WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.320 Please open your Bibles this morning to the book of Titus. 00:00:05.960 --> 00:00:07.160 The book of Titus. 00:00:07.280 --> 00:00:11.960 We are beginning a new sermon series this morning in the book of Titus. 00:00:12.480 --> 00:00:16.620 I can't remember exactly what page that is in and your pew Bibles there in front of you. 00:00:16.719 --> 00:00:20.280 It's in the 915 to 940 range, right there. 00:00:21.100 --> 00:00:21.780 What is it? 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:23.199 938. 00:00:23.199 --> 00:00:27.519 If you want to use your pew Bibles there in front of you, you can find that on page 938. 00:00:27.519 --> 00:00:30.039 The book of Titus. 00:00:30.859 --> 00:00:38.480 This book is a letter from the Apostle Paul to a fellow minister in the gospel, a co-worker, Titus. 00:00:39.179 --> 00:00:45.000 And as he gives Titus instruction and encouragement, instruction for the churches there in Crete, 00:00:45.340 --> 00:00:54.219 we can gain insight, we can gain knowledge for what a church of sound doctrine ought to believe and ought to do. 00:00:54.219 --> 00:00:59.299 We can gain insight for our church as we think about our life together in the days ahead. 00:01:00.079 --> 00:01:00.920 So let's look there now. 00:01:00.979 --> 00:01:01.979 Titus chapter 1. 00:01:02.039 --> 00:01:04.939 We're going to be in verses 1 through 4 this morning. 00:01:04.939 --> 00:01:09.280 Paul writes, 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:15.259 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, 00:01:16.060 --> 00:01:20.519 for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, 00:01:20.979 --> 00:01:22.479 which accords with godliness, 00:01:23.340 --> 00:01:24.979 in hope of eternal life, 00:01:25.039 --> 00:01:29.479 which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began, 00:01:29.480 --> 00:01:35.880 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching 00:01:35.880 --> 00:01:39.820 with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior. 00:01:41.140 --> 00:01:43.880 To Titus, my true child in a common faith, 00:01:44.060 --> 00:01:49.719 grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 00:01:50.100 --> 00:01:51.320 Would you pray with me once more? 00:01:51.319 --> 00:01:56.299 Lord, as we begin this book, 00:01:56.419 --> 00:01:58.899 we commit our time in your word to you. 00:02:00.139 --> 00:02:04.539 We ask that you would stir our hearts' affections for Christ, 00:02:04.639 --> 00:02:08.659 and would you be pleased to shape Seawee Bay by the power of your word. 00:02:09.620 --> 00:02:11.500 We pray and we ask this in Christ's name. 00:02:12.419 --> 00:02:12.699 Amen. 00:02:15.139 --> 00:02:20.699 Imagine with me that you are in the first few months of a brand new job. 00:02:21.680 --> 00:02:23.560 You've wanted this job for a while, 00:02:23.819 --> 00:02:24.799 and now you're here. 00:02:24.900 --> 00:02:28.639 You're getting your feet wet and beginning to go about your work. 00:02:29.139 --> 00:02:31.959 And you've been given a book that provides your job description 00:02:31.959 --> 00:02:36.219 and job descriptions for every single fellow worker in the company. 00:02:37.340 --> 00:02:39.159 And as with many new jobs, 00:02:39.199 --> 00:02:42.740 your first few months are spent with some on-the-ground training. 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:44.780 You had this world-class mentor 00:02:44.780 --> 00:02:47.299 who really seemed to know what he was doing. 00:02:47.299 --> 00:02:51.259 He walked you through the ins and outs of what the work would look like 00:02:51.259 --> 00:02:54.039 but then the time comes when the mentor leaves 00:02:54.039 --> 00:02:57.319 and the work begins. 00:02:58.799 --> 00:03:01.919 As you begin to get into the weeds of the day-to-day grind, 00:03:02.019 --> 00:03:05.739 you realize there are some major problems here. 00:03:06.799 --> 00:03:10.079 There are people here in this company, in your workplace, 00:03:10.340 --> 00:03:13.159 that don't seem to follow the book at all. 00:03:14.099 --> 00:03:16.879 In fact, they seem to know what it says. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:20.639 I think they could pass any written exam on protocols and procedures 00:03:20.639 --> 00:03:21.879 that you might give them. 00:03:22.719 --> 00:03:25.780 Sometimes they seem like they know even more about the book than you do. 00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:30.859 But something is off about the way that they go about their work. 00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:36.479 They don't seem to have any interest in actually doing what they're supposed to do. 00:03:36.479 --> 00:03:38.939 And not only that, but they sound so smart 00:03:38.939 --> 00:03:41.799 that they're beginning to convince everyone else around them 00:03:41.799 --> 00:03:43.459 to live this way too. 00:03:43.919 --> 00:03:46.199 You got a mess to work through. 00:03:47.280 --> 00:03:50.000 But thankfully, your old mentor comes through again 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:52.120 and he writes you a letter 00:03:52.120 --> 00:03:55.000 to remind you of your call 00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:56.899 and your confidence. 00:03:57.099 --> 00:03:58.739 That yes, what you're doing is hard. 00:03:58.859 --> 00:04:00.339 Yes, this is a big challenge. 00:04:00.579 --> 00:04:04.500 But press on because it is worth it. 00:04:04.500 --> 00:04:11.240 Well, this is exactly the situation that Titus finds himself in 00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:14.280 in the book that bears his name, the book of Titus. 00:04:15.219 --> 00:04:17.000 Titus is one of Paul's converts. 00:04:17.220 --> 00:04:19.720 Paul had shared the gospel with Titus, 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:20.959 seen him come to faith. 00:04:21.079 --> 00:04:25.839 And now Titus has become a fellow co-worker and companion of Paul. 00:04:25.980 --> 00:04:28.540 They've labored together already in the church at Corinth. 00:04:28.540 --> 00:04:34.700 And now Paul and Titus have traveled together to the island of Crete, 00:04:35.400 --> 00:04:38.640 seeking to bring the gospel to this pagan island 00:04:38.640 --> 00:04:41.140 and share the gospel to build the church. 00:04:41.220 --> 00:04:43.120 And they've seen the Lord work in power. 00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:45.939 They've seen souls saved. 00:04:46.120 --> 00:04:48.500 And the church was starting to be formed. 00:04:48.700 --> 00:04:50.660 Churches were forming on the island. 00:04:50.660 --> 00:04:54.000 And now Paul has left Titus behind 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:58.500 to establish and continue the work that was started. 00:04:58.640 --> 00:04:59.680 But as you might imagine, 00:05:00.680 --> 00:05:04.720 Satan hated the work that was going on in Crete. 00:05:05.940 --> 00:05:07.600 Satan, as we saw last week, 00:05:07.820 --> 00:05:09.980 hates to see the health of the church. 00:05:10.080 --> 00:05:12.660 He hates to see the church grow. 00:05:12.820 --> 00:05:17.140 And so what he did was he sent false teachers there in Crete. 00:05:17.139 --> 00:05:20.259 False teachers who would spread lies 00:05:20.259 --> 00:05:24.839 and do everything they could to stop the work of gospel ministry. 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:27.039 They're spreading lies and divisions. 00:05:27.399 --> 00:05:30.620 False teachers have crept into the church. 00:05:30.719 --> 00:05:34.259 And so Paul, as a good mentor would, 00:05:35.019 --> 00:05:39.500 he writes to Titus to remind him of two important truths 00:05:39.500 --> 00:05:41.319 as he continues the work in Crete. 00:05:41.919 --> 00:05:43.120 Two important truths. 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:48.160 He reminds Titus of the call and the confidence of gospel ministry. 00:05:49.220 --> 00:05:53.199 The call and the confidence of gospel ministry. 00:05:53.319 --> 00:05:54.639 This is going to be our outline this morning. 00:05:54.759 --> 00:05:58.019 If you're a note taker, I encourage you to write these down. 00:05:58.100 --> 00:05:59.259 It'll help you to follow along. 00:05:59.360 --> 00:06:02.720 This is the call and the confidence of gospel ministry. 00:06:03.959 --> 00:06:05.720 And what I hope we'll see in our time together 00:06:05.720 --> 00:06:08.500 is that, yes, this is a book written to Titus, 00:06:08.500 --> 00:06:14.319 but this is also our call and our confidence as believers. 00:06:14.620 --> 00:06:17.360 As we go about the work of gospel ministry, 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:20.379 we share this call and we share this confidence 00:06:20.379 --> 00:06:25.500 with Paul and with Titus and with every believer in Christ. 00:06:26.079 --> 00:06:30.480 So first, we see the call of gospel ministry. 00:06:31.480 --> 00:06:34.360 The call of gospel ministry. 00:06:34.360 --> 00:06:40.340 Every Christian is called to the ministry of the gospel. 00:06:41.199 --> 00:06:43.800 We may not all be called to be pastors 00:06:43.800 --> 00:06:45.500 or called to be church planters. 00:06:45.660 --> 00:06:48.000 We may not be called to be an apostle. 00:06:48.280 --> 00:06:50.520 Paul here is uniquely called in his role 00:06:50.520 --> 00:06:52.420 as an apostle of Christ Jesus. 00:06:52.780 --> 00:06:55.699 But every believer, every Christian, 00:06:55.939 --> 00:07:00.360 is called by God to join in the work of gospel ministry. 00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:02.879 But what is that? 00:07:02.879 --> 00:07:06.560 What exactly is gospel ministry? 00:07:06.759 --> 00:07:08.420 What is the aim of our ministry 00:07:08.420 --> 00:07:11.060 as individual believers in Christ? 00:07:11.240 --> 00:07:15.740 And collectively, what is our aim together as a church? 00:07:16.600 --> 00:07:18.199 Well, Paul tells us in verse 1. 00:07:18.279 --> 00:07:18.899 Look there with me. 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:19.620 Verse 1. 00:07:20.899 --> 00:07:21.120 It says, 00:07:21.519 --> 00:07:24.579 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, 00:07:24.959 --> 00:07:26.500 for, what's he writing? 00:07:26.860 --> 00:07:28.339 For, what's he working? 00:07:28.620 --> 00:07:29.800 For, this is what he's laboring. 00:07:29.800 --> 00:07:32.860 For, for the Savior, 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:34.879 the sake of the faith of God's elect 00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:37.199 and their knowledge of the truth, 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:40.060 which accords with godliness. 00:07:40.459 --> 00:07:41.159 That's the mission. 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:42.560 That's the mission. 00:07:42.659 --> 00:07:44.899 Every phrase is important here. 00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:45.759 They're all connected. 00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:46.860 How does the old song go? 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:49.240 The head bone's connected to the, 00:07:49.439 --> 00:07:49.800 what is it? 00:07:49.800 --> 00:07:50.500 The shoulder bone? 00:07:50.579 --> 00:07:52.019 The shoulder bone is connected to the, 00:07:52.019 --> 00:07:53.800 the rest of the body. 00:07:53.860 --> 00:07:54.439 It's all connected. 00:07:54.540 --> 00:07:55.459 Whatever the song is, 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:57.139 it's a brilliant song. 00:07:57.219 --> 00:07:58.259 Every part is connected. 00:07:58.259 --> 00:07:59.539 And in Paul here, 00:07:59.659 --> 00:08:00.719 the same thing is happening. 00:08:00.860 --> 00:08:03.240 He's, he's giving his aim for ministry. 00:08:03.240 --> 00:08:03.839 And he says, 00:08:03.959 --> 00:08:05.240 all of it is connected. 00:08:05.379 --> 00:08:07.120 Election is connected to faith. 00:08:07.800 --> 00:08:09.579 Faith is connected to knowledge. 00:08:09.579 --> 00:08:12.099 And genuine knowledge of the truth 00:08:12.099 --> 00:08:14.819 is connected to godliness. 00:08:15.980 --> 00:08:17.539 So let's look at each part here. 00:08:17.620 --> 00:08:18.699 Every phrase is important. 00:08:18.860 --> 00:08:19.219 He says, 00:08:19.220 --> 00:08:20.020 he says, 00:08:20.100 --> 00:08:24.960 he's laboring for the sake of the faith of God's elect. 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:29.040 That is gospel ministry in a sentence. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:31.320 That is gospel ministry. 00:08:31.480 --> 00:08:32.399 Gospel ministry is, 00:08:32.460 --> 00:08:37.200 is laboring for the sake of the faith of God's elect. 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:39.759 Whether externally by evangelism, 00:08:40.460 --> 00:08:43.340 as we seek to share the gospel broadly with the lost, 00:08:43.420 --> 00:08:47.440 and we see men and women come to faith in Christ for the first time, 00:08:47.440 --> 00:08:49.860 or internally in the church, 00:08:49.960 --> 00:08:50.700 through the training, 00:08:51.260 --> 00:08:53.140 the discipling ministries of the church, 00:08:53.280 --> 00:08:53.580 seeing, 00:08:53.700 --> 00:08:55.260 seeing followers of Christ, 00:08:55.400 --> 00:08:56.560 disciples of Christ, 00:08:56.700 --> 00:08:59.160 grow in their faith in Jesus Christ. 00:08:59.660 --> 00:09:03.840 Gospel ministry is laboring to see people come to faith 00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:06.820 and grow in faith in Christ Jesus. 00:09:07.920 --> 00:09:09.220 Is that your ambition? 00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:11.860 Is that your aim? 00:09:12.260 --> 00:09:15.540 Is that your desire for our life together as a church? 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:17.419 Now, 00:09:18.480 --> 00:09:23.699 election may be a scary word for some of us. 00:09:24.199 --> 00:09:26.879 That word gets a bad rap. 00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:28.919 But we need to see this, 00:09:29.059 --> 00:09:31.699 that Paul's understanding of election 00:09:31.699 --> 00:09:34.599 was the reason he gave his life 00:09:34.599 --> 00:09:37.379 to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. 00:09:38.360 --> 00:09:39.419 For Paul, 00:09:40.579 --> 00:09:42.219 election was the reason 00:09:42.219 --> 00:09:44.779 he went to share the gospel. 00:09:44.779 --> 00:09:46.779 He believed that in every place he went, 00:09:46.939 --> 00:09:48.779 God had elected or chosen. 00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:50.500 That's what election means. 00:09:51.319 --> 00:09:53.779 He had chosen men and women unto salvation. 00:09:54.579 --> 00:09:57.919 And he believed that he was appointed as a servant 00:09:57.919 --> 00:10:01.740 to spread the seed of the gospel far and wide 00:10:01.740 --> 00:10:04.699 with the confidence that the Lord would cause it 00:10:04.699 --> 00:10:08.839 to bear the fruit of faith in his chosen people. 00:10:08.939 --> 00:10:09.240 He was, 00:10:09.319 --> 00:10:09.799 verse 3, 00:10:10.459 --> 00:10:13.579 entrusted by the command of God to preach the word. 00:10:13.580 --> 00:10:14.520 So he writes, 00:10:14.660 --> 00:10:15.200 verse 1, 00:10:15.300 --> 00:10:15.900 he writes, 00:10:16.139 --> 00:10:20.139 for the sake of the faith of God's elect. 00:10:21.180 --> 00:10:24.200 This is what God had shown Paul in the city of Corinth. 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:26.240 You might remember Acts chapter 18. 00:10:26.900 --> 00:10:27.940 Acts chapter 18. 00:10:29.020 --> 00:10:31.000 He had labored there in Corinth. 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:32.259 He had preached the gospel, 00:10:32.440 --> 00:10:33.600 wearing himself out. 00:10:33.740 --> 00:10:35.160 Some of them accepted the message. 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:37.240 Some of them rejected the message. 00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:40.000 And the Lord spoke to him one night in a vision. 00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:41.159 Acts chapter 18, 00:10:41.259 --> 00:10:41.840 verse 9. 00:10:42.799 --> 00:10:44.899 The Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:46.000 Do not be afraid, 00:10:46.120 --> 00:10:47.240 but go on speaking. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:49.000 Do not be silent, 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:50.180 for I am with you, 00:10:50.220 --> 00:10:52.440 and no one will attack you to harm you. 00:10:52.860 --> 00:10:56.740 For I have many in this city who are my people. 00:10:56.740 --> 00:11:02.600 And so he stayed a year and six months teaching the word of God among them. 00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:02.919 Why? 00:11:03.879 --> 00:11:07.960 Because God had many in that city who were his people. 00:11:08.680 --> 00:11:15.759 Many who were to become his people by hearing and receiving the word in faith. 00:11:15.960 --> 00:11:20.720 Paul labored because he saw this connection between election and faith. 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:23.220 But what is faith? 00:11:24.700 --> 00:11:25.700 What is faith? 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:29.399 For by grace you have been saved through faith. 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:31.180 We are saved through faith. 00:11:31.279 --> 00:11:33.440 That's what we're aiming to produce in God's elect. 00:11:33.560 --> 00:11:34.759 So what is it? 00:11:36.180 --> 00:11:39.379 You know, this is one of the most watered down, 00:11:40.300 --> 00:11:41.180 diluted, 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:44.660 stripped of its power words in the English language. 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:46.540 You can tell I have a hard time with this. 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:46.980 Okay? 00:11:47.920 --> 00:11:48.920 You hear people say, 00:11:49.040 --> 00:11:50.019 Just have faith. 00:11:50.720 --> 00:11:52.700 You have your faith. 00:11:52.779 --> 00:11:53.879 I have my faith. 00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:55.360 Or keep the faith. 00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:57.320 He's a person of faith. 00:11:57.420 --> 00:11:58.899 She's a person of faith. 00:11:58.980 --> 00:11:59.940 What are we talking about? 00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:03.440 What does that mean when we talk about faith? 00:12:04.800 --> 00:12:08.960 No one is saved by just having faith. 00:12:10.540 --> 00:12:14.379 No one is saved by keeping the faith, 00:12:14.440 --> 00:12:15.379 whatever that means. 00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:19.860 No one is saved by being a person of faith 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:24.259 unless that faith is in someone who can save you. 00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:27.740 See, faith is a tether. 00:12:28.159 --> 00:12:29.519 It is a rope. 00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:31.740 It's a chain that you throw outward, 00:12:31.960 --> 00:12:36.200 away from yourself to connect you to someone or something else. 00:12:36.200 --> 00:12:41.020 We often talk about faith like we just throw it up in the sky 00:12:41.020 --> 00:12:44.720 and we just believe it's going to latch on to something that's going to help us. 00:12:44.759 --> 00:12:46.400 That's not biblical faith. 00:12:48.280 --> 00:12:51.080 Untethered faith will save no one. 00:12:51.080 --> 00:12:57.440 No one who has fallen into a pit is saved by just having a rope 00:12:57.440 --> 00:13:05.639 unless on the other side of that rope is someone who is able to pull you out to save you. 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:15.460 Saving faith, in the Bible, saving faith is genuine trust in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. 00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:18.559 That's the only kind of faith that saves. 00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:25.159 Faith is the rope that ties your heart to Christ and all that He is, 00:13:25.199 --> 00:13:26.620 all that He's done in the gospel, 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:29.539 and His reliance on Him alone, 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:34.039 His dependence on Him alone is outward reaching towards Christ, 00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:35.940 saying, I'm not worthy of trust. 00:13:36.039 --> 00:13:38.580 I can't bring myself out of this pit. 00:13:38.960 --> 00:13:39.919 Only you are. 00:13:40.179 --> 00:13:41.179 Only you can. 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:42.019 I'm not righteous. 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:42.940 You are. 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:44.279 I'm not worthy of praise. 00:13:44.560 --> 00:13:45.100 You are. 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:46.580 I'm not Lord of my life. 00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:47.460 You are. 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:49.480 You alone are God. 00:13:49.560 --> 00:13:50.620 That's saving faith. 00:13:51.399 --> 00:13:55.600 That's what we're laboring to see in our evangelism externally, 00:13:55.600 --> 00:13:57.879 in our discipleship internally, 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:58.879 in our marriages, 00:13:59.100 --> 00:13:59.940 in our relationships, 00:14:00.200 --> 00:14:00.800 in our friendships, 00:14:01.060 --> 00:14:02.120 in our hospitality, 00:14:02.600 --> 00:14:03.620 in our life. 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:08.580 We are laboring for the sake of the faith of God's elect. 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:12.720 And for that to happen, church, 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:17.019 it requires knowledge of the truth. 00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:20.560 Knowledge of the truth. 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:23.980 You know, one of the craftiest lies 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:26.039 that the devil has told the church 00:14:26.039 --> 00:14:27.320 is that somehow knowledge 00:14:27.320 --> 00:14:29.080 is an enemy of the faith. 00:14:30.379 --> 00:14:32.580 That you have your spiritual people over here 00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:34.200 who feel and experience, 00:14:34.460 --> 00:14:36.279 and you got your intellectual people over here 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:37.960 who think and who study. 00:14:38.300 --> 00:14:39.720 The Bible doesn't talk that way. 00:14:41.080 --> 00:14:42.840 They are connected. 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:46.460 You can have faith without knowledge, 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:47.139 but that knowledge, 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:48.960 that faith will not save you. 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:53.660 Some of the most devout men and women of faith 00:14:53.660 --> 00:14:55.160 are Muslims, 00:14:55.960 --> 00:14:57.420 Jews, 00:14:58.780 --> 00:14:59.860 and Jehovah's Witnesses. 00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:01.700 Their level of devotion, 00:15:01.920 --> 00:15:04.420 their level of faith is astounding, 00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:06.639 but they are trusting lies. 00:15:07.800 --> 00:15:09.660 They've tied their ropes to dust. 00:15:11.340 --> 00:15:14.040 You can have knowledge without faith, 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:16.540 but that will not save you. 00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:19.059 Even the devil believes the facts about Christ. 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:21.399 Even the demons believe and shudder. 00:15:21.459 --> 00:15:22.519 It doesn't help you to know 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:23.599 that someone's up there 00:15:23.599 --> 00:15:24.839 on the other side of the pit 00:15:24.839 --> 00:15:27.659 if you don't trust them to pull you out. 00:15:27.799 --> 00:15:28.899 You see, we need both. 00:15:29.059 --> 00:15:30.559 Knowledge and faith. 00:15:30.699 --> 00:15:32.480 Knowledge and faith. 00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:35.039 We're aiming to produce both. 00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:38.219 You don't have to have much knowledge. 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:39.899 You don't have to have 00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:42.259 an upper education degree 00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:43.519 or years of training, 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:46.039 but you have to have enough knowledge 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:47.100 of the truth 00:15:47.100 --> 00:15:48.840 to latch your heart 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:50.299 and your mind 00:15:50.299 --> 00:15:52.139 onto the message of the gospel 00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:52.559 and say, 00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:54.860 I trust that to be true. 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:59.360 I believe that message to be true. 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:01.379 I know and I believe 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:02.340 that I'm a sinner. 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:04.299 That's knowledge and faith. 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:06.759 I know and I believe 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:08.740 that I am separated from God. 00:16:09.199 --> 00:16:10.460 Knowledge and faith. 00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:12.080 I know and I believe 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:13.620 that apart from the grace of God, 00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:15.259 I will die in my sin 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:16.400 and go to hell. 00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:18.540 Knowledge and faith. 00:16:19.040 --> 00:16:20.379 I know and I believe 00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:22.200 that Christ lived, 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:24.759 that he died perfectly in my place, 00:16:24.820 --> 00:16:26.980 that he died on the cross for my sin. 00:16:27.060 --> 00:16:28.120 I know and I believe 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:30.660 that he rose from the grave in my place. 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:32.780 I know and I trust him 00:16:32.780 --> 00:16:33.340 when he says, 00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:34.900 if anyone believes in me, 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:35.879 he will not perish, 00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:37.440 but have eternal life. 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:40.000 So on the basis of that truth, 00:16:40.160 --> 00:16:41.260 that knowledge, 00:16:41.540 --> 00:16:42.700 my mind convinced 00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:44.120 and my heart awakened, 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:47.680 I trust in Jesus Christ. 00:16:51.780 --> 00:16:53.560 It may be that you've never 00:16:53.560 --> 00:16:55.880 trusted in Christ. 00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:57.140 And if that's you this morning, 00:16:58.080 --> 00:16:58.920 if you hear these words 00:16:58.920 --> 00:16:59.320 and you say, 00:16:59.420 --> 00:17:00.620 I've heard that, 00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:02.400 but I've never believed that. 00:17:02.520 --> 00:17:03.860 I've heard that knowledge, 00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:05.779 but I've never trusted that. 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:08.200 Do you believe him? 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:11.500 Do you know him 00:17:11.500 --> 00:17:14.359 and trust him as your savior? 00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:19.220 Repent and believe the words of truth. 00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:19.940 You see, church, 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:22.440 when we preach and proclaim the gospel, 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:24.319 we are proclaiming knowledge 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:26.059 that if believed, 00:17:26.180 --> 00:17:27.399 will save sinners 00:17:27.399 --> 00:17:29.579 and equip saints. 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:32.359 But don't leave it there. 00:17:32.359 --> 00:17:35.439 Don't be content 00:17:35.439 --> 00:17:36.519 to leave it there. 00:17:36.619 --> 00:17:37.379 What does Paul say? 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:40.500 Election is connected to faith. 00:17:40.679 --> 00:17:42.379 Faith is connected to knowledge 00:17:42.379 --> 00:17:43.619 and real, 00:17:44.139 --> 00:17:44.659 genuine, 00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:46.819 saving knowledge of the truth 00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:47.639 is connected 00:17:47.639 --> 00:17:49.759 with godliness. 00:17:50.919 --> 00:17:52.659 For the sake of the faith 00:17:52.659 --> 00:17:53.659 of God's elect 00:17:53.659 --> 00:17:55.019 and their knowledge 00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:55.979 of the truth, 00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:57.359 which accords 00:17:57.359 --> 00:17:59.500 with godliness. 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:01.660 You see, 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:04.119 this was the big problem 00:18:04.119 --> 00:18:05.539 here in Crete. 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:06.339 False teachers 00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:07.839 have crept in 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:08.420 and were teaching 00:18:08.420 --> 00:18:09.359 that you can keep 00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:10.079 the information 00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:12.079 and you can keep 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:12.619 the knowledge 00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:14.140 and you can go on living 00:18:14.140 --> 00:18:15.339 however you want. 00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:17.619 As long as you know 00:18:17.619 --> 00:18:18.500 the right facts. 00:18:18.579 --> 00:18:20.019 They were driving a wedge 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:21.539 between saving knowledge 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:23.000 and godly living, 00:18:23.119 --> 00:18:23.779 saying you can have 00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:25.079 one without the other. 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:26.480 But Paul here says, 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:29.180 any who truly know the Lord 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:30.799 will bear the fruit 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:32.240 of godliness. 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:34.140 See, 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:35.640 the roots of election 00:18:35.640 --> 00:18:37.279 are hidden from our eyes. 00:18:37.360 --> 00:18:38.460 We can't see that. 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:40.420 But the fruits of righteousness 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:42.000 in those who believe, 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:43.400 that's visible. 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:46.039 That we can see. 00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:48.519 Some of you, 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:48.819 I know, 00:18:48.900 --> 00:18:50.059 grew up farming. 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:52.500 And you can drive 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:53.200 by a field 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:54.179 and tell exactly 00:18:54.179 --> 00:18:55.200 what crop that is 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:55.839 out there growing 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:56.559 before it's even 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:57.839 born any fruit. 00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:58.960 I can't. 00:18:59.220 --> 00:18:59.480 Okay? 00:18:59.619 --> 00:19:00.500 I'm helpless. 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:02.279 I'm absolutely clueless 00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:03.119 when it comes to that. 00:19:03.179 --> 00:19:03.579 We'll be driving 00:19:03.579 --> 00:19:04.200 by a field 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:05.379 and someone in the car 00:19:05.379 --> 00:19:05.819 will ask, 00:19:05.899 --> 00:19:06.379 what is that? 00:19:06.419 --> 00:19:06.639 And I'll say, 00:19:06.679 --> 00:19:07.119 I don't know. 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:10.339 But if it's bearing fruit, 00:19:10.399 --> 00:19:11.039 I can tell you, 00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:13.299 that's a blackberry bush. 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:15.259 That's an apple tree. 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:15.879 How do you know? 00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:16.700 I see apples. 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:18.919 I see blackberries. 00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:20.200 I see the fruit 00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:21.640 that it's producing. 00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:22.759 Jesus tells us 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.779 in Luke chapter 6, 00:19:23.860 --> 00:19:24.060 what? 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:25.860 You know a tree by what? 00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:27.539 By its fruits. 00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:29.940 He's not talking 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:31.580 about a tree. 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.960 He's talking about us, 00:19:33.060 --> 00:19:33.840 about our hearts. 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:35.720 The only way 00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:36.660 that we're able to see 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:37.700 and to discern 00:19:37.700 --> 00:19:38.880 the internal, 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:39.940 hidden state 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:40.740 of someone's heart 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:42.920 is by the spiritual fruit 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:44.480 of godliness 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:45.960 in their life. 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:49.019 saving faith 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:49.740 accords 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:51.240 with godliness. 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:51.660 Friend, 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:53.700 if you or me 00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:54.759 or anyone else 00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:55.579 claims to be 00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:57.259 a follower of Christ, 00:19:57.340 --> 00:19:58.539 we should expect 00:19:58.539 --> 00:20:00.319 to see them follow. 00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:02.980 If you or me 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:04.079 or anyone else 00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:04.779 claims to be 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:06.160 a child of God, 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:07.000 born again 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:07.980 as a child of God, 00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:08.880 we should expect 00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:09.940 to see the fruit 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:11.420 of new life, 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:12.860 regeneration. 00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:15.299 If you or me 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:15.919 or anyone else 00:20:15.919 --> 00:20:16.379 expects 00:20:16.379 --> 00:20:17.199 and claims 00:20:17.199 --> 00:20:18.740 to have our roots 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:20.199 down in God's grace, 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:20.979 to be rooted 00:20:20.979 --> 00:20:22.179 in the grace of God, 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.119 we should expect 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:24.500 to see the fruits 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:25.659 of godliness 00:20:25.659 --> 00:20:27.119 in our life. 00:20:27.179 --> 00:20:28.000 Not perfection, 00:20:28.879 --> 00:20:29.859 but progress 00:20:29.859 --> 00:20:31.139 and pursuit 00:20:31.139 --> 00:20:32.479 of godliness. 00:20:32.639 --> 00:20:33.079 Putting off 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:33.759 the old man, 00:20:33.859 --> 00:20:34.379 putting on 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:35.439 the new. 00:20:37.219 --> 00:20:37.719 Church, 00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:38.559 this is the call 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:39.779 of gospel ministry. 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:41.759 I want to hang 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.519 this as a banner 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:43.559 over every ministry 00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:44.799 of our church, 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:45.759 over the preaching 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.619 of the word 00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:47.519 is for the sake 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:48.359 of the faith 00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:49.660 of God's elect. 00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:51.740 A knowledgeable faith, 00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:53.639 a godly faith. 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:55.559 Over our discipleship 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:56.139 of one another 00:20:56.139 --> 00:20:56.940 is for the sake 00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:57.519 of the faith 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:58.259 of God's elect. 00:20:58.500 --> 00:21:00.200 Over our children's ministry 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:01.079 and the children's wing 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:01.859 is for the sake 00:21:01.859 --> 00:21:02.599 of the faith 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:04.639 of God's elect. 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:06.319 But how can we be certain 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:07.619 that this will be accomplished? 00:21:07.619 --> 00:21:11.219 What is our confidence? 00:21:11.839 --> 00:21:12.979 Do we have any assurances 00:21:12.979 --> 00:21:14.599 that all of this work 00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:15.359 will be worth it? 00:21:15.399 --> 00:21:16.339 That our efforts here 00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:16.899 as a church 00:21:16.899 --> 00:21:17.479 and the ministry 00:21:17.479 --> 00:21:18.079 of the word, 00:21:18.179 --> 00:21:19.899 that it won't be in vain? 00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:21.739 As we labor 00:21:21.739 --> 00:21:22.879 and we look together 00:21:22.879 --> 00:21:23.819 towards the new year 00:21:23.819 --> 00:21:24.859 and all that we have 00:21:24.859 --> 00:21:25.619 planned together 00:21:25.619 --> 00:21:26.239 as a church, 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:27.759 as we launch out 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:29.399 as a gospel preaching church 00:21:29.399 --> 00:21:30.259 in this area, 00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:31.559 how can we be confident 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:32.959 that our ministry 00:21:32.959 --> 00:21:34.339 will be effective? 00:21:34.679 --> 00:21:35.199 Look with me 00:21:35.199 --> 00:21:36.759 to verses 2 and 3. 00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:38.939 Verses 2 and 3. 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.659 This is our confidence 00:21:40.659 --> 00:21:42.419 of gospel ministry. 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:45.439 All of this 00:21:45.439 --> 00:21:46.179 that we are aiming 00:21:46.179 --> 00:21:46.979 to produce, 00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:47.479 faith, 00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:48.000 knowledge, 00:21:48.139 --> 00:21:48.500 godliness, 00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:49.159 all of it, 00:21:49.199 --> 00:21:49.739 Paul says, 00:21:49.859 --> 00:21:50.579 all of it 00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:52.500 is in hope 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:53.879 of eternal life. 00:21:54.899 --> 00:21:56.159 In hope 00:21:56.159 --> 00:21:57.459 of eternal life. 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:58.000 Our pursuit 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:58.579 of knowledge 00:21:58.579 --> 00:21:59.159 and the truth 00:21:59.159 --> 00:22:00.719 is in hope. 00:22:00.899 --> 00:22:01.679 Faith is born 00:22:01.679 --> 00:22:02.879 in hope. 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:03.619 Our pursuit 00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:04.219 of godliness 00:22:04.219 --> 00:22:05.819 is forward looking, 00:22:05.959 --> 00:22:06.599 onward looking 00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:07.679 to the hope 00:22:07.679 --> 00:22:09.579 of eternal life. 00:22:09.679 --> 00:22:10.419 Our confidence, 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.019 church, 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:11.779 is in God's 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.859 eternal promise 00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:14.259 and in God's 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:15.279 appointed means. 00:22:16.219 --> 00:22:17.899 God's eternal promise 00:22:17.899 --> 00:22:19.579 and God's 00:22:19.579 --> 00:22:21.359 appointed means. 00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:23.839 Christians are those 00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:25.299 who have the hope 00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:26.839 of eternal life. 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:26.919 hope. 00:22:28.119 --> 00:22:29.240 We believe 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:31.059 God so loved 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.599 the world 00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:32.859 that he gave 00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:33.779 his only son 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.399 that whoever 00:22:34.399 --> 00:22:35.619 believes in him 00:22:35.619 --> 00:22:36.619 should not perish 00:22:36.619 --> 00:22:37.819 but have what? 00:22:38.199 --> 00:22:38.639 Help me. 00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:40.919 Eternal life. 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.639 That's our hope. 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:44.279 But we don't speak 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.159 about hope 00:22:45.159 --> 00:22:45.879 the same way 00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:46.480 that the rest 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:47.679 of the world does. 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.819 The way that we tend 00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:49.759 to use that word, 00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:50.099 hope, 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:50.959 is anything 00:22:50.959 --> 00:22:52.199 but certain. 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:53.940 I hope it stops 00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:55.220 raining so much. 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:56.880 Right? 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.860 I hope the Braves 00:22:57.860 --> 00:22:58.720 will catch the Mets 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.559 and take over 00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:00.360 first place. 00:23:01.600 --> 00:23:02.440 I hope the economy 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.120 straightens out 00:23:03.120 --> 00:23:03.980 sometime soon. 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:05.779 All of that 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.860 is wishful thinking. 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.840 It's hopeful thinking. 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:09.740 There's no certainty 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.519 in that. 00:23:10.580 --> 00:23:11.200 That's a wish. 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:12.600 It's not a certainty. 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:13.539 It's not grounded 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:14.580 in truth. 00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:15.860 But see, 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:16.960 the Christian hope 00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:17.940 of eternal life 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:19.539 is not wishful thinking. 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:22.940 It is certain hope. 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:25.379 100% certain. 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:26.039 It's more certain 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:27.500 than the sun rising tomorrow. 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:28.279 It's more certain 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:30.059 than your next breath. 00:23:31.159 --> 00:23:32.480 Nothing is as certain 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:33.220 as the hope 00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:34.159 of eternal life 00:23:34.159 --> 00:23:36.299 for all who are in Christ 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:40.139 because God has promised it 00:23:40.139 --> 00:23:40.920 to be so. 00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:43.019 Look there 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:44.240 at what he says again. 00:23:44.379 --> 00:23:44.859 God, 00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:47.000 who never lies, 00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:48.659 promised this hope 00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:51.640 before the ages began. 00:23:54.320 --> 00:23:55.320 Numbers 23, 00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:56.259 verse 19 00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:57.000 tells us, 00:23:57.080 --> 00:23:58.040 God is not a man 00:23:58.040 --> 00:23:59.140 that he should lie 00:23:59.140 --> 00:24:00.820 or a son of man 00:24:00.820 --> 00:24:02.460 that he should change his mind. 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:04.080 Has he said 00:24:04.080 --> 00:24:05.060 and will he not do it 00:24:05.060 --> 00:24:06.240 or has he spoken 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:08.460 and will he not fulfill it? 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:10.200 See, 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:11.160 our confidence 00:24:11.160 --> 00:24:12.480 in life 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.560 and in ministry 00:24:13.560 --> 00:24:15.720 is the certain hope 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:17.060 of eternal life 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:18.319 promised by God 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:20.659 who never lies. 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:22.399 See, 00:24:22.399 --> 00:24:23.299 the false teachers 00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:24.359 there in Crete 00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:26.279 were teaching falsehood. 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:29.220 They were proclaiming lies. 00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:30.339 They were selling lies. 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:32.220 They were deceiving many. 00:24:32.379 --> 00:24:32.980 And Paul says, 00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:36.159 believe the promise of God. 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:39.519 Remember the promise of God. 00:24:39.659 --> 00:24:42.099 God never lies. 00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:44.240 Church, 00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:45.119 listen to me here. 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:48.000 everything else 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:49.219 that you set your hope on 00:24:49.219 --> 00:24:49.939 in this life 00:24:49.939 --> 00:24:51.819 will disappoint you. 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.559 Everything else 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:56.099 that you set your hope on 00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:56.899 in this life, 00:24:56.959 --> 00:24:57.879 if you set your hope 00:24:57.879 --> 00:24:59.419 on the economy, 00:25:00.479 --> 00:25:01.179 I guess you're probably 00:25:01.179 --> 00:25:02.079 pretty disappointed 00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:02.819 right now. 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.599 If you set your hope 00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:05.439 on politics, 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.079 politicians, 00:25:06.379 --> 00:25:07.619 you will be let down 00:25:07.619 --> 00:25:08.759 and disappointed. 00:25:09.399 --> 00:25:10.479 If you set your hope 00:25:10.479 --> 00:25:11.179 on the uncertainty 00:25:11.179 --> 00:25:11.899 of riches, 00:25:11.899 --> 00:25:13.299 you will be disappointed. 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:14.279 If you set your hope 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:15.720 ultimately on a relationship, 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:16.519 a friendship, 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.579 a husband, 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.099 a wife, 00:25:18.159 --> 00:25:19.839 you will be disappointed. 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.980 But if you set your hope 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:23.980 fully on Christ Jesus, 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:25.859 you will never be disappointed. 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:27.859 Because God, 00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:29.200 who never lies, 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:30.980 has promised eternal life 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:32.000 in Christ 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:33.940 for all who believe 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:37.359 before the ages began. 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:40.119 Do you see how certain 00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:40.699 that is? 00:25:42.219 --> 00:25:43.939 How unshakable 00:25:43.939 --> 00:25:44.899 that is 00:25:44.899 --> 00:25:47.199 before the ages began. 00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:48.139 Ephesians 1, 00:25:48.639 --> 00:25:49.219 remember this, 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:49.699 it told us, 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:51.059 God chose us 00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:51.919 in Christ 00:25:51.919 --> 00:25:53.839 before the foundation 00:25:53.839 --> 00:25:55.139 of the world. 00:25:55.859 --> 00:25:57.399 Before the ages began. 00:25:58.539 --> 00:25:59.740 2 Timothy 1, 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.619 verse 9 says, 00:26:00.919 --> 00:26:02.179 God saved us 00:26:02.179 --> 00:26:02.919 and called us 00:26:02.919 --> 00:26:03.979 to a holy calling, 00:26:04.099 --> 00:26:05.859 not because of our works, 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:08.099 but because of his own purpose 00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:08.719 and grace, 00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:10.039 which he gave us 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:11.259 in Christ Jesus 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:15.579 before the ages began. 00:26:17.159 --> 00:26:17.379 You see, 00:26:17.459 --> 00:26:19.379 our salvation in time, 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.740 our calling to faith 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:22.199 in Christ in time, 00:26:22.719 --> 00:26:24.539 our holiness in time, 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:26.159 Paul says it's not 00:26:26.159 --> 00:26:27.579 because of our works 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.699 in time. 00:26:29.379 --> 00:26:30.599 It's not because of anything 00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:31.799 we've done in this life. 00:26:31.879 --> 00:26:32.139 Rather, 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:33.359 it's rooted 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:34.919 in the eternal plan 00:26:34.919 --> 00:26:36.119 and promise 00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:37.079 of God. 00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:38.179 That's our confidence 00:26:38.179 --> 00:26:39.259 in this ministry. 00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:42.439 We can't lose this 00:26:42.439 --> 00:26:43.619 or mess this up 00:26:43.619 --> 00:26:44.459 because this promise 00:26:44.459 --> 00:26:45.219 was made to us 00:26:45.219 --> 00:26:46.740 who believe in Christ 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:48.119 before we even existed. 00:26:50.199 --> 00:26:50.719 Now, 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.579 let's come full circle 00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.159 here, 00:26:52.439 --> 00:26:52.799 church. 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:55.959 We're laboring 00:26:55.959 --> 00:26:56.599 for the sake 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.219 of the faith 00:26:57.219 --> 00:26:58.139 of God's elect 00:26:58.139 --> 00:26:58.779 and their knowledge 00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.339 of the truth 00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:00.000 which accords 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.759 with godliness 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:02.200 in hope. 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:04.240 How is that hope 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:05.379 given? 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:08.220 How does anyone 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:09.819 move from death 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:10.779 to life? 00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:12.579 From darkness 00:27:12.579 --> 00:27:13.680 to light? 00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:14.240 How does anyone 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:15.619 move from the hopelessness 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:16.220 of the world 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:16.940 to the hope 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:18.359 of eternal life? 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:18.940 Look with me 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:19.660 once more 00:27:19.660 --> 00:27:20.319 to verse 3. 00:27:22.339 --> 00:27:22.859 Paul says, 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:24.000 at the proper time, 00:27:24.119 --> 00:27:25.359 God manifested 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:26.319 this hope 00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:28.200 in his word 00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:30.519 through the preaching 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.960 of the gospel. 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:35.880 How is hope manifested? 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:39.759 How is it brought 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:41.039 about in the hearts 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:41.600 of the lost? 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.779 How is it revealed 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:44.480 and made known? 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:45.180 Paul says, 00:27:45.600 --> 00:27:47.420 through the preaching 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:49.440 of the word. 00:27:51.120 --> 00:27:52.259 How do the elect 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:53.120 come to faith 00:27:53.120 --> 00:27:53.620 in accordance 00:27:53.620 --> 00:27:54.240 with knowledge 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:54.880 of the truth 00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:55.360 in accordance 00:27:55.360 --> 00:27:56.340 with godliness 00:27:56.339 --> 00:27:56.899 and hope 00:27:56.899 --> 00:27:58.019 of eternal life 00:27:58.019 --> 00:28:00.179 through the preaching 00:28:00.179 --> 00:28:02.119 of the word? 00:28:03.659 --> 00:28:04.599 Why does Paul 00:28:04.599 --> 00:28:05.980 preach the gospel 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:06.980 even when it cost him 00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:07.539 everything? 00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:09.819 Imprisonment, 00:28:10.099 --> 00:28:11.179 ultimately death. 00:28:11.899 --> 00:28:12.539 Why do we place 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.379 such a high emphasis 00:28:13.379 --> 00:28:14.079 on the preaching 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:14.579 of the word? 00:28:14.679 --> 00:28:16.240 Why do I spend hours 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:17.179 every week laboring 00:28:17.179 --> 00:28:18.980 to explain four verses, 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:20.019 all the four verses 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:20.839 to you this morning? 00:28:20.839 --> 00:28:23.019 is because, 00:28:23.459 --> 00:28:23.799 church, 00:28:23.899 --> 00:28:24.519 we believe 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:27.099 that God's word 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:27.899 and the preaching 00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:29.379 of the gospel 00:28:29.379 --> 00:28:30.639 is God's appointed 00:28:30.639 --> 00:28:32.779 means to manifest 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.779 hope, 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:35.679 to manifest 00:28:35.679 --> 00:28:36.619 the hope 00:28:36.619 --> 00:28:37.740 of eternal life, 00:28:37.959 --> 00:28:39.179 to bring about 00:28:39.179 --> 00:28:40.279 hope in the hearts 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:41.059 of the lost 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:42.859 and to fix hope 00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:43.399 in the hearts 00:28:43.399 --> 00:28:44.159 of the saints. 00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:46.699 What God purposes 00:28:46.699 --> 00:28:47.519 in eternity, 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:48.959 he brings about 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:49.700 in time 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:50.880 through his 00:28:50.880 --> 00:28:52.660 appointed means. 00:28:53.559 --> 00:28:54.480 God accomplishes 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.180 his purposes 00:28:55.180 --> 00:28:57.160 through means. 00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:57.940 And our confidence 00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:59.779 is that this word, 00:28:59.940 --> 00:29:00.740 as we proclaim 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.840 the glory of God 00:29:01.840 --> 00:29:02.500 and the gospel 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.559 of Jesus Christ, 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:05.980 is 100% effective 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:07.340 in accomplishing 00:29:07.340 --> 00:29:09.059 the plan of God, 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:10.000 even when we don't 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.480 see it. 00:29:12.360 --> 00:29:13.019 You remember the 00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:14.019 verses that Treg 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.700 read for us 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:15.200 this morning? 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:17.140 Isaiah 55. 00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:19.500 It seems like 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.020 every day we've 00:29:20.020 --> 00:29:20.660 been getting rain, 00:29:20.780 --> 00:29:21.580 finally we have 00:29:21.580 --> 00:29:22.440 had some sunshine 00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:23.740 out here today. 00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:25.220 I told Amanda 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:25.680 I wasn't sure 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:26.040 if we moved 00:29:26.040 --> 00:29:26.560 to Allendal 00:29:26.560 --> 00:29:27.060 or Seattle. 00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:28.000 It's been raining 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:28.580 so much. 00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:31.060 But if you're 00:29:31.060 --> 00:29:31.960 a farmer, 00:29:32.320 --> 00:29:32.800 you know 00:29:32.800 --> 00:29:33.420 the importance 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:34.020 of rain. 00:29:35.340 --> 00:29:36.620 Rain gives life. 00:29:36.840 --> 00:29:37.900 It's effective. 00:29:38.100 --> 00:29:38.880 It's what waters 00:29:38.880 --> 00:29:40.040 and nourishes the soil. 00:29:40.200 --> 00:29:41.620 It brings growth. 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:43.100 It brings life 00:29:43.100 --> 00:29:43.940 from the ground. 00:29:44.120 --> 00:29:45.440 Rain is good. 00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:46.259 It's the means. 00:29:46.380 --> 00:29:47.240 It's the tool, 00:29:47.360 --> 00:29:48.140 the instrument 00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:50.519 of life and growth. 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:53.580 Isaiah 55 reminds us 00:29:53.580 --> 00:29:54.519 that God's word 00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:56.220 is like the rain. 00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:58.360 Isaiah 55, 00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:59.440 verses 10 and 11, 00:29:59.539 --> 00:29:59.960 he says, 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:01.620 For as the rain 00:30:01.620 --> 00:30:02.180 and the snow 00:30:02.180 --> 00:30:03.480 come down from heaven 00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:04.880 and do not return there 00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:06.180 but water the earth, 00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:08.039 making it bring forth 00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:08.779 and sprout, 00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:10.880 giving seed to the sower 00:30:10.880 --> 00:30:12.080 and bread to the eater, 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:14.900 so shall my word be. 00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:16.279 That goes out 00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:17.460 from my mouth. 00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:19.160 It shall not return 00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:19.860 to me empty. 00:30:20.360 --> 00:30:21.039 Listen to this. 00:30:22.120 --> 00:30:23.360 But it shall accomplish 00:30:23.360 --> 00:30:24.640 the purpose 00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:26.160 for which I send it. 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:27.680 It shall accomplish 00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:29.120 that which I purpose 00:30:29.120 --> 00:30:30.180 and shall succeed 00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:31.460 in the thing 00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:33.100 for which I sent it. 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:36.840 The word of God 00:30:36.840 --> 00:30:40.180 is 100% effective 00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:41.220 in fulfilling 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:42.960 the plan of God. 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:46.319 Hope is formed 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:46.920 in the hearts 00:30:46.920 --> 00:30:47.700 of the lost 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:49.299 and hope is fixed 00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:50.079 in the hearts 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:51.079 of the redeemed 00:30:51.079 --> 00:30:52.980 by the preaching 00:30:52.980 --> 00:30:54.900 of the word. 00:30:56.180 --> 00:30:57.259 Every one of you 00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:57.860 who's a believer 00:30:57.860 --> 00:30:58.299 in the room 00:30:58.299 --> 00:30:59.279 knows that to be true. 00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:01.460 How did you come 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:02.440 to faith in Christ? 00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:04.420 Whether it was 00:31:04.420 --> 00:31:05.319 a friend, 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:06.819 a family member, 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:07.980 a church service, 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:08.600 a pastor, 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.740 a radio program, 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:10.700 or by yourself 00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.620 with the word, 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:12.200 someone, 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:12.960 somehow, 00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:13.720 some way, 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:15.359 God sent his word 00:31:15.359 --> 00:31:16.359 to you 00:31:16.359 --> 00:31:17.859 and it landed 00:31:17.859 --> 00:31:18.880 on fertile soil. 00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:20.620 And that word 00:31:20.620 --> 00:31:21.819 caused growth 00:31:21.819 --> 00:31:22.940 in your heart. 00:31:23.039 --> 00:31:23.660 The growth 00:31:23.660 --> 00:31:24.779 of the hope 00:31:24.779 --> 00:31:26.299 of eternal life. 00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:29.299 The certain hope 00:31:29.299 --> 00:31:30.400 of eternal life 00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:31.440 planned and promised 00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:32.319 in Christ 00:31:32.319 --> 00:31:33.680 by God 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:34.359 for you 00:31:34.359 --> 00:31:35.500 before the ages 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.059 began 00:31:36.059 --> 00:31:37.220 was manifested 00:31:37.220 --> 00:31:38.600 in your life 00:31:38.600 --> 00:31:39.200 through 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:40.579 the preaching 00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:42.579 of the word. 00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:45.279 See, 00:31:45.360 --> 00:31:46.279 God has appointed 00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:47.400 the preaching 00:31:47.400 --> 00:31:47.960 of the word 00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:49.680 as his chosen means 00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:50.420 to accomplish 00:31:50.420 --> 00:31:52.120 his eternal purposes. 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:52.819 He does not 00:31:52.819 --> 00:31:54.220 bypass us 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:55.100 in his plans. 00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:56.880 He works in 00:31:56.880 --> 00:31:57.880 and through us 00:31:57.880 --> 00:31:58.819 as we together 00:31:58.819 --> 00:32:00.440 proclaim the truth. 00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:00.980 This is why 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:02.039 we send missionaries 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:02.480 to the ends 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.019 of the earth. 00:32:03.940 --> 00:32:04.539 Why we pray 00:32:04.539 --> 00:32:06.279 for a different country 00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:06.899 every week 00:32:06.899 --> 00:32:07.420 that the Lord 00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:08.039 would send 00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:08.940 the truth, 00:32:09.059 --> 00:32:09.940 send the word 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:10.960 out to Bhutan 00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:11.700 this morning. 00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:13.160 This is why 00:32:13.160 --> 00:32:14.160 we preach the gospel. 00:32:14.480 --> 00:32:15.119 I stand here, 00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:15.940 Treg stands here 00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:16.399 week in, 00:32:16.460 --> 00:32:16.779 week out 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:17.259 and proclaim 00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:18.819 the word of truth. 00:32:18.920 --> 00:32:19.279 This is why 00:32:19.279 --> 00:32:19.859 we share 00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:20.539 the good news 00:32:20.539 --> 00:32:21.019 of Christ 00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:21.700 with the lost 00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:22.779 and evangelize 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.879 our lost friends 00:32:23.879 --> 00:32:24.759 and neighbors 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:25.559 and co-workers 00:32:25.559 --> 00:32:26.519 and family members 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:27.180 is because 00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:27.839 apart from 00:32:27.839 --> 00:32:29.039 hearing the word 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:29.799 of God, 00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:31.059 no one can come 00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:32.099 to faith in Christ. 00:32:32.099 --> 00:32:37.500 I love the fact 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:38.419 that Romans 9 00:32:38.419 --> 00:32:39.099 and Romans 10 00:32:39.099 --> 00:32:39.740 are next to each 00:32:39.740 --> 00:32:40.359 other in the Bible. 00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:43.199 I encourage you all 00:32:43.199 --> 00:32:43.579 to go home 00:32:43.579 --> 00:32:44.019 and read those 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:44.699 two chapters. 00:32:44.899 --> 00:32:45.259 Back to back. 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:45.779 Don't stop. 00:32:46.299 --> 00:32:46.899 Read all the way 00:32:46.899 --> 00:32:48.159 through Romans 9 00:32:48.159 --> 00:32:49.359 to Romans 10. 00:32:49.439 --> 00:32:49.839 Go home, 00:32:49.899 --> 00:32:50.719 do that this afternoon. 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.579 They hold hands. 00:32:53.719 --> 00:32:54.459 They're friends. 00:32:54.659 --> 00:32:55.459 They get along. 00:32:56.079 --> 00:32:56.939 Paul wrote both 00:32:56.939 --> 00:32:57.419 chapters, 00:32:57.500 --> 00:32:58.039 I promise. 00:32:59.039 --> 00:33:00.019 Romans 9, 00:33:00.119 --> 00:33:00.679 he highlights 00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:01.779 the sovereignty 00:33:01.779 --> 00:33:02.600 of God 00:33:02.600 --> 00:33:03.340 and salvation. 00:33:04.140 --> 00:33:04.759 He highlights 00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:06.039 God's purposes 00:33:06.039 --> 00:33:07.200 in election. 00:33:07.420 --> 00:33:08.180 He says to Moses, 00:33:08.320 --> 00:33:09.240 I will have mercy 00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:10.779 on whom I will have mercy 00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:12.259 and I will have compassion 00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:14.200 on whom I will have compassion. 00:33:14.580 --> 00:33:15.640 That's a whole other sermon 00:33:15.640 --> 00:33:16.259 or 20. 00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:19.100 But in the very next breath, 00:33:19.160 --> 00:33:19.620 here we are 00:33:19.620 --> 00:33:20.400 in Romans 10. 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.759 Everyone who calls 00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:23.420 on the name 00:33:23.420 --> 00:33:24.160 of the Lord 00:33:24.160 --> 00:33:26.200 will be saved. 00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:28.220 How then 00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:28.820 will they call 00:33:28.820 --> 00:33:29.340 on Him 00:33:29.339 --> 00:33:30.939 whom they have not believed? 00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:32.579 How are they 00:33:32.579 --> 00:33:33.679 to believe in Him 00:33:33.679 --> 00:33:34.859 whom they have never heard? 00:33:35.299 --> 00:33:36.259 How are they to hear 00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:37.799 without someone 00:33:37.799 --> 00:33:38.699 preaching? 00:33:39.959 --> 00:33:40.879 And how are they 00:33:40.879 --> 00:33:41.419 to preach 00:33:41.419 --> 00:33:42.559 unless they are sent? 00:33:43.359 --> 00:33:44.319 As it is written, 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:45.059 how beautiful 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:46.220 are the feet 00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:47.259 of those who preach 00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:48.439 the good news. 00:33:48.579 --> 00:33:49.399 Faith comes through 00:33:49.399 --> 00:33:49.819 hearing 00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:50.980 and hearing 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:52.359 through the Word 00:33:52.359 --> 00:33:53.579 of Christ. 00:33:53.579 --> 00:33:56.519 election 00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:58.740 is connected 00:33:58.740 --> 00:33:59.579 to faith. 00:34:00.619 --> 00:34:01.159 Faith 00:34:01.159 --> 00:34:01.919 is connected 00:34:01.919 --> 00:34:02.819 to knowledge. 00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:03.319 Knowledge 00:34:03.319 --> 00:34:04.139 is connected 00:34:04.139 --> 00:34:05.339 to godliness 00:34:05.339 --> 00:34:06.699 and all of it 00:34:06.699 --> 00:34:07.539 is lived 00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:09.460 in this rock-solid 00:34:09.460 --> 00:34:09.960 hope 00:34:09.960 --> 00:34:11.500 of eternal life 00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:13.559 promised by the mouth 00:34:13.559 --> 00:34:14.159 of God 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:15.699 through His Word 00:34:15.699 --> 00:34:16.579 to all 00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:18.279 who believe. 00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:18.739 Church, 00:34:18.799 --> 00:34:19.920 that is our call 00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:21.320 and that is 00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:22.039 our confidence. 00:34:23.159 --> 00:34:24.480 That's the ministry 00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:25.900 that we are to be about. 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:26.920 That's the ministry 00:34:26.920 --> 00:34:28.599 of the gospel. 00:34:31.340 --> 00:34:32.559 This is like 00:34:32.559 --> 00:34:35.079 a good father 00:34:35.079 --> 00:34:37.340 who 00:34:37.340 --> 00:34:38.820 years before 00:34:38.820 --> 00:34:39.420 he ever 00:34:39.420 --> 00:34:40.599 even has a son 00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:42.240 promises 00:34:42.240 --> 00:34:42.720 that 00:34:42.720 --> 00:34:43.619 one day 00:34:43.619 --> 00:34:44.260 he will take 00:34:44.260 --> 00:34:45.360 that future son 00:34:45.360 --> 00:34:46.539 to the ballpark. 00:34:46.539 --> 00:34:48.420 No work, 00:34:49.059 --> 00:34:49.820 no school, 00:34:50.000 --> 00:34:50.940 no homework, 00:34:51.059 --> 00:34:51.820 no distractions, 00:34:52.079 --> 00:34:53.059 just him 00:34:53.059 --> 00:34:53.800 and his son 00:34:53.800 --> 00:34:54.800 enjoying time 00:34:54.800 --> 00:34:55.219 together. 00:34:55.340 --> 00:34:55.619 The point 00:34:55.619 --> 00:34:56.579 isn't the ballpark 00:34:56.579 --> 00:34:57.579 as fun as that 00:34:57.579 --> 00:34:57.940 will be. 00:34:58.039 --> 00:34:58.460 The point 00:34:58.460 --> 00:34:59.259 is time 00:34:59.259 --> 00:34:59.800 together 00:34:59.800 --> 00:35:00.619 with dad. 00:35:02.279 --> 00:35:02.800 And years 00:35:02.800 --> 00:35:03.179 later 00:35:03.179 --> 00:35:03.519 the day 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:03.920 comes 00:35:03.920 --> 00:35:04.279 and his 00:35:04.279 --> 00:35:05.360 son is born. 00:35:06.599 --> 00:35:06.920 And this 00:35:06.920 --> 00:35:07.400 little baby 00:35:07.400 --> 00:35:08.460 has no 00:35:08.460 --> 00:35:09.139 idea 00:35:09.139 --> 00:35:09.619 what his 00:35:09.619 --> 00:35:09.980 father 00:35:09.980 --> 00:35:10.539 has planned 00:35:10.539 --> 00:35:11.059 for him. 00:35:11.099 --> 00:35:11.380 That this 00:35:11.380 --> 00:35:12.279 great day 00:35:12.279 --> 00:35:12.880 has been 00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:13.320 planned. 00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:13.840 This great 00:35:13.840 --> 00:35:14.300 day is 00:35:14.300 --> 00:35:14.679 coming. 00:35:14.779 --> 00:35:15.480 Not a clue. 00:35:15.619 --> 00:35:15.980 He just 00:35:15.980 --> 00:35:16.500 cries. 00:35:16.639 --> 00:35:17.079 And wiggles. 00:35:17.259 --> 00:35:17.619 And eats. 00:35:17.719 --> 00:35:18.279 And sleeps. 00:35:19.840 --> 00:35:20.599 But one 00:35:20.599 --> 00:35:21.059 day when 00:35:21.059 --> 00:35:21.559 the time 00:35:21.559 --> 00:35:22.579 is right. 00:35:23.639 --> 00:35:24.300 Only the 00:35:24.300 --> 00:35:24.820 father knows 00:35:24.820 --> 00:35:25.059 when. 00:35:26.279 --> 00:35:27.179 He wakes 00:35:27.179 --> 00:35:27.900 his son 00:35:27.900 --> 00:35:28.440 up. 00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:29.800 And he 00:35:29.800 --> 00:35:30.400 hands him 00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:31.119 two tickets. 00:35:32.500 --> 00:35:33.119 And he 00:35:33.119 --> 00:35:33.480 says I 00:35:33.480 --> 00:35:33.860 planned 00:35:33.860 --> 00:35:34.199 something 00:35:34.199 --> 00:35:34.920 for us. 00:35:35.940 --> 00:35:36.320 Will you 00:35:36.320 --> 00:35:36.679 come 00:35:36.679 --> 00:35:37.460 with me? 00:35:38.719 --> 00:35:39.179 Would you 00:35:39.179 --> 00:35:39.739 like to 00:35:39.739 --> 00:35:40.079 come 00:35:40.079 --> 00:35:40.880 with me? 00:35:41.000 --> 00:35:41.259 That's 00:35:41.259 --> 00:35:42.039 the word 00:35:42.039 --> 00:35:42.900 extended. 00:35:43.500 --> 00:35:43.820 That's 00:35:43.820 --> 00:35:44.420 the word 00:35:44.420 --> 00:35:45.300 preached. 00:35:45.300 --> 00:35:45.360 preached. 00:35:46.700 --> 00:35:47.000 And the 00:35:47.000 --> 00:35:48.120 son reads 00:35:48.120 --> 00:35:48.580 the words 00:35:48.580 --> 00:35:48.920 on those 00:35:48.920 --> 00:35:49.220 tickets. 00:35:49.340 --> 00:35:49.880 He sees 00:35:49.880 --> 00:35:50.220 what it 00:35:50.220 --> 00:35:50.660 says. 00:35:50.760 --> 00:35:51.400 He sees 00:35:51.400 --> 00:35:51.640 what the 00:35:51.640 --> 00:35:52.080 invitation 00:35:52.080 --> 00:35:52.580 is all 00:35:52.580 --> 00:35:52.940 about. 00:35:53.060 --> 00:35:53.660 He sees 00:35:53.660 --> 00:35:54.140 the names 00:35:54.140 --> 00:35:54.420 of the 00:35:54.420 --> 00:35:54.860 teams and 00:35:54.860 --> 00:35:55.080 that the 00:35:55.080 --> 00:35:55.580 price of 00:35:55.580 --> 00:35:55.980 admission 00:35:55.980 --> 00:35:56.460 has been 00:35:56.460 --> 00:35:57.080 paid in 00:35:57.080 --> 00:35:57.460 full. 00:35:57.560 --> 00:35:57.820 He doesn't 00:35:57.820 --> 00:35:58.080 have to 00:35:58.080 --> 00:35:58.780 pay a 00:35:58.780 --> 00:35:59.120 dime. 00:35:59.220 --> 00:35:59.420 He can 00:35:59.420 --> 00:35:59.700 come 00:35:59.700 --> 00:36:00.000 without 00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:00.560 cost to 00:36:00.560 --> 00:36:01.060 himself. 00:36:01.400 --> 00:36:02.100 He studies 00:36:02.100 --> 00:36:02.820 those tickets 00:36:02.820 --> 00:36:03.420 day in, 00:36:03.480 --> 00:36:03.920 day out. 00:36:04.019 --> 00:36:04.580 He knows 00:36:04.580 --> 00:36:04.860 what they 00:36:04.860 --> 00:36:05.519 feel like, 00:36:05.560 --> 00:36:05.860 how they 00:36:05.860 --> 00:36:06.180 look, 00:36:06.240 --> 00:36:06.560 how they 00:36:06.560 --> 00:36:06.960 smell, 00:36:07.080 --> 00:36:07.400 what they 00:36:07.400 --> 00:36:07.920 say. 00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:08.760 That's 00:36:08.760 --> 00:36:09.340 knowledge. 00:36:11.340 --> 00:36:12.420 And looking 00:36:12.420 --> 00:36:12.900 at those 00:36:12.900 --> 00:36:13.320 tickets, 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:14.559 he believes 00:36:14.559 --> 00:36:15.039 that this 00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:15.700 is good. 00:36:17.200 --> 00:36:17.599 That his 00:36:17.599 --> 00:36:18.760 father will 00:36:18.760 --> 00:36:19.740 fulfill his 00:36:19.740 --> 00:36:20.360 promise. 00:36:21.880 --> 00:36:22.200 He's 00:36:22.200 --> 00:36:23.019 trustworthy. 00:36:23.800 --> 00:36:24.539 He's proven 00:36:24.539 --> 00:36:25.460 himself to be 00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:26.760 worthy of 00:36:26.760 --> 00:36:27.200 trust. 00:36:27.280 --> 00:36:27.579 And so he 00:36:27.579 --> 00:36:28.760 trusts that his 00:36:28.760 --> 00:36:29.619 father is going 00:36:29.619 --> 00:36:30.700 to keep his 00:36:30.700 --> 00:36:31.320 word. 00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:32.740 That's faith. 00:36:32.739 --> 00:36:32.819 faith. 00:36:34.859 --> 00:36:35.339 And every 00:36:35.339 --> 00:36:37.059 night when 00:36:37.059 --> 00:36:38.199 the boy goes 00:36:38.199 --> 00:36:38.879 to bed, he 00:36:38.879 --> 00:36:39.579 looks at those 00:36:39.579 --> 00:36:40.079 tickets. 00:36:41.419 --> 00:36:42.199 He sleeps with 00:36:42.199 --> 00:36:42.719 them on his 00:36:42.719 --> 00:36:43.019 pillow. 00:36:43.279 --> 00:36:44.619 He wakes up 00:36:44.619 --> 00:36:45.139 and carries 00:36:45.139 --> 00:36:45.599 them in his 00:36:45.599 --> 00:36:46.299 pocket and he 00:36:46.299 --> 00:36:47.539 marks down the 00:36:47.539 --> 00:36:48.319 days on his 00:36:48.319 --> 00:36:48.779 calendar. 00:36:48.919 --> 00:36:49.679 His whole life 00:36:49.679 --> 00:36:51.319 is shaped around 00:36:51.319 --> 00:36:52.339 that coming 00:36:52.339 --> 00:36:54.319 day until the 00:36:54.319 --> 00:36:55.519 day arrives at 00:36:55.519 --> 00:36:56.119 last and he 00:36:56.119 --> 00:36:56.959 can finally 00:36:56.959 --> 00:36:58.699 enjoy the 00:36:58.699 --> 00:36:59.939 realization of 00:36:59.939 --> 00:37:00.739 the promise 00:37:00.739 --> 00:37:01.859 that was made 00:37:01.860 --> 00:37:03.460 before he 00:37:03.460 --> 00:37:04.500 was even 00:37:04.500 --> 00:37:05.460 born. 00:37:06.700 --> 00:37:07.940 That's hope. 00:37:09.640 --> 00:37:10.660 Church, that 00:37:10.660 --> 00:37:12.220 is what we're 00:37:12.220 --> 00:37:13.360 laboring to 00:37:13.360 --> 00:37:13.800 see. 00:37:15.079 --> 00:37:16.579 That is the 00:37:16.579 --> 00:37:17.900 ministry of 00:37:17.900 --> 00:37:18.519 the gospel. 00:37:19.960 --> 00:37:20.840 Let's pray. 00:37:29.519 --> 00:37:30.340 Father, we 00:37:30.340 --> 00:37:30.960 thank you 00:37:30.960 --> 00:37:34.019 that for 00:37:34.019 --> 00:37:35.039 those who 00:37:35.039 --> 00:37:35.559 are in 00:37:35.559 --> 00:37:36.639 Christ, Lord, 00:37:36.800 --> 00:37:37.360 that is 00:37:37.360 --> 00:37:37.880 your doing. 00:37:39.980 --> 00:37:40.720 And we 00:37:40.720 --> 00:37:41.960 pray that 00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:42.639 our faith 00:37:42.639 --> 00:37:43.699 would be a 00:37:43.699 --> 00:37:44.119 knowledgeable 00:37:44.119 --> 00:37:45.039 faith, knowledge 00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:45.820 of the truth, 00:37:46.059 --> 00:37:46.420 that you would 00:37:46.420 --> 00:37:47.199 grow us in 00:37:47.199 --> 00:37:47.699 knowledge of 00:37:47.699 --> 00:37:48.220 the truth. 00:37:48.880 --> 00:37:49.240 Would you 00:37:49.240 --> 00:37:50.079 grow us who 00:37:50.079 --> 00:37:50.699 believe in 00:37:50.699 --> 00:37:51.280 godliness? 00:37:52.440 --> 00:37:52.880 Would you 00:37:52.880 --> 00:37:54.059 strengthen the 00:37:54.059 --> 00:37:54.480 hope of 00:37:54.480 --> 00:37:55.220 eternal life 00:37:55.220 --> 00:37:55.679 that you have 00:37:55.679 --> 00:37:56.300 placed within 00:37:56.300 --> 00:37:57.000 our hearts? 00:37:57.440 --> 00:37:58.139 And Lord, we 00:37:58.139 --> 00:37:58.679 pray, our 00:37:58.679 --> 00:37:59.260 prayer is that 00:37:59.260 --> 00:37:59.860 we would see 00:37:59.860 --> 00:38:01.019 faith born in 00:38:01.019 --> 00:38:01.860 the lost for 00:38:01.860 --> 00:38:02.400 the first 00:38:02.400 --> 00:38:03.700 time, even 00:38:03.700 --> 00:38:04.519 this week, as 00:38:04.519 --> 00:38:05.039 we share the 00:38:05.039 --> 00:38:05.400 gospel. 00:38:06.599 --> 00:38:07.200 And we pray 00:38:07.200 --> 00:38:08.539 that faith would 00:38:08.539 --> 00:38:09.099 be strengthened 00:38:09.099 --> 00:38:09.620 here by 00:38:09.620 --> 00:38:10.360 instruction in 00:38:10.360 --> 00:38:10.940 the truth and 00:38:10.940 --> 00:38:11.380 growth and 00:38:11.380 --> 00:38:11.820 godliness. 00:38:12.019 --> 00:38:12.340 Lord, would 00:38:12.340 --> 00:38:12.840 you do it? 00:38:13.720 --> 00:38:14.220 Would you be 00:38:14.220 --> 00:38:14.840 pleased to do 00:38:14.840 --> 00:38:15.480 that here among 00:38:15.480 --> 00:38:15.840 us? 00:38:16.800 --> 00:38:17.519 We love you, 00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:18.039 Father, and we 00:38:18.039 --> 00:38:18.800 pray all this in 00:38:18.800 --> 00:38:19.180 the name of 00:38:19.180 --> 00:38:19.599 Christ. 00:38:20.599 --> 00:38:20.860 Amen. 00:38:20.860 --> 00:38:20.980 Amen. 00:38:20.980 --> 00:38:21.039 Amen. 00:38:21.039 --> 00:38:21.059 Amen. 00:38:21.059 --> 00:38:21.079 Amen. 00:38:21.079 --> 00:38:21.099 Amen. 00:38:21.099 --> 00:38:21.120 Amen. 00:38:21.120 --> 00:38:21.160 Amen. 00:38:21.160 --> 00:38:21.660 Amen. 00:38:21.660 --> 00:38:21.720 Amen. 00:38:21.720 --> 00:38:23.039 Amen. 00:38:23.039 --> 00:38:23.099 Amen. 00:38:23.099 --> 00:38:23.160 Amen. 00:38:23.160 --> 00:38:25.039 Amen. 00:38:25.039 --> 00:38:25.099 Amen. 00:38:25.099 --> 00:38:25.120 Amen. 00:38:25.120 --> 00:38:25.160 Amen. 00:38:25.160 --> 00:38:25.220 Amen. 00:38:25.220 --> 00:38:25.599 Amen. 00:38:25.599 --> 00:38:26.160 Amen. 00:38:26.160 --> 00:38:26.980 Amen. 00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:27.039 Amen. 00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:27.099 Amen.