WEBVTT 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:02.600 Well, good morning everyone, and great to see you. 00:00:03.280 --> 00:00:08.300 If you've got a Bible, then please turn back to those verses that Violet read for us in Colossians chapter 1. 00:00:09.419 --> 00:00:12.800 It says 1 to 8, actually we're going to be 9 to 14 this morning, that's where we're going to be. 00:00:13.560 --> 00:00:19.179 Hopefully as you came in you received a little bookmark, which is going to act as a sermon outline this morning, 00:00:19.240 --> 00:00:25.199 and also give us something really practical that we're going to do with this passage at the end of our time together. 00:00:25.400 --> 00:00:29.839 So grab your Bibles, grab the bookmark, and let's pray together. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.679 Colossians chapter 1, 9 to 14. 00:00:36.960 --> 00:00:43.439 Heavenly Father, we ask that you would help us now as we turn to your precious word, 00:00:43.980 --> 00:00:54.159 to know the leading of your Holy Spirit as he helps us to see something more of the greatness of your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:00:54.159 --> 00:01:00.779 Father, would you instill in us that utter conviction that there is simply none like him. 00:01:01.500 --> 00:01:04.439 And so we pray in his powerful name. Amen. 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:08.979 I don't know if you're a fan of The Apprentice. 00:01:09.060 --> 00:01:10.539 How many fans of The Apprentice? 00:01:11.859 --> 00:01:13.219 A few of us? Yeah? 00:01:13.219 --> 00:01:17.079 Yeah. So one of Alex and I's favourite programmes to watch on television. 00:01:17.179 --> 00:01:20.179 We love it so much that we actually watch it, and then we watch the... 00:01:20.179 --> 00:01:27.319 We watch the You're Fired programme afterwards, and I even caught Alex the other night watching the outtakes on his subtitles. 00:01:27.519 --> 00:01:29.379 So we are big fans of The Apprentice. 00:01:30.019 --> 00:01:35.159 So much so that this is the 14th series, and I think we've watched maybe about half of them. 00:01:35.640 --> 00:01:38.319 So I think we can count ourselves as pretty strong fans. 00:01:38.920 --> 00:01:48.299 As usual, this is the 14th series of the programme, and as usual there are some pretty confident, I think it's fair to say, characters who are on the show. 00:01:49.159 --> 00:01:55.519 And we were watching it the other night, and one of the people that caught my attention on it was this chap whose name is Coyote. 00:01:55.979 --> 00:01:57.379 Which is a great name, isn't it? Coyote. 00:01:57.379 --> 00:02:06.439 So after the programme finished, I went onto The Apprentice website, which is on the BBC, and I looked at his short biography on the BBC website. 00:02:06.579 --> 00:02:11.400 So this is what he says about himself, and why he thinks he's going to win. 00:02:12.639 --> 00:02:19.120 And as I read it to you, I want to ask you, whose glory is he on The Apprentice for? 00:02:19.199 --> 00:02:20.819 You ready for this quote? It's pretty special. 00:02:21.019 --> 00:02:24.579 And I know it's TV, okay, but still, you've come out with this. 00:02:24.579 --> 00:02:25.180 Look at this. 00:02:25.180 --> 00:02:32.219 I'm not here to razzle-dazzle and hit you with the buzzwords, like, I'm so motivated and I'm so passionate. 00:02:32.360 --> 00:02:33.580 Anyone can say those things. 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:35.040 But I'm not anyone. 00:02:35.920 --> 00:02:37.140 I'm Coyote Damali. 00:02:37.560 --> 00:02:41.640 If you're not your own biggest fan, then who do you expect to be it for you? 00:02:43.240 --> 00:02:46.260 I thought that would have got at least a kind of laugh or something like that. 00:02:46.360 --> 00:02:46.560 I don't know. 00:02:46.860 --> 00:02:49.020 It's a funny thing to say about yourself. 00:02:49.219 --> 00:02:50.900 It's so strange, isn't it? 00:02:50.900 --> 00:02:54.420 And yet here it is in our world, a mindset. 00:02:55.460 --> 00:02:58.800 Now, here's the question I want to ask you this morning. 00:02:58.920 --> 00:03:03.400 Whoever you are here today, whatever's going on in your life, think about your life. 00:03:04.520 --> 00:03:05.719 Think about the things that you do. 00:03:06.640 --> 00:03:09.060 Whose glory are you in it for? 00:03:10.439 --> 00:03:11.920 Whose glory are you in it for? 00:03:12.780 --> 00:03:14.439 Whose smile do you crave? 00:03:15.899 --> 00:03:17.659 Whose opinion do you rate? 00:03:18.479 --> 00:03:20.439 Whose applause do you seek? 00:03:21.139 --> 00:03:23.399 Whose pleasure do you live for? 00:03:24.839 --> 00:03:28.979 So I think that's the question we're going to be confronted with this morning as we look at Paul's prayer. 00:03:29.979 --> 00:03:33.319 As we get back into this little letter that Paul wrote to this church in Colossae, 00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:40.519 what we're going to see is Paul prayed that these Christians would be marked by a radically different mindset. 00:03:41.680 --> 00:03:45.819 And the headline of Paul's prayer, the thing that he wants more than anything else for them, 00:03:45.859 --> 00:03:46.979 you'll see it at verse 10, 00:03:48.139 --> 00:03:53.060 that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way. 00:03:53.159 --> 00:03:54.539 That's what he wants for these Christians. 00:03:56.079 --> 00:04:00.859 That you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way. 00:04:01.079 --> 00:04:02.479 That's his heart for this church. 00:04:03.319 --> 00:04:06.979 He prays that their lives would be underpinned by an all-out commitment, 00:04:07.979 --> 00:04:12.699 not to live for themselves, but to please their Master and King, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:13.359 --> 00:04:17.579 That they would have a desire stemming from a transformed heart, 00:04:17.959 --> 00:04:20.000 stemming from a deep love for him, 00:04:20.519 --> 00:04:22.620 that means in the everyday things of their lives, 00:04:22.699 --> 00:04:27.219 they're going to live for the glory and the praise, not of themselves, but for Jesus Christ. 00:04:27.300 --> 00:04:28.000 That's what he's praying. 00:04:28.920 --> 00:04:30.319 That's what he wants for this church. 00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:33.839 And so as we eavesdrop in on this prayer today, 00:04:34.139 --> 00:04:40.500 it's going to challenge us to ask ourselves if this is our mindset as we live our lives in this world. 00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:46.319 And it's going to equip us as to how we can live a life for God's glory 00:04:46.319 --> 00:04:50.180 and also how we can best pray for each other 00:04:50.180 --> 00:04:54.800 that we would be marked by a life that is praiseworthy of Jesus Christ. 00:04:55.500 --> 00:04:59.920 And I really hope it encourages us as well to love the Lord Jesus more 00:04:59.920 --> 00:05:02.740 and like we said last week, if you can remember last week, 00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:06.240 to grasp that we have a big Jesus who is worthy of all praise. 00:05:06.240 --> 00:05:09.900 So when it comes to prayer, verse 9, 00:05:10.900 --> 00:05:12.319 Paul wants them to know, 00:05:12.420 --> 00:05:15.780 remember writing to these Christians that he's probably, most likely never met, 00:05:16.579 --> 00:05:18.939 he wants them to know that he's praying for them. 00:05:18.980 --> 00:05:20.019 And do you see it in the text? 00:05:20.240 --> 00:05:21.460 Not just occasionally, 00:05:22.280 --> 00:05:25.340 not just when they happen to pop into his head when he's out at the shops, 00:05:25.660 --> 00:05:27.560 he's praying for them continually 00:05:27.560 --> 00:05:31.100 from house arrest in Rome. 00:05:31.860 --> 00:05:34.120 In fact, he's not stopped praying for them. 00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:34.800 Do you see it there? 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:36.780 Remember, they're always on his mind, 00:05:36.920 --> 00:05:38.040 they're always in his heart, 00:05:38.160 --> 00:05:39.400 they're always in his prayers. 00:05:40.040 --> 00:05:42.139 You see, there's an incredible persistence 00:05:42.139 --> 00:05:45.319 and a relentlessness to Paul in his prayer life. 00:05:47.300 --> 00:05:49.199 Think about it, how encouraging do you find it 00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:52.060 when you hear somebody tell you that they are praying for you? 00:05:52.100 --> 00:05:54.360 I find that one of the most encouraging things in my life. 00:05:56.580 --> 00:05:58.699 How encouraging must this have been 00:05:58.699 --> 00:06:00.600 for these Colossian Christians to read? 00:06:00.920 --> 00:06:04.639 Paul, Paul, he's praying for us all the time. 00:06:05.399 --> 00:06:08.759 And he's praying that our lives would please the Lord. 00:06:10.599 --> 00:06:12.300 And how are they going to do that, verse 9? 00:06:13.699 --> 00:06:14.759 By being filled. 00:06:16.180 --> 00:06:16.539 Do you see? 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:20.120 Verse 9, Paul prays that God would fill them. 00:06:21.300 --> 00:06:23.099 Popular, isn't it, in our society today 00:06:23.099 --> 00:06:26.500 to hear people talk about how emptying your mind 00:06:26.500 --> 00:06:28.779 is the key to spiritual progress in life? 00:06:29.800 --> 00:06:32.319 I read a quote by Bruce Lee recently, 00:06:32.620 --> 00:06:35.779 who writes in his book, Wisdom for Daily Living, 00:06:35.939 --> 00:06:38.560 giving advice on how an individual can grow. 00:06:38.699 --> 00:06:39.500 He says this, 00:06:40.459 --> 00:06:41.420 Empty your mind, 00:06:42.160 --> 00:06:43.000 Be formless, 00:06:43.459 --> 00:06:44.199 Be shapeless, 00:06:44.699 --> 00:06:45.500 Like water. 00:06:46.180 --> 00:06:47.319 Be water, my friends. 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:47.959 Be water. 00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:50.639 Now I've read that about a hundred times 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:51.579 since I read it on Tuesday, 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:53.579 and I still cannot understand what he's saying. 00:06:54.120 --> 00:06:55.060 Be water, my friends. 00:06:55.139 --> 00:06:55.579 Be water. 00:06:55.680 --> 00:06:55.899 What? 00:06:55.899 --> 00:06:59.419 But he's a pretty decent martial arts, 00:06:59.479 --> 00:06:59.939 from what I gather, 00:07:00.019 --> 00:07:01.659 so I'll probably keep up to myself. 00:07:02.299 --> 00:07:03.259 But do you see how Paul is saying 00:07:03.259 --> 00:07:05.239 the exact opposite of what Bruce Lee is saying? 00:07:06.259 --> 00:07:07.819 The key to these Christians growing 00:07:07.819 --> 00:07:09.719 and developing and maturing 00:07:09.719 --> 00:07:12.139 is not by the emptying of their minds, 00:07:12.839 --> 00:07:14.620 but rather, on the contrary, 00:07:14.759 --> 00:07:16.319 it's by the filling of their minds. 00:07:16.679 --> 00:07:17.599 That's how they're going to grow. 00:07:18.599 --> 00:07:20.339 That's what Paul prays. 00:07:21.060 --> 00:07:21.779 More particularly, 00:07:21.919 --> 00:07:22.959 that God would fill their minds, 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:23.719 you see in the text, 00:07:23.799 --> 00:07:25.139 with the knowledge of his will. 00:07:26.459 --> 00:07:27.439 That the Spirit, 00:07:27.619 --> 00:07:28.979 as he lives in them, 00:07:29.039 --> 00:07:31.079 as God's chosen and holy people, 00:07:31.259 --> 00:07:32.439 set apart for him, 00:07:32.839 --> 00:07:35.099 as they encounter God and his word, 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:38.399 as they get a deeper grasp of the Lord Jesus, 00:07:39.199 --> 00:07:40.399 that they would know something 00:07:40.399 --> 00:07:41.699 of the sheer enormity 00:07:41.699 --> 00:07:43.159 of what God has done for them, 00:07:44.039 --> 00:07:45.459 and what he calls them to live like 00:07:45.459 --> 00:07:46.019 is his people. 00:07:46.019 --> 00:07:46.979 That's what he prays. 00:07:46.980 --> 00:07:51.140 And in so doing, 00:07:51.280 --> 00:07:52.580 that they would come to understand 00:07:52.580 --> 00:07:54.620 what a life that is pleasing to him 00:07:54.620 --> 00:07:55.319 looks like. 00:07:56.759 --> 00:07:57.640 It was Charles Spurgeon 00:07:57.640 --> 00:07:58.580 who famously said, 00:07:58.700 --> 00:08:00.800 we hope to understand the truth better, 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:02.759 but mark this, 00:08:03.140 --> 00:08:05.240 we shall never discover better truth. 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:08.420 So let me ask you this morning, 00:08:08.480 --> 00:08:10.620 are you growing in your knowledge 00:08:10.620 --> 00:08:11.220 of the Lord? 00:08:11.220 --> 00:08:15.960 Are you getting to know him better 00:08:15.960 --> 00:08:19.140 as he has revealed himself in his word? 00:08:20.920 --> 00:08:21.980 And is that knowledge, 00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:25.160 is it leading to the transformation 00:08:25.160 --> 00:08:26.100 of your mind? 00:08:28.300 --> 00:08:29.240 That's why I love to sing 00:08:29.240 --> 00:08:30.820 the chorus that we sometimes sing 00:08:30.820 --> 00:08:33.080 before we come to God's word. 00:08:33.220 --> 00:08:33.600 We sing, 00:08:34.040 --> 00:08:34.720 Speak, O Lord, 00:08:34.820 --> 00:08:36.200 and renew our minds. 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:38.620 Help us grasp the heights 00:08:38.620 --> 00:08:40.100 of your plans for us. 00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:41.500 truths unchanged 00:08:41.500 --> 00:08:43.139 since the dawn of time 00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:44.320 that will echo down 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:45.860 through eternity. 00:08:46.060 --> 00:08:47.680 That's what Paul is praying for, 00:08:47.740 --> 00:08:48.779 that they would be transformed 00:08:48.779 --> 00:08:49.920 by the renewing of their minds, 00:08:49.980 --> 00:08:50.940 that they would be filled, 00:08:51.540 --> 00:08:52.779 that God would fill them. 00:08:54.340 --> 00:08:55.379 And I think he tells them that 00:08:55.379 --> 00:08:56.659 for their encouragement, yes, 00:08:56.720 --> 00:08:57.840 but also he wants them 00:08:57.840 --> 00:08:58.940 to give them a template 00:08:58.940 --> 00:08:59.960 as to how they can pray 00:08:59.960 --> 00:09:00.700 for themselves, 00:09:00.899 --> 00:09:02.279 but also how they can pray 00:09:02.279 --> 00:09:03.000 for one another. 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:05.920 The brothers and sisters, 00:09:06.840 --> 00:09:07.600 that they too 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:09.000 would live a life 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:10.059 worthy of the Lord 00:09:10.059 --> 00:09:11.299 and please him 00:09:11.299 --> 00:09:11.960 in every way. 00:09:13.059 --> 00:09:13.580 Do you begin to see 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:15.100 how this is so relevant for us 00:09:15.100 --> 00:09:16.659 today as a church family? 00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:19.820 And what Paul does next 00:09:19.820 --> 00:09:20.539 is he doesn't leave them 00:09:20.539 --> 00:09:21.759 to guess what a life-pleasing 00:09:21.759 --> 00:09:23.159 to the Lord looks like. 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:24.779 He shows them 00:09:24.779 --> 00:09:26.480 and he tells them 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:28.259 specifically what he's praying for. 00:09:28.539 --> 00:09:29.659 And you'll notice in the text 00:09:29.659 --> 00:09:31.659 from halfway through verse 10, 00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:33.179 there's four verbs, 00:09:33.179 --> 00:09:35.539 four doing words. 00:09:36.979 --> 00:09:38.159 And so all I want to do 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:39.099 in the time that we have left 00:09:39.099 --> 00:09:39.559 this morning 00:09:39.559 --> 00:09:40.839 is I want to look at these 00:09:40.839 --> 00:09:42.039 four doing words together. 00:09:42.299 --> 00:09:43.079 That's how I remember 00:09:43.079 --> 00:09:43.779 what a verb is. 00:09:43.819 --> 00:09:44.879 I don't know about you, right? 00:09:45.219 --> 00:09:45.799 I'm looking at it. 00:09:45.799 --> 00:09:46.599 I'm a teacher here. 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:47.379 That's how I remember. 00:09:47.779 --> 00:09:48.679 It's a doing word. 00:09:48.739 --> 00:09:49.319 It's an active word. 00:09:49.519 --> 00:09:50.679 He uses four verbs. 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:52.239 But we're going to look 00:09:52.239 --> 00:09:52.759 at these together 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:53.459 and then I've got something 00:09:53.459 --> 00:09:54.579 really practical for us 00:09:54.579 --> 00:09:55.179 to do this week 00:09:55.179 --> 00:09:56.099 as we seek to put this 00:09:56.099 --> 00:09:57.159 into practice in our lives. 00:09:57.219 --> 00:09:58.139 You ready for the first verb? 00:09:58.479 --> 00:09:59.339 The first doing word? 00:09:59.819 --> 00:10:00.979 Here's the first doing word. 00:10:00.980 --> 00:10:02.399 First, verse 10, 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:04.060 he prays that they would be bearing. 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:07.620 He's praying that in their lives 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:09.879 they would be producing fruit. 00:10:10.019 --> 00:10:11.659 They would be bearing fruit. 00:10:11.899 --> 00:10:12.940 Because that is how 00:10:12.940 --> 00:10:13.920 the watching world 00:10:13.920 --> 00:10:14.779 is going to know 00:10:14.779 --> 00:10:16.800 that Jesus has truly 00:10:16.800 --> 00:10:18.399 taken hold of their lives 00:10:18.399 --> 00:10:20.840 and that they live in him 00:10:20.840 --> 00:10:22.659 and he lives in them 00:10:22.659 --> 00:10:23.680 and they know it 00:10:23.680 --> 00:10:24.480 because they can see 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:26.000 the fruit of a transformed life. 00:10:27.500 --> 00:10:28.420 Because beforehand, 00:10:28.580 --> 00:10:29.039 their lives, 00:10:29.139 --> 00:10:29.680 they were just like 00:10:29.680 --> 00:10:30.779 our friend and the apprentice. 00:10:30.980 --> 00:10:32.240 They lived for their own glory. 00:10:32.340 --> 00:10:33.639 But God has transformed 00:10:33.639 --> 00:10:34.899 their lives by his grace 00:10:34.899 --> 00:10:36.620 and now that they live 00:10:36.620 --> 00:10:38.060 for his glory. 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:39.840 Because that's what God 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:40.460 has done, isn't it? 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:42.120 In the lives of every believer. 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:44.460 Given us new hearts. 00:10:44.539 --> 00:10:45.080 That's what we read 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:46.120 in Jeremiah earlier. 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:47.300 He's given us new hearts. 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:48.200 We can know him. 00:10:49.659 --> 00:10:50.620 And the Holy Spirit 00:10:50.620 --> 00:10:51.820 as he lives inside of us, 00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:52.620 he makes us hungry 00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:53.500 for good works 00:10:53.500 --> 00:10:54.159 that are going to put 00:10:54.159 --> 00:10:55.899 the glory of our Father 00:10:55.899 --> 00:10:56.659 on full display 00:10:56.659 --> 00:10:57.580 to the watching world. 00:10:57.580 --> 00:11:00.220 I don't know if you watched 00:11:00.220 --> 00:11:01.180 the BBC documentary 00:11:01.180 --> 00:11:01.800 this week. 00:11:01.900 --> 00:11:03.080 I realize I've quoted 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:04.100 the BBC twice here. 00:11:04.180 --> 00:11:05.060 There are other channels 00:11:05.060 --> 00:11:06.160 available, but BBC. 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:08.100 And they highlighted 00:11:08.100 --> 00:11:08.940 the work of Christians 00:11:08.940 --> 00:11:09.700 against poverty. 00:11:09.820 --> 00:11:10.360 Did anyone see 00:11:10.360 --> 00:11:11.180 that documentary? 00:11:12.460 --> 00:11:12.740 No? 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:13.580 So it's on iPlayer. 00:11:13.620 --> 00:11:14.780 It's a wonderful watch. 00:11:15.620 --> 00:11:16.800 And they just went around 00:11:16.800 --> 00:11:17.560 with a camera crew 00:11:17.560 --> 00:11:18.200 and they followed 00:11:18.200 --> 00:11:19.420 the work of Christians 00:11:19.420 --> 00:11:20.060 against poverty 00:11:20.060 --> 00:11:21.000 up and down the UK. 00:11:21.440 --> 00:11:22.400 Fascinating documentary 00:11:22.400 --> 00:11:23.379 into the work. 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:25.419 Did you know 00:11:25.419 --> 00:11:26.159 that according to 00:11:26.159 --> 00:11:27.820 a study that was done 00:11:27.820 --> 00:11:28.639 at the London School 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:29.399 of Economics, 00:11:29.580 --> 00:11:30.799 Christians Against Poverty, 00:11:30.919 --> 00:11:31.519 their work, 00:11:32.059 --> 00:11:32.960 it contributes 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:35.000 31.5 million pounds 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:35.679 to our economy 00:11:35.679 --> 00:11:36.320 each year. 00:11:37.960 --> 00:11:39.679 They have 6,000 00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:40.639 Christian volunteers, 00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:41.740 people who bought 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:42.679 into the vision 00:11:42.679 --> 00:11:43.980 and are motivated 00:11:43.980 --> 00:11:45.399 to share the love 00:11:45.399 --> 00:11:46.000 and the message 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:46.840 of Jesus Christ 00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:47.440 with people 00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:48.559 in word and in deed. 00:11:49.720 --> 00:11:51.179 6,000 volunteers 00:11:51.179 --> 00:11:51.679 they've got. 00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:52.799 And it's estimated 00:11:52.799 --> 00:11:53.759 that CAP helped 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:55.339 10 people out of debt 00:11:55.339 --> 00:11:56.199 every day. 00:11:56.819 --> 00:11:57.620 On their website, 00:11:57.819 --> 00:11:58.139 Sharon, 00:11:58.479 --> 00:11:58.879 Sharon, 00:11:58.979 --> 00:11:59.559 one of their clients, 00:11:59.659 --> 00:12:00.139 says this, 00:12:00.219 --> 00:12:01.059 CAP has given me 00:12:01.059 --> 00:12:01.959 back my husband, 00:12:02.379 --> 00:12:02.979 my family, 00:12:03.159 --> 00:12:03.679 my life, 00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:04.519 and my faith, 00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:05.859 which my debt 00:12:05.859 --> 00:12:07.120 had taken hostage. 00:12:08.199 --> 00:12:09.159 This is Christians 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:10.019 Against Poverty 00:12:10.019 --> 00:12:10.919 that we saw this week 00:12:10.919 --> 00:12:11.439 in the news. 00:12:12.359 --> 00:12:13.979 What a wonderful example 00:12:13.979 --> 00:12:14.559 of what it means 00:12:14.559 --> 00:12:15.620 to bear fruit 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:16.120 for the glory 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:16.799 of the Lord Jesus. 00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:18.719 And I was with 00:12:18.719 --> 00:12:19.559 some students 00:12:19.559 --> 00:12:20.359 from Heriot-Watsey 00:12:20.359 --> 00:12:21.120 on Thursday night 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:21.599 and we were looking 00:12:21.599 --> 00:12:22.259 at that passage 00:12:22.259 --> 00:12:23.340 in 1 Peter 2 00:12:23.340 --> 00:12:25.039 that though the world 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:25.659 accuses you 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:26.379 of doing wrong, 00:12:26.819 --> 00:12:27.340 they will see 00:12:27.340 --> 00:12:28.120 your good deeds 00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:29.379 and they will glorify 00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:30.080 God on the day 00:12:30.080 --> 00:12:30.700 he visits us. 00:12:30.779 --> 00:12:31.799 That's what their 00:12:31.799 --> 00:12:32.600 prayer as a CU 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:33.379 was for them. 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:35.340 And it's my prayer 00:12:35.340 --> 00:12:36.159 for us as a church 00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:36.919 that we would be 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:38.580 marked by good works. 00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:40.799 That's what he's praying 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:41.960 for this Colossian community, 00:12:42.580 --> 00:12:43.659 that they would be 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:44.439 on the front foot 00:12:44.439 --> 00:12:45.039 when it comes 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:46.319 to good works 00:12:46.319 --> 00:12:47.580 that bring glory 00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:48.700 to the Lord Jesus Christ 00:12:48.700 --> 00:12:49.059 in the eyes 00:12:49.059 --> 00:12:49.960 of the watching world. 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:51.720 And it's not 00:12:51.720 --> 00:12:52.500 an encouraging thought 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:53.139 today, friends, 00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:54.340 that God is pleased 00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:56.200 with good works 00:12:56.200 --> 00:12:57.340 that his people 00:12:57.340 --> 00:12:58.320 do for his glory 00:12:58.320 --> 00:12:59.720 as they live 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:00.200 for an audience 00:13:00.200 --> 00:13:00.639 of one. 00:13:02.100 --> 00:13:02.560 Isn't it not 00:13:02.560 --> 00:13:03.220 a tremendously 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:05.000 wonderful thought 00:13:05.000 --> 00:13:05.920 that I can please 00:13:05.920 --> 00:13:06.639 the Lord Jesus 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:07.879 in my everyday, 00:13:08.540 --> 00:13:08.879 mundane, 00:13:09.400 --> 00:13:10.360 nothing spectacular, 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:11.519 going through the mill, 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:13.060 everything ordinary life? 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:13.639 I can bring him 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:14.420 glory through that. 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:15.720 Isn't it? 00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:16.800 And when you begin 00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:18.220 to see life like that, 00:13:18.340 --> 00:13:19.460 as Paul prays here, 00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:20.300 do you see how 00:13:20.300 --> 00:13:21.519 our whole lives 00:13:21.519 --> 00:13:23.120 become worship to him? 00:13:24.920 --> 00:13:25.540 Paul prays 00:13:25.540 --> 00:13:26.320 that these Colossians 00:13:26.320 --> 00:13:27.639 would be bearing 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:29.200 in their lives. 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:30.160 Here's the second verb, 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:30.820 the second thing 00:13:30.820 --> 00:13:31.519 that he prays for, 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:32.080 verse 10, 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:34.100 they're growing. 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:36.220 Paul prays 00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:36.940 that they would grow, 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:39.279 that they would mature, 00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:40.560 that they would develop, 00:13:40.800 --> 00:13:41.960 that they would increase 00:13:41.960 --> 00:13:42.620 in what? 00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:44.639 The knowledge of God. 00:13:45.720 --> 00:13:46.200 Not, 00:13:46.800 --> 00:13:48.759 not the right 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:49.740 of the super spiritual 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:50.840 as the false teachers 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:51.840 behind this letter 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:52.800 are probably teaching, 00:13:53.180 --> 00:13:54.040 but the privilege 00:13:54.040 --> 00:13:55.480 of every single Christian 00:13:55.480 --> 00:13:56.399 that we can grow 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:57.220 in our knowledge 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:58.660 of our Father. 00:13:59.879 --> 00:14:00.620 He prays 00:14:00.620 --> 00:14:01.680 and asks that God, 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:02.519 asks God 00:14:02.519 --> 00:14:03.139 that these believers 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:04.700 would come to know him better. 00:14:04.800 --> 00:14:05.320 Who he is, 00:14:05.420 --> 00:14:05.980 what he's like, 00:14:06.080 --> 00:14:06.700 what he's done, 00:14:07.420 --> 00:14:08.120 what he's doing. 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.720 Isn't that a wonderful thought? 00:14:10.560 --> 00:14:11.820 That God has made himself 00:14:11.820 --> 00:14:12.279 knowable? 00:14:13.040 --> 00:14:14.040 The God who created 00:14:14.040 --> 00:14:14.840 all things 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:15.580 has made himself 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:16.180 knowable. 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:17.899 He's done so 00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:18.879 most fully 00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:19.519 in the person 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:20.660 of his son Jesus Christ 00:14:20.660 --> 00:14:21.800 who we'll see next week 00:14:21.800 --> 00:14:22.460 is the image 00:14:22.460 --> 00:14:23.500 of the invisible God 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.980 and he's done so 00:14:24.980 --> 00:14:26.160 through his words. 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:28.780 That's how we can know God. 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:32.560 Let me ask you, 00:14:32.660 --> 00:14:33.639 what role does God's word 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:34.980 play in your daily life? 00:14:35.740 --> 00:14:36.379 Have you got a hunger 00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:37.040 to know him? 00:14:37.920 --> 00:14:39.340 A hunger for his words? 00:14:40.680 --> 00:14:41.300 J.I. Parker, 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:41.940 theologian, 00:14:41.940 --> 00:14:42.860 says this, 00:14:42.940 --> 00:14:43.820 if I were the devil, 00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:45.720 which always gets your attention 00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:46.140 in a quote, 00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:46.520 doesn't it? 00:14:46.920 --> 00:14:47.700 If I were the devil, 00:14:47.760 --> 00:14:48.760 one of my first aims 00:14:48.760 --> 00:14:50.340 would be to stop Christians 00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:51.280 from reading the Bible. 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:54.080 Evangelist Vance Herver, 00:14:54.580 --> 00:14:56.140 a Bible that is falling apart 00:14:56.140 --> 00:14:57.000 usually belongs 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:57.980 to someone who isn't. 00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:00.120 Paul prays 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:00.820 that these Christians 00:15:00.820 --> 00:15:01.740 would be growing, 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:03.200 but not simply 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:04.040 just in facts 00:15:04.040 --> 00:15:04.780 about God. 00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:06.000 He prays 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:06.600 that they would grow 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:07.460 in a personal 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:08.700 and intimate knowledge 00:15:08.700 --> 00:15:10.200 of their father. 00:15:11.780 --> 00:15:11.980 You know, 00:15:12.019 --> 00:15:13.080 the late Anglican minister 00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:13.600 and lecturer, 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:14.420 John Stott, 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:15.340 he was once asked 00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:16.540 what his biggest fear 00:15:16.540 --> 00:15:17.780 for his students was. 00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:18.379 So the students 00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:18.780 that would come 00:15:18.780 --> 00:15:19.780 to study under him. 00:15:21.040 --> 00:15:21.800 And he always said 00:15:21.800 --> 00:15:22.720 that his biggest fear 00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:23.360 was that many 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:23.980 of his students 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:24.540 would leave 00:15:24.540 --> 00:15:25.500 with a doctorate 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:26.639 in Jesus Christ, 00:15:27.180 --> 00:15:28.120 but they wouldn't leave 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:28.740 as disciples 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:30.240 of Jesus Christ. 00:15:31.220 --> 00:15:31.639 In other words, 00:15:31.680 --> 00:15:32.139 they would go 00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:33.900 from talking about God 00:15:33.900 --> 00:15:35.340 in the second person 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:37.300 to the third person. 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:39.759 Paul is praying here 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:40.440 that these Christians 00:15:40.440 --> 00:15:41.360 would grow 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:43.000 in their knowledge, 00:15:43.560 --> 00:15:43.940 intimate, 00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:45.240 relational knowledge 00:15:45.240 --> 00:15:45.879 of God. 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:46.860 Let me ask you, 00:15:46.920 --> 00:15:47.560 just growing, 00:15:48.060 --> 00:15:49.080 does it describe 00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:50.759 your Christian walk today? 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:53.740 Or would you pick a word 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:55.000 more like static 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:57.180 or comfortable 00:15:57.180 --> 00:15:59.259 or lukewarm? 00:16:00.660 --> 00:16:01.500 It would be a wonderful thing 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:02.300 to pray this morning, 00:16:02.400 --> 00:16:02.700 wouldn't it, 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:03.360 that today 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:04.160 we would be marked 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:05.539 by this growing. 00:16:06.059 --> 00:16:06.919 Grab someone today 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:07.679 and pray with them 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:08.100 that that would be 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:08.819 true for you. 00:16:08.919 --> 00:16:09.519 Ask them to pray 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:10.339 for you this week. 00:16:11.319 --> 00:16:12.259 Here's the third verb, 00:16:12.339 --> 00:16:12.919 the third thing 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:13.860 that Paul prays for, 00:16:13.939 --> 00:16:14.459 verse 11, 00:16:14.559 --> 00:16:15.600 that they would be being, 00:16:16.559 --> 00:16:18.279 being strengthened. 00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:18.980 Do you see? 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:20.659 That they would know 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:21.839 the power of God 00:16:21.839 --> 00:16:22.559 in their lives, 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.399 the same power 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:23.919 that we were just 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:24.500 singing about 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:25.439 that raised Jesus 00:16:25.439 --> 00:16:26.259 from the grave 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:27.379 would be at work 00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:28.000 in their lives, 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:29.539 giving them strength. 00:16:30.980 --> 00:16:31.980 And what is that power 00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:32.860 going to enable them 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.419 to do? 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:35.379 Well, 00:16:35.440 --> 00:16:36.539 somewhat surprisingly, 00:16:36.820 --> 00:16:37.539 Paul tells them 00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:38.800 that the power of God 00:16:38.800 --> 00:16:40.460 at work in their lives 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:42.980 won't manifest itself 00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:44.259 in spectacular signs, 00:16:44.320 --> 00:16:45.000 which I'm sure some 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:45.480 in the background 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:46.340 of this letter 00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:46.919 are saying. 00:16:47.419 --> 00:16:48.399 The power of God 00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:49.180 at work in their lives 00:16:49.180 --> 00:16:50.600 is going to manifest itself 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:51.500 in those wonderful 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.220 two words, 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:52.879 endurance 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:54.580 and patience. 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:56.279 Endurance 00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:57.940 and patience. 00:16:58.759 --> 00:16:59.460 That God 00:16:59.460 --> 00:16:59.899 would give them 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:00.399 the power 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:01.399 in the Christian life 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:02.620 to just keep on going, 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:04.559 keep on enduring, 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:06.259 keep on persevering, 00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:07.200 keep on running 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:08.220 the Christian race. 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:09.519 That he would give them 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:09.980 the power 00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:11.200 to stay the course, 00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:12.339 to go the distance 00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:13.440 and have their eyes 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.539 fixed on 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:15.799 everything that Jesus 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:16.379 has accomplished 00:17:16.379 --> 00:17:16.980 for them 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:18.019 and have their eyes 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:18.579 and their hearts 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.599 fixed on the glory 00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:20.379 that is ahead of them 00:17:20.379 --> 00:17:21.700 because of Jesus Christ. 00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:23.299 No matter how hard 00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:24.299 life gets in the presence, 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.579 that's what he's praying for. 00:17:27.079 --> 00:17:27.519 Endurance 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:27.639 patience 00:17:27.639 --> 00:17:29.440 and patience. 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:32.559 I was reading this week 00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:33.500 about one of America's 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:35.019 greatest ever hymn writers 00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:35.759 whose name was 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:36.819 Annie J. Flint. 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:37.519 I don't know if you've ever 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.700 heard of Annie J. Flint. 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:41.259 Her life story 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:42.660 was one of great suffering. 00:17:43.660 --> 00:17:44.920 She was orphaned 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:45.579 and adopted 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:46.960 at a very young age. 00:17:47.079 --> 00:17:47.900 She suffered from 00:17:47.900 --> 00:17:49.079 rheumatoid arthritis 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:50.539 which plagued her 00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:51.639 most of her life. 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:53.639 She had cancer 00:17:53.639 --> 00:17:54.279 that was eating 00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:55.180 inside of her, 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:55.859 eating away 00:17:55.859 --> 00:17:57.319 and as she grew older, 00:17:57.459 --> 00:17:58.339 blindness was beginning 00:17:58.339 --> 00:17:59.079 to set in 00:17:59.079 --> 00:17:59.719 and she spent 00:17:59.719 --> 00:18:00.619 the last few 00:18:00.619 --> 00:18:02.139 years of her life 00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:02.979 in bed covered 00:18:02.979 --> 00:18:03.759 in sores. 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:06.339 But she was a woman 00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:07.799 of deep faith 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:09.819 and a saint 00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:10.839 whose life 00:18:10.839 --> 00:18:11.339 was marked 00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:12.699 by great endurance. 00:18:14.179 --> 00:18:14.819 And one of the most 00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:15.659 beautiful hymns 00:18:15.659 --> 00:18:16.500 she ever wrote 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:17.399 went like this. 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:20.599 When we have exhausted 00:18:20.599 --> 00:18:22.019 our store of endurance, 00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:24.059 when our strength 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:24.819 has failed 00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:25.460 and the day 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:26.220 is half done, 00:18:26.419 --> 00:18:27.279 when we reach 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:27.740 the end 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.659 of our hoarded 00:18:28.659 --> 00:18:29.319 resources, 00:18:30.399 --> 00:18:31.299 our Father's 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:32.119 full giving 00:18:32.119 --> 00:18:33.759 has only begun. 00:18:34.639 --> 00:18:35.519 Fear not 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:36.700 that your needs 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.919 will exceed 00:18:37.919 --> 00:18:38.700 his provision. 00:18:39.639 --> 00:18:40.359 Our God 00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:41.279 ever yearns 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:42.019 his resources 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:42.919 to share, 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.319 so lean hard 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:45.419 on his arm 00:18:45.419 --> 00:18:46.159 everlasting 00:18:46.159 --> 00:18:47.099 availing. 00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:48.319 The Father, 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.220 both you 00:18:49.220 --> 00:18:50.859 and your load 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:52.799 will up bear. 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:54.180 It's not a 00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:55.319 wonderful hymn 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:57.220 considering the 00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:58.159 woman who penned 00:18:58.159 --> 00:18:59.359 it and who 00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:00.079 loved it 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:01.079 and who lived 00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:02.000 it and who 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:02.700 believed it, 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:04.399 that God's 00:19:04.399 --> 00:19:05.059 provision 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:06.159 will never, 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:07.200 we will never 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:07.599 out, 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:08.759 our needs 00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:09.299 will never 00:19:09.299 --> 00:19:09.859 exceed his 00:19:09.859 --> 00:19:10.200 provision. 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:10.899 That's what she's 00:19:10.899 --> 00:19:11.419 saying in our 00:19:11.419 --> 00:19:11.740 life. 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:14.500 And on Thursday 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.399 we celebrated the 00:19:15.399 --> 00:19:16.079 life of our dear 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:16.940 sister Elma 00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.859 at our funeral. 00:19:19.399 --> 00:19:19.700 At the beginning 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:20.339 of the day I went 00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:21.059 to Derek's house 00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:21.740 and with the rest 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.240 of the family 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.199 together we read 00:19:23.199 --> 00:19:24.179 Psalm 46. 00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:26.419 That our God 00:19:26.419 --> 00:19:27.199 is a refuge 00:19:27.199 --> 00:19:28.019 and a strength 00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:29.339 and he's an 00:19:29.339 --> 00:19:30.439 ever-present help 00:19:30.439 --> 00:19:32.039 in times of 00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:32.359 trouble. 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:34.259 And we spent 00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:35.399 the day celebrating 00:19:35.399 --> 00:19:36.339 that Elma knew 00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:37.139 the truth of that 00:19:37.139 --> 00:19:37.779 psalm and that 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:38.419 despite her 00:19:38.419 --> 00:19:39.059 suffering, 00:19:39.939 --> 00:19:40.759 her faith was 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:41.720 resolute and she 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.500 was a saint who 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:43.299 was marked by, 00:19:43.379 --> 00:19:43.720 and this came 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.759 across so clearly, 00:19:45.699 --> 00:19:46.899 by great endurance 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:49.040 and great patience. 00:19:50.120 --> 00:19:50.980 And for her 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.759 it's now far 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.220 better. 00:19:53.820 --> 00:19:54.060 You see, 00:19:54.120 --> 00:19:54.480 that's what he's 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:54.940 praying that 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:55.400 Christians would 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:55.980 be marked by. 00:19:57.320 --> 00:19:57.840 Endurance 00:19:57.840 --> 00:19:59.400 and patience. 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:00.880 That God 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:01.540 wouldn't take them 00:20:01.540 --> 00:20:03.080 around hard times, 00:20:03.620 --> 00:20:04.240 but rather they 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:04.980 would know their 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:06.560 father more as 00:20:06.560 --> 00:20:07.140 he gives them 00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:08.720 the power and 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:09.440 as he takes them 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.920 through hard times. 00:20:12.800 --> 00:20:12.980 See, 00:20:13.040 --> 00:20:13.540 Paul prays that 00:20:13.540 --> 00:20:13.860 they would be 00:20:13.860 --> 00:20:14.960 marked by endurance 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:16.039 and a patience, 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:17.380 one that puts on 00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:18.819 display to the 00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:19.559 world that there's 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:20.279 something far 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:20.900 bigger that we're 00:20:20.900 --> 00:20:21.799 living for in life 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:22.440 than just material 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:22.940 stuff. 00:20:24.059 --> 00:20:24.720 Paul prays that 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.079 they would be 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:25.480 being, 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.440 finally he prays 00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:27.600 that, 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.120 verse 12, 00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:28.880 that they would 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:29.360 be giving. 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:31.400 He prays that 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:31.920 their lives would 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:32.620 be marked by 00:20:32.620 --> 00:20:33.539 thanksgiving, 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:35.680 and that their 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:36.460 joy would be 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:37.279 derived not from 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:38.240 the changing up 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:38.519 and down 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:39.559 circumstances of 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.220 their lives, 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.720 but a joy that 00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:43.140 is steadfast because 00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:44.519 it's derived from 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.099 the God that 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.859 they worship and 00:20:45.859 --> 00:20:46.379 the God who 00:20:46.379 --> 00:20:47.359 will never change. 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:49.359 God has 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:50.099 qualified them. 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:50.579 Do you see that 00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:51.160 language in the 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:51.519 text? 00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:52.619 He's qualified 00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:52.980 them. 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:56.660 Let me ask you, 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.019 when was the 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:57.619 last time you 00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:58.339 qualified for 00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:58.700 something? 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.359 Think about it 00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:00.720 in your life, 00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.099 when was the 00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:01.519 last time you 00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:02.259 qualified for 00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:02.660 something? 00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:04.639 I had my 00:21:04.639 --> 00:21:04.980 mom on the 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:05.379 phone the other 00:21:05.379 --> 00:21:05.740 day and she 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:06.319 was thrilled that 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:07.019 my dad now 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:07.940 qualifies for a 00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:08.779 free bus pass. 00:21:08.879 --> 00:21:09.920 That's what he 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:10.779 qualified for. 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:11.779 It's amazing, 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.119 isn't it, 00:21:12.119 --> 00:21:13.079 how excited Scots 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:13.740 get about free 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.059 things. 00:21:14.059 --> 00:21:14.480 That was my 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:14.720 mom. 00:21:16.659 --> 00:21:17.159 But God has 00:21:17.159 --> 00:21:17.859 qualified you, 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:18.359 says Paul. 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.399 It's kind of 00:21:19.399 --> 00:21:19.779 what the kids 00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:20.359 talk was about, 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:20.720 wasn't it? 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.460 God's qualified 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:22.240 you, not for 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:23.480 the final of 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:23.839 the egg and 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:24.519 spoon race. 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:26.019 He's qualified 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:27.720 you for him. 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:29.819 For him. 00:21:30.599 --> 00:21:32.079 The holy and 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:33.019 righteous God. 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:33.720 Think about 00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:34.119 that. 00:21:34.899 --> 00:21:35.659 How can I 00:21:35.659 --> 00:21:36.720 qualify for him? 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:39.139 The only thing 00:21:39.139 --> 00:21:39.559 that I've 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.399 qualified myself 00:21:40.399 --> 00:21:41.519 for is his 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:42.740 wrath, his 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:43.620 righteous anger 00:21:43.620 --> 00:21:44.180 against my 00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:44.779 sin against 00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:44.960 him. 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:45.279 That's the 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:45.759 only thing 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.079 that I've 00:21:46.079 --> 00:21:47.000 qualified myself 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:47.400 for. 00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:48.859 Only one 00:21:48.859 --> 00:21:49.460 person deserved 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:50.279 to qualify for 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:50.559 him. 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:52.599 And that was 00:21:52.599 --> 00:21:52.940 Jesus. 00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:55.740 But Jesus 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:56.319 dealt with my 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:56.779 sin on the 00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:57.019 cross. 00:21:57.140 --> 00:21:57.500 He took the 00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:58.519 punishment that 00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.019 I deserved 00:21:59.019 --> 00:21:59.880 upon myself. 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:01.980 And I'm 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.779 accredited with 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.680 his righteousness. 00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:05.559 Righteousness 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:06.160 just being his 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:07.259 perfect, God- 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:07.859 glorifying, 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.859 obedient life. 00:22:08.859 --> 00:22:10.519 And when 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.099 God looks at 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:11.740 me now, he 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.279 sees my 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:13.959 life as 00:22:13.959 --> 00:22:15.079 being hidden 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:15.699 in Christ. 00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.139 That's just 00:22:19.139 --> 00:22:19.599 what God has 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:20.339 done for us. 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:21.500 He's qualified 00:22:21.500 --> 00:22:21.899 us. 00:22:21.959 --> 00:22:22.199 Do you see 00:22:22.199 --> 00:22:22.359 that? 00:22:22.399 --> 00:22:22.679 They didn't 00:22:22.679 --> 00:22:23.059 qualify 00:22:23.059 --> 00:22:23.659 themselves. 00:22:24.919 --> 00:22:25.259 God has 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:25.859 qualified them 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:26.579 for a race 00:22:26.579 --> 00:22:27.419 that they had 00:22:27.419 --> 00:22:28.139 absolutely no 00:22:28.139 --> 00:22:28.679 interest in 00:22:28.679 --> 00:22:28.919 running. 00:22:30.399 --> 00:22:30.919 And God has 00:22:30.919 --> 00:22:31.500 won for them 00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:32.299 through Christ 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:33.199 a prize that 00:22:33.199 --> 00:22:33.599 they had no 00:22:33.599 --> 00:22:34.099 interest in 00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:34.459 getting. 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:36.359 And a 00:22:36.359 --> 00:22:37.819 prize that on 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:38.099 their own, 00:22:38.119 --> 00:22:38.379 they had no 00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:38.799 chance of 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.019 winning. 00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:40.500 He's qualified 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:41.299 them for 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:42.379 himself. 00:22:44.159 --> 00:22:44.720 That's the 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:45.139 gift of the 00:22:45.139 --> 00:22:45.720 gospel, isn't 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:45.839 it? 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:46.779 Not stuff. 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:48.519 It's God. 00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:49.960 And the hope 00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:50.539 of being with 00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:51.139 him in heaven 00:22:51.139 --> 00:22:51.980 where with the 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.720 rest of God's 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:53.439 ransomed people, 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.379 we have an 00:22:54.379 --> 00:22:55.299 inheritance before 00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:56.679 us that is far 00:22:56.679 --> 00:22:57.259 greater than we 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.539 will ever begin 00:22:58.539 --> 00:22:59.159 to comprehend 00:22:59.159 --> 00:22:59.720 down here. 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:00.399 What incredible 00:23:00.399 --> 00:23:00.919 grace. 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:04.039 And later in 00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:04.579 chapter 2, 00:23:04.679 --> 00:23:05.240 speaking about the 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:05.819 false teachers, 00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.480 Paul will say, 00:23:06.599 --> 00:23:07.299 do not let them 00:23:07.299 --> 00:23:08.259 disqualify you 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.700 for something 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:10.139 that God has 00:23:10.139 --> 00:23:10.779 qualified you 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:10.960 for. 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:11.720 Do not let 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.480 them disqualify 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:12.799 you. 00:23:14.919 --> 00:23:15.740 God's qualified 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.500 you and he's 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.359 rescued you 00:23:17.359 --> 00:23:19.220 from the domain 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:19.759 of darkness. 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.460 That's where 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.539 they were before. 00:23:22.399 --> 00:23:23.039 Living like 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:23.779 everyone else in 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:24.119 the world, 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:24.799 chasing the same 00:23:24.799 --> 00:23:25.119 dreams, 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:25.599 thinking the 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:26.119 same thoughts, 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:26.740 captive to 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.139 their sin, 00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:27.680 but Jesus 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:28.259 broke in. 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:29.599 He broke 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.039 into their 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.319 lives. 00:23:30.419 --> 00:23:31.139 He smashed 00:23:31.139 --> 00:23:32.460 in and he 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:33.159 brought them. 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:33.480 Do you see 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:33.940 the language? 00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:34.759 He brought 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.720 them. 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.099 Think about 00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:37.199 it. 00:23:37.199 --> 00:23:37.439 It's like 00:23:37.439 --> 00:23:38.639 a firefighter 00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:39.059 rescuing 00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:39.639 a child 00:23:39.639 --> 00:23:40.039 from a 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:40.319 burning 00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:40.799 building 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:41.299 and taking 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:41.619 them to 00:23:41.619 --> 00:23:41.879 safety. 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:42.399 That's the 00:23:42.399 --> 00:23:43.019 imagery here. 00:23:43.899 --> 00:23:44.259 God has 00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:44.879 brought them 00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:45.480 out of the 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:45.899 darkness 00:23:45.899 --> 00:23:48.000 and he's 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.919 placed them 00:23:48.919 --> 00:23:49.459 with sins 00:23:49.459 --> 00:23:50.159 forgiven and 00:23:50.159 --> 00:23:50.500 freedom 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.039 purchased 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:52.359 into the 00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:52.879 kingdom of 00:23:52.879 --> 00:23:53.419 light of 00:23:53.419 --> 00:23:53.799 the son 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:54.079 that he 00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:54.459 loves. 00:23:54.879 --> 00:23:55.259 That's what 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:55.539 God has 00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:55.959 done for 00:23:55.959 --> 00:23:56.459 his people. 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:57.839 What an 00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:58.399 incredible 00:23:58.399 --> 00:23:59.939 thing that 00:23:59.939 --> 00:24:00.319 God has 00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:00.619 done for 00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:00.980 his people 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.240 in the 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:01.519 gospel. 00:24:03.819 --> 00:24:04.559 Paul prays 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:04.799 that these 00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:05.639 Christians would 00:24:05.640 --> 00:24:07.000 be bearing, 00:24:08.080 --> 00:24:08.540 growing, 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:09.880 being, 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:11.440 and giving. 00:24:13.060 --> 00:24:13.860 These are the 00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:15.240 things that 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:15.920 will please 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:16.480 their master 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:17.320 Jesus Christ. 00:24:19.520 --> 00:24:20.500 So let me ask 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:20.920 you as we work 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:21.520 towards a close 00:24:21.520 --> 00:24:21.980 this morning, 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:23.820 I wonder as 00:24:23.820 --> 00:24:25.200 you, as you 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:25.740 read Paul's 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:26.440 prayer here, 00:24:27.160 --> 00:24:27.580 how it 00:24:27.580 --> 00:24:28.280 challenges 00:24:28.280 --> 00:24:29.580 your prayer 00:24:29.580 --> 00:24:29.980 life. 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:32.680 not just 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.200 your prayer 00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:33.900 life, but 00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:34.759 our prayer 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.140 life. 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.700 Because this 00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:37.299 has greatly 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:37.900 challenged me 00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:38.420 as I studied 00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:39.000 it this week. 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:40.339 As I thought 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:40.819 about how 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.360 often my 00:24:41.360 --> 00:24:42.000 prayers are 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.059 simply requests 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:43.700 to God 00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:44.680 for things 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.599 in my life 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:46.099 and things 00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:46.620 in others' 00:24:46.620 --> 00:24:47.579 lives to 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:48.259 get easier 00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:49.019 and to get 00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:49.440 better. 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.000 Now friends, 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:52.259 there is 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:53.279 nothing wrong 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.220 with praying 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:54.779 those things, 00:24:54.920 --> 00:24:55.440 and because we 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:56.059 love each other, 00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:56.579 we should be 00:24:56.579 --> 00:24:57.079 praying those 00:24:57.079 --> 00:24:57.299 things. 00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:58.079 But if 00:24:58.079 --> 00:24:58.599 that's all 00:24:58.599 --> 00:24:59.139 we're praying, 00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:00.839 then I think 00:25:00.839 --> 00:25:01.279 we might be 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:01.740 missing it. 00:25:02.859 --> 00:25:03.599 So here's my 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:04.220 challenge as we 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:05.700 work, as we 00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:06.259 come to a close 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:06.680 this morning. 00:25:06.899 --> 00:25:07.339 Hopefully you 00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:07.740 got a prayer 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.319 sheet on your 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:09.180 way in as you 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:09.659 came in this 00:25:09.659 --> 00:25:09.899 morning. 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.419 And you'll see 00:25:10.419 --> 00:25:10.940 at the bottom 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:11.460 of it, if you 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:12.019 have it there, 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:13.799 it just says, 00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:15.220 I'm praying 00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:15.899 for. 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.059 I'm praying 00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:18.559 for, it's all 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:18.859 it says. 00:25:18.899 --> 00:25:19.359 So here's what 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:19.779 I want you to 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.639 do before you 00:25:20.639 --> 00:25:21.259 go this morning. 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:23.119 I want you to 00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:23.619 write down the 00:25:23.619 --> 00:25:24.299 names of three 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.220 people down there 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:26.099 that you're going 00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:26.539 to pray for 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:27.039 this week. 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:27.859 And I want you 00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:28.379 to find them 00:25:28.379 --> 00:25:28.759 this morning. 00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:29.460 I want you to 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:30.259 let them know 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:31.139 that you're 00:25:31.139 --> 00:25:31.720 praying for 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.299 them, and 00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:32.500 you're going 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:33.119 to commit to 00:25:33.119 --> 00:25:33.659 praying for 00:25:33.659 --> 00:25:34.279 them, and 00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:34.519 you're going 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:35.079 to pray, this 00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:35.480 is how my 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:35.960 mind works, 00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:36.440 okay, you're 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:36.720 going to pray 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.500 the BGs for 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:37.700 them. 00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:38.519 Yeah? 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:39.940 You're going 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:42.419 to pray that 00:25:42.419 --> 00:25:42.879 they would be 00:25:42.879 --> 00:25:43.519 bearing fruit 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:44.079 this week. 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:45.879 I'm going to 00:25:45.879 --> 00:25:46.680 pray that you 00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:47.379 would be growing 00:25:47.379 --> 00:25:47.859 in your knowledge 00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:48.419 of God this 00:25:48.419 --> 00:25:49.819 week, that he 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:50.279 would give you 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:51.619 wisdom to know 00:25:51.619 --> 00:25:52.359 how to act in 00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:52.879 every single 00:25:52.879 --> 00:25:53.519 situation. 00:25:54.379 --> 00:25:54.799 I'm going to 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.319 pray that you 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:56.240 will be strengthened 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:57.220 by God in your 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:58.000 life so that when 00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:58.980 tough times come, 00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.420 and they will 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:00.620 come, you will 00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:01.339 have the endurance 00:26:01.339 --> 00:26:02.240 and the patience 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:03.259 by God's power to 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:04.559 keep on going, and 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:05.019 I'm going to pray 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:05.779 that your life would 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:06.519 be marked by 00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:08.360 thanksgiving, and 00:26:08.360 --> 00:26:09.319 the Holy Spirit as 00:26:09.319 --> 00:26:10.019 he works in your 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.860 life would make 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.680 what Jesus has 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:13.339 done for you a 00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:14.980 source of constant 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:15.900 joy. 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:17.519 and overall, I'm 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:17.980 going to pray for 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:19.759 you, that your 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.820 life this week, you 00:26:20.820 --> 00:26:22.420 would know and 00:26:22.420 --> 00:26:24.380 live a life that is 00:26:24.380 --> 00:26:25.840 fully pleasing to 00:26:25.840 --> 00:26:26.180 God. 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.360 Are you up for 00:26:27.360 --> 00:26:27.580 that? 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:28.740 Yeah? 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.080 A few of you 00:26:30.080 --> 00:26:30.340 nodded. 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:31.000 Yeah, let's do it 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.280 this week. 00:26:31.540 --> 00:26:32.500 How counter-cultural 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.200 would that be for 00:26:33.200 --> 00:26:33.380 us? 00:26:33.380 --> 00:26:35.960 How, do you not 00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:36.320 think that would 00:26:36.320 --> 00:26:37.019 change things if we 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:37.840 began to pray for 00:26:37.840 --> 00:26:38.700 each other like that? 00:26:38.840 --> 00:26:39.640 That we would be 00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:40.800 bearing and growing 00:26:40.800 --> 00:26:42.019 and being and giving 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.920 as a community 00:26:42.920 --> 00:26:43.680 together this 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:43.960 morning. 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:47.160 There's your BG's 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:48.180 challenge, okay? 00:26:48.359 --> 00:26:48.980 Take it up. 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:49.960 We'll all take it up 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:50.279 this week. 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.000 Find three people 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:52.299 this morning and 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:52.680 say, I'm going to 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:53.400 commit to praying for 00:26:53.400 --> 00:26:54.019 you this week. 00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:57.039 As we close, here's 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.900 another quote from 00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:58.579 The Apprentice that 00:26:58.579 --> 00:26:59.759 I read this week, and 00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:00.480 it's just as good. 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:03.339 I have the beauty and 00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:04.000 the brains. 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:05.720 Typically, people only 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:07.420 have one, but I was 00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:08.460 blessed with both in 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:08.980 abundance. 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:13.400 Friends, Paul is 00:27:13.400 --> 00:27:13.839 saying to these 00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:14.319 Christians and 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:15.900 Colossians, he's 00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:16.480 praying that they 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.400 would be marked by a 00:27:17.400 --> 00:27:18.240 completely different 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:20.619 mindset, and that 00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:21.019 they would be a 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:22.000 people who live not 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.859 for their own glory, 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.619 that they would be a 00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:25.440 people who are marked 00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:27.220 by a passion and a 00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:28.200 love to live their 00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:29.539 lives for the glory of 00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:30.460 the Savior and King 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:31.420 Jesus Christ who has 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:32.200 saved them. 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:34.160 Paul prays that they 00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:36.680 would be marked by a 00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:38.139 life that is worthy 00:27:38.139 --> 00:27:40.319 of the Lord and a 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.519 life that pleases Him 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.420 in every way. 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.599 Valley of Vision, let 00:27:44.599 --> 00:27:45.400 me close with this 00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:47.160 prayer from the Valley 00:27:47.160 --> 00:27:47.559 of Vision. 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.500 It's also a song that 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.240 we sing sometimes 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:49.539 here. 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:51.639 Help me now to live a 00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:53.180 life that's dependent 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:54.160 on your grace. 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:56.059 Keep my heart and 00:27:56.059 --> 00:27:57.539 guard my soul from the 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.779 evils that I face. 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.539 You are worthy to be 00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:01.819 praised with my every 00:28:01.819 --> 00:28:02.960 thought and deed. 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.480 O great God of 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:06.579 highest heaven, glorify 00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:08.299 your name through me. 00:28:08.339 --> 00:28:09.039 Let's make that our 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.740 prayer this week. 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:11.400 Let me pray as we 00:28:11.400 --> 00:28:11.740 close. 00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:16.400 Heavenly Father, we 00:28:16.400 --> 00:28:17.299 thank you so much for 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:17.680 today. 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:20.819 And we ask this week 00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:22.440 that you would, in our 00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:23.960 lives, help us to be 00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:25.380 people that glorify you 00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:27.480 and who live for your 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.359 pleasure alone. 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:30.059 That we would be your 00:28:30.059 --> 00:28:31.160 people who are marked by 00:28:31.160 --> 00:28:32.660 an overflowing love for 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:33.000 you. 00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:35.700 And Father God, by your 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:38.279 spirit and through your 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:40.119 son, would you help us 00:28:40.119 --> 00:28:40.839 to get to know you 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:41.180 better? 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:43.240 Father, thank you for 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:44.759 the great love which you 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.440 have shown us. 00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:47.700 And so we praise you and 00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:48.579 we pray to you knowing 00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:49.680 that you hear us because 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:51.000 we pray in Jesus' name. 00:28:51.619 --> 00:28:51.960 Amen.