WEBVTT

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 Let's worship God now. We sing to His praise in Psalm 95. Psalm 95 in the Scottish Psalter,

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 and that's on page 357. The tune is Glasgow. As we were this morning, we're following the theme

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 of the gathered church. We saw this morning the church gather together for praise, and especially

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 with singing praise. Tonight we're looking at the church gather together for growth as we seek to

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 grow, not just individually or numerically, but also spiritually, the growth that the Lord brings us

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 as we wait on His blessing. So we'll sing these verses. O come, let us sing to the Lord. Come,

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 let us, everyone, a joyful noise make to the rock of our salvation. Psalm 95 and these verses 1 to 6.

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 We'll stand if you can, please, just stand.

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 Let us sing.

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 Let us before his presence come with praise and thankful voice.

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 Let us sing sound to him with praise and make a joyful noise.

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 For God, the great, God, the great King, above all gods he is.

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 Exalt the earth, how in his hand the strength of his is.

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 To him the stanchiest seed he haunts, for he the same did me.

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 The pride and love so from his hands its form adversity.

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 O come and let us worship him.

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 Let us overcome with all.

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 And on our knees before the Lord, our maker let us fall.

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 Let's unite together now in prayer and calling upon the Lord.

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 Our gracious and ever-blessed God, we have been gathered in your presence so many times before.

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 And yet we confess tonight our need of you as much as ever to lead us into your truth,

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 to enable us, O Lord, once again to benefit not only from being gathered together,

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 but also from our communion with you.

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 And we thank you, Lord, that that lies at the heart of our worship.

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 At all times when we come together to worship you,

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 our concern is to glorify your great name,

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 to know you and to confess you as our Lord and as our God.

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 And we thank you for every opportunity we have to do so.

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 As we come together, O Lord, to sing your praises.

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 As we come together to join collectively in prayer.

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 As we come to hear your word and your voice speaking to us through your word.

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 And as we come, Lord, at this time anew,

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 and to share fellowship with each other and to be a means of encouraging one another,

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 we thank you for the services of worship that we are always privileged to attend.

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 Lord, help us, we pray, in all aspects of our worship,

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 in dependence upon your Holy Spirit.

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 Help us to listen to your voice.

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 Help us to speak in such a way as declares your will in the preaching of the gospel.

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 Help us, Lord, in the interaction we have with each other,

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 as speaker and hearers alike.

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 Help us, for we need you, O Lord, to work in our hearts.

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 For every aspect of our worship emanates from the hearts of your people.

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 And we give thanks tonight that we have this privilege,

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 even of looking in and calling upon our very soul,

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 to praise the Lord.

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 We ask, O gracious God, that our meeting tonight will further equip us

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 and benefit us for living in the world and for our growth as a people.

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 Help us, we pray, through these moments we are together,

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 in conjunction with the times we spend individually with you.

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 Help us, Lord, we pray, to grow together in grace

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 and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 Help us, as we seek that spiritual development in our lives,

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 that we may extend what we seek for individually

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 to what we ought to seek for ourselves as a people, as a congregation.

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 Give us, O Lord, the grace that will enable us to grow,

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 to grow in our relationships,

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 to grow in our interaction one with another,

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 to grow in our concern, to be to the world a living light

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 that shows forth the glory and the claims of Christ.

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 Lord, we give thanks tonight that it is our privilege

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 to be able to look forward to doing this,

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 even in the days that you spared us during the course of life.

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 We ask for all the gatherings of your people tonight,

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 wherever they are in the world, that you would bless them.

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 And that you would bless them, Lord, for that same benefit to be theirs

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 that we pray for for ourselves.

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 We ask, O God, tonight that your cause will advance.

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 We pray and we bring to our children's notice as well

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 the Lord's Prayer each and every passing Lord's Day.

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 When our prayer is in using these words,

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 that your kingdom come,

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 that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

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 And we ask that you would continue, Lord,

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 to provide for your church throughout the world

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 the grace that would enable us to know the advance of your kingdom.

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 Lord, our God, we are so conscious in our day and generation

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 of how much is ranged against your kingdom,

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 how your kingdom is the target of so much assault

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 from the forces of unbelief and even of evil.

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 Lord, we pray that in our day our concern might be

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 that wherever your people are,

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 wherever your cause is set forth,

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 that we may see, O Lord, the grace working in the lives of your people,

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 that enable them not only to resist the powers of evil,

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 but also to actually accomplish a victory over them.

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 And to be sure that the Lord on their side

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 enables them to look forward to final victory after all is done.

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 We ask your blessing to be with all who serve you in different capacities.

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 Lord, we as a congregation know that so many people of our number

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 serve you in different ways in their lives through the course of each week.

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 We pray that you would bless every witness to your grace

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 that we seek to have set forth in our lives.

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 And we pray that for all the variety of gifts and of service that we represent,

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 Lord, that you would be pleased to accompany all that with your blessing.

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 We give thanks that we are able to show forth your glory

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 in the world in which we are set.

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 And we pray that our concern might be to do that more fully and more clearly.

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 And we pray tonight for all those, O Lord,

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 who need you in a way that is specific,

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 and especially those that face the difficulties and challenges

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 of old age, of incapacity, of illness,

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 of the failure of various faculties mentally and spiritually.

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 And we pray for those, Lord, who have challenges in life

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 over their concern with loved ones who may be ill,

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 or even over their own illness as well.

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 We pray for those who are seriously ill,

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 for those who are terminally ill,

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 for those who have been given the news

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 that they are hastening toward the end of their life in this world.

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 Bless their families.

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 Bless themselves, O Lord,

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 whether they remain conscious to those outwardly or not.

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 Yet we give thanks that you are able to reach to our inmost souls,

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 that you are able to speak to us inwardly,

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 even when, to all other accounts,

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 we may not be conscious or able to converse with those around us.

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 Be merciful to them, we pray,

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 as well as to all who have lost loved ones

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 in recent times and in times gone by.

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 Lord, we continue to bear them before you.

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 We pray for all those who work with people

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 who have different kinds of addiction.

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 Gracious One, we ask the blessing of the Lord to be with them.

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 We pray for a road to recovery for David,

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 as he works and heads up the work, Lord,

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 for a road to recovery locally.

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 We pray for him and we pray for his work.

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 We pray for all those who come under the benefit

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 of being confronted with the Bible's teaching

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 and seeking to help them along the road to recovery.

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 Lord, we ask that your blessing will be with them.

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 We pray too for safe families.

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 We thank you for your provision for them thus far

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 in our community here.

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 We pray that you would bless them,

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 each and all of them,

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 who organize and head up the work.

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 And we ask that you would continue

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 to bless the families that are being helped,

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 O Lord, through the work of safe families,

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 not only here,

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 but in other parts of our nation as well.

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 And we give thanks for the opportunities given

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 to come alongside people,

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 to help them in their distress,

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 in their need,

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 and in lives that are so deprived

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 for various reasons

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 of things that we have in abundance.

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 We do ask your blessing,

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 Lord, for all who help with pregnancy crisis,

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 for all those who help,

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 those who have that situation in life

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 also to face and contend with.

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 O Lord, may your blessing be with Elizabeth

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 and all others who help her with that work.

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 As it goes on quietly,

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 we give thanks, O Lord, for them.

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 We pray that it will continue to be effective.

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 And we ask for all those

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 who are helped by it,

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 that they will come

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 to realize, O Lord,

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 your goodness,

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 realize your willingness

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 to come to receive them to yourself

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 and to come to be their Lord

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 and God and protector also.

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 We ask for our nation,

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 Lord, at this time.

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 We pray that you bless us

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 in times of great trouble

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 and crisis and questionings.

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 And we do pray that you bless those

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 in authority over us in government.

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 Lord, be pleased, we pray,

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 to bless them nationally and locally.

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 Be pleased to bless our schools,

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 our teachers,

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 the education authority.

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 We ask your blessing

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 for our medical practices,

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 for our hospitals,

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 for our hospitals.

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 Lord, we ask that you would continue

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 to provide them with all

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 that is necessary for their well-being.

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 And we pray that in difficulties

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 financially and in other ways,

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 that you would continue, Lord,

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 to provide for them

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 and give those who are in charge

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 of all of these areas

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 of our public life,

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 give them, Lord,

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 the grace and the mercy

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 that would daily feed them

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 with wisdom from above.

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 We ask, O Lord, too,

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 that you would continue

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 to bless our children,

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 our young people.

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 Be near to them, we pray.

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 Remember the fellowship tonight.

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 And Marianne, as she speaks,

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 we pray for your blessing

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 upon our young folk,

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 our children and young people,

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 and we commit them to you.

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 We ask, O Lord,

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 for the troubled parts

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 of the world in this day.

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 We pray for the situation

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 in the Middle East.

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 Lord, our God,

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 there is so much

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 that lies beyond

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 even our capacity

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 to pray about it,

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 except that we can bring it

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 before you and ask, Lord,

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 that you would intervene,

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 that you would come, Lord,

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 to bring peace

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 to these troubled parts

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 of the world

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 and help the people

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 of Ukraine as well

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 when they presently

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 may have fallen out

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 of the news

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 through other things

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 coming to take prominence.

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 We pray for them.

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 We ask that you would continue

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 to bless them

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 in their struggles

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 against oppression.

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 We ask that they may see,

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 O Lord,

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 your own hand at work.

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 And when we find, Lord,

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 so much in our world

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 to do with refugees

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 and people moving

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 from one nation to another

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 and coming into our own land,

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 Lord, sometimes we feel perplexed

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 that the pressures brought

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 to bear upon various nations

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 and our own.

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 And yet we also recognize,

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 O Lord,

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 it is your providence

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 and we recognize

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 that much may be going on

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 even behind the scenes

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 that we know not of

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 where you are bringing home

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 to people in distress

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 their need of God.

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 And we do pray

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 that that will be so

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 even amongst the vast number

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 of people throughout the world

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 who are displaced.

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 Help us to learn

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 from your word

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 from such times

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 as happened in the past

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 that we may know from that

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 that God is very often

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 at work where we least expect.

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 And we pray that it may be so

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 in our own age as well.

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 Continue with us now,

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 we pray.

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 Hear our prayers

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 and pardon our sin

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 for Jesus' sake.

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 Amen.

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 Let's sing again to God's praise.

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 This time we're singing

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 from Psalm 31.

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 Psalm number 31.

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 Psalm 31.

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 And verses 19 to 24.

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 That's on page 37.

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 June this time is Wareham.

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 Your goodness, Lord,

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 is very great,

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 prepared for those

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 who fear your name.

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 You show your goodness openly

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 to all who your protection claim.

00:15:33.579 --> 00:15:34.860
 Your presence hides

00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:35.860
 and shelters them

00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:37.199
 from those who plot

00:15:37.199 --> 00:15:38.240
 to take their life.

00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:39.740
 And in your tent

00:15:39.740 --> 00:15:40.840
 you keep them safe

00:15:40.840 --> 00:15:42.420
 from evil tongues

00:15:42.420 --> 00:15:44.080
 that stir up strife.

00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:46.500
 Verses 19 to 24.

00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:47.920
 Your goodness, Lord,

00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:48.940
 is very great.

00:15:48.940 --> 00:16:00.040
 your goodness, Lord,

00:16:00.160 --> 00:16:04.180
 is very great.

00:16:04.180 --> 00:16:09.140
 Prepare for those

00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:13.060
 to hear your name.

00:16:13.059 --> 00:16:20.059
 You show your goodness openly

00:16:20.059 --> 00:16:30.059
 to all who your protection claim.

00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:31.059
 your presence.

00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:37.059
 Your presence, Lord,

00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:41.059
 and shelters them

00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:46.059
 from those who plot

00:16:46.059 --> 00:16:51.059
 to take their life.

00:16:51.059 --> 00:16:52.059
 and in your tent

00:16:52.059 --> 00:16:56.119
 and in your tent

00:16:56.119 --> 00:16:58.059
 you keep them safe.

00:16:58.059 --> 00:17:00.059
 Your people say

00:17:00.059 --> 00:17:03.059
 all people

00:17:03.059 --> 00:17:04.059
 touch

00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:08.059
 and stare

00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:10.059
 at strife.

00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:11.059
 the Lord

00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:14.059
 the Lord

00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:17.059
 be praised

00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:18.059
 because

00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:21.059
 he showed

00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:24.059
 the wonder

00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:26.059
 of

00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:28.059
 his love

00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:30.059
 to me.

00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:36.059
 when in the city

00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:40.059
 I was struck

00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:45.059
 surrounded by

00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:49.059
 the enemy.

00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:52.059
 in my alarm

00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:56.059
 I rush

00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:59.059
 to say

00:17:59.059 --> 00:18:04.059
 that I was hidden

00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:06.059
 from your eyes

00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:09.059
 from your eyes

00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:11.059
 but

00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:12.059
 when

00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:13.059
 I

00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:14.059
 call

00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:15.059
 to

00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:16.059
 you

00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:19.059
 for help

00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:20.059
 in

00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:21.059
 grace

00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:22.059
 to

00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:24.059
 listen

00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:25.059
 to

00:18:25.059 --> 00:18:27.059
 my

00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:29.059
 cries

00:18:29.059 --> 00:18:31.059
 O

00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:32.059
 love

00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:33.059
 the

00:18:33.059 --> 00:18:34.059
 Lord

00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:36.059
 the

00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:37.059
 Lord

00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:38.059
 all

00:18:38.059 --> 00:18:39.059
 human

00:18:39.059 --> 00:18:40.059
 saints

00:18:40.059 --> 00:18:41.059
 a

00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:42.059
 faithful

00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:43.059
 will

00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:45.059
 be kept

00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:48.059
 by God

00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:49.059
 but

00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:50.059
 he

00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:51.059
 will

00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:52.059
 give

00:18:52.059 --> 00:18:54.059
 the

00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:55.059
 power

00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:56.059
 their

00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:57.059
 true

00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:59.059
 each

00:18:59.059 --> 00:19:00.059
 strong

00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:01.059
 day

00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:02.059
 heart

00:19:02.059 --> 00:19:04.059
 O

00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:05.059
 thank

00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:06.059
 the

00:19:06.059 --> 00:19:08.059
 Lord

00:19:08.059 --> 00:19:14.059
 let's turn now to read God's word we're reading tonight from Ephesians

00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:20.059
 Paul's letter to the Ephesians and chapter 4 verses 1 to 16

00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:29.059
 Ephesians chapter 4 from the beginning

00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:31.059
 chapter 5 verse 1 to 16

00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:46.059
 I therefore a prisoner for the Lord urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called with all humility and gentleness with patience forbading with one another in love eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace there is one body and one spirit just as you are called to the one hope that belongs to your call one Lord one faith one baptism of the

00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:53.059
 one God and Father of all who is over all who is over all and through all and through all and in all but grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift therefore it says when he ascended on high he led a host of captives and the

00:19:53.059 --> 00:20:09.059
 and he gave gifts to men and he gave gifts to men and he gave gifts to men and he gave gifts to men and saying he ascended what does it mean but that he had also did not be the one hope that he had been given to the one hope that belongs to your call one Lord one faith one baptism one God and father of all who is over all and through all and through all and in all but grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift

00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:38.940
 therefore it says when he ascended on high he led a host of captives and he gave gifts to men and saying he ascended what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth he who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens that he might fill all things and he gave the apostles the prophets the evangelists the pastors and

00:20:38.940 --> 00:21:08.920
 teachers to equip the saints to equip the saints for the work of ministry for building up the body of Christ till we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to mature manhood to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ so that we may no longer be children tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine by human cunning by craftiness and deceitful schemes

00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:32.920
 rather speaking the truth in love we are to grow up in every way unto him who is the head into Christ from whom the whole body joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped when each part is working properly makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love

00:21:32.920 --> 00:21:36.220
 and we pray God will bless

00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:39.220
 reading of his word with his own blessing

00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:44.480
 before we turn to that passage let's sing again this time psalm 115

00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:48.900
 115 that's on page 153

00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:52.039
 singing to a tune Denfield from verse 9

00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:56.640
 O house of Israel place your trust upon the Lord alone

00:21:56.640 --> 00:22:00.480
 he is the mighty help and shield of all who are his own

00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:04.360
 O house of Aaron trust the Lord he is their help and shield

00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:07.120
 all you who fear him trust the Lord

00:22:07.120 --> 00:22:10.019
 he is your help and shield

00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:11.779
 the Lord remembers Israel

00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:13.799
 and he will bless us all

00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:16.980
 the house of Aaron and all those who fear him

00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:18.779
 great and small

00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:21.460
 may God the Lord make you increase

00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:23.539
 both you and all your line

00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:25.759
 may you be blessed by God

00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:27.500
 who makes all things

00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:29.240
 by his design

00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:31.839
 and we'll sing to the end of verse 18

00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:33.180
 from verse 9

00:22:33.180 --> 00:22:37.279
 O house of Israel place your trust upon the Lord alone

00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:47.920
 O house of Israel place your trust upon the Lord alone

00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:51.639
 He is the mighty help and shield of all who are his own

00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:52.220
 so that you and all are his own

00:22:52.220 --> 00:22:53.279
 He is the mighty help and shield of all who are his own

00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:57.279
 and all who are his own

00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:58.279
 He is the mighty help and shield of all who are his own

00:22:58.279 --> 00:23:11.359
 He is the mighty help and shield of all who are his own.

00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:19.160
 O hearts of Aaron, trust the Lord.

00:23:19.559 --> 00:23:25.819
 He is their help and shield.

00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:33.500
 All you who fear him, trust the Lord.

00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:40.220
 He is your help and shield.

00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:55.139
 The Lord remembers Israel, and he will bless us all.

00:23:55.140 --> 00:24:09.140
 The hearts of Aaron, and all those who fear him great and small.

00:24:09.140 --> 00:24:17.140
 May God the Lord make you in peace.

00:24:17.140 --> 00:24:24.500
 All due and all you are divine.

00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:37.140
 May you be blessed by God who makes all things by his design.

00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:46.140
 The highest tempts we long to know.

00:24:46.140 --> 00:24:52.140
 The earth to us be gave.

00:24:52.140 --> 00:25:00.140
 It's not the dead who hates the Lord.

00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:07.140
 There's silent in the grave.

00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:21.140
 May we extol the Lord on high, his majesty proclaim.

00:25:21.140 --> 00:25:36.140
 O now and ever, O next song, and which is holy name.

00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:37.140
 Amen.

00:25:37.140 --> 00:25:38.140
 Amen.

00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:39.140
 Amen.

00:25:39.140 --> 00:25:42.140
 Let's turn now for a short time to Ephesians chapter 4.

00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:50.140
 We're going to look especially at verses 15 and 16.

00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:54.120
 the Lord, which, of course form part of this great passage all the way through these verses

00:25:54.120 --> 00:25:56.200
 from the beginning of the chapter, really.

00:25:56.200 --> 00:26:03.320
 But especially from verse 11, where he speaks about Jesus having equipped and equipping the

00:26:03.320 --> 00:26:10.320
 church with various types of leaders, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so on.

00:26:10.320 --> 00:26:12.940
 But you notice it's to equip the saints.

00:26:13.660 --> 00:26:19.140
 All that ministry is to equip the saints, that's all the people of God, for the work of ministry.

00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:23.440
 And that's not just the ministry of the gospel in terms of a minister's work.

00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:29.960
 Ministry there really refers to the whole ministry of the church for which the Lord equips us,

00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:37.180
 so that as we go forth in His name, we are equipped by Him for the tasks that He has called us to.

00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:46.600
 So, it comes in verse 14 then to say that we may no longer be children tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine and so on.

00:26:47.060 --> 00:26:56.940
 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him or unto Him who is the head into Christ,

00:26:57.180 --> 00:27:02.240
 from whom the whole body joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped,

00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:10.799
 when each part is working properly, efficiently, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

00:27:12.140 --> 00:27:21.559
 Well, as you know, the human body is used by Paul as a very useful illustration of certain features of the church.

00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:27.359
 He uses it elsewhere, and he's using it here, as you can see, as an image for the church,

00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:33.559
 because the human body, for Paul, is illustrative of various features of the church

00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:37.299
 and various ways in which the church not only acts together,

00:27:37.439 --> 00:27:46.179
 but actually is a body spiritually acting towards the world and towards God Himself as well, that spiritual body.

00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:52.079
 So, when Paul is thinking about such things, for example, as unity and diversity together,

00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:56.299
 in other words, all the various gifts that God has gifted the church with,

00:27:56.339 --> 00:28:01.559
 he's mentioned that here, that the Lord, when He ascended up on high, led a host of captives.

00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:02.819
 He gave gifts to men.

00:28:02.919 --> 00:28:05.859
 The ascension of the Lord, the exaltation of the Lord,

00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:10.839
 was so that from that, gifts would come to the church by the Holy Spirit,

00:28:11.439 --> 00:28:15.960
 so that that diversity of gifts, that whole range of gifts,

00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:24.539
 is nevertheless itself sits alongside and indeed in many ways contributes to the unity that Paul speaks about,

00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:32.940
 that unity of which we are one body in Christ with all the variety of gifts within that one body.

00:28:33.579 --> 00:28:37.440
 So, when he's thinking of unity and diversity together,

00:28:37.600 --> 00:28:42.519
 he finds the human body to be very illustrative and useful for that.

00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:46.619
 Or you could say that when he talks here as well about development and growth,

00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:54.599
 he can say that the human body as you see it is also very illustrative of the spiritual growth and the moral growth

00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:59.559
 that God enables His church to grow in and grow by,

00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:04.720
 just as a human body develops from early stage through to maturity,

00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:09.779
 so as a body, the church in every generation grows,

00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:15.640
 until finally the whole church will be complete in the presence of God in glory.

00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:21.839
 And it's also important that we see his illustration of the body,

00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:27.299
 the human body, as illustrative of the spiritual body,

00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:29.819
 with a reference to the head of the body.

00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:34.119
 And as we'll see tonight, it's from our head, from our brain,

00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:38.679
 through the various parts of the body, that in many ways the body is controlled.

00:29:39.599 --> 00:29:42.439
 And what he's saying is that that's true spiritually of the church,

00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:45.559
 because the head of the church is Jesus Himself.

00:29:45.839 --> 00:29:46.619
 It is Christ.

00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:47.579
 That's what he's saying here.

00:29:47.879 --> 00:29:50.119
 From whom, verse 16,

00:29:50.119 --> 00:29:55.379
 the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it's equipped,

00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:58.879
 makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

00:29:58.919 --> 00:30:02.039
 In other words, that growth, that capacity for growth,

00:30:02.179 --> 00:30:06.239
 that enabling of growth comes from the head, comes from Christ.

00:30:06.359 --> 00:30:12.319
 The controlling of the body is Christ Himself, as He's the head of the church.

00:30:13.719 --> 00:30:17.699
 And from that, we can see quite a number of things develop.

00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:20.819
 The body will grow, verse 11 here, he says,

00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:24.039
 where he's saying the growth of the body.

00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:28.799
 He gave all these different functions to people in the church

00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:31.620
 to equip the saints for the work of ministry,

00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:34.420
 until he says in verse 13,

00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:37.279
 we all attain to the unity of the faith

00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:39.440
 and of the knowledge of the Son of God

00:30:39.440 --> 00:30:41.180
 to mature manhood,

00:30:41.340 --> 00:30:45.519
 to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:49.079
 Now, some people take it that that's a reference to the church

00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:49.960
 even in this world,

00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:52.220
 that it goes on maturing or growing.

00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:56.160
 But I think it's better to see that Paul is looking towards

00:30:56.160 --> 00:30:57.940
 the final growth,

00:30:58.039 --> 00:31:01.139
 the final maturity of the church in glory,

00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:04.180
 where it will perfectly be in the image

00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:07.220
 or in conformity to Christ Himself.

00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:10.240
 And it's an interesting thing that you think of

00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:13.140
 of the church corporately,

00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:14.660
 the whole of the church,

00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:16.779
 all of God's people united together,

00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:19.740
 that it's as a whole body,

00:31:19.819 --> 00:31:20.559
 he's speaking here,

00:31:20.600 --> 00:31:22.180
 of them conforming to Christ.

00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:25.980
 We tend to think about individual conformity to Christ,

00:31:26.220 --> 00:31:28.000
 and indeed that's perfectly proper.

00:31:28.360 --> 00:31:29.559
 The Bible teaches that.

00:31:29.860 --> 00:31:32.079
 But it's another dimension, really, isn't it?

00:31:32.079 --> 00:31:33.519
 When you think of the whole church

00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:36.359
 in its final state of maturity and glory,

00:31:37.460 --> 00:31:40.339
 that that itself, in a mysterious way,

00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:42.199
 but a wonderful way,

00:31:42.659 --> 00:31:45.740
 is conformity to Christ Himself

00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:47.939
 in His exalted glory.

00:31:49.419 --> 00:31:51.759
 The final likeness to Himself.

00:31:52.159 --> 00:31:54.699
 But you see, while we may take it that way,

00:31:54.699 --> 00:31:56.859
 He still takes us back to the meantime,

00:31:57.859 --> 00:31:59.459
 where He says in verse 14,

00:32:00.039 --> 00:32:02.179
 so that we may no longer be children

00:32:02.179 --> 00:32:04.779
 tossed to and fro by the waves

00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:07.159
 and carried about by every wind of doctrine,

00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:09.379
 by human cunning and craftiness

00:32:09.379 --> 00:32:11.139
 in deceitful schemes.

00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:14.219
 In other words, the powers that we face,

00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:18.240
 as they are themselves fueled by the satanic,

00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:21.519
 by the dark forces that exist in the universe,

00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:24.019
 how do we face these?

00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:28.819
 How are we equipped in order to not only face them,

00:32:28.879 --> 00:32:30.619
 but to overcome them or to resist them?

00:32:30.900 --> 00:32:31.319
 Well, He says,

00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:36.980
 by together growing unto the Lord.

00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:39.180
 It's possible, of course,

00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:42.420
 that you need to resist

00:32:42.420 --> 00:32:44.039
 and to overcome the powers,

00:32:44.139 --> 00:32:46.639
 these evil powers for yourself as a Christian,

00:32:46.740 --> 00:32:47.799
 for us individually.

00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:50.039
 But this is talking corporately.

00:32:50.119 --> 00:32:51.839
 This is talking of the church as a body.

00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:53.419
 And one of the beauties

00:32:53.419 --> 00:32:54.639
 and one of the privileges

00:32:54.639 --> 00:32:55.939
 of belonging to the church

00:32:55.939 --> 00:32:57.319
 is that you're not on your own

00:32:57.319 --> 00:32:58.619
 as you face these powers.

00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:00.779
 It's the church as a body,

00:33:00.879 --> 00:33:01.679
 the church together.

00:33:02.139 --> 00:33:03.639
 And we're following this theme

00:33:03.639 --> 00:33:04.500
 for a few studies

00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:05.980
 of the gathered church,

00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:08.299
 the church in its gatheredness,

00:33:08.359 --> 00:33:10.000
 its togetherness, if you like.

00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:13.439
 And it's also applicable then

00:33:13.439 --> 00:33:15.539
 to this particular point

00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:17.519
 of facing the powers

00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:19.720
 that are ranged against the church.

00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:22.680
 And it's clear from verses 11 to 16,

00:33:22.779 --> 00:33:25.000
 we're going to come to verse 15 in a minute,

00:33:25.100 --> 00:33:26.360
 but this just feeds into it.

00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:28.220
 It's clear from these verses,

00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:29.620
 from verse 11 onwards,

00:33:29.819 --> 00:33:32.039
 that the apostle is really speaking

00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:34.420
 of what we might call our togetherness.

00:33:35.559 --> 00:33:39.579
 Our togetherness under the headship of Christ,

00:33:40.160 --> 00:33:41.799
 in the togetherness with which

00:33:41.799 --> 00:33:43.539
 we are required to grow

00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:45.980
 and for which God enables that growth

00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:48.259
 through the ministry of the gospel,

00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:49.480
 the ministry of his word,

00:33:49.980 --> 00:33:51.559
 and the ministry of believers together,

00:33:51.720 --> 00:33:52.700
 one to another.

00:33:53.960 --> 00:33:56.200
 And so let's come to see

00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:56.940
 what he's saying now

00:33:56.940 --> 00:33:59.019
 in verse 15 and 16.

00:33:59.920 --> 00:34:01.960
 A couple of things I'm going to focus on

00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:03.799
 from these two verses.

00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:04.759
 First of all,

00:34:04.859 --> 00:34:07.160
 what he means by growing up

00:34:07.160 --> 00:34:10.039
 unto the head who is Christ.

00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:12.079
 Rather, speaking the truth in love,

00:34:12.440 --> 00:34:14.840
 we are to grow up in every way

00:34:14.840 --> 00:34:17.360
 unto him who is the head,

00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:19.740
 even Christ or into Christ.

00:34:19.860 --> 00:34:20.559
 That's the first thing.

00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:23.059
 A number of things he mentions under that.

00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:26.320
 Secondly, each part contributes

00:34:26.320 --> 00:34:28.860
 to the whole body's growth.

00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:30.480
 It says there,

00:34:30.600 --> 00:34:32.940
 from whom the whole body is joined together.

00:34:33.400 --> 00:34:34.100
 But he says,

00:34:34.220 --> 00:34:36.500
 when each part is working properly,

00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:38.539
 it makes the body grow

00:34:38.539 --> 00:34:42.019
 so that it builds itself up in love.

00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:44.579
 Now, it is a complex passage,

00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:45.820
 and I'm not going to try

00:34:45.820 --> 00:34:47.759
 and open up some of the phrases,

00:34:47.900 --> 00:34:49.579
 the particular phraseology in it.

00:34:49.800 --> 00:34:51.460
 I want to keep our minds focused

00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:53.219
 on the central emphasis

00:34:53.219 --> 00:34:55.280
 of growing spiritually

00:34:55.280 --> 00:34:56.860
 under the direction

00:34:56.860 --> 00:34:58.199
 and in relation to Christ

00:34:58.199 --> 00:34:59.059
 and to each other,

00:34:59.639 --> 00:35:01.480
 and how the gathered church,

00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:03.460
 even in its gatherings such as this,

00:35:04.239 --> 00:35:05.920
 is a church that gathers

00:35:05.920 --> 00:35:07.699
 to enable that growth

00:35:07.699 --> 00:35:08.500
 to take place

00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:10.039
 through the blessing of Christ,

00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:10.699
 through the ministry

00:35:10.699 --> 00:35:13.139
 of God's Holy Spirit.

00:35:14.259 --> 00:35:16.099
 So, growing up unto Christ,

00:35:16.179 --> 00:35:17.079
 you see what he's saying here?

00:35:17.159 --> 00:35:20.340
 Rather, speaking the truth in love.

00:35:20.420 --> 00:35:22.340
 Instead of actually caving in,

00:35:22.400 --> 00:35:22.800
 if you like,

00:35:22.820 --> 00:35:24.300
 or being tossed to and fro

00:35:24.300 --> 00:35:26.820
 by these different doctrines

00:35:26.820 --> 00:35:28.659
 and human cunning and craftiness

00:35:28.659 --> 00:35:30.259
 and the deceitful schemes

00:35:30.259 --> 00:35:31.239
 that we face instead,

00:35:31.340 --> 00:35:31.579
 he says,

00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:32.840
 rather than that,

00:35:33.239 --> 00:35:34.840
 speaking the truth in love,

00:35:35.219 --> 00:35:36.739
 we are to grow up unto him.

00:35:36.739 --> 00:35:39.359
 What does he mean by the truth?

00:35:40.379 --> 00:35:41.379
 Well, he means far more

00:35:41.379 --> 00:35:43.559
 than just not telling lies

00:35:43.559 --> 00:35:44.199
 to each other,

00:35:44.279 --> 00:35:45.759
 important though that is.

00:35:46.500 --> 00:35:47.239
 By the truth,

00:35:47.339 --> 00:35:49.159
 he means what God

00:35:49.159 --> 00:35:51.099
 has actually revealed of himself,

00:35:51.519 --> 00:35:52.259
 of his salvation.

00:35:52.379 --> 00:35:54.159
 The whole revelation of God,

00:35:54.519 --> 00:35:55.179
 as you find it,

00:35:55.500 --> 00:35:57.199
 actually set out in the Bible.

00:35:58.319 --> 00:35:59.459
 The truth of God,

00:36:00.099 --> 00:36:01.359
 truth about God himself,

00:36:01.539 --> 00:36:02.859
 the truth about salvation,

00:36:03.579 --> 00:36:04.679
 truth about ourselves,

00:36:04.679 --> 00:36:05.879
 who we are,

00:36:06.239 --> 00:36:07.019
 what we're like,

00:36:07.079 --> 00:36:08.039
 where we came from,

00:36:08.399 --> 00:36:10.199
 all of the things the Bible reveals,

00:36:10.319 --> 00:36:10.679
 in fact,

00:36:10.759 --> 00:36:11.239
 you could say,

00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:13.699
 that is God's truth revealed to us,

00:36:13.759 --> 00:36:15.460
 God's revealed truth.

00:36:16.539 --> 00:36:17.799
 And it's objective.

00:36:18.339 --> 00:36:20.159
 It's absolute truth.

00:36:20.359 --> 00:36:21.539
 It's independent,

00:36:21.719 --> 00:36:22.079
 if you like,

00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:23.199
 of our input.

00:36:23.319 --> 00:36:24.519
 We didn't produce it.

00:36:25.419 --> 00:36:26.519
 And we have to remember that

00:36:26.519 --> 00:36:27.940
 in our day as well.

00:36:28.079 --> 00:36:28.960
 The truth is not

00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:30.359
 what people think it should be.

00:36:30.980 --> 00:36:31.859
 The truth is not

00:36:31.859 --> 00:36:33.519
 what people would want

00:36:33.519 --> 00:36:34.380
 the Bible to say

00:36:34.380 --> 00:36:35.980
 rather than what it says.

00:36:37.059 --> 00:36:38.019
 The truth is not

00:36:38.019 --> 00:36:39.300
 God's truth

00:36:39.300 --> 00:36:40.219
 adapted,

00:36:40.380 --> 00:36:41.000
 as it were,

00:36:41.559 --> 00:36:43.340
 from generation to generation

00:36:43.340 --> 00:36:44.840
 to fit in with

00:36:44.840 --> 00:36:45.920
 what human beings

00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:47.079
 think it ought to say.

00:36:47.900 --> 00:36:49.039
 The truth is here.

00:36:49.300 --> 00:36:50.360
 The truth is objective.

00:36:50.519 --> 00:36:51.500
 The truth is absolute.

00:36:51.840 --> 00:36:53.280
 It's unchanging truth

00:36:53.280 --> 00:36:54.559
 because it's God's truth.

00:36:54.719 --> 00:36:55.759
 Because it reflects

00:36:55.759 --> 00:36:56.860
 God's character

00:36:56.860 --> 00:36:58.219
 and God's will

00:36:58.219 --> 00:37:00.019
 and God

00:37:00.019 --> 00:37:01.299
 who is Himself truth.

00:37:03.299 --> 00:37:03.759
 And so,

00:37:04.359 --> 00:37:05.239
 that objective,

00:37:05.639 --> 00:37:06.579
 absolute truth,

00:37:06.799 --> 00:37:08.139
 is really what we are to

00:37:08.139 --> 00:37:10.559
 take as what he means here.

00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:10.899
 Rather,

00:37:11.419 --> 00:37:12.839
 speaking the truth

00:37:12.839 --> 00:37:13.699
 in love.

00:37:14.559 --> 00:37:15.319
 And that takes us to

00:37:15.319 --> 00:37:17.319
 think of,

00:37:17.719 --> 00:37:18.619
 as we're thinking of,

00:37:18.679 --> 00:37:19.879
 the truth as not being,

00:37:20.439 --> 00:37:20.939
 and you can say,

00:37:21.019 --> 00:37:22.159
 the truth is not actually

00:37:22.159 --> 00:37:22.959
 religion.

00:37:22.960 --> 00:37:25.860
 The truth is not

00:37:25.860 --> 00:37:27.519
 any particular

00:37:27.519 --> 00:37:28.460
 holy book.

00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:30.639
 The truth is not

00:37:30.639 --> 00:37:31.820
 humanism.

00:37:31.980 --> 00:37:32.880
 The truth is not

00:37:32.880 --> 00:37:34.000
 secularism.

00:37:34.119 --> 00:37:34.740
 The truth is not

00:37:34.740 --> 00:37:35.599
 any of these things.

00:37:35.920 --> 00:37:36.820
 The truth is

00:37:36.820 --> 00:37:38.579
 God's revealed will

00:37:38.579 --> 00:37:39.760
 as you have it

00:37:39.760 --> 00:37:40.420
 in the Scriptures.

00:37:41.780 --> 00:37:42.420
 But then,

00:37:42.480 --> 00:37:43.079
 what does he mean

00:37:43.079 --> 00:37:44.900
 by speaking the truth

00:37:44.900 --> 00:37:45.760
 in love

00:37:45.760 --> 00:37:47.179
 to each other?

00:37:48.380 --> 00:37:48.940
 Well,

00:37:49.059 --> 00:37:49.659
 that takes us

00:37:49.659 --> 00:37:50.519
 to the word speaking.

00:37:50.519 --> 00:37:52.619
 Because actually,

00:37:52.940 --> 00:37:53.519
 the word speaking

00:37:53.519 --> 00:37:54.599
 is more than just

00:37:54.599 --> 00:37:56.300
 speech or conversation.

00:37:57.500 --> 00:37:58.280
 The word speaking

00:37:58.280 --> 00:37:59.360
 actually means

00:37:59.360 --> 00:38:00.539
 something like

00:38:00.539 --> 00:38:02.239
 holding to

00:38:02.239 --> 00:38:03.139
 or showing

00:38:03.139 --> 00:38:04.619
 the truth of God.

00:38:04.679 --> 00:38:05.119
 In other words,

00:38:05.320 --> 00:38:06.320
 what he's talking about

00:38:06.320 --> 00:38:07.719
 is our lives.

00:38:07.880 --> 00:38:08.940
 Our lives as they are

00:38:08.940 --> 00:38:09.420
 together,

00:38:09.739 --> 00:38:11.139
 as we form the church,

00:38:11.219 --> 00:38:12.300
 as we form the body

00:38:12.300 --> 00:38:12.900
 of Christ

00:38:12.900 --> 00:38:13.800
 in this world

00:38:13.800 --> 00:38:14.619
 under the headship

00:38:14.619 --> 00:38:15.119
 of Christ,

00:38:15.380 --> 00:38:16.099
 we are to be

00:38:16.099 --> 00:38:17.039
 showing the truth.

00:38:17.280 --> 00:38:17.639
 We are to be

00:38:17.639 --> 00:38:18.519
 holding the truth.

00:38:18.800 --> 00:38:19.400
 We are to actually

00:38:19.400 --> 00:38:20.500
 show that the truth

00:38:20.500 --> 00:38:22.099
 is meaningful to us.

00:38:22.900 --> 00:38:24.159
 Our lives have to be

00:38:24.159 --> 00:38:25.820
 truthful in the sense,

00:38:26.099 --> 00:38:27.539
 not just free of lies,

00:38:27.760 --> 00:38:28.420
 but truthful

00:38:28.420 --> 00:38:30.019
 in presenting the truth.

00:38:31.599 --> 00:38:33.980
 There's a word

00:38:33.980 --> 00:38:34.719
 which isn't very,

00:38:35.400 --> 00:38:39.059
 it isn't very elegant,

00:38:39.920 --> 00:38:40.900
 but nevertheless,

00:38:41.139 --> 00:38:42.199
 it kind of captures

00:38:42.199 --> 00:38:43.019
 what we're at here,

00:38:43.599 --> 00:38:44.340
 that your life

00:38:44.340 --> 00:38:44.880
 has to be

00:38:44.880 --> 00:38:46.360
 a truthing life.

00:38:47.000 --> 00:38:48.079
 Truthing in the sense

00:38:48.079 --> 00:38:49.480
 of showing the truth,

00:38:49.739 --> 00:38:50.519
 living for the truth,

00:38:50.819 --> 00:38:51.759
 standing for the truth,

00:38:52.039 --> 00:38:53.039
 presenting the truth,

00:38:53.380 --> 00:38:54.420
 commending the truth,

00:38:54.659 --> 00:38:55.519
 all of the things

00:38:55.519 --> 00:38:56.319
 that are to do with

00:38:56.319 --> 00:38:57.500
 holding the truth

00:38:57.500 --> 00:38:58.480
 and showing forth

00:38:58.480 --> 00:38:59.920
 the truth in your life.

00:39:00.380 --> 00:39:01.099
 But it's not just

00:39:01.099 --> 00:39:02.179
 in your life individually,

00:39:02.480 --> 00:39:03.420
 what he's saying here is

00:39:03.420 --> 00:39:04.699
 this is actually

00:39:04.699 --> 00:39:05.579
 something not just

00:39:05.579 --> 00:39:06.500
 for the believer,

00:39:06.639 --> 00:39:07.460
 but for believers

00:39:07.460 --> 00:39:08.119
 together,

00:39:08.119 --> 00:39:09.559
 for the people of God

00:39:09.559 --> 00:39:11.380
 as the body of Christ.

00:39:12.319 --> 00:39:13.000
 They are to

00:39:13.000 --> 00:39:14.819
 hold and show out

00:39:14.820 --> 00:39:16.740
 the truths of God

00:39:16.740 --> 00:39:18.780
 in love in their lives.

00:39:19.460 --> 00:39:20.039
 In other words,

00:39:20.360 --> 00:39:21.360
 this is actually speaking

00:39:21.360 --> 00:39:22.740
 about our whole way

00:39:22.740 --> 00:39:23.920
 of life together,

00:39:24.640 --> 00:39:26.180
 our relationships together,

00:39:26.519 --> 00:39:28.120
 how we live together,

00:39:28.420 --> 00:39:30.180
 how we relate to each other,

00:39:30.960 --> 00:39:32.500
 how we speak to each other,

00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:33.660
 how we listen to each other,

00:39:33.820 --> 00:39:35.180
 how we care for each other,

00:39:35.380 --> 00:39:36.440
 how we show our care

00:39:36.440 --> 00:39:37.200
 for each other.

00:39:37.660 --> 00:39:37.900
 You see,

00:39:37.980 --> 00:39:39.860
 the gathered church,

00:39:40.080 --> 00:39:41.140
 the togetherness

00:39:41.140 --> 00:39:42.000
 of God's people,

00:39:42.000 --> 00:39:43.360
 as we said at the beginning,

00:39:43.360 --> 00:39:44.700
 is a togetherness

00:39:44.700 --> 00:39:46.300
 through which the truth

00:39:46.300 --> 00:39:47.240
 must be shown,

00:39:47.579 --> 00:39:48.340
 through which the truth

00:39:48.340 --> 00:39:49.340
 comes to be seen,

00:39:49.620 --> 00:39:50.820
 not only among themselves,

00:39:50.960 --> 00:39:52.400
 but to the world out there.

00:39:54.380 --> 00:39:55.140
 It's together

00:39:55.140 --> 00:39:57.440
 as His body

00:39:57.440 --> 00:39:59.500
 that we are to live

00:39:59.500 --> 00:40:01.120
 out God's truth.

00:40:01.960 --> 00:40:03.220
 And you can only do that

00:40:03.220 --> 00:40:04.940
 as we gather together,

00:40:05.039 --> 00:40:05.920
 as we meet together,

00:40:06.019 --> 00:40:07.240
 as we relate meaningfully

00:40:07.240 --> 00:40:07.940
 to each other,

00:40:08.300 --> 00:40:09.180
 as we have fellowship

00:40:09.180 --> 00:40:09.940
 with one another

00:40:09.940 --> 00:40:10.720
 and with God,

00:40:10.720 --> 00:40:12.160
 and together as we meet

00:40:12.159 --> 00:40:13.199
 and have fellowship

00:40:13.199 --> 00:40:14.319
 with God in that.

00:40:15.359 --> 00:40:15.839
 What are you saying?

00:40:16.099 --> 00:40:16.539
 Rather,

00:40:17.179 --> 00:40:17.679
 speaking,

00:40:17.819 --> 00:40:18.579
 holding forth.

00:40:19.000 --> 00:40:20.000
 It involves speaking,

00:40:20.079 --> 00:40:20.440
 of course,

00:40:20.519 --> 00:40:21.819
 but it's not confined to that.

00:40:22.319 --> 00:40:23.199
 Speaking the truth,

00:40:23.799 --> 00:40:24.440
 but He's saying,

00:40:24.980 --> 00:40:25.619
 in love.

00:40:26.519 --> 00:40:28.239
 That's such a vital,

00:40:28.639 --> 00:40:29.679
 vital part

00:40:29.679 --> 00:40:30.639
 of His emphasis there.

00:40:30.719 --> 00:40:32.139
 We're not just to be

00:40:32.139 --> 00:40:33.899
 caring for each other,

00:40:34.059 --> 00:40:35.099
 speaking to each other,

00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:37.099
 showing out the truth of God

00:40:37.099 --> 00:40:38.139
 and how we live.

00:40:38.739 --> 00:40:39.960
 We are to do that

00:40:39.960 --> 00:40:41.159
 in love.

00:40:42.659 --> 00:40:43.840
 That's such an important

00:40:43.840 --> 00:40:45.119
 consideration,

00:40:45.280 --> 00:40:45.659
 isn't it?

00:40:45.679 --> 00:40:46.039
 In fact,

00:40:46.179 --> 00:40:47.380
 it really is to be,

00:40:47.639 --> 00:40:48.000
 as it were,

00:40:48.059 --> 00:40:50.139
 put on over all the other parts

00:40:50.139 --> 00:40:50.760
 of the garments

00:40:50.760 --> 00:40:51.900
 we wear spiritually.

00:40:52.559 --> 00:40:54.000
 Put on truth,

00:40:54.099 --> 00:40:55.740
 is what He says in Colossians.

00:40:56.300 --> 00:40:57.019
 Putting on this

00:40:57.019 --> 00:40:58.980
 over all the other parts

00:40:58.980 --> 00:41:00.840
 of the spiritual garments

00:41:00.840 --> 00:41:01.780
 that you wear.

00:41:03.119 --> 00:41:05.139
 Put on love.

00:41:06.039 --> 00:41:07.079
 See verse 18 there,

00:41:07.340 --> 00:41:08.659
 the very end of the verse there,

00:41:08.659 --> 00:41:10.000
 makes the body grow

00:41:10.000 --> 00:41:11.559
 so that it builds itself up

00:41:11.559 --> 00:41:12.980
 in love.

00:41:14.799 --> 00:41:15.819
 Remember that

00:41:15.819 --> 00:41:18.599
 as a spiritual body,

00:41:19.420 --> 00:41:20.659
 we are always visible.

00:41:22.379 --> 00:41:23.619
 And just like parts of

00:41:23.619 --> 00:41:25.259
 your natural body,

00:41:25.599 --> 00:41:26.579
 your human body,

00:41:27.159 --> 00:41:28.659
 when one part is affected

00:41:29.259 --> 00:41:30.159
 in some way,

00:41:30.779 --> 00:41:31.619
 either positively

00:41:31.619 --> 00:41:32.799
 or mostly negatively,

00:41:32.899 --> 00:41:33.539
 if it's hurt,

00:41:34.179 --> 00:41:35.239
 the rest of the body

00:41:35.239 --> 00:41:36.359
 actually feels that.

00:41:36.360 --> 00:41:37.519
 The rest of the body

00:41:37.519 --> 00:41:38.820
 is affected by that.

00:41:39.720 --> 00:41:40.660
 And it's the same way

00:41:40.660 --> 00:41:41.180
 spiritually,

00:41:41.380 --> 00:41:42.880
 because as Paul thinks

00:41:42.880 --> 00:41:44.200
 of the human body

00:41:44.200 --> 00:41:45.559
 as being illustrative

00:41:45.559 --> 00:41:46.920
 of the spiritual body

00:41:46.920 --> 00:41:47.960
 that we are together,

00:41:48.280 --> 00:41:49.000
 what he is saying,

00:41:49.240 --> 00:41:50.320
 we are to grow

00:41:50.320 --> 00:41:51.539
 in love,

00:41:51.620 --> 00:41:52.559
 we are to exercise

00:41:52.559 --> 00:41:53.460
 our relationships

00:41:53.460 --> 00:41:54.320
 one with another

00:41:54.320 --> 00:41:55.300
 in love,

00:41:55.360 --> 00:41:56.260
 because there's a watching

00:41:56.260 --> 00:41:57.099
 world out there

00:41:57.099 --> 00:41:57.800
 for one thing.

00:41:58.539 --> 00:41:59.780
 Not only does it affect

00:41:59.780 --> 00:42:00.579
 other parts

00:42:00.579 --> 00:42:01.980
 of the body,

00:42:02.940 --> 00:42:03.680
 but the one thing

00:42:03.680 --> 00:42:05.099
 that a real turn off

00:42:05.099 --> 00:42:05.659
 of the world

00:42:05.659 --> 00:42:06.739
 is when Christians

00:42:06.739 --> 00:42:07.779
 are seen not to love

00:42:07.779 --> 00:42:08.400
 each other.

00:42:12.480 --> 00:42:13.420
 That was one of the

00:42:13.420 --> 00:42:15.299
 great confessions

00:42:15.299 --> 00:42:16.339
 made by the world

00:42:16.339 --> 00:42:18.279
 in the apostles' own day.

00:42:19.360 --> 00:42:20.739
 Behold how they love

00:42:20.739 --> 00:42:21.420
 each other.

00:42:22.239 --> 00:42:23.199
 Look at how they love

00:42:23.199 --> 00:42:23.559
 each other.

00:42:23.639 --> 00:42:25.000
 These were pagan people

00:42:25.000 --> 00:42:25.960
 watching the church,

00:42:26.079 --> 00:42:26.860
 watching these people

00:42:26.860 --> 00:42:27.360
 of God,

00:42:27.679 --> 00:42:28.699
 watching these Christians

00:42:28.699 --> 00:42:29.339
 as they met,

00:42:29.440 --> 00:42:30.440
 as they went about

00:42:30.440 --> 00:42:30.980
 their business

00:42:30.980 --> 00:42:31.759
 from day to day,

00:42:32.000 --> 00:42:33.059
 as they met together,

00:42:33.179 --> 00:42:33.699
 as they related

00:42:33.699 --> 00:42:34.500
 to each other,

00:42:34.719 --> 00:42:35.539
 as they spoke out

00:42:35.539 --> 00:42:36.079
 to the world

00:42:36.079 --> 00:42:36.779
 around them.

00:42:37.059 --> 00:42:38.439
 They loved each other.

00:42:38.980 --> 00:42:39.480
 They were able

00:42:39.480 --> 00:42:40.639
 to put up with so much

00:42:40.639 --> 00:42:41.919
 because they valued

00:42:41.919 --> 00:42:43.899
 the headship of Christ,

00:42:44.000 --> 00:42:45.039
 the spirit of Christ,

00:42:45.139 --> 00:42:46.179
 because they loved

00:42:46.179 --> 00:42:46.739
 each other.

00:42:48.939 --> 00:42:52.519
 Our spiritual body,

00:42:52.619 --> 00:42:54.319
 or we as a spiritual body,

00:42:54.899 --> 00:42:56.639
 are intensely visible

00:42:56.639 --> 00:42:57.480
 to the world.

00:42:59.039 --> 00:42:59.819
 And while you want

00:42:59.819 --> 00:43:00.839
 that world out there

00:43:00.839 --> 00:43:01.639
 to be changed,

00:43:02.039 --> 00:43:03.079
 people to be converted,

00:43:03.079 --> 00:43:04.079
 people to come

00:43:04.079 --> 00:43:05.719
 to join the spiritual

00:43:05.719 --> 00:43:07.039
 body of Christ

00:43:07.039 --> 00:43:07.900
 that we are,

00:43:08.579 --> 00:43:08.940
 nevertheless,

00:43:09.739 --> 00:43:10.940
 you know of their opposition.

00:43:11.099 --> 00:43:11.940
 You know how difficult

00:43:11.940 --> 00:43:13.319
 they make it at times.

00:43:13.779 --> 00:43:14.639
 You pray for them,

00:43:14.940 --> 00:43:16.019
 and yet so much

00:43:16.019 --> 00:43:16.719
 comes your way

00:43:16.719 --> 00:43:18.460
 by hostility,

00:43:18.819 --> 00:43:19.539
 by opposition,

00:43:19.860 --> 00:43:20.880
 by refusals.

00:43:21.319 --> 00:43:22.219
 And when you widen

00:43:22.219 --> 00:43:23.539
 that into the situation

00:43:23.539 --> 00:43:24.480
 that we face

00:43:24.480 --> 00:43:26.239
 in our society today,

00:43:26.299 --> 00:43:27.079
 you can see

00:43:27.079 --> 00:43:28.779
 how difficult it is

00:43:28.779 --> 00:43:30.159
 in the present climate

00:43:30.159 --> 00:43:31.579
 to live consistently,

00:43:31.819 --> 00:43:33.199
 not just as a Christian,

00:43:33.440 --> 00:43:34.799
 but as a Christian church

00:43:34.799 --> 00:43:35.980
 together in the way

00:43:35.980 --> 00:43:37.420
 we relate to each other

00:43:37.420 --> 00:43:39.379
 so that our love

00:43:39.379 --> 00:43:40.219
 for each other

00:43:40.219 --> 00:43:41.639
 is made plain

00:43:41.639 --> 00:43:43.319
 and made effective

00:43:43.319 --> 00:43:44.219
 to the world.

00:43:44.359 --> 00:43:45.559
 But that's what Paul

00:43:45.559 --> 00:43:46.039
 is saying.

00:43:47.139 --> 00:43:48.199
 There should be no place

00:43:48.199 --> 00:43:50.119
 at all for cold

00:43:50.119 --> 00:43:51.699
 orthodoxy.

00:43:52.379 --> 00:43:52.599
 You know,

00:43:52.599 --> 00:43:53.599
 it's perfectly easy

00:43:53.599 --> 00:43:55.159
 to be very orthodox

00:43:55.159 --> 00:43:56.639
 in your doctrine

00:43:56.639 --> 00:43:58.039
 and yet be as cold

00:43:58.039 --> 00:43:58.579
 as ice

00:43:58.579 --> 00:43:59.460
 in your relationship

00:43:59.460 --> 00:44:00.579
 to your fellow Christians.

00:44:01.799 --> 00:44:02.039
 Well,

00:44:02.079 --> 00:44:03.000
 that orthodoxy

00:44:03.000 --> 00:44:04.299
 is very ineffective,

00:44:04.500 --> 00:44:04.899
 and in fact,

00:44:05.159 --> 00:44:05.960
 that orthodoxy

00:44:05.960 --> 00:44:07.000
 is very off-putting

00:44:07.000 --> 00:44:08.059
 to the world

00:44:08.059 --> 00:44:09.559
 and even to other Christians too.

00:44:10.639 --> 00:44:10.879
 Yes,

00:44:10.920 --> 00:44:11.239
 of course,

00:44:11.339 --> 00:44:12.619
 we need orthodoxy,

00:44:12.659 --> 00:44:13.119
 but there should be

00:44:13.119 --> 00:44:14.839
 no place for a cold type.

00:44:15.579 --> 00:44:15.699
 No,

00:44:15.739 --> 00:44:16.059
 there should be

00:44:16.059 --> 00:44:16.899
 any place for

00:44:16.899 --> 00:44:19.219
 what you might call

00:44:19.219 --> 00:44:21.119
 as denominational pride.

00:44:22.119 --> 00:44:23.619
 When we compare ourselves

00:44:23.619 --> 00:44:25.239
 with other denominations,

00:44:25.339 --> 00:44:25.940
 and when we say

00:44:25.940 --> 00:44:27.159
 that the church

00:44:27.159 --> 00:44:28.059
 at large

00:44:28.059 --> 00:44:28.940
 in some ways

00:44:28.940 --> 00:44:29.639
 is defective

00:44:29.639 --> 00:44:30.259
 or has left

00:44:30.259 --> 00:44:31.359
 the truth of God

00:44:31.359 --> 00:44:33.039
 as you find that

00:44:33.039 --> 00:44:34.339
 in various places

00:44:34.339 --> 00:44:35.199
 throughout our nation,

00:44:35.299 --> 00:44:36.079
 throughout the world,

00:44:36.420 --> 00:44:37.000
 that doesn't mean

00:44:37.000 --> 00:44:37.960
 that we hold ourselves

00:44:37.960 --> 00:44:38.719
 up in pride

00:44:38.719 --> 00:44:40.179
 and preen ourselves

00:44:40.179 --> 00:44:41.559
 as if we were

00:44:41.559 --> 00:44:42.900
 the best of the best.

00:44:46.719 --> 00:44:47.819
 Nor does it mean

00:44:47.819 --> 00:44:49.159
 that we give place

00:44:49.159 --> 00:44:49.659
 for a moment

00:44:49.659 --> 00:44:51.059
 to any party spirit

00:44:51.059 --> 00:44:52.079
 even within

00:44:52.079 --> 00:44:53.519
 a congregational setting.

00:44:53.619 --> 00:44:56.119
 That's what was wrong

00:44:56.119 --> 00:44:57.839
 to a great extent

00:44:57.839 --> 00:44:58.500
 in Corinth.

00:44:59.920 --> 00:45:00.639
 People were saying,

00:45:01.299 --> 00:45:01.440
 oh,

00:45:01.539 --> 00:45:02.679
 I am of Apollos.

00:45:03.079 --> 00:45:03.679
 Others were saying,

00:45:03.739 --> 00:45:03.799
 no,

00:45:03.920 --> 00:45:04.099
 no,

00:45:04.139 --> 00:45:04.920
 I'm of Cephas.

00:45:05.420 --> 00:45:06.420
 He's my man.

00:45:06.659 --> 00:45:07.639
 I'm his follower.

00:45:08.339 --> 00:45:09.179
 What others were saying,

00:45:09.219 --> 00:45:09.319
 no,

00:45:09.339 --> 00:45:10.139
 I'm not of Cephas.

00:45:10.239 --> 00:45:11.199
 I'm not of Apollos.

00:45:11.519 --> 00:45:13.339
 That's far too low for me.

00:45:13.500 --> 00:45:14.619
 I am of Christ.

00:45:14.900 --> 00:45:16.059
 I'm superior to that.

00:45:16.259 --> 00:45:17.259
 I belong to that group

00:45:17.259 --> 00:45:18.599
 who put Christ first.

00:45:18.799 --> 00:45:19.900
 Be done with your Cephas

00:45:19.900 --> 00:45:21.219
 and with your Apollos.

00:45:21.219 --> 00:45:22.799
 They're just human beings.

00:45:23.619 --> 00:45:25.500
 What does Paul say to them?

00:45:25.779 --> 00:45:27.920
 Is Christ divided?

00:45:30.839 --> 00:45:32.779
 Are we a body of Christ?

00:45:32.900 --> 00:45:33.400
 He is saying,

00:45:33.480 --> 00:45:34.539
 are you a body of Christ?

00:45:34.639 --> 00:45:35.380
 To the Corinthians,

00:45:35.779 --> 00:45:36.819
 are you a body of Christ?

00:45:37.019 --> 00:45:37.519
 And yet,

00:45:37.599 --> 00:45:38.139
 going about

00:45:38.139 --> 00:45:39.480
 with all these divisions

00:45:39.480 --> 00:45:40.059
 among you,

00:45:40.079 --> 00:45:41.079
 what's wrong with you?

00:45:42.960 --> 00:45:43.440
 Because

00:45:43.440 --> 00:45:44.599
 you're not speaking

00:45:44.599 --> 00:45:45.500
 the truth in love.

00:45:45.559 --> 00:45:46.139
 You're not holding

00:45:46.139 --> 00:45:47.119
 the truth in love.

00:45:47.759 --> 00:45:49.359
 You have intense rivalries.

00:45:49.360 --> 00:45:50.500
 You're competing

00:45:50.500 --> 00:45:51.340
 with each other.

00:45:53.019 --> 00:45:54.160
 And even the disciples,

00:45:54.340 --> 00:45:54.680
 of course,

00:45:56.519 --> 00:45:56.760
 well,

00:45:56.800 --> 00:45:57.579
 we can follow them

00:45:57.579 --> 00:45:58.940
 because it's just

00:45:58.940 --> 00:46:00.200
 our own heart after all

00:46:00.200 --> 00:46:01.280
 that is revealed

00:46:01.280 --> 00:46:01.800
 through them,

00:46:01.860 --> 00:46:02.240
 isn't it?

00:46:03.000 --> 00:46:03.860
 On their way there

00:46:03.860 --> 00:46:05.400
 to the Passover,

00:46:05.599 --> 00:46:05.980
 on their way

00:46:05.980 --> 00:46:07.000
 as Jesus made His way

00:46:07.000 --> 00:46:08.519
 ultimately to the cross,

00:46:08.579 --> 00:46:09.720
 what were they talking about?

00:46:10.180 --> 00:46:10.340
 Well,

00:46:10.360 --> 00:46:10.940
 they weren't talking.

00:46:11.019 --> 00:46:12.220
 They were actually disputing.

00:46:12.880 --> 00:46:14.039
 And they were disputing

00:46:14.039 --> 00:46:15.460
 which of them

00:46:15.460 --> 00:46:17.079
 would be the greatest.

00:46:19.920 --> 00:46:20.360
 Apostles,

00:46:21.639 --> 00:46:22.279
 disciples,

00:46:22.639 --> 00:46:23.759
 called by Jesus

00:46:23.759 --> 00:46:25.099
 to be His followers,

00:46:25.619 --> 00:46:26.539
 to be His witness

00:46:26.539 --> 00:46:27.519
 to the world,

00:46:27.619 --> 00:46:28.239
 to be His witness

00:46:28.239 --> 00:46:28.960
 in the truth.

00:46:29.340 --> 00:46:30.119
 And they're disputing,

00:46:30.259 --> 00:46:30.920
 they're squabbling

00:46:30.920 --> 00:46:32.179
 over which was going

00:46:32.179 --> 00:46:32.980
 to be the greatest.

00:46:33.279 --> 00:46:33.840
 Who's going to have

00:46:33.840 --> 00:46:34.860
 the highest place?

00:46:36.800 --> 00:46:37.820
 And Jesus is saying,

00:46:37.820 --> 00:46:39.099
 be done with that.

00:46:40.559 --> 00:46:41.900
 That's not my church.

00:46:42.000 --> 00:46:43.039
 That's not my body.

00:46:44.039 --> 00:46:45.159
 That's what we're not.

00:46:45.239 --> 00:46:45.779
 That's what we're,

00:46:45.779 --> 00:46:47.440
 that's not what we're called

00:46:47.440 --> 00:46:48.719
 to be and to do

00:46:48.719 --> 00:46:50.199
 in our relations

00:46:50.199 --> 00:46:51.019
 to each other.

00:46:51.599 --> 00:46:52.099
 But,

00:46:52.619 --> 00:46:53.659
 holding the truth,

00:46:54.059 --> 00:46:54.759
 showing the truth,

00:46:54.920 --> 00:46:55.639
 living the truth

00:46:55.639 --> 00:46:57.539
 in love.

00:46:58.699 --> 00:46:59.340
 In love.

00:47:02.199 --> 00:47:02.559
 And,

00:47:02.579 --> 00:47:03.900
 elsewhere,

00:47:04.079 --> 00:47:06.460
 he shows,

00:47:06.559 --> 00:47:06.960
 as he does

00:47:06.960 --> 00:47:07.980
 in this chapter itself

00:47:07.980 --> 00:47:08.599
 later on,

00:47:10.380 --> 00:47:12.199
 how they are to be

00:47:12.199 --> 00:47:12.820
 quite different

00:47:12.820 --> 00:47:13.760
 to the pagan world

00:47:13.760 --> 00:47:14.300
 around them.

00:47:14.820 --> 00:47:15.039
 He says,

00:47:15.100 --> 00:47:15.480
 verse 20,

00:47:15.519 --> 00:47:16.360
 this is not the way

00:47:16.360 --> 00:47:17.620
 you have learned Christ.

00:47:19.000 --> 00:47:19.380
 So,

00:47:19.440 --> 00:47:20.860
 put off your old self,

00:47:21.800 --> 00:47:23.400
 your former manner of life,

00:47:24.000 --> 00:47:24.680
 and as corrupt

00:47:24.680 --> 00:47:25.980
 through the deceitful desires,

00:47:26.080 --> 00:47:26.620
 be renewed

00:47:26.620 --> 00:47:28.240
 in the spirit of your mind.

00:47:28.320 --> 00:47:29.620
 Put on the new self.

00:47:31.180 --> 00:47:32.380
 Put away falsehood.

00:47:33.380 --> 00:47:34.340
 Speak the truth

00:47:34.340 --> 00:47:35.519
 with your neighbor.

00:47:35.640 --> 00:47:36.240
 Verse 25,

00:47:36.400 --> 00:47:36.900
 be angry.

00:47:37.300 --> 00:47:37.940
 Do not sin.

00:47:38.059 --> 00:47:38.760
 Let not the sun

00:47:38.760 --> 00:47:39.780
 go down on your anger.

00:47:39.780 --> 00:47:41.040
 Give no opportunity

00:47:41.040 --> 00:47:41.760
 to the devil.

00:47:41.880 --> 00:47:42.360
 Let the thief

00:47:42.360 --> 00:47:43.320
 no longer steal.

00:47:43.740 --> 00:47:43.940
 Rather,

00:47:44.040 --> 00:47:44.740
 let him labor.

00:47:45.320 --> 00:47:46.500
 Let no corrupting talk

00:47:46.500 --> 00:47:47.540
 come out of your mouth.

00:47:47.820 --> 00:47:48.900
 Only such as is good

00:47:48.900 --> 00:47:49.780
 for building up

00:47:49.780 --> 00:47:50.920
 as fits the occasion.

00:47:51.040 --> 00:47:51.680
 Don't grieve

00:47:51.680 --> 00:47:52.840
 the spirit of God.

00:47:53.140 --> 00:47:53.920
 Let all bitterness

00:47:53.920 --> 00:47:54.620
 and wrath

00:47:54.620 --> 00:47:55.200
 and anger

00:47:55.200 --> 00:47:56.100
 and clamor

00:47:56.100 --> 00:47:56.800
 and slander

00:47:56.800 --> 00:47:58.180
 be put away from you

00:47:58.180 --> 00:47:59.600
 along with all malice.

00:47:59.720 --> 00:48:00.860
 Be kind to one another,

00:48:01.340 --> 00:48:02.080
 tenderhearted,

00:48:02.460 --> 00:48:03.420
 forgiving one another,

00:48:03.760 --> 00:48:05.040
 as God in Christ

00:48:05.040 --> 00:48:06.000
 forgave you.

00:48:06.000 --> 00:48:07.260
 But don't let the chapter

00:48:07.260 --> 00:48:07.679
 break,

00:48:07.760 --> 00:48:08.219
 put you off.

00:48:09.179 --> 00:48:09.639
 You have to go

00:48:09.639 --> 00:48:10.460
 into the next verse.

00:48:10.639 --> 00:48:10.920
 Therefore,

00:48:11.679 --> 00:48:13.820
 be imitators of God

00:48:13.820 --> 00:48:16.500
 as beloved children

00:48:16.500 --> 00:48:18.300
 and walk in love

00:48:18.300 --> 00:48:19.460
 as Christ loved us

00:48:19.460 --> 00:48:21.800
 and gave himself up for us.

00:48:21.840 --> 00:48:22.500
 When he's saying there,

00:48:22.559 --> 00:48:24.420
 be imitators of God.

00:48:26.179 --> 00:48:27.679
 Seek to be as like God

00:48:27.679 --> 00:48:28.980
 as it's possible to be

00:48:28.980 --> 00:48:29.980
 in this life.

00:48:32.019 --> 00:48:34.860
 Walk in love

00:48:34.860 --> 00:48:36.260
 as beloved children.

00:48:36.340 --> 00:48:37.120
 What does he mean by that?

00:48:37.380 --> 00:48:40.099
 Children already loved by God.

00:48:40.660 --> 00:48:41.900
 Beloved in that sense.

00:48:42.400 --> 00:48:43.420
 Reflect, he's saying,

00:48:43.700 --> 00:48:44.620
 that love

00:48:44.620 --> 00:48:46.700
 as you speak the truth in love.

00:48:46.940 --> 00:48:48.880
 As you live out the truth in love.

00:48:49.440 --> 00:48:50.720
 Let love be preeminent.

00:48:51.140 --> 00:48:52.160
 Let love be on the top

00:48:52.160 --> 00:48:52.920
 of your agenda.

00:48:53.599 --> 00:48:54.559
 Let love to one another

00:48:54.559 --> 00:48:55.480
 and love for God

00:48:55.480 --> 00:48:56.539
 dominate your life.

00:48:56.720 --> 00:48:58.079
 That's really what he's saying.

00:48:59.340 --> 00:48:59.820
 Rather,

00:49:00.440 --> 00:49:01.760
 speaking the truth in love.

00:49:01.840 --> 00:49:03.240
 And you see how that fits into

00:49:03.239 --> 00:49:04.899
 our gathering together

00:49:04.899 --> 00:49:05.959
 from time to time.

00:49:06.519 --> 00:49:08.099
 But even as we leave

00:49:08.099 --> 00:49:08.819
 such gatherings

00:49:08.819 --> 00:49:10.079
 as we're involved with today

00:49:10.079 --> 00:49:10.759
 and you go out,

00:49:10.819 --> 00:49:11.619
 you still remain

00:49:11.619 --> 00:49:13.039
 the body of Christ,

00:49:13.139 --> 00:49:14.739
 united together in Christ.

00:49:16.159 --> 00:49:18.819
 And so as parts of that body,

00:49:18.899 --> 00:49:20.239
 as members of that body,

00:49:20.839 --> 00:49:22.119
 as you live in the world,

00:49:22.839 --> 00:49:23.839
 this is the world's,

00:49:24.059 --> 00:49:26.199
 this is to be the world's view of us.

00:49:26.279 --> 00:49:28.599
 So growing up unto Christ

00:49:28.599 --> 00:49:30.259
 means in the truth

00:49:30.259 --> 00:49:32.940
 and speaking or living out the truth

00:49:32.940 --> 00:49:35.219
 and doing that in love.

00:49:36.420 --> 00:49:37.440
 And we are to grow up,

00:49:37.460 --> 00:49:37.860
 he says,

00:49:38.559 --> 00:49:40.099
 up in every way unto him

00:49:40.099 --> 00:49:42.259
 who is the head unto Christ.

00:49:42.420 --> 00:49:43.420
 From each part,

00:49:43.519 --> 00:49:43.819
 secondly,

00:49:43.980 --> 00:49:45.739
 each part contributes

00:49:45.739 --> 00:49:48.360
 to the body's growth overall.

00:49:48.519 --> 00:49:49.319
 Now we've said already,

00:49:49.880 --> 00:49:50.819
 from whom,

00:49:50.900 --> 00:49:51.599
 in verse 16,

00:49:51.679 --> 00:49:52.559
 the whole body,

00:49:52.900 --> 00:49:53.799
 from Christ,

00:49:54.420 --> 00:49:56.739
 from whom the whole body

00:49:56.739 --> 00:49:58.219
 receives its nourishment,

00:49:58.379 --> 00:49:58.919
 you might say.

00:50:00.319 --> 00:50:01.239
 That means that

00:50:01.239 --> 00:50:02.839
 our growth

00:50:02.839 --> 00:50:04.439
 has a source.

00:50:05.879 --> 00:50:06.739
 Our growth is

00:50:06.739 --> 00:50:09.059
 fueled by the grace of Christ.

00:50:09.219 --> 00:50:10.059
 He is himself

00:50:10.059 --> 00:50:11.099
 the source

00:50:11.099 --> 00:50:13.139
 of what enables us

00:50:13.139 --> 00:50:14.179
 to grow together

00:50:14.179 --> 00:50:16.019
 and to be in our relationships

00:50:16.019 --> 00:50:17.659
 together what we ought to be.

00:50:19.779 --> 00:50:20.399
 Verses,

00:50:21.199 --> 00:50:22.219
 verse 7,

00:50:22.319 --> 00:50:22.839
 verse 11,

00:50:23.519 --> 00:50:24.439
 and all the way through

00:50:24.439 --> 00:50:26.239
 verse 7 to 10 here,

00:50:26.239 --> 00:50:27.379
 what we're seeing is that

00:50:27.379 --> 00:50:29.659
 we don't grow

00:50:29.659 --> 00:50:31.599
 from our own competency,

00:50:32.339 --> 00:50:34.299
 from our own ability.

00:50:35.379 --> 00:50:37.579
 There's not a self-produced growth.

00:50:38.459 --> 00:50:39.699
 It's a growth that comes

00:50:39.699 --> 00:50:41.339
 through the grace of Christ

00:50:41.339 --> 00:50:42.239
 being channeled

00:50:42.239 --> 00:50:43.619
 into our souls,

00:50:43.779 --> 00:50:45.299
 into our life together,

00:50:45.419 --> 00:50:46.739
 into our life individually.

00:50:48.239 --> 00:50:49.319
 And that's why the head

00:50:49.319 --> 00:50:50.139
 is so important

00:50:50.139 --> 00:50:51.419
 as the source

00:50:51.419 --> 00:50:52.739
 from which we receive

00:50:52.739 --> 00:50:53.739
 all our nourishment

00:50:53.739 --> 00:50:55.339
 and all our ability.

00:50:55.340 --> 00:50:55.980
 That, of course,

00:50:56.320 --> 00:50:57.180
 carries with it.

00:50:58.079 --> 00:50:59.039
 I'm just saying this in passing.

00:50:59.160 --> 00:51:00.660
 It's a point that's come to me.

00:51:01.620 --> 00:51:02.740
 It means that in passing

00:51:02.740 --> 00:51:03.800
 you maintain

00:51:03.800 --> 00:51:04.559
 and I maintain

00:51:04.559 --> 00:51:05.660
 our individual

00:51:05.660 --> 00:51:07.720
 relationship with Christ.

00:51:08.600 --> 00:51:09.000
 Otherwise,

00:51:09.200 --> 00:51:10.220
 that's going to be reflected

00:51:10.220 --> 00:51:11.700
 in the quality

00:51:11.700 --> 00:51:12.800
 or lack of it

00:51:12.800 --> 00:51:13.780
 of the whole body

00:51:13.780 --> 00:51:15.039
 in its growth.

00:51:15.840 --> 00:51:16.740
 But what he says here

00:51:16.740 --> 00:51:18.160
 then goes on

00:51:18.160 --> 00:51:18.860
 to say,

00:51:18.860 --> 00:51:20.440
 from whom

00:51:20.440 --> 00:51:21.140
 the whole body

00:51:21.140 --> 00:51:22.420
 joined and held together

00:51:22.420 --> 00:51:24.180
 by every joint

00:51:24.180 --> 00:51:25.220
 with which it's equipped.

00:51:25.320 --> 00:51:25.620
 Literally,

00:51:25.740 --> 00:51:26.019
 it's saying

00:51:26.019 --> 00:51:27.220
 by every joint

00:51:27.220 --> 00:51:28.460
 of the supply.

00:51:29.140 --> 00:51:30.360
 Very complex phrases

00:51:30.360 --> 00:51:30.900
 he uses

00:51:30.900 --> 00:51:32.280
 and I'm not going

00:51:32.280 --> 00:51:33.160
 to try and open them up.

00:51:33.200 --> 00:51:34.260
 It would take a lot of time.

00:51:34.800 --> 00:51:35.519
 When each part

00:51:35.519 --> 00:51:36.579
 is working properly

00:51:36.579 --> 00:51:38.120
 makes the body grow

00:51:38.120 --> 00:51:39.400
 so that it builds itself

00:51:39.400 --> 00:51:40.120
 up in love.

00:51:40.180 --> 00:51:40.420
 And I think

00:51:40.420 --> 00:51:41.420
 it's best really

00:51:41.420 --> 00:51:42.620
 if we think of

00:51:42.620 --> 00:51:44.099
 again our human body

00:51:44.099 --> 00:51:45.340
 which he's actually

00:51:45.340 --> 00:51:46.059
 using anyway

00:51:46.059 --> 00:51:46.920
 as an illustration.

00:51:48.460 --> 00:51:49.420
 Think of the different

00:51:49.420 --> 00:51:50.860
 parts and functions

00:51:50.860 --> 00:51:52.320
 of these parts

00:51:52.320 --> 00:51:54.320
 in our human body.

00:51:55.639 --> 00:51:56.460
 There are limbs.

00:51:56.880 --> 00:51:57.739
 There are bones.

00:51:58.159 --> 00:51:59.139
 There are joints.

00:52:00.380 --> 00:52:01.299
 There are muscles.

00:52:02.039 --> 00:52:02.739
 There's the skin.

00:52:03.320 --> 00:52:04.019
 There are ligaments.

00:52:04.719 --> 00:52:06.840
 Every part of your body

00:52:06.840 --> 00:52:07.559
 physically

00:52:07.559 --> 00:52:09.199
 as it's joined together

00:52:09.199 --> 00:52:09.920
 marvelously

00:52:09.920 --> 00:52:11.159
 in God's creation.

00:52:11.960 --> 00:52:12.500
 There are bones

00:52:12.500 --> 00:52:14.219
 fit into various sockets

00:52:14.219 --> 00:52:15.059
 here and there.

00:52:15.059 --> 00:52:16.559
 The arms,

00:52:16.739 --> 00:52:17.239
 the legs,

00:52:17.599 --> 00:52:18.699
 they're tied to the trunk

00:52:18.699 --> 00:52:19.380
 of your body,

00:52:19.759 --> 00:52:20.219
 your neck,

00:52:20.279 --> 00:52:20.960
 all of these things.

00:52:21.179 --> 00:52:22.340
 All of these parts

00:52:22.340 --> 00:52:22.940
 of the body

00:52:22.940 --> 00:52:24.739
 are fitted together

00:52:24.739 --> 00:52:26.199
 so that they function.

00:52:26.619 --> 00:52:27.179
 Each of them

00:52:27.179 --> 00:52:28.219
 has its own function

00:52:28.219 --> 00:52:29.659
 but each contributes

00:52:29.659 --> 00:52:30.420
 to the whole

00:52:30.420 --> 00:52:31.759
 working of the body.

00:52:33.340 --> 00:52:34.639
 But not only that,

00:52:35.199 --> 00:52:36.679
 over all of these parts

00:52:36.679 --> 00:52:38.059
 such as the bones

00:52:38.059 --> 00:52:38.779
 and the flesh

00:52:38.779 --> 00:52:39.880
 and the sinews

00:52:39.880 --> 00:52:40.420
 and so on,

00:52:40.420 --> 00:52:42.300
 you have two

00:52:42.300 --> 00:52:44.440
 two

00:52:44.440 --> 00:52:47.000
 communicating

00:52:47.000 --> 00:52:49.340
 you might say

00:52:49.340 --> 00:52:50.400
 two communicating

00:52:50.400 --> 00:52:51.099
 systems.

00:52:52.960 --> 00:52:53.860
 The communication

00:52:53.860 --> 00:52:54.599
 that comes

00:52:54.599 --> 00:52:55.539
 from the head

00:52:55.539 --> 00:52:57.380
 is communicated

00:52:57.380 --> 00:52:58.300
 to the rest

00:52:58.300 --> 00:52:58.880
 of the body

00:52:58.880 --> 00:53:00.000
 even to the tiniest

00:53:00.000 --> 00:53:00.780
 bits of the tip

00:53:00.780 --> 00:53:01.400
 of your finger

00:53:01.400 --> 00:53:03.119
 through the nervous system.

00:53:03.119 --> 00:53:05.699
 And the nervous system

00:53:05.699 --> 00:53:06.739
 is what carries

00:53:06.739 --> 00:53:07.319
 the messages

00:53:07.319 --> 00:53:08.199
 of the brain

00:53:08.199 --> 00:53:09.480
 through to these

00:53:09.480 --> 00:53:10.480
 parts of the body

00:53:10.480 --> 00:53:11.819
 by which they are

00:53:11.819 --> 00:53:12.299
 then enabled

00:53:12.299 --> 00:53:13.019
 to function.

00:53:14.000 --> 00:53:14.400
 That's why

00:53:14.400 --> 00:53:14.819
 when something

00:53:14.819 --> 00:53:15.500
 goes wrong

00:53:15.500 --> 00:53:17.199
 with any part

00:53:17.199 --> 00:53:17.980
 of your body

00:53:17.980 --> 00:53:19.380
 or when something

00:53:19.380 --> 00:53:19.920
 goes wrong

00:53:19.920 --> 00:53:20.940
 with the brain

00:53:20.940 --> 00:53:21.359
 itself,

00:53:21.440 --> 00:53:22.239
 sadly at times

00:53:22.239 --> 00:53:22.880
 and the messages

00:53:22.880 --> 00:53:23.599
 don't reach

00:53:23.599 --> 00:53:24.980
 parts of the body

00:53:24.980 --> 00:53:26.119
 with various diseases,

00:53:26.299 --> 00:53:26.559
 sadly,

00:53:26.679 --> 00:53:27.259
 that you see,

00:53:27.859 --> 00:53:29.000
 some parts of the body

00:53:29.000 --> 00:53:29.799
 cease to function

00:53:29.799 --> 00:53:30.299
 properly.

00:53:30.300 --> 00:53:30.880
 They're not getting

00:53:30.880 --> 00:53:31.980
 the right signals.

00:53:32.940 --> 00:53:34.300
 That particular overlay,

00:53:35.140 --> 00:53:35.640
 if you like,

00:53:35.700 --> 00:53:37.120
 of the nervous system

00:53:37.120 --> 00:53:38.039
 has ceased to function

00:53:38.039 --> 00:53:38.820
 as it should.

00:53:40.080 --> 00:53:40.740
 But there's another

00:53:40.740 --> 00:53:41.920
 system as well

00:53:41.920 --> 00:53:42.580
 that's necessary

00:53:42.580 --> 00:53:43.340
 for the overall

00:53:43.340 --> 00:53:44.260
 good of the body

00:53:44.260 --> 00:53:45.539
 and again it reaches

00:53:45.539 --> 00:53:46.720
 every single part

00:53:46.720 --> 00:53:47.200
 of the body

00:53:47.200 --> 00:53:47.780
 and what is it?

00:53:48.120 --> 00:53:48.960
 It is, of course,

00:53:49.019 --> 00:53:50.220
 the vascular system,

00:53:50.960 --> 00:53:52.080
 the system that conveys

00:53:52.080 --> 00:53:53.860
 blood throughout the body

00:53:53.860 --> 00:53:55.160
 to all parts

00:53:55.160 --> 00:53:56.260
 of the body.

00:53:57.280 --> 00:53:58.120
 And when you think

00:53:58.120 --> 00:53:59.300
 of all of these

00:53:59.300 --> 00:54:00.880
 and how they illustrate

00:54:00.880 --> 00:54:02.640
 the spiritual body

00:54:02.640 --> 00:54:03.800
 that we are together

00:54:03.800 --> 00:54:06.080
 as we seek to serve

00:54:06.080 --> 00:54:07.420
 the Lord Jesus Christ,

00:54:07.600 --> 00:54:08.840
 as we are the church

00:54:08.840 --> 00:54:10.080
 in this world together,

00:54:10.400 --> 00:54:11.400
 the gatherer church,

00:54:11.500 --> 00:54:12.519
 the church as it functions

00:54:12.519 --> 00:54:13.260
 in the world,

00:54:13.840 --> 00:54:15.580
 so the different parts

00:54:15.580 --> 00:54:16.100
 of the body,

00:54:16.220 --> 00:54:17.580
 the different types

00:54:17.580 --> 00:54:18.820
 of gifts that Christ

00:54:18.820 --> 00:54:19.519
 has endowed

00:54:19.519 --> 00:54:21.780
 his church with,

00:54:22.440 --> 00:54:23.519
 they all function

00:54:23.519 --> 00:54:25.380
 by virtue of receiving

00:54:25.380 --> 00:54:27.000
 from the head

00:54:27.000 --> 00:54:28.480
 all the abilities,

00:54:29.239 --> 00:54:30.159
 all the grace,

00:54:30.460 --> 00:54:31.239
 all the nourishment

00:54:31.239 --> 00:54:32.820
 that these parts

00:54:32.820 --> 00:54:33.920
 of the body require.

00:54:35.460 --> 00:54:36.519
 And whether we're

00:54:36.519 --> 00:54:38.019
 involved in preaching

00:54:38.019 --> 00:54:38.699
 the gospel

00:54:38.699 --> 00:54:40.400
 or whether you're involved

00:54:40.400 --> 00:54:41.699
 in working with young people,

00:54:42.159 --> 00:54:43.440
 teaching in the Sunday school,

00:54:44.079 --> 00:54:44.619
 being involved

00:54:44.619 --> 00:54:45.500
 with the youth club,

00:54:45.880 --> 00:54:46.440
 being involved

00:54:46.440 --> 00:54:47.300
 with working

00:54:47.300 --> 00:54:48.619
 with older people,

00:54:48.980 --> 00:54:49.599
 whether you're actually

00:54:49.599 --> 00:54:50.480
 working with people

00:54:50.480 --> 00:54:51.920
 who have addictions,

00:54:52.579 --> 00:54:53.539
 people who are ill,

00:54:54.079 --> 00:54:55.420
 people who have severe disease,

00:54:55.420 --> 00:54:56.280
 whatever it is,

00:54:56.740 --> 00:54:58.079
 it's through the grace

00:54:58.079 --> 00:54:58.700
 of Christ

00:54:58.700 --> 00:55:00.119
 that you're enabled

00:55:00.119 --> 00:55:02.099
 to actually carry out

00:55:02.099 --> 00:55:03.460
 these duties effectively.

00:55:04.079 --> 00:55:05.039
 But that means that

00:55:05.039 --> 00:55:06.500
 each and every part

00:55:06.500 --> 00:55:06.960
 of the body

00:55:06.960 --> 00:55:08.280
 must be working properly.

00:55:08.420 --> 00:55:09.380
 That's why your relationship

00:55:09.380 --> 00:55:11.139
 individually with Christ

00:55:11.139 --> 00:55:12.460
 is so important.

00:55:14.300 --> 00:55:15.260
 The various parts

00:55:15.260 --> 00:55:16.400
 of the body,

00:55:16.480 --> 00:55:17.200
 each is different

00:55:17.200 --> 00:55:18.059
 in many ways,

00:55:19.200 --> 00:55:20.079
 as you can see

00:55:20.079 --> 00:55:21.139
 in your physical body.

00:55:21.680 --> 00:55:22.780
 There's a huge difference

00:55:22.780 --> 00:55:24.360
 between your little toe

00:55:24.360 --> 00:55:25.440
 and your nose

00:55:25.440 --> 00:55:27.780
 or your neck

00:55:27.780 --> 00:55:30.480
 and parts of your legs.

00:55:31.380 --> 00:55:32.260
 But they all have

00:55:32.260 --> 00:55:33.200
 the same supply.

00:55:34.440 --> 00:55:35.360
 The nervous system

00:55:35.360 --> 00:55:36.519
 and the blood supply

00:55:36.519 --> 00:55:38.040
 supplies each

00:55:38.040 --> 00:55:38.900
 and all of them.

00:55:40.280 --> 00:55:40.860
 And what does that

00:55:40.860 --> 00:55:41.519
 actually mean?

00:55:41.880 --> 00:55:42.280
 Well, it means

00:55:42.280 --> 00:55:43.400
 the end result is

00:55:43.400 --> 00:55:45.260
 that from Jesus

00:55:45.260 --> 00:55:47.420
 the body is held together

00:55:47.420 --> 00:55:49.140
 by every joint

00:55:49.140 --> 00:55:50.180
 of the supply,

00:55:50.380 --> 00:55:51.420
 the supply that comes

00:55:51.420 --> 00:55:51.820
 from Him.

00:55:52.400 --> 00:55:53.320
 When each part

00:55:53.320 --> 00:55:54.340
 is working properly,

00:55:55.280 --> 00:55:56.780
 it makes the body grow

00:55:56.780 --> 00:55:58.420
 so that it builds

00:55:58.420 --> 00:55:59.340
 itself up

00:55:59.340 --> 00:56:01.139
 in love.

00:56:02.840 --> 00:56:03.800
 So three points

00:56:03.800 --> 00:56:04.300
 just to make

00:56:04.300 --> 00:56:04.780
 by way of

00:56:04.780 --> 00:56:06.220
 a final application.

00:56:06.420 --> 00:56:07.360
 There's so much else

00:56:07.360 --> 00:56:08.460
 that we could say,

00:56:08.599 --> 00:56:10.119
 but the time is gone

00:56:10.119 --> 00:56:11.480
 and a lot of these things

00:56:11.480 --> 00:56:12.539
 would take time

00:56:12.539 --> 00:56:13.460
 to open up further.

00:56:13.599 --> 00:56:14.320
 I hope you've got

00:56:14.320 --> 00:56:15.340
 the main gist

00:56:15.340 --> 00:56:16.460
 of the passage

00:56:16.460 --> 00:56:18.480
 and what it's saying

00:56:18.480 --> 00:56:19.180
 to us by way

00:56:19.180 --> 00:56:20.480
 of our need to grow

00:56:20.480 --> 00:56:21.099
 and the privilege

00:56:21.099 --> 00:56:22.420
 of growing together

00:56:22.420 --> 00:56:24.699
 spiritually under Christ's

00:56:24.699 --> 00:56:25.199
 direction

00:56:25.199 --> 00:56:26.699
 and under Christ's

00:56:26.699 --> 00:56:27.139
 enabling.

00:56:28.300 --> 00:56:29.219
 But the three points

00:56:29.219 --> 00:56:29.980
 I want to finish with

00:56:29.980 --> 00:56:30.500
 are these.

00:56:30.960 --> 00:56:31.320
 Firstly,

00:56:32.000 --> 00:56:33.380
 each part

00:56:33.380 --> 00:56:34.940
 must have

00:56:34.940 --> 00:56:36.179
 a living connection

00:56:36.179 --> 00:56:37.599
 with the head.

00:56:38.380 --> 00:56:39.579
 Each part

00:56:39.579 --> 00:56:40.360
 must have

00:56:40.360 --> 00:56:41.559
 a living connection

00:56:41.559 --> 00:56:42.420
 with the head

00:56:42.420 --> 00:56:43.219
 because Paul is

00:56:43.219 --> 00:56:44.039
 reminding us

00:56:44.039 --> 00:56:46.159
 that the body's

00:56:46.159 --> 00:56:46.920
 functions,

00:56:47.519 --> 00:56:48.619
 the spiritual body's

00:56:48.619 --> 00:56:49.400
 functions are

00:56:49.400 --> 00:56:51.039
 as each part

00:56:51.039 --> 00:56:52.199
 is working properly.

00:56:54.940 --> 00:56:55.460
 Tonight,

00:56:55.639 --> 00:56:56.099
 you and I

00:56:56.099 --> 00:56:57.159
 have to ask ourselves,

00:56:57.659 --> 00:56:59.219
 do I have

00:56:59.219 --> 00:57:00.839
 a living connection

00:57:00.839 --> 00:57:01.619
 with Jesus?

00:57:02.880 --> 00:57:04.079
 I have a connection

00:57:04.079 --> 00:57:05.079
 with him formally,

00:57:05.219 --> 00:57:05.699
 you might say,

00:57:05.759 --> 00:57:06.460
 because I belong

00:57:06.460 --> 00:57:07.099
 to his church

00:57:07.099 --> 00:57:07.900
 outwardly,

00:57:08.460 --> 00:57:09.559
 because I form

00:57:09.559 --> 00:57:10.759
 part of those people

00:57:10.759 --> 00:57:11.579
 who worship him

00:57:11.579 --> 00:57:12.039
 regularly

00:57:12.039 --> 00:57:13.759
 in Stornoway Free Church.

00:57:14.139 --> 00:57:14.659
 But then I have

00:57:14.659 --> 00:57:15.639
 to ask myself,

00:57:16.079 --> 00:57:17.159
 do I have more

00:57:17.159 --> 00:57:18.299
 than the ability

00:57:18.299 --> 00:57:19.420
 to speak such

00:57:19.420 --> 00:57:20.139
 as it is?

00:57:20.559 --> 00:57:21.579
 Do I have more

00:57:21.579 --> 00:57:23.500
 than being able

00:57:23.500 --> 00:57:24.440
 to stand in front

00:57:24.440 --> 00:57:25.299
 of people and say

00:57:25.299 --> 00:57:26.000
 certain things

00:57:26.000 --> 00:57:26.539
 for a certain

00:57:26.539 --> 00:57:27.359
 amount of time?

00:57:27.699 --> 00:57:28.879
 What is my own

00:57:28.879 --> 00:57:30.399
 connection to Christ?

00:57:31.739 --> 00:57:32.719
 And you have to say

00:57:32.719 --> 00:57:33.359
 that of yourself.

00:57:33.579 --> 00:57:34.739
 Do I have a living

00:57:34.739 --> 00:57:36.299
 connection with Jesus?

00:57:37.219 --> 00:57:38.199
 Is there grace?

00:57:38.299 --> 00:57:39.019
 Is there power?

00:57:39.259 --> 00:57:40.159
 Is there ability?

00:57:40.339 --> 00:57:41.440
 Is there life

00:57:41.440 --> 00:57:43.119
 flowing from Jesus

00:57:43.119 --> 00:57:44.379
 into my soul

00:57:44.379 --> 00:57:45.559
 and into my life?

00:57:45.559 --> 00:57:48.199
 Am I a living part

00:57:48.199 --> 00:57:49.480
 of this body

00:57:49.480 --> 00:57:50.599
 that meets

00:57:50.599 --> 00:57:51.719
 from time to time

00:57:51.719 --> 00:57:53.420
 and seeks to worship

00:57:53.420 --> 00:57:53.920
 the Lord

00:57:53.920 --> 00:57:54.799
 as we do tonight?

00:57:55.099 --> 00:57:56.139
 See, how vital

00:57:56.139 --> 00:57:57.279
 that is for yourself

00:57:57.279 --> 00:57:58.079
 and for myself.

00:57:58.659 --> 00:57:59.719
 To really ask ourselves,

00:58:00.340 --> 00:58:01.539
 whatever age we're at,

00:58:01.619 --> 00:58:02.980
 it's true of young folks

00:58:02.980 --> 00:58:03.799
 as well as old,

00:58:04.400 --> 00:58:05.440
 that we have to have

00:58:05.440 --> 00:58:07.619
 a living connection

00:58:07.619 --> 00:58:08.500
 with the head.

00:58:10.159 --> 00:58:11.599
 A living connection

00:58:11.599 --> 00:58:14.159
 with Jesus himself.

00:58:14.159 --> 00:58:15.239
 Because the passage

00:58:15.239 --> 00:58:15.819
 as we've seen

00:58:15.819 --> 00:58:16.779
 speaks about Jesus

00:58:16.779 --> 00:58:19.199
 and his being ascended

00:58:19.199 --> 00:58:20.179
 up into the heavens.

00:58:21.279 --> 00:58:21.859
 In other words,

00:58:21.940 --> 00:58:22.879
 Jesus has died,

00:58:23.199 --> 00:58:24.299
 he's risen from the dead,

00:58:24.359 --> 00:58:25.339
 he's shown his power,

00:58:25.559 --> 00:58:26.879
 he's exercised his power,

00:58:27.139 --> 00:58:28.559
 that power is in him

00:58:28.559 --> 00:58:29.739
 as he is now seated

00:58:29.739 --> 00:58:31.259
 at God's right hand.

00:58:32.219 --> 00:58:32.839
 And it's to that

00:58:32.839 --> 00:58:33.440
 that we look

00:58:33.440 --> 00:58:34.859
 as the head of the church

00:58:34.859 --> 00:58:36.059
 that supplies us.

00:58:36.819 --> 00:58:37.359
 But you and I

00:58:37.359 --> 00:58:38.319
 have to look individually

00:58:38.319 --> 00:58:39.039
 at it as well

00:58:39.039 --> 00:58:40.019
 and ask ourselves,

00:58:40.420 --> 00:58:41.719
 am I one of these people?

00:58:41.719 --> 00:58:44.139
 Am I just turning up

00:58:44.139 --> 00:58:44.879
 every Sunday?

00:58:46.279 --> 00:58:47.219
 Do I have something

00:58:47.219 --> 00:58:48.639
 more than just habit

00:58:48.639 --> 00:58:50.319
 or good habit

00:58:50.319 --> 00:58:51.239
 though it might be?

00:58:52.339 --> 00:58:53.319
 So if you're here

00:58:53.319 --> 00:58:54.639
 tonight and

00:58:54.639 --> 00:58:56.119
 you know that

00:58:56.119 --> 00:58:57.239
 you're not yet saved

00:58:57.239 --> 00:58:58.359
 and you want to be saved,

00:58:58.459 --> 00:58:58.719
 surely,

00:58:59.379 --> 00:59:00.639
 you want to be a living

00:59:00.639 --> 00:59:02.859
 part of this body

00:59:02.859 --> 00:59:03.599
 of Christ,

00:59:04.559 --> 00:59:05.500
 you want to be able

00:59:05.500 --> 00:59:07.219
 to function spiritually,

00:59:07.639 --> 00:59:08.359
 effectively,

00:59:08.799 --> 00:59:09.500
 to contribute

00:59:09.500 --> 00:59:10.880
 your own contribution

00:59:10.880 --> 00:59:11.880
 and to receive

00:59:11.880 --> 00:59:13.000
 from Jesus

00:59:13.000 --> 00:59:13.820
 the life you know

00:59:13.820 --> 00:59:14.420
 you need.

00:59:15.340 --> 00:59:16.519
 Well, here is God

00:59:16.519 --> 00:59:17.320
 saying to you,

00:59:17.920 --> 00:59:19.239
 firmly but gently,

00:59:20.000 --> 00:59:21.019
 make sure that

00:59:21.019 --> 00:59:21.780
 you're connected

00:59:21.780 --> 00:59:22.860
 vitally,

00:59:23.340 --> 00:59:24.199
 savingly,

00:59:25.139 --> 00:59:25.800
 spiritually,

00:59:26.360 --> 00:59:27.880
 in a life-receiving way

00:59:27.880 --> 00:59:28.420
 with me.

00:59:30.400 --> 00:59:31.239
 And you do that

00:59:31.239 --> 00:59:32.920
 by not trying to

00:59:32.920 --> 00:59:33.900
 make yourself

00:59:33.900 --> 00:59:35.000
 better than you are

00:59:35.000 --> 00:59:35.699
 so that you then

00:59:35.699 --> 00:59:36.840
 come to be joined to him,

00:59:36.840 --> 00:59:38.880
 you just cast yourself

00:59:38.880 --> 00:59:39.600
 upon him.

00:59:40.860 --> 00:59:41.360
 And you say,

00:59:41.420 --> 00:59:41.640
 Lord,

00:59:41.800 --> 00:59:43.140
 I cannot do you,

00:59:43.559 --> 00:59:44.500
 I cannot do it

00:59:44.500 --> 00:59:45.400
 except as I am

00:59:45.400 --> 00:59:46.300
 joined to you.

00:59:48.000 --> 00:59:49.760
 I can't save myself.

00:59:50.539 --> 00:59:51.980
 I need you to save me.

00:59:53.440 --> 00:59:55.160
 I need you to be my head,

00:59:55.940 --> 00:59:56.600
 my Lord,

00:59:56.860 --> 00:59:57.519
 my Savior.

00:59:58.680 --> 00:59:59.900
 Please receive me.

01:00:01.180 --> 01:00:02.600
 Please forgive my sins.

01:00:02.599 --> 01:00:05.900
 Please give me

01:00:05.900 --> 01:00:07.039
 a meaningful place

01:00:07.039 --> 01:00:09.239
 in your living body.

01:00:10.880 --> 01:00:12.019
 The second thing is,

01:00:12.380 --> 01:00:13.059
 each part

01:00:13.059 --> 01:00:14.579
 is important

01:00:14.579 --> 01:00:15.480
 to that body

01:00:15.480 --> 01:00:16.059
 and needed

01:00:16.059 --> 01:00:17.239
 by the body

01:00:17.239 --> 01:00:18.199
 and affects

01:00:18.199 --> 01:00:19.460
 all the other parts.

01:00:20.259 --> 01:00:20.440
 You see,

01:00:20.500 --> 01:00:21.199
 you mustn't say

01:00:21.199 --> 01:00:21.920
 tonight that,

01:00:22.460 --> 01:00:22.559
 well,

01:00:22.579 --> 01:00:23.739
 I'm not really important,

01:00:23.839 --> 01:00:24.860
 I shouldn't see myself

01:00:24.860 --> 01:00:26.299
 as a significant part

01:00:26.299 --> 01:00:27.920
 of the whole body

01:00:27.920 --> 01:00:28.980
 because I don't have

01:00:28.980 --> 01:00:30.159
 the capacity of others,

01:00:30.159 --> 01:00:30.980
 I don't have

01:00:30.980 --> 01:00:32.139
 the ability of others,

01:00:32.399 --> 01:00:33.639
 I don't have such things

01:00:33.639 --> 01:00:35.099
 as I see in other people

01:00:35.099 --> 01:00:36.039
 who serve the Lord.

01:00:36.339 --> 01:00:37.980
 I'm just a tiny wee fragment,

01:00:38.159 --> 01:00:39.239
 just forget about me.

01:00:39.500 --> 01:00:41.039
 I don't need to commit myself fully.

01:00:41.119 --> 01:00:42.460
 I don't have what it takes anyway.

01:00:43.739 --> 01:00:45.519
 Never say that about yourself.

01:00:47.159 --> 01:00:48.879
 Never think you're insignificant

01:00:48.879 --> 01:00:49.819
 to God.

01:00:52.239 --> 01:00:54.159
 If we were insignificant to God,

01:00:54.219 --> 01:00:55.139
 would He have sent His Son

01:00:55.139 --> 01:00:57.019
 to die the death of the cross?

01:00:57.019 --> 01:01:00.340
 When you see

01:01:00.340 --> 01:01:02.780
 old stonework

01:01:02.780 --> 01:01:03.920
 with a large lintel,

01:01:04.639 --> 01:01:05.800
 maybe on top of a doorway

01:01:05.800 --> 01:01:06.719
 or a gate,

01:01:07.679 --> 01:01:09.059
 and you look at that lintel

01:01:09.059 --> 01:01:10.880
 and you ask yourself,

01:01:11.179 --> 01:01:14.079
 is that the most important stone

01:01:14.079 --> 01:01:15.920
 in this opening,

01:01:16.039 --> 01:01:16.800
 in this entrance?

01:01:17.820 --> 01:01:18.179
 And of course,

01:01:18.259 --> 01:01:19.460
 your immediate reaction is,

01:01:19.559 --> 01:01:20.059
 well, yes,

01:01:20.219 --> 01:01:20.980
 it's strong,

01:01:21.059 --> 01:01:21.599
 it's holding up

01:01:21.599 --> 01:01:22.619
 a lot of other stones.

01:01:23.019 --> 01:01:23.759
 It's really there

01:01:23.759 --> 01:01:25.000
 to take the weight,

01:01:25.059 --> 01:01:25.400
 if you like,

01:01:25.420 --> 01:01:26.420
 of everything that's above it.

01:01:26.420 --> 01:01:27.940
 Yes, but you look under the stone,

01:01:28.159 --> 01:01:29.240
 there are little wedges,

01:01:30.019 --> 01:01:32.340
 little stone slices or wedges

01:01:32.340 --> 01:01:33.700
 that have been carefully

01:01:33.700 --> 01:01:37.280
 set in a particular place

01:01:37.280 --> 01:01:39.599
 and carefully by a stonemason

01:01:39.599 --> 01:01:40.500
 or whoever built it.

01:01:41.019 --> 01:01:42.079
 And it is these

01:01:42.079 --> 01:01:43.880
 that keep the large stone

01:01:43.880 --> 01:01:46.260
 balanced from moving

01:01:46.260 --> 01:01:48.980
 as they're placed in

01:01:48.980 --> 01:01:50.680
 under the large lintel stone.

01:01:50.679 --> 01:01:53.139
 And these little stones

01:01:53.139 --> 01:01:55.239
 are just as vital

01:01:55.239 --> 01:01:56.460
 to the whole gateway

01:01:56.460 --> 01:01:58.039
 as the lintel

01:01:58.039 --> 01:01:59.179
 that you see prominently.

01:01:59.279 --> 01:02:00.299
 So it is in the church.

01:02:01.559 --> 01:02:02.299
 It's not the people

01:02:02.299 --> 01:02:03.539
 that you see prominently

01:02:03.539 --> 01:02:05.259
 in the work of Jesus alone

01:02:05.259 --> 01:02:06.319
 that are important

01:02:06.319 --> 01:02:06.839
 to the work.

01:02:06.899 --> 01:02:07.599
 You are too.

01:02:08.739 --> 01:02:09.759
 Even if you're not seen

01:02:09.759 --> 01:02:10.379
 and visible

01:02:10.379 --> 01:02:11.699
 and prominent in the church,

01:02:12.519 --> 01:02:13.460
 even if you're just

01:02:13.460 --> 01:02:14.859
 worshiping Him,

01:02:15.359 --> 01:02:15.879
 loving Him,

01:02:16.059 --> 01:02:16.980
 showing your love for Him,

01:02:17.599 --> 01:02:18.399
 praying to Him

01:02:18.400 --> 01:02:19.139
 for yourself,

01:02:20.000 --> 01:02:21.420
 praying that God

01:02:21.420 --> 01:02:23.039
 will bless His church

01:02:23.039 --> 01:02:23.880
 and His cause,

01:02:25.099 --> 01:02:25.920
 well, you're needed

01:02:25.920 --> 01:02:26.619
 in the church.

01:02:28.000 --> 01:02:28.900
 You're valuable

01:02:28.900 --> 01:02:29.780
 to the church.

01:02:31.780 --> 01:02:32.740
 Christ Himself

01:02:32.740 --> 01:02:34.039
 says of you,

01:02:34.460 --> 01:02:35.619
 you're not insignificant.

01:02:36.800 --> 01:02:38.260
 I have a work for you

01:02:38.260 --> 01:02:40.260
 as well as for the minister

01:02:40.260 --> 01:02:40.900
 and all those

01:02:40.900 --> 01:02:42.400
 who might be more prominent.

01:02:43.639 --> 01:02:44.360
 So each part

01:02:44.360 --> 01:02:45.980
 must have a living connection

01:02:45.980 --> 01:02:47.639
 with the head.

01:02:47.639 --> 01:02:49.259
 each part is important

01:02:49.259 --> 01:02:49.859
 and needed

01:02:49.859 --> 01:02:51.039
 and affects

01:02:51.039 --> 01:02:52.460
 every other part,

01:02:52.539 --> 01:02:53.219
 either positively

01:02:53.219 --> 01:02:53.960
 or negatively.

01:02:55.119 --> 01:02:55.940
 And finally,

01:02:56.539 --> 01:02:57.539
 the whole body,

01:02:58.359 --> 01:02:59.799
 we're persuaded today,

01:02:59.900 --> 01:03:01.079
 surely the whole body

01:03:01.079 --> 01:03:03.359
 needs the reviling power

01:03:03.359 --> 01:03:04.000
 of Christ.

01:03:06.059 --> 01:03:07.019
 We can never say,

01:03:07.980 --> 01:03:09.579
 and we certainly cannot say,

01:03:10.000 --> 01:03:11.039
 of the days in which

01:03:11.039 --> 01:03:12.139
 we live that the church

01:03:12.139 --> 01:03:13.639
 is greatly empowered

01:03:14.279 --> 01:03:15.579
 in the things of the gospel.

01:03:15.579 --> 01:03:18.099
 as you look at your own life,

01:03:18.139 --> 01:03:19.119
 as I look at mine,

01:03:19.500 --> 01:03:20.799
 certainly as I look at mine,

01:03:20.960 --> 01:03:21.579
 I have to say,

01:03:21.639 --> 01:03:21.860
 Lord,

01:03:22.059 --> 01:03:23.799
 I need to be revived.

01:03:23.940 --> 01:03:24.960
 I need to be quickened.

01:03:25.440 --> 01:03:27.380
 I need Your Holy Spirit

01:03:27.380 --> 01:03:28.460
 just to lift me,

01:03:28.519 --> 01:03:29.159
 to give me

01:03:29.159 --> 01:03:29.799
 a refreshment

01:03:30.400 --> 01:03:31.279
 in my soul.

01:03:32.860 --> 01:03:33.900
 And the church, too,

01:03:33.960 --> 01:03:34.539
 needs that.

01:03:36.319 --> 01:03:37.980
 And only God can do that.

01:03:38.960 --> 01:03:39.579
 I don't do it

01:03:39.579 --> 01:03:40.840
 by organizing things.

01:03:41.679 --> 01:03:42.099
 I don't do it

01:03:42.099 --> 01:03:42.960
 by conferences,

01:03:42.960 --> 01:03:44.059
 by committees,

01:03:44.539 --> 01:03:46.280
 all of which are very good

01:03:46.280 --> 01:03:47.139
 in their own place,

01:03:47.500 --> 01:03:48.880
 all of which are necessary.

01:03:49.840 --> 01:03:51.820
 The life of the church

01:03:51.820 --> 01:03:53.280
 is from the head.

01:03:55.460 --> 01:03:56.920
 The life and enabling

01:03:56.920 --> 01:03:57.659
 of the church

01:03:57.659 --> 01:03:58.500
 is from Christ

01:03:58.500 --> 01:03:59.320
 through His Spirit.

01:04:00.880 --> 01:04:01.940
 And it runs, then,

01:04:02.059 --> 01:04:03.019
 through every part

01:04:03.019 --> 01:04:04.539
 of the body

01:04:04.539 --> 01:04:05.980
 when it's functioning properly,

01:04:06.400 --> 01:04:08.460
 so that it edifies,

01:04:08.679 --> 01:04:10.039
 it builds itself up

01:04:10.039 --> 01:04:11.840
 in love.

01:04:12.940 --> 01:04:14.079
 Well, we pray that God

01:04:14.079 --> 01:04:15.340
 will bless these thoughts

01:04:15.340 --> 01:04:15.880
 on His Word.

01:04:15.980 --> 01:04:16.960
 Let's conclude

01:04:16.960 --> 01:04:18.179
 by singing to His praise.

01:04:19.619 --> 01:04:20.840
 And our final singing

01:04:20.840 --> 01:04:22.059
 is in Psalm 92.

01:04:23.059 --> 01:04:24.019
 Psalm 92,

01:04:24.300 --> 01:04:26.000
 and it's in the Scottish Psalter,

01:04:26.099 --> 01:04:27.779
 page 353.

01:04:31.500 --> 01:04:33.199
 And singing verses 12

01:04:33.199 --> 01:04:34.559
 to the end of the psalm.

01:04:34.559 --> 01:04:36.519
 But like the palm tree,

01:04:36.639 --> 01:04:37.539
 flourishing shall be

01:04:37.539 --> 01:04:38.420
 the righteous one.

01:04:39.039 --> 01:04:40.880
 He shall like to the cedar grove

01:04:40.880 --> 01:04:41.719
 that is in Lebanon.

01:04:42.480 --> 01:04:43.500
 Those that within

01:04:43.500 --> 01:04:44.539
 the house of God

01:04:44.539 --> 01:04:46.539
 are planted by His grace.

01:04:47.159 --> 01:04:48.239
 They shall grow up

01:04:48.239 --> 01:04:49.340
 and flourish all

01:04:49.340 --> 01:04:52.279
 in our God's holy place.

01:04:52.299 --> 01:04:53.000
 And you see again

01:04:53.000 --> 01:04:53.799
 through these verses

01:04:53.799 --> 01:04:55.219
 the togetherness

01:04:55.219 --> 01:04:56.099
 of God's people

01:04:56.099 --> 01:04:56.860
 as His church.

01:04:58.099 --> 01:04:59.320
 Those, plural,

01:04:59.940 --> 01:05:00.679
 planted within

01:05:00.679 --> 01:05:01.719
 the house of God.

01:05:02.159 --> 01:05:03.199
 So let's sing these verses

01:05:03.199 --> 01:05:03.939
 in conclusion,

01:05:04.539 --> 01:05:05.500
 but like the palm tree,

01:05:05.619 --> 01:05:06.059
 flourishing.

01:05:06.059 --> 01:05:07.059
 Amen.

01:05:11.059 --> 01:05:17.539
 But like the palm tree,

01:05:17.539 --> 01:05:20.419
 flourishing

01:05:20.419 --> 01:05:23.059
 shall be

01:05:23.059 --> 01:05:28.419
 the righteous one.

01:05:28.420 --> 01:05:38.200
 He shall like to the cedar grove

01:05:38.200 --> 01:05:44.220
 that is in Lebanon.

01:05:44.219 --> 01:05:50.000
 those that within

01:05:50.000 --> 01:05:55.000
 the hearts of God

01:05:55.000 --> 01:06:03.379
 are planted by His grace.

01:06:03.380 --> 01:06:07.160
 they shall grow up

01:06:07.160 --> 01:06:13.380
 and flourish all

01:06:13.380 --> 01:06:21.380
 in our God's holy place.

01:06:21.380 --> 01:06:24.380
...

01:06:24.640 --> 01:06:26.380
 habe...

01:06:33.019 --> 01:06:33.160
 have land and είναι and forjamal

01:06:34.820 --> 01:06:36.720
 andreso

01:06:36.720 --> 01:06:37.119
 Cesar

01:06:37.119 --> 01:06:39.840
 is

01:06:39.840 --> 01:06:39.860
 a

01:06:39.860 --> 01:06:40.760
 agreement

01:06:40.760 --> 01:06:42.160
 that pela

01:06:42.160 --> 01:06:42.760
 sheola

01:06:42.760 --> 01:06:43.440
 is

01:06:43.440 --> 01:06:43.660
 a

01:06:51.380 --> 01:06:54.920
 be furnishing.

01:06:57.640 --> 01:07:01.160
 To show that

01:07:01.160 --> 01:07:06.920
 upright is the Lord,

01:07:06.920 --> 01:07:11.740
 he is our God

01:07:11.740 --> 01:07:14.059
 to be.

01:07:14.480 --> 01:07:18.920
 And he from all

01:07:18.920 --> 01:07:23.059
 the righteousness

01:07:23.059 --> 01:07:26.740
 is all

01:07:26.740 --> 01:07:31.300
 to ever be.

01:07:33.460 --> 01:07:36.059
 After the benediction, I'll go to the door here to my right.

01:07:37.300 --> 01:07:40.940
 Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father,

01:07:41.519 --> 01:07:45.119
 and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you now and evermore.

01:07:45.619 --> 01:07:45.920
 Amen.

01:07:48.920 --> 01:07:50.079
 Amen.

01:08:06.460 --> 01:08:08.820
 Amen.

01:08:11.300 --> 01:08:12.820
 Amen.

01:08:12.820 --> 01:08:13.480
 Amen.

01:08:13.500 --> 01:08:14.579
 Amen.

01:08:16.520 --> 01:08:16.899
 Amen.

01:08:16.899 --> 01:08:46.879
 Thank you.

01:08:46.899 --> 01:09:16.879
 Thank you.

01:09:16.899 --> 01:09:46.879
 Thank you.

01:09:46.899 --> 01:10:16.879
 Thank you.

01:10:16.899 --> 01:10:46.879
 Thank you.

01:10:46.899 --> 01:11:16.879
 Thank you.

01:11:16.899 --> 01:11:46.879
 Thank you.

01:11:46.899 --> 01:12:16.879
 Thank you.

01:12:16.899 --> 01:12:46.879
 Thank you.

01:12:46.899 --> 01:13:16.879
 Thank you.