WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.620 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:12.280 --> 00:00:20.580 It's my privilege this morning to introduce a friend and mentor to you, Stephen Estock. 00:00:21.160 --> 00:00:29.160 After serving in the Air Force for a few years, which I know some of you appreciate in particular, 00:00:29.160 --> 00:00:39.840 after serving there, he felt a call to vocational ministry and has been a pastor and a leader in our denomination. 00:00:40.179 --> 00:00:46.980 He has served Southwood very well. Both of your current pastors interned for him. 00:00:47.659 --> 00:00:53.140 I think what he said to me last night was that the three best interns he ever had have come to Southwood. 00:00:53.140 --> 00:00:59.579 So, yeah, Jake Patton interned for him and then Chad, and I think that was the way he put it. 00:01:00.039 --> 00:01:02.140 He loves Southwood that much. 00:01:02.719 --> 00:01:05.500 I hope this is recorded for all of his other interns to hear. 00:01:08.099 --> 00:01:10.180 He's also preached here before. 00:01:10.460 --> 00:01:16.879 Stephen is currently serving as the director of the PCA's Committee for Discipleship Ministries, 00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:25.519 which basically means that he is the absolute best guy in the whole denomination on Christian education and teaching. 00:01:26.159 --> 00:01:29.599 So, I'm going to build him up really well for you. 00:01:29.879 --> 00:01:38.419 It does mean that he's a gifted teacher and a great leader who shares and connects others to great resources for that. 00:01:38.420 --> 00:01:44.299 And so, he has led and served and pastored many people, myself and Chad included. 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:48.719 We're really, really privileged to have him here with us this morning to open God's Word. 00:01:49.159 --> 00:01:53.099 He's staying for lunch to teach us at the Telling God's Story lunch. 00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:54.960 He and I will be talking with you together. 00:01:55.159 --> 00:01:58.540 Please feel free to stay for that across the street at the lodge. 00:01:58.920 --> 00:02:00.579 We're delighted to have Stephen Estock. 00:02:00.980 --> 00:02:01.340 Thank you. 00:02:01.480 --> 00:02:01.659 Thanks, man. 00:02:02.180 --> 00:02:02.700 Thank you. 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:07.520 Now, I am disappointed in your introduction, though, Will. 00:02:07.519 --> 00:02:09.199 You didn't call me super cute. 00:02:10.159 --> 00:02:12.400 And I've got a tie and a suit on and everything. 00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:15.400 But I do have a family that's super cute over there. 00:02:15.659 --> 00:02:17.099 It is a pleasure to be with you. 00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:22.379 A lot of times when I go around part of my position, I travel around the denomination. 00:02:22.960 --> 00:02:25.219 I tell people, well, I'm Stephen Estock. 00:02:25.340 --> 00:02:25.979 Well, who's he? 00:02:26.519 --> 00:02:29.819 I'm with CDM, coordinator for CDM. 00:02:29.840 --> 00:02:31.039 And then they say, what's that? 00:02:31.539 --> 00:02:35.079 I say, well, maybe you knew us by our old name, Christian Education and Publications. 00:02:35.079 --> 00:02:37.259 And still get the blank face. 00:02:37.520 --> 00:02:41.080 So what I'd like to do is tell you a little bit about who we are, what we do. 00:02:41.719 --> 00:02:46.980 Now, many churches, and I'm sure you're the same, you have a session that governs the church. 00:02:47.500 --> 00:02:51.040 And then you have work that's done through different committees, right? 00:02:52.100 --> 00:02:52.360 Right? 00:02:52.480 --> 00:02:53.200 You can nod. 00:02:53.360 --> 00:02:55.020 This is interactive time here. 00:02:56.240 --> 00:02:57.100 You have different committees. 00:02:57.200 --> 00:02:58.040 You have a missions committee. 00:02:58.120 --> 00:02:58.879 You have a worship committee. 00:02:59.160 --> 00:03:00.300 Different churches do that. 00:03:00.300 --> 00:03:07.700 Well, what we have at the General Assembly level is we have a session, presbytery, General Assembly. 00:03:08.820 --> 00:03:11.620 I work for the General Assembly on one of the committees. 00:03:12.040 --> 00:03:20.600 Now, a lot of people have heard about Mission to the World, which is a committee of the General Assembly that helps local churches do international missions. 00:03:21.700 --> 00:03:24.060 A number of people have heard of Mission to North America. 00:03:24.060 --> 00:03:28.599 That's a committee that helps the local church plant churches and do mercy ministry. 00:03:29.879 --> 00:03:34.060 And then many people have heard of Reform University Ministries or Reform University Fellowship. 00:03:34.680 --> 00:03:39.060 They're a committee that comes alongside the local church to do campus ministry. 00:03:39.060 --> 00:03:45.360 Who helps the local church do discipleship within its walls? 00:03:47.199 --> 00:03:48.140 That's CDM. 00:03:49.199 --> 00:03:58.699 So we help local churches in the area of children's ministry, youth ministry, men's ministry, women's ministry, older adult ministry, and leadership training. 00:03:59.780 --> 00:04:01.680 And so that's what we do. 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:03.000 Now, we're not a large office. 00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:05.020 We have less than ten people in our office. 00:04:05.020 --> 00:04:11.160 But mainly what we try to do is go around to different churches and connect people to people and people to resources. 00:04:11.320 --> 00:04:20.379 We were here, I think it was March a year ago, we were here for a children's conference and had a number of people from Providence Presbytery come join us here. 00:04:20.759 --> 00:04:23.740 And we just began to share what's going on in children's ministry. 00:04:23.860 --> 00:04:25.540 And that's much of what we will do. 00:04:25.620 --> 00:04:30.639 In fact, I'll be in Cincinnati, Ohio next week doing something along those lines. 00:04:30.639 --> 00:04:37.899 One of the things I also do is I go and meet with session members as we talk about churches that are going through transition. 00:04:39.800 --> 00:04:41.759 I'm sure you know a little bit about that. 00:04:41.979 --> 00:04:44.339 You're now in the process of finding a new pastor. 00:04:44.539 --> 00:04:48.979 And so one of the things I want to look at today, our text is Acts chapter 4. 00:04:49.360 --> 00:04:52.959 If you have your Bible, I invite you to turn in that to Acts chapter 4. 00:04:53.199 --> 00:04:55.579 We'll be looking at 23 through 31. 00:04:55.579 --> 00:05:02.740 This idea of what are we called to do as God's people, especially as we go through transition. 00:05:03.779 --> 00:05:10.959 A number of years ago, I heard a podcast from a friend who is leading his church through transition. 00:05:11.500 --> 00:05:13.439 In fact, this man was a fairly new pastor. 00:05:13.620 --> 00:05:17.680 And so he was having a gathering and one of the people got up and they were saying, 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:23.539 Here's our new vision for our church and we want to be men and women of prayer. 00:05:23.540 --> 00:05:29.460 And when I heard that, I thought, you know, that's an interesting statement. 00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:35.379 In some ways, it's almost like a throwaway statement in contemporary Christianity of, 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:37.480 We want to be men and women of prayer. 00:05:37.560 --> 00:05:39.500 Well, what does that say about them before? 00:05:40.640 --> 00:05:42.920 Were they not men and women of prayer before? 00:05:44.660 --> 00:05:46.379 Well, that's probably not the case. 00:05:46.439 --> 00:05:47.660 They probably prayed before. 00:05:47.660 --> 00:05:57.560 Or consider the Embers to a Flame ministry, which is in our denomination and helps churches go through a church transition, a church recovery. 00:05:57.900 --> 00:06:00.280 One of their strategies is number five. 00:06:00.400 --> 00:06:02.260 It's the ministry of prayer. 00:06:02.420 --> 00:06:09.540 And the idea is that prayer usually exists in a church, but many times it becomes anemic. 00:06:09.540 --> 00:06:18.879 And we need to realize that we can be perfunctory and rote when it comes to prayer. 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:20.280 And we need a vision. 00:06:22.480 --> 00:06:25.500 I think that vision comes as we look at Acts chapter 4. 00:06:27.080 --> 00:06:29.120 Remember, we're coming out of Easter. 00:06:29.600 --> 00:06:31.240 And we're living in this reality. 00:06:31.360 --> 00:06:35.379 What does it mean to be those who are sons and daughters of the resurrection? 00:06:35.379 --> 00:06:44.899 Understand, this text in Acts chapter 4 probably occurred less than six months after the resurrection. 00:06:46.360 --> 00:06:56.639 We don't know exactly when, but it was probably pretty soon where the events of crucifixion and the resurrection and Pentecost were still very fresh on the minds of people. 00:06:56.639 --> 00:07:04.959 And what we have is Peter and John go to the temple and they heal a lame man and they were arrested, they were tried, they were released. 00:07:05.079 --> 00:07:08.479 With this warning, don't talk about this Jesus anymore. 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:10.800 Don't talk about this resurrection. 00:07:11.319 --> 00:07:18.560 But the disciples who had been so bold in proclaiming the truth, we now see their boldness continues. 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:22.300 But it's a boldness in prayer. 00:07:23.699 --> 00:07:25.240 And their prayer is recorded. 00:07:26.620 --> 00:07:30.660 And as we read through this, these words challenge and encourage us. 00:07:30.819 --> 00:07:35.480 Follow along with me as I read Acts chapter 4, beginning in 23. 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:41.840 When they, of course speaking of Peter and John, were released, 00:07:42.840 --> 00:07:47.079 they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and elders had said to them. 00:07:47.079 --> 00:07:52.159 And when they heard it, they lifted up their voices together to God and said, 00:07:52.419 --> 00:07:56.800 Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 00:07:57.060 --> 00:08:01.319 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, 00:08:02.159 --> 00:08:05.959 why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples plot in vain? 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:13.299 The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed. 00:08:13.300 --> 00:08:19.420 For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:23.319 whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, 00:08:24.240 --> 00:08:26.860 along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:31.639 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 00:08:31.639 --> 00:08:42.879 Now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:46.220 while you stretch out your hand to heal, 00:08:46.620 --> 00:08:51.539 and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. 00:08:51.539 --> 00:08:55.620 And when they had prayed, 00:08:56.399 --> 00:08:59.819 the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, 00:09:00.659 --> 00:09:03.120 and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit 00:09:03.120 --> 00:09:07.679 and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. 00:09:09.459 --> 00:09:10.539 Pray with me. 00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:17.779 O Lord, now we pray that you will open our eyes, 00:09:18.459 --> 00:09:23.000 that we may see the wonderful things you have for us in your word. 00:09:25.500 --> 00:09:32.000 O Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight. 00:09:33.740 --> 00:09:37.299 For, O Lord, you are our strength and our redeemer. 00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:40.039 The grass withers and the flowers fade. 00:09:41.539 --> 00:09:43.679 But your word, O Lord, stands forever. 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:48.279 Bless your word to our lives now, we pray in Jesus' name. 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:49.699 Amen. 00:09:49.699 --> 00:09:49.860 Amen. 00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:56.539 When God takes me home to heaven, 00:09:57.559 --> 00:10:02.519 I'm looking forward to seeing a man I knew in our church in Montgomery. 00:10:02.679 --> 00:10:04.139 His name is Orville Bach. 00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:12.000 Orville was a tall man with huge hands and a deep voice. 00:10:12.220 --> 00:10:13.919 It was one of those voices where you, 00:10:14.179 --> 00:10:17.419 when you're trying to picture the voice of God on Mount Sinai, 00:10:17.679 --> 00:10:21.439 it's, you know, you got James Earl Jones and Orville Bach, in my mind. 00:10:21.440 --> 00:10:25.000 That's just the man he was. 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:28.960 And one thing about Orville is he was very active in prayer requests. 00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:33.519 We would have an evening worship service and we'd always get together and sing some hymns 00:10:33.519 --> 00:10:34.820 and then we'd have prayer requests. 00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:39.000 And I could usually count on Orville to give some prayer requests. 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:43.919 Well, a number of years ago, Montgomery was going through a long drought 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:47.860 and Mr. Bach, in his deep voice, said, 00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:49.799 we need to pray for rain, pastor. 00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:55.019 And so that became part of the intercessory prayer for that evening. 00:10:56.139 --> 00:10:58.639 And then we went from prayer to the sermon. 00:10:58.840 --> 00:11:01.940 It was a sermon on Deuteronomy 12 and I was preaching that night. 00:11:01.940 --> 00:11:06.160 And in Deuteronomy 12, God says to Israel, 00:11:06.520 --> 00:11:07.420 Israel, obey. 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:12.460 You have seen the great works of the Lord, the sovereign Lord, 00:11:12.560 --> 00:11:14.500 the sovereign Lord who's conquered your enemies 00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:16.800 and given you a land of great blessing. 00:11:18.880 --> 00:11:21.840 And in light of that, we're called to go out, 00:11:21.940 --> 00:11:24.400 even in a world that opposes us, 00:11:25.260 --> 00:11:27.420 knowing the greatness of the God we serve. 00:11:29.860 --> 00:11:31.420 Well, sermon was finished. 00:11:31.419 --> 00:11:32.979 We had the closing prayer. 00:11:33.599 --> 00:11:35.099 And during the benediction, 00:11:36.319 --> 00:11:39.699 you could hear rain falling outside. 00:11:41.199 --> 00:11:43.219 Mr. Bach came up to me and said, 00:11:43.919 --> 00:11:45.519 that's a pretty good prayer, pastor. 00:11:46.679 --> 00:11:48.339 You ought to pray more often. 00:11:51.199 --> 00:11:52.259 Well, I'll let you... 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:55.959 That is a red letter date in my prayer life and in my ministry 00:11:55.959 --> 00:11:58.019 because here was this request 00:11:58.019 --> 00:12:00.299 and the answer came so quickly. 00:12:00.299 --> 00:12:02.740 And I remember my motions there. 00:12:03.019 --> 00:12:04.759 It was like, I didn't say this out loud, 00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:05.939 but I was feeling it. 00:12:06.339 --> 00:12:08.359 God does answer prayer. 00:12:09.139 --> 00:12:13.019 It's almost like this is the exception rather than the rule. 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:17.019 You ever do that? 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:20.779 I think most Christians do. 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:24.620 But you see, in the history of the church, 00:12:24.720 --> 00:12:26.899 especially the early church that we have here in Acts, 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:30.240 we see a different era of bold prayer. 00:12:30.699 --> 00:12:32.600 But one of the things we have to watch is 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:34.519 we can fall into this idea that, 00:12:34.659 --> 00:12:36.720 oh man, we read these stories in Acts 00:12:36.720 --> 00:12:38.259 and wasn't it great? 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:40.980 God was so powerful and so present there. 00:12:41.040 --> 00:12:41.860 It was wonderful. 00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:45.879 And we can begin to think that that was the God of back then. 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:48.759 He's not the God of right now. 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:54.500 That's not the case. 00:12:56.860 --> 00:12:59.779 The God that was present that's recorded here 00:12:59.779 --> 00:13:01.399 is the God that's here now. 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:03.840 And God is present with all of His power. 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:06.039 It's not like He had a lot of power then 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:07.519 and only a little power now. 00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:09.059 But the idea is, 00:13:09.299 --> 00:13:11.700 just as He's powerful there and He used prayer there, 00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:14.059 He's powerful here and uses prayer here. 00:13:14.059 --> 00:13:15.879 But we fail to see it. 00:13:15.979 --> 00:13:18.039 And so what we need as we come to this text 00:13:18.039 --> 00:13:22.119 is that God gives us insight into His purpose for prayer 00:13:22.119 --> 00:13:23.579 and it challenges us. 00:13:23.819 --> 00:13:26.379 It spurs us to pray more boldly 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:29.199 as we face a world that does oppose us, 00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:30.679 as we face challenges, 00:13:30.959 --> 00:13:32.379 transition in our lives, 00:13:32.459 --> 00:13:33.139 in our businesses, 00:13:33.359 --> 00:13:34.000 in our churches. 00:13:36.219 --> 00:13:39.879 God is near to thwart His opponents, 00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:41.739 to spread His Word 00:13:41.739 --> 00:13:43.979 and to accomplish His plan. 00:13:44.479 --> 00:13:45.699 Now the nearness of God, 00:13:45.779 --> 00:13:46.199 understand, 00:13:46.439 --> 00:13:48.339 is assumed throughout this text. 00:13:48.459 --> 00:13:50.779 Earlier in chapter 4, verse 19, 00:13:51.699 --> 00:13:54.839 the message that the apostles had spoken to the leaders, 00:13:54.959 --> 00:13:56.119 the Jewish leaders said, 00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:59.699 our ministry is in the sight of God. 00:14:00.379 --> 00:14:02.619 It's not that God is up there and He doesn't care. 00:14:02.779 --> 00:14:05.039 No, He's watching what we're doing. 00:14:06.319 --> 00:14:08.419 In verse 29, it even says that 00:14:08.599 --> 00:14:09.459 they're praying, 00:14:09.619 --> 00:14:12.799 Lord, look upon the threats that are given against us. 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:14.599 The idea is that God is present 00:14:14.599 --> 00:14:15.939 and God is concerned. 00:14:16.219 --> 00:14:18.719 He really cares about what's happening. 00:14:18.979 --> 00:14:20.639 And then, of course, you have verse 31 00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:23.039 where the place was shaken. 00:14:23.199 --> 00:14:26.199 And, of course, that harkens back to Acts chapter 2 00:14:26.199 --> 00:14:28.719 when the Holy Spirit came down on the day of Pentecost 00:14:28.719 --> 00:14:31.500 and the whole building was shaken in the upper room. 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:35.899 And you have to understand that what was happening here in verse 31 00:14:35.899 --> 00:14:39.740 is God was giving His people assurance. 00:14:42.699 --> 00:14:45.120 Now, don't fall into the error of thinking, 00:14:45.299 --> 00:14:47.879 well, because that building was shaken, 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:50.139 that means that God showed up. 00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:53.139 No, it's better to understand 00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:54.600 that in this case, 00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:57.500 God, who was always present, 00:14:57.500 --> 00:15:00.879 pulled aside the veil 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:05.960 and made that presence known in a special way. 00:15:07.679 --> 00:15:09.840 Now, of course, the question that comes out of that 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:11.860 is, well, why doesn't He do that now? 00:15:13.299 --> 00:15:15.139 And understand that God 00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:18.740 could shake this building right now 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:20.480 if He so chooses. 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:27.820 But He's also given us Acts chapter 4 00:15:27.820 --> 00:15:30.960 where He assured His people 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:32.379 that He was present, 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:33.919 that He is Emmanuel. 00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:37.019 It's the same God. 00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:38.720 The same purposes. 00:15:39.940 --> 00:15:40.980 The same presence. 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:46.100 Now, how does this help us? 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:47.600 God is near. Why? 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:50.720 Well, He's near to thwart His opponents 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:51.899 and so we pray. 00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:54.279 Look at verse 23. 00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:58.379 The prayer flows out of this arrest 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.379 of Peter and John. 00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:02.159 And if you go back earlier in the chapter, 00:16:02.300 --> 00:16:03.080 it's very interesting. 00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:05.379 It's almost like as if Luke is recording this. 00:16:05.420 --> 00:16:07.240 Who's who of all the powerful people 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:09.060 that were existing in that time 00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:11.779 and they were all against Peter and John. 00:16:13.320 --> 00:16:15.960 And then you go to verse 25 and 26 00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:20.379 and the prayer references Psalm 2. 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:22.660 Psalm 2. 00:16:22.800 --> 00:16:24.860 The opponents gathering together 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:27.259 and setting themselves up against God. 00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:30.759 And then you go to verse 27 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:33.620 where there's a reference to Christ's arrest 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:36.460 and His trial and His crucifixion. 00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:38.120 And remember, these were probably events 00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:40.180 that were still fresh on the people's minds. 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:44.019 And what the apostles are saying 00:16:44.019 --> 00:16:44.819 through their prayer 00:16:44.819 --> 00:16:46.199 is all of that, 00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:48.199 that people were gathering against them, 00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:50.239 people were gathering against Jesus, 00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:55.639 it's all a manifestation of Psalm 2. 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:59.319 In verse 29, 00:16:59.699 --> 00:17:01.539 they reference these leaders 00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:03.959 told them to be quiet about Jesus. 00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:07.000 And so, here we have it. 00:17:07.340 --> 00:17:08.720 Luke is presenting to us 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:10.539 in the face of unified, 00:17:11.140 --> 00:17:13.940 determined, powerful opposition. 00:17:15.319 --> 00:17:16.759 What do God's people do? 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:20.079 They pray. 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.860 Verse 29 and 30, 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:25.180 they appeal for justice. 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:26.759 God, bring justice. 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:29.700 They appeal for God to continue His work. 00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:31.940 And they realize that their prayers 00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:33.820 are part of the battle. 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:36.700 Because the opposition is not against them, 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:38.700 the opposition is against God. 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:40.259 But what do we do 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:42.740 as we face a culture that opposes us? 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:43.279 What do we do? 00:17:43.340 --> 00:17:44.380 We take it personally. 00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:46.779 Oh, it's all against us. 00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:48.220 And we cry, 00:17:48.360 --> 00:17:49.180 victim, victim. 00:17:51.080 --> 00:17:53.720 And we separate God out of the situation. 00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:56.460 But we must see that all the opposition 00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:58.539 is against God. 00:17:58.539 --> 00:17:59.799 Now, sometimes, 00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:02.019 because of the obnoxious behavior 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:02.740 of Christians, 00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:04.379 sometimes the opposition 00:18:04.379 --> 00:18:06.279 is against the obnoxious behavior. 00:18:11.200 --> 00:18:12.579 We need to pray. 00:18:13.419 --> 00:18:14.759 That's where we need to start. 00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:18.259 Not too long after I came into 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:20.940 my current position of coordinator, 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:23.500 because your work for the General Assembly, 00:18:24.639 --> 00:18:25.940 you know how sometimes pastors 00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:27.960 can get those letters from church members 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.579 about how much you're doing wrong. 00:18:31.140 --> 00:18:32.880 I get them from the whole denomination. 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:37.680 And there was a man who wrote 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:40.000 from Virginia. 00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:43.299 I can't remember the name of the man 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.220 or his church. 00:18:44.340 --> 00:18:45.700 He was a PCA member. 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:49.340 This letter was 14 pages long. 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:52.620 Full of fear 00:18:52.620 --> 00:18:54.620 and condemnation. 00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:57.119 I read it 00:18:57.119 --> 00:18:58.479 and I could just hear his voice 00:18:58.479 --> 00:18:59.359 in my ears. 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:02.579 He was talking about the culture 00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:03.559 of the United States 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:04.539 and everything, 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:05.799 everything in the letter 00:19:05.799 --> 00:19:07.579 dealt with U.S. politics. 00:19:10.119 --> 00:19:11.679 And the message of the letter 00:19:11.679 --> 00:19:13.000 was just basically, 00:19:13.219 --> 00:19:13.899 wake up! 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:15.299 And so what he was doing, 00:19:15.379 --> 00:19:15.479 he said, 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:16.699 I'm going to write to the leader, 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:18.139 one of the leaders of our denomination 00:19:18.139 --> 00:19:18.459 and say, 00:19:18.579 --> 00:19:19.399 wake up! 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:20.719 Speak out! 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:22.700 You know what was missing 00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:24.759 throughout all 14 pages? 00:19:25.880 --> 00:19:26.880 Never once 00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:28.839 was there a call to prayer. 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.960 Never once 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:34.539 was there any hint 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:36.220 of bringing this 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:37.120 before the Lord. 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:37.640 Instead, 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:38.440 what it was 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.240 is a call 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:41.100 to militant action. 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:42.640 One of my favorite hymns 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:43.279 says, 00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:44.420 it's not with swords 00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:45.420 loud clashing, 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:47.600 nor roll of stirring drums, 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:48.960 but it's deeds 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:49.940 of love and mercy. 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:50.019 Finally, 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:52.100 the heavenly kingdom comes. 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:54.259 And that deeds 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.059 of love and mercy 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:56.460 begins with prayer. 00:19:56.660 --> 00:19:57.200 I ask you, 00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:59.100 what is your default position 00:19:59.100 --> 00:20:00.860 in the face of opposition? 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:04.059 It's true, 00:20:04.180 --> 00:20:06.120 God defeats His enemies 00:20:06.120 --> 00:20:09.000 through the prayers 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:09.740 of His people. 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:12.960 This text calls us 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.460 to pray. 00:20:14.360 --> 00:20:15.400 Humble words 00:20:15.400 --> 00:20:16.580 of petition to God 00:20:16.580 --> 00:20:19.019 more than harsh words 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:19.680 of rebuke. 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:21.580 to our opponents. 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.860 God is present. 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:27.320 But more for just 00:20:27.320 --> 00:20:28.680 turning back the bad things, 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.539 He also promotes 00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:30.200 the good things. 00:20:30.320 --> 00:20:31.160 God is near 00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:32.799 to spread His Word, 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:33.980 and so we pray. 00:20:34.340 --> 00:20:35.299 Remember the cause 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:36.039 of the arrest. 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:37.620 Peter was preaching 00:20:37.620 --> 00:20:38.820 about Jesus. 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:42.299 And note the desired goal 00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:43.000 of the prayers. 00:20:43.100 --> 00:20:44.279 Right there in verse 29, 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.139 they were to, 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:45.660 Lord, 00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:47.480 do this so we will speak 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.519 the Word of God 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:49.500 with boldness. 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:51.099 And so it was the Holy Spirit. 00:20:51.180 --> 00:20:51.660 They were asking 00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:53.759 for Holy Spirit-inspired courage, 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:56.379 Holy Spirit-inspired clarity, 00:20:56.379 --> 00:20:58.299 and the result of the prayers 00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:59.579 there in verse 31, 00:20:59.879 --> 00:21:01.259 they did continue 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:02.639 to speak with boldness. 00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:03.980 And the ministry 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.799 that had begun 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:05.579 at Pentecost 00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:07.059 was continued. 00:21:07.059 --> 00:21:09.019 Brothers and sisters, 00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:09.639 understand 00:21:09.639 --> 00:21:11.819 that that was a chapter 00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:13.220 in redemptive history. 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:16.679 But the redemptive story 00:21:16.679 --> 00:21:17.419 continues, 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:20.079 and we are in a new chapter 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:21.940 of redemptive history, 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:24.559 but the story is the same. 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:27.099 Salvation is through 00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:29.519 the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:32.019 And we are to spread 00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:32.980 that Word. 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:35.000 God spreading the message 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:35.980 of salvation 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:37.480 through Jesus Christ 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:39.200 and through the grace of God. 00:21:39.379 --> 00:21:41.740 Not by doing good works 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:43.220 or doing good deeds. 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:45.079 It's through the grace of God 00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:47.099 who changes our lives 00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:48.740 and enables us to live 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:50.680 with redemptive purposes. 00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:53.299 Matthew 28, 00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:54.900 we are to go 00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:56.180 and make disciples. 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:57.700 What happens to us? 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.559 We grow weary. 00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.919 We grow distracted. 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:04.579 Sometimes we pray 00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:06.039 from ministries, 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:07.200 but it's just so 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:08.919 the ministry program 00:22:08.919 --> 00:22:09.859 will be effective. 00:22:10.119 --> 00:22:11.299 God will bring the people 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:12.740 and God will bring the money 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:14.779 rather than 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:17.119 God spread your Word. 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:19.220 Spread the message 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:19.940 about Jesus. 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:25.099 I work in education. 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:26.539 Church education. 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:28.099 And we pray for sermons. 00:22:28.099 --> 00:22:30.259 We pray for Sunday school lessons. 00:22:31.939 --> 00:22:33.679 But do we expect change? 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:38.099 It's easy to complain 00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:39.179 about the malaise 00:22:39.179 --> 00:22:39.980 that happens 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:42.039 among Christians today. 00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:46.059 Do we eagerly pray, 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:48.199 God, change hearts? 00:22:49.399 --> 00:22:51.079 Change lives? 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:54.859 Brothers and sisters, 00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:55.859 we must pray 00:22:55.859 --> 00:22:59.039 for God to act 00:22:59.039 --> 00:23:03.079 and for us to spread the Word. 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:07.279 I was humbled 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:09.379 a year or so ago. 00:23:09.379 --> 00:23:09.480 So, 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:11.879 part of my position 00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:13.559 is to work with our 00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:14.399 women's ministry, 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.839 the PCA Women's Ministry. 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:17.000 It's led by a lady 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:17.960 named Karen Hodge. 00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:20.539 And we have regional advisors 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:22.259 throughout the denomination 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.180 who gather together 00:23:23.180 --> 00:23:23.840 on what we call 00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:25.180 the women's ministry team. 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.600 And we were preparing 00:23:26.600 --> 00:23:27.319 for a conference 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:28.340 that we have every year 00:23:28.340 --> 00:23:28.900 in Atlanta. 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.779 And so, 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:31.400 what was happening, 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:31.740 I was, 00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:33.319 because I was one of the speakers, 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:34.840 I was on this email chain 00:23:34.840 --> 00:23:36.360 of speakers, 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.360 what are you talking about? 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.120 And they were going 00:23:38.120 --> 00:23:38.900 back and forth 00:23:38.900 --> 00:23:39.539 about here, 00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:40.759 this prayer request 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:41.740 and this prayer request 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:42.440 and they were praying 00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:43.120 for each other. 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:45.140 And all of this, 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:45.960 it's just email 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:46.700 after email 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:47.420 after email. 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.259 I'm praying for you, 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:48.960 I'm praying for this, 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:49.640 I'm praying for that, 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.500 please pray for this. 00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:51.319 And, 00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:51.940 you know, 00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:53.259 I had this thought. 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:56.259 They pray about everything. 00:23:59.200 --> 00:24:00.200 And I really, 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:00.680 I mean, 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:01.759 I seriously thought, 00:24:02.120 --> 00:24:02.799 isn't this a little 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:03.620 over the top? 00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:06.400 Now, 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:07.079 the theme 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:07.799 of the conference 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:08.299 that year 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:09.319 was leading 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:10.640 with truth. 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:13.420 serving the church 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:14.840 through the ministry 00:24:14.840 --> 00:24:15.640 of the word, 00:24:16.380 --> 00:24:17.600 building relationships 00:24:17.600 --> 00:24:18.800 with one another. 00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:22.600 And when I 00:24:22.600 --> 00:24:24.420 reacquainted myself 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:25.340 with the theme, 00:24:26.620 --> 00:24:27.400 and then I looked 00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:28.759 at that email chain, 00:24:30.300 --> 00:24:31.160 God used it 00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:32.259 to convict me. 00:24:34.580 --> 00:24:35.880 I'm a teaching elder 00:24:35.880 --> 00:24:37.720 in the Presbyterian Church 00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:38.200 in America. 00:24:39.140 --> 00:24:40.080 I'm a minister. 00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:41.640 I'm a teacher. 00:24:41.640 --> 00:24:42.240 Yet, 00:24:42.320 --> 00:24:43.780 I am so prone 00:24:43.780 --> 00:24:45.800 to trust my skill 00:24:45.800 --> 00:24:47.560 at being able 00:24:47.560 --> 00:24:48.740 to convey the truth. 00:24:50.080 --> 00:24:51.320 And I minimize 00:24:51.320 --> 00:24:54.140 prayer for God 00:24:54.140 --> 00:24:55.100 to spread the word. 00:24:57.340 --> 00:24:58.759 I appreciated so much 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.460 even this morning. 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.540 Will leaned over 00:25:01.540 --> 00:25:01.940 and said, 00:25:02.020 --> 00:25:03.000 can I pray for you? 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:06.360 It's so necessary 00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:09.539 because it's through prayer 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:10.219 that God 00:25:10.219 --> 00:25:11.199 spreads the word. 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:12.039 It's prayer 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:13.159 more than skill 00:25:13.159 --> 00:25:14.419 that softens 00:25:14.419 --> 00:25:15.259 hard hearts 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:16.139 and reigns in 00:25:16.139 --> 00:25:17.199 distracted minds. 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:18.019 I've talked to people, 00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:18.199 well, 00:25:18.199 --> 00:25:19.419 I can't share the gospel 00:25:19.419 --> 00:25:21.000 because I just don't know 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:21.179 all, 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:22.159 I might not answer 00:25:22.159 --> 00:25:22.839 all the questions 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:23.339 they have. 00:25:23.419 --> 00:25:23.539 No, 00:25:23.679 --> 00:25:24.519 you pray 00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.939 and share the gospel 00:25:25.939 --> 00:25:27.740 as best you know how 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:29.059 because it's not 00:25:29.059 --> 00:25:29.979 your eloquence, 00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:31.419 it's not your skill, 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:33.080 it is the Holy Spirit 00:25:33.080 --> 00:25:34.440 that changes hearts. 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:38.759 And so you pray. 00:25:40.360 --> 00:25:41.360 Because God 00:25:41.360 --> 00:25:42.300 causes His word 00:25:42.300 --> 00:25:42.960 to spread 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:44.779 through prayer. 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:47.539 He thwarts opponents, 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.700 He spreads the word. 00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:52.080 And that's all part 00:25:52.080 --> 00:25:53.240 of His third purpose. 00:25:53.360 --> 00:25:53.900 You might call it 00:25:53.900 --> 00:25:54.700 a greater purpose 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:56.019 or an overarching purpose 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:57.500 in that God is near 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.900 to accomplish His plan. 00:25:59.360 --> 00:26:00.759 The theme of God's 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:02.460 faithful execution 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:04.879 of His covenant promises, 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:05.559 it's throughout 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:06.579 this whole text. 00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:08.099 It's the backdrop 00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:08.859 of the prayer, 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:09.279 in fact. 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.339 Verse 24, 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.940 it starts with covenant language 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:12.640 where they pray 00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:14.019 as the sovereign Lord, 00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:15.059 creator, 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:15.940 ruler, 00:26:16.059 --> 00:26:17.539 all of that is covenant language 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.579 that the people of Israel 00:26:18.579 --> 00:26:19.319 know about. 00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:21.900 And then verses 27 and 28, 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:23.140 they're very open 00:26:23.140 --> 00:26:23.599 and honest. 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:26.200 Even Christ's passion 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:28.539 fulfilled God's plan. 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:31.960 verse 29 and 30, 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:32.960 the presupposition 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:34.819 is that God's plan 00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.700 would continue. 00:26:36.139 --> 00:26:37.319 God is working out 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.759 this huge story 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:40.180 that salvation 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:40.920 will be made 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:42.299 through Jesus Christ 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:43.539 and the brokenness 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.119 of the fall 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:45.159 will be undone. 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:47.000 And God is doing 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:47.839 that work. 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:51.059 And His people pray 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:51.740 to that end. 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.940 And here's the great mystery 00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:53.940 of the Christian life. 00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:55.580 The sovereign Lord 00:26:55.580 --> 00:26:57.320 accomplishes that plan 00:26:57.320 --> 00:26:59.779 through the prayers 00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:00.840 of His people. 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:02.100 I can't explain 00:27:02.100 --> 00:27:03.140 how it works. 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:06.820 But God does it. 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:11.440 Your prayers are necessary. 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:13.160 Verse 29 and 30, 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.340 that prayer 00:27:14.340 --> 00:27:16.500 was important 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:18.680 because that petition 00:27:18.680 --> 00:27:19.620 that they lifted 00:27:19.620 --> 00:27:21.100 thousands of years ago 00:27:21.100 --> 00:27:23.019 was necessary. 00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:24.519 for God 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.279 to work out 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:26.619 His plan. 00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:29.480 And brothers and sisters, 00:27:29.639 --> 00:27:30.160 our prayers 00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:31.379 have the same effect 00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:32.639 because it's not based, 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.660 well, I'm not an apostle, 00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:34.960 so God doesn't listen. 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:36.200 No, He doesn't listen 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:36.519 to them 00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:37.500 because they're apostles. 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:38.980 Why does He listen 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.779 to our prayers? 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:42.619 Because we are covered 00:27:42.619 --> 00:27:43.420 in the righteousness 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:44.720 of Jesus Christ. 00:27:45.900 --> 00:27:47.160 And so our prayers, 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:48.279 Revelation uses 00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:48.960 the image 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:50.000 of our prayers 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.759 are like bowls 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:51.420 of incense 00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:52.700 going up to the Father. 00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:56.019 And our prayers 00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:56.619 are imperfect. 00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:58.099 But what does 00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:59.019 Romans 8 say? 00:27:59.099 --> 00:27:59.920 It's the Spirit 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:02.700 that takes our prayers. 00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:04.359 I love the image 00:28:04.359 --> 00:28:05.240 a pastor told me 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:05.680 years ago. 00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:06.859 It's like God 00:28:06.859 --> 00:28:08.180 takes this feeble prayer 00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:09.059 that I lift up, 00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:09.839 He wraps it in 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.379 the righteousness 00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:11.019 of Christ 00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:11.460 and says, 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:12.019 here Father, 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:14.180 answer for my sake. 00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:15.180 prayer. 00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:16.320 And so we pray. 00:28:16.320 --> 00:28:20.380 And so we pray. 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.980 The problem is 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:26.580 sometimes our practice 00:28:26.580 --> 00:28:27.160 of prayer 00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:29.600 doesn't reflect 00:28:29.600 --> 00:28:30.539 our doctrine 00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:31.259 of prayer. 00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:33.980 We don't truly 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:35.100 embrace our doctrine 00:28:35.100 --> 00:28:36.820 or we would pray. 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:39.120 We lose sight 00:28:39.120 --> 00:28:39.640 of this fact 00:28:39.640 --> 00:28:40.700 that we're participating 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.480 in this story 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.039 of redemption. 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:43.379 We are players. 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:44.960 We're not spectators. 00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:48.879 Prayers offered 00:28:48.879 --> 00:28:50.879 in a fallen world 00:28:50.879 --> 00:28:52.460 join the stream 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.299 of petitions 00:28:53.299 --> 00:28:54.759 offered by other saints, 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:56.000 the saints before us, 00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:57.399 and even the prayers 00:28:57.399 --> 00:28:58.420 of Christ Himself. 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.519 God 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:03.319 has not abandoned 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:04.539 His fallen creation. 00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:08.079 He proved that 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:09.200 by giving us Christ. 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:11.399 And now He's near 00:29:11.399 --> 00:29:12.099 to accomplish 00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:12.839 that plan. 00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:14.759 And so we pray. 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:16.599 John Calvin said this, 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:18.759 by means of our prayers, 00:29:19.399 --> 00:29:20.639 God does 00:29:20.639 --> 00:29:22.119 what He planned 00:29:22.119 --> 00:29:23.480 all along to do. 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:25.819 And prayer 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:27.639 reorients 00:29:27.639 --> 00:29:28.279 the believer 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:30.420 to what God 00:29:30.420 --> 00:29:30.960 is doing. 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:37.759 over a year ago 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.380 I had a friend 00:29:38.380 --> 00:29:39.100 who preached 00:29:39.100 --> 00:29:40.880 in his congregation. 00:29:41.079 --> 00:29:41.500 It was towards 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.299 the end of the year 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:43.299 and he was preaching 00:29:43.299 --> 00:29:43.860 to get ready 00:29:43.860 --> 00:29:44.700 for the new year. 00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:46.340 And he preached 00:29:46.340 --> 00:29:47.120 on revival. 00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:50.319 He told the story 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:51.400 of a South Carolina 00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:52.079 pastor 00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:53.360 named 00:29:53.360 --> 00:29:54.519 John Gerardot. 00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:58.779 in 1857 00:29:58.779 --> 00:30:01.819 this man 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.900 was a white pastor 00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:05.180 in a black church 00:30:05.180 --> 00:30:07.079 in Charleston, 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:07.839 South Carolina. 00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:10.000 And they had reached 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:10.400 a point 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:10.879 in the life 00:30:10.879 --> 00:30:11.420 of the church 00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:12.299 where the congregation 00:30:12.299 --> 00:30:13.639 had sort of plateaued 00:30:13.639 --> 00:30:14.279 and there was 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:15.440 this lethargy 00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:15.879 that was 00:30:15.879 --> 00:30:16.940 sort of happening. 00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:17.779 And so what they did, 00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:19.039 the officers got together 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:19.759 with the pastor 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:20.259 and said, 00:30:20.680 --> 00:30:20.980 Pastor, 00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:22.119 you just got to preach. 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:22.980 You got to preach 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:24.039 and get us out of this. 00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:24.480 Preach. 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:26.480 And Gerardot said this, 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:28.220 I don't want to preach 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:31.200 until God sends revival. 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:34.339 And until that happens, 00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:36.319 we will pray. 00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:39.319 And so they began 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:40.680 a series of prayer meetings 00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:41.660 night after night. 00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.720 Now one evening, 00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:45.900 while he was leading 00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:46.579 in prayer, 00:30:47.099 --> 00:30:48.079 Gerardot said 00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:49.379 he felt a sensation. 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.359 It was like a bolt 00:30:50.359 --> 00:30:51.039 of electricity 00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:52.039 hit his head 00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:53.639 and went through his body. 00:30:53.640 --> 00:30:56.560 And he was speechless 00:30:56.560 --> 00:30:57.640 for a while. 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.640 And he was able 00:31:01.640 --> 00:31:02.500 to talk again. 00:31:02.580 --> 00:31:03.020 He says, 00:31:03.100 --> 00:31:03.920 the Holy Spirit 00:31:03.920 --> 00:31:04.860 has come. 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.660 We will begin 00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:07.860 preaching tomorrow. 00:31:10.860 --> 00:31:11.840 He sang a hymn, 00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:13.500 gave the dismissal, 00:31:14.280 --> 00:31:15.340 he walked down, 00:31:17.780 --> 00:31:19.320 congregation stayed. 00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:23.460 nobody left their seats. 00:31:25.899 --> 00:31:27.359 So the people sat down, 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:29.079 pastor got up 00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:29.679 and he prayed. 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:31.000 He preached. 00:31:31.799 --> 00:31:33.019 He proclaimed the gospel. 00:31:33.379 --> 00:31:33.980 And basically, 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:35.019 his message was very, 00:31:35.119 --> 00:31:35.939 very simple. 00:31:36.419 --> 00:31:37.819 Embrace the gospel. 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.460 Accept the gospel. 00:31:39.659 --> 00:31:40.720 Accept what it means 00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:41.220 to be saved 00:31:41.220 --> 00:31:42.240 by Jesus Christ, 00:31:42.399 --> 00:31:43.639 by his work alone. 00:31:43.640 --> 00:31:45.440 And the reports are 00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:46.040 the sanctuary 00:31:46.040 --> 00:31:46.840 was filled 00:31:46.840 --> 00:31:47.500 with the spirit 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.540 of humble repentance 00:31:48.540 --> 00:31:49.560 and joy. 00:31:49.700 --> 00:31:50.900 Some were confessing 00:31:50.900 --> 00:31:51.360 their sins. 00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:52.080 Others were just 00:31:52.080 --> 00:31:53.300 elated at the forgiveness 00:31:53.300 --> 00:31:54.100 they enjoyed 00:31:54.100 --> 00:31:55.060 in Jesus Christ. 00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:56.340 And the messages, 00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.259 the meetings 00:31:57.259 --> 00:31:58.280 night after night 00:31:58.280 --> 00:31:59.300 for eight weeks, 00:31:59.440 --> 00:32:00.460 large numbers 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:01.680 of whites and blacks 00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:02.360 were converted. 00:32:02.840 --> 00:32:03.580 Churches throughout 00:32:03.580 --> 00:32:04.180 the city 00:32:04.180 --> 00:32:04.900 were blessed. 00:32:04.900 --> 00:32:05.040 Christ, 00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:10.780 this was in 1857. 00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:15.060 Four years later, 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:17.440 Charleston would begin 00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:18.120 to experience 00:32:18.120 --> 00:32:18.860 the horrors 00:32:18.860 --> 00:32:20.840 of the Civil War. 00:32:23.360 --> 00:32:25.519 But in that season, 00:32:26.880 --> 00:32:28.140 God shook the hearts 00:32:28.140 --> 00:32:28.840 of his people. 00:32:28.839 --> 00:32:33.319 It all began 00:32:33.319 --> 00:32:35.199 with prayer. 00:32:37.379 --> 00:32:38.619 Brothers and sisters, 00:32:38.879 --> 00:32:39.699 bold prayer 00:32:39.699 --> 00:32:41.339 is our calling. 00:32:42.019 --> 00:32:42.879 And I wish 00:32:42.879 --> 00:32:44.099 I prayed more 00:32:44.099 --> 00:32:45.099 than I do. 00:32:46.379 --> 00:32:47.740 But let's see 00:32:47.740 --> 00:32:49.059 what God does. 00:32:50.359 --> 00:32:51.379 Let's pray. 00:32:52.339 --> 00:32:53.059 It was true 00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:53.879 for the disciples 00:32:53.879 --> 00:32:54.559 in Jerusalem. 00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:55.179 It's true 00:32:55.179 --> 00:32:56.059 for us today. 00:32:56.539 --> 00:32:57.839 God is powerfully 00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:58.339 present 00:32:58.339 --> 00:32:59.799 to thwart opponents, 00:32:59.919 --> 00:33:00.879 to spread his word, 00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:02.399 to accomplish his plan. 00:33:02.699 --> 00:33:03.559 And because 00:33:03.559 --> 00:33:04.839 he is working, 00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:07.419 we must pray. 00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:10.299 Join me now. 00:33:13.819 --> 00:33:14.839 Almighty God, 00:33:15.859 --> 00:33:16.879 sovereign creator, 00:33:17.119 --> 00:33:17.459 ruler, 00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:18.759 redeemer, 00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:19.799 we praise you. 00:33:21.099 --> 00:33:21.799 You are the God 00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:22.500 who made us. 00:33:22.599 --> 00:33:23.139 You are the God 00:33:23.139 --> 00:33:24.099 who redeems us. 00:33:24.679 --> 00:33:25.599 You loved us 00:33:25.599 --> 00:33:26.679 even in our sin. 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:28.259 And you lift us 00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:29.379 up and embrace us 00:33:29.379 --> 00:33:30.579 through Jesus Christ, 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.480 cleansing us 00:33:31.480 --> 00:33:32.160 of our sin. 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:34.559 And not only that, 00:33:34.619 --> 00:33:34.740 Lord, 00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:35.440 you fill us 00:33:35.440 --> 00:33:36.240 with your Spirit 00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:37.440 so that when we walk 00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:38.559 out of this sanctuary, 00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:40.099 we are not alone. 00:33:41.400 --> 00:33:42.940 The power of Emmanuel 00:33:42.940 --> 00:33:44.220 is with us. 00:33:44.619 --> 00:33:45.240 Oh, Lord, 00:33:45.539 --> 00:33:46.519 soften our hearts. 00:33:46.660 --> 00:33:48.220 Move our hearts 00:33:48.220 --> 00:33:49.160 to prayer. 00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:51.059 Oh, Lord, 00:33:51.160 --> 00:33:52.200 bring your blessing 00:33:52.200 --> 00:33:54.140 on this congregation. 00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:56.019 Bring your blessing 00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:56.960 in our lives, 00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:58.000 in our ministries, 00:33:58.579 --> 00:33:59.660 in our relationships. 00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:00.900 Bring healing. 00:34:01.639 --> 00:34:02.579 Bring change. 00:34:03.279 --> 00:34:03.559 Lord, 00:34:03.619 --> 00:34:04.359 as we go now 00:34:04.359 --> 00:34:05.200 to a time 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:06.639 of the sacrament, 00:34:07.639 --> 00:34:09.639 it is another token, 00:34:10.460 --> 00:34:11.699 a sign and seal 00:34:11.699 --> 00:34:12.619 that you indeed 00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:13.739 are with us. 00:34:14.280 --> 00:34:15.460 You cleanse us. 00:34:16.179 --> 00:34:17.440 You've redeemed us. 00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:19.000 Oh, Lord, 00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:19.920 bless us, 00:34:20.300 --> 00:34:21.059 we pray, 00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:23.139 in Jesus' name. 00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:24.279 Amen. 00:34:28.199 --> 00:34:29.400 For more information, 00:34:29.779 --> 00:34:30.699 visit us online 00:34:30.699 --> 00:34:32.000 at southwood.org. 00:34:32.699 --> 00:34:33.699 Thank you. 00:34:33.699 --> 00:34:33.759 Thank you.