WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.359 Turn in your Bibles this morning to Proverbs chapter 1. 00:00:20.300 --> 00:00:21.000 ! 00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:26.000 Proverbs chapter 1 beginning there in verse 1. 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:27.000 ! 00:00:27.000 --> 00:00:33.640 Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel, to know wisdom and instruction, to understand 00:00:33.640 --> 00:00:41.600 words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, 00:00:41.759 --> 00:00:47.939 and equity, to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth. 00:00:47.939 --> 00:00:56.340 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance 00:00:56.340 --> 00:01:01.180 to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. 00:01:02.840 --> 00:01:07.260 The fear of the Lord is the begin of knowledge. 00:01:08.579 --> 00:01:12.900 Fools despise wisdom and instruction. 00:01:12.900 --> 00:01:14.560 Let us pray. 00:01:18.240 --> 00:01:28.100 Our Father God, we are so very blessed to be able to hear your word that you have graciously 00:01:28.100 --> 00:01:30.180 revealed to us in the scriptures. 00:01:30.180 --> 00:01:35.840 You have given to us all that we need for life and godliness. 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:43.540 And while we enjoy the privilege of holding it in our hands, we recognize the frailty of 00:01:43.540 --> 00:01:44.520 our own flesh. 00:01:47.480 --> 00:01:52.960 The tendency we have of allowing our minds to drift away from those things that are of 00:01:52.960 --> 00:01:54.159 eternal value. 00:01:54.159 --> 00:01:57.099 To be distracted. 00:01:57.099 --> 00:01:57.079 To be discouraged. 00:01:57.079 --> 00:01:58.939 To be discouraged. 00:01:58.939 --> 00:02:00.700 To be discouraged. 00:02:02.500 --> 00:02:09.460 And we are so very thankful that we who know the Lord Jesus as our Savior have the blessing 00:02:09.460 --> 00:02:18.319 of the indwelling Spirit who is in us and is actively engaged in helping us grow to be more 00:02:18.319 --> 00:02:19.019 like Christ. 00:02:19.020 --> 00:02:19.140 Christ. 00:02:20.340 --> 00:02:25.180 And so this morning our prayer is this, is that the Holy Spirit would help me to preach 00:02:25.180 --> 00:02:35.180 the word and your dear people to receive the word and to allow the work of the Spirit to produce 00:02:35.180 --> 00:02:45.280 the fruit that brings glory to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. 00:02:45.280 --> 00:02:48.819 And we ask this because we have the privilege. 00:02:50.039 --> 00:02:51.420 In Jesus' name. 00:02:52.340 --> 00:02:52.659 Amen. 00:02:54.840 --> 00:03:03.520 Well, today is Mother's Day and it's a day that very rightly we set aside to give thanks to the 00:03:03.520 --> 00:03:09.439 Lord Jesus for godly mothers and for those who have had such a significant influence on 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:09.680 us. 00:03:10.560 --> 00:03:16.659 And you may have thought to yourself when I started in Proverbs chapter 1, how is he going 00:03:16.659 --> 00:03:21.439 to get to a chapter or a verse that has something to do with Mother's Day? 00:03:21.520 --> 00:03:22.319 That's not hard. 00:03:22.659 --> 00:03:23.919 Turn to Proverbs 31. 00:03:28.860 --> 00:03:32.699 I read Proverbs chapter 1 because context is important. 00:03:32.699 --> 00:03:40.560 And I thought it was appropriate for us to understand that the beginning of the book of Proverbs, 00:03:41.219 --> 00:03:48.699 which tells us why the book was written, frames the issue of value and instruction against 00:03:48.699 --> 00:03:51.639 the backdrop of a fear of the Lord. 00:03:53.139 --> 00:03:55.299 And I'll tell you ahead of time that's where we're going to end up. 00:03:55.300 --> 00:04:02.260 It is important for us when we hold the word in our hand and as we listen to preaching this 00:04:02.260 --> 00:04:07.320 morning that we remind ourselves what we are doing is really listening to what God says 00:04:07.320 --> 00:04:07.920 to us. 00:04:09.300 --> 00:04:17.879 And the thing that is the greatest, clearest announcement of what God says is when I read 00:04:17.879 --> 00:04:18.980 the scriptures. 00:04:20.660 --> 00:04:21.960 Do you understand that? 00:04:22.439 --> 00:04:23.580 That's God's word. 00:04:23.579 --> 00:04:28.479 That is what he has to say that is eternally valuable. 00:04:28.680 --> 00:04:34.479 And when I read this morning in the prayer from the Psalms, do you remember what he says? 00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:37.879 That you have magnified your name and your word. 00:04:38.199 --> 00:04:39.719 It will last forever. 00:04:40.919 --> 00:04:48.039 You are here this morning, I trust, to hear what God has to say. 00:04:48.040 --> 00:04:59.140 And so as we look this morning at a text that reminds us of the role and value of a godly 00:04:59.140 --> 00:05:05.520 wife and mother, I want to read another small portion of the scripture to you from Proverbs 00:05:05.520 --> 00:05:10.420 chapter 31 there in verse 10 through 12. 00:05:10.420 --> 00:05:23.420 Verse 28. 00:05:23.520 --> 00:05:36.520 Verse 28. 00:05:36.519 --> 00:06:05.799 I want you to recognize as we kind of get into the passage in a larger context. 00:06:05.800 --> 00:06:08.900 Let me frame what the scriptures tell us here. 00:06:09.319 --> 00:06:12.439 And it is this, that God has counsel on life choices. 00:06:12.819 --> 00:06:13.879 He gives us advice. 00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:19.280 And when he gives us advice, it is something that is preeminently important to us. 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:27.159 And when a man stands up to preach the word and he stands before God's people, it is incumbent 00:06:27.159 --> 00:06:30.179 upon him to make the word of God clear and plain. 00:06:30.279 --> 00:06:31.219 That's his responsibility. 00:06:31.220 --> 00:06:39.200 It's a sad thing to recognize that today some preaching really aims to get as close to entertainment 00:06:39.200 --> 00:06:45.740 or the modern theories of self-help as is conceivably possible. 00:06:45.740 --> 00:06:53.319 And you see this evidence when you hear sermons or when you hear comments or see them at various 00:06:53.319 --> 00:06:59.180 places in which the thing that really is marked out as significant, hey, come hear the pastor 00:06:59.180 --> 00:07:01.540 because he really tells good jokes. 00:07:01.540 --> 00:07:09.020 I remember last week actually reading an article on the internet in which a pastor was talking 00:07:09.020 --> 00:07:10.540 about how much he loved fishing. 00:07:10.740 --> 00:07:12.400 And so he made it a point. 00:07:12.500 --> 00:07:15.480 He was kind of announcing what his pulpit ministry involved. 00:07:15.580 --> 00:07:19.020 And he says, listen, I try to weave fishing into every sermon. 00:07:19.019 --> 00:07:24.879 And I thought, wow, now that's a real reason to go hear a pastor. 00:07:25.879 --> 00:07:28.620 You know, how many of you really like to fish? 00:07:29.579 --> 00:07:39.899 I like to eat them, you know, but so, you know, preaching is really not about entertaining. 00:07:41.779 --> 00:07:48.959 It is really not about giving you advice on how to make more money or be happier or to get 00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:50.919 along with your neighbors or whatever else it is. 00:07:51.060 --> 00:07:52.979 It is really at the heart of preaching. 00:07:53.459 --> 00:07:58.339 Its primary value is this, is bringing you face to face with the creator of this universe, 00:07:59.339 --> 00:08:05.919 first with a sense of guilt and shame, and then with a hope in the finished work of Christ. 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:06.779 Do you understand that? 00:08:06.779 --> 00:08:13.919 When the word is preached, we always should be in awe that the God of this universe has revealed 00:08:13.919 --> 00:08:16.500 himself to us rather than just turning us into ashes. 00:08:16.500 --> 00:08:21.899 And he has chosen to help us know who he is and do that through the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:28.120 And when you think about that, there's no other response but awe and just joy and glory. 00:08:30.540 --> 00:08:34.720 And so here we are this morning at a very practical moment in our lives. 00:08:34.720 --> 00:08:44.420 And we are dealing with a passage that God chose to give to us for our sakes. 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:51.080 The book of Proverbs is actually filled with advice, practical advice on how to control your 00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:55.279 tongue, how to control your anger, how to manage your finances, all different kinds of things. 00:08:55.680 --> 00:08:58.920 And here at the very end, Solomon. 00:08:58.919 --> 00:09:00.120 Now, can you ponder this? 00:09:00.319 --> 00:09:07.399 Solomon, by the way, the perfect model of how to live a chaste and godly life with one wife for all of his life? 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:08.199 Gag. 00:09:08.899 --> 00:09:10.459 But there he is. 00:09:11.179 --> 00:09:12.679 And this is the word of God. 00:09:12.779 --> 00:09:13.679 This is the scriptures. 00:09:14.039 --> 00:09:15.819 Holy Spirit inspired him to write it. 00:09:17.659 --> 00:09:19.240 And he gives us advice. 00:09:20.819 --> 00:09:21.659 That's valuable. 00:09:21.659 --> 00:09:30.939 I want you to recognize that when scripture tells us something, it is telling us something for our benefit and our blessing. 00:09:32.059 --> 00:09:39.579 When God says, do this or don't do that, he's not just giving us arbitrary, whimsical rules. 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:44.039 He's saying it as an expression of his character. 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:47.500 And he's also saying it for our benefit. 00:09:47.500 --> 00:09:53.759 One Bible scholar put it this way, when God says no, he's also saying it will hurt you. 00:09:54.960 --> 00:10:06.580 And so when we listen to his counsel and we attend to it, we should recognize that our longing and interest in obedience is not merely to avoid his chastening. 00:10:06.580 --> 00:10:15.440 But really, we should obey also with a sincere desire that when we obey, we are saying thank you to him. 00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:20.500 And we are expressing our thanksgiving for his wisdom and his goodness. 00:10:21.040 --> 00:10:25.720 Everything that a good God says is good for his people. 00:10:27.160 --> 00:10:29.780 I say this because here we are in Proverbs 31. 00:10:29.779 --> 00:10:35.399 And God is giving us very clear indication about what a man should look for in his wife. 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:45.220 By extension, you find King Lemuel's mother advising him on what to look for. 00:10:45.379 --> 00:10:52.000 And you would imagine that there would also be mothers out there, not only of sons, but mothers of daughters who are thinking, 00:10:52.139 --> 00:10:56.799 hey, this is what God wants me to encourage my daughter to become. 00:10:56.799 --> 00:11:04.699 And so as we look at this passage, beginning there in verse 10 and carrying on through to the very end of the chapter, 00:11:05.099 --> 00:11:08.679 we recognize that God has explicit things to say that are valuable. 00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:13.599 I want you to understand that the implication of the passage is this, 00:11:13.639 --> 00:11:18.359 is that God intends for us to be thoughtful and deliberate in choosing a wife. 00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:25.840 And so I want you to recognize here in this passage three things, 00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:30.399 what, how, and why. 00:11:31.500 --> 00:11:34.940 What, how, and why. 00:11:35.560 --> 00:11:37.759 So let's talk about the characteristics of a good wife. 00:11:37.860 --> 00:11:38.879 What, how, why. 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:43.820 We find first of all in verse 10 through 12, and let me read that passage again. 00:11:43.820 --> 00:11:47.640 Here's what the author Solomon says, 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:49.260 an excellent wife who can find. 00:11:49.440 --> 00:11:50.980 She is far more precious than jewels. 00:11:51.400 --> 00:11:53.200 The heart of her husband trusts in her. 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:59.560 We do find there that God wants us to understand that a good wife is worth something. 00:11:59.660 --> 00:12:00.480 She's special. 00:12:01.660 --> 00:12:02.360 She's valuable. 00:12:03.540 --> 00:12:06.960 And God tells us that a good wife is a priceless gift. 00:12:07.820 --> 00:12:11.400 Proverbs chapter 18, let's go back just for a moment to frame. 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:14.399 By the way, you remember one of the rules of understanding Scripture 00:12:14.399 --> 00:12:17.179 is the best way to understand Scripture is to use... 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:22.100 Can we say that loudly just so that everybody gets it, everybody knows that? 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:22.319 Okay. 00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:25.179 The best way to understand Scripture is... 00:12:25.179 --> 00:12:25.899 Scripture. 00:12:26.439 --> 00:12:26.740 Okay. 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:30.360 So we go to Proverbs chapter 18, verse 22, and here's what it says. 00:12:30.740 --> 00:12:34.179 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. 00:12:34.179 --> 00:12:41.539 Lord, Judith is the second most priceless gift I've ever received in all of my life. 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:47.059 My first was salvation through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:51.459 delivering me from the absolute misery of my dark and wicked heart 00:12:51.459 --> 00:12:53.179 and giving me eternal life. 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:54.599 The second one was my wife. 00:12:54.600 --> 00:13:00.759 And here in Proverbs chapter 18, verse 22, it says, 00:13:00.860 --> 00:13:01.320 Hey, listen. 00:13:03.420 --> 00:13:07.279 A wife is a good thing and indicates favor from the Lord. 00:13:07.340 --> 00:13:09.560 Look at Proverbs chapter 19, verse 14. 00:13:10.580 --> 00:13:16.220 House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. 00:13:16.340 --> 00:13:18.040 Now, what does prudent mean? 00:13:21.460 --> 00:13:22.200 Listen to me. 00:13:22.300 --> 00:13:24.080 This is the honest truth. 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:28.500 For much of my life as a young person, 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:33.580 I was fully persuaded that the kind of wife I needed was one that was giggly 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:37.720 and kind of a cheerleader and just, you know, really came down to this. 00:13:37.820 --> 00:13:40.360 I wanted someone that would spend her life saying, 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:41.680 Tim, Tim, he's my man. 00:13:41.800 --> 00:13:43.420 If he can't do it, no one can. 00:13:43.540 --> 00:13:46.300 You know, it's like I really wanted to say, 00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:48.740 Oh, Tim, you're so wonderful. 00:13:48.920 --> 00:13:52.820 You know, and any of you that know Judith, she's in the nursery today. 00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:54.720 She said, By the way, you remember I'm in the nursery. 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:55.560 And I said, Okay. 00:13:58.120 --> 00:14:02.740 Judith is not one who is gifted with extreme decorum and diplomacy. 00:14:02.920 --> 00:14:04.820 You know, when she tells me what she's thinking, 00:14:05.020 --> 00:14:07.560 it's usually in one sentence and it's necessary. 00:14:07.559 --> 00:14:19.379 A prudent wife is one who is thoughtful and attentive to the need that is there. 00:14:19.379 --> 00:14:28.840 And as you look at the passage, it makes it very, very clear that a prudent wife is a gift from God. 00:14:28.840 --> 00:14:34.860 Now, I want you to move on and we want to deal with the what, how, and why. 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:38.080 And I'll tell you ahead of time, we're not going to spend much time on the how. 00:14:38.280 --> 00:14:41.740 Because if I did, we would be here until probably Monday afternoon. 00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:44.820 And all of you who are women would just be kind of, 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:47.960 You can deal with that on your own. 00:14:48.160 --> 00:14:48.820 We'll get there. 00:14:48.820 --> 00:14:56.200 But I want you to recognize that what we think about here is what does a good wife do? 00:14:57.020 --> 00:15:05.000 Going back to Proverbs chapter 31, in verse 12, it says, 00:15:05.340 --> 00:15:08.480 She does him good and not harm. 00:15:10.660 --> 00:15:12.460 Think about that with me for a moment. 00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:19.600 When God created this universe and created the earth in particular 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:26.700 and populated it first with all the animals and all the trees and all the living things except for man, 00:15:27.139 --> 00:15:30.500 everything he made, he made in pairs. 00:15:30.780 --> 00:15:31.320 Isn't that right? 00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:36.720 Male and female, male and female, male and female, except for Adam. 00:15:36.800 --> 00:15:39.000 And when he made Adam, he made Adam alone. 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:44.799 And in order to help Adam discover that there was something missing, what did he do? 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:50.039 He put Adam through this kind of lesson. 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:52.899 Name this, name that, name the other thing. 00:15:53.179 --> 00:15:57.519 And finally, there was not found for Adam a helper that was suitable. 00:15:59.039 --> 00:16:03.000 And God then brought Eve into Adam's life. 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:10.639 And in bringing Eve into Adam's life, his purpose was to, what does it say? 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:13.039 A helpmate suitable for him. 00:16:14.179 --> 00:16:20.659 And so when we stop and think about the role and responsibility that a wife has in a husband's life, 00:16:20.919 --> 00:16:26.720 we recognize this, that it is her divine appointment to be her husband's helpmate. 00:16:27.299 --> 00:16:29.980 And it's summarized for us there in verse 12. 00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:32.620 It says, here's what a godly wife does. 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:34.759 She does him good. 00:16:36.419 --> 00:16:42.179 That means that her goal is to do what is best for her husband. 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:49.740 That means she invests her energy and her affection in loving him and in helping him and encourage him 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:51.980 and respectfully admonishing him. 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:55.159 By the way, are there times that you need to speak the truth? 00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:57.360 And the answer is yes. 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:57.480 Yes. 00:16:58.519 --> 00:17:03.159 I have to tell you, earlier this week, well, last week. 00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:04.380 This week's just getting started. 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:08.980 But earlier last week, Judith and I were engaged in a conversation. 00:17:08.980 --> 00:17:15.860 And it ended up that I reminded her of how Job dealt with his wife. 00:17:15.940 --> 00:17:20.980 How many of you remember Job's wife after she'd about had it with the way things were rolling out? 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:22.640 What did she say to him? 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:27.940 A piece of wifely advice that should have gone in the toilet the minute it was said. 00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:30.259 She said, curse God and die. 00:17:30.620 --> 00:17:31.720 You know, I was just really upset. 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:34.339 And how did Job handle that? 00:17:35.400 --> 00:17:36.460 Shut up. 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:37.539 Don't ever say that. 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:39.860 Don't ever say that. 00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:46.819 Job is the model of biblical discretion. 00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:52.900 He says, you are speaking like one of those foolish women. 00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:55.740 Guys? 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:55.819 Yes. 00:17:57.359 --> 00:18:05.099 I hope that when it is necessary for you to give biblical counsel to your wives, that you speak with that level of discretion. 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:06.700 And all of men said, yes, amen. 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:08.039 I need to work at that. 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:08.259 Right? 00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:08.559 Right? 00:18:09.900 --> 00:18:10.579 And women? 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:18.660 When it is necessary for you to bring biblical counsel to your husband, don't do it like a fishmonger's wife. 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:20.359 You know what I mean by a fishmonger's wife? 00:18:20.359 --> 00:18:27.399 You know, it's like shouting out in the neighborhood and everybody knows you're upset with them and probably justifiably so. 00:18:27.539 --> 00:18:28.819 But dial it down. 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:34.399 And let him hear the word of truth with a gentle, gracious spirit. 00:18:34.699 --> 00:18:38.479 What it says in Ephesians is speak the truth in love. 00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:44.779 A godly wife does what is good. 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:55.000 That means that when she has to speak, there are times that she has to say exactly what is true and put it on the table for the sake of truth and for the sake of God. 00:18:56.339 --> 00:18:59.559 Now, there are also times where a godly wife has to act like Abigail. 00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:04.619 And you can go to 1 Samuel chapter 25 later. 00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:05.500 Don't go there now. 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.039 Okay? 00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:19.460 But in 1 Samuel chapter 25, we find the illustration of a wife who spared the entire extended family by doing what was necessary and also letting Nabal, the wicked man, know eventually what needed to be done. 00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:31.460 So as you think about what a good wife does, understand this, that a good wife does what is good for her husband. 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:37.220 And I'm going to comment very briefly on the second portion of the text. 00:19:37.600 --> 00:19:43.480 And if you were to look there in verse 13, she seeks wool and flax and works with willing hands. 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:45.259 She's like the ships of the merchant. 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:47.100 She brings her food from afar. 00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:50.480 And I could go on all the way down to verse 29. 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:57.840 And if I were to take the time to go through all of that, first of all, you would end up being a little fatigued to recognize how much she did. 00:19:57.840 --> 00:20:01.440 But I'm going to comment very briefly on the second portion of the text. 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:04.880 What we find in that passage, remember, what does a good wife do? 00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:06.900 She does what is good for her husband. 00:20:07.100 --> 00:20:08.240 Secondly, how does she do it? 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:11.759 We have a fairly lengthy passage that tells us the details. 00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:12.640 Now listen to me. 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:20.259 Proverbs chapter 31 is written as a mnemonic device. 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:26.860 A, what's the next thing that happens if you're teaching reading in your home? 00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:28.460 What do we do? 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:32.180 A is for apple. 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:35.279 B is for boy. 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:37.759 Or who said ball? 00:20:38.840 --> 00:20:40.460 There was no ball in my school. 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:40.880 00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:45.779 See, a mnemonic device means that it is put alphabetically. 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:47.720 And then, you know, so you can remember. 00:20:47.860 --> 00:20:51.380 And so you can imagine good Hebrew mommies were teaching their boys, 00:20:51.380 --> 00:20:57.280 Hey, honey, when it's time for you to go kicking tires, here's what you're looking for. 00:20:58.720 --> 00:21:03.460 You are looking for one who is going to do you good all her life. 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:05.480 Let's start with Aleph. 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:07.200 That's A in Hebrew. 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:09.400 Let's go to Beth. 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.460 Let's go to Gimel. 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.480 Let's go to Daleth. 00:21:11.579 --> 00:21:13.880 Let's go to He, Wau, Zion, Heth, Teth, Yod, Kav. 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:14.539 There we go. 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:14.980 Okay. 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:16.940 And so you're going to work your way through. 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:18.480 And so, hello. 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:21.339 Mom, coach your boys. 00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:22.880 Coach them when. 00:21:23.620 --> 00:21:29.599 Do not coach them when it's time to go out the door doing a little bit of window shopping. 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:33.279 You coach them when they're four and five and six. 00:21:33.640 --> 00:21:34.559 And don't hesitate. 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:40.000 They are actually thinking about playing house long before you think they are. 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:42.319 How many of you have heard what I said? 00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:45.400 They are. 00:21:45.400 --> 00:21:54.560 I won't refer to who it was, but one of my sons came home and he shared with me that there was a little girl that was interested in him. 00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:56.120 And he was like in first grade. 00:21:56.360 --> 00:21:59.259 And I said, honey, you've got to work at this. 00:21:59.320 --> 00:22:00.060 He says, I can't help it. 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.320 They just like me. 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:11.540 So I thought, you know, okay, we're at the moment of teachable opportunity. 00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:16.220 I said, so, what is it you like about her? 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:23.740 Well, I really like what she does with flax. 00:22:28.359 --> 00:22:30.000 Oh, she's good. 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:31.059 Okay. 00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:31.659 Here's my point. 00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:42.759 God cares about us ministering to our children and teaching them ahead of time what to look for. 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:45.220 And all God's people said, yes. 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:46.920 Okay. 00:22:47.820 --> 00:22:52.519 Well, God shows us how a godly wife does good. 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:55.320 Extensive passage. 00:22:55.319 --> 00:23:09.480 And one of the things that I would just summarize it with is that you see a woman who is actively engaged pretty much all the time in the well-being of her family. 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:11.019 Okay? 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:28.940 So, guys, when you're thinking about someone who you might be interested in and you find that she thinks she is the center of the universe and the reason she exists is so that everybody else would be satisfied and pleased in serving her, 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:33.019 you're probably not looking in the right direction. 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:41.660 I'll never forget dating a girl that was a beauty queen. 00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:43.379 I don't know why she dated me. 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.019 I don't know why. 00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:49.740 But, you know, I remember actually showing up at the house to pick her up for a date. 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:54.599 And how many of you know that I like being early? 00:23:55.420 --> 00:23:55.819 Early? 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:57.480 I mean, it's like early is good. 00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:59.299 Early, in fact, is godly. 00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.680 You know, there's nothing like being early. 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:02.059 It's really important. 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:04.220 I showed up early. 00:24:05.639 --> 00:24:12.440 And by the time she rolled down the steps to make a presentation, you know, it was about 45 minutes past the time that I had anticipated. 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:15.480 And that was already about nine strikes against her. 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:20.639 But then when she shared, I mean, she was attractive. 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.859 She was just a knockout. 00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:25.079 But when she shared, it took her four hours to do her hair and her makeup. 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:27.480 I thought, not for me. 00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:30.139 Okay? 00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:38.720 A godly wife puts her energy into being a blessing to her family. 00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:39.539 That's what we see. 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:42.720 But here's really the most important piece. 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:49.159 This is the most important thing we find in this extended passage. 00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:53.799 Put your finger on verse 30. 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:58.240 You might underline it. 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.299 Charm is deceitful. 00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:03.399 And beauty is vain. 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:06.899 You know what that's saying? 00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:14.660 What's on the outside really is not absolutely reliable. 00:25:15.600 --> 00:25:17.060 Nor does it last. 00:25:18.800 --> 00:25:24.300 But a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:34.740 What the scripture does here is it tells us why a godly woman and a wife acts the way she does. 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:36.940 What motivates her? 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:40.279 What prompts her to be the way she is? 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:42.779 And here's what the passage tells us. 00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:45.279 It tells us that a good wife fears God. 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:47.180 That's at the heart of it. 00:25:47.180 --> 00:26:00.480 The most significant thing about the woman that Solomon portrays here for the body of believers that are together here this morning is this. 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:03.759 It tells us that a godly woman fears the Lord. 00:26:06.120 --> 00:26:08.099 What stands above all else? 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:16.700 The thing that is most prized is what her view of God is. 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:22.120 A.W. Tozer said this. 00:26:22.119 --> 00:26:39.459 What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing we think about. 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:55.120 So, if the most praiseworthy characteristic of a good wife is her fear of God, we should take the time to stop just for a moment this morning and ask ourselves, practically, do I fear God? 00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:58.019 Do I fear God? 00:26:58.980 --> 00:27:00.960 Another associated question would be this. 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:02.279 What does it mean to fear God? 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:13.259 Interestingly enough, if you were to think through the book of Proverbs, the subject of fearing God is one of the central themes to the book. 00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:15.819 Fifteen different times it appears. 00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:18.220 We find it at the very beginning of the book. 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:19.599 We find it at the very end. 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:24.680 And woven in 13 other times, we see a picture of what does it mean to fear God. 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:35.080 And if I were to ask you this morning, would you characterize yourself this morning honestly, intuitively, instinctively, I am one who fears God. 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:42.140 I would probably have to say that there are many of you here that don't think that way. 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:47.420 God's our bud. 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:51.140 I mean, He's the one I can talk to. 00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:54.519 You know, He is our Father. 00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:57.340 He's loving and He is gracious. 00:27:57.720 --> 00:28:01.580 But this issue of fearing God is not just an Old Testament theme. 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:07.840 It's something that weaves its way throughout Scripture from all the way in Genesis to the book of Revelation. 00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:18.500 And so here is the Holy Spirit instructing us to understand that fearing God is important. 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:26.799 So what does fearing God involve? 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:30.299 It's not just abject terror. 00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:34.619 Though His divine presence and power is overwhelming. 00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:35.579 Let me put it this way. 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:38.240 Fearing God means knowing Him for one thing. 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:40.440 And I want you to look over at Proverbs chapter 9. 00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:43.140 We're going to take a little bit of time to understand this. 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:45.560 Proverbs chapter 9 verse 10. 00:28:46.660 --> 00:28:48.380 So just stop for a minute. 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:49.740 I want you to think very practically. 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:50.980 Do I really fear God? 00:28:51.600 --> 00:28:56.060 Is fearing God something that is front and center in my thinking? 00:28:56.059 --> 00:28:58.919 I was thinking the other day. 00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:02.919 Just, you know, strange little weird mind that I have. 00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:06.299 I was in Home Depot. 00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:08.879 That's where I go a lot of times just to kind of feel good. 00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:11.520 And I was walking up and down the aisles. 00:29:11.800 --> 00:29:14.620 And I happened to pick up something. 00:29:14.820 --> 00:29:17.180 And I thought, I want to put this. 00:29:17.780 --> 00:29:18.400 I don't. 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.240 How many of you are like me? 00:29:19.260 --> 00:29:20.560 I mean, don't put anything in your pocket. 00:29:20.780 --> 00:29:20.880 Right? 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:22.060 Never put anything. 00:29:22.300 --> 00:29:24.420 Never put anything in your pocket when you're in a store. 00:29:24.560 --> 00:29:24.880 Why? 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:27.440 I don't want to ever forget. 00:29:27.560 --> 00:29:30.620 I have the ability to forget between the front door and, you know, wherever I am. 00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:31.940 It's like, don't put it in my pocket. 00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:32.620 Put it in the cart. 00:29:32.620 --> 00:29:35.300 And I'm thinking, so why don't I steal? 00:29:36.860 --> 00:29:38.060 Why don't I steal? 00:29:38.880 --> 00:29:39.880 Why don't I steal? 00:29:40.360 --> 00:29:46.000 The reason I don't steal is not because I'm afraid of getting caught. 00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:50.260 Because a lot of people get away with stealing at Home Depot. 00:29:53.800 --> 00:30:01.960 The reason I don't steal is because I have a wholesome, healthy fear for the God of this universe 00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:04.720 that someday Tim Kenoyer is going to stand before. 00:30:05.120 --> 00:30:07.580 And I don't want to stand there ashamed. 00:30:08.880 --> 00:30:09.820 And I thought that. 00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:17.200 I'm not going to steal this little quarter-inch drive because I fear God. 00:30:19.760 --> 00:30:23.640 Fearing God, in Proverbs 9, verse 10, it says, 00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:28.580 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. 00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:31.159 There are some of you sitting here that really honestly can say, 00:30:31.579 --> 00:30:33.699 I don't fear God. 00:30:33.859 --> 00:30:34.779 Well, you don't know Him. 00:30:36.679 --> 00:30:38.220 You don't know Him very well. 00:30:39.419 --> 00:30:40.119 Do you follow that? 00:30:41.579 --> 00:30:49.199 The lack of a fear of God in practical terminology has its roots in not knowing Him. 00:30:49.200 --> 00:31:00.779 Furthermore, fearing God means listening to His Word. 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:03.059 Proverbs 15, verse 33. 00:31:03.180 --> 00:31:07.740 Remember, one of the things that I said is Proverbs has a lot to say about fearing God, 00:31:07.819 --> 00:31:09.259 and we're just going to touch on a couple of them. 00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:11.420 Proverbs 15, verse 33. 00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:17.800 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. 00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:23.360 Fearing God means listening to His Word. 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:25.300 Listening to His Word. 00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:27.060 Listening to His Word. 00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:29.720 Listening to His Word. 00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:37.680 Remember I said that, practically speaking, there are a lot of people that don't fear God? 00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:43.380 And if I were just to parse it out, one of the indicators of that is, 00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:47.799 how much time do you actually spend in the Word of God, in private communion with God, 00:31:47.880 --> 00:31:51.559 paying attention to His Word, hearing what He has to say? 00:31:53.180 --> 00:31:57.339 If you don't listen to His Word, you don't know Him very well. 00:31:57.339 --> 00:32:01.679 And the less you know Him, the less inclined you are to fear Him. 00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:08.099 Well, in broader terms, I want you to look to Exodus 20, verse 18 through 20, 00:32:08.139 --> 00:32:09.659 and we're just going to touch on this as we close. 00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:16.259 Exodus 20, verse 18 through 20. 00:32:16.299 --> 00:32:23.579 Very interesting passage in which the law was given to the children of Israel, 00:32:23.579 --> 00:32:29.359 and it was given to them in a pretty spectacular, dramatic way that got everybody's attention. 00:32:33.359 --> 00:32:36.960 Have you ever heard people say, in reference to the Word of God, 00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:39.319 well, that's just your opinion, right? 00:32:39.799 --> 00:32:42.439 I mean, well, you know, immorality is wrong. 00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:43.359 Well, that's just your opinion. 00:32:44.220 --> 00:32:46.139 Or, you know, stealing, that's just your opinion. 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.980 I mean, let me tell you. 00:32:47.980 --> 00:32:54.019 When Israel received the law, I don't think there were any in the crowd that were saying, 00:32:54.099 --> 00:32:55.500 well, that's just what he thinks. 00:32:57.579 --> 00:32:58.599 Scared spitless. 00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:02.400 Well, here we are, Exodus 20, verse 18 through 20. 00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:05.059 Now, when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning 00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:07.680 and the sound of the trumpet and the mountains smoking, 00:33:07.819 --> 00:33:10.559 the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off. 00:33:10.579 --> 00:33:11.120 You got that? 00:33:11.440 --> 00:33:12.279 Were they afraid? 00:33:12.420 --> 00:33:12.819 Yes. 00:33:12.819 --> 00:33:12.939 Yes. 00:33:14.159 --> 00:33:18.759 And they said to Moses, you speak to us and we will listen, 00:33:18.899 --> 00:33:22.119 but do not let God speak to us lest we die. 00:33:23.879 --> 00:33:25.939 There's a little bit of abject terror there, isn't there? 00:33:25.960 --> 00:33:26.500 Wouldn't you agree? 00:33:29.439 --> 00:33:31.339 How many of you have been afraid in the thunderstorm? 00:33:32.099 --> 00:33:33.819 I mean lightning cracking. 00:33:35.299 --> 00:33:39.299 How many of you have ever gone to a basement in a thunderstorm or a tornado? 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:40.359 Warning. 00:33:40.359 --> 00:33:40.480 Warning. 00:33:42.819 --> 00:33:46.379 How many of you have ever been in a thunderstorm when you're out in a tent? 00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:50.519 Now, that amps it up a lot, doesn't it? 00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:53.159 These people had no tent. 00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:54.200 They had no basement. 00:33:54.439 --> 00:33:56.039 They had no bathroom to hide in. 00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:57.799 They couldn't crawl into the tub. 00:33:58.000 --> 00:34:00.700 They were just out there in the open, and God was letting it rip, 00:34:00.779 --> 00:34:02.720 and they were scared spitless. 00:34:06.460 --> 00:34:07.179 Verse 20. 00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:14.079 Don't be afraid. 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:14.079 00:34:16.159 --> 00:34:17.780 For God has come to test you, 00:34:18.019 --> 00:34:20.659 that the fear of him may be before you, 00:34:20.740 --> 00:34:22.099 that you may not sin. 00:34:23.019 --> 00:34:23.200 Huh? 00:34:25.680 --> 00:34:27.300 That's pretty interesting, isn't it? 00:34:27.300 --> 00:34:30.300 Don't fear. 00:34:32.860 --> 00:34:37.120 He's testing you that you will fear. 00:34:38.700 --> 00:34:42.320 Now, how many of you wish the Scriptures were just intuitively obvious, 00:34:43.140 --> 00:34:44.300 just like that? 00:34:44.300 --> 00:34:47.860 The fact of the matter is, 00:34:48.140 --> 00:34:49.720 here's the way Martin Luther explained it. 00:34:49.760 --> 00:34:50.039 He said, 00:34:50.140 --> 00:34:54.800 there's a difference between servile fear of judgment, you know? 00:34:56.019 --> 00:34:58.019 When I am driving the speed limit, 00:34:58.100 --> 00:34:58.800 and someone said to me, 00:34:58.860 --> 00:35:00.660 you use a lot of illustrations like this, 00:35:00.720 --> 00:35:05.019 so it's probably an indication of an ongoing process of progressive sanctification. 00:35:05.019 --> 00:35:07.639 But when I'm driving the speed limit, 00:35:07.739 --> 00:35:10.440 and I see an officer of the court over there on the side, 00:35:11.259 --> 00:35:13.019 no big deal. 00:35:17.559 --> 00:35:17.940 Okay? 00:35:19.360 --> 00:35:23.639 When I am playing fast and loose with the limits, you know, 00:35:23.679 --> 00:35:24.099 and I suddenly, 00:35:24.239 --> 00:35:28.980 I look in the rear view mirror to see whether the light's lit up, you know, 00:35:29.019 --> 00:35:30.340 because I'm thinking that could be a signal. 00:35:30.340 --> 00:35:35.100 Servile fear is that fear of judgment. 00:35:38.420 --> 00:35:41.019 It's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a holy God. 00:35:42.820 --> 00:35:48.500 It is appropriate to have a lasting fear for the Holy One of Israel. 00:35:49.820 --> 00:35:50.860 But on the other hand, 00:35:52.140 --> 00:35:54.300 there is a filial fear 00:35:54.300 --> 00:35:57.900 as the kind of fear that a father, 00:35:57.900 --> 00:36:02.480 a child has for his father that is wise and good. 00:36:02.680 --> 00:36:03.920 Listen to me carefully, dads. 00:36:05.780 --> 00:36:06.260 Listen. 00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:10.440 There is no place for you terrifying your children 00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:12.960 by your abusive treatment of them ever. 00:36:15.300 --> 00:36:18.240 They should fear your righteousness, not your anger, 00:36:18.260 --> 00:36:19.340 because here's the fact. 00:36:19.559 --> 00:36:21.840 The day is coming that they will be bigger than you 00:36:21.840 --> 00:36:23.320 and stronger than you, 00:36:23.320 --> 00:36:29.559 and you will not be able to rely upon physical mistreatment 00:36:29.559 --> 00:36:32.420 to stir their hearts to fear. 00:36:34.980 --> 00:36:38.480 They should fear the office that you carry 00:36:38.480 --> 00:36:45.680 as a representative of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:36:47.059 --> 00:36:50.320 Filial fear means fearing God in a way 00:36:50.320 --> 00:36:53.260 in which we have an awe of Him, 00:36:54.620 --> 00:36:55.960 with a sense of His holiness, 00:36:57.059 --> 00:36:59.340 with a sense of His justice, 00:37:00.080 --> 00:37:04.860 with an overwhelming sense of His power and His glory, 00:37:05.820 --> 00:37:08.840 and a longing and a delight to please Him. 00:37:08.840 --> 00:37:16.780 You know, when I was serving tables last night with Tyler, 00:37:17.220 --> 00:37:18.340 Tyler was my helper, 00:37:19.320 --> 00:37:21.600 and Tyler and I were taking care of one of the tables, 00:37:21.980 --> 00:37:26.579 and I am not really a good waiter, 00:37:26.820 --> 00:37:27.640 you know, that kind of thing, 00:37:27.700 --> 00:37:30.019 and so I was kind of anxious a little bit 00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:31.820 that I was going to spill something on somebody. 00:37:31.980 --> 00:37:33.660 I mean, anybody else out there kind of, 00:37:34.280 --> 00:37:34.800 you know, I was like, 00:37:34.880 --> 00:37:36.200 ah, a little bit of fear. 00:37:36.340 --> 00:37:37.420 I don't want to mess this up. 00:37:37.420 --> 00:37:42.019 And when we have that fear of God 00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:46.340 that is in awe and delight, 00:37:46.800 --> 00:37:48.159 we want to do what's right. 00:37:49.860 --> 00:37:52.680 Let me close with this as we think about the fear of God. 00:37:54.019 --> 00:37:55.860 It comes from John Newton's hymn. 00:37:58.880 --> 00:38:02.139 It was grace that taught my heart to fear. 00:38:03.840 --> 00:38:05.099 Do you know what that's saying? 00:38:05.099 --> 00:38:10.739 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:12.960 And we start out. 00:38:13.639 --> 00:38:17.299 We start out recognizing that the God of this universe, 00:38:17.500 --> 00:38:18.360 holy and awesome, 00:38:19.759 --> 00:38:22.239 cannot overlook sin. 00:38:22.239 --> 00:38:27.919 And there is no way around the shame and the guilt 00:38:27.919 --> 00:38:31.559 that sin produces in any man's heart. 00:38:31.559 --> 00:38:34.979 Now, we may dull our conscience, 00:38:35.779 --> 00:38:38.739 but it never goes away. 00:38:40.619 --> 00:38:43.139 And it is appropriate for us, 00:38:43.239 --> 00:38:46.139 when we think about the sinfulness of our own heart, 00:38:46.339 --> 00:38:48.339 to have a sense of fear. 00:38:48.340 --> 00:38:51.260 But here's what John Newton says. 00:38:52.760 --> 00:38:55.220 It was grace that taught my heart to fear, 00:38:56.019 --> 00:38:59.240 and grace my fears relieved. 00:38:59.239 --> 00:39:06.699 Do you know what it's saying? 00:39:07.899 --> 00:39:10.759 That the God who has the right to judge us 00:39:10.759 --> 00:39:12.519 and condemn us for all eternity, 00:39:12.719 --> 00:39:15.639 for the hardness and the blackness of our heart, 00:39:15.839 --> 00:39:19.979 was willing to send Jesus to die for my sins. 00:39:21.599 --> 00:39:24.879 And he offers to me the gift of everlasting life. 00:39:26.459 --> 00:39:27.459 Come unto me. 00:39:27.459 --> 00:39:27.500 Come unto me. 00:39:28.619 --> 00:39:29.219 Come unto me. 00:39:29.239 --> 00:39:30.259 And I'll give you rest. 00:39:36.919 --> 00:39:38.539 I don't know where you are this morning, 00:39:38.979 --> 00:39:41.579 but you're really in only one of two conditions. 00:39:44.159 --> 00:39:46.319 I trust that most of you who are here 00:39:46.319 --> 00:39:47.859 know Christ as your Savior, 00:39:48.199 --> 00:39:50.579 but do you need to mature and grow 00:39:50.579 --> 00:39:53.739 in your appreciation for the holiness of our God 00:39:53.739 --> 00:39:56.019 and to fear Him aright 00:39:56.019 --> 00:40:00.539 and to grow in your knowledge of the Holy One? 00:40:01.480 --> 00:40:01.840 Yes. 00:40:03.239 --> 00:40:04.659 Would it be appropriate for you, 00:40:04.659 --> 00:40:06.000 who know the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:06.699 who know the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:40:06.779 --> 00:40:08.219 to cry out with humility and say, 00:40:08.339 --> 00:40:10.940 listen, I have let too many things distract me 00:40:10.940 --> 00:40:12.299 from the glory of Christ 00:40:12.299 --> 00:40:14.139 and the glory of the Father, 00:40:14.139 --> 00:40:15.139 and I want to know Him. 00:40:15.139 --> 00:40:15.619 And I want to know Him better. 00:40:16.759 --> 00:40:19.199 And today is the day I rededicate myself to that. 00:40:21.639 --> 00:40:22.799 There may be some of you here 00:40:22.799 --> 00:40:24.579 that do not know Christ as your Savior. 00:40:24.759 --> 00:40:25.599 You may be sitting here 00:40:25.599 --> 00:40:26.920 and you've grown up in church. 00:40:27.039 --> 00:40:28.699 I may have even baptized you, 00:40:28.699 --> 00:40:31.659 but you're not saved. 00:40:33.199 --> 00:40:36.899 And the only fear you have today, truthfully, 00:40:37.059 --> 00:40:39.119 is a fear of eventual judgment. 00:40:40.559 --> 00:40:42.699 There is no remedy for that darkness 00:40:42.699 --> 00:40:46.279 except for coming with broken humility 00:40:46.279 --> 00:40:46.879 and saying, 00:40:47.059 --> 00:40:49.679 I am a sinner justly condemned by a holy God, 00:40:50.579 --> 00:40:54.139 but I believe that God sent Jesus to be my Savior 00:40:54.139 --> 00:40:55.679 and He died for my sins. 00:40:55.679 --> 00:40:59.219 I cannot save myself. 00:40:59.419 --> 00:41:02.059 My own efforts are valueless. 00:41:03.599 --> 00:41:05.339 And I will not offend God 00:41:05.339 --> 00:41:09.759 by suggesting that anything I do earns merit. 00:41:10.719 --> 00:41:14.739 I will believe in Jesus Christ alone. 00:41:16.339 --> 00:41:17.319 Let's pray. 00:41:22.679 --> 00:41:24.219 Father God, this morning, 00:41:24.219 --> 00:41:27.859 the Word puts us on the spot of saying yes or no. 00:41:29.539 --> 00:41:29.980 Yes. 00:41:32.480 --> 00:41:32.879 Yes. 00:41:35.379 --> 00:41:38.439 I fear God and I want to grow in knowing Him better. 00:41:39.379 --> 00:41:41.539 I'm thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ 00:41:41.539 --> 00:41:44.119 and I want my life to reflect His glory. 00:41:45.759 --> 00:41:47.219 I want to be the man. 00:41:47.339 --> 00:41:48.239 I want to be the woman. 00:41:48.379 --> 00:41:50.339 I want to be the boy or girl 00:41:50.340 --> 00:41:53.500 that displays the glory 00:41:53.500 --> 00:41:55.680 of our Creator, 00:41:56.460 --> 00:41:57.720 our God and our Savior. 00:41:59.760 --> 00:42:02.200 There are some here also that do not know Christ. 00:42:02.340 --> 00:42:04.160 And this morning, I would plead with you, Father, 00:42:04.240 --> 00:42:06.360 that you would bring them to the place 00:42:06.360 --> 00:42:08.100 where instead of saying no 00:42:08.099 --> 00:42:13.819 and sulking off to eventual destruction 00:42:13.819 --> 00:42:15.460 and eternal suffering, 00:42:16.360 --> 00:42:19.400 they would humble themselves this morning 00:42:19.400 --> 00:42:21.900 and say the thing I need more than anything else 00:42:21.900 --> 00:42:26.000 is complete forgiveness for all of my sins 00:42:26.000 --> 00:42:28.619 through the finished work of Christ 00:42:28.619 --> 00:42:32.380 and I claim that gift and that promise. 00:42:34.819 --> 00:42:36.239 And we pray that this morning 00:42:36.239 --> 00:42:37.480 would be a day of decision 00:42:37.480 --> 00:42:39.699 that honors God. 00:42:40.579 --> 00:42:42.239 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:42:42.779 --> 00:42:43.019 Amen. 00:42:43.019 --> 00:42:43.159 Amen. 00:42:43.159 --> 00:42:43.159 00:42:43.159 --> 00:42:43.159 00:42:43.159 --> 00:42:43.159 00:42:43.159 --> 00:42:43.159 00:42:43.159 --> 00:42:43.159 00:42:43.159 --> 00:42:43.159 00:42:43.159 --> 00:42:43.159 00:42:43.159 --> 00:42:43.159 00:42:43.159 --> 00:42:43.159 00:42:43.159 --> 00:42:43.159 00:42:43.159 --> 00:42:43.159