WEBVTT

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 In fact, we're going to read two passages.

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 So first of all, in 1 Thessalonians, we'll read chapter 1.

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 And then we're going to turn over to the next letter and read from the end of that letter,

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 2 Thessalonians chapter 3, verses 1 to 5.

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 We begin with 1 Thessalonians chapter 1.

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 Let us hear God's word.

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 Paul, Silas, and Timothy, to the Church of the Thessalonians,

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 in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, grace and peace to you.

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 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.

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 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith,

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 your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 For we know, brothers, loved by God, that he has chosen you,

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 because our gospel came to you not simply with words,

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 but also with power and the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.

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 You know how we lived among you for your sake.

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 You became imitators of us and of the Lord.

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 In spite of severe suffering,

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 you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

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 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

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 The Lord's message rang out from you,

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 not only in Macedonia and Achaia,

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 your faith in God has become known everywhere.

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 Therefore, we do not need to say anything about it,

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 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us.

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 They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.

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 And to wait for his son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead,

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 Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

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 Then if you'll turn with me to the next letter, 2 Thessalonians,

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 we're going to read in chapter 3, verses 1 to 5.

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 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly

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 and be honored just as it was with you.

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 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men,

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 for not everyone has faith.

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 But the Lord is faithful,

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 and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

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 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing

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 and will continue to do the things we command.

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 May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.

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 If you want to follow with me this evening,

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 I want us to look at two verses from 2 Thessalonians chapter 3.

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 The first two verses where Paul writes,

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 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly

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 and be honored just as it was with you.

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 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men,

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 for not everyone has faith.

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 In this text then, we have simply an exhortation

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 for the church to gather to pray corporately

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 for the ministry of God's words.

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 Paul gives two reasons, two aspects to this prayer.

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 The first is that the word of the Lord would advance successfully.

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 would speed ahead and be honored.

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 And the second aspect to this

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 is that God's servants would know his protection

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 and his deliverance from those who are opposed to the gospel

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 in light of the fact that not all have faith.

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 So this text is teaching us

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 that the prayer for the gospel to advance

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 is not just the responsibility of the ordained ministry

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 of the pastors and the elders,

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 that it is the duty of every Christian

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 to pray that God's word would be successful

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 in penetrating the hearts of sinful human beings.

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 It is true that prayer is a special duty

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 of those who are set aside to preach.

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 The apostolic model in Acts 6-4

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 is we will give ourselves to prayer

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 and the ministry of the word.

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 And yet Paul, who would have lived on that principle,

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 frequently covets the prayers of the churches

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 in his letters.

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 Romans 15, 30-32.

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 Philippians 1, 18-20.

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 Let's just read a couple of examples.

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 Ephesians 6 and verse 19 and 20.

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 Pray also for me, Paul says,

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 that whenever I open my mouth,

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 words may be given me

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 so that I will fearlessly make known

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 the mystery of the gospel

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 for which I am an ambassador in chains.

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 Pray that I may declare it fearlessly

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 as I should.

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 It requests that the Colossians would pray

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 that he would have a door opened wide

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 for the ministry of the word.

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 So it was his special duty as a preacher

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 to give himself to prayer.

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 And yet he exhorted the churches

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 to join him in praying.

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 Paul then had a clear mission.

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 The Lord told him what he would suffer

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 on his behalf.

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 And he had a comprehensive message.

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 He preached the cross of Jesus Christ

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 as the power of God and to salvation.

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 He preached the whole counsel of God.

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 But he knew that he wouldn't have

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 a completed ministry

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 if he was left on his own.

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 He knew there was a sense

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 in which he could only fulfill

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 what the Lord had laid on his plate

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 through the prayers of God's people.

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 So he exhorts them,

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 finally, brothers, pray for us.

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 The formal preaching of the word then

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 is in the hands of a minority

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 within the church.

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 But that can only continue

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 and that can only have its maximum effect

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 as the whole church joins

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 in prayer behind the preacher.

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 Often we find it easier to recognize

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 the need to support ministers and missionaries

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 in practical, visible ways,

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 like finances and so on.

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 Prayer is by nature invisible

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 to the public eye.

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 Jesus said,

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 when you go to pray,

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 go into your room and shut the door

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 and pray to your Father who is in secret.

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 And perhaps because here we're engaging

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 with matters of spiritual importance,

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 things which we can only see

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 with the eye of faith,

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 not with the eye of the flesh.

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 For that reason,

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 we need to be reminded regularly

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 and exhorted,

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 like these Thessalonian Christians,

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 to take this responsibility seriously.

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 A carriage will pick up speed

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 as all the horses pull together.

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 An Olympic rowing boat requires

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 that everyone is pulling on the oar

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 in the same rhythm.

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 The gears of the gospel,

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 if you like,

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 the gears of gospel preaching

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 turn most smoothly

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 when they're oiled with the prayers

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 of the whole church.

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 Let's consider, first of all then,

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 an explanation of why we need prayer

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 in relation to the ministry of the words.

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 Paul makes this request for himself.

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 Pray for us.

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 Pray for me.

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 Pray for my team, he is saying.

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 But then he doesn't ask them

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 to pray for his personal success.

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 He doesn't say pray for me

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 so that I can be the best missionary,

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 the best preacher in town.

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 He doesn't say pray for me

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 that I would have a comfortable life,

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 plenty of money in my pocket

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 and not too many opponents.

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 His prayer for himself is this,

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 that God's word would advance,

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 that scripture may speed ahead.

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 Paul is dedicated

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 to the service of Jesus Christ.

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 He's so set aside

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 to advance his master's kingdom

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 that his agenda is

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 that Jesus would be known,

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 not that Paul would be known.

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 He says, doesn't he,

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 in the letter to Galatians,

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 I've been crucified with Christ.

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 It's no longer I who live,

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 but Christ who lives in me.

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 And so preaching for Paul

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 was not about making himself known.

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 It was about making the words

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 of God known.

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 He preached as he lived,

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 not to show off his intellect,

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 his knowledge, his achievements,

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 his abilities,

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 but to present the glories

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 of God's wisdom

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 and God's righteousness

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 and God's power.

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 The word of Christ

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 was dwelling richly in Paul's heart

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 and he couldn't help but overflow

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 in his prayers

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 that the word of the Lord

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 would progress

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 regardless of the cost

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 to him.

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 We often pray

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 that the preacher

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 would know God's help

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 and God's assistance

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 and that's important.

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 It's a fearful thing

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 to stand in a pulpit

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 on a platform

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 and speak from God's word

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 to God's people.

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 It's demanding spiritual work.

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 It can leave a strong man

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 feeling physically

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 and emotionally drained.

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 Preachers need your prayers.

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 But the goal

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 is not to get

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 the pastor

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 through this week

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 in a fit state

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 to preach again next week.

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 The goal

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 is to get God's word

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 into people's hearts.

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 To get God's words

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 into the hearts

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 of unbelievers

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 with power

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 to convict them

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 and to convert them.

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 To get God's word

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 into our own hearts

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 with power

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 to make us grow

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 in holiness

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 and in knowledge

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 of the Lord.

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 The goal

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 is not the success

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 of the preacher.

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 The goal

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 is the success

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 of the gospel.

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 Imagine a boxer.

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 He might have

00:11:11.899 --> 00:11:13.299
 the perfect physique.

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 He might have

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 great stamina

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 but he doesn't win

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 the bout

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 until he lands

00:11:19.319 --> 00:11:20.339
 that killer punch.

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 And you might have

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 the perfect preacher

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 with the perfect

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 sermon illustrations

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 and the perfect outline.

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 But it all comes

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 to nothing

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 unless the gospel

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 gets deep

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 into the hearts

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 of the people.

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 Do you value

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 God's word

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 like Paul

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 valued it?

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 A true Christian

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 sees the scripture

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 as spiritual light,

00:11:48.759 --> 00:11:50.120
 as spiritual food.

00:11:50.599 --> 00:11:52.000
 Our whole eternity

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 depends on this book.

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 So like the disciples

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 we would say

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 where else

00:11:58.159 --> 00:11:58.779
 should we go?

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 You have the words

00:12:00.519 --> 00:12:02.379
 of eternal life.

00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:05.840
 Our appetites

00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:06.860
 for spiritual things

00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:07.860
 can ebb and flow.

00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:09.779
 But if you've never

00:12:09.779 --> 00:12:10.419
 delighted

00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:11.559
 in God's word

00:12:11.559 --> 00:12:12.100
 like that,

00:12:12.340 --> 00:12:13.000
 if you've never

00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:13.860
 tasted this

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 and seen that it's

00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:15.539
 sweeter than honey,

00:12:16.460 --> 00:12:17.399
 if you've never

00:12:17.399 --> 00:12:18.319
 craved it

00:12:18.319 --> 00:12:20.100
 as a baby

00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:21.080
 craves milk,

00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:23.020
 you need to examine

00:12:23.020 --> 00:12:24.820
 your heart.

00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:26.500
 Do you have

00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:27.740
 that eternal life

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 which is received

00:12:29.340 --> 00:12:30.020
 by faith

00:12:30.020 --> 00:12:30.780
 when you hear

00:12:30.780 --> 00:12:33.300
 this word?

00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:35.620
 Those of us

00:12:35.620 --> 00:12:36.480
 who are Christians,

00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:39.100
 we may have

00:12:39.100 --> 00:12:40.340
 a degree of success

00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:42.300
 as preachers

00:12:42.300 --> 00:12:44.220
 with natural ability

00:12:44.220 --> 00:12:45.060
 and so on.

00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:47.080
 But the success

00:12:47.080 --> 00:12:47.820
 of the word

00:12:47.820 --> 00:12:48.300
 is something

00:12:48.300 --> 00:12:49.220
 that only God

00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:49.879
 can give.

00:12:50.580 --> 00:12:51.460
 We can't stir

00:12:51.460 --> 00:12:51.860
 that up,

00:12:51.920 --> 00:12:52.800
 we can't achieve

00:12:52.800 --> 00:12:53.220
 that.

00:12:54.060 --> 00:12:54.980
 God gives it

00:12:54.980 --> 00:12:56.240
 as you pray.

00:12:57.240 --> 00:12:58.259
 James stands

00:12:58.259 --> 00:12:58.940
 here regularly,

00:12:59.060 --> 00:12:59.580
 other men

00:12:59.580 --> 00:13:00.759
 stand here regularly

00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:02.500
 and preach

00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:03.279
 God's word

00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:04.000
 faithfully.

00:13:05.000 --> 00:13:05.720
 It will only

00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:06.759
 have its maximum

00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:07.360
 effect

00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:08.920
 as you join

00:13:08.920 --> 00:13:09.680
 behind them

00:13:09.680 --> 00:13:11.139
 in seeking

00:13:11.139 --> 00:13:12.820
 God's blessing.

00:13:14.259 --> 00:13:15.060
 But you might

00:13:15.060 --> 00:13:15.840
 raise an objection

00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:16.580
 at this point.

00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:18.620
 You might say

00:13:18.620 --> 00:13:19.279
 that God's word

00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:20.139
 cannot fail.

00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:21.919
 It must succeed

00:13:21.919 --> 00:13:22.419
 because it has

00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:23.379
 a life and a power

00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:23.940
 of its own.

00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:25.379
 It's living and active.

00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:26.039
 It's sharper

00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:27.220
 than a two-edged sword.

00:13:28.419 --> 00:13:29.220
 God himself

00:13:29.220 --> 00:13:29.919
 has said that

00:13:29.919 --> 00:13:30.940
 it will not return

00:13:30.940 --> 00:13:31.620
 to me empty

00:13:31.620 --> 00:13:33.080
 but will accomplish

00:13:33.080 --> 00:13:34.360
 what I desire

00:13:34.360 --> 00:13:35.399
 and achieve

00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:36.159
 the purpose

00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:37.620
 for which I sent it.

00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:38.899
 Why then

00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:39.500
 shall we pray?

00:13:40.960 --> 00:13:42.340
 All this objection

00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:43.220
 is both right

00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:43.620
 and wrong.

00:13:44.060 --> 00:13:44.840
 It's correct

00:13:44.840 --> 00:13:46.480
 so far as it goes.

00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:47.980
 The scripture

00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:48.940
 is God's word

00:13:48.940 --> 00:13:49.980
 objective fact.

00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:51.159
 Every time

00:13:51.159 --> 00:13:52.320
 this is read

00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:53.700
 God speaks

00:13:53.700 --> 00:13:54.879
 and we should

00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:55.539
 be listening.

00:13:56.279 --> 00:13:57.139
 It has divine

00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:57.820
 sanction

00:13:57.820 --> 00:13:59.259
 and authority.

00:13:59.960 --> 00:14:00.360
 That's why

00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:01.300
 Paul could rejoice

00:14:01.300 --> 00:14:02.120
 even when evil

00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:03.039
 men were preaching

00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:04.820
 for evil

00:14:04.820 --> 00:14:06.600
 motives.

00:14:07.639 --> 00:14:08.340
 But this is only

00:14:08.340 --> 00:14:09.039
 one side

00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:09.620
 of the truth.

00:14:09.779 --> 00:14:10.080
 Yes

00:14:10.080 --> 00:14:11.700
 God is sovereign

00:14:11.700 --> 00:14:12.580
 and powerfully

00:14:12.580 --> 00:14:13.060
 at work

00:14:13.060 --> 00:14:13.779
 in his word

00:14:13.779 --> 00:14:15.220
 but that doesn't

00:14:15.220 --> 00:14:16.139
 give us an excuse

00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:17.360
 to be fatalistic

00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:19.039
 to be passive

00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:21.600
 or to be indifferent.

00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:22.939
 It is the sovereign

00:14:22.939 --> 00:14:24.059
 Lord's word

00:14:24.059 --> 00:14:25.819
 and he gets

00:14:25.819 --> 00:14:26.539
 to choose

00:14:26.539 --> 00:14:28.179
 where and when

00:14:28.179 --> 00:14:29.860
 it is most effective.

00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:31.639
 He's given us

00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:32.740
 the responsibility

00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:34.459
 to listen

00:14:34.459 --> 00:14:35.220
 to his word

00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:35.959
 and to preach

00:14:35.959 --> 00:14:36.579
 his word

00:14:36.579 --> 00:14:38.919
 by his design.

00:14:39.839 --> 00:14:40.379
 For example

00:14:40.379 --> 00:14:41.319
 in the Westminster

00:14:41.319 --> 00:14:43.240
 larger catechism

00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:45.259
 question 155

00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:46.460
 says how is the word

00:14:46.460 --> 00:14:48.060
 made effectual

00:14:48.060 --> 00:14:48.960
 to salvation?

00:14:49.960 --> 00:14:50.639
 And the answer

00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:51.019
 is

00:14:51.019 --> 00:14:52.299
 the spirit

00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:52.879
 of God

00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:54.000
 makes the reading

00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:55.419
 but especially

00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:56.120
 the preaching

00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:56.940
 of the word

00:14:56.940 --> 00:14:58.419
 an effectual

00:14:58.419 --> 00:14:58.940
 means

00:14:58.940 --> 00:15:00.399
 to enlighten

00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:01.080
 convince

00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:01.860
 and humble

00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:02.340
 sinners

00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:03.680
 to drive them

00:15:03.680 --> 00:15:04.399
 out of themselves

00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:05.340
 and draw them

00:15:05.340 --> 00:15:06.879
 to Christ.

00:15:07.940 --> 00:15:08.700
 The spirit

00:15:08.700 --> 00:15:09.500
 then has chosen

00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:10.039
 to use

00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:10.659
 the preached

00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:11.259
 word

00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:13.139
 without question

00:15:13.139 --> 00:15:14.179
 160

00:15:14.179 --> 00:15:15.899
 says what is

00:15:15.899 --> 00:15:16.899
 required of those

00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:17.960
 that hear the preached

00:15:17.960 --> 00:15:18.379
 word?

00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:20.139
 And this is the answer.

00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:21.779
 It is required

00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:22.639
 of those that hear

00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:23.659
 the word preached

00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:25.100
 that they attend

00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:25.720
 upon it with

00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:26.439
 diligence

00:15:26.439 --> 00:15:27.939
 preparation

00:15:27.940 --> 00:15:29.580
 and prayer.

00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:31.060
 We can't

00:15:31.060 --> 00:15:31.900
 come to God's

00:15:31.900 --> 00:15:32.320
 words

00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:33.720
 in difference

00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:35.540
 with our

00:15:35.540 --> 00:15:36.320
 mind filled

00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:36.720
 with other

00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:37.200
 things

00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:39.700
 and expect

00:15:39.700 --> 00:15:40.500
 to be blessed

00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:41.040
 by it.

00:15:41.700 --> 00:15:42.120
 We come

00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:42.680
 dependent

00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:43.280
 on him

00:15:43.280 --> 00:15:45.140
 by prayer.

00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:46.700
 If you like

00:15:46.700 --> 00:15:47.180
 this is the

00:15:47.180 --> 00:15:48.140
 belt of truth

00:15:48.140 --> 00:15:49.740
 but it will

00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:50.700
 only protect

00:15:50.700 --> 00:15:51.020
 you

00:15:51.020 --> 00:15:52.240
 as a piece

00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:52.780
 of armor

00:15:52.780 --> 00:15:54.080
 if you put

00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:54.520
 it on

00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:55.980
 and pull

00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:56.559
 it tight.

00:15:57.460 --> 00:15:57.939
 The Lord

00:15:57.939 --> 00:15:58.500
 has chosen

00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.159
 to advance

00:15:59.159 --> 00:15:59.699
 his kingdom

00:15:59.699 --> 00:16:00.500
 through preaching

00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:02.419
 spirit filled

00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:02.840
 men

00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:03.879
 preaching

00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:04.539
 with love

00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:05.159
 and faith

00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:06.100
 in their

00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:06.600
 hearts

00:16:06.600 --> 00:16:07.960
 chosen by

00:16:07.960 --> 00:16:08.360
 Christ

00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:08.840
 and set

00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:09.220
 aside

00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:10.279
 by the

00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:10.639
 church

00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.059
 to that

00:16:11.059 --> 00:16:11.659
 task.

00:16:12.079 --> 00:16:12.340
 The Holy

00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:12.639
 Spirit

00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.240
 isn't a

00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:13.439
 bare

00:16:13.439 --> 00:16:13.799
 knuckle

00:16:13.799 --> 00:16:14.240
 fighter.

00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:15.539
 He takes

00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:15.980
 up a

00:16:15.980 --> 00:16:16.299
 sword.

00:16:16.819 --> 00:16:17.220
 He goes

00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:17.819
 into battle

00:16:17.819 --> 00:16:18.120
 but he

00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:18.379
 doesn't

00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:18.860
 leave the

00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:19.100
 sword

00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:19.399
 in the

00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:19.720
 sheath.

00:16:20.299 --> 00:16:20.699
 He takes

00:16:20.699 --> 00:16:21.019
 up a

00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:21.319
 preacher

00:16:21.319 --> 00:16:21.960
 like Paul

00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:22.299
 and puts

00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:22.579
 him on

00:16:22.579 --> 00:16:22.939
 like a

00:16:22.939 --> 00:16:23.379
 gauntlet

00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:24.159
 and then

00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:24.740
 wields

00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:25.259
 the sword

00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:26.740
 with almighty

00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:27.399
 power

00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:29.100
 and omniscient

00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:29.740
 precision

00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:31.159
 to make

00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:31.820
 every blow

00:16:31.820 --> 00:16:32.379
 count

00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.980
 whether to

00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:35.240
 strike a

00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:35.759
 sinner with

00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:36.240
 conviction

00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:37.600
 or to

00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:38.720
 heal a

00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:39.120
 grieving

00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:39.799
 saint.

00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:41.240
 It's his

00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:42.240
 choice to

00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:42.919
 do this

00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:43.919
 as the

00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:44.720
 whole church

00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:45.460
 prays

00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:46.600
 that God's

00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:47.059
 word would

00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:47.899
 speed ahead

00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:49.279
 and be

00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:49.620
 honored.

00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:50.440
 Preaching

00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:51.139
 doesn't happen

00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:51.940
 automatically.

00:16:52.580 --> 00:16:53.100
 It doesn't

00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:53.460
 happen

00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:54.259
 mechanically.

00:16:54.800 --> 00:16:55.340
 God has

00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:55.879
 designed it

00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:56.399
 to function

00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:56.800
 in the

00:16:56.800 --> 00:16:57.379
 relational

00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:57.940
 context

00:16:57.940 --> 00:16:58.379
 of the

00:16:58.379 --> 00:16:58.899
 church

00:16:58.899 --> 00:16:59.960
 or in

00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:00.100
 it

00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:00.460
 together

00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:00.980
 as a

00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:01.320
 body.

00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:02.800
 James

00:17:02.800 --> 00:17:03.200
 can put

00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:03.360
 the

00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:03.680
 arrow

00:17:03.680 --> 00:17:04.700
 in

00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.559
 the

00:17:05.559 --> 00:17:06.000
 bow

00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.019
 but he

00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:07.240
 needs

00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:07.440
 the

00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:07.740
 strength

00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:07.980
 of the

00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:08.220
 whole

00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:08.700
 church

00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:09.579
 to pull

00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.339
 the

00:17:10.339 --> 00:17:10.740
 string

00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:11.099
 back

00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:11.460
 and let

00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:11.599
 it

00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:11.980
 fly

00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:13.220
 with

00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:13.759
 God's

00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:14.480
 almighty

00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:15.299
 power.

00:17:16.620 --> 00:17:16.860
 God

00:17:16.860 --> 00:17:17.099
 has

00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:17.620
 ordained

00:17:17.620 --> 00:17:17.980
 that his

00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:18.259
 word

00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:18.480
 won't

00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:18.900
 come back

00:17:18.900 --> 00:17:19.240
 to him

00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:19.579
 empty

00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:20.900
 but has

00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:21.200
 he not

00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:21.579
 also

00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:21.940
 ordained

00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:22.360
 that true

00:17:22.360 --> 00:17:22.640
 prayer

00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:22.900
 won't

00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:23.340
 come back

00:17:23.340 --> 00:17:23.759
 to him

00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:24.600
 empty.

00:17:25.140 --> 00:17:25.640
 Jesus

00:17:25.640 --> 00:17:26.140
 said

00:17:26.140 --> 00:17:26.580
 if you

00:17:26.580 --> 00:17:27.019
 abide

00:17:27.019 --> 00:17:27.519
 in me

00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:28.700
 and my

00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:29.160
 words

00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:29.580
 abide

00:17:29.580 --> 00:17:30.080
 in you

00:17:30.080 --> 00:17:31.160
 ask

00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:31.620
 whatever

00:17:31.620 --> 00:17:31.920
 you

00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:32.299
 wish

00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:33.420
 and it

00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:33.840
 will be

00:17:33.840 --> 00:17:34.180
 done

00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:34.720
 for you.

00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:35.840
 Can you

00:17:35.840 --> 00:17:36.160
 join

00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:36.620
 Paul

00:17:36.620 --> 00:17:37.799
 in this

00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:38.460
 exhortation?

00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:38.779
 Is it

00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.660
 your wish

00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:40.799
 that God's

00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:41.220
 word would

00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:41.920
 speed ahead

00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:43.360
 and be

00:17:43.360 --> 00:17:43.680
 honored

00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:45.100
 because that

00:17:45.100 --> 00:17:45.460
 is a

00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:45.840
 prayer

00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:46.899
 that the

00:17:46.899 --> 00:17:47.279
 Lord

00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:48.679
 delights

00:17:48.679 --> 00:17:50.279
 to answer.

00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:50.720
 An

00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.359
 explanation

00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:52.119
 then of

00:17:52.119 --> 00:17:52.879
 the need

00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:53.480
 for prayer

00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:54.919
 in relation

00:17:54.919 --> 00:17:55.899
 to the

00:17:55.899 --> 00:17:56.299
 ministry

00:17:56.299 --> 00:17:56.659
 of the

00:17:56.659 --> 00:17:57.019
 word.

00:17:58.039 --> 00:17:58.619
 Secondly

00:17:58.619 --> 00:17:59.879
 consider the

00:17:59.879 --> 00:18:00.919
 experience

00:18:00.919 --> 00:18:02.519
 of answered

00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:03.139
 prayer in

00:18:03.139 --> 00:18:03.519
 relation

00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.559
 to the

00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:04.939
 ministry

00:18:04.939 --> 00:18:05.319
 of the

00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:05.679
 word.

00:18:06.959 --> 00:18:07.539
 Paul

00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:08.059
 asks them

00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:08.559
 to pray

00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:08.879
 that it

00:18:08.879 --> 00:18:09.439
 would speed

00:18:09.439 --> 00:18:09.779
 ahead

00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:10.139
 and be

00:18:10.139 --> 00:18:10.419
 honored

00:18:10.419 --> 00:18:12.119
 and he's

00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:12.619
 confident

00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:13.119
 that they'll

00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:13.559
 understand

00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.000
 what he

00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:14.259
 means

00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:14.599
 because he

00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:15.039
 goes on

00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:15.519
 to say

00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.639
 just as

00:18:16.639 --> 00:18:17.259
 it was

00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:18.500
 with you

00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.599
 just as

00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:19.899
 happened

00:18:19.899 --> 00:18:20.399
 in your

00:18:20.399 --> 00:18:21.279
 experience.

00:18:22.639 --> 00:18:23.119
 He's

00:18:23.119 --> 00:18:23.619
 confident

00:18:23.619 --> 00:18:24.940
 that they'll

00:18:24.940 --> 00:18:25.339
 know what

00:18:25.339 --> 00:18:25.899
 he's talking

00:18:25.899 --> 00:18:26.240
 about.

00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:27.319
 If we

00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:28.000
 combine the

00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:29.259
 story in

00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:29.920
 Acts 17

00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:30.480
 of how

00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:31.000
 the church

00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:31.859
 of Thessalonica

00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:33.180
 was formed

00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:34.619
 with the

00:18:34.619 --> 00:18:35.279
 passage in

00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:36.659
 1 Thessalonians

00:18:36.659 --> 00:18:37.339
 1 that we

00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:38.879
 read we

00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:39.440
 see that

00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:40.259
 the gospel

00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:41.019
 made rapid

00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:41.659
 progress

00:18:41.659 --> 00:18:42.759
 in

00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:43.559
 Thessalonica.

00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:45.599
 Acts 17

00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:46.559
 2 suggests

00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:46.960
 that Paul

00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:47.379
 may only

00:18:47.379 --> 00:18:47.779
 have been

00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:48.139
 there for

00:18:48.139 --> 00:18:48.879
 three weeks

00:18:48.879 --> 00:18:51.440
 reasoning

00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.659
 in the

00:18:52.659 --> 00:18:53.319
 tabernacles

00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:53.899
 and some

00:18:53.899 --> 00:18:54.419
 people were

00:18:54.419 --> 00:18:55.200
 persuaded in

00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:55.819
 that time

00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:57.500
 and then

00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:58.079
 because of

00:18:58.079 --> 00:18:59.039
 intense threat

00:18:59.039 --> 00:19:00.539
 of persecution

00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:01.139
 the Christians

00:19:01.139 --> 00:19:01.799
 sent Paul

00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:02.159
 away

00:19:02.159 --> 00:19:04.220
 and yet

00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:05.179
 look at that

00:19:05.179 --> 00:19:05.980
 description in

00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:06.899
 1 Thessalonians

00:19:06.899 --> 00:19:07.240
 1

00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:08.279
 a church

00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:08.659
 that had

00:19:08.659 --> 00:19:09.200
 formed in

00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:09.980
 just three

00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.500
 weeks

00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:12.420
 and yet

00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:13.220
 the gospel

00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:13.859
 came in

00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.339
 power

00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:15.359
 and in

00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:15.700
 the Holy

00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:16.140
 Spirit

00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:16.519
 and with

00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:16.759
 deep

00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.279
 conviction

00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:18.500
 and they

00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.000
 became

00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:19.940
 imitators

00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:20.599
 of the

00:19:20.599 --> 00:19:21.099
 apostles

00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:22.500
 experiencing

00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.740
 the gospel

00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:24.539
 receiving the

00:19:24.539 --> 00:19:25.160
 gospel with

00:19:25.160 --> 00:19:25.700
 joy

00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:27.619
 in spite of

00:19:27.619 --> 00:19:28.660
 much

00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.220
 suffering

00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:31.059
 the church

00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:31.700
 which formed

00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.099
 in this

00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:33.299
 pressure cooker

00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:34.400
 of a

00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:34.859
 short

00:19:34.859 --> 00:19:35.779
 intense

00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.240
 time

00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:36.940
 with much

00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:37.720
 persecution

00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:39.660
 became an

00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:40.500
 example to

00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:40.900
 all the

00:19:40.900 --> 00:19:41.579
 churches in

00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:42.079
 the surrounding

00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:42.680
 areas

00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:44.579
 verse 7

00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:44.940
 of 1

00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:45.620
 Thessalonians

00:19:45.620 --> 00:19:45.960
 1

00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:47.420
 tells us

00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:48.160
 so it

00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:48.839
 made rapid

00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:49.400
 progress

00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:49.660
 there

00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:50.299
 and it

00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:50.759
 was also

00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.440
 revered

00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:53.259
 and propagated

00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:55.059
 the progress

00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:55.759
 was rapid

00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.299
 because of

00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:56.740
 the way

00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.579
 they received

00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:58.440
 God's word

00:19:58.440 --> 00:20:00.120
 1 Thessalonians

00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:00.460
 2

00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:01.019
 13

00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:02.079
 says

00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:03.680
 they received

00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.259
 the word

00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:04.880
 of God

00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:06.840
 not as

00:20:06.840 --> 00:20:07.200
 though it

00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:07.520
 were the

00:20:07.520 --> 00:20:08.020
 word of

00:20:08.020 --> 00:20:08.300
 men

00:20:08.300 --> 00:20:08.720
 but as

00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:09.360
 it actually

00:20:09.360 --> 00:20:09.860
 is the

00:20:09.860 --> 00:20:10.320
 word of

00:20:10.320 --> 00:20:10.640
 God

00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:11.300
 they

00:20:11.300 --> 00:20:11.960
 recognized

00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:12.340
 what it

00:20:12.340 --> 00:20:12.580
 was

00:20:12.580 --> 00:20:12.760
 they

00:20:12.760 --> 00:20:13.280
 recognized

00:20:13.280 --> 00:20:13.620
 that this

00:20:13.620 --> 00:20:14.020
 is God

00:20:14.020 --> 00:20:14.540
 speaking

00:20:14.540 --> 00:20:15.960
 they

00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:16.420
 honored

00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:17.120
 the Bible

00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:17.440
 they

00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:17.780
 honored

00:20:17.780 --> 00:20:18.460
 the gospel

00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:19.800
 as they

00:20:19.800 --> 00:20:20.320
 ought to

00:20:20.320 --> 00:20:21.320
 as the

00:20:21.320 --> 00:20:21.800
 very

00:20:21.800 --> 00:20:22.820
 word

00:20:22.820 --> 00:20:23.400
 of God

00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:24.660
 receiving

00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:25.120
 God's

00:20:25.120 --> 00:20:25.360
 word

00:20:25.360 --> 00:20:25.680
 in that

00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:25.940
 way

00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:26.740
 they

00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.200
 turned

00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:27.520
 from

00:20:27.520 --> 00:20:28.000
 idols

00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:28.780
 to serve

00:20:28.780 --> 00:20:29.000
 the

00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.260
 living

00:20:29.260 --> 00:20:29.700
 and true

00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:30.140
 God

00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:31.380
 to wait

00:20:31.380 --> 00:20:31.780
 for his

00:20:31.780 --> 00:20:32.060
 son

00:20:32.060 --> 00:20:32.560
 returning

00:20:32.560 --> 00:20:32.840
 from

00:20:32.840 --> 00:20:33.200
 heaven

00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:34.240
 whom

00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:34.420
 he

00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:34.840
 raised

00:20:34.840 --> 00:20:35.060
 from

00:20:35.060 --> 00:20:35.220
 the

00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:35.500
 dead

00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.019
 Jesus

00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:37.060
 who

00:20:37.060 --> 00:20:37.539
 delivers

00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:38.100
 us

00:20:38.100 --> 00:20:38.940
 from

00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:39.120
 the

00:20:39.120 --> 00:20:39.420
 wrath

00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:39.700
 to

00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:40.019
 come

00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:41.180
 they

00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:41.640
 turned

00:20:41.640 --> 00:20:41.940
 from

00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:42.340
 pagan

00:20:42.340 --> 00:20:43.140
 lifestyles

00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:43.940
 in that

00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:44.360
 short

00:20:44.360 --> 00:20:44.779
 period

00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:44.980
 of

00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:45.340
 time

00:20:45.340 --> 00:20:46.180
 and

00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:46.340
 then

00:20:46.340 --> 00:20:46.539
 they

00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.140
 trumpeted

00:20:47.140 --> 00:20:47.340
 the

00:20:47.340 --> 00:20:47.720
 gospel

00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:49.779
 like a

00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.340
 like a

00:20:50.340 --> 00:20:51.080
 loud brass

00:20:51.080 --> 00:20:51.500
 instrument

00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:51.920
 like a

00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:52.380
 herald

00:20:52.380 --> 00:20:53.240
 hear ye

00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:53.820
 hear you

00:20:53.820 --> 00:20:54.340
 blow the

00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:54.680
 trumpet

00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:55.380
 and it

00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:55.900
 sounded

00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:56.779
 and it

00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:57.460
 resounded

00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:58.900
 through

00:20:58.900 --> 00:20:59.720
 Macedonia

00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:01.180
 and

00:21:01.180 --> 00:21:01.900
 Achaia

00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:04.140
 isn't

00:21:04.140 --> 00:21:04.300
 it

00:21:04.300 --> 00:21:04.960
 encouraging

00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:06.420
 to

00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:07.000
 remember

00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:07.400
 in

00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:07.759
 days

00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.080
 like

00:21:08.080 --> 00:21:08.600
 ours

00:21:08.600 --> 00:21:09.340
 where

00:21:09.340 --> 00:21:09.519
 the

00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:09.900
 gospel

00:21:09.900 --> 00:21:10.420
 often

00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:10.960
 faces

00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:11.519
 rampant

00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:12.320
 secularism

00:21:12.320 --> 00:21:12.500
 and

00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.080
 indifference

00:21:13.080 --> 00:21:13.880
 isn't

00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.019
 it

00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:14.640
 encouraging

00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:15.000
 to

00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:15.440
 remember

00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:15.640
 that

00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:15.840
 it's

00:21:15.840 --> 00:21:16.019
 not

00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:16.500
 always

00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:16.800
 been

00:21:16.800 --> 00:21:17.080
 like

00:21:17.080 --> 00:21:17.360
 that

00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:18.300
 that

00:21:18.300 --> 00:21:18.460
 we

00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:18.700
 can

00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.100
 read

00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:19.240
 in

00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:19.400
 the

00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:19.840
 Bible

00:21:19.840 --> 00:21:20.759
 of

00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.420
 situations

00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:21.880
 where

00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:22.300
 in

00:21:22.300 --> 00:21:22.519
 just

00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:22.700
 a

00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:22.900
 few

00:21:22.900 --> 00:21:23.380
 weeks

00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:23.960
 in

00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.240
 just

00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:24.440
 a

00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:24.600
 few

00:21:24.600 --> 00:21:25.180
 days

00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:26.360
 God

00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:26.980
 saved

00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:27.519
 many

00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:27.980
 many

00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:28.580
 people

00:21:28.579 --> 00:21:29.500
 turned

00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:29.939
 lives

00:21:29.939 --> 00:21:30.319
 around

00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.319
 changed

00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:32.119
 communities

00:21:32.119 --> 00:21:32.679
 changed

00:21:32.679 --> 00:21:33.460
 families

00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:35.039
 in

00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:35.259
 New

00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:35.639
 Testament

00:21:35.639 --> 00:21:36.099
 times

00:21:36.099 --> 00:21:36.299
 and

00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:37.039
 subsequent

00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:37.699
 history

00:21:37.699 --> 00:21:38.919
 there have

00:21:38.919 --> 00:21:39.279
 been these

00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:39.960
 periods of

00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:40.659
 reformation

00:21:40.659 --> 00:21:41.019
 and of

00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:41.659
 revival

00:21:41.659 --> 00:21:42.879
 where

00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:43.119
 the

00:21:43.119 --> 00:21:43.419
 Lord

00:21:43.419 --> 00:21:43.759
 adds

00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:43.939
 his

00:21:43.939 --> 00:21:44.439
 blessing

00:21:44.439 --> 00:21:44.740
 to

00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:44.939
 the

00:21:44.939 --> 00:21:45.220
 word

00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:45.379
 in

00:21:45.379 --> 00:21:45.579
 a

00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:45.960
 special

00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:46.339
 way

00:21:46.339 --> 00:21:47.500
 and

00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:48.039
 turns

00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:48.639
 the

00:21:48.639 --> 00:21:48.980
 world

00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.379
 upside

00:21:49.379 --> 00:21:49.939
 down

00:21:49.939 --> 00:21:51.500
 it's

00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:51.779
 thrilling

00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.059
 to

00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:52.500
 realize

00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:52.779
 that

00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:53.079
 well

00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:53.720
 we

00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:53.980
 may

00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:54.199
 be

00:21:54.199 --> 00:21:54.579
 feeling

00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:54.879
 a

00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:55.339
 spiritual

00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:55.960
 depression

00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:56.460
 here

00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:57.500
 in

00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:57.740
 other

00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.199
 parts

00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:58.340
 of

00:21:58.340 --> 00:21:58.480
 the

00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:58.920
 world

00:21:58.920 --> 00:22:00.080
 God's

00:22:00.080 --> 00:22:00.319
 word

00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:00.559
 is

00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.039
 speeding

00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.480
 ahead

00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:02.600
 and

00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:02.900
 being

00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:03.299
 honored

00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:03.799
 in

00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:04.080
 parts

00:22:04.080 --> 00:22:04.240
 of

00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:04.600
 Asia

00:22:04.600 --> 00:22:04.819
 and

00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.259
 Africa

00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:06.039
 and

00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:06.380
 South

00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:06.900
 America

00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:07.900
 the

00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:08.340
 church

00:22:08.340 --> 00:22:08.620
 is

00:22:08.620 --> 00:22:09.220
 growing

00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:12.420
 times

00:22:12.420 --> 00:22:12.620
 are

00:22:12.620 --> 00:22:13.019
 hard

00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:13.380
 here

00:22:13.380 --> 00:22:14.259
 then

00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:15.380
 perhaps

00:22:15.380 --> 00:22:16.779
 but

00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.160
 God's

00:22:17.160 --> 00:22:17.360
 word

00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:17.600
 is

00:22:17.600 --> 00:22:17.840
 still

00:22:17.840 --> 00:22:18.160
 having

00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:18.360
 an

00:22:18.360 --> 00:22:18.779
 impact

00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:19.920
 even

00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:20.160
 in

00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:20.279
 the

00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:20.559
 ones

00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:20.840
 and

00:22:20.840 --> 00:22:21.360
 twos

00:22:21.360 --> 00:22:22.559
 but

00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:22.799
 who

00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.140
 knows

00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:23.360
 that

00:22:23.360 --> 00:22:23.700
 through

00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:24.059
 our

00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:24.680
 prayers

00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:25.740
 God

00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.019
 may

00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.340
 even

00:22:26.340 --> 00:22:26.660
 bring

00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:26.960
 another

00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:27.440
 time

00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:28.519
 where

00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:29.039
 Scotland

00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:29.320
 is

00:22:29.320 --> 00:22:29.559
 known

00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:29.740
 as

00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:29.900
 the

00:22:29.900 --> 00:22:30.120
 land

00:22:30.120 --> 00:22:30.220
 of

00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:30.360
 the

00:22:30.360 --> 00:22:30.700
 book

00:22:30.700 --> 00:22:31.980
 because

00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:32.259
 the

00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:32.519
 word

00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:32.680
 of

00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:32.820
 the

00:22:32.820 --> 00:22:33.100
 Lord

00:22:33.100 --> 00:22:33.460
 is

00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.299
 speeding

00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:34.779
 ahead

00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:36.100
 and

00:22:36.100 --> 00:22:36.420
 being

00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:36.880
 honored

00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:39.620
 a

00:22:39.620 --> 00:22:39.940
 third

00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:40.259
 thing

00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:40.559
 then

00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:42.080
 the

00:22:42.080 --> 00:22:42.640
 essential

00:22:42.640 --> 00:22:43.240
 need

00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:43.460
 for

00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:43.900
 prayer

00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:45.200
 in

00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:45.580
 relation

00:22:45.580 --> 00:22:46.259
 to

00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:46.420
 the

00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:46.920
 ministry

00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:48.039
 of

00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:48.200
 the

00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:48.580
 word

00:22:48.580 --> 00:22:50.059
 the

00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:50.240
 very

00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:50.559
 fact

00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:50.720
 that

00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:50.900
 Paul

00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:51.080
 is

00:22:51.080 --> 00:22:51.440
 asking

00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:51.720
 for

00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.039
 prayer

00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:52.480
 tells

00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:52.740
 us

00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.299
 that

00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:53.580
 no

00:22:53.580 --> 00:22:54.220
 human

00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:54.660
 energy

00:22:54.660 --> 00:22:54.880
 or

00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.440
 activity

00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:55.759
 can

00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.500
 cause

00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:56.720
 the

00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:56.940
 word

00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:57.099
 of

00:22:57.099 --> 00:22:57.380
 God

00:22:57.380 --> 00:22:58.299
 to

00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:58.519
 go

00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:58.940
 forward

00:22:58.940 --> 00:22:59.380
 like

00:22:59.380 --> 00:22:59.700
 that

00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:01.740
 he

00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:02.220
 directs

00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:02.380
 this

00:23:02.380 --> 00:23:02.640
 prayer

00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:02.859
 to

00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:03.259
 almighty

00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:03.700
 God

00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:04.799
 who

00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.319
 alone

00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:05.680
 can

00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:06.099
 provide

00:23:06.099 --> 00:23:06.519
 that

00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.160
 dynamic

00:23:07.160 --> 00:23:08.000
 power

00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:09.200
 that

00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:09.720
 divine

00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:10.720
 omnipotence

00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:13.039
 why

00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.500
 is such

00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:13.880
 power

00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:14.579
 necessary

00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:16.619
 why

00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:16.920
 won't

00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:17.059
 the

00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:17.420
 gospel

00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:17.900
 make

00:23:17.900 --> 00:23:18.900
 progress

00:23:18.900 --> 00:23:19.319
 just

00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:19.660
 because

00:23:19.660 --> 00:23:19.920
 it's

00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.440
 true

00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:23.019
 simply

00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.559
 put

00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.539
 it is

00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:24.880
 because

00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:25.220
 our

00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:25.680
 sinful

00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.160
 human

00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:26.500
 hearts

00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:26.700
 have

00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:26.980
 no

00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:27.420
 native

00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:28.019
 desire

00:23:28.019 --> 00:23:28.940
 for

00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:29.360
 God's

00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:29.820
 truth

00:23:29.820 --> 00:23:30.880
 back

00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:31.080
 to

00:23:31.080 --> 00:23:31.340
 2

00:23:31.340 --> 00:23:32.160
 Thessalonians

00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:32.600
 3

00:23:32.600 --> 00:23:33.500
 not

00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:34.140
 everyone

00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:34.640
 has

00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:35.200
 faith

00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:38.680
 verse

00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:38.980
 2

00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:39.240
 here

00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:39.680
 refers

00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:39.920
 to

00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:40.259
 wicked

00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:40.539
 and

00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:40.799
 evil

00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:41.200
 men

00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:42.160
 who

00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:42.259
 will

00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:42.380
 do

00:23:42.380 --> 00:23:42.740
 everything

00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:42.980
 they

00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:43.299
 can

00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:44.000
 to

00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.559
 oppose

00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:44.779
 the

00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:45.220
 gospel

00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:46.500
 going

00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.120
 forward

00:23:47.119 --> 00:23:48.759
 verse

00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.219
 3

00:23:49.219 --> 00:23:50.199
 of

00:23:50.199 --> 00:23:50.459
 1

00:23:50.459 --> 00:23:51.379
 Thessalonians

00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:51.799
 2

00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:53.139
 talks

00:23:53.139 --> 00:23:53.619
 about

00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.239
 the

00:23:54.239 --> 00:23:54.539
 need

00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:54.739
 for

00:23:54.739 --> 00:23:55.299
 strength

00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:55.500
 and

00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:55.959
 protection

00:23:55.959 --> 00:23:56.459
 against

00:23:56.459 --> 00:23:56.799
 the

00:23:56.799 --> 00:23:57.219
 evil

00:23:57.219 --> 00:23:57.579
 one

00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.919
 it

00:23:58.919 --> 00:23:59.119
 could

00:23:59.119 --> 00:23:59.619
 possibly

00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:00.159
 mean

00:24:00.159 --> 00:24:00.979
 evil

00:24:00.979 --> 00:24:01.339
 in a

00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:01.719
 general

00:24:01.719 --> 00:24:02.119
 sense

00:24:02.119 --> 00:24:02.299
 but

00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:02.619
 most

00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:03.219
 translations

00:24:03.219 --> 00:24:03.739
 render

00:24:03.739 --> 00:24:03.939
 it

00:24:03.939 --> 00:24:04.239
 this

00:24:04.239 --> 00:24:04.579
 way

00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:05.659
 the

00:24:05.659 --> 00:24:06.279
 personal

00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:07.079
 spiritual

00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:07.459
 being

00:24:07.459 --> 00:24:07.699
 the

00:24:07.699 --> 00:24:08.039
 fallen

00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:08.500
 angel

00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.339
 who

00:24:09.339 --> 00:24:10.079
 initiates

00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:10.239
 and

00:24:10.239 --> 00:24:10.939
 inflames

00:24:10.939 --> 00:24:11.479
 evil

00:24:11.479 --> 00:24:12.759
 in the

00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.239
 world

00:24:13.239 --> 00:24:14.599
 the

00:24:14.599 --> 00:24:14.859
 word

00:24:14.859 --> 00:24:15.099
 of the

00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:15.299
 Lord

00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:15.699
 doesn't

00:24:15.699 --> 00:24:16.159
 advance

00:24:16.159 --> 00:24:16.399
 by

00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:16.840
 natural

00:24:16.840 --> 00:24:17.220
 means

00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:17.660
 because

00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.500
 not

00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:18.759
 all

00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.060
 have

00:24:19.060 --> 00:24:19.820
 faith

00:24:19.820 --> 00:24:21.120
 there

00:24:21.120 --> 00:24:21.280
 are

00:24:21.280 --> 00:24:21.720
 powers

00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:21.940
 of

00:24:21.940 --> 00:24:22.300
 supernatural

00:24:22.300 --> 00:24:23.080
 evil

00:24:23.080 --> 00:24:23.600
 opposed

00:24:23.600 --> 00:24:23.800
 to

00:24:23.800 --> 00:24:24.120
 God

00:24:24.120 --> 00:24:25.660
 vehemently

00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.120
 opposed

00:24:26.120 --> 00:24:26.300
 to

00:24:26.300 --> 00:24:26.440
 the

00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:26.720
 things

00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:26.900
 of

00:24:26.900 --> 00:24:27.160
 God

00:24:27.160 --> 00:24:27.680
 there

00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:27.860
 are

00:24:27.860 --> 00:24:28.360
 faithless

00:24:28.360 --> 00:24:28.640
 men

00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:28.820
 and

00:24:28.820 --> 00:24:29.120
 women

00:24:29.120 --> 00:24:30.140
 who

00:24:30.140 --> 00:24:30.360
 are

00:24:30.360 --> 00:24:30.740
 happy

00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:30.980
 to

00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:31.400
 align

00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.080
 themselves

00:24:32.080 --> 00:24:33.300
 with

00:24:33.300 --> 00:24:33.519
 that

00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:33.880
 anti

00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:34.380
 Christian

00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:35.040
 agenda

00:24:35.040 --> 00:24:35.980
 this

00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.140
 is

00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:36.300
 the

00:24:36.300 --> 00:24:36.700
 judgment

00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:37.080
 John

00:24:37.080 --> 00:24:37.340
 3

00:24:37.340 --> 00:24:37.720
 19

00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:38.220
 says

00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:39.180
 the

00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:39.500
 light

00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:39.660
 has

00:24:39.660 --> 00:24:39.940
 come

00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:40.259
 into

00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:40.480
 the

00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:40.900
 world

00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:41.720
 and

00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.000
 people

00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:42.259
 love

00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:42.420
 the

00:24:42.420 --> 00:24:42.900
 darkness

00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:43.400
 rather

00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:43.660
 than

00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:43.800
 the

00:24:43.800 --> 00:24:44.120
 light

00:24:44.120 --> 00:24:45.420
 because

00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:45.920
 their

00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:46.380
 works

00:24:46.380 --> 00:24:46.759
 were

00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:47.400
 evil

00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:48.980
 it's

00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:49.279
 only

00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.580
 the

00:24:49.580 --> 00:24:50.060
 grace

00:24:50.060 --> 00:24:50.279
 of

00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:50.460
 the

00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:50.740
 Lord

00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:50.980
 which

00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:51.320
 keeps

00:24:51.320 --> 00:24:51.560
 his

00:24:51.560 --> 00:24:51.940
 servants

00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:52.480
 faithful

00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.420
 and

00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:53.940
 fearless

00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:54.940
 in

00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:55.519
 gospel

00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.560
 work

00:24:56.560 --> 00:24:57.480
 even

00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:57.880
 Paul

00:24:57.880 --> 00:24:58.279
 himself

00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:58.580
 asked

00:24:58.580 --> 00:24:58.720
 the

00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.039
 question

00:24:59.039 --> 00:24:59.519
 who's

00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:00.420
 sufficient

00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:00.740
 for

00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:01.000
 these

00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:01.420
 things

00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:02.420
 and

00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:02.539
 the

00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:02.740
 only

00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.140
 answer

00:25:03.140 --> 00:25:03.320
 he

00:25:03.320 --> 00:25:03.480
 could

00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:03.779
 give

00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.019
 is

00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.720
 when

00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.100
 Jesus

00:25:05.100 --> 00:25:05.420
 met

00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:05.620
 with

00:25:05.620 --> 00:25:05.779
 him

00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:05.920
 and

00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:06.120
 said

00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:06.539
 my

00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:07.060
 grace

00:25:07.060 --> 00:25:07.940
 is

00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:08.519
 sufficient

00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:10.180
 for

00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:10.500
 you

00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:12.759
 whilst

00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.000
 not

00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:13.600
 everyone

00:25:13.600 --> 00:25:14.740
 opposes

00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.320
 the

00:25:15.320 --> 00:25:15.779
 gospel

00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:16.700
 with

00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.019
 quite

00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.400
 so

00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:17.840
 much

00:25:17.840 --> 00:25:19.180
 animosity

00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:20.500
 we

00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:20.759
 could

00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.400
 expand

00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:21.820
 verse

00:25:21.820 --> 00:25:22.220
 2

00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:23.900
 not

00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:24.380
 everyone

00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:24.740
 has

00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.220
 faith

00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:26.039
 we

00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:26.200
 could

00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:26.620
 expand

00:25:26.620 --> 00:25:26.820
 that

00:25:26.820 --> 00:25:26.960
 and

00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:27.100
 say

00:25:27.100 --> 00:25:27.299
 by

00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:27.660
 nature

00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:28.039
 no

00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:28.320
 one

00:25:28.320 --> 00:25:28.640
 has

00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:29.200
 faith

00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:31.140
 Romans

00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:31.580
 3

00:25:31.580 --> 00:25:31.980
 tells

00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.140
 us

00:25:32.140 --> 00:25:32.279
 that

00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:32.480
 no

00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:32.640
 one

00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:32.799
 is

00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:33.340
 righteous

00:25:33.340 --> 00:25:34.380
 no

00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:34.620
 not

00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:35.039
 one

00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:36.019
 no

00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.320
 one

00:25:36.320 --> 00:25:37.019
 understands

00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:37.480
 no

00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:37.720
 one

00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:38.100
 seeks

00:25:38.100 --> 00:25:38.340
 for

00:25:38.340 --> 00:25:38.660
 God

00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:39.880
 all

00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:40.100
 have

00:25:40.100 --> 00:25:40.420
 turned

00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:40.880
 aside

00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:41.779
 and

00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:42.160
 together

00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:42.380
 they

00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:42.519
 have

00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:42.800
 become

00:25:42.800 --> 00:25:43.360
 worthless

00:25:43.360 --> 00:25:43.820
 no

00:25:43.820 --> 00:25:44.060
 one

00:25:44.060 --> 00:25:44.259
 does

00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:44.500
 good

00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:44.700
 not

00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:44.960
 even

00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:45.340
 one

00:25:45.340 --> 00:25:47.340
 before

00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:47.640
 a

00:25:47.640 --> 00:25:48.000
 person

00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.320
 is

00:25:48.320 --> 00:25:49.279
 regenerated

00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:50.100
 by

00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:50.340
 the

00:25:50.340 --> 00:25:50.740
 spirit

00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:50.940
 of

00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.180
 God

00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:51.340
 and

00:25:51.340 --> 00:25:51.779
 converted

00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.040
 to

00:25:52.040 --> 00:25:52.440
 Christ

00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:53.200
 they

00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:53.380
 are

00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:53.779
 dead

00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:53.980
 in

00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.500
 trespasses

00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:54.759
 and

00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.160
 sins

00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:56.440
 they

00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:56.860
 walk

00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:57.259
 following

00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:57.519
 the

00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:57.800
 course

00:25:57.800 --> 00:25:57.940
 of

00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:58.140
 this

00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:58.600
 world

00:25:58.600 --> 00:25:59.759
 under

00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:00.120
 the

00:26:00.120 --> 00:26:01.000
 tyranny

00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.340
 of the

00:26:01.340 --> 00:26:01.600
 prince

00:26:01.600 --> 00:26:01.720
 of

00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:01.820
 the

00:26:01.820 --> 00:26:02.100
 power

00:26:02.100 --> 00:26:02.259
 of

00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:02.380
 the

00:26:02.380 --> 00:26:02.640
 air

00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:03.480
 the

00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:03.900
 spirit

00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:04.220
 that's

00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.360
 at

00:26:04.360 --> 00:26:04.640
 work

00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:04.779
 in

00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:04.920
 the

00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:05.180
 sons

00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:05.360
 of

00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:06.360
 disobedience

00:26:06.360 --> 00:26:07.759
 Paul

00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:08.019
 says

00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.460
 we all

00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:08.779
 walked

00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:09.000
 that

00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:09.180
 way

00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:09.460
 once

00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:09.720
 upon

00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:09.900
 a

00:26:09.900 --> 00:26:10.279
 time

00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.440
 by

00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:11.859
 nature

00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:12.079
 we

00:26:12.079 --> 00:26:12.259
 were

00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:12.579
 all

00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:13.119
 children

00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:13.440
 of

00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:13.879
 wrath

00:26:13.879 --> 00:26:15.160
 we

00:26:15.160 --> 00:26:15.440
 all

00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:15.799
 had

00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:16.940
 minds

00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:17.639
 set

00:26:17.639 --> 00:26:17.799
 on

00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:17.940
 the

00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:18.180
 things

00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:18.319
 of

00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:18.460
 the

00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:18.759
 flesh

00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.480
 which

00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:19.660
 were

00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:20.099
 hostile

00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:20.619
 to

00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.079
 God

00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:24.099
 why

00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:31.399
 Lord won't speed ahead by natural means because we're gripped in supernatural darkness by nature

00:26:31.399 --> 00:26:41.419
 spiritually blind living in a black world where Satan fills our minds with with his lies and his

00:26:41.419 --> 00:26:50.639
 deceit in order to keep us in utter darkness the word of the Lord speeds ahead then and is honored

00:26:50.640 --> 00:27:00.560
 only as the spirit of God converts hearts opens blind eyes and stops deaf ears so that they may

00:27:00.560 --> 00:27:09.160
 turn from darkness to light and the power of Satan to God so that they may receive forgiveness of sins

00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:15.240
 and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Christ

00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:26.460
 perhaps you are a person who hates God and actively opposes the gospel

00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:32.480
 or perhaps you're a person who sits quietly in church year after year

00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:39.720
 mouthing Christian words but staying spiritually dead and blind politely hostile to God

00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:49.259
 you don't need to stay in that condition forever God's word tells his people to pray

00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:56.200
 so that the word would have a penetrating life-changing effect in people just like you

00:27:56.200 --> 00:28:03.519
 the Christians around you even in this very room have been praying for people just like you

00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:14.200
 look into almighty God that he would take this gospel message and drive it into your spiritually dark hearts

00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:21.839
 God is willing and able to save people just like you

00:28:21.839 --> 00:28:32.639
 add your cry then as the Christians plead with him to make his word effective add your cry for mercy

00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:38.880
 determine that with his help you're going to turn your back on sin

00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:49.140
 because he has never yet turned away a soul who responded to Christ's call with sincere faith

00:28:49.140 --> 00:29:00.140
 and repentance God has charged us with calling down his almighty power to make the gospel effective

00:29:00.140 --> 00:29:06.980
 in hearts like yours and those of us a Christian have sat where you sit

00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:11.680
 those of us who are already believers have sat in that darkness

00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:15.580
 and it's only by this divine miracle

00:29:15.580 --> 00:29:18.740
 that we have come to value God's word

00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:20.420
 in this way

00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:22.440
 it happened to us

00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:26.180
 like it happened to those Thessalonians

00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:29.019
 as Christians

00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:34.080
 it is right that we should seek opportunity to share God's word

00:29:34.080 --> 00:29:37.019
 outreach activities

00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:38.299
 regular meetings

00:29:38.299 --> 00:29:40.000
 conversations in daily life

00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:43.660
 but we have to remember that none of these things

00:29:43.660 --> 00:29:46.400
 achieve anything unless the Lord adds

00:29:46.400 --> 00:29:47.420
 his blessing

00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:50.180
 unless the Lord builds the house

00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:52.100
 they labor in vain

00:29:52.100 --> 00:29:53.980
 who build it

00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:57.440
 but let this be our encouragement

00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:58.559
 to pray hard

00:29:58.559 --> 00:30:00.700
 and to preach hard

00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:03.579
 there's power available here

00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:07.299
 for all the obstacles to unbelief that we see

00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:08.960
 in the world around us

00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:09.819
 Jesus has said

00:30:09.819 --> 00:30:11.680
 I will build my church

00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:15.299
 the gates of hell will not prevail against it

00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:18.779
 this work of gospel transformation

00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:22.859
 is ultimately in the hands of one who is seated far above

00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:25.079
 all rulers and authorities

00:30:25.079 --> 00:30:28.980
 all the spiritual powers of wickedness

00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:33.579
 all those spiritual evils in heavenly places

00:30:33.579 --> 00:30:34.980
 far beneath his feet

00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:38.079
 and he has all authority in heaven on earth

00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:41.420
 including the authority to give eternal life

00:30:41.420 --> 00:30:44.799
 to whoever he chose

00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:49.319
 remember then that Christ doesn't always do his work

00:30:49.319 --> 00:30:52.720
 doesn't always build his church

00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:53.639
 at the same rate

00:30:53.639 --> 00:30:55.779
 in every place

00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:56.740
 every time

00:30:56.740 --> 00:31:00.599
 this work that took a matter of weeks in Thessalonica

00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:02.259
 took 18 months

00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:04.079
 in Corinth

00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:04.940
 and two years

00:31:04.940 --> 00:31:06.399
 in Ephesus

00:31:06.399 --> 00:31:07.879
 in our own lives

00:31:07.879 --> 00:31:12.299
 we know there are times when God's word comes with dynamic power

00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:15.119
 and there are other times where we seem

00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:17.759
 to be going through a bog or a marsh

00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:18.740
 everything is slow

00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.960
 progress is slow

00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:23.220
 there are times of refreshing

00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:25.019
 that come from the presence of the Lord

00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:26.980
 but there are dry seasons

00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:29.059
 and wilderness experiences too

00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:32.460
 we have to preach the word out of season

00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:34.440
 as well as in season

00:31:34.440 --> 00:31:37.919
 we wish we were always reaping

00:31:37.919 --> 00:31:40.579
 but there are times of plowing

00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:41.299
 and sowing

00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:41.980
 and watering

00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:43.699
 and waiting

00:31:43.699 --> 00:31:45.899
 and yet is it not

00:31:45.899 --> 00:31:47.899
 the hope of an abundant harvest

00:31:47.899 --> 00:31:50.480
 that motivates the farmer

00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:51.720
 to keep on

00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:53.079
 in his work

00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:56.759
 when the progress is slow then

00:31:56.759 --> 00:32:00.799
 and the word is despised by the masses

00:32:00.799 --> 00:32:04.339
 let us remember that we have a weapon here in prayer

00:32:04.339 --> 00:32:06.259
 that can change

00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:08.039
 that situation

00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:09.299
 can turn it around

00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:12.359
 so that by calling on the Lord

00:32:12.359 --> 00:32:14.759
 he can turn the tide

00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:16.339
 and his word can once more

00:32:16.339 --> 00:32:18.099
 go forward

00:32:18.099 --> 00:32:19.099
 quickly

00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:21.119
 and powerfully

00:32:21.119 --> 00:32:24.099
 one day winter will give way to spring

00:32:24.099 --> 00:32:27.299
 one day the seasons of decline

00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:29.700
 will give way to seasons

00:32:29.700 --> 00:32:32.059
 of new growth

00:32:32.059 --> 00:32:34.920
 finally

00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:38.460
 reflecting on this

00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:39.960
 is there not some great wisdom

00:32:39.960 --> 00:32:43.299
 in the age old advice

00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:44.779
 people used to give the advice

00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:45.980
 when you become a Christian

00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:48.200
 prioritize the Sunday meetings

00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:50.279
 that's where the preaching is done

00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:53.019
 prioritize the midweek meeting

00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:55.019
 that's where we join together

00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:55.759
 to pray

00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:57.440
 to get behind the preacher

00:32:57.440 --> 00:33:00.680
 to call God's blessing down

00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:03.339
 I can't think of greater advice

00:33:03.339 --> 00:33:05.299
 it seems to me

00:33:05.299 --> 00:33:06.539
 that that rings true

00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:08.279
 that proves true

00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:10.379
 perhaps you've proved

00:33:10.379 --> 00:33:12.160
 that true

00:33:12.160 --> 00:33:14.480
 we cannot simply

00:33:14.480 --> 00:33:15.920
 be content

00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:17.960
 with listening to the preaching

00:33:17.960 --> 00:33:20.400
 we can't simply be content

00:33:20.400 --> 00:33:22.440
 with a group fellowship

00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:23.519
 midweek

00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:25.839
 we're about God's business

00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:27.379
 we're about the advance

00:33:27.379 --> 00:33:28.180
 of his kingdom

00:33:28.180 --> 00:33:30.299
 and that means we need

00:33:30.299 --> 00:33:32.539
 these two sides of the coin

00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:34.299
 the preaching and the praying

00:33:34.299 --> 00:33:36.400
 and we need to be in that

00:33:36.400 --> 00:33:37.619
 together

00:33:37.619 --> 00:33:40.920
 we want to make sure

00:33:40.920 --> 00:33:42.139
 that we're not going through

00:33:42.139 --> 00:33:44.359
 the motions of hearing

00:33:44.359 --> 00:33:46.039
 God's word

00:33:46.039 --> 00:33:47.539
 without seeking

00:33:47.539 --> 00:33:49.139
 his blessing

00:33:49.139 --> 00:33:50.619
 both

00:33:50.619 --> 00:33:51.899
 for

00:33:51.899 --> 00:33:53.339
 ourselves

00:33:53.339 --> 00:33:55.059
 and for others

00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:58.439
 God is willing

00:33:58.439 --> 00:34:00.259
 to answer our prayers

00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:02.379
 this is a prayer

00:34:02.379 --> 00:34:03.439
 that he's inspired

00:34:03.439 --> 00:34:04.819
 by his spirit

00:34:04.819 --> 00:34:06.779
 it's the spirit

00:34:06.779 --> 00:34:07.619
 who tells us

00:34:07.619 --> 00:34:08.960
 to pray like this

00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:10.900
 can we not go

00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:12.119
 confident

00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:13.739
 of God's willingness

00:34:13.739 --> 00:34:15.019
 faithfulness

00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:16.619
 to listen

00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:17.480
 to such a prayer

00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:19.239
 and in his way

00:34:19.239 --> 00:34:20.840
 and in his time

00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:22.360
 to answer

00:34:22.360 --> 00:34:24.019
 finally brothers

00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:25.739
 pray for us

00:34:25.739 --> 00:34:27.179
 that the word

00:34:27.179 --> 00:34:27.820
 of the Lord

00:34:27.820 --> 00:34:29.099
 may speed ahead

00:34:29.099 --> 00:34:30.739
 and be honoured

00:34:30.739 --> 00:34:32.539
 as happened

00:34:32.539 --> 00:34:33.239
 among you

00:34:33.239 --> 00:34:35.340
 and that we may be

00:34:35.340 --> 00:34:36.759
 delivered from evil men

00:34:36.759 --> 00:34:38.619
 for not all

00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:39.840
 have faith

00:34:39.840 --> 00:34:41.059
 and I'm sure

00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:41.820
 Paul could say

00:34:41.820 --> 00:34:42.679
 of this congregation

00:34:42.679 --> 00:34:43.320
 as he said

00:34:43.320 --> 00:34:43.980
 of the church

00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:45.519
 we have confidence

00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.220
 in the Lord

00:34:46.220 --> 00:34:47.300
 that you are doing

00:34:47.300 --> 00:34:48.900
 and will continue

00:34:48.900 --> 00:34:49.519
 to do

00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:51.160
 that which the Lord

00:34:51.160 --> 00:34:52.000
 commands

00:34:52.000 --> 00:34:52.720
 Amen