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 Daly preaches 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:13.800 insightful sermons from the Word of God, 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:16.760 offering practical applications for modern living. 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:19.600 We're delighted to share this sermon with you. 00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:22.679 It is great to be with you this morning as we are 00:00:22.679 --> 00:00:27.320 continuing our sermon series to the book of Ezra. 00:00:27.320 --> 00:00:30.120 The book of Ezra is a remarkable, 00:00:30.120 --> 00:00:34.119 powerful, and inspirational book that we find in the Word of God. 00:00:34.119 --> 00:00:38.640 We have seen how the Holy Spirit worked in the heart of kings, 00:00:38.640 --> 00:00:41.439 worked through the people of God, 00:00:41.439 --> 00:00:43.560 and there was so much that was happening. 00:00:43.560 --> 00:00:46.760 We learn about the inner working of the Holy Spirit. 00:00:46.760 --> 00:00:52.560 We have seen how the Holy Spirit worked through King Cyrus to issue 00:00:52.560 --> 00:00:59.320 a decree that the people of God would return from their 70-year exile back to Jerusalem. 00:00:59.320 --> 00:01:04.320 We've also learned about King Darius and how he discovered 00:01:04.320 --> 00:01:09.200 the amazing and incredible work that was happening at the temple. 00:01:09.200 --> 00:01:10.920 His mind was changed. 00:01:10.920 --> 00:01:14.520 There was this stirring of the Holy Spirit and seeing, 00:01:14.520 --> 00:01:18.359 wow, I'm going to acknowledge and allow for the people of God to continue 00:01:18.359 --> 00:01:21.079 to finish the completion of the temple. 00:01:21.079 --> 00:01:23.519 That leads us to where we are today. 00:01:23.519 --> 00:01:25.640 We've dealt with adversaries. 00:01:25.640 --> 00:01:30.719 We've seen the two kings who their minds were being changed. 00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:34.319 Here we are today in Ezra chapter 7. 00:01:34.319 --> 00:01:37.640 The title of the sermon for today is, 00:01:37.640 --> 00:01:42.359 God Moves Hearts from Devotion to Leadership. 00:01:42.359 --> 00:01:47.200 What's so incredible is we're going to see today about King Artisirksi. 00:01:47.200 --> 00:01:48.920 Some of you may remember that name. 00:01:48.920 --> 00:01:50.439 Some of you might not. 00:01:50.439 --> 00:01:52.719 What had happened was the king, 00:01:52.719 --> 00:01:59.000 he basically was saying he was unfortunately convinced by the adversaries to say, 00:01:59.000 --> 00:02:02.120 we should stop the work of the temple. 00:02:02.120 --> 00:02:07.959 However, the Holy Spirit had worked through the heart of the king, 00:02:07.959 --> 00:02:13.599 moving through King Artisirksi as much like how King Darius and King Cyrus, 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:16.599 their minds were changed, their hearts were stirred. 00:02:16.599 --> 00:02:22.079 The changing, the inner working of the Holy Spirit to not only acknowledge God, 00:02:22.079 --> 00:02:29.479 but to say to issue a decree to continue the work of ministry that was happening from the temple. 00:02:29.479 --> 00:02:34.199 And it just goes to show you the awesome and incredible power of our God, 00:02:34.199 --> 00:02:40.240 that God continues to move hearts, that God continues to work in and through our lives. 00:02:40.240 --> 00:02:44.879 And for so many of us, we may have had experiences, 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:49.519 or moments in our lives where God has worked in and through our lives, 00:02:49.519 --> 00:02:52.240 or people that you've interacted with. 00:02:52.240 --> 00:02:58.000 Maybe you've had a friend or a family member where you knew God was just working in their life. 00:02:58.000 --> 00:03:03.840 Maybe you've seen transformation where someone was on this really bad path. 00:03:03.840 --> 00:03:08.120 They were living a certain way, a certain lifestyle, so to speak. 00:03:08.120 --> 00:03:10.319 But yet God was working in them. 00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:14.120 Because God continues to speak to us today. 00:03:14.120 --> 00:03:20.039 The Holy Spirit continues to work in us, the church, the people of God today. 00:03:20.039 --> 00:03:26.680 And we can see in Ezra how powerful and how incredible our God is. 00:03:26.680 --> 00:03:31.640 So let's go ahead and pray and we're going to open the Word of God to Ezra chapter 7. 00:03:31.640 --> 00:03:34.480 And let's ask God to bless this time together. 00:03:34.480 --> 00:03:37.319 Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, the Creator of the heavens and earth, 00:03:37.319 --> 00:03:42.280 we thank you for giving us this time and this opportunity for us to come together, 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:46.159 to sing praises to your Holy Name, to lift your name on high, 00:03:46.159 --> 00:03:50.759 to say thank you for all that you've done and all that you continue to do for you, 00:03:50.759 --> 00:03:54.120 God, or the God of miracles, the God of healing, the God of promises. 00:03:54.120 --> 00:03:59.879 You sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to pave the way for salvation for us, 00:03:59.879 --> 00:04:03.639 that through belief we are saved, that through repentance, 00:04:03.639 --> 00:04:08.120 the changing of the mind and the working of the Spirit, lives are transformed. 00:04:08.120 --> 00:04:13.719 And so Father, we ask that you bless this time, that truth is spoken here, 00:04:13.719 --> 00:04:19.079 and that there will be a moving in our own lives, in our own hearts, 00:04:19.079 --> 00:04:24.040 that there will be transformation in our minds to acknowledge who you are, 00:04:24.040 --> 00:04:28.399 to know you, to grow in you, and to do good in your Holy Name. 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:33.480 Father, there's so much truth and so much wisdom and insight in this book. 00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:36.199 Let it speak to us today. 00:04:36.199 --> 00:04:42.199 It is in the name of Jesus Christ that we pray and we all say together, amen. 00:04:42.199 --> 00:04:47.199 All right, so we're going to turn to page 463 in your ESV, Pew Bible, 00:04:47.199 --> 00:04:50.199 or your Bible of choice, Ezra chapter 7. 00:04:50.199 --> 00:04:53.199 So let's take a moment in here. 00:04:53.199 --> 00:04:56.199 What we're going to do here is we're going to observe. 00:04:56.199 --> 00:05:00.199 We're going to read the text together, and we're just going to see what can we observe, 00:05:00.199 --> 00:05:03.199 what is going on here in the text. 00:05:03.199 --> 00:05:06.199 So Ezra chapter 7, are we all there? 00:05:06.199 --> 00:05:07.199 All right. 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:10.199 So Ezra chapter 7. 00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:19.199 Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes, King of Persia, Ezra, the son of Surah, 00:05:19.199 --> 00:05:28.199 the son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, son of Shalom, son of Zadok, son of Ahetab, 00:05:28.199 --> 00:05:38.199 son of Amariah, son of Arayah, son of Marrioth, son of Zariah, son of Uzi and son of Buki, 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:46.199 son of Abushua, son of Phineas, son of Eleazar, and son of Aaron, the chief priest. 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:51.199 So these first five verses, what we're seeing here is Ezra's lineage, right? 00:05:51.199 --> 00:05:55.199 In your notes, it'll say about Ezra, the specific lineage. 00:05:55.199 --> 00:06:00.199 And a lot of us, when we read this, we're like, okay, what's the point here? 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:05.199 What's happening is that it is showing the lineage traced back to Aaron, 00:06:05.199 --> 00:06:11.199 showing God's faithfulness to his people, that God works through specific people, 00:06:11.199 --> 00:06:14.199 through specific families as well. 00:06:14.199 --> 00:06:18.199 So it's showing God's faithfulness and also establishing Ezra's credibility. 00:06:18.199 --> 00:06:21.199 So we go on into verse 6 here. 00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:24.199 This Ezra went up from Babylonia. 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:29.199 He was ascribed, skilled in the law of Moses, that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given him. 00:06:29.199 --> 00:06:33.199 The king granted him all that he asked for, for the hand of the Lord was upon him. 00:06:33.199 --> 00:06:34.199 I want you to take note of that. 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:39.199 We had talked about previously the eye of the Lord being upon the people of God. 00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:40.199 Divine favor, right? 00:06:40.199 --> 00:06:42.199 God blessing Ezra. 00:06:42.199 --> 00:06:44.199 So that's one thing to take note. 00:06:44.199 --> 00:06:45.199 And so it goes on. 00:06:45.199 --> 00:06:50.199 Verse 7, there went up also to Jerusalem in the seventh year of Arta Xerxes the king, 00:06:50.199 --> 00:06:53.199 some of the people of Israel and some of the priests and Levites, the singers, right? 00:06:53.199 --> 00:06:56.199 So the temple servants, the gatekeepers. 00:06:56.199 --> 00:07:00.199 And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 00:07:00.199 --> 00:07:03.199 For on the first day of the first month, he began to go up from Babylonia. 00:07:03.199 --> 00:07:05.199 And on the first days, right? 00:07:05.199 --> 00:07:07.199 There's a lot of time frame that's going on, right? 00:07:07.199 --> 00:07:08.199 Let's go to verse 10. 00:07:08.199 --> 00:07:17.199 Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. 00:07:17.199 --> 00:07:22.199 What we're seeing in these, it's the blessing that God has upon Ezra. 00:07:22.199 --> 00:07:24.199 And the dedication of Ezra. 00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:25.199 Right? 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:29.199 We're talking specifically about Ezra, the prophet here, right? 00:07:29.199 --> 00:07:37.199 That he is dedicated to reading and studying the law, living it out and teaching what he had learned. 00:07:37.199 --> 00:07:39.199 So we're going on into verse 11. 00:07:39.199 --> 00:07:41.199 Now this is where we have Arta Xerxes, right? 00:07:41.199 --> 00:07:48.199 If you remember again, Arta Xerxes seemed to be against the people of God, but there's a change that had happened in him. 00:07:48.199 --> 00:07:51.199 So it says here, let's go to verse 12, right? 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:53.199 So it's talking about the letter in verse 11. 00:07:53.199 --> 00:07:58.199 Arta Xerxes, king of kings to Ezra, the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven. 00:07:58.199 --> 00:08:02.199 He's acknowledging who God is. 00:08:02.199 --> 00:08:04.199 You see that there? 00:08:04.199 --> 00:08:06.199 He's acknowledging who God is. 00:08:06.199 --> 00:08:14.199 I make a decree that any one of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites in my kingdom who freely offers to go to Jerusalem may go with you. 00:08:14.199 --> 00:08:19.199 He's giving permission for people to go to Jerusalem, right? 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:31.199 And I make a verse 14, for you are sent by the king and his seven counselors to make inquiries about Judah and Jerusalem according to the law of your God, which is in your hand, right? 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:35.200 The blessing of God upon Ezra, right? 00:08:35.200 --> 00:08:45.200 And it's saying here that the law of your God, and it goes in verse 15, and also carry the silver and gold that the king and his counselors have freely offered to God, right? 00:08:45.200 --> 00:08:54.200 In Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem with all the silver and gold, you shall find in the whole province of Babylonia and with the free will offerings of the people and the priests. 00:08:54.200 --> 00:08:59.200 So it's going on talking about all of this money that was being used, right? 00:08:59.200 --> 00:09:05.200 So what we're seeing here is that basically the king is saying, use whatever money at your disposal. 00:09:05.200 --> 00:09:07.200 That's just in a nutshell, right? 00:09:07.200 --> 00:09:09.200 And so it's going on, go to verse 18. 00:09:09.200 --> 00:09:17.200 Whatever seems good to you and your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and gold, you may do according to the will of God. 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:25.200 Do you see how much the king is not only acknowledging who God is, but saying, hey, look, you got a job to do. 00:09:25.200 --> 00:09:28.200 Do it according to the will of God. 00:09:28.200 --> 00:09:30.200 How remarkable is that? 00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:39.200 Not only have we seen the change in King Artisirxes, but the change of Cyrus, the change of King Darius. 00:09:39.200 --> 00:09:43.200 It's that working of the Holy Spirit. 00:09:43.200 --> 00:09:45.200 And so it's going on in verse 21. 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:50.200 I Artisirxes, the king make a decree to all the treasures in the province beyond the river. 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:57.200 Whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven requires of you, let it be done with all diligence. 00:09:57.200 --> 00:10:06.200 Not only is he saying, okay, use the money for what you need to do for the work that you're doing, but if you need more money, let's give it to you. 00:10:06.200 --> 00:10:07.200 Let it be done. 00:10:07.200 --> 00:10:09.200 So that's something that's remarkable, right? 00:10:09.200 --> 00:10:13.200 Whatever is commanded by God or Ezra, let it be done so. 00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:14.200 And so this is remarkable. 00:10:14.200 --> 00:10:25.200 So verse 23, whatever is decreed by the God of heaven, let it be done in full for the house of God of heaven, lest his wrath be against the realm of kings and his sons. 00:10:25.200 --> 00:10:29.200 So we go, let's go to verse 26 here. 00:10:29.200 --> 00:10:40.200 Whoever will not obey, and this is remarkable, whoever will not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be strictly executed on him, whether for death or the banishment. 00:10:40.200 --> 00:10:45.200 So he's acknowledging who God is and saying, you got to follow this God. 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:54.200 Talk about a change of the heart of the king God moving in this person of authority. 00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:58.200 Much like how God can work in people in authority today. 00:10:58.200 --> 00:11:03.200 We then go to verse 27 to 28, the king's blessing and conversion. 00:11:03.200 --> 00:11:11.200 It says, blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, thanking God, right? 00:11:11.200 --> 00:11:13.200 That the heart was changed. 00:11:13.200 --> 00:11:18.200 How many of you have thanked God for how he has worked in your life? 00:11:18.200 --> 00:11:19.200 Right? 00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:21.200 There's the acknowledgement of that. 00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:28.200 And who's the Lord that is in Jerusalem, who's extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors. 00:11:28.200 --> 00:11:34.200 And before all the king's mighty officers, I took courage for the hand of the Lord, my God was on me. 00:11:34.200 --> 00:11:37.200 And I gathered leading men from Israel to go up to me. 00:11:37.200 --> 00:11:39.200 So what we see here, right? 00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:44.200 We learn about the lineage of Ezra, the blessing and dedication of the prophet Ezra. 00:11:44.200 --> 00:11:50.200 King Artizirks, he's saying, whatever funds you need, whatever you need, let it be done according to the will of God. 00:11:50.200 --> 00:12:01.200 And then finally, we have that three, those three kings here, Darius, Cyrus and Artizirks, he's pagan kings, people who are in authority, whose hearts were changed by God. 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:03.200 There was a conversion. 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:07.200 There was something that was happening in people who are in power. 00:12:07.200 --> 00:12:17.200 When we think of nowadays and the time that we live in, what an encouragement for us that we as Christians today should pray for those who are in authority. 00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:21.200 I know right now we are in the midst of a presidential election. 00:12:21.200 --> 00:12:31.200 And quite honestly, it should be our responsibility to pray that God will use the Holy Spirit and penetrate the hearts and stir the hearts. 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:39.200 Quite honestly, I'm more concerned about the Holy Spirit working in the next president than who gets elected. 00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:40.200 Does that make sense? 00:12:40.200 --> 00:12:46.200 I'm more interested on the Holy Spirit working in and through whoever is in power. 00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:55.200 Whether that's the president, whether that's the governor, whether that whoever it is, we should pray as the people of God that the Holy Spirit will work in and through them. 00:12:55.200 --> 00:13:01.200 That lives will be changed just like how we have learned about the life of the king. 00:13:01.200 --> 00:13:03.200 And so in all of this, what can we learn? 00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:05.200 What can we interpret from these verses? 00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:12.200 The first thing that comes to mind is Ezra's heart and devotion was to God and to the word. 00:13:12.200 --> 00:13:23.200 If you look at Ezra chapter seven, verse 10, when it says, Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to do it to teach his statutes. 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:28.200 What a remarkable thing that we're seeing here. 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:31.200 This prophet is dedicated to the Lord. 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:34.200 He is dedicated to opening the word. 00:13:34.200 --> 00:13:36.200 And at that time it would be reading the law. 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:43.200 But what an encouragement for us in our personal walk with the Lord that we should open the word of God, that we should study it. 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:44.200 And it goes on saying in here, right? 00:13:44.200 --> 00:13:45.200 What does it say? 00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:51.200 If you have your Bible open, he had the heart to study the law of the Lord. 00:13:51.200 --> 00:14:02.200 We need so much so often when we think of our faith in Jesus Christ, we have to think of how is God working in our minds and in our hearts, right? 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:06.200 To love the Lord with all of our hearts, right? 00:14:06.200 --> 00:14:15.200 Not to lean in our own understanding and to allow for God to work in our lives to transform who we are into the men or the women that God wants us to be. 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:17.200 That is so incredibly important. 00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:21.200 Do you have the heart when you're opening the word of God? 00:14:21.200 --> 00:14:26.200 For Ezra, this prophet had the heart to study the law of the Lord. 00:14:26.200 --> 00:14:28.200 So it's just encouraging. 00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:29.200 Open your Bibles. 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:30.200 Read and study it. 00:14:30.200 --> 00:14:33.200 But also check your heart for a moment. 00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:36.200 What's your intention when you're reading the word of God? 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:40.200 There are some people who read the word of God with evil intent. 00:14:40.200 --> 00:14:45.200 And there's a lot of things that are hidden from those that are reading with evil intent. 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:51.200 May we come to the Lord and may we be hungry or thirsty for the word. 00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:52.200 Think about that. 00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:54.200 Think of how important that is. 00:14:54.200 --> 00:14:58.200 So the devotion was set on God and the word. 00:14:58.200 --> 00:15:04.200 And the second thing on here is that we're talking about the three kings, Cyrus and Darius. 00:15:04.200 --> 00:15:08.200 The heart of Artisirxes was changed by the Holy Spirit. 00:15:08.200 --> 00:15:09.200 Divine intervention. 00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:19.200 My friends, one of the most beautiful things about our Lord and our God is that he is in control and that he is powerful and that he can work in our lives. 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:27.200 If you know someone who has a heart and heart, if you know someone who is evil or someone who is lost, pray for them. 00:15:27.200 --> 00:15:32.200 Pray that God will work in their life to change their mind. 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:37.200 How many of you have heard the saying, we must repent before the Lord, right? 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:41.200 Repentance meaning the changing of the mind. 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:45.200 Also the changing of the heart. 00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:46.200 Right? 00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:52.200 When we're recognizing, excuse me, I'm still fighting my voice losing. 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:53.200 Kind of. 00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:55.200 I'm still battling that. 00:15:55.200 --> 00:16:01.200 But it's understanding that repentance is the changing of the mind of who God is. 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:02.200 Right? 00:16:02.200 --> 00:16:09.200 When we're repenting of our sins, it's changing our mind on what sin is the heaviness of sin. 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:10.200 Right? 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:22.200 And continued to being changed of our minds and our hearts, knowing that God is holy and that God is going to place us on a much better path than what the world has to offer. 00:16:22.200 --> 00:16:29.200 And so Proverbs 21, 1, the king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord. 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:30.200 Right? 00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:33.200 That God is really and ultimately in control. 00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:36.200 And I cannot help but encourage all of you. 00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:40.200 Pray for those who are in authority. 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:48.200 We can go on all day about all the weird things that politicians do or or leaders, the good or the bad that they do. 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:51.200 But really what we should do is pray for them. 00:16:51.200 --> 00:17:00.200 That's a great way that us as Christians, we're asking God, change this person, change their heart, change their mind. 00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:16.200 Maybe they need to come to the Lord and maybe that man or that woman, whoever is in political authority, maybe God wants their hearts to be changed and it will be so, so that things, a greater impact will happen. 00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:21.200 And the third thing that we find here is that Ezra provides a framework of faithfulness to God. 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:23.200 And I want to highlight this, right? 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:27.200 It's the heart to study the word like I was telling you, right? 00:17:27.200 --> 00:17:32.200 Psalm 119, verse 10 says, with my whole heart, I seek you. 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:45.200 Let me not wander from your commandments and how important it is to seek the Lord and seek that relationship because our God extends an invitation for us to believe in him and to be transformed, to get out of darkness. 00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:55.200 How many of you, you've been in a dark room and you've been in there for an hour or whatever and you finally turn on a light and you're like, oh gosh, it's so bright. 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:56.200 Right? 00:17:56.200 --> 00:18:01.200 Thinking about how God is light, life and truth. 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:13.200 The other thing is that the devotion to do what the word says and be reminded that we are saved by grace through faith, through believing the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:19.200 That is the starting of our spiritual walk, of our journey, our new life in Christ. 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:22.200 And in that we are called to grow. 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:25.200 We are called to do what the word says. 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:29.200 That's so important for us because some of us may say, well, alright, I'm saved. 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:31.200 There's nothing more. 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:37.200 But there is so much more because allow for God to continue to transform your life. 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:42.200 Continue to have God emold you into the person that he wants you to be. 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:47.200 For many of us, it's truly reading, studying it and following it. 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:49.200 I know that's very difficult for a lot of us. 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:54.200 We're like, alright, so I need to turn away from my sin. 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:56.200 What do you mean by that? 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:59.200 There's things that God is calling for me to do in my life. 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:01.200 Absolutely. 00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:07.200 So it's the devotion to do what the word says, much as James chapter 1 verse 22. 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:12.200 If you may know it is to be what of the word, to be doers of the word, right? 00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:14.200 We need to be hearers, absolutely. 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:16.200 But we also need to do what the word of God says. 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:18.200 That's very important. 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:22.200 And the third thing that you'll see it on there is to teach others what you have learned. 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:30.200 One of the things that is so powerful and so important for us as Christians is to share in our testimony, 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:33.200 is to share how God has worked in our life. 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:38.200 How God has worked in your life, the person next to you. 00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:40.200 How has God worked in your life? 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:44.200 How you'll answer will be different than the person sitting next to you, right? 00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:47.200 What God has saved you from, right? 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:52.200 How God has, there might have been a vulnerable moment where you found the Lord. 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:58.200 Whatever that story is, and here's the thing, your testimony is important to the eyes of God. 00:19:58.200 --> 00:20:05.200 And who you reach out to, your friends, your family, your coworkers, whoever, your fellow students, 00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:06.200 it matters. 00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:09.200 You share what you have learned and how God has worked in your life, 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:12.200 much like how you share what you're learning in Scripture. 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:15.200 I mean, it can be even the basics, right? 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:18.200 I learned today that Jesus loves me, right? 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:19.200 We think of children. 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:21.200 They can share what they've learned. 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:25.200 We can share about how, hey, look, I'm reading and learning. 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:30.200 Pastor's teaching about the book of Ezra, where the Holy Spirit's changing the heart of kings. 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:33.200 Some people are gonna be like, the Bible says what? 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:36.200 Who's, what's an art of Xerxes, right? 00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:39.200 Or they might say, what's a Habakkuk, right? 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:43.200 They might ask those kind of questions, and that allows for us to have conversations 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:48.200 and to build relationships with others, where we share the good news of the Gospel, 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:53.200 and we share how the Lord has worked in our lives, because let me tell you, 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:57.200 God has called for each of us to share in our faith and to share what we have learned. 00:20:57.200 --> 00:21:01.200 So this is the framework here that we see. 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:04.200 I'm reminded of the Great Commission. 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:05.200 Many of you know this, right? 00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:08.200 It's to go out into all of the world, right? 00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:09.200 Proclaim the good news. 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:12.200 It says, go therefore and make disciples of all nations, 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:16.200 baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:20.200 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:23.200 And behold, I am with you always till the end of the age. 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:25.200 Think about that. 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:30.200 Think of how important it says to make disciples, right? 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:34.200 Because being a disciple is being a student, right? 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:36.200 We're always going to learn more about the Lord. 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:39.200 We're always going to learn more about the Word of God, 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:44.200 because how God speaks to you might be different than how you were a year ago, 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:46.200 or even before you came to know the Lord. 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:49.200 God continues to work in our lives. 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:53.200 And so you may ask yourself the question then, 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:56.200 how do I apply this to my everyday life? 00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:58.200 I'm certainly not Ezra. 00:21:58.200 --> 00:22:00.200 I'm not a prophet. 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:04.200 And I'm certainly not King Cyrus or King Arteserxes here. 00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:08.200 So how is this applicable to my life today? 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:13.200 Well, the first thing that we can do is pray for the heart of those in authority. 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:16.200 1 Timothy 2, verses 1-2. 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:20.200 I urge that this is the Apostle Paul writing to Timothy. 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:24.200 I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:26.200 may be made for all people, right? 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:28.200 We've got to pray for everyone. 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:31.200 For kings and all those who are in high positions, 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:34.200 that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:36.200 godly and dignified in every way. 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:39.200 It's just like what we're seeing here. 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:43.200 My encouragement for you is to pray for those in authority. 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:50.200 Look, we are in a time where this nation is so divided, right? 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:52.200 We've got to pray. 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:55.200 We as the body of Christ, we come together. 00:22:55.200 --> 00:23:00.200 Because we all, or we should all believe in Jesus Christ. 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:05.200 And knowing that God can work in and through any politician. 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:09.200 Pray that hearts will be changed and that whatever leader we have, 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:12.200 like that verse was saying, 00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:14.200 kings and those in high positions, 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:18.200 that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life. 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:20.200 Can I get a name? Men on that? 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:23.200 I mean, I want to live a peaceful and quiet life, right? 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:26.200 And so how important is it that it's in the word of God 00:23:26.200 --> 00:23:28.200 to pray for those in authority? 00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:32.200 This isn't about endorsing one candidate over another. 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:35.200 May we be reminded that all fall short of the glory of God. 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:38.200 We shouldn't be idolizing politicians. 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:43.200 We should be worshiping God and asking God to work in those politicians. 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:47.200 And those in public office, or those who are in community leaders. 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:51.200 I get so tired of going on and seeing the news 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:54.200 and how many criticism upon criticism upon criticism 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:57.200 of people who are in leadership. 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:59.200 There's so much more to that. 00:23:59.200 --> 00:24:01.200 And what's so wonderful about being in the body of Christ is 00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:05.200 we together collectively, we pray for one another, 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:07.200 we bear up one another's burdens. 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:11.200 We can pray for divine intervention in our own lives, 00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:14.200 in those that we know and those who are in authority. 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:16.200 So that's the first thing. 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:20.200 The second thing here is use your power and influence for the glory of God. 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:22.200 Now this is a very interesting one. 00:24:22.200 --> 00:24:25.200 You would be amazed at who you know. 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:27.200 Your network, right? 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:30.200 Or how many friends you might have on TikTok, 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:32.200 or how many friends you might have on Facebook, 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:34.200 or people that you interact with every day. 00:24:34.200 --> 00:24:36.200 I'm not saying that you're a tyrant over people. 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:38.200 I don't mean that by power. 00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:42.200 But you'd be amazed, the profound influence that you can have 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:44.200 upon someone's life. 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:47.200 Just the everyday interactions in the grocery store, 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:49.200 or the people, if you go through the drive-thru 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:51.200 and you get coffee at Bordertown, 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:54.200 or if you're going through Walmart, 00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:56.200 interactions that you have, right? 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:59.200 You're using your influence for the glory of God. 00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:01.200 Whatever position that you've been in, 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:03.200 even if you're at the bottom, 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:05.200 even if you're, I'm just a janitor, 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:07.200 I'm just a student. 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:09.200 I'm just an everyday person. 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:12.200 I'm a farmer, or whatever it is. 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:16.200 You still can use your influence for the glory of God. 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:19.200 Trusting in the Lord, obeying what it says, 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:23.200 exhibiting the love of Jesus Christ for others, 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:25.200 showing that there is a wonderful way, 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:27.200 there's a way that is higher, 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:29.200 just like when we went over Colossians, 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:32.200 we are to set our minds on things that are higher. 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:35.200 We are to put on the new self, right? 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:38.200 To focus on unity and love and truth, 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:40.200 the grace of Jesus Christ, 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:42.200 the love that comes from Him, 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:44.200 and the truth of the Word of God. 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:46.200 You mean I got to follow this book? 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:48.200 Well, you got to read it. 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:50.200 This book is incredible. 00:25:50.200 --> 00:25:52.200 You should read it sometime, right? 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:54.200 But really, we think about this, 00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:56.200 that as we are growing, 00:25:56.200 --> 00:26:00.200 we share what we learn with other people. 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:04.200 Every single, every person in this room 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:06.200 matters to God. 00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:08.200 You are loved by God, 00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:11.200 and God calls you for that relationship with Him, 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:15.200 and He calls for you to minister to other people. 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:18.200 Sometimes it's just being present with other people. 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:20.200 Sometimes it's just praying with them. 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:23.200 You know, I found that very often, 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:27.200 sometimes you just got to sit with someone. 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:29.200 How can I pray for you? 00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:31.200 I don't know what words to say, 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:34.200 but I'm going to be there for you 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:36.200 in a time of crisis, 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:38.200 a trial, or a tribulation. 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:40.200 And so, consider that. 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:42.200 How can you use your power, 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:44.200 your influence for the glory of God? 00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:46.200 If anyone here is a TikTok influencer, 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:50.200 you should use that as a platform, right? 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:52.200 But if you're not, that's okay. 00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:54.200 I only have a couple thousand. 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:56.200 I don't have a lot. 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:58.200 But what matters is how you answer that question. 00:26:58.200 --> 00:27:00.200 How are you going to use your power, 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:04.200 your influence for the glory of God? 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:07.200 And then finally, the third one is to consider 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:09.200 Ezra's framework. 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:13.200 To have a heart to seek God and His Word. 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:17.200 For many of us, we need to seek God. 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:22.200 Do you know that God provides eternal life? 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:25.200 It's the free gift of salvation. 00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:29.200 That's something that it's beyond our understanding, 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:32.200 knowing that God loves me and He sent His Son 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:34.200 to live and perform miracles. 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:36.200 And He gave us this incredible book. 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:39.200 We're talking the most published book, 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:42.200 the most popular book of all of history. 00:27:42.200 --> 00:27:44.200 There must be a reason for that. 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:48.200 There must be a reason why so many people have Bibles, right? 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:51.200 And we have to have the heart to respond 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:54.200 to God's call for our life. 00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:56.200 For some of us, it might be the call 00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:59.200 to just believe in Jesus Christ. 00:27:59.200 --> 00:28:03.200 Acknowledging that you are a sinner in need of a Savior, right? 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:05.200 That we need God. 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:06.200 That we need this new life. 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:09.200 We need this water, this water of life, 00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:11.200 or the bread of life. 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:15.200 There's so many analogies and connections in the Word 00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:19.200 of how God supplies us with all that we need. 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:23.200 What we must do is make that decision for Christ. 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:27.200 And so, the heart to seek God in His Word, 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:29.200 are you seeking the Lord? 00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:32.200 Are you seeking the truth of the Word? 00:28:32.200 --> 00:28:34.200 Are you opening the Bible? 00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:36.200 Or are you just letting it collect dust? 00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:37.200 And I'm guilty of it. 00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:39.200 Sometimes I have some Bibles that are collecting dust, 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:42.200 but other ones I have that are open all the time. 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:44.200 You know, some of us may have more Bibles 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:47.200 than we have people in our household. 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:50.200 We should read them, right? 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:54.200 And so, the second thing is to follow God's words, 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:56.200 Christ's teachings, right? 00:28:56.200 --> 00:29:00.200 There's so much that we can learn. 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:03.200 How to love like Christ. 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:05.200 That sounds pretty simple, doesn't it? 00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:07.200 And we like hearing how Christ loves us, 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:11.200 but exhibiting that love to other people. 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:15.200 And then also standing firm in the truth of the Word. 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:17.200 Why? 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:20.200 That can be very complicated, but it's so simplistic. 00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:23.200 And that's the amazing thing about our Lord and our God, 00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:25.200 is how simple He is. 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:27.200 He's just saying, come to me. 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:29.200 Trust in me. 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:31.200 Believe in Christ. 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:34.200 Again, James 1.22. 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:39.200 Be doers of the Word and not hearers only. 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:42.200 God calls you for greater purpose. 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:45.200 God calls you for so much more in this life. 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:48.200 And look, the world, 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:51.200 do you really think that seeking fame and notoriety, 00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:54.200 you'll find fulfillment in that? 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:56.200 Do you really think that having all the riches in the world 00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:58.200 will give you purpose? 00:29:58.200 --> 00:30:01.200 God gives us purpose. 00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:04.200 There are many people, I mean, think of famous actors. 00:30:04.200 --> 00:30:06.200 Think of people who are very rich, 00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:08.200 and yet they're very empty. 00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:10.200 You hear this all the time, 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:12.200 and there's something missing in my life. 00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:14.200 I have everything I could have ever wanted, 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:16.200 and yet it's still missing. 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:18.200 Have you seeked the Lord? 00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:20.200 Have you gone after Christ? 00:30:20.200 --> 00:30:22.200 Very often the answer is no. 00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:24.200 I can't say for every situation, 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:26.200 but that is very common. 00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:29.200 And so for us, we have to follow God's words 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:31.200 and Christ's teaching. 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:35.200 That is the dedication of Ezra the prophet. 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:38.200 And that's something that we can learn from. 00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:40.200 That's the framework. 00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:43.200 And finally, as you grow, teach, love, and serve others. 00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:45.200 Like I was mentioning, share in your testimony, 00:30:45.200 --> 00:30:49.200 share the gospel message, the good news of the gospel. 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:52.200 All you need to do is just... 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:54.200 First Corinthians, right? 00:30:54.200 --> 00:30:56.200 When I've mentioned talking about the death, burial, 00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:58.200 and resurrection of Christ, 00:30:58.200 --> 00:31:00.200 share how God has worked in your life. 00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:05.200 I'm telling you, your testimony can speak to someone. 00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:07.200 And they'll say, wow, 00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:11.200 I had no idea that God worked in your life that way. 00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:15.200 I had no idea that this is what you've been through. 00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:20.200 Testimonies, they testify, excuse me, 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:23.200 to the power of our God. 00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:27.200 Much like how we have been reading here in Ezra 7. 00:31:27.200 --> 00:31:32.200 The same God that moved the heart of kings 00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:36.200 to change their mind and to acknowledge who God is, 00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:39.200 and to help the people of God, 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:42.200 the same God that loves you. 00:31:42.200 --> 00:31:44.200 Gosh. 00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:47.200 It's the same God that calls for you 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:50.200 to enter in a relationship with Him. 00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:56.200 It's the same God that gives you purpose. 00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:59.200 It's the same God that wants you to become 00:31:59.200 --> 00:32:02.200 the man or the woman that God wants you to be. 00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:05.200 And what's beautiful is we all have that choice 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:07.200 every single day. 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:11.200 Are you going to choose the Lord or are you not? 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:15.200 And so in all of this, I want you to think for a moment. 00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:19.200 We've seen in Ezra chapter 7 how the Holy Spirit has worked 00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:22.200 in all of these people, the people of God and kings. 00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:26.200 And in the same way, God can work in your life. 00:32:26.200 --> 00:32:29.200 God does work in our lives. 00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:32.200 How many of you know someone who's been healed? 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:36.200 How many of you knew a evil or wicked person in their mind, 00:32:36.200 --> 00:32:38.200 their heart was changed. 00:32:38.200 --> 00:32:40.200 God continues to work. 00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:42.200 God moves hearts. 00:32:42.200 --> 00:32:47.200 So keep that in mind when you think and consider Ezra 7. 00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:51.200 Let us remember that, that God moves hearts. 00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:54.200 Let's pray together. 00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:56.200 Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, 00:32:56.200 --> 00:33:00.200 we thank you for this time once again and this opportunity 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:05.200 for us to open your word and to read and to hear 00:33:05.200 --> 00:33:11.200 and to see that your Holy Spirit worked in the hearts of kings 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:17.200 and worked in stirred the spirit, moved in the hearts of your people. 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:21.200 And we ask Father that in the same way you moved in the hearts of kings 00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:27.200 and your people, that your Holy Spirit will move in our hearts. 00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:32.200 And Father, we pray that as we are approaching an election time, 00:33:32.200 --> 00:33:35.200 we pray for transformation. 00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:40.200 We pray that hearts will be stirred, that hearts will be moved 00:33:40.200 --> 00:33:43.200 to acknowledge who you are. 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:50.200 And Father, we pray for unity among our brothers and sisters in Christ 00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:53.200 and that we may not be like the world that is divisive, 00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:57.200 that is full of anger and hatred, but rather may we stand firm 00:33:57.200 --> 00:33:59.200 on the truth of your word, Father, 00:33:59.200 --> 00:34:06.200 and may we deal in love with one another and to those that are yet to know you. 00:34:06.200 --> 00:34:08.199 We pray, Father, for transformation. 00:34:08.199 --> 00:34:12.199 We pray for revival and renewal in this land. 00:34:12.199 --> 00:34:17.199 We pray that your grace will be overflowing abundantly. 00:34:17.199 --> 00:34:21.199 We thank you so much for your son, Jesus Christ, 00:34:21.199 --> 00:34:25.199 who is the way, the truth and the life. 00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:29.199 And so, Father, once again, we ask that there will be a movement 00:34:29.199 --> 00:34:33.199 of your Holy Spirit in our hearts and in our minds. 00:34:33.199 --> 00:34:35.199 May there be transformation. 00:34:35.199 --> 00:34:37.199 May there be repentance. 00:34:37.199 --> 00:34:39.199 May there be decisions for Christ. 00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:41.199 May there be growth in you. 00:34:41.199 --> 00:34:44.199 And may we all be moved upon this salvation, 00:34:44.199 --> 00:34:48.199 upon this faith in you to do good in your Holy Name. 00:34:48.199 --> 00:34:52.199 It is in the name of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of our faith, 00:34:52.199 --> 00:34:53.199 and we all say together. 00:34:53.199 --> 00:34:57.199 Thank you for tuning in to the Ontario Community Church sermon podcast. 00:34:57.199 --> 00:35:01.199 For more about our church and how you can get involved or support our mission, 00:35:01.199 --> 00:35:05.199 please visit ontariocommunitychurch.org. 00:35:05.199 --> 00:35:25.199 May God's blessings be with you.