WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.899 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, 00:00:02.899 --> 00:00:04.799 where we're dedicated to encouraging, 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:07.799 equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:10.000 Located in Ontario, Oregon, 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:11.720 Pastor Patrick Daley preaches 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:13.800 insightful sermons from the Word of God, 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:16.719 offering practical applications for modern living. 00:00:16.719 --> 00:00:19.640 We're delighted to share this sermon with you. 00:00:19.640 --> 00:00:21.400 Well, welcome everyone. 00:00:21.400 --> 00:00:26.120 Yes, by popular demand, 00:00:26.120 --> 00:00:29.400 we have added notes to your notes. 00:00:29.399 --> 00:00:31.279 So as many of you know, 00:00:31.279 --> 00:00:33.320 I always have a lot of notes for you guys, 00:00:33.320 --> 00:00:36.719 but if you feel you want to take your own notes, 00:00:36.719 --> 00:00:37.759 we do have that now. 00:00:37.759 --> 00:00:41.640 So I think it was when Tom Greco came to visit, 00:00:41.640 --> 00:00:42.960 he wrote all over his notes. 00:00:42.960 --> 00:00:44.479 He's like, I'm running out of room, Pastor. 00:00:44.479 --> 00:00:46.200 We got to have something on here. 00:00:46.200 --> 00:00:48.399 So I know moving forward, 00:00:48.399 --> 00:00:49.759 we'll have something, 00:00:49.759 --> 00:00:52.439 we'll have those available for you on there. 00:00:52.439 --> 00:00:56.320 So it's really good to be here with all of you today. 00:00:56.320 --> 00:01:00.719 And we are going to continue from our biblical exposition 00:01:00.719 --> 00:01:02.359 of the book of Ezra. 00:01:02.359 --> 00:01:04.120 If you want to go ahead and open your Bibles, 00:01:04.120 --> 00:01:06.239 it's going to be Ezra chapter four, 00:01:06.239 --> 00:01:08.799 verses six through 16. 00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:13.879 And this last week, we began chapter four. 00:01:13.879 --> 00:01:16.319 This is where the adversaries, right? 00:01:16.319 --> 00:01:20.240 They came in and they tried to stop the progress 00:01:20.240 --> 00:01:22.799 from what the people of God were doing. 00:01:22.799 --> 00:01:25.680 Remember, the people of God had rebuilt the altar 00:01:25.680 --> 00:01:29.520 and they were laying the foundation of the temple. 00:01:29.520 --> 00:01:31.760 And this is where adversaries were coming in 00:01:31.760 --> 00:01:34.760 and they were trying to just be a disruption. 00:01:34.760 --> 00:01:36.520 And the leaders of the people of God, 00:01:36.520 --> 00:01:38.680 they were saying, you know what, we don't, 00:01:38.680 --> 00:01:40.480 I understand you guys are offering help, 00:01:40.480 --> 00:01:41.840 but we don't want anything to do with you 00:01:41.840 --> 00:01:43.400 because you guys are against us. 00:01:43.400 --> 00:01:45.480 So we went over that. 00:01:45.480 --> 00:01:48.120 In the ending of verses four through five 00:01:48.120 --> 00:01:49.920 in Ezra chapter four, 00:01:49.920 --> 00:01:52.360 it was showing us that the adversaries, right? 00:01:52.360 --> 00:01:53.760 It says the people of the land 00:01:53.760 --> 00:01:55.640 discouraged the people of Judah. 00:01:55.640 --> 00:01:57.120 Made them afraid to build 00:01:57.120 --> 00:01:59.040 and bribed counselors against them 00:01:59.040 --> 00:02:01.840 to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus 00:02:01.840 --> 00:02:05.120 and even until the reign of King Darius, 00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:06.200 the King of Persia. 00:02:06.200 --> 00:02:08.120 So that's a long time to be discouraged. 00:02:08.120 --> 00:02:10.680 And this is leading us today. 00:02:10.680 --> 00:02:12.599 The adversaries, they're continuing. 00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:14.639 They're going at one step further. 00:02:14.639 --> 00:02:16.800 And we're going to see that they wrote a letter 00:02:16.800 --> 00:02:18.599 to King Artisirkses. 00:02:18.599 --> 00:02:21.599 And they were focusing on doing basically everything 00:02:21.599 --> 00:02:25.080 that they could to stop the rebuilding of the temple. 00:02:25.080 --> 00:02:26.360 And I know that for many of us, 00:02:26.360 --> 00:02:28.160 we probably had a season in our life 00:02:28.160 --> 00:02:30.640 where it seems like people were stopping at nothing 00:02:30.640 --> 00:02:33.360 to stop progress that was being made. 00:02:33.360 --> 00:02:35.960 I know that a lot of us can relate to something like this. 00:02:35.960 --> 00:02:39.320 So there's a lot of really good spiritual truths 00:02:39.320 --> 00:02:41.560 and things that we can learn from today 00:02:41.560 --> 00:02:44.560 and things that we can apply to our own lives. 00:02:44.560 --> 00:02:48.000 And it's important for us to open God's word and say, 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:51.680 God, how are you going to speak to us today 00:02:51.680 --> 00:02:54.439 as a congregation and as a church? 00:02:54.439 --> 00:02:56.719 And so again, when we're looking at these adversaries, 00:02:56.719 --> 00:02:59.120 they were trying to divide and to discourage. 00:02:59.120 --> 00:03:01.359 That doesn't happen to us today, does it? 00:03:01.359 --> 00:03:03.479 It happens all the time, right? 00:03:03.479 --> 00:03:06.439 Right, and these people are going so far 00:03:06.439 --> 00:03:10.079 that they're writing a letter to people who are in authority, 00:03:10.079 --> 00:03:12.240 to those in higher political powers, 00:03:12.240 --> 00:03:14.280 and they're making an accusation. 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:17.039 They are blatantly lying to stop the progress 00:03:17.039 --> 00:03:18.280 that's being made. 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:19.879 And it's in verses like this, 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:21.599 it can be very discouraging 00:03:21.599 --> 00:03:23.319 when you're reading something like this. 00:03:23.319 --> 00:03:24.680 When you're looking at these verses, 00:03:24.680 --> 00:03:26.319 you're like, okay, there's these people 00:03:26.319 --> 00:03:27.799 who are enemies of God, 00:03:27.799 --> 00:03:31.199 and yet they're trying to stop anything that's happening. 00:03:32.560 --> 00:03:35.479 In verses like this, it's important for us to go over 00:03:35.479 --> 00:03:37.400 because there are things we can observe, 00:03:37.400 --> 00:03:38.479 things that we can learn, 00:03:38.479 --> 00:03:41.199 and things that we can apply to our own lives. 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:42.680 And so before we go any further, 00:03:42.680 --> 00:03:45.039 I wanna offer this time, this sermon, 00:03:45.039 --> 00:03:47.120 this time together to God. 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:50.680 Let's ask the Holy Spirit to be with us, 00:03:50.680 --> 00:03:53.879 to reveal truth to us, to open our minds 00:03:53.879 --> 00:03:55.879 and our hearts to the truth. 00:03:55.879 --> 00:03:57.319 So let's pray together. 00:03:58.439 --> 00:04:01.120 Father, we thank you for just giving us the time 00:04:01.120 --> 00:04:03.319 and the chance for us to gather today. 00:04:03.319 --> 00:04:05.400 As we are continuing in this sermon series 00:04:05.400 --> 00:04:07.360 through the book of Ezra, 00:04:07.360 --> 00:04:09.240 we pray that we can learn these lessons. 00:04:09.240 --> 00:04:13.200 We can see the clear observations and the clear lessons. 00:04:13.200 --> 00:04:16.560 We ask that you make your word easy to understand 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:20.639 for all of us, and that you speak to every single one of us 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:23.000 in your own divine power. 00:04:23.000 --> 00:04:25.959 We know that there are people who are new to the faith 00:04:25.959 --> 00:04:29.879 and those who have grown up in the faith. 00:04:29.879 --> 00:04:33.479 We ask that your word speaks to each and every person today. 00:04:33.479 --> 00:04:35.959 And we know that sometimes we find passages 00:04:35.959 --> 00:04:38.800 in scripture, Father, that's difficult for us. 00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:42.360 We know that sometimes evil sometimes comes in our lives 00:04:42.360 --> 00:04:44.479 and sometimes evil will do whatever they can 00:04:44.479 --> 00:04:46.519 to stop progress that's happening, 00:04:46.519 --> 00:04:49.680 or a trajectory that we may have in Christ. 00:04:49.680 --> 00:04:51.879 We pray, Father, that you will give us wisdom, 00:04:51.879 --> 00:04:56.879 clarity, and insight that we can have in our own lives. 00:04:57.120 --> 00:04:59.639 Help us to live out the truth that comes from your word, 00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:02.160 especially when we are dealing with adversity, 00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:05.600 especially when people who are against us are playing dirty 00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:08.960 or they're blatantly lying or they're slandering. 00:05:08.960 --> 00:05:13.439 Whatever it may be, may we remain rooted in you. 00:05:14.399 --> 00:05:19.240 May we place our trust and confidence more so in you. 00:05:19.240 --> 00:05:22.280 Send down your spirit, Father, to stir our hearts, 00:05:22.280 --> 00:05:25.519 to be like an oak tree that's rooted in you, 00:05:25.519 --> 00:05:27.100 not like a mushroom. 00:05:28.079 --> 00:05:31.240 But may we balance grace, the love that comes from you 00:05:31.240 --> 00:05:33.319 and the truth that comes from your words. 00:05:33.319 --> 00:05:35.360 It is in the name of Jesus Christ that we pray 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:36.920 and we all say together, amen. 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:42.600 And so in Ezra chapter four verses six through 16, 00:05:42.600 --> 00:05:44.199 I mentioned in verse six, right? 00:05:44.199 --> 00:05:49.000 You're seeing in here, in the beginning of his reign, 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:52.399 ahas sehrus, I hope I got that right, right? 00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:54.360 It says they wrote an accusation 00:05:54.360 --> 00:05:57.079 against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. 00:05:58.040 --> 00:06:02.079 You know as Christians, it's important for us to know 00:06:02.079 --> 00:06:04.600 we need to focus on the things that matter most 00:06:04.600 --> 00:06:07.839 and that is our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:06:07.839 --> 00:06:11.639 Focusing on his death, his burial, and his resurrection. 00:06:11.639 --> 00:06:13.959 From the moment that we believe in the Lord, 00:06:13.959 --> 00:06:17.279 we are saved and in turn we are called to be on a path 00:06:17.279 --> 00:06:20.719 to live and to love like Jesus Christ. 00:06:20.719 --> 00:06:22.599 We're not called to remain stagnant, 00:06:22.599 --> 00:06:25.359 we're called to grow in Christ. 00:06:25.359 --> 00:06:27.799 Learning about what it means to be a Christian 00:06:27.799 --> 00:06:31.119 and what it means to implement prayerful habits. 00:06:31.119 --> 00:06:35.319 And well, it's a path of spiritual growth 00:06:35.319 --> 00:06:37.919 much like how we are constantly growing. 00:06:37.919 --> 00:06:39.199 And this is a path, right? 00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:41.639 We realize that as we are growing, 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:44.319 we're putting our faith and trust in God even more 00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:46.679 because God will continue to work in and through 00:06:46.680 --> 00:06:50.000 our lives all of the days of our lives. 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:53.000 We are a work in progress my friends. 00:06:53.000 --> 00:06:54.560 God's always gonna work on us. 00:06:54.560 --> 00:06:57.879 God calls us to live out our faith actively like I said, 00:06:57.879 --> 00:06:59.759 not to be stagnant in it. 00:06:59.759 --> 00:07:01.720 It's an act of faith that we integrate 00:07:01.720 --> 00:07:04.280 in our everyday lives. 00:07:04.280 --> 00:07:08.519 And in this walk with Christ and in our growth in Christ, 00:07:09.600 --> 00:07:13.560 many of us, we might think the path will be perfect. 00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:16.240 Well, that's incorrect. 00:07:16.240 --> 00:07:19.280 Has it been the perfect path for you in Christ? 00:07:19.280 --> 00:07:20.720 In fact, there's gonna be seasons 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:24.000 where there's gonna be trials and tribulations in our lives. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:25.240 There'll be times in our lives 00:07:25.240 --> 00:07:27.879 where people will flat out oppose us. 00:07:27.879 --> 00:07:31.160 It might be your friends, it might even be your family. 00:07:31.160 --> 00:07:34.079 And how unfortunate is it when we go through those 00:07:34.079 --> 00:07:37.199 accusations or those adversities, 00:07:37.199 --> 00:07:39.920 you would think that in finding Jesus Christ 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:42.079 and finding new life in him, 00:07:42.079 --> 00:07:43.920 you wanna share that and you share it with them 00:07:43.920 --> 00:07:47.040 and people are like, no, thank you. 00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:49.879 And it's very unfortunate when that happens. 00:07:49.879 --> 00:07:54.400 And so we find that in our own spiritual walk, 00:07:54.400 --> 00:07:55.759 you don't have to raise your hand, 00:07:55.759 --> 00:07:58.640 but I'm sure that all of us at one point 00:07:58.640 --> 00:08:02.120 have faced opposition in our own faith. 00:08:02.960 --> 00:08:04.759 Maybe even there have been people in your life 00:08:04.759 --> 00:08:06.600 that have been unfair to you. 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:11.040 And they've gotten dirty, so to speak. 00:08:11.040 --> 00:08:13.560 And I don't mean playing in the mud. 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:15.879 I mean, they've done things that are like, 00:08:15.879 --> 00:08:19.920 man, I just wanna fight you, but I can't, right? 00:08:19.920 --> 00:08:22.519 I gotta remain in Christ. 00:08:23.560 --> 00:08:26.480 In the Word of God, there are so many scenarios 00:08:26.480 --> 00:08:29.560 and there's so many stories where there are people 00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:32.720 that try to stop the people of God. 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:35.840 People trying to stop the prophets, the apostles, 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:39.879 and even Christ himself, let's not forget that. 00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:41.879 So many times in scripture we see this. 00:08:41.879 --> 00:08:44.200 And these lessons, right, it's scattered 00:08:44.200 --> 00:08:47.519 throughout God's Word and it shows us in times 00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:52.519 such back then, same thing even today, right? 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:55.639 Does opposition only exist in the Bible? 00:08:55.639 --> 00:08:58.559 Or does it exist even in our own lives today? 00:08:58.559 --> 00:09:00.240 We've faced that. 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:02.960 And so we're seeing here, look, I am convinced 00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:05.519 that when we're looking at chapter four here 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:08.159 and the adversaries are opposing the rebuilding 00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:11.799 of the temple, they were going to try to infiltrate 00:09:11.799 --> 00:09:14.919 the will of God, what God had divinely planned 00:09:14.919 --> 00:09:18.039 for these people, or at least to get them 00:09:18.039 --> 00:09:20.079 to stop the project, right? 00:09:20.079 --> 00:09:23.240 Placing doubt or fear in their minds. 00:09:23.240 --> 00:09:25.159 And what is happening here in verse six 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:27.079 is it's intensifying, right? 00:09:28.319 --> 00:09:31.000 We know in verse five, right, the bribing 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:34.000 of the counselor, the frustration, the discouragement 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:37.039 that's happened and continuing in that. 00:09:37.039 --> 00:09:40.159 In the verse six, they go so far as to reach out 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:42.480 to those in political authority. 00:09:43.959 --> 00:09:48.959 That's a very, very scary thing when you think about. 00:09:49.319 --> 00:09:51.279 It shows that the adversaries, they wrote 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:53.319 an accusation against God. 00:09:53.319 --> 00:09:55.439 So the adversaries, right, they, 00:09:57.120 --> 00:10:00.159 you see later on in verse seven through 11, 00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:03.879 there is a list of people that are opposing, 00:10:03.879 --> 00:10:05.959 so it wasn't just one person writing a letter, 00:10:05.959 --> 00:10:09.159 it was a group of people, so let's go into verse seven here. 00:10:09.159 --> 00:10:13.319 In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlum and Mithrideth 00:10:13.319 --> 00:10:15.679 and Tabil and the rest of their associates 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:18.679 wrote to Artaxerxes, king of Persia. 00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:21.600 The letter was written in Aramaic and translated. 00:10:21.600 --> 00:10:24.879 Rehom the commander and Shemshai, the scribe, 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:28.039 wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes. 00:10:28.039 --> 00:10:30.319 The king as follows, Rehom the commander, 00:10:30.319 --> 00:10:33.240 it goes on and on, right, the Persians, the men of Erech, 00:10:33.240 --> 00:10:36.439 the Babylonians, the men of Susa and the Elamites 00:10:36.439 --> 00:10:39.120 and the rest of the nations whom the great 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:42.600 and noble Asnepar deported and settled 00:10:42.600 --> 00:10:44.600 in the cities of Samaria and in the rest 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:46.720 of the province beyond the river. 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:48.080 And so what you're seeing, you'll see it 00:10:48.080 --> 00:10:49.720 in your notes in here, right, 00:10:49.720 --> 00:10:52.679 that the adversaries wrote the accusation 00:10:52.679 --> 00:10:55.560 and there's specific people and I wanna take a moment here. 00:10:55.560 --> 00:10:58.720 There's one person that really, really sticks out 00:10:58.720 --> 00:10:59.799 to me in this. 00:11:01.919 --> 00:11:05.120 If you have your Bible open, I want you to turn real quick. 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:07.399 Go to Ezra chapter one, verse eight. 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:11.600 So if you remember back in the beginning, right, 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:13.679 the Lord stirred the heart of King Cyrus 00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:15.120 and the people of God. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:19.799 In verse eight, you see here, and this is kind 00:11:19.799 --> 00:11:21.360 of the most significant person 00:11:21.360 --> 00:11:24.159 that you're seeing betrayal happen here. 00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:27.240 So it says here in chapter one, verse eight, 00:11:27.240 --> 00:11:29.360 Cyrus the king of Persia brought these out 00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:31.240 of charge of who? 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:34.000 Myth or death, right, the treasurer who counted them 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:37.039 out of Shespazar, the prince of Judah. 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:41.679 And then you go back into Ezra chapter four, verse seven, 00:11:42.559 --> 00:11:45.599 and you see there is myth or death again. 00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:50.480 But this time, that's like you see on the slide here, 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:53.399 once for the people of God and now against the people 00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:56.079 of God and I wonder what happened. 00:11:56.079 --> 00:11:59.480 We don't really know what happened, but certainly 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:01.679 something happened to the point where they ended up, 00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:04.360 this person ended up going against the people of God. 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:07.879 And that's one person who really stands out to me, right? 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:09.800 Someone who was there under King Cyrus 00:12:09.800 --> 00:12:14.800 who helped return the vessels with the return of God's people, 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:16.759 but now they're against it. 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:19.360 And so you see there's judges and governors, 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:22.519 people who are opposing this and you have people 00:12:22.519 --> 00:12:24.519 who are in positions of political power, 00:12:24.519 --> 00:12:27.519 people groups who are coming against the people of God. 00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:29.840 That doesn't happen today, does it? 00:12:29.840 --> 00:12:30.680 It doesn't happen at all. 00:12:30.680 --> 00:12:32.560 This is a historical thing that happened 00:12:32.559 --> 00:12:35.439 and we have no idea what that's like. 00:12:35.439 --> 00:12:38.919 Well, my friends, we should open our eyes a little bit, 00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:40.519 not to say you guys are all sleeping, 00:12:40.519 --> 00:12:43.799 but it's to say that it does happen today 00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:47.519 as it happened back then, that there are people groups. 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:49.599 And unfortunately there are even politicians 00:12:49.599 --> 00:12:50.439 that are against it. 00:12:50.439 --> 00:12:51.759 I'm not gonna name call anyone, 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:54.959 that would be unwise to do. 00:12:54.959 --> 00:12:58.000 But I'm sure we can think with our mind for a second 00:12:58.000 --> 00:13:00.639 that there are people that are people groups, 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:02.559 those who are in power. 00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:05.360 And in all of this, it reminds me of how Ezra 00:13:05.360 --> 00:13:08.759 is speaking of the people of the lands, 00:13:08.759 --> 00:13:12.279 the people of the world against the people of God. 00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:14.080 You'll notice, and you don't have to turn there, 00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:17.799 but earlier in Ezra, it was talking about how 00:13:17.799 --> 00:13:19.539 the people of God began building, 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:21.039 but yet even though they were building, 00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:24.240 they were afraid of the people of the lands, 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:26.240 which is language, which is talking about 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:30.759 the people in the world, what we would call worldly people. 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:31.960 And isn't that very interesting? 00:13:31.960 --> 00:13:35.159 You have the people of God and the people of the lands. 00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:39.279 And so even in scripture, there's this distinction. 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:43.279 So this letter was written, it's this accusation. 00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:46.279 Now these adversaries, let's go into verse 11 onwards. 00:13:49.080 --> 00:13:52.039 So you're seeing in here, it says this is the copy 00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:56.360 of the letter that they sent to our Xerxes the king. 00:13:56.360 --> 00:13:59.240 And it says, your servants, the men of the province 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:00.480 beyond the river. 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:03.759 Now, beyond the river is a phrase that refers to, 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:07.240 beyond the Euphrates River, which would include Judah. 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:10.079 So just a little fun note right there. 00:14:10.079 --> 00:14:12.759 So the adversaries are saying, okay, let's go in here. 00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:15.879 It says, be it known to the king that the Jews 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:19.919 who came up from you have gone to Jerusalem. 00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:21.039 What are they, what does it say? 00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:23.839 What are the adversaries saying the people of God are doing? 00:14:23.839 --> 00:14:25.519 It says they're rebuilding what? 00:14:27.959 --> 00:14:29.439 That rebellious and wicked city. 00:14:29.439 --> 00:14:30.839 You don't wait just a minute. 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:34.199 That's a lie. 00:14:34.199 --> 00:14:35.039 But that's what they're saying. 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:36.480 They're saying, oh, King Artis Erxes, 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:37.839 you haven't been around enough. 00:14:37.839 --> 00:14:39.879 I need to tell you what these people have done. 00:14:39.879 --> 00:14:42.319 They're wicked and they're rebellious here, right? 00:14:42.319 --> 00:14:44.159 And it says they're finishing the walls 00:14:44.159 --> 00:14:45.439 and repairing the foundations. 00:14:45.439 --> 00:14:48.599 Now, be it known to the king that if the city is rebuilt 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:52.240 and the walls finish, they will not pay tribute custom. 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:55.000 The toll or even the royal revenue will be impaired. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:59.200 So they're saying they're not gonna pay their taxes. 00:14:59.200 --> 00:15:01.320 They're not gonna pay their fair share to the government. 00:15:01.320 --> 00:15:05.480 And so verse 14 here, now this is a funny thing. 00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:06.840 I think we have that. 00:15:06.840 --> 00:15:09.360 Do I have an image of salt by chance? 00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:10.279 Let's go, yeah. 00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:12.639 So yeah, it says in verse 14, 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:14.480 now this is a kind of a funny image 00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:16.879 because God has a fun sense of humor. 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:21.120 It says in verse 14, now because we eat salt of the palace, 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:24.480 are they literally eating salt from the palace? 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:25.320 Well, no, right? 00:15:25.320 --> 00:15:27.039 It's saying that, let's go on. 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:29.200 Because we eat the salt of the palace, 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:32.080 it is not fitting for us to witness the king's dishonor 00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:35.120 because they benefit from the king, okay? 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:38.000 So although it's quite a funny image 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:40.879 to imagine the king maybe giving you salt packets 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:43.120 or something, that's not what's being said here. 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:45.679 And I love when sometimes you read things, 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:47.239 you're like, well, what in the world does that mean? 00:15:47.239 --> 00:15:49.479 So I put this image of salt here 00:15:49.479 --> 00:15:52.159 in front of some sort of, that's not real. 00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:53.759 It's just a made up image, right? 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:58.239 But the idea here is, right, because we're benefiting, right? 00:15:58.239 --> 00:16:00.279 They're speaking of their loyalty to the king 00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:01.959 because we receive protection 00:16:01.959 --> 00:16:04.120 or because we receive benefits from the king, 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:08.079 we wanted to let you know of what's going on. 00:16:08.079 --> 00:16:10.199 I was like, oh, you wanted to tattle. 00:16:10.199 --> 00:16:13.439 You wanted to bend the truth in such a way 00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:16.240 where it's benefiting the adversaries 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:18.400 and not the people of God. 00:16:18.400 --> 00:16:20.560 So they're saying, you know, because we're loyal, 00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:22.240 king, we want to let you know, 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:25.480 these are what these people are doing. 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:27.640 We want to let the king know now. 00:16:27.640 --> 00:16:31.320 So they're calling on, so it goes on, verse 15, 00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:34.160 in order that search may be made 00:16:34.160 --> 00:16:35.760 in the book of the records of your fathers, 00:16:35.760 --> 00:16:37.680 you will find in the book of the records 00:16:37.680 --> 00:16:39.920 and learn that this city is a rebellious city 00:16:39.920 --> 00:16:41.920 hurtful to kings and provinces 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:45.199 and that sedition was stirred up in it of old. 00:16:45.199 --> 00:16:47.759 That is why the city was laid to waste. 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:50.879 We'll see later on what has to do with the records, 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:53.799 but basically they're speaking the truth, 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:56.360 but they're pointing the blame on the people of God. 00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:58.199 That's the idea there. 00:16:58.199 --> 00:17:02.079 We make known to the king that if this city, verse 16, 00:17:02.079 --> 00:17:04.759 if this city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:08.799 you will have no possession in the province beyond the river. 00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:12.480 And so they're saying, king, go look at the records. 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:15.440 And one thing you also have to notice is, 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:17.440 these people are so wicked and rebellious 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:19.159 that if the temple is rebuilt, 00:17:19.159 --> 00:17:21.599 they're gonna have control, not you, king. 00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:22.960 And you see the problem here, 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:25.879 that these are all blatant lies that are happening here. 00:17:25.879 --> 00:17:28.839 And it would basically mean a direct threat to the king. 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:32.159 And so with all this in mind, we have to think, 00:17:32.159 --> 00:17:34.039 well, what can we learn from these verses? 00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:36.359 In all of this, it's a dark theme for us, 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:39.159 letter being written against the people of God. 00:17:39.159 --> 00:17:40.839 Like, what in the world can I learn from that? 00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:43.119 That's very discouraging, that's very disheartening. 00:17:43.119 --> 00:17:46.759 And maybe you can think of a time where maybe a letter 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:49.879 or something that has been put out in public, 00:17:49.879 --> 00:17:53.519 a decree even, to stop the people of God. 00:17:53.519 --> 00:17:56.119 Maybe you can identify with something like this. 00:17:56.119 --> 00:17:57.599 The first lesson that we can learn 00:17:57.599 --> 00:18:00.159 is the power of influence and opposition. 00:18:00.159 --> 00:18:02.639 Words and influence can be powerful tools 00:18:02.639 --> 00:18:04.039 for both good and evil, right? 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:05.399 That's the first lesson. 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:08.000 We see that the adversaries, the letters, 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:10.840 it shows the power of their words, right? 00:18:10.840 --> 00:18:13.680 The power of influence rhetoric as it were. 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:16.040 And it can have a profound impact, right? 00:18:16.040 --> 00:18:19.360 We think of politicians or kings or pastors, 00:18:19.360 --> 00:18:21.240 they have influence on people. 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:23.560 Well, sometimes you may have the opposite effect, right? 00:18:23.560 --> 00:18:26.720 Where if you're writing a letter to your mayor, right? 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:28.080 Or I'm going to write the governor, 00:18:28.080 --> 00:18:29.120 or I'm going to call a governor. 00:18:29.120 --> 00:18:31.320 It's something like that that's happening. 00:18:31.320 --> 00:18:34.240 So it can have a profound impact on politicians, 00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:36.640 those who are in positions of power. 00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:38.880 And words can be powerful tools 00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:40.319 that can be used for good or for bad. 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:43.279 And unfortunately in this situation, 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:46.680 we can see a time where it's used for evil and not good. 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:49.279 And that's something that we have to remember. 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:51.120 I'm reminded in Proverbs, 00:18:51.120 --> 00:18:53.079 you don't have to turn there, it's on your notes. 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:56.400 Proverbs 18, verse 21, it's a famous verse 00:18:56.400 --> 00:18:59.920 that says, death and life are in the power of the tongue. 00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:02.920 And those who love it will eat its fruit. 00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:06.200 And so all this is to say that words and influence 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:09.039 can be used for good or for evil, right? 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:11.680 And we can see this in the political sphere. 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:14.960 We can see this about even the words that we say to people. 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:17.640 Are you speaking words that are good to people 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:20.400 that help edify, that help encourage or empower people 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:21.560 to come to know the Lord? 00:19:21.560 --> 00:19:23.279 Or do you do the opposite? 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:25.640 It's the same question with politicians. 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:29.320 And it's just right there in scripture that we can see. 00:19:29.320 --> 00:19:32.360 The second thing is facing unfair accusations. 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:37.359 It says, as believers, we may face unjust accusations, 00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:39.599 but we must remain true to God's word 00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:42.240 and maintain our integrity. 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:46.439 The big lesson here is that people will fail us, right? 00:19:47.479 --> 00:19:51.639 God is perfect, God is light, He is truth. 00:19:51.639 --> 00:19:54.399 But how often do people fail us, right? 00:19:54.399 --> 00:19:55.559 We're all sinners, right? 00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:58.439 Does anybody here perfect, raise your hand, right? 00:19:58.439 --> 00:20:00.719 I hope none of you raise your hand there. 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:05.079 But the idea is that, look, this is a scenario, right? 00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:09.600 We can learn that there may be a time in your life 00:20:09.600 --> 00:20:12.319 where you face an unjust accusation. 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:14.120 There may be a time in your life 00:20:14.120 --> 00:20:16.400 where there's some sort of spiritual attack. 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:19.480 And my friends, if you haven't experienced it, 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:22.559 you probably will face a similar scenario. 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:24.640 The people of God, they face this accusations 00:20:24.640 --> 00:20:27.960 from this letter, this using political influence 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:30.920 to bend the truth and to fit it into a narrative, 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:34.840 making the people of God appear rebellious and wicked. 00:20:34.840 --> 00:20:36.920 I hope nobody's ever had a letter like that 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:39.400 written about them, right? 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:42.759 But we've had our own battles, as it were. 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:45.640 And something we can learn, we can see that 00:20:45.640 --> 00:20:48.519 for us as Christians, there will be times 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:50.759 where we will face an accusation 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:53.440 or a spiritual attack, as it were. 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:55.240 It's just reality, look. 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:58.559 And even in the case of Mithredeth, 00:20:58.559 --> 00:21:02.079 that was someone who betrayed the people of God. 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:03.559 That's always disheartening, right? 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:06.640 When you find in scripture someone that was 00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:09.519 with the people of God or with, I mean, 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:11.400 think of Judas even, right? 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:14.319 Someone who was with the disciples. 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:15.880 And yet betrayal happens. 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:18.599 So you see that in scripture. 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:21.519 It's important for us that when an accusation 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:23.599 or a spiritual attack happens, 00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:27.240 we are to remain true into the Word of God. 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:31.679 We are to remain as people of the Lord. 00:21:31.679 --> 00:21:36.679 Even in times of trial, even in times of tribulation, 00:21:36.679 --> 00:21:38.319 we stay rooted. 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:41.959 In fact, that's time where we place our trust in God even more 00:21:41.959 --> 00:21:45.519 so, knowing that God's going to be with us no matter what 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:49.639 accusation or what trial or what temptation or tribulation 00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:53.720 comes through your life. 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:55.320 Now one thing I want you to remember here 00:21:55.320 --> 00:21:58.480 is even though it's a discouraging letter for us 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.840 to read, right? 00:21:59.840 --> 00:22:04.120 We must remember something, and I want to make it very clear, 00:22:04.120 --> 00:22:06.800 that even though man may write against the people of God 00:22:06.800 --> 00:22:10.520 or may do actions against the people of God, 00:22:10.520 --> 00:22:13.400 God will have his will be done. 00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:15.920 God will intervene and he will see to it 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:18.840 that he fulfills his promises. 00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:20.720 And it will happen one way or another. 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:24.599 And Ezra, this book is a wonderful example. 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:26.599 We're just at the part where it seems like, man, 00:22:26.599 --> 00:22:27.399 it seems hopeless. 00:22:27.399 --> 00:22:30.439 It seems like the project stopped and we're done. 00:22:30.439 --> 00:22:32.879 But we continue on and we'll see what's going to happen. 00:22:32.879 --> 00:22:37.399 So even with the accusation, even with the discouragement, 00:22:37.399 --> 00:22:39.199 the halting of the building of the temple 00:22:39.199 --> 00:22:42.240 that happens at the end, right, verses 17 to 23, 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:43.799 we're not even going there, but there's 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:47.079 the halting, the stopping of the project, right? 00:22:47.079 --> 00:22:52.279 It's humans, people will try to stop the will of God. 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:58.119 But look, it won't stop what God has planned for your life, 00:22:58.119 --> 00:23:01.359 for the church, for the people of God. 00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:05.079 And that's comforting words to know. 00:23:05.079 --> 00:23:06.960 I know in my own story, there have been times 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:10.480 where people have tried to stop me and people have said, 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:13.519 I'm going to tell you a story years ago. 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:22.680 I've been interested in serving in ministry for many years. 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:28.799 And when I first began, this was about 2014, 2015, 00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:31.960 I met a pastor who we really hit it off. 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:34.200 We really got to know one another. 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:36.359 And unfortunately, he said, well, because you don't have 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:40.480 children, you can't be a pastor. 00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:44.759 Now, that was unfortunately, and I'm not giving names. 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.720 It's the story. 00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:47.720 It's the lesson here. 00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:51.440 And at that time, I did not have children. 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:53.720 And I remember the discouraging words that I heard. 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:57.079 I thought, well, then are you saying 00:23:57.079 --> 00:23:59.160 that your interpretation of the scripture 00:23:59.160 --> 00:24:02.319 is you must have children to be a pastor? 00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:04.519 For him, it was yes. 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:07.960 And that was a discouraging moment in my life. 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:09.960 And I thought, well, what am I to do? 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:15.519 And I contacted some men of God that I really trust. 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:18.000 And I said, is this accurate? 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:21.120 No, it's not accurate. 00:24:21.120 --> 00:24:23.319 But I remember at that moment, being in that moment, 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:27.840 being so discouraged and thinking, maybe this guy's right. 00:24:27.840 --> 00:24:32.480 And had I listened to him, I wouldn't be where I'm at today. 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:36.840 And it required, I still remember that to this day. 00:24:36.840 --> 00:24:38.680 But I use it as a reminder not to forget 00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:43.560 that what man may do will not stop the will of God in your life. 00:24:43.560 --> 00:24:45.000 I want to make that very clear. 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:49.000 Because when we're reading this, it's like, this is horrible. 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:51.480 They will reap what they sow. 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:53.799 That's a reminder for us. 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:56.680 And so going back here, I'm reminded of 1 Peter chapter 3, 00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:59.279 16, which speaks of those who slander to you. 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:01.279 That should be in your notes. 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:04.920 1 Peter 3, 16, which says to have a good conscience, 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:07.600 so that when you are slandered, they're not saying 00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:11.319 if you're slandered, they're saying when you're slandered. 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:13.039 That's a hard one. 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:16.119 Those who revile your good behavior in Christ 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:18.679 may be put to shame. 00:25:18.679 --> 00:25:19.879 That's something to remember. 00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:23.399 We are to remain rooted in Christ and not get down 00:25:23.399 --> 00:25:24.199 and dirty with them. 00:25:24.199 --> 00:25:26.399 And I know that's so difficult for us. 00:25:26.399 --> 00:25:28.959 It's a call for us to stand firm in the word of God 00:25:28.959 --> 00:25:31.879 and in righteousness, even when there's a letter. 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:35.559 Or even if there's spiritual tax or words of discouragement 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:38.200 or frustration in your life, we have 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:41.519 to trust in God's provision, in God's justice, 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:44.919 and remain having a clear conscience. 00:25:44.919 --> 00:25:50.879 And as believers, again, we may even be in a season 00:25:50.879 --> 00:25:54.039 where we're facing unjust accusations. 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:58.159 We remain true in God's word and maintain our integrity 00:25:58.159 --> 00:25:58.599 in Christ. 00:25:58.599 --> 00:26:00.839 Can I get an amen with that? 00:26:00.839 --> 00:26:04.039 The third one is human interference in God's work, 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:07.680 despite human efforts to interfere with God's plans, 00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:10.639 his purposes will fail? 00:26:10.639 --> 00:26:11.559 No. 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:12.480 What's it say? 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:15.519 They will ultimately prevail, amen? 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:18.960 And you see that all of these lessons are all connected. 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:23.399 This letter to the king is an effort by a man, by people, 00:26:23.399 --> 00:26:25.639 to interfere with the work of God. 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:28.159 Do you see what's happening here? 00:26:28.159 --> 00:26:33.399 They're making their efforts to try to stop the trajectory. 00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:35.600 But what God had prophesized, that there 00:26:35.600 --> 00:26:38.759 would be the rebuilding of the temple, it's going to happen, 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:44.680 even if you adversaries, people who oppose the people of God 00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:45.320 are going to try. 00:26:45.320 --> 00:26:47.440 And that's what we're seeing in here. 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:50.320 Despite the fact that man may try to stop the plan of God, 00:26:50.320 --> 00:26:54.320 man's plan will fail compared to God's. 00:26:54.320 --> 00:26:56.880 That is why you seek God and ask God 00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:59.960 to guide you in your plans. 00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:03.280 How many of us have tried to do it on our own? 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:06.399 And how many of us, when we're following God's will, 00:27:06.399 --> 00:27:09.599 we see all these crazy things happen, right? 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:12.920 That's a testimony to this. 00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:16.039 When these bad events happen very often, right? 00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:18.319 You may have this question. 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:23.359 Well, with these bad events that happen, 00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:24.680 some people may ask the question, 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:27.119 why didn't the people of God fight back? 00:27:27.119 --> 00:27:28.920 Why didn't they push back and say, 00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:31.319 you know what, we're not going to tolerate this. 00:27:31.319 --> 00:27:33.240 We're going to do what we have to do. 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:39.359 Well, with this, the accusation from the adversaries 00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:43.880 is saying that the people of God are wicked and rebellious. 00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:46.920 That's actually a very smart accusation to say. 00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:51.120 Is that, hey, these people are God, they're up to no good. 00:27:51.120 --> 00:27:56.440 So it's kind of a much more difficult situation to be in. 00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:59.759 So that's a lot more complicated. 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:02.200 In Acts chapter 5, verse 29, it says 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:04.680 that we must obey God rather than man. 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:08.000 Highlight that or circle that in your notes. 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:13.279 We must obey God rather than men or man. 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:15.880 When something happens like this, we stand firm 00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:16.960 and we stand together. 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:19.519 And certainly, we can speak out against. 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:24.360 But to get down and dirty, especially in this scenario, 00:28:24.360 --> 00:28:25.600 don't do it. 00:28:25.600 --> 00:28:28.440 That's just the lesson we learn here. 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:30.799 The accusation from these adversaries, 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:32.919 it's saying they're rebellious. 00:28:32.919 --> 00:28:35.759 What a horrible thing to say for the people of God. 00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:39.559 And so let us remember that despite human efforts, 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:42.279 God's plan will ultimately prevail. 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:45.799 And so in all of this, we learn about the letter. 00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:47.079 We see that there are lessons. 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:49.119 And then the question always comes up. 00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:54.240 And then, well, how do I apply this to my life? 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:57.599 How do I live these verses out? 00:28:57.599 --> 00:28:59.480 I realize that in reading these verses, 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:02.079 it can be difficult, especially if you're 00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:04.720 going through a season like that, or you've been through one 00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:05.759 and you remember it. 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:08.120 Just like how I gave you this story, 00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:10.200 it's hard for me to talk about it because I was 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:13.200 hurt at that time. 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:15.240 So it can be very difficult. 00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:17.759 And perhaps you have been through a scenario like this 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:19.640 where someone has tried to slander your name, 00:29:19.640 --> 00:29:21.960 or perhaps you have gone through a time where you've 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:27.720 had to wait on the Lord, asking God for patience, 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:31.279 or asking God, let me steward my money better. 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:32.559 I have a funny story with that. 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:34.360 So true story. 00:29:34.360 --> 00:29:36.559 So I was up a few years ago. 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:40.319 I was up at a restaurant. 00:29:40.319 --> 00:29:44.240 I was doing a Zoom call. 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:47.880 And I had $15 to my name. 00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:49.839 I thought I'll get something to drink. 00:29:49.839 --> 00:29:51.759 I'll get maybe a little snack or something while 00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:53.720 on this Zoom call. 00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:57.400 The soda was like $3. 00:29:57.400 --> 00:29:58.440 That's common now. 00:29:58.440 --> 00:30:00.680 I know that's a little more expensive. 00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:03.880 But I ordered a side of French fries. 00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:07.000 It was $9. 00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:07.960 And I was expecting. 00:30:10.880 --> 00:30:11.800 I was thinking for a second. 00:30:11.800 --> 00:30:12.720 Oh, man. 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:15.440 I thought, what are you trying to teach me, God? 00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:16.600 And I remember I asked this. 00:30:16.600 --> 00:30:18.840 And this was right before it was a Bible study. 00:30:18.840 --> 00:30:20.000 It was a Zoom Bible study. 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:21.800 It was right before the Bible study. 00:30:21.800 --> 00:30:23.200 God, what are you trying to teach me? 00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:23.840 I'm out of money. 00:30:23.840 --> 00:30:25.800 I thought I was going to spend $5, maybe $6, 00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:27.519 and have some money left over. 00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:29.399 Give them a nice little tip. 00:30:29.399 --> 00:30:32.319 Guess what the lesson was about. 00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:34.960 Take a wild guess. 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:41.399 It was talking about being rich in the eyes of God, 00:30:41.399 --> 00:30:46.119 having spiritual wealth and how money doesn't matter. 00:30:46.119 --> 00:30:47.759 We should focus on true wealth from God. 00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:50.039 I cannot make this up. 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:53.000 It even went over the parable where it says 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:57.359 it's easier for the needle, right? 00:30:57.359 --> 00:31:01.160 It's easier for the camel to go through an eye of a needle 00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:03.440 than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:06.680 You want to know a fun fact about that in that the whole takeaway 00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:10.400 from that Bible lesson is the needle's eye is actually 00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:13.880 a place to get into Jerusalem. 00:31:13.880 --> 00:31:15.759 And that verse has actually been misconstrued 00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:17.119 to attack people with wealth. 00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:19.640 But it's talking about leaving all you 00:31:19.640 --> 00:31:23.320 have behind to enter into the kingdom of heaven. 00:31:23.320 --> 00:31:24.480 That is a very different. 00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:26.040 And look it up sometime. 00:31:26.040 --> 00:31:27.880 It's called the needle's eye. 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:31.520 And it's a small little space to enter Jerusalem. 00:31:31.520 --> 00:31:34.080 So it can be very easily concluded 00:31:34.080 --> 00:31:36.600 that when Christ is talking about the eye of the needle, 00:31:36.600 --> 00:31:39.520 he's talking about that small space to get in there. 00:31:39.520 --> 00:31:44.680 And I say all of this because the Bible is wild, right? 00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:46.520 There's many lessons that we can learn. 00:31:46.519 --> 00:31:50.639 And just as I learned that lesson with the $9 French fries, 00:31:50.639 --> 00:31:53.440 and I'm never doing that again, so too 00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:56.599 may we be going through a situation where 00:31:56.599 --> 00:32:00.519 we're reading about letters, slanderous attacks, 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:02.639 or discouragement, or frustrations 00:32:02.639 --> 00:32:05.160 in our walk with the Lord. 00:32:05.160 --> 00:32:07.319 Maybe you've even had someone who's betrayed you, 00:32:07.319 --> 00:32:10.720 someone who's been very close to you, who's slandered your name. 00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:12.319 And that's something we have to remember. 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:13.799 And look, these are many lessons we 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:15.119 can apply for our lives. 00:32:15.119 --> 00:32:17.039 So I want you to think for a moment. 00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:18.959 So what can we apply? 00:32:18.959 --> 00:32:20.439 First thing comes up. 00:32:20.439 --> 00:32:23.000 Consider your words and influence. 00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:24.919 Consider the words that you say and the influence 00:32:24.919 --> 00:32:27.279 that you have on other people. 00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:30.199 As I mentioned before, in Proverbs chapter 18 verse 21, 00:32:30.199 --> 00:32:32.319 death and life are in the power of the tongue. 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:36.639 James chapter 3 verse 5 says that the tongue is a small 00:32:36.639 --> 00:32:39.799 member, yet it boasts of great things. 00:32:39.799 --> 00:32:44.319 How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire. 00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:46.720 Oh man, setting ablaze a fire, it's 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:48.639 like starting a forest fire as it were. 00:32:48.639 --> 00:32:51.279 You have to be mindful of the words that you say. 00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:53.919 Let us consider, let us evaluate the words that we say 00:32:53.919 --> 00:32:57.279 to people, but also the influence that we have on others. 00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:58.439 It can be used for good. 00:32:58.439 --> 00:33:00.039 It can be used for evil. 00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:03.960 You would be surprised, the profound amount of influence 00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:08.079 that you have upon people. 00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:09.759 And I'm talking your friends, your family, 00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:11.839 people in the community. 00:33:11.839 --> 00:33:15.199 Some people, they might go to the same restaurant every week. 00:33:15.199 --> 00:33:17.839 And the waitress remembers your order, right? 00:33:17.839 --> 00:33:19.399 Or you go to the same coffee place. 00:33:19.399 --> 00:33:21.079 Or you go to, you, you, you, you, you, 00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:22.759 we're creatures of habit, right? 00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:23.919 You do the same thing over and over. 00:33:23.919 --> 00:33:25.879 People remember your name. 00:33:25.879 --> 00:33:29.039 Well, those small interactions can have a profound impact. 00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:30.519 That's, that's an everyday thing. 00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:33.759 Well, maybe every week thing that happens. 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:37.519 It can be even people you interact with at school or at work 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:42.480 or, you know, people, if you run a store or whatever, 00:33:42.480 --> 00:33:45.160 just be reminded to be an ambassador for Christ 00:33:45.160 --> 00:33:47.599 and what you say and what you do. 00:33:47.599 --> 00:33:49.799 Don't be like the adversaries, right? 00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:50.799 That's another way of saying it. 00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:53.480 Don't be like the adversaries who use their words 00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:56.519 and their influence for evil to manipulate people, 00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:59.039 to do evil, to blatantly lie. 00:33:59.039 --> 00:34:01.680 Rather, instead of deception and manipulation, 00:34:01.680 --> 00:34:07.680 let us speak truth and deal in the grace of God with others. 00:34:07.680 --> 00:34:09.480 Isn't it interesting? 00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:16.280 The opposite of grace and truth is hatred and lies, 00:34:16.280 --> 00:34:18.920 or one opposite you can think of. 00:34:18.920 --> 00:34:23.000 Or in this case, it would be deception and manipulation. 00:34:23.000 --> 00:34:24.519 Isn't that interesting? 00:34:24.519 --> 00:34:29.039 Let's not be people that speak or act death. 00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:30.680 Let's not contribute to the darkness. 00:34:30.679 --> 00:34:34.199 Let's contribute to the light and the love of Jesus Christ. 00:34:34.199 --> 00:34:35.679 And just imagine for a moment, you 00:34:35.679 --> 00:34:40.159 can have a very profound impact on people's lives. 00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:41.799 When you speak words of encouragement, 00:34:41.799 --> 00:34:43.960 sometimes you have to have hard discussions with them. 00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:46.799 I'm not saying it never happens, right? 00:34:46.799 --> 00:34:49.199 When you speak the truth to people, 00:34:49.199 --> 00:34:51.919 you are exhibiting the light and the love and truth 00:34:51.919 --> 00:34:52.799 of Jesus Christ. 00:34:52.799 --> 00:34:57.239 The next one that comes up is to respond to unfair accusations 00:34:57.239 --> 00:34:59.199 with grace and truth. 00:34:59.199 --> 00:35:02.919 When facing unjust treatment, respond with integrity, 00:35:02.919 --> 00:35:08.239 integrity, integrity, and trust in God's justice. 00:35:08.239 --> 00:35:10.919 And that's easier said than done. 00:35:10.919 --> 00:35:13.039 I realize that. 00:35:13.039 --> 00:35:15.439 When people mistreat you, or they accuse you, 00:35:15.439 --> 00:35:20.639 or they put you in that season of trial, very often, 00:35:20.639 --> 00:35:23.480 I think especially for us men, right? 00:35:23.480 --> 00:35:24.919 For us people. 00:35:24.919 --> 00:35:28.559 Sometimes we have the urge to fight back. 00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:32.559 It's easy to respond with an eye for an eye, as it were. 00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:36.799 But how difficult is it for us to respond with integrity, 00:35:36.799 --> 00:35:39.840 to respond with patience, and with grace, and with truth, 00:35:39.840 --> 00:35:44.039 and knowing that this person, I'm hopefully not 00:35:44.039 --> 00:35:48.320 pointing at anybody here, that a person who's done wrong, 00:35:48.320 --> 00:35:51.279 they're going to reap what they sow, right? 00:35:51.279 --> 00:35:55.360 And we may have to wait for it to pan out. 00:35:55.360 --> 00:35:57.880 We may have to wait for that to happen. 00:35:57.880 --> 00:36:01.240 I remember my father used to always tell me a story about, 00:36:01.240 --> 00:36:04.640 there was someone who would basically do the wrong thing 00:36:04.640 --> 00:36:11.000 for years, never got caught, and then one day. 00:36:11.000 --> 00:36:12.400 No longer had a job. 00:36:12.400 --> 00:36:14.160 I'm trying to make it very vague, because I don't want 00:36:14.160 --> 00:36:15.800 to give too much info on that story. 00:36:15.800 --> 00:36:17.920 But it's the lesson there. 00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:20.640 They will reap what they sow. 00:36:20.640 --> 00:36:23.559 And so in moments such as these, right, 00:36:23.559 --> 00:36:26.160 when we're learning what's happening, 00:36:26.159 --> 00:36:30.399 we have the urge to fight back or to retaliate, 00:36:30.399 --> 00:36:32.279 it doesn't mean that we retreat, though. 00:36:32.279 --> 00:36:34.559 I want to make that very clear, because some people think, 00:36:34.559 --> 00:36:35.039 well, what? 00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:37.239 I just need to stand there and take it? 00:36:37.239 --> 00:36:39.440 I'm not saying retreat. 00:36:39.440 --> 00:36:42.440 In fact, when we're talking about standing firm, 00:36:42.440 --> 00:36:44.920 you stand firm together with your brothers and sisters 00:36:44.920 --> 00:36:46.480 in Christ. 00:36:46.480 --> 00:36:49.119 It doesn't mean that we stop the trajectory of doing good 00:36:49.119 --> 00:36:50.039 in the name of Christ. 00:36:50.039 --> 00:36:51.920 We continue doing what we're doing, 00:36:51.920 --> 00:36:55.279 even in times and seasons of trials. 00:36:55.280 --> 00:36:56.760 It means that we double down. 00:36:56.760 --> 00:37:00.880 It means that we trust in God, and we pray. 00:37:00.880 --> 00:37:04.840 We pray, and we respond in truth, grace, and integrity. 00:37:04.840 --> 00:37:07.400 And certainly, we can speak out. 00:37:07.400 --> 00:37:10.880 We can stand firm, and we can stand together. 00:37:10.880 --> 00:37:13.680 This is not a call for us to retreat. 00:37:13.680 --> 00:37:16.440 It's neither a call for us to retaliate, though. 00:37:16.440 --> 00:37:19.360 That's difficult to do. 00:37:19.360 --> 00:37:22.040 It's a time for us to trust in God, and His timing, 00:37:22.040 --> 00:37:23.920 and His justice. 00:37:23.920 --> 00:37:27.760 Let us be reminded that when people do evil to us, 00:37:27.760 --> 00:37:29.280 they will reap what they sow. 00:37:29.280 --> 00:37:33.320 Romans 12, 9, beloved, never avenge yourselves, 00:37:33.320 --> 00:37:35.039 but leave it to the wrath of God, for it 00:37:35.039 --> 00:37:37.240 is written, vengeance is mine. 00:37:37.240 --> 00:37:39.720 I will repay, says the Lord. 00:37:39.720 --> 00:37:41.880 Now, often, do we say vengeance is mine. 00:37:41.880 --> 00:37:43.880 We'd rather say that, right? 00:37:43.880 --> 00:37:47.880 But in the scriptures, we see that God's got this. 00:37:47.880 --> 00:37:50.159 He'll take care of that. 00:37:50.159 --> 00:37:52.800 The next one is navigate political interference 00:37:52.800 --> 00:37:54.800 with wisdom. 00:37:54.800 --> 00:37:56.440 The third thing we can apply to our lives 00:37:56.440 --> 00:38:00.440 is I'm not endorsing a candidate up here. 00:38:00.440 --> 00:38:02.160 I want to make that very clear. 00:38:02.160 --> 00:38:04.560 I'm not saying you should be conservative or liberal, 00:38:04.560 --> 00:38:06.400 Republican or Democrat when I'm saying this. 00:38:06.400 --> 00:38:09.600 I'm merely saying that when the government or kingdom 00:38:09.600 --> 00:38:13.840 or politician or king interferes with the work of ministry, 00:38:13.840 --> 00:38:16.160 we can still stand firm in the Word of God. 00:38:16.160 --> 00:38:18.800 We can pray for divine intervention to happen. 00:38:18.800 --> 00:38:25.240 We stand firm in faith, knowing that we trust in God's timing. 00:38:25.240 --> 00:38:29.039 I can't help but think of what's happened a few years ago 00:38:29.039 --> 00:38:31.560 when things were shut down. 00:38:31.560 --> 00:38:34.680 That was a season of waiting for many of us. 00:38:34.680 --> 00:38:37.000 It was not the easiest thing to do. 00:38:37.000 --> 00:38:41.120 And I'm sure when the people of God were discouraged, 00:38:41.120 --> 00:38:44.800 they probably argued and debated on how to respond. 00:38:44.800 --> 00:38:51.080 But what we can think of here, we continue, we pray to the Lord. 00:38:51.080 --> 00:38:54.120 We have to navigate through that when that happens. 00:38:54.120 --> 00:38:56.600 And for us Christians, we trust in the living God, who 00:38:56.600 --> 00:38:58.720 never fails us. 00:38:58.720 --> 00:39:01.400 We don't trust in the people of the land 00:39:01.400 --> 00:39:03.039 as the verse has been saying. 00:39:03.039 --> 00:39:05.360 We must be discerning. 00:39:05.360 --> 00:39:06.800 And in any situation, even when it 00:39:06.800 --> 00:39:10.000 comes to our own convictions, we ask God for wisdom 00:39:10.000 --> 00:39:11.280 and how to stand in faith. 00:39:11.280 --> 00:39:13.320 What does that look like? 00:39:13.320 --> 00:39:16.000 Because how it might look like for me may be different for you 00:39:16.000 --> 00:39:17.559 and the next person. 00:39:17.559 --> 00:39:19.800 That's another thing to consider. 00:39:19.800 --> 00:39:22.400 We have to find a way to continue to worship the living God. 00:39:22.400 --> 00:39:26.720 That's the big reason why when we think of the church, 00:39:26.720 --> 00:39:31.880 we think of the body of Christ, the people. 00:39:31.880 --> 00:39:34.920 I know we like to come together in a building. 00:39:34.920 --> 00:39:37.640 That is certainly a place where we come together. 00:39:37.640 --> 00:39:40.600 But in times where we can't, we're still the body of Christ, 00:39:40.600 --> 00:39:42.840 even when we are scattered. 00:39:42.840 --> 00:39:45.000 And so ladies and gentlemen, throughout history 00:39:45.000 --> 00:39:47.800 of Christianity, Christians have been persecuted. 00:39:47.800 --> 00:39:49.519 The Bible has been outlawed. 00:39:49.519 --> 00:39:51.480 People have been thrown in prison and even died 00:39:51.480 --> 00:39:53.519 for being a Christian. 00:39:53.519 --> 00:39:56.120 And I pray that this never happens. 00:39:56.120 --> 00:39:59.640 I pray that whatever trial or tribulation 00:39:59.640 --> 00:40:01.600 or with the government ever intervenes 00:40:01.600 --> 00:40:06.360 and tries to stop the progress, you may respond appropriately. 00:40:06.360 --> 00:40:09.760 Stand firm in faith against pressure, 00:40:09.760 --> 00:40:13.200 but also maintain respect and wisdom from God, amen. 00:40:13.200 --> 00:40:13.800 These are hard. 00:40:13.800 --> 00:40:14.240 I know. 00:40:14.240 --> 00:40:14.960 I know. 00:40:14.960 --> 00:40:16.360 Next one. 00:40:16.360 --> 00:40:20.240 Trust God during times of delay. 00:40:20.240 --> 00:40:21.400 Instant ramen noodles. 00:40:24.280 --> 00:40:25.800 Amazon two-day delivery. 00:40:25.800 --> 00:40:27.760 They even have two-hour delivery. 00:40:27.760 --> 00:40:32.280 Drones can fly by and drop things off at your house. 00:40:32.280 --> 00:40:35.560 Some of us may remember the days when you had to go and rent 00:40:35.560 --> 00:40:37.360 a movie. 00:40:37.360 --> 00:40:38.920 You go to Blockbuster. 00:40:38.920 --> 00:40:41.440 You go to the local movie rental place. 00:40:41.440 --> 00:40:46.440 And you hope that you can find Jurassic Park. 00:40:46.440 --> 00:40:48.240 And they don't have it. 00:40:48.240 --> 00:40:51.519 They said, sorry, we only had five. 00:40:51.519 --> 00:40:54.039 And you're like, man, well, now what am I 00:40:54.039 --> 00:40:56.559 going to watch on a Friday night? 00:40:56.559 --> 00:40:58.159 You had to wait. 00:40:58.159 --> 00:41:01.200 And unfortunately, when we think of streaming services 00:41:01.200 --> 00:41:04.440 and whatnot, we have access to all the videos in the world. 00:41:04.440 --> 00:41:05.599 But that's actually not true. 00:41:05.599 --> 00:41:08.240 There's times they remove titles because they feel like it. 00:41:08.239 --> 00:41:11.679 So there's waiting even in the digital age to think of. 00:41:11.679 --> 00:41:13.319 We live in this culture where there's 00:41:13.319 --> 00:41:15.679 instant ramen noodles and instant gratification. 00:41:15.679 --> 00:41:16.639 It's a way of life. 00:41:16.639 --> 00:41:19.239 And I hope you don't eat that much instant ramen noodles. 00:41:19.239 --> 00:41:21.359 But you get the idea, right? 00:41:21.359 --> 00:41:24.039 Fast delivery, unlimited entertainment, fast food, 00:41:24.039 --> 00:41:25.079 fast-paced life. 00:41:25.079 --> 00:41:26.839 But what happens when we need to wait? 00:41:26.839 --> 00:41:28.599 We don't like it. 00:41:28.599 --> 00:41:30.479 It can be very difficult in the waiting, 00:41:30.479 --> 00:41:34.519 even waiting for a trial to end or waiting on the Lord 00:41:34.519 --> 00:41:35.199 to respond. 00:41:35.199 --> 00:41:37.319 It can be difficult for us. 00:41:37.320 --> 00:41:42.760 But let us remember, it may be an attempt by man to stop God. 00:41:42.760 --> 00:41:45.440 But God will intervene in His timing. 00:41:45.440 --> 00:41:48.600 And I know that's very hard for many of us, especially 00:41:48.600 --> 00:41:52.480 when we're being exposed to the endless screens 00:41:52.480 --> 00:41:54.760 and scrollings of our time. 00:41:54.760 --> 00:41:57.120 It's very difficult now. 00:41:57.120 --> 00:41:58.800 Wasn't that difficult 10 years ago? 00:41:58.800 --> 00:42:01.600 And wasn't that difficult even 10 years before that? 00:42:01.600 --> 00:42:04.519 But that's the life that we live in today. 00:42:04.519 --> 00:42:07.240 We trust in God's timing. 00:42:07.239 --> 00:42:13.159 We use times such as this to remain in the Lord, 00:42:13.159 --> 00:42:17.719 to pray to the Lord, to ask God for strength. 00:42:17.719 --> 00:42:21.359 Sometimes the best things are worth waiting for. 00:42:21.359 --> 00:42:23.199 We have to remember that. 00:42:23.199 --> 00:42:25.399 Sometimes I don't want instant ramen noodles. 00:42:25.399 --> 00:42:29.879 I'd rather have nice, prepared ramen noodles at that point. 00:42:29.879 --> 00:42:32.479 And I'm sure that the people of Ezra, they were waiting. 00:42:32.479 --> 00:42:34.000 They're like, wait a minute. 00:42:34.000 --> 00:42:34.679 Wait, wait a minute. 00:42:34.679 --> 00:42:37.559 God, we just traveled all this way, 00:42:37.559 --> 00:42:40.319 and we were building the temple, and we were doing our services, 00:42:40.319 --> 00:42:41.719 and now we have to stop again. 00:42:41.719 --> 00:42:43.399 What gives? 00:42:43.399 --> 00:42:46.759 That's a natural response to think about. 00:42:46.759 --> 00:42:50.480 That's like if the government ordered for us to no longer 00:42:50.480 --> 00:42:52.279 attend services again. 00:42:52.279 --> 00:42:56.279 That would be a very equivalent, very natural thing to think. 00:42:56.279 --> 00:42:58.359 I'm saying all this because the people of God 00:42:58.359 --> 00:43:01.599 were afraid, discouraged, and rightfully so. 00:43:01.599 --> 00:43:04.279 Let us be reminded of what the Word of God says in Isaiah 00:43:04.280 --> 00:43:05.640 40, 31. 00:43:05.640 --> 00:43:08.519 They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. 00:43:08.519 --> 00:43:11.080 They shall mount up with wings like eagles. 00:43:11.080 --> 00:43:13.160 They shall run and not be wary. 00:43:13.160 --> 00:43:14.880 They shall walk and not faint. 00:43:14.880 --> 00:43:19.040 So all this to say, my friends, be patient. 00:43:19.040 --> 00:43:21.400 Trust in God during times of delay. 00:43:21.400 --> 00:43:25.760 You'll be amazed at what God will reveal to you when you wait. 00:43:25.760 --> 00:43:28.320 That's the wonderful thing. 00:43:28.320 --> 00:43:31.280 Encourage one another in times of trial. 00:43:31.280 --> 00:43:34.560 This is an important thing. 00:43:34.560 --> 00:43:37.519 We are to encourage one another in times such as this, 00:43:37.519 --> 00:43:40.640 in times of trial, in times of tribulation, 00:43:40.640 --> 00:43:43.440 in times of waiting or difficult days. 00:43:43.440 --> 00:43:46.880 We are to encourage one another in the faith. 00:43:46.880 --> 00:43:48.360 I want you to think for a moment. 00:43:48.360 --> 00:43:49.640 When you hear a lot of people say, 00:43:49.640 --> 00:43:53.120 you need to stand firm in the faith, don't stand firm alone. 00:43:53.120 --> 00:43:54.519 Stand firm together. 00:43:54.519 --> 00:43:58.519 Stand together with your brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:43:58.519 --> 00:44:01.360 Because how often, I think think of the adversaries. 00:44:01.360 --> 00:44:03.280 They wanted to divide. 00:44:03.280 --> 00:44:06.079 How often does spiritual attack happen 00:44:06.079 --> 00:44:11.280 when being separated from our friends and family, being alone? 00:44:11.280 --> 00:44:13.960 We stand firm together. 00:44:13.960 --> 00:44:16.519 So the next time you hear stand firm in the faith, 00:44:16.519 --> 00:44:17.239 think for a moment. 00:44:17.239 --> 00:44:19.759 I want to stand firm together with my brothers and sisters 00:44:19.759 --> 00:44:24.360 in Christ, knowing that they're beside me, 00:44:24.360 --> 00:44:28.559 that they're with me in battle as it were. 00:44:28.559 --> 00:44:31.760 And I mentioned last week the concept of the bundle of sticks, 00:44:31.760 --> 00:44:33.599 right, being hard to break. 00:44:33.599 --> 00:44:35.920 We are stronger together. 00:44:35.920 --> 00:44:39.480 Hebrews chapter 10, verse 24 through 25, 00:44:39.480 --> 00:44:41.960 let us consider how to stir up one another in love 00:44:41.960 --> 00:44:44.720 and good works, not neglecting to meet one another, 00:44:44.720 --> 00:44:47.400 encourage one another, and all the more 00:44:47.400 --> 00:44:49.920 as you see the day drawing near. 00:44:49.920 --> 00:44:53.400 First Thessalonians 511, therefore, encourage one another 00:44:53.400 --> 00:44:55.079 and build up one another. 00:44:55.079 --> 00:44:58.440 The next slide is persevere through opposition, 00:44:58.440 --> 00:45:02.480 remain committed to God's work, and grow in faith during trials. 00:45:02.480 --> 00:45:03.720 And this is an interesting one. 00:45:03.720 --> 00:45:07.200 When we get discouraged, very often we 00:45:07.200 --> 00:45:10.320 don't want to continue doing the work we've been doing. 00:45:10.320 --> 00:45:13.480 Very often we kind of want to just stop. 00:45:13.480 --> 00:45:15.039 But think about this. 00:45:15.039 --> 00:45:17.400 We remain committed to God during times, right? 00:45:17.400 --> 00:45:19.360 We remain in the Lord. 00:45:19.360 --> 00:45:23.039 And the work that God has set for us, don't ever give up. 00:45:23.039 --> 00:45:27.679 Continue to seek God and His guidance and His strength. 00:45:27.679 --> 00:45:30.840 God knows your heart, and He knows what you're going through. 00:45:30.840 --> 00:45:32.920 And I think of the famous James, right? 00:45:32.920 --> 00:45:36.559 Count it all joy when you meet trials. 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:41.159 Galatians 6, 9, let us not grow weary of doing good. 00:45:41.159 --> 00:45:44.639 For in due season, we will reap if we do not give up. 00:45:44.639 --> 00:45:48.159 It's a call for us to continue, even if that 00:45:48.159 --> 00:45:51.559 may look different for us, right? 00:45:51.559 --> 00:45:53.239 Just as these adversaries are going 00:45:53.239 --> 00:45:55.639 to reap what they sow for the evil that they have done, 00:45:55.639 --> 00:45:59.519 we will reap the good harvest for what we have sown in Christ. 00:45:59.519 --> 00:46:02.039 It's not to say you're saved by what you do. 00:46:02.039 --> 00:46:04.799 You're saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. 00:46:04.799 --> 00:46:06.719 But you're called to do work. 00:46:06.719 --> 00:46:09.599 Many of you know Ephesians 2, verses 8 through 9. 00:46:09.599 --> 00:46:11.480 Look at the next verse, right? 00:46:11.480 --> 00:46:14.960 We are to, we are His workmanship, right? 00:46:14.960 --> 00:46:17.799 We are to do good because we've been saved by grace 00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:19.119 through faith. 00:46:19.119 --> 00:46:22.559 That's a great reminder for us. 00:46:22.559 --> 00:46:25.000 And so in all of this, let us be mindful of the words 00:46:25.000 --> 00:46:28.759 that we say and how we act in times of trial and tribulation. 00:46:28.759 --> 00:46:31.759 Let us respond by remaining rooted in Christ 00:46:31.759 --> 00:46:33.799 by standing firm and standing together 00:46:33.799 --> 00:46:36.239 with our brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:46:36.239 --> 00:46:39.239 Let us navigate through whenever man or the government 00:46:39.239 --> 00:46:43.159 or authorities interfere in the work that we do for Christ. 00:46:43.159 --> 00:46:47.719 And let us trust in God when any of this happens, 00:46:47.719 --> 00:46:52.159 or even in a time where you may be going through a trial like this. 00:46:52.159 --> 00:46:54.879 Let us be the body of Christ encouraging one another 00:46:54.879 --> 00:46:56.959 in all seasons of life. 00:46:56.959 --> 00:47:00.559 The good, the bad, and even when the ugly happens. 00:47:00.559 --> 00:47:04.480 Let us always remember to persevere through the end. 00:47:04.480 --> 00:47:08.000 Always remember that when you're saved by grace through faith, 00:47:08.000 --> 00:47:09.879 you have God on your side. 00:47:09.879 --> 00:47:11.319 And when you have God on your side, 00:47:11.319 --> 00:47:13.679 there's nothing for you to fear. 00:47:13.679 --> 00:47:18.319 An opposition may take many forms, discouragement, letters, 00:47:18.319 --> 00:47:19.919 frustration. 00:47:19.919 --> 00:47:25.239 We can see that not only in history, through scripture, 00:47:25.239 --> 00:47:27.319 but in our own lives, there are moments 00:47:27.319 --> 00:47:29.239 where we faced opposition. 00:47:29.239 --> 00:47:33.000 We must stand firm in the faith, and we must ask God 00:47:33.000 --> 00:47:35.440 to lead and to guide us. 00:47:35.440 --> 00:47:38.039 Let us pray that God will give us the ability 00:47:38.039 --> 00:47:40.480 to discern good from evil and know 00:47:40.480 --> 00:47:43.840 how to navigate in any sort of trial or tribulation that 00:47:43.840 --> 00:47:45.280 may come through our lives. 00:47:45.280 --> 00:47:49.519 Let us balance grace and truth, seeking God's strength and wisdom, 00:47:49.519 --> 00:47:51.519 and facing any sort of opposition that 00:47:51.519 --> 00:47:54.840 may come into our life. 00:47:54.840 --> 00:47:57.400 Let us pray together. 00:47:57.400 --> 00:47:59.840 Gracious fathers, we close our time here today. 00:47:59.840 --> 00:48:02.159 We ask that you remain with us. 00:48:02.159 --> 00:48:04.599 May we realize and recognize that you are there with us 00:48:04.599 --> 00:48:07.159 in any sort of season of trial or tribulation 00:48:07.159 --> 00:48:09.360 or even opposition. 00:48:09.360 --> 00:48:13.280 We pray that if we are currently experiencing opposition 00:48:13.280 --> 00:48:17.000 or any sort of adversary, we may respond appropriately 00:48:17.000 --> 00:48:20.680 by trusting you and remaining firm in the faith. 00:48:20.680 --> 00:48:25.519 But may we also be encouraged by the body of Christ. 00:48:25.519 --> 00:48:27.760 Father, I pray that if anyone's going through a trial, 00:48:27.760 --> 00:48:30.039 you may give them strength, peace, and wisdom 00:48:30.039 --> 00:48:32.840 to act accordingly. 00:48:32.840 --> 00:48:35.920 And however long that may be, we pray that we always pray 00:48:35.920 --> 00:48:38.079 that that can be shortened. 00:48:38.079 --> 00:48:42.799 We pray that we can respond by using the words and our actions 00:48:42.799 --> 00:48:46.360 by influencing others for good and not for evil. 00:48:46.360 --> 00:48:49.279 We pray that we may speak truth and not lies. 00:48:49.279 --> 00:48:53.480 We ask, Father, that you're with us in every season of our life, 00:48:53.480 --> 00:48:58.639 in our morning, in the evening, in our living, in our dying, 00:48:58.639 --> 00:49:02.159 in our laughter, and in our happiness. 00:49:02.159 --> 00:49:06.599 Let us celebrate having you as the source of life, the truth 00:49:06.599 --> 00:49:11.679 that we trust and the God in whom we love. 00:49:11.679 --> 00:49:16.079 And Father, be with us as we sing this last song, everything. 00:49:16.079 --> 00:49:18.679 You are everything that we need. 00:49:18.679 --> 00:49:23.159 We ask, you're always there with us. 00:49:23.159 --> 00:49:23.719 Be with us. 00:49:23.719 --> 00:49:26.960 We know that you're with us, even though we may not see it. 00:49:26.960 --> 00:49:28.799 May we see that. 00:49:28.799 --> 00:49:31.039 May we know you're there with us. 00:49:31.039 --> 00:49:35.119 In every season of life, may we trust in you. 00:49:35.119 --> 00:49:36.599 It is in Jesus' name that we pray. 00:49:36.599 --> 00:49:37.839 And can I get an amen? 00:49:37.839 --> 00:49:39.000 Amen. 00:49:39.000 --> 00:49:41.679 Thank you for tuning in to the Ontario Community Church 00:49:41.679 --> 00:49:43.039 sermon podcast. 00:49:43.039 --> 00:49:45.799 For more about our church and how you can get involved 00:49:45.799 --> 00:49:51.000 or support our mission, please visit ontariocommunitychurch.org. 00:49:51.000 --> 00:50:05.800 May God's blessings be with you.