 --> 00:20:33.700 we belong to today 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:36.120 with all its dreadful 00:20:36.120 --> 00:20:37.460 excesses, 00:20:38.100 --> 00:20:39.860 with its rampant 00:20:39.860 --> 00:20:40.820 secularist way 00:20:40.820 --> 00:20:42.000 of looking at things, 00:20:42.620 --> 00:20:44.760 with all its atheism, 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.700 with all the hate 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.660 that there is there 00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:47.680 for the gospel, 00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:49.920 for the things of God, 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.960 for the people of God, 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:51.779 for the church? 00:20:52.279 --> 00:20:53.200 What is it that's 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:54.339 going to change 00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:56.019 church buildings 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:57.400 that for centuries 00:20:57.400 --> 00:20:58.180 were associated 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:58.960 with the gospel 00:20:58.960 --> 00:21:00.980 and being now changed 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:01.759 into mosques 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.660 or whatever else 00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:04.059 use they're changed into? 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:05.599 What's going to reverse that? 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.960 What's going to change that? 00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:07.640 And friends, 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.640 we need to see 00:21:08.640 --> 00:21:09.539 these changes. 00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:10.539 Otherwise, 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:13.799 that's just going to go on 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:15.200 month by month, 00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:16.279 year by year, 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:18.200 and we'll be left 00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:19.500 with a spiritual wilderness. 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:23.220 What's going to change it 00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:23.879 is the gospel, 00:21:24.639 --> 00:21:25.819 the power of God 00:21:25.819 --> 00:21:26.740 unto salvation. 00:21:28.639 --> 00:21:29.819 How do we actually 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:31.000 set about 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:32.920 living to that end? 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:33.319 Well, 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:33.859 being, 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:35.259 yeast being, 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:36.960 leaven in the world. 00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:39.380 having an influence 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:41.160 with people 00:21:41.160 --> 00:21:42.279 alongside you, 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.079 neighbors, 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:44.160 work colleagues, 00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:45.480 school friends, 00:21:45.860 --> 00:21:47.340 but you and I 00:21:47.340 --> 00:21:48.420 have to be the yeast 00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:52.120 that looks to change 00:21:52.120 --> 00:21:53.420 society by the blessing 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:54.079 of God. 00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:56.779 To see the kingdom 00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:58.240 of God advance. 00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:58.700 That's what we were 00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:59.440 praying for with the 00:21:59.440 --> 00:21:59.700 children, 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:00.180 wasn't it? 00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:01.880 Where, 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:03.360 in the Lord's Prayer, 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:04.740 that's one of the elements 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:05.460 in the Lord's Prayer. 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:07.940 Thy kingdom come. 00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:10.319 Thy will be done 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:10.900 on earth 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:12.500 as it is in heaven. 00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:14.860 Let your kingdom come. 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:16.819 We can't be praying, 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:18.220 let your kingdom come, 00:22:18.380 --> 00:22:19.539 and then standing aside 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:21.079 as if that's going to happen 00:22:21.079 --> 00:22:22.860 without us being concerned 00:22:22.860 --> 00:22:24.100 to live as yeast 00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:24.600 or leaven 00:22:24.600 --> 00:22:25.480 in this world 00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:26.220 for Christ. 00:22:27.100 --> 00:22:28.019 God's not dependent 00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:28.660 on us. 00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:29.860 Yes, 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:30.680 God can work 00:22:30.680 --> 00:22:31.539 without us. 00:22:32.360 --> 00:22:33.539 God can do many things 00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:34.259 without us. 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:35.379 But that's not how 00:22:35.379 --> 00:22:36.640 he's revealed 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:37.259 in the Bible 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:38.240 as operating. 00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:39.240 He operates 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:40.539 through the life 00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:41.359 of his church. 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:43.700 He operates 00:22:43.700 --> 00:22:45.519 through God's people 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.500 living as yeast 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:48.019 in the society 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:49.039 where they're placed. 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:51.400 Transferring 00:22:51.400 --> 00:22:52.700 the properties 00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:55.519 of spiritual life 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.799 by God's blessing 00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:59.319 to those that presently 00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:00.500 don't have it. 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:02.319 it's a change 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:03.720 bringing organism. 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:05.000 It transfers 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:05.819 its properties 00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:06.759 to the whole batch. 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:07.519 Thirdly, 00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:07.839 finally, 00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.759 it actually grows. 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:13.559 Are we 00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:15.039 too used 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:17.119 to seeing 00:23:17.119 --> 00:23:17.619 the church 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:18.339 decrease? 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:21.380 Are we in danger 00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:21.740 of saying, 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:21.900 well, 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:22.480 that's just how 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.660 God has planned it. 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.319 That's just how 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:25.859 God is. 00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:26.779 That's what providence 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:27.640 has brought about. 00:23:27.640 --> 00:23:28.840 Yes. 00:23:30.060 --> 00:23:30.920 Are we satisfied 00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:31.640 with that? 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.259 Are we saying, 00:23:33.600 --> 00:23:35.480 that's how it must be? 00:23:36.600 --> 00:23:37.620 Are we seeing 00:23:37.620 --> 00:23:38.700 ourselves as just 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.740 no longer acting 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.240 as yeast 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:41.100 in society? 00:23:41.100 --> 00:23:43.360 Have we lost 00:23:43.360 --> 00:23:44.040 our vision 00:23:44.040 --> 00:23:45.640 that the church 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:46.220 is meant 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:46.960 to grow 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.920 and not 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:49.759 to be reduced? 00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:51.220 I know 00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:51.740 everything's 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.900 under the authority 00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:54.319 and the providence 00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:55.039 of God 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:56.460 under the complete 00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:57.539 and utter authority 00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:58.160 of God 00:23:58.160 --> 00:23:59.240 that he rules 00:23:59.240 --> 00:23:59.879 sovereignly 00:23:59.879 --> 00:24:00.900 over every event, 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:02.180 over every eventuality, 00:24:02.599 --> 00:24:03.960 over every turn 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:05.039 in the church's life 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:05.660 and experience. 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:06.500 That's how it's 00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:07.180 always been. 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:09.740 But let's not 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.259 lose 00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:11.379 our vision 00:24:11.379 --> 00:24:12.160 of growth. 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:13.700 Let's not 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:14.379 lose our vision 00:24:14.379 --> 00:24:15.140 that the kingdom 00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:15.660 of God, 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:16.660 the rule 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:17.259 of God 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:18.119 through his people 00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:18.679 is meant 00:24:18.679 --> 00:24:19.619 to lead 00:24:19.619 --> 00:24:20.359 to growth. 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:21.919 A growth 00:24:21.919 --> 00:24:22.839 in his cause. 00:24:23.459 --> 00:24:23.879 A growth 00:24:23.879 --> 00:24:24.579 in people 00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:25.379 confessing him 00:24:25.379 --> 00:24:26.079 as their Lord. 00:24:28.199 --> 00:24:29.319 It's like leaven 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:31.119 which this woman 00:24:31.119 --> 00:24:31.779 took and hid 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.479 in three measures 00:24:32.479 --> 00:24:32.899 of flour 00:24:32.899 --> 00:24:34.019 till all 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:35.219 was leavened. 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:36.619 In other words, 00:24:36.679 --> 00:24:37.119 the kingdom 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:37.719 of God 00:24:37.719 --> 00:24:39.059 has that 00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:40.239 spiritual 00:24:40.239 --> 00:24:41.199 substance 00:24:41.199 --> 00:24:41.799 to it 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.919 that is itself 00:24:42.919 --> 00:24:43.439 designed 00:24:43.439 --> 00:24:44.019 to grow. 00:24:45.399 --> 00:24:45.879 And you can 00:24:45.879 --> 00:24:46.359 see that 00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:47.679 in the early 00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:48.019 church, 00:24:48.100 --> 00:24:48.620 for example, 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.220 in the days 00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:49.759 of the Acts 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.539 of the Apostles. 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.080 Look at the number 00:24:52.080 --> 00:24:52.560 of people, 00:24:53.100 --> 00:24:53.600 it's not about 00:24:53.600 --> 00:24:54.019 numbers, 00:24:54.120 --> 00:24:54.580 but just look 00:24:54.580 --> 00:24:55.960 at the size 00:24:55.960 --> 00:24:56.960 of that batch 00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:57.660 of disciples 00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:59.400 that left 00:24:59.400 --> 00:25:00.240 the upper room 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.960 and went out 00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:03.320 to follow Christ 00:25:03.320 --> 00:25:03.840 and to bring 00:25:03.840 --> 00:25:04.340 the gospel 00:25:04.340 --> 00:25:05.100 into the world. 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:06.940 And by the time 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:07.400 you read 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:08.220 through the book 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:08.680 of Acts 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:09.180 and you see 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:10.259 what's happened 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:11.279 in Athens, 00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:12.980 in Thessalonica, 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.259 in Ephesus, 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.580 all the other 00:25:15.580 --> 00:25:16.200 places that are 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:17.039 mentioned there, 00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:18.180 you'll find 00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:19.220 churches established, 00:25:19.379 --> 00:25:19.700 you'll find 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.579 churches growing, 00:25:21.159 --> 00:25:21.519 you'll find 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:21.940 the kingdom 00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:22.440 of God 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:23.000 advancing. 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.200 Why is that? 00:25:24.359 --> 00:25:25.240 Because the people 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:25.759 of God, 00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:26.519 the disciples 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:27.079 of Jesus, 00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:28.399 took this 00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:29.200 into the world, 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:29.960 they acted 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.599 as leaven 00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:31.539 in the society 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.420 of their day. 00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:33.139 And God 00:25:33.139 --> 00:25:33.799 blessed that 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.339 and God 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:35.200 followed that 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:36.539 and God 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:37.119 took that 00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:38.240 and placed it 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:38.980 into the batch 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.460 of dough 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:40.599 that that sinful 00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:41.559 pagan world 00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:42.220 was. 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:43.860 and as you 00:25:43.860 --> 00:25:44.360 read the book 00:25:44.360 --> 00:25:44.700 of Acts 00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:45.259 you can watch 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:45.740 it grow. 00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:47.360 You can see 00:25:47.360 --> 00:25:47.980 its influence. 00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:50.380 You can see 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:51.039 how seriously 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:52.279 people took 00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:53.299 their Christian 00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:53.759 walk, 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.160 their Christian 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:55.759 confession, 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:57.279 their Christian 00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:57.860 commitment 00:25:57.860 --> 00:25:59.360 to the Lord 00:25:59.360 --> 00:25:59.839 and to His 00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:00.380 cause. 00:26:01.160 --> 00:26:01.680 You can see 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:01.839 it, 00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:03.059 secondly, 00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:03.440 you can see 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.160 it on revivals, 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:04.680 can't you? 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:06.640 If you read 00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:07.600 these excellent 00:26:07.600 --> 00:26:09.779 books on revival 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.440 that you find 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:13.379 written recently 00:26:13.379 --> 00:26:15.099 by Tom Lenny, 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:17.119 he's got three 00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:17.799 or four books 00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:18.619 actually on revival 00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:19.160 in different parts 00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:19.660 of Scotland, 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:20.740 including Lewis 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:21.180 itself, 00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:22.220 which he focuses 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:22.960 on quite a bit. 00:26:23.599 --> 00:26:24.299 But as you'll see 00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:25.319 the accounts he gives 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:26.339 in all of these 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:27.000 areas, 00:26:27.139 --> 00:26:27.539 for example, 00:26:27.639 --> 00:26:28.259 just of Lewis 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:28.779 itself, 00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:29.859 where he has 00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:30.460 checked it out 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:31.000 with people 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.460 and followed 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:32.440 through his research, 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:33.420 and you'll find 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:33.980 some really 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.940 astounding, 00:26:35.119 --> 00:26:36.000 some wonderful, 00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:37.160 some exhilarating 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:38.220 accounts of 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:39.399 individuals 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:40.860 used by God, 00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:42.280 placed in the 00:26:42.280 --> 00:26:42.980 darkness of 00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:43.840 their own day, 00:26:44.840 --> 00:26:45.460 and all of a 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:45.759 sudden, 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:47.960 spiritual life. 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.120 Leaven has 00:26:50.120 --> 00:26:50.980 done its work. 00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:52.680 People come 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:53.280 to think 00:26:53.280 --> 00:26:53.960 seriously 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.900 about life. 00:26:55.640 --> 00:26:56.340 What is life 00:26:56.340 --> 00:26:56.700 about? 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:57.900 They come 00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:58.400 to attend 00:26:58.400 --> 00:26:59.320 church services, 00:27:00.080 --> 00:27:00.780 and they come 00:27:00.780 --> 00:27:01.860 to not only 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:02.300 attend, 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:03.160 but also come 00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:05.220 with concern, 00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:06.500 with weeping 00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:07.540 to church services, 00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:08.460 seeking the 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:08.800 Lord, 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:09.799 concerned 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:10.879 for the 00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:11.440 name of 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:11.799 Christ, 00:27:11.919 --> 00:27:12.480 more concerned 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:12.839 for the 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:13.339 glory of 00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:13.879 God than 00:27:13.879 --> 00:27:14.720 for themselves. 00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:17.740 That's the 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.539 leaven at work. 00:27:19.899 --> 00:27:20.339 And that's 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:21.659 God blessing 00:27:21.659 --> 00:27:22.359 his word, 00:27:23.159 --> 00:27:23.940 God placing 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:24.740 these people 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:26.139 as the movement 00:27:26.139 --> 00:27:27.659 grew in the 00:27:27.659 --> 00:27:28.579 society of their 00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:29.000 day, 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:30.519 so that others 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.119 are added to 00:27:31.119 --> 00:27:31.599 the number. 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:32.960 You see, 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:33.639 that should be 00:27:33.639 --> 00:27:34.599 our vision as 00:27:34.599 --> 00:27:34.779 well, 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:35.279 shouldn't it, 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:36.819 that we don't 00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:37.539 rest until the 00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:38.039 whole batch 00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:38.859 is leavened, 00:27:38.859 --> 00:27:40.659 until throughout 00:27:40.659 --> 00:27:41.259 the course of 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:41.779 our lives, 00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:42.299 at least in 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:42.799 this world, 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:44.240 we've given 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:44.960 what we can 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:47.059 and been 00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:47.420 what we 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:47.980 should be 00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:49.680 as God's 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.579 leaven in 00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:51.039 the world. 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:53.119 And of 00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:53.259 course, 00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:54.299 that's the 00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:54.700 case with 00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.559 individuals as 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:55.799 well. 00:27:55.899 --> 00:27:56.279 Once the 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:56.920 work starts 00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:57.539 in an 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.299 individual's 00:27:58.299 --> 00:27:58.619 life, 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.000 the work 00:27:59.000 --> 00:27:59.559 of God's 00:27:59.559 --> 00:27:59.899 Spirit, 00:28:00.639 --> 00:28:01.480 where God, 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:02.079 as it were, 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:03.420 places the 00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:04.119 leaven of 00:28:04.119 --> 00:28:05.039 his life, 00:28:05.139 --> 00:28:05.639 the leaven of 00:28:05.639 --> 00:28:06.759 his Spirit, 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.699 into any 00:28:07.699 --> 00:28:08.779 human soul, 00:28:09.719 --> 00:28:10.519 it grows. 00:28:12.439 --> 00:28:13.559 It grows. 00:28:14.699 --> 00:28:15.759 It spreads 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:17.039 throughout the 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:17.759 whole of that 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.799 person's life 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:19.419 and being. 00:28:20.199 --> 00:28:20.819 It's not just 00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:21.619 something that 00:28:21.619 --> 00:28:22.339 affects your 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:24.359 thoughts without 00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:25.119 affecting your 00:28:25.119 --> 00:28:25.639 conscience, 00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:26.399 without affecting 00:28:26.399 --> 00:28:27.079 your will, 00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:28.179 without affecting 00:28:28.179 --> 00:28:28.899 your love, 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.699 your emotions. 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.959 The whole of 00:28:30.959 --> 00:28:31.500 your human 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.879 character is 00:28:32.879 --> 00:28:33.539 affected by 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:34.680 the leaven of 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:35.519 God's life 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.339 entering into 00:28:36.339 --> 00:28:36.759 you. 00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:40.639 And today, 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:40.940 friends, 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:41.460 we're privileged 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:42.879 to have the 00:28:42.879 --> 00:28:44.240 Gospel setting 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.019 out these terms 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:45.639 for us, 00:28:45.839 --> 00:28:47.039 to remind us 00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:47.779 that the 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:48.319 kingdom of 00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:49.200 heaven is 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:49.940 like leaven, 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:51.440 that we 00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:51.980 belong to 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:52.500 the movement 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:52.960 of the 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:53.460 kingdom of 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:53.759 heaven, 00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:55.159 that we 00:28:55.159 --> 00:28:55.720 belong to 00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:56.319 that movement 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:57.440 that itself 00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:58.220 is designed 00:28:58.220 --> 00:28:59.579 to infiltrate 00:28:59.579 --> 00:29:00.099 the world 00:29:00.099 --> 00:29:00.839 for Christ, 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:02.759 to grow in 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.440 that world, 00:29:03.539 --> 00:29:04.299 to bring 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:05.579 about the 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:06.240 knowledge of 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:06.799 Christ in 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:07.379 that world. 00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.579 You put a 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:11.059 batch of 00:29:11.059 --> 00:29:13.579 yeast into 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:14.159 a lump of 00:29:14.159 --> 00:29:14.460 dough, 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:16.139 you try and 00:29:16.139 --> 00:29:16.539 stop it 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:16.920 working. 00:29:18.099 --> 00:29:18.460 It's not 00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:18.819 easy. 00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:20.079 Maybe not 00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:20.559 impossible, 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.539 but it's not 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:21.920 easy. 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:23.819 Because that 00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:24.920 yeast, as it 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:25.879 grows, as it 00:29:25.879 --> 00:29:26.680 transfers its 00:29:26.680 --> 00:29:27.639 properties, the 00:29:27.639 --> 00:29:28.480 whole batch 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:28.879 grows. 00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:30.700 You try and 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.240 stop the 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:31.740 spirit of 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:32.120 God. 00:29:33.160 --> 00:29:33.680 Once it 00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:34.460 works, even 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:34.920 through an 00:29:34.920 --> 00:29:36.220 individual, in 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:36.920 any part of 00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:37.900 human society, 00:29:38.339 --> 00:29:38.839 you try and 00:29:38.839 --> 00:29:39.339 stop it. 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:39.880 You can't do 00:29:39.880 --> 00:29:40.140 it. 00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:42.700 Because it's 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:43.299 God at 00:29:43.299 --> 00:29:45.660 work, for 00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:47.120 which you and 00:29:47.120 --> 00:29:47.680 I should be 00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:48.380 burdened. 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:49.819 She didn't 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:51.000 wait until all 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:51.579 things were 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.000 leavened. 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.440 Then she 00:29:52.440 --> 00:29:53.720 could take the 00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:54.240 batch of 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:56.900 dough and 00:29:56.900 --> 00:29:57.880 use it for 00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:58.319 bread. 00:29:58.319 --> 00:30:00.639 God's 00:30:00.639 --> 00:30:01.299 purpose is 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:02.740 for yourself 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.059 and for 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:03.879 myself today. 00:30:06.439 --> 00:30:07.339 Remember how 00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:08.319 Paul wrote to 00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:09.279 the Philippian 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:10.859 church, a 00:30:10.859 --> 00:30:11.220 church that 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:11.659 he loved, 00:30:12.299 --> 00:30:12.819 a church that 00:30:12.819 --> 00:30:13.419 loved him 00:30:13.419 --> 00:30:13.919 greatly. 00:30:14.579 --> 00:30:15.220 It wasn't a 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:15.919 perfect church, 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:16.819 no church is. 00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:18.519 But when he 00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:19.019 wrote to them 00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:20.059 in the very 00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:21.319 first chapter of 00:30:21.319 --> 00:30:21.799 that short 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:23.659 epistle, he 00:30:23.659 --> 00:30:24.159 said how much 00:30:24.159 --> 00:30:24.819 he was thanking 00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:25.720 God for them, 00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:27.319 for every 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:28.380 remembrance of 00:30:28.380 --> 00:30:28.579 them. 00:30:29.279 --> 00:30:29.579 He was 00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:30.019 writing to 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:30.339 them from 00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:30.720 prison. 00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:32.400 But as he 00:30:32.400 --> 00:30:33.100 remembered them, 00:30:33.140 --> 00:30:33.740 as he reflected 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.380 upon them, 00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:35.539 he thanked 00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:36.299 God for them, 00:30:36.640 --> 00:30:37.059 for their 00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:38.339 partnership in 00:30:38.339 --> 00:30:39.700 the gospel from 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.620 the first day 00:30:40.620 --> 00:30:41.299 till now. 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:42.640 What's he 00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:42.940 saying? 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.140 He's saying I'm 00:30:44.140 --> 00:30:45.259 thankful that 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.160 you became part 00:30:46.160 --> 00:30:46.819 of the leaven, 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:48.700 that as God 00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:49.740 made me leaven 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.940 in your society, 00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:52.059 you joined 00:30:52.059 --> 00:30:52.980 that, you 00:30:52.980 --> 00:30:53.779 became leaven, 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:55.039 you influenced 00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:56.180 others, you 00:30:56.180 --> 00:30:56.619 were used 00:30:56.619 --> 00:30:57.379 by God. 00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:00.980 As he went 00:31:00.980 --> 00:31:01.599 on to say 00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.559 that it was 00:31:02.559 --> 00:31:03.159 right for him 00:31:03.159 --> 00:31:03.720 to think 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:04.859 this about 00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:05.220 them. 00:31:06.460 --> 00:31:06.839 For he 00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:07.319 says where 00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:08.559 he has 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:09.480 begun a 00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:10.079 good work, 00:31:11.359 --> 00:31:12.019 he will 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:13.279 fulfill it, 00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:14.399 complete it, 00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:15.740 bring it to 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:17.680 completion at 00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:18.139 the day of 00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:18.680 Christ. 00:31:19.619 --> 00:31:19.980 Friends, 00:31:20.079 --> 00:31:20.920 let's not 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:21.359 rest. 00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:22.960 Let's not 00:31:22.960 --> 00:31:24.500 lose our 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:25.440 sight of 00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:26.119 God at 00:31:26.119 --> 00:31:26.500 work. 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:28.119 Let's not 00:31:28.119 --> 00:31:28.579 lose our 00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:29.180 vision for 00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:29.700 the gospel. 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:31.460 Let's 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:33.299 retain that 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:35.019 picture of 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:35.400 God's 00:31:35.400 --> 00:31:37.019 kingdom as 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.359 leaven. 00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:39.940 Let's play 00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:41.059 individually our 00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:42.980 own part in 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:43.839 being leaven 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:45.220 in the 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:47.039 society we're 00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:47.740 placed into. 00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:49.099 Let's pray. 00:31:49.099 --> 00:31:54.240 Lord, our 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:55.000 gracious God, 00:31:56.059 --> 00:31:56.859 we acknowledge 00:31:56.859 --> 00:31:57.599 that we are 00:31:57.599 --> 00:31:58.240 so often not 00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:58.579 what we 00:31:58.579 --> 00:31:59.019 should be, 00:32:00.459 --> 00:32:00.899 that we 00:32:00.899 --> 00:32:01.939 are falling 00:32:01.939 --> 00:32:02.480 short in 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.339 every aspect 00:32:03.339 --> 00:32:03.779 of our 00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:04.099 life. 00:32:05.199 --> 00:32:05.639 Yet, Lord, 00:32:05.699 --> 00:32:06.419 as we complain 00:32:06.419 --> 00:32:07.000 about these 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:07.439 things, we 00:32:07.439 --> 00:32:08.699 pray that you 00:32:08.699 --> 00:32:09.419 enable us to 00:32:09.419 --> 00:32:10.159 have our 00:32:10.159 --> 00:32:11.000 vision restored 00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:11.759 or maintained 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:13.199 as to your 00:32:13.199 --> 00:32:13.959 kingdom and its 00:32:13.959 --> 00:32:14.579 work and its 00:32:14.579 --> 00:32:15.019 properties. 00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:15.259 peace. 00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:17.139 And help us, 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:17.920 we pray, to 00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:19.180 have a proper 00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:20.740 estimate of 00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:21.420 our own place 00:32:21.420 --> 00:32:22.019 within that 00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:22.359 kingdom. 00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:24.240 Grant that you 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:25.079 would continue 00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:26.240 daily to throw 00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:26.879 our hearts to 00:32:26.879 --> 00:32:27.319 yourself. 00:32:28.359 --> 00:32:29.079 Remember any 00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:29.599 here today, 00:32:29.700 --> 00:32:30.119 Lord, who have 00:32:30.119 --> 00:32:30.839 not yet committed 00:32:30.839 --> 00:32:31.519 their life to 00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:31.759 you. 00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:33.720 We pray that you 00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:34.359 would enter into 00:32:34.359 --> 00:32:34.799 their life 00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:36.639 powerfully, that 00:32:36.639 --> 00:32:37.180 the leaven of 00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:38.660 your gospel might 00:32:38.660 --> 00:32:39.480 indeed carry out 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:40.319 its own work by 00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:40.879 your spirit. 00:32:41.879 --> 00:32:42.759 We pray that for 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.579 every gathering of 00:32:43.579 --> 00:32:44.099 your church 00:32:44.099 --> 00:32:44.960 throughout the 00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:45.579 world today. 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.379 We pray for 00:32:47.379 --> 00:32:48.099 your people as 00:32:48.099 --> 00:32:49.259 they continue to 00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:50.099 witness to you. 00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:51.559 Lord, make them, 00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:52.699 we pray, more 00:32:52.699 --> 00:32:54.779 and more powerful 00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:56.279 and effective in 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:56.899 the witness that 00:32:56.899 --> 00:32:57.460 they bear. 00:32:58.179 --> 00:32:59.079 And use us, we 00:32:59.079 --> 00:32:59.599 pray, as your 00:32:59.599 --> 00:33:00.099 people in the 00:33:00.099 --> 00:33:01.339 world, even 00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:02.000 beyond what we 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:02.720 are able to ask 00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:04.379 or think, that 00:33:04.379 --> 00:33:05.179 whatever small 00:33:05.179 --> 00:33:05.980 ideas we may 00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:06.799 have of ourselves, 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:08.259 we may know 00:33:08.259 --> 00:33:08.679 that in the 00:33:08.679 --> 00:33:09.679 hands of Christ 00:33:09.679 --> 00:33:11.220 great things can 00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:11.960 be achieved. 00:33:12.699 --> 00:33:13.179 Hear us now, 00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:13.820 we pray for 00:33:13.820 --> 00:33:14.380 his sake. 00:33:14.880 --> 00:33:15.160 Amen. 00:33:17.220 --> 00:33:17.779 Now we 00:33:17.779 --> 00:33:18.380 conclude our 00:33:18.380 --> 00:33:19.060 worship this 00:33:19.060 --> 00:33:19.640 morning singing 00:33:19.640 --> 00:33:20.799 in Psalm 65. 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:23.140 Psalm 65 in 00:33:23.140 --> 00:33:23.480 the Singed 00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:24.140 Psalms version. 00:33:25.340 --> 00:33:25.539 To the 00:33:25.539 --> 00:33:26.240 Tune Huddersfield 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:26.700 we're singing 00:33:26.700 --> 00:33:28.340 verses 8 to 00:33:28.340 --> 00:33:28.920 13. 00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:30.660 That's on 00:33:30.660 --> 00:33:31.580 page 82. 00:33:31.579 --> 00:33:41.019 Those who 00:33:41.019 --> 00:33:41.799 inhabit distant 00:33:41.799 --> 00:33:42.379 lands with 00:33:42.379 --> 00:33:43.220 awe regard 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:43.899 your ways. 00:33:44.579 --> 00:33:45.179 Where morning 00:33:45.179 --> 00:33:45.799 dawns and 00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:46.559 evening fades, 00:33:46.740 --> 00:33:47.480 you call forth 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:48.079 songs of 00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:48.519 praise. 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:49.939 You tend the 00:33:49.939 --> 00:33:50.699 land and water 00:33:50.699 --> 00:33:51.579 it, you make 00:33:51.579 --> 00:33:52.199 it rich and 00:33:52.199 --> 00:33:52.480 good. 00:33:53.000 --> 00:33:53.399 As you 00:33:53.399 --> 00:33:54.220 ordained, your 00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:55.139 streams are full 00:33:55.139 --> 00:33:56.099 to give the 00:33:56.099 --> 00:33:56.740 people food. 00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:57.619 You drench the 00:33:57.619 --> 00:33:58.240 furrows of the 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:59.500 land, you level 00:33:59.500 --> 00:34:01.019 off the ground, you 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:01.759 soften it with 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:03.539 showers of rain and 00:34:03.539 --> 00:34:04.740 make its crops 00:34:04.740 --> 00:34:05.700 abound. 00:34:05.779 --> 00:34:06.299 And although these 00:34:06.299 --> 00:34:06.880 verses speak 00:34:06.880 --> 00:34:08.360 literally of 00:34:08.360 --> 00:34:11.480 agricultural ways 00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:13.380 and the natural 00:34:13.380 --> 00:34:14.460 growth of things in 00:34:14.460 --> 00:34:15.659 the land, they're 00:34:15.659 --> 00:34:16.699 obviously transferable 00:34:16.699 --> 00:34:17.820 spiritually as well 00:34:17.820 --> 00:34:19.119 to the way in 00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:20.099 which God brings 00:34:20.099 --> 00:34:20.900 about by his 00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:22.400 blessing that rich 00:34:22.400 --> 00:34:23.599 spiritual growth that 00:34:23.599 --> 00:34:24.860 we pray for. 00:34:24.860 --> 00:34:26.360 So verses 8 to 00:34:26.360 --> 00:34:27.380 13, those who 00:34:27.380 --> 00:34:28.240 inhabit distant 00:34:28.240 --> 00:34:29.720 lands with awe 00:34:29.720 --> 00:34:30.440 regard your 00:34:30.440 --> 00:34:30.920 ways. 00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:31.920 Amen. 00:34:54.860 --> 00:35:24.860 종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종종 00:35:24.860 --> 00:35:46.700 rich and good, as you ordained, your streams are full to give the people good. 00:35:46.699 --> 00:36:04.439 You drenched the furrows of the land, you level off the ground, 00:36:04.440 --> 00:36:21.440 you soften it with showers of rain and make this cross a band. 00:36:21.440 --> 00:36:39.519 You cried the year with beautifulness, your harvest overflows, 00:36:39.519 --> 00:36:57.519 the grass that flourishes again, the hills with calmness so. 00:36:57.519 --> 00:37:14.900 The pastures gleam with cloths and gold, the meadows covered in, 00:37:14.900 --> 00:37:31.380 above this deck themselves with corn, they shall for joy not sing. 00:37:32.980 --> 00:37:36.300 If you'd kind of let me get to the main door after the benediction, please. 00:37:37.820 --> 00:37:42.700 Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit, 00:37:42.699 --> 00:37:45.739 be with you now and evermore. Amen. 00:38:12.699 --> 00:38:14.699 Amen.