WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.440 Please take your copy of God's Word, turn to Paul's letter to the Colossians, chapter 1. 00:00:09.060 --> 00:00:14.580 I've looked around the room a bit this morning and just been with the children down front. 00:00:14.700 --> 00:00:20.780 ! I think we have some guests with kids that have been here with us before, so this is not a massive surprise. 00:00:20.780 --> 00:00:29.679 But just for the sake of everybody, I wanted to remind us in brief why we like to have the children 00:00:29.679 --> 00:00:34.759 in the service with us. And I'm going to do so by reading from that opening paragraph on the bulletin, 00:00:34.799 --> 00:00:40.280 which is there every single Sunday. And maybe you're tired of it, but I would encourage you to 00:00:40.280 --> 00:00:46.719 not be and maybe even read it every single Sunday. About halfway down, it says we place high value on 00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:52.060 the health of families and our corporate meetings are multi-generational in that children remain 00:00:52.060 --> 00:00:58.019 together with families in the meetings to allow and encourage families to function and grow together. 00:00:58.020 --> 00:01:03.540 There's a great deal of value in children getting to see what's important to their parents, 00:01:04.200 --> 00:01:10.320 to sit and learn to be church people. We believe that each Christian, young and old, 00:01:10.379 --> 00:01:16.640 has a distinct role in promoting the spiritual maturity of others. And on that note, just to say 00:01:16.640 --> 00:01:21.719 to you parents, I know it adds some stress. I've been there sitting with the young ones, 00:01:22.180 --> 00:01:25.420 thumping them on the head, not hearing a lot of what's going on. 00:01:25.420 --> 00:01:33.019 But let me just encourage you to not be stressed. It's good for people. It's good for us to love kids 00:01:33.019 --> 00:01:41.120 and to not be so easily distracted, to sit and focus our attention on what really matters. 00:01:42.740 --> 00:01:48.040 Beloved, if you're engaging your mind in what we're doing together, little outcries from the 00:01:48.040 --> 00:01:55.240 kids should not be a problem. I preach. I preach through a lot of that kind of stuff. And to be frank, 00:01:55.239 --> 00:02:00.239 I don't even hear it sometimes. Sometimes Sam will say, boy, the kids were rough today. And I go, 00:02:00.280 --> 00:02:05.780 really? I didn't even hear that. Let it be part of our normal gathering together, that we're a faith 00:02:05.780 --> 00:02:11.759 family and that our family includes little ones, right? This is precious to me right now, okay? 00:02:12.019 --> 00:02:16.959 If it gets hard for you, we do have some practical helps, a space across the hall where we're piping 00:02:16.959 --> 00:02:22.459 video and sound over there. We have a nursing room. It's that door. You'll see it in the hallway with the 00:02:22.460 --> 00:02:28.780 opaque window in it. And there's a key in that little drawer as you go out the door that gets 00:02:28.780 --> 00:02:35.400 you in there if you'd like some privacy to nurse. But just please don't be stressed about it because 00:02:35.400 --> 00:02:44.280 we certainly are not. Our text for this morning is Colossians 1 verses 9 through 14. Please follow 00:02:44.280 --> 00:03:14.259 along as I read. 00:03:14.259 --> 00:03:18.919 thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:24.459 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved 00:03:24.459 --> 00:03:33.319 Son in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. This is God's word to us. It was written 00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:40.060 for his glory and our good. We would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises 00:03:40.060 --> 00:03:47.360 and obey its commands. Now this morning I'd like to invite you to make four observations with me from 00:03:47.360 --> 00:03:57.280 this morning's text. And this is a quite a big bite to chew off here. I really probably 00:03:57.280 --> 00:04:04.819 this text I could see the the clear potential for four sermons coming out of it. I will tell you that 00:04:04.819 --> 00:04:10.139 my notes are quite a bit longer than they typically are so I'm going to try to move quite a bit faster 00:04:10.139 --> 00:04:16.740 than I do. Let me encourage you to be an active listener this morning. I think it's very very 00:04:16.740 --> 00:04:24.019 difficult to listen if you're not taking notes. A pen in hand certainly helps. So let me encourage you 00:04:24.019 --> 00:04:31.519 to try to stay engaged with me. If you're like me you like to read the old dead guys. They typically 00:04:31.519 --> 00:04:37.259 have so much more to say in their books particularly the Puritan writers and they like to make lists 00:04:37.259 --> 00:04:42.159 within lists within lists and it's incredibly easy to get lost on where you even are. You're on like 00:04:42.159 --> 00:04:48.060 Roman numeral number seven underneath subheading number two for the main point they're trying to 00:04:48.060 --> 00:04:52.899 make and you have to back back up and do that and I'm going to do that to you a bit this morning. So 00:04:52.899 --> 00:04:59.519 four observations from this text is the main thing but I also have three lists within the major list 00:04:59.519 --> 00:05:05.739 so notes may help you this morning. Be warned. Four observations. Observation number one. 00:05:06.899 --> 00:05:13.319 Paul and Timothy's example of intercession. Paul and Timothy's example of intercession. Notice this. 00:05:13.419 --> 00:05:20.519 Look at it. Observe it with me together. And so from the day we heard. Heard what? It is made known to us 00:05:20.519 --> 00:05:26.740 your love in the Spirit. Verse 8. Epaphras has come to them and said these people love one another 00:05:26.740 --> 00:05:37.120 in the Spirit. So from this day we have not ceased to pray for you. This is intercessory prayer. We're 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:44.259 noting Paul and Timothy's example of intercession. Intercessory prayer simply put is the act of praying 00:05:44.259 --> 00:05:54.180 on behalf of others. It's the act of praying on behalf of others and it is a bold act of love. To go before 00:05:54.180 --> 00:06:04.039 the Father on behalf of someone else is a great great expression of love for them. James 5 16. James exhorts us 00:06:04.039 --> 00:06:10.259 to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another intercede for one another that you may be 00:06:10.259 --> 00:06:20.219 be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Now we are found, 00:06:20.379 --> 00:06:26.860 if we are in Christ, we are found as righteous in Him. We have the ability, we have the capacity to 00:06:26.860 --> 00:06:31.539 approach the throne because our sins have been forgiven in Christ and we have been given, we have 00:06:31.539 --> 00:06:38.439 been, it has been imputed to us His righteousness. As we're saying, in the beloved, right? When God looks at 00:06:38.439 --> 00:06:46.000 us, He sees Jesus Christ and the prayers of the intercessor are based in the redemption of Christ 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:54.959 as He is our intercessor and the great example on our behalf of intercession. Romans 8 33 and 34, 00:06:55.120 --> 00:07:01.620 Paul writes, who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies, who is to condemn. 00:07:02.159 --> 00:07:07.920 Christ Jesus is the one who died more than that, who was raised, who's at the right hand of God, 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:15.160 who indeed is interceding for us. He sits at the right hand of the Father and He says, when I come to God, 00:07:15.720 --> 00:07:22.939 this is Nathan. I died for him. I paid the penalty for his sin. He has been given my righteousness. 00:07:23.259 --> 00:07:31.620 Listen to His request. There's much intercessory prayer in the Bible. A few examples. Job prayed for his 00:07:31.620 --> 00:07:41.639 friends. Job 42 10. Moses prayed for Aaron. Deuteronomy 9 20. David prayed for Israel. 2 Samuel 24 17. So did 00:07:41.639 --> 00:07:48.860 Isaiah and Daniel and Ezekiel. Get those references from me later if you'd like. Nehemiah did the same. 00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:56.519 Chapter 1 verse 4 through 11 of Nehemiah. Jesus prayed for the apostles and the rest of those 00:07:56.519 --> 00:08:06.939 who would and will follow him as his disciples. John 17 9-24. Epaphras prayed for the Colossians. 00:08:07.159 --> 00:08:13.399 You see this in Colossians 4.12. Just a page over from where we are. And here we see that Paul and 00:08:13.399 --> 00:08:21.419 Timothy also prayed for the Colossian church, even though they did not know them personally. 00:08:21.420 --> 00:08:27.180 In verse 8, they had heard from Epaphras of their love for one another in the Spirit. 00:08:28.319 --> 00:08:34.800 They knew that we would know Jesus' disciples by their love for one another. So they had been given 00:08:34.800 --> 00:08:41.259 evidence that the Colossians were their brothers. They had been adopted into the same family and 00:08:41.259 --> 00:08:48.420 therefore they loved them, even though they did not know them. They did not establish the church there. 00:08:48.419 --> 00:08:53.819 It's likely that Epaphras, the beginner of the church, had heard the gospel in Ephesus where Paul 00:08:53.819 --> 00:09:05.000 was preaching. And the text states that they prayed for them continually. We have not ceased to pray for you. 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:13.839 God has accomplished mighty things for his people using the prayers of his people on their behalf. 00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:19.580 Charles Spurgeon, on the presence of examples of intercessory prayer in the Scripture, said this, 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:27.580 Intercessory prayer is exceedingly prevalent. What wonders it has wrought. The Word of God 00:09:27.580 --> 00:09:36.320 teems with its marvelous deeds. Believer, thou hast a mighty engine in thy hand. Use it well. Use it 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:42.920 constantly. Use it with faith. And thou shalt surely be a benefactor to thy brethren. 00:09:42.919 --> 00:09:51.039 Intercessory prayer, because it is the way in which God chooses so often to act in the lives of others, 00:09:51.379 --> 00:10:01.459 has great power. And so you have a ministry in our church. As a congregant of Christ Family Church, 00:10:01.500 --> 00:10:08.139 whether you're a member or just a regular attender, as a person sitting here today, you have a ministry. 00:10:08.139 --> 00:10:16.159 Pray for one another. Second observation. So that was the first one. Paul and Timothy's example of 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:23.419 intercession. We ought to intercede for one another. Secondly, let's look at Paul and Timothy's actual 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:33.100 intercession. The last half of nine. Asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:42.200 all spiritual wisdom and understanding. So they make a request that they be filled with knowledge. 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:50.120 Filled with it in a controlling way is what Paul is driving at here. That they so know something 00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:58.700 that they be moved by it and controlled by it. The Greek word here is epi-gnosis. Gnosis meaning knowledge 00:10:58.700 --> 00:11:04.280 and an added preposition to the front of that, epi-gnosis, heightens the veracity of the noun. It means a deep 00:11:04.280 --> 00:11:11.960 and thorough knowledge. Epi-gnosis. A deep and thorough knowledge. A knowledge that fills to the point of 00:11:11.960 --> 00:11:20.560 controlling and changing who they are. There's a great error in the church today. It certainly exists in ours, 00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:31.979 and that is the error of mysticism. I hear way too much talk about feelings giving us direction. I feel like 00:11:31.979 --> 00:11:41.939 this is the way I ought to go. I feel called to a particular vocation or particular activity or particular 00:11:41.939 --> 00:11:50.459 city. This is not the language of the Bible. Our heads are never meant to be divorced. 00:11:50.559 --> 00:11:55.179 From our hearts. They don't function separate from one another. In fact, they're like, 00:11:55.279 --> 00:12:01.500 I'm connected by a conduit. Right? I get to you in preaching through your head. 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:09.059 Rightly, I get to you through your head. Right? I speak the truth to you, and you take it in, 00:12:09.119 --> 00:12:13.299 and you consider it, you think about it, and you give it application to your being. 00:12:13.299 --> 00:12:23.959 Is this who I am? Do I hold up to this truth? Do I rejoice in the truth of the gospel? This is the way in 00:12:23.959 --> 00:12:29.819 which we work. Some preaching these days simply appeals to the heart. Moves you in some way. There 00:12:29.819 --> 00:12:37.919 are many speakers who we would classify. I would bow to their speaking prowess. They move people, 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:47.679 but they say very little. You feel something, but what do you do with that something? You have some 00:12:47.679 --> 00:12:55.319 bit of revelatory joy, and then it fades away because it has no basis in knowledge. Our heads are never 00:12:55.319 --> 00:13:01.659 meant to be divorced from our hearts. Proverbs 19.2 warns that it is not good to be without knowledge. 00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:09.159 Isaiah 5.13 states that it was for lack of knowledge that the Israelites were led into exile. They did not 00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:17.799 know God and how to worship Him. Therefore, they were punished severely, led into exile. Knowledge is a 00:13:17.799 --> 00:13:25.240 major theme in the scriptures, and certainly, and especially, I would say, in Paul's writing. Let me show 00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:31.299 you a few examples. 1 Corinthians 1.5. He writes that in every way you were enriched in Him and 00:13:31.299 --> 00:13:38.919 all speech and all knowledge. He prayed in Ephesians 1.17, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:13:39.019 --> 00:13:45.579 the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 00:13:46.419 --> 00:13:52.779 In Philippians 1.9, he states, and it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more with knowledge 00:13:52.779 --> 00:14:00.539 and all discernment. Most of his letters lay a doctrinal foundation before giving any practical 00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:08.279 exhortation. Right? He roots the very activity of our lives in who God is and what He has done on our 00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:16.779 behalf. Romans, there's 11 chapters of doctrine before the five chapters of exhortation. Now, in light of 00:14:16.779 --> 00:14:22.959 all these things, so therefore, because of everything I've told you to be true about the gospel of Jesus 00:14:22.960 --> 00:14:30.720 Christ, live this way. Galatians, the first four chapters are doctrine. The last two, exhortation. Ephesians, 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:38.220 it's split evenly, three and three. Philippians and Colossians follow this pattern. Doctrine first, then 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:48.840 exhortation. Knowledge and then applied knowledge. So he prays that they would have knowledge, but knowledge of 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:58.200 what? Not just general knowledge, not knowledge of psychology or biology, but knowledge of God's will. 00:14:58.899 --> 00:15:08.620 Knowledge of God's will. And here they are not referring to God's will for your life in a specific way, 00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:14.720 in a concealed way. Who you should marry, where you should go to school, what type of job you should 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:21.300 take. John MacArthur calls this dot theology, that we have this idea that there's some perfect will in 00:15:21.300 --> 00:15:25.920 which we're meant to channel it. We got to get in there just perfect and thread it just right for God 00:15:25.920 --> 00:15:33.740 to be pleased with us, right? People get so consumed with that. College students, you especially, in the 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:39.000 stage in your life where many things are being laid out before you, and there are a lot of opportunities 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:45.360 and options. The largest part of my counseling as a pastor is counseling people on what decisions they 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:52.500 should make. And so often there is no clear answer. I go, that's a good decision, and so is that one. 00:15:53.960 --> 00:16:00.139 This is not the God's will he was referring to here. He's referring to the God's will as revealed 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:07.659 in the Scripture. The revealed will of God. Those things that we are meant to be practicing. 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:13.120 John MacArthur organizes these well, and I appreciate he's got a wonderful sermon on this you can go 00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:19.819 search for, where he summarizes that if you will practice the revealed will of God, after that, 00:16:20.179 --> 00:16:25.179 do whatever you want. If you can say to yourself honestly, I'm practicing the revealed will of God 00:16:25.179 --> 00:16:30.539 as shown in the Scriptures, then it'll be obvious to you where you should live and who you should marry 00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:38.859 and what job you should take. John MacArthur organized it this way, six things God wills for your life. 00:16:39.019 --> 00:16:44.639 Here's your second list. I'm going to run through it fast with no Scripture proofs at all, because it's 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:53.479 not the thrust of today. One, that you be saved. That you come to saving faith in Christ. That your 00:16:53.480 --> 00:17:01.320 eternity be secure in Him. Second, that you be Spirit-filled. That you walk by the Spirit. 00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:08.200 Third, that you be sanctified. That you are set apart for God's purposes, and you are about this 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:15.319 activity, this synergistic activity of becoming perfect day by day, pursuing holiness, putting off sin, 00:17:15.319 --> 00:17:22.880 putting on righteousness. Fourthly, that you be submissive to authority. Varying authorities. 00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:29.020 Governmental authority. Authority in the church. Wives with husbands. That you be submissive to authority. 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:38.880 Fifthly, that you suffer. The will of God. That you suffer. That you suffer for His name's sake. 00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:46.060 And sixthly, that you be satisfied. Now, MacArthur actually says thankful, which expresses it better, 00:17:46.059 --> 00:17:51.639 but it just drives me crazy that He used all S's except for that one. So, that you be satisfied, 00:17:51.919 --> 00:17:57.419 by which I mean thankful. That whatever circumstance you walk through, you recognize the sovereignty of 00:17:57.419 --> 00:18:04.259 God in all things, and that you give Him, ascribe to Him proper thanks for whatever it is that you're 00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:09.319 going through. And that if you're practicing these six things, and these are general and summary 00:18:09.319 --> 00:18:14.200 for the Christian life, then you just do whatever you want. 00:18:16.379 --> 00:18:20.220 C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity said, 00:18:20.740 --> 00:18:25.859 God is no fonder of intellectual slackers than of any other slackers. 00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:30.899 If you are thinking of becoming a Christian, I warn you, you are embarking on something which is going 00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:39.980 to take the whole of you, brains and all. You heard a believer say that they don't enjoy theology, 00:18:39.980 --> 00:18:47.140 or that they don't want to be theological. If you're going to speak of Christ, you're being theological. 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:50.820 And you better be sure that you're getting it right. 00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:56.880 So, Paul and Timothy's prayer is not just that they be filled with the knowledge of His will, 00:18:56.880 --> 00:19:03.320 but Paul adds, in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 00:19:04.800 --> 00:19:11.700 Here's a sermon in and of itself. Wisdom and understanding taken together, this is my definition, 00:19:11.940 --> 00:19:18.560 is the ability to discern the truth and give proper application to said truth. The ability to discern 00:19:18.560 --> 00:19:25.540 the truth and give proper application to the truth. But their prayer is that they would do this in all 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:31.859 spiritual wisdom and understanding, which states the source of the wisdom and understanding. Not human 00:19:31.859 --> 00:19:40.379 wisdom and understanding, but spiritual. The Spirit of God bringing to us revelation as we read God's Word. 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:46.480 Douglas J. Moo, which you'll I'm sure hear me quote a number of times as we study through Colossians, 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:50.500 because I have a wonderful commentary by him on the book, said, 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:55.299 The Spirit is the source of the wisdom and understanding that the Colossians were acquired 00:19:55.299 --> 00:20:03.099 as they negotiated their way through the maze of first century worldview options. They needed the 00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:11.140 Spirit of God to help them understand the way in which they were to go, what they were to believe. And this 00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:20.480 is equally true of us. Heresy abounds in our day. There is much to be warned. 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:26.319 But let me just do so in a general way, in the way in which we're meant to be working together 00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:32.720 by having you turn to Ephesians chapter 4. Mark Colossians in some way, your finger or your handy ribbon. 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:50.160 In Ephesians 4 verse 11, Paul talks about the varying roles in the church that have been given to the church. 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:56.580 In verse 12, for the work of equipping the saints for the work of ministry for the building up of the body of Christ. 00:20:56.700 --> 00:21:02.100 So the leadership in a church, those particular positions in a church are meant to equip the saints 00:21:02.100 --> 00:21:07.300 for the work of ministry, which is the building up of the body of Christ. This is the work of ministry 00:21:07.300 --> 00:21:13.100 that has been given to all of us. We all have this activity that we are to be about. 00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:16.019 And then starting in verse 13, if you'll follow along with me. 00:21:16.639 --> 00:21:22.179 Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. 00:21:22.219 --> 00:21:23.240 There's that knowledge again. 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:27.959 To mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. 00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:34.039 So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves, 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:42.079 and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:45.799 There's much blowing around out there. 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:52.240 And we must be founded in the truth of the gospel so that we won't be tossed to and fro. 00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:55.579 Now the connection for you is that back in verse 4, 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:59.720 Paul writes there is one body and one spirit. 00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:03.880 And how did Christ give the gifts at work in verse 11? 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:06.819 He gave them by the Spirit. 00:22:07.600 --> 00:22:10.819 He is the very source for this giftedness. 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:15.880 And he is the strength and the ability to carry out this work. 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:20.819 And so as Paul is praying, Paul joined with Timothy. 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:23.799 It's what we assume with the plural pronouns there. 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:29.279 That as he's praying this, he's not disconnecting it from activity in the church. 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:29.799 Right? 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:36.879 He's praying that we will attain this type of knowledge that we'll be working together with spiritual wisdom and understanding. 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:39.500 That there will be an activity about that. 00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:45.099 Again, you have a ministry in our church. 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:49.079 Helping someone else along. 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:52.359 I know that you don't feel like you've arrived yet. 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:53.480 Neither do I. 00:22:53.899 --> 00:22:57.559 I tremble sometimes at the things I have to teach. 00:22:57.559 --> 00:23:04.299 I tremble when somebody comes to me with a question that is so far outside my scope. 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.460 But we have the Scripture. 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:08.059 We've been given the Word of God. 00:23:08.299 --> 00:23:12.279 And we've been given the Spirit of God to give application for it. 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:14.259 Dive into that. 00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:16.339 You have a ministry in our church. 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:19.779 He or she may be sitting to your right or your left. 00:23:20.139 --> 00:23:21.200 Across the room. 00:23:21.679 --> 00:23:23.599 Begin to identify people. 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:28.179 I can tell you now that if you come to me and ask for something to do, what can I do to help out around here? 00:23:28.439 --> 00:23:30.419 Be ready because I'm probably going to go see him. 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:33.079 No one's talking to him right now. 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.959 This is your ministry today. 00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:37.379 Go get busy doing that. 00:23:37.439 --> 00:23:41.279 And see if there's anything you can do to invest in that person's life. 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:43.139 I will make you busy. 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:53.520 Imagine a community of faith that is constantly in a big complex web just preaching the gospel to each other all the time. 00:23:53.700 --> 00:23:54.820 In all the varying ways. 00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:58.800 And we do this in a high degree as a church already. 00:23:59.080 --> 00:24:00.180 It needs to happen more. 00:24:00.280 --> 00:24:02.780 You have a ministry in our church. 00:24:04.020 --> 00:24:06.040 We observe Paul and Timothy's example of intercession. 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:08.520 Paul and Timothy's intercession itself. 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:11.259 What was it that they were praying for? 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:16.879 However, thirdly, let's observe the aim of Paul and Timothy's intercession. 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:21.180 So they make this intercession on behalf of the Colossian church. 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:32.279 And this information is now passed on to us that we may be filled with the knowledge of God's will and all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.980 But there's an aim for that. 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:36.339 Not just that we know things. 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:40.779 That we have this big fat head full of information. 00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:43.259 But that we're able to work that out. 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:48.839 And Paul is not shy in giving to us the way in which that should be working out. 00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:52.519 So the intercession is aimed at five things. 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:53.759 Five things. 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.500 Number one. 00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:57.079 Here's your second list within your list. 00:24:57.079 --> 00:25:00.419 A worthy walk. 00:25:01.159 --> 00:25:01.980 Number one. 00:25:02.899 --> 00:25:04.559 A worthy walk. 00:25:05.439 --> 00:25:11.099 Now he is not communicating that our walk is what makes us worthy. 00:25:11.919 --> 00:25:13.279 This is not what he's saying. 00:25:13.659 --> 00:25:16.679 What he's saying is that because we are found worthy, 00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:21.279 we will walk in a particular way. 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:29.900 A walk refers to the daily pattern of life and includes those activities seen and unseen. 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:36.240 It includes the way you think, the way you feel, the way you act and speak. 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:40.799 As I said, we are found worthy. 00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:47.359 We are only found worthy in this absolute sense in Christ. 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:52.200 And because we're worthy, we should walk in a way that is pleasing to God. 00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:54.639 We have been redeemed. 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:56.879 This is the monergistic work of God. 00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:59.960 God Himself worked that change in us. 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:01.279 We have been changed. 00:26:01.379 --> 00:26:02.700 We have been made His. 00:26:03.879 --> 00:26:07.980 Now we are being sanctified synergistically. 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:11.200 We have an activity and a part to play in that. 00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:14.160 Galatians 2.20, Paul writes, 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:16.000 I have been crucified with Christ. 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:20.519 It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. 00:26:21.140 --> 00:26:31.480 And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. 00:26:31.860 --> 00:26:36.420 So even as we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, 00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:40.860 we do so by the power and strength of God in us. 00:26:42.080 --> 00:26:46.900 There's a wonderful hymn that doesn't really match our musical style, 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:49.539 although maybe Wes could pull it off for us sometime. 00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:51.160 Written by Martin Luther called, 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:53.259 A Mighty Fortress is Our God. 00:26:54.400 --> 00:26:56.960 And the second verse reads like this. 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:58.940 I really debated singing this, but I'm not going to. 00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:02.940 It's hard to get the tune out of your head though once it's in there. 00:27:03.860 --> 00:27:04.600 Just listen to the words. 00:27:04.599 --> 00:27:08.079 Did we in our own strength confide, 00:27:08.419 --> 00:27:10.919 our striving would be losing. 00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:14.419 We're not the right man on our side, 00:27:14.679 --> 00:27:16.939 the man of God's own choosing. 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:20.019 Dost ask who that may be? 00:27:20.459 --> 00:27:22.519 Christ Jesus, it is He. 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:28.059 Lord, sabay off His name from age to age the same, 00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:31.279 and He must win the battle. 00:27:31.399 --> 00:27:33.059 And He will for sure. 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:38.879 Lord, sabay off means God of the universe, 00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:42.240 which is where Paul heads next in the text. 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.899 I'm so excited about next Sunday, 00:27:44.419 --> 00:27:45.659 in the text for us next Sunday. 00:27:46.879 --> 00:27:48.339 Okay, so this is the first aim. 00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:50.279 A worthy walk. 00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:52.440 Secondly, a fruitful life. 00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.539 The last half of verse 10. 00:27:53.679 --> 00:27:56.879 Bearing fruit in every good work. 00:27:57.139 --> 00:27:58.039 In every good work, 00:27:58.039 --> 00:28:00.579 and all of the activity that is set before a Christian, 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:02.819 that we would bear fruit. 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:06.460 That we would reproduce ourselves. 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:10.480 My mind is drawn to the parable of the sower in Mark 4, 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:13.019 which we just completed preaching through. 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:16.279 Jesus' explanation in Mark 4.20 says, 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:30.960 This is the mark of the good soil. 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:34.039 The one who has received the Word, 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.899 and accepted the Word, 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:37.559 placed faith in the Word, 00:28:37.899 --> 00:28:39.680 had the Word change them, 00:28:40.139 --> 00:28:42.279 had the Word set them about an activity, 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:45.839 bear fruit in varying degree. 00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:48.160 Don't compare yourself to another, 00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:51.079 but is your life bearing fruit? 00:28:51.839 --> 00:28:53.639 This is one of the aims of Paul's prayer 00:28:53.639 --> 00:28:56.740 for the Colossian church and for us. 00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:58.700 The third aim, 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:01.920 growth in knowledge. 00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:05.579 This has been already a prayer 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:09.000 that there would be a filling of knowledge, 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:11.059 a changing of their direction, 00:29:11.059 --> 00:29:12.159 God's will, 00:29:12.399 --> 00:29:14.720 but now he's asking for a growth in it, 00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:18.099 an increase in the knowledge of God. 00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:21.940 The writer of Hebrews writes in Hebrews 5.12, 00:29:22.399 --> 00:29:25.000 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, 00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:28.000 you need someone to teach you again 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:31.940 the basic principles of the oracles of God. 00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:35.200 You need milk, not solid food. 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.700 The writer of Hebrews is saying, 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:39.980 you are babies still in the faith. 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:44.000 We are meant to grow in our knowledge of God. 00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:46.519 We can certainly know the Gospel. 00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:47.440 We must know it. 00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:48.559 We must have it preached to us 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:50.200 in order to place our faith in it. 00:29:50.360 --> 00:29:53.860 But we also must grow in our Gospel knowledge. 00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:55.059 Learn it. 00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:56.160 Understand it. 00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:57.160 Turn it over. 00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:58.140 It's so beautiful. 00:29:58.279 --> 00:30:01.019 And look at it from all of its varying perspectives 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:03.519 that you might have a deeper understanding 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.819 of who God is, 00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:07.319 a greater understanding of who you are, 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:10.339 which will do nothing but cause you to exalt 00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:13.399 in the personal work of Jesus Christ. 00:30:14.159 --> 00:30:17.240 We must grow in the knowledge of God. 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:19.899 I hope that you can join in with the psalmist 00:30:19.899 --> 00:30:21.980 in Psalm 119.97 00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:23.159 and say, 00:30:23.659 --> 00:30:26.299 Oh, how I love your law. 00:30:26.859 --> 00:30:29.500 It is my meditation all the day. 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:31.539 We cherish it. 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:33.140 That it is precious to us. 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:36.460 That we be a people of the Word. 00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:40.119 So many of us are biblically illiterate. 00:30:40.420 --> 00:30:42.920 And we wonder why we have problems in our life. 00:30:44.900 --> 00:30:45.420 Fourthly, 00:30:45.880 --> 00:30:46.440 fourth aim, 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:48.599 spiritual strength. 00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:51.759 First part of verse 11. 00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:55.059 May you be strengthened with all power 00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:58.299 according to His glorious might. 00:30:58.299 --> 00:31:00.460 Now the word strengthened in Greek 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.639 is a present participle, 00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:03.720 which means it's an ongoing activity. 00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:06.339 Not like God charges us up with strength, 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:09.680 but that He's constantly providing strength. 00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:13.079 According to His glorious might, 00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:14.539 the strength of all power 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:16.259 according to His glorious might, 00:31:16.339 --> 00:31:18.859 which means that the power available to us 00:31:18.859 --> 00:31:23.279 is the limitless power of God Himself. 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:26.659 Paul prayed in Ephesians 3.16 00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:29.680 that according to the riches of His glory, 00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:32.180 He may grant you to be strengthened with power 00:31:32.180 --> 00:31:35.340 through His Spirit in your inner being. 00:31:36.340 --> 00:31:37.519 We have been given this 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:39.400 if we are found in Christ. 00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:41.580 Strengthened with all power 00:31:41.580 --> 00:31:43.180 according to His glorious might. 00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:46.320 And the last aim, 00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:46.920 fifthly, 00:31:47.060 --> 00:31:49.420 endurance with thankfulness. 00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:51.160 Last part of verse 11. 00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:54.240 For all endurance and patience with joy. 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:56.920 Now endurance and patience are closely related. 00:31:57.819 --> 00:31:59.440 If there is a distinction to be made, 00:31:59.620 --> 00:32:00.960 endurance deals with circumstance 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:03.240 while patience deals with people. 00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:08.460 Both are concerned with trials of various kinds. 00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:10.420 So endurance and patience. 00:32:11.099 --> 00:32:15.339 We are to endure not merely as stoics, 00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:17.099 gritting our teeth, 00:32:17.620 --> 00:32:18.460 bearing down. 00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:22.120 Think that this is a particular challenge 00:32:22.119 --> 00:32:23.979 and problem for American men. 00:32:24.339 --> 00:32:25.659 We've kind of ingrained in us 00:32:25.659 --> 00:32:28.539 a culture of the cowboy, right? 00:32:28.919 --> 00:32:29.939 Grin and bear. 00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:32.519 We're not to do it as stoics, 00:32:32.639 --> 00:32:34.299 but with joy. 00:32:34.979 --> 00:32:38.239 For all endurance and patience. 00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:40.059 With joy. 00:32:41.139 --> 00:32:42.199 And then we're said, 00:32:42.439 --> 00:32:43.379 in the beginning of verse 12, 00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:46.119 giving thanks to the Father. 00:32:47.119 --> 00:32:50.019 Joy overflowing into thanks. 00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:52.240 Look at a wonderful example of this 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:53.720 in Acts chapter 5. 00:32:54.639 --> 00:32:56.259 After the apostles had been on trial, 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.900 verse 40 and 42. 00:33:00.139 --> 00:33:02.000 And when they had called in the apostles, 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:02.579 excuse me, 00:33:03.819 --> 00:33:04.519 this is the council. 00:33:04.660 --> 00:33:05.720 When they had called in the apostles, 00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:07.400 they beat them 00:33:07.400 --> 00:33:08.639 and charged them 00:33:08.639 --> 00:33:10.079 not to speak in the name of Jesus 00:33:10.079 --> 00:33:11.740 and let them go. 00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:14.879 So they are strictly warned 00:33:14.879 --> 00:33:15.519 with a beating 00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:16.839 to not speak in the name of Jesus. 00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:18.720 Then they left the presence of the council, 00:33:18.720 --> 00:33:20.860 rejoicing that they were counted 00:33:20.860 --> 00:33:22.440 worthy to suffer dishonor 00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:23.339 for the name. 00:33:23.680 --> 00:33:23.839 Right? 00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:25.279 Giving thanks 00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:27.660 that they were allowed to suffer 00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:29.200 for the name of Jesus Christ. 00:33:29.299 --> 00:33:30.400 And the verse 42 says, 00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:31.740 and every day in the temple, 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:33.240 so in a public place, 00:33:33.700 --> 00:33:34.640 and from house to house, 00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:36.039 they did not cease teaching or preaching 00:33:36.039 --> 00:33:38.860 that the Christ is Jesus. 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:42.019 Enduring with patience 00:33:42.019 --> 00:33:44.279 and joy and thanksgiving. 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:48.059 Back to our main list. 00:33:48.660 --> 00:33:49.879 So we've got observations. 00:33:50.019 --> 00:33:51.079 Firstly, Paul and Timothy's example 00:33:51.079 --> 00:33:51.599 of intercession. 00:33:52.099 --> 00:33:53.680 Second, Paul and Timothy's intercession. 00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:57.859 Thirdly, the aim of Paul and Timothy's intercession. 00:33:58.420 --> 00:33:59.319 And then fourthly, 00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:04.079 the confidence of Paul and Timothy's intercession. 00:34:04.799 --> 00:34:06.619 The confidence of Paul and Timothy's intercession. 00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:08.259 Last part of 12 00:34:08.259 --> 00:34:10.719 through the end of our text. 00:34:10.719 --> 00:34:26.879 Now, note with me four reasons 00:34:26.879 --> 00:34:27.719 for their confidence. 00:34:27.839 --> 00:34:28.319 Last list. 00:34:28.459 --> 00:34:30.439 Four reasons for their confidence. 00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:32.539 You can see why I could have done 00:34:32.539 --> 00:34:33.619 four sermons on all of this. 00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:38.819 Now, by confidence of their intercession, 00:34:39.819 --> 00:34:42.000 I do not mean what makes them confident 00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:43.079 to intercede, 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:45.339 although that's still true of them here. 00:34:46.099 --> 00:34:47.039 Previously stated, 00:34:47.159 --> 00:34:50.139 it is because Christ is our great intercessor 00:34:50.139 --> 00:34:52.420 that we have the confidence to intercede. 00:34:52.500 --> 00:34:53.480 But what I mean when I say 00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:54.980 four reasons for their confidence, 00:34:55.659 --> 00:34:57.859 I'm talking about what makes them confident 00:34:57.859 --> 00:34:59.819 that God will answer in kind 00:34:59.819 --> 00:35:01.159 to their requests. 00:35:01.859 --> 00:35:03.559 That He is favorable to these things. 00:35:03.619 --> 00:35:06.359 That they can pray these things in His name. 00:35:07.039 --> 00:35:08.380 And that He will, in fact, 00:35:09.039 --> 00:35:10.519 deliver on those requests. 00:35:11.859 --> 00:35:12.900 So, reason for their confidence, 00:35:13.339 --> 00:35:14.380 number one. 00:35:15.920 --> 00:35:19.599 The inheritance given to the saints. 00:35:20.480 --> 00:35:21.400 Last half of 12. 00:35:22.119 --> 00:35:24.719 We have been qualified to share 00:35:24.719 --> 00:35:26.900 in the inheritance of the saints 00:35:26.900 --> 00:35:28.420 in light. 00:35:29.380 --> 00:35:35.920 We are unqualified apart from the grace of God. 00:35:36.420 --> 00:35:37.579 Totally cut off. 00:35:38.019 --> 00:35:39.920 Nothing we could possibly do. 00:35:40.019 --> 00:35:42.559 This is the great lesson of the moral law. 00:35:43.340 --> 00:35:45.079 That you cannot keep the moral law. 00:35:45.180 --> 00:35:46.760 That God's requirement of us 00:35:46.760 --> 00:35:50.240 as sin-stained being is too high. 00:35:50.579 --> 00:35:52.119 It's impossible for us to do 00:35:52.119 --> 00:35:54.800 apart from the grace of God. 00:35:54.800 --> 00:35:57.340 There's strong language in the Scripture about this. 00:35:57.440 --> 00:35:59.220 Paul writes in Ephesians 2, 1-3, 00:35:59.219 --> 00:36:01.579 and you were dead in the trespasses 00:36:01.579 --> 00:36:03.379 and sins in which you once walked, 00:36:03.980 --> 00:36:05.459 following the course of this world, 00:36:05.939 --> 00:36:08.759 following the prince of the power of the air, 00:36:09.119 --> 00:36:10.639 the spirit that is now at work 00:36:10.639 --> 00:36:12.339 in the sons of disobedience, 00:36:12.839 --> 00:36:14.619 among whom we all once lived 00:36:14.619 --> 00:36:15.959 in the passions of our flesh, 00:36:16.339 --> 00:36:17.859 carrying out the desires of the body 00:36:17.859 --> 00:36:18.779 and the mind, 00:36:18.839 --> 00:36:20.899 and were by nature children of wrath 00:36:20.899 --> 00:36:22.619 like the rest of mankind. 00:36:22.619 --> 00:36:24.980 This is who we once were, 00:36:25.099 --> 00:36:26.319 and this is who you are 00:36:26.319 --> 00:36:28.900 if you're not found in Christ. 00:36:29.079 --> 00:36:30.179 We are ensnared. 00:36:30.380 --> 00:36:31.679 We are trapped by. 00:36:31.859 --> 00:36:33.799 We are being lorded over by 00:36:33.799 --> 00:36:36.500 the prince of the power of the air. 00:36:38.859 --> 00:36:39.940 Praise God. 00:36:40.559 --> 00:36:42.299 Because of His deliverance in Christ, 00:36:42.960 --> 00:36:44.539 this has changed for us. 00:36:44.940 --> 00:36:46.380 We are now His. 00:36:47.400 --> 00:36:48.839 Romans 8.14 says, 00:36:48.839 --> 00:36:51.139 For all who are led by the Spirit of God 00:36:51.139 --> 00:36:54.179 are sons of God. 00:36:54.960 --> 00:36:55.699 Now ladies, 00:36:55.779 --> 00:36:56.819 when you see that language 00:36:56.819 --> 00:36:57.779 in the Scriptures, 00:36:58.819 --> 00:37:00.099 please don't think 00:37:00.099 --> 00:37:02.259 that the Scripture is being translated 00:37:02.259 --> 00:37:03.739 in an outdated way. 00:37:04.139 --> 00:37:05.759 That it's important for the translators 00:37:05.759 --> 00:37:07.019 to go back and use 00:37:07.019 --> 00:37:09.339 some gender-neutral language in that way. 00:37:09.460 --> 00:37:10.839 If they were to do so, 00:37:10.980 --> 00:37:12.480 they would neuter the text. 00:37:12.719 --> 00:37:15.400 It's making a very strong point. 00:37:16.259 --> 00:37:17.579 The fault is not in the translation. 00:37:17.579 --> 00:37:19.379 The fault is in your understanding 00:37:19.380 --> 00:37:21.360 of who these letters 00:37:21.360 --> 00:37:23.500 were originally written to. 00:37:24.160 --> 00:37:26.680 A very patriarchal society, 00:37:26.940 --> 00:37:27.579 to be sure. 00:37:28.220 --> 00:37:30.300 In which only sons 00:37:30.300 --> 00:37:32.320 received any inheritance. 00:37:33.240 --> 00:37:36.240 The way in which a lady, 00:37:36.380 --> 00:37:36.940 a sister, 00:37:37.340 --> 00:37:38.820 was to gain an inheritance 00:37:38.820 --> 00:37:39.900 was to be married. 00:37:40.180 --> 00:37:41.579 This is the way that wealth 00:37:41.579 --> 00:37:43.400 was passed along. 00:37:43.559 --> 00:37:44.019 So ladies, 00:37:44.019 --> 00:37:46.660 you want to be sons of God. 00:37:46.880 --> 00:37:49.140 What that language communicates. 00:37:50.380 --> 00:37:52.000 But I do appreciate, 00:37:52.619 --> 00:37:53.380 in verse 17, 00:37:53.500 --> 00:37:54.340 Paul goes on to say, 00:37:54.500 --> 00:37:55.180 and if children, 00:37:55.840 --> 00:37:56.579 then heirs. 00:37:57.200 --> 00:37:58.220 Heirs of God 00:37:58.220 --> 00:37:59.900 and fellow heirs 00:37:59.900 --> 00:38:01.140 with Christ. 00:38:01.880 --> 00:38:02.660 We are all 00:38:02.660 --> 00:38:04.480 full family members. 00:38:04.619 --> 00:38:05.980 No distinction is made 00:38:05.980 --> 00:38:07.119 between us 00:38:07.119 --> 00:38:08.360 if we are found 00:38:08.360 --> 00:38:09.960 in Christ. 00:38:10.079 --> 00:38:10.640 We have been 00:38:10.640 --> 00:38:12.519 qualified now 00:38:12.519 --> 00:38:13.260 to share 00:38:13.260 --> 00:38:14.539 in the inheritance 00:38:14.539 --> 00:38:15.940 of the saints 00:38:15.940 --> 00:38:17.320 in light. 00:38:17.320 --> 00:38:19.860 I think John's writing 00:38:19.860 --> 00:38:20.660 helps expound 00:38:20.660 --> 00:38:21.480 on that idea 00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:22.640 of the inheritance 00:38:22.640 --> 00:38:23.160 of the saints 00:38:23.160 --> 00:38:23.740 in light 00:38:23.740 --> 00:38:24.940 a bit for us. 00:38:25.059 --> 00:38:26.039 1 John 1, 00:38:26.420 --> 00:38:27.460 verse 5, 00:38:27.519 --> 00:38:28.220 this is the message 00:38:28.220 --> 00:38:29.519 we have heard from him 00:38:29.519 --> 00:38:31.280 and proclaim to you 00:38:31.280 --> 00:38:33.340 that God is light 00:38:33.340 --> 00:38:34.840 and in him 00:38:34.840 --> 00:38:36.440 is no darkness 00:38:36.440 --> 00:38:37.780 at all. 00:38:38.280 --> 00:38:38.960 If we say 00:38:38.960 --> 00:38:39.539 we have fellowship 00:38:39.539 --> 00:38:39.960 with him 00:38:39.960 --> 00:38:40.680 while we walk 00:38:40.680 --> 00:38:41.160 in darkness, 00:38:41.300 --> 00:38:41.780 we lie 00:38:41.780 --> 00:38:42.700 and do not practice 00:38:42.700 --> 00:38:43.340 the truth. 00:38:43.920 --> 00:38:44.800 But if we walk 00:38:44.800 --> 00:38:45.320 in the light 00:38:45.320 --> 00:38:46.340 as he is in the light, 00:38:46.440 --> 00:38:47.080 we have fellowship 00:38:47.080 --> 00:38:47.840 with one another 00:38:47.840 --> 00:38:48.900 and the blood 00:38:48.900 --> 00:38:49.840 of Jesus' Son 00:38:49.840 --> 00:38:51.100 cleanses us 00:38:51.100 --> 00:38:52.480 from all sin. 00:38:52.760 --> 00:38:53.240 Of course, 00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:54.600 1 John being the great 00:38:54.600 --> 00:38:55.900 test of our faith, 00:38:56.680 --> 00:38:57.940 but we can certainly say 00:38:57.940 --> 00:38:58.720 that if we pursue 00:38:58.720 --> 00:38:59.320 righteousness, 00:38:59.740 --> 00:39:01.080 if we're hating 00:39:01.080 --> 00:39:01.519 the world 00:39:01.519 --> 00:39:02.160 and we're loving 00:39:02.160 --> 00:39:03.360 the things of God, 00:39:03.420 --> 00:39:04.059 we're walking 00:39:04.059 --> 00:39:05.680 in the light. 00:39:05.960 --> 00:39:06.700 God is light. 00:39:06.860 --> 00:39:07.620 In him there is 00:39:07.620 --> 00:39:08.660 no darkness 00:39:08.660 --> 00:39:09.380 at all. 00:39:09.380 --> 00:39:10.340 We have been 00:39:10.340 --> 00:39:11.080 granted, 00:39:11.700 --> 00:39:12.220 qualified, 00:39:12.500 --> 00:39:13.000 to share in the 00:39:13.000 --> 00:39:13.360 inheritance 00:39:13.360 --> 00:39:14.019 of the saints 00:39:14.019 --> 00:39:15.960 in light. 00:39:18.140 --> 00:39:19.019 Now, I know 00:39:19.019 --> 00:39:20.000 that many people 00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:22.019 struggle with this. 00:39:23.260 --> 00:39:24.539 The great aim 00:39:24.539 --> 00:39:25.960 of pastoral counseling 00:39:25.960 --> 00:39:26.720 is to draw 00:39:26.720 --> 00:39:27.960 people's minds 00:39:27.960 --> 00:39:29.680 back to the Gospel. 00:39:30.500 --> 00:39:31.559 To unravel 00:39:31.559 --> 00:39:33.039 all of their thought 00:39:33.039 --> 00:39:33.980 and all of their emotion 00:39:33.980 --> 00:39:34.700 and get them back 00:39:34.700 --> 00:39:35.200 to the place 00:39:35.200 --> 00:39:36.180 to see who 00:39:36.180 --> 00:39:38.059 they are 00:39:38.059 --> 00:39:39.480 because of God's work 00:39:39.480 --> 00:39:40.539 on their behalf. 00:39:41.680 --> 00:39:42.340 I know that many 00:39:42.340 --> 00:39:42.940 of you struggle 00:39:42.940 --> 00:39:44.559 with besetting sin. 00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:46.400 Habitual type 00:39:46.400 --> 00:39:47.300 of sin. 00:39:47.679 --> 00:39:48.179 And while we see 00:39:48.179 --> 00:39:48.980 much evidence 00:39:48.980 --> 00:39:50.000 of the pursuit 00:39:50.000 --> 00:39:50.519 of righteousness 00:39:50.519 --> 00:39:51.139 in your life, 00:39:51.220 --> 00:39:51.780 there are things 00:39:51.780 --> 00:39:52.559 that cause you 00:39:52.559 --> 00:39:53.059 to fall 00:39:53.059 --> 00:39:54.740 again and again 00:39:54.740 --> 00:39:56.000 and again. 00:39:57.119 --> 00:39:57.840 I know that many 00:39:57.840 --> 00:39:58.639 of you walk around 00:39:58.639 --> 00:39:59.639 with a great deal 00:39:59.639 --> 00:40:00.860 of guilt 00:40:00.860 --> 00:40:02.079 and feelings 00:40:02.079 --> 00:40:03.360 of inadequacy. 00:40:04.420 --> 00:40:05.139 Let me draw 00:40:05.139 --> 00:40:05.840 your mind 00:40:05.840 --> 00:40:07.440 back to the Gospel. 00:40:07.800 --> 00:40:08.320 This is what 00:40:08.320 --> 00:40:08.960 Paul is doing. 00:40:09.039 --> 00:40:09.500 He's rooting 00:40:09.500 --> 00:40:10.860 the very foundation 00:40:10.860 --> 00:40:12.240 for his request. 00:40:12.519 --> 00:40:12.980 All of these 00:40:12.980 --> 00:40:13.700 good things 00:40:13.700 --> 00:40:14.200 he desires 00:40:14.200 --> 00:40:14.940 to see happen 00:40:14.940 --> 00:40:15.360 in the life 00:40:15.360 --> 00:40:15.960 of the Colossian 00:40:15.960 --> 00:40:16.320 believers 00:40:16.320 --> 00:40:17.380 in the Gospel 00:40:17.380 --> 00:40:18.420 truth. 00:40:19.620 --> 00:40:20.200 A pastor 00:40:20.200 --> 00:40:21.320 named Sam Storms 00:40:21.320 --> 00:40:22.240 in a book 00:40:22.240 --> 00:40:22.500 he wrote 00:40:22.500 --> 00:40:23.059 called The Hope 00:40:23.059 --> 00:40:23.579 of Glory, 00:40:24.539 --> 00:40:25.320 which are meditations 00:40:25.320 --> 00:40:26.220 on Colossians, 00:40:26.320 --> 00:40:26.579 wrote, 00:40:26.579 --> 00:40:28.159 whatever feelings 00:40:28.159 --> 00:40:29.199 of inadequacy 00:40:29.199 --> 00:40:30.460 or sense of shame 00:40:30.460 --> 00:40:32.099 or depths of despair 00:40:32.099 --> 00:40:32.960 may have crippled 00:40:32.960 --> 00:40:33.920 you till now. 00:40:34.559 --> 00:40:35.860 God has qualified 00:40:35.860 --> 00:40:36.699 you to share 00:40:36.699 --> 00:40:37.460 in the inheritance 00:40:37.460 --> 00:40:38.480 of the saints 00:40:38.480 --> 00:40:39.519 of light. 00:40:40.579 --> 00:40:41.460 If you find yourself 00:40:41.460 --> 00:40:41.840 saying, 00:40:42.000 --> 00:40:43.279 I'm not up to the task, 00:40:43.500 --> 00:40:44.900 I'm a miserable failure, 00:40:45.219 --> 00:40:46.779 I'm a hell-deserving wretch, 00:40:47.039 --> 00:40:48.000 I don't deserve 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:49.659 to stand in God's presence, 00:40:50.119 --> 00:40:51.059 the only thing 00:40:51.059 --> 00:40:51.779 I should inherit 00:40:51.779 --> 00:40:52.799 is death. 00:40:53.819 --> 00:40:54.960 God now says 00:40:54.960 --> 00:40:55.719 to those who are 00:40:55.719 --> 00:40:56.539 in Christ 00:40:56.539 --> 00:40:57.779 qualified, 00:40:58.839 --> 00:40:59.379 forgiven, 00:41:00.500 --> 00:41:02.399 adequate in Jesus, 00:41:03.039 --> 00:41:04.719 righteous in my Son, 00:41:05.799 --> 00:41:07.099 come and receive 00:41:07.099 --> 00:41:08.039 and enjoy 00:41:08.039 --> 00:41:08.699 your inheritance 00:41:08.699 --> 00:41:09.379 together with 00:41:09.379 --> 00:41:10.299 all the saints 00:41:10.299 --> 00:41:11.899 in the life-giving, 00:41:12.559 --> 00:41:13.779 soul-cleansing light 00:41:13.779 --> 00:41:15.299 of my kingdom. 00:41:17.259 --> 00:41:18.219 Praise God 00:41:18.219 --> 00:41:19.259 that we have 00:41:19.259 --> 00:41:19.739 an inheritance. 00:41:21.119 --> 00:41:21.980 Reason two 00:41:21.980 --> 00:41:23.179 for Paul and Timothy's 00:41:23.179 --> 00:41:23.939 confidence 00:41:23.939 --> 00:41:25.699 delivers 00:41:25.699 --> 00:41:26.799 verse 13 00:41:26.799 --> 00:41:29.119 says He has delivered 00:41:29.119 --> 00:41:30.539 us from the domain 00:41:30.539 --> 00:41:31.339 of darkness. 00:41:31.579 --> 00:41:32.679 We've been brought 00:41:32.679 --> 00:41:34.159 to the domain 00:41:34.159 --> 00:41:34.599 of light, 00:41:34.699 --> 00:41:35.559 the kingdom of light. 00:41:35.639 --> 00:41:36.339 He's delivered us 00:41:36.339 --> 00:41:38.079 from the domain 00:41:38.079 --> 00:41:39.119 of darkness. 00:41:39.359 --> 00:41:40.619 We have been rescued 00:41:40.619 --> 00:41:41.699 from the power 00:41:41.699 --> 00:41:42.899 of evil. 00:41:43.379 --> 00:41:44.899 It has no ultimate 00:41:44.899 --> 00:41:45.599 sway 00:41:45.599 --> 00:41:48.019 over our lives. 00:41:48.659 --> 00:41:49.279 Do you believe 00:41:49.279 --> 00:41:50.000 that you've been 00:41:50.000 --> 00:41:51.099 set free 00:41:51.099 --> 00:41:52.059 from sin? 00:41:52.059 --> 00:41:53.539 many of you 00:41:53.539 --> 00:41:54.239 act as if 00:41:54.239 --> 00:41:54.799 that's not 00:41:54.799 --> 00:41:55.420 the case. 00:41:55.840 --> 00:41:56.639 You've been set 00:41:56.639 --> 00:41:57.440 free from it. 00:41:57.480 --> 00:41:58.460 It no longer 00:41:58.460 --> 00:42:00.179 has dominion 00:42:00.179 --> 00:42:01.360 over you. 00:42:02.799 --> 00:42:03.500 John writes 00:42:03.500 --> 00:42:04.659 in 1 John 4 00:42:04.659 --> 00:42:04.980 4, 00:42:05.079 --> 00:42:06.079 He who is in you 00:42:06.079 --> 00:42:06.820 is greater 00:42:06.820 --> 00:42:07.940 than he 00:42:07.940 --> 00:42:09.500 who is in the world. 00:42:11.599 --> 00:42:12.320 So the second 00:42:12.320 --> 00:42:12.799 reason for their 00:42:12.799 --> 00:42:13.159 confidence 00:42:13.159 --> 00:42:14.299 is our deliverance. 00:42:15.440 --> 00:42:16.119 Third reason 00:42:16.119 --> 00:42:16.840 for our confidence 00:42:16.840 --> 00:42:19.579 is the Colossians 00:42:19.579 --> 00:42:20.140 in our 00:42:20.140 --> 00:42:22.280 transference. 00:42:23.680 --> 00:42:24.420 We've been 00:42:24.420 --> 00:42:25.360 transferred. 00:42:25.700 --> 00:42:26.420 We've transferred 00:42:26.420 --> 00:42:27.019 us to the 00:42:27.019 --> 00:42:27.340 kingdom 00:42:27.340 --> 00:42:29.000 of His 00:42:29.000 --> 00:42:29.920 beloved 00:42:29.920 --> 00:42:30.840 Son. 00:42:31.440 --> 00:42:32.039 We're no longer 00:42:32.039 --> 00:42:33.079 citizens of the 00:42:33.079 --> 00:42:33.380 world. 00:42:33.480 --> 00:42:34.180 We're now citizens 00:42:34.180 --> 00:42:34.860 of the kingdom 00:42:34.860 --> 00:42:35.840 of God. 00:42:36.059 --> 00:42:37.039 We do not differ 00:42:37.039 --> 00:42:38.000 in degree. 00:42:39.200 --> 00:42:40.120 We do not differ 00:42:40.120 --> 00:42:40.579 in degree. 00:42:40.700 --> 00:42:41.420 We're not a little 00:42:41.420 --> 00:42:42.180 better than we 00:42:42.180 --> 00:42:42.820 once were. 00:42:43.000 --> 00:42:44.079 We are different 00:42:44.079 --> 00:42:45.000 than who we 00:42:45.000 --> 00:42:46.000 once were. 00:42:46.000 --> 00:42:47.260 We don't differ 00:42:47.260 --> 00:42:47.659 in degree, 00:42:47.760 --> 00:42:48.199 but we differ 00:42:48.199 --> 00:42:50.099 in type. 00:42:51.739 --> 00:42:52.840 1 Peter 2.10 00:42:52.840 --> 00:42:54.320 Peter cites 00:42:54.320 --> 00:42:55.159 from Hosea, 00:42:55.820 --> 00:42:56.360 Once you were 00:42:56.360 --> 00:42:57.119 not a people, 00:42:57.780 --> 00:42:58.260 but now you 00:42:58.260 --> 00:42:59.099 are God's people. 00:42:59.519 --> 00:43:00.139 Once you had 00:43:00.139 --> 00:43:00.960 not received 00:43:00.960 --> 00:43:01.360 mercy, 00:43:01.519 --> 00:43:03.039 but now you 00:43:03.039 --> 00:43:04.400 have received 00:43:04.400 --> 00:43:05.960 mercy. 00:43:07.119 --> 00:43:07.739 And on what 00:43:07.739 --> 00:43:08.320 basis are we 00:43:08.320 --> 00:43:08.780 citizens of 00:43:08.780 --> 00:43:09.320 God's kingdom? 00:43:10.000 --> 00:43:10.900 On the basis 00:43:10.900 --> 00:43:11.519 of righteousness. 00:43:11.840 --> 00:43:12.320 This is our 00:43:12.320 --> 00:43:13.320 key to the city. 00:43:13.719 --> 00:43:14.159 This is what 00:43:14.159 --> 00:43:15.000 grants us 00:43:15.000 --> 00:43:16.219 access to 00:43:16.219 --> 00:43:17.639 God's kingdom. 00:43:18.739 --> 00:43:19.780 But not ours. 00:43:20.900 --> 00:43:21.360 Christ. 00:43:21.980 --> 00:43:22.460 Again, 00:43:22.579 --> 00:43:22.960 Christ has 00:43:22.960 --> 00:43:23.880 imputed to us 00:43:23.880 --> 00:43:24.940 His righteousness. 00:43:25.380 --> 00:43:26.360 The reason Christ 00:43:26.360 --> 00:43:27.340 had to come and 00:43:27.340 --> 00:43:28.480 live a perfect life 00:43:28.480 --> 00:43:29.260 was so that 00:43:29.260 --> 00:43:30.300 He fulfilled 00:43:30.300 --> 00:43:31.239 the law. 00:43:31.420 --> 00:43:32.000 So that He came 00:43:32.000 --> 00:43:32.780 and lived it 00:43:32.780 --> 00:43:33.320 perfectly. 00:43:33.739 --> 00:43:34.360 And He therefore 00:43:34.360 --> 00:43:35.980 had an account 00:43:35.980 --> 00:43:36.780 to credit 00:43:36.780 --> 00:43:37.760 to us. 00:43:38.159 --> 00:43:38.760 Righteousness 00:43:38.760 --> 00:43:39.420 to give 00:43:39.420 --> 00:43:40.719 to us. 00:43:40.719 --> 00:43:40.839 Christ. 00:43:41.839 --> 00:43:42.419 There's a 00:43:42.419 --> 00:43:43.519 double imputation 00:43:43.519 --> 00:43:44.219 of Christ 00:43:44.219 --> 00:43:45.279 in redemption. 00:43:45.500 --> 00:43:45.899 We're given 00:43:45.899 --> 00:43:46.919 Christ's 00:43:46.919 --> 00:43:47.359 righteousness. 00:43:47.980 --> 00:43:48.939 And fourthly, 00:43:49.939 --> 00:43:50.679 the fourth reason 00:43:50.679 --> 00:43:51.379 for their confidence, 00:43:51.519 --> 00:43:51.919 we're given 00:43:51.919 --> 00:43:52.980 forgiveness. 00:43:53.459 --> 00:43:54.359 Our sins have 00:43:54.359 --> 00:43:55.779 been forgiven. 00:43:55.939 --> 00:43:56.619 Verse 14, 00:43:56.699 --> 00:43:57.559 in whom we have 00:43:57.559 --> 00:43:58.419 redemption, 00:43:59.459 --> 00:44:00.119 the forgiveness 00:44:00.119 --> 00:44:01.939 of sins. 00:44:02.699 --> 00:44:03.500 Because God is 00:44:03.500 --> 00:44:04.159 perfectly just, 00:44:04.259 --> 00:44:04.699 God could not 00:44:04.699 --> 00:44:05.659 simply dismiss 00:44:05.659 --> 00:44:05.980 sin. 00:44:06.059 --> 00:44:06.539 That would not 00:44:06.539 --> 00:44:07.179 be justice. 00:44:07.319 --> 00:44:07.959 He has to 00:44:07.960 --> 00:44:09.179 punish sin. 00:44:09.500 --> 00:44:10.260 It is infinitely 00:44:10.260 --> 00:44:11.179 offensive to Him, 00:44:11.559 --> 00:44:12.599 so He punished 00:44:12.599 --> 00:44:13.860 infinitely in 00:44:13.860 --> 00:44:15.039 Christ our 00:44:15.039 --> 00:44:15.920 sin. 00:44:16.159 --> 00:44:17.079 We are imputed 00:44:17.079 --> 00:44:18.780 the suffering 00:44:18.780 --> 00:44:19.659 of Christ. 00:44:19.960 --> 00:44:21.059 That has been 00:44:21.059 --> 00:44:22.619 forgiven us. 00:44:22.980 --> 00:44:23.480 Our sin has been 00:44:23.480 --> 00:44:24.500 wiped clean because 00:44:24.500 --> 00:44:25.440 it has been punished 00:44:25.440 --> 00:44:27.220 in Christ. 00:44:28.720 --> 00:44:29.420 I'm going to 00:44:29.420 --> 00:44:30.119 read it to us 00:44:30.119 --> 00:44:31.360 at the closing 00:44:31.360 --> 00:44:31.900 of the Lord's 00:44:31.900 --> 00:44:33.220 Supper for the 00:44:33.220 --> 00:44:33.780 benefit of our 00:44:33.780 --> 00:44:34.139 souls. 00:44:35.179 --> 00:44:36.059 This is what 00:44:36.059 --> 00:44:37.420 causes Paul to 00:44:37.420 --> 00:44:38.940 launch into a 00:44:38.940 --> 00:44:39.579 cosmic, 00:44:40.039 --> 00:44:40.880 Christological 00:44:40.880 --> 00:44:41.760 hymn in 00:44:41.760 --> 00:44:43.059 verses 15-20. 00:44:43.860 --> 00:44:45.840 This kingdom 00:44:45.840 --> 00:44:46.539 in which we 00:44:46.539 --> 00:44:46.900 have been 00:44:46.900 --> 00:44:47.720 delivered to, 00:44:47.980 --> 00:44:48.579 the forgiveness 00:44:48.579 --> 00:44:49.360 of our sins 00:44:49.360 --> 00:44:50.320 in Christ, 00:44:50.400 --> 00:44:50.960 is what causes 00:44:50.960 --> 00:44:51.940 Him to go on 00:44:51.940 --> 00:44:53.039 to say these 00:44:53.039 --> 00:44:53.860 magnificent 00:44:53.860 --> 00:44:55.659 things about 00:44:55.659 --> 00:44:56.760 who He is, 00:44:57.440 --> 00:44:57.960 was, 00:44:58.079 --> 00:44:58.900 and now is 00:44:58.900 --> 00:44:59.619 to us 00:44:59.619 --> 00:45:00.559 in this day. 00:45:01.720 --> 00:45:02.700 Praise God 00:45:02.700 --> 00:45:03.680 forevermore 00:45:03.680 --> 00:45:04.599 for the person 00:45:04.599 --> 00:45:05.460 and work 00:45:05.460 --> 00:45:06.740 of Jesus Christ. 00:45:07.420 --> 00:45:09.039 Because of who 00:45:09.039 --> 00:45:09.800 the Colossians 00:45:09.800 --> 00:45:10.220 were, 00:45:10.740 --> 00:45:11.460 and because of 00:45:11.460 --> 00:45:12.260 who we are, 00:45:12.639 --> 00:45:13.480 if we are in 00:45:13.480 --> 00:45:13.940 Christ, 00:45:14.260 --> 00:45:15.400 we only have 00:45:15.400 --> 00:45:17.480 two choices. 00:45:18.320 --> 00:45:19.320 Be obedient 00:45:19.320 --> 00:45:21.380 or make 00:45:21.380 --> 00:45:22.119 excuses. 00:45:23.099 --> 00:45:24.119 You have been 00:45:24.119 --> 00:45:24.820 delivered. 00:45:24.980 --> 00:45:25.380 You have been 00:45:25.380 --> 00:45:26.139 set free. 00:45:26.400 --> 00:45:26.740 You have been 00:45:26.740 --> 00:45:27.639 given all the 00:45:27.639 --> 00:45:28.740 power you need 00:45:28.740 --> 00:45:29.880 to live for 00:45:29.880 --> 00:45:30.119 God. 00:45:30.180 --> 00:45:30.800 So be obedient 00:45:30.800 --> 00:45:32.559 or make excuses. 00:45:32.940 --> 00:45:33.440 It's the only 00:45:33.440 --> 00:45:33.980 two choices 00:45:33.980 --> 00:45:35.079 you have. 00:45:35.079 --> 00:45:36.559 because of 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:37.199 who the 00:45:37.199 --> 00:45:37.679 Colossians 00:45:37.679 --> 00:45:38.119 were, 00:45:38.599 --> 00:45:39.000 and because 00:45:39.000 --> 00:45:39.559 of who we 00:45:39.559 --> 00:45:39.840 are, 00:45:39.900 --> 00:45:40.319 if we are 00:45:40.319 --> 00:45:40.940 in Christ, 00:45:41.579 --> 00:45:42.059 Paul and 00:45:42.059 --> 00:45:42.679 Timothy can 00:45:42.679 --> 00:45:43.900 confidently ask 00:45:43.900 --> 00:45:44.619 and know 00:45:44.619 --> 00:45:44.960 that their 00:45:44.960 --> 00:45:45.500 prayers will be 00:45:45.500 --> 00:45:45.880 answered, 00:45:46.079 --> 00:45:47.159 and we can 00:45:47.159 --> 00:45:47.960 pray in the 00:45:47.960 --> 00:45:48.719 same way for 00:45:48.719 --> 00:45:49.099 one another 00:45:49.099 --> 00:45:49.460 and have the 00:45:49.460 --> 00:45:50.299 same confidence 00:45:50.299 --> 00:45:51.579 before God. 00:45:52.019 --> 00:45:52.819 And I hope 00:45:52.819 --> 00:45:53.639 that you will 00:45:53.639 --> 00:45:54.539 begin to do 00:45:54.539 --> 00:45:55.159 so if you're 00:45:55.159 --> 00:45:56.960 not already. 00:45:58.319 --> 00:45:58.980 In closing, 00:45:59.099 --> 00:45:59.599 let me read 00:45:59.599 --> 00:46:01.000 the text to you 00:46:01.000 --> 00:46:01.599 one more time. 00:46:01.599 --> 00:46:03.900 And so from 00:46:03.900 --> 00:46:04.299 the day we 00:46:04.299 --> 00:46:04.659 heard, 00:46:05.159 --> 00:46:06.000 we have not 00:46:06.000 --> 00:46:06.599 ceased to 00:46:06.599 --> 00:46:07.319 pray for you, 00:46:08.099 --> 00:46:08.839 asking that you 00:46:08.839 --> 00:46:09.380 may be filled 00:46:09.380 --> 00:46:09.960 with the knowledge 00:46:09.960 --> 00:46:10.519 of his will 00:46:10.519 --> 00:46:11.440 and all spiritual 00:46:11.440 --> 00:46:12.119 wisdom and 00:46:12.119 --> 00:46:12.679 understanding, 00:46:13.139 --> 00:46:14.079 so as to walk 00:46:14.079 --> 00:46:14.480 in a manner 00:46:14.480 --> 00:46:15.239 worthy of the 00:46:15.239 --> 00:46:15.420 Lord, 00:46:15.579 --> 00:46:16.319 fully pleasing 00:46:16.319 --> 00:46:16.839 to him, 00:46:17.400 --> 00:46:18.079 bearing fruit 00:46:18.079 --> 00:46:18.739 in every good 00:46:18.739 --> 00:46:19.279 work and 00:46:19.279 --> 00:46:20.259 increasing in 00:46:20.259 --> 00:46:20.619 the knowledge 00:46:20.619 --> 00:46:21.039 of God. 00:46:21.779 --> 00:46:22.380 May you be 00:46:22.380 --> 00:46:23.139 strengthened with 00:46:23.139 --> 00:46:24.019 all power 00:46:24.019 --> 00:46:24.920 according to 00:46:24.920 --> 00:46:25.500 his glorious 00:46:25.500 --> 00:46:26.559 might for all 00:46:26.559 --> 00:46:27.139 endurance and 00:46:27.139 --> 00:46:27.659 patience with 00:46:27.659 --> 00:46:27.960 joy, 00:46:28.480 --> 00:46:29.199 giving thanks to 00:46:29.199 --> 00:46:29.659 the Father who 00:46:29.659 --> 00:46:30.480 has qualified you 00:46:30.480 --> 00:46:31.460 to share in 00:46:31.460 --> 00:46:31.980 the inheritance 00:46:31.980 --> 00:46:32.720 of the saints 00:46:32.720 --> 00:46:33.579 in light. 00:46:34.380 --> 00:46:35.260 He has delivered 00:46:35.260 --> 00:46:35.780 us from the 00:46:35.780 --> 00:46:36.280 domain of 00:46:36.280 --> 00:46:36.880 darkness and 00:46:36.880 --> 00:46:37.539 transferred us 00:46:37.539 --> 00:46:38.059 to the kingdom 00:46:38.059 --> 00:46:38.820 of his beloved 00:46:38.820 --> 00:46:39.900 Son in whom 00:46:39.900 --> 00:46:40.679 we have redemption, 00:46:41.559 --> 00:46:42.019 the forgiveness 00:46:42.019 --> 00:46:43.079 of sins. 00:46:43.679 --> 00:46:44.220 Let's pray 00:46:44.220 --> 00:46:44.519 together.