WEBVTT

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 Well, good morning and happy new year.

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 It's good to see all of you this morning.

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!

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 Contained for us in the Gospel of Luke and now moving into the book of Acts, which helps

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 us see this outworking of Christ's ministry and the apostles' hearts and their lives and

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 the emergence of this new entity known as the church.

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 We'll be looking at and discovering over the next several weeks, what does it mean to become

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 a church?

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 What is the church?

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 How does that church develop?

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 What is made up of the church?

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 Church, before we even begin and how we're going to kind of set the course of this morning's

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 study, is to recognize that before we can ever stand as a church, we need to be a people who

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 kneel before the Lord.

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 Before we can ever stand as a church, we must be a people who have learned to kneel before

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 the Lord.

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 The significance of kneeling and praying and depending and looking to the source of

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 all power and wisdom so that we can access that power and we can understand and recognize

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 the work of the Lord among us.

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 That's where we're going and that's what I want to try to help us understand the significance

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 of this morning.

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 Back in 1857, there was a man by the name of Jeremiah Lamfire.

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 He was a businessman.

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 He was a layman, but he was also a believer, a Christian.

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 And he was hired by the Dutch Reformed Church to help try to encourage and invigorate those

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 those who were part of the church who were working in New York City.

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 The difficulty was that in New York City, as the city began to grow and as people were

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 working there, they were moving out of the city and kind of moving into the suburbs and

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 so they would come and commute into the city to work and then they would leave to do the

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 rest of their normal routines of life.

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 And because of moving out of the city and moving into the suburbs, there seemed to be this discontinuity,

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 this lack of connection and the spiritual soil that was once rich there in New York City

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 was beginning to wane.

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 So he was, Jeremiah Lamfire was hired by the Dutch Reformed Church to try to reinvigorate the

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 spiritual vitality of those who were living there in New York City.

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 He designed a special time of prayer.

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 His thought was that people were there in New York City and normally had between 12 and 1 o'clock

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 free for lunch.

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 And so his thought was he would encourage anyone who wanted to, in whatever denomination they

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 were a part of, to come to enjoy some time of prayer and reflection with other believers

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 who wanted to pray as well.

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 He designed this very special one-hour, punctual, very clear boundaries that were set.

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 You could come and go as you wanted.

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 And the idea was it would just be a time of prayer.

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 No preaching, no singing, just praying.

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 And the goal was that each individual that would come would come and just present their

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 prayers in short contributions so that everyone who was there could participate.

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 And that's how this meeting began.

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 And Jeremiah showed up for this first of those meetings and he waited for five minutes and

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 then for 10 minutes and then for half an hour and no one showed up.

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 He wondered if anyone would come.

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 And finally, after about a half an hour, some people started to trickle in and during that

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 first meeting, only six people would come and would begin to pray.

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 But week after week, and especially once the financial crisis and panic of 1857 would hit the

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 city, this resurgence of prayer in the city would come to life.

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 So that by the spring of 1858, reports of thousands of people who would gather not only in this

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 Dutch Reformed church but also in churches throughout the city of New York would begin to understand

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 the significance of prayer and the life that it brought to the people of God living there.

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 Hundreds of thousands are reported to have come to faith in Christ because of this simple

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 strategy but from somebody who for all intents and purposes was totally unqualified to lead.

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 He wasn't a pastor.

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 He had no pedigree as it were.

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 He had no credentials as it were.

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 He just came as a businessman to encourage others to pray.

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 And God used the prayers of his people to change the lives of those who came.

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 It's a reminder of what E.M. Bounds will say.

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 He says,

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 What the church needs today is not more machinery or better or new organizations or more in novel

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 methods but men and women whom the Holy Ghost can use.

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 Men and women of prayer.

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 Mighty men and women whom the Holy Ghost uses.

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 It does not flow through methods but through men and women.

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 The Spirit does not come on machinery but on men and women.

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 He does not anoint plans but men and women of prayer.

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 And that's where we are this morning.

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 As we reflect on all that God has accomplished for us in 2025.

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 Thinking about his faithfulness to us as a church.

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 Thinking about answered prayer.

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 I think about all of the faithful people who are part of ministries.

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 And I can't even begin to name all of those who are part of those ministries.

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 Ministries with our children.

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 With our teens.

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 With our connect groups.

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 With our small groups.

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 With our praise team.

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 And our media ministry.

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 Our welcome ministry.

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 And so many other areas of Bible studies.

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 And discipleship.

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 And hospitality.

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 And greeting.

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 So many of you who are a part of building into the lives of others.

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 And it's something that we can celebrate.

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 God's work among us through God's people.

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 And then the harvest offering that we did for the first time.

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 Just a couple of months ago.

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 And an invitation to give for our missionaries.

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 And you rose to the occasion.

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 And more than $40,000 was raised on behalf of missions.

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 In just the matter of a month.

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 Your generosity.

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 In responding.

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 In God using that.

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 In giving.

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 In our budget that far exceeded our expectations.

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 That the actual giving was far more than the budget of expenses that we had.

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 New initiatives that God allowed us to accomplish.

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 And God's faithfulness to cover unexpected expenses.

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 $80,000 for a backflow device.

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 $40,000 for two HVAC units that we needed to replace.

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 $60,000 for a gym roof.

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 And God provided all of those things.

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 Unexpectedly.

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 An ever-growing youth missions team.

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 And what a joy it's been to watch more than 20 students.

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 And several leaders who've been part of the mission teams over the last couple of years.

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 And how God has worked instrumentally through their lives.

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 How God has used them to bless us individually.

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 But also to partner with other churches.

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 And to bless those ministries as well.

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 It's exciting to be able to continue to have interns.

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 And we're praying that God will continue to bless us with more interns.

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 That we can pour into and invest in.

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 Also new deacon-elects.

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 We have at least two new deacon-elects this year.

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 New members.

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 New conversions.

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 New baptisms.

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 It has been a year to celebrate.

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 God has been so faithful.

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 But what does this next year hold?

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 Where do we stand in this year?

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 What will God do in this year?

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 And what God will accomplish in this year will depend on one thing.

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 It will depend on whether or not we will be people who couple our hearts to God in prayer.

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 That we depend on the Lord to do His work and not strive and seek to do it on our own power.

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 And that's where we find ourselves this morning.

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 A reminder this morning that before we can ever stand as a church.

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 We must learn to kneel as the people of God.

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 And captured for us in this two-volume work that we've been studying over the last several years.

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 As we go back just for a moment and kind of touch on this gospel of Luke.

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 And then transition into the book of Acts.

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 And just kind of laying the foundations for what does it look like to be a people dependent on God through prayer.

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 And Jesus, He will obviously entrust this ministry to His disciples.

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 And what will it look for those disciples to then also depend on God in prayer?

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 How will they do this?

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 The headline of Acts is not, look what the church has accomplished.

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 But look at what God has accomplished for His people.

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 People of prayer.

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 Because a church advances in the power of God.

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 And through the prayers of God's people.

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 Not through the machinery that E.M. Bounds refers to.

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 Before Luke ever shows us sermons and strategies and structures and mission routes.

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 He shows us a people who have committed themselves to God in prayer.

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 Forever to experience fruitfulness in our families, in our workplaces, in our communities.

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 We must be a people dependent on the Lord.

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 But resting, not striving.

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 Learning to rely and not to struggle.

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 Learning to trust and not to work.

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 Learning to depend on the Lord.

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 And it's not that the Christian life doesn't involve effort.

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 We understand that it will involve effort.

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 But it must first be coupled with prayer.

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 It must first start with prayer.

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 And we see this promise that we get from John chapter 15.

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 That those who are coupled to God.

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 The vine as it were.

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 Will enjoy the benefits of fruitfulness.

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 That's what we want.

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 John 15 verse 5 says,

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 I am the vine.

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 You are the branches.

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 Whoever abides in me and I in him.

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 He it is that bears much fruit.

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 For apart from me you can do nothing.

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 If you abide in me and my words abide in you.

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 Ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.

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 Do you want to enjoy the benefits of fruitfulness?

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 Do you want to have a life that is abundant in harvest?

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 Do you want to enjoy the blessing of God?

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 The favor of God on your life?

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 To experience his working in your life.

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 And using you instrumentally in the lives of others?

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 Well you must be connected to the vine.

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 You must depend on his words.

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 And have his words spill out in the way you live.

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 And as we open this series.

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 It's important for us to understand.

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 That Luke will continue to establish this pattern for us.

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 This pattern of dependence on God through prayer.

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 A people on their knees.

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 So I would encourage you if you have your Bibles.

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 Open with me to the gospel of Luke.

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 We're going to start there.

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 We're going to be there for a little bit of time.

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 And then we're going to flip to the book of Acts.

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 To conclude our time together.

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 Luke chapter 1.

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 That's where we're going to start our time.

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 Luke chapter 1 verses 5 to 7.

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 Let me read this for us.

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 As we begin.

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 It says,

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 In years.

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 Luke is setting this up as the very first story.

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 In the gospel of Luke.

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 And he does this strategically.

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 He does this instrumentally.

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 Because he wants to draw our attention.

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 To the work of God.

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 Working through and over our barrenness.

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 We need to recognize.

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 First of all as a church.

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 If we're ever going to enjoy the benefits of fruitfulness.

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 We must recognize our poverty.

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 You have to recognize.

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 I have to recognize my poverty.

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 What I bring to the table.

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 I bring barrenness.

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 I bring insufficiency.

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 I bring inadequacy.

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 I bring inadequacy.

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 I bring nothing to the table.

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 And that's where this story begins.

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 This story begins with this dramatic contrast.

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 That God wants to help set the tone.

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 Right out of the gate.

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 How is fruitfulness going to happen?

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 How is mission going to take place?

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 It's going to happen on the power of God.

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 In the power of God alone.

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 Every piece of this description.

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 In verses 5 to 7.

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 Are meant to call our attention.

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 To God's work in spite of poverty.

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 God's work in spite of barrenness.

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 Luke is drawing our attention to this.

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 He wants us to see it right at the outset.

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 That the gospel record.

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 Will indicate that in this story.

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 If we want to enjoy the blessings of God.

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 The fruitfulness of God.

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 It must begin on your knees.

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 Luke wants us to understand.

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 This tone of fruitfulness.

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 How it will happen.

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 It's only going to happen one way.

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 It's only going to happen.

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 By trusting and depending on God.

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 And so he spotlights barrenness.

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 This couple.

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 This couple.

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 Zachariah and Elizabeth.

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 And what they bring to the table.

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 Is barrenness.

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 And we recognize that.

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 That our own barrenness.

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 Our own fruitlessness.

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 Is in view.

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 Notice.

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 Zachariah and Elizabeth.

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 It says they come from the right family.

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 That Zachariah is a priest.

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 We also see that.

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 That they come with the right heart.

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 You notice that in verse 6.

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 They were righteous before God.

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 Walking blamelessly.

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 And all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.

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 This righteousness.

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 This blamelessness.

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 This obedience.

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 So from the right stock.

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 And having the right character.

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 And it's met with futility.

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 It's met with barrenness.

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 They have no children.

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 All of their efforts.

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 And I think their godly efforts.

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 What they bring to the table.

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 Is not enough.

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 And that's the point.

00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:39.860
 They need the Lord.

00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:41.539
 To fix it all.

00:16:41.940 --> 00:16:42.779
 To do it all.

00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:44.460
 Because they can't do it for themselves.

00:16:45.779 --> 00:16:48.820
 And the story graciously moves on.

00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:50.259
 That in spite of barrenness.

00:16:50.320 --> 00:16:51.740
 We see in verse 8.

00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:55.980
 Now while Zachariah was serving as a priest before God.

00:16:56.440 --> 00:16:58.159
 When his division was on duty.

00:16:58.399 --> 00:17:00.440
 According to the custom of the priesthood.

00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:02.480
 He was chosen by lot.

00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:05.839
 To enter the temple of the Lord.

00:17:06.120 --> 00:17:07.440
 And to burn incense.

00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:10.740
 Immediately the scene changes.

00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:17.220
 Immediately now we transition into the space of provision.

00:17:17.859 --> 00:17:19.359
 Where is provision going to happen?

00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:20.559
 Well it's going to happen in the temple.

00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:22.700
 It's going to happen through prayer.

00:17:23.179 --> 00:17:25.619
 It's going to happen because of God's power.

00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:27.619
 And the occasion of this hour.

00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:28.879
 Is the hour of incense.

00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:30.720
 This is the hour of prayer.

00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:32.500
 And what would happen is.

00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:34.879
 Is during this first century.

00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:37.079
 There were 24 divisions of priests.

00:17:38.179 --> 00:17:39.779
 Broken out by families.

00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:43.019
 And 24 divisions in 12 months.

00:17:43.139 --> 00:17:45.879
 Means that every priestly family would serve.

00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:48.940
 Approximately two weeks in the space of a year.

00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:53.299
 And there were about 18,000 priests in Israel.

00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:56.180
 And so for your number to be called up.

00:17:56.400 --> 00:17:58.400
 For you to be able to serve in this way.

00:17:58.480 --> 00:18:01.140
 Was like a once in a lifetime opportunity.

00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:03.840
 And by God's providence.

00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:06.660
 He brings Zachariah by lot.

00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:09.920
 To accomplish this prayer representation.

00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:11.420
 In this moment.

00:18:11.420 --> 00:18:14.759
 Because he has a point for us to understand.

00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:17.440
 He has a message for us to hear.

00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:21.140
 Because barrenness is only going to be overcome.

00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:23.060
 Through God's power.

00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:24.820
 It's only going to become.

00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:25.680
 Overcome.

00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:26.759
 As God's people.

00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.220
 Couple their hearts.

00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:29.640
 In dependence on him.

00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:30.640
 To provide.

00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:33.060
 And we find that Zachariah.

00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:35.480
 He's not just performing a duty here.

00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:37.180
 He's not just going through the motions.

00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:39.259
 He's not just doing what he's told to do.

00:18:39.380 --> 00:18:41.319
 But notice in verse 13.

00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:45.039
 He's a man of prayer as well.

00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:47.680
 The angel says to him.

00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:49.599
 Do not be afraid Zachariah.

00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:52.299
 For your prayer has been heard.

00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:56.059
 And you and your wife will bear a son.

00:18:56.839 --> 00:18:59.920
 And you shall call his name John.

00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:04.799
 Barrenness will be replaced by fruitfulness.

00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:05.680
 Barrenness.

00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:07.460
 Barrenness.

00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:09.119
 Replaced by fruitfulness.

00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:11.099
 Because of prayer.

00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:14.460
 We learn the strategic nature.

00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:15.839
 Of their prayers.

00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:18.799
 Not just praying for a son.

00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:21.299
 But praying for the coming of Messiah.

00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:23.119
 Notice.

00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:25.960
 They're praying for this work of God.

00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:27.500
 This spirit of Elijah.

00:19:27.859 --> 00:19:29.180
 This fulfillment of promise.

00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:30.779
 It's all bound together.

00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:33.599
 Zachariah and Elizabeth.

00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:36.000
 Understand this plan of God.

00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:36.959
 To bring salvation.

00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:38.199
 To his people.

00:19:38.419 --> 00:19:39.159
 They understand.

00:19:39.159 --> 00:19:40.480
 That it's going to happen through.

00:19:40.659 --> 00:19:41.599
 The spirit of Elijah.

00:19:41.679 --> 00:19:42.639
 He's going to come.

00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:44.740
 And he's going to accomplish this work.

00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.139
 They're praying.

00:19:46.219 --> 00:19:46.759
 That God.

00:19:46.919 --> 00:19:47.579
 Would hear.

00:19:47.719 --> 00:19:48.159
 And answer.

00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:49.679
 And help this nation.

00:19:50.959 --> 00:19:52.399
 And God has heard their prayers.

00:19:52.699 --> 00:19:53.439
 And he is.

00:19:54.219 --> 00:19:55.319
 Letting them understand.

00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.599
 Your prayer has been heard.

00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:58.139
 It's going to be answered.

00:19:58.140 --> 00:20:01.020
 The amazing part of this prayer.

00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:02.560
 Is that God would.

00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:03.640
 Would answer.

00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:04.700
 And he would answer.

00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:05.820
 Very personally.

00:20:06.080 --> 00:20:07.940
 Not just give them help.

00:20:08.100 --> 00:20:09.040
 To the nation.

00:20:09.180 --> 00:20:10.400
 But give them help.

00:20:10.600 --> 00:20:11.020
 Through.

00:20:11.560 --> 00:20:12.120
 Specifically.

00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:13.040
 A son.

00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:13.759
 Who would come.

00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.980
 From their own family.

00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:17.580
 God would give them a son.

00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:18.180
 Who would be.

00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.520
 Filled with the Holy Spirit.

00:20:19.600 --> 00:20:20.220
 Even from.

00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:22.060
 The point of his mother's womb.

00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:23.660
 Faithful prayers.

00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:24.340
 Would result.

00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:26.000
 In Holy Spirit power.

00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:28.160
 Faithful prayers.

00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:29.920
 Dependent prayers.

00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:31.940
 Desperate prayers.

00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:32.960
 From barren.

00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:33.759
 Hearts.

00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:35.720
 Are going to be met.

00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:37.319
 By God's power.

00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:39.339
 Those faithful prayers.

00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:40.420
 Rose from an important.

00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:41.279
 An important.

00:20:42.660 --> 00:20:43.500
 Awareness.

00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:45.039
 They recognized.

00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:46.259
 Their own poverty.

00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:47.319
 And so.

00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:48.599
 They coupled their heart.

00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.380
 To pray.

00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:51.480
 You see.

00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:53.579
 If we're ever going to enjoy.

00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:54.400
 The blessing.

00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:55.700
 Of fruitfulness.

00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:56.299
 In life.

00:20:56.860 --> 00:20:57.580
 It begins.

00:20:57.580 --> 00:20:58.600
 With an awareness.

00:20:59.120 --> 00:20:59.880
 Of your poverty.

00:21:01.580 --> 00:21:02.700
 Do you recognize.

00:21:03.600 --> 00:21:04.240
 Your poverty.

00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.840
 Do you recognize.

00:21:05.840 --> 00:21:07.080
 What you bring to the table.

00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:08.420
 Do you.

00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:09.019
 Do you see.

00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:10.100
 Your insufficiency.

00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:11.500
 Do you.

00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:12.900
 Come to a sense.

00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:13.100
 Of.

00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.140
 Realizing.

00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:15.200
 That there are areas.

00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:16.019
 In your life.

00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:17.120
 That are out of step.

00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:18.319
 Out of bounds.

00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.299
 That are not.

00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:19.940
 In line.

00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:21.000
 With God's standard.

00:21:21.120 --> 00:21:21.440
 You are.

00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:22.279
 You're broken.

00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:22.840
 There is.

00:21:23.360 --> 00:21:23.840
 Barrenness.

00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:24.559
 In your life.

00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:25.319
 Not fruitfulness.

00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:25.919
 In your life.

00:21:25.919 --> 00:21:26.779
 And.

00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.599
 And you recognize.

00:21:27.599 --> 00:21:28.220
 That there are.

00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:30.019
 Are specific deficiencies.

00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:31.200
 That God has brought.

00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:32.259
 To your attention.

00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:33.939
 And those aren't meant.

00:21:33.939 --> 00:21:35.019
 To discourage.

00:21:35.419 --> 00:21:35.639
 Or.

00:21:35.639 --> 00:21:36.299
 Or even.

00:21:36.659 --> 00:21:37.319
 Deflate you.

00:21:37.399 --> 00:21:37.899
 They're meant.

00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:39.339
 To encourage you.

00:21:39.419 --> 00:21:39.559
 To.

00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:40.579
 To put.

00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.439
 To press in.

00:21:41.919 --> 00:21:43.019
 Like Zachariah.

00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.439
 And Elizabeth did.

00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:44.639
 To.

00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.639
 To become aware.

00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:47.019
 Of their barrenness.

00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:48.079
 Their brokenness.

00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:48.740
 Their poverty.

00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.599
 And to pray.

00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:49.719
 May.

00:21:51.659 --> 00:21:52.459
 Most often.

00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:55.099
 We do not recognize.

00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:55.519
 Our.

00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.219
 Insufficiency.

00:21:58.719 --> 00:21:59.139
 I.

00:21:59.139 --> 00:21:59.579
 I think.

00:21:59.659 --> 00:22:00.500
 We're complacent.

00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:01.859
 I think.

00:22:01.859 --> 00:22:02.699
 It's really easy.

00:22:03.199 --> 00:22:03.779
 To think.

00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:04.559
 That we have it all.

00:22:04.719 --> 00:22:05.079
 Together.

00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.559
 I think.

00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.179
 It's really easy.

00:22:07.179 --> 00:22:07.839
 To be comfortable.

00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:08.779
 With the here and now.

00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:09.959
 And.

00:22:10.139 --> 00:22:10.059
 And.

00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:11.879
 And if God is ever going to work.

00:22:12.159 --> 00:22:13.919
 In the people of Maranatha.

00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:15.619
 If God is ever going to work.

00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:16.599
 In your heart.

00:22:16.919 --> 00:22:17.240
 And.

00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:17.440
 And.

00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:18.379
 In the ministries.

00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:19.559
 And the circles.

00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.460
 In which you run.

00:22:20.619 --> 00:22:21.819
 It's only going to happen.

00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:22.879
 When you come to a place.

00:22:22.919 --> 00:22:23.579
 Of recognizing.

00:22:23.919 --> 00:22:25.539
 Your desperate need.

00:22:25.679 --> 00:22:26.179
 For God.

00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:28.220
 Your own insufficiency.

00:22:28.359 --> 00:22:29.279
 Your own barrenness.

00:22:30.139 --> 00:22:31.559
 Your own inadequacy.

00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:33.759
 But.

00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.480
 God meets.

00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:37.000
 Our inadequacy.

00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:38.419
 By providing his son.

00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:40.820
 He provides his son.

00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.019
 And.

00:22:42.100 --> 00:22:43.380
 And if we want to be useful.

00:22:43.380 --> 00:22:43.960
 And we want.

00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:45.460
 To be fruitful.

00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:45.940
 And we.

00:22:46.080 --> 00:22:47.240
 We don't want to be.

00:22:47.620 --> 00:22:48.480
 Barren in life.

00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:49.100
 We.

00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:49.620
 We need to.

00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:50.060
 To.

00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:50.380
 To.

00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.279
 To be in tune.

00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:52.279
 With our poverty.

00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.080
 And run.

00:22:53.600 --> 00:22:53.800
 To.

00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:55.060
 His all sufficiency.

00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:57.600
 Let God.

00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:58.160
 Turn.

00:22:58.600 --> 00:22:59.320
 Your poverty.

00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:00.500
 Into provision.

00:23:01.880 --> 00:23:02.500
 Let God.

00:23:02.600 --> 00:23:03.500
 Turn your poverty.

00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:04.519
 Into provision.

00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:05.360
 He delights.

00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.519
 In doing that.

00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:06.940
 But it.

00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.700
 But it won't happen.

00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:09.080
 Until you come to a place.

00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:10.279
 Of recognizing.

00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:11.660
 You bring nothing.

00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.200
 To the table.

00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:14.660
 Jesus will say.

00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:15.640
 Blessed.

00:23:16.140 --> 00:23:17.380
 Are the poor in spirit.

00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.259
 For they.

00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.160
 Shall see.

00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:19.920
 God.

00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:21.980
 Blessed.

00:23:22.080 --> 00:23:22.819
 Are the poor in spirit.

00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.279
 Is God helping.

00:23:24.360 --> 00:23:24.700
 To tune.

00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:25.240
 Your heart.

00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:26.580
 In that way.

00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:27.200
 To recognize.

00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:27.819
 Your poverty.

00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:28.920
 So you.

00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:29.240
 So you.

00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.660
 Actually come to a place.

00:23:31.100 --> 00:23:32.059
 Of dependence.

00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:32.660
 On him.

00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.559
 And pleading.

00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:34.279
 With him.

00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:34.960
 To.

00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:35.240
 To.

00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:35.399
 To.

00:23:35.399 --> 00:23:36.379
 To produce.

00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.240
 In your heart.

00:23:37.399 --> 00:23:37.779
 In life.

00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:39.319
 What you so desperately need.

00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:42.299
 And when God helps us.

00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:43.519
 Recognize our poverty.

00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:45.099
 Then he also.

00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:46.160
 Invites us.

00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:47.220
 To reach.

00:23:47.379 --> 00:23:47.879
 For something.

00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.619
 That he's provided.

00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.379
 And that's the next.

00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.819
 The next point here.

00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:51.339
 Reach.

00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.819
 For God's promise.

00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:54.859
 Reach for God's promise.

00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:55.519
 We.

00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:56.359
 We understand.

00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.099
 Our poverty.

00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:58.619
 But it's not meant to leave us there.

00:23:59.119 --> 00:23:59.839
 It's meant for us.

00:23:59.899 --> 00:24:00.000
 To.

00:24:00.119 --> 00:24:01.079
 To see him.

00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:03.299
 To understand the truths.

00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.259
 About him.

00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:05.839
 And to reach for him.

00:24:05.919 --> 00:24:06.819
 And to trust in him.

00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:08.299
 To rest in him.

00:24:09.139 --> 00:24:09.559
 Reach.

00:24:09.919 --> 00:24:10.859
 For God's promise.

00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:13.159
 The second snapshot.

00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:13.960
 That we're going to look at.

00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:15.000
 Briefly here.

00:24:15.159 --> 00:24:15.359
 In the.

00:24:15.439 --> 00:24:16.699
 In the gospel of Luke.

00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:18.139
 Is found in Luke chapter 2.

00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:20.460
 Verses 22 to 38.

00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:20.720
 And.

00:24:21.159 --> 00:24:23.019
 And we encounter another man.

00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:24.119
 And another woman.

00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:24.859
 Now.

00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.899
 They're not married.

00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:27.359
 The man's name is.

00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:27.939
 Simeon.

00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:29.559
 And the woman's name is Anna.

00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:32.159
 They're unrelated by family.

00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:32.460
 They're.

00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:33.619
 They're obscure.

00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:33.960
 They're.

00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.659
 They're anonymous.

00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:36.019
 And I think that's by design.

00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.359
 Because.

00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:38.200
 Because here in our story.

00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:39.440
 As this begins to.

00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:40.779
 Continues to unfold.

00:24:40.899 --> 00:24:41.879
 God wants us to understand.

00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:43.440
 It's not by pedigree.

00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:45.200
 That he's going to accomplish his work.

00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:47.480
 He's going to do it through normal people.

00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:49.440
 Who come to grips with their barrenness.

00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:50.700
 And turn it over to the Lord.

00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.480
 And trust him.

00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:53.419
 And that's what we find.

00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.839
 In Simeon.

00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:55.539
 And Anna.

00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.500
 Beginning in verse 22.

00:24:57.619 --> 00:24:57.919
 It says.

00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.159
 And when the time came.

00:24:59.160 --> 00:25:00.480
 For their purification.

00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:00.980
 Speaking.

00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:02.660
 Of Joseph.

00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:03.360
 And Mary.

00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:04.340
 And Jesus.

00:25:05.060 --> 00:25:06.279
 According to the law of Moses.

00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:07.200
 They brought him.

00:25:07.340 --> 00:25:07.620
 Jesus.

00:25:07.800 --> 00:25:08.580
 Up to Jerusalem.

00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:09.860
 To present him.

00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:10.540
 Before the Lord.

00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.060
 Verse 25.

00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:12.440
 Now.

00:25:12.580 --> 00:25:13.360
 There was a man.

00:25:13.540 --> 00:25:14.380
 In Jerusalem.

00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:15.500
 Whose name was Simeon.

00:25:16.120 --> 00:25:17.220
 This man was righteous.

00:25:17.360 --> 00:25:17.759
 And devout.

00:25:17.860 --> 00:25:19.400
 Waiting for the consolation.

00:25:19.800 --> 00:25:20.380
 Of Israel.

00:25:21.040 --> 00:25:21.940
 And the Holy Spirit.

00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.640
 Was upon him.

00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:24.200
 It had been revealed.

00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:24.640
 To him.

00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.480
 By the Holy Spirit.

00:25:25.540 --> 00:25:26.200
 That he would not.

00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:26.960
 See death.

00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:28.380
 Before he had seen.

00:25:28.380 --> 00:25:29.160
 The Lord.

00:25:29.620 --> 00:25:29.940
 Christ.

00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:31.640
 And he came.

00:25:31.860 --> 00:25:32.360
 In the spirit.

00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:33.559
 In the temple.

00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.200
 And when the parents.

00:25:35.340 --> 00:25:36.279
 Brought in the child.

00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:36.940
 Jesus.

00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.600
 To do for him.

00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:38.340
 According to the custom.

00:25:38.380 --> 00:25:38.740
 Of the law.

00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:40.039
 He took him up.

00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.140
 Into his arms.

00:25:41.340 --> 00:25:42.400
 And blessed God.

00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:42.960
 And said.

00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:43.720
 Lord.

00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:45.600
 Now you are letting.

00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:46.100
 Your servant.

00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:46.880
 Depart in peace.

00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:48.480
 According to your word.

00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:49.400
 For my eyes.

00:25:49.600 --> 00:25:51.079
 Have seen your salvation.

00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.600
 That you have prepared.

00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.180
 In the presence.

00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:53.819
 Of all people.

00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:54.700
 A light.

00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:55.620
 For revelation.

00:25:55.620 --> 00:25:56.920
 To the Gentiles.

00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:57.840
 And for glory.

00:25:57.840 --> 00:25:58.720
 To your people.

00:25:59.100 --> 00:25:59.539
 Israel.

00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:01.400
 We find that.

00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.779
 As with Zachariah.

00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:03.700
 And Elizabeth.

00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:04.660
 Simeon.

00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.200
 Is too.

00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:06.840
 Is waiting.

00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:07.620
 He's waiting.

00:26:07.620 --> 00:26:08.960
 For the consolation.

00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.500
 Of Israel.

00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:09.920
 He.

00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:11.140
 He's anchored.

00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:11.860
 And tethered.

00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:12.660
 His heart.

00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:13.340
 To promise.

00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.120
 He knows.

00:26:14.120 --> 00:26:14.980
 What God has said.

00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:15.840
 About this coming.

00:26:16.120 --> 00:26:16.519
 Messiah.

00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:17.759
 And he believes.

00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.720
 That God will do.

00:26:18.840 --> 00:26:19.880
 What God has promised.

00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:22.559
 And so he's reaching.

00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:23.640
 He's longing.

00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:24.660
 He's yearning.

00:26:24.860 --> 00:26:25.300
 He's.

00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:26.020
 He's looking.

00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:26.660
 And waiting.

00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:27.640
 Actively.

00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.380
 For the.

00:26:28.820 --> 00:26:28.980
 Fulfillment.

00:26:29.060 --> 00:26:29.740
 The fulfillment.

00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:30.480
 Of that promise.

00:26:30.620 --> 00:26:30.980
 God.

00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:31.960
 You're gonna do it.

00:26:32.020 --> 00:26:32.720
 I know you will.

00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:33.480
 You promise.

00:26:33.560 --> 00:26:34.120
 It's gonna happen.

00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:35.840
 I'm reaching.

00:26:35.840 --> 00:26:36.580
 For that promise.

00:26:36.660 --> 00:26:37.340
 I'm trusting.

00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.420
 In your.

00:26:39.300 --> 00:26:39.620
 Sufficiency.

00:26:39.880 --> 00:26:40.460
 Your ability.

00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.620
 To see this through.

00:26:42.580 --> 00:26:43.560
 He knows.

00:26:43.640 --> 00:26:44.500
 God's promises.

00:26:45.280 --> 00:26:46.100
 And the knowledge.

00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:46.860
 That knowledge.

00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:47.880
 Drives him.

00:26:48.020 --> 00:26:48.580
 To something.

00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:49.680
 It drives him.

00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.040
 To prayer.

00:26:51.120 --> 00:26:52.480
 And then he gets this answer.

00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:52.680
 Here.

00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:54.819
 The Holy Spirit indicates.

00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:56.500
 That he would not die.

00:26:56.819 --> 00:26:58.259
 Until he had seen.

00:26:58.460 --> 00:26:59.079
 The Lord.

00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:01.420
 And on this occasion.

00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:03.059
 After years of waiting.

00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:03.660
 And praying.

00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:04.940
 And serving.

00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:05.900
 Jesus.

00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:07.180
 Serving God.

00:27:07.380 --> 00:27:07.960
 In the temple.

00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:09.839
 He sees him.

00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:11.819
 He recognizes.

00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:13.420
 What no one else.

00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.480
 Has been able to recognize.

00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:16.720
 He sees the Messiah.

00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:18.480
 In the form of a little baby.

00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:20.000
 That not even Mary and Joseph.

00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:21.819
 Really knew the full extent.

00:27:21.819 --> 00:27:22.180
 Of what.

00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:23.299
 What was going on.

00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:25.359
 And he takes Jesus up.

00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:25.980
 In his arms.

00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:26.839
 And he blesses him.

00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:27.940
 My eyes.

00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:28.859
 Have seen.

00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:30.339
 Your salvation.

00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:31.940
 Here he is.

00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:33.140
 The consolation.

00:27:33.140 --> 00:27:33.619
 Of Israel.

00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:35.039
 The one we've always.

00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:36.220
 Been waiting for.

00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:36.819
 Finally.

00:27:37.079 --> 00:27:37.920
 He's here.

00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:39.599
 In his reaching.

00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:40.359
 Heart.

00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:41.680
 Has led to prayer.

00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.319
 And dependence.

00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:43.000
 Upon God.

00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:44.460
 And it's the Holy Spirit.

00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.380
 His power.

00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.400
 Who has made it possible.

00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:48.600
 Mary and Joseph.

00:27:48.600 --> 00:27:49.500
 Even marvel.

00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.540
 At what is said.

00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:52.000
 And Simeon.

00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:52.900
 Reinforces.

00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:53.960
 This pattern again.

00:27:54.780 --> 00:27:55.380
 This pattern.

00:27:55.380 --> 00:27:56.140
 Of dependency.

00:27:56.300 --> 00:27:56.820
 And reaching.

00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:57.720
 For God.

00:27:57.800 --> 00:27:58.440
 Through prayer.

00:27:58.759 --> 00:27:59.440
 And dependence.

00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:00.220
 Upon the Spirit.

00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.759
 We find this prophetess.

00:28:02.800 --> 00:28:03.060
 Anna.

00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:04.640
 In verses 36.

00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:05.220
 And 38.

00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:06.140
 We find that.

00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:06.880
 She did not depart.

00:28:06.880 --> 00:28:07.519
 From the temple.

00:28:07.800 --> 00:28:08.280
 Worshiping.

00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:09.220
 With fasting.

00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:09.920
 And prayer.

00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:11.100
 Night and day.

00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:11.500
 Why?

00:28:12.060 --> 00:28:12.940
 Why did she do that?

00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:13.620
 Because she.

00:28:13.860 --> 00:28:15.140
 Was tethering.

00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:15.840
 Her heart.

00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:16.620
 To the promise.

00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:18.020
 This consolation.

00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:18.960
 Of Israel.

00:28:19.120 --> 00:28:19.600
 Praying.

00:28:19.800 --> 00:28:21.220
 That God would see this through.

00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:22.460
 And through.

00:28:22.780 --> 00:28:24.120
 Her faithful prayers.

00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:24.540
 God.

00:28:25.040 --> 00:28:25.460
 Delivers.

00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:28.600
 The message.

00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.080
 And the.

00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:31.700
 The example.

00:28:32.580 --> 00:28:33.500
 That is set for us.

00:28:33.540 --> 00:28:34.120
 By Simeon.

00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:34.540
 And Anna.

00:28:34.920 --> 00:28:35.520
 Also.

00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:37.180
 Comes to us as well.

00:28:37.300 --> 00:28:37.759
 Are we.

00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:38.280
 Depending.

00:28:38.820 --> 00:28:39.680
 On the promises.

00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:40.160
 Of God.

00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:42.540
 Do you know the truths.

00:28:42.540 --> 00:28:43.400
 That God says.

00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:44.020
 About himself.

00:28:44.340 --> 00:28:45.120
 Is it helping.

00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:46.899
 To steady your heart.

00:28:47.179 --> 00:28:48.099
 To secure you.

00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.759
 In life.

00:28:50.219 --> 00:28:51.279
 Is it leading you.

00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.059
 In how you pray.

00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:53.699
 Is it.

00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:54.559
 Helping to.

00:28:54.699 --> 00:28:55.479
 To orient.

00:28:56.219 --> 00:28:56.500
 The.

00:28:56.619 --> 00:28:57.500
 The affections.

00:28:57.659 --> 00:28:58.019
 And the.

00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:58.759
 The desires.

00:28:58.759 --> 00:28:59.500
 Of your life.

00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:01.439
 We just finished.

00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:02.379
 The book of Colossians.

00:29:02.439 --> 00:29:03.019
 And in Colossians.

00:29:03.099 --> 00:29:03.259
 1.

00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:03.619
 15.

00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:04.839
 It says.

00:29:04.959 --> 00:29:06.099
 He is the image.

00:29:06.139 --> 00:29:07.059
 Of the invisible God.

00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:08.259
 The firstborn.

00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:09.199
 Over all creation.

00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:10.059
 And by him.

00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:10.979
 All things are created.

00:29:10.979 --> 00:29:11.559
 In heaven.

00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:12.399
 And on earth.

00:29:12.679 --> 00:29:13.119
 Visible.

00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:14.000
 And invisible.

00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:15.000
 Whether thrones.

00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.660
 Or dominions.

00:29:15.660 --> 00:29:16.400
 Or rulers.

00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:17.059
 Or authorities.

00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:19.019
 And all things were created.

00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.640
 Through him.

00:29:19.640 --> 00:29:20.220
 And for him.

00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:20.819
 He.

00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:22.579
 Is before all things.

00:29:22.900 --> 00:29:23.460
 And in him.

00:29:23.460 --> 00:29:24.400
 All things.

00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:25.319
 Hold together.

00:29:26.779 --> 00:29:27.759
 What is.

00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:28.960
 Or what should be.

00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:30.400
 The natural.

00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:31.299
 Conclusion.

00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:32.400
 Of a heart.

00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:33.440
 That believes.

00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:34.160
 That truth.

00:29:35.160 --> 00:29:36.680
 That he's above all.

00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.700
 He's above.

00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:39.299
 Rulers.

00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:40.140
 And authorities.

00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.440
 Visible.

00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:42.160
 And invisible.

00:29:42.160 --> 00:29:43.640
 He created them all.

00:29:43.799 --> 00:29:44.940
 He's over them all.

00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:46.920
 They submit to him.

00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:48.380
 What are we.

00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:50.019
 What should be the response.

00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:50.580
 Of a heart.

00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:51.440
 That believes that.

00:29:52.840 --> 00:29:53.320
 Well.

00:29:54.080 --> 00:29:54.820
 I think the psalmist.

00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:55.640
 Sums it up well.

00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:56.059
 When he says.

00:29:56.140 --> 00:29:56.500
 The Lord.

00:29:56.840 --> 00:29:57.680
 Is my light.

00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:58.539
 In my salvation.

00:29:59.220 --> 00:30:00.080
 Whom shall I fear.

00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:01.980
 The Lord.

00:30:02.100 --> 00:30:02.940
 Is the strength.

00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:03.840
 Of my life.

00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:04.759
 Of whom.

00:30:05.120 --> 00:30:05.799
 Shall I.

00:30:06.120 --> 00:30:06.740
 Be afraid.

00:30:07.080 --> 00:30:07.519
 God.

00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:08.380
 Is over.

00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.140
 In all.

00:30:09.340 --> 00:30:10.519
 I can trust him.

00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.440
 It'll steady.

00:30:11.440 --> 00:30:12.539
 My heart.

00:30:13.220 --> 00:30:14.059
 I believe in him.

00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:14.379
 And I'm.

00:30:14.420 --> 00:30:15.119
 I'm reaching.

00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:16.539
 For the promise.

00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:17.400
 Of the truths.

00:30:17.400 --> 00:30:18.000
 Of God.

00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:18.700
 And I want to.

00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:19.879
 I want to settle that.

00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:20.779
 On my life.

00:30:20.900 --> 00:30:21.579
 So my life.

00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:23.279
 Is enjoying the benefits.

00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:24.259
 Of these truths.

00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:26.359
 And.

00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:27.700
 For those.

00:30:27.839 --> 00:30:28.700
 Who understand.

00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:30.379
 The great promises.

00:30:30.379 --> 00:30:30.980
 Of God.

00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:33.119
 We recognize.

00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:34.400
 The model.

00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:34.859
 That Jesus.

00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:35.859
 Has set for us.

00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:37.379
 When he says.

00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:38.639
 Pray this way.

00:30:39.560 --> 00:30:40.580
 Your kingdom come.

00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:41.960
 Your will be done.

00:30:42.060 --> 00:30:42.480
 On earth.

00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:43.900
 As it is in heaven.

00:30:44.020 --> 00:30:44.300
 And so.

00:30:44.580 --> 00:30:45.160
 The posture.

00:30:45.280 --> 00:30:45.900
 Of my heart.

00:30:46.060 --> 00:30:47.120
 Is to ask the Lord.

00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:47.580
 To do.

00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:48.540
 His work.

00:30:48.660 --> 00:30:49.220
 In his way.

00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:51.000
 And when the Lord.

00:30:51.080 --> 00:30:51.400
 Says.

00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:52.700
 The harvest is plentiful.

00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:54.000
 But the laborers are few.

00:30:54.100 --> 00:30:54.360
 Therefore.

00:30:54.900 --> 00:30:55.280
 Pray.

00:30:55.700 --> 00:30:56.759
 That the Lord of the harvest.

00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:58.540
 Will send forth laborers.

00:30:58.560 --> 00:30:59.140
 Into the harvest.

00:30:59.140 --> 00:31:00.000
 What is my.

00:31:00.380 --> 00:31:01.259
 Reaching heart.

00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:03.120
 Trusting God's promises do.

00:31:04.340 --> 00:31:05.440
 It commits itself.

00:31:05.560 --> 00:31:05.940
 To pray.

00:31:05.940 --> 00:31:08.240
 That God will perform.

00:31:08.420 --> 00:31:09.120
 The promise.

00:31:09.620 --> 00:31:10.180
 He's given.

00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:12.000
 To send laborers.

00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:13.660
 To allow us.

00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:14.400
 To enjoy.

00:31:14.559 --> 00:31:15.140
 And to see.

00:31:15.539 --> 00:31:16.380
 The evidence.

00:31:16.580 --> 00:31:17.759
 Of fruitfulness.

00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:19.820
 You see.

00:31:19.860 --> 00:31:20.240
 Our hearts.

00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:20.880
 Should be guided.

00:31:21.660 --> 00:31:22.620
 By these promises.

00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:24.740
 Our hearts.

00:31:24.860 --> 00:31:25.320
 And lives.

00:31:25.460 --> 00:31:26.200
 Should be anchored.

00:31:26.840 --> 00:31:27.759
 By these promises.

00:31:28.860 --> 00:31:29.200
 So.

00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:30.220
 That when God.

00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:30.820
 Helps us.

00:31:30.880 --> 00:31:31.559
 Recognize.

00:31:31.860 --> 00:31:32.759
 Our poverty.

00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:34.579
 It leads us.

00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:35.559
 To know.

00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:36.660
 That he's a God.

00:31:36.720 --> 00:31:37.599
 Who's made promises.

00:31:37.819 --> 00:31:39.180
 And when we see.

00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:39.839
 His promises.

00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.680
 And reach for.

00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:41.799
 Those promises.

00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:42.980
 We recognize.

00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:44.279
 That we need to rely.

00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.579
 Then on his plan.

00:31:46.339 --> 00:31:47.859
 We must rely.

00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:49.500
 On his strategy.

00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:51.019
 Not our own strategy.

00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:52.500
 What is.

00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:54.079
 His strategy.

00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.579
 What is.

00:31:55.799 --> 00:31:56.599
 God's plan.

00:31:57.379 --> 00:31:57.619
 God's master.

00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:59.200
 Strategy.

00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:00.859
 It's by the way.

00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:02.420
 An unstoppable program.

00:32:03.060 --> 00:32:06.320
 It's a fail-safe plan that God has put into place.

00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:09.600
 And we see it evident in the life of Christ.

00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:13.720
 We see it through the remaining parts of the book of Acts.

00:32:14.580 --> 00:32:16.500
 Do we know God's plan?

00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:19.900
 Are we relying on that plan?

00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:22.880
 Jesus' plan is to build the church.

00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:27.720
 But he builds it through a praying people, a dependent people,

00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:33.079
 and the power of his spirit working through those people to accomplish his purposes.

00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:38.640
 We see it right at the start of Jesus' earthly ministry.

00:32:39.460 --> 00:32:43.019
 He's commissioned into public ministry in John chapter 3.

00:32:43.120 --> 00:32:47.000
 And you remember the story how Jesus will come to the Jordan River.

00:32:47.700 --> 00:32:49.740
 And John the Baptist is speaking there.

00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:51.460
 He says, I baptize you with water.

00:32:52.079 --> 00:32:56.059
 But he, speaking of Jesus, who is mightier than I, is coming.

00:32:56.059 --> 00:33:00.000
 He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

00:33:01.159 --> 00:33:05.139
 The power of the spirit will accomplish God's purposes.

00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:11.039
 And so when Jesus comes to be baptized, we find in Luke chapter 3, verse 21,

00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:13.179
 now when all the people were baptized,

00:33:13.659 --> 00:33:17.440
 and when Jesus was also baptized and was praying,

00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:19.379
 the heavens were opened.

00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:22.819
 And the Holy Spirit descended on him in a bodily form,

00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:25.119
 like a dove, and a voice came from heaven,

00:33:25.119 --> 00:33:26.599
 and you are my beloved son.

00:33:26.899 --> 00:33:28.659
 With you I am well pleased.

00:33:29.599 --> 00:33:31.679
 Jesus is praying.

00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:39.339
 And Jesus then enjoys and experiences the benefit of that Holy Spirit power,

00:33:39.439 --> 00:33:41.119
 being indwelt by the spirit.

00:33:41.639 --> 00:33:44.419
 So then we turn the page to Luke chapter 3, verse 21.

00:33:44.679 --> 00:33:47.899
 We see that it's the spirit who drives Jesus into the wilderness,

00:33:48.619 --> 00:33:49.699
 to set him apart,

00:33:49.700 --> 00:33:54.180
 to help establish the power of God working through his life.

00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:55.860
 We turn to chapter 4,

00:33:55.920 --> 00:34:00.059
 and we see this continuing evidence of the spirit in Jesus' ministry.

00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:07.620
 We see the spirit working because of a heart of Christ in modeling prayer.

00:34:07.619 --> 00:34:10.199
 Luke 4, verse 42 says,

00:34:10.339 --> 00:34:11.019
 And when it was day,

00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:12.920
 he departed, speaking of Jesus,

00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:14.900
 and went into a desolate place.

00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:15.960
 Well, what was he doing there?

00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:18.639
 We find from Mark chapter 1, verse 35,

00:34:18.759 --> 00:34:19.299
 what he was doing.

00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:19.739
 It says,

00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:21.679
 And rising very early in the morning,

00:34:21.920 --> 00:34:23.039
 while it was still dark,

00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:25.179
 he departed and went out into a desolate place.

00:34:25.400 --> 00:34:26.279
 And there he,

00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:26.940
 what church?

00:34:27.739 --> 00:34:28.219
 He prayed.

00:34:29.359 --> 00:34:30.000
 He prayed.

00:34:30.639 --> 00:34:31.940
 And this was his routine.

00:34:32.539 --> 00:34:33.579
 This was his pattern.

00:34:33.579 --> 00:34:38.319
 This was the plan of our Savior

00:34:38.319 --> 00:34:41.819
 to accomplish the purpose for which God had sent him.

00:34:42.659 --> 00:34:43.659
 Luke 5, 16.

00:34:44.219 --> 00:34:47.380
 But he would withdraw to desolate places to pray.

00:34:48.340 --> 00:34:49.199
 Luke 6, 12.

00:34:49.279 --> 00:34:51.799
 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray.

00:34:52.199 --> 00:34:54.400
 And all night he continued in prayer to God.

00:34:55.139 --> 00:34:56.799
 In Luke chapter 9, verse 18.

00:34:56.900 --> 00:34:59.440
 Now it happened that as he was praying alone,

00:34:59.559 --> 00:35:01.039
 the disciples were with him.

00:35:01.039 --> 00:35:02.559
 And he asked them,

00:35:02.699 --> 00:35:04.719
 Who do the crowd say that I am?

00:35:05.219 --> 00:35:06.500
 Luke chapter 9, verse 28.

00:35:06.940 --> 00:35:09.059
 Now about eight days after these sayings,

00:35:09.139 --> 00:35:10.940
 he took Peter and John and James,

00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:13.400
 and he went up to the mountain to pray.

00:35:14.300 --> 00:35:15.279
 Luke 11, 1.

00:35:15.460 --> 00:35:17.539
 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place.

00:35:19.179 --> 00:35:21.119
 What do we learn from Jesus' life and example?

00:35:22.079 --> 00:35:23.480
 We learn that there is a commitment

00:35:23.480 --> 00:35:26.519
 to fellowshipping and trusting in God

00:35:26.519 --> 00:35:27.840
 through prayer.

00:35:28.320 --> 00:35:30.400
 And then the power of the Spirit will come

00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:33.579
 and to accomplish the work of God

00:35:33.579 --> 00:35:35.320
 through the life of Jesus.

00:35:36.860 --> 00:35:39.800
 The Son of God was dependent on prayer

00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:41.900
 and full of the Spirit.

00:35:43.500 --> 00:35:44.840
 He sets the pattern.

00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:46.639
 He establishes the expectation.

00:35:47.360 --> 00:35:49.460
 He provides the example.

00:35:50.360 --> 00:35:54.160
 And the prayer life of Jesus was so clear,

00:35:54.440 --> 00:35:55.280
 was so evident.

00:35:55.420 --> 00:35:59.440
 The power was so obvious in the disciples' minds.

00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:00.400
 And so what do they say?

00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:03.400
 And what do they ask in Luke chapter 11, verse 1?

00:36:03.800 --> 00:36:06.380
 They say, Lord, teach us to what?

00:36:07.079 --> 00:36:07.720
 To pray.

00:36:08.059 --> 00:36:08.360
 Why?

00:36:09.360 --> 00:36:12.760
 Because they knew this was plan A.

00:36:12.900 --> 00:36:15.240
 This was the game plan of God

00:36:15.240 --> 00:36:17.679
 to accomplish His work through prayer.

00:36:17.960 --> 00:36:19.079
 A praying people.

00:36:19.079 --> 00:36:23.739
 And so for those who commit themselves

00:36:23.739 --> 00:36:24.559
 to this exercise,

00:36:24.719 --> 00:36:26.360
 Jesus makes promises.

00:36:27.900 --> 00:36:30.000
 In Luke chapter 11, verses 9 and 10,

00:36:30.079 --> 00:36:30.400
 He says,

00:36:30.400 --> 00:36:31.820
 I tell you,

00:36:31.900 --> 00:36:33.300
 ask and it will be given to you.

00:36:33.840 --> 00:36:34.680
 Seek and you will find.

00:36:34.800 --> 00:36:35.880
 Knock and it will be opened to you.

00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:37.860
 For everyone who asks, receives.

00:36:38.200 --> 00:36:39.660
 The one who seeks, finds.

00:36:39.960 --> 00:36:41.180
 And to the one who knocks,

00:36:41.240 --> 00:36:42.160
 it will be opened.

00:36:44.000 --> 00:36:45.099
 If you then who are evil

00:36:45.099 --> 00:36:46.160
 know how to give good gifts

00:36:46.160 --> 00:36:46.800
 to your children,

00:36:46.900 --> 00:36:47.619
 how much more

00:36:47.619 --> 00:36:48.900
 will the Heavenly Father

00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:49.900
 give the Holy Spirit

00:36:49.900 --> 00:36:51.460
 to those who ask Him?

00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:53.660
 Pray, depend,

00:36:53.659 --> 00:36:56.000
 and enjoy the benefits

00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:57.819
 of the Holy Spirit's power

00:36:57.819 --> 00:36:58.420
 in your life.

00:36:59.359 --> 00:37:01.440
 In Luke chapter 18, verse 1,

00:37:01.639 --> 00:37:03.440
 we find Jesus' instructions.

00:37:04.639 --> 00:37:05.599
 He told them a parable

00:37:05.599 --> 00:37:07.279
 to the effect that they ought

00:37:07.279 --> 00:37:08.819
 always to pray

00:37:08.819 --> 00:37:10.239
 and not lose heart.

00:37:11.279 --> 00:37:12.719
 Be a praying people.

00:37:13.019 --> 00:37:13.859
 Depend on the Lord.

00:37:15.039 --> 00:37:16.179
 And then in verses 7 and 8,

00:37:16.219 --> 00:37:16.779
 He says this,

00:37:17.199 --> 00:37:19.019
 Will not God give justice

00:37:19.019 --> 00:37:19.759
 to His elect

00:37:19.759 --> 00:37:21.859
 who cry to Him day and night?

00:37:21.860 --> 00:37:24.099
 Will He delay long over them?

00:37:24.260 --> 00:37:25.120
 I tell you,

00:37:25.360 --> 00:37:26.300
 He will give justice

00:37:26.300 --> 00:37:27.120
 to them speedily.

00:37:27.500 --> 00:37:27.840
 Nevertheless,

00:37:28.500 --> 00:37:29.900
 when the Son of Man comes,

00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:31.380
 will He find faith

00:37:31.380 --> 00:37:32.740
 on the earth?

00:37:33.740 --> 00:37:35.300
 And that's the question for us.

00:37:36.880 --> 00:37:38.519
 The plan has been set.

00:37:39.340 --> 00:37:40.579
 The program is clear.

00:37:41.620 --> 00:37:42.740
 Will we be a people

00:37:42.740 --> 00:37:43.440
 that follow

00:37:43.440 --> 00:37:45.160
 the example of our Lord?

00:37:45.780 --> 00:37:47.380
 Will God find faith

00:37:47.380 --> 00:37:48.059
 on the earth?

00:37:48.180 --> 00:37:49.019
 And how will He know?

00:37:49.280 --> 00:37:50.460
 He will know through a people

00:37:50.460 --> 00:37:51.480
 who've committed themselves

00:37:51.480 --> 00:37:52.539
 to Him in prayer.

00:37:53.719 --> 00:37:54.639
 God's strategy,

00:37:55.219 --> 00:37:56.079
 done God's way,

00:37:56.840 --> 00:37:58.539
 will find the benefits

00:37:58.539 --> 00:37:59.960
 of God's working

00:37:59.960 --> 00:38:00.880
 in our lives.

00:38:02.179 --> 00:38:03.980
 We turn to Acts chapter 1 now,

00:38:04.679 --> 00:38:05.480
 and we find that

00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:07.719
 these praying people,

00:38:07.880 --> 00:38:09.699
 and now the emergence

00:38:09.699 --> 00:38:10.440
 of this church

00:38:10.440 --> 00:38:11.240
 is going to be set

00:38:11.240 --> 00:38:13.119
 through these praying people,

00:38:13.400 --> 00:38:14.559
 and they're going to receive

00:38:14.559 --> 00:38:15.360
 God's power.

00:38:16.139 --> 00:38:17.260
 They're going to receive

00:38:17.260 --> 00:38:17.960
 this power

00:38:17.960 --> 00:38:18.880
 that's been promised

00:38:18.880 --> 00:38:19.440
 by God

00:38:19.440 --> 00:38:20.220
 to enjoy it

00:38:20.220 --> 00:38:21.380
 for themselves personally.

00:38:23.380 --> 00:38:24.440
 That same power

00:38:24.440 --> 00:38:25.240
 that was present

00:38:25.240 --> 00:38:26.599
 in the Lord Jesus

00:38:26.599 --> 00:38:28.400
 will be present in them.

00:38:29.639 --> 00:38:30.400
 And so the church,

00:38:30.740 --> 00:38:32.300
 before it would ever launch

00:38:32.300 --> 00:38:33.360
 and reach the world,

00:38:33.440 --> 00:38:34.139
 it must learn

00:38:34.139 --> 00:38:35.300
 this important lesson.

00:38:35.500 --> 00:38:36.920
 It must first learn

00:38:36.920 --> 00:38:37.579
 to pray.

00:38:38.579 --> 00:38:39.740
 This great commission,

00:38:39.920 --> 00:38:40.700
 go into all the world

00:38:40.700 --> 00:38:41.440
 and make disciples

00:38:41.440 --> 00:38:42.039
 of all nations.

00:38:42.179 --> 00:38:43.579
 Before that would ever happen,

00:38:43.920 --> 00:38:44.980
 they must first learn

00:38:44.980 --> 00:38:45.559
 the strategy

00:38:45.559 --> 00:38:47.500
 of depending on God

00:38:47.500 --> 00:38:48.280
 through prayer

00:38:48.280 --> 00:38:50.240
 and receiving the power

00:38:50.240 --> 00:38:51.659
 of the Spirit.

00:38:51.760 --> 00:38:53.860
 Notice Acts 1, 4 says this,

00:38:54.199 --> 00:38:55.119
 While they were staying

00:38:55.119 --> 00:38:55.639
 with them,

00:38:56.159 --> 00:38:56.760
 he ordered them

00:38:56.760 --> 00:38:57.360
 not to depart

00:38:57.360 --> 00:38:57.920
 from Jerusalem,

00:38:58.079 --> 00:38:58.699
 but to wait

00:38:58.699 --> 00:38:59.619
 for the promise

00:38:59.619 --> 00:39:00.380
 of the Father,

00:39:00.740 --> 00:39:01.440
 which he had said,

00:39:01.579 --> 00:39:02.559
 you heard from me.

00:39:03.519 --> 00:39:04.579
 What was that promise?

00:39:05.240 --> 00:39:06.000
 Verse 8 says,

00:39:06.099 --> 00:39:07.059
 you will receive power.

00:39:07.740 --> 00:39:08.480
 When the Holy Spirit

00:39:08.480 --> 00:39:09.260
 has come upon you,

00:39:09.260 --> 00:39:10.400
 you will be my witnesses

00:39:10.400 --> 00:39:11.139
 in Jerusalem

00:39:11.139 --> 00:39:12.199
 and all Judea

00:39:12.199 --> 00:39:12.819
 and Samaria

00:39:12.819 --> 00:39:14.079
 into the ends

00:39:14.079 --> 00:39:15.179
 of the earth.

00:39:16.719 --> 00:39:17.299
 See,

00:39:18.039 --> 00:39:19.420
 before the people

00:39:19.420 --> 00:39:20.539
 of God

00:39:20.539 --> 00:39:21.539
 are to move,

00:39:21.779 --> 00:39:23.379
 they must first learn

00:39:23.379 --> 00:39:23.739
 to pray.

00:39:24.879 --> 00:39:26.159
 They must first learn

00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:28.379
 that they need to wait

00:39:28.379 --> 00:39:30.239
 not for human power,

00:39:30.339 --> 00:39:31.440
 but for divine power,

00:39:31.559 --> 00:39:32.420
 for God's power,

00:39:33.019 --> 00:39:34.119
 for power from on high.

00:39:35.400 --> 00:39:36.579
 And so that's what they do.

00:39:37.139 --> 00:39:38.539
 They return to Jerusalem

00:39:38.539 --> 00:39:40.239
 and they wait

00:39:40.239 --> 00:39:40.960
 there.

00:39:41.139 --> 00:39:42.039
 We find they're waiting

00:39:42.039 --> 00:39:42.799
 in verse 12

00:39:42.799 --> 00:39:43.920
 of Acts chapter 1.

00:39:44.799 --> 00:39:46.119
 They returned to Jerusalem

00:39:46.119 --> 00:39:47.219
 from the mount

00:39:47.219 --> 00:39:47.980
 called Olivet,

00:39:48.059 --> 00:39:48.980
 which is near Jerusalem,

00:39:49.119 --> 00:39:50.299
 a Sabbath day's journey away.

00:39:50.819 --> 00:39:52.379
 And when they had entered,

00:39:52.480 --> 00:39:53.019
 they went up

00:39:53.019 --> 00:39:53.759
 to the upper room

00:39:53.759 --> 00:39:55.259
 where they were staying,

00:39:55.400 --> 00:39:56.739
 Peter and John

00:39:56.739 --> 00:39:57.400
 and James

00:39:57.400 --> 00:39:58.039
 and Andrew

00:39:58.039 --> 00:39:58.539
 and Philip

00:39:58.539 --> 00:39:59.500
 and Thomas,

00:39:59.759 --> 00:40:00.420
 Bartholomew,

00:40:00.759 --> 00:40:01.059
 Matthew,

00:40:01.219 --> 00:40:01.480
 James,

00:40:01.559 --> 00:40:02.379
 the son of Alphaeus

00:40:02.379 --> 00:40:02.940
 and Simon,

00:40:03.279 --> 00:40:03.719
 the zealot

00:40:03.719 --> 00:40:04.219
 and Judas,

00:40:04.339 --> 00:40:05.179
 the son of James.

00:40:05.960 --> 00:40:06.940
 All these,

00:40:07.420 --> 00:40:08.279
 with one accord,

00:40:08.659 --> 00:40:09.579
 were devoting themselves

00:40:09.579 --> 00:40:10.400
 to prayer

00:40:10.400 --> 00:40:11.139
 together

00:40:11.139 --> 00:40:12.059
 with the women

00:40:12.059 --> 00:40:12.980
 and Mary,

00:40:13.059 --> 00:40:14.000
 the mother of Jesus

00:40:14.000 --> 00:40:15.280
 and his brothers.

00:40:16.059 --> 00:40:16.800
 What do they do?

00:40:17.840 --> 00:40:18.980
 They go to Jerusalem.

00:40:19.460 --> 00:40:21.740
 They obey God's directives

00:40:21.740 --> 00:40:23.340
 and they pray.

00:40:23.820 --> 00:40:24.380
 They wait

00:40:24.380 --> 00:40:25.960
 and then they see

00:40:25.960 --> 00:40:26.860
 the power

00:40:26.860 --> 00:40:28.000
 that God had provided,

00:40:28.119 --> 00:40:29.740
 the power of the Holy Spirit

00:40:29.740 --> 00:40:30.599
 that comes.

00:40:31.160 --> 00:40:31.660
 We see that

00:40:31.660 --> 00:40:32.300
 in Acts chapter 2,

00:40:32.360 --> 00:40:32.740
 verse 1.

00:40:32.739 --> 00:40:33.919
 When the day of Pentecost

00:40:33.919 --> 00:40:34.339
 arrived,

00:40:34.559 --> 00:40:35.199
 they were all together

00:40:35.199 --> 00:40:35.899
 in one place

00:40:35.899 --> 00:40:36.500
 and suddenly

00:40:36.500 --> 00:40:37.439
 there came from heaven

00:40:37.439 --> 00:40:37.939
 a sound

00:40:37.939 --> 00:40:39.399
 like a mighty rushing wind

00:40:39.399 --> 00:40:40.519
 and it filled

00:40:40.519 --> 00:40:41.639
 the entire house

00:40:41.639 --> 00:40:42.259
 where they were sitting

00:40:42.259 --> 00:40:44.419
 and divided tongues

00:40:44.419 --> 00:40:45.559
 as fire appeared

00:40:45.559 --> 00:40:46.139
 to them

00:40:46.139 --> 00:40:47.219
 and rested on

00:40:47.219 --> 00:40:48.019
 each one of them

00:40:48.019 --> 00:40:49.079
 and they were filled

00:40:49.079 --> 00:40:49.839
 with the Holy Spirit

00:40:49.839 --> 00:40:50.799
 and began to speak

00:40:50.799 --> 00:40:51.459
 in other tongues

00:40:51.459 --> 00:40:52.459
 as the Spirit

00:40:52.459 --> 00:40:53.399
 gave them utterance.

00:40:54.339 --> 00:40:54.699
 Prayer

00:40:54.699 --> 00:40:56.059
 of God's people

00:40:56.059 --> 00:40:57.619
 produced power.

00:40:57.619 --> 00:41:01.500
 not self-induced power

00:41:01.500 --> 00:41:03.099
 but divine power

00:41:03.099 --> 00:41:03.980
 from God

00:41:03.980 --> 00:41:04.639
 to them

00:41:04.639 --> 00:41:06.000
 because of obedient,

00:41:06.900 --> 00:41:07.400
 receptive,

00:41:07.679 --> 00:41:08.139
 humble,

00:41:08.460 --> 00:41:09.920
 dependent hearts.

00:41:13.279 --> 00:41:14.460
 The life

00:41:14.460 --> 00:41:15.739
 and power

00:41:15.739 --> 00:41:16.940
 and glory

00:41:16.940 --> 00:41:17.739
 of the church

00:41:17.739 --> 00:41:18.739
 is prayer.

00:41:19.819 --> 00:41:21.019
 The life of its members

00:41:21.019 --> 00:41:22.259
 is dependent on prayer

00:41:22.259 --> 00:41:24.139
 and the presence of God

00:41:24.139 --> 00:41:25.059
 is secured

00:41:25.059 --> 00:41:26.299
 and retained

00:41:26.299 --> 00:41:27.279
 by prayer.

00:41:27.280 --> 00:41:28.660
 the very place

00:41:28.660 --> 00:41:30.000
 is made sacred

00:41:30.000 --> 00:41:31.360
 by its ministry.

00:41:32.200 --> 00:41:32.800
 Without it

00:41:32.800 --> 00:41:33.360
 the church

00:41:33.360 --> 00:41:34.540
 is useless,

00:41:34.840 --> 00:41:35.620
 it's lifeless,

00:41:35.720 --> 00:41:36.380
 it's powerless.

00:41:37.540 --> 00:41:38.120
 Without it

00:41:38.120 --> 00:41:39.200
 even the building itself

00:41:39.200 --> 00:41:39.860
 is nothing

00:41:39.860 --> 00:41:41.480
 more other than

00:41:41.480 --> 00:41:42.519
 the structure.

00:41:43.019 --> 00:41:43.880
 Prayer converts

00:41:43.880 --> 00:41:44.900
 even the bricks

00:41:44.900 --> 00:41:45.880
 and mortar

00:41:45.880 --> 00:41:46.800
 and lumber

00:41:46.800 --> 00:41:48.760
 into a sanctuary,

00:41:49.560 --> 00:41:50.680
 a holy of holies

00:41:50.680 --> 00:41:52.300
 where the Shekinah dwells.

00:41:52.519 --> 00:41:53.480
 It separates it

00:41:53.480 --> 00:41:54.340
 in spirit

00:41:54.340 --> 00:41:55.200
 and in purpose

00:41:55.200 --> 00:41:56.760
 from all other edifices.

00:41:57.280 --> 00:41:58.420
 Prayer gives

00:41:58.420 --> 00:42:00.519
 peculiar sacredness

00:42:00.519 --> 00:42:01.360
 to the building

00:42:01.360 --> 00:42:03.120
 and sanctifies it,

00:42:03.320 --> 00:42:04.040
 sets it apart

00:42:04.040 --> 00:42:06.340
 and conserves it

00:42:06.340 --> 00:42:06.900
 from all

00:42:06.900 --> 00:42:07.620
 common

00:42:07.620 --> 00:42:08.600
 and mundane

00:42:08.600 --> 00:42:09.340
 affairs.

00:42:09.740 --> 00:42:10.320
 E.M. Bounds.

00:42:11.400 --> 00:42:12.240
 Are we a people

00:42:12.240 --> 00:42:13.380
 of prayer?

00:42:14.000 --> 00:42:14.320
 Finally,

00:42:14.660 --> 00:42:15.160
 and briefly,

00:42:15.740 --> 00:42:17.220
 rejoice in God's provision.

00:42:18.040 --> 00:42:18.800
 We can rejoice

00:42:18.800 --> 00:42:19.780
 in God's provision.

00:42:19.780 --> 00:42:22.260
 As we continue to read,

00:42:22.300 --> 00:42:23.200
 as we continue to read

00:42:23.200 --> 00:42:25.340
 through Acts chapter 2

00:42:25.340 --> 00:42:25.960
 and then on

00:42:25.960 --> 00:42:27.480
 through Acts chapter 28,

00:42:27.560 --> 00:42:28.920
 we see this work

00:42:28.920 --> 00:42:29.480
 of God

00:42:29.480 --> 00:42:30.060
 and the coming

00:42:30.060 --> 00:42:30.900
 of the Holy Spirit

00:42:30.900 --> 00:42:32.400
 and we see

00:42:32.400 --> 00:42:33.840
 the evidence

00:42:33.840 --> 00:42:35.920
 of this spiritual life

00:42:35.920 --> 00:42:37.580
 and how it overflows

00:42:37.580 --> 00:42:38.480
 into a people

00:42:38.480 --> 00:42:39.780
 who are not only

00:42:39.780 --> 00:42:40.620
 sanctified

00:42:40.620 --> 00:42:41.300
 and changed

00:42:41.300 --> 00:42:42.080
 and transformed,

00:42:42.500 --> 00:42:43.780
 but that transformation

00:42:43.780 --> 00:42:44.860
 is evident.

00:42:46.100 --> 00:42:46.800
 Creating unity,

00:42:46.800 --> 00:42:48.560
 creating zeal

00:42:48.560 --> 00:42:49.100
 for God,

00:42:49.240 --> 00:42:50.140
 creating a sense

00:42:50.140 --> 00:42:51.080
 of devotion

00:42:51.080 --> 00:42:52.220
 to His Word

00:42:52.220 --> 00:42:53.220
 and to what the apostles

00:42:53.220 --> 00:42:53.800
 teach,

00:42:53.960 --> 00:42:55.180
 but also to prayer

00:42:55.180 --> 00:42:55.820
 itself.

00:42:56.360 --> 00:42:57.180
 They devote themselves

00:42:57.180 --> 00:42:57.940
 to prayer.

00:42:58.260 --> 00:42:58.700
 Why?

00:42:59.039 --> 00:42:59.519
 It's because

00:42:59.519 --> 00:43:00.200
 that's what

00:43:00.200 --> 00:43:01.560
 worshiping people do.

00:43:01.780 --> 00:43:02.660
 They recognize

00:43:02.660 --> 00:43:03.780
 that their dependence

00:43:03.780 --> 00:43:04.700
 is on God

00:43:04.700 --> 00:43:05.300
 through prayer

00:43:05.300 --> 00:43:07.700
 and they rejoice

00:43:07.700 --> 00:43:09.000
 in God

00:43:09.000 --> 00:43:09.900
 through that provision

00:43:09.900 --> 00:43:11.320
 and they settle

00:43:11.320 --> 00:43:11.920
 their hearts

00:43:11.920 --> 00:43:13.519
 to do

00:43:13.519 --> 00:43:14.680
 and to carry

00:43:14.680 --> 00:43:15.800
 that life out.

00:43:16.980 --> 00:43:17.920
 I know our time

00:43:17.920 --> 00:43:18.380
 has expired,

00:43:18.480 --> 00:43:19.180
 but I want to just ask

00:43:19.180 --> 00:43:20.480
 for a couple more minutes

00:43:20.480 --> 00:43:21.579
 and I want to drive

00:43:21.579 --> 00:43:22.519
 this point home

00:43:22.519 --> 00:43:23.440
 with a quick video

00:43:23.440 --> 00:43:25.200
 and at the end

00:43:25.200 --> 00:43:25.820
 of each

00:43:25.820 --> 00:43:27.860
 service,

00:43:28.579 --> 00:43:29.840
 I want to encourage you

00:43:29.840 --> 00:43:30.320
 with kind of like

00:43:30.320 --> 00:43:31.660
 an object lesson,

00:43:31.820 --> 00:43:32.880
 a little illustration

00:43:32.880 --> 00:43:33.980
 and so

00:43:33.980 --> 00:43:36.139
 the Manwiller family

00:43:36.139 --> 00:43:38.019
 is helping us

00:43:38.019 --> 00:43:38.720
 to understand

00:43:38.719 --> 00:43:39.219
 a little bit

00:43:39.219 --> 00:43:39.959
 through this series

00:43:39.959 --> 00:43:40.559
 of videos

00:43:40.559 --> 00:43:41.980
 what it means

00:43:41.980 --> 00:43:42.879
 to be a church

00:43:42.879 --> 00:43:43.879
 or becoming a church

00:43:43.879 --> 00:43:45.399
 being used by God

00:43:45.399 --> 00:43:46.619
 in a way

00:43:46.619 --> 00:43:47.399
 to reach

00:43:47.399 --> 00:43:48.179
 the communities

00:43:48.179 --> 00:43:48.879
 that God

00:43:48.879 --> 00:43:49.959
 has put us in.

00:43:50.179 --> 00:43:51.519
 So just watch this

00:43:51.519 --> 00:43:52.399
 then I'll pray

00:43:52.399 --> 00:43:53.759
 and I'll dismiss you.

00:43:56.919 --> 00:43:58.079
 After much research

00:43:58.079 --> 00:43:59.000
 debating and praying,

00:43:59.319 --> 00:43:59.799
 we decided

00:43:59.799 --> 00:44:00.399
 that we wanted

00:44:00.399 --> 00:44:01.000
 to homeschool

00:44:01.000 --> 00:44:01.399
 our children

00:44:01.399 --> 00:44:02.239
 through fourth grade

00:44:02.239 --> 00:44:03.579
 and then send them

00:44:03.579 --> 00:44:04.179
 to public school.

00:44:04.639 --> 00:44:05.759
 There were several

00:44:05.759 --> 00:44:06.500
 reasons for that.

00:44:07.019 --> 00:44:07.779
 We want to be able

00:44:07.779 --> 00:44:08.500
 to walk them

00:44:08.500 --> 00:44:09.280
 through situations

00:44:09.280 --> 00:44:09.920
 they face

00:44:09.920 --> 00:44:10.760
 to learn how

00:44:10.760 --> 00:44:11.340
 to handle them

00:44:11.340 --> 00:44:11.780
 biblically.

00:44:12.320 --> 00:44:12.679
 Also,

00:44:12.880 --> 00:44:13.800
 we wanted them

00:44:13.800 --> 00:44:14.739
 to have the opportunity

00:44:14.739 --> 00:44:15.619
 to share Christ

00:44:15.619 --> 00:44:16.460
 with those around them

00:44:16.460 --> 00:44:17.360
 and be the salt

00:44:17.360 --> 00:44:17.840
 of the earth

00:44:17.840 --> 00:44:18.460
 and the light

00:44:18.460 --> 00:44:18.920
 of the world

00:44:18.920 --> 00:44:19.940
 as Jesus says

00:44:19.940 --> 00:44:20.940
 in Matthew 5,

00:44:21.099 --> 00:44:22.019
 13 through 16.

00:44:22.579 --> 00:44:23.900
 We were once challenged

00:44:23.900 --> 00:44:24.539
 with the fact

00:44:24.539 --> 00:44:25.300
 that if we're going

00:44:25.300 --> 00:44:25.940
 to be the salt

00:44:25.940 --> 00:44:26.500
 of the earth,

00:44:26.980 --> 00:44:27.619
 the salt's got

00:44:27.619 --> 00:44:28.420
 to be on the beef.

00:44:30.480 --> 00:44:31.559
 Before our boys

00:44:31.559 --> 00:44:32.519
 went to public school,

00:44:32.699 --> 00:44:33.199
 I had heard

00:44:33.199 --> 00:44:34.179
 other moms talk

00:44:34.179 --> 00:44:35.179
 of their involvement

00:44:35.179 --> 00:44:36.460
 in their child's classroom

00:44:36.460 --> 00:44:37.179
 and supporting

00:44:37.179 --> 00:44:37.659
 the teachers

00:44:37.659 --> 00:44:38.139
 in that way

00:44:38.139 --> 00:44:39.340
 and I was looking

00:44:39.340 --> 00:44:40.039
 forward to having

00:44:40.039 --> 00:44:41.059
 that same opportunity

00:44:41.059 --> 00:44:42.720
 but it turned out

00:44:42.720 --> 00:44:43.519
 to not be that way

00:44:43.519 --> 00:44:44.300
 when Caleb enters

00:44:44.300 --> 00:44:44.860
 fifth grade.

00:44:45.480 --> 00:44:46.619
 About the same time,

00:44:46.800 --> 00:44:47.920
 we began a themed

00:44:47.920 --> 00:44:48.740
 prayer schedule

00:44:48.740 --> 00:44:49.599
 during our family

00:44:49.599 --> 00:44:50.179
 Bible time

00:44:50.179 --> 00:44:50.720
 each evening

00:44:50.720 --> 00:44:52.099
 and on Tuesday nights,

00:44:52.240 --> 00:44:53.159
 we prayed for leaders.

00:44:53.679 --> 00:44:54.579
 So if I couldn't

00:44:54.579 --> 00:44:55.320
 support the teachers

00:44:55.320 --> 00:44:55.840
 in person,

00:44:56.039 --> 00:44:56.860
 I would support

00:44:56.860 --> 00:44:57.400
 them in prayer.

00:44:58.240 --> 00:44:58.639
 Weekly,

00:44:58.820 --> 00:44:59.780
 we prayed for the boys'

00:44:59.780 --> 00:45:00.260
 teachers,

00:45:00.599 --> 00:45:00.900
 coaches,

00:45:01.179 --> 00:45:01.760
 and other leaders

00:45:01.760 --> 00:45:02.460
 at their schools.

00:45:03.000 --> 00:45:03.760
 Sometimes we knew

00:45:03.760 --> 00:45:04.579
 specific needs

00:45:04.579 --> 00:45:05.500
 but most of the time

00:45:05.500 --> 00:45:06.019
 we did not.

00:45:06.679 --> 00:45:07.420
 And as a mom,

00:45:07.539 --> 00:45:08.460
 I pray regularly

00:45:08.460 --> 00:45:09.400
 for my sons

00:45:09.400 --> 00:45:10.139
 that the Lord

00:45:10.139 --> 00:45:11.119
 will clothe them

00:45:11.119 --> 00:45:11.900
 in His armor,

00:45:12.460 --> 00:45:12.980
 strengthen them

00:45:12.980 --> 00:45:13.639
 for the good works

00:45:13.639 --> 00:45:14.259
 He has prepared

00:45:14.259 --> 00:45:14.719
 for them,

00:45:15.059 --> 00:45:16.299
 and that it will be known

00:45:16.299 --> 00:45:17.219
 that they have

00:45:17.219 --> 00:45:18.199
 a different spirit

00:45:18.199 --> 00:45:18.860
 within them.

00:45:19.980 --> 00:45:20.739
 From about my

00:45:20.739 --> 00:45:21.739
 sophomore year onward,

00:45:21.819 --> 00:45:22.679
 I consistently prayed

00:45:22.679 --> 00:45:23.279
 every night

00:45:23.279 --> 00:45:23.819
 that I would get

00:45:23.819 --> 00:45:24.340
 opportunities

00:45:24.340 --> 00:45:25.299
 to share the gospel.

00:45:25.860 --> 00:45:26.699
 While those opportunities

00:45:26.699 --> 00:45:27.679
 did not come often,

00:45:27.900 --> 00:45:28.779
 God worked in my heart

00:45:28.779 --> 00:45:29.799
 to desire to proclaim

00:45:29.799 --> 00:45:30.539
 His good news

00:45:30.539 --> 00:45:31.360
 and pray faithfully

00:45:31.360 --> 00:45:31.799
 for years.

00:45:32.860 --> 00:45:33.860
 Every first day

00:45:33.860 --> 00:45:34.300
 of school,

00:45:34.700 --> 00:45:35.579
 my dad plays for me

00:45:35.579 --> 00:45:36.280
 the song by

00:45:36.280 --> 00:45:37.240
 Audio Adrenaline,

00:45:37.539 --> 00:45:38.660
 aka Public School.

00:45:39.220 --> 00:45:40.079
 In that song,

00:45:40.220 --> 00:45:41.000
 there is a line

00:45:41.000 --> 00:45:41.539
 that goes,

00:45:41.720 --> 00:45:42.680
 they pay to put you

00:45:42.680 --> 00:45:43.360
 in the classes,

00:45:43.780 --> 00:45:44.539
 it's your chance

00:45:44.539 --> 00:45:45.460
 to reach the masses.

00:45:46.079 --> 00:45:47.559
 The song is a great way

00:45:47.559 --> 00:45:48.300
 to be reminded

00:45:48.300 --> 00:45:49.260
 of the opportunity

00:45:49.260 --> 00:45:50.440
 that God has given me

00:45:50.440 --> 00:45:50.960
 at school,

00:45:51.480 --> 00:45:52.380
 both to be there,

00:45:52.620 --> 00:45:53.079
 to learn,

00:45:53.360 --> 00:45:54.420
 and more importantly,

00:45:54.820 --> 00:45:55.620
 to shine bright

00:45:55.620 --> 00:45:56.160
 for Christ.

00:45:56.740 --> 00:45:57.700
 We don't go to

00:45:57.700 --> 00:45:58.599
 public school yet,

00:45:58.680 --> 00:45:59.380
 but when we do,

00:45:59.519 --> 00:46:00.180
 we can learn,

00:46:00.400 --> 00:46:01.079
 make new friends,

00:46:01.180 --> 00:46:02.180
 and point them to Jesus.

00:46:02.179 --> 00:46:03.719
 I'm praying to have God

00:46:03.719 --> 00:46:05.219
 help me make new friends.

00:46:09.500 --> 00:46:11.019
 God wants to use

00:46:11.019 --> 00:46:12.579
 every single one of us

00:46:12.579 --> 00:46:13.659
 instrumentally this year.

00:46:14.059 --> 00:46:16.199
 He will only accomplish

00:46:16.199 --> 00:46:17.599
 that objective

00:46:17.599 --> 00:46:19.519
 by a praying people,

00:46:20.119 --> 00:46:21.059
 a dependent people.

00:46:21.819 --> 00:46:24.159
 Will you join me this year

00:46:24.159 --> 00:46:26.099
 in making prayer

00:46:26.099 --> 00:46:27.919
 something more than just

00:46:27.919 --> 00:46:29.940
 a casual kind of thing

00:46:29.940 --> 00:46:30.619
 in your life,

00:46:30.720 --> 00:46:32.720
 but that we are so

00:46:32.720 --> 00:46:35.099
 settled and so committed

00:46:35.099 --> 00:46:36.900
 and so reaching for it

00:46:36.900 --> 00:46:37.440
 that it becomes

00:46:37.440 --> 00:46:39.059
 a way of life for us.

00:46:39.420 --> 00:46:40.400
 Oh, may God help us

00:46:40.400 --> 00:46:41.800
 to be a people of prayer

00:46:41.800 --> 00:46:42.599
 so we can enjoy

00:46:42.599 --> 00:46:43.320
 the benefits

00:46:43.320 --> 00:46:44.440
 of His power

00:46:44.440 --> 00:46:46.460
 and see that power

00:46:46.460 --> 00:46:46.980
 working out

00:46:46.980 --> 00:46:47.780
 in our communities,

00:46:48.019 --> 00:46:48.940
 in our families,

00:46:49.220 --> 00:46:50.179
 in our church.

00:46:50.260 --> 00:46:50.599
 Let me pray

00:46:50.599 --> 00:46:51.559
 and I'll dismiss you.

00:46:51.920 --> 00:46:52.720
 Oh, Lord, thank you

00:46:52.720 --> 00:46:54.300
 for the example

00:46:54.300 --> 00:46:55.200
 of your son Jesus.

00:46:56.300 --> 00:46:57.360
 Thank you for His

00:46:57.360 --> 00:46:58.420
 instruction to us

00:46:58.420 --> 00:46:59.659
 to be people

00:46:59.659 --> 00:47:00.380
 who are dependent

00:47:00.380 --> 00:47:01.400
 on the Father

00:47:01.400 --> 00:47:02.159
 through prayer

00:47:02.159 --> 00:47:03.840
 and then enjoy

00:47:03.840 --> 00:47:04.440
 the benefits

00:47:04.440 --> 00:47:05.460
 of that power

00:47:05.460 --> 00:47:06.480
 that comes

00:47:06.480 --> 00:47:06.980
 through the Spirit.

00:47:07.880 --> 00:47:08.680
 May our lives

00:47:08.680 --> 00:47:09.599
 demonstrate

00:47:09.599 --> 00:47:10.880
 that kind

00:47:10.880 --> 00:47:11.940
 of example

00:47:11.940 --> 00:47:12.519
 to others

00:47:12.519 --> 00:47:13.480
 in Jesus' name.

00:47:13.780 --> 00:47:14.000
 Amen.

00:47:14.619 --> 00:47:15.260
 God bless you.

00:47:15.960 --> 00:47:16.700
 Happy New Year.

00:47:16.760 --> 00:47:17.240
 Have a good day.