WEBVTT

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 Thanks, Caleb.

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 Thank you, praise team.

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 It's great to be reminded again of why we exist.

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! We exist to be like Him.

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 The purpose of this life, the Christian life, and why we come to church every Sunday isn't just to fill our heads with good information.

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 It's not just to enjoy the fellowship with God's people.

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 It's not to enjoy the songs of those who are singing for us and families who are encouraging us.

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 To be comforted, to be encouraged.

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 All those things are good things, but we exist to be like Jesus.

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 We come because we want to know Him, so that when we leave this place, we can be more like Him, and I like the illustration, be imprinted, have His imprint on our life.

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 So that when we walk out of this place on a Sunday afternoon, and people see us in the community, wouldn't it be great for them to say,

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 you look like somebody familiar?

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 You look like Jesus.

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 That's why we exist.

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 So we can look like Him, so that He can get praise and glory, so that we can have an impact in this world, in this life, so we can lead people to the glory of God.

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 And that happens as people see Jesus show up in our life.

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 I was reminded of a neat story.

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 The story of Christine and Kyle.

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 They got married in the spring of 2007, and they held a wedding reception that was anything but traditional.

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 They decided, what would it cost for us to invite all of our friends and family and all the people who are coming to this wedding?

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 What would it cost us to treat them to a reception?

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 And let's use that money instead to treat the neighbors, the community, those who are poor and oppressed.

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 So in the weeks leading up to their wedding, they thought through this, and they decided,

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 we're going to show Christ to the people in our community.

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 We're going to show Christ in a tangible way by meeting a physical need.

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 So, as soon as they said their I do's, and they kissed one another in an act of just helping to show the picture of this new relationship,

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 they both dressed up in aprons, and one said groom, and one said bride,

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 and they began to serve the people in their community.

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 Over a hundred neighbors and families came to participate in this celebration.

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 And when asked about this charitable act, the happy couple simply said,

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 we want to bless God for blessing us with each other.

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 We want to show Christ to our community.

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 You know, there are a lot of ways that we can describe this.

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 Maybe a lot of terms we could use to describe that act that they displayed, the things that they did.

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 Maybe you'd use the word kindness.

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 Maybe you would use the word generosity.

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 Maybe you would use the word extravagant goodness.

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 But this morning I want to just concentrate on the word grace.

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 This morning we're going to talk about a mother's grace-filled ministry.

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 A mother's grace-filled ministry.

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 I love what the Bible does, and we saw an example of this this morning for our special music.

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 The Bible often uses illustrations from nature and illustrations that are maybe a little unique to help drive home a point.

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 The illustration of the aunt.

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 Go to the aunt, thou sluggard.

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 Consider her ways and be wise.

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 And this morning, what I'd like to do, I'd like to go to maybe a unique example of motherhood.

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 We could go to Hannah.

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 We could go to a lot of mothers in the Old Testament.

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 We could look at the mother of Christ.

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 We could probably look at the mother and grandmother of Timothy.

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 But this morning, I would like to look at the motherhood ministry of the Apostle Paul.

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 A unique example of motherhood as he describes his ministry to the church of Thessalonica.

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 This ministry, as he looks at moms and their tender care for their children,

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 Paul describes his approach to ministry in a similar way.

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 So turn with me, if you would, to 1 Thessalonians 2.

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 And we're going to look at this grace-filled ministry of moms.

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 This morning, as we think about grace, I want to maybe provide a little different definition than maybe what you're used to.

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 This morning, when we think about grace, and I would just encourage you to write this down.

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 We'll keep coming back to it.

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 But when I use the word grace, I want us to think about the favor of God on our lives that points to Christ.

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 Let me repeat that.

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 The grace is the favor of God on our lives that points to Christ.

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 I'd like to contend this morning that grace is more than just an attitude.

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 Grace is more than just a gift that you've received.

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 I'd like to contend that grace is a divine working.

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 An evidence of favor of God on your life.

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 That works its way out in power to the people around you.

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 It points to the person of Christ.

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 It points to him because it mimics his life.

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 That's why I appreciated the song this morning.

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 It points to him because it's not natural, but supernatural.

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 It's something that requires divine enablement to work itself out in our life.

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 It points to him because it reflects his heart, his posture towards others, and his favor towards us.

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 Grace is a spirit-enabled work that points to Christ, and it is the Spirit's job to produce grace in your life.

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 Like what Jesus says to his disciples in John 15.

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 He says,

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 That's what the Spirit does.

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 And so when the Spirit comes onto your life at conversion,

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 the Spirit's grace produces a working out in your life.

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 Just by way of continuing to help you with this definition,

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 stay with me here.

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 In Acts chapter 4, 23.

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 Don't have to turn there.

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 Just listen.

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 Acts 4, 32 and 33.

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 Listen to this.

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 This description of grace.

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 Now that's an interesting use of that word.

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 That's not a common use of that word grace.

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 Grace was upon them all.

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 It was visible.

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 It was noticeable.

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 It showed up in a certain way.

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 And Barnabas shows up to this church in Antioch,

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 this fledgling church in Acts chapter 11,

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 and it says the hand of the Lord was upon this church.

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 And news got back to Jerusalem,

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 and the church of Jerusalem sent leaders,

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 sent Barnabas to help to encourage this church,

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 and it says when he came and had seen the grace of God,

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 he was glad and encouraged them all.

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 That's why I want to suggest this morning

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 that grace is more than something that you experience.

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 Grace really is the favor of God in your life,

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 the divine favor of God in your life that points to Christ.

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 Of course, grace points to the cross.

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 We know that in Titus 2, 11,

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 for the grace of God that brings salvation

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 has appeared to all men.

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 Certainly that is part of grace

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 and experiencing God's grace.

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 But I think that the favor of God in our lives

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 that leads to spirit-empowered grace

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 has something visible in mind.

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 It's visible and transformational.

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 It's active in your life.

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 It's God-exalting.

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 It's spirit-activated and spirit-enabled.

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 And so this morning,

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 I think that moms have a way of showing grace,

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 don't they?

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 Especially moms who are believers.

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 They have this spirit-activated and enabled grace

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 that flows out of their life

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 and flows into the hearts and lives

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 of those in their family whom they love.

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 We looked at the first chapter a couple of weeks ago,

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 and this morning I want to take a look at chapter 2,

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 and I want to concentrate our attention

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 on verses 7 and 8.

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 But to kind of build this context

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 and help catch us up to where we are,

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 let me just read the first eight verses of chapter 2.

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 So 1 Thessalonians 2, verses 1 to 8.

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 If you're visiting with us this morning

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 and you need a pew Bible in front of you,

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 it's on page 986.

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 It says this,

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 For you yourselves know, brothers,

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 that our coming to you was not in vain,

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 but though we had already suffered

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 and had been shamefully treated at Philippi,

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 as you know,

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 we had boldness in our God

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 to declare to you the gospel of God

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 in the midst of much conflict.

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 For our appeal does not spring

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 from error or impurity

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 or any attempt to deceive,

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 but just as we have been approved by God

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 to be entrusted with the gospel,

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 so we speak,

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 not to please man,

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 but to please God,

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 who tests our hearts.

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 For we never came with words of flattery,

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 as you know,

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 nor with a pretext for greed,

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 God as witness.

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 Nor did we see glory from people,

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 whether from you or from others,

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 though we could have made demands

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 as apostles of Christ.

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 But we were gentle among you

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 like a nursing mother

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 taking care of her own children.

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 So being affectionately desirous of you,

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 we were ready to share with you

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 not only the gospel of God,

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 but also our own selves,

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 because you had become very dear to us.

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 So as we look at this ministry

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 of the Apostle Paul

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 to this church of Thessalonica,

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 I want to take away from this,

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 not only as moms today in this room,

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 an encouragement for how to be

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 a grace-filled mother,

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 but each of us in this room

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 can have a mom-like ministry

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 to not only the people in your family,

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 the people in this church,

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 but also the people in your workplace,

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 the people in your school,

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 the people in your community.

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 Wherever God places you,

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 in whatever context you're in,

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 you are called to have

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 a grace-filled ministry,

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 a mom-like ministry.

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 So there are some components,

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 some qualities of this ministry

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 I want to focus on this morning.

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 First, I want us to notice

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 that this is a ministry of gentleness.

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 A ministry of gentleness.

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 If we want to have a grace-filled ministry,

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 it will be characterized by gentleness.

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 Notice here,

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 right at the very beginning of verse 7,

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 it says,

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 but we were gentle among you.

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 Gentle among you.

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 Not abusive,

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 not harsh,

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 not self-serving.

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 It's actually the Greek word for infant.

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 The Greek word for baby.

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 It's only used in this couple times

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 here throughout the scripture.

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 And Paul is trying to uphold

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 the tenderness and the innocence

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 of this kind of ministry.

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 It was gentle in approach.

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 And here at the very beginning of this verse,

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 we were gentle among you.

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 Notice that first word,

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 but is a contrastive

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 which points you back

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 to the previous verses

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 to help describe more

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 what gentleness means

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 and how gentleness played out

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 in Paul's ministry to them.

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 If you go back to verse 5,

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 you'll see we didn't come

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 with flattery.

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 We didn't have ulterior motives.

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 We weren't looking for your money.

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 And then in verse 6,

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 he says,

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 nor did we seek glory from people.

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 We weren't looking for any attention,

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 fame or notoriety.

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 We weren't interested

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 in making a name for ourselves.

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 Also in verse 6,

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 nor did we make demands.

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 We didn't exercise

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 our rightful authority.

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 We didn't come to you

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 with a posture of authority

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 and control.

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 We weren't trying to manipulate you

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 in any way.

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 We were authentic and sincere.

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 We were gentle,

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 just like a little baby,

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 innocent,

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 like a little baby among you.

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 Our aim was to emulate

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 the good shepherd

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 that we loved

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 with care and sensitivity

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 and tenderness

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 to be true of him.

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 We also need to let this

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 be true of ourselves.

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 If we want to point to our Savior,

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 we need to emulate

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 his character.

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 This is remarkable

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 considering the fact

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 of where the Apostle Paul

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 came from.

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 When you think about

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 how often

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 or the specific seasons

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 of life

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 where your emotions

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 are a little raw,

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 you're

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 maybe a little sharp

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 with people around you.

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 I know that

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 none of you

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 have ever experienced that.

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 Where maybe

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 someone pushes a button

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 and there's a flash

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 of emotion,

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 this response

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 from you.

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 When does that happen?

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 Doesn't that happen

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 when you're feeling

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 under pressure?

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 Doesn't that happen

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 when you're feeling

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 taken advantage of?

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 Doesn't that happen

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 when your emotions

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 are a bit raw

00:14:56.420 --> 00:14:58.160
 and you're experiencing

00:14:58.160 --> 00:15:00.220
 something that's overwhelming

00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:01.240
 and the pressure

00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:01.840
 is on?

00:15:03.140 --> 00:15:03.800
 This is extraordinary

00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:05.000
 ministry

00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:06.040
 when you consider

00:15:06.040 --> 00:15:06.900
 where Paul came from.

00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:09.240
 Looking back

00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:10.480
 to the earlier parts

00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.120
 of this chapter,

00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:12.519
 what do we know

00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:13.480
 about the context

00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:14.860
 of this ministry

00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:15.939
 that Paul had

00:15:15.939 --> 00:15:16.559
 to this church

00:15:16.559 --> 00:15:17.220
 of Thessalonica?

00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:18.779
 Where did he come from?

00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:21.720
 He came from Philippi.

00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:23.600
 Do you remember

00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:24.259
 what happened

00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:24.959
 in Philippi?

00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:26.819
 Do you remember

00:15:26.819 --> 00:15:28.279
 the persecution

00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:29.980
 that he experienced

00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.939
 in Philippi?

00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:32.559
 Do you remember

00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:33.399
 the abuse

00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:35.319
 that was leveled

00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:36.840
 on him in Philippi?

00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:38.440
 The rods

00:15:38.440 --> 00:15:40.580
 and the jail cell

00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:41.800
 and the stocks?

00:15:44.160 --> 00:15:44.640
 And yet,

00:15:44.780 --> 00:15:45.520
 here he is

00:15:45.520 --> 00:15:47.080
 immediately

00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:48.580
 from Philippi

00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:50.920
 showing gentleness.

00:15:51.920 --> 00:15:53.220
 That is

00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:54.180
 a mark

00:15:54.180 --> 00:15:55.160
 of grace.

00:15:55.640 --> 00:15:56.600
 That is a mark

00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:57.540
 of the favor

00:15:57.540 --> 00:15:58.379
 of God,

00:15:58.460 --> 00:15:59.700
 the power of God

00:15:59.700 --> 00:16:00.680
 on his life

00:16:00.680 --> 00:16:01.700
 to be able

00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:02.540
 to help him

00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:03.139
 to have

00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:03.939
 this kind

00:16:03.939 --> 00:16:04.579
 of ministry.

00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:07.199
 This grace-filled,

00:16:07.439 --> 00:16:08.939
 mother-like ministry

00:16:08.939 --> 00:16:09.819
 to this church

00:16:09.819 --> 00:16:10.819
 of Thessalonica

00:16:10.819 --> 00:16:11.679
 that was tender

00:16:11.679 --> 00:16:12.599
 and innocent

00:16:12.599 --> 00:16:13.719
 and gentle

00:16:13.719 --> 00:16:14.519
 with them.

00:16:15.839 --> 00:16:16.539
 When we're going

00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:17.360
 through difficulties,

00:16:17.919 --> 00:16:18.819
 that's when it's

00:16:18.819 --> 00:16:19.819
 hardest to be gentle.

00:16:20.899 --> 00:16:21.120
 And yet,

00:16:21.199 --> 00:16:22.039
 here we find Paul

00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:22.839
 as an example

00:16:22.839 --> 00:16:23.620
 of gentleness

00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:25.179
 to this group

00:16:25.179 --> 00:16:26.399
 of individuals.

00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:28.519
 He was not only

00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:28.919
 gentle,

00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:29.620
 but we see

00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.799
 he was like a mother

00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:31.519
 in that he was

00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.659
 nurturing and tender.

00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:33.939
 It says,

00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:34.779
 we were gentle

00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:35.279
 among you

00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:36.759
 like a nursing mother

00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:38.139
 taking care

00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:39.899
 of her own children.

00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:42.219
 This is the word

00:16:42.219 --> 00:16:42.939
 for nourish.

00:16:44.079 --> 00:16:44.599
 And any of you

00:16:44.599 --> 00:16:45.199
 with children

00:16:45.199 --> 00:16:46.679
 know the challenges

00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:47.899
 of the first

00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:48.859
 several months.

00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:50.399
 When you bring

00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:51.659
 that baby home,

00:16:51.779 --> 00:16:52.339
 you know,

00:16:52.459 --> 00:16:53.839
 it's so sweet

00:16:53.839 --> 00:16:55.579
 and it's so nice

00:16:55.579 --> 00:16:56.099
 to have that

00:16:56.099 --> 00:16:57.019
 little package

00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:58.000
 that you kind of

00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:59.079
 put to bed at night

00:16:59.080 --> 00:17:00.280
 and you swaddle

00:17:00.280 --> 00:17:01.900
 and you cuddle

00:17:01.900 --> 00:17:03.080
 and for the first

00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:03.940
 couple of nights,

00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:05.960
 the waking up

00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.500
 in the middle

00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:07.019
 of the evening

00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:07.840
 with those cries,

00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:08.460
 you know,

00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:09.720
 you can deal

00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:10.140
 with that.

00:17:11.140 --> 00:17:12.160
 But then when

00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:14.380
 days turn into weeks

00:17:14.380 --> 00:17:15.539
 and weeks

00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:17.319
 turn into months,

00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:19.299
 the ministry

00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:20.039
 to that little

00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:21.500
 bundle of joy

00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:22.500
 isn't so joyful

00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:22.940
 anymore.

00:17:22.940 --> 00:17:26.779
 And yet,

00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:27.680
 the Apostle Paul,

00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.799
 when talking about this,

00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:30.120
 he's lifting up

00:17:30.120 --> 00:17:30.799
 this example

00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:32.900
 of this nurturing mother.

00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:35.019
 Mothers have a way,

00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:36.799
 unlike dads,

00:17:36.860 --> 00:17:37.980
 at least unlike this dad,

00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:39.700
 mothers have a way

00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.980
 of building

00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.900
 into their children.

00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:42.960
 My wife was

00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:43.600
 particularly

00:17:43.600 --> 00:17:45.059
 adept at this.

00:17:46.320 --> 00:17:47.039
 The cries

00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:47.460
 in the middle

00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:47.840
 of the night

00:17:47.840 --> 00:17:48.299
 and yet,

00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:49.120
 getting up

00:17:49.120 --> 00:17:49.779
 out of bed,

00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:50.759
 taking care

00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:51.480
 of whatever

00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:52.380
 the issues were,

00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:53.200
 whether it was

00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:53.960
 a feeding issue,

00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:54.500
 whether it was

00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:55.860
 a diaper issue,

00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:57.940
 whatever the issue was,

00:17:57.960 --> 00:17:58.819
 just encouraging

00:17:58.819 --> 00:18:00.140
 and helping

00:18:00.140 --> 00:18:01.720
 that little package.

00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:04.279
 That's what Paul

00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:05.039
 is talking about.

00:18:05.160 --> 00:18:06.140
 It was the kind

00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:08.160
 of mom-like ministry

00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:10.259
 that expended self

00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:11.279
 for the sake

00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:12.380
 of the needs

00:18:12.380 --> 00:18:13.519
 of this little one.

00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:16.220
 The Apostle Paul

00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:17.799
 had a heart connection

00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:19.420
 with this church.

00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:20.460
 We'll see that

00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.360
 more as we go.

00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:22.900
 He was delicate

00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:23.380
 with them.

00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:24.420
 His words

00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:25.440
 were soft to them.

00:18:26.380 --> 00:18:27.299
 He poured himself

00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:28.460
 out in terms

00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.140
 of grace

00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:29.960
 for this church.

00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:31.240
 Now,

00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:31.960
 we would expect

00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:32.700
 that to be true

00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.740
 for those

00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.380
 who love God.

00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.460
 We would expect

00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:36.099
 it to be true

00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:36.819
 for anyone

00:18:36.819 --> 00:18:38.740
 who is enabled

00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.460
 and empowered

00:18:39.460 --> 00:18:40.279
 by the Holy Spirit.

00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:42.319
 The fruit of the Spirit

00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:43.099
 is love,

00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:43.839
 joy,

00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:44.640
 peace,

00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:45.539
 patience,

00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:46.099
 kindness,

00:18:46.339 --> 00:18:46.640
 goodness,

00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:47.700
 faithfulness,

00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:49.940
 gentleness,

00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:51.460
 and self-control.

00:18:53.340 --> 00:18:53.920
 Gentleness

00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:54.680
 as a fruit

00:18:54.680 --> 00:18:55.299
 of the Spirit.

00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:56.799
 Gentleness

00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:58.299
 as a way

00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:59.160
 to show

00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:00.000
 Christ

00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:00.880
 in your life.

00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.000
 The favor

00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:02.620
 of God

00:19:02.620 --> 00:19:03.400
 on your life

00:19:03.400 --> 00:19:04.340
 shows up

00:19:04.340 --> 00:19:05.559
 through gentleness.

00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:08.480
 This grace-filled

00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:09.200
 ministry

00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:10.420
 that you can have

00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.620
 with those around you

00:19:11.620 --> 00:19:12.920
 as you are gentle

00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:13.620
 with them,

00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:14.660
 as you are tender

00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:15.299
 with them,

00:19:15.340 --> 00:19:16.600
 as your words,

00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:17.840
 a soft answer,

00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:18.939
 turns away wrath,

00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:19.899
 as your words

00:19:19.899 --> 00:19:21.179
 show Christ

00:19:21.179 --> 00:19:22.759
 in His gentleness,

00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:23.859
 in His forgiveness,

00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:25.359
 in His compassion

00:19:25.359 --> 00:19:26.879
 for those around you.

00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:28.919
 Is the fruit

00:19:28.919 --> 00:19:29.399
 of the Spirit

00:19:29.399 --> 00:19:30.079
 showing up,

00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:31.359
 the favor of God

00:19:31.359 --> 00:19:32.079
 on your life

00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:33.019
 showing up

00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:33.939
 through gentleness,

00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:36.759
 through kindness,

00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:39.119
 through concern

00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:40.579
 for those around you?

00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:42.839
 It points to God

00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:43.740
 when we act this way.

00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:46.460
 those who do this

00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.859
 are bearing forth

00:19:47.859 --> 00:19:49.000
 the fruit of the Holy Spirit

00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:50.359
 living in their life.

00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:52.059
 And when that happens,

00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:53.519
 God gets glory

00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:55.579
 because it points

00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:56.180
 to Christ.

00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:56.779
 It points

00:19:56.779 --> 00:19:58.319
 to something otherly,

00:19:59.140 --> 00:19:59.859
 something that is

00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:00.660
 not natural,

00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.220
 something that comes

00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:02.920
 from above,

00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:04.240
 something that is

00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:05.519
 fanning the flames

00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.359
 in your own heart

00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:06.940
 and life

00:20:06.940 --> 00:20:08.500
 to do what you

00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.420
 could not do

00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:10.859
 without the Lord.

00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:15.199
 It is the kind

00:20:15.199 --> 00:20:16.879
 of gentleness

00:20:16.879 --> 00:20:18.319
 and graciousness

00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:19.459
 that marks

00:20:19.459 --> 00:20:20.479
 the life of a believer.

00:20:21.679 --> 00:20:22.779
 But this kind

00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.599
 of grace,

00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.119
 grace,

00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:24.959
 and this kind

00:20:24.959 --> 00:20:26.179
 of gentleness

00:20:26.179 --> 00:20:26.919
 cannot happen

00:20:26.919 --> 00:20:28.479
 for the long term

00:20:28.479 --> 00:20:29.039
 unless there's

00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:30.779
 something substantial,

00:20:30.959 --> 00:20:31.659
 something deeper,

00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:33.199
 something motivating

00:20:33.199 --> 00:20:34.419
 and helping

00:20:34.419 --> 00:20:35.619
 to spur it on.

00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:36.099
 And that's where

00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:37.339
 we find ourselves

00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:38.119
 in verse 8.

00:20:39.159 --> 00:20:39.899
 There was something

00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:40.540
 that helped

00:20:40.540 --> 00:20:41.420
 the Apostle Paul

00:20:41.420 --> 00:20:42.900
 do this for the long haul,

00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.480
 to overcome

00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:45.440
 the adversity.

00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:47.400
 We find that here

00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:47.900
 in verse 8

00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:48.500
 where he says,

00:20:48.860 --> 00:20:50.320
 so being affectionately

00:20:50.320 --> 00:20:51.660
 desirous of you,

00:20:52.120 --> 00:20:53.000
 we were ready

00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:54.220
 to share with you

00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:55.540
 not only the gospel

00:20:55.540 --> 00:20:56.060
 of God

00:20:56.060 --> 00:20:58.080
 but also our own selves.

00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.240
 I want to concentrate

00:20:59.240 --> 00:21:00.519
 on the first part

00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.280
 of that verse.

00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.540
 Affectionately desirous

00:21:03.540 --> 00:21:04.019
 of them,

00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:05.100
 sharing with them

00:21:05.100 --> 00:21:06.620
 the gospel of God.

00:21:09.900 --> 00:21:10.700
 The power that

00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:12.740
 upholds grace-giving

00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:13.620
 and gentleness

00:21:13.620 --> 00:21:15.860
 is gospel affection.

00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:17.500
 A ministry

00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:19.540
 of gospel affection.

00:21:20.820 --> 00:21:22.040
 The message of God

00:21:22.040 --> 00:21:22.720
 was central

00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.960
 to Paul's ministry.

00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:26.620
 So affectionately longing

00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:27.160
 for you.

00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:28.980
 This is used

00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:29.540
 often

00:21:29.540 --> 00:21:32.000
 in the

00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:33.200
 vernacular

00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:33.820
 of the Greek

00:21:33.820 --> 00:21:34.759
 to describe

00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.740
 those who had

00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:36.480
 just lost

00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.140
 their children.

00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:38.620
 those who

00:21:38.620 --> 00:21:39.740
 had parted ways

00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:41.240
 and for whatever reason

00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:42.120
 their child had died

00:21:42.120 --> 00:21:43.720
 and the grieving heart

00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:45.440
 this affectionately longing

00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:46.420
 for their child

00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:48.420
 is expressed

00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:49.180
 through this term.

00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:50.500
 This is how

00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:51.759
 Apostle Paul felt

00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:52.940
 towards this church.

00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.620
 This deep

00:21:54.620 --> 00:21:55.460
 affection

00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:56.620
 and longing

00:21:56.620 --> 00:21:57.600
 and care

00:21:57.600 --> 00:21:58.440
 for this church.

00:21:59.600 --> 00:22:00.060
 And he says,

00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.720
 we gave you

00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.340
 what was

00:22:01.340 --> 00:22:02.660
 what would lead

00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:03.860
 to ultimate joy.

00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.040
 We gave you

00:22:05.040 --> 00:22:05.840
 the gospel.

00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:09.040
 I've not yet

00:22:09.040 --> 00:22:09.920
 personally known

00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:11.259
 the loss of a child.

00:22:11.340 --> 00:22:12.160
 Maybe some of you have.

00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:13.940
 And so you know

00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:14.640
 the aching

00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:15.340
 in your heart

00:22:15.340 --> 00:22:16.340
 when that takes place.

00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:18.860
 But several years ago

00:22:18.860 --> 00:22:20.100
 when our youngest

00:22:20.100 --> 00:22:21.840
 was a year and a half

00:22:21.840 --> 00:22:23.120
 my wife and I

00:22:23.120 --> 00:22:23.759
 were away

00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.020
 and

00:22:24.020 --> 00:22:26.240
 we came home

00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.040
 to find out

00:22:27.040 --> 00:22:27.480
 that our

00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.240
 youngest

00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:29.460
 son

00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:30.400
 had decided

00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:30.980
 he was going to

00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:31.759
 go out on his own

00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.780
 to find mommy

00:22:32.780 --> 00:22:33.220
 and daddy.

00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:36.039
 and

00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:36.900
 fortunately

00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:37.259
 he

00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:38.799
 crossed the street

00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:40.140
 somebody

00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:41.039
 found him

00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:41.660
 brought him

00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:42.600
 back to the house

00:22:42.600 --> 00:22:43.759
 knocked in the door

00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.539
 and

00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:45.940
 totally unaware

00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:46.600
 that he would

00:22:46.600 --> 00:22:47.079
 be missing.

00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:50.000
 And letting the

00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.819
 gravity of that

00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.500
 situation

00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:52.680
 land on my own

00:22:52.680 --> 00:22:53.019
 heart

00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:53.860
 I realized

00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:54.779
 what could have

00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:55.019
 been.

00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.900
 A son

00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:57.339
 that would have

00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:57.579
 been

00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:58.480
 no longer

00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:59.140
 with the family

00:22:59.140 --> 00:23:00.940
 maybe taken

00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:02.360
 maybe killed

00:23:02.360 --> 00:23:02.840
 in crossing

00:23:02.840 --> 00:23:03.400
 that street

00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:04.519
 and I felt

00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:06.039
 a glimpse

00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:06.559
 of maybe

00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.140
 what Paul

00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:07.559
 is trying

00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:08.200
 to describe

00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:08.820
 here.

00:23:09.600 --> 00:23:10.240
 This deep

00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:10.840
 longing

00:23:10.840 --> 00:23:11.440
 and affection

00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:12.420
 for this church

00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:13.360
 but it led him

00:23:13.360 --> 00:23:14.160
 not just to

00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:14.960
 caring for them

00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:16.019
 it led him

00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.640
 to giving

00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:17.519
 them what was

00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:17.940
 ultimate.

00:23:19.080 --> 00:23:19.440
 And what was

00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:19.860
 ultimate

00:23:19.860 --> 00:23:20.720
 was Christ.

00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:21.580
 What was ultimate

00:23:21.580 --> 00:23:22.400
 was the gospel.

00:23:22.840 --> 00:23:23.580
 He gave to them

00:23:23.580 --> 00:23:24.380
 what was best.

00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.519
 He gave to them

00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:26.180
 the gospel

00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:26.980
 of God.

00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:29.080
 All throughout

00:23:29.080 --> 00:23:30.259
 this chapter

00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:30.859
 we've already

00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:31.759
 seen examples

00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.420
 of him

00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:33.140
 lifting up

00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:33.599
 God

00:23:33.599 --> 00:23:34.000
 for this

00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.440
 church.

00:23:35.559 --> 00:23:36.099
 In verse 2

00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:36.660
 he talks about

00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:37.240
 boldness

00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:37.819
 in God.

00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.059
 In verse 2

00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:39.519
 he talks about

00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.079
 the gospel

00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:40.640
 of God.

00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:41.579
 In verse 4

00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.039
 he talks about

00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:42.799
 being approved

00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:43.440
 of God.

00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:44.740
 He also talks

00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:45.559
 about being

00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:46.619
 pleasing to God

00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.279
 in verse 4.

00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.279
 A God who

00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:48.799
 tests.

00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:49.579
 And then in

00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.059
 verse 5

00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:50.579
 a God as

00:23:50.579 --> 00:23:50.920
 witness.

00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:51.619
 And in

00:23:51.619 --> 00:23:52.039
 verse 6

00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:52.720
 apostles of

00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:53.180
 Christ.

00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:53.740
 And in

00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:54.079
 verse 8

00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:54.680
 gospel of

00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:55.059
 God.

00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:56.119
 Do you get

00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:56.740
 the idea

00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.339
 that Paul

00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:58.400
 was concerned

00:23:58.400 --> 00:23:59.220
 about God?

00:23:59.220 --> 00:23:59.259
 God?

00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:00.460
 And that

00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:01.279
 he lifts

00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:01.940
 up God

00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:02.460
 in his

00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:03.259
 conversation

00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:03.720
 with this

00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.160
 church?

00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:05.880
 So even

00:24:05.880 --> 00:24:06.180
 though they

00:24:06.180 --> 00:24:06.539
 were a

00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:07.019
 fledgling

00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:07.420
 church,

00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.259
 a new

00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:08.880
 group of

00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:09.339
 believers,

00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.380
 he cared

00:24:10.380 --> 00:24:10.799
 about them

00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.120
 having

00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:11.400
 what was

00:24:11.400 --> 00:24:11.799
 best.

00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:13.140
 He cared

00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:13.519
 about them

00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:13.960
 having

00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:15.200
 the gospel

00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:16.400
 of God.

00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:17.240
 Which is

00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:17.700
 more than

00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.200
 just the

00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:18.779
 gospel of

00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.299
 salvation.

00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:20.880
 It's about

00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:21.460
 the gospel

00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:21.799
 of how

00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:23.220
 Jesus rescues

00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:23.940
 you and

00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:24.819
 changes you

00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:25.519
 and delivers

00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:25.960
 you from

00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.500
 every day.

00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:28.539
 the

00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:30.059
 brokenness,

00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.640
 the sorrow,

00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:33.440
 the sinfulness,

00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:34.619
 the depravity

00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:35.240
 of life.

00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.380
 God came

00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:36.940
 to rescue

00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:37.380
 you from

00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:37.740
 that.

00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:39.599
 To redeem

00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:40.359
 families,

00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:41.400
 to redeem

00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:42.160
 communities,

00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.319
 to redeem

00:24:43.319 --> 00:24:44.740
 churches for

00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.400
 himself and

00:24:45.400 --> 00:24:45.920
 people.

00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.220
 He came to

00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:47.720
 save, yes,

00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:48.180
 for heaven,

00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:48.940
 but he also

00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:49.559
 came to

00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:50.720
 redeem the

00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.259
 things of

00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:52.180
 this life.

00:24:53.900 --> 00:24:54.339
 And 15

00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:55.220
 times throughout

00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:55.779
 this book,

00:24:55.860 --> 00:24:56.860
 we see the

00:24:56.860 --> 00:24:57.420
 apostle Paul

00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:57.860
 talking about

00:24:57.860 --> 00:24:58.779
 just as you

00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.160
 know.

00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.480
 Even though

00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:00.819
 he had only

00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:01.180
 been there

00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:01.579
 for three

00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:02.120
 Sabbaths,

00:25:02.120 --> 00:25:02.640
 it was clear

00:25:02.640 --> 00:25:03.140
 they knew

00:25:03.140 --> 00:25:04.240
 the doctrines

00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:05.019
 that he was

00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:05.480
 teaching to

00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:05.579
 them.

00:25:05.620 --> 00:25:05.860
 It was

00:25:05.860 --> 00:25:06.500
 nothing new.

00:25:07.860 --> 00:25:08.220
 And this

00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:09.019
 true affection

00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:09.420
 for this

00:25:09.420 --> 00:25:10.880
 people showed

00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:12.360
 up in his

00:25:12.360 --> 00:25:13.680
 gospel affection

00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:14.140
 for them,

00:25:14.860 --> 00:25:15.480
 teaching them

00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:15.819
 what was

00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:16.259
 ultimate,

00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.039
 teaching them

00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:18.519
 about Christ.

00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.279
 This gospel

00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:22.920
 affection and

00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.660
 gospel message

00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:24.259
 must be

00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:24.839
 accompanied

00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:25.819
 by a

00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:26.839
 gospel life.

00:25:27.119 --> 00:25:27.419
 And that's

00:25:27.419 --> 00:25:27.659
 where we

00:25:27.659 --> 00:25:28.599
 go next.

00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.579
 It says,

00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:31.319
 we not only

00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:31.839
 gave you

00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.759
 the gospel

00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:34.039
 of God,

00:25:34.159 --> 00:25:34.980
 but also

00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:35.859
 our own

00:25:35.859 --> 00:25:36.679
 selves.

00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:39.079
 We gave

00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:39.359
 you

00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:40.039
 ourselves.

00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:41.079
 It was a

00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:41.919
 ministry of

00:25:41.919 --> 00:25:42.220
 giving.

00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:45.319
 We can

00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:47.439
 give the

00:25:47.439 --> 00:25:47.919
 gospel,

00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:49.220
 but if it's

00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:49.879
 not accompanied

00:25:49.879 --> 00:25:51.139
 by expressions

00:25:51.139 --> 00:25:52.059
 of love,

00:25:53.399 --> 00:25:53.740
 if it's not

00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.619
 accompanied by

00:25:54.619 --> 00:25:55.799
 a look at

00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.439
 the Savior,

00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:57.379
 then it will

00:25:57.379 --> 00:25:58.159
 be greatly

00:25:58.159 --> 00:25:59.859
 lacking in

00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:00.519
 substance.

00:26:01.719 --> 00:26:02.179
 We gave

00:26:02.179 --> 00:26:02.819
 you, he

00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:03.339
 says, our

00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:04.019
 own souls.

00:26:04.179 --> 00:26:04.799
 Literally, that's

00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:05.259
 what it means.

00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.219
 We gave you

00:26:06.219 --> 00:26:07.019
 our own

00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:07.859
 souls.

00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:09.859
 Besides

00:26:09.859 --> 00:26:10.559
 imparting the

00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.399
 complete gospel,

00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.079
 they shared

00:26:12.079 --> 00:26:12.919
 their own

00:26:12.919 --> 00:26:13.519
 lives.

00:26:14.199 --> 00:26:14.839
 Literally, they

00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:15.679
 gave up their

00:26:15.679 --> 00:26:16.159
 souls.

00:26:16.899 --> 00:26:17.500
 They're real

00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.439
 inner beings for

00:26:18.439 --> 00:26:19.599
 the sake of

00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:20.399
 the Thessalonians.

00:26:20.400 --> 00:26:21.600
 there was

00:26:21.600 --> 00:26:22.460
 nothing superficial

00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:24.000
 about the

00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:25.040
 sacrificial love

00:26:25.040 --> 00:26:25.680
 that they

00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.080
 showed to

00:26:26.080 --> 00:26:26.640
 this church.

00:26:27.800 --> 00:26:28.500
 Who knows

00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:28.840
 how that

00:26:28.840 --> 00:26:29.400
 showed up

00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.420
 in terms of

00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:31.040
 the actual

00:26:31.040 --> 00:26:31.580
 ministry,

00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:32.500
 maybe in

00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:32.880
 terms of

00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:33.640
 transparency,

00:26:34.100 --> 00:26:34.600
 just being

00:26:34.600 --> 00:26:35.300
 candid with

00:26:35.300 --> 00:26:36.000
 where they

00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.460
 were as

00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:36.840
 people,

00:26:37.140 --> 00:26:37.480
 how they

00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:37.840
 felt,

00:26:38.100 --> 00:26:38.600
 the Apostle

00:26:38.600 --> 00:26:39.160
 Paul and

00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:40.200
 Titus and

00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:41.080
 Timothy who

00:26:41.080 --> 00:26:41.519
 were there,

00:26:42.100 --> 00:26:42.720
 and Silas who

00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.060
 were there,

00:26:43.400 --> 00:26:44.400
 just expressing

00:26:44.400 --> 00:26:45.720
 their own

00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.140
 hearts,

00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:46.580
 their own

00:26:46.580 --> 00:26:47.220
 struggles,

00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:48.340
 the challenges

00:26:48.339 --> 00:26:49.019
 of life.

00:26:49.959 --> 00:26:50.339
 Maybe there

00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:50.859
 was that

00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:51.419
 transparency,

00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:51.980
 but also

00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:52.799
 there's this

00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:54.059
 self-sacrificing

00:26:54.059 --> 00:26:54.579
 love that we

00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:54.980
 see.

00:26:56.819 --> 00:26:57.519
 Paul talks about

00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.179
 becoming all

00:26:58.179 --> 00:26:58.859
 things to all

00:26:58.859 --> 00:26:59.639
 men that he

00:26:59.639 --> 00:27:00.480
 might win some.

00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:02.459
 The Apostle

00:27:02.459 --> 00:27:03.119
 Paul certainly

00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:04.259
 was willing to

00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.480
 set aside his

00:27:05.480 --> 00:27:06.339
 own personal

00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:06.919
 convictions,

00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:08.259
 maybe setting

00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:08.879
 aside his own

00:27:08.879 --> 00:27:09.980
 preferences perhaps

00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.419
 so that he

00:27:10.419 --> 00:27:11.299
 could accommodate

00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:11.980
 himself to

00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.559
 this church,

00:27:13.199 --> 00:27:13.720
 so he could

00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.279
 love them

00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:15.259
 truly and

00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:16.599
 lead them to

00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:18.199
 the place of

00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:18.700
 knowing what

00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:19.100
 was really

00:27:19.100 --> 00:27:19.539
 important,

00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.200
 leading them

00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:20.759
 to Christ.

00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.420
 It's a

00:27:23.420 --> 00:27:24.180
 risky love,

00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:26.980
 risks being

00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.640
 taken advantage

00:27:27.640 --> 00:27:28.000
 of.

00:27:28.860 --> 00:27:29.700
 It risks

00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.759
 being used

00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.100
 up.

00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:32.660
 It risks

00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.240
 never being

00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:33.740
 the focus

00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:34.740
 of conversation.

00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.340
 It risks

00:27:36.340 --> 00:27:36.819
 being the

00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:37.440
 servant and

00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:38.259
 never the

00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:38.500
 leader.

00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.559
 It risks

00:27:40.559 --> 00:27:41.120
 never getting

00:27:41.120 --> 00:27:41.640
 the prominent

00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:42.240
 role but

00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:43.500
 filling roles

00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:44.640
 where there

00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:45.180
 is a need.

00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:47.220
 The Apostle

00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:47.519
 Paul was

00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.019
 willing to

00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:48.460
 give of

00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:49.299
 himself to

00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:49.700
 his people.

00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:50.900
 Certainly

00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:51.299
 he was

00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:51.759
 willing in

00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.259
 Philippi to

00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:53.140
 give as

00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:53.539
 much as

00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:54.299
 his body

00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:54.759
 for them,

00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:55.519
 to be

00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:56.519
 persecuted and

00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.620
 broken and

00:27:57.620 --> 00:27:58.579
 harmed in a

00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.200
 physical way.

00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.480
 And here he

00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:00.980
 is again

00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:01.720
 showing up in

00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.759
 Thessalonica and

00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:03.519
 he faces the

00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.140
 same kind of

00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:04.500
 opposition.

00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:05.100
 There was

00:28:05.100 --> 00:28:06.100
 risk involved

00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:06.620
 in him

00:28:06.620 --> 00:28:07.059
 bringing the

00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.600
 gospel and

00:28:07.600 --> 00:28:08.380
 the Apostle

00:28:08.380 --> 00:28:08.759
 Paul was

00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.120
 willing to

00:28:09.120 --> 00:28:09.839
 give himself

00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.500
 for them.

00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:15.380
 in verse

00:28:15.380 --> 00:28:16.059
 18 we

00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:16.619
 see this

00:28:16.619 --> 00:28:18.279
 affection that

00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:18.819
 he has for

00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:19.480
 this church.

00:28:20.359 --> 00:28:20.720
 It shows

00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.140
 up and

00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:22.680
 his concern

00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.380
 for them,

00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:24.059
 what will

00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:24.559
 happen to

00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.539
 this fledgling

00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:25.940
 church?

00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:26.279
 Will they

00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:26.859
 fall away

00:28:26.859 --> 00:28:27.400
 because of

00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:27.960
 the opposition

00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:28.400
 that they're

00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:28.960
 experiencing?

00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:32.000
 Find in

00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:33.220
 verse 18 he

00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:33.339
 says,

00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:33.900
 we wanted to

00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:34.519
 come to you

00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.339
 again and

00:28:35.339 --> 00:28:35.759
 again but

00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:36.579
 Satan hindered

00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.019
 us.

00:28:38.380 --> 00:28:38.799
 And notice

00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:39.240
 this,

00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:40.240
 but what is

00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:41.339
 our hope

00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:42.619
 or joy

00:28:42.619 --> 00:28:43.539
 or crown

00:28:43.539 --> 00:28:44.079
 of boasting

00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:44.559
 before the

00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:45.119
 Lord Jesus

00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:45.440
 at his

00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:45.740
 coming?

00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.059
 Is it

00:28:47.059 --> 00:28:47.779
 not you?

00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:48.799
 For you

00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:49.399
 are our

00:28:49.399 --> 00:28:50.879
 glory and

00:28:50.879 --> 00:28:52.059
 our joy.

00:28:55.659 --> 00:28:56.299
 Chapter

00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:56.740
 3,

00:28:57.379 --> 00:28:58.359
 verse 8,

00:28:59.180 --> 00:29:00.039
 verse 7,

00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:01.099
 for this

00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:01.700
 reason brothers

00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:02.319
 in all of

00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:03.079
 our distress

00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:04.200
 and affliction

00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:05.039
 we have been

00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:05.899
 comforted about

00:29:05.899 --> 00:29:06.379
 you through

00:29:06.379 --> 00:29:06.919
 your faith.

00:29:07.619 --> 00:29:08.279
 For now we

00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:08.779
 live in

00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.160
 if you

00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:09.940
 are standing

00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:10.940
 fast in

00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:11.440
 the Lord.

00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:12.779
 For what

00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.039
 is our

00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:13.559
 thanksgiving?

00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:15.039
 For what

00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:15.539
 thanksgiving

00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:15.940
 can we

00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:16.500
 return to

00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:16.879
 God for

00:29:16.879 --> 00:29:17.000
 you?

00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:17.379
 For all

00:29:17.379 --> 00:29:17.920
 the joy

00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:18.240
 that we

00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:19.059
 feel for

00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:19.599
 your sake

00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:20.559
 before our

00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:21.079
 God.

00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:23.139
 This was

00:29:23.139 --> 00:29:24.059
 a man who

00:29:24.059 --> 00:29:24.779
 had gospel

00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:26.019
 affection and

00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:27.000
 gave himself

00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.420
 for this

00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:28.420
 church and

00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:28.980
 he feels

00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:30.240
 joy in

00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:30.700
 the midst

00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.319
 of affliction

00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:31.940
 and persecution

00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:33.259
 because he's

00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:33.779
 seeing the

00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:35.460
 progress of

00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:36.039
 the gospel

00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:36.779
 in their

00:29:36.779 --> 00:29:37.240
 lives.

00:29:37.240 --> 00:29:39.500
 we are

00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:40.000
 experiencing

00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:42.099
 hardship

00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:43.299
 Paul says

00:29:43.299 --> 00:29:44.859
 but we

00:29:44.859 --> 00:29:45.339
 couldn't be

00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:45.759
 happier.

00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:47.019
 We couldn't

00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:47.500
 be happier

00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:47.960
 because we

00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:48.900
 see what

00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:49.279
 God is

00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:49.880
 doing in

00:29:49.880 --> 00:29:50.380
 your life

00:29:50.380 --> 00:29:50.980
 and it

00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.440
 makes us

00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:52.420
 full of

00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:52.779
 joy.

00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:53.960
 Let me

00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:54.720
 say that

00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:55.079
 is a

00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:55.680
 grace

00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:56.460
 filled

00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:57.160
 ministry.

00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:59.079
 Most of

00:29:59.079 --> 00:29:59.660
 our ministry

00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:01.720
 on the

00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:02.240
 surface

00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:04.240
 is a

00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:05.160
 ministry

00:30:05.160 --> 00:30:05.460
 that we

00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:05.900
 tend to

00:30:05.900 --> 00:30:06.200
 do

00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:06.640
 is the

00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:07.019
 ministry

00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:07.940
 that brings

00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.400
 attention

00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:09.019
 to self.

00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:09.980
 We have

00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:10.480
 to work

00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:10.819
 and God

00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.079
 has to

00:30:11.079 --> 00:30:11.440
 work that

00:30:11.440 --> 00:30:11.740
 out of

00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.180
 us over

00:30:12.180 --> 00:30:12.519
 time.

00:30:13.620 --> 00:30:14.120
 But Paul

00:30:14.120 --> 00:30:14.759
 certainly had

00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:15.220
 a ministry

00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:15.579
 that was

00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:16.120
 willing to

00:30:16.120 --> 00:30:16.500
 give.

00:30:17.380 --> 00:30:17.900
 A ministry

00:30:17.900 --> 00:30:18.440
 like his

00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:19.579
 Savior who

00:30:19.579 --> 00:30:20.620
 was expending

00:30:20.620 --> 00:30:21.339
 self for

00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:21.660
 others.

00:30:23.140 --> 00:30:23.720
 How do we

00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.120
 do this?

00:30:25.120 --> 00:30:25.859
 How is this

00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:26.940
 really achieved?

00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:28.940
 It's achieved

00:30:28.940 --> 00:30:29.740
 by understanding

00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:30.160
 that our

00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:30.599
 ministry

00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:31.720
 isn't to

00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:32.220
 people

00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:33.559
 as much

00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:33.880
 as our

00:30:33.880 --> 00:30:34.279
 ministry

00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:34.740
 is to

00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.019
 God.

00:30:36.859 --> 00:30:37.259
 He says

00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:37.680
 that here

00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.720
 earlier in

00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:39.500
 this chapter

00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.359
 we read

00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:40.819
 this as

00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:41.099
 well.

00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:42.400
 It says

00:30:42.400 --> 00:30:42.700
 at the

00:30:42.700 --> 00:30:43.079
 end of

00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:43.640
 verse 4

00:30:43.640 --> 00:30:44.700
 so we

00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:45.279
 speak

00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:46.099
 not to

00:30:46.099 --> 00:30:46.420
 please

00:30:46.420 --> 00:30:46.880
 man

00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:47.700
 but to

00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:47.960
 please

00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:48.440
 God

00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:48.799
 who

00:30:48.799 --> 00:30:49.220
 tests

00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:49.440
 our

00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:49.799
 hearts.

00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:50.980
 That's

00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.299
 the key

00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:51.720
 to having

00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:52.279
 this kind

00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:52.620
 of giving

00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.079
 ministry.

00:30:53.839 --> 00:30:54.380
 This kind

00:30:54.380 --> 00:30:55.240
 of grace

00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:56.380
 ministry

00:30:56.380 --> 00:30:58.160
 is recognizing

00:30:58.160 --> 00:30:58.839
 that your

00:30:58.839 --> 00:30:59.319
 ministry

00:30:59.319 --> 00:31:00.059
 is to

00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:00.439
 the Lord

00:31:00.439 --> 00:31:00.779
 and not

00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.099
 to men.

00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:03.500
 That's a

00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.019
 stabilizing

00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.619
 force for

00:31:04.619 --> 00:31:04.939
 us.

00:31:06.119 --> 00:31:06.339
 I like

00:31:06.339 --> 00:31:06.740
 what one

00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:07.240
 commentator

00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:07.500
 says.

00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:07.759
 He says

00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.579
 a gospel

00:31:08.579 --> 00:31:09.159
 messenger

00:31:09.159 --> 00:31:10.599
 who stands

00:31:10.599 --> 00:31:11.099
 detached

00:31:11.099 --> 00:31:11.779
 from his

00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:12.299
 audience

00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:13.279
 has not

00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:13.759
 yet been

00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:14.200
 touched

00:31:14.200 --> 00:31:14.839
 by the

00:31:14.839 --> 00:31:15.119
 very

00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:15.759
 gospel

00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:16.500
 he

00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.879
 proclaims.

00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:20.059
 Has the

00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:20.539
 ministry

00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:21.119
 of the

00:31:21.119 --> 00:31:21.500
 gospel

00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.059
 God's

00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:22.500
 grace

00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.220
 to you

00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:23.859
 affected

00:31:23.859 --> 00:31:24.099
 you

00:31:24.099 --> 00:31:24.639
 personally?

00:31:25.919 --> 00:31:26.720
 If it's

00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:27.259
 affected you

00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:27.639
 personally

00:31:27.639 --> 00:31:27.919
 it will

00:31:27.919 --> 00:31:28.460
 work its

00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:29.200
 way out

00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:29.680
 in

00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:30.240
 grace

00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:30.539
 filled

00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:31.100
 ministry

00:31:31.100 --> 00:31:31.779
 in

00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:32.200
 giving

00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:32.600
 to

00:31:32.600 --> 00:31:33.059
 others.

00:31:34.460 --> 00:31:34.680
 But

00:31:34.680 --> 00:31:36.680
 even our

00:31:36.680 --> 00:31:37.460
 self-giving

00:31:37.460 --> 00:31:38.200
 however good

00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:38.620
 it might

00:31:38.620 --> 00:31:39.120
 be

00:31:39.120 --> 00:31:41.500
 needs to

00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:42.160
 be dominated

00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:42.900
 by this

00:31:42.900 --> 00:31:44.039
 next component

00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:44.960
 this last

00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:45.360
 component

00:31:45.360 --> 00:31:45.620
 that we'll

00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:45.880
 see

00:31:45.880 --> 00:31:46.940
 this component

00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.420
 of love.

00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:48.120
 It needs

00:31:48.120 --> 00:31:48.539
 to be a

00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:48.960
 ministry

00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:50.319
 of genuine

00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:51.100
 love.

00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:53.039
 Like how

00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:53.779
 Paul describes

00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:54.100
 this in

00:31:54.100 --> 00:31:54.600
 1 Corinthians

00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:55.279
 13 3

00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:55.720
 he says

00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:56.660
 if I

00:31:56.660 --> 00:31:57.360
 give away

00:31:57.360 --> 00:31:57.960
 all I

00:31:57.960 --> 00:31:58.380
 have

00:31:58.380 --> 00:31:59.480
 and if

00:31:59.480 --> 00:31:59.660
 I

00:31:59.660 --> 00:32:00.220
 deliver

00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:00.500
 my

00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:00.799
 body

00:32:00.799 --> 00:32:01.079
 to be

00:32:01.079 --> 00:32:01.500
 burned

00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:02.860
 but have

00:32:02.860 --> 00:32:03.059
 not

00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:03.519
 love

00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:04.259
 I

00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:04.940
 gain

00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:05.839
 nothing.

00:32:07.400 --> 00:32:08.220
 You can

00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:08.740
 be gentle

00:32:08.740 --> 00:32:10.360
 you can

00:32:10.360 --> 00:32:11.000
 bring

00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:11.799
 the gospel

00:32:11.799 --> 00:32:12.339
 message

00:32:12.339 --> 00:32:13.740
 you can

00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:14.299
 give of

00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:14.839
 yourself

00:32:14.839 --> 00:32:16.160
 but if

00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:16.539
 all of

00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:16.980
 those things

00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:17.519
 are not

00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:17.940
 accompanied

00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:18.720
 by love

00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:20.100
 the apostle

00:32:20.100 --> 00:32:20.860
 Paul says

00:32:20.860 --> 00:32:22.019
 through the

00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:22.680
 inspiration of

00:32:22.680 --> 00:32:23.200
 the Holy Spirit

00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:23.980
 it amounts

00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:24.700
 to nothing.

00:32:26.660 --> 00:32:27.180
 So

00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:28.940
 grace-filled

00:32:28.940 --> 00:32:29.400
 ministry

00:32:29.400 --> 00:32:30.200
 will also

00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:30.819
 be a

00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:31.180
 ministry

00:32:31.180 --> 00:32:32.220
 of genuine

00:32:32.220 --> 00:32:32.720
 love.

00:32:34.640 --> 00:32:35.460
 And quickly

00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:36.340
 as we wrap

00:32:36.340 --> 00:32:36.819
 this up

00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:37.880
 I want to

00:32:37.880 --> 00:32:38.500
 point your

00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:38.960
 attention to

00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:39.180
 a couple

00:32:39.180 --> 00:32:39.500
 things.

00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:40.259
 First I

00:32:40.259 --> 00:32:40.500
 want you

00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:40.799
 to see

00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:41.779
 this emotional

00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.360
 connection.

00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.080
 There was

00:32:43.080 --> 00:32:43.960
 sincere

00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:44.860
 emotion

00:32:44.860 --> 00:32:45.920
 and care

00:32:45.920 --> 00:32:46.340
 for this

00:32:46.340 --> 00:32:47.420
 group of

00:32:47.420 --> 00:32:47.819
 believers.

00:32:48.600 --> 00:32:49.480
 He actually

00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:50.360
 cared for

00:32:50.360 --> 00:32:50.600
 them.

00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:51.799
 He didn't

00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:52.279
 just say

00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:52.740
 I love

00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:53.019
 you.

00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:54.220
 There was

00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:54.940
 this affection

00:32:54.940 --> 00:32:55.500
 that comes

00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:56.500
 out in

00:32:56.500 --> 00:32:57.100
 his letter

00:32:57.100 --> 00:32:57.580
 to them.

00:32:58.059 --> 00:32:58.680
 He calls

00:32:58.680 --> 00:32:59.539
 them very

00:32:59.539 --> 00:33:00.059
 dear.

00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:01.640
 He says

00:33:01.640 --> 00:33:02.000
 that here

00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:02.220
 at the

00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:03.140
 end of

00:33:03.140 --> 00:33:03.519
 verse 8

00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:04.460
 because you

00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:05.160
 had become

00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:06.319
 very dear

00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:06.980
 to us.

00:33:08.080 --> 00:33:08.480
 Now I

00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:08.799
 don't know

00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:09.039
 if you

00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:09.559
 follow the

00:33:09.559 --> 00:33:10.240
 apostle Paul

00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:10.660
 much but

00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:11.460
 when I

00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:12.140
 think and

00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:12.840
 look at

00:33:12.840 --> 00:33:13.700
 the ministry

00:33:13.700 --> 00:33:14.240
 of Paul I

00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:14.799
 don't think

00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:15.279
 of somebody

00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:15.880
 who's tender.

00:33:16.700 --> 00:33:17.120
 I think of

00:33:17.120 --> 00:33:17.600
 somebody who's

00:33:17.600 --> 00:33:18.480
 a truth teller

00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:19.200
 somebody who's

00:33:19.200 --> 00:33:20.200
 bold somebody

00:33:20.200 --> 00:33:21.160
 who's courageous

00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:23.100
 who says it

00:33:23.099 --> 00:33:23.639
 as it is

00:33:23.639 --> 00:33:24.240
 but he

00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:25.119
 was tender.

00:33:26.579 --> 00:33:27.099
 He had

00:33:27.099 --> 00:33:28.159
 this emotional

00:33:28.159 --> 00:33:29.219
 connection

00:33:29.219 --> 00:33:30.019
 with the

00:33:30.019 --> 00:33:30.619
 churches that

00:33:30.619 --> 00:33:31.699
 he ministered

00:33:31.699 --> 00:33:31.859
 to.

00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:33.579
 He calls

00:33:33.579 --> 00:33:34.179
 them very

00:33:34.179 --> 00:33:34.619
 dear.

00:33:36.159 --> 00:33:36.599
 It was

00:33:36.599 --> 00:33:37.259
 also a

00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:37.699
 ministry that

00:33:37.699 --> 00:33:38.079
 pointed to

00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:38.599
 Christ because

00:33:38.599 --> 00:33:39.240
 it emulated

00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:40.119
 his love.

00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:41.119
 This favor

00:33:41.119 --> 00:33:41.759
 of God was

00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:42.579
 on him as

00:33:42.579 --> 00:33:43.419
 he emulates

00:33:43.419 --> 00:33:44.299
 Christ's love

00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:44.619
 for this

00:33:44.619 --> 00:33:45.019
 church.

00:33:45.019 --> 00:33:49.440
 for honest

00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:49.980
 with ourselves

00:33:49.980 --> 00:33:50.720
 the reason

00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:51.599
 why so

00:33:51.599 --> 00:33:51.960
 much of

00:33:51.960 --> 00:33:52.480
 our ministry

00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:54.240
 fails is

00:33:54.240 --> 00:33:54.799
 because we

00:33:54.799 --> 00:33:55.619
 miss this

00:33:55.619 --> 00:33:56.299
 component.

00:33:57.639 --> 00:33:58.460
 I believe

00:33:58.460 --> 00:33:59.220
 we need to

00:33:59.220 --> 00:33:59.680
 pray for

00:33:59.680 --> 00:34:00.200
 God's

00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:01.039
 help.

00:34:01.579 --> 00:34:02.579
 Make me

00:34:02.579 --> 00:34:03.420
 help me

00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:04.240
 love

00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:05.519
 this people.

00:34:06.299 --> 00:34:06.859
 Help me

00:34:06.859 --> 00:34:08.159
 love my

00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.659
 family.

00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:10.059
 Help me

00:34:10.059 --> 00:34:11.059
 love my

00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:11.639
 co-workers

00:34:11.639 --> 00:34:13.139
 my boss

00:34:13.139 --> 00:34:14.599
 my community.

00:34:15.559 --> 00:34:15.879
 Lord I'm

00:34:15.879 --> 00:34:16.400
 praying for

00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:16.759
 them by

00:34:16.759 --> 00:34:17.199
 name.

00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:18.079
 Specific

00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:18.739
 individuals.

00:34:23.219 --> 00:34:24.079
 Lord be

00:34:24.079 --> 00:34:24.579
 with my

00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:25.259
 neighbor

00:34:25.259 --> 00:34:25.779
 Melvin

00:34:25.779 --> 00:34:27.139
 next door.

00:34:28.759 --> 00:34:29.599
 Speak to

00:34:29.599 --> 00:34:30.179
 his heart.

00:34:31.259 --> 00:34:32.039
 Minister to

00:34:32.039 --> 00:34:32.739
 him the

00:34:32.739 --> 00:34:33.219
 grace of

00:34:33.219 --> 00:34:33.519
 God.

00:34:34.339 --> 00:34:34.799
 Work in

00:34:34.799 --> 00:34:35.460
 his life

00:34:35.460 --> 00:34:36.239
 to open

00:34:36.239 --> 00:34:37.000
 his eyes

00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:37.839
 to the

00:34:37.839 --> 00:34:38.379
 wonder of

00:34:38.379 --> 00:34:38.960
 the gospel.

00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:40.940
 And every

00:34:40.940 --> 00:34:41.440
 neighbor that

00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:42.199
 you have in

00:34:42.199 --> 00:34:42.879
 your community

00:34:42.880 --> 00:34:43.460
 I hope

00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:43.619
 you're

00:34:43.619 --> 00:34:43.980
 praying for

00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:44.280
 them by

00:34:44.280 --> 00:34:44.619
 name.

00:34:46.500 --> 00:34:47.140
 God is

00:34:47.140 --> 00:34:48.019
 building in

00:34:48.019 --> 00:34:48.640
 you this

00:34:48.640 --> 00:34:49.480
 gospel

00:34:49.480 --> 00:34:49.980
 affection.

00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:51.280
 This

00:34:51.280 --> 00:34:52.619
 gospel care.

00:34:52.740 --> 00:34:53.440
 This genuine

00:34:53.440 --> 00:34:54.059
 love.

00:34:56.380 --> 00:34:56.800
 Maybe you've

00:34:56.800 --> 00:34:57.360
 heard it said

00:34:57.360 --> 00:34:58.640
 I love

00:34:58.640 --> 00:34:58.820
 him.

00:34:59.539 --> 00:35:00.079
 I love

00:35:00.079 --> 00:35:00.260
 her.

00:35:00.920 --> 00:35:01.260
 But I

00:35:01.260 --> 00:35:01.660
 don't like

00:35:01.660 --> 00:35:01.860
 her.

00:35:03.400 --> 00:35:03.640
 Ever

00:35:03.640 --> 00:35:04.039
 heard that?

00:35:06.340 --> 00:35:06.920
 I don't

00:35:06.920 --> 00:35:07.280
 believe this

00:35:07.280 --> 00:35:07.840
 is consistent

00:35:07.840 --> 00:35:08.180
 with the

00:35:08.180 --> 00:35:08.380
 scripture.

00:35:09.599 --> 00:35:10.059
 I don't

00:35:10.059 --> 00:35:10.460
 believe this

00:35:10.460 --> 00:35:10.720
 should be

00:35:10.720 --> 00:35:11.039
 true of

00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:11.300
 any

00:35:11.300 --> 00:35:11.740
 believer.

00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:14.400
 those who

00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:15.099
 love Christ

00:35:15.099 --> 00:35:16.480
 must love

00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:17.280
 his church.

00:35:18.400 --> 00:35:19.480
 Those who

00:35:19.480 --> 00:35:20.220
 have experienced

00:35:20.220 --> 00:35:21.039
 the love of

00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:21.559
 God in their

00:35:21.559 --> 00:35:22.519
 life need to

00:35:22.519 --> 00:35:23.360
 be those who

00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:25.019
 convey love.

00:35:26.039 --> 00:35:26.579
 And not

00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:28.300
 just show

00:35:28.300 --> 00:35:29.240
 love but

00:35:29.240 --> 00:35:30.660
 feel love.

00:35:32.519 --> 00:35:33.099
 Jesus is

00:35:33.099 --> 00:35:34.000
 moved with

00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:35.099
 compassion in

00:35:35.099 --> 00:35:35.720
 his ministry.

00:35:36.680 --> 00:35:37.099
 He is

00:35:37.099 --> 00:35:39.059
 impelled to

00:35:39.059 --> 00:35:39.760
 serve the

00:35:39.760 --> 00:35:40.640
 people around

00:35:40.640 --> 00:35:41.559
 him because he

00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:42.119
 has a heart

00:35:42.119 --> 00:35:42.880
 connection with

00:35:42.880 --> 00:35:43.119
 them.

00:35:44.739 --> 00:35:45.199
 The

00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:45.820
 apostle John

00:35:45.820 --> 00:35:46.299
 puts it this

00:35:46.299 --> 00:35:46.619
 way in

00:35:46.619 --> 00:35:47.340
 1 John 4

00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:47.820
 20 says

00:35:47.820 --> 00:35:48.480
 if someone

00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:48.980
 says I

00:35:48.980 --> 00:35:49.500
 love God

00:35:49.500 --> 00:35:49.860
 and hates

00:35:49.860 --> 00:35:50.299
 his brother

00:35:50.299 --> 00:35:51.119
 he is a

00:35:51.119 --> 00:35:51.460
 liar.

00:35:52.799 --> 00:35:53.239
 For he

00:35:53.239 --> 00:35:53.699
 who does

00:35:53.699 --> 00:35:54.239
 not love

00:35:54.239 --> 00:35:54.659
 his brother

00:35:54.659 --> 00:35:55.000
 whom he

00:35:55.000 --> 00:35:55.519
 has seen

00:35:55.519 --> 00:35:56.299
 how can

00:35:56.299 --> 00:35:56.659
 he love

00:35:56.659 --> 00:35:57.179
 God whom

00:35:57.179 --> 00:35:57.480
 he has

00:35:57.480 --> 00:35:58.139
 not seen?

00:35:59.099 --> 00:35:59.500
 And this

00:35:59.500 --> 00:36:00.000
 commandment

00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:00.400
 we have

00:36:00.400 --> 00:36:00.820
 from him

00:36:00.820 --> 00:36:01.519
 that he

00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:02.059
 who loves

00:36:02.059 --> 00:36:02.539
 God

00:36:02.539 --> 00:36:03.400
 must love

00:36:03.400 --> 00:36:03.940
 his brother

00:36:03.940 --> 00:36:04.699
 also.

00:36:06.059 --> 00:36:06.779
 You find

00:36:06.779 --> 00:36:07.039
 that there

00:36:07.039 --> 00:36:07.320
 are some

00:36:07.320 --> 00:36:07.840
 people in

00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:08.219
 the church

00:36:08.219 --> 00:36:08.519
 that you

00:36:08.519 --> 00:36:09.239
 spot them

00:36:09.239 --> 00:36:09.799
 across the

00:36:09.799 --> 00:36:10.500
 room and you

00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:10.940
 find another

00:36:10.940 --> 00:36:11.780
 way to

00:36:11.780 --> 00:36:12.019
 go.

00:36:14.760 --> 00:36:15.579
 Pray that

00:36:15.579 --> 00:36:16.260
 God helps

00:36:16.260 --> 00:36:18.059
 work genuine

00:36:18.059 --> 00:36:18.720
 love into

00:36:18.720 --> 00:36:20.139
 your life to

00:36:20.139 --> 00:36:21.200
 extend kindness

00:36:21.200 --> 00:36:22.240
 to extend

00:36:22.240 --> 00:36:23.300
 peace to

00:36:23.300 --> 00:36:24.700
 overcome whatever

00:36:24.700 --> 00:36:25.700
 conflict might be

00:36:25.700 --> 00:36:26.920
 there so the

00:36:26.920 --> 00:36:27.460
 love of God

00:36:27.460 --> 00:36:27.920
 might flow

00:36:27.920 --> 00:36:29.019
 through you and

00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:30.480
 this mom-like

00:36:30.480 --> 00:36:31.480
 grace-filled

00:36:31.480 --> 00:36:32.260
 ministry might be

00:36:32.260 --> 00:36:33.539
 the hallmark of

00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:34.099
 your life.

00:36:35.400 --> 00:36:35.920
 But notice

00:36:35.920 --> 00:36:37.300
 too the

00:36:37.300 --> 00:36:38.360
 endearing terms

00:36:38.360 --> 00:36:39.480
 that Paul uses

00:36:39.480 --> 00:36:40.240
 of this church.

00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:42.139
 He uses

00:36:42.139 --> 00:36:43.539
 words that

00:36:43.539 --> 00:36:44.740
 express this

00:36:44.740 --> 00:36:45.440
 emotion that

00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:46.119
 he feels.

00:36:47.619 --> 00:36:48.220
 What I like

00:36:48.220 --> 00:36:49.119
 about Paul is

00:36:49.119 --> 00:36:49.659
 that these

00:36:49.659 --> 00:36:50.440
 emotions were

00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:51.099
 not just

00:36:51.099 --> 00:36:51.679
 felt but

00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:51.960
 they were

00:36:51.960 --> 00:36:52.679
 expressed.

00:36:53.800 --> 00:36:54.500
 It's, you

00:36:54.500 --> 00:36:55.000
 know, you've

00:36:55.000 --> 00:36:55.400
 heard of the

00:36:55.400 --> 00:36:56.320
 example of a

00:36:56.320 --> 00:36:57.039
 wife says,

00:36:57.559 --> 00:36:57.840
 does your

00:36:57.840 --> 00:36:58.380
 husband love

00:36:58.380 --> 00:36:58.539
 you?

00:36:58.579 --> 00:36:58.780
 And she

00:36:58.780 --> 00:36:59.079
 says, I

00:36:59.079 --> 00:36:59.539
 think so.

00:36:59.860 --> 00:37:00.220
 He's never

00:37:00.220 --> 00:37:00.720
 told me.

00:37:01.860 --> 00:37:02.200
 There's

00:37:02.200 --> 00:37:03.179
 something about

00:37:03.179 --> 00:37:04.619
 expressing and

00:37:04.619 --> 00:37:05.780
 conveying love

00:37:05.780 --> 00:37:06.280
 for the people

00:37:06.280 --> 00:37:06.760
 around you.

00:37:07.059 --> 00:37:07.920
 Telling them

00:37:07.920 --> 00:37:08.539
 how you

00:37:08.539 --> 00:37:08.960
 feel.

00:37:10.159 --> 00:37:10.680
 There's a

00:37:10.680 --> 00:37:11.079
 measure of

00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:11.680
 humility in

00:37:11.680 --> 00:37:12.099
 that, isn't

00:37:12.099 --> 00:37:12.300
 there?

00:37:13.180 --> 00:37:13.760
 And Paul was

00:37:13.760 --> 00:37:14.340
 willing to

00:37:14.340 --> 00:37:15.420
 humble himself

00:37:15.420 --> 00:37:16.460
 and express

00:37:16.460 --> 00:37:17.500
 this emotional

00:37:17.500 --> 00:37:18.480
 love, this

00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:19.300
 emotional connection,

00:37:19.420 --> 00:37:20.059
 this genuine

00:37:20.059 --> 00:37:21.220
 affection he had

00:37:21.220 --> 00:37:21.500
 for these

00:37:21.500 --> 00:37:21.800
 people.

00:37:22.559 --> 00:37:23.440
 He uses the

00:37:23.440 --> 00:37:24.300
 words brothers

00:37:24.300 --> 00:37:26.619
 a number of

00:37:26.619 --> 00:37:27.180
 times, 20

00:37:27.180 --> 00:37:27.860
 times throughout

00:37:27.860 --> 00:37:28.340
 this letter.

00:37:29.500 --> 00:37:30.480
 He talks about

00:37:30.480 --> 00:37:31.539
 giving thanks for

00:37:31.539 --> 00:37:31.780
 them.

00:37:32.300 --> 00:37:32.900
 He talks about

00:37:32.900 --> 00:37:33.840
 being affectionately

00:37:33.840 --> 00:37:34.620
 desires for

00:37:34.620 --> 00:37:34.740
 them.

00:37:34.800 --> 00:37:35.420
 We just saw

00:37:35.420 --> 00:37:35.760
 that.

00:37:36.180 --> 00:37:37.059
 He says in

00:37:37.059 --> 00:37:37.840
 2.20, you

00:37:37.840 --> 00:37:38.700
 are our joy

00:37:38.700 --> 00:37:39.840
 and our glory.

00:37:40.940 --> 00:37:41.800
 In 3.9, he

00:37:41.800 --> 00:37:42.120
 says, what

00:37:42.120 --> 00:37:42.920
 thanksgiving can

00:37:42.920 --> 00:37:43.600
 we return to

00:37:43.600 --> 00:37:44.300
 God for you?

00:37:45.100 --> 00:37:46.780
 He expresses his

00:37:46.780 --> 00:37:48.160
 heart in love

00:37:48.160 --> 00:37:49.079
 for them and he

00:37:49.079 --> 00:37:49.800
 expresses and

00:37:49.800 --> 00:37:50.600
 conveys it in

00:37:50.600 --> 00:37:51.800
 significant ways

00:37:51.800 --> 00:37:52.240
 throughout this

00:37:52.240 --> 00:37:52.440
 letter.

00:37:54.000 --> 00:37:54.760
 Why was this

00:37:54.760 --> 00:37:55.120
 important?

00:37:56.000 --> 00:37:56.539
 I think it was

00:37:56.539 --> 00:37:57.180
 important for a

00:37:57.180 --> 00:37:57.820
 couple of reasons.

00:37:58.220 --> 00:37:58.980
 But I think one

00:37:58.980 --> 00:37:59.559
 of those reasons

00:37:59.559 --> 00:38:00.579
 is that when Paul

00:38:00.579 --> 00:38:01.380
 had to leave

00:38:01.380 --> 00:38:02.920
 Thessalonica, the

00:38:02.920 --> 00:38:04.099
 critics came and

00:38:04.099 --> 00:38:05.960
 said, see, where's

00:38:05.960 --> 00:38:06.519
 your leader now?

00:38:07.240 --> 00:38:08.099
 He abandoned you.

00:38:08.720 --> 00:38:09.340
 He doesn't care

00:38:09.340 --> 00:38:09.740
 about your

00:38:09.740 --> 00:38:10.300
 situation.

00:38:11.180 --> 00:38:11.800
 So Paul, in

00:38:11.800 --> 00:38:12.920
 reinforcing his

00:38:12.920 --> 00:38:13.940
 love for this

00:38:13.940 --> 00:38:15.099
 church, is putting

00:38:15.099 --> 00:38:16.039
 it front and

00:38:16.039 --> 00:38:16.800
 center so they

00:38:16.800 --> 00:38:19.019
 can be secure in

00:38:19.019 --> 00:38:20.099
 knowing not only

00:38:20.099 --> 00:38:20.820
 his love for

00:38:20.820 --> 00:38:21.579
 them but also

00:38:21.579 --> 00:38:22.880
 God's love for

00:38:22.880 --> 00:38:23.059
 them.

00:38:26.019 --> 00:38:26.740
 So I wonder

00:38:26.740 --> 00:38:27.360
 this morning for

00:38:27.360 --> 00:38:28.980
 us, as we draw

00:38:28.980 --> 00:38:29.800
 this to a close,

00:38:30.800 --> 00:38:32.180
 what can we learn

00:38:32.180 --> 00:38:32.900
 this morning of

00:38:32.900 --> 00:38:34.320
 about a mother's

00:38:34.320 --> 00:38:35.619
 grace-filled

00:38:35.619 --> 00:38:36.200
 ministry?

00:38:37.740 --> 00:38:38.460
 I think it

00:38:38.460 --> 00:38:38.900
 needs to be

00:38:38.900 --> 00:38:39.720
 representative of

00:38:39.720 --> 00:38:40.539
 every one of us

00:38:40.539 --> 00:38:41.440
 who call ourselves

00:38:41.440 --> 00:38:41.900
 believers.

00:38:43.320 --> 00:38:44.000
 It needs to be

00:38:44.000 --> 00:38:45.000
 true of us because

00:38:45.000 --> 00:38:46.420
 a grace-filled

00:38:46.420 --> 00:38:48.139
 ministry is not

00:38:48.139 --> 00:38:48.860
 only how we show

00:38:48.860 --> 00:38:49.780
 the Spirit in our

00:38:49.780 --> 00:38:50.300
 life but it's how

00:38:50.300 --> 00:38:51.840
 we show Christ in

00:38:51.840 --> 00:38:52.320
 our life.

00:38:53.660 --> 00:38:53.960
 We've been

00:38:53.960 --> 00:38:54.480
 studying through

00:38:54.480 --> 00:38:54.960
 John.

00:38:55.740 --> 00:38:56.680
 You go back to

00:38:56.680 --> 00:38:57.639
 John chapter 1,

00:38:57.720 --> 00:38:58.599
 14 and talks

00:38:58.599 --> 00:38:59.920
 about the Word

00:38:59.920 --> 00:39:01.360
 became flesh and

00:39:01.360 --> 00:39:02.320
 dwelt among us.

00:39:02.320 --> 00:39:03.580
 It talks about

00:39:03.580 --> 00:39:04.720
 that he was full

00:39:04.720 --> 00:39:05.740
 of what,

00:39:06.000 --> 00:39:06.320
 church?

00:39:07.400 --> 00:39:08.820
 Grace and

00:39:08.820 --> 00:39:09.600
 truth.

00:39:10.980 --> 00:39:11.559
 Interestingly,

00:39:12.280 --> 00:39:13.220
 a couple of

00:39:13.220 --> 00:39:13.920
 verses later,

00:39:14.780 --> 00:39:15.800
 in chapter 2 of

00:39:15.800 --> 00:39:17.080
 Thessalonians,

00:39:17.380 --> 00:39:18.360
 Paul talks about

00:39:18.360 --> 00:39:19.720
 a truth-filled,

00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:20.980
 father-like ministry.

00:39:21.980 --> 00:39:22.660
 They're both here.

00:39:22.659 --> 00:39:26.699
 But do we have

00:39:26.699 --> 00:39:27.379
 that first component

00:39:27.379 --> 00:39:27.659
 down?

00:39:29.559 --> 00:39:31.339
 Are we a grace-filled

00:39:31.339 --> 00:39:32.000
 church?

00:39:32.960 --> 00:39:33.559
 I think it needs

00:39:33.559 --> 00:39:34.119
 to play out in a

00:39:34.119 --> 00:39:34.739
 couple of ways.

00:39:35.239 --> 00:39:35.899
 First, it needs to

00:39:35.899 --> 00:39:38.179
 play out in how we

00:39:38.179 --> 00:39:40.059
 act, in modeling

00:39:40.059 --> 00:39:41.139
 grace for those

00:39:41.139 --> 00:39:41.980
 around us.

00:39:43.440 --> 00:39:44.399
 It's not only a

00:39:44.399 --> 00:39:45.259
 fruit of the Spirit,

00:39:46.019 --> 00:39:47.000
 this gentleness

00:39:47.000 --> 00:39:48.779
 that needs to come

00:39:48.779 --> 00:39:49.739
 out in our life but

00:39:49.739 --> 00:39:50.679
 it's a way for us to

00:39:50.679 --> 00:39:52.480
 show Christ to our

00:39:52.480 --> 00:39:52.919
 community.

00:39:55.419 --> 00:39:56.480
 Is this component

00:39:56.480 --> 00:39:57.619
 of grace playing

00:39:57.619 --> 00:39:58.279
 out in your life?

00:39:59.099 --> 00:39:59.879
 Are you modeling

00:39:59.879 --> 00:40:01.379
 grace for those

00:40:01.379 --> 00:40:01.940
 around you?

00:40:03.099 --> 00:40:03.799
 Maybe think about

00:40:03.799 --> 00:40:04.859
 an experience this

00:40:04.859 --> 00:40:05.839
 past week where

00:40:05.839 --> 00:40:09.039
 perhaps a situation

00:40:09.039 --> 00:40:10.099
 where you should

00:40:10.099 --> 00:40:11.139
 have conveyed grace

00:40:11.139 --> 00:40:12.500
 but your nerves

00:40:12.500 --> 00:40:12.839
 were a little

00:40:12.839 --> 00:40:15.819
 frazzled and grace

00:40:15.819 --> 00:40:16.559
 didn't show up?

00:40:16.559 --> 00:40:18.219
 praying that God

00:40:18.219 --> 00:40:18.840
 would help you be

00:40:18.840 --> 00:40:19.779
 a person of grace.

00:40:20.199 --> 00:40:21.099
 Think about that

00:40:21.099 --> 00:40:21.759
 co-worker.

00:40:22.599 --> 00:40:23.639
 That person that

00:40:23.639 --> 00:40:25.199
 you work with day

00:40:25.199 --> 00:40:26.599
 after day after day

00:40:26.599 --> 00:40:27.659
 and they continue

00:40:27.659 --> 00:40:29.759
 to grind on you

00:40:29.759 --> 00:40:31.460
 and here's an

00:40:31.460 --> 00:40:32.739
 opportunity for you

00:40:32.739 --> 00:40:33.739
 to show Christ

00:40:33.739 --> 00:40:35.380
 by showing grace.

00:40:36.460 --> 00:40:37.099
 Or how about that

00:40:37.099 --> 00:40:37.400
 neighbor?

00:40:38.099 --> 00:40:39.639
 Nothing seems to be

00:40:39.639 --> 00:40:40.739
 right with that

00:40:40.739 --> 00:40:41.039
 neighbor.

00:40:41.619 --> 00:40:42.820
 No matter how hard

00:40:42.820 --> 00:40:43.579
 you try,

00:40:44.579 --> 00:40:45.619
 get in your lawn

00:40:45.619 --> 00:40:46.460
 mowed, get in your

00:40:46.460 --> 00:40:47.779
 trees trimmed,

00:40:47.900 --> 00:40:49.259
 whatever it is that

00:40:49.259 --> 00:40:50.079
 that neighbor has a

00:40:50.079 --> 00:40:51.900
 hard time with and

00:40:51.900 --> 00:40:53.759
 just continues to

00:40:53.759 --> 00:40:55.119
 grind on your

00:40:55.119 --> 00:40:55.739
 relationship.

00:40:55.980 --> 00:40:57.000
 You can't have

00:40:57.000 --> 00:40:58.579
 anything good to

00:40:58.579 --> 00:40:59.299
 think about that

00:40:59.299 --> 00:40:59.819
 individual.

00:41:02.099 --> 00:41:04.159
 Model grace for

00:41:04.159 --> 00:41:04.819
 that neighbor.

00:41:05.719 --> 00:41:06.639
 An opportunity for

00:41:06.639 --> 00:41:07.759
 you to model grace.

00:41:09.279 --> 00:41:10.799
 So modeling grace

00:41:10.799 --> 00:41:12.619
 and secondly asking

00:41:13.139 --> 00:41:14.279
 for grace.

00:41:14.280 --> 00:41:17.500
 maybe this past

00:41:17.500 --> 00:41:18.580
 week, maybe this

00:41:18.580 --> 00:41:20.140
 last month, there

00:41:20.140 --> 00:41:20.820
 have been situations

00:41:20.820 --> 00:41:21.820
 where you know that

00:41:21.820 --> 00:41:23.280
 grace hasn't been a

00:41:23.280 --> 00:41:23.980
 part of your

00:41:23.980 --> 00:41:24.620
 response.

00:41:25.400 --> 00:41:26.400
 And there's somebody,

00:41:26.720 --> 00:41:27.300
 maybe in your

00:41:27.300 --> 00:41:28.700
 family, somebody,

00:41:29.260 --> 00:41:29.840
 wherever they might

00:41:29.840 --> 00:41:32.220
 be, that even as I'm

00:41:32.220 --> 00:41:33.040
 speaking right now,

00:41:33.140 --> 00:41:34.440
 that situation just

00:41:34.440 --> 00:41:36.019
 boom, flashes in your

00:41:36.019 --> 00:41:36.860
 mind and you need to

00:41:36.860 --> 00:41:38.500
 ask for their grace

00:41:38.500 --> 00:41:40.519
 because of your lack

00:41:40.519 --> 00:41:41.400
 of grace.

00:41:41.400 --> 00:41:43.980
 use this opportunity

00:41:43.980 --> 00:41:45.920
 to model grace by

00:41:45.920 --> 00:41:47.139
 asking for forgiveness

00:41:47.139 --> 00:41:50.059
 and letting grace

00:41:50.059 --> 00:41:51.500
 flow in your

00:41:51.500 --> 00:41:52.180
 relationships.

00:41:53.840 --> 00:41:55.820
 This last picture

00:41:55.820 --> 00:41:57.760
 I'd like to show you,

00:41:57.860 --> 00:41:58.460
 I'd like to introduce

00:41:58.460 --> 00:42:00.200
 to you the Steins

00:42:00.200 --> 00:42:00.639
 family.

00:42:00.639 --> 00:42:05.059
 This is Graham, his

00:42:05.059 --> 00:42:07.019
 wife Gladys, Esther,

00:42:07.879 --> 00:42:09.619
 Philip who is 10, and

00:42:09.619 --> 00:42:10.819
 Timothy who is 6.

00:42:12.179 --> 00:42:13.059
 Missionaries to

00:42:13.059 --> 00:42:14.039
 Arissa, India.

00:42:14.940 --> 00:42:15.839
 In January of

00:42:15.839 --> 00:42:18.199
 1999, Graham Steins

00:42:18.199 --> 00:42:19.779
 and his two boys

00:42:19.779 --> 00:42:23.079
 were harassed by

00:42:23.079 --> 00:42:24.339
 Hindu extremists,

00:42:25.059 --> 00:42:26.460
 their car was set on

00:42:26.460 --> 00:42:28.099
 fire, and they were

00:42:28.099 --> 00:42:29.659
 burned alive in the

00:42:29.659 --> 00:42:30.659
 back of this car.

00:42:31.960 --> 00:42:33.000
 They found the

00:42:33.000 --> 00:42:34.619
 remains of a father

00:42:34.619 --> 00:42:36.639
 holding his two boys,

00:42:36.739 --> 00:42:37.880
 these charred remains.

00:42:38.900 --> 00:42:40.339
 And the wonder was

00:42:40.339 --> 00:42:42.940
 what will mom do?

00:42:43.679 --> 00:42:44.599
 How will daughter

00:42:44.599 --> 00:42:45.259
 respond?

00:42:47.619 --> 00:42:48.420
 What will Gladys

00:42:48.420 --> 00:42:49.839
 and Esther, how will

00:42:49.839 --> 00:42:50.699
 they respond to this

00:42:50.699 --> 00:42:51.199
 situation?

00:42:53.179 --> 00:42:54.900
 Gladys and her

00:42:54.900 --> 00:42:56.420
 daughter showed a

00:42:56.420 --> 00:42:57.880
 grace-filled ministry.

00:42:58.099 --> 00:42:59.360
 Gladys says, I have

00:42:59.360 --> 00:43:00.500
 only one message for

00:43:00.500 --> 00:43:01.219
 the people of India.

00:43:01.880 --> 00:43:02.719
 I'm not bitter,

00:43:03.400 --> 00:43:04.579
 neither am I angry,

00:43:04.719 --> 00:43:05.639
 but I have one

00:43:05.639 --> 00:43:07.440
 great desire,

00:43:08.099 --> 00:43:09.259
 that each citizen

00:43:09.259 --> 00:43:10.019
 of this country

00:43:10.019 --> 00:43:11.539
 should establish a

00:43:11.539 --> 00:43:12.559
 personal relationship

00:43:12.559 --> 00:43:13.500
 with Jesus Christ

00:43:13.500 --> 00:43:15.440
 who gave his life

00:43:15.440 --> 00:43:16.519
 for their sins.

00:43:17.239 --> 00:43:18.059
 Let us burn

00:43:18.059 --> 00:43:19.659
 hatred and spread

00:43:19.659 --> 00:43:20.860
 the flame of

00:43:20.860 --> 00:43:21.579
 Christ's love.

00:43:22.940 --> 00:43:23.639
 Daughter Esther

00:43:23.639 --> 00:43:24.400
 says this,

00:43:24.880 --> 00:43:25.719
 asked how she felt

00:43:25.719 --> 00:43:27.159
 about her dad being

00:43:27.159 --> 00:43:27.879
 murdered and her

00:43:27.879 --> 00:43:29.000
 13-year-old brother

00:43:29.000 --> 00:43:30.899
 saying, I praise the

00:43:30.899 --> 00:43:32.159
 Lord that he found

00:43:32.159 --> 00:43:33.099
 my father worthy

00:43:33.099 --> 00:43:34.399
 to die for him.

00:43:36.399 --> 00:43:37.440
 Are we modeling

00:43:37.440 --> 00:43:39.159
 a grace-filled

00:43:39.159 --> 00:43:39.659
 ministry?

00:43:40.199 --> 00:43:40.920
 Are we showing

00:43:40.920 --> 00:43:42.579
 Christ to the

00:43:42.579 --> 00:43:43.619
 people around us?

00:43:44.440 --> 00:43:46.159
 Is the favor of God

00:43:46.159 --> 00:43:47.599
 marking your life

00:43:47.599 --> 00:43:49.279
 and pointing to him?

00:43:50.319 --> 00:43:51.259
 That's the challenge.

00:43:51.260 --> 00:43:54.140
 might Christ show up

00:43:54.140 --> 00:43:55.900
 in you as he is

00:43:55.900 --> 00:43:56.700
 showing grace

00:43:56.700 --> 00:43:58.320
 through you this week.

00:43:58.420 --> 00:43:58.840
 Let's pray.

00:43:58.840 --> 00:43:58.880
 Let's pray.